4S-fluorination of ProB29 in insulin lispro slows fibril formation.

Recombinant insulin is a life-saving therapeutic for millions of patients affected by diabetes mellitus. Standard mutagenesis has led to insulin variants with improved control of blood glucose; for instance, the fast-acting insulin lispro contains two point mutations that suppress dimer formation and expedite absorption. However, insulins undergo irreversible denaturation, a process accelerated for the insulin monomer. Here we replace ProB29 of insulin lispro with 4R-fluoroproline, 4S-fluoroproline, and 4,4-difluoroproline. All three fluorinated lispro variants reduce blood glucose in diabetic mice, exhibit similar secondary structure as measured by CD, and rapidly dissociate from the zinc- and resorcinol-bound hexamer upon dilution. Notably, however, we find that 4S-fluorination of ProB29 delays the formation of undesired insulin fibrils that can accumulate at the injection site in vivo and can complicate insulin production and storage. These results demonstrate how subtle molecular changes achieved through non-canonical amino acid mutagenesis can improve the stability of protein therapeutics.

Transcription Factor NFE2L1 Decreases in Glomerulonephropathies after Podocyte Damage.

Podocyte cellular injury and detachment from glomerular capillaries constitute a critical factor contributing to kidney disease. Notably, transcription factors are instrumental in maintaining podocyte differentiation and homeostasis. This study explores the hitherto uninvestigated expression of Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor 1 (NFE2L1) in podocytes. We evaluated the podocyte expression of NFE2L1, Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor 2 (NFE2L2), and NAD(P)H:quinone Oxidoreductase (NQO1) in 127 human glomerular disease biopsies using multiplexed immunofluorescence and image analysis. We found that both NFE2L1 and NQO1 expressions were significantly diminished across all observed renal diseases. Furthermore, we exposed human immortalized podocytes and ex vivo kidney slices to Puromycin Aminonucleoside (PAN) and characterized the NFE2L1 protein isoform expression. PAN treatment led to a reduction in the nuclear expression of NFE2L1 in ex vivo kidney slices and podocytes.

Discovery of a Potent Chloroacetamide GPX4 Inhibitor with Bioavailability to Enable Target Engagement in Mice, a Potential Tool Compound for Inducing Ferroptosis In Vivo.

Compounds that inhibit glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) hold promise as cancer therapeutics in their ability to induce a form of nonapoptotic cell death called ferroptosis. Our research identified 24, a structural analog of the potent GPX4 inhibitor RSL3, that has much better plasma stability (t1/2 > 5 h in mouse plasma). The bioavailability of 24 provided efficacious plasma drug concentrations with IP dosing, thus enabling in vivo studies to assess tolerability and efficacy. An efficacy study in mouse using a GPX4-sensitive tumor model found that doses of 24 up to 50 mg/kg were tolerated for 20 days but had no effect on tumor growth, although partial target engagement was observed in tumor homogenate.

Using behavioural science to explore impact and implementation of obstetric anaesthesia training in Tanzania, Nepal and Bangladesh: a qualitative evaluation study with obstetric anaesthesia providers.

Objective: High quality obstetric anaesthetic care is integral to reducing preventable maternal deaths in Low-and-Middle-Income-Countries (LMICs). We applied behavioural science to evaluate SAFE Obstetrics, a 3-day Continuing Professional Development (CPD) course, on physician and non-physician anaesthetists' practice behaviours across 3 LMICs.Methods: Seven anaesthetist Fellows from Bangladesh, Nepal and Tanzania were trained in qualitative methods and behavioural science. Structured interviews were undertaken by Fellows and two UK behavioural scientists with course participants. Interviews were based on the Theoretical Domains Framework: a comprehensive framework of influences on behaviour change. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed using content and thematic analysis.Results: 78 physician and non-physician anaesthetists participated (n = 26 Bangladesh, n = 24 Nepal and n = 28 Tanzania). Participants reported positive improvements in patient-centered working, safety, teamwork and confidence. Across countries, we found similar barriers and facilitators: environmental resources, a strong professional identity and positive social influences were key facilitators of change.Conclusion: This multi-country theory-based evaluation highlighted the impact of SAFE Obstetrics on participants' clinical practice. A supportive work environment was crucial for implementing learning following training; CPD courses in LMICs must furnish participants with skills and equipment to address training implementation challenges. Building local behavioural science capacity can strengthen LMIC health intervention evaluations.

