Interaction between single molecules of Mac-1 and ICAM-1 in living cells: An atomic force microscopy study

The interaction between integrin macrophage differentiation antigen associated with complement three receptor function (Mac-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), which is controlled tightly by the ligand-binding activity of Mac-1, is central to the regulation of neutrophil adhesion in host defense. Several "inside-out" signals and extracellular metal ions or antibodies have been found to activate Mac-1, resulting in an increased adhesiveness of Mac-1 to its ligands. However, the molecular basis for Mac-1 activation is not well understood yet. In this work, we have carried out a single-molecule study of Mac-1/ICAM-1 interaction force in living cells by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Our results showed that the binding probability and adhesion force of Mac-1 with ICAM-1 increased upon Mac-1 activation. Moreover, by comparing the dynamic force spectra of different Mac-1 mutants, we expected that Mac-1 activation is governed by the downward movement of its alpha 7 helix. (c) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The streaming of 1.3-2.3 MeV cosmic-ray protons during periods between prompt solar particle events

The anisotropy of 1.3 - 2.3 MeV protons in interplanetary space has been measured using the Caltech Electron/Isotope Spectrometer aboard IMP-7 for 317 6-hour periods from 72/273 to 74/2. Periods dominated by prompt solar particle events are not included. The convective and diffusive anisotropies are determined from the observed anisotropy using concurrent solar wind speed measurements and observed energy spectra. The diffusive flow of particles is found to be typically toward the sun, indicating a positive radial gradient in the particle density. This anisotropy is inconsistent with previously proposed sources of low-energy proton increases seen at 1 AU which involve continual solar acceleration.

The typical properties of this new component of low-energy cosmic rays have been determine d for this period which is near solar minimum. The particles have a median intensity of 0.06 protons/ cm^(2)-sec-sr-MeV and a mean spectral index of -3.15.The amplitude of the diffusive anisotropy is approximately proportional to the solar wind speed. The rate at which particles are diffusing toward the sun is larger than the rate at which the solar wind is convecting the particles away from the sun. The 20 to 1 proton to alpha ratio typical of this new component has been reported by Mewaldt, et al. (1975b).

A propagation model with κ_(rr) assumed independent of radius and energy is used to show that the anisotropy could be due to increases similar to those found by McDonald, et al. (1975) at ~3 AU. The interplanetary Fermi-acceleration model proposed by Fisk (1976) to explain the increases seen near 3 AU is not consistent with the ~12 per cent diffusive anisotropy found.

The dependence of the diffusive anisotropy on various parameters is shown. A strong dependence of the direction of the diffusive anisotropy on the concurrently measured magnetic field direction is found, indicating a κ_⊥ less than κ_∥ to be typical for this large data set.

Computational Predictions of G Protein-Coupled Receptor Structures and Binding Sites

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are the largest family of proteins within the human genome. They consist of seven transmembrane (TM) helices, with a N-terminal region of varying length and structure on the extracellular side, and a C-terminus on the intracellular side. GPCRs are involved in transmitting extracellular signals to cells, and as such are crucial drug targets. Designing pharmaceuticals to target GPCRs is greatly aided by full-atom structural information of the proteins. In particular, the TM region of GPCRs is where small molecule ligands (much more bioavailable than peptide ligands) typically bind to the receptors. In recent years nearly thirty distinct GPCR TM regions have been crystallized. However, there are more than 1,000 GPCRs, leaving the vast majority of GPCRs with limited structural information. Additionally, GPCRs are known to exist in a myriad of conformational states in the body, rendering the static x-ray crystal structures an incomplete reflection of GPCR structures. In order to obtain an ensemble of GPCR structures, we have developed the GEnSeMBLE procedure to rapidly sample a large number of variations of GPCR helix rotations and tilts. The lowest energy GEnSeMBLE structures are then docked to small molecule ligands and optimized. The GPCR family consists of five subfamilies with little to no sequence homology between them: class A, B1, B2, C, and Frizzled/Taste2. Almost all of the GPCR crystal structures have been of class A GPCRs, and much is known about their conserved interactions and binding sites. In this work we particularly focus on class B1 GPCRs, and aim to understand that family’s interactions and binding sites both to small molecules and their native peptide ligands. Specifically, we predict the full atom structure and peptide binding site of the glucagon-like peptide receptor and the TM region and small molecule binding sites for eight other class B1 GPCRs: CALRL, CRFR1, GIPR, GLR, PACR, PTH1R, VIPR1, and VIPR2. Our class B1 work reveals multiple conserved interactions across the B1 subfamily as well as a consistent small molecule binding site centrally located in the TM bundle. Both the interactions and the binding sites are distinct from those seen in the more well-characterized class A GPCRs, and as such our work provides a strong starting point for drug design targeting class B1 proteins. We also predict the full structure of CXCR4 bound to a small molecule, a class A GPCR that was not closely related to any of the class A GPCRs at the time of the work.

