Healing of deep venous thrombosis: venographic findings in a randomized study comparing streptokinase and heparin

Sequential ascending venographic studies were used to assess the healing of deep venous thrombosis in 50 patients randomly assigned to streptokinase or heparin therapy. Various degrees of thrombolysis and/or recanalization were demonstrated by venograms performed on the fourth and tenth days of treatment. Late follow-up studies (mean, 7 months after treatment) showed three basic patterns of resolution: (1) return to normal, (2) complete recanalization, and (3) incomplete recanalization and/or collateralization. Loss of valves or their function was associated with recanalization. The character, speed, and outcome of healing reflected the nature and extent of thrombosis, prior thrombotic disease in the extremity, and the type and timing of treatment. Streptokinase was highly effective and preferable to heparin in patients with deep vein thrombosis when therapy was begun within 4 days of onset of symptoms. In later stages of acute or recurrent deep vein thrombosis, the effectiveness of both drugs was significantly reduced.     

Effects of irradiation and drying on volatile components of fresh shiitake (Lentinus edodesSing)

Fresh shiitake (Lentinus edodes Sing) was irradiated with doses of 0·5, 1 and 2 kGy using ⁶⁰Co. Effects of γ-irradiation and drying on the volatile composition of shiitake were studied by gas chromatography (GC) and GC–mass spectrometry. Irradiation above 1·0 kGy could inhibit the growth and mould decay of fresh shiitakes after harvesting. Irradiation with 2 kGy increased the eight-carbon volatile components of fresh shiitake. Treatment at 1 kGy irradiation of fresh shiitake produced some new volatile compounds in the dry product, such as methylethyl disulphide, sulphinylbis methane, methyl(methylthio)ethyl disulphide and N-(3-methylbutyl) acetamide. The eight-carbon compounds mostly disappeared after drying. The amount of sulphur-containing volatile compounds in dried shiitake became lower during irradiation. Irradiation with doses of 1 or 2 kGy of fresh shiitake did not increase the volatile content of shiitake after drying. © 1998 SCI.     

The Homothorax homeoprotein activates the nuclear localization of another homeoprotein, extradenticle, and suppresses eye development in Drosophila

The Extradenticle (Exd) protein in Drosophila acts as a cofactor to homeotic proteins. Its nuclear localization is regulated. We report the cloning of the Drosophila homothorax (hth) gene, a homolog of the mouse Meis1 proto-oncogene that has a homeobox related to that of exd. Comparison with Meis1 finds two regions of high homology: a novel MH domain and the homeodomain. In imaginal discs, hth expression coincides with nuclear Exd. hth and exd also have virtually identical, mutant clonal phenotypes in adults. These results suggest that hth and exd function in the same pathway. We show that hth acts upstream of exd and is required and sufficient for Exd protein nuclear localization. We also show that hth and exd are both negative regulators of eye development; their mutant clones caused ectopic eye formation. Targeted expression of hth, but not of exd, in the eye disc abolished eye development completely. We suggest that hth acts with exd to delimit the eye field and prevent inappropriate eye development.     

Characterization of protein immobilization on nanoporous gold using atomic force microscopy and scanning electron microscopy

Nanoporous gold (NPG), made by dealloying low carat gold alloys, is a relatively new nanomaterial finding application in catalysis, sensing, and as a support for biomolecules. NPG has attracted considerable interest due to its open bicontinuous structure, high surface-to-volume ratio, tunable porosity, chemical stability and biocompatibility. NPG also has the attractive feature of being able to be modified by self-assembled monolayers. Here we use scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to characterize a highly efficient approach for protein immobilization on NPG using N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester functionalized self-assembled monolayers on NPG with pore sizes in the range of tens of nanometres. Comparison of coupling under static versus flow conditions suggests that BSA (Bovine Serum Albumin) and IgG (Immunoglobulin G) can only be immobilized onto the interior surfaces of free standing NPG monoliths with good coverage under flow conditions. AFM is used to examine protein coverage on both the exterior and interior of protein modified NPG. Access to the interior surface of NPG for AFM imaging is achieved using a special procedure for cleaving NPG. AFM is also used to examine BSA immobilized on rough gold surfaces as a comparative study. In principle, the general approach described should be applicable to many enzymes, proteins and protein complexes since both pore sizes and functional groups present on the NPG surfaces are controllable.     

