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1.
Acta Radiol ; 64(2): 666-674, 2023 Feb.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35538854

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Micro instability of the hip joint has been suggested to cause pain in patients with hip dysplasia. Recently, the Femoral-Epiphyseal Acetabular Roof (FEAR) index has been developed to evaluate hip instability in patients with dysplasia. PURPOSE: To investigate associations between the FEAR index and patient-reported outcomes before and six months after periacetabular osteotomy (PAO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Radiographs of patients with hip dysplasia who underwent PAO between 2018 and 2020 were retrospectively assessed by a radiologist and an orthopedic surgeon. Radiographic measurements indicative of hip instability (Shenton's line, FEAR index, center-edge angle of Wiberg, acetabular index of Tönnis, and the femoral neck-shaft angle) were measured. Data on hip pain, function, and quality of life were collected prospectively using the Hip dysfunction and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (HOOS). RESULTS: A total of 222 patients were included in the study. All radiographic measurements and patient-reported outcomes improved significantly from preoperative to six months postoperative (P < 0.001). There were no differences in the change score of patient-reported outcomes between patients with a FEAR index >2° (indicative of hip instability) and patients with a FEAR index ≤2°. CONCLUSION: The FEAR index was not associated with hip pain, function, and quality of life among patients with hip dysplasia. This study did not find evidence supporting that instability defined by the FEAR index caused pain in patients with hip dysplasia.


Assuntos
Luxação Congênita de Quadril , Luxação do Quadril , Humanos , Luxação do Quadril/complicações , Luxação do Quadril/diagnóstico por imagem , Luxação do Quadril/cirurgia , Estudos Retrospectivos , Qualidade de Vida , Acetábulo/diagnóstico por imagem , Acetábulo/cirurgia , Articulação do Quadril/cirurgia , Dor , Resultado do Tratamento
2.
Sci Transl Med ; 14(653): eabm9043, 2022 07 13.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35857639

RESUMO

T cell-directed cancer immunotherapy often fails to generate lasting tumor control. Harnessing additional effectors of the immune response against tumors may strengthen the clinical benefit of immunotherapies. Here, we demonstrate that therapeutic targeting of the interferon-γ (IFN-γ)-interleukin-12 (IL-12) pathway relies on the ability of a population of natural killer (NK) cells with tissue-resident traits to orchestrate an antitumor microenvironment. In particular, we used an engineered adenoviral platform as a tool for intratumoral IL-12 immunotherapy (AdV5-IL-12) to generate adaptive antitumor immunity. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that AdV5-IL-12 is capable of inducing the expression of CC-chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5) in CD49a+ NK cells both in tumor mouse models and tumor specimens from patients with cancer. AdV5-IL-12 imposed CCL5-induced type I conventional dendritic cell (cDC1) infiltration and thus increased DC-CD8 T cell interactions. A similar observation was made for other IFN-γ-inducing therapies such as Programmed cell death 1 (PD-1) blockade. Conversely, failure to respond to IL-12 and PD-1 blockade in tumor models with low CD49a+ CXCR6+ NK cell infiltration could be overcome by intratumoral delivery of CCL5. Thus, therapeutic efficacy depends on the abundance of NK cells with tissue-resident traits and, specifically, their capacity to produce the DC chemoattractant CCL5. Our findings reveal a barrier for T cell-focused therapies and offer mechanistic insights into how T cell-NK cell-DC cross-talk can be enhanced to promote antitumor immunity and overcome resistance.


Assuntos
Integrina alfa1 , Neoplasias , Animais , Células Dendríticas , Imunoterapia , Integrina alfa1/metabolismo , Interleucina-12/metabolismo , Células Matadoras Naturais , Camundongos , Neoplasias/patologia , Receptor de Morte Celular Programada 1/metabolismo , Microambiente Tumoral
3.
Food Chem ; 384: 132540, 2022 Aug 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35231714

