Rotations of Periodic Strings and Short Superstrings

This paper presents two simple approximation algorithms for the shortest superstring problem with approximation ratios 2 ( ≈ 2.67) and( ≈ 2.596). The framework of our improved algorithms is similar to that of previous algorithms in the sense that they construct a superstring by computing some optimal cycle covers on the distance graph of the given strings and then break and merge the cycles to finally obtain a Hamiltonian path, but we make use of new bounds on the overlap between two strings. We prove that for each periodic semiinfinite string α = a₁a₂··· of periodq, there exists an integerk, such that forany(finite) stringsof periodpwhich isinequivalentto α, the overlap betweensand therotationα[k] = a_ka_{k + 1}··· is at mostp + q. Moreover, ifp ≤ q, then the overlap betweensand α[k] is not larger than (p + q). The bounds are tight. In the previous shortest superstring algorithmsp + qwas used as the standard (tight) bound on overlap between two strings with periodspandq.     

Dynamics of Synthetic Membraneless Organelles in Microfluidic Droplets

Cells can form membraneless organelles by liquid–liquid phase separation. As these organelles are highly dynamic, it is crucial to understand the kinetics of these phase transitions. Here, we use droplet‐based microfluidics to mix reagents by chaotic advection and observe nucleation, growth, and coarsening in volumes comparable to cells (pL) and on timescales of seconds. We apply this platform to analyze the dynamics of synthetic organelles formed by the DEAD‐box ATPase Dhh1 and RNA, which are associated with the formation of processing bodies in yeast. We show that the timescale of phase separation decreases linearly as the volume of the compartment increases. Moreover, the synthetic organelles coarsen into one single droplet via gravity‐induced coalescence, which can be arrested by introducing a hydrogel matrix that mimics the cytoskeleton. This approach is an attractive platform to investigate the dynamics of compartmentalization in artificial cells.     

Reply to the Letter-to-the-editor written by J. J. Bevelacqua and S. M. J. Mortazavi on: “Radon survey in the kindergartens of three Visegrad countries (Hungary,Poland and Slovakia)” (DOI 10.1007/s10967-018-6374-3)

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - An IAEA coordinated research project that began in 2012 and ended in 2016 was primarily dedicated to the compilation, evaluation and...     

Optimal Interpolating Spaces Preserving Shape

In this paper we study the existence and characterization of spaces which are images of minimal-norm projections that are required to interpolate at given functionals and satisfy additional shape-preserving requirements. We will call such spaces optimal interpolating spaces preserving shape. This investigation leads to concrete solutions in classical settings and, as examples, Π_n will be determined to be such spaces with regard to certain interpolation and shape-preserving requirements on the projections. Restated, the theory of this paper gives rist to an n-dimensional Hahn–Banach extension theorem, where the minimal-norm extension is required to keep invariant a fixed cone.     

Discovery of rare sulfated N-unsubstituted glucosamine based heparan sulfate analogs selectively activating chemokines

Achieving selective inhibition of chemokines with structurally well-defined heparan sulfate (HS) oligosaccharides can provide important insights into cancer cell migration and metastasis. However, HS is highly heterogeneous in chemical composition, which limits its therapeutic use. Here, we report the rational design and synthesis of N-unsubstituted (NU) and N-acetylated (NA) heparan sulfate tetrasaccharides that selectively inhibit structurally homologous chemokines. HS analogs were produced by divergent synthesis, where fully protected HS tetrasaccharide precursor was subjected to selective deprotection and regioselectively O-sulfated, and O-phosphorylated to obtain 13 novel HS tetrasaccharides. HS microarray and SPR analysis with a wide range of chemokines revealed the structural significance of sulfation patterns and NU domain in chemokine activities for the first time. Particularly, HT-3,6S-NH revealed selective recognition by CCL2 chemokine. Further systematic interrogation of the role of HT-3,6S-NH in cancer demonstrated an effective blockade of CCL2 and its receptor CCR2 interactions, thereby impairing cancer cell proliferation, migration and invasion, a step towards designing novel drug molecules.     

