Porphyrin and phthalocyanine antiscrapie compounds

The transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) are fatal, neurodegenerative diseases for which no effective treatments are available. The likelihood that a bovine form of TSE has crossed species barriers and infected humans underscores the urgent need to identify anti-TSE drugs. Certain cyclic tetrapyrroles (porphyrins and phthalocyanines) have recently been shown to inhibit the in vitro formation of PrP-res, a protease-resistant protein critical for TSE pathogenesis. We now report that treatment of TSE-infected animals with three such compounds increased survival time from 50 to 300%. The significant inhibition of TSE disease by structurally dissimilar tetrapyrroles identifies these compounds as anti-TSE drugs.     

Diagnostic implications of detection of proteinase K-resistant protein in spleen, lymph nodes, and brain of sheep.

Brain, spleen, and selected lymph nodes from sheep with clinical signs of scrapie were analyzed for presence of proteinase K-resistant protein (PrP-res). Diagnosis of scrapie on the basis of detection of PrP-res was compared with diagnosis on the basis of histologic evaluation of the brain from clinically affected or exposed sheep. Proteinase K-resistant protein was found in every brain that was histologically positive for scrapie, and in addition, was found in the brain of several clinically positive sheep that were not diagnosed as scrapie-positive by histologic evaluation. Proteinase K-resistant protein was also found in 87% of the spleens and lymph nodes from sheep that had PrP-res detected in brain homogenates. Therefore, analysis of sheep brain, spleen, or lymph nodes for PrP-res provided a diagnostic approach that was superior to histologic examination alone for detection of naturally scrapie agent-infected sheep.     

Equatorial X-ray Emissions: Implications for Jupiter's High Exospheric Temperatures

Observations with the High Resolution Imager on the Rontgensatellit reveal x-ray emissions from Jupiter's equatorial latitudes. The observed emissions probably result from the precipitation of energetic (>300 kiloelectron volts per atomic mass unit) sulfur and oxygen ions out of Jupiter's inner radiation belt. Model calculations of the energy deposition by such heavy ion precipitation and of the resulting atmospheric heating rates indicate that this energy source can contribute to the high exospheric temperatures(>800 kelvin at 0.01 microbar) measured by the Galileo probe's Atmospheric Structure Instrument. Low-latitude energetic particle precipitation must therefore be considered, in addition to other proposed mechanisms such as gravity waves and soft electron precipitation, as an important source of heat for Jupiter's thermosphere.     

Investigations into the toxicity of Echium plantagineum in sheep: 1. Field grazing experiments

A field grazing trial was undertaken to monitor the health and production of crossbred sheep grazing pasture where Echium plantagineum constituted a considerable proportion of the available forage. The trial, conducted for 19 months over successive grazing seasons, demonstrated a significant difference in production, with sheep on the E. plantagineum pasture being lighter and growing less wool compared with sheep on Echium-free pasture. No mortalities involving pyrrolizidine alkaloid poisoning were recorded in sheep grazing E. plantagineum, although there was histological evidence of moderately severe liver damage associated with high liver copper concentrations in at least one sheep following the grazing of large quantities of the plant.     

Anchorless prion protein results in infectious amyloid disease without clinical scrapie

In prion and Alzheimer's diseases, the roles played by amyloid versus nonamyloid deposits in brain damage remain unresolved. In scrapie-infected transgenic mice expressing prion protein (PrP) lacking the glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) membrane anchor, abnormal protease-resistant PrPres was deposited as amyloid plaques, rather than the usual nonamyloid form of PrPres. Although PrPres amyloid plaques induced brain damage reminiscent of Alzheimer's disease, clinical manifestations were minimal. In contrast, combined expression of anchorless and wild-type PrP produced accelerated clinical scrapie. Thus, the PrP GPI anchor may play a role in the pathogenesis of prion diseases.     

Mechanisation of the slide agglutination test

Summary Mixing of antiserum and potato leaf sap during serological agglutination tests was carried out on a series of small mirros attached to a thick glass rectangle. This was oscillated 20° either side of the horizontal at 22 cycles per minute on a platform powered by a small geared down electric motor. Observations were made using oblique illumination. The device improves the sensitivity of the test, reduces the time required, and eliminates the use of large numbers of microscope slides.     

Reproductive Performance of Gilts with Similar Age but with Different Growth Rate at the Onset of Puberty Stimulation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of gilts that had a similar age but different weights at the onset of puberty stimulation by boar exposure at 144 days. Gilts were divided into two groups according to their lifetime growth rate from birth to approximately 144 days of age. Mean growth rates at this moment were 577 and 724 g/day for group 1 (G1; n = 58) and group 2 (G2; n = 58), respectively. After selection, gilts were weighed at approximately 155, 165 and 175 days of age, on the insemination day and at slaughter. Gilts were inseminated, on average, at 193 days of age and were slaughtered 32 days after insemination, when the number of corpora lutea and embryos were recorded. Higher growth rate gilts (G2) reached puberty earlier (155.3 vs 164.1 days; p < 0.01). More gilts of G2 group attained puberty by 190 days of age (p = 0.004) than G1 gilts (95%; 55/58 vs 76%; 44/58). The anoestrous rate, until 60 days after the onset of boar exposure was higher (p < 0.01) in G1 (19.0%; 11/58) than in G2 (3.4%; 2/58) group. However, there were no differences in the pregnancy rate (90.7 vs 94.5), ovulation rate (15.9 vs 16.5), total embryos (12.9 vs 11.7), viable embryos (12.0 vs 11.1) and embryo survival (73.7% vs 68.5%), between G1 gilts and G2 gilts, respectively (p > 0.05). High growth rate gilts attain puberty earlier and have a lower anoestrous rate than low growth rate gilts.     

A Study on Thought of Tea of Hanjae Yi-mok＇s Da-bu

The Da-bu of Hanjae Lee mok （1471-1498） is known as an original masterpiece,which is predominantly documented in Korean tea books.He had always spared no effort to put Confucianists＇ theories and thoughts into practice during his 28-year career.Da-bu tea magnificently reflected his concepts of Confucianism in conjunction with tea-drinking activities.The main contents of Da-bu have included written authors,tea species and production,landscape of tea cultivation,tea plants and leaves,ways of tea-drinking and three-grade tea,tea song of seven cups,5 merits and 6 moralities of tea,benefits of tea-drinking,tea comprehension,etc.According to the views of contents,tea of Hanjae Leemok is the only partner with which we can share life and it can also be beneficial to healthy diets.Not only does it have become part of our daily life,but also be a medicine for our physical and mental disease.He composed the tea song of seven cups,which sufficiently expressed a real practice of the pursued ideal state of Confucianism and Taoism.He also promoted a drinking tea for health enrichment of Confucianists.According to the analytical results of Da-bu,Hanjae＇s tea has recognizably become the personally real practice of Confucianism and state.He had reached the enlightenment for the state of birth and death.After consuming tea,his body and mind immediately changed to the state of joys and wonderland,and also he illustrated that this feeling is not a one-off state,it always comes out whenever drinking.Therefore,based on Hanjae Lee mok,tea drinking is not only the regiment for healthy benefits,but also it is a training method,＂ Dado in My Heart＂,for individuals to train their mind,body,and morality.