Non-specific adsorption of crude cell lysate on surface plasmon resonance sensors.

Non-specific adsorption of the molecular components of biofluids is ubiquitous in the area of biosensing technologies, severely limiting the use of biosensors in real-world applications. The surface chemistries developed to prevent non-specific adsorption of crude serum are not necessarily suited for sensing in other biosamples. In particular, the diagnostic potential of differential expression of proteins in tissues makes cell lysate attractive for disease diagnostics using solid biopsies.

Proteomics analysis of herpes simplex virus type 1-infected cells reveals dynamic changes of viral protein expression, ubiquitylation, and phosphorylation.

Herpesviruses are among the most complex and widespread human viruses and cause a number of diseases ranging from cold sores to genital infections and encephalitis. While the composition of viral particles has been studied, less is known about the expression of the whole viral proteome in infected cells. Here, we analyzed the proteome of the prototypical Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 (HSV1) in infected cells by mass spectrometry.

Role of the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi Fur regulator and small RNAs RfrA and RfrB in iron homeostasis and interaction with host cells.

Iron is an essential element but can be toxic at high concentrations. Therefore, its acquisition and storage require tight control. Salmonella encodes the global regulator Fur (ferric uptake regulator) and the small regulatory non-coding RNAs (sRNAs) RfrA and RfrB, homologues of RyhB.

Structural and functional evidence that Rad4 competes with Rad2 for binding to the Tfb1 subunit of TFIIH in NER.

XPC/Rad4 (human/yeast) recruits transcription faction IIH (TFIIH) to the nucleotide excision repair (NER) complex through interactions with its p62/Tfb1 and XPB/Ssl2 subunits. TFIIH then recruits XPG/Rad2 through interactions with similar subunits and the two repair factors appear to be mutually exclusive within the NER complex. Here, we show that Rad4 binds the PH domain of the Tfb1 (Tfb1PH) with high affinity.

Occurrence and spatial and temporal variations of disinfection by-products in the water and air of two indoor swimming pools.

In order to improve disinfection by-product (DBP) exposure assessment, this study was designed to document both water and air levels of these chemical contaminants in two indoor swimming pools and to analyze their within-day and day-to-day variations in both of them. Intensive sampling was carried out during two one-week campaigns to measure trihalomethanes (THMs) and chloramines (CAMs) in water and air, and haloacetic acids (HAAs) in water several times daily. Water samples were systematically collected at three locations in each pool and air samples were collected at various heights around the pool and in other rooms (e.

Accounting for the impact of short-term variations in the levels of trihalomethane in drinking water on exposure assessment for epidemiological purposes. Part II: biological aspects.

The variability of trihalomethane (THM) levels in drinking water raises the question of whether or not short-term variations (within-day) should be accounted for when assessing exposure to contaminants suspected of being carcinogenic and reprotoxic agents. The purpose of this study was to determine the magnitude of the impact on predicted biological levels of THMs (internal doses) exerted by within-day variations of THMs in drinking water. A database extracted from a campaign in the Québec City distribution system served to produce 81, 79 and 64 concentration profiles for the three most abundant THMs, namely chloroform (TCM), dichlorobromomethane (DCBM) and chlorodibromomethane (CDBM), respectively.

Identification and characterization of an activating F229V substitution in the V2 vasopressin receptor in an infant with NSIAD.

Gain-of-function mutations in the gene encoding the V2 vasopressin receptor (V2R) cause nephrogenic syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis. To date, reported mutations lead to the substitution of arginine 137 by either a cysteine or leucine (R137C/L). Here, we describe a 3-month-old hyponatremic infant found to have a phenylalanine 229 to valine (F229V) substitution in V2R.

Aggregation behavior of pegylated bile acid derivatives.

Bile acids are amphiphilic endogenous steroids that act as anionic surfactants in the digestive tract and aggregate in aqueous solutions. Nonionic surfactants were synthesized by grafting poly(ethylene glycol) chains of various lengths (pegylation) to three bile acids (lithocholic, deoxycholic, and cholic acid) using anionic polymerization. The aggregation properties of the derivatives were studied with viscosity measurements and light scattering as well as with steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence techniques, and the aggregates were visualized by transmission electron microscopy to elucidate the effect of pegylation on the aggregation process.

