ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE PRESUMED PHOTORECEPTOR PROTEIN OF Blepharisma japonicum

Abstract— Photosensory responses in the ciliated protozoan Blepharisma japonicum are mediated by a hypericin-like chromophore, blepharismin, localized in granules distributed under the cell membrane. A blepharismin-binding protein, with an apparcnt molecular weight ranging between 35 and 38 kDa, has been isolated by means of column separations and preparative isoelectric focusing and characterized by means of gel electrophoresis, analytic isoelectric focusing as well as absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy.     

Alcune classi di epimorfismi d’anelli

Riassunto Si indicano una costruzione e alcune proprietà del morfismo terminale nella categoria degli epimorfismi iniettivi di dato dominioA, conA anello commutativo unitario ridotto. Si considerano poi certi epimorfismi di dominioA, detti ?S-spezzamenti irriducibili? (S⊂A). GliS-spezzamenti irriducibili a codominio ridotto risultano parametrizzati (a meno di isomorfismi) dai chiusi di una opportuna topologia su SpecA.

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Summary LetA be any reduced commutative ring with 1. Consider the category of injective ring-epimorphisms with domainA. In the first part of this paper, a construction and some properties of a final morphism in the above category are shown. In the second part, some special epimorphisms with domainA are considered, which are called irreducible ?S-spezzamenti?. A parametrization of the collection of irreducible ?S-spezzamenti? (up to isomorphisms) is given, by the collection of closed sets of a suitable topology on SpecA.

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Lavoro eseguito nell’ambito del Gruppo Nazionale Strutture Algebriche e Geometriche e Applicazioni del C.N.R.     

Studies of silicophosphate derivatives by 31P-->29Si CP MAS NMR

We show that it is possible to efficiently transfer magnetization from ³¹P to ²⁹Si, using variable amplitude CP MAS experiment. This experiment is demonstrated by using Si₅O(PO₄)₆, the synthesis protocol of which is described. From the obtained results, we show that the experiment allows the spectral edition of ²⁹Si spectra from ³¹P→²⁹Si CP, enabling the studies of derivatives involving Si–O–P linkages, such as phosphosilicate glasses, microporous silicoaluminophosphates (SAPO) and bioactive phosphosilicates.     

First evaluation of the thermodynamic properties for spheres to elongated micelles transition of some propanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(dimethylalkylammonium bromide) surfactants in aqueous solution

The apparent and partial molar enthalpies, apparent molar volumes, and adiabatic compressibilities at 298 K of the aqueous solutions of the cationic gemini surfactants propanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(octyldimethylammonium bromide) (8-3-8) and propanediyl-alpha,omega-bis(dodecyldimethylammonium bromide) (12-3-12) have been measured as a function of concentration. The trends of the partial molar enthalpies versus concentration are the first well documented thermodynamic evidence of sphere to rod transition in the micellar phase, involving a detectable quantity of heat, and allow the determination of the change in enthalpy associated with this transition. The changes in enthalpies upon micellization and for the sphere to elongated micelles transition, DeltaH(s)(-->)(r), have been obtained from the experimental data by using a pseudo-phase transition approach: -1.5 kJ mol(-1) for 8-3-8 and -3.9 kJ mol(-1) for 12-3-12. No evidence of the above transition is found in the trends of volumetric properties versus m. The apparent adiabatic molar compressibilities for the compounds under investigation are also reported here for the first time: a negative group contribution for the methylene group is evaluated, when the surfactants are present in solution as a single molecule, reflecting its solvation structure. In the micellar phase, the -CH(2)- group contribution becomes positive. A value of 1.17 x 10(-3) cm(3) bar(-1) mol(-1) for the change in adiabatic molar compressibility upon micellization is obtained. The lower values of the methylene group contributions to the volumetric properties for the monomers support the hypothesis of partial association of the chains before the cmc.     

