Biochemical synthesis of chirally pure Rp oligonucleotide phosphorothioates

Oligonucleotide phosphorothioates have been synthesized using procaryotic DNA polymerase and oligonucleotide template/primer. The method facilitates the recovery of DNA polymerase and template/primer and is successful at the milligram scale. This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Focus: A Multifaceted Battle Against Cancer: Extracting Knowledge from Chemical Imaging Data Using Computational Algorithms for Digital Cancer Diagnosis

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging is an emerging microscopy modality for clinical histopathologic diagnoses as well as for biomedical research. Spectral data recorded in this modality are indicative of the underlying, spatially resolved biochemical composition but need computerized algorithms to digitally recognize and transform this information to a diagnostic tool to identify cancer or other physiologic conditions. Statistical pattern recognition forms the backbone of these recognition protocols and can be used for highly accurate results. Aided by biochemical correlations with normal and diseased states and the power of modern computer-aided pattern recognition, this approach is capable of combating many standing questions of traditional histology-based diagnosis models. For example, a simple diagnostic test can be developed to determine cell types in tissue. As a more advanced application, IR spectral data can be integrated with patient information to predict risk of cancer, providing a potential road to precision medicine and personalized care in cancer treatment. The IR imaging approach can be implemented to complement conventional diagnoses, as the samples remain unperturbed and are not destroyed. Despite high potential and utility of this approach, clinical implementation has not yet been achieved due to practical hurdles like speed of data acquisition and lack of optimized computational procedures for extracting clinically actionable information rapidly. The latter problem has been addressed by developing highly efficient ways to process IR imaging data but remains one that has considerable scope for progress. Here, we summarize the major issues and provide practical considerations in implementing a modified Bayesian classification protocol for digital molecular pathology. We hope to familiarize readers with analysis methods in IR imaging data and enable researchers to develop methods that can lead to the use of this promising technique for digital diagnosis of cancer.     

IgG subclass specificity to C1q determined by surface plasmon resonance using Protein L capture technique

Recombinant monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become an important category of biological therapeutics. mAbs share the same structures and biological functions as endogenous IgG molecules. One function is complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) initiation by binding of C1q. Traditionally, ELISA methods have been utilized to measure C1q binding. A new robust capture method was established in this study to measure the binding affinity of C1q to antibodies by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). The utility of this method was demonstrated by determination of the difference in IgG subclass specificity of C1q binding.     

Keratoconus in a rhesus monkey

A 15-year-old female rhesus monkey was observed to have bilaterally thinned and prominently curved corneas. Slit lamp observations, pachymetry, keratometry, and corneoscopy were consistent with a diagnosis of keratoconus, a relatively common corneal dystrophy in humans heretofore not described in a subhuman primate.     

High resolution nuclear magnetic resonance study of base pairing in four purified transfer RNA molecules

The high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of hydrogen bonded protons in four purified tRNA molecules are reported. From the temperature and concentration dependence it is shown that these resonances arise from intramolecular hydrogen bonds.     

Effect of different carbohydrate drinks on whole body carbohydrate storage after exhaustive exercise.

Seven untrained male subjects participated in a double-blind, crossover study conducted to determine the efficacy of different carbohydrate drinks in promoting carbohydrate storage in the whole body and skeletal muscle during recovery from exhaustive exercise. The postabsorptive subjects first completed an exercise protocol designed to deplete muscle fibers of glycogen, then consumed 330 ml of one of three carbohydrate drinks (18.5% glucose polymer, 18.5% sucrose, or 12% sucrose; wt/vol) and also received a primed constant infusion of [1-(13)C]glucose for 2 h. Nonoxidative glucose disposal (3.51 +/- 0.28, 18.5% glucose polymer; 2.96 +/- 0.32, 18.5% sucrose; 2.97 +/- 0.16, 12% sucrose; all mmol. kg(-1). h(-1)) and storage of muscle glycogen (5.31 +/- 1.11, 18.5% glucose polymer; 4.07 +/- 1.05, 18.5% sucrose; 3.45 +/- 0.85, 12% sucrose; all mmol. kg wet wt(-1). h(-1); P < 0.05) were greater after consumption of the glucose polymer drink than after either sucrose drink. The results suggest that the consumption of a glucose polymer drink (containing 61 g carbohydrate) promotes a more rapid storage of carbohydrate in the whole body, skeletal muscle in particular, than an isoenergetic sucrose drink.