RESUMO

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has been intended as an encouraging biopolymer for packaging purposes. Nevertheless, PLA-based films suffer from low gas barrier properties, which restrict their applications. Here, we report a facile fabrication of multi-component coating via layer deposition of cinnamaldehyde (CIN)-doped chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol)/fish gelatin (CPF) on PLA surfaces. Different PLA/CPF ratios (100:0, 77.5:22.5, 55:45, 32.5:67.5, and 0:100) were tested, whereas the PLA55:CPF45 was selected for loading of CIN. The surface and morphology analyses of the bilayers verify that CPF layers are successfully coated on the PLA surfaces. This design improved the mechanical strength and water barrier of CPF films and simultaneously enhanced the ductility of PLA films. By deposition of CIN-doped CPF layer on a PLA substrate, the oxygen permeability decreased from 28.92 to 0.238 cm3 mm/m2 day bar, approximately 122 times lower than that of bare PLA. CIN loadings in the CPF layer endowed bilayer films with antioxidant/antimicrobial activity.


Assuntos
Antioxidantes , Embalagem de Alimentos , Animais , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Poliésteres/química
4.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 118(21)2021 05 25.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34001602

RESUMO

The goal of cancer-drug delivery is to achieve high levels of therapeutics within tumors with minimal systemic exposure that could cause toxicity. Producing biologics directly in situ where they diffuse and act locally is an attractive alternative to direct administration of recombinant therapeutics, as secretion by the tumor itself provides high local concentrations that act in a paracrine fashion continuously over an extended duration (paracrine delivery). We have engineered a SHielded, REtargeted ADenovirus (SHREAD) gene therapy platform that targets specific cells based on chosen surface markers and converts them into biofactories secreting therapeutics. In a proof of concept, a clinically approved antibody is delivered to orthotopic tumors in a model system in which precise biodistribution can be determined using tissue clearing with passive CLARITY technique (PACT) with high-resolution three-dimensional imaging and feature quantification within the tumors made transparent. We demonstrate high levels of tumor cell-specific transduction and significant and durable antibody production. PACT gives a localized quantification of the secreted therapeutic and allows us to directly observe enhanced pore formation in the tumor and destruction of the intact vasculature. In situ production of the antibody led to an 1,800-fold enhanced tumor-to-serum antibody concentration ratio compared to direct administration. Our detailed biochemical and microscopic analyses thus show that paracrine delivery with SHREAD could enable the use of highly potent therapeutic combinations, including those with systemic toxicity, to reach adequate therapeutic windows.


Assuntos
Anticorpos/farmacologia , Sistemas de Liberação de Medicamentos , Terapia Genética , Neoplasias/tratamento farmacológico , Adenoviridae/genética , Animais , Anticorpos/genética , Anticorpos/imunologia , Antígenos de Superfície/genética , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Vetores Genéticos/genética , Vetores Genéticos/farmacologia , Humanos , Imageamento Tridimensional , Camundongos , Neoplasias/genética , Neoplasias/imunologia , Neoplasias/patologia , Comunicação Parácrina/efeitos dos fármacos
5.
Mol Ther Methods Clin Dev ; 20: 572-586, 2021 Mar 12.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33665227

RESUMO

Adenovirus-mediated combination gene therapies have shown promising results in vaccination or treating malignant and genetic diseases. Nevertheless, an efficient system for the rapid assembly and incorporation of therapeutic genes into high-capacity adenoviral vectors (HCAdVs) is still missing. In this study, we developed the iMATCH (integrated modular assembly for therapeutic combination HCAdVs) platform, which enables the generation and production of HCAdVs encoding therapeutic combinations in high quantity and purity within 3 weeks. Our modular cloning system facilitates the efficient combination of up to four expression cassettes and the rapid integration into HCAdV genomes with defined sizes. Helper viruses (HVs) and purification protocols were optimized to produce HCAdVs with distinct capsid modifications and unprecedented purity (0.1 ppm HVs). The constitution of HCAdVs, with adapters for targeting and a shield of trimerized single-chain variable fragment (scFv) for reduced liver clearance, mediated cell- and organ-specific targeting of HCAdVs. As proof of concept, we show that a single HCAdV encoding an anti PD-1 antibody, interleukin (IL)-12, and IL-2 produced all proteins, and it led to tumor regression and prolonged survival in tumor models, comparable to a mixture of single payload HCAdVs in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the iMATCH system provides a versatile platform for the generation of high-capacity gene therapy vectors with a high potential for clinical development.

