Isolation and identification of zinc ions and heparin binding proteins in yellow fraction of the red deer Cervus Elaphus L. semen.

During the rutting season, stag semen is accompanied by a sticky, dense secretion called yellow fraction (YF). There is little information about the role, biology, physiology, and most importantly, the composition of this fluid. The aim of this study was to isolate and identify zinc ions (ZnBPs) and heparin binding proteins (HBPs) from YF of the red deer (Cervus elaphus L.). Using liquid chromatography, the presence of 6 fractions of ZnBPs (71, 65, 55, 16, 14 and 12 kDa) and 22 fractions of HBPs (163, 140, 96, 78, 71, 65, 55, 49, 33, 31, 26, 25, 24, 22, 18, 16, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9 and 8 kDa) in YF proteome was demonstrated. By means of two-dimensional electrophoreses and MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry some of them were then identified. Amongst ZnBPs the following were identified: glutaminyl-peptide cyclotransferase, inhibitor of carbonic anhydrase-like, potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily E member 2, WD repeat-containing protein 38 isoform X4. Amongst the HBPs metalloproteinase inhibitor 2 (TIMP2), seminal plasma glycoprotein PSP-I and adseverin (scinderin) were identified. Identifying all ZnBPs and HBPs present in YF may broaden up-to-date knowledge concerning the biology, physiology and preservation of red deer semen.

Definition of flow parameters in proximal nonstenotic coronary arteries using transesophageal Doppler echocardiography.

Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) enables the visualization of proximal coronary arteries. We investigated the feasibility of coronary flow evaluation using TEE, as well as to define flow parameters found in normal proximal coronary arteries. The subgroups of patients with normal proximal segments of coronary arteries were selected from the cohort of 210 patients undergoing routine coronary angiography. The left main coronary artery (LMCA), proximal segment of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD), left circumflex artery (LCx), and right coronary artery (RCA) were analyzed separately in 147, 64, 53, and 70 patients, respectively. Proximal coronary arteries were evaluated in the transverse plane using a 5-MHz TEE probe, and the flow in normal arteries was registered using pulsed-wave Doppler. The registration of flow with pulsed-wave Doppler was feasible in 88% of studies for the LMCA, 85% for the LAD, 58% for the LCx, and 65% for the RCA. Normal flow was laminar with distinct phasic character (diastolic predominance). Mean +/- SD values of peak coronary flow velocity were (systole/diastole) for the LMCA, 36 +/- 11/71 +/- 19 cm/sec; the LAD, 31 +/- 9/67 +/- 19 cm/sec; the LCx, 36 +/- 13/75 +/- 24 cm/sec; and the RCA, 25 +/- 8/39 +/- 12 cm/sec. Peak diastolic coronary flow velocity was most significantly correlated with heart rate. Doppler evaluation of proximal coronary flow is feasible using TEE in the majority of patients. The knowledge of normal flow values, which is different for the left and the right coronary artery, provides the background for proper interpretation of flow in diseased coronary arteries.

Coronary anomalies diagnosed with transesophageal echocardiography: complementary clinical value in adults.

INTRODUCTION: Coronary arteriography remains a gold standard for the evaluation of coronary anatomy. In the case of anatomical anomalies, understanding of vessel course based upon a coronary angiogram may be difficult. Transesophageal echocardiography is a noninvasive method allowing tomographic visualization of proximal coronary arteries. Experience concerning its usefulness for the assessment of anomalous coronary arteries is limited. MATERIAL: Eleven patients with confirmed coronary anomalies studied between 1993-96 were identified in the cohort of those undergoing transesophageal echocardiography. RESULTS: Transesophageal echocardiography revealed potentially serious anomalies (origin of left or right coronary artery from contralateral aortic sinus) in 3 patients and benign in 8. Coronary ostia and proximal course could be delineated in all patients. Anatomical information was consistent between methods, except for a separate origin of the left anterior descending and circumflex artery, where the angiogram missed a very short common left main coronary artery in 2 patients. The relationship between the coronary arteries, aorta and pulmonary trunk was better defined by the echocardiogram. Doppler flow analysis allowed us to exclude anomaly-related flow disturbances. CONCLUSIONS: Transesophageal echocardiography can be considered as a noninvasive technique with the potential for anatomical and functional evaluation of anomalous proximal coronary arteries and deserves a routine use whenever such a condition is suspected. This approach may simplify invasive procedures in this patient group.