Isolation and characterization of chitin from bumblebee (Bombus terrestris).

Insect chitin possessing shell-like structure was prepared from the bumblebee corpses by a consequent treatment with 1M HCl and 1M NaOH. The bumblebee chitin was compared with crustacean (shrimp) chitin by using elemental analysis, Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and solid-state (13)C cross-polarization magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (CP/MAS)-NMR spectroscopy and confocal microscopy. Both chitins (bumblebee and shrimp) exhibited identical spectra, while the bumblebee chitin had a 5% lower degree of acetylation and was characterized by a fine membrane texture.

Cytostatic peptide isolation from culture media of mouse peritoneal exudate cells.

It was found that the supernatant of mouse PEC culture medium (MCM) (both resident and casein-elicited cells) has an inhibitory effect in vitro on the incorporation of [3H]TdR into DNA of mouse spleen cells. The inhibitory effect in the MCM appears in the first 24 hr and also reaches its maximum value within this time. The inhibitory effect of this factor could not be demonstrated in the extract of freshly harvested M phi cells.

Acidic acetone extract from pregnant sow ovaries is a rich source of substances affecting uterine contractility in vitro.

Acidic acetone extract of pregnant sow ovaries was subjected to Sephadex G-25 chromatography. The solution coming from column was analysed for UV absorption, molecular weight, and also for its biological effect on a myometrium strip in vitro. This biodetection system has made it possible continuously to determine the biologically active fractions eluted from the Sephadex G-25 column.

Possible role of peptides derived from otosclerotic bone in the mechanism of sensorineural hearing loss.

Otosclerotic stapes footplates, superstructures and temporal cortical bones were extracted with 0.25 M guanidine X HCl 0.5 M EDTA (pH 7.

Non-collagen proteins of stapedial bone matrix in perilymph of otosclerotic patients.

Non-collagen proteins extracted from the otosclerotic stapes footplate, superstructure and temporal cortical bone were compared with the protein patterns of normal and otosclerotic perilymph by analytical isotachophoresis (ITP). Normal and otosclerotic perilymph yielded basically identical isotachophoretic subfractions. Thirteen subfractions were detected moving as anions at pH 9.

Biochemical characterization of substances with myometrium contraction inhibitory action, originated from ovaries of pregnant sows.

In order to understand life itself, we need biotechnology to purify biologically active substances as well. One of these processes results peptides with myometrium contraction inhibitory effect, originated from the ovaries of pregnant sows, but different from relaxin. After collection and acidic-acetone extraction of the ovaries (product generation, primary purification) the substance with myometrium contraction inhibitory effect was further purified on Sephadex G-25 (fine), CM-52 and again Sephadex G-25 (fine) gels (secondary purification) without loosing the bioactivity of the substance (quality control).

Peptides of the otosclerotic perilymph examined by analytical isotachophoresis.

Perilymphs of normal and otosclerotic origin were separated chromatographically on a Sephadex G-25 microcolumn. Peptide composition of the perilymphs was compared by capillary analytical isotachophoresis in the molecular mass range 0.3-5 kD.

Possible origin of amniotic fluid constituents influencing fibrinolytic activity.

An attempt was made to clarify the origin of the amniotic fluid constituents affecting fibrinolysis. For this purpose, saline extracts were prepared from various extra-fetal gestational tissues (EGT) as well as from various fetal excretory products (FEP) and their effect on an euglobinolytic system was studied in vitro. It was found that extracts from FEPs stimulated, whereas those from EGTs inhibited fibrinolysis.

Possible origin of amniotic fluid constituents affecting thromboplastic activity.

The clotting-accelerating activity of amniotic fluid (AF) has been known for long, but a clinical importance has only recently been attributed to this phenomenon. In order to obtain some informations on the origin of AF component(s) responsible for this action, the effects on the coagulation process of extracts prepared from the placenta, fetal membranes and fetal excretes were investigated. Normal saline extracts from the placenta, the amniotic and chorionic membranes, and those from the mucus aspirated from the upper respiratory tract of the fetuses were shown to accelerate, whereas meconium extract and untreated fetal urine were found to inhibit blood coagulation.

Continuous monitoring of the efficiency of haemodialysis by recording the UV transmittance of the dialysis solution.

The efficiency of haemodialysis, the elimination of uraemic retention substances of low and medium molecular weight can be continuously monitored by recording the UV transmittance at 254 nm of the dialysing solution. The method for controlling the efficiency of haemodialysis is optimal if it complies with the following requirements: No or little blood sample is needed. The elimination process can be continuously monitored.

A rapid, routinely applicable method for the determination of the amino acid content of the ejaculate.

Examination of the amino acid content of the ejaculate was carried out from the point of view of fertility. Following a brief survey of the known examination techniques, the authors report on the experiences gained by the Van Pielsum-Sakagutchi and a thin-layer ion exchange chromatographic methods. The chromatographic videodensitometry is proposed as a suitable routine andrologic examination since it is rapid, simple and requires small sample size.

The role of basic amino acids of the seminal plasma in fertility.

