Arsenate Removal from Aqueous Media Using Chitosan-Magnetite Hydrogel by Batch and Fixed-Bed Columns.

The removal of arsenate ions from aqueous solutions at near-neutral pH was carried out using chitosan-magnetite (ChM) hydrogel beads in batch systems. Equilibrium isotherms and kinetic studies are reported. Obtained equilibrium and kinetic data were fitted to mathematical models, estimating model parameters by non-linear regression analysis.

Adrenaline Stimulates Glucagon Secretion by Tpc2-Dependent Ca Mobilization From Acidic Stores in Pancreatic α-Cells.

Adrenaline is a powerful stimulus of glucagon secretion. It acts by activation of β-adrenergic receptors, but the downstream mechanisms have only been partially elucidated. Here, we have examined the effects of adrenaline in mouse and human α-cells by a combination of electrophysiology, imaging of Ca and PKA activity, and hormone release measurements.

A membranotropic region in the C-terminal domain of hepatitis C virus protein NS4B interaction with membranes.

We have identified a membrane-active region in the HCV NS4B protein by studying membrane rupture induced by a NS4B-derived peptide library on model membranes. This segment corresponds to one of two previously predicted amphipathic helix and define it as a new membrane association domain. We report the binding and interaction with model membranes of a peptide patterned after this segment, peptide NS4B(H2), and show that NS4B(H2) strongly partitions into phospholipid membranes, interacts with them, and is located in a shallow position in the membrane.