Steroid Hormones as Modulators of Emotional Regulation in Male Urogenital Cancers.

BACKGROUND: Tumors develop within an organism operating in a specific social and physical environment. Cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), two of the most abundant steroid hormones in humans, are involved in both emotional regulation and the tumor progression. Several studies reported preclinical findings that DHEA can have preventive and therapeutic efficacy in treating major age-associated diseases, including cancer, although the mechanisms of action are not yet defined. The main aim of current study was to investigate the relationship between psychological and physiological emotional regulation and cancer development. METHOD: This study assessed the quality of life of urogenital cancer male patients using several validated tools, including the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General and the Profile of Mood States. Saliva samples were collected to monitor peripheral activity of both cortisol and DHEA. It was hypothesized that patients with a better quality of life would have higher levels of the DHEA/cortisol ratios. RESULTS: We found that the quality of life was positively related to DHEA, but not cortisol levels. Negative mood increases were related to lower levels of DHEA. Logistic regression of the predictors of metastases indicated three main independent factors involved: DHEA, age, and cortisol. In other words, the higher the DHEA levels in comparison to cortisol levels, controlling for age, the lower the probability of metastases. CONCLUSION: Our results appear to support the hypothesis that emotional dysregulation mediated by DHEA/cortisol activity is a key factor in the probability of metastasis in urogenital cancers.

Multiparametric ultrasound versus multiparametric MRI to diagnose prostate cancer (CADMUS): a prospective, multicentre, paired-cohort, confirmatory study.

BACKGROUND: Multiparametric MRI of the prostate followed by targeted biopsy is recommended for patients at risk of prostate cancer. However, multiparametric ultrasound is more readily available than multiparametric MRI. Data from paired-cohort validation studies and randomised, controlled trials support the use of multiparametric MRI, whereas the evidence for individual ultrasound methods and multiparametric ultrasound is only derived from case series. We aimed to establish the overall agreement between multiparametric ultrasound and multiparametric MRI to diagnose clinically significant prostate cancer. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, multicentre, paired-cohort, confirmatory study in seven hospitals in the UK. Patients at risk of prostate cancer, aged 18 years or older, with an elevated prostate-specific antigen concentration or abnormal findings on digital rectal examination underwent both multiparametric ultrasound and multiparametric MRI. Multiparametric ultrasound consisted of B-mode, colour Doppler, real-time elastography, and contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Multiparametric MRI included high-resolution T2-weighted images, diffusion-weighted imaging (dedicated high B 1400 s/mm2 or 2000 s/mm2 and apparent diffusion coefficient map), and dynamic contrast-enhanced axial T1-weighted images. Patients with positive findings on multiparametric ultrasound or multiparametric MRI underwent targeted biopsies but were masked to their test results. If both tests yielded positive findings, the order of targeting at biopsy was randomly assigned (1:1) using stratified (according to centre only) block randomisation with randomly varying block sizes. The co-primary endpoints were the proportion of positive lesions on, and agreement between, multiparametric MRI and multiparametric ultrasound in identifying suspicious lesions (Likert score of ≥3), and detection of clinically significant cancer (defined as a Gleason score of ≥4 + 3 in any area or a maximum cancer core length of ≥6 mm of any grade [PROMIS definition 1]) in those patients who underwent a biopsy. Adverse events were defined according to Good Clinical Practice and trial regulatory guidelines. The trial is registered on ISRCTN, 38541912, and ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02712684, with recruitment and follow-up completed. FINDINGS: Between March 15, 2016, and Nov 7, 2019, 370 eligible patients were enrolled; 306 patients completed both multiparametric ultrasound and multiparametric MRI and 257 underwent a prostate biopsy. Multiparametric ultrasound was positive in 272 (89% [95% CI 85-92]) of 306 patients and multiparametric MRI was positive in 238 patients (78% [73-82]; difference 11·1% [95% CI 5·1-17·1]). Positive test agreement was 73·2% (95% CI 67·9-78·1; κ=0·06 [95% CI -0·56 to 0·17]). Any cancer was detected in 133 (52% [95% CI 45·5-58]) of 257 patients, with 83 (32% [26-38]) of 257 being clinically significant by PROMIS definition 1. Each test alone would result in multiparametric ultrasound detecting PROMIS definition 1 cancer in 66 (26% [95% CI 21-32]) of 257 patients who had biopsies and multiparametric MRI detecting it in 77 (30% [24-36]; difference -4·3% [95% CI -8·3% to -0·3]). Combining both tests detected 83 (32% [95% CI 27-38]) of 257 clinically significant cancers as per PROMIS definition 1; of these 83 cancers, six (7% [95% CI 3-15]) were detected exclusively with multiparametric ultrasound, and 17 (20% [12-31]) were exclusively detected by multiparametric MRI (agreement 91·1% [95% CI 86·9-94·2]; κ=0·78 [95% CI 0·69-0·86]). No serious adverse events were related to trial activity. INTERPRETATION: Multiparametric ultrasound detected 4·3% fewer clinically significant prostate cancers than multiparametric MRI, but it would lead to 11·1% more patients being referred for a biopsy. Multiparametric ultrasound could be an alternative to multiparametric MRI as a first test for patients at risk of prostate cancer, particularly if multiparametric MRI cannot be carried out. Both imaging tests missed clinically significant cancers detected by the other, so the use of both would increase the detection of clinically significant prostate cancers compared with using each test alone. FUNDING: The Jon Moulton Charity Trust, Prostate Cancer UK, and UCLH Charity and Barts Charity.

