The HIV-1 Gag Protein Displays Extensive Functional and Structural Roles in Virus Replication and Infectivity

Once merely thought of as the protein responsible for the overall physical nature of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1), the Gag polyprotein has since been elucidated to have several roles in viral replication and functionality. Over the years, extensive research into the polyproteins’ structure has revealed that Gag can mediate its own trafficking to the plasma membrane, it can interact with several host factors and can even aid in viral genome packaging. Not surprisingly, Gag has also been associated with HIV-1 drug resistance and even treatment failure. Therefore, this review provides an extensive overview of the structural and functional roles of the HIV-1 Gag domains in virion integrity, functionality and infectivity.     

Oxidative Stress and Chemoradiation-Induced Oral Mucositis: A Scoping Review of In Vitro,In Vivo and Clinical Studies

Chemoradiation-induced mucositis is a debilitating condition of the gastrointestinal tract eventuating from antineoplastic treatment. It is believed to occur primarily due to oxidative stress mechanisms, which generate Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). The aim of this scoping review was to assess the role of oxidative stress in the development of Oral Mucositis (OM). Studies from the literature, published in MEDLINE and SCOPUS, that evaluated the oxidative stress pathways or antioxidant interventions for OM, were retrieved to elucidate the current understanding of their relationship. Studies failing inclusion criteria were excluded, and those suitable underwent data extraction, using a predefined data extraction table. Eighty-nine articles fulfilled criteria, and these were sub-stratified into models of study (in vitro, in vivo, or clinical) for evaluation. Thirty-five clinical studies evaluated antioxidant interventions on OM’s severity, duration, and pain, amongst other attributes. A number of clinical studies sought to elucidate the protective or therapeutic effects of compounds that had been pre-determined to have antioxidant properties, without directly assessing oxidative stress parameters (these were deemed “indirect evidence”). Forty-seven in vivo studies assessed the capacity of various compounds to prevent OM. Findings were mostly consistent, reporting reduced OM severity associated with a reduction in ROS, malondialdehyde (MDA), myeloperoxidase (MPO), but higher glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity or expression. Twenty-one in vitro studies assessed potential OM therapeutic interventions. The majority demonstrated successful a reduction in ROS, and in select studies, secondary molecules were assessed to identify the mechanism. In summary, this review highlighted numerous oxidative stress pathways involved in OM pathogenesis, which may inform the development of novel therapeutic targets.     

Correction to Kelley and Jouriles (2011).

Reports an error in An introduction to the special section on U.S. Military operations: Effects on military members' partners and children by Michelle L. Kelley and Ernest N. Jouriles (Journal of Family Psychology, 2011[Aug], Vol 25[4], 459-460). An author’s name cited in the text and the reference section was misspelled as Knoblock. The correct reference is Knobloch, L. K., & Theiss, J. A. (2011). Depressive symptoms and mechanisms of relational turbulence as predictors of relationship satisfaction among returning service members. Journal of Family Psychology, 25, 470–478. The online versions of this article have been corrected. (The following abstract of the original article appeared in record 2011-17889-001.) The deployment of U.S. military personnel to global hot spots, whether as combatants or as peacekeepers, has increased attention to the psychological well-being of military personnel and their family members. Despite the growing awareness that deployments have reverberating effects on all family members, theoretical explanations and empirical research on the impact of deployment on couple, family, and child adjustment, factors that serve to protect families from the demands of military employment, and effective methods of treating the mental health needs of military families are needed. The seven papers in this section increase our understanding of how the demands of U.S. military operations impact couples, family functioning, parenting, and child psychological adjustment and provide an additional resource for mental health professionals who work with these families. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Enhanced Detection of Protein in Urine by Droplet Evaporation on a Superhydrophobic Plastic

Protein in urine can be detected using a simple colorimetric output by evaporating droplets on a superhydrophobic (SH) surface. Evaporation on a SH surface allows fluid to dramatically concentrate; the weak surface adhesion allows the droplet of fluid to constantly decrease its footprint area and contact diameter. On a SH surface, pure water completely evaporates. Molecules in solution, however, are confined to a footprint that is 8.5 times smaller than the original and are greatly concentrated. By concentrating molecules, a 160 times improved detection sensitivity is achieved compared to controls. With the low‐cost fabrication method and simple technique, highly sensitive detection can be achieved in a low‐cost platform. Utility is demonstrated by detecting protein in urine in the pre‐eclampsia range (150–300 μgmL⁻¹) for pregnant women.     

