Publications by authors named "Yap G"

Cytomegalovirus is a promising vaccine vector; however, mechanisms promoting CD4 T cell responses to challenge, by CMV as a vector, are unknown. The ability of MCMV to prolong immunity generated by short-lived malaria vaccine was tested. MCMV provided non-specific protection to challenge with and increased interleukin-12 (IL-12) and CD8α dendritic cell (DC) numbers through prolonged MCMV-dependent interferon gamma (IFN-γ) production.

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This manuscript explores the post-synthetic modification (PSM) of amine-functionalized porous coordination cages, specifically focusing on the formation of imine bonds through reactions with aldehydes. Targeting various cage topologies, including zirconium-, magnesium-, and molybdenum-based structures, we demonstrate the tunability of cage solubility and porosity through selective functionalization where the proximity of amine groups on the parent cage impacts the extent of modification. The work highlights the reversible nature of imine formation, offering potential applications in solubility switching and mixed-metal solid synthesis.

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Background: In endemic COVID-19, immunocompromised children are vulnerable until vaccinated but the optimal primary vaccination regime and need for booster doses remains uncertain.

Methods: We recruited 19 immunocompromised children (post-solid organ transplantation, have autoimmune disease or were on current or recent chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia), and followed them from the start of primary vaccination with BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 until 1-year post-vaccination. We investigated the quality of vaccine immunogenicity, and longevity of hybrid immunity, in comparison to healthy children.

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Zirconium-based porous coordination cages have been widely studied and have shown to be potentially useful for many applications as a result of their tunability and stability, likely as a result of their status as a molecular equivalent to the small 8 Å tetrahedral pores of UiO-66 (Zr(μ-O)(μ-OH)(COH)). Functional groups attached to these molecular materials endow them with a range of tunable properties. While so-called multivariate MOFs containing multiple types of functional groups on different bridging ligands within a structure are common, incorporating multiple functional moieties in permanently microporous molecular materials has proved challenging.

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Article Synopsis
  • The cohesin protein complex helps organize chromosomes into specific domains but its biological importance is unclear.
  • This study highlights that cohesin is essential for the differentiation and function of dendritic cells, particularly in antigen presentation and IL-12 secretion.
  • It also shows that the interplay between cohesin and the transcription factor IRF8 influences chromatin structure, gene expression, and the activation of dendritic cells.
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  • Electron-rich phosphines are important in transition metal-based catalysis, with zwitterionic groups like phosphorus ylides enhancing their donor strength.
  • Recent research introduces a new ligand, N-heterocyclic olefin phosphines with sulfonyl substituents (sNHOP), which twists a double bond to create a zwitterionic structure.
  • This new ligand shows improved donor strength and has proven effective in gold-catalyzed reactions, surpassing traditional NHOP ligands in performance, indicating strong potential for future catalytic applications.
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Glycosylphosphatidylinositols (GPIs) are highly conserved anchors for eukaryotic cell surface proteins. The apicomplexan parasite, , is a widespread intracellular parasite of warm-blooded animals whose plasma membrane is covered with GPI-anchored proteins, and free GPIs called GIPLs. While the glycan portion is conserved, species differ in sidechains added to the triple mannose core.

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  • Dicarbonyl[10,10-dimethyl-5,15-bis(pentafluorophenyl)biladiene]ruthenium(II) is the first known ruthenium(II) cis-dicarbonyl tetrapyrrole complex, featuring a unique seesaw geometry instead of the typical square planar arrangement.
  • The complex exhibits weak luminescence, showing emissions at 552 nm and supports reversible electron reductions, indicating potential for use in photocatalytic and photosensitization applications.
  • Although the structure was determined via X-ray diffraction, the poor crystal quality hindered definitive results, leading to validation through independent electron diffraction experiments.
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Background: There has been limited data regarding the incidence of anaphylaxis in Asia. We aim to describe patterns in patient characteristics, triggers and clinical presentation of childhood anaphylaxis in Singapore.

Methods: This was a retrospective review of emergency electronic medical records of children with anaphylaxis.

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We report a highly cross- and atroposelective coupling between -(chloro)arylphosphine oxides and -(bromo)aryl ethers. This previously unknown asymmetric nickel-catalyzed reaction offers a direct route to highly enantioenriched axially chiral biaryl monophosphine oxides that are difficult to access by other means. These products can be readily reduced to generate chiral MOP-type ligands bearing complex skeletal backbones.

