High quantum fluorescence yield of Er3+ at 1.5 mu m in an Yb3+, Ce3+-codoped CaF2 crystal

For the first time, a quaternary doping system of Er3+, Yb3+, Ce3+, Na+:CaF2 single crystal was demonstrated to have high fluorescence yield in the eye-safe 1.5 mu m region under 980 nm laser diode pumping, with relatively broad and flat gain curves. A simplified model was established to illustrate the effect of Ce3+ on the branching ratio for the Er3+4I11/2 -> I-4(13/2) transition. With 0.2-at.% Er3+ and 2.0-at.% Ce3+ in the quaternary-doped CaF2 crystal, the branching ratio was estimated to be improved more than 40 times by the deactivating effect of Ce3+ on the Er3+ 4I11/2 level. The quaternary-doped CaF2, system shows great potential to achieve high laser performance in the 1.5 mu m region. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

ScAlMgO_4晶体的生长缺陷

采用提拉法生长出φ30 mm×55 mm的ScAlMgO4晶体。在晶体生长过程中有轻微的挥发,粉末X射线衍射分析表明:挥发物质为MgO单相。运用扫描电镜、光学显微镜以及高分辨X射线衍射仪对晶体中的包裹物、开裂、生长条纹和小角晶界缺陷进行了研究。结果表明:温度梯度和热应力是形成晶体中缺陷的主要原因。通过合理设计温场,控制固-液界面的形状及冷却过程的降温速率,可以提高晶体的完整性。

Estudo in vitro do efeito antibacteriano de cimentos de ionômero de vidro incorporados com diacetato de clorexidina

O objetivo deste trabalho foi o de avaliar in vitro o efeito da ação antibacteriana de cimentos de ionômero de vidro (CIVs) convencionais incorporados com diacetato de clorexidina (DCHX) sobre o Streptococcus mutans. Foram testados os CIVs Maxxion R e Vitro Fil R com a incorporação dos percentuais de 0,5%, 1% e 2% de DCHX através de difusão em ágar e pela exaustão do DCHX por até 40 dias, a fim de observar a longevidade de sua ação inibitória. Foi também avaliado o efeito do fluoreto de sódio na ação antibacteriana do DCHX. Para determinar a diferença entre a média dos halos de inibição Os resultados foram analisados por análise de variância e pelo teste Student-Newman-Keuls (SNK). Todos os corpos de prova com DCHX apresentaram halo para os CIVs variando de 2,29mm a 6,82mm para o Maxxion R e de 1,73mm a 8,97mm para o Vitro Fil R. A capacidade de inibição foi proporcional à concentração de DCHX. Através do teste SNK apenas os grupos Vitro Fil R 0,5% e1% não variaram significativamente entre si. O 15o dia foi o de maior atividade antibacteriana para ambos os CIVs. Os grupos Maxxion R 1% e 2% foram os que menos apresentaram diferenças ao longo do tempo. Não houve crescimento de S mutans para os períodos de 7 e 15 dias de exaustão, sendo verificado o crescimento de colônias apenas na superfície do meio após o período de 96hs de incubação. Não foi observado efeito antagônico na capacidade antibacteriana do DCHX na presença de fluoreto de sódio. A incorporação de DCHX aos CIVs Maxxion R e Vitro Fil R, nas concentrações testadas e por um período de até 40 dias, apresentam resultados positivos no controle bacteriano de S mutans. Dentro das limitações deste estudo é lícito concluir que: efeito da inibição ao S mutans é dependente da concentração do DCHX; o fluoreto por si só não é capaz de inibir o crescimento de S mutans; a associação do DCHX com os CIVs não alterou a capacidade da ação antibacteriana da CHX; a ação antibacteriana da CHX incorporada aos CIVs se mantém eficaz por 15 dias, independente do CIV testado.