6.
Bull Volcanol ; 82(11): 68, 2020.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33088010

RESUMO

Many explosive volcanic eruptions produce underexpanded starting gas-particle jets. The dynamics of the accompanying pyroclast ejection can be affected by several parameters, including magma texture, gas overpressure, erupted volume and geometry. With respect to the latter, volcanic craters and vents are often highly asymmetrical. Here, we experimentally evaluate the effect of vent asymmetry on gas expansion behaviour and gas jet dynamics directly above the vent. The vent geometries chosen for this study are based on field observations. The novel element of the vent geometry investigated herein is an inclined exit plane (5, 15, 30° slant angle) in combination with cylindrical and diverging inner geometries. In a vertical setup, these modifications yield both laterally variable spreading angles as well as a diversion of the jets, where inner geometry (cylindrical/diverging) controls the direction of the inclination. Both the spreading angle and the inclination of the jet are highly sensitive to reservoir (conduit) pressure and slant angle. Increasing starting reservoir pressure and slant angle yield (1) a maximum spreading angle (up to 62°) and (2) a maximum jet inclination for cylindrical vents (up to 13°). Our experiments thus constrain geometric contributions to the mechanisms controlling eruption jet dynamics with implications for the generation of asymmetrical distributions of proximal hazards around volcanic vents.

7.
J Virol ; 94(14)2020 07 01.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32376620

RESUMO

Virus entry into host cells is a complex process that is largely regulated by access to specific cellular receptors. Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) and many other viruses use cell adhesion molecules such as the coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) for attachment to and entry into target cells. These molecules are rarely expressed on the apical side of polarized epithelial cells, which raises the question of how adenoviruses-and other viruses that engage cell adhesion molecules-enter polarized cells from the apical side to initiate infection. We have previously shown that species C HAdVs utilize lactoferrin-a common innate immune component secreted to respiratory mucosa-for infection via unknown mechanisms. Using a series of biochemical, cellular, and molecular biology approaches, we mapped this effect to the proteolytically cleavable, positively charged, N-terminal 49 residues of human lactoferrin (hLF) known as human lactoferricin (hLfcin). Lactoferricin (Lfcin) binds to the hexon protein on the viral capsid and anchors the virus to an unknown receptor structure of target cells, resulting in infection. These findings suggest that HAdVs use distinct cell entry mechanisms at different stages of infection. To initiate infection, entry is likely to occur at the apical side of polarized epithelial cells, largely by means of hLF and hLfcin bridging HAdV capsids via hexons to as-yet-unknown receptors; when infection is established, progeny virions released from the basolateral side enter neighboring cells by means of hLF/hLfcin and CAR in parallel.IMPORTANCE Many viruses enter target cells using cell adhesion molecules as receptors. Paradoxically, these molecules are abundant on the lateral and basolateral side of intact, polarized, epithelial target cells, but absent on the apical side that must be penetrated by incoming viruses to initiate infection. Our study provides a model whereby viruses use different mechanisms to infect polarized epithelial cells depending on which side of the cell-apical or lateral/basolateral-is attacked. This study may also be useful to understand the biology of other viruses that use cell adhesion molecules as receptors.


Assuntos
Infecções por Adenovirus Humanos/metabolismo , Adenovírus Humanos/metabolismo , Proteínas do Capsídeo/metabolismo , Células Epiteliais/metabolismo , Lactoferrina/metabolismo , Mucosa Respiratória/metabolismo , Células A549 , Infecções por Adenovirus Humanos/genética , Adenovírus Humanos/genética , Proteínas do Capsídeo/genética , Células Epiteliais/virologia , Humanos , Lactoferrina/genética , Mucosa Respiratória/virologia
8.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 116(38): 19116-19125, 2019 09 17.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31427514