Influences of family structure dynamics on sexual debut in Africa: implications for research, practice and policies in reproductive health and social development.

There is no research on the timing, sequencing and number of changes in family environment and their influences on sexual and reproductive health outcomes in Africa. Using a population-based survey with data on family structure at three points in the life course, this paper examines the influences of these family structure dynamics on the timing of first sex among unmarried males and females aged 12-24 years in Cameroon. The number and timing of family transitions significantly impacted the timing of sexual debut for both males and females.

Morphology, Thickness, and Composition Evolution in Supramolecular Block Copolymer Films over a Wide Range of Dip-Coating Rates.

Dip-coating, an important industrial technique, has been underexploited for preparing block copolymer (BC) thin films, such that the knowledge regarding their general characteristics is limited. Here, we present an overview of the crucial factors that determine how BC film morphology evolves as a function of dip-coating rate (withdrawal speed) over a wide range, illustrated using THF solutions of a polystyrene--poly(4-vinyl pyridine) (PS-P4VP) diblock copolymer mixed with two small molecules, naphthol and naphthoic acid, which are hydrogen-bonders with P4VP. Key factors in determining the film morphology are the systematic variation in film thickness and, for supramolecular BCs, in film composition with dip-coating rate.

Synthesis of protected 2-pyrrolylalanine for peptide chemistry and examination of its influence on prolyl amide isomer equilibrium.

Protected enantiopure 2-pyrrolylalanine was synthesized for application in peptide science as an electron-rich arylalanine (histidine) analog with π-donor capability. (2S)-N-(Boc)-N'-(Phenylsulfonyl)-, (2S)-N,N'-bis-(phenylsulfonyl)-, and (2S)-N,N'-bis-(Boc)-3-(2-pyrrolyl)alanines (10, 3, and 14, respectively) were made in 13-17% overall yields and six to seven steps from oxazolidine β-methyl ester 4. Homoallylic ketone 5 was prepared by a copper-catalyzed cascade addition of vinylmagnesium bromide to ester 4 and converted to pyrrolyl amino alcohol 7 by olefin oxidation and Paal-Knorr condensation.

Making decisions through a distributed consensus.

How does the brain decide between actions? Is it through comparisons of abstract representations of outcomes or through a competition in a sensorimotor map defining the actions themselves? Here, I review strengths and limitations of both of these proposals, and suggest that decisions emerge through a distributed consensus across many levels of representation.

Ligand functional selectivity and quantitative pharmacology at G protein-coupled receptors.

Introduction: In recent years, it has become clear that individual GPCRs can elicit multiple G-protein-dependent and -independent cellular responses. This has led to the discovery that certain ligands can differentially modulate these responses, a concept known as functional selectivity.

Areas Covered: In this review, the authors describe the various manifestations of functional selectivity and its potential implication in drug discovery.

Asymmetric aldol reaction catalyzed by the anion of an ionic liquid.

Herein we report the synthesis of a chiral imidazolium salt derived from trans-L-hydroxyproline and its applications as a catalyst for the asymmetric aldol reaction. By performing the aldol reaction in [Bmim]NTf(2) as a solvent, we report excellent isolated yields of the aldol product (up to 99%), as well as modest to excellent selectivities (dr superior to 99:1. ee up to 89%).

Landscape resistance to dispersal: simulating long-term effects of human disturbance on a small and isolated wolf population in southwestern Manitoba, Canada.

Landscape fragmentation affects wildlife population viability, in part, through the effects it has on individual dispersal. In addition, some forms of human disturbance impinge on dispersal without physically fragmenting habitats. Here, we use the term "landscape resistance" to capture constraints to dispersal that cannot be linked directly to fragmentation.

Influence of hydrophobic alkylated gold nanoparticles on the phase behavior of monolayers of DPPC and clinical lung surfactant.

