Proton-Detected Solid-State NMR of the Cell-Free Synthesized α-Helical Transmembrane Protein NS4B from Hepatitis C Virus

Proton-detected 100 kHz magic-angle-spinning (MAS) solid-state NMR is an emerging analysis method for proteins with only hundreds of microgram quantities, and thus allows structural investigation of eukaryotic membrane proteins. This is the case for the cell-free synthesized hepatitis C virus (HCV) nonstructural membrane protein 4B (NS4B). We demonstrate NS4B sample optimization using fast reconstitution schemes that enable lipid-environment screening directly by NMR. 2D spectra and relaxation properties guide the choice of the best sample preparation to record 2D ¹H-detected ¹H,¹⁵N and 3D ¹H,¹³C,¹⁵N correlation experiments with linewidths and sensitivity suitable to initiate sequential assignments. Amino-acid-selectively labeled NS4B can be readily obtained using cell-free synthesis, opening the door to combinatorial labeling approaches which should enable structural studies.     

Design of 5.9 ghz dsrc-based vehicular safety communication

The automotive industry is moving aggressively in the direction of advanced active safety. Dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) is a key enabling technology for the next generation of communication-based safety applications. One aspect of vehicular safety communication is the routine broadcast of messages among all equipped vehicles. Therefore, channel congestion control and broadcast performance improvement are of particular concern and need to be addressed in the overall protocol design. Furthermore, the explicit multichannel nature of DSRC necessitates a concurrent multichannel operational scheme for safety and non-safety applications. This article provides an overview of DSRC based vehicular safety communications and proposes a coherent set of protocols to address these requirements     

Metathesis as a versatile tool in oleochemistry

Olefin metathesis, awarded with the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2005 for Chauvin, Grubbs and Schrock, has emerged as a powerful tool for organic as well as polymer chemistry. In oleochemistry, this reaction is well known and has been applied for many decades. Examples include the functionalization of the double bonds of different oleochemicals or the (direct) polymerization of plant oils via metathesis. More recent developments, particularly the development of better and more robust catalysts, allow for highly efficient cross‐metathesis reactions opening new possibilities for the direct introduction of chemical functionalities. Within this contribution, the development of metathesis in oleochemistry will be discussed, covering self‐metathesis as well as more recent developments in the field of cross‐metathesis that lead to desired platform chemicals.     

Phase I trial of inhaled natural interleukin 2 for treatment of pulmonary malignancy: toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and biological effects

Safety, local and systemic immunomodulation, and tumor response to treatment with aerosolized natural interleukin 2 (nIL-2) applied five times a day were studied in a Phase I trial in 16 patients with pulmonary malignancies refractory to conventional therapy. The toxicity of inhaled nIL-2 was different from that observed after systemic administration. Reversible airway irritation causing a nonproductive cough represented the dose-limiting toxicity. Mild to moderate reduction of the vital capacity and forced expiratory volume (FEV1) with minor effects on relative FEV1, peak expiratory flow, airway resistance, and PaO2 was experienced by individual patients. In 14 patients suffering from pulmonary metastases due to renal cell cancer, one durable complete response, one partial response, and one mixed response were observed. Inhalation of nIL-2 aerosol resulted in a dose-dependent expansion of pulmonary immunocompetent cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Posttreatment bronchoalveolar lavage showed an activated lymphocyte phenotype with increased HLA-DR expression. The only systemic biological effect detectable in peripheral blood was a marked increase of soluble interleukin 2 receptor serum levels. We conclude that treatment with aerosolized nIL-2 is an effective means for site-specific immunomodulation and deserves further investigation for the treatment of malignant and inflammatory lung disease.     

Inductive proximity sensor with a flat coil and a new differential relaxation oscillator

A high-sensitivity flat-coil inductive proximity sensor microsystem has been realized and successfully tested. The flat coil, made with CMOS-compatible post processes, is connected to a versatile differential relaxation oscillator electronic interface. In this new and simple interface, the excitation, the signal extraction and amplification are assured by only one operational amplifier. Experimental results on the microsystem confirm that large output frequency variations occur when a metallic target approaches the sensor.     

Occlusion of large atrial septal defects with a centering buttoned device: early clinical experience

A feasibility clinical study was conducted for the transcatheter occlusion of large ostium secundum atrial septal defects with the centering buttoned device. The centering buttoned device is a modification of the regular buttoned device in which a centering counter-occluder is sutured at the central 40% portion of the occluder. During centering it is stretched, forming a parachute-shaped structure and pulling the occluder over the center of the defect. During buttoning, the counter-occluder forms a double figure eight, opposing the right atrial side of the atrial septum. Occlusion was performed in 12 patients aged 6 to 56 years. All had been rejected for transcatheter occlusion by the regular buttoned device, because of either their defect size or the lack of adequate septal rim. The defect size varied between 23 and 31 mm, and the device size varied between 45 and 60 mm. Nine had immediate effective occlusions of their defects and three residual shunts. One patient with unbuttoning had hemolysis at 2 weeks and underwent surgery. Early results of the transcatheter occlusion of large atrial septal defects are promising, and larger clinical trials are justified.     

On-line coupled liquid chromatography-gas chromatography (LC-GC) and LC-LC-GC for detecting irradiation of fat-containing foods

Summary On-line coupled liquid chromatography-gas chromatography-flame ionisation detection (LC-GC-FID) enables efficient and unambiguous determination of irradiation for some fat-containing foods (e.g. meat). Other products, however, contain interfering components or are contaminated, e.g., with mineral oil. Since more selective detection by mass spectrometry has limited success, the determination was improved by a more selective isolation of some key components among the fat degradation products, e.g. the dienes or trienes, by LC-LC-GC-FID. Applications are shown for soup mixes, some spices, fish, and shrimps.

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Nachweis der Bestrahlung fetthaltiger Lebensmittel durch direkt gekoppelte LC-GC und LC-LC-GC

Zusammenfassung Die Bestrahlung einiger fetthaltiger Lebensmittel, z. B. Fleisch, kann mit direkt gekoppelter LC-GC-FID rationell und eindeutig nachgewiesen werden. In anderen Proben wird die Analyse aber durch Inhaltsstoffe des Produktes oder durch Verunreinigungen (z. B. mit Mineralöl) gestört. Da selektivere Detektion durch Massenspektrqmetrie wenig verspricht, wurde der Nachweis durch selektivere Isolierung von Schlüsselkomponenten unter den Bestrahlungsprodukten, z. B. der Diene oder Triene, mittels LC-LC-GC yerbessert. Anwendungen werden gezeigt für Suppenpulver, einige Gewürze, Fisch und Garnelen.