AusTraits, a curated plant trait database for the Australian flora.

We introduce the AusTraits database - a compilation of values of plant traits for taxa in the Australian flora (hereafter AusTraits). AusTraits synthesises data on 448 traits across 28,640 taxa from field campaigns, published literature, taxonomic monographs, and individual taxon descriptions. Traits vary in scope from physiological measures of performance (e.g. photosynthetic gas exchange, water-use efficiency) to morphological attributes (e.g. leaf area, seed mass, plant height) which link to aspects of ecological variation. AusTraits contains curated and harmonised individual- and species-level measurements coupled to, where available, contextual information on site properties and experimental conditions. This article provides information on version 3.0.2 of AusTraits which contains data for 997,808 trait-by-taxon combinations. We envision AusTraits as an ongoing collaborative initiative for easily archiving and sharing trait data, which also provides a template for other national or regional initiatives globally to fill persistent gaps in trait knowledge.

The "Is mpMRI Enough" or IMRIE Study: A Multicentre Evaluation of Prebiopsy Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compared with Biopsy.

BACKGROUND: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is now recommended prebiopsy in numerous healthcare regions based on the findings of high-quality studies from expert centres. Concern remains about reproducibility of mpMRI to rule out clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) in real-world settings. OBJECTIVE: To assess the diagnostic performance of mpMRI for csPCa in a real-world setting. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A multicentre, retrospective cohort study, including men referred with raised prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or an abnormal digital rectal examination who had undergone mpMRI followed by transrectal or transperineal biopsy, was conducted. Patients could be biopsy naïve or have had previous negative biopsies. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: The primary definition for csPCa was International Society of Urological Pathology (ISUP) grade group (GG) ≥2 (any Gleason ≥7); the accuracy for other definitions was also evaluated. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Across ten sites, 2642 men were included (January 2011-November 2018). Mean age and PSA were 65.3yr (standard deviation [SD] 7.8yr) and 7.5ng/ml (SD 3.3ng/ml), respectively. Of the patients, 35.9% had "negative MRI" (scores 1-2); 51.9% underwent transrectal biopsy and 48.1% had transperineal biopsy, with 43.4% diagnosed with csPCa overall. The sensitivity and negative predictive value (NPV) for ISUP GG≥2 were 87.3% and 87.5%, respectively. The NPVs were 87.4% and 88.1% for men undergoing transrectal and transperineal biopsy, respectively. Specificity and positive predictive value of MRI were 49.8% and 49.2%, respectively. The sensitivity and NPV increased to 96.6% and 90.6%, respectively, when a PSA density threshold of 0.15ng/ml/ml was used in MRI scores 1-2; these metrics increased to 97.5% and 91.2%, respectively, for PSA density 0.12ng/ml/ml. ISUP GG≥3 (Gleason ≥4+3) was found in 2.4% (15/617) of men with MRI scores 1-2. They key limitations of this study are the heterogeneity and retrospective nature of the data. CONCLUSIONS: Multiparametric MRI when used in real-world settings is able to rule out csPCa accurately, suggesting that about one-third of men might avoid an immediate biopsy. Men should be counselled about the risk of missing some significant cancers. PATIENT SUMMARY: Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a useful tool for ruling out prostate cancer, especially when combined with prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD). Previous results published from specialist centres can be reproduced at smaller institutions. However, patients and their clinicians must be aware that an early diagnosis of clinically significant prostate cancer could be missed in nearly 10% of patients by relying on MRI and PSAD alone.

