On the Prediction of the Enantioselectivity of Candida rugosa Lipase by Comparative Molecular Field Analysis

Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) was used to derive a quantitative substrate model for the enzymatic resolution of norbornanol esters by the lipase of Candida rugosa. Within these calculations, the steric and electrostatic interactions of both enantiomers and the differences in the corresponding two fields were used for the correlation of the substrate structure with the enantioselectivity of the hydrolysis. Different alignments of the molecules were used to improve the model.     

The technique of detecting systolic and diastolic pressure from the transducer output of a PC-based blood pressure monitoring system

A pressure to voltage transducer is used along with a cuff, in a PC-based blood pressure and pulse rate monitoring system for human body. During the blood pressure measurement cycle, the output voltage of the pressure to voltage transducer is recorded digitally using a data acquisition system. The recorded data are then analyzed using software routines to determine the blood pressure and pulse rate of the person under test. However, it is difficult to identify the points of systole and diastole correctly from the recorded data. This paper presents the technique that may be used to determine the systolic and diastolic pressure from the collected data.     

Measurement verification of dose distributions in pulsed-dose rate brachytherapy in breast cancer

Aim

The aim of the study was to verify the dose distribution optimisation method in pulsed brachytherapy.

Background

The pulsed-dose rate brachytherapy is a very important method of breast tumour treatment using a standard brachytheraphy equipment. The appropriate dose distribution round an implant is an important issue in treatment planning. Advanced computer systems of treatment planning are equipped with algorithms optimising dose distribution.

Materials and methods

The wax-paraffin phantom was constructed and seven applicators were placed within it. Two treatment plans (non-optimised, optimised) were prepared. The reference points were located at a distance of 5 mm from the applicators’ axis. Thermoluminescent detectors were placed in the phantom at suitable 35 chosen reference points.

Results

The dosimetry verification was carried out in 35 reference points for the plans before and after optimisation. Percentage difference for the plan without optimisation ranged from −8.5% to 1.4% and after optimisation from −8.3% to 0.01%. In 16 reference points, the calculated percentage difference was negative (from −8.5% to 1.3% for the plan without optimisation and from −8.3% to 0.8% for the optimised plan). In the remaining 19 points percentage difference was from 9.1% to 1.4% for the plan without optimisation and from 7.5% to 0.01% for the optimised plan.No statistically significant differences were found between calculated doses and doses measured at reference points in both dose distribution non-optimised treatment plans and optimised treatment plans.

Conclusions

No statistically significant differences were found in dose values at reference points between doses calculated by the treatment planning system and those measured by TLDs. This proves the consistency between the measurements and the calculations.     

RELATIVE STABILITY OF QUADRUPLEXES CONTAINING DIFFERENT NUMBER OF G-TETRADS

The aim of this work is to compare the physicochemical properties of three oligonucleotidic sequences, d(TGGGT), d(TGGGGT) and d(TGGGGGT), which assemble to form quadruplex structures with the same molecularity, but containing three, four, and five G-quartets, respectively. The addition of one or two G-tetrads greatly increases both the enthalpy and T_m values of the quadruplex dissociation.     

Detection of DNA strand breakage in a marine amphipod by agarose gel electrophoresis: exposure to X-rays and copper

This article describes the leading steps to develop an assay of DNA damage for the marine amphipod Gammarus locusta, using agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE). To test the sensitivity and feasibility of the AGE technique, X-ray assays were performed with naked DNA and with live amphipods. These positive controls demonstrated the effectiveness of the AGE technique to not only discriminate distinct levels of DNA strand breakage in a dose-dependent manner, but also to identify and quantify the type of strand breakage induced. It was also shown that it is possible to detect DNA damage using whole-body DNA extracts from amphipods. To explore the potential of this technique for use in ecotoxicological studies with amphipods, a 96-h waterborne-copper toxicity test was performed. Copper-induced DNA strand breakage was first observed after 24 h of exposure, and was recorded again at 96 h, at a copper concentration of 20 μg l -1 . The absence of strand breakage after 48 h of exposure is discussed in the light of the underlying mechanisms of copper toxicity and DNA repair. These studies demonstrated the feasibility of including DNA damage as a biomarker in ecotoxicological studies with amphipods. Information gained from the use of this biomarker would help with the interpretation of chronic toxicity tests and would contribute to our understanding of the impact of genotoxic insult in marine invertebrates, particularly crustaceans.     

