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L Ferrara

Publications and source records attributed to L Ferrara.

162 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

NMR studies of prebiotic polypertides.

Several polypeptides prepared by means of pyrocondensation have been the subject of structural investigations. Attention has been focused on the constitutional characterization of homo-and co-polymers containing Asp and Glu residues, whose role is essential for the formation of the so-called proteinoids. Contrary to the literature data based on chemical degradation, nmr studies show conclusively that in thermal poly-aspartic acid only beta-peptide linkages are present. This result casts serious doubt on the role thermal condensation might have played in prebiotic polypeptide syntheses.

Aspartic Acid↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Two new fluorescent derivatives of progesterone to use in fluoroimmunoassay.

Synthesis, fluorometric and immunological properties of two new fluorescent derivatives of progesterone are reported. Both compounds were obtained from 11 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone 11-hemisuccinate; the fluorescent molecules were joined to the steroid by bifunctional arms. The first of these is cysteamine whose thiol group was reacted with N-(3-fluoranthenyl) maleimide, and the second is tyramine whose phenolic group was reacted with 1-nitroso-2 naphthol.

Cross Reactions↗
PubMedDate not supplied

River buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.) AA phenotype haemoglobins: characterization by immobiline polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and high performance liquid chromatography and determination of the primary structure of the constitutive chains by mass spectrometry.

1. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in ultra-narrow immobilized pH gradient shifted the "Hb fast" band of AA buffalo phenotype haemoglobin into two components which were named Hb1 and Hb3. 2. Urea/Triton electrophoresis and reversed-phase HPLC demonstrated that Hb1 and Hb3 differ in the presence of two structurally distinct alpha chains (alpha 1 and alpha 3), also suggesting that the alpha chains must differ for neutral amino acid substitution. 3. Extensive mass spectrometric analysis on several digests (FAB overlapping) meant to determine the complete sequence of the constituent chains. 4. Two amino acid replacements (Lys 18----His and Asn 116----His) were present in the beta chain with respect to the bovine (A phenotype) chain, whereas the alpha 1 and alpha 3 globins were found to contain four amino acid replacements compared to the bovine alpha, three of which were identical (Glu 23----Asp, Glu 71----Gly and Phe 117----Cys) and, notably, an insertion of Ala at position 123-124. 5. Furthermore, alpha 1 contains Phe at position 130 whereas alpha 3 contains Ser at position 132 (following the modified numbering as a consequence of the Ala insertion).

Acrylamides↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Electrospray mass spectrometric analysis of river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) hemoglobins. Re-examination of alpha 1 and alpha 3 globin chain sequences.

1. The accurate molecular weight of the globin chains from river buffalo hemoglobin components has been determined by means of electrospray mass spectrometry. 2. The ES/MS analysis demonstrated that all the buffalo Hb components share a common beta chain whose mass value coincides with that expected on the basis of the reported sequence. 3. The AA phenotype alpha 1 and alpha 3 globin chains exhibited a 30 Da mass difference as compared to their predicted molecular weights. Careful re-examination of the two alpha globin sequences by FAB/MS revealed the occurrence of sequence errors and hence the correct primary structure of both alpha chains was established.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The distribution of minerals and flavonoids in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis).

Camellia sinensis is a plant growing in India, Sri Lanka, Java, Japan and its properties were known 4000 years ago. Since then, traditional Chinese medicine has recommended this plant for headaches, body aches and pains, digestion, depression, detoxification, as an energiser and, in general, to prolong life. Tea contains volatile oils, vitamins, minerals, purines, polyphenols, particularly carechins. We have analysed ten commercial teas from various countries to determine their mineral composition and we have analysed a green tea, an Oolong tea and a White tea to determine their polyphenols and flavonoids content. Our study shows that the variation of mineral composition, polyphenols and flavonoids are linked to different origins of the plant. For the determination of phenols compounds and flavonoids we used an HPLC apparatus and for mineral analysis an atomic absorption apparatus.

Anticholesteremic Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Mitomycin C-induced sister chromatid exchange in X chromosomes of Bovidae.

Sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) in early- and late-replicating X chromosomes of seven female cattle (Bos taurus L.) and five female river buffalo (Bubalus bubalis L.) were studied in untreated lymphocytes and lymphocytes treated with mitomycin C (MMC). In the experiment, 577 SCEs on X chromosomes of MMC-untreated cells and 825 SCEs on X chromosomes of MMC-treated cells from both species were observed. No significant differences between the number of SCEs in early- and late-replicating X chromosomes were found even when singular species and subjects were considered.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chromosomal localization of omega and trophoblast interferon genes in goat and sheep by fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) of the cattle cDNA probe bTP-509 to goat (Capra hircus L.) and sheep (Ovis aries L.) R-banded metaphase chromosomes localized the omega (IFNW) and trophoblast (IFNT) interferon genes to goat chromosome 8q15 and sheep chromosome 2p15. Caprine chromosome 8 and ovine chromosome 2p are equivalent in banding pattern to cattle chromosome 8. Since FISH has previously localized IFNW and IFNT genes to cattle chromosome 8q15 and river buffalo 3q15, the localization of IFNW and IFNT genes in goat and sheep provides evidence in support of the hypothesis that chromosome-banding homology among these four species is indicative of underlying genetic homology.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Ultrasonic monitoring as a method of preventing risks of ovarian hyperstimulation during drug therapy].

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ultrasonographic monitoring represents the most immediate method for an early confirmation of the onset of the worst complication of the pharmacological induction of ovulation: ovarian hyperstimulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of this complication in a sample group of anovulatory patients receiving pharmacological treatment and undergoing repeated ultrasonographic monitoring. METHODS: The authors analysed the controls performed during 1996-1997 in which a total of 413 cycles were stimulated. The patients included in the study group (mean age 28.5 years) were treated using clomiphene, oestradiol, FSH, LH and GnRH, and in 5 cases stimulation was preceded by suppression of the menstrual cycle using tryptorelin. Each patient was monitored with 3 scans, except for those treated with tryptorelin or GnRH who were more closely monitored. RESULTS: In 413 patients included in this study the authors noted the onset of slight hyperstimulation in 6 cases (1.45%) which then resolved spontaneously without the need for hospitalisation. CONCLUSIONS: The authors affirm that ultrasonographic monitoring represents a valid means of controlling and preventing the risks of ovarian hyperstimulation.

Adult↗