Recent Advances in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Human Cytomegalovirus Infections

Britt, William J. 대한화학요법학회 1992 대한화학요법학회지 Vol.10 No.1

Human cytomegalovirus(HCMV) remains one of the most importnat viral pathogens associated with human infections Although isolated in tissue culture some three decades ago and studied extenxively throughout the last two decades, this human herpesvirus remains a major cause of disease in immunocompormisde hosts and young infants.

Substrate Ground State Binding Energy Concentration Is Realized as Transition State Stabilization in Physiological Enzyme Catalysis

Britt, Billy Mark Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2004 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.37 No.5

Previously published kinetic data on the interactions of seventeen different enzymes with their physiological substrates are re-examined in order to understand the connection between ground state binding energy and transition state stabilization of the enzyme-catalyzed reactions. When the substrate ground state binding energies are normalized by the substrate molar volumes, binding of the substrate to the enzyme active site may be thought of as an energy concentration interaction; that is, binding of the substrate ground state brings in a certain concentration of energy. When kinetic data of the enzyme/substrate interactions are analyzed from this point of view, the following relationships are discovered: 1) smaller substrates possess more binding energy concentrations than do larger substrates with the effect dropping off exponentially, 2) larger enzymes (relative to substrate size) bind both the ground and transition states more tightly than smaller enzymes, and 3) high substrate ground state binding energy concentration is associated with greater reaction transition state stabilization. It is proposed that these observations are inconsistent with the conventional (Haldane) view of enzyme catalysis and are better reconciled with the shifting specificity model for enzyme catalysis.

Understanding Enzyme Structure and Function in Terms of the Shifting Specificity Model

Britt, Billy Mark Korean Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biol 2004 Journal of biochemistry and molecular biology Vol.37 No.4

The purpose of this paper is to suggest that the prominence of Haldane's explanation for enzyme catalysis significantly hinders investigations in understanding enzyme structure and function. This occurs despite the existence of much evidence that the Haldane model cannot embrace. Some of the evidence, in fact, disproves the model. A brief history of the explanation of enzyme catalysis is presented. The currently accepted view of enzyme catalysis -- the Haldane model -- is examined in terms of its strengths and weaknesses. An alternate model for general enzyme catalysis (the Shifting Specificity model) is reintroduced and an assessment of why it may be superior to the Haldane model is presented. Finally, it is proposed that a re-examination of many current aspects in enzyme structure and function (specifically, protein folding, x-ray and NMR structure analyses, enzyme stability curves, enzyme mimics, catalytic antibodies, and the loose packing of enzyme folded forms) in terms of the new model may offer crucial insights.

Analysis of Lyso-Globotriaosylsphingosine in Dried Blood Spots

Britt Johnson,Hermann Mascher,Daniel Mascher,Elisa Legnini,Christina Y Hung,Angela Dajnoki,Yin-Hsiu Chien,László Maródi,Wuh-Liang Hwu,Olaf A Bodamer 대한진단검사의학회 2013 Annals of Laboratory Medicine Vol.33 No.4

Recently, lyso-globotriaosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb3) was found to be elevated in plasma of treatment naive male patients and some female patients with Fabry Disease (FD). This study tested whether lyso-Gb3 could be analyzed in dried blood spots (DBS) from filter cards and whether concentrations are elevated in newborn infants with FD. Lyso-Gb3 concentrations were analyzed in DBS following extraction using a novel HPLC-mass spectrometry (MS)/MS method. Lyso-Gb3 levels in DBS were above the lower limit of quantitation (0.28 ng/mL) in 5/17 newborn FD infants (16 males; range: 1.02-8.81 ng/mL), but in none of the newborn controls, in all 13 patients (4 males) with classic FD (range: 2.06-54.1ng/mL), in 125/159 Taiwanese individuals with symptomatic or asymptomatic FD who carry the late onset α-galactosidase A (GLA) mutation c.936+919G>A (IVS4+919G>A) (3.75±0.69 ng/mL; range: 0.418-3.97 ng/mL) and in 20/29 healthy controls (0.77±0.24 ng/mL;range: 0.507-1.4 ng/mL). The HPLC-MS/MS method for analysis of lyso-Gb3 is robust and yields reproducible results in DBS in patients with FD. However, concentrations of lyso-Gb3 were below the limit of quantitation in most newborn infants with FD rendering this approach not suitable for newborn screening. In addition, most females with the late onset mutation have undetectable lyso-Gb3 concentrations.

Colon Capsule Endoscopy: An Alternative for Conventional Colonoscopy?