PP backward elastic scattering between 0.70 and 2.37 GeV/c

̄pp backward elastic scattering has been measured for the cos θ_cm region between – 1.00 and – 0.88 and for the incident ̄p laboratory momentum region between 0.70 and 2.37 GeV/c. These measurements, done in intervals of approximately 0.1 GeV/c, have been performed at the Alternating Gradient Synchrotron at Brookhaven National Laboratory during the winter of 1968. The measured differential cross sections, binned in cos θ_cm intervals of 0.02, have statistical errors of about 10%. Backward dipping exists below 0.95 GeV/c and backward peaking above 0.95 GeV/c. The 180˚ differential cross section extrapolated from our data shows a sharp dip centered at 0.95 GeV/c and a broad hump centered near 1.4 GeV/c. Our data have been interpreted in terms of resonance effects and in terms of diffraction dominance effects.

Análisis y comparación de movimientos parásitos en manipulador paralelo 1-PRS 2-PRU

[ES]En primer lugar, se analiza el contexto investigador tratando de aportar una visión global de la situación de la I+D en el entorno geográfico, institucional y departamental. En segundo lugar, describo de forma somera la temática general en la que enmarcar las dos propuestas de investigación mencionadas así como los objetivos generales que me planteo. En tercer lugar, se realiza aquí una recopilación de los resultados previos de investigación que sirven de punto de partida para las líneas de investigación que aquí se plantean. En último lugar, planteo las dos líneas de investigación con detalle, incluyendo los fundamentos necesarios y resultados preliminares

Guidelines for the scoping and environmental assessment of water resources projects. The environment and water resources projects - Volume 1

The following brief is to ensure standard criteria and format are used for the scoping and environmental assessment of water resources projects leading to the production of an environmental report or Environmental Statement. This volume is one of a series giving guidance on water resources projects. The water resources projects will predominantly comprise drought orders and permits, time limited and permanent licences. Smaller projects, such as spray irrigation licences, will not require an environmental assessment. This document forms the basis for discussions between the Environment Agency North East Region, consultees and the applicant. The process aims to produce a thorough assessment. Each section addresses consecutive elements of the assessment process. Section 2 outlines the structure for a scoping document, section 3 outlines the structure for an Environmental Statement and section 4 gives guidance on the role of an Environmental Action Plan. Appendices 1 and 2 should be used in conjunction with the scoping process and cover a wide range of aspects. However, some projects may not require all of them to be included, whilst for others, the inclusion of additional factors may be appropriate.

Adaptive diversification of vomeronasal receptor 1 genes in rodents

The vomeronasal receptor 1 (V1R) are believed to be pheromone receptors in rodents. Here we used computational methods to identify 95 and 62 new putative V1R genes from the draft rat and mouse genome sequence, respectively. The rat V1R repertoire consists of 11 subfamilies, 10 of which are shared with the mouse, while rat appears to lack the H and I subfamilies found in mouse and possesses one unique subfamily (M). The estimations of the relative divergence times suggest that many subfamilies originated after the split of rodents and primates. The analysis also reveals that these clusters underwent an expansion very close to the split of mouse and rat. In addition, maximum likelihood analysis showed that the nonsynonymous and synonymous rate ratio for most of these clusters was much higher than one, suggesting the role of positive selection in the diversification of these duplicated V1R genes. Because V1R are thought to mediate the process of signal transduction in response to pheromone detection, we speculate that the V1R genes have evolved under positive Darwinian selection to maintain the ability to discriminate between large and complex pheromonal mixtures.

