Production and Characterization of Peptide Antibodies to the C-Terminal of Frameshifted Calreticulin Associated with Myeloproliferative Diseases

Myeloproliferative Neoplasms (MPNs) constitute a group of rare blood cancers that are characterized by mutations in bone marrow stem cells leading to the overproduction of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and thrombocytes. Mutations in calreticulin (CRT) genes may initiate MPNs, causing a novel variable polybasic stretch terminating in a common C-terminal sequence in the frameshifted CRT (CRTfs) proteins. Peptide antibodies to the mutated C-terminal are important reagents for research in the molecular mechanisms of MPNs and for the development of new diagnostic assays and therapies. In this study, eight peptide antibodies targeting the C-terminal of CRTfs were produced and characterised by modified enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays using resin-bound peptides. The antibodies reacted to two epitopes: CREACLQGWTE for SSI-HYB 385-01, 385-02, 385-03, 385-04, 385-07, 385-08, and 385-09 and CLQGWT for SSI-HYB 385-06. For the majority of antibodies, the residues Cys¹, Trp⁹, and Glu¹¹ were essential for reactivity. SSI-HYB 385-06, with the highest affinity, recognised recombinant CRTfs produced in yeast and the MARIMO cell line expressing CRTfs when examined in Western immunoblotting. Moreover, SSI-HYB 385-06 occasionally reacted to CRTfs from MPN patients when analysed by flow cytometry. The characterized antibodies may be used to understand the role of CRTfs in the pathogenesis of MPNs and to design and develop new diagnostic assays and therapeutic targets.     

The perception of natural contour.

The observation that natural curves and surfaces are often fractal suggests that people may be sensitive to their statistical properties. The perceptual protocols that underlie discrimination between fractals and between other types of random contour and fractals are examined. Discrimination algorithms that have precisely the same sensitivities as human observers are constructed. These algorithms do not recognize the integrated scale hierarchy intrinsic to fractal form and operate by imposing a metatheory of structure that is based on a signal–noise distinction. The success of the algorithms implies that (1) self-affinity in random fractals is not perceptually recovered and (2) people have a natural disposition to view contour in terms of signal and noise. The authors propose that this disposition be understood as a principle of perceptual organization. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Moving Averages of Random Vectors with Regularly Varying Tails

Regular variation is an analytic condition on the tails of a probability distribution which is necessary for an extended central limit theorem to hold, when the tails are too heavy to allow attraction to a normal limit. The limiting distributions which can occur are called operator stable. In this paper we show that moving averages of random vectors with regularly varying tails are in the generalized domain of attraction of an operator stable law. We also prove that the sample autocovariance matrix of these moving averages is in the generalized domain of attraction of an operator stable law on the vector space of symmetric matrices.
AMS 1990 subject classification. Primary 62M10, secondary 62E20, 62F12, 60F05.     

Acid-catalyzed moisture-curing polyurea/polysiloxane ceramer coatings

The para-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TSA) was used to catalyze the moisture curing of an organic/inorganic hybrid coating system. The organic phase was based on the isocyanurate of 1,6-hexamethylene of diisocyanate (HDI). The inorganic phase was based on the prepolymerized oligomers of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS). An alkoxysilane-functionalized HDI isocyanate was added into the coating formulation to aid in phase miscibility. The general coating and tensile properties were evaluated as a function of the acid catalyst concentration. In addition, the films were analyzed using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamical mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). The results indicated that the acid catalyst enhanced the adhesive properties of the hybrid coatings. The addition of the acid catalyst increased the changed crosslink density of films and decreased the crystallinity of the organic phase.     

Rowlinson's concept of an effective hard sphere diameter

Attention is drawn to John Rowlinson's idea that the repulsive portion of the intermolecular interaction may be replaced by a temperature-dependent hard sphere diameter. It is this approximation that made the development of perturbation theory possible for realistic fluids whose intermolecular interactions have a steep, but finite, repulsion at short separations.     

Therapeutic applications of near‐infrared dyes

The interaction of dyes with cells and tissue is well understood, and the use of light‐activated compounds in therapy is becoming more established. However, the application of near‐infrared light in these areas, particularly from a therapeutic angle, has received little attention. With greatly improved access to near‐infrared light sources, there is considerable potential for therapeutic advances due to the increased tissue penetration offered by wavelengths in the 700–1000 nm region, particularly regarding blood vessel disorders and larger or deeper‐seated tumours. The design and development of suitably absorbing dyes to take advantage of near‐infraread illumination is discussed for the major structural types.