The role of basic amino acids in male infertility is discussed. The changes in the arginine, ornithine and total amino acid concentrations of the seminal plasma in various types of pathospermia are commented upon in the light of published evidence and of the authors' own observations. A recent procedure (CV-technique) introduced by the authors into the routine investigation scheme of infertility is reported.

Effect of hyperosmolar peritoneal dialysis fluid on the elimination of small- and medium-molecular substances.

The efficiency of peritoneal dialysis by the use of hyperosmolar dialyzing fluid (680 mOsm/1) was studied in 7 patients with chronic renal failure. The results were referred to the control values obtained in the first and in the terminal periods. In the course of treatment by means of the solution of high osmolarity the clearance of small- and medium-molecular substances increased.

Intermediate molecular weight substances in sera of psoriatic patients.

In the experiments presented here, serum samples were collected both from psoriatic (PS) (n = 8) and non-psoriatic (NPS) patients (n = 8) and were analyzed by the combination of fractional precipitation (80% ethanol, pH 2) and gel filtration techniques as well as by chemical methods. It was demonstrated that, in comparison to the non psoriatic samples, concentration of the free alfa-amino group bearing and the Lowry positive components as well as total carbohydrate content was significantly elevated in the acidic ethanol soluble serum fraction of psoriatic samples. In psoriasis, the quantity of serum components with UV light absorbing capability at 206 nm, and with a molecular mass between 0.

Quantitative and qualitative changes in serum oligopeptide components of patients with end stage malignant tumour disease.

A number of changes in peptide components could be demonstrated in sera of patients with end stage malignant diseases. Total and free alfa amino-N content of such sera was shown to be significantly higher than those in sera of patients with no sign of malignancy. In addition, a significant increase was found in one of the serum fraction obtained by Sephadex G-25 chromatography.

Elevated opioid activity in sera of chronic schizophrenics.

The effect of native serum samples from schizophrenic and control patients on the electrically induced contractions of the isolated mouse vas deferens (MVD) preparations was investigated. It was demonstrated that only the samples of schizophrenic origin elicited a naloxone dependent inhibition on the contractions of the MVD preparations, while sera from healthy individuals and those from non schizophrenic but mentally ill patients proved to be ineffective in this respect. By using ultrafiltration and gel chromatographic techniques, four fractions disclosing MVD related biological activity could be separated from schizophrenic samples.

Utero-inhibin: a new substance inhibiting uterine contraction, isolated from amniotic fluid.

Amniotic fluid was collected from women in the 2nd trimester of their gravidity by amniocentesis and its effect on the isolated pregnant rat uterine preparation investigated. It was demonstrated that some of the amniotic fluid components partially purified by using the combination of various separation techniques stimulated, while others inhibited the contractions of the isolated rat uterine preparation. The inhibitory component, called utero-inhibin also inhibited the spontaneous contractions as well as the basal tone of the isolated rat intestinal preparation and those of the isolated human pregnant myometrium preparation.

Effect of immobilization by plastering on the level of various energy metabolites in skeletal muscle.

The effect of 1 to 6-week limb immobilization by plaster fixation and the resulting skeletal muscle inactivity-atrophy was studied by analysing isotachophoretically the ATP, ADP, AMP, CrP, NAD+ and Pi content of the slow-oxidative soleus, and the fast-glycolytic gastrocnemius muscle of the rabbit. ATP and CrP levels were higher in the glycolytic while NAD+ content was higher in the oxidative skeletal muscle under normal conditions. Energy homeostasis of the muscles disturbed during the first week of immobilization, and subsequently it is adapted to the inactivity by reaching a new steady state at lower energy levels.

Molecular weight distribution, diffusibility and comparability of middle molecular fractions prepared from normal and uremic sera by different fractionation procedures.

Sephadex G-25 (SG-25) chromatography of normal and uremic (U) sera yielded three (A, B, C) optically active (280 nm) fractions. Only fraction B disclosed a substantial increase in uremia that could not be counteracted by routine hemodialysis. Although middle molecules (MM) might be included in all SG-25 fractions (B greater than C greater than A), none of them was exclusively composed of MM.

The role of degradation of fetal haemoglobin in the energy supply of very low body weight pre-term babies.

Low body weight premature babies born before the 32nd gestational week were studied to analyse the postnatal fall in plasma haemoglobin and in quantitative changes in amino acid levels. Red blood cells of premature low body weight infants were found to disintegrate more rapidly than those of mature newborns. Thin-layer ion-exchange chromatographic studies showed that amino acids originating from the degrading haemoglobin-F lead to rise in plasma amino acids.

Many hitherto unknown peptides are principal constituents of uremic "middle molecules".

The aim of the present investigation was to collect information on the molecular composition of uremic "middle molecules," the 500-5000 molecular-mass serum constituents assumed to be involved in the molecular etiology of uremic intoxication. For this purpose, three fractions of serum containing such molecules were separated by cation-exchange column chromatography. These fractions absorb at 240 nm and are characteristically increased in chronic uremia.