竹叶青蛇毒金属蛋白酶结构与功能的研究

出血性的蝰科蛇毒中含有丰富的蛇毒金属蛋白酶，本论文就竹叶青（Trimeresurus stejnegeri）蛇毒中的蛇毒金属蛋白酶的结构与功能进行研究。我们用生物化学手段从竹叶青（T.stejnegeri）的粗毒中分离纯化得到一个二聚体的P-IIIb亚型蛇毒金属蛋白酶，命名为TSV-DM。同时，用分子生物学方法从竹叶青（T.stejnegeri）的毒腺cDNA文库中克隆得到3个P-III型的蛇毒金属蛋白酶的cDNAs序列， 其中一个编码TSV-DM蛋白前体，另两个编码P-IIIc亚型的出血性蛇毒金属蛋白酶前体，分别命名为stejnihagin-A 和 stejnihagin-B。 经过阴离子层析和肝素亲和层析两步层析方法，我们从竹叶青（T. stejnegeri）蛇毒中分离纯化得到TSV-DM蛋白质，非还原条件下SDS-PAGE电泳表观分子量约110 kDa，还原条件下约为55 kDa。活性检测表明，TSV-DM降解牛纤维蛋白原Aα链快于Bβ链，且呈剂量依赖关系。但不降解明胶，不诱导出血，不具有促凝或者抗凝活性，以及不诱导或者抑制血小板聚集。蛋白质N-末端测序表明TSV-DM的成熟蛋白N-末端封闭。利用肽指纹图谱确证了TSV-DM的编码cDNA。TSV-DM的cDNA序列编码622个氨基酸残基的蛋白前体，包括信号肽、前肽、金属蛋白酶区域、间隔区、去整合素样区域和富含半胱氨酸区域。TSV-DM与其他P-III型蛇毒金属蛋白酶的一级结构序列比对发现TSV-DM和诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡的P-IIIb亚型蛇毒金属蛋白酶具有高度的同源性。但是用人脐带静脉血管内皮细胞系ECV304细胞作为靶细胞检测TSV-DM的诱导血管内皮细胞凋亡活性发现，TSV-DM只能抑制ECV304细胞的增殖和诱导细胞形态从多角形的内皮细胞向成纤维细胞样的梭形状改变。电泳检测抽提的片断化DNA以及流式细胞仪检测TSV-DM处理的ECV304细胞的DNA含量变化均表明TSV-DM不能诱导ECV304细胞的凋亡。 Stejnihagin-A 和stejnihagin-B是用PCR方法从竹叶青（T.stejnegeri）毒腺cDNA文库中克隆得到的两个P-III型蛇毒金属蛋白酶前体的cDNAs。这两个cDNA序列均编码600个氨基酸残基的蛋白前体，包括信号肽、前肽、金属蛋白酶区域、间隔区、去整合素样区域和富含半胱氨酸区域。推导成熟肽的氨基酸序列分析结果表明，stejnihagin-A 和stejnihagin-B不仅在一级结构序列上和来源于黄绿烙铁头（Trimeresurus flavoviridis）的HR1b具有高度同源性，高达79%， 而且在他们的金属蛋白酶区域的第100个氨基酸残基位置上均有一保守的半胱氨酸残基。结合序列比对和进化树的分析，我们推测stejnihagin-A、stejnihagin-B和HR1b有可能组成一个新的P-III型蛇毒金属蛋白酶亚型，命名为P-IIIc亚型。

The S.T.A.B. Trial - Standardised Testing of Artificial Blood. A comparative study of various products that may be used as artificial blood for high fidelity simulation training in the critical care setting

