Structure of the microbial carboxypeptidase T complexed with the transition state analog N-sulfamoyl-l-lysine.

Carboxypeptidase T (CPT) from Thermoactinomyces vulgaris (EC 3.4.17.

The protealysin operon encodes emfourin, a prototype of a novel family of protein metalloprotease inhibitors.

Protealysin is a Serratia proteamaculans metalloproteinase of the M4 peptidase family and the prototype of a large group of protealysin-like proteases (PLPs). PLPs are likely involved in bacterial interaction with plants and animals as well as in bacterial pathogenesis. We demonstrated that the PLP genes in bacteria colocalize with the genes of putative conserved proteins.

and Analysis of Adhesive, Anti-Inflammatory, and Proangiogenic Properties of Novel 3D Printed Hyaluronic Acid Glycidyl Methacrylate Hydrogel Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering.

In this study, we prepared hydrogel scaffolds for tissue engineering by computer-assisted extrusion three-dimensional (3D) printing with photocured (λ = 445 nm) hyaluronic acid glycidyl methacrylate (HAGM). The developed product was compared with the polylactic--glycolic acid (PLGA) scaffolds generated by means of the original antisolvent 3D printing methodology. The cytotoxicity and cytocompatibility of the scaffolds were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide tests, flow cytometry, and scanning electron microscopy.

Synthesis of Supported Heterogeneous Catalysts by Laser Ablation of Metallic Palladium in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Medium.

To obtain a supported heterogeneous catalyst, laser ablation of metallic palladium in supercritical carbon dioxide was performed in the presence of a carrier, microparticles of γ-alumina. The influence of the ablation process conditions-including supercritical fluid density, ablation, mixing time of the mixture, and laser wavelength-on the completeness and efficiency of the deposition of palladium particles on the surface of the carrier was studied. The obtained composites were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy using energy dispersive spectroscopy.

Fine details of crystal structure and atomic vibrations in YbB with a metal-insulator transition.

The crystal structure of single-crystal Kondo insulator YbB was studied at nine temperatures in the range 85-293 K based on X-ray diffraction data. Very weak Jahn-Teller distortions of the cubic lattice were detected at all temperatures, but did not require a revision of the structural model. Heat capacity and electrical conductivity of YbB single crystals were studied in the temperature range 1.

Flux growth, structure refinement and Mössbauer studies of FeGaBO single crystals.

High-quality FeGaBO single crystals (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) in the form of basal plates were synthesized by the flux technique.

Calcifying Bacteria Flexibility in Induction of CaCO Mineralization.

Microbially induced CaCO precipitation (MICP) is considered as an alternative green technology for cement self-healing and a basis for the development of new biomaterials. However, some issues about the role of bacteria in the induction of biogenic CaCO crystal nucleation, growth and aggregation are still debatable. Our aims were to screen for ureolytic calcifying microorganisms and analyze their MICP abilities during their growth in urea-supplemented and urea-deficient media.

Evaluation of immune and chemical precipitation methods for plasma exosome isolation.

Exosomes are a type of extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by multiple mammalian cell types and involved in intercellular communication. Numerous studies have explored the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of exosomes. The key challenge is the lack of efficient and standard techniques for isolation and downstream analysis of nanovesicles.

Optical Diagnostics of Supercritical CO and CO-Ethanol Mixture in the Widom Delta.

The supercritical CO (scCO) is widely used as solvent and transport media in different technologies. The technological aspects of scCO fluid applications strongly depend on spatial-temporal fluctuations of its thermodynamic parameters. The region of these parameters' maximal fluctuations on the p-T (pressure-temperature) diagram is called Widom delta.

The comparative analysis of the properties and structures of purine nucleoside phosphorylases from thermophilic bacterium HB27.

Two recombinant purine nucleoside phosphorylases from thermophilic bacterium HB27 encoded by genes TT_C1070 (PNPI) and TT_C0194 (PNPII) were purified and characterized. The comparative analysis of their sequences, molecular weight, enzymes specificity and kinetics of the catalyzed reaction were realized. As a result, it was determined that the PNPI is specific to guanosine while the PNPII to adenosine.

Endovenous laser coagulation: asymmetrical heat transfer (modeling in water).

The objective of this study was to describe the dynamics of water heating carried out by continuous laser radiation with wavelengths 1.47, 1.55, and 1.

The first pentagonal-bipyramidal vanadium(III) complexes with a Schiff-base NO pentadentate ligand: synthesis, structure and magnetic properties.

A series of three mononuclear pentagonal-bipyramidal V(iii) complexes with the equatorial pentadentate N3O2 ligand (2,6-diacethylpyridinebis(benzoylhydrazone), H2DAPBH) in the different charge states (H2DAPBH0, HDAPBH1-, DAPBH2-) and various apical ligands (Cl-, CH3OH, SCN-) were synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically: [V(H2DAPBH)Cl2]Cl·C2H5OH (1), [V(HDAPBH)(NCS)2]·0.5CH3CN·0.5CH3OH (2) and [V(DAPBH)(CH3OH)2]Cl·CH3OH (3).

Laser-induced Forward Transfer Hydrogel Printing: A Defined Route for Highly Controlled Process.

Laser-induced forward transfer is a versatile, non-contact, and nozzle-free printing technique which has demonstrated high potential for different printing applications with high resolution. In this article, three most widely used hydrogels in bioprinting (2% hyaluronic acid sodium salt, 1% methylcellulose, and 1% sodium alginate) were used to study laser printing processes. For this purpose, the authors applied a laser system based on a pulsed infrared laser (1064 nm wavelength, 8 ns pulse duration, 1 - 5 J/cm laser fluence, and 30 μm laser spot size).

