Efficient epoxidation of electron-deficient olefins with a cationic manganese complex.

The complex [MnII(R,R-mcp)(CF3SO3)2] is an efficient and practical catalyst for the epoxidation of electron-deficient olefins. This catalyst is capable of epoxidizing olefins with as little as 0.1 mol % catalyst in under 5 min using 1.

Chernobyl 137Cs deposition in Austria: analysis of the spatial correlation of the deposition levels.

The semivariogram can provide a description of the spatial correlation of a variable that represents a continuous function of space co-ordinates. Therefore, it is not only useful to improve sampling strategies and validate the collected data, but it can also define the main parameters that are involved in most mapping algorithms. The spatial correlation may, however, change depending on the values of the variable, which is not without consequences on the quality of the maps of radioactive deposition.

[Pneumococcal vaccination in France among adults].

Pneumococcal vaccination has for long be controversial but has today a proven efficacy and efficiency in preventing pneumococcal pneumonia, especially their most serious expressions leading to hospitalisation or death. France has an exceptional situation, as it is one of the developed country with the lowest rate of vaccination. This is the result of restrictive, maladjusted and discrepant recommendations of different commissions and committees.

Cell-cell fusion and internalization of the CNS-based, HIV-1 co-receptor, APJ.

APJ, a member of the human G protein-coupled seven-transmembrane receptor family, has been shown to serve as a coreceptor for the entry of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), and it is dramatically expressed in central nervous system (CNS)-based cells. In this study, expression of APJ tagged with the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and a fluorescent peptide, 5-carboxyfluorescein (5-CF) conjugated Apelin-13, were utilized for studying receptor internalization and recycling, in stably expressing indicator cells, human neurons, primary CNS microvascular endothelial cells (MVECs), and astrocytes. Fusion of the C-terminus of APJ to the N-terminus of GFP did not alter receptor ligand binding and functions, including signaling and internalization.

Genome-wide expression screens indicate a global role for protein kinase CK2 in chromatin remodeling.

Protein kinase CK2, a vital, pleiotropic and highly conserved serine/threonine phosphotransferase is involved in transcription-directed signaling, gene control and cell cycle regulation and is suspected to play a role in global processes. Searching for these global roles, we analyzed the involvement of CK2 in gene expression at cell cycle entry by using genome-wide screens. Comparing expression profiles of Saccharomyces cerevisiae wild-type strains with strains with regulatory or catalytic subunits of CK2 deleted, we found significant alterations in the expression of genes at all cell cycle phases and often in a subunit- and isoform-specific manner.

IL-17, produced by lymphocytes and neutrophils, is necessary for lipopolysaccharide-induced airway neutrophilia: IL-15 as a possible trigger.

IL-17 is a cytokine implicated in the regulation of inflammation. We investigated the role of this cytokine in neutrophil recruitment using a model of LPS-induced lung inflammation in mice. In the bronchoalveolar lavage, LPS induced a first influx of neutrophils peaking at day 1, followed by a second wave, peaking at day 2.

Potent suppression of viral infectivity by the peptides that inhibit multimerization of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) Vif proteins.

Virion infectivity factor (Vif) is essential for the replication of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in vivo, but its function remains uncertain. Recently, we have shown that Vif proteins are able to form multimers, including dimers, trimers, or tetramers. Because the multimerization of Vif proteins is required for Vif function in the viral life cycle, we propose that it could be a novel target for anti-HIV-1 therapeutics.

The dynamic neutralization system for the spine: a multi-center study of a novel non-fusion system.

Various forms of lumbar instability require a surgical stabilization. As an alternative to fusion, a mobile, dynamic stabilization restricting segmental motion would be advantageous in various indications, allowing greater physiological function and reducing the inherent disadvantages of rigid instrumentation and fusion. The dynamic neutralization system for the spine (Dynesys) is a pedicle screw system for mobile stabilization, consisting of titanium alloy screws connected by an elastic synthetic compound, controlling motion in any plane (non-fusion system).

Structure and spatio temporal expression of the full length DNA complementary to RNA coding for alpha2 type I collagen of zebrafish.

Twenty distinct genetic types of collagen have been identified up to now. Their structure and function are not completely elucidated. We have chosen zebrafish as a model to bring information about the role of collagen during embryogenesis.

Proteasomal degradation of human peptidyl prolyl isomerase pin1-pointing phospho Bcl2 toward dephosphorylation.

