Protein kinase C-dependent in vivo phosphorylation of prourokinase leads to the formation of a receptor competitive antagonist

We recently reported that in vivo phosphorylation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator on Ser138/303 prevents its catalytic-independent ability to promote myelomonocytic cell adherence and motility. We now show that Ca2+ activated, phospholipid-dependent protein kinase C from rat brain phosphorylates in vitro a peptide corresponding to prourokinase residues 133-143 (DGKKPSSPPEE) and the full-length molecule on Ser138/139. The in vivo involvement of the protein kinase C isoenzyme family is supported by the finding that inhibition of kinase C activity prevents prourokinase phosphorylation on Ser138/303 in A431 human carcinoma cells. Conversely, a short treatment of A431 cells with phorbol myristate acetate increases the extent of phosphorylated prourokinase and, concomitantly, affects its function; under these conditions, the capability of prourokinase to up-regulate U937 monocyte-like cell adherence is severely impaired, although receptor binding is unaltered. By the aid of a "phosphorylation-like" variant (Ser138 to Glu) we show that modification of Ser138 is sufficient to confer to prourokinase the antagonistic properties observed following in vivo stimulation of protein kinase C activity. These observations provide the first evidence that protein kinase C directs the formation of a receptor competitive antagonist by regulating the in vivo phosphorylation state of prourokinase.     

Stress urinary incontinence. Our experience with its treatment using the transvaginal colposuspension technique (Raz I and II)

Presentation of our experience in the surgical treatment of urinary stress incontinence, with transvaginal colposuspension techniques, specifically those described by S. Raz and known as Raz I and Raz II. Over a 24-month period, 25 transvaginal colposuspensions (22 Raz I and 3 Raz II) were performed. The results achieved were 21 patients (84%) have recovered, while 4 (16%) remain incontinent, 3 of them referring improvement and 1 without improvement, after a follow-up of 12 to 36 months. With regard to complications, there has been 5 cases (20%) of postoperative retention, one vesical perforation while passing the needles, and a vesicle perforation during vaginal dissection of the retropubic space.     

Analytical Solutions to Predict Impact Behaviour of Stringer Stiffened Composite Aircraft Panels

Applied Composite Materials - This paper aims to develop an analytical method to predict the low-velocity impact response of simply supported stringer stiffened panels. Since the combination of...     

Renovascular disease: Doppler ultrasound

Color Doppler ultrasound (CDUS) seems to be an effective imaging technique for the diagnosis of renal vascular diseases. It is already the modality of choice for the detection of acute renal vein thrombosis and nonocclusive intrarenal vascular disorders including iatrogenic arteriovenous fistula and false aneurysm, particularly in patients with impaired renal function that precludes the use of iodinated contrast agents. Although proximal Doppler interrogation remains an important step in diagnosing renal artery (RA) stenosis, useful hemodynamic information can be obtained from the distal arterial bed. When CDUS fails in identifying proximal RAs, normal waveform velocity and morphology obtained from intrarenal arteries enable one to rule out RA occlusion and most of the severe stenoses (> or = 80%). Such information, which is not subject to a significant risk of technical failure, seems to be particularly useful in studying patients with acute renal failure of suspected vascular origin. Despite the extreme variability in reported performance between studies, CDUS has seemed to be a valuable tool compared with other noninvasive modalities in the diagnosis of RA stenosis. Whereas a CDUS-based strategy is already accepted in numerous specialized centers, a thorough evaluation of diagnostic criteria and extensive training of operators will allow CDUS to be widely accepted for the screening of patients at high risk for renovascular hypertension.     

Dyeing behaviour and fine structure differences in acrylic fibres relaxed under different conditions

Fine structure differences in an acrylic fibre relaxed under different conditions have been studied in terms of dyeing behaviour. From information on the dyeing kinetics obtained at different temperatures, it was deduced that diffusion coefficient increases with degree of relaxation, while activation energy remains almost constant. Glass transition temperature tended not to vary as a function of degree of relaxation, although the temperatures measured under wet conditions or during dyeing tended to decrease slightly for substrates that were highly relaxed.     

Kidney transplantation in patients over 60 years of age. Study of 37 patients

Between February 1975 and September 1993, 735 renal transplantations have been performed 37 of which took place in 60+ year-old subjects. All grafts were from corpse donors. 34 were first time transplants and 3 were re-transplants. In general, immunosuppression has been accomplished with Cyclosporin, Azathioprine, and Prednisone. Annual patient and graft survival is 87% and 69%, respectively. A review is made of the complications developed and the success rate with and without a functioning graft. Considering long-term results, many patients lead a normal live with stable renal function.     

Long‐Term Stability Studies of Anode‐Supported Microtubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

A long‐term stability study of an anode‐supported NiO/YSZ‐YSZ‐LSM/YSZ microtubular cell was performed, under low fuel utilization conditions, using pure humidified hydrogen as fuel at the anode side and air at the cathode side. A first galvanometric test was performed at 766 °C and 200 mA cm^–2, measuring a power output at 0.5 V of ∼250 mW cm^–2. During the test, some electrical contact breakdowns at the anode current collector caused sudden current shutdowns and start‐up events. In spite of this, the cell performance remains unchanged. After a period of 325 h, the cell temperature and the current density was raised to 873°C and 500 mA cm^–2, and the cell power output at 0.5 V was ∼600 mW cm^–2. Several partial reoxidation events due to disturbance in fuel supply occurred, but no apparent degradation was observed. On the contrary, a small increase in the cell output power of about 4%/1,000 h after 654 h under current load was obtained. The excellent cell aging behavior is discussed in connection to cell configuration. Finally, the experiment concluded when the cell suffered irreversible damage due to an accidental interruption of fuel supply, causing a full reoxidation of the anode support and cracking of the thin YSZ electrolyte.     

Renal Doppler ultrasonography in the diagnosis of acute obstructions of the upper urinary tract

A comparative study of the resistivity indices (RI) obtained in both kidneys has been carried out in 30 controls and 60 patients with suspected unilateral acute obstruction of the upper urinary tract. Doppler findings (difference in the mean RI of both kidneys, delta RI) in the pathologic population have been systematically correlated to the data yielded by intravenous pyelography (IVP). In the control population delta RI was always < or = 0.03 (mean delta RI = 0.01, SD = 0.01). Considering that an increase in delta RI > or = 0.05 (> mean RI + 3 SD) is significant, 93% sensitivity and 100% specificity are obtained for the diagnosis of unilateral acute obstruction. Comparison of the resistivity indices of both kidneys is more specific and more sensitive than the assessment of the index on the obstructed side only; it improves the performance of ultrasonography in the initial diagnosis of acute urinary tract obstruction.