RESUMO

Cable bacteria of the family Desulfobulbaceae form centimeter-long filaments comprising thousands of cells. They occur worldwide in the surface of aquatic sediments, where they connect sulfide oxidation with oxygen or nitrate reduction via long-distance electron transport. In the absence of pure cultures, we used single-filament genomics and metagenomics to retrieve draft genomes of 3 marine Candidatus Electrothrix and 1 freshwater Ca. Electronema species. These genomes contain >50% unknown genes but still share their core genomic makeup with sulfate-reducing and sulfur-disproportionating Desulfobulbaceae, with few core genes lost and 212 unique genes (from 197 gene families) conserved among cable bacteria. Last common ancestor analysis indicates gene divergence and lateral gene transfer as equally important origins of these unique genes. With support from metaproteomics of a Ca. Electronema enrichment, the genomes suggest that cable bacteria oxidize sulfide by reversing the canonical sulfate reduction pathway and fix CO2 using the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Cable bacteria show limited organotrophic potential, may assimilate smaller organic acids and alcohols, fix N2, and synthesize polyphosphates and polyglucose as storage compounds; several of these traits were confirmed by cell-level experimental analyses. We propose a model for electron flow from sulfide to oxygen that involves periplasmic cytochromes, yet-unidentified conductive periplasmic fibers, and periplasmic oxygen reduction. This model proposes that an active cable bacterium gains energy in the anodic, sulfide-oxidizing cells, whereas cells in the oxic zone flare off electrons through intense cathodic oxygen respiration without energy conservation; this peculiar form of multicellularity seems unparalleled in the microbial world.


Assuntos
Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Evolução Biológica , Deltaproteobacteria/genética , Deltaproteobacteria/fisiologia , Genoma Bacteriano , Proteoma/análise , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Ciclo do Carbono , Movimento Celular , Quimiotaxia , Citocromos/metabolismo , Deltaproteobacteria/classificação , Transporte de Elétrons , Sedimentos Geológicos/microbiologia , Nitratos/metabolismo , Oxirredução , Oxigênio/metabolismo , Filogenia , Homologia de Sequência , Sulfetos/metabolismo
9.
Nutrients ; 11(7)2019 Jul 02.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31269727

RESUMO

Strawberries and blueberries are two of the most commonly consumed berries. Berries, in general, are characterized by their highly nutritive compounds, including minerals, vitamins, fatty acids, and dietary fiber, as well as their high content and wide diversity of bioactive compounds, such as phenolic compounds and organic acids. These bioactive compounds have been associated with protective effects against chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, Alzheimer's and other disorders. In this paper 16 human intervention studies investigating the beneficial health effects of dietary strawberry or blueberry consumption on inflammation, cardiovascular disease or cognitive function and mental health are reviewed.


Assuntos
Antocianinas/análise , Mirtilos Azuis (Planta)/química , Dieta Saudável , Fragaria/química , Frutas/química , Polifenóis/análise , Ensaios Clínicos como Assunto , Nível de Saúde , Humanos , Valor Nutritivo , Recomendações Nutricionais , Comportamento de Redução do Risco
10.
ISME J ; 13(8): 1933-1946, 2019 08.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30894691

RESUMO

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is a globally important biotechnological process and relies on the massive accumulation of phosphate within special microorganisms. Candidatus Accumulibacter conform to the classical physiology model for polyphosphate accumulating organisms and are widely believed to be the most important player for the process in full-scale EBPR systems. However, it was impossible till now to quantify the contribution of specific microbial clades to EBPR. In this study, we have developed a new tool to directly link the identity of microbial cells to the absolute quantification of intracellular poly-P and other polymers under in situ conditions, and applied it to eight full-scale EBPR plants. Besides Ca. Accumulibacter, members of the genus Tetrasphaera were found to be important microbes for P accumulation, and in six plants they were the most important. As these Tetrasphaera cells did not exhibit the classical phenotype of poly-P accumulating microbes, our entire understanding of the microbiology of the EBPR process has to be revised. Furthermore, our new single-cell approach can now also be applied to quantify storage polymer dynamics in individual populations in situ in other ecosystems and might become a valuable tool for many environmental microbiologists.