Efeito do movimento dentário nos níveis de metaloproteinases da matriz no fluido gengival de pacientes com periodontite controlada

O objetivo deste trabalho foi examinar o impacto da movimentação dentária de dentes periodontalmente comprometidos no volume do fluido gengival crevicular (FGC) e nos níveis de expressão das metaloproteinases de matriz (MMPs) -1, -2, -3, -7, -8, -12 e -13 no FGC. Dez pacientes periodontalmente controlados (8 do sexo feminino e 2 do sexo masculino, média de idade de 46,2 10,4 anos) com incisivos projetados labialmente foram submetidos a tratamento ortodôntico. Uma arcada dentária foi submetida a movimentação ortodôntica e a arcada oposta foi usada como controle. Amostras de FGC foram coletadas da face lingual de dois incisivos do lado movimento e dois do lado controle uma semana antes da ativação ortodôntica (-7d), imediatamente após a ativação ortodôntica, e após 1 h, 24 h, e 7, 14 e 21 dias. A coleta do FGC foi feita utilizando-se tiras de papel absorvente e o volume foi calculado através do uso do Periotron. Todos os pacientes receberam orientações de higiene bucal e um kit contendo escova de dente, pasta de dente e bochecho de Chlorexidina 0,12% para ser usado durante todo o experimento. A técnica da multianálise imunoenzimática com microesferas foi usada para medir as MMPs no FGC. Os dados foram analisados utilizando-se os testes estatísticos Friedman e Mann-Whitney. Não foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significativas no volume do FGC. Em relação aos níveis de MMPs, a única diferença estatisticamente significativa encontrada no decorrer do tempo foi nos níveis de MMP-1 no grupo movimento (p<0,05). Quando os dois grupos foram comparados após a ativação, a única diferença estatisticamente significativa encontrada foi nos níveis de MMP-12 24 horas após a ativação (p<0,05). Estes achados sugerem que o volume de FGC não sofre alteração relacionada ao movimento dentário ortodôntico e que o movimento ortodôntico de dentes periodontalmente comprometidos não resultou em mudanças significativas nos níveis de MMPs no FGC.

A contribuição dos cirurgiões-dentistas para a prevenção e tratamento da cárie em adolescentes nas capitais brasileiras.

Esta tese é composta por três estudos ecológicos que incluíram as 27 capitais brasileiras. Esses três estudos foram os seguintes: 1- A associação entre a disponibilidade de cirurgiões-dentistas e a quantidade de procedimentos odontológicos nos serviços públicos de odontologia; 2- A associação entre a disponibilidade de cirurgiões-dentistas e a proporção de dentes restaurados (em relação ao total de dentes atacados pela cárie) em indivíduos de 15 a 19 anos ; 3- A associação da disponibilidade de cirurgiões-dentistas com a prevalência e severidade da cárie em indivíduos de 15 a 19 anos. As três investigações são apresentadas sob forma de artigos. Foram utilizados diversos bancos de dados secundários, disponíveis gratuitamente na internet. No primeiro estudo foi identificada associação do número de Equipes de Saúde Bucal do programa Saúde da Família (ESB) e de cirurgiões-dentistas no SUS de uma forma geral com o número de procedimentos odontológicos no serviço público; quanto mais ESB e cirurgiões-dentistas mais procedimentos odontológicos, tanto preventivos quanto restauradores. Mais dentistas no serviço público de odontologia significaram mais procedimentos preventivos e coletivos, porém um número relativamente pequeno a mais de restaurações. É preocupante a quantidade relativamente pequena de restaurações realizadas pelos dentistas do serviço público no Brasil diante do grande número de dentes com cárie não tratada, identificado pela pesquisa nacional de saúde bucal. O segundo estudo revelou que a quantidade de dentistas nas capitais brasileiras é muito grande e que, portanto, há capacidade instalada para atender todas as necessidades de tratamentos restauradores. Entretanto, o índice de cuidado odontológico em jovens de 15 a 19 anos revelou que menos da metade dos dentes atacados pela cárie tinham recebido o cuidado adequado, i.e., estavam restaurados. Este estudo concluiu que, o grande investimento da sociedade brasileira em odontologia, seja no setor público ou privado, não está tendo o retorno esperado, pelo menos para jovens de 15 a 19 anos. O terceiro estudo concluiu que fatores socioeconômicos amplos e flúor na água foram os principais determinantes da variação na prevalência e severidade da cárie em jovens de 15 a 19 anos e que a contribuição do dentista foi relativamente pequena. Diante do papel relativamente pequeno do dentista na prevenção da cárie, o esforço clínico do mesmo deveria, portanto, enfatizar tratamentos de maior complexidade, visando a restauração e reabilitação de danos relevantes para a função e bem estar (Serviço Pessoal de Saúde). Esforços efetivos para evitar a cárie dentária ocorrem principalmente no âmbito de estratégias preventivas populacionais (Serviço não Pessoal de Saúde), com uma contribuição relativamente pequena do trabalho clínico.

