TrimerDimer: an oligonucleotide-based saturation mutagenesis approach that removes redundant and stop codons.

9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc) and 4,4'-dimethoxytrityl (DMTr) are orthogonal hydroxyl protecting groups that have been used in conjunction to assemble oligonucleotide libraries whose variants contain wild-type and mutant codons randomly interspersed throughout a focused DNA region. Fmoc is labile to organic bases and stable to weak acids, whereas DMTr behaves oppositely. Based on these chemical characteristics, we have now devised TrimerDimer, a novel codon-based saturation mutagenesis approach that removes redundant and stop codons during the assembly of degenerate oligonucleotides.

Differences in alcohol-related mortality between foreign-born and native-born Spaniards.

Background: Alcohol consumption is associated with high rates of mortality. This study aimed to analyse mortality attributable to alcohol consumption in foreign-born and native-born Spaniards in 2004 and to determine whether differences existed between these groups.

Methods: The number of deaths attributable to alcohol consumption was calculated by means of the alcohol-attributable fractions devised by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention for calculating mortality rates in the USA.

Pineal projections in the zebrafish (Danio rerio): overlap with retinal and cerebellar projections.

The pineal organ in fishes is a photoreceptive organ with dual outputs, neuroendocrine and neural. The neural projections of the zebrafish pineal were experimentally studied by means of tract-tracing with carbocyanine dyes (1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindocarbocyanine perchlorate (DiI), 3,3'-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate (DiO)). Double-labeling experiments were also performed in order to investigate the degree of overlapping of pineal, retinal or cerebellar projections in zebrafish.

Arsenic resistant bacteria isolated from arsenic contaminated river in the Atacama Desert (Chile).

In this study, arsenic resistant bacteria were isolated from sediments of an arsenic contaminated river. Arsenic tolerance of bacteria isolated was carried out by serial dilution on agar plate. Redox abilities were investigated using KMnO4.

Isolation of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria from a natural biofilm associated to volcanic rocks of Atacama Desert, Chile.

Arsenic is naturally present in rocks, soil, water, and air. It is released to the environment by natural processes such as volcanic eruptions, and rock erosion. In this study, two arsenite-oxidizing strains were isolated from volcanic rocks obtained from the Camarones Valley, Atacama Desert, Chile.

[Premature death and potential years of life lost due to alcohol consumption in Spain and the different autonomous communities in 2004].

Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse premature deaths due to alcohol consumption in 2004 in Spain and its different Autonomous Communities.

Design: Using data on deaths that can be attributed to alcohol consumption in 2004 for Spain and its different Autonomous Communities, the Potential Years of Life Lost (PYLL) were calculated up to the age of 70 for each diagnostic category, by sex and 5-year age groups.

Setting: Spain: 17 Autonomous Communities, Ceuta and Melilla.

[Community-acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pyogenes: report of one case].

During the past two decades there has been a resurgence of invasive group A streptococcal (GAS) infection, specially pneumonia and bacteremia. We report a 35 year-old female previously subjected to a thyroidectomy for a thyroid cancer, that five days after operation, presented with a severe community-acquired pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pyogenes (Lancefield Group A Streptococcus) that was complicated by acute respiratory failure and septic shock. She was treated with a combination of 3 g/day of cefotaxime and 1.

Stereospecific high-performance liquid chromatography of taxifolin, applications in pharmacokinetics, and determination in tu fu ling (Rhizoma smilacis glabrae) and apple (Malus x domestica).

A stereospecific method of analysis of racemic taxifolin (+/-3,5,7,3',4'-pentahydroxyflavanone) in biological fluids is necessary to study pharmacokinetics and disposition in fruit and herbs. A simple high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of all four taxifolin enantiomers. Separation was achieved on a Chiralcel(R) OJ-RH column with UV detection at 288 nm.

Determination of Pd(II) content in catalysts and tap water samples via photoacoustic spectroscopy analysis of Pd(II)-3-[2'-thiazolylazo]-2,6-diaminopyridine complex on solid phase.

In this work a simple method for the determination of Pd(II) by photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) is introduced. The method is based on Pd(II) colorimetric reaction with immobilized 3-[2(')-thiazolylazo]-2,6 diaminopyridine (2,6 TADAP) retained in a cationic resin Dowex 50W X4 20/50. The immobilization of Pd(II) on solid phase is combined with PAS.

Isolation of arsenite-oxidizing bacteria from arsenic-enriched sediments from Camarones river, Northern Chile.

In Northern Chile, high arsenic concentrations are found in natural water, both natural and anthropogenic sources, a significant health risk. Nine bacterial strains were isolated from Camarones river sediments, located in Northern Chile, a river showing arsenic concentrations up to 1,100 microg/L. These strains were identified as Pseudomonas and they can oxidize arsenite (As(III)) to the less mobile arsenate (As(V)).

[Mortality related with alcohol in Spain and the different Autonomous Communities of Spain in 2004].

Introduction: Alcohol consumption is associated with great morbidity-mortality rate. The aim of this study is to analyze the mortality that can be attributed to alcohol consumption in Spain and in its different Autonomous Communities during 2004.

Method: The records of deaths by cause of death were used, grouped by age, gender and 60 diagnostic categories.

Characterization of new microsatellite markers derived from sequence databases for the emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae).

The emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), a member of ratite family, is native to Australia and has been introduced to other countries worldwide. In this work, 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized for emu from public sequences. Polymorphism was surveyed in 22 individuals from two different populations kept in captivity.

Calretinin-immunoreactive systems in the cerebellum and cerebellum-related lateral-line medullary nuclei of an elasmobranch, Scyliorhinus canicula.