Assuntos
Actinobacteria/isolamento & purificação , Actinobacteria/metabolismo , Hibridização in Situ Fluorescente/métodos , Fósforo/metabolismo , Análise Espectral Raman/métodos , Actinobacteria/classificação , Actinobacteria/genética , Betaproteobacteria/classificação , Betaproteobacteria/genética , Betaproteobacteria/isolamento & purificação , Betaproteobacteria/metabolismo , Biodegradação Ambiental , Reatores Biológicos/microbiologia , Esgotos/microbiologia
11.
PLoS Pathog ; 14(3): e1006914, 2018 03.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29522575

RESUMO

Macrophages are a diverse group of phagocytic cells acting in host protection against stress, injury, and pathogens. Here, we show that the scavenger receptor SR-A6 is an entry receptor for human adenoviruses in murine alveolar macrophage-like MPI cells, and important for production of type I interferon. Scavenger receptors contribute to the clearance of endogenous proteins, lipoproteins and pathogens. Knockout of SR-A6 in MPI cells, anti-SR-A6 antibody or the soluble extracellular SR-A6 domain reduced adenovirus type-C5 (HAdV-C5) binding and transduction. Expression of murine SR-A6, and to a lower extent human SR-A6 boosted virion binding to human cells and transduction. Virion clustering by soluble SR-A6 and proximity localization with SR-A6 on MPI cells suggested direct adenovirus interaction with SR-A6. Deletion of the negatively charged hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) of hexon reduced HAdV-C5 binding and transduction, implying that the viral ligand for SR-A6 is hexon. SR-A6 facilitated macrophage entry of HAdV-B35 and HAdV-D26, two important vectors for transduction of hematopoietic cells and human vaccination. The study highlights the importance of scavenger receptors in innate immunity against human viruses.


Assuntos
Infecções por Adenoviridae/virologia , Pulmão/virologia , Macrófagos Alveolares/virologia , Macrófagos/virologia , Receptores Imunológicos/metabolismo , Receptores Imunológicos/fisiologia , Internalização do Vírus , Infecções por Adenoviridae/imunologia , Infecções por Adenoviridae/metabolismo , Adenovírus Humanos/imunologia , Animais , Humanos , Imunidade Inata , Pulmão/imunologia , Pulmão/metabolismo , Macrófagos/imunologia , Macrófagos/metabolismo , Macrófagos Alveolares/imunologia , Macrófagos Alveolares/metabolismo , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos BALB C , Camundongos Endogâmicos C57BL , Camundongos Knockout , Ligação Proteica , Receptores Imunológicos/genética
12.
Nat Commun ; 9(1): 450, 2018 01 31.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29386504

RESUMO

Most systemic viral gene therapies have been limited by sequestration and degradation of virions, innate and adaptive immunity, and silencing of therapeutic genes within the target cells. Here we engineer a high-affinity protein coat, shielding the most commonly used vector in clinical gene therapy, human adenovirus type 5. Using electron microscopy and crystallography we demonstrate a massive coverage of the virion surface through the hexon-shielding scFv fragment, trimerized to exploit the hexon symmetry and gain avidity. The shield reduces virion clearance in the liver. When the shielded particles are equipped with adaptor proteins, the virions deliver their payload genes into human cancer cells expressing HER2 or EGFR. The combination of shield and adapter also increases viral gene delivery to xenografted tumors in vivo, reduces liver off-targeting and immune neutralization. Our study highlights the power of protein engineering for viral vectors overcoming the challenges of local and systemic viral gene therapies.


Assuntos
Adenovírus Humanos/genética , Vetores Genéticos/genética , Vetores Genéticos/imunologia , Fígado/fisiologia , Adenovírus Humanos/patogenicidade , Animais , Proteínas do Capsídeo/química , Proteínas do Capsídeo/genética , Proteínas do Capsídeo/metabolismo , Linhagem Celular Tumoral , Cristalografia por Raios X , Receptores ErbB/genética , Receptores ErbB/metabolismo , Feminino , Técnicas de Transferência de Genes , Vetores Genéticos/administração & dosagem , Humanos , Fígado/virologia , Camundongos Transgênicos , Terapia de Alvo Molecular/métodos , Receptor ErbB-2/genética , Receptor ErbB-2/metabolismo , Anticorpos de Cadeia Única/química , Anticorpos de Cadeia Única/genética , Anticorpos de Cadeia Única/metabolismo , Baço/virologia , Vírion/química , Vírion/metabolismo , Ensaios Antitumorais Modelo de Xenoenxerto
14.
J Addict Med ; 7(1): 83-4, 2013.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23222128

