Immunological analysis of plasminogen activators from normal and transformed hamster cells...

Rabbits were immunized against the plasminogen activator released by SV4- virus-transformed hamster embryo cells. The resulting antiplasminogen activator immunoglobulin (APA-IgG) inhibited the enzymatic activity of the plasminogen activator produced by SV40-transformed hamster cells, and the plasmin-catalyzed release of these cells from the tissue culture dish. APA-IgG was not cytotoxic for these cells even in the presence of complement and did not inhibit their release of plasminogen activator. APA-IgG formed a single precipitin line in immunodiffusion plates using highly purified plasminogen activator as antigen. APA-IgG inhibited the plasminogen activator produced by newborn hamster lung cells and by an established diploid line (DON) of hamster lung cells, but did not inhibit plasminogen activators produced by normal or transformed hamster kidney cells or by cells of other species (mouse and human). We derive three major conclusions from these data: (a) There are several immunologically distinguishable forms (isozymes) of plasminogen activators in normal hamster tissues. (b) The plasminogen activators produced by normal hamster lung cells and by SV40 virus-transformed hamster embryo cells share antigenic determinants and are presumably the same isozyme. (c) The plasminogen activators produced by different hamster tumor cells do not share antigenic determinants and are presumably different isozymes

Expression in Escherichia coli of a cloned DNA sequence encoding the pre-S2 region of hepatitis B virus

A DNA sequence encoding the entire pre-S2 region (amino acids 120-174; serotype ayw) of human hepatitis B virus envelope protein has been inserted into the lacZ gene of the plasmid pSKS105 yielding a recombinant, pWS3. Lac+ colonies of the Escherichia coli M182 (lacIOPZYA), isolated after transformation with pWS3, produced a pre-S2 peptide-ß-galactosidase fusion protein. This fusion protein, which comprised as much as 3% of the total bacterial protein, was purified to >90% homogeneity by affinity chromatography on p-aminophenyl-ß-D-thiogalactoside-Sepharose. It is immunoprecipitable with rabbit antibodies to a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 120-145 of the pre-S2 region of serotype adw [pre-S(120-145)] or with antibodies to hepatitis B virus. pre-S(120-145) completely blocked the binding of either antibody to the pre-S2 peptide-ß-galactosidase fusion protein. These results indicate that there are antigenic determinants on the fusion protein that are closely related to, if not identical to, determinants on synthetic pre-S(120-145) and on pre-S2 sequences of native hepatitis B virus particles. Thus, bacteria transformed with pWS3 can provide an abundant source of pre-S2-ß-galactosidase fusion protein, which may prove useful either as a diagnostic reagent possessing marker enzyme activity suitable for ELISA tests or as an immunogen with potential to contribute to active prophylaxis of hepatitis B

Regional innovation and spillover effects of foreign direct investment in China: a threshold approach

Using a data set on twenty-nine Chinese provinces for the period 1985–2008, this paper establishes a threshold model to analyse the relationship between spillover effects of foreign direct investment (FDI) and regional innovation in China. There is clear evidence of double-threshold effects of regional innovation on productivity spillovers from FDI. Specifically, only when the level of regional innovation reaches the minimum innovation threshold will FDI in the region begin to produce positive productivity spillovers. Furthermore, positive productivity spillovers from FDI will be substantial only when the level of regional innovation attains a higher threshold. The double threshold divides Chinese provinces into three super-regions in terms of innovation, with most provinces positioned within the middle-level innovation super-region. Policy implications are discussed

The regional economic impact of more graduates in the labour market: a “micro-to-macro” analysis for Scotland

This paper explores the system-wide impact of graduates on the regional economy. Graduates enjoy a significant wage premium, often interpreted as reflecting their greater productivity relative to non-graduates. If this is so there is a clear and direct supply-side impact of HEI activities on regional economies. We use an HEI-disaggregated computable general equilibrium model of Scotland to estimate the impact of the growing proportion of graduates in the Scottish labour force that is implied by the current participation rate and demographic change, taking the graduate wage premium in Scotland as an indicator of productivity enhancement. While the detailed results vary with alternative assumptions about the extent to which wage premia reflect productivity, they do suggest that the long-term supply-side impacts of HEIs provide a significant boost to regional GDP. Furthermore, the results suggest that the supply-side impacts of HEIs are likely to be more important than the expenditure impacts that are the focus of most HEI impact studies

Erythropoietin/erythropoietin-receptor system is involved in angiogenesis in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Ribatti D, Marzullo A, Gentile A, Longo V, Nico B, Vacca A & Dammacco F (2007) Histopathology 50, 591–596 Erythropoietin/erythropoietin-receptor system is involved in angiogenesis in human hepatocellular carcinom

Comparing families of dynamic causal models

Mathematical models of scientific data can be formally compared using Bayesian model evidence. Previous applications in the biological sciences have mainly focussed on model selection in which one first selects the model with the highest evidence and then makes inferences based on the parameters of that model. This “best model” approach is very useful but can become brittle if there are a large number of models to compare, and if different subjects use different models. To overcome this shortcoming we propose the combination of two further approaches: (i) family level inference and (ii) Bayesian model averaging within families. Family level inference removes uncertainty about aspects of model structure other than the characteristic of interest. For example: What are the inputs to the system? Is processing serial or parallel? Is it linear or nonlinear? Is it mediated by a single, crucial connection? We apply Bayesian model averaging within families to provide inferences about parameters that are independent of further assumptions about model structure. We illustrate the methods using Dynamic Causal Models of brain imaging data

The Internationalization of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises: A Policy Perspective

Small and medium sized firms play an important role in the process of creative destruction. The focus of the paper is on the international diffusion of small and medium sized firms innovations. Small and medium sized firms face two challenges in globalization: property rights protection and barriers to entry. We suggest that these barriers can frequently be circumvented by using existing multinationals as international conduits for small and medium size firms' innovations. However, such intermediated modes of expansion is adversely affected by transaction difficulties and intermediator's rent extraction. We raise two categories of questions: (i) is the private sector systematically making the wrong choice between the direct and intermediated mode of international expansion? and (ii) What should be the policy guidelines to improve the overall rate of international diffusion of innovation by small and medium sized enterprises.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/43666/1/11187_2004_Article_119506.pd

Treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia by natural drugs

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common urinary diseases affecting men, generally after the age of 50. The prevalence of this multifactorial disease increases with age. With aging, the plasma level of testosterone decreases, as well as the testosterone/estrogen ratio, resulting in increased estrogen activity, which may facilitate the hyperplasia of the prostate cells. Another theory focuses on dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and the activity of the enzyme 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT. In older men, the activity of this enzyme increases, leading to a decreased testosterone/DHT ratio. DHT may promote prostate cell growth, resulting in hyperplasia. Some medicinal plants and their compounds act by modulating this enzyme, and have the above-mentioned targets. This review focuses on herbal drugs that are most widely used in the treatment of BPH, including pumpkin seed, willow herb, tomato, maritime pine bark, Pygeum africanum bark, rye pollen, saw palmetto fruit, and nettle root, highlighting the latest results of preclinical and clinical studies, as well as safety issues. In addition, the pharmaceutical care and other therapeutic options of BPH, including pharmacotherapy and surgical options, are discussed, summarizing and comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each therapy