Identification of Human Vital Functions Directly Relevant to the Respiratory System Based on the Cardiac and Acoustic Parameters and Random Forest

Regarding sleep research, polysomnography (PSG) also called a sleep study, is a gold standard. It incorporates brain waves, the oxygen level in the blood, heart rate and breathing, and leg movement recordings. PSG is a complicated and expensive laboratory-based procedure, usually done in hospitals or special sleep center. In this study, an alternative technique for Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders (SRBD) based on selected cardiac and acoustic parameters and the Random Forest (RF) has been studied. A system dedicated to the detection of simultaneously acquired ECG and acoustic signals, which are collected during sleep at home environment is proposed. Results obtained indicate that classification and regression tree models such as RF are appropriate for the evaluation of sleep disorders like SRBD. The best identification of sleep irregularities at level 89.00 percent for the raw database was obtained. Thus, statistical predictive models allow identification of breathing events with high levels of sensitivity and specificity, providing an inexpensive and accurate diagnosis.     

Synthesis of Purine and Pyrimidine Trihydroxyacyclonucleosides

Abstract

The [[3-hydroxy-2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-l-propoxy]methyl] derivatives of adenine, guanine, cytosine and thymine have been synthesized and tested against herpesviruses.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of antiviral and cytostatic properties of novel 8-triazolyl acyclovir derivatives

Abstract

As a part of the research aimed on identification of new nucleobase derivatives with improved biological properties, a series of novel 8-substituted acyclovir derivatives were synthesized. The 8-azidoguanosine 4 and novel 8-azidoacyclovir 9 were synthesized from commercially available guanosine 1 and acyclovir 6 which were transformed into 8-bromopurine derivatives 2 and 7 and hydrazine derivatives 3 and 8, respectively. 8-Triazolylguanosine 5 and 8-triazolylacyclovir analogs 10–12 were successfully synthesized via the Cu(I) catalyzed 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of azides 4 and 9 with propargyl alcohol, 4-pentyn-1-ol and 5-hexyn-1-ol. The novel 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazolyl compounds 5, 10–12 were evaluated for antiviral activity against selected DNA and RNA viruses and cytostatic activity against normal Madine Darby canine kidney (MDCK I) cells, and seven tumor cell lines (HeLa, CaCo-2, NCI-H358, Jurkat, K562, Raji and HuT78). While tested compounds exerted no antiviral activity at nontoxic concentrations, the 8-triazolyl acyclovir derivative 10, with the shortest alkyl substituent at the C-4 of triazole ring, was found to be the most active against the CaCo-2 cell line.     

3′-End processing of histone pre-mRNAs in Drosophila: U7 snRNP is associated with FLASH and polyadenylation factors

3′-End cleavage of animal replication-dependent histone pre-mRNAs is controlled by the U7 snRNP. Lsm11, the largest component of the U7-specific Sm ring, interacts with FLASH, and in mammalian nuclear extracts these two proteins form a platform that recruits the CPSF73 endonuclease and other polyadenylation factors to the U7 snRNP. FLASH is limiting, and the majority of the U7 snRNP in mammalian extracts exists as a core particle consisting of the U7 snRNA and the Sm ring. Here, we purified the U7 snRNP from Drosophila nuclear extracts and characterized its composition by mass spectrometry. In contrast to the mammalian U7 snRNP, a significant fraction of the Drosophila U7 snRNP contains endogenous FLASH and at least six subunits of the polyadenylation machinery: symplekin, CPSF73, CPSF100, CPSF160, WDR33, and CstF64. The same composite U7 snRNP is recruited to histone pre-mRNA for 3′-end processing. We identified a motif in Drosophila FLASH that is essential for the recruitment of the polyadenylation complex to the U7 snRNP and analyzed the role of other factors, including SLBP and Ars2, in 3′-end processing of Drosophila histone pre-mRNAs. SLBP that binds the upstream stem–loop structure likely recruits a yet-unidentified essential component(s) to the processing machinery. In contrast, Ars2, a protein previously shown to interact with FLASH in mammalian cells, is dispensable for processing in Drosophila. Our studies also demonstrate that Drosophila symplekin and three factors involved in cleavage and polyadenylation—CPSF, CstF, and CF I_m—are present in Drosophila nuclear extracts in a stable supercomplex.     

