A Systematic Structure–Activity Study of a New Type of Small Peptidic Transfection Vector Reveals the Importance of a Special Oxo-Anion-Binding Motif for Gene Delivery

We discovered a new class of artificial peptidic transfection vectors based on an artificial anion-binding motif, the guanidiniocarbonylpyrrole (GCP) cation. This new type of vector is surprisingly smaller than traditional systems, and our previous work suggested that the GCP group was important for promoting critical endosomal escape. We now present here a systematic comparison of similar DNA ligands featuring our GCP oxo-anion-binding motif with DNA ligands only consisting of naturally occurring amino acids. Structure–activity studies showed that the artificial binding motif clearly outperformed natural amino acids such as histidine, lysine, and arginine. It improved the ability to shuttle foreign genetic material into cells, yet successfully mediated endosomal escape. Also, plasmids that were complexed by our artificial ligands were stabilized against cytosolic degradation to some extent. This resulted in the successful expression of plasmid information (comparable to gold standards such as polyethyleneimine). Hence, our study clearly demonstrates the importance of the tailor-made GCP anion-binding site for efficient gene transfection.     

Identification of burnt areas in Mediterranean forest environments from ERS-2 SAR time series

This article presents the multitemporal analysis of a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) image series of an area affected by several fires during the years 2000 and 2001 in Central Portugal. An initial study was carried out to determine the best conditions to acquire optimal SAR imagery. Burnt areas were classified using neural network techniques. The neural network classification presented an overall accuracy of 92.11% using an entire European Remote Sensing (ERS) SAR time series, whereas an accuracy of 89.90% was achieved when using a subset of scenes selected through principal components analysis (PCA). Finally, the burnt area maps obtained were compared to estimates from the Portuguese Forest Services (DGF, Direc@@o Geral das Florestas) and the European Forest Fires Damage Assessment System (EFFDAS). This comparison showed that the SAR-based methodology provided higher accuracy than the other systems. The sensitivity of the SAR data to determine burnt severity allowed the discrimination of partially burnt areas and isles within the perimeter of the fire. These results show that the analysis of the temporal variation in the ERS-SAR backscatter coefficient permits the extraction of accurate and reliable information on the position and extent of burnt areas in Mediterranean forest environments.     

Regulation of body water balance in reedfrogs (superspecies Hyperolius viridiflavus and Hyperolius marmoratus: Amphibia, Anura, Hyperoliidae) living in unpredictably varying savannah environments

The regulation of body water balance was examined in the reedfrogs Hyperolius marmoratus taeniatus and Hyperolius viridiflavus ommatostictus. Temperature and stage of post-metamorphic development significantly affected the rate of water uptake. Hydrated reedfrogs prevented hyperhydration by voiding diluted urine when obtaining water. Within 48 hr after rehydration, body fluid osmolality remained at low levels, which may be supportive to counter excessive cutaneous water influx in hydrated frogs. Once evaporative water loss exceeded 10-12% total body mass, reedfrogs became anuric. The rate of water uptake strongly increased with increasing body water deficit. Both the anuric response and the increased rate of water uptake are assumed to strongly enhance the efficacy of using very briefly available water sources during dry-period conditions. Dry-adapted and estivating reedfrogs survived evaporative water losses between 40 and 55% total body mass. Bladder fluid stores contributed substantially to this desiccation tolerance. During a 16-day period of desiccation, H. v. ommatostictus could replace approximately 25% of evaporative water loss from the bladder fluid store. During desiccation, the level of free amino acids selectively increased in the gastrocnemius muscle tissue, which may support cell volume regulation and/or protect cellular structures from osmotic stresses. Even strongly dehydrated reedfrogs rehydrated quickly with no obvious osmoregulatory problem. Rehydration was associated with a higher than expected decrease of free amino acids in the gastrocnemius muscle tissue, a response that may help to protect cells from bursting during fast rehydration.     

The Structure of Goal Contents Across 15 Cultures.

