Partially reversible adsorption of annexin A1 on POPC/POPS bilayers investigated by QCM measurements, SFM, and DMC simulations

The kinetics of annexin A1 binding to solid-supported lipid bilayers consisting of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC)/1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoserine (POPS; 4:1) has been investigated as a function of the calcium ion concentration in the bulk phase. Quartz crystal microbalance measurements in conjunction with scanning force microscopy, fluorescence microscopy, and computer simulations indicate that at a given Ca2+ concentration annexin A1 adsorbs irreversibly on membrane domains enriched in POPS. By contrast, annexin A1 adsorbs reversibly on the POPC-enriched phase, which is composed of single POPS molecules embedded within a POPC matrix. The overall area occupied by the POPS-enriched phase is controlled by the CaCl2 concentration. Monte Carlo simulations suggest that the area of the POPS-enriched phase increases by a factor of 7 when the Ca2+ concentration is changed from 0.01 to 1 mM.     

Polyaza crown ethers as non-nucleosidic building blocks in DNA conjugates: synthesis and remarkable stabilization of dsDNA

The synthesis of amphiphilic polyaza crown ether monomers X (benzyl-substituted), Y (palmityl-substituted) and Z (cholesteryl-substituted) and their incorporation into oligonucleotides are described. Their effects on thermal duplex stability were investigated by UV melting curve analysis in different alkaline metal buffer solutions. Thermal-denaturation experiments showed remarkable stabilization of dsDNA by polyaza crown ether monomers when incorporated in opposite positions. The series of polyaza crown ether monomers (X, Y and Z) with different overall lipophilicities showed a trend of increased stability of the corresponding dsDNA with increasing lipophilicity of the polyaza crown ether monomer. Multiple incorporations of benzyl-substituted polyaza crown ether monomer X as dangling ends on both sides of dsDNA resulted in strongly increased stability of the corresponding duplex.     

Saccharomyces cerevisiae S288C genome annotation: a working hypothesis

The S. cerevisiae genome is the most well-characterized eukaryotic genome and one of the simplest in terms of identifying open reading frames (ORFs), yet its primary annotation has been updated continually in the decade since its initial release in 1996 (Goffeau et al., 1996). The Saccharomyces Genome Database (SGD; www.yeastgenome.org) (Hirschman et al., 2006), the community-designated repository for this reference genome, strives to ensure that the S. cerevisiae annotation is as accurate and useful as possible. At SGD, the S. cerevisiae genome sequence and annotation are treated as a working hypothesis, which must be repeatedly tested and refined. In this paper, in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the completion of the S. cerevisiae genome sequence, we discuss the ways in which the S. cerevisiae sequence and annotation have changed, consider the multiple sources of experimental and comparative data on which these changes are based, and describe our methods for evaluating, incorporating and documenting these new data.     

Co-deposition and densification of SiC with MgO for biomedical applications

This article focuses on the electrophoretic co-deposition of SiC and MgO, which has not been previously reported. The EPD of SiC has been widely investigated, whilst the EPD of SiC with sintering additives is usually not taken into account since every compound added to the suspension seriously affects the zeta-potential and the conductivity, the two main parameters that should be optimized to achieve a good deposit. We comprehensively observed the effects of the individual compounds on the colloidal behaviour of a suspension suitable for co-deposition to achieve good homogeneity and the highest possible green density. The obtained green densities reached up to 1.92 g/cm³, which correspond to 60% of theoretical density, whilst after sintering in open air at 1350 °C the densities reached 2.33 g/cm³. SEM and TEM analyses revealed that the microstructure is composed of SiC grains embedded in a SiO₂ matrix, whilst XRD confirmed that even though the sintering caused a partial oxidation and the appearance of an amorphous phase, the prevailing crystalline phase is still β-SiC. In the presence of MgO, SiO₂ also appears in the crystalline form as cristobalite.     

Decision support for rehabilitation hospital scheduling

We present a detailed analysis of the patient and resource scheduling problem in rehabilitation hospitals. In practice, the predominantly therapeutical treatments and activities which are prescribed for the patients are typically scheduled manually. This leads to rigid and inefficient schedules which can have negative effects on the quality of care and the patients’ satisfaction. We outline the conceptual framework of a decision support system for the scheduling process that is based on formal optimization models. To this end, we first develop a large-scale monolithic optimization model. Then we derive a numerically tractable hierarchical model system in order to deal with problem instances of realistic sizes. We report numerical results with respect to solution times, model sizes and solution quality.     

