Optimization of Detergent-Mediated Reconstitution of Influenza A M2 Protein into Proteoliposomes.

We report the optimization of detergent-mediated reconstitution of an integral membrane-bound protein, full-length influenza M2 protein, by direct insertion into detergent-saturated liposomes. Detergent-mediated reconstitution is an important method for preparing proteoliposomes for studying membrane proteins, and must be optimized for each combination of protein and membrane constituents used. The purpose of the reconstitution was to prepare samples for site-directed spin-labeling electron paramagnetic resonance (SDSL-EPR) studies.

Chiral induction at octahedral Ru(II) via the disassembly of diruthenium(II,III) tetracarboxylates using a variety of chiral diphosphine ligands.

Achiral [Ru2(μ-O2CR)4(MeOH)2](PF6) (R = CH3 or C6H5) reacts with the chiral diphosphines R,R- and S,S-Chiraphos (two chiral centers on ligand between the coordinating P atoms) and R-Prophos (one chiral center on ligand between the coordinating P atoms) leading to a disassembly of the paddlewheel core and the highly diastereoselective production of Λ-[Ru(η(2)-O2CC6H5)(η(2)-R,R-Chiraphos)2](PF6) (Λ-R,R-III), Δ-[Ru(η(2)-O2CC6H5)(η(2)-S,S-Chiraphos)2](PF6) (Δ-S,S-III) (the R = CH3 complexes of Chiraphos were reported in a earlier communication in this journal), and Λ-[Ru(η(2)-O2CCH3)(η(2)-R-Prophos)2](PF6) (Λ-R,R-VI), respectively, in high yield and purity. Reactions of the same starting material with R,R- and S,S-o-tolyl-Dipamp (chiral centers are the coordinating P-atoms) lead to an inversion in the chirality-at-metal producing Λ-[Ru(η(2)-O2CC6H5)(η(2)-S,S-o-tolyl-Dipamp)2](PF6) (Λ-S,S-IV), Δ-[Ru(η(2)-O2CC6H5)(η(2)-R,R-o-tolyl-Dipamp)2](PF6) (Δ-R,R-IV), Λ-[Ru(η(2)-O2CCH3)(η(2)-S,S-o-tolyl-Dipamp)2](PF6) (Λ-S,S-V), and Δ-[Ru(η(2)-O2CCH3)(η(2)-R,R-o-tolyl-Dipamp)2](PF6) (Δ-R,R-V). X-ray crystallography of all but Λ-S,S-V and Δ-R,R-V and solid-state circular dichroism (CD) show that only the indicated diastereomers are present in the solid-state.

HIV incidence remains high in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa: evidence from three districts.

Background: HIV prevalence and incidence among sexually active women in peri-urban areas of Ladysmith, Edendale, and Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, were assessed between October 2007 and February 2010 in preparation for vaginal microbicide trials.

Methodology/principal Findings: Sexually active women 18-35 years, not known to be HIV-positive or pregnant were tested cross-sectionally to determine HIV and pregnancy prevalence (798 in Ladysmith, 1,084 in Edendale, and 891 in Pinetown). Out of these, approximately 300 confirmed non-pregnant, HIV-negative women were subsequently enrolled at each clinical research center (CRC) in a 12-month cohort study with quarterly study visits.

Chiral induction via the disassembly of diruthenium(II,III) tetraacetate by chiral diphosphines.

[Ru(2)(μ-O(2)CCH(3))(4)(MeOH)(2)](PF(6)) reacts with chiral diphosphines (R,R)- and (S,S)-chiraphos, leading to disassembly and production of the enantiomers Λ-[Ru(η(2)-O(2)CCH(3))(η(2)-(R,R)-chiraphos)(2)](PF(6)) and Δ-[Ru(η(2)-O(2)CCH(3))(η(2)-(S,S)-chiraphos)(2)](PF(6)) in high yield and purity. X-ray crystallography and solid-state circular dichroism (CD) show that only the indicated isomers are present in the solid state. Solution CD measurements also indicate their predominance in solution.

The role of analysis on the 17 most political acres on the face of the earth.

Benefit-cost and risk analyses associated with agency rule making are required by presidential order and are reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA). This White House oversight of agency regulatory analysis means that OIRA's work, though primarily analytic, competes daily with the intense political pressures that characterize all work in the White House. Even in the face of the demands of politics, analysis is respected and utilized.