2-(2-Hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylidene)-1,3-indanedione versus Fluorescein Isothiocyanate in Interaction with Anti-hFABP Immunoglobulin G1: Fluorescence Quenching,Secondary Structure Alteration and Binding Sites Localization

The first step in determining whether a fluorescent dye can be used for antibody labeling consists in collecting data on its physical interaction with the latter. In the present study, the interaction between the 2-(2-hydroxy-5-nitrobenzylidene)-1,3-indanedione (HNBID) dye and the IgG1 monoclonal mouse antibody anti-human heart fatty acid binding protein (anti-hFABP) has been investigated by fluorescence and circular dichroism spectroscopies and complementary structural results were obtained by molecular modeling. We have determined the parameters characterizing this interaction, namely the quenching and binding constants, classes of binding sites, and excited state lifetimes, and we have predicted the localization of HNBID within the Fc region of anti-hFABP. The key glycosidic and amino acid residues in anti-hFABP interacting with HNBID have also been identified. A similar systematic study was undertaken for the well-known fluorescein isothiocyanate fluorophore, for comparison purposes. Our results recommend HNBID as a valuable alternative to fluorescein isothiocyanate for use as a fluorescent probe for IgG1 antibodies.     

Validation of single nucleotide polymorphisms associated with milk production traits in dairy cattle

Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associations with milk production traits found to be significant in different screening experiments, including SNP in genes hypothesized to be in gene pathways affecting milk production, were tested in a validation population to confirm their association. In total, 423 SNP were genotyped across 411 Holstein bulls, and their association with 6 milk production traits--Australian Selection Index (indicating the profitability of an animal's milk production), protein, fat, and milk yields, and protein and fat composition--were tested using single SNP regressions. Seventy-two SNP were significantly associated with one or more of the traits; their effects were in the same direction as in the screening experiment and therefore their association was considered validated. An over-representation of SNP (43 of the 423) on chromosome 20 was observed, including a SNP in the growth hormone receptor gene previously published as having an association with protein composition and protein and milk yields. The association with protein composition was confirmed in this experiment, but not the association with protein and milk yields. A multiple SNP regression analysis for all SNP on chromosome 20 was performed for all 6 traits, which revealed that this mutation was not significantly associated with any of the milk production traits and that at least 2 other quantitative trait loci were present on chromosome 20.     

Luminescent and structural properties of ZnO-Ag films

ZnO-Ag thin films were prepared by a two-stage method on glass and sapphire substrates. Ag doping was carried out by a method of close space sublimation at atmospheric pressure. The film thickness is varied from 0.6 to 7 μm. The structural and radiative properties were explored by X-ray diffraction technique, atomic force microscopy, photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. The influence of the fabricating conditions on the properties of ZnO-Ag films is studied. It is found that the Ag doping modifies the crystalline structure of the films and promotes the oriented growth of monocrystalline blocks with the size of 500–2000 nm in the [0002] direction. Improvement of the crystalline quality correlates with the change of the radiative characteristics of the films. The origin of emission centers is discussed.     

Simulation of exoskeleton sit-to-stand movement

Problems of simulating the processes of exoskeleton sit-to-stand movement are considered. A mathematical model of the device is described. The diagram of an automatic control system is proposed, based on the ZMP method. The results of the mathematical simulating are given. It is shown that the proposed control system makes verticalization possible without falling from a wide range of initial conditions.     

Computation of higher‐order moments of generalized polynomial chaos expansions

Because of the complexity of fluid flow solvers, non‐intrusive uncertainty quantification techniques have been developed in aerodynamic simulations in order to compute the quantities of interest required in an optimization process, for example. The objective function is commonly expressed in terms of moments of these quantities, such as the mean, standard deviation, or even higher‐order moments. Polynomial surrogate models based on polynomial chaos expansions have often been implemented in this respect. The original approach of uncertainty quantification using polynomial chaos is however intrusive. It is based on a Galerkin‐type formulation of the model equations to derive the governing equations for the polynomial expansion coefficients. Third‐order, indeed fourth‐order moments of the polynomials are needed in this analysis. Besides, both intrusive and non‐intrusive approaches call for their computation provided that higher‐order moments of the quantities of interest need to be post‐processed. In most applications, they are evaluated by Gauss quadratures and eventually stored for use throughout the computations. In this paper, analytical formulas are rather considered for the moments of the continuous polynomials of the Askey scheme, so that they can be evaluated by quadrature‐free procedures instead. Matlab^© codes have been developed for this purpose and tested by comparisons with Gauss quadratures. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparison of a class of millimeter-band slow-wave structures with a traditional chain of coupled resonators

Results of the analysis of a class of folded-waveguide slow-wave structures (a classical folded waveguide and coupled rectangular resonators) and resonator slow-wave structures (a comb-square, a ring on opposing metal mounts, and a traditional chain of coupled resonators) of the millimeter band are presented. Results on the comparative analysis of the characteristics of studied structures from the viewpoint of application of such structures, depending on their functional area, in O-type traveling-wave tubes of the short-wave band are given.     

Desoxyepothilone B is curative against human tumor xenografts that are refractory to paclitaxel

The epothilones are naturally occurring, cytotoxic macrolides that function through a paclitaxel (Taxol)-like mechanism. Although structurally dissimilar, both classes of molecules lead to the arrest of cell division and eventual cell death by stabilizing cellular microtubule assemblies. The epothilones differ in their ability to retain activity against multidrug-resistant (MDR) cell lines and tumors where paclitaxel fails. In the current account, we focus on the relationship between epothilone and paclitaxel in the context of tumors with multiple drug resistance. The epothilone analogue Z-12,13-desoxyepothilone B (dEpoB) is >35,000-fold more potent than paclitaxel in inhibiting cell growth in the MDR DC-3F/ADX cell line. Various formulations, routes, and schedules of i.v. administration of dEpoB have been tested in nude mice. Slow infusion with a Cremophor-ethanol vehicle proved to be the most beneficial in increasing efficacy and decreasing toxicity. Although dEpoB performed similarly to paclitaxel in sensitive tumors xenografts (MX-1 human mammary and HT-29 colon tumor), its effects were clearly superior against MDR tumors. When dEpoB was administered to nude mice bearing our MDR human lymphoblastic T cell leukemia (CCRF-CEM/paclitaxel), dEpoB demonstrated a full curative effect. For human mammary adenocarcinoma MCF-7/Adr cells refractory to paclitaxel, dEpoB reduced the established tumors, markedly suppressed tumor growth, and surpassed other commonly used chemotherapy drugs such as adriamycin, vinblastine, and etoposide in beneficial effects.