Layered lithium cobalt nitrides: A new class of lithium intercalation compounds

Lithium cobalt nitrides Li_3−2xCo_xN (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.44) have been prepared and investigated as negative electrode in the 1/0.02 V potential window. The evolution of the unit cell parameters and unit cell volume with the Co content show a solid solution behaviour. Whatever the Co content, all these nitrides are electroactive with a single step around 0.6 V/0.7 V for the discharge and charge processes, respectively. The electrochemical behaviour observed is typical of a Li intercalation compound and involves the Co²⁺/Co⁺ redox couple in the interlayer plane combined with the reversible accommodation of Li⁺ ions in the cation vacancies located in Li₂N⁻ layers. XRD experiments performed after discharge, charge and cycling tests clearly indicate the hexagonal layered structure of the host lattice is maintained. This intercalation process explains the excellent capacity retention found after 50 cycles. A specific capacity of 180 mAh g⁻¹ at C/20 and 130 mAh g⁻¹ at C/5 rate (100 mA cm⁻²) is achieved for Li_2.23Co_0.39N. ac impedance measurements have allowed to characterize the kinetics of the reaction.     

Identification of Novel Fragments Binding to the PDZ1-2 Domain of PSD-95

Inhibition of PSD-95 has emerged as a promising strategy for the treatment of ischemic stroke, as shown with peptide-based compounds that target the PDZ domains of PSD-95. In contrast, developing potent and drug-like small molecules against the PSD-95 PDZ domains has so far been unsuccessful. Here, we explore the druggability of the PSD-95 PDZ1-2 domain and use fragment screening to investigate if this protein is prone to binding small molecules. We screened 2500 fragments by fluorescence polarization (FP) and validated the hits by surface plasmon resonance (SPR), including an inhibition counter-test, and found four promising fragments. Three ligand efficient fragments were shown by ¹H,¹⁵N HSQC NMR to bind in the small hydrophobic P⁰ pockets of PDZ1-2, and one of them underwent structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies. Overall, we demonstrate that fragment screening can successfully be applied to PDZ1-2 of PSD-95 and disclose novel fragments that can serve as starting points for optimization towards small-molecule PDZ domain inhibitors.     

Radiologic findings in gout

Radiological gout manifestations are detectable in the early stage, but also especially in the chronic stage of gout. Whereas in the early stage only soft tissue mutations (bursitis inflammation) and light calcium deposits are usually discernible, chronic gout leads to asymmetrical, diverse forms of osseous destruction, favouring smaller joints, but also affecting larger ones, which are caused by the intra-articular and extra-articular deposit of tophus material, corresponding to the progression and degree of severity of the illness. Radiologically-detectable changes in other organs, such as the kidneys, will be addressed. The high number of, and to some extent very characteristic, osseous mutations are compared with those mutations which are very similar to the diagnoses of other syndromes affecting the joints. Specifically, problems in differentiating diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, arthritis psoriatica, chondrocalcinosis, and other diseases of the joints will receive special mention. Reference is also made to the extreme diagnostic difficulties resulting from the rare but nevertheless conceivable influence of gout on the spine or sacroiliac joints. The method of magnetic resonance imaging for gout shows a characteristic signal behaviour of the tophus material. It has been determined that, through magnetic resonance tomography, interosseous tophi can be detected earlier and in a more widespread manner than with the aid of native X-ray images, such that an increase in the use of this method is to be expected.     

Bone tumors of the coracoid process of the scapula

Bone tumors of the coracoid process of the scapula are rare, and diagnosis and treatment often are delayed. The records of 18 patients with bone tumors of the coracoid process were reviewed. Histologic types included eight cases of ordinary chondrosarcoma, three cases of dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma, two cases of osteoid osteoma, and one case each of osteosarcoma, plasmacytoma, lymphoma, giant cell tumor, and aneurysmal bone cyst. All 18 patients had shoulder pain, and eight of them had been treated with steroid injections for nonneoplastic conditions. Radiologically, chondrosarcoma did not always show clear cortical destruction, and one giant cell tumor had features mimicking those of chondrosarcoma. Five patients (three with dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma, one with chondrosarcoma, one with plasmacytoma) died of disease. The coracoid process was the site with a markedly high proportion of chondrosarcomas. Bone tumors of the coracoid process may be difficult to detect on plain radiographs. In the patient with persistent shoulder pain unresponsive to the selected treatment, additional imaging studies should be considered to eliminate the possibility of a bone lesion.     