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Polymeric guanylate-binding proteins (GBPs) physically dismember the vacuole membrane formed by Toxoplasma gondii while nitric oxide (NO) poisons and inhibits parasite replication within interferon (IFN)-γ activated macrophages. Zhao et al. report a novel mechanism for synergy between these classical microbicidal and microbistatic effectors in cell-autonomous immunity to the intracellular parasites.

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Structures at serine-proline sites in proteins were analyzed using a combination of peptide synthesis with structural methods and bioinformatics analysis of the PDB. Dipeptides were synthesized with the proline derivative (2S,4S)-(4-iodophenyl)hydroxyproline [hyp(4-I-Ph)]. The crystal structure of Boc-Ser-hyp(4-I-Ph)-OMe had two molecules in the unit cell.

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  • The chemical shifts of Dfp’s diastereotopic fluorines vary significantly based on whether proline is in an ordered or disordered state, providing insights into the preference of ring puckers, which indicate the stability of proline structures in peptides.
  • Research utilizing Dfp revealed that the polyproline II helix formed in high urea has nearly equal populations of ring puckers and underscores the role of carbonyl solvation and specific
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The structure of ()-5-(3-acetyl-5-chloro-2-ethoxy-6-fluorophenyl)-2-oxazolidinone, CHClFNO, at 100 K has monoclinic (2) symmetry. The compound has a polymeric structure propagated by a screw axis parallel to the axis with N-H⋯O hydrogen bonding. It is of inter-est with respect to efforts in the synthesis of a candidate anti-cancer drug, parsaclisib.

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Conjugated poly(alkoxythiophenes) such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) have attracted considerable interest for use in a variety of applications such as biomedical devices, energy storage, and chemical sensing. Functionalized versions of the 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) monomer make it possible to create polymers with properties tailored for specific applications. The maleimide functional group shows particular promise due to the wide variety of chemical modifications that it can undergo.

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Unlabelled: Consumer demand for plant cheeses is increasing, but challenges of improving both flavor and quality remain. This study investigated the microbiological and physicochemical impact of seed germination and fermentation with and on the ripening of plant cheese analogs. Chlorine treatment or addition of and controlled microbial growth during seed germination.

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Chemically and thermally stable permanently porous coordination cages are appealing candidates for separations, catalysis, and as the porous component of new porous liquids. However, many of these applications have not turned to microporous cages as a result of their poor solubility and thermal or hydrolytic stability. Here we describe the design and modular synthesis of iron and cobalt cages where the carboxylate groups of the bridging ligands of well-known calixarene capped coordination cages have been replaced with more basic triazole units.

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Globally, cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of childhood diarrheal disease and is a major risk factor for malnutrition and impairment of growth and cognitive development. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Maradana et al. identify a target for dietary enhancement of innate immune defenses against cryptosporidiosis.

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Article Synopsis
  • Infections can lead to weight loss due to changes in behavior and metabolism, known as sickness behaviors, which can either help or hinder survival depending on the pathogen involved.
  • Recent research highlights the role of the cytokine GDF-15, which leads to weight loss by suppressing appetite and affecting metabolism, particularly during infections like Toxoplasma gondii.
  • This study explored how GDF-15 is regulated during T. gondii infections, finding that weight loss occurs alongside increased levels of GDF-15 and IFN-γ, suggesting a complex interaction between immune responses and metabolic changes in the host.
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Multiple tris(imido)chromium(VI) complexes, including neutral and ionic compounds, have been synthesized and characterized. (BuN)Cr(NHBu)Cl can be deprotonated by KN(SiMe), yielding K[(BuN)CrCl]. This tris(imido) anion undergoes nucleophilic substitution by PPh and BuNH to form (BuN)Cr(PPh) and (BuN)Cr(NHBu), respectively.

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Objective: To estimate cost savings after implementation of customized electronic duplicate order alerts.

Design: Alerts were implemented for microbiology tests at the largest public hospital in Victoria, Australia. These alerts were designed to pop up at the point of test ordering to inform the clinician that the test had previously been ordered and to suggest appropriate reordering time frames and indications.

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The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a large number of fatalities and, at present, lacks a readily available curative treatment for patients. Here, we demonstrate that unmodified red blood cell-derived extracellular vesicles (RBCEVs) can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection in a phosphatidylserine (PS) dependent manner. Using T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain-1 (TIM-1) as an example, we demonstrate that PS receptors on cells can significantly increase the adsorption and infection of authentic and pseudotyped SARS-CoV-2 viruses.

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Carbodicarbene (CDC) has become an emerging ligand in many fields due to its strong σ-donating ability. View Article and Find Full Text PDF