Crystallographic insights into lipid-membrane protein interactions in microbial rhodopsins.

The primary goal of our work is to provide structural insights into the influence of the hydrophobic lipid environment on the membrane proteins (MPs) structure and function. Our work will not cover the well-studied hydrophobic mismatch between the lipid bilayer and MPs. Instead, we will focus on the less-studied direct molecular interactions of lipids with the hydrophobic surfaces of MPs.

Too fast and too furious: thermoanalytical and quantum chemical study of the thermal stability of 4,4'-dinitro-3,3'-diazenofuroxan.

Novel energetic materials (EM) often combine two intrinsically counter trends, , a high energy density and mediocre safety parameters, like thermal stability and sensitivity toward mechanical stimuli. A rational design of promising EMs requires a proper understanding of their thermal stability at both macroscopic and molecular levels. In the present contribution, we studied in detail the thermal stability of 4,4'-dinitro-3,3'-diazenofuroxan (DDF), an ultrahigh-performance energetic material with a reliable experimental detonation velocity being very close to 10 km s.

Von Willebrand Factor Collagen-Binding Activity and Von Willebrand Factor-Mediated Platelet Adhesion in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

In this study, we investigated von Willebrand factor (VWF)-related parameters in 30 patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and 50 patients without CAD. In both groups, the following were measured: the VWF antigen level (VWF:Ag); the VWF ristocetin cofactor activity (VWF:RCo); the VWF collagen-binding activity (VWF:CB); and VWF-mediated platelet adhesion. Platelet adhesion was measured in whole blood at a shear rate of 1300 s using a microfluidic chamber with a collagen-coated surface.

First Alliance of Pyrazole and Furoxan Leading to High-Performance Energetic Materials.

Nitrogen heterocyclic scaffolds retain their leading position as valuable building blocks in material science, particularly for the design of small-molecule energetic materials. However, the search for more balanced combinations of directly linked heterocyclic cores is far from being exhausted and aims to reach ideally balanced high-energy substances. Herein, we present the synthetic route to novel pyrazole-furoxan framework enriched with nitro groups and demonstrate a promising set of properties, viz.

Brain injury following child maltreatment syndrome in newborns and young children. Shaken baby syndrome.

Background: Shaken baby syndrome is widely discussed in the literature. This syndrome is considered as a variant of child maltreatment syndrome. In the English-language literature, there are data on high incidence of this syndrome and difficult diagnosis.

Oscillations of Hemodynamic Parameters Induced by Negative Pressure Breathing in Healthy Humans.

Negative pressure breathing is breathing with decreased pressure in the respiratory tract without lowering pressure acting on the torso. We lowered air pressure only during inspiration (NPBin). NPBin, used to increase venous return to the heart, is considered a countermeasure against redistribution of body fluids toward the head during spaceflight.

New Mechanistic Insights into the Primary Thermolysis Reactions of 1,3,4,6-Tetranitrooctahydroimidazo-[4,5-]imidazole (BCHMX) from Predictive Local Coupled Cluster Calculations.

Theoretical studies of the decomposition mechanism of energetic materials quite often scrutinize only the primary thermolysis reactions. However, the secondary reactions are crucial, inter alia, for proper building of the combustion models and understanding the autocatalytic processes. In the present study, we applied predictive DLPNO-CCSD(T) calculations to elucidate the kinetics and decomposition mechanism of a novel promising energetic material, 1,3,4,6-tetranitrooctahydroimidazo [4,5-] imidazole (BCHMX).

Platelet Adhesion Mediated by von Willebrand Factor at High Shear Rates Is Associated with Premature Coronary Artery Disease.

This study investigated von Willebrand factor (VWF)-mediated platelet adhesion at high shear rates in patients with premature coronary artery disease (CAD). The study included 84 patients with stable premature CAD and 64 patients without CAD. Whole blood samples were perfused through a microfluidic cell over a collagen-coated surface at a shear rate of 1300 s.

T Mapping of Patellar Cartilage After a Single First-Time Episode of Traumatic Lateral Patellar Dislocation.

Background: In most cases, lateral patellar dislocation (LPD) is accompanied by chondral injury and may initiate gradual degeneration of patellar cartilage, which might be detected with a T mapping, a well-established method for cartilage lesions assessment.

Purpose: To examine short-term consequences of single first-time LPD in teenagers by T mapping of the patellar-cartilage state.

Study Type: Prospective.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Properties of High-Energy Fillers Derived from Nitroisobutylglycerol.

Herein we report a comprehensive laboratory synthesis of a series of energetic azidonitrate derivatives (ANDP, SMX, AMDNNM, NIBTN, NPN, 2-nitro-1,3-dinitro-oxypropane) starting from the readily available nitroisobutylglycerol. This simple protocol allows obtaining the high-energy additives from the available precursor in yields higher than those reported using safe and simple operations not presented in previous works. A detailed characterization of the physical, chemical, and energetic properties including impact sensitivity and thermal behavior of these species was performed for the systematic evaluation and comparison of the corresponding class of energetic compounds.

[Platelet adhesion mediated by von Willebrand factor in patients with premature coronary artery disease].

Aim    To study platelet adhesion mediated by von Willebrand factor (VWF) in patients with premature ischemic heart disease (IHD).Material and methods    This study enrolled 58 patients with stable IHD, including 45 men younger than 55 years with the first manifestation of IHD at the age of <50 years and 13 women younger than 65 years with the first manifestation of IHD at the age of <60 years. The control group consisted of 33 patients, 13 men younger than 55 years and 20 women younger than 65 years without IHD.