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: Genital self-mutilation is a well-known phenomenon in patients with schizophrenia and has occasionally been described in patients with personality disorders or transsexuality. However, literature just provides few cases of genital self-mutilation related to the use of psychotropic substances. CASE DESCRIPTION: A previously mentally healthy man (age, 32 years) performed manual amputation of both testes after first use of lysergic acid diethylamide in combination with alcohol consumption. Follow-up examination 6 month after the event did not reveal the development of a psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This report shows that a first and single use of lysergic acid diethylamide in combination with alcohol can cause intoxication with dramatic consequences.


Assuntos
Amputação Traumática/etiologia , Dietilamida do Ácido Lisérgico , Psicoses Induzidas por Substâncias , Automutilação , Testículo/lesões , Adulto , Consumo de Bebidas Alcoólicas/psicologia , Amputação Traumática/psicologia , Amputação Traumática/cirurgia , Delírio/etiologia , Delírio/psicologia , Alucinógenos/administração & dosagem , Alucinógenos/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Dietilamida do Ácido Lisérgico/administração & dosagem , Dietilamida do Ácido Lisérgico/efeitos adversos , Masculino , Escalas de Graduação Psiquiátrica , Psicoses Induzidas por Substâncias/complicações , Psicoses Induzidas por Substâncias/diagnóstico , Psicoses Induzidas por Substâncias/psicologia , Automutilação/etiologia , Automutilação/psicologia , Automutilação/cirurgia , Detecção do Abuso de Substâncias , Resultado do Tratamento , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Urológicos Masculinos/métodos
15.
J Am Chem Soc ; 133(18): 7065-74, 2011 May 11.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21500780

RESUMO

Enamine key intermediates in organocatalysis, derived from aldehydes and prolinol or Jørgensen-Hayashi-type prolinol ether catalysts, were generated in different solvents and investigated by NMR spectroscopy. Depending on the catalyst structure, trends for their formation and amounts are elucidated. For prolinol catalysts, the first enamine detection in situ is presented and the rapid cyclization of the enamine to the oxazolidine ("parasitic equilibrium") is monitored. In the case of diphenylprolinol, this equilibrium is fully shifted to the endo-oxazolidine ("dead end") by the two geminal phenyl rings, most probably because of the Thorpe-Ingold effect. With bulkier and electron-withdrawing aryl rings, however, the enamine is stabilized relative to the oxazolidine, allowing for the parallel detection of the enamine and the oxazolidine. In the case of prolinol ethers, the enamine amounts decrease with increasing sizes of the aryl meta-substituents and the O-protecting group. In addition, for small aldehyde alkyl chains, Z-configured enamines are observed for the first time in solution. Prolinol silyl ether enamines are evidenced to undergo slow desilylation and subsequent rapid oxazolidine formation in DMSO. For unfortunate combinations of aldehydes, catalysts, solvents, and additives, the enamine formation is drastically decelerated but can be screened for by a rapid and facile NMR approach. Altogether, especially by clarifying the delicate balances of catalyst selectivity and reactivity, our NMR spectroscopic findings can be expected to substantially aid synthetically working organic chemists in the optimization of organocatalytic reaction conditions and of prolinol (ether) substitution patterns for enamine catalysis.

16.
Chembiochem ; 10(3): 440-4, 2009 Feb 13.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19156789

RESUMO

A flexible tool for rigid systems. Residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) have proven to be valuable NMR structural parameters that provide insights into the backbone conformations of short linear peptidic foldamers, as illustrated here. This study demonstrates that RDCs at natural abundance can provide essential structural information even in the case of short linear peptides with unnatural amino acids. In addition, they allow for the detection of proline side-chain conformations and are used as a quality check for the parameterizations of rigid unnatural amino acids.