Microstructure and characterization of electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) nanofiber scaffolds filled with graphene nanosheets

Graphene nanosheets (GNSs) have attracted significant scientific attention because of their remarkable features, including exceptional electron transport, excellent mechanical properties, high surface area, and antibacterial functions. Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solutions filled with GNSs were prepared for electrospinning, and their spinnability was correlated with their solution properties. The effects of GNS addition on solution rheology and conductivity were investigated. The as‐spun fibers were characterized via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction (WAXD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results revealed the effects of GNS on the microstructure, morphology, and crystallization properties of PVA/GNS composite nanofibers. The addition of GNSs in PVA solution increased the viscosity and conductivity of the solution. The electrospun fiber diameter of the PVA/GNS composite nanofiber was smaller than that of neat PVA nanofiber. GNSs were not only embedded at the fibers but also formed protrusions on the fibers. In addition, the crystallinity of PVA/GNS fiber decreased with higher GNS content. The possible application of PVA/GNS fibers in tissue engineering was also evaluated. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 41891.     

Structural studies of EcoRII methylase: exploring similarities among methylases

EcoRII methyltransferase (M.EcoRII) is a cytosine-C5 DNA methylating enzyme. A model of its three-dimensional structure is proposed on the basis of homology modeling. Crystal structures of two members of the same family of enzymes, HaeIII and HhaI methyltransferases (M.HaeIII and M.HhaI respectively), were used as template molecules. Molecular dynamics was used to ensure sampling of conformationally stable structures. The final model has good geometry. The DNA and cofactor binding residues are in expected positions and form proper interactions. M.EcoRII is 147 amino acids longer than the template molecules, and hence the model contains several loops that are significantly longer than those in M.HaeIII and M.HhaI. The model provides a framework for interpretation and designing site-directed mutants that have a potential to improve crystallization experiments of this enzyme, and possibly other similar enzymes.      

Anti-influenza Drug Discovery: Identification of an Orally Bioavailable Quinoline Derivative through Activity- and Property-Guided Lead Optimization

From a high-throughput screening (HTS) hit with inhibitory activity against virus-induced cytophathic in the low micromolar range, we have developed a potent anti-influenza lead through careful optimization without compromising the drug-like properties of the compound. An orally bioavailable compound was identified as a lead agent with nanomolar activity against influenza, representing a 140-fold improvement over the initial hit.     

Influence of Y-doped induced defects on the optical and magnetic properties of ZnO nanorod arrays prepared by low-temperature hydrothermal process

ABSTRACT: One-dimensional pure zinc oxide (ZnO) and Y-doped ZnO nanorod arrays have been successfully fabricated on the silicon substrate for comparison by a simple hydrothermal process at the low temperature of 90°C. The Y-doped nanorods exhibit the same c-axis-oriented wurtzite hexagonal structure as pure ZnO nanorods. Based on the results of photoluminescence, an enhancement of defect-induced green-yellow visible emission is observed for the Y-doped ZnO nanorods. The decrease of E2(H) mode intensity and increase of E1(LO) mode intensity examined by the Raman spectrum also indicate the increase of defects for the Y-doped ZnO nanorods. As compared to pure ZnO nanorods, Y-doped ZnO nanorods show a remarked increase of saturation magnetization. The combination of visible photoluminescence and ferromagnetism measurement results indicates the increase of oxygen defects due to the Y doping which plays a crucial role in the optical and magnetic performances of the ZnO nanorods.     

Production,health implications and applications of oleogels as fat replacer in food system: A review

Various food formulations widely utilized solid fats to provide specific textural properties and sensory attributes. Partially hydrogenated oil was commonly used as solid fat before being banned by FDA recently because of the existence of trans fats. Oleogels, semi-solid gel typically prepared from liquid vegetable oil and food-grade oleogelators, is developed as an alternative for solid fats that is free of trans fat and low in saturated fats. Oleogels are prepared via indirect or direct oleogelation technology by which the liquid oil is entrapped in a three-dimensional network with the aid of low molecular weight oleogelators (LMOGs) and high molecular weight oleogelators (HMOGs). Oleogels received tremendous attention from food scientists to be used in various food applications, particularly high-fat products such as comminuted meat, chocolates, ice cream, shortening and margarine and even as a deep-frying medium. They satisfy not only the current trends of consumers for healthy food products (free of trans fat and low in saturated fat) but also provide viscoelastic solid- and gel- like properties to structure high fat food products. More importantly, recent studies showed that oleogels tend to be metabolized differently from conventional fats and oils giving them an additional advantage in improving the nutritional value of high-fat foods. Therefore, this review aims to provide an overview that captures the latest studies on oleogels from their production via direct dispersion and indirect dispersion methods, processing conditions that influence the physical properties, metabolism and health attributes as well as recent application in food products.