点源污染对三峡库区陆生植物群落的影响

三峡库区一些污染严重的工业企业是当地主要的点源污染源，对周围植物群落产生了巨大危害，而植物是生态系统赖以存在的基础，它的生长发育直接影响到生态系统的结构及其正常功能的实现。本研究按照与点源污染源的距离为梯度，通过在三峡库区兴山县白沙河磷化工厂周围布设了32个植物群落固定样地，并以点源污染无法影响到的植物群落为对照，进行样地的野外群落学调查;在每个样地取不同种植物叶片100克左右和样地0~20cm土壤500克，以石灰滤纸法同步进行大气氟化物的取样。样品带回室内应用氟离子选择电极法，测定大气氟化物含量、植物叶片氟的累积量和土壤水溶性氟的含量。同时在野外调查时使用PAM2100叶绿素荧光仪测定植物最大光化学效率即Fv/Fm的值。通过野外调查试验和相关的室内分析，研究了（1）：点源污染对三峡库区陆生植物群落组成和物种多样性的影响;（2）：点源污染中的主要污染物对植物及土壤环境的影响;（3）：不同物种叶片最大光化学效率Fv/Fm对污染胁迫响应的差异。结果如下： 点源污染对植物群落物种丰富度以及Pielou均匀度指数均有不同程度的影响，对于群落结构相对简单的马尾松林和柏木林的不利影响更为显著。相对于污染区来说，对照区中物种重要值的集中程度有所下降。许多物种的重要值在污染区与对照区有明显的变化。马尾松（Pinus massoniana）、檵木（Loropetalum chinense ）、铁仔（Myrsine africana）、卷柏（Selaginella tamariscina ）等对照区重要值较污染区为高，黄檀（Dalbergia hupeana ）、菱叶海桐（Pittosporum truncatum）、君迁子（Diospyros lotus）等污染区的重要值较对照区为高。群落中有些物种比如柏木（Cupressus funebris）的天然更新也受到污染的影响。 污染区土壤pH值大多低于对照区，但是与离污染源距离的相关性不强。污染区有些物种比如马尾松、柏木等叶片中的全氟含量与大气中氟化物的含量和土壤水溶性氟含量明显正相关。但是另外有些物种氟的累积量受点源污染的影响不显著，比如菱叶海桐、翅柃（Eurya alata）等在污染严重的样地内生存状况仍然很好。 在距离点源污染近的样地内，大多数物种的最大光化学效率Fv/Fm的值显著下降。栓皮栎（Quercus variabilis）、马尾松和柏木等的Fv/Fm值与距污染源的距离呈明显的正相关，都是随着离污染源越来越近而逐渐降低。根据污染区相对对照区Fv/Fm值下降幅度的不同，把植物划分为三种类型：对污染敏感型如柏木、铁仔、檵木等，中等敏感型如油桐（Vernicia fordii）、香叶树（Lindera communis）和不敏感型如山胡椒（Lindera glauca）和 蝴蝶花（Iris japonica）等。

