Endoplasmic reticulum of rat liver contains two proteins closely related to skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase and calsequestrin.

Rat liver endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membranes were investigated for the presence of proteins having structural relationships with sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) proteins. Western immunoblots of ER proteins probed with polyclonal antibodies raised against the 100-kDa SR Ca-ATPase of rabbit skeletal muscle identified a single reactive protein of 100 kDa. Also, the antibody inhibited up to 50% the Ca-ATPase activity of isolated ER membranes. Antisera raised against the major intraluminal calcium binding protein of rabbit skeletal muscle SR, calsequestrin (CS), cross-reacted with an ER peptide of about 63 kDa, by the blotting technique. Stains-All treatment of slab gels showed that the cross-reactive peptide stained metachromatically blue, similarly to SR CS. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (Michalak, M., Campbell, K. P., and MacLennan, D. H. (1980) J. Biol. Chem. 255, 1317-1326) of ER proteins showed that the CS-like component of liver ER, similarly to skeletal CS, fell off the diagonal line, as expected from the characteristic pH dependence of the rate of mobility of mammalian CS. In addition, the CS-like component of liver ER was released from the vesicles by alkaline treatment and was found to be able to bind calcium, by a 45Ca overlay technique. From these findings, we conclude that a 100-kDa membrane protein of liver ER is the Ca-ATPase, and that the peripheral protein in the 63-kDa range is closely structurally and functionally related to skeletal CS

Teacher Upgrading through Distance Education in a South African Context

In 1994, after the dismantling of Apartheid in South Africa, there were more than 85,000 teachers in the system who had no tertiary qualifications or were inadequately qualified. Most of these teachers lived in rural areas, and had no access to tertiary institutions. This situation required a unique approach to overcome the problems specific to the demographic and socio-economic circumstances of the country.The North-West University in South Africa took up the challenge and became involved in the huge task of upgrading the qualifications of these teachers by implementing a distance education programme. A flexi programme has been implemented by the establishment of thirty-two learning centres in locations throughout the country, which are accessible to these students. Full time lecturers and trained part time facilitators offer contact classes twice a month. Vacation schools provide additional learning opportunities. The recruitment and enrolment of students, distribution of study material and other administrative duties are supplied by supporting companies.Quality control for all these programmes is ensured by benchmarking against the programmes presented on the main campus i.e. B.Ed Hons., ACE and NPDE. Currently more than 17 000 teachers are enrolled in modules presented in the flexi mode and a passing rate of more than 70% attests to the success of the programme.</p

Effect of Cryogrinding on Chemical Stability of the Sparingly Water-Soluble Drug Furosemide

Purpose To investigate the effect of cryogrinding on chemical stability of the diuretic agent furosemide and its mixtures with selected excipients. Methods Furosemide was ground at liquid nitrogen temperature for 30, 60, 120 and 180 min. Mixtures of furosemide-PVP and furosemide-inulin (1:1) were milled under cryogenic conditions. Materials were analyzed by XRD, UPLC, MS and NMR. Results Upon increasing the milling time, a significant build-up of an unidentified impurity 1, probably the main degradation product, was noticed. Cogrinding of furosemide with PVP and inulin worsened chemical stabilization of the pharmaceutical. The main degradation product formed upon cryomilling was subsequently identified as 4-chloro-5-sulfamoylanthranilic acid (CSA). Based on some theoretical considerations involving specific milling conditions, the milling intensity and an expected specific milling dose have been calculated. Results indicate that cryogenic grinding is capable to initiate mechanically induced decomposition of furosemide.Conclusions Cryogenic grinding can activate and accelerate not only structural changes (solid state amorphization) but also chemical decomposition of pharmaceuticals. A cryogenic milling device should be considered as a chemical reactor, where under favourable conditions chemical reactions could be mechanically initiated