Examines biochemical measures in a population of forensic psychiatric inpatients. Regression equations utilizing chemical and biological variables were developed and evaluated to determine their value in predicting the severity and frequency of aggression. Findings strongly suggest the presence of specific biochemical alteration among those…

Asserts that total restructuring of biochemistry courses and methods used for evaluation of student performance are necessary. Evaluation should have a constructive influence by integrating it with other activities. The conduct of the course should be based upon the same objectives that are uses for evaluation. Evaluation should be done by…

This study found no evidence for abnormal temporal placement of the basal urinary cortisol circadian rhythm in a group of 18 high-functioning children (ages 4-14) with autism. There was a tendency toward cortisol hypersecretion during the day, predominantly in autistic children who were integrated into the normal school system. (Author/JDD)

An imaging technique that uses fluorescent dyes and allows scientists to track DNA as it moves through gels or in solution is described. The importance, opportunities, and implications of this technique are discussed. (KR)

Forty-two parents of children with autistic disorder, 15 children with autistic disorder, 17 siblings of children with autistic disorder, and 12 unrelated normal controls were studied for binding characteristics of their immunoglobulins. Results did not support the hypothesis that two specific autoantibodies are characteristic of autism.…

The University of Kansas course in pharmaceutical biotechnology aims at providing students with an understanding of the basic chemical and structural characteristics making protein pharmaceuticals unique and distinct. In addition, stability and analysis of proteins are emphasized. Attention given to molecular biology, drug delivery, and…

Advances in the genetics and cell biology of muscle development are discussed. In-vitro analysis of the renaturation, polymerization, and three-dimensional structure of the purified proteins involved is described. (CW)

Summary of the survey questionnaire on biochemical engineering education in Japanese universities. The questionnaire was distributed to the academic professors whose research fields included biochemical engineering. The questionnaire was intended to sufficiently realize the present status of biochemical engineering education in Japan. (Author/SAH)

Presents an overview of biochemical education for undergraduates and postgraduates at Hanoi University, including courses of instruction and teaching methods. (AIM)

Examines how a Japanese biochemist and technician structure a scientific training activity, focusing on interactional structure. Describes how the participants segment the training from previous and subsequent activities and how they segment that same training into smaller units, revealing that structuring actions are complex, negotiated, and…

A fruit is alive, and for it to ripen normally, many biochemical reactions must occur in a proper order. After pollination, proper nutrition, growing conditions, and certain plant hormones cause the fruit to develop and grow to proper size. During this time, fruits store energy in the form of starch and sugars, called photosynthates because they…

Solid-phase extraction (SPE) was used to demonstrate how various lipids and lipid classes could be separated in a biochemistry laboratory setting. Three different SPE methods were chosen on their ability to separate a lipid mixture, consisting of a combination of a either a fatty acid, a triacylglycerol, a mono- or diacylglycerol, phospholipid,…

Redox calculations have the potential to reinforce important concepts in bioenergetics. The intermediacy of the NAD[superscript +]/NADH couple in the oxidation of food by oxygen, for example, can be brought out by such calculations. In practice, students have great difficulty and, even when adept at the calculations, frequently do not understand…

For many years, mitochondrial phosphate-to-oxygen ratios were believed to be integral values: 3 for ATP/NADH and 2 for ATP/FADH[subscript 2]. The chemiosmotic theory has demonstrated that this need not be the case because coupling sites do not directly synthesize ATP. Coupling between coupling site redox reactions and ATP synthesis occurs via…

Tyrosinase (EC 1.14.18.1) catalyzes the oxidation of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) to 2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-5,6-dioxo-1H-indole-2-carboxylate (dopachrome), according to the classical Michaelis-Menten kinetic mechanism. The enzyme is strongly but slowly inhibited by alpha-amino-beta-[N-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridone)] propionic acid (L-mimosine), a…