Monomeric C-reactive protein evokes TCR Signaling-dependent bystander activation of CD4+ T cells.

Bystander activation of T cells is defined as induction of effector responses by innate cytokines in the absence of cognate antigens and independent of T cell receptor (TCR) signaling. Here we show that C-reactive protein (CRP), a soluble pattern-recognition receptor assembled noncovalently by five identical subunits, can instead trigger bystander activation of CD4 + T cells by evoking allosteric activation and spontaneous signaling of TCR in the absence of cognate antigens. The actions of CRP depend on pattern ligand-binding induced conformational changes that result in the generation of monomeric CRP (mCRP).

Monomeric C-Reactive Protein in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease: Advances and Perspectives.

This review aimed to trace the inflammatory pathway from the NLRP3 inflammasome to monomeric C-reactive protein (mCRP) in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. CRP is the final product of the interleukin (IL)-1β/IL-6/CRP axis. Its monomeric form can be produced at sites of local inflammation through the dissociation of pentameric CRP and, to some extent, local synthesis.

Von Willebrand factor in diagnostics and treatment of cardiovascular disease: Recent advances and prospects.

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large multimeric glycoprotein involved in hemostasis. It is essential for platelet adhesion to the subendothelium of the damaged endothelial layer at high shear rates. Such shear rates occur in small-diameter arteries, especially at stenotic sites.

Macromolecular-Suppressed GABA-Edited MR Spectroscopy in the Posterior Cingulate Cortex of Patients With Acute Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) causes a number of molecular and cellular alterations. There is evidence of an imbalance between the main excitatory (glutamate, Glu) and the main inhibitory (gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA]) neurotransmitters following mTBI. In vivo human GABA-Glu balance studies following mTBI are sparse.

Monomeric form of C-reactive protein in the assessment of the residual inflammatory cardiovascular risk in patients with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

Aim      To study the relationship between monomeric C-reactive protein (mCRP) and the progression of asymptomatic carotid atherosclerosis in patients with a moderate risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as assessed with the SCORE model.Material and methods  The study included 80 men and women aged 53.1±5.

The monomeric C-reactive protein level is associated with the increase in carotid plaque number in patients with subclinical carotid atherosclerosis.

The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) assay measures the level of the pentameric form of CRP in blood. Currently, there are no available assays measuring the level of the monomeric form of CRP (mCRP), produced at sites of local inflammation. We developed an assay measuring the mCRP level in blood plasma with functional beads for flow cytometry.

Calpain-dependent degradation of cytoskeletal proteins as a key mechanism for a reduction in intrinsic passive stiffness of unloaded rat postural muscle.

In mammals, prolonged mechanical unloading results in a significant decrease in passive stiffness of postural muscles. The nature of this phenomenon remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible causes for a reduction in rat soleus passive stiffness after 7 and 14 days of unloading (hindlimb suspension, HS).

Autocatalytic decomposition of energetic materials: interplay of theory and thermal analysis in the study of 5-amino-3,4-dinitropyrazole thermolysis.

A reliable kinetic description of the thermal stability of energetic materials (EM) is very important for safety and storage-related problems. Among other pertinent issues, autocatalysis very often complicates the decomposition kinetics of EM. In the present study, the kinetics and decomposition mechanism of a promising energetic compound, 5-amino-3,4-dinitro-1-pyrazole (5-ADP) were studied using a set of complementary experimental (, differential scanning calorimetry in the solid state, melt, and solution along with advanced thermokinetic models, accelerating rate calorimetry, and evolved gas analysis) and theoretical techniques (CCSD(T)-F12 and DLPNO-CCSD(T) predictive quantum chemical calculations).

Complex Interaction of Platelets, von Willebrand Factor and Leukocytes, in Whole Blood at High Shear Rates Is Mediated by Platelet GPIIb/IIIa Receptor.

We studied the contribution of von Willebrand factor (vWF) into blood cell adhesion to collagen-coated surfaces in whole blood of healthy volunteers. Adhesion of blood cells to collagen I was measured at shear rate of 2300 sec. The interaction of platelet GPIIb/IIIa receptor with vWF was blocked with monoclonal anti-GPIIb/IIIa antibodies.

Kinetics of platelet adhesion to a fibrinogen-coated surface in whole blood under flow conditions.

Aim: To test a novel method of assessment of platelet adhesion to a fibrinogen-coated surface in whole blood under flow conditions.

Methods: We developed a fluidic device that mimics blood flow in vessels. The method of detection of platelet adhesion is based on recording of a scattered laser light signal from a fibrinogen-covered surface.

Learning to fly: thermochemistry of energetic materials by modified thermogravimetric analysis and highly accurate quantum chemical calculations.

The standard state enthalpy of formation and the enthalpy of sublimation are essential thermochemical parameters determining the performance and application prospects of energetic materials (EM). Direct experimental measurements of these properties are complicated by low volatility and high heat release in bomb calorimetry experiments. As a result, the uncertainties in the reported enthalpies of formation for a number of even well-known CHNO-containing compounds might amount up to tens kJ mol-1, while for some novel high-nitrogen molecules they reach even hundreds of kJ mol-1.