Magnetic bead assisted labeling of antibodies at nanogram scale

There are currently several initiatives that aim to produce binding reagents for proteome‐wide analysis. To enable protein detection, visualization, and target quantification, covalent coupling of reporter molecules to antibodies is essential. However, current labeling protocols recommend considerable amount of antibodies, require antibody purity and are not designed for automation. Given that small amounts of antibodies are often sufficient for downstream analysis, we developed a labeling protocol that combines purification and modification of antibodies at submicrogram quantities. With the support of magnetic microspheres, automated labeling of antibodies in parallel using biotin or fluorescent dyes was achieved.     

A multi-objective differential evolutionary approach toward more stable gene regulatory networks

Models are of central importance in many scientific contexts. Mathematical and computational modeling of genetic regulatory networks promises to uncover the fundamental principles of living systems. Biological models, such as gene regulatory models, can help us better understand interactions among genes and how cells regulate their production of proteins and enzymes. One feature shared among living systems is their ability to cope with perturbations and remain stable, a property that is the result of evolutionary fine-tuning over many generations. In this study we use random Boolean networks (RBNs) as an abstract model of gene regulatory systems. By applying Differential Evolution (DE), an evolution-based optimization technique, we produce networks with increased stability. DE requires relatively few user-specified parameters, has fast convergence and does not rely on initial conditions to find the global minima within multi-dimensional search spaces.     

Preparation of Pickering Flaxseed Oil-in-Water Emulsion Stabilized by Chitosan-Myristic Acid Nanogels and Investigation of Its Oxidative Stability in Presence of Clove Essential Oil as Antioxidant

Food Biophysics - The aim of this study was to obtain a stable flaxseed oil (FSO)-in-water Pickering emulsion (PE) stabilized by chitosan (CS)-myristic acid (MA) nanogels and to investigate the...     

Entrapment of an air gun pellet between the thyroid cartilage and the lining mucosa in a patient with a penetrating neck injury: a case report

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Air guns, either modern or traditional models, are powerful weapons that are capable ofcausing serious or life-threatening injuries. CASE PRESENTATION: Here, we present a case of an air gun pellet injury, with the pellet trapped between the thyroidcartilage and the lining mucosa of a 58-year-old Iranian man. CONCLUSION: Entrapment of air gun pellet between thyroid cartilage and the lining mucosa, as presented inour case, may cause diagnostic challenges through the clinical presentation of slightodynophagia.     

Environmental Factors Affecting the Compressive Strength of Microbiologically Induced Calcite Precipitation-Treated Soil

Some microorganisms such as Sporoscarcina pasteurii precipitate calcium carbonate and are suitable for biocementation. This study aimed to investigate the effects of several factors including concentration of bacteria, chemical reactants, temperature, and pH on precipitation of calcium carbonate. The results showed that after 7 and 14 days of curing, the compressive strength of silty clay soil samples increased steadily as pH increased from 5 to 9. It was observed that pH plays an important role in biocementation. The highest compressive strength (i.e. 92 kPa) was observed when the soil was treated with 50 ml of bacterial solution after 14 days of curing. In addition, it was observed that the highest compressive strength of samples was achieved when the temperature was 40°C.     

Molecular dynamics analysis of a ribonuclease C-peptide analogue

We have carried out a nanosecond molecular dynamics simulation of an analogue of the ribonuclease C-peptide in water. The overall conformation has an extended region for the first three amino acids connected to an α-helix for residues 4–13, and this basic structure is preserved throughout the simulation, with helical hydrogen bonds present 87% of the time, on average. The final helical hydrogen bond is spontaneously broken and re-formed several times, providing a detailed picture of such winding/unwinding events. The simulation was used to estimate the effects of internal motion on proton nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy (NOESY) intensities for several classes of important cross peaks. Within the helical regions, the effects of internal motion vary only a little from one residue to another for backbone–backbone cross peaks, and the relevant correlation functions reach plateau values within about 50 ps. The spectral simulations show, however, that it may be difficult to establish a close quantitative connection between NOESY cross-peak volumes and measures of helical content. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.