A comparison of the in vitro permeation of 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid in human skin and in a living skin equivalent (LabSkin™).

OBJECTIVES: The safety assessment of personal care products often entails determining dermal absorption of their ingredients. Such experiments are typically performed in human or animal skin in vitro; however, ethical and safety considerations are associated with obtaining these tissues. Several human skin equivalent models (HSEs) have been developed as alternatives to human tissue. The barrier function of such models however, is normally less developed than human skin. Here, we examine the permeability of the HSE LabSkinTM to a model compound, 3-O-ethyl-l-ascorbic acid (EA) compared with human skin. METHODS: Skin uptake and permeation of EA was investigated in vitro using heat-separated human epidermis and LabSkinTM . Finite dose (5 µL cm-2 ) Franz-diffusion studies were conducted using 2 % (w/w) EA in a ternary solvent mixture comprising propylene glycol (PG), propylene glycol monolaurate (PGML), and isopropyl myristate (IPM). These excipients are commonly used in cosmetic products and they have been reported to promote permeation of EA in a different model, namely porcine skin. RESULTS: Permeation of EA through LabSkinTM was evident from 2 h; however, EA permeation in human skin was not detected until 5 h. Similar amounts of EA permeated through the two membranes at time points 8, 10, 12 and 24 h (p > 0.05). The cumulative amounts of EA delivered through LabSkinTM at 24 h were 41.3 ± 2.0 µg cm-2 , corresponding to 55.1 ± 1.8 % of the applied dose. Similar amounts permeated across human skin, 49.4 ± 4.1 µg cm-2 , accounting for 58.0 ± 4.2 % of the dose applied (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The permeation of EA in LabSkinTM compared well with results for human epidermis in terms of the permeation profiles and the cumulative amounts of EA that permeated. The data suggest that the skin barrier of the two models was similar with regard to their overall permeability to the hydrophilic active EA. The findings are promising for the use of LabSkinTM as a surrogate for human skin in permeability testing. Future studies will focus on exploring the reproducibility and robustness of LabSkinTM for delivery of other actives that span a range of physicochemical properties.

