Proteolytic cleavage of immunoglobulin by enzymes released by Fasciola hepatica

Immature Fasciola hepatica release a papain or cathepsin B-like proteolytic enzyme which cleaves immunoglobulins (Ig) of mouse, rat, rabbit and sheep in vitro. Mouse IgG and IgM molecules are both susceptible to cleavage as is hemoglobin. Whether single or multiple proteases are responsible for Ig cleavage is unknown. The proteolytic activity of secreted enzyme(s) is optimal at pH 3.5-4.5, but activity is also present at pH 7. Proteolysis is enhanced in the presence of 5 mM dithiothreitol or 100 mM cysteine. Based on studies with protease inhibitors, the F. hepatica enzyme activity has been identified as a thiol protease. It is destroyed by heating at 56 degrees C for 1 h, but retains activity after storage at -20 degrees C for 7 days. Whether inhibition of the proteolytic activity increases the susceptibility of F. hepatica immature worm to any extant immune effector mechanisms in hosts remains to be determined.     

Observations of solar irradiance variability

High-precision measurements of total solar irradiance, made by the active cavity radiometer irradiance monitor on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite, show the irradiance to have been variable throughout the first 153 days of observations. The corrected data resolve orbit-to-orbit variations with uncertainties as small as 0.001 percent. Irradiance fluctuations are typical of a band-limited noise spectrum with high-frequency cutoff near 0.15 day(-1) their amplitudes about the mean value of 1368.31 watts per square meter approach +/- 0.05 percent. Two large decreases in irrradiance of up to 0.2 percent lasting about 1 week are highly correlated with the development of sunspot groups. The magnitude and time scale of the irradiance variability suggest that considerable energy storage occurs within the convection zone in solar active regions.     

Analgesic strength of 33 percent nitrous oxide: a signal detection theory evaluation

Radiant heat stimulation was applied to volunteers and rating scale responses were obtained to assess the analgesic properties of 33 percent nitrous oxide. The methodology of signal detection theory was applied to the data to demonstrate that nitrous oxide reduces both sensitivity to pain and willingness to report pain. This method is superior to threshold estimation for the evaluation of analgesics.     

Alpha and kappa electroencephalogram activity in eyeless subjects

Several reports have cast doubt on the cerebral origin of alpha and kappa electroencephalogram activity by charging that they are artifacts related to eye activity. Data are cited which eliminate the corneoretinal potential of the eyeball, tremor of the extraocular muscles, eye position, accommodation, and eye flutter as sources of alpha and kappa electroencephalogram activity. A subject with both eyes removed showed normal alpha and kappa electroencephalogram activity. Marked left-right differences in alpha activity were not found in one-eyed subjects whose eyes and extraocular muscles were completely removed on one side.