DETECTION OF DNA-PSORALEN PHOTOADDUCTS in situ

Abstract— An immunological method, with the use of specific immune serum, has been developed for detection of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) photoadducts to DNA, formed in situ in cell nuclei, after combined treatment with 8MOP and UV-A irradiation (Zarçbska et al. , 1978). Lymphocytes fixed on slides or in suspension, and cryostat sections of different mammalian tissues, served as antigenic substrate, after treatment with 8-MOP and UV-A in vitro. Specific fluorescence in these substrates was detected in the nuclei after treatment with 30 ˜ 140 kJ/m² UV-A in the presence of 0.1-0.3 μg/cm² 8-MOP. PHA-stimulated-lymphocytes appeared to be the most sensitive substrate.
However, hairless mice treated with high doses of UV-A in vivo , 70 ˜ 360 kJ/m² did not reveal a specific fluorescence of epidermal nuclei, unless a high local concentration of 8-MOP was attained.
The apparent discrepancy in the level of photoadduct detection between the in vitro and in vivo treated specimens was explained by the low number of DNA-8-MOP-photoadducts formed in vivo under these experimental conditions. The relevance of these findings to the role of DNA-8-MOP-photoadducts formed during PUVA photochemotherapy is discussed.     

ON QUOTIENTS OF BRAID GROUPS

ABSTRACT.

Let G be the group ?[t, t ^?1] x ?. By studying the action of the braid group B_n on the set Gⁿ , we obtain representations of B_n into a wreath product of the symmetric group and the general linear group over ?[t, t ^?1]. This in particular recovers the Burau representation of the braid group. Furthermore, some quotients of the braid group are obtained by using the representations found.     

Thermodynamics, kinetics, and mechanism of the reversible formation of oxorhenium(VII) catecholate complexes

Mononuclear Re(V) compounds MeReO(mtp)NC(5)H(4)X, 3, where mtpH(2) is 2-(mercaptomethyl)thiophenol have been prepared from the monomerization of [MeReO(mtp)](2) by pyridines with electron-donating substituents in the para or meta position; X = 4-Me, 4-Bu(t), 3-Me, 4-Ph, and H. Analogous compounds, MeReO(edt)N(5)H(4)X, 4, edtH(2) = 1,2-ethanedithiol, were prepared similarly. The equilibrium constants for the reaction, dimer + 2Py = 2M-Py, are in the range (2.5-31.6) x 10(2) L mol(-1). Both groups of monomeric compounds react with quinones (phenanthrenequinone, PQ, and 3,5-tert-butyl-1,2-benzoquinone, DBQ), displacing the pyridine ligand and forming Re(VII) catecholate complexes MeReO(dithiolate)PCat and MeReO(dithiolate)DBCat. With PQ, the reaction MeReO(dithiolate)Py + PQ = MeReO(dithiolate)PCat + Py is an equilibrium; values of K(Q) for different Py ligands lie in the ranges 9.2-42.7 (mtp) and 3.2-11.2 (edt) at 298 K. These second-order rate constants (L mol(-1) s(-1)) at 25 degrees C in benzene were obtained for the PQ reactions: k(f) = (5.3-15.5) x 10(-2) (mtp), (6.6-16.4) x 10(-2) (edt); k(r) = (3.63-5.71) x 10(-3) (mtp), (14.7-22.0) x 10(-3) (edt). The ranges in each case refer to the series of pyridine ligands, the forward rate constant being the largest for C(5)H(5)N, with the lowest Lewis basicity. The reactions of MeReO(dithiolate)Py with DBQ proceed to completion. Values of k(f)/L mol(-1) s(-1) fall in a narrow range, 4.02 (X = Bu(t)) to 8.4 (X = H) with the dithiolate being mtp.     

More efficient Brownian dynamics algorithms

We examine the relative efficiencies of three- algorithms for performing Brownian Dynamics simulations without many-body hydrodynamics. We compare the conventional Brownian Dynamics algorithm of Ermak (CBD), Smart Monte Carlo (SMC) which incorporates Boltzmann sampling into essentially a CBD procedure, and the Stochastic Runge Kutta (SRK) method. We show, using the repulsive potential φ(r) = ε(σ/r) ⁿ , where n = 36 and 72, that the SRK algorithm gives the most accurate short-time dynamics for the mean-square displacements. The SRK algorithm static and dynamical properties converge better with a reducing time step to the exact values, than those generated by the CBD algorithm; giving efficiency gains typically of a factor of 3–4. Both CBD and SMC have the incorrect sign for the first correction term to the mean square displacement in a time step, whereas the SRK algorithm gives essentially the exact solution to order Δt ², where Δt is the simulation time step. In fact, these correction terms are almost equal and opposite in sign. Expressions for these terms were derived in terms of the average interaction energy per particle. The force, shear and bulk stress autocorrelation functions were calculated. The average energy per particle and time correlation functions at short time have values in excess of the exact values, while the corresponding quantities for SRK are below this. This difference in behaviour can be traced back to the extent of compliance of the particle trajectories with the exact expansion of the Smoluchowski equation. The accuracy, at a given value of the time step, of the stochastic algorithms can significantly depend on the form of the interaction potential between particles. It is also demonstrated that the long time limits of various correlation functions are fairly insensitive to a particular scheme (SRK or CBD) used in the simulations. All the correlation functions have a stretched exponential region at intermediate to long times, and the values of the exponents on density and force law steepness have been determined.     

Characterization of partially transesterified poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate)s using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) was used for the characterization of a partially transesterified poly(beta-hydroxyalkanoate), PHA, polymer produced by the bacterial strain Alcaligenes eutrophus using saponified vegetable oils as the sole carbon sources. The transesterification was carried out separately under acidic and basic conditions to obtain PHA oligomers weighing less than 10 kDa. The intact oligomers were detected in their cationized [M + Na](+) and [M + K](+) forms by MALDI-TOFMS. A composition analysis, using the MALDI-TOF spectra, indicate that the oligomers obtained via acid catalysis were terminated with a methyl 3-hydroxybutyrate end group, and those obtained by base catalysis had a methyl crotonate (olefinic) termination. In addition to HB (hydroxy butyrate), the oligomers were found to contain a small percentage of HV (hydroxy valerate). This was independently confirmed using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In comparison, the analysis of a commercial PHA polymer, transesterified under identical conditions, only showed the presence of HB, i.e. a pure PHB homopolymer. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical genetic screening identifies critical pathways in anthrax lethal toxin-induced pathogenesis

Anthrax lethal toxin (LT)-induced cell death via mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK) cleavage remains questionable. Here, a chemical genetics approach was used to investigate what pathways mediate LT-induced cell death. Several small molecules were found to protect macrophages from anthrax LT cytotoxicity and MAPKK from cleavage by lethal factor (LF), without inhibiting LF enzymatic activity or cellular proteasome activity. Interestingly, the compounds activated MAPK-signaling molecules, induced proinflammatory cytokine production, and inhibited LT-induced macrophage apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner. We propose that induction of antiapoptotic responses by MAPK-dependent or -independent pathways and activation of host innate responses may protect macrophages from anthrax LT-induced cell death. Altering host responses through a chemical genetics approach can help identify critical cellular pathways involved in the pathogenesis of anthrax and can be exploited to further explore host-pathogen interactions.     

漫谈有效数字和计算器

介绍了有效数字的概念及其计算规则,介绍了计算器的一般特性及使用技巧,并给出计算实例.     

速度算符和电子的颤动

指出了国外某些量子力学教材中关于速度算符的概念错误和相对论自由电子进行颤动的错误,分析了错误的原因.