OBJECTIFS: L'évaluation de la sécurité des produits de soins personnels implique souvent de déterminer l'absorption cutanée de leurs ingrédients. Ces expérimentations sont généralement réalisées in vitro sur la peau humaine ou animale ; cependant, des considérations éthiques et de sécurité sont associées à l'obtention de ces tissus. Plusieurs modèles équivalents de peau humaine (Human Skin Equivalent, HSE) ont été développés comme alternatives au tissu humain. La fonction barrière de ces modèles est cependant normalement moins développée que la peau humaine. Ici, nous examinons la perméabilité du HSE LabSkin™ à un composé modèle, l'acide 3-O-éthyl-l-ascorbique (EA) en le comparant à la peau humaine. MÉTHODES: L'absorption cutanée et la perméation de l'EA ont été étudiées in vitro à l'aide d'épiderme humain séparé par la chaleur et de LabSkin™. Des études de diffusion de Franz à dose limitée (5 µL cm-2 ) ont été réalisées en utilisant 2 % (p/p) d'EA dans un mélange de solvant ternaire contenant du propylène glycol (PG), du propylène glycol monolaurate (PGML) et du myristate d'isopropyle (IPM). Ces excipients sont fréquemment utilisés dans les produits cosmétiques et il a été rapporté qu'ils favorisent la perméation de l'EA dans un modèle différent, à savoir la peau porcine. RÉSULTATS: La perméation de l'EA par LabSkin™ était évidente dès 2 h ; cependant, la perméation de l'EA dans la peau humaine n'a pas été détectée avant 5 h. Des quantités similaires d'EA ont pénétré les deux membranes aux points temporels 8, 10, 12 et 24 h (p > 0,05). Les quantités cumulées d'EA délivrées par LabSkin™ à 24 h étaient de 41,3 ± 2,0 µg cm-2 , correspondant à 55,1 ± 1,8 % de la dose appliquée. Des quantités similaires ont pénétré la peau humaine, 49,4 ± 4,1 µg cm-2 , représentant 58,0 ± 4,2 % de la dose appliquée (p > 0,05). CONCLUSION: La perméation de l'EA dans LabSkin™ a bien soutenu la comparaison quant aux résultats concernant l'épiderme humain en termes de profils de perméation et de quantités cumulées d'EA qui ont pénétré. Les données suggèrent que la barrière cutanée des deux modèles était similaire en ce qui concerne leur perméabilité globale à l'EA hydrophile actif. Les résultats sont prometteurs pour l'utilisation de LabSkin™ en tant que substitut de la peau humaine dans les tests de perméabilité. Les études futures se concentreront sur l'exploration de la reproductibilité et de la robustesse de LabSkin™ pour la délivrance d'autres principes actifs qui couvrent un éventail de propriétés physicochimiques.

UV-vis Imaging of Piroxicam Supersaturation, Precipitation, and Dissolution in a Flow-Through Setup.

Evaluation of drug precipitation is important in order to address challenges regarding low and variable bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs, to assess potential risk of patient safety with infusion therapy, and to explore injectable in situ suspension-forming drug delivery systems. Generally, drug precipitation is assessed in vitro through solution concentration analysis methods. Dual-wavelength UV-vis imaging is a novel imaging technique that may provide an opportunity for simultaneously monitoring changes in both solution and solid phases during precipitation. In the present study, a multimodal approach integrating UV-vis imaging, light microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy was developed for characterization of piroxicam supersaturation, precipitation, and dissolution in a flow-through setup. A solution of piroxicam dissolved in 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone was injected into a flowing aqueous environment (pH 7.4), causing piroxicam to precipitate. Imaging at 405 and 280 nm monitored piroxicam concentration distributions during precipitation and revealed different supersaturation levels dependent on the initial concentration of the piroxicam solution. The combination with imaging at 525 nm, light microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy measurements demonstrated concentration-dependent precipitation and the formation, growth, and dissolution of individual particles. Results emphasize the importance of the specific hydrodynamic conditions on the piroxicam precipitation. The approach used may facilitate comprehensive understanding of drug precipitation and dissolution processes and may be developed further into a basic tool for formulation screening and development.

A framework for identifying and selecting long term adaptation policy directions for deltas.

Deltas are precarious environments experiencing significant biophysical, and socio-economic changes with the ebb and flow of seasons (including with floods and drought), with infrastructural developments (such as dikes and polders), with the movement of people, and as a result of climate and environmental variability and change. Decisions are being taken about the future of deltas and about the provision of adaptation investment to enable people and the environment to respond to the changing climate and related changes. The paper presents a framework to identify options for, and trade-offs between, long term adaptation strategies in deltas. Using a three step process, we: (1) identify current policy-led adaptations actions in deltas by conducting literature searches on current observable adaptations, potential transformational adaptations and government policy; (2) develop narratives of future adaptation policy directions that take into account investment cost of adaptation and the extent to which significant policy change/political effort is required; and (3) explore trade-offs that occur within each policy direction using a subjective weighting process developed during a collaborative expert workshop. We conclude that the process of developing policy directions for adaptation can assist policy makers in scoping the spectrum of options that exist, while enabling them to consider their own willingness to make significant policy changes within the delta and to initiate transformative change.

Fenestrated Endograft as a New Perspective for the Treatment of Infrarenal Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm with a Congenital Pelvic Kidney-A Case Report and Review of Literature.

