Evaluation of whole-genome amplification of low-copy-number DNA in chimerism analysis after allogeneic stem cell transplantation using STR marker typing

Whole-genome DNA amplification (WGA) is a promising method that generates large amounts of DNA from samples of limited quantity. We investigated the accuracy of a multiplex PCR approach to WGA over STR loci. The amplification bias within a locus and over all analyzed loci was investigated in relation to the amount of template in the WGA reaction, the specific STR locus, and allele length. We observed reproducible error-free STR profiles with 10 ng down to 1 ng of DNA template. The amplification deviation at a locus and between loci was within the intra-method reproducibility. WGA is the method of choice for amplifying nanogram amounts of genomic DNA for different applications. We detected unbalanced STR amplifications at one locus and between loci, allelic drop-outs, and additional alleles after WGA of low-copy-number DNA. We found that the high number of drop-outs and drop-ins could be eradicated using pooled DNA from separate WGA reactions even with as little as 100 pg of starting template. Nevertheless, the quality of the results was still not sufficient for use in routine chimerism analysis of limited specific cell populations after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.     

Ionization energies of LinX (n = 2, 3; X = Cl, Br, I) molecules

Molecules of Li(n)X (n = 2, 3; X = Cl, Br, I) were examined with a magnetic sector mass spectrometer by surface ionization using a triple rhenium filament impregnated with fullerene (C60). The ionization energies obtained for Li(2)Cl, Li(2)Br and Li(2)I molecules are 3.8 +/- 0.1, 3.9 +/- 0.1 and 4.0 +/- 0.1 eV, respectively. The first ionization energy of Li(2)Cl is documented, while there are no literature data for the ionization energies of Li(2)Br and Li(2)I. The molecules of Li(3)Cl, Li(3)Br and Li(3)I were detected experimentally for the first time with ionization energies of 4.0 +/- 0.1, 4.1 +/- 0.1 and 4.1 +/- 0.1 eV, respectively. The ionization energies of Li(n)X (n = 2, 3; X = Cl, Br, I) are in correlation with the theoretical prediction of their hyperlithiated configurations.     

Quantized Frame Expansions with Erasures

Frames have been used to capture significant signal characteristics, provide numerical stability of reconstruction, and enhance resilience to additive noise. This paper places frames in a new setting, where some of the elements are deleted. Since proper subsets of frames are sometimes themselves frames, a quantized frame expansion can be a useful representation even when some transform coefficients are lost in transmission. This yields robustness to losses in packet networks such as the Internet. With a simple model for quantization error, it is shown that a normalized frame minimizes mean-squared error if and only if it is tight. With one coefficient erased, a tight frame is again optimal among normalized frames, both in average and worst-case scenarios. For more erasures, a general analysis indicates some optimal designs. Being left with a tight frame after erasures minimizes distortion, but considering also the transmission rate and possible erasure events complicates optimizations greatly.     

Designing local orthogonal bases on finite groups I: Abelian case

We extend to general finite groups a well-known relation used for checking the orthogonality of a system of vectors as well as for orthogonalizing a nonorthogonal one. This, in turn, is used for designing local orthogonal bases obtained by unitary transformations of a single prototype filter. The first part of this work considers abelian groups. The second part considers nonabelian groups where, as an example, we show how to build such bases where the group of unitary transformations consists of modulations and rotations. These bases are useful for building systems for evaluating image quality.     

Studies on the stability of MF resin solutions: investigations on network formation

The phenomenon of thixotropy of melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins has been investigated. A series of MF-resins with varying F/M ratios, different condensation times and pH during the condensation has been prepared. The storage stability at room temperature was measured using viscosimetry, polarization microscopy, NMR-spectroscopy and XRD. The visible changes observed in polarization microscopy (i. e. the formation of micron sized structures) correlate with the increase of viscosity related to the formation of thixotropy. The formation of a transient network can be concluded on basis of nmr-relaxation measurements and viscosimetry.     

New gold(III) chlorophenyl terpyridine complex: Biomolecular interactions and anticancer activity against human oral squamous cell carcinoma

In this work we synthesized new monofunctional gold(III) complex [Au(Cl-Ph-tpy)Cl]Cl₂ (Cl-Ph-tpy = 4′-[4-chlorophenyl]-2,2′:6′, 2″-terpyridine). This complex was characterized by UV–Vis, NMR, IR, and ESI-MS spectrometry. The kinetic study of the substitution reactions of the Au-Cl-Ph-tpy complex with biomolecules showed that the rate constants depend on the nature of the entering nucleophile. Based on the calculated values of entropy (∆H^≠ > 0) and enthalpy (∆S^≠ < 0) the proposed substitution mechanism is associative. Additionally, the relative stability and thermodynamic properties of Au-Cl-Ph-tpy complex were compared with the analogue Au-tpy complex by the B3LYP/def2-svp method. DNA/BSA binding studies showed that Au-Cl-Ph-tpy complex interacts with CT DNA through the intercalation and moderately quenches the fluorescence of tryptophan residues in serum albumin (BSA). Molecular docking confirmed results obtained by spectroscopic experiments and suggested site I (subdomain IIA) for binding of Au complex to BSA. We demonstrated that the Au chlorophenyl terpyridine complex possessed significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against human oral squamous carcinoma cells (CAL-27), induced apoptosis, inhibited proliferation of CAL-27 cells, and induced cell cycle disturbance. Treatment of CAL-27 cells with the Au complex enhanced expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, resulting in cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase, reduced the percentage of CAL-27 cells in S phase and decreased expression of Ki-67. Additionally, Au complex reduced expression of phosphorylated STAT3 and downstream regulated molecules associated with cancer stemness, NANOG, and Sox2 protein.     

The control of morphology and structure of galvanostatically produced tin dendrites by analysis of chronopotentiometry response

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The influence of chronopotentiometry response on the morphology and structure of galvanostatically synthesized tin dendritic particles has been...     

Green corrosion inhibitors of steel based on peptides and their constituents: a combination of experimental and computational approach

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this work, six groups of non-toxic compounds were tested as inhibitors for mild steel in 1&nbsp;M HCl solution: glycine (Gly), glutamic acid (Glu),...     

The possibilities of voltammetry in the study reactivity of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in natural waters

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - This paper describes the application of a methodology, which primarily involves low-cost voltammetry, to rapidly track the reactivity (i.e. surfactant...