DNA binding and transposition activity of the Sleeping Beauty transposase: role of structural stability of the primary DNA-binding domain.

DNA transposons have emerged as promising tools in both gene therapy and functional genomics. In particular, the Sleeping Beauty (SB) DNA transposon has advanced into clinical trials due to its ability to stably integrate DNA sequences of choice into eukaryotic genomes. The efficiency of the DNA transposon system depends on the interaction between the transposon DNA and the transposase enzyme that facilitates gene transfer.

Translational Diffusion and Self-Association of an Intrinsically Disordered Protein κ-Casein Using NMR with Ultra-High Pulsed-Field Gradient and Time-Resolved FRET.

Much attention has been given to studying the translational diffusion of globular proteins, whereas the translational diffusion of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) is less studied. In this study, we investigate the translational diffusion and how it is affected by the self-association of an IDP, κ-casein, using pulsed-field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance and time-resolved Förster resonance energy transfer. Using the analysis of the shape of diffusion attenuation and the concentration dependence of κ-casein diffusion coefficients and intermolecular interactions, we demonstrate that κ-casein exhibits continuous self-association.

Translational diffusion of unfolded and intrinsically disordered proteins.

Translational (or self-diffusion) coefficient in dilute solution is inversely proportional to the size of a diffusing molecule, and hence self-diffusion coefficient measurements have been applied to determine the effective hydrodynamic radii for a range of native and nonnative protein conformations. In particular, translational diffusion coefficient measurements are useful to estimate the hydrodynamic radius of natively (or intrinsically) disordered proteins in solution, and, thereby, probe the compactness of a protein as well as its change when environmental parameters such as temperature, solution pH, or protein concentration are varied. The situation becomes more complicated in concentrated solutions.

Comparison of Nebulized Ketamine with Nebulized Magnesium Sulfate on the Incidence of Postoperative Sore Throat.

Background: Postoperative sore throat (POST) is a known complication following general anesthesia requiring endotracheal intubation. Its incidence ranges from 21% to 65% and remains the eighth most undesirable postoperative event. Various measures have been tried to decrease the incidence of sore throat with various success rates.

A Randomized Controlled Study of 0.5% Bupivacaine, 0.5% Ropivacaine and 0.75% Ropivacaine for Supraclavicular Brachial Plexus Block.

Introduction: For any surgery in the upper extremity that does not involve the shoulder, a supraclavicular block is preferred, as it is a safe procedure associated with rapid onset and reliable anaesthesia. Although ropivacaine has been extensively studied for epidural anaesthesia, very few reports exist on its use in supraclavicular brachial plexus block.

Aim: This study was conducted to investigate and compare the effectiveness of supraclavicular brachial plexus anaesthesia with two different concentrations of ropivacaine (0.