The coexistence of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and congenital pelvic kidney is infrequent. Various treatment modalities have been reported in literature for the treatment of the aforementioned condition. We report a complete endovascular modality for the treatment of this association, especially for high-risk patients. Only one such treatment has been reported before. Compared with this previously reported case, we would like to share our experience with additional prototype testing, before surgery, which provided us with more detailed information about the planning and deployment of the branched endograft. An incidental 7-cm infra renal AAA with the presence of right pelvic kidney was detected on magnetic resonance imaging performed for back pain in a 75-year-old male patient with a history of 2 previous myocardial infarctions and a radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer. He was unfit for open surgery. We report a custom-made fenestrated endograft with prior prototype information used for the repair of a large aneurysm with right pelvic kidney. This procedure is less invasive than any other reported treatment modalities such as open surgery or hybrid procedures. This procedure has an added advantage in that there is no renal ischemia, and recovery is significantly faster.

Scratching the Surface: Resurfacing Proteins to Endow New Properties and Function.

Protein engineering is an emerging discipline that dovetails modern molecular biology techniques with high-throughput screening, laboratory evolution technologies, and computational approaches to modify sequence, structure, and, in some cases, function and properties of proteins. The ultimate goal is to develop new proteins with improved or designer functions for use in biotechnology, medicine, and basic research. One way to engineer proteins is to change their solvent-exposed regions through focused or random "protein resurfacing." In this review we explain what protein resurfacing is, and discuss recent examples of how this strategy is used to generate proteins with altered or broadened recognition profiles, improved stability, solubility, and expression, cell-penetrating ability, and reduced immunogenicity. Additionally we comment on how these properties can be further improved using chemical resurfacing approaches. Protein resurfacing will likely play an increasingly important role as more biologics enter clinical use, and we present some arguments to support this view.

Synthetic Proteins Potently and Selectively Bind the Oncoprotein Gankyrin, Modulate Its Interaction with S6 ATPase, and Suppress Gankyrin/MDM2-Dependent Ubiquitination of p53.

Overexpression of the ankyrin repeat oncoprotein gankyrin is directly linked to the onset, proliferation, and/or metastasis of many cancers. The role of gankyrin in multiple disease-relevant biochemical processes is profound. In addition to other cellular processes, gankyrin overexpression leads to decreased cellular levels of p53, through a complex that involves MDM2. Thus, inhibition of this interaction is an attractive strategy for modulating oncogenic phenotypes in gankyrin-overexpressing cells. However, the lack of well-defined, hydrophobic, small-molecule binding pockets on the putative ankyrin repeat binding face presents a challenge to traditional small-molecule drug discovery. In contrast, by virtue of their size and relatively high folding energies, synthetic gankyrin-binding proteins could, in principle, compete with physiologically relevant PPIs involving gankyrin. Previously, we showed that a shape-complementary protein scaffold can be resurfaced to bind gankyrin with moderate affinity (KD ∼6 µM). Here, we used yeast display high-throughput screening, error-prone PCR, DNA shuffling, and protein engineering to optimize this complex. The best of these proteins bind gankyrin with excellent affinity (KD ∼21 nM), selectively co-purifies with gankyrin from a complex cellular milieu, modulates an interaction between gankyrin and a physiological binding partner (S6 ATPase), and suppresses gankyrin/MDM2-dependent ubiquitination of p53.

GLUE that sticks to HIV: a helix-grafted GLUE protein that selectively binds the HIV gp41 N-terminal helical region.

Methods for the stabilization of well-defined helical peptide drugs and basic research tools have received considerable attention in the last decade. Here, we report the stable and functional display of an HIV gp41 C-peptide helix mimic on a GRAM-Like Ubiquitin-binding in EAP45 (GLUE) protein. C-peptide helix-grafted GLUE selectively binds a mimic of the N-terminal helical region of gp41, a well-established HIV drug target, in a complex cellular environment. Additionally, the helix-grafted GLUE is folded in solution, stable in human serum, and soluble in aqueous solutions, and thus overcomes challenges faced by a multitude of peptide drugs, including those derived from HIV gp41 C-peptide.

Characterization of the binding interaction between the oncoprotein gankyrin and a grafted S6 ATPase.

