Chromosome-level genome and the identification of sex chromosomes in Uloborus diversus.

The orb web is a remarkable example of animal architecture that is observed in families of spiders that diverged over 200 million years ago. While several genomes exist for araneid orb-weavers, none exist for other orb-weaving families, hampering efforts to investigate the genetic basis of this complex behavior. Here we present a chromosome-level genome assembly for the cribellate orb-weaving spider Uloborus diversus.

Distinct movement patterns generate stages of spider web building.

The geometric complexity and stereotypy of spider webs have long generated interest in their algorithmic origin. Like other examples of animal architecture, web construction is the result of several assembly phases that are driven by distinct behavioral stages coordinated to build a successful structure. Manual observations have revealed a range of sensory cues and movement patterns used during web construction, but methods to systematically quantify the dynamics of these sensorimotor patterns are lacking.

Cathelicidin, kallikrein 5, and serine protease activity is inhibited during treatment of rosacea with azelaic acid 15% gel.

Background: Excess cathelicidin and kallikrein 5 (KLK5) have been hypothesized to play a role in the pathophysiology of rosacea.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the effects of azelaic acid (AzA) on these elements of the innate immune system.

Methods: Gene expression and protease activity were measured in laboratory models and patients with rosacea during a 16-week multicenter, prospective, open-label study of 15% AzA gel.

Etanercept decreases the innate immune wounding response in psoriasis.

Cathelicidin is increased when normal skin is injured and in psoriasis lesions where it has been suggested to play a pivotal role in inflammation through interactions with self-DNA and toll-like receptor 9 (TLR-9) in keratinocytes and plasmacytoid dendritic cells. Because of etanercept's success in treating psoriasis, we hypothesized that etanercept may suppress TLR-9 and cathelicidin induction. Examination of experimentally induced wounds of psoriatic lesional and non-lesional skin, and comparison with wounded normal skin, shows that the induction of cathelicidin and TLR-9 is greatly enhanced in lesional psoriatic skin.

Intervention of glutathione in pre-mutagenic catechol-mediated DNA damage in the presence of copper(II) ions.

The catechol-mediated DNA damage in the presence of Cu(II) ions involves oxidation of guanine to 8-oxoguanine (8-oxoG) and DNA strand scission. It proceeds through the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The mutagenicity of 8-oxoG lesions is due to its miscoding propensity reflected in GC→TA transversion taking place during the DNA repair process.

Pyoderma gangrenosum: a review and update on new therapies.

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a rare and often painful skin disease that can be unpredictable in its response to treatment. There is currently no gold standard of treatment or published algorithm for choice of therapy. The majority of data comes from case studies that lack a standard protocol not only for treatment administration but also for the objective assessment of lesion response to a specific therapy.

Vitamin D and innate immunity.

Vitamin D's role in bone health has been well established. Recently, studies have identified additional roles of vitamin D in the immune system, cardiovascular system, and cancer prevention. The effect of vitamin D on the immune system is particularly relevant to the dermatologist in that it has implications for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and skin cancer.

Variables associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptance by men.

Objective: To determine correlates of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine acceptance for men.

Methods: A convenience sample of men aged 18 to 45 years read a one-page information sheet about HPV and the HPV vaccine, then completed a 29-item questionnaire. chi(2) tests were used to determine whether differences in demographic, sexual, and vaccine-related variables existed between levels of wanting the HPV vaccine.

Men's attitudes toward receiving the human papillomavirus vaccine.

Objectives: To determine men's attitudes toward receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.

Materials And Methods: Five hundred seventy-one men read a 1-page informational sheet about HPV and the HPV vaccine before completing a 29-item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were calculated on all variables.

Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium and rhenium nucleosides.

We report the synthesis and characterization of new ruthenium and rhenium nucleosides [Ru(tolyl-acac)2(IMPy)-T] (tolyl-acac=di(p-methylbenzonatemethane), IMPy=2'-iminomethylpyridine, T=thymidine) (5) and [Re(CO)3(IMPy)-T]Cl (9), respectively. Structural analysis of 9 shows that the incorporation of this metal complex causes minimal perturbation to the sugar backbone and the nucleobase. Eletrochemical (5, E1/2=0.

Electron tunneling in rhenium-modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurins.

Laser flash-quench methods have been used to generate tyrosine and tryptophan radicals in structurally characterized rhenium-modified Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurins. Cu(I) to "Re(II)" electron tunneling in Re(H107) azurin occurs in the microsecond range. This reaction is much faster than that studied previously for Cu(I) to Ru(III) tunneling in Ru(H107) azurin, suggesting that a multistep ("hopping") mechanism might be involved.

Spectroscopy and reactivity of a photogenerated tryptophan radical in a structurally defined protein environment.

Near-UV irradiation of structurally characterized [Re(I)(CO)3(1,10-phenanthroline)(Q107H)](W48F/Y72F/H83Q/Y108W)AzM(II) [Az = Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin, M = Cu, Zn]/[Co(NH3)5Cl]Cl2 produces a tryptophan radical (W108*) with unprecedented kinetic stability. After rapid formation (k = 2.8 x 106 s-1), the radical persists for more than 5 h at room temperature in the folded ReAzM(II) structure.

2'-modified nucleosides for site-specific labeling of oligonucleotides.

We report the synthesis of 2'-modified nucleosides designed specifically for incorporating labels into oligonucleotides. Conversion of these nucleosides to phosphoramidite and solid support-bound derivatives proceeds in good yield. Large-scale synthesis of 11-mer oligonucleotides possessing the 2'-modified nucleosides is achieved using these derivatives.