Optimized invertase expression and secretion cassette for improving Yarrowia lipolytica growth on sucrose for industrial applications

Yarrowia lipolytica requires the expression of a heterologous invertase to grow on a sucrose-based substrate. This work reports the construction of an optimized invertase expression cassette composed of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Suc2p secretion signal sequence followed by the SUC2 sequence and under the control of the strong Y. lipolytica pTEF promoter. This new construction allows a fast and optimal cleavage of sucrose into glucose and fructose and allows cells to reach the maximum growth rate. Contrary to pre-existing constructions, the expression of SUC2 is not sensitive to medium composition in this context. The strain JMY2593, expressing this new cassette with an optimized secretion signal sequence and a strong promoter, produces 4,519 U/l of extracellular invertase in bioreactor experiments compared to 597 U/l in a strain expressing the former invertase construction. The expression of this cassette strongly improved production of invertase and is suitable for simultaneously high production level of citric acid from sucrose-based media.     

Morphological diversity of pedicels in phoretic deutonymphs of Uropodina mites (Acari: Mesostigmata)

The pedicel is a structure that connects the phoretic deutonymph of Uropodina mites with its carrier and enables dispersal. The shapes, lengths and diameters of pedicels formed by Uropoda orbicularis, Trichouropoda ovalis, Uroobovella pulchella and Uroobovella nova were studied by scanning and light microscopy. Pedicels of U. orbicularis and T. ovalis have the shape of a straight stalk. In U. pulchella, the pedicel is extremely short, irregularly shaped and composed of homogeneous material. The longest pedicel is found in U. nova and it may be helically coiled in this species. The length of the pedicel is positively correlated with deutonymph body size between species, but not within species. Pedicels of U. orbicularis and U. pulchella have the largest diameter. The pedicel diameter in U. orbicularis and T. ovalis is inversely proportional to its length, but not in U. nova and U. pulchella. The constituent of pedicel stems in U. pulchella is homogeneous, whereas in U. orbicularis and T. ovalis it contains a bundle of tightly packed fibres. In U. nova coiled pedicels are comprised of two layered materials of different electron density, one of which is electron lucid and located peripherally. Hypotheses on the origin of the pedicel are proposed.     

Denaturation of Nucleic Acids Induced by Intercalating Agents. Biochemical and Biophysical Properties of Acridine Orange-DNA Complexes

Abstract

At high binding denstities acridine orange (AO) forms complexes with ds DNA which are insoluble in aqueous media. These complexes are characterized by high red- and minimal green-luminescence, 1:1 (dye/P) stoichiometry and resemble complexes of AO with ss nucleic acids. Formation of these complexes can be conveniently monitored by light scatter measurements. Light scattering properties of these complexes are believed to result from the condensation of nucleic acids induced by the cationic, intercalating ligands. The spectral and thermodynamic data provide evidence that AO (and other intercalating agents) induces denaturation of ds nucleic acids; the driving force of the denaturation is high affinity and cooperativity of binding of these ligands to ss nucleic acids. The denaturing effects of AO, adriamycin and ellipticine were confirmed by biochemical studies on accessibility of DNA bases (in complexes with these ligands) to the external probes. The denaturing properties of AO vary depending on the primary structure (sugar-and base-composition) of nucleic acids.     

