Quantitative analysis of two-dimensional gel-separated proteins using isotopically marked alkylating agents and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry

We describe a simple approach for the relative quantification of individual proteins within a mixture. The method is based on the differential labelling of the mixtures by use of a commercially available acrylamide and deuterium-labelled [2,3,3'-d(3)]-acrylamide to alkylate proteins prior to two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis. The tryptic digests of the separated proteins were subjected to reflector matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) analysis and the relative peak heights of cysteine-containing peptides were used to quantify their precursor proteins. This approach was tested for the relative quantification of proteins within an artificial mixture of standard proteins and for proteins observed in a 2-D map of rat serum. A good correlation was found between the measured ratios derived from MALDI-TOF data and those theoretically calculated prior to 2-D analysis via known mixing ratios of the two alkylating reagents. The described procedure has proved to be effective for comparative measurements of protein abundances within the investigated mixtures.     

Substituted thiazolamide coupled to a redox delivery system: a new gamma-secretase inhibitor with enhanced pharmacokinetic profile

Inhibition of gamma-secretase, one of the enzymes responsible for the cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) to produce pathogenic A beta peptides, is an attractive approach for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. We have designed a new gamma-secretase thiazolamide inhibitor bearing a dihydronicotinoyl moiety as Redox Delivery System which allows specific delivery of the drug to the brain. Through, on the one hand, A beta peptide production measurements by specific in vitro assays (gamma-secretase Cell Free assay and Cell Based assay on HEK 293 APP transfected cells) and, on the other hand, pharmacokinetic studies on animal models, the new inhibitor shows a good pharmacokinetic profile as well as a potent gamma-secretase inhibitory activity in vitro. From the obtained results, it is expected that drug will be mainly delivered to the CNS with low diffusion in the peripheral tissues. Consequently the side effects of this gamma-secretase inhibitor on the immune cells could be reduced.     

On the homotopy type of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-1)-connected (3<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>+1)-dimensional free chain Lie algebra

Let R be a subring ring of Q. We reserve the symbol p for the least prime which is not a unit in R; if R ?Q, then p=∞. Denote by DGL _n ^np , n≥1, the category of (n-1)-connected np-dimensional differential graded free Lie algebras over R. In [1] D. Anick has shown that there is a reasonable concept of homotopy in the category DGL _n ^np . In this work we intend to answer the following two questions: Given an object (L(V), ?) in DGL _n ³ⁿ⁺² and denote by S(L(V), ?) the class of objects homotopy equivalent to (L(V), ?). How we can characterize a free dgl to belong to S(L(V), ?)? Fix an object (L(V), ?) in DGL _n ³ⁿ⁺² . How many homotopy equivalence classes of objects (L(W), δ) in DGL _n ³ⁿ⁺² such that H _* (W, d′)?H _* (V, d) are there? Note that DGL _n ³ⁿ⁺² is a subcategory of DGL _n ^np when p>3. Our tool to address this problem is the exact sequence of Whitehead associated with a free dgl.     

Analysis of high-reflectivity metal-dielectric mirrors for edge-emitting lasers

A metal-dielectric mirror is shown as a simple solution for high-reflectivity coatings on cleaved-facet edge-emitting lasers, as well as a means to provide wavelength stabilization and spectral filtering. We show, through the use of a simple SiO2/Ti/Au coating, reflectivities better than 90% and a 25% reduction in the 30-dB linewidth of the output spectrum. Wavelength filtering and varying reflectivities are described as the result of multiple reflections and a coupled-cavity effect.     

A tentative approach to entanglement measures for a system of a three-level atom interacting with a quantized cavity-field

In this paper, an entanglement measure due to quasi-mutual entropy from initially entangled mixed states of a three-level atom interacting with a single cavity field is introduced. Detailed analytical and explicit expressions are given taking into account an arbitrary form of the intensity-dependent coupling. Despite its simplicity the model exhibits a very broad range of intricate physical effects and it is widely used in quantized theories of laser. We show that quantum revivals are possible for a broad continuous range of physical parameters in the case of initial coherent states. Entanglement degree effects are shown to be very sensitive to the initial state of the system. Numerical calculations under current experimental conditions are taken into account and it is found that the intensity-dependent coupling changes the general features dramatically.Received: 2 June 2003, Published online: 26 August 2003PACS: 03.65.Ud Entanglement and quantum nonlocality (e.g. EPR paradox, Bells inequalities, GHZ states, etc.) - 03.67.Hk Quantum communication - 42.65.-k Nonlinear optics - 32.80.Rm Multiphoton ionization and excitation to highly excited states (e.g., Rydberg states)