The effect of different strengths of extremely low-frequency electric fields on antioxidant status,lipid peroxidation,and visual evoked potentials

The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of extremely low-frequency electric field (ELF EF) on visual evoked potential (VEP), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidant stress index (OSI). Thirty female Wistar rats, aged 3 months, were divided into three equal groups: Control (C), the group exposed to EF at 12 kV/m strength (E12), and the group exposed to EF at 18 kV/m strength (E18). Electric field was applied to the E12 and E18 groups for 14 days (1 h/day). Brain and retina TBARS, TOS, and OSI were significantly increased in the E12 and E18 groups with respect to the control group. Also, TBARS levels were significantly increased in the E18 group compared with the E12 group. Electric fields significantly decreased TAS levels in both brain and retina in E12 and E18 groups with respect to the control group. All VEP components were significantly prolonged in rats exposed to electric fields compared to control group. In addition, all latencies of VEP components were increased in the E18 group with respect to the E12 group. It is conceivable to suggest that EF-induced lipid peroxidation may play an important role in changes of VEP parameters.     

不同棉花种质资源耐热性的田间鉴定

随着全球气候变暖,高温胁迫已经成为影响棉花产量的主要因素之一。中国棉花种植区,在7月和8月棉花花铃高峰期经常出现周期性极端高温胁迫,导致蕾铃脱落,降低了产量,因此棉花耐热性种质的筛选迫在眉睫。本试验在新疆吐鲁番自然高温条件下,调查200份不同棉花种质资源的脱落率、花粉活力、叶片萎蔫程度、花粉形态、不孕子率等田间性状。然后选择29份不同耐热性种质在河南安阳种植,调查30、35、40、45和50℃离体培养条件下的花粉萌发率。不同耐热性种质资源在自然高温条件下的鉴定指标和室内离体培养花粉萌发率存在着极显著的差异。而且不同鉴定指标间也存在着不同的相关性。结合田间调查结果和花粉离体培养萌发率,将29份种质划分为耐高温型、较耐高温型、高温较敏感型和高温敏感型种质,并初步确定了耐热性的鉴定指标。     

Dynamic process conditions in bioprocess development

In this review, we summarise recent studies that purposefully employed dynamic conditions, such as shifts, pulses, ramps and oscillations, for fast physiological strain characterisation and bioprocess development. We show the broad applicability of dynamic conditions and the various objectives that can thereby be investigated in a short time. Dynamic processes reveal information about the analysed system faster than traditional strategies, like continuous cultivations, as process parameters can directly be linked to platform and product parameters. Furthermore, we demonstrate that dynamic operations can result in increased productivity and high product quality, making this strategy a valuable tool for bioprocess development. With this review, we would like to encourage bioprocess engineers to an increased use of dynamic conditions in bioprocess development.     

Basic concepts of fluid responsiveness

Predicting fluid responsiveness, the response of stroke volume to fluid loading, is a relatively novel concept that aims to optimise circulation, and as such organ perfusion, while avoiding futile and potentially deleterious fluid administrations in critically ill patients. Dynamic parameters have shown to be superior in predicting the response to fluid loading compared with static cardiac filling pressures. However, in routine clinical practice the conditions necessary for dynamic parameters to predict fluid responsiveness are frequently not met. Passive leg raising as a means to alter biventricular preload in combination with subsequent measurement of the change in stroke volume can provide a fast and accurate way to guide fluid management in a broad population of critically ill patients.     

Stem cells: Insights into the secretome

Stem cells have been considered as possible therapeutic vehicles for different health related problems such as cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and cancer. Secreted molecules are key mediators in cell–cell interactions and influence the cross talk with the surrounding tissues. There is strong evidence supporting that crucial cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, communication and migration are strictly regulated from the cell secretome. The investigation of stem cell secretome is accumulating continuously increasing interest given the potential use of these cells in regenerative medicine. The scope of the review is to report the main findings from the investigation of stem cell secretome by the use of contemporary proteomics methods and discuss the current status of research in the field. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: An Updated Secretome.