A complex with the C-terminal portion of the proteosomal subunit S6 ATPase is the only available structure of a protein-protein interaction involving the oncoprotein gankyrin. However, difficulties associated with recombinant expression of S6 ATPase alone, or truncations thereof, have limited our understanding of this assembly. We replaced the C-terminal portion of FtsH from Escherichia coli with the structurally homologous C-terminal portion of S6 ATPase and used this grafted protein to characterize the gankyrin-S6 ATPase binding interaction by isothermal titration calorimetry.

Resurfaced shape complementary proteins that selectively bind the oncoprotein gankyrin.

Increased cellular levels of protein-protein interactions involving the ankyrin repeat oncoprotein gankyrin are directly linked to aberrant cellular events and numerous cancers. Inhibition of these protein-protein interactions is thus an attractive therapeutic strategy. However, the relatively featureless topology of gankyrin's putative binding face and large surface areas involved in gankyrin-dependent protein-protein interactions present a dramatic challenge to small molecule discovery. The size, high folding energies, and well-defined surfaces present in many proteins overcome some of the challenges faced by small molecule discovery. We used split-superpositive Green Fluorescent Protein (split-spGFP) reassembly to screen a 5×10(9) library of resurfaced proteins that are shape complementary to the putative binding face of gankyrin and identified mutants that potently and selectively bind this oncoprotein in vitro and in living cells. Collectively, our findings represent the first synthetic proteins that bind gankyrin and may represent a general strategy for developing protein basic research tools and drug leads that bind disease-relevant ankyrin repeats.

Split-superpositive GFP reassembly is a fast, efficient, and robust method for detecting protein-protein interactions in vivo.

Split-GFP reassembly is an operationally simple in vivo technique used to identify and study interactions involving proteins and/or peptides. However, the instability of split-GFP fragments and their susceptibility to aggregation place limitations on the broader use of split-GFP reassembly. Supercharged proteins, including supercharged GFP, are variants with high theoretical negative or positive charge that are resistant to aggregation. We show that a split-superpositive GFP (split-spGFP) variant reassembles faster and more efficiently than previously reported split-sg100 GFP and split-folding-reporter GFP (split-frGFP) systems. In addition, interaction-dependent split-spGFP reassembly is efficient at physiological temperature. The increased efficiency and robustness of split-spGFP reassembly make this reporter system ideal for identifying and studying interactions involving proteins and/or peptides in vivo, and may be particularly useful for identifying or studying interactions involving proteins or peptides that are themselves susceptible to aggregation.

Schemas and Borderline Personality Disorder symptoms in incarcerated women.

There is increasing interest regarding the role of maladaptive cognition in Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD). The current study examined the relationship between early maladaptive schema (EMS) domains and BPD symptoms as well as whether schema domains account for the relationship between childhood maltreatment and BPD severity. Incarcerated women (N=105) were assessed for BPD symptoms via semi-structured diagnostic interview. Disconnection/Rejection and Impaired Limits were associated with BPD pathology although these domains shared variance with depression and antisocial personality disorder pathology, respectively. In addition, the relationship between childhood abuse and BPD severity was non-significant after controlling for schema domains. Related findings and the implications for cognitive treatment of BPD are discussed.

Dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCDD/Fs and PCBs) in food from farms close to foot and mouth disease animal pyres.

To control the outbreak of foot and mouth disease, which occurred in the UK in early 2001, a large number of farm animals were slaughtered. Where it was not possible to render or landfill the carcasses, they were destroyed by burning on open pyres, with wood, coal and other materials. Uncontrolled combustion such as this is known to produce small quantities of dioxins and an investigation was made into whether, as a result of the burning, there was an elevation in the concentrations of these compounds in food produced in the areas close to the pyres. With few exceptions, concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were within the expected ranges as predicted by reference data. No accumulation over time was evident from a repeat milk sampling exercise. Where elevated concentrations of PCDD/Fs and PCBs were found in chickens and eggs, they were in samples not destined for the food chain. Elevated levels in some samples of milk from Dumfries and Galloway were not found in earlier or later samples and may have been found as a result of a temporary feeding regime. Elevated concentrations in lamb from Carmarthenshire were from very young animals which would not have entered the food chain. There was no evidence of any significant increase in dietary exposure to PCDD/Fs and PCBs as a result of the FMD pyres.