The effect of hydrophobic alkylated gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) on the phase behavior and structure of Langmuir monolayers of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and Survanta, a naturally derived commercial pulmonary surfactant that contains DPPC as the main lipid component and hydrophobic surfactant proteins SP-B and SP-C, has been investigated in connection with the potential implication of inorganic NPs in pulmonary surfactant dysfunction. Hexadecanethiolate-capped Au NPs (C(16)SAu NPs) with an average core diameter of 2 nm have been incorporated into DPPC monolayers in concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 0.

Raman doping profiles of polyelectrolyte SWNTs in solution.

We present a resonance Raman study of electrochemical charge transfer doping on polyelectrolyte single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) in solution. Changes in the intensity of the radial breathing modes of well-identified SWNTs are measured as a function of the electrochemical potential. The intensity is maximum when the nanotubes are neutral.

Increased persistence of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in the presence of Acanthamoeba castellanii.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) is the etiological agent of the systemic disease typhoid fever. Transmission occurs via ingestion of contaminated food or water.

Family environment and premarital intercourse in Bandjoun (West Cameroon).

Family environment is one of the most influential factors on youth sexual behavior but has received little investigation in sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, a comprehensive understanding of family influences could improve the efficiency of reproductive health (RH) interventions. Using retrospective data from a population-based survey, life-table analysis was utilized to compute the median age at premarital intercourse among 1,182 youth aged 12-24 years.

Becoming adherent to antipsychotics: a qualitative study of treatment-experienced schizophrenia patients.

Objective: Discontinuation of antipsychotic medication is a pervasive clinical problem in the treatment of patients suffering from psychosis. The aim of this study was to complement a largely quantitative body of research by focusing on patients' perspectives on the topic.

Methods: In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 20 persons who have schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Structural and functional characterization of an atypical activation domain in erythroid Kruppel-like factor (EKLF).

Erythroid Krüppel-like factor (EKLF) plays an important role in erythroid development by stimulating β-globin gene expression. We have examined the details by which the minimal transactivation domain (TAD) of EKLF (EKLFTAD) interacts with several transcriptional regulatory factors. We report that EKLFTAD displays homology to the p53TAD and, like the p53TAD, can be divided into two functional subdomains (EKLFTAD1 and EKLFTAD2).

[Importance of pharmacogenetics in antiretroviral metabolism and drug-transporters].

Wide intra- and inter-subject variability in antiretroviral drug response is observed. Pharmacotherapy of HIV-infected patients is challenging considering the great numbers of co-morbidities increasing the risk of drug-drug interactions. Drug-metabolism enzymes and drug-transporters regulate drug access to the systemic circulation, target cells and sanctuary sites; these factors determine pharmacokinetics and could explain variability in efficacy and adverse drug reactions associated with antiretroviral drugs.

Wall-selective probing of double-walled carbon nanotubes using covalent functionalization.

Double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWNTs) present an original coaxial geometry in which the inner wall is naturally protected from the environment by the outer wall. Covalent functionalization is introduced here as an effective approach to investigate DWNT devices. Performed using an aryldiazonium salt, the functionalization is reversible upon thermal annealing and occurs strictly at the surface of the outer wall, leaving the inner wall essentially unaltered by the chemical bonding.

Evolution of the repertoire of nuclear receptor binding sites in genomes.

Nuclear receptors (NRs) are ligand-dependent transcription factors with important roles in normal development and physiology and in a wide array of pathologies. While identification of natural or synthetic ligands for all human NRs has clarified their physiological roles and led to numerous therapeutic applications, much remains to be understood about the mechanisms by which NRs control transcription of specific networks of target genes. The DNA binding domain, composed of two C4 type zinc fingers, is the most conserved region in NRs.

Intracellular survival of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi in human macrophages is independent of Salmonella pathogenicity island (SPI)-2.

For successful infection, Salmonella enterica secretes and injects effector proteins into host cells by two distinct type three secretion systems (T3SSs) located on Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs)-1 and -2. The SPI-2 T3SS is involved in intracellular survival of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium and systemic disease.