Extrapolating Dynamic Leidenfrost Principles to Metallic Nanodroplets on Asymmetrically Textured Surfaces.

In an effort to enhance our knowledge on how to control the movement of metallic nanodroplets, here we have used classical molecular dynamics simulations to investigate whether Cu nanostructures deposited on nanopillared substrates can be made to jump at desired angles. We find that such control is possible, especially for Cu nanostructures that are symmetric; for asymmetric nanostructures, however, control is more uncertain. The work presented here borrows ideas from two seemingly different fields, metallic droplets and water droplets in the dynamic Leidenfrost regime.

Artificial membrane-binding proteins stimulate oxygenation of stem cells during engineering of large cartilage tissue.

Restricted oxygen diffusion can result in central cell necrosis in engineered tissue, a problem that is exacerbated when engineering large tissue constructs for clinical application. Here we show that pre-treating human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) with synthetic membrane-active myoglobin-polymer-surfactant complexes can provide a reservoir of oxygen capable of alleviating necrosis at the centre of hyaline cartilage. This is achieved through the development of a new cell functionalization methodology based on polymer-surfactant conjugation, which allows the delivery of functional proteins to the hMSC membrane.

Linkages between clinical practices and community organizations for prevention: a literature review and environmental scan.

Context: A literature review and environmental scan were conducted to develop a framework for interventions that utilize linkages between clinical practices and community organizations for the delivery of preventive services, and to identify and characterize these efforts.

Evidence Acquisition: A search was made of four major health services and social science electronic databases and an Internet search was conducted to identify examples of linkage interventions in the areas of tobacco cessation, obesity, nutrition, and physical activity.

Evidence Synthesis: In all, 49 interventions were identified, of which 18 examples described their evaluation methods or reported any intervention outcomes.

Linkages between clinical practices and community organizations for prevention: a literature review and environmental scan.

Objectives: We conducted a literature review and environmental scan to develop a framework for interventions that utilize linkages between clinical practices and community organizations for the delivery of preventive services, and to identify and characterize these efforts.

Methods: We searched 4 major health services and social science electronic databases and conducted an Internet search to identify examples of linkage interventions in the areas of tobacco cessation, obesity, nutrition, and physical activity.

Results: We identified 49 interventions, of which 18 examples described their evaluation methods or reported any intervention outcomes.

The value of partnerships in state obesity prevention and control programs.

State health departments funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity Program collaborate with multiple partners to develop and implement comprehensive obesity prevention and control programs. A mixed-methods evaluation of 28 state programs over a 5-year period assessed states' progress on program requirements, including developing statewide partnerships and coordinating with partners to support obesity prevention and control efforts. States with greater partnership involvement leveraged more funding support for their programs, passed more obesity-related policies, and were more likely to implement obesity interventions in multiple settings.

An unusual helix-turn-helix protease inhibitory motif in a novel trypsin inhibitor from seeds of Veronica (Veronica hederifolia L.).

The storage tissues of many plants contain protease inhibitors that are believed to play an important role in defending the plant from invasion by pests and pathogens. These proteinaceous inhibitor molecules belong to a number of structurally distinct families. We describe here the isolation, purification, initial inhibitory properties, and three-dimensional structure of a novel trypsin inhibitor from seeds of Veronica hederifolia (VhTI).

Structure of lactate dehydrogenase from Plasmodium vivax: complexes with NADH and APADH.

Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax is a major cause of global morbidity and, in rare cases, mortality. Lactate dehydrogenase is an essential Plasmodium protein and, therefore, a potential antimalarial drug target. Ideally, drugs directed against this target would be effective against both major species of Plasmodium, P.

Luteal phase progesterone excretion in ovulatory women with polycystic ovaries.

Background: Various studies have reported a prevalence of polycystic ovaries (PCO) of approximately 20% in the 'normal' population. Our aim was to investigate the frequency of ovulation and pattern of luteal phase progesterone secretion in a group of women with PCO who reported regular cycles and in whom ovulation had been established on the basis of previous investigations.

Methods: Subjects collected early morning urine samples for pregnanediol-3-glucuronide measurement from day 10 of the cycle to day 1 of their next menses.

Fungal respiration: a fusion of standard and alternative components.

