The genes for ribosomal protein L15 and the protein equivalent to secY in the archaebacterium Haloarcula (Halobacterium) marismortui.

The nucleotide sequences of the L15 gene and the secY gene, which form the last two genes of the S10/spc-operon region of Haloarcula marismortui, have been determined. The HmaL15 protein sequence translated from the DNA is 164 amino acids long, revealing 10 amino acids more at the C-terminus than the published protein sequence. The deduced HmasecY protein sequence has 487 amino acids and shows significant homology to its counterparts in Methanococcus vannielii and Escherichia coli. The gene order of the halobacterial gene cluster is similar to that in the methanogens and in eubacteria.

Evidence for an additional archaebacterial gene cluster in Halobacterium marismortui encoding ribosomal proteins HL46e and HL30.

A small and extremely basic ribosomal protein (HL46e) has been purified from Halobacterium marismortui using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The amino acid sequence of the protein was determined by automated N-terminal and internal sequence analysis. Comparison of this sequence with other ribosomal protein sequences from eubacteria, archaebacteria and eukaryotes revealed a strong homology to SL46e from Sulfolobus solfataricus, YeaL46 from yeast and RL39 from rat. No significant sequence similarly was found to any eubacterial ribosomal protein so far known. Using a specific oligonucleotide probe the HL46e gene was identified, cloned and the nucleotide sequence including the 5'- and 3'-flanking regions were analysed. The HL46e gene is followed by the gene coding for HL30. A putative halobacterial promoter sequence with the motive 'TTTAAA' has been localized 32 bp upstream of the HL46e gene and a putative terminator sequence localized downstream from the HL30 gene. An equivalent to this HL46e/HL30 operon is apparently not present in Escherichia coli.

Nucleotide sequence of four genes encoding ribosomal proteins from the 'S10 and spectinomycin' operon equivalent region in the archaebacterium Halobacterium marismortui.

Four genes encoding ribosomal proteins HmaS17, HmaL14, HmaL24 and HS3, have been identified in the lambda EMBL3 clone PP*7 from a genomic library of the archaebacterium Halobacterium marismortui. The clone contains genes from the 'S10 and spectinomycin' operon equivalent region. Three of the deduced proteins are homologous to the corresponding Escherichia coli and Methancoccus vannielii S17, L14 and L24 proteins, as well as to eukaryotic proteins from rat or yeast. HS3 was identified as an extra protein corresponding to the gene product for orfc in M. vannielii and the eukaryotic ribosomal protein RS4 from rat. The equivalence of HmaL24 (HL16) and E. coli L24, which share only 28% identical amino acid residues, could now be shown by localizing the HmaL24 gene at the same position in the cluster.

Nucleotide sequence of the genes for ribosomal proteins HS15 and HSH from Haloarcula marismortui: an archaeon-specific gene cluster.

The nucleotide sequences of the genes for two ribosomal proteins, HS15 and HSH, from the archaeon Haloarcula marismortui, have been determined. The genes were found in a cluster together with another open reading frame with a probable regulatory function. HS15 and HSH have counterparts in eucarya. HS15 is significantly homologous to S19 from frog (Xenopus laevis). HSH is related to S37 from yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and S27 from fly (Drosophila melanogaster), as well as to other members of the S27 family. Eubacterial counterparts were not found, suggesting that these proteins are 'extra proteins' that are absent in eubacterial ribosomes.

Primary structures of three highly acidic ribosomal proteins S6, S12 and S15 from the archaebacterium Halobacterium marismortui.

The amino acid sequences of three extremely acidic ribosomal proteins, S6, S12, and S15, from Halobacterium marismortui have been determined. The sequences were obtained by the sequence analysis of peptides derived by enzymatic digestion with trypsin. Stapylococcus aureus protease and chymotrypsin, as well as by cleavage with dilute HCl. The proteins, S6, S12 and S15, consist of 116, 147 and 102 amino acid residues, and have molecular masses of 12,251, 16,440 and 11,747 Da, respectively. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of these proteins with ribosomal protein sequences of other organisms revealed that halobacterial protein S12 has homology with the eukaryotic protein S16A from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, while S15 is significantly related to the Xenopus laevis S19 protein. No homology was found between these halobacterial proteins and any eubacterial ribosomal proteins.

Primary structures of ribosomal proteins from the archaebacterium Halobacterium marismortui and the eubacterium Bacillus stearothermophilus.