Assuntos
Aminoácidos/química , Peptídeos/química , Dobramento de Proteína , Conformação Molecular , Estrutura Molecular , Ressonância Magnética Nuclear Biomolecular
17.
J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg ; 136(4): 876-83, 2008 Oct.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18954625

RESUMO

OBJECTIVE: Flow mismatch between the supplying artery and the myocardial perfusion region has been observed in patients with internal thoracic artery grafts. Thus coronary flow changes of arterial (internal thoracic artery grafts) and saphenous (saphenous vein grafts) bypass grafts were studied early and late after coronary artery bypass grafting. METHODS: Thirty patients undergoing elective bypass surgery (internal thoracic artery and saphenous vein grafts) were studied intraoperatively and (17 patients) 3 to 10 months postoperatively. Coronary flow was measured intraoperatively with the transit-time Doppler scanning technique. Postoperatively, flow velocity and coronary flow reserve were determined with the Doppler flow wire technique. Quantitative angiographic analysis was used to determine vessel size for calculation of absolute flow. RESULTS: Intraoperatively, internal thoracic artery graft flow was significantly lower than saphenous vein graft flow (31 +/- 8 vs 58 +/- 29 mL/min, P < .01). Postoperatively, internal thoracic artery graft flow increased significantly to 42 +/- 24 mL/min at 3 months and to 56 +/- 30 mL/min (P < .02 vs intraoperative value) at 10 months, respectively. However, saphenous vein graft flow remained unchanged over time (58 +/- 29 to 50 +/- 27 mL/min at 3 months and 46 +/- 27 mL/min at 10 months). Coronary flow reserve was abnormally low intraoperatively in the internal thoracic artery (1.3 +/- 0.3) and saphenous vein (1.6 +/- 0.5) grafts but increased significantly to normal values in both types of graft at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Bypass flow of the internal thoracic artery graft is significantly reduced intraoperatively when compared with that of the saphenous vein graft. However, 3 and 10 months after the operation, flow of the internal thoracic artery graft increases significantly and is similar to saphenous vein graft flow. This finding can be explained by an early flow mismatch of the native internal thoracic artery in the presence of a large perfusion territory. During follow-up, there is vascular remodeling of the internal thoracic artery, probably because of endothelium-mediated mechanisms.


Assuntos
Ponte de Artéria Coronária/métodos , Circulação Coronária/fisiologia , Estenose Coronária/cirurgia , Veia Safena/transplante , Artérias Torácicas/transplante , Adaptação Fisiológica , Idoso , Velocidade do Fluxo Sanguíneo , Ponte Cardiopulmonar , Estudos de Coortes , Angiografia Coronária , Estenose Coronária/diagnóstico por imagem , Ecocardiografia Doppler de Pulso , Procedimentos Cirúrgicos Eletivos , Feminino , Seguimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Monitorização Intraoperatória , Período Pós-Operatório , Probabilidade , Estatísticas não Paramétricas , Fatores de Tempo , Resultado do Tratamento , Grau de Desobstrução Vascular
18.
Environ Microbiol ; 10(11): 3150-63, 2008 Nov.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-18761666

RESUMO

The biogeochemical nitrogen cycle is mediated by many groups of microorganisms that harbour octahaem cytochromes c (OCC). In this study molecular evolutionary analyses and the conservation of predicted functional residues and secondary structure were employed to investigate the descent of OCC proteins related to hydroxylamine oxidoreductase (HAO) and hydrazine oxidoreductase (HZO) from pentahaem cytochrome c nitrite reductase (NrfA). An octahaem cytochrome cnitrite reductase (ONR) was shown to be a possible intermediate in the process. Analysis of genomic neighbourhoods of OCC protein-encoding genes revealed adjacent conserved genes whose products, together with HAO, provide a path of electron transfer to quinone and constitute a functional catabolic module. The latter has evolved more than once under a variety of functional pressures on the catabolic lifestyles of their bacterial hosts. Structurally, the archetypical long helices in the large C-terminal domain of the proteins as well as the distal axial ligands to most haems were highly conserved in NrfA and all descendents. Residues known to be involved in the nitrite reductase activity of NrfA including the 'CxxCK' motif at the catalytic haem, the substrate and Ca binding sites, and the nitrite and ammonium channels were conserved in the eight representatives of ONR. In the latter, a unique cysteine has been inserted above the active site. The 64 other OCC proteins differed from ONR by the absence of the 'CxxCK' motif, the channel residues and most of the Ca-binding residues and the conserved presence of an 'Asp-His' pair inserted above the active site as well as the tyrosine that forms an intersubunit cross-link to the catalytic haem of HAO. Our proposed scenario of evolution of OCC proteins in the HAO family from NrfA is supported by (i) homology based on sequence and structure, (ii) its wide distribution among bacterial taxa, (iii) the dedicated interaction with specific proteins, and it is (iv) congruent with geological history.