Octanorcucurbitane and cucurbitane triterpenoids from the tubers of Hemsleya endecaphylla with HIV-1 inhibitory activity

Two new cucurbitacins, endecaphyllacins A (1) and B (2), together with six known analogues (3-8), were isolated from the tubers of Hemsleya endecaphylla. The structures of 1 and 2 were elucidated by NMR and MS spectroscopic analysis. The relative stereoch

Anti HIV-1 Agents 2. Discovery of Dibenzofurans as New HIV-1 Inhibitors In Vitro

Ten dibenzofurans were synthesized and evaluated as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 inhibitors in vitro for the first time. Among these compounds, compounds 1, 6, 7 and 8 demonstrated significant anti-HIV-1 activity. Especially compound 1 showed the

Morphine induces Beclin 1-and ATG5-dependent autophagy in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and in the rat hippocampus

Chronic exposure to morphine can induce drug addiction and neural injury, but the exact mechanism is not fully understood. Here we show that morphine induces autophagy in neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells and in the rat hippocampus. Pharmacological approach shows that this effect appears to be mediated by PTX-sensitive G protein-coupled receptors signaling cascade. Morphine increases Beclin 1 expression and reduces the interaction between Beclin 1 and Bcl-2, thus releasing Beclin 1 for its pro-autophagic activity. Bcl-2 overexpression inhibits morphine-induced autophagy, whereas knockdown of Beclin 1 or knockout of ATG5 prevents morphine-induced autophagy. In addition, chronic treatment with morphine induces cell death, which is increased by autophagy inhibition through Beclin 1 RNAi. Our data are the first to reveal that Beclin 1 and ATG5 play key roles in morphine-induced autophagy, which may contribute to morphine-induced neuronal injury.

Effects of inlake application of glyphoste and 2, 4‐D to control shoreline water hyacinth on diversity and abundance of associated macrofauna

The purpose of inlake herbicide trials was to assess on the aquatic environment and resources, of in-lake of weeder 64 (2,4-0 amine) and Rodio (Glyphosate) water hyacinth the effects application to control water hyacinth. The experiments reported here specifically studied the effects of the herbicides on the diversity and abundance of aquatic macrofauna associated with the water weed. Results from this and similar experiments which assessed herbicide efficacy on water hyacinth; dissipation in water, impact on water quality, algal biomass and on diversity and abundance of zooplankton and macrofauna were all to be evaluated as input into the environmental impact assessment exercise required to facilitate decisions on the use of herbicides to control water hyacinth in Uganda.

High prevalence of HIV-1 and hepatitis C virus coinfection among injection drug users in the southeastern region of Yunnan, China

The southeastern region of Yunnan province is a key site for drug trafficking and HIV-1 infection spread from the west of Yunnan and Laos to southeastern China. To investigate the prevalence of HIV-1 infection and hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection among injection drug users (IDUs) in southeastern Yunnan, three cohorts of 285 addicts, including 242 IDUs and 43 oral drug users, living in the cities of Gejiu and Kaiyuan and the county of Yanshan were studied. HIV-1 and HCV infections were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and/or polymerase chain reaction. Data on the age, sex, risk behavior, drug use history, employment, ethnic background, and marriage status were obtained by interview. The overall prevalence of HIV-1 infection was 71.9%. The rate of HCV coinfection among 138 HIV-1-infected IDUs was 99.3%. Most HIV-infected IDUs were 20 to 35 years old (86.7%) and were ethnic Han (75.9%), suggesting that the epidemic in Yunnan is no longer confined to non-Han ethnic minorities, HIV prevalence in female IDUs (81.2%) was significantly higher than in male IDUs (68.2%) (p <.05). The prevalence of HIV infection reached 68.4% after 1 year of injection drug use. Needle/syringe sharing is the major high risk factor for the spread of HIV-1 and HCV infections. Large-scale educational campaigns are urgently needed to reduce the spread of HIV and HCV infection in these regions.

