Protein Regulation by Intrinsically Disordered Regions: A Role for Subdomains in the IDR of the HIV‐1 Rev Protein

Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) in proteins are highly abundant, but they are still commonly viewed as long stretches of polar, solvent‐accessible residues. Here we show that the disordered C‐terminal domain (CTD) of HIV‐1 Rev has two subregions that carry out two distinct complementary roles of regulating protein oligomerization and contributing to stability. We propose that this takes place through a delicate balance between charged and hydrophobic residues within the IDR. This means that mutations in this region, as well as the known mutations in the structured region of the protein, can affect protein function. We suggest that IDRs in proteins should be divided into subdomains similarly to structured regions, rather than being viewed as long flexible stretches.     

Tyramine production of technological important strains of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactobacillus</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lactococcus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptococcus</Emphasis>

The aim of this paper was to study the biogenic amines (histamine, tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, agmatine, spermine and spermidine) production of selected technological important lactic acid bacteria (strains of the genera Lactococcus, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus). Three methods (ion-exchange chromatography (IEC), PCR and cultivation method with pH indicator) were used. Within the 39 strains of lactic acid bacteria tested, the production of tyramine (formed by tyrosine decarboxylase) was detected in eight strains (3 strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, three strains of Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris, 1 strain of Streptococcus thermophilus and 1 strain of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus). The other tested biogenic amines were not detected. Cultivation in decarboxylation broth seems to be the least accurate method for the detection of biogenic amines due to enhanced risk of false-positive reactions. Therefore, in order to detect bacteria producing biogenic amines, the combination of PCR and chromatographic methods (e.g. IEC) can be recommended.     

Effect of Moisture Content on Thermal Properties of Porous Building Materials

The thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity of characteristic types of porous building materials are determined in the whole range of moisture content from dry to fully water-saturated state. A transient pulse technique is used in the experiments, in order to avoid the influence of moisture transport on measured data. The investigated specimens include cement composites, ceramics, plasters, and thermal insulation boards. The effect of moisture-induced changes in thermal conductivity and specific heat capacity on the energy performance of selected building envelopes containing the studied materials is then analyzed using computational modeling of coupled heat and moisture transport. The results show an increased moisture content as a substantial negative factor affecting both thermal properties of materials and energy balance of envelopes, which underlines the necessity to use moisture-dependent thermal parameters of building materials in energy-related calculations.     

Concentrations of urinary pesticide metabolites in small-scale farmers in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand

Our research goal was to assess exposure to currently used pesticides among small-scale male farmers residing in two topographically different areas in Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Farmers (N = 136) were recruited from Pong Yaeng subdistrict (N = 67) and Inthakhin subdistrict (N = 69). Each farmer provided a morning urine void for the analysis of 30 urinary metabolites of insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides. Farmers in Pong Yaeng had significantly higher urinary concentrations of metabolites of organophosphorus insecticides and ethylene bisdithiocarbamates, while farmers from Inthakhin had significantly higher concentrations of malathion, 2,4-D, alachlor, and parathion or EPN metabolites. Based upon the metabolites measured in the urine of the farmers, chlorpyrifos and pyrethroid insecticides seemed to be commonly used across both communities; no significant differences in metabolite concentrations of these insecticides were observed between the two farmer groups. The presence of methamidaphos in the urine of farmers suggests that, despite a ban on its use, methamidaphos continues to be used in the communities. A similar finding with metabolites of methyl parathion must be further investigated. Overall, our results suggest that while each community may use different pesticides, Thai farmers are exposed to a wide variety of pesticides with a broad range in exposure magnitude. Furthermore, age, field size, crop production type, and the use of protective equipment were found to be potential factors influencing the degree of exposure.     

Revisiting the Role of the Triple-Phase Boundary in Promoting the Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Aluminum–Air Batteries

The decomposition, electron transfer, and protonation of oxygen molecules are typically assumed to be the rate-limiting steps of the oxygen reduction reactions (ORR), and the activation energy barriers of these reactions can be surmounted using catalysts. In this study, the physical rate-limiting step of the ORR consists of the adsorption of gaseous oxygen molecules at the liquid–solid phase boundary, indicating that the formation of a gas–liquid–solid triple-phase boundary (TPB) is important for accelerating the ORR kinetics. This is experimentally confirmed by analyzing the ORR in aluminum–air batteries. Moreover, the formation of a TPB using the hierarchical pores of sparked reduced graphene oxide is demonstrated, which serve as the cathode, and the remarkable electrochemical performance of the fabricated battery is presented. These findings can be used to accelerate the ORR kinetics by maximizing the TPB, particularly in aluminum–air batteries.     