Approximately 40 ribosomal proteins from each Halobacterium marismortui and Bacillus stearothermophilus have been sequenced either by direct protein sequence analysis or by DNA sequence analysis of the appropriate genes. The comparison of the amino acid sequences from the archaebacterium H marismortui with the available ribosomal proteins from the eubacterial and eukaryotic kingdoms revealed four different groups of proteins: 24 proteins are related to both eubacterial as well as eukaryotic proteins. Eleven proteins are exclusively related to eukaryotic counterparts. For three proteins only eubacterial relatives-and for another three proteins no counterpart-could be found. The similarities of the halobacterial ribosomal proteins are in general somewhat higher to their eukaryotic than to their eubacterial counterparts. The comparison of B stearothermophilus proteins with their E coli homologues showed that the proteins evolved at different rates. Some proteins are highly conserved with 64-76% identity, others are poorly conserved with only 25-34% identical amino acid residues.

Sex specific differences in chlorimipramine inhibition of serotonin uptake in human platelets.

The uptake of 14C-serotonin in platelet-rich plasma was similar in clinically healthy men and women. Serotonin uptake inhibition by chlorimipramine was significantly less in women than in men, the extent of inhibition correlating with the stage of the menstrual cycle.

Family adaptation and psychosocial adjustment to cystic fibrosis in the preschool child.

The parents of 80% (41 of 51) of preschoolers with cystic fibrosis (CF) diagnosed at least 1 year prior to the study and attending the Hospital for Sick Children (HSC) CF Clinic completed the Problem Inventory (PINV), Preschool Behavior Questionnaire (PBQ) and Family Assessment Measure (FAM). The mean age of the CF children was 3.7 years. Parents of a control group of 31 healthy daycare children with a mean age of 3.6 years completed the same questionnaires. Parents of healthy preschoolers reported more child-related problems for 2-5 year olds than did parents of CF children (P less than 0.001) suggesting that parents who have confronted the CF diagnosis go on to minimize the normal stresses of the developmental period. Considerable agreement was seen between PINV scores for mothers and fathers in each group, revealing that parents in a given family perceive similarly the impact their child has upon them. The mean PBQ for CF preschoolers was not significantly different from that of the control group, although there was some tendency toward hostile aggressive behavior in the CF group. Surprisingly, total FAM scores of all samples showed no significant differences with the exception of a better total FAM score for fathers of CF children when compared to control fathers revealing that the CF family is not, during the early years of relative health stability, adversely affected. Two subscales were significantly elevated, social desirability (for CF mothers and fathers) and denial (for CF mothers only), describing an important response style which may enhance mastery of long-term stress.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Anhydro sugar and linkage contributions to circular dichroism of agarose and carrageenan, with conformational implications.

The geometry-dependent linkage contributions to the circular dichroism (CD) of agarose and carrageenan were determined by subtracting the monomeric CD from the CD of the polymers. For this purpose, the CD of methyl 3,6-anhydro-alpha-D-galactopyranoside, and of other anhydro sugars, was measured. Application of empirical quadrant rules indicates the observed CD to be that expected for the helical conformations of agarose and carrageenan as derived from diffraction data and modeling calculations. The difference in CD sign in the two polymers arises from a translocation of the beta-D-galactose O-2 atom from one quadrant to the neighboring quadrant of the C-5-O-5-C-1 ether chromophore of the preceding anhydro sugar residue, demonstrating the unusually high spatial resolution of conformational analysis that can be achieved with CD under favorable circumstances.

Vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism of gellan-family polymer films from water and dimethyl sulfoxide.

The denaturing effect of dimethyl sulfoxide (Me2SO) on the conformation of the gellan-welan-rhamsan family of microbial polysaccharides is directly demonstrated by circular dichroism (CD). The three polysaccharides display strikingly similar CD spectra (140-210 nm) for films cast from Me2SO. The disrupting effect of Me2SO on gellan and welan conformations has previously been reported by others on the basis of light-scattering and viscosity studies. Films cast from aqueous solutions at room temperature show more-intense CD bands, both at 182 nm, as is also observed for aqueous solutions, and in the 150-175 nm region. These features correspond to the ordered helical chains found by X-ray diffraction studies of similarly prepared films.

[Can follow-up controls improve the accuracy of MR mammography? A retrospective analysis of MR mammography follow-up studies]. / Können Verlaufskontrollen die diagnostische Sicherheit der MR-Mammographie erhöhen? Eine retrospektive Analyse MR-mammographischer Verlaufsuntersuchungen.