Britt B.S.L. Houwen,Evelien Dekker 대한소화기내시경학회 2021 Clinical Endoscopy Vol.54 No.1

COMMENTARY

Isolation and Characterization of Antifungal Peptides Produced by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LBM5006

Lisianne Brittes Benitez,Renata Voltolini Velho,Marcia Pagno Lisboa,Luis Fernando da Costa Medina,Adriano Brandelli 한국미생물학회 2010 The journal of microbiology Vol.48 No.6

Bacillus amyloliquefaciens LBM 5006 produces antagonistic activity against pathogenic bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi, including Aspergillus spp., Fusarium spp., and Bipolaris sorokiniana. PCR analysis revealed the presence of ituD, but not sfp genes, coding for iturin and surfactin, respectively. The antimicrobial substance produced by this strain was isolated by ammonium sulfate precipitation, gel filtration chromatography and 1-butanol extraction. The ultraviolet spectrum was typical of a polypeptide and the infrared spectrum indicates the presence of peptide bonds and acyl group(s). The antimicrobial substance was resistant to proteolytic enzymes and heat treatment, and was reactive with ninhydrin. Mass spectroscopy analysis indicated that B. amyloliquefaciens LBM 5006 produces two antimicrobial peptides,with main peaks at m/z 1,058 Da and 1,464 Da, corresponding to iturin-like and fengycin-like peptides,respectively. B. amyloliquefaciens LBM 5006 showed significant activity against phytopatogenic fungi, showing potential for use as a biocontrol agent or production of antifungal preparations.

Transition State Characterization of the Low- to Physiological-TemperatureNondenaturational Conformational Change in Bovine Adenosine Deaminase bySlow Scan Rate Differential Scanning Calorimetry

B. Mark Britt,Melissa A. Bodnar 한국생화학분자생물학회 2006 BMB Reports Vol.39 No.2

Workaholism and Well-Being

Sonya L. Britt,Sarah Asebedo,Jaime M. Blue 한국FP학회 2013 Financial Planning Review Vol.6 No.3

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between workaholism (working 50 or more hours per week) and personal and mental well-being. With time being a scarce resource, it is important to understand the trade-offs involved and the implications that arise from time allocation decisions. Becker (1965) provides a theoretical framework for the allocation of time that lays the groundwork for this understanding. Data were obtained from the 2010 administration of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79). In 2010, the sample ranged in age from 45 to 53. Workaholism was associated with objectively measured physical and mental well-being, but not subjectively measured physical well-being. Policy implications include the development of business practices aimed to reduce the negative impact workaholism can have an employees’ physical and mental well-being, potentially resulting in a healthier and more productive workforce. The results of this study may be enlightening for those directly or indirectly experiencing workaholism to further understand the damaging effects of workaholism on physical and mental well-being. Through increased awareness, personal change may be more likely to occur.

Workaholism and Well-Being

Sonya L. Britt,Jaime M. Blue,Sarah Asebedo 한국재무학회 2013 한국재무학회 학술대회 Vol.2013 No.05

The purpose of this study was to explore the association between workaholism (working 50 or more hours per week) and personal and mentalwell-being. With time being a scarce resource, it is important to understand the trade-offs involved and the implications that arise from time allocation decisions. Becker (1965) provides a theoretical framework for the allocation of time that lays the groundwork for this understanding.Data were obtained from the 2010 administration of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1979 (NLSY79). In 2010, the sample ranged in age from 45 to 53. Workaholism was associated with objectively measured physical and mental well-being, but not subjectively measured physical well-being. Policy implications include the development of business practices aimed to reduce the negative impact workaholism can have an employees’ physical and mental well-being, potentially resulting in a healthier and more productive workforce. The results of this study may be enlightening for those directly or indirectly experiencing workaholism to further understand the damaging effects of workaholism on personal well-being. Through increased awareness, personal change may be more likely to occur.

Substrate Ground State Binding Energy Concentration Is Realized as Transition State Stabilization in Physiological Enzyme Catalysis

( Billy Mark Britt ) 생화학분자생물학회 2004 BMB Reports Vol.37 No.5

Previously published kinetic data on the interactions of seventeen different enzymes with their physiological substrates are re-examined in order to understand the connection between ground state binding energy and transition state stabilization of the enzyme-catalyzed reactions. When the substrate ground state binding energies are normalized by the substrate molar volumes, binding of the substrate to the enzyme active site may be thought of as an energy concentration interaction; that is, binding of the substrate ground state brings in a certain concentration of energy. When kinetic data of the enzyme/ substrate interactions are analyzed from this point of view, the following relationships are discovered: 1) smaller substrates possess more binding energy concentrations than do larger substrates with the effect dropping off exponentially, 2) larger enzymes (relative to substrate size) bind both the ground and transition states more tightly than smaller enzymes, and 3) high substrate ground state binding energy concentration is associated with greater reaction transition state stabilization. It is proposed that these observations are inconsistent with the conventional (Haldane) view of enzyme catalysis and are better reconciled with the shifting specificity model for enzyme catalysis.