ABSTRACT
For the first time, a bacterial strain expressing a nitrile hydratase/amidase activity was able to recognize a planar element of chirality: Rhodococcus rhodochrous PA-34 whole cells catalysed with a high level of enantioselectivity the biotransformation of a novel nitrile ferrocene derivative into its corresponding amide and/or acid. An important parameter in the enzymatic recognition is the choice of the inducer selected for the bacterial growth phase.
Subject(s)
Amidohydrolases/metabolism , Hydro-Lyases/metabolism , Biocatalysis , Biotransformation , Ferrous Compounds/chemistry , Ferrous Compounds/metabolism , Metallocenes/chemistry , Metallocenes/metabolism , Rhodococcus/enzymology , Stereoisomerism , Substrate SpecificityABSTRACT
Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC), accounting for 5% to 15% of primary malignant thyroid neoplasm, is one of the most aggressive solid tumors in humans. It is rapidly fatal, with a mean survival of 6 months after diagnosis. Multimodality treatment with surgery and/or external beam radiotherapy and chemotherapy are of fundamental importance for local control of disease and to enhance survival. Molecular biology studies have shown that ATC is associated with a p 53 mutation. ATC usually does not concentrate radioiodine or express thyroglobulin. It is essential to verify the diagnosis histologically because insular thyroid cancer, lymphomas, and medullary thyroid cancer are occasionally confused with undifferentiated neoplasms. Immunohistochemical study is helpful in establishing the diagnosis. Multimodal therapy and development of effective systemic chemotherapy agents would provide to result in improvements in survival although no single agent has yet been identified. Aggressive multimodality treatment regimens show promise in improving local control in patients with ATC. Survival rates however remain low. Despite intense applications of such integrated therapy, no standardized successful treatment protocol has yet been established.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma/diagnosis , Carcinoma/therapy , Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis , Thyroid Neoplasms/therapy , HumansABSTRACT
Glutamate, aspartate, GABA, glycine and taurine levels have been measured in rat thalamus and in cerebral cortex at different time intervals (3rd, 7th, 15th, 30th day) after cerebellectomy. A decrease in glutamate, aspartate and GABA was detected at the 7th day after cerebellectomy in the thalamus and at the 15th day in the cerebral cortex; at the 30th day after cerebellectomy the levels of these amino acids in the thalamus and in the cerebral cortex were observed to have recovered to control values. No statistically significant difference in glycine and taurine levels in the thalamus and in the cerebral cortex after cerebellectomy could be seen. These results show that the functional recovery process after cerebellar injury is associated with a complex modification of amino acid levels in thalamus and in cerebral cortex.
Subject(s)
Amino Acids/metabolism , Cerebellum/physiology , Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism , Thalamus/metabolism , Animals , Aspartic Acid/metabolism , Glutamates/metabolism , Glutamic Acid , Glycine/metabolism , Male , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Reference Values , Time Factors , gamma-Aminobutyric Acid/metabolismABSTRACT
In the present study we have assayed antioxidant enzymatic systems in erythrocytes from subjects with chronic cerebrovascular disease to correlate their involvement in red cell deformability. A significant decrease of glutathione peroxidase, reductase, catalase and superoxide dismutase activities has been found in human red blood cells from patients with chronic cerebrovascular disease when compared to the control group. The decrease in antioxidant enzymatic systems found in these patients was accompanied by reduced cellular resistance to hydrogen peroxide. An altered balance between the partially reduced forms of oxygen metabolism and the antioxidant enzymatic systems could play a crucial role in the haemorheological alteration frequently occurring in subjects affected by chronic cerebrovascular disease.
Subject(s)
Antioxidants/analysis , Cerebrovascular Disorders/enzymology , Erythrocytes/enzymology , Aged , Cerebrovascular Disorders/blood , Chronic Disease , Erythrocyte Deformability/physiology , Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/blood , Glutathione Peroxidase/blood , Glutathione Reductase/blood , Humans , Middle Aged , Superoxide Dismutase/bloodSubject(s)
Antioxidants/pharmacology , Brain Ischemia/metabolism , Cerebral Cortex/metabolism , Diltiazem/pharmacology , Lipid Peroxidation/drug effects , Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control , Allopurinol/pharmacology , Allopurinol/therapeutic use , Animals , Antioxidants/therapeutic use , Brain Chemistry/drug effects , Cerebral Cortex/drug effects , Deferoxamine/pharmacology , Deferoxamine/therapeutic use , Diltiazem/therapeutic use , Male , Rats , Rats, Inbred Strains , Vitamin E/pharmacology , Vitamin E/therapeutic useSubject(s)
Erythrocytes/enzymology , Oxidoreductases/metabolism , Adult , Catalase/metabolism , Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism , Glutathione Reductase/metabolism , Hemolysis , Humans , Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology , Infant , Malondialdehyde/metabolism , Middle Aged , Superoxide Dismutase/metabolismABSTRACT
Ornithine decarboxylase (L-Orbithine carboxylase, E.C. 4.1.1.17) and transglutaminase (R-glutaminylpeptide: amine gamma-glutamyltransferase, E.C. 2.3.2.1.13), enzymes implicated in the regulation of growth processes, were studied in rat placenta during pregnancy; the specific activity of TGase increased from the 15th day until the 21st day of pregnancy while no significant difference of ODC activity was observed; moreover, the ODCase/TGase ratio decreased significantly in rat term placenta.