Stereoselective synthesis of spirocyclic ketones by Nazarov reaction

[reaction: see text] The Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction between alpha-ethoxydienyl boronates and lactone-derived vinyl triflates affords functionalized 6-(1-ethoxy-1,3-butadienyl)dihydropyran derivatives that undergo a Nazarov electrocyclic reaction under mild acidic conditions to give functionalized spirocyclic ketones. The product distribution and the stereoselectivity of the process are strongly dependent on the substitution of both the alpha-ethoxydiene and dihydropyran moieties. High stereoselectivity is observed in the presence of a C2-substituent on the dihydropyran moiety. The results are explained in terms of transition state geometries.     

Antigenized antibodies expressing Vbeta8.2 TCR peptides immunize against rat experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

BACKGROUND: Immunity against the T cell receptor (TCR) is considered to play a central role in the regulation of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a model system of autoimmune disease characterized by a restricted usage of TCR genes. Methods of specific vaccination against the TCR of pathogenetic T cells have included attenuated T cells and synthetic peptides from the sequence of the TCR. These approaches have led to the concept that anti-idiotypic immunity against antigenic sites of the TCR, which are a key regulatory element in this disease. METHODS: The present study in the Lewis rat used a conventional idiotypic immunization based on antigenized antibodies expressing selected peptide sequences of the Vbeta8.2 TCR (93ASSDSSNTE101 and 39DMGHGLRLIHYSYDVNSTEKG59). RESULTS: The study demonstrates that vaccination with antigenized antibodies markedly attenuates, and in some instances, prevents clinical EAE induced with the encephalitogenic peptide 68GSLPQKSQRSQDENPVVHF88 in complete Freunds' adjuvant (CFA). Antigenized antibodies induced an anti-idiotypic response against the Vbeta8.2 TCR, which was detected by ELISA and flowcytometry. No evidence was obtained of a T cell response against the corresponding Vbeta8.2 TCR peptides. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that antigenized antibodies expressing conformationally-constrained TCR peptides are a simple means to induce humoral anti-idiotypic immunity against the TCR and to vaccinate against EAE. The study also suggests the possibility to target idiotypic determinants of TCR borne on pathogenetic T cells to vaccinate against disease.     

Development of a Sequential Injection Analysis Device for the Determination of Total Polyphenol Index in Wine

A sequential injection analysis method is developed for the determination of the total polyphenol index in wines. The determination is based on the Folin-Ciocalteu reaction, which is monitored spectrophotometrically. Interactions between experimental variables and their optimal levels were investigated using factorial designs. The proposed system is fully computerised and is able to monitor polyphenol index in real samples of white, sweet and red wines. The calibration graph is linear from 5 to 200mg·L^–1 using Tannic acid as standard, with a detection limit of 3.2mg·L^–1. Interferences are studied. For validation purposes the proposed methodology was applied to the determination of the total polyphenol index in different types of wines and compared with earlier alternatives in order to assess their performance.     

Cryopreservation of embryogenic cultures from mature Quercus suber trees using vitrification

Recent progress in somatic embryogenesis from selected mature trees of Quercus suber, has led to a demand for maintenance of a large number of selected embryogenic lines. To facilitate the management of this material a protocol for the long-term storage of this germplasm should be defined. This study reports on the use of a simple vitrification procedure for the successful cryopreservation of three cork oak embryogenic lines. High embryo recovery levels (88-93 percent) were obtained by first preculturing 2-4 mg clumps of two or three globular embryos on semisolid medium containing 0.3 M sucrose for three days, followed by incubation in PVS2 vitrification solution at 0 degree C for 60 min before direct immersion in liquid nitrogen. The mean number of embryos produced per explant was significantly greater for cryostored embryos than for untreated stock cultures, but the productivity of the latter was recovered in subsequent subcultures of the material produced by cryostored embryos. The germination and plant regeneration rates achieved by cultures derived from cryostored embryos, around 60 percent, were similar to those of non-cryopreserved stock cultures.     

Highly selective formation of linear esters from terminal and internal alkenes catalysed by palladium complexes of bis-(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)benzene

The methoxycarbonylation of terminal or internal alkenes catalysed by palladium complexes of bis-(di-tert-butylphosphinomethyl)benzene under mild conditions leads to linear esters in 99% selectivity via a hydride mechanism.