细胞色素b6f蛋白复合体中叶绿素 a的性质和功能研究

细胞色素b6f蛋白复合体（Cytochrome b6f complex, Cyt b6f）是光合膜上参与光合作用原初反应过程的主要膜蛋白超分子复合体之一。莱茵衣藻和嗜热蓝细菌的Cyt b6f三维晶体结构均显示，每Cyt b6f单体分子含有1分子Chlorophyll a (Chl a )，充分肯定了Chl a 是Cyt b6f天然成分的观点(Kurisu et al，2003;Stroebel et al，2003)。研究表明不同来源的Cyt b6f中Chla单线激发态寿命(或荧光寿命)并不一样，多数的研究结果认为Cyt b6f中Chla单线激发态寿命只有200ps左右，但是也有Cyt b6f中Chla单线激发态寿命为～600ps的报道;而甲醇中游离Chl a 的单线激发态寿命为4ns左右。针对Cyt b6f中Chla单线激发态寿命快速淬灭的现象，Dashdorj 等(2005)根据晶体结构推测Cyt b6f中Chla单线激发态和邻近的Cyt b6亚基上Tyr105残基发生电子交换传递，从而快速淬灭Chla单线激发态，减少了三线态Chl a和单线态氧的产生，并且认为这是Cyt b6f保护自身不受单线态氧破坏的一种机制，但是这一推测缺乏有力的证据。另外，Cyt b6f中Chla的功能仍然未知。本文以菠菜Cyt b6f为对象，结合多种实验手段，测定了菠菜Cyt b6f中Chl a单线激发态寿命，并对复合体中Chl a 单线激发态淬灭的机理进行了深入研究。此外，我们还对复合体中Chl a 可能的功能进行了初步地探讨。获得了如下的结果： 1．针对不同来源的Cyt b6f中Chla单线激发态寿命（或荧光寿命）测定结果不同的报道，仔细分析了其中的原因，发现除了样品来源的差异外，使用不同的去垢剂可能是一个不可忽视的因素。在实验中，不同的研究者分别采用了十二烷基麦芽糖苷（n-Dodecyl β-D-maltoside，DDM，）和八烷基葡萄糖苷（n-Octyl β-D-glucopyranoside，β－OG)作为溶解样品的去垢剂。因此，本文借助稳态吸收和稳态荧光光谱、瞬态光散射技术，CD光谱和亚皮秒时间分辨吸收光谱等技术，分别研究了这两种去垢剂对Cyt b6f结构和功能的不同影响。结果表明，DDM去垢剂能使Cyt b6f处于较好的分散体系中，其中血红素和Chl a分子处于特定的蛋白环境中，不会导致Cyt b6f变性;而β－OG去垢剂会使Cyt b6f产生聚合现象，其中的血红素和Chl a与蛋白环境的相互作用减弱，和DDM相比其电子传递活性显著降低，Chl a单线激发态寿命延长，Chl a更容易被光破坏。通过这一工作，我们优化和确定了Cyt b6f的溶解条件，为下面的研究工作打下了良好的基础。 2．利用Tyr的特异性修饰剂p-Nitrobenzenesulfonyl Fluoride（NBSF）对Cyt b6f样品进行特性修饰，经原子吸收谱、荧光谱、CD谱、质谱等方法对修饰后的样品进行鉴定，并结合时间分辨飞秒吸收光谱技术，测得修饰后的样品在660nm激发下Chl a 单线激发态寿命延长，从而在实验上提供了Tyr与淬灭Chla单线激发态有关的证据。但是对Cyt b6f 中Chl a瞬态吸收图谱仔细研究表明，菠菜Cyt b6f 中Chl a单线激发态快速淬灭过程中并没有发现Tyr与Chl a 之间发生电子传递时所形成的Chla•¯。以上结果表明，Cyt b6f 中Chl a单线激发态快速的淬灭确实和邻近的Tyr105有关，但是与Dashdorj 等提出的Chla单线激发态和Tyr105残基发生了电子交换传递从而淬灭Chla单线激发态这一想法不符，关于这一问题值得进一步深入研究。 3．红光和绿光对Cyt b6f 照射，Cyt f可以被还原，并且红光比绿光更容易使Cyt f 还原，暗示Cyt f 的还原与Chl a 的关系密切，有可能是Chl a 被激发后，其被激发的电子传给Cyt f。对这一现象的进一步研究表明，Cyt b6f在光照条件下，Cyt f 的还原与体系内C10－PQ库的氧化还原状况相关，氧化型的C10－PQ可能介导电子从Chla传向Cyt f。由于在体内质体醌库的氧化还原状态往往决定Cyt b6f 的氧化还原状态，而通过对Cyt b6f不同氧化和还原状态的吸收谱和荧光谱的研究表明，氧化态和还原态的Cyt b6f 中，Chl a 与蛋白的结合状态是有差异的。这些差异可能暗示着Chl a 分子在行使其功能时与复合体的氧化还原状态是有关系的。通过以上的结果，对Cyt b6f中Chl a 可能的功能进行了假设。 4．此外，我们还发现Cyt b6f具有明显的过氧化物酶活性。在0.1 mmol/L乙酸钠缓冲液，pH3.6，25℃，[H2O2] <40mmol/L的条件下，其催化反应的速度常数为kobs＝26±1.2M•s-1;对H2O2的Km 值为50mmol/L，对guaiacol的Km 值为2mmol/L;反应的最适pH为3.6，最适离子强度为0.1，最适温度为35℃。推测Cyt b6f的这种过氧化物酶活性可能是在胁迫环境下使Cyt b6f中的血红素和Chl a 分子免受H2O2的破坏。