Household air pollution and blood markers of inflammation: A cross-sectional analysis

Household air pollution (HAP) from biomass stoves is a leading risk factor for cardiopulmonary outcomes; however, its toxicity pathways and relationship with inflammation markers are poorly understood. Among 180 adult women in rural Peru, we examined the cross-sectional exposure-response relationship between biomass HAP and markers of inflammation in blood using baseline measurements from a randomized trial. We measured markers of inflammation (CRP, IL-6, IL-10, IL-1β, and TNF-α) with dried blood spots, 48-h kitchen area concentrations and personal exposures to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), black carbon (BC), and carbon monoxide (CO), and 48-h kitchen concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) in a subset of 97 participants. We conducted an exposure-response analysis between quintiles of HAP levels and markers of inflammation. Markers of inflammation were more strongly associated with kitchen area concentrations of BC than PM_2.5. As expected, kitchen area BC concentrations were positively associated with TNF-α (pro-inflammatory) concentrations and negatively associated with IL-10, an anti-inflammatory marker, controlling for confounders in single- and multi-pollutant models. However, contrary to expectations, kitchen area BC and NO₂ concentrations were negatively associated with IL-1β, a pro-inflammatory marker. No associations were identified for IL-6 or CRP, or for any marker in relation to personal exposures.     

Exosomal microRNAs as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer worldwide and the second most common cause of cancer-related death globally. This type of liver cancer is frequently detected at a late stage by current biomarkers because of the high clinical and biological heterogeneity of HCC tumours. From a plethora of molecules and cellular compounds, small nanoparticles with an endosomal origin are valuable cancer biomarkers or cargos for novel treatments. Despite their small sizes, in the range of 40–150 nm, these particles are delimited by a lipid bilayer membrane with a specific lipid composition and carry functional information—RNA, proteins, miRNAs, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), or DNA fragments. This review summarizes the role of exosomal microRNA (miRNA) species as biomarkers in HCC therapy. After we briefly introduce the exosome biogenesis and the methods of isolation and characterization, we discuss miRNA’s correlation with the diagnosis and prognosis of HCC, either as single miRNA species, or as specific panels with greater clinical impact. We also review the role of exosomal miRNAs in the tumourigenic process and in the cell communication pathways through the delivery of cargos, including proteins or specific drugs.     

Current Understanding of the Relationship between Blood Donor Variability and Blood Component Quality

While differences among donors has long challenged meeting quality standards for the production of blood components for transfusion, only recently has the molecular basis for many of these differences become understood. This review article will examine our current understanding of the molecular differences that impact the quality of red blood cells (RBC), platelets, and plasma components. Factors affecting RBC quality include cytoskeletal elements and membrane proteins associated with the oxidative response as well as known enzyme polymorphisms and hemoglobin variants. Donor age and health status may also be important. Platelet quality is impacted by variables that are less well understood, but that include platelet storage sensitive metabolic parameters, responsiveness to agonists accumulating in storage containers and factors affecting the maintenance of pH. An increased understanding of these variables can be used to improve the quality of blood components for transfusion by using donor management algorithms based on a donors individual molecular and genetic profile.     

Mochi: Composing Data Services for High-Performance Computing Environments

Technology enhancements and the growing breadth of application workflows running on high-performance computing(HPC)platforms drive the development of new data services that provide high performance on these new platforms,provide capable and productive interfaces and abstractions for a variety of applications,and are readily adapted when new technologies are deployed.The Mochi framework enables composition of specialized distributed data services from a collection of connectable modules and subservices.Rather than forcing all applications to use a one-size-fits-all data staging and I/O software configuration,Mochi allows each application to use a data service specialized to its needs and access patterns.This paper introduces the Mochi framework and methodology.The Mochi core components and microservices are described.Examples of the application of the Mochi methodology to the development of four specialized services are detailed.Finally,a performance evaluation of a Mochi core component,a Mochi microservice,and a composed service providing an object model is performed.The paper concludes by positioning Mochi relative to related work in the HPC space and indicating directions for future work.