Hexafluoroisopropanol as a Bioconjugation Medium of Ultrafast, Tryptophan-Selective Catalysis.

The past decade has seen a remarkable growth in the number of bioconjugation techniques in chemistry, biology, material science, and biomedical fields. A core design element in bioconjugation technology is a chemical reaction that can form a covalent bond between the protein of interest and the labeling reagent. Achieving chemoselective protein bioconjugation in aqueous media is challenging, especially for generally less reactive amino acid residues, such as tryptophan. We present here the development of tryptophan-selective bioconjugation methods through ultrafast Lewis acid-catalyzed reactions in hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). Structure-reactivity relationship studies have revealed a combination of thiophene and ethanol moieties to give a suitable labeling reagent for this bioconjugation process, which enables modification of peptides and proteins in an extremely rapid reaction unencumbered by noticeable side reactions. The capability of the labeling method also facilitated radiofluorination application as well as antibody functionalization. Enhancement of an α-helix by HFIP leads to its compatibility with a certain protein, and this report also demonstrates a further stabilization strategy achieved by the addition of an ionic liquid to the HFIP medium. The nonaqueous bioconjugation approaches allow access to numerous chemical reactions that are unavailable in traditional aqueous processes and will further advance the chemistry of proteins.

"Like a tsunami coming in fast": A critical qualitative study of precarity and resistance during the pandemic.

This study explores the nature of precarity via the lens of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Precarity refers to uncertainty, loss, disruption, and anxiety, which differentially impact people across contexts. We sought to (a) identify how people understand and resist precarity during the pandemic; (b) explore the potential of precarity to serve as an organizing concept for psychological praxis and research; and (c) explore ways in which psychology of working theory (PWT) may be enriched by an infusion of precarity into its theoretical tenets. Twenty-seven participants who experienced work-related disruptions completed an open-ended survey during the summer of 2020 about the multifaceted challenges they faced. We used conventional content analysis to analyze the responses and derived the following three themes: (a) disruptions at work elevate precarity; (b) relationships as a source of both stress and resilience/resistance; and (c) expanding critical consciousness and resistance. Using a critical qualitative research lens, we identified ways in which people were protected from, or vulnerable to, the threats to their security. We also explored the complex intersection of structural barriers and social identities in relation to precarity. We presented propositions to guide future scholarship on precarity and PWT. Implications for practice and advocacy conclude the article. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Pilot Study Evaluating Critical Time Intervention for Individuals With Hoarding Disorder at Risk for Eviction.

Hoarding disorder has significant health consequences, including the devastating threat of eviction. In this pilot study, critical time intervention (CTI), an evidence-based model of case management shown to be effective for vulnerable populations, was adapted for individuals with severe symptoms of hoarding disorder at risk for eviction (CTI-HD). Of the 14 adults who enrolled, 11 participants completed the 9-month intervention. Completers reported a modest decrease in hoarding severity, suggesting that, while helpful, CTI-HD alone is unlikely to eliminate the risk of eviction for individuals with severe symptoms of hoarding disorder.