Preparation of stimuli responsive microgel with silver nanoparticles for biosensing and catalytic reduction of water pollutants.

Herein, we report poly(N-isopropylacrylamide/2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid) microgel fabricated with silver nanoparticles. The identification of copolymerization and functional groups in the bare microgel and those fabricated with silver nanoparticles was examined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The pH and temperature sensitivity of microgels was studied using dynamic light scattering. Thermogravimetric analysis was carried out to study the thermal stability. X-Ray diffraction patterns indicated the amorphous nature of bare microgel and crystalline nature of those containing silver nanoparticles. A bathochromic shift was found in the surface plasmon resonance of silver nanoparticles present in microgel with increase in pH of the medium. Moreover, the microgel containing silver nanoparticles served as an effective catalyst for reducing the toxic nitroaromatic pollutants and carcinogenic dyes. The microgel containing silver nanoparticles also showed good capability to serve as biosensor for the detection of hydrogen peroxide.

Differences in structural elements of Bcr-Abl oncoprotein isoforms in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.

in silico modeling, using Psipred and ExPASy servers was employed to determine the structural elements of Bcr-Abl oncoprotein (p210(BCR-ABL)) isoforms, b2a2 and b3a2, expressed in Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). Both these proteins are tyrosine kinases having masses of 210-kDa and differing only by 25 amino acids coded by the b3 exonand an amino acidsubstitution (Glu903Asp). The secondary structure elements of the two proteins show differences in five α-helices and nine ß-strands which relates to differences in the SH3, SH2, SH1 and DNA-binding domains. These differences can result in different roles played by the two isoforms in mediating signal transduction during the course of CML.

Comparative histopathological characterization of prostate cancer in Saudi patients by conventional and 2005 ISUP modified gleason systems.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the characterization of prostate cancer using the conventional and 2005 ISUP modified Gleason systems. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study employed samples from 40 prostate cancer patients with resection, biopsy and RP materials. The majority of cases (95%) comprised adenocarcinoma of the prostate with a modified combined Gleason score of 7 in 20 of the cases (50%). RESULTS: Upgrading of Gleason scores to a score of 7 occurred in more than 45% of the cases. CONCLUSION: The study successfully showed that by the use of the 2005 ISUP modified Gleason system, score 6 cancers decreased from 25% to 17.5% of cases, whereas score 7 cancers increased from 45% to 50%.

Model of ß-Sheet of Muscle Fatty Acid Binding Protein of Locusta migratoria Displays Characteristic Topology.

The ß-sheet of muscle fatty acid binding protein of Locusta migratoria (Lm-FABP) was modeled by employing 2-D NMR data and the Rigid Body Assembly method. The model shows the ß-sheet to comprise ten ß-strands arranged anti-parallel to each other. There is a ß-bulge between Ser 13 and Gln 14 which is a difference from the published structure of ß-sheet of bovine heart Fatty Acid Binding Protein. Also, a hydrophobic patch consisting of Ile 45, Phe 51, Phe 64 and Phe 66 is present on the surface which is characteristic of most Fatty Acid Binding Proteins. A "gap" is present between ßD and ßE that provides evidence for the presence of a portal or opening between the polypeptide chains which allows ligand fatty acids to enter the protein cavity and bind to the protein.