Calretinin immunohistochemistry was used to study the organization of some cerebellar structures and lateral line medullary nuclei of an elasmobranch, the lesser-spotted dogfish Scyliorhinus canicula. In the cerebellar molecular layer, stellate cells are strongly calretinin-immunoreactive (CR-ir). Perikarya and dendrites of Purkinje cells are contacted by numerous stellate cell small CR-ir boutons.

A cremophor-free formulation for tanespimycin (17-AAG) using PEO-b-PDLLA micelles: characterization and pharmacokinetics in rats.

Tanespimycin (17-allylamino-17-demethoxygeldanamycin or 17-AAG) is a promising heat shock protein 90 inhibitor currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of cancer. Despite its selective mechanism of action on cancer cells, 17-AAG faces challenging issues due to its poor aqueous solubility, requiring formulation with Cremophor EL (CrEL) or ethanol (EtOH). Therefore, a CrEL-free formulation of 17-AAG was prepared using amphiphilic diblock micelles of poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(D,L-lactide) (PEO-b-PDLLA).

Stereospecific analysis of sakuranetin by high-performance liquid chromatography: pharmacokinetic and botanical applications.

A stereospecific method for analysis of sakuranetin was developed. Separation was accomplished using a Chiralpak AD-RH column with UV (ultraviolet) detection at 288 nm. The stereospecific linear calibration curves ranged from 0.

Pharmacometrics of stilbenes: seguing towards the clinic.

Stilbenes are small molecular weight (approximately 200-300 g/mol), naturally occurring compounds and are found in a wide range of plant sources, aromatherapy products, and dietary supplements. These molecules are synthesized via the phenylpropanoid pathway and share some structural similarities to estrogen. Upon environmental threat, the plant host activates the phenylpropanoid pathway and stilbene structures are produced and subsequently secreted.

[Alcohol-related mortality and premature death in Spain between 1999 and 2004].

Background And Objective: To assess alcohol-related mortality and premature death in Spain between 1999 and 2004.

Population And Method: The records of deaths according to cause of death were used, grouped by age, sex and 60 diagnostic categories. The number of deaths attributable to alcohol consumption according to sex and age group, the mortality percentages, rates per 100,000 inhabitants adjusted to the European population standard, and potential years of life lost (PYLL) per alcohol-related death up to the age of 70 were calculated.

In field arsenic removal from natural water by zero-valent iron assisted by solar radiation.

An in situ arsenic removal method applicable to highly contaminated water is presented. The method is based in the use of steel wool, lemon juice and solar radiation. The method was evaluated using water from the Camarones River, Atacama Desert in northern Chile, in which the arsenic concentration ranges between 1000 and 1300 microg L(-1).

Formulation of a geldanamycin prodrug in mPEG-b-PCL micelles greatly enhances tolerability and pharmacokinetics in rats.

Geldanamycin (GA) and its analogues inhibit heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and have shown significant antitumor activity in vivo; however, clinical development of GA has been hampered by its poor solubility and severe hepatotoxicity. More soluble analogues, such as 17-DMAG and 17-AAG, are easier to formulate, and have progressed through early clinical trials. However the large volume of distribution and systemic toxicity associated with these analogues may limit their distribution into tumors, thereby severely reducing efficacy and increasing non-specific toxicities.

Immunocytochemical study of calretinin and calbindin D-28K expression in the retina of three cartilaginous fishes and a cladistian (Polypterus).

The distribution of two calcium-binding proteins, calbindin D-28K (CB) and calretinin (CR) was studied in the retina of a cladistian, Polypterus senegalus, and three cartilaginous fishes (Scyliorhinus canicula, Raja undulata and Torpedo marmorata). Western blot analysis of brain extracts revealed the lack of cross-reactivity of the used antibodies. In Polypterus, CB and CR immunoreactivities were observed in some amacrine and ganglion cells, but scarce cells showed CR/CB colocalization.

The organization of the pretectal nuclei in the trout: a revision based on experimental holodogical studies.

The neuronal tracer DiI was applied to different brain centers of the rainbow trout in order to study the connections of pretectal nuclei. Our results showed that some pretectal nuclei receive a direct projection from the contralateral retina: the parvocellular superficial pretectal nucleus, the central pretectal nucleus, the intermediate pretectal nucleus and the ventral accessory optic nucleus. In turn, the central pretectal, the intermediate pretectal and the ventral accessory optic nuclei, together with the paracommissural nucleus, project to the cerebellum and the torus longitudinalis.

Clinical toxicities of nanocarrier systems.

Toxicity of nanocarrier systems involves physiological, physicochemical, and molecular considerations. Nanoparticle exposures through the skin, the respiratory tract, the gastrointestinal tract and the lymphatics have been described. Nanocarrier systems may induce cytotoxicity and/or genotoxicity, whereas their antigenicity is still not well understood.

The CK1 gene family: expression patterning in zebrafish development.

Protein kinase CK1 is a ser/thr protein kinase family which has been identified in the cytosol cell fraction, associated with membranes as well as in the nucleus. Several isoforms of this gene family have been described in various organisms: CK1alpha, CK1beta, CK1delta, CK1epsilon and CK1gamma. Over the last decade, several members of this family have been involved in development processes related to wnt and sonic hedgehog signalling pathways.

Pharmacokinetics of selected chiral flavonoids: hesperetin, naringenin and eriodictyol in rats and their content in fruit juices.

The majority of pharmacokinetic studies of individual flavonoids or after ingestion of foodstuffs have overlooked the chirality of some of these xenobiotics. In order to characterize for the first time the stereoselective pharmacokinetics of three flavonoids, hesperetin, naringenin and eriodictyol were intravenously administered (20 mg/kg) to male Sprague-Dawley rats, and their stereospecific content was assessed in various fruit juices. Concentrations in serum, urine and fruit juices were characterized via HPLC and verified by LC/MS.