Isolation and structure revision of the actin-binding macrolide rhizopodin from Myxococcus stipitatus (Myxobacteria)

Rhizopodin was isolated as cytostatic and weakly antifungal macrolide (1) and later characterized as potent actin-depolymerizing agent. It is produced by the myxobacterium Myxococcus stipitatus, which enables a fermentative supply of the drug for biological studies. We here report a revised structure that characterizes rhizopodin (2) as the first known dimeric bis-lactone exhibiting side chains that terminate in N-methyl-vinylformamide groups, which are otherwise found in smaller marine toxins also targeting the actin cytoskeleton. Compound 2 might function as bivalent inhibitor forming ternary complexes with actin which would explain its high efficacy.     

Finite-size error in many-body simulations with long-range interactions

We discuss the origin of the finite-size error of the energy in many-body simulation of systems of charged particles and we propose a correction based on the random-phase approximation at long wavelengths. The correction is determined mainly by the collective charge oscillations of the interacting system. Finite-size corrections, both on kinetic and potential energy, can be calculated within a single simulation. Results are presented for the electron gas and silicon.     

Some new extensions to multi-mechanism models for plastic and viscoplastic material behavior under small strains

Multi-mechanism models (MM models) have become an important tool for modeling complex material behavior. In particular, two-mechanism models are used. They are applied to model ratcheting in metal plasticity as well as steel behavior during phase transformations. We consider a small-deformation setting. The characteristic trait of multi-mechanism models is the additive decomposition of the inelastic (e.g., plastic or viscoplastic) strain into several parts. These parts are sometimes called mechanisms. In comparison with rheological models, the mechanisms can interact with each other. This leads to new properties and allows to describe important observable effects. Up to now, each mechanism has one kinematic internal variable. As a new feature, we develop multi-mechanism models (in series) with several kinematic variables for each mechanism as well as with several isotropic variables for each flow criterion. We describe this complex situation by three structural matrices which express the mutual relations between mechanisms, flow criteria, kinematic, and isotropic variables. The well-known Chaboche model with a unique inelastic strain and several kinematic variables represents a special case of these general multi-mechanism models. In this work, we also present a matrix-based approach for these new complex MM models. The presented models can form the basis for developing numerical algorithms for simulation and parameter identification.     

Extraction methods of red blood cell membrane proteins for Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT) analysis

Since red blood cells (RBCs) lack nuclei and organelles, cell membrane is their main load-bearing component and, according to a dynamic interaction with the cytoskeleton compartment, plays a pivotal role in their functioning. Even if erythrocyte membranes are available in large quantities, the low abundance and the hydrophobic nature of cell membrane proteins complicate their purification and detection by conventional 2D gel-based proteomic approaches. So, in order to increase the efficiency of RBC membrane proteome identification, here we took advantage of a simple and reproducible membrane sub-fractionation method coupled to Multidimensional Protein Identification Technology (MudPIT). In addition, the adoption of a stringent RBC filtration strategy from the whole blood, permitted to remove exhaustively contaminants, such as platelets and white blood cells, and to identify a total of 275 proteins in the three RBC membrane fractions collected and analysed. Finally, by means of software for the elaboration of the great quantity of data obtained and programs for statistical analysis and protein classification, it was possible to determine the validity of the entire system workflow and to assign the proper sub-cellular localization and function for the greatest number of the identified proteins.     

Chinese Oak Tasar Silkworm Antheraea pernyi Silk Proteins: Current Strategies and Future Perspectives for Biomedical Applications

Chinese nonmulberry temperate oak tasar/tussah, Antheraea pernyi (Ap) silk is a natural biopolymer that has attracted considerable attention as a biomaterial. The proteinaceous components of Ap silk proteins, namely fibroin and sericin may represent an alternative over mulberry Bombyx mori silk proteins. In fact, the silk fibroin (SF) of Ap is rich in Arginyl‐Glycyl‐Aspartic acid (RGD) peptides, which facilitate the adhesion and proliferation of various cell types. The possibility of processing Ap silk proteins into different distinct 2D‐ and 3D‐based matrices is described in earlier studies, such as membranes, nanofibers, scaffolds, and micro/nanoparticles, contributing to a different rate of degradation, mechanical properties, and biological performance useful for various biomedical applications. This review summarizes the current advances and developments on nonmulberry Chinese oak tasar silk protein (fibroin and sericin)‐based biomaterials and their potential uses in tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and therapeutic delivery strategies.     

Biosensor for phenol based on the direct electron transfer blocking of peroxidase immobilising on silica–titanium

Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilised on silica gel modified with titanium oxide. This material was employed to prepare modified carbon paste electrode. The direct electron transfer of the hydrogen peroxide reduction by HRP was blocked when immobilised on silica–titanium. This biosensor presented a very sensitive response for phenol (1 μmol l⁻¹) at an applied potential of 0 mV vs SCE. The best condition was achieved in phosphate buffer pH 6.8, ratio of hydrogen peroxide/phenol higher than 0.35. The biosensor showed a linear response range between 10 and 50 μmol l⁻¹ of phenol, adjusted by the equation j=−32.8+16.3 [phenol], for n=5 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995. The response time of the biosensor was about 3 s.     

Production study of high specific activity NCA Re-186g by proton and deuteron cyclotron irradiation

Very high specific activity (A_S) ^186gRe could be produced by either proton or deuteron cyclotron irradiation on highly enriched ¹⁸⁶W target in no-carrier-added (NCA) form, leading to a A_S very close to the theoretical carrier free (CF) value of 6.88 GBq μg⁻¹. Thick Target Yields (TTYs), obtained irradiating both thick metal W targets of natural isotopic composition and highly enriched powdered ¹⁸⁶W targets, were measured at different particles energies taking into account high accuracy and precision. The evaluation of radionuclidic purities of ^186gRe obtained activating highly enriched ¹⁸⁶W by both p and d were also carried out and accurately compared. The thin-target excitation functions for all Re (A = 181, 182, 183, 184, 186 and their metastable levels), and W and Ta coproduced radionuclides will be presented elsewhere in deep details.     

Algorithmic inference: From information granules to subtending functions

To get a true hybrid framework for taking operational decisions from data, we extend the Algorithmic Inference approach to the Granular Computing paradigm. The key idea is that whether or not we need to make decisions instead of mere computations depends on the fact that collected data are not sufficiently definite; rather, they are representative of whole sets of data that could be virtually observed, and we need to manage this indeterminacy. The distinguishing feature is that we face indeterminacy exactly where it affects the quality of the decision. This gives rise to a family of inference algorithms which can be tailored to many specific decisional problems that are generally solved only in approximate ways. In the paper we discuss the bases of the paradigm and provide some examples of its implementation.     

State-specific reactions and autoionization dynamics of Ar produced by synchrotron radiation

The long-lived excited states of doubly charged rare gases can markedly affect their reactivity. In this paper we demonstrate the presence of strong state-specific effects in the charge exchange of Ar²⁺ (³P, ¹D and ¹S) with several neutral targets (He, Ne, Kr, Xe, D₂, and CH₄). State sensitive measurements have been performed by producing the different Ar²⁺ electronic states via tunable synchrotron radiation (Elettra-Trieste, Italy and SuperACO-Orsay, France). From the product ion yield data of charge transfer, state-selected total cross-sections have been deduced. Using the state-specific reactivity of Ar²⁺ towards different neutral targets, it has been possible to extract the photon-energy-dependent production branching of the three doubly charged states and to investigate the autoionization dynamics of neutral or singly charged Ar in the vicinity of the double ionization threshold.