Life-cycle assessment and repair of the railway transition zones of an existing bridge using geocomposite materials

The railway infrastructure is a very important component of the world’s total transportation network. Investment in its construction and maintenance is therefore significant on a global scale. Up to now, some results of the life-cycle assessment (LCA) of open railway line, as well as railway bridges and tunnels, have been published, but detailed analyses of transition zones have not so far been performed. In railway networks, transitional zones are a critical area where the transition from open rail to solid bridge construction can cause significant settlements. The goal of these analyses was to compare two different types of track renewal methods for railway transition zones. In the first method, traditional cement stabilisation is used, whereas the second solution makes use of a geocomposite anchored by steel anchors. The paper presents some results from an environmental study for railway transition zones based on the demonstration case. The results of the performed LCA showed that, in the case of track renewal for transition zones by means of a geocomposite and anchors, the environmental impact is lower than in the case when cement stabilisation works are performed. Less extensive excavation works and thus lower quantities of used material are additional benefits.     

Development of benzophenone-based farnesyltransferase inhibitors as novel antimalarials

The development of farnesyltransferase inhibitors directed against Plasmodium falciparum is a strategy towards new drugs against malaria. Previously, we described benzophenone-based farnesyltransferase inhibitors with high in vitro antimalarial activity but no in vivo activity. Through the introduction of a methylpiperazinyl moiety, farnesyltransferase inhibitors with in vivo antimalarial activity were obtained. Subsequently, a structure-based design approach was chosen to further improve the antimalarial activity of this type of inhibitor. As no crystal structure of the farnesyltransferase of the target organism is available, homology modeling was used to reveal differences between the active sites of the rat/human and the P. falciparum farnesyltransferase. Based on flexible docking data, the piperazinyl moiety was replaced by a N,N,N'-trimethylethylenediamine moiety. This resulted in an inhibitor with significantly improved in vitro and in vivo antimalarial activity. Furthermore, this inhibitor displayed a notable increase in selectivity towards malaria parasites relative to human cells.     

Preparation of water‐soluble starch oligomers from variable starch species in 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride

Native wheat, barley, rice, maize, wx maize, and potato starch species were modified by depolymerization in 1‐allyl‐3‐methylimidazolium chloride ([AMIM]Cl) ionic liquid (IL) using oil bath or microwave heating. Reactions were catalyzed with p‐toluenesulfonic acid (p‐TsOH). Reaction times varied depending on the starch species and its concentration, the heating method, and volume of the reaction mixture. Depolymerization products were analyzed with HPLC‐ELSD. All starch species mostly degraded into water‐soluble 1500–2000 Da‐sized starch oligomers. Glucose and other short‐chained sugars did not precipitate along with starch oligomers due to their high solubility in IL. This property was utilized in the purification of commercial maltodextrins. Produced water‐soluble, low MW starch oligomers might be used, e.g., in bacterial cultivations as a glucose source.     

Processes underlying congruent and incongruent facial reactions to emotional facial expressions.

The present electromyographic study is a first step toward shedding light on the involvement of affective processes in congruent and incongruent facial reactions to facial expressions. Further, empathy was investigated as a potential mediator underlying the modulation of facial reactions to emotional faces in a competitive, a cooperative, and a neutral setting. Results revealed less congruent reactions to happy expressions and even incongruent reactions to sad and angry expressions in the competition condition, whereas virtually no differences between the neutral and the cooperation condition occurred. Effects on congruent reactions were found to be mediated by cognitive empathy, indicating that the state of empathy plays an important role in the situational modulation of congruent reactions. Further, incongruent reactions to sad and angry faces in a competition setting were mediated by the emotional reaction of joy, supporting the assumption that incongruent facial reactions are mainly based on affective processes. Additionally, strategic processes (specifically, the goal to create and maintain a smooth, harmonious interaction) were found to influence facial reactions while being in a cooperative mindset. Now, further studies are needed to test for the generalizability of these effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)