High performance gel filtration using monodisperse highly cross-linked agarose as a one-step system for mucin purification.

High performance gel filtration on monodisperse cross-linked agarose (Superose 6) has been assessed as a system for purification of mucus glycoproteins. Comparison with the conventional two-step purification of mucus glycoprotein by Sepharose CL4B gel filtration followed by caesium chloride density gradient centrifugation shows that purification by high performance gel filtration is at least as thorough, yielding mucin that is free from non-mucin glycoproteins as defined by buoyant density, mobility on sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and absence of Concanavalin A binding (mannose-containing) material. This technique allows mucus glycoprotein to be purified from lyophilized crude mucin in 120 min compared with approximately 72 h using the conventional techniques.

Ion exchange chromatography of purified colonic mucus glycoproteins in inflammatory bowel disease: absence of a selective subclass defect.

Previous reports of a selective mucin subclass defect in ulcerative colitis have been reassessed using high performance chromatography (Superose 6 and Mono Q) for mucin purification and fractionation coupled with analysis of the fractions obtained using a combination of enzyme linked lectin and mucin antibody assays. Mucin samples purified from snap frozen rectal biopsy specimens obtained from patients with ulcerative colitis (n = 12), Crohn's disease (n = 5), and non-inflammatory bowel disease control subjects (n = 9) were subject to ion exchange chromatography using a continuous 0-0.35 mol/l NaCl salt gradient with a final 2.

Characterisation of a monoclonal antibody capable of neutralising the haemorrhagic activity of West African Echis carinatus (carpet viper) venom.

A murine monoclonal antibody (SV-1/F10) was highly specific immunologically for West African E.carinatus venom both by ELISA and immunoblotting. In cross-protection tests in vivo, it possessed strong antihaemorrhagic activity.

A study of the pathogenesis of local skin necrosis induced by Naja nigricollis (spitting cobra) venom using simple histological staining techniques.

The course of degeneration and regeneration of mouse skin following intradermal injection of spitting cobra (N. nigricollis) venom was investigated using simple histological staining techniques. Early changes observed were vascular congestion, oedema and degeneration of the skeletal muscle cell layer (panniculus carnosus) in the area local to the injection site.

Biological properties of the venom of the red-necked keel-back snake (Rhabdophis subminiatus).

Studies in mice on the biological activity of the venom of the red-necked keel-back snake, Rhabdophis subminiatus, showed that the venom contained a potent Factor X activator and had intense defibrinogenating activity; the overall proteolytic activity of the venom was low, and this correlated well with its negligible fibrinogenolytic and fibrinolytic activities. Only one antivenom tested was shown to have weak neutralizing activity against the venom in mice. This species of snake has recently been added to the schedule of the Dangerous Wild Animals Act, 1976.