Roles of conserved residues in the receptor binding sites of human parainfluenza virus type 3 HN protein.

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3) entry and intrahost spread through membrane fusion are initiated by two envelope glycoproteins, hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) and fusion (F) protein. Binding of HN protein to the cellular receptor via its receptor-binding sites triggers conformational changes in the F protein leading to virus-cell fusion. However, little is known about the roles of individual amino acids that comprise the receptor-binding sites in the fusion process.

Ligand recognition and allosteric regulation of DRD1-Gs signaling complexes.

Dopamine receptors, including D1- and D2-like receptors, are important therapeutic targets in a variety of neurological syndromes, as well as cardiovascular and kidney diseases. Here, we present five cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the dopamine D1 receptor (DRD1) coupled to Gs heterotrimer in complex with three catechol-based agonists, a non-catechol agonist, and a positive allosteric modulator for endogenous dopamine. These structures revealed that a polar interaction network is essential for catecholamine-like agonist recognition, whereas specific motifs in the extended binding pocket were responsible for discriminating D1- from D2-like receptors.

Hydrolysis of cellulose using cellulase physically immobilized on highly stable zirconium based metal-organic frameworks.

Developing a new cellulase-MOF composite system with enhanced stability and reusability for cellulose hydrolysis was aimed. Physical adsorption strategy was employed to fabricate two cellulase composites, and the activity of composite was characterized by hydrolysis of carboxymethyl cellulose. The NH functionalized UiO-66-NH MOF exhibited higher protein loading than the precursor UiO-66, due to the extra anchor sites of NH groups.

A multifunctional Co-based metal-organic framework: heterogeneous catalysis, chemiluminescence sensing and moisture-dependent solvatochromism.

Crystalline materials with multi-catalytic applications are of great value to both fundamental research and practical applications. The platform of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) is utilized to fabricate a microporous versatile catalyst with high stability. Self-assembly of a flexible ligand, 4-(4-carboxybenzylamino)benzoic acid (H2CBBA), with Co(ii) resulted in a 3D framework, CBBA-Co, with Co3O clusters exposed in the zigzag channels.

Preparation of Paraffin@Poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) Phase Change Nanocapsules via Combined Miniemulsion/Emulsion Polymerization.

The fast development of solid-liquid phase change materials calls for nanomaterials with large specific surface area for rapid heat transfer and encapsulation of phase change materials to prevent potential leakage. Here we report a combined miniemulsion/emulsion polymerization method to prepare poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid)-encapsulated paraffin (paraffin@P(St-co-AA)) nanocapsules. The method could suppress the shortcomings of common miniemulsion polymerization (such as evaporation of monomer and decomposition of initiator during ultrasonication).

Novel CO Fluorescence Turn-On Quantification Based on a Dynamic AIE-Active Metal-Organic Framework.

Traditional CO sensing technologies suffer from the disadvantages of being bulky and cross-sensitive to interferences such as CO and HO, these issues could be properly tackled by innovating a novel fluorescence-based sensing technology. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which have been widely explored as versatile fluorescence sensors, are still at a standstill for aggregation-induced emission (AIE), and no example of MOFs showing a dynamic AIE activity has been reported yet. Herein, we report a novel MOF, which successfully converts the aggregation-caused quenching of the autologous ligand molecule to be AIE-active upon framework construction and exhibits bright fluorescence in a highly viscous environment, resulting in the first example of MOFs exhibiting a real dynamic AIE activity.

Metal-Organic Framework Photosensitized TiO Co-catalyst: A Facile Strategy to Achieve a High Efficiency Photocatalytic System.

A 3D metal-organic framework (ADA-Cd=[Cd L (DMF) ]⋅3 H O where H L is (2E,2'E)-3,3'-(anthracene-9,10-diyl)diacrylic acid) constructed from diacrylate substituted anthracene, sharing structural characteristics with some frequently employed anthraquinone-type dye sensitizers, was introduced as an effective sensitizer for anatase TiO to achieve enhanced visible light photocatalytic performance. A facile mechanical mixing procedure was adopted to prepare the co-catalyst denoted as ADA-Cd/TiO , which showed enhanced photodegradation ability, as well as sustainability, towards several dyes under visible light irradiation. Mechanistic studies revealed that ADA-Cd acted as the antenna to harvest visible light energy, generating excited electrons, which were injected to the conduction band (CB) of TiO , facilitating the separation efficiency of charge carriers.

Evaluation of (131)I-anti-angiotensin II type 1 receptor monoclonal antibody as a reporter for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Finding a specific agent is useful for early detection of tumor. Angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) was reported to be elevated in a variety of tumors and participate in tumor progression. The aim of our study was to evaluate whether (131)I-anti-AT1R monoclonal antibody (mAb) is an efficient imaging reporter for the detection of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Role of N-linked glycosylation of the human parainfluenza virus type 3 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase protein.

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (hPIV-3) is a major respiratory tract pathogen that affects infants and young children. The hPIV-3 hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein is a multifunctional protein mediating hemadsorption (HAD), neuraminidase (NA), and fusion promotion activities, each of which affects the ability of HN to promote viral fusion and entry. The hPIV-3 HN protein contains four potential sites (N308, N351, N485 and N523) for N-linked glycosylation.

[Preparation and biologic activity study of (125);I-labeled anti-MIF monoclonal antibody].

Aim: Find the method to make (125);I-labeled anti-Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) mAb and investigate its in vivo biologic activity.

Methods: (1)Anti-MIF mAb was radioiodinated with Na(125);I by Iodogen method followed by purified using Sephadex G-25 gelfiltration chromatography. The labeling efficiency of (125);I-labeled anti-MIF mAb was measured.

[Effect of Rapamycin and Cyclosporin A on the expression of TLR5 and Foxp3 in allorejection].

Aim: To study the effect of Rapamycin (RAPA) and Cyclosporin A (CsA) on the expression of TLR5 and Foxp3 in allotransplantation model in vivo.

Methods: The murine model of skin allotransplantation was established, and divided into three groups, injected with CsA 10 mg/(kg.d), RAPA 1.

Radioiodine labeled anti-MIF McAb: a potential agent for inflammation imaging.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine that may play a role in the pathogenesis of inflammation. Radiolabeled anti-MIF McAb can be used to detect in vivo inflammatory changes. The objective of this study was to investigate in vivo biology of radioiodinated anti-MIF McAb using the inflammation model mice.

[Effect of Rapamycin on CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells in allo-transplantation tolerance model].

Aim: To study the effect of Rapamycin(Rapa) on CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells in allo-transplantation tolerance model.

Methods: The model of skin allo-transplantation was established. The recipient BALB/c mice were injected with allogeneic donor spleen cells from B6 on the day before grafting and with cyclosporine(CsA) after transplantation.

[Effects of long-term installation of intrauterine devices on intrauterine microenvironment].

Objectives: To study the effect of long-term installation of intrauterine devices (IUD) on the intrauterine microenvironment.

Methods: Eighty-nine healthy 26 - 50-year-old women undergoing physical examination or having their IUD removed were recruited. Among them 62 had used IUDs, including 32 inert IUD (I-IUD) and 30 copper releasing IUD (T-IUD), for 5 - 20 years, and 27 women without installation of IUD were used as controls.