Sharp melting of polymer-DNA hybrids: an associative phase separation approach

An associative equilibrium theory describing the sharp melting behavior of polymer-DNA hybrids is developed. The theory considers linear polymers with attached DNAs on each polymer that serve as "stickers" and with a two-state model governing the DNA melting equilibrium. For three or more oligonucleotides on each polymer, solutions of polymer-DNA hybrids are found to undergo phase separation at sufficiently low temperatures. The dense phase dissolves as temperature increases, which leads to a sharp increase in the fraction of non-hybridized DNA near the phase transition temperature, in agreement with experimental absorbance profiles at 260 nm. The melting temperature is predicted to have the same dependence on salt concentration as a solution of unattached DNAs and be weakly sensitive to the concentration of DNA in solution. The melting temperature is predicted to be higher than that of unattached DNA in solution, with the magnitude of the increase sensitive to the DNA hybridization cooperativity. The theoretical predictions are generally in good quantitative agreement with new experimental data (also presented here), which show the effect of the polymer-DNA hybrid length and salt concentration on the melting profiles.     

First μ+SR studies on thin films with a new beam of low energy positive muons at energies below 20 keV

At the Paul Scherrer Institute slow positive muons (μ⁺) with nearly 100% polarization and an energy of about 10 eV are generated by moderation of an intense secondary beam of surface muons in an appropriate condensed gas layer. These epithermal muons are used as a source of a tertiary beam of tunable energy between 10 eV and 20 keV. The range of these muons in solids is up to 100 nm which allows the extension of the μ⁺SR techniques (muon spin rotation, relaxation, resonance) to the study of thin films. A basic requirement for the proper interpretation of μ⁺SR results on thin films and multi-layers is the knowledge of the depth distribution of muons in matter. To date, no data are available concerning this topic. Therefore, we investigated the penetration depth of μ⁺ with energies between 8 keV and 16 keV in Cu/SiO₂ samples. The experimental data are in agreement with simulated predictions. Additionally, we present two examples of first applications of low energy μ⁺ in μ⁺SR investigations. We measured the magnetic field distribution inside a 500-nm thin High-T_C superconductor (YBa₂Cu₃O_7-δ), as well as the depth dependence of the field distribution near the surface. In another experiment a 500-nm thin sample of Fe-nanoclusters (diameter 2.4(4) nm), embedded in an Ag matrix with a volume concentration of 0.1%, was investigated with transverse field μ⁺SR. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The First Bismuth Phosphide Complex: [Li(thf)4]+[{(tBuP)3}2Bi]−

Thermally unstable crystals of the title compound—the first bismuth phosphide complex to be structurally characterized (see picture)—are obtained by the reaction of [Bi(NMe₂)₃] with [tBuPHLi] (1:3) in THF/hexane. Berry pseudorotation of the pseudo-trigonal-bipyramidal [{(tBuP)₃}₂Bi]⁻ ion is prevented for steric reasons.     

Are women better mindreaders? Sex differences in neural correlates of mentalizing detected with functional MRI

Background

Oxidative stress plays a key role in the neuropathogenesis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1 (HIV-1) infection causing apoptosis of astroglia cells and neurons. Recent data have shown that oxidative stress is also responsible for the acceleration of human fibroblast telomere shortening in vitro. In the present study we analyzed the potential relations occurring between free radicals formation and telomere length during HIV-1 mediated astroglial death.

Results

To this end, U373 human astrocytoma cells have been directly exposed to X4-using HIV-1IIIB strain, for 1, 3 or 5 days and treated (where requested) with N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a cysteine donor involved in the synthesis of glutathione (GSH, a cellular antioxidant) and apoptosis has been evaluated by FACS analysis. Quantitative-FISH (Q-FISH) has been employed for studying the telomere length while intracellular reduced/oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) ratio has been determined by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Incubation of U373 with HIV-1IIIB led to significant induction of cellular apoptosis that was reduced in the presence of 1 mM NAC. Moreover, NAC improved the GSH/GSSG, a sensitive indicator of oxidative stress, that significantly decreased after HIV-1IIIB exposure in U373. Analysis of telomere length in HIV-1 exposed U373 showed a statistically significant telomere shortening, that was completely reverted in NAC-treated U373.

Conclusion

Our results support the role of HIV-1-mediated oxidative stress in astrocytic death and the importance of antioxidant compounds in preventing these cellular damages. Moreover, these data indicate that the telomere structure, target for oxidative damage, could be the key sensor of cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress after HIV infection.     

Calix[4]arenes as Molecular Platforms for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Contrast Agents

The novel amphipilic conjugate of a calix[4]arene with four Gd–1,4,7,10‐ tetra(carboxymethyl)‐1,4,7,10‐tetraazacyclododecane (DOTA) chelates has potential as a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent, both in its monomeric and in its micellar form. The system, illustrated here with its nuclear magnetic relaxation profile, shows good relaxivities, thanks to its high rigidity.

     

Polysaccharide‐block‐polypeptide Copolymer Vesicles: Towards Synthetic Viral Capsids

Natural inspiration : Amphiphilic polysaccharide‐block‐polypeptide copolymers were synthesized by click chemistry from dextran end‐functionalized with an alkyne group and poly(γ‐benzyl L ‐glutamate) end‐functionalized with an azide group. The ability of these copolymers to self‐assemble into small vesicles (see picture) suggests the possibility of a new generation of drug‐ and gene‐delivery systems whose structure mimics that of viruses.