Gene structure and transcription of IRF-1 and IRF-7 in the mandarin fish Siniperca chuatsi

The genes of IRF-1 and IRF-7 have been cloned from the mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi). The IRF-1 gene has 4919 nucleotides (nt) and contains 10exons and 9introns, with an open reading frame (ORF) of 903 ntencoding301 aa. The IRF-7 gene has 6057 nt and also contains 10exons and 9introns, with an ORF of 1308 nt encoding 436 aa. The IRF-1 and IRF-7 genes have only one copy each in the genome. The transcription of IRF-1 and IRF-7 in different organs was analyzed by real-time PCR, and both molecules were constitutively expressed. The IRF-I and IRF-7 mRNAs were abundant in gill, spleen, kidney and pronephros. The temporal transcriptional changes for IRF-1, IRF-7 and Mx were investigated within 48 h after poly I: C stimulation in liver, gill, spleen and pronephros. An increased transcription was detected for IRF-1 and IRF-7 12 h post-stimulation, being earlier than the transcription of Mx protein; however, IRF-1 and IRF-7 transcription decreased while the Mx protein was stable at 48 h post-stimulation. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.

1、喜树碱类衍生物抗HIV构效关系与作用机制研究2、HIV/AIDS患者疱疹病毒感染状况及性病患者的HIV感染状况分析

1、喜树碱类衍生物抗HIV构效关系与作用机制研究 喜树碱为传统的抗肿瘤药物。本研究对经过化学结构修饰的喜树碱类衍生物进行抗HIV活性及作用机制的研究，并初步探讨了其抗HIV构效关系。 我们对喜树碱类衍生物A系列化合物A1(喜树碱)、A2(10-羟基喜树碱)及A3(7-羟基喜树碱)进行了抗HIV活性检测。化合物A1和A3有较好的抗HIV-1和抗HIV-2活性，化合物A2没有显示抗HIV活性。表明化合物A1的C-10位上-OH基团修饰可能会降低抗HIV活性，化合物A1的C-7位上-CH2OH基团修饰和C-20位-CH3缺失可能会提高其抗HIV活性。对化合物A3和A1的抗HIV机制研究发现：二者对整合酶有一定的结合活性，对慢性感染H9/HIV-1ⅢB 和Jurkat/HIV-1ⅢB细胞中病毒复制没有抑制活性、不能阻断H9/HIV-1ⅢB与正常细胞间的融合，对重组的HIV-1蛋白酶和逆转录酶没有抑制活性。化合物A1和A3不具有选择性杀伤HIV-1ⅢB慢性感染的H9和Jurkat细胞系的作用。进一步进行化合物A3诱导 H9和H9/HIV-1ⅢB、Jurkat和Jurkat/HIV-1ⅢB的凋亡实验显示，化合物A3诱导感染HIV-1ⅢB和未感染病毒细胞的凋亡没有选择性。据此我们初步认为化合物A3和A1的抗HIV作用可能与抑制整合酶活性有关，该化合物可能还作用于其它靶点。 喜树碱类衍生物B系列中化合物B1为20(S)-O - [-O-( 1'-氧基-2',2',6',6'-四甲基哌啶-4'-丁二酸)]-20-喜树碱酯，化合物B2为20(S)-O - [-N-( 1'-氧基-2',2',6',6'-四甲基-1',2',5',6'-四氢吡啶酰胺)-4'-丙氨酸)]-20-喜树碱酯)。