AN ACTIVATOR OF BLOOD-COAGULATION FACTOR-X FROM THE VENOM OF BUNGARUS-FASCIATUS

A specific activator of blood coagulation factor X was purified from the venom of Bungarus fasciatus by gel filtration and by ion-exchange chromatography on a Mono-Q column (FPLC). It consisted of a single polypeptide chain, with a mel. wt of 70,000 in reducing and non-reducing conditions. The enzyme had an amidolytic activity towards the chromogenic substrates S-2266 and S-2302 but it did not hydrolyse S-2238, S2251 or S-2222, which are specific substrates for thrombin, plasmin and factor Xa, respectively. The enzyme activated factor X in vitro and the effect was Ca2+ dependent with a Hill coefficient of 7.9. As with physiological activators, the venom activator cleaves the heavy chain of factor X, producing the activated factor Xa alpha. The purified factor X activator from B. fasciatus venom did not activate prothrombin, nor did it cleave or clot purified fibrinogen. The amidolytic activity and the factor X activation activity of the factor X activator from B. fasciatus venom were readily inhibited by serine protease inhibitors such as diisopropyl fluorophosphate (DFP), phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), benzamidine and by soybean trypsin inhibitor but not by EDTA. These observations suggest that the factor X activator from B. fasciatus venom is a serine protease. It therefore differs from those of activators obtained from Vipera russelli and Bothrops atrox venoms, which are metalloproteinases.

A NOVEL PLASMINOGEN-ACTIVATOR FROM SNAKE-VENOM - PURIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION, AND MOLECULAR-CLONING

A novel plasminogen activator from Trimeresurus stejnegeri venom (TSV-PA) has been identified and purified to homogeneity. It is a single chain glycoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of 33,000 and an isoelectric point of pH 5.2. It specifically activates plasminogen through an enzymatic reaction. The activation of human native GIu-plasminogen by TSV-PA is due to a single cleavage of the molecule at the peptide bond Arg(561)-Val-(562). Purified TSV-PA, which catalyzes the hydrolysis of several tripeptide p-nitroanilide substrates, does not activate nor degrade prothrombin, factor X, or protein C and does not clot fibrinogen nor show fibrino(geno)lytic activity in the absence of plasminogen. The activity of TSV-PA was readily inhibited by phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride and by p-nitrophenyl-p-guanidinobenzoate. Oligonucleotide primers designed on the basis of the N-terminal and the internal peptide sequences of TSV-PA were used for the amplification of cDNA fragments by polymerase chain reaction. This allowed the cloning of a full-length cDNA encoding TSV-PA from a cDNA library prepared from the venom glands. The deduced complete amino acid sequence of TSV-PA indicates that the mature TSV-PA protein is composed of 234 amino acids and contains a single potential N-gIycosylation site at Asn(1G1). The sequence of TSV-PA exhibits a high degree of sequence identity with other snake venom proteases: 66% with the protein C activator from Aghistrodon contortrix contortrix venom, 63% with batroxobin, and 60% with the factor V activator from Russell's viper venom. On the other hand, TSV-PA shows only 21-23% sequence similarity with the catalytic domains of u-PA and t-PA. Furthermore, TSV-PA lacks the sequence site that has been demonstrated to be responsible for the interaction of t-PA (KHRR) and u-PA (RRHR) with plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1.

