Temperature dependence of the near infrared absorption spectrum of single-wall carbon nanotubes dispersed by sodium dodecyl sulfate in aqueous solution: experiments and molecular dynamics study.

Context: Single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) dispersed in water with the help of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactants exhibit a temperature dependent near infrared (NIR) exciton spectrum. Due to their biocompatibility and NIR spectrum falling within the transparent window for biological tissue, SWCNTs hold potential for sensing temperature inside cells. Here, we seek to elucidate the mechanism responsible for this temperature dependence, focusing on changes in the water coverage of the SWCNT as the surfactant structure changes with temperature.

Crystallization and Stereocomplexation of PLA-mb-PBS Multi-Block Copolymers.

The crystallization and morphology of PLA--PBS copolymers and their corresponding stereocomplexes were studied. The effect of flexible blocks (i.e.

Amino acid starvation induces reactivation of silenced transgenes and latent HIV-1 provirus via down-regulation of histone deacetylase 4 (HDAC4).

The epigenetic silencing of exogenous transcriptional units integrated into the genome represents a critical problem both for long-term gene therapy efficacy and for the eradication of latent viral infections. We report here that limitation of essential amino acids, such as methionine and cysteine, causes selective up-regulation of exogenous transgene expression in mammalian cells. Prolonged amino acid deprivation led to significant and reversible increase in the expression levels of stably integrated transgenes transcribed by means of viral or human promoters in HeLa cells.

An unreported mutation within protein Z gene is associated with very low protein levels in women with fetal loss.

Gene variant intron C G-42A of protein Z is significantly associated with the occurrence of fetal loss. A previously unreported sporadic missense mutation within exon 8 is described in a patient with very low protein Z levels.

Correlation between factors involved in the local haemostasis and angiogenesis in full term human placenta.

Introduction: Few studies have been carried out to investigate whether distinct areas of full term placenta express different amounts of markers involved in the placental haemostasis and angiogenesis. A possible relationship between the expression of genes involved in the haemostasis and angiogenesis of human placenta has not been investigated.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-eight fresh human placentas (35-41 weeks of gestation) from uneventful pregnancies were dissected with two different methods.

Oral anticoagulants: Pharmacogenetics Relationship between genetic and non-genetic factors.

Oral anticoagulants, the main drugs used for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic diseases, exhibit a greater than 10-fold inter-individual variability in the dose requirement to achieve a therapeutic response. The relationship between the dose prescribed and the individual response is regulated by genetic and environmental factors. In particularly, molecular analysis of two genes, encoding for the enzyme responsible for the warfarin (S)-isoform catabolism (CYP2C9) and for the target enzyme vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1 (VKORC1), strongly suggested that their genetic variations greatly affect the individual response to oral anticoagulants.

A new case of combined factor V and factor VIII deficiency further suggests that the LMAN1 M1T mutation is a frequent cause in Italian patients.

Combined factor V and factor VIII deficiency (F5F8D) is an extremely rare worldwide congenital hemorrhagic disorder that is more prevalent in the Mediterranean area. We report the clinical presentations and the identification of a LMAN1 mutation in a 3-year-old Italian boy who was diagnosed with F5F8D. The mutation identified (M1T) has already been found in several Italian patients.

Polymorphisms in factor II and factor VII genes modulate oral anticoagulation with warfarin.

Background And Objectives: There is very considerable inter-individual variability in warfarin dosages necessary to achieve target therapeutic anticoagulation. The variability is largely genetically determined but can only partly be explained by genetic variability in the cytochrome CYP2C9 locus. Polymorphisms within the genes coding for vitamin K-dependent proteins have been suggested to predict sensitivity to warfarin therapy.

A polymorphism in the VKORC1 gene is associated with an interindividual variability in the dose-anticoagulant effect of warfarin.

Patients require different warfarin dosages to achieve the target therapeutic anticoagulation. The variability is largely genetically determined, and it can be only partly explained by genetic variability in the cytochrome CYP2C9 locus. In 147 patients followed from the start of anticoagulation with warfarin, we have investigated whether VKORC1 gene mutations have affected doses of drug prescribed to acquire the target anticoagulation intensity.