Electrochemically active biofilms: facts and fiction. A review

This review examines the electrochemical techniques used to study extracellular electron transfer in the electrochemically active biofilms that are used in microbial fuel cells and other bioelectrochemical systems. Electrochemically active biofilms are defined as biofilms that exchange electrons with conductive surfaces: electrodes. Following the electrochemical conventions, and recognizing that electrodes can be considered reactants in these bioelectrochemical processes, biofilms that deliver electrons to the biofilm electrode are called anodic, ie electrode-reducing, biofilms, while biofilms that accept electrons from the biofilm electrode are called cathodic, ie electrode-oxidizing, biofilms. How to grow these electrochemically active biofilms in bioelectrochemical systems is discussed and also the critical choices made in the experimental setup that affect the experimental results. The reactor configurations used in bioelectrochemical systems research are also described and the authors demonstrate how to use selected voltammetric techniques to study extracellular electron transfer in bioelectrochemical systems. Finally, some critical concerns with the proposed electron transfer mechanisms in bioelectrochemical systems are addressed together with the prospects of bioelectrochemical systems as energy-converting and energy-harvesting devices.     

Comparison of Tissue Metal Concentrations in Zucker Lean, Zucker Obese, and Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats and the Effects of Chromium Supplementation on Tissue Metal Concentrations

Diabetes results in several metabolic changes, including alterations in the transport, distribution, excretion, and accumulation of metals. While changes have been examined in several rat models of insulin resistance and diabetes, the metal ion concentrations in the tissues of Zucker lean, Zucker obese (an insulin resistance and early stage diabetes model), and Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF, a type 2 diabetes model) have not previously been examined in detail. The concentration of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg, and Ca were examined in the liver, kidney, heart and spleen, and Cr concentration in the liver and kidney of these rats were examined. Zucker obese rats have a reduction in the concentration of Cu, Zn, Fe, Mg in the liver compared to ZDF and/or lean Zucker rats, presumably as a result of the increased fat content of the liver of the obese rats. ZDF rats have increased concentrations of kidney Cu compared to the lean rats, while kidney Ca concentrations are increased in the Zucker obese rats. Spleen Fe concentrations are decreased in Zucker obese rats compared to the lean rats. No effects on metal concentrations in the heart were observed between the lean, obese, and ZDF rats, and no effects on Cr concentrations were identified. Cr(III) complexes have previously been shown to have beneficial effects on the signs of insulin resistance in Zucker obese and ZDF rats. The effects of daily gavage administration of chromium picolinate ([Cr(pic)₃]) (1 mg?Cr/kg body mass), CrCl₃ (1 mg?Cr/kg body mass), and Cr3 ([Cr₃O(propionate)₆(H₂O)₃]⁺) (33 μg and 1 mg?Cr/kg body mass) on metal concentrations in these tissues were examined. Treatment with CrCl₃ and Cr3, but not [Cr(pic)₃], at 1 mg?Cr/kg resulted in a statistically significant accumulation of Cr in the kidney of lean and obese but not ZDF rats but resulted in lowering the elevated levels of kidney Cu in ZDF rats, suggesting a beneficial effect on this symptom of type 2 diabetes.     

Synthesis of novel isothiazolopyridines and their in vitro evaluation against Mycobacterium and Propionibacterium acnes

In this paper we describe synthesis, structures and some physicochemical properties of 20 isothiazolopyridines 8–13 substituted differently into an isothiazole ring as well as their in vitro antibacterial assays against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv, Mycobacterium fortuitum PCM 672 and Propionibacterium acnes PCM 2400. Compound 13a was found to be the most active derivative against M. tuberculosis H37Rv, demonstrating 100% growth inhibition of microorganisms in the primary screen (minimum inhibitory concentration [MIC] 6.25 μg/mL). Nineteen of the prepared compounds were evaluated against M. fortuitum PCM 672 and P. acnes PCM 2400 and only compounds 9 and 12d exhibited excellent activity against individual strains of microorganisms with MIC₉₀ <1 μg/mL. The inhibitory action of the remaining isothiazolopyridines towards the tested strains of the microorganism was low, absent, or a non-linear correlation prohibited accurate determination of MIC values. Unexpectedly, seven of the remaining isothiazolopyridines tested against M. fortuitum and P. acnes stimulated growth of the microorganisms in the range 10–50% or even more (10b) under experimental conditions.