The structural stabilization of the κ three-way junction by Mg(II) represents the first step in the folding of a group II intron.

Folding of group II introns is characterized by a first slow compaction of domain 1 (D1) followed by the rapid docking of other domains to this scaffold. D1 compaction initiates in a small subregion encompassing the κ and ζ elements. These two tertiary elements are also the major interaction sites with domain 5 to form the catalytic core.

Effect of cholecalciferol as adjunctive therapy with insulin on protective immunologic profile and decline of residual β-cell function in new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 on cytokine levels, regulatory T cells, and residual β-cell function decline when cholecalciferol (vitamin D3 administered therapeutically) is given as adjunctive therapy with insulin in new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Design And Setting: An 18-month (March 10, 2006, to October 28, 2010) randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at the Diabetes Center of São Paulo Federal University, São Paulo, Brazil.

Participants: Thirty-eight patients with new-onset T1DM with fasting serum C-peptide levels greater than or equal to 0.

HIV-1 induces NALP3-inflammasome expression and interleukin-1β secretion in dendritic cells from healthy individuals but not from HIV-positive patients.

Objective: NALP3-inflammasome is an innate mechanism, alternative to type-1 interferon, which is able to recognize nucleic acids and viruses in the cytoplasm and to induce pro-inflammatory response. Here, we hypothesized the involvement of inflammasome in the early defense against HIV-1 and in the full maturation of dendritic cells: for this, we evaluated the response of dendritic cells pulsed with HIV-1 in terms of inflammasome activation in healthy donors. Moreover, inflammasome response to HIV was evaluated in HIV-infected individuals.

A nickel hydride complex in the active site of methyl-coenzyme m reductase: implications for the catalytic cycle.

Methanogenic archaea utilize a specific pathway in their metabolism, converting C1 substrates (i.e., CO2) or acetate to methane and thereby providing energy for the cell.

Enhanced removal from the plasma of LDL-like nanoemulsion cholesteryl ester in trained men compared with sedentary healthy men.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of exercise training on plasma removal of a cholesterol-rich nanoemulsion (LDE) that mimics low-density lipoprotein (LDL) lipid structure and binds to LDL receptors. LDE-derived cholesteryl ester plasma kinetics was studied in 24 exercise-trained and 20 sedentary male subjects. LDE labeled with [(14)C]cholesteryl ester was injected intravenously, and plasma samples were collected over a 24-h period to determine radioisotope decay curves.