PURPOSE: To assess the change in diagnostic confidence between first and follow-up dynamic MR examination of the breast (MRM). METHODS: The reports of a total of 175 MRM in 77 patients (mean age 50 years; 36-76) with 98 follow-up MRM were analyzed. All examinations were performed as a dynamic study (Gd-DTPA, 0.16 mmol/kg; 6-7 repetitive studies). The change in diagnostic confidence was retrospectively classified as follows: controlled lesion vanished during follow-up (category I); diagnostic confidence increases during follow-up (II), more likely benign (IIa), more suspicious (IIb); no difference in diagnostic confidence (III). Long-term follow-up over an average of four years was obtained for 57 patients with category IIa/III findings. RESULTS: In 98 follow-up examinations, only two lesions vanished (2%). In 77/98 cases a category IIa lesion was diagnosed, in 11 cases a category IIb lesion. In 8 cases (8%) there was no change in diagnostic confidence during follow-up. Lesions in category IIb underwent biopsy in 10/11 cases, in one case long-term follow-up proved a completely regredient inflammatory change. In 8/11 suspicious findings (IIb) a malignant tumor was detected. The mean time interval between first and follow-up MRM was 8 months for I-IIb lesions, and 4 months for category III lesions. In the long-term follow-up two patients with a category IIa lesion developed a carcinoma in a different breast area after four and five years. CONCLUSION: MRM follow up increases the diagnostic confidence if the time interval is adequate (> 4 months). A persistently or increasingly suspicious finding warrants biopsy.

Fertility of two bulls with poor sperm morphology.

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of subfertility of 2 Friesland bulls (Bulls 1 and 2) with poor sperm morphology. An Ayrshire (Bull 3) with good sperm morphology served as control. Bull 1 had a mean of 48% morphologically normal sperm, 36% sperm-head defects and 18% flagellar defects. Bull 2 had a mean of 28% normal sperm, 28% flagellar defects and 33% proximal cytoplasmic droplets. Bull 3 had a mean of 83% normal sperm. Each bull was exposed to 19 cyclic heifers. Heifers of Breeding Groups 1, 2 and 3 did not differ with respect to body mass, age and breed. Pregnancy was diagnosed by means of B-mode ultrasonography 25-50 d after service. Bulls 1, 2 and 3 served 13, 17 and 16 heifers, respectively, during one oestrous period each. Of these heifers 6 (46%), 2 (12%) and 12 (75%) respectively, conceived.

More than "bandaids": emotional support and education during the downsizing process.

This paper illustrates the importance of giving emotional support and education to patients, families, staff and managers at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Toronto during the Spring 1992 downsizing effort. The Queen Elizabeth Hospital is a 601-bed, two-site facility which provides complex specialized rehabilitative and supportive care, teaching and research, as well as specialty programs in rehabilitation, geriatric service, geriatric psychiatry and long-term care. Downsizing at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital meant the consolidation and closure of 82 long-term beds, on one nursing unit at each site, to offset a projected budget deficit of $5.4 million. Internal restraint over the past year and during the budget process reduced this deficit to $2.8 million, thus necessitating further downsizing consideration. Background information includes a review of the recent downsizing literature. This paper describes the informal and formalized support activities that took place during the two-month process and the educational sessions that were provided on a regular basis. It gives specific attention to methodology and rationale. The authors also make recommendations for the successful implementation of a downsizing process which can be beneficial to any health care setting involved in bed closure.

Children's acceptance, nutritional, and instrumental evaluations of whole grain and soluble fiber enriched foods.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 report recommends 3 or more daily ounce-equivalents of whole grains (WG), and the FDA suggests consumption of 25 g of total dietary fiber (TDF) and 6 g of soluble fiber (SF) for a 2000-calorie diet. Efforts to increase the consumption of WG and SF among elementary school-aged children are needed. The objectives of this study were to examine the consumption of WG- and SF-enriched burritos and cookies among elementary school-aged children and to perform a quality evaluation of all products. Children in grades K to 6 from a local elementary school consumed control (CTR) products made with refined flour along with the test products (TRT) over a 13-wk period. TRT burritos and cookies contained 51% and 100% WG, respectively. CTR and TRT products were served on 3 and 4 different Fridays, respectively. Children's consumption was determined via plate waste. Quality parameters such as texture, color, water activity, weight, and product dimensions were also measured. No significant differences in consumption between CTR and TRT burritos and cookies were found (36% and 90%, respectively). Texture (area) was higher for CTR burritos compared with TRT burritos (1.31 and 0.66 kg-s, respectively). CTR burritos were lighter than TRT burritos with L* values of 80.04 and 64.61, respectively. CTR cookies required a higher breaking force (3.14 compared with 0.58 kg), were lighter than TRT cookies (63.18 compared with 50.27), and had lower water activity (0.5 compared with 0.71).