Kinematic analysis of patients with spinal muscular atrophy during spontaneous breathing and mechanical ventilation

Dinoseb is a herbicide known to inhibit photosystem II electron transfer like DCMU, triazine and phenolic-type herbicides. The mutant Din7 of the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803, selected for resistance to dinoseb, and the mutant Ins2, constructed by the insertion of the kanamycin resistance cassette into the drgA gene, were cross-resistant to other nitrophenolic herbicides (DNOC, 2,4-dinitrophenol) and to the cell inhibitor metronidazole but not to the photosystem II inhibitors DCMU or ioxynil. The Din7 mutant had the same characteristics of photosystem II inhibition by dinoseb as the wild type. This result suggested the existence of another site for dinoseb inhibition. The wild type cells modified dinoseb to a non-toxic product that gave an absorption spectrum similar to that of dithionite treated dinoseb containing reduced nitro groups. In contrast, the Din7 mutant did not modify dinoseb. These phenomena were controlled by the drgA gene encoding a protein which showed similarity to several enzymes having nitroreductase activity. The addition of superoxide dismutase to the medium relieved the toxic effect of dinoseb in wild type cells but not in Din7. It is proposed that in wild type cells of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 the DrgA protein is involved in detoxification of dinoseb via the reduction of the nitro group(s) and this process is accompanied by the formation of toxic superoxide anions. Mutations blocking the activity of the DrgA protein lead to the development of resistance to nitrophenolic herbicides and metronidazole.     

The highs and lows of change control

The process of change control in software project management is vital. But the forces that make it necessary also make it annoying. We worry about change because a tiny perturbation in the code can create a big failure in the product. But it can also fix a big failure or enable wonderful new capabilities. We worry about change because a single rogue developer could sink the project; yet brilliant ideas also originate in the minds of those rogues, and a burdensome change control process could effectively discourage them from doing creative work. The author's ambivalence about this issue is only deepened by the fact that change control processes are easily corrupted. Change control means risk analysis, and there's no easy or certain way to do that. Coupled with the amazing capacity we humans have for oversimplifying the complex, change control can become mindless resistance to change and an automatic rejection of all risk, regardless of potential reward. Or, just as easily, change control may degenerate into a set of empty rituals that allow any change to be made as long as the rituals are honored. Such a process is less a practical device than a sort of gargoyle meant to scare evil spirits or impress clients. Midway between allowing nothing or everything, change control may also become a political filter where change is resisted unless you're in with the in-crowd, regardless of the situation's merits. At SmartPatents, change control processes are (at least officially) the author's responsibility. He describes the process used at this software company     

Molecular typing of Borrelia burgdorferi from Lyme disease patients by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis

Ninety-three Borrelia burgdorferi isolates obtained from erythema migrans lesions or blood of Lyme disease patients in Westchester County, N.Y., between 1991 and 1994 were characterized by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of the 16S-23S rRNA gene spacer. All isolates could be classified into three distinct RFLP types. Among the 82 skin biopsy isolates studied, 21 (25.6%) were type 1, 37 (45.1%) were type 2, and 21 (25.6%) were type 3. Three (3.7%) cultures contained a mixture of two isolates with distinct RFLP types. The 11 isolates cultured from blood showed a similar predominance of RFLP type 2 (6 of 11; 54.5%) relative to types 1 (2 of 11; 18.2%) and 3 (3 of 11; 27.3%). For one patient both skin and blood isolates were cultured, and RFLP analysis revealed that these isolates differed from one another. This study demonstrates that there is genotypic heterogeneity in B. burgdorferi strains infecting Lyme disease patients, and this typing approach may allow differentiation of isolates with various degrees of pathogenic potential.