Daily Enteral DHA Supplementation Alleviates Deficiency in Premature Infants

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential fatty acid (FA) important for health and neurodevelopment. Premature infants are at risk of DHA deficiency and circulating levels directly correlate with health outcomes. Most supplementation strategies have focused on increasing DHA content in mother's milk or infant formula. However, extremely premature infants may not reach full feedings for weeks and commercially available parenteral lipid emulsions do not contain preformed DHA, so blood levels decline rapidly after birth. Our objective was to develop a DHA supplementation strategy to overcome these barriers. This double‐blind, randomized, controlled trial determined feasibility, tolerability and efficacy of daily enteral DHA supplementation (50 mg/day) in addition to standard nutrition for preterm infants (24–34 weeks gestational age) beginning in the first week of life. Blood FA levels were analyzed at baseline, full feedings and near discharge in DHA (n = 31) or placebo supplemented (n = 29) preterm infants. Term peers (n = 30) were analyzed for comparison. Preterm infants had lower baseline DHA levels (p < 0.0001). Those receiving DHA had a progressive increase in circulating DHA over time (from 3.33 to 4.09 wt% or 2.88 to 3.55 mol%, p < 0.0001) while placebo‐supplemented infants (receiving standard neonatal nutrition) had no increase over time (from 3.35 to 3.32 wt% or 2.91 to 2.87 mol%). Although levels increased with additional DHA supplementation, preterm infants still had lower blood DHA levels than term peers (4.97 wt% or 4.31 mol%) at discharge (p = 0.0002). No differences in adverse events were observed between the groups. Overall, daily enteral DHA supplementation is feasible and alleviates deficiency in premature infants.     

The effect of compatibilization on the behavior of a polycarbonate/polymer liquid crystal blend

Polymer liquid crystalline materials (PLC) blended with engineering plastics (EP) have the potential to reduce viscosity and increase the modulus of the EP, particularly if the PLC is in a favorable fibrillar morphology. A major deficiency in these blends—as with many other immiscible polymeric systems—is poor failure properties. In this paper, polycarbonate (PC) and a rigid, all-aromatic commercial PLC are blended and a third resin, a copolymer of methyl methacrylate and N-methyl-dimethyl-glutarimide is included as a compatibilizing agent. Characterization of the binary and ternary blends is carried out using rheological, mechanical, morphological, and dynamic mechanical characterization techniques. Binary blends of PLC in a PC matrix result in an immiscible, nodular morphology with low failure stresses. The addition of the copolymeric compatibilizer—particularly one with reactive functionalities—is found to improve tensile strength and yield a fibrillar blend morphology. It is proposed that this may be due to the compatibilizer reducing interfacial tension and adhering to the blend phases, rather than by causing a major change in blend viscosity.     

Diffusivity of a drug preservative in bromobutyl rubber

Sorption of phenylethyl alcohol (a model drug preservative) by bromobutyl rubber (a polymer used in drug packaging) is characterized by relatively low apparent diffusivities at room temperature (D ≈︁ 10⁻¹⁰ cm²/s) and a high solubility that leads to considerable swelling of the polymer. The sorption curves for thin samples exhibit non-Fickian anomalies, which are normally observed only in glassy polymers, including two-stage sorption and sorption overshoot. The desorption curves were much more Fickian. The swelling kinetics were very slow, and true equilibrium was not reached in the time frame of most of the experiments, which ranged up to 78 days. This produced lower apparent diffusivities and higher activation energies for sorption compared to desorption.     

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Early Embryogenesis: Review

Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has four major isoforms: classical hCG, hyperglycosylated hCG, free β subunit, and sulphated hCG. Classical hCG is the first molecule synthesized by the embryo. Its RNA is transcribed as early as the eight-cell stage and the blastocyst produces the protein before its implantation. This review synthetizes everything currently known on this multi-effect hormone: hCG levels, angiogenetic activity, immunological actions, and effects on miscarriages and thyroid function.