The N-terminal domain of HIV-1 glycoprotein 41,000 (gp41) participates in viral fusion processes. Here, we use physical and computational methodologies to examine the secondary structure of a peptide based on the N terminus (FP; residues 1–23) in aqueous and detergent environments. C-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated greater -helix for FP in lipid-detergent sodium dodecyl...

Fusion between viral and host cell membranes is the initial step of human immunodeficiency virus infection and is mediated by the gp41 protein, which is embedded in the viral membrane. The approximately 20-residue N-terminal fusion peptide (FP) region of gp41 binds to the host cell membrane and plays a critical role in fusion catalysis. Key gp41 fusion conformations include an early pre-hairpin...

PURPOSE Cystine knot (knottin) peptides, engineered to bind with high affinity to integrin receptors, have shown promise as molecular imaging agents in living subjects. The aim of the current study was to evaluate tumor uptake and in vivo biodistribution of (18)F-labeled knottins in a U87MG glioblastoma model. PROCEDURES Engineered knottin mutants 2.5D and 2.5F were synthesized using solid ph...

BACKGROUND A combination of salmeterol and fluticasone propionate (SAL/FP) has been shown to be effective in the treatment of asthma. We compared the efficacy and tolerability of SAL/FP (50/250 μg) with fluticasone propionate (FP) 250 μg administrated twice daily for 2 weeks in treating patients with mild to moderate asthma. METHODS This was a randomized, double-blind study in adult patients ...

Degradable polymers as gene and drug carriers are emerging as one of the most promising types of materials in the biomedical and pharmaceutical areas. Herein, we report the synthesis of a series of block co-polyesters (B1-B6) and random co-polyesters (C1-C4) via ring-opening polymerization of tertiary amine-bearing valerolactone and alkylated valerolactone monomers. These polymers can completel...

From now on, the French National Mapping Agengy (IGN France) is set up with the BD TOPO®. This is a topographic vector database that covers the whole national territory. IGN has decided to product base maps at 1:25k and 1:50k from this database. On topographic mountain maps, rocks areas are among the most difficult map elements to represent, dealing with digital cartography. In the past, they w...

Even though feather pecking (FP) in laying hens has been extensively studied, a good solution to prevent chickens from this behavior under commercial circumstances has not been found. Selection against FP behavior is possible, but for a more effective selection across different populations, it is necessary to characterize the genetic mechanism associated with this behavior. In this study, we us...

U11 and U12 snRNPs bind U12-type pre-mRNAs as a preformed di-snRNP complex, simultaneously recognizing the 5' splice site and branchpoint sequence. Thus, within the U12-type prespliceosome, U11/U12 components form a molecular bridge connecting both ends of the intron. We have affinity purified human 18S U11/U12 and 12S U11 snRNPs, and identified their protein components by using mass spectromet...

Low efficiency and significant toxicity are the main obstacles to successful gene delivery. We have developed a cationic reduction-responsive vector based on a disulfide cross-linked stearylated polyarginine peptide modified with histidine (C-SHR) for DNA delivery. The structure of the C-SHR was characterized, and the in vitro and in vivo transfection efficiency and cytotoxicity of C-SHR/plasmi...

In the study of nonspecific preparation, the response time (RT) to an imperative stimulus is analyzed as a function of the foreperiod (FP), the interval between a warning stimulus and the imperative stimulus. When FP is varied within blocks of trials, a downward sloping FP-RT function is usually observed. The slope of this function depends on the distribution of FPs (the more negative the skewn...