Characterization of the soluble proteins from rabbit eye lens.
Abstract Fractionation of the soluble proteins of rabbit lens by gel chromatography on Sepharose 6B revealed six components, viz. HM-, α-, β 1 -, β 2 -, β 3 - and γ-crystallin. On isoelectric focusing α-crystallins revealed a diffuse region, whilst approximately 10 bands were found for the β-crystallins and 7–8 components for γ-crystallin. Immunoelectrophoretically HM-crystallin revealed two precipitin lines, one in the α- and one in the β-mobility range. Sedimentation coefficients of 18·0, 8·0, 3·7, 2·2 and 2·1 S were calculated for α-, β 1 -, β 2 -, β 3 - and γ-crystallin, respectively. By isoelectric focusing in the presence of 6 m -urea, 13 bands between pH 5·3 and 6·9 were found for HM-crystallin, approximately six bands between pH 5·6 and 6·9 for α-crystallin, about 13 bands between pH 5·9 and 7·0 for the β-crystallins and 7–8 major bands between pH 7·0 and 7·8 for γ-crystallin. Molecular weight estimation by SDS gel electrophoresis revealed values between 16 000 and 39 000 for HM-crystallin and the β-crystallins, whereas values of approximately 21 000 and 20 500 were found for α- and γ-crystallin.
Fractionation of β-crystallin from calf lens by gel filtration†
β-Crystallin was isolated from calf lenses by a combination of gel filtration on Sephadex G-75 and vertical-column zone electrophoresis. It was subdivided into four fractions by subsequent gel filtration on dextran gels with low cross-linkage. Each fraction showed only one major peak in the ultracentrifuge, the sedimentation coefficients of which were 13·6, 9·6, 4·9 and 4·2 S for fractions I–IV, respectively. However, all four fractions contained some additional minor components, as revealed by sedimentation and immunoelectrophoretic analyses. The fractionation procedure may be of value as a first step in the isolation of individual proteins of the β-crystallin group.
Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting: A Systematic Review and Meta-Ethnography Exploring Women’s Views of Why It Exists and Persists
Abstract Objectives: Despite well-documented negative consequences, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) continues to be widely practised. In this systematic review, we investigated women's views of why FGM/C exists and persists. Methods: A meta-ethnographic approach was used in this systematic review of qualitative research. Results: Twenty-seven studies were included in this review and they represented the views and experiences of 823 women. FGM/C was considered a ‘rite of passage’ which was enforced to curb the expression of their sexuality and maintain social and gender norms within its communities. Nevertheless, attitudes towards FGM/C were changing among migrant populations. Conclusions: Creating community awareness projects, enforcing strict laws coupled with increasing health professional involvement may reduce the incidence of FGM/C.