Lactoferrin affects the adherence and invasion of Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae in mammary epithelial cells.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae ssp. dysgalactiae is an important causative agent of bovine mastitis worldwide. Lactoferrin is an innate immune protein that is associated with many functions including immunomodulatory, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial properties.

Exploring copper(I)-based dye-sensitized solar cells: a complementary experimental and TD-DFT investigation.

The structures and properties of the homoleptic copper(I) complexes [Cu(1)(2)][PF(6)] and [Cu(2)(2)][PF(6)] (1 = 6,6'-dimethyl-2,2'-bipyridine, 2 = 6,6'-bis{2-[4-(N,N'-diphenylamino)phenyl]ethenyl}-2,2'-bipyridine) are compared, and a strategy of ligand exchange in solution has been used to prepare eight TiO(2) surface-bound heteroleptic complexes incorporating ligands with bpy metal-binding domains and carboxylate or phosphonate anchoring groups. The presence of the extended π-system in 2 significantly improves dye performance, and the most efficient sensitizers are those with phosphonate or phenyl-4-carboxylate anchoring units; a combination of [Cu(2)(2)](+) with the phosphonate anchoring ligand gives a very promising performance (η = 2.35% compared to 7.

The effect of α- or β-casein addition to waxy maize starch on postprandial levels of glucose, insulin, and incretin hormones in pigs as a model for humans.

Background: Starch is a main source of glucose and energy in the human diet. The extent to which it is digested in the gastrointestinal tract plays a major role in variations in postprandial blood glucose levels. Interactions with other biopolymers, such as dairy proteins, during processing can influence both the duration and extent of this postprandial surge.

Effect of gelatinisation of starch with casein proteins on incretin hormones and glucose transporters in vitro.

Foods that have a low glycaemic index or foods that contain slowly digestible starch are beneficial in controlling fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin levels. The study hypothesis is that gelatinisation of starch in structured casein networks provides a method for decreasing the digestion rate of the starch and, hence, minimising postprandial glucose fluctuations. This study examined the effect of starch gelatinisation with or without casein on (1) gene expression and peptide secretion levels of the incretin hormones glucagon-like peptide 1 and glucose-independent insulinotropic polypeptide and (2) gene expression of the sodium-glucose cotransporter and GLUT-2 in intestinal cell culture systems.

Quantification of single-stranded nucleic acid and oligonucleotide interactions with metal ions by affinity capillary electrophoresis--Part II.

The interactions between tetranucleotides or heptanucleotides and inorganic cations have been measured by affinity CZE. The variation in migration behavior with increasing concentrations of divalent cations (Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and Ni(2+)) in the running buffer was investigated and quantified by the calculation of binding constants for mononuclear and multinuclear interactions. In addition to these fundamental studies of binding equilibria, the effect of sequence and the position of the guanine transition metal-binding site in the oligonucleotide have been investigated.

Quantification of single-stranded nucleic acid and oligonucleotide interactions with metal ions by affinity capillary electrophoresis: part I.

The interactions between oligonucleotides and inorganic cations have been measured by capillary zone electrophoresis. With increasing concentrations of divalent cations (Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+) and Ni(2+)) in the running buffer, the migration behavior was evaluated by calculation of the binding constants. Besides these fundamental studies of binding equilibria, different buffer components, tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and 3-(N-morpholino)propanesulfonic acid, have been investigated and their effects on metal ion binding quantified.

Copper complex-assisted DNA hybridization.

2,2'-Bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) metal-binding domains were covalently attached to oligonucleotides, and the influence of metal ions on the hybridization of the conjugates was investigated. Metal-binding domains were attached to oligonucleotides at 3'- and 5'-terminal positions, thus placing them in juxtaposed positions after hybridization to a common target strand. While the ligands alone had a positive effect (increased Tm) on hybrid stability, the duplex was further stabilized by the addition of copper(I) and/or copper(II) through the formation of a metal complex in which the two short sequences are linked through {Cu(bpy)2}, {Cu(phen)}, or {Cu(bpy)(phen)} domains.