Characterization of three fibrinogenolytic enzymes from Chinese green tree viper (Trimeresurus stejnegeri) venom

Rong Gao, Yun Zhang, Qing-Xiong Meng, Wen-Hui Lee, Dong-Sheng Li, Yu-liang Xiong and Wan-Yu Wang. Characterization of three fibrinogenolytic enzymes from Chinese green tree viper (Trimeresurus stejneger ) venom. Toxicon 36, 457-467, 1998.-From the venom of Chinese green tree viper (Trimeresurus stejnegeri), three distinct fibrinogenolytic enzymes: stejnefibrase-l, stejnefibrase-2 and stejnefibrase-3, were purified by gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography and reverse-phase high-performance chromatograghy (HPLC). SDS-PAGE analysis of those three enzymes showed that they consisted of a single polypeptide chain with mel. wt of -50 000, 31 000 and 32 000, respectively. Like TSV-PA (a specific plasminogen activator) and stejnobin (a fibrinogen-clotting enzyme) purified from the same venom, stejnfibrase-1, -2 and -3 were able to hydrolyze several chromogenic substrate. On the other hand, different from TSV-PA. and stejnobin, stejnefibrase-l, -2 and -3 did not activate plasminogen and did not possess fibrinogen-clotting activity. The three purified enzymes directly degraded fibrinogen to small fragments and rendered it unclottable by thrombin. Stejnefibrase-2 degraded preferentially BE-chain while stejnefibrase-l and -3 cleaved concomitantly Ax and B beta-chains of fibrinogen. None of these proteases degraded the gamma-chain of fibrinogen. When correlated with the loss of clottability of fibrinogen, the most active enzyme was stejnefibrase-l. The activities of the three enzymes were inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and p-nitrophenyl-p-guanidinobenzoate (NPGB), indicating that like TSV-PA and stejnobin, they are venom serine proteases. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of a fibrinogen-clotting enzyme from Trimeresurus stejnegeri venom, and comparative study with other venom proteases

Trimeresurus stejnegeri venom, which contains TSV-PA (a specific plasminogen activator sharing 60-70% sequence homology with venom fibrinogen-clotting enzymes), also possesses fibrinogen-clotting activity in vitro. A fibrinogen-clotting enzyme (stejnobin) has been purified to homogeneity by gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography on a Mono-Q column. It is a single-chain glycoprotein with a mol. wt of 44,000. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of stejnobin shows great homology with venom fibrinogen-clotting enzymes and TSV-PA. Like TSV-PA, stejnobin was able to hydrolyse several chromogenic substrates. Comparative study of substrate specificities of stejnobin and other venom proteases purified in our laboratory was carried out on five chromogenic substrates. Stejnobin clotted human fibrinogen with a specific activity of 122 NIH thrombin-equivalent units/mg protein. However, stejnobin did not act on other blood coagulation factors, such as factor X, prothrombin and plasminogen. Diisopropyl fluorophosphate and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride inhibited its activity, whereas ethylenediamine tetracetic acid had no effect on it, indicating that it is a serine protease. Although stejnobin showed strong immunological cross-reaction with polyclonal antibodies raised against TSV-PA, it was interesting to observe that, unlike the case of TSV-PA, these antibodies did not inhibit the amidolytic and fibrinogen-clotting activities of stejnobin. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of Pallas' viper (Agkistrodon halys pallas) venom on blood coagulation and characterization of a prothrombin activator