Aim: In the current climate of medical education, there is an ever-increasing demand for and emphasis on simulation as both a teaching and training tool. The objective of our study was to compare the realism and practicality of a number of artificial blood products that could be used for high-fidelity simulation. Method: A literature and internet search was performed and 15 artificial blood products were identified from a variety of sources. One product was excluded due to its potential toxicity risks. Five observers, blinded to the products, performed two assessments on each product using an evaluation tool with 14 predefined criteria including color, consistency, clotting, and staining potential to manikin skin and clothing. Each criterion was rated using a five-point Likert scale. The products were left for 24 hours, both refrigerated and at room temperature, and then reassessed. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the most suitable products, and both inter- and intra-rater variability were examined. Results: Three products scored consistently well with all five assessors, with one product in particular scoring well in almost every criterion. This highest-rated product had a mean rating of 3.6 of 5.0 (95% posterior Interval 3.4-3.7). Inter-rater variability was minor with average ratings varying from 3.0 to 3.4 between the highest and lowest scorer. Intrarater variability was negligible with good agreement between first and second rating as per weighted kappa scores (K = 0.67). Conclusion: The most realistic and practical form of artificial blood identified was a commercial product called KD151 Flowing Blood Syrup. It was found to be not only realistic in appearance but practical in terms of storage and stain removal.

Can B.I.M be civil?

After many years of development BIM (Building Information Modelling) is starting to achieve significant penetration into the building sector of the construction industry. This paper describes the current status of BIM and the drivers that are motivating the change from 2D CAD to BIM within the building sector. The paper then discusses what the implications of the technology underlying BIM may be for the civil construction sector of the construction industry. A project carried out by the Cooperative Research Centre for Construction Innovation is used as an example of this technology as well as several international examples.

Crystallographic characterization of the first reported crystalline form of the potent hallucinogen (R)-2-amino-1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b;5,4-b']difuran-4-yl)propane or `bromodragonfly': the 1:1 anhydrous proton-transfer compound with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid

The 1:1 proton-transfer compound of the potent substituted amphetamine hallucinogen (R)-1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b; 4,5-b']difuran-4-yl)-2-aminopropane (common trivial name 'bromodragonfly') with 3,5-dinitrosalicylic acid, 1-(8-bromobenzo[1,2-b;4,5-b']difuran-4-yl)-2-mmoniopropane 2-carboxy-4,6-dinitrophenolate, C13H13BrNO2+ C7H3N2O7- forms hydrogen-bonded cation-anion chain substructures comprising undulating head-to-tail anion chains formed through C(8) carboxyl O-H...O(nitro) associations and incorporating the aminium groups of the cations. The intra-chain cation-anion hydrogen-bonding associations feature proximal cyclic R33(8) interactions involving both a N+-H...O(phenolate) and the carboxyl O--H...O(nitro)associations. Also present are aromatic pi-pi ring interactions [minimum ring centroid separation, 3.566(2)A; inter-plane dihedral angle, 5.13(1)deg]. A lateral hydrogen-bonding interaction between the third aminium proton and a carboxyl O acceptor link the chain substructures giving a two-dimensional sheet structure. This determination represents the first of any form of this compound and confirms that it has the (R) absolute configuration. The atypical crystal stability is attributed both to the hydrogen-bonded chain substructures provided by the anions, which accommodate the aminium proton-donor groups of the cations and give cross-linking, and to the presence of cation--anion aromatic ring pi-pi interactions.

Psychometric analysis of the Brisbane Practice Environment Measure (B-PEM)

Purpose: To undertake rigorous psychometric testing of the newly developed contemporary work environment measure (the Brisbane Practice Environment Measure [B-PEM]) using exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis. Methods: Content validity of the 33-item measure was established by a panel of experts. Initial testing involved 195 nursing staff using principal component factor analysis with varimax rotation (orthogonal) and Cronbach's alpha coefficients. Confirmatory factor analysis was conducted using data from a further 983 nursing staff. Results: Principal component factor analysis yielded a four-factor solution with eigenvalues greater than 1 that explained 52.53% of the variance. These factors were then verified using confirmatory factor analysis. Goodness-of-fit indices showed an acceptable fit overall with the full model, explaining 21% to 73% of the variance. Deletion of items took place throughout the evolution of the instrument, resulting in a 26-item, four-factor measure called the Brisbane Practice Environment Measure-Tested. Conclusions: The B-PEM has undergone rigorous psychometric testing, providing evidence of internal consistency and goodness-of-fit indices within acceptable ranges. The measure can be utilised as a subscale or total score reflective of a contemporary nursing work environment. Clinical Relevance: An up-to-date instrument to measure practice environment may be useful for nursing leaders to monitor the workplace and to assist in identifying areas for improvement, facilitating greater job satisfaction and retention.