Apolar chemical environments compact unfolded RNAs and can promote folding.

It is well documented that the structure, and thus function, of nucleic acids depends on the chemical environment surrounding them, which often includes potential proteinaceous binding partners. The nonpolar amino acid side chains of these proteins will invariably alter the polarity of the local chemical environment around the nucleic acid. However, we are only beginning to understand how environmental polarity generally influences the structural and energetic properties of RNA folding.

Biological applications of microchip electrophoresis with amperometric detection: in vivo monitoring and cell analysis.

Microchip electrophoresis with amperometric detection (ME-EC) is a useful tool for the determination of redox active compounds in complex biological samples. In this review, a brief background on the principles of ME-EC is provided, including substrate types, electrode materials, and electrode configurations. Several different detection approaches are described, including dual-channel systems for dual-electrode detection and electrochemistry coupled with fluorescence and chemiluminescence.

Progress toward the development of a microchip electrophoresis separation-based sensor with electrochemical detection for on-line in vivo monitoring of catecholamines.

The development of a separation-based sensor for catecholamines based on microdialysis (MD) coupled to microchip electrophoresis (ME) with electrochemical (EC) detection is described. The device consists of a pyrolyzed photoresist film working electrode and a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microchip with a flow-gated sample injection interface. The chip was partially reversibly sealed to the glass substrate by selectively exposing only the top section of the chip to plasma.

Continuous monitoring of adenosine and its metabolites using microdialysis coupled to microchip electrophoresis with amperometric detection.

Rapid monitoring of concentration changes of neurotransmitters and energy metabolites is important for understanding the biochemistry of neurological disease as well as for developing therapeutic options. This paper describes the development of a separation-based sensor using microchip electrophoresis (ME) with electrochemical (EC) detection coupled to microdialysis (MD) sampling for continuous on-line monitoring of adenosine and its downstream metabolites. The device was fabricated completely in PDMS.

Targeting Cdc42 with the small molecule drug AZA197 suppresses primary colon cancer growth and prolongs survival in a preclinical mouse xenograft model by downregulation of PAK1 activity.

Background: Rho GTPases play important roles in cytoskeleton organization, cell cycle progression and are key regulators of tumor progression. Strategies to modulate increased Rho GTPase activities during cancer progression could have therapeutic potential.

Methods: We report here the characterization of a Cdc42-selective small-molecule inhibitor AZA197 for the treatment of colon cancer that was developed based on structural information known from previously developed compounds affecting Rho GTPase activation.

Tuberculous meningitis in adults: a prospective study at a tertiary referral centre in Sri Lanka.

Introduction: Central nervous system tuberculosis is the most severe form of extrapulmonary TB and it is associated with a substantial morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: To describe the demographic profile, clinical features, laboratory and imaging results of a cohort of adult patients with TBM (Tuberculous meningitis).

Methods: This study encompasses a prospective analysis of all adult cases of TBM diagnosed from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2011 in the Neurology unit 2, National Hospital of Sri Lanka.

On the mechanisms for the selective action of vitamin D analogs.

A variety of analogs of 1,25-(OH)2D3 with less calcemic activity and lower receptor binding affinity than 1,25-(OH)2D3 have been developed. However, these compounds have equal or greater ability to differentiate leukemia cells and psoriatic fibroblasts and to suppress PTH synthesis and secretion. The mechanism for this selectivity has not been elucidated.