The action of Pallas' viper (Agkistrodon halys pallas) venom on blood coagulation was examined in vitro and a strong anticoagulant effect was observed. This action was abolished after treatment with a specific inhibitor of phospholipase A(2) activity (p-bromophenacyl bromide), revealing a procoagulant action in low concentrations of treated venom (around 1 mu g/ml). The effect of the venom an haemostasis was further characterized by measuring its ability to activate purified blood coagulation factors. It is concluded that A. halys pallas venom contains prothrombin activation activity. A prothrombin activator (aharin) was purified from the venom by Sephadex G-75 gel filtration and ion-exchange chromatography on a Mono-Q column. It consisted of a single polypeptide chain, with a mol. wt of 63,000. Purified aharin possessed no amidolytic activity on chromogenic substrates. It did not act on other blood coagulation factors, such as factor X and plasminogen, nor did it cleave or clot purified fibrinogen. The prothrombin activation activity of aharin was readily inhibited by ethylenediamine tetracetic acid (a metal chelator), but specific serine protease inhibitors such as diisopropyl fluorophosphate and phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride had no effect on it. These observations suggest that, like those prothrombin activators from Echis carinatus and Bothrops atrox venoms, the prothrombin activator from A. halys pallas venom is a metalloproteinase. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of a thrombin-like enzyme from the venom of Trimeresurus jerdonii

From the venom of Trimeresurus jerdonii, a distinct thrombin-like enzyme, called jerdonobin. was purified by DEAF A-25 ion-exchange chromatography, Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, and fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). SDS-PAGE analysis of this enzyme shows that it consists of a single polypeptide chain with a molecular weight of 38,000. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of jerdonobin has great homology with venom thrombin-like enzymes documented. Jerdonobin is able to hydrolyze several chromogenic substrates. The enzyme directly clots fibrinogen with an activity of 217 NIH units/mg, The fibrinopeptides released, identified by HPLC consisted of fibrinopeptide A and a small amount of fibrinopepide B. The activities of the enzyme were inhibited by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and p-nitrophenyl-p-guanidinobenzoate (NPGB). However, metal chelator (EDTA) had no effect on it. indicating it is venom serine protease. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

Jerdonase, a novel serine protease with kinin-releasing and fibrinogenolytic activity from Trimeresurus jerdonii venom

A novel kinin-releasing and fibrin (ogen)olytic enzyme termed jerdonase was purified to homogeneity from the venom of Trimeresurus jerdonii by DEAE Sephadex A-50 anion exchange, Sephadex G-100 (superfine) gel filtration and reverse-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Jerdonase migrated as a single band with an approximate molecular weight of 55 kD under the reduced conditions and 53 kD under the non-reduced conditions. The enzyme was a glycoprotein containing 35.8% neutral carbohydrate. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of jerdonase was determined to be IIGGDECNINEHPFLVALYDA, which showed high sequence identity to other snake venom serine proteases. Jerdonase catalyzed the hydrolysis of BAEE, S-2238 and S-2302, which was inhibited by phenymethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), but not affected by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). Jerdonase preferentially cleaved the Aalpha-chain of human fibrinogen with lower activity towards Bbeta-chain. Moreover, the enzyme hydrolyzed bovine low-molecular-mass kininogen and releasing bradykinin. In conclusion, all results indicated that jerdonase was a multifunctional venom serine protease.

Raman scattering efficiency of graphene

We determine the Raman scattering efficiency of the G and 2D peaks in graphene. Three substrates are used: silicon covered with 300 or 90 nm oxide, and calcium fluoride (CaF2). On Si/SiOx, the areas of the G and 2D peak show a strong dependence on the substrate due to interference effects, while on CaF2 no significant dependence is detected. Unintentional doping is reduced by placing graphene on CaF2. We determine the Raman scattering efficiency by comparison with the 322 cm -1 peak area of CaF2. At 2.41 eV, the Raman efficiency of the G peak is ∼200×10-5 m-1Sr-1, and changes with the excitation energy to the power of 4. The 2D Raman efficiency is at least one order of magnitude higher than that of the G peak, with a different excitation energy dependence. © 2013 American Physical Society.