Microtubule inhibitor-induced Bcl2 phosphorylation is detrimental to its antiapoptotic function. Phosphorylation of Bcl2 predominantly occurs on two serine residues (70 and 87) in cells arrested at G2-M phase by microtubule disarraying agents. Phospho Bcl2 can associate with a cis-trans peptidyl prolyl isomerase, Pin1.

Identification of Omi/HtrA2 as a mitochondrial apoptotic serine protease that disrupts inhibitor of apoptosis protein-caspase interaction.

To identify human proteins that bind to the Smac and caspase-9 binding pocket on the baculoviral inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) repeat 3 (BIR3) domain of human XIAP, we used BIR3 as an affinity reagent, followed by elution with the BIR3 binding peptide AVPIA, microsequencing, and mass spectrometry. The mature serine protease Omi (also known as HtrA2) was identified as a mitochondrial direct BIR3-binding protein and a caspase activator. Like mature Smac (also known as Diablo), mature Omi contains a conserved IAP-binding motif (AVPS) at its N terminus, which is exposed after processing of its N-terminal mitochondrial targeting sequence upon import into the mitochondria.

Negative regulation of human fibrinogen gene expression by peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha agonists via inhibition of CCAAT box/enhancer-binding protein beta.

Fibrinogen is a coagulation factor and an acute phase reactant up-regulated by inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6). Elevated plasma fibrinogen levels are associated with coronary heart diseases. Fibrates are clinically used hypolipidemic drugs that act via the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha).

Mapping 137Cs deposition: data validation methods and data interpretation.

The "Atlas of caesium deposition on Europe after the Chernobyl accident" was prepared within the framework of the Joint Study Project 6 (JSP6) of the collaborative programme on the consequences of the Chernobyl accident between the European Commission and the Ministries responsible for Chernobyl affairs in Belarus, Russia and Ukraine. The radiological data provided by scientific institutes and competent authorities of more than 30 European countries were integrated into an information platform. Data validation and intercomparison were therefore essential before the interpretation of the deposition with the help of isoline maps prepared with a geographic information system (GIS) could be done.

Effects of different post-crystallization soaking conditions on the diffraction of Mtcp1 crystals.

The crystal structure of human Mtcp1 was determined at 2 A resolution after the X-ray diffraction limit was improved by post-crystallization soaking in 2.0 M ammonium sulfate for 1-5 months. The effects of varying the ammonium sulfate concentration and addition of polyethylene glycol to the soaking solution were examined in order to understand the phenomenon and to reduce the soaking time.

The orphan nuclear receptor ROR alpha is a negative regulator of the inflammatory response.

Retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (ROR alpha) (NR1F1) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily whose biological functions are largely unknown. Since staggerer mice, which carry a deletion in the ROR alpha gene, suffer from immune abnormalities, we generated an adenovirus encoding ROR alpha1 to investigate its potential role in control of the inflammatory response. We demonstrated that ROR alpha is expressed in human primary smooth-muscle cells and that ectopic expression of ROR alpha1 inhibits TNFalpha-induced IL-6, IL-8 and COX-2 expression in these cells.

Regulation of Fc epsilonRI expression on human monocytic cells by ligand and IL-4.

Background: The Fc epsilonRI subunit composition and kinetic of expression differ between antigen-presenting cells and mast cells. Up to now, there has been no human in vitro model available that mimics the characteristics on monocytes.

Objective: The characterization of a natural human monocytic cell line (THP1), which expresses Fc epsilonRI, and the comparison to primary human monocytes and other monocytic cell lines, which only express Fc epsilonRI after transfection with the human Fc epsilonRI alpha-chain gene.

[Nicotine substitutes: with or without drug prescription?].

Worldwide, the tobacco pandemic is causing 3.5 million deaths per year, including 60,000 in France. The World meeting on Tobacco or Health in 1997 drew the attention on the urgent need for an active policy on smoking cessation to limit the great slaughter of 100 million deaths during the next thirty years.

A truncated human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha splice variant with dominant negative activity.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) plays a key role in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. However, important inter- and intraspecies differences exist in the response to PPARalpha activators. This incited us to screen for PPARalpha variants with different signaling functions.

Dynamic neutralisation of the lumbar spine confirmed on a new lumbar spine simulator in vitro.

A new dynamic neutralisation system for lumbar spine segments has been developed and tested on four cadaveric lumbar spines. Segments L4/5 (3 cases) and L3/4 (1 case) were tested on a new lumbar spine simulator which allowed the simultaneous application of bending moments, compressive and shear loads. The average applied loads were 18.