Effect of a barley breakfast cereal on blood glucose and insulin response in normal and diabetic patients.

Prowashonupana (Prowash) is a shrunken-endosperm, short awn, waxy starch, hulless barley with low starch, high fiber, high protein, and a relatively high concentration of free sugars. The study was designed to compare equivalent breakfast meals (w/w) of Prowash and oatmeal for glycemic response in diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. A commercial liquid meal replacer (LMR) was included as a reference standard. A substantial reduction of the post-prandial glycemic peak following ingestion of Prowash was observed as compared to LMR or oatmeal. In the non-diabetic subjects, the maximal rise in glucose from baseline was 26.3 +/- 3.9 mg/dL after LMR, 41.3 +/- 3.9 mg/dL after oatmeal and 6.4 +/- 2.7 mg/dL after Prowash (p < 0.01). The maximal increase in glucose in the diabetic patients was 69.9 +/- 4.5 mg/dL after LMR, 80.8 +/- 8.8 mg/dL after oatmeal and 28.4 +/- 3.5 mg/dL after Prowash (p < 0.01). The maximal increase in insulin post-LMR was 33.9 +/- 3.6 mIU/ml in the diabetic patients and 54.0 +/- 9.8 mIU/ml in the non-diabetic controls. Oatmeal elicited a maximal insulin increase of 29.9 +/- 4.2 mIU/ml in the control subjects and 21.4 +/- 2.5 mIU/ml in the diabetic patients. In contrast, the maximal insulin increase after Prowash was 8.6 +/- 1.5 mIU/ml in the non-diabetic controls and 6.8 +/- 1.2 mIU/ml in the diabetic patients (p < 0.01).

Organization and nucleotide sequence of ten ribosomal protein genes from the region equivalent to the spectinomycin operon in the archaebacterium Halobacterium marismortui.

The nucleotide sequence has been determined of a 4700 bp region from a ribosomal protein gene cluster of Halobacterium marismortui (Haloarcula marismortui), which is equivalent to part of the spectinomycin operon of Escherichia coli. The genes were localized on the recombinant lambda EMBL3 clone PP*7, which also contains several other ribosomal protein genes from the DNA region in H. marismortui equivalent to the linked S10/spc operon. The genes analysed encode ten ribosomal proteins, namely HmaL5, HmaS14, HmaS8, HmaL6, HL5, HL24, HmaL18, HmaS5, HmaL30 and HmaL15. The gene organization of the archaebacterial cluster is similar to that in eubacteria but has two additional genes, namely those encoding HL5 and HL24, which were identified as extra proteins that are apparently not present in E. coli. These correspond to the gene products of orfd and orfe in Methanococcus vannielii and also have eukaryotic counterparts.

Molecular cloning and nucleotide sequence of the gene for the ribosomal protein S11 from the archaebacterium Halobacterium marismortui.

The gene encoding ribosomal protein S11 (Escherichia coli S15 homologue) from Halobacterium marismortui was cloned employing two synthetic oligonucleotide mixtures, 23 and 32 bases in length, as hybridization probes. The nucleotide sequence of the gene and the adjacent 5'- and 3'-flanking regions (1300 base pairs) were then determined by the dideoxy chain termination method. Comparison of the nucleotide sequence of the H. marismortui S11 gene with that of the E. coli S15 gene (rpsO) showed that the 3'-end of the S11 gene can be aligned with the entire E. coli S15 gene, sharing 44% identical nucleotides. It has been found that the S11 gene has a higher G + C content (G + C = 65%) than that of the E. coli S15 gene (G + C = 53%). This increase in G + C content specifically shows up as a preference for G + C in the 3rd position of the codon. Upstream of the S11 gene, an archaebacterial promoter sequence (GGACTTTCA) and a putative ribosomal binding site (GCGGT) have been found, 88 and 15 (or 24) base pairs from the initiation codon of the gene. In addition, an open reading frame could be identified immediately after the stop codon for the S11 gene. Northern blotting analysis using the S11 coding region as probe has shown that the S11 gene is located on a 2.4-kilobase mRNA, suggesting that it is cotranscribed with other downstream gene(s).