In animals, electron transfer from NADH to molecular oxygen proceeds via large respiratory complexes in a linear respiratory chain. In contrast, most fungi utilise branched respiratory chains. These consist of alternative NADH dehydrogenases, which catalyse rotenone insensitive oxidation of matrix NADH or enable cytoplasmic NADH to be used directly.

New sequence data enable modelling of the fungal alternative oxidase and explain an absence of regulation by pyruvate.

Respiratory rates involving the alternative oxidase (AO) were studied in mitochondria from Tapesia acuformis. There was no evidence for regulation by pyruvate, in contrast with plant AO. The site of interaction of pyruvate with the plant AO is a conserved cysteine.

Characterization of a split respiratory pathway in the wheat "take-all" fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici.

This article describes the first detailed analysis of mitochondrial electron transfer and oxidative phosphorylation in the pathogenic filamentous fungus, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici. While oxygen consumption was cyanide insensitive, inhibition occurred following treatment with complex III inhibitors and the alternative oxidase inhibitor, salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM).

Molecular mechanisms of azole resistance in fungi.

This paper reviews the current status of our understanding of azole antifungal resistance mechanisms at the molecular level and explores their implications. Extensive biochemical studies have highlighted a significant diversity in mechanisms conferring resistance to azoles, which include alterations in sterol biosynthesis, target site, uptake and efflux. In stark contrast, few examples document the molecular basis of azole resistance.

Amphotericin B resistant isolates of Cryptococcus neoformans without alteration in sterol biosynthesis.

Amphotericin B resistant mutants of Cryptococcus neoformans were isolated accumulating mainly ergosterol. Cross-resistance to azole antifungals was not observed. Together with previous data this indicates that at least three categories of amphotericin B resistance can arise: sterol mutants, amphotericin B and azole cross-resistant mutants and amphotericin B resistant mutants with no azole cross-resistance.

Nonsterol related resistance in Ustilago maydis to the polyene antifungals, amphotericin B and nystatin.

Two amphotericin B resistant mutants of Ustilago maydis were isolated following direct selection from a wild-type population. Each mutant was demonstrated to be cross-resistant to nystatin yet remained sensitive to azoles. Sterol analysis indicated a sterol profile similar to the parent strain, precluding the involvement of an alteration in ergosterol biosynthesis as the cause of polyene resistance.

Investigation of the Sterol Composition and Azole Resistance in Field Isolates of Septoria tritici.

We report here a biochemical study of resistance to azole antifungal agents in a field isolate (S-27) of a fungal phytopathogen. Isolates of Septoria tritici were compared in vitro, and their responses reflected that observed in the field, with S-27 exhibiting resistance relative to RL2. In untreated cultures, both RL2 and S-27 contained isomers of ergosterol and ergosta-5,7-dienol, although in differing concentrations.

Altered P450 activity associated with direct selection for fungal azole resistance.

Azole antifungals inhibit CYP51A1-mediated sterol 14 alpha-demethylation and the mechanism(s) of resistance to such compounds in Ustilago maydis were examined. The inhibition of growth was correlated with the accumulation of the substrate, 24-methylene-24,25-dihydrolanosterol (eburicol), and depletion of ergosterol. Mutants overcoming the effect of azole antifungal treatment exhibited a unique phenotype with leaky CYP51A1 activity which was resistant to inhibition.

Cross-resistance to polyene and azole drugs in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Fluconazole was observed to inhibit sterol 14 alpha-demethylase in the human pathogen Cryptococcus neoformans, and accumulation of a ketosteroid product was associated with growth arrest. A novel mechanism(s) of azole and amphotericin B cross-resistance was identified, unrelated to changes in sterol biosynthesis, as previously identified in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Reduced cellular content of drug could account for the resistance phenotype, indicating the possible involvement of a mechanism similar to multidrug resistance observed in higher eukaryotes.

Defective sterol delta 5(6) desaturase as a cause of azole resistance in Ustilago maydis.

Resistance to azole antifungals in Ustilago maydis was associated with a leaky defect in sterol delta 5(6)desaturase. This defect resulted in reduced accumulation of 14 alpha-methylergosta-24(28)-diene-3 beta,6 alpha-diol and an increase in the proportion of 14 alpha-methylfecosterol in treated cells when compared to the parent strain. The results demonstrate the importance of this mechanism in pathogenic fungi.