The authors investigated the structure of goal contents in a group of 1,854 undergraduates from 15 cultures around the world. Results suggested that the 11 types of goals the authors assessed were consistently organized in a circumplex fashion across the 15 cultures. The circumplex was well described by positing 2 primary dimensions underlying the goals: intrinsic (e.g., self-acceptance, affiliation) versus extrinsic (e.g., financial success, image) and self-transcendent (e.g., spirituality) versus physical (e.g., hedonism). The circumplex model of goal contents was also quite similar in both wealthier and poorer nations, although there were some slight cross-cultural variations. The relevance of these results for several theories of motivation and personality are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

A Branched Tripeptide with an Anion-Binding Motif as a New Delivery Carrier for Efficient Gene Transfection

Branched and dendrimeric cationic peptides have shown better transfection efficiency than linear peptides, owing to their superior capacity for inducing DNA condensation. We have designed and synthesized two analogously guanidinocarbonylpyrrole-substituted (GCP-substituted) branched cationic tripeptides that provide extremely strong electrostatic attraction towards DNA. Both ligands 1 and 2 can bind to DNA and form condensed complexes, owing to the branched structure and high positive charges, as demonstrated by isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), ζ potential and atomic force microscopy (AFM). After the replacement of the carboxylate group by an amide group, binding of ligand 2 to DNA shows exothermic enthalpy and positive entropy changes relative to ligand 1 . Rational interpretation would suggest that ligand 2 might aid the translocation of plasmid pF143 to HEK 293T cells, showing high gene transfection efficiency. This work therefore provides a facile way, by modifying a branched cationic tripeptide with GCP, to turn a peptide even a tripeptide into an efficient gene transfection vector.     

Dual pH‐Induced Reversible Self‐Assembly of Gold Nanoparticles by Surface Functionalization with Zwitterionic Ligands

The dual pH‐induced reversible self‐assembly (PIRSA) of Au‐nanoparticles (Au NPs) is reported, based on their decoration with the self‐complementary guanidiniocarbonyl pyrrole carboxylate zwitterion (GCPZ). The assembly of such functionalized Au NPs is found at neutral pH, based on supramolecular pairing of the GCPZ groups. The resulting self‐assembled system can be switched back to the disassembled state by addition of base or acid. Two predominant effects that contribute to the dual‐PIRSA of Au NPs are identified, namely the ionic hydrogen bonding between the GCPZ groups, but also a strong hydrophobic effect. The contribution of each interaction is depending on the concentration of GCPZ on NPs, which allows to control the self‐assembly state over a wide range of different water/solvent ratios.     

Test methods for polymeric insulating materials for outdoor HVinsulation

The paper describes an analysis of standardized and non-standardized test methods for polymeric insulating materials, either suitable or applied for, outdoor HV insulation. The analysis particularly considers the increasing use of silicone elastomers for composite insulators. In the first part, test methods covering erosion/tracking performance and hydrolysis phenomena are discussed. These are inclined plane test (IPT) and arc test (AT) for the evaluation of the tracking and erosion behavior as well as boiling water test (BWT) for the evaluation of the HV diffusion-breakdown-strength. These tests have a long tradition in the field of material research. Secondly, the resistance of hydrophobicity under accelerating aging conditions using simultaneous moisture and voltage stress is considered. Results from the rotating wheel dip test (RWDT) are presented and related to results from an equivalent salt-fog test. The third part of the paper deals with the regeneration of hydrophobicity after sample exposure to moisture and corona discharges. Recovery includes also the transfer of hydrophobicity into pollution layers, which is quantified by measurement of dynamic contact angle     

Development of a Surface‐Active Coating for Promoted Gas Hydrate Formation

This work deals with the influences of surface‐active coatings made by silanization with an increasing hydrophobicity on methane hydrate formation in view of induction times, gas uptake, and rate of gas consumption. Hydrate formation was performed in a stirred pressure autoclave under stationary and transient conditions in presence of different coatings made from diverse silanes. With increasing carbon chain length of the silanes, promoting effects were observed while using stationary formation conditions.