Removal of isobaric interference using pseudo-multiple reaction monitoring and energy-resolved mass spectrometry for the isotope dilution quantification of a tryptic peptide

Energy-resolved mass spectrometry (ERMS) and an isotopically labelled internal standard were successfully combined to accurately quantify a tryptic peptide despite the presence of an isobaric interference. For this purpose, electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS) experiments were conducted into an ion trap instrument using an unconventional 8 m/z broadband isolation window, which encompassed both the tryptic peptide and its internal standard. Interference removal was assessed by determining an excitation voltage that was high enough to maintain a constant value for the analyte/internal standard peaks intensity ratio, thus ensuring accurate quantification even in the presence of isobaric contamination. Pseudo-multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) was employed above this excitation voltage to quantify the trypic peptide. The internal standard calibration model showed no lack of fit and exhibited a linear dynamic range from 0.5 μM up to 2.5 μM. The detection limit was 0.08 μM. The accuracy of the method was evaluated by quantifying the tryptic peptide of three reference samples intentionally contaminated with the isobaric interference. All the reference samples were accurately quantified with ∼1% deviation despite the isobaric contamination. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that this methodology can also be applied to quantify the isobaric peptide by standard additions down to 0.2 μM. Finally, liquid chromatography ERMS (LC ERMS) experiments yielded similar results, suggesting the potential of the proposed methodology for analysing complex samples.     

The Cytotoxic Effect of Apis mellifera Venom with a Synergistic Potential of Its Two Main Components—Melittin and PLA2—On Colon Cancer HCT116 Cell Lines

Colon carcinogenesis is ranked second globally among human diseases after cardiovascular failures. Bee venom (BV) has been shown to possess in vitro anticancer effects against several types of cancer cells. The two main biopeptides of Apis mellifera BV, namely, melittin (MEL) and phospholipase A2 (PLA2), are suspected to be the biomolecules responsible for the anticancer activity. The present work aims to evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the A. mellifera venom on human colon carcinoma cells (HCT116), and to assess the synergistic effect of MEL and PLA2 on these cells. After analyzing, through high-pressure liquid chromatography, the proportions of MEL and PLA2 on BV, we have established a cell viability assay to evaluate the effect of BV, MEL, PLA2, and a mixture of MEL and PLA2 on the HCT116 cells. Results obtained showed a strong cytotoxicity effect induced by the A. mellifera venom and to a lower extent MEL or PLA2 alone. Remarkably, when MEL and PLA2 were added together, their cytotoxic effect was greatly improved, suggesting a synergistic activity on HCT116 cells. These findings confirm the cytotoxic effect of the A. mellifera venom and highlight the presence of synergistic potential activities between MEL and PLA2, possibly inducing membrane disruption of HCT116 cancer cells. Altogether, these results could serve as a basis for the development of new anticancer treatments.     

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry determination for multiclass pesticides from insect samples by microwave-assisted solvent extraction followed by a salt-out effect and micro-dispersion purification

The effects of phyto-pharmaceutic compounds (PPCs), such as neonicotinoids, on wildlife reproduction and survival are a rising concern. Yet, understanding the biological consequences of PPC use is particularly complex given the large diversity of PPCs and their derivatives to which wildlife can be exposed. Here, we present a simple and sensitive method for the simultaneous detection and quantification of multiclass PPCs (54 molecules) in single insect boluses (<0.05 g dry mass) by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to a tandem mass spectrometer (LC-MS/MS). A key part of this new method is the use of a two-step extraction method combining (i) the high efficiency of a microwave-assisted solvent extraction (MAE) for extracting analytes that might be tightly bound to environmental matrices and (ii) the versatility of a salt-out effect adapted from the QuEChERS methodology allowing the extraction and purification of a wide array of analytes. This microwave-assisted salt-out extraction (MASOE) approach was compared to classical extraction methods including matrix solid phase dispersion (MSPD), microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), and the QuEChERS method. Average recoveries for 54 analytes ranged from 49% to 106%, (relative standard deviations <22%). The limits of detection (LODs) and quantification (LOQs) were in the ranges of 0.10–3.00 ng g⁻¹ and 0.40–7.00 ng g⁻¹, respectively. We applied this method to analyse 881 insect boluses collected from Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolour) nestlings along an agricultural intensification gradient in southern Québec (Canada). We detected 25 PPCs out of the 54 considered. We detected at least one PPC in 30% of samples and were able to quantify at least one of them in 17% of samples. Our study shows that the MASOE method should prove to be a powerful tool for studying the fate and impacts of PPCs on wildlife.     

On Measuring the Efficiency of Kernel Operators in L p (R d )

It is well known that it is possible to enhance the approximation properties of a kernel operator by increasing its support size. There is an obvious tradeoff between higher approximation order of a kernel and the complexity of algorithms that employ it. A question is then asked: how do we compare the efficiency of kernels with comparable support size? We follow Blu and Unser and choose as a measure of the efficiency of the kernels the first leading constant in a certain error expansion. We use time domain methods to treat the case of globally supported kernels in L _p (R ^d), 1≤p≤∞.