Mapping of possible prion protein self-interaction domains using peptide arrays

Background  

The common event in transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs) or prion diseases is the conversion of host-encoded protease sensitive cellular prion protein (PrP^C) into strain dependent isoforms of scrapie associated protease resistant isoform (PrP^Sc) of prion protein (PrP). These processes are determined by similarities as well as strain dependent variations in the PrP structure. Selective self-interaction between PrP molecules is the most probable basis for initiation of these processes, potentially influenced by chaperone molecules, however the mechanisms behind these processes are far from understood. We previously determined that polymorphisms do not affect initial PrP^C to PrP^Sc binding but rather modulate a subsequent step in the conversion process. Determining possible sites of self-interaction could elucidate which amino acid(s) or amino acid sequences contribute to binding and further conversion into other isoforms. To this end, ovine – and bovine PrP peptide-arrays consisting of 15-mer overlapping peptides were probed with recombinant sheep PrP^C fused to maltose binding protein (MBP-PrP).     

Oscillations of certain second order nonlinear differential equations

A second order nonlinear differential equation

Separation of isomeric disaccharides by traveling wave ion mobility mass spectrometry using CO2 as drift gas

The use of CO₂ as a massive and polarizable drift gas is shown to greatly improve peak‐to‐peak resolution (R_p‐p), as compared with N₂, for the separation of disaccharides in a Synapt G2 traveling wave ion mobility cell. Near or baseline R_p‐p was achieved for three pairs of sodiated molecules of disaccharide isomers, that is, cellobiose and sucrose (R_p‐p = 0.76), maltose and sucrose (R_p‐p = 1.04), and maltose and lactose (R_p‐p = 0.74). Ion mobility mass spectrometry using CO₂ as the drift gas offers therefore an attractive alternative for fast and efficient separation of isomeric disaccharides. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Oscillatory and asymptotic behavior of solutions of differential equations with deviating arguments

The oscillatory and asymptotic behavior of solutions of a class of nth order nonlinear differential equations, with deviating arguments, of the form (E, δ) L_nx(t) + δq(t) f(x[g₁(t)],…, x[g_m(t)]) = 0, where δ = ± 1 and L₀x(t) = x(t), L_kx(t) = a_k(t)(L_{k ? 1}x(t))^., $\text{k = 1, 2,…, n (}{}^{\mathrm{.}}\text{=}\text{d}\text{dt}\text{)}$, is examined. A classification of solutions of (E, δ) with respect to their behavior as t → ∞ and their oscillatory character is obtained. The comparisons of (E, 1) and (E, ?1) with first and second order equations of the form y^.(t) + c₁(t) f(y[g₁(t)],…, y[g_m(t)]) = 0 and (a_{n ? 1}(t)z^.(t))^. ? c₂(t) f(z[g₁(t)],…, z[g_m(t)]) = 0, respectively, are presented. The obtained results unify, extend and improve some of the results by Graef, Grammatikopoulos and Spikes, Philos and Staikos.     

On oscillation of solutions of higher order forced functional differential inequalities

Oscillation criteria for the class of forced functional differential inequalities x(t){L_nx(t) + f(t, x(t), x[g₁(t)],…, x[g_m(t)]) ? h(t)} ? 0, for n even, and x(t){L_nx(t) ? f(t, x(t), x[g₁(t)],…, x[g_m(t)]) ? h(t)} ? 0, for n odd, are established.     

Chiral calcium organophosphate-catalyzed enantioselective electrophilic amination of enamides

Highly enantioselective direct amination of enamides catalyzed by chiral nonracemic calcium bis(phosphate) complex 3g afforded optically active 1,2-hydrazinoimines 4. Following a subsequent in situ hydrolysis or reduction, 2-hydrazinoketones 5 or syn-1,2-disubstituted 1,2-diamines 6 were obtained in high yields and excellent enantiomeric excess.     

Studies on photoinduced effects in pulse-electrodeposited Ag/Hg-1212/CdSe hetero-nanostructures

Metal/superconductor/semiconductor (Ag/Hg-1212/CdSe) hetero-nanostructures have been fabricated using pulse-electrodeposition technique and are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. The junction capacitance of Ag/Hg-1212, Hg-1212/CdSe and Ag/Hg-1212/CdSe heterojunctions is measured in dark and under laser irradiation at room temperature. The nature of the junction formed and built-in-junction potentials were determined. The increase in carrier concentration across the junction due to photo-irradiation has been observed.