Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) and related sulfur compounds in the Saguenay Fjord, Quebec

The biogeochemical cycling of dimethylated sulfur compounds was investigated in the Saguenay Fjord during June 1996, just prior to the flooding in the catchment area. Dimethylated sulfur compounds, namely dimethylsulfide (DMS), dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP), and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), were determined at six sites. In comparison with other coastal environments, including the Gulf of St. Lawrence, DMS (0-1.8 nmol·L-1, average <0.2 nmol·L-1) and DMSP (0-23 nmol·L-1, average <0.8 nmol·L-1) concentrations were relatively low because the brackish waters were poor in algal abundance and dominated by species not noted as major DMS and DMSP producers. Similarly, dissolved DMSO levels (<0.016 nmol·L-1) were low due to the limited availability of its DMS precursor and the shallow photic zone. Particulate DMSO was measured (0-110 nmol·L-1, average ~8 nmol·L-1) and occasionally exceeded particulate DMSP concentrations (0.016-140 nmol·L-1, average ~3.5 nmol·L-1). Given the low dissolved DMSO concentrations, the presence of particulate DMSO provides evidence for its direct biosynthesis by phytoplankton.

Regulation of glucocorticoid receptor function and angiotensin-converting enzyme activity

The central link in the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids is specific cytoplasmic glucocorticoid receptors (GH). Their synthesis is programmed by 1 gene of chromosome 5 [44]. The direct biosynthesis of GR occurs in the endoplasmic reticulum of the cytoplasm [12]. In the cytoplasm, GRs bind to heat shock proteins (HSP, chaperone proteins) mol. mass of 50, 70, 90 kD [20, 59]. Like the mass of the GR – HSP complex is 300 kD [14]. In the absence of glucocorticoids, GRs are localized mainly in the cytoplasm [30, 63]. In 1 cell contains from 5000 to 100 000 specific GH. GRs have been found in many mammalian tissues [13], however, certain tissues do not contain GRs: the intermediate pituitary, Kupffer and endothelial cells of the liver, renal glomeruli, and proximal convoluted tubules [12, 31].

Novo human insulin - the same but different

Unannounced to prescribers or patients, Novo Nordisk have changed the manufacturing process of their human insulins from enzymatic modification of pig insulin (emp) to direct biosynthesis of genetically engineered yeast cells (pyr). The preservative for Human Actrapid insulin has also been changed from phenol to meta-cresol. No warning of this change was sent to pharmacists, doctors, diabetes specialists or patients.