3D Printed Gene-activated Octacalcium Phosphate Implants for Large Bone Defects Engineering.

The aim of the study was the development of three-dimensional (3D) printed gene-activated implants based on octacalcium phosphate (OCP) and plasmid DNA encoding . The first objective of the present work involved design and fabrication of gene-activated bone substitutes based on the OCP and plasmid DNA with gene using 3D printing approach of ceramic constructs, providing the control of its architectonics compliance to the initial digital models. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and compressive strength analyses were applied to investigate the chemical composition, microstructure, and mechanical properties of the experimental samples.

Viscoelasticity and Volume of Cortical Neurons under Glutamate Excitotoxicity and Osmotic Challenges.

Neural activity depends on the maintenance of ionic and osmotic homeostasis. Under these conditions, the cell volume must be regulated to maintain optimal neural function. A disturbance in the neuronal volume regulation often occurs in pathological conditions such as glutamate excitotoxicity.

[Transscleral laser therapy in the treatment of glaucoma].

Nowadays glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. The main goal in preservation of vision in glaucoma patients is reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), which is considered the main controlled risk factor for progression of glaucomatous optic neuropathy. The article discusses the effectiveness and safety of various transscleral laser technologies in the treatment of glaucoma.

Dual Targeting of Cancer Cells with DARPin-Based Toxins for Overcoming Tumor Escape.

We report here a combined anti-cancer therapy directed toward HER2 and EpCAM, common tumor-associated antigens of breast cancer cells. The combined therapeutic effect is achieved owing to two highly toxic proteins-a low immunogenic variant of exotoxin A and ribonuclease Barnase from . The delivery of toxins to cancer cells was carried out by targeting designed ankyrin repeat proteins (DARPins).

Bacterial Cellulose () Biocomposites and Their Cytocompatibility.

A series of novel polysaccharide-based biocomposites was obtained by impregnation of bacterial cellulose produced by (BC) with the solutions of negatively charged polysaccharides-hyaluronan (HA), sodium alginate (ALG), or κ-carrageenan (CAR)-and subsequently with positively charged chitosan (CS). The penetration of the polysaccharide solutions into the BC network and their interaction to form a polyelectrolyte complex changed the architecture of the BC network. The structure, morphology, and properties of the biocomposites depended on the type of impregnated anionic polysaccharides, and those polysaccharides in turn determined the nature of the interaction with CS.

Capturing the Conformational Ensemble of the Mixed Folded Polyglutamine Protein Ataxin-3.

Ataxin-3 is a deubiquitinase involved in protein quality control and other essential cellular functions. It preferentially interacts with polyubiquitin chains of four or more units attached to proteins delivered to the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Ataxin-3 is composed of an N-terminal Josephin domain and a flexible C terminus that contains two or three ubiquitin-interacting motifs (UIMs) and a polyglutamine tract, which, when expanded beyond a threshold, leads to protein aggregation and misfolding and causes spinocerebellar ataxia type 3.

Hydrophobic up-conversion carboxylated nanocellulose/fluoride phosphor composite films modified with alkyl ketene dimer.

Hydrophobic up-conversion nanocomposite films have been developed based on TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (TOCNF) modified with alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) as a matrix and MF:Ho (M = Ca, Sr) as a phosphor. Fabrication of homogeneous, strong and translucent TOCNF/MF:Ho-AKD films with water contact angle of 123 ± 2° was accomplished with mild drying at 110 °C. These hydrophobic nanocomposite films demonstrated stable up-conversion luminescence in the visible spectral range upon excitation of the I level of Ho ions by laser irradiation at 1912 nm both under ambient conditions and in a humid atmosphere (92 ± 2% humidity).

A new TlFeHf(MoO) ternary molybdate: crystal structure and properties.

Single crystals of TlFeHf(MoO) [a = b = 10.5550 (3), c = 37.7824 (9) Å, γ = 120°] are obtained by the self-flux method in the TlMoO-Fe(MoO)-Hf(MoO) system.

Arrays Formation of Zinc Oxide Nano-Objects with Varying Morphology for Sensor Applications.

The regularities and features of the formation of arrays of zinc oxide nano-objects with varying morphology are determined by CO laser processing with intensification of diffusion processes in the solid state of Cu-Zn metallic materials which are selectively oxidizable. In the process of laser treatment in air using the synergy of heat exposure and vibrations induced by laser with a force fundamental frequency of 100 Hz, the brass surface of samples is oxidized mainly with the generation of ZnO nanowires. The condition for intensification is the local non-stationary deformation caused by sound waves induced by laser.

Mechanical properties of anterior lens capsule assessed with AFM and nanoindenter in relation to human aging, pseudoexfoliation syndrome, and trypan blue staining.

The purpose of this study is the mechanical characterization of the mid-to- old-age human anterior lens capsules (ALCs) obtained by capsulorhexis using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and a nanoindenter at different spatial scales. The dependencies on the human age, presence or absence of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX), and application of trypan blue staining during the surgery were analyzed. The measurements on both the anterior (AS) and epithelial (ES) sides of the ALC were conducted and the effect of cells present on the epithelial side was carefully accounted for.

Fabrication and evaluation of nanocontainers for lipophilic anticancer drug delivery in 3D in vitro model.

Presently, most of anticancer drugs are high toxic for normal cells and, and as a result, they have severe side effects. Moreover, most of the formulations are lipophilic and have poor selectivity. To overcome these limitations, various drug delivery systems could be proposed.