我们对化合物B1和B2进行了抗HIV活性检测。结果显示：化合物B2有较好的抗HIV-1和抗HIV-21、喜树碱类衍生物抗HIV构效关系与作用机制研究 喜树碱为传统的抗肿瘤药物。本研究对经过化学结构修饰的喜树碱类衍生物进行抗HIV活性及作用机制的研究，并初步探讨了其抗HIV构效关系。 我们对喜树碱类衍生物A系列化合物A1(喜树碱)、A2(10-羟基喜树碱)及A3(7-羟基喜树碱)进行了抗HIV活性检测。化合物A1和A3有较好的抗HIV-1和抗HIV-2活性，化合物A2没有显示抗HIV活性。表明化合物A1的C-10位上-OH基团修饰可能会降低抗HIV活性，化合物A1的C-7位上-CH2OH基团修饰和C-20位-CH3缺失可能会提高其抗HIV活性。对化合物A3和A1的抗HIV机制研究发现：二者对整合酶有一定的结合活性，对慢性感染H9/HIV-1ⅢB 和Jurkat/HIV-1ⅢB细胞中病毒复制没有抑制活性、不能阻断H9/HIV-1ⅢB与正常细胞间的融合，对重组的HIV-1蛋白酶和逆转录酶没有抑制活性。化合物A1和A3不具有选择性杀伤HIV-1ⅢB慢性感染的H9和Jurkat细胞系的作用。进一步进行化合物A3诱导 H9和H9/HIV-1ⅢB、Jurkat和Jurkat/HIV-1ⅢB的凋亡实验显示，化合物A3诱导感染HIV-1ⅢB和未感染病毒细胞的凋亡没有选择性。据此我们初步认为化合物A3和A1的抗HIV作用可能与抑制整合酶活性有关，该化合物可能还作用于其它靶点。 喜树碱类衍生物B系列中化合物B1为20(S)-O - [-O-( 1'-氧基-2',2',6',6'-四甲基哌啶-4'-丁二酸)]-20-喜树碱酯，化合物B2为20(S)-O - [-N-( 1'-氧基-2',2',6',6'-四甲基-1',2',5',6'-四氢吡啶酰胺)-4'-丙氨酸)]-20-喜树碱酯)。我们对化合物B1和B2进行了抗HIV活性检测。结果显示：化合物B2有较好的抗HIV-1和抗HIV-2活性，而化合物B1的抗HIV活性差。表明化合物B1的C-4’位-CH2被-NH取代，同时C-3’位-CH3修饰可能会提高其抗HIV活性。对化合物B2的抗HIV机制研究发现，化合物B2对慢性感染H9/HIV-1ⅢB细胞中病毒复制没有抑制活性、不能阻断H9/HIV-1ⅢB与正常细胞间的融合，对HIV-1蛋白酶、重组的HIV-1逆转录酶及整合酶没有抑制活性。化合物B2不具有选择性杀伤HIV-1ⅢB慢性感染的H9细胞系的作用。化合物B2抗HIV的作用机制还需进一步研究。 2、HIV/AIDS患者疱疹病毒感染状况及性病患者的HIV感染状况分析 疱疹病毒是AIDS患者合并感染的常见病原体。引起人类疾病的8种疱疹病毒与HIV感染及AIDS进展、机会性感染、恶性肿瘤密切相关。为了解HIV/AIDS患者人类8型疱疹病毒感染状况，我们检测了30例AIDS患者、40例HIV携带者及70例正常对照的液标本中8型疱疹病毒感染状况。采用ELISA法检测单纯疱疹病毒1型(HSV-1)、单纯疱疹病毒2型(HSV-2)、水痘-带状疱疹病毒(VZV)和巨细胞病毒(CMV)；采用PCR法检测EB病毒(EBV)、疱疹病毒6型(HHV-6)、疱疹病毒7型(HHV-7)及疱疹病毒8型(HHV-8)。结果显示，HIV/AIDS患者中HSV-1、HSV-2、VZV、CMV、HHV-6、HHV-8 阳性率均高于健康体检者，其中AIDS患者VZV感染率与HIV携带者有显著性差异；在AIDS患者中多种疱疹病毒共感染普遍存在，必须重视HIV/AIDS患者合并疱疹病毒感染的防治。 性病可促进HIV的传播，了解性病患者的HIV感染状况及临床特征具有重要的意义。在自愿接受HIV咨询检测的基础上，对临床确诊的412例性病患者进行HIV-1/2抗体检测，并对其临床特征进行分析研究。结果显示412例性病患者的HIV检出率为2.9%。性病患者中检出HIV阳性率依次为：尖锐湿疣(6.2%)、生殖器疱疹(4.2%)、梅毒(3.4%)、淋病(1.5%)及非淋菌性尿道炎(1.0%)。83.3%合并感染HIV的性病患者存在多性伴，商业性行为普遍存在，安全套使用率极低现象。感染HIV的尖锐湿疣及生殖器疱疹患者以频繁复发为突出表现，1例合并感染HIV的梅毒患者半年即进展为神经梅毒。性病患者是HIV感染的重要高危人群，危险性行为是其感染HIV和其它性病的主要原因，应该加强性病患者的HIV检测。对临床上频繁复发的尖锐湿疣及生殖器疱疹患者、快速进展的梅毒患者应高度怀疑合并HIV感染的可能。