Peptide-Induced Fusion of Dynamic Membrane Nanodomains: Implications in a Viral Entry.

Enveloped viruses infect host cells via protein-mediated membrane fusion. However, insights into the microscopic rearrangement induced by the viral proteins and peptides have not yet emerged. Here, we report a new methodology to extract viral fusion peptide (FP)-mediated biomembrane dynamical nanodomain fusion parameter, λ, based on stimulated emission depletion microscopy coupled with fluorescence correlation spectroscopy.

Compressibility of Multicomponent, Charged Model Biomembranes Tunes Permeation of Cationic Nanoparticles.

Cells respond to external stress by altering their membrane lipid composition to maintain fluidity, integrity and net charge. However, in interactions with charged nanoparticles (NPs), altering membrane charge could adversely affect its ability to transport ions across the cell membrane. Hence, it is important to understand possible pathways by which cells could alter zwitterionic lipid composition to respond to NPs without compromising membrane integrity and charge.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in children <18 years by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography.

Objectives: To establish a normative database for retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in children<18 years by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

Methods: Children <18 years, who were consecutively enrolled from July-August 2011 in this cross-sectional hospital study, underwent Cirrus SD-OCT. Recorded demographics and clinical characteristics included age, sex, axial length, spherical equivalent, intraocular pressure (by Perkins tonometry) and cup disc ratio.

Relationship of central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure by iCare rebound tonometer.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between central corneal thickness and intraocular pressure (IOP) measured by iCare rebound tonometry (RBT) in normals and glaucomatous patients.

Methods: Of 102 patients screened, we included 62 eyes with glaucoma and 77 normal eyes in this hospital-based cross-sectional study. IOP was measured with RBT which averages 6 readings followed by Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT).