Cooperative action of separate interaction domains promotes high-affinity DNA binding of ARF transcription factors.

The signaling molecule auxin coordinates many growth and development processes in plants, mainly through modulating gene expression. Transcriptional response is mediated by the family of auxin response factors (ARF). Monomers of this family recognize a DNA motif and can homodimerize through their DNA-binding domain (DBD), enabling cooperative binding to an inverted binding site.

Probing DNA - Transcription Factor Interactions Using Single-Molecule Fluorescence Detection in Nanofluidic Devices.

Single-molecule fluorescence detection offers powerful ways to study biomolecules and their complex interactions. Here, nanofluidic devices and camera-based, single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) detection are combined to study the interactions between plant transcription factors of the auxin response factor (ARF) family and DNA oligonucleotides that contain target DNA response elements. In particular, it is shown that the binding of the unlabeled ARF DNA binding domain (ARF-DBD) to donor and acceptor labeled DNA oligonucleotides can be detected by changes in the FRET efficiency and changes in the diffusion coefficient of the DNA.

Influence of sub-nanosecond time of flight resolution for online range verification in proton therapy using the line-cone reconstruction in Compton imaging.

Online ion range monitoring in hadron therapy can be performed via detection of secondary radiation, such as prompt-rays, emitted during treatment. The promptemission profile is correlated with the ion depth-dose profile and can be reconstructed via Compton imaging. The line-cone reconstruction, using the intersection between the primary beam trajectory and the cone reconstructed via a Compton camera, requires negligible computation time compared to iterative algorithms.

Design principles of a minimal auxin response system.

Auxin controls numerous growth processes in land plants through a gene expression system that modulates ARF transcription factor activity. Gene duplications in families encoding auxin response components have generated tremendous complexity in most land plants, and neofunctionalization enabled various unique response outputs during development. However, it is unclear what fundamental biochemical principles underlie this complex response system.

Using single-molecule FRET to probe the nucleotide-dependent conformational landscape of polymerase β-DNA complexes.

Eukaryotic DNA polymerase β (Pol β) plays an important role in cellular DNA repair, as it fills short gaps in dsDNA that result from removal of damaged bases. Since defects in DNA repair may lead to cancer and genetic instabilities, Pol β has been extensively studied, especially its mechanisms for substrate binding and a fidelity-related conformational change referred to as "fingers closing." Here, we applied single-molecule FRET to measure distance changes associated with DNA binding and prechemistry fingers movement of human Pol β.

High-throughput, non-equilibrium studies of single biomolecules using glass-made nanofluidic devices.

Single-molecule detection schemes offer powerful means to overcome static and dynamic heterogeneity inherent to complex samples. However, probing biomolecular interactions and reactions with high throughput and time resolution remains challenging, often requiring surface-immobilized entities. Here, we introduce glass-made nanofluidic devices for the high-throughput detection of freely-diffusing single biomolecules by camera-based fluorescence microscopy.

Comparative evaluation of molar distalization therapy using pendulum and distal screw appliances.

Objective: To compare dentoalveolar and skeletal changes produced by the pendulum appliance (PA) and the distal screw appliance (DS) in Class II patients.

Methods: Forty-three patients (19 men, 24 women) with Class II malocclusion were retrospectively selected for the study. Twenty-four patients (mean age, 12.

Comparison between direct vs indirect anchorage in two miniscrew-supported distalizing devices.

Objective: To compare two distalizing devices supported by palatal miniscrews, the MGBM System (MGBM) and the Distal Screw appliance (DS), in dental Class II patients.

Materials And Methods: Pretreatment (T1) and postdistalization (T2) lateral cephalograms of 53 Class II malocclusion subjects were examined. MGBM consisted of 29 patients (16 males, 13 females) with a mean pretreatment age of 12.

Comparative evaluation of molar distalization therapy with erupted second molar: Segmented versus Quad Pendulum appliance.

Background: There are controversial opinions about the effect of erupted second molars on distalization of the first molars. Most of the distalizing devices are anchored on the first molars, without including second molars; so, differences between sequentially distalize maxillary molars (second molar followed by the first molar) or distalize second and first molars together are not clear. The aim of the study was to compare sequential versus simultaneous molar distalization therapy with erupted second molar using two different modified Pendulum appliances followed by fixed appliances.

Macrodontic maxillary incisor in alagille syndrome.

This case report describes the surgical-orthodontic guided-eruption of a deeply impacted macrodontic maxillary central incisor in a 10-year-old patient with Alagille syndrome (ALGS). In the first stage, orthodontic treatment with fixed appliance on deciduous teeth allowed to create enough space for the eruption of the maxillary right central incisor. The second stage included closed surgical exposure and vertical traction.

Long-term evaluation of the molar movements following Pendulum and fixed appliances.

Objective: To describe the molar movements and skeletal changes associated with Pendulum-fixed appliance treatment and the long-term postretention period.

Subjects And Methods: The treatment sample consisted of 76 Class II patients, 35 males and 41 females. Lateral cephalograms were obtained at the start of treatment (T1); the end of distalization (T2); the end of orthodontic fixed appliance therapy (T3); and long-term observation (7 years 2 months later; T4).

Non-compliance maxillary molar distalizing appliances: an overview of the last decade.

Objectives: To perform a literature review focusing on the use of non-compliance intraoral appliances for molar distalization therapy.

Materials And Methods: A literature search ranged from January 1999 to December 2009 in order to describe dento-alveolar changes and skeletal vertical modifications following the use of conventional anchorage intraoral distalizing appliances. The quality of the retrieved studies was ranked on a 12-points scale, from low to high quality.

Soft tissue, skeletal and dentoalveolar changes following conventional anchorage molar distalization therapy in class II non-growing subjects: a multicentric retrospective study.

Objectives: The purpose of this retrospective prolective study is to evaluate soft tissue, dentoalveolar and skeletal vertical changes following conventional anchorage molar distalization therapy in adult patients.

Materials And Methods: Forty-six patients (34 females, mean age 25 years 6 months; and 12 males, mean age 28 years 4 months) were recruited from 4 specialists Board Certified. All subjects underwent molar distalization therapy according different distalization mechanics.

Failure evaluation after a 6-year retention period: a comparison between glass fiber-reinforced (GFR) and multistranded bonded retainers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare bond failure and breakage rates of two types of bonded lingual orthodontic retainers (GFR and .0175" multistranded stainless steel wire [MST]) after a 6-year retention period.

Subjects And Methods: Eighty-five young adults were randomly divided into two groups: 40 subjects received 48 GFR retainers (14 maxillary and 34 mandibular retainers), and 45 subjects received 50 MST retainers (18 maxillary and 32 mandibular retainers).

Cast Haas-type RME appliance: A case report.

Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) in the initial stages of occlusal development has become a routine procedure in orthodontic practice. The increase of the transverse dimensions of the maxilla in the mixed dentition can be carried out by a rapid palatal expander that exploits primary teeth as anchorage to minimize any negative effects on permanent teeth. This case report demonstrates the use of a modified Haas-type RME appliance in a Caucasian girl 7 years 6 months of age with a maxillary transverse deficiency, unilateral crossbite, dental midline deviation, and maxillary anterior dental crowding.