Assuntos
Bactérias Aeróbias/enzimologia , Bactérias Anaeróbias/enzimologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Grupo dos Citocromos c/genética , Evolução Molecular , Motivos de Aminoácidos , Sequência de Aminoácidos , Amônia , Bactérias Aeróbias/genética , Bactérias Anaeróbias/genética , Sítios de Ligação , Sequência Conservada , Grupo dos Citocromos c/química , Modelos Biológicos , Filogenia , Estrutura Secundária de Proteína , Alinhamento de Sequência , Homologia de Sequência de Aminoácidos
19.
Am J Bot ; 95(9): 1049-62, 2008 Sep.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21632425

RESUMO

KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases are a group of papain-type peptidases found in senescing tissue undergoing programmed cell death (PCD). Their genes have so far been cloned and analyzed in 12 angiosperms. They are synthesized as proenzymes with a C-terminal KDEL endoplasmatic reticulum retention signal, which is removed with the prosequence to activate enzyme activity. We previously identified three genes for KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases (AtCEP1, AtCEP2, AtCEP3) in Arabidopsis thaliana. Transgenic plants of A. thaliana expressing ß-glucuronidase (GUS) under the control of the promoters for the three genes were produced and analyzed histochemically. GUS activity was promoter- and tissue-specific GUS activity during seedling, flower, and root development, especially in tissues that collapse during final stages of PCD, and in the course of lateral root formation. KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidases are unique in being able to digest the extensins that form the basic scaffold for cell wall formation. The broad substrate specificity is due to the structure of the active site cleft of the KDEL-tailed cysteine endopeptidase that accepts a wide variety of amino acids, including proline and glycosylated hydroxyproline of the hydroxyproline rich glycoproteins of the cell wall.

20.
FEMS Microbiol Ecol ; 58(3): 439-48, 2006 Dec.
Artigo em Inglês | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-17117988

RESUMO

The Thiobacilli are an important group of autotrophic bacteria occurring in nature linking the biogeochemical cycles of sulfur and nitrogen. Betaproteobacterial Thiobacilli are very likely candidates for mediating the process of nitrate-dependent anoxic iron sulfide mineral oxidation in freshwater wetlands. A Thiobacillus denitrificans-like bacterium was present in an enrichment on thiosulfate and nitrate, derived from an iron-sulfide- and nitrate-rich freshwater environment. Preliminary FISH analysis showed that the 16S rRNA gene-based bacterial probe mix showed great variation in intensity under different culture conditions. Furthermore, the widely applied 23S rRNA gene-based probe set BET42a/GAM42a incorrectly identified the T. denitrificans-like bacterium as a member of the Gammaproteobacteria. To circumvent these problems, the 23S rRNA genes of two T. denitrificans strains were partially sequenced and a new 23S rRNA gene-based probe (Betthio 1001) specific for betaproteobacterial Thiobacilli was designed. Use of this new probe Betthio 1001, combined with field measurements, indicates the involvement of Thiobacilli in the process of nitrate-dependent iron sulfide mineral oxidation.


Assuntos
Compostos de Ferro/metabolismo , Nitratos/metabolismo , Sulfetos/metabolismo , Thiobacillus/fisiologia , Células Cultivadas , Clonagem Molecular , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Água Doce , Hibridização in Situ Fluorescente , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Nitratos/farmacologia , Oxirredução , RNA Ribossômico 23S/biossíntese , RNA Ribossômico 23S/genética , Microbiologia do Solo , Especificidade da Espécie , Thiobacillus/genética
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