Path integral quantization corresponding to the deformed Heisenberg algebra

In this paper, the deformation of the Heisenberg algebra, consistent with both the generalized uncertainty principle and doubly special relativity, has been analyzed. It has been observed that, though this algebra can give rise to fractional derivative terms in the corresponding quantum mechanical Hamiltonian, a formal meaning can be given to them by using the theory of harmonic extensions of function. Depending on this argument, the expression of the propagator of the path integral corresponding to the deformed Heisenberg algebra, has been obtained. In particular, the consistent expression of the one dimensional free particle propagator has been evaluated explicitly. With this propagator in hand, it has been shown that, even in free particle case, normal generalized uncertainty principle and doubly special relativity show very much different result.     

Polyelectrolyte behavior and macromolecular properties of sodium amylopectin xanthate in dilute solution

Sodium amylopectin xanthate was prepared by xanthation of potato amylopectin in alkaline medium. The pure product was characterized by I₂ solution and ultraviolet spectra of the xanthate groups. The polyelectrolyte behavior of Na amylopectin xanthate in aqueous and salt solutions was investigated by viscometry and light scattering. Its polyelectrolyte behavior in aqueous solution as studied viscometrically was completely different from that of Na amylose xanthate, which is characteristic of linear polyelectrolyte molecules. This difference in behavior could be partly due to the branched structure of amylopectin molecule. A dissymmetry study of Na amylopectin xanthate in aqueous and salt solutions, however, showed that Na amylopectin xanthate molecule underwent expansion in water by about 1.3 times its linear dimension in 0.5M NaCl (unperturbed value). Light-scattering measurements confirmed that the Na amylopectin xanthate molecule had a polydisperse random-coil chain configuration in 0.25M NaCl. Its molecular weight, end-to-end length, and other parameters in salt and alkali solutions were also determined, and the data were then compared with those of Na amylose xanthate in the same media. The solution behavior of Na amylopectin xanthate in 1M NaOH was further investigated and linear expansion factor α, excluded volume factor A₂M _W/[η], and Flory's hydrodynamic constant φ were evaluated.     

Nanoparticles from cationic copolymer and DNA that are soluble and stable in common organic solvents

DNA by virtue of its superlative ability to self-assemble has found use beyond biological research in the design and fabrication of nanomaterials. However, developing novel DNA-based materials for chemical applications might be restricted due to the insoluble nature of DNA in most common organic solvents. In this Communication, we are reporting the first demonstration of making DNA soluble in a variety of nonbiological solvents such as acetonitrile, benzene, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and tetrahydrofuran with the help of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based cationic random copolymers. Because of complex formation between cationic copolymer and anionic DNA, nanoparticles are formed. These nanoparticles are expected to exhibit micelle-like structures with a nanometric core of cationic units neutralized by phosphate anions of DNA, surrounded by a shell of PEG segments. As PEG is soluble in the organic solvents used in this study, nanoparticles are stable in these solvents, making entrapped DNA soluble in these organic solvents.     

Mechanism of azole antifungal activity as determined by liquid chromatographic/mass spectrometric monitoring of ergosterol biosynthesis

A liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) method for separation and characterization of ergosterol biosynthetic precursors was developed to study the effect of Posaconazole on sterol biosynthesis in fungi. Ergosterol biosynthetic precursors were characterized from their electron ionization mass spectra acquired by a normal-phase chromatography, particle beam LC/MS method. Fragment ions resulting from cleavage across the D-ring and an abundant M - 15 fragment ion were diagnostic for methyl substitution at C-4 and C-14. Comparison of the sterol profile in control and treated Candida albicans incubations showed depletion of ergosterol and accumulation of C-4 and C-14 methyl-substituted sterols following treatment with Posaconazole. These C-4 and C-14 methyl sterols are known to be incapable of sustaining cell growth. The results demonstrate that Posaconazole exerts its antifungal activity by inhibition of ergosterol biosynthesis. Furthermore, Posaconazole appears to disrupt ergosterol biosynthesis by inhibition of lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase.     

Physicochemical and macromolecular properties of sodium amylose xanthate in dilute solution

Sodium amylose xanthate has been studied in dilute solution. Potato starch was fractionated for this purpose into amylose and amylopectin fractions. Amylose was xanthated in solution under alkaline conditions and the Na amylose xanthate was then characterized by reaction with I₂ solution and ultraviolet spectra of the xanthate groups determined. Stability of the xanthate in alkaline condition under both oxygen and nitrogen atmospheres was also investigated. From light scattering measurements of dilute salt solutions of Na amylose xanthate, the weight-average molecular weight M _w as well as the molecular dimensions were determined. In 0.11M NaCl, which conforms to the θ solvent, Na amylose xanthate molecules appear to have a random-coil configuration. Two other configurational parameters, such as the effective bond length b, and the steric factor σ, i.e., (R₀²)^1/2/(R_f² )^1/2, where (R₀²)^1/2 is the Root-mean-square end-to-end distance in the unperturbed state and (R_f² )^1/2 is the unperturbed value calculated on the assumption of free rotation about each intermonomer C? O bond of the amylose chain were also calculated and found to be 6.24 and 1.020, respectively. It is thus concluded that the amylose chain in Na amylose xanthate behaves as a typical flexible coil in dilute salt solution.     

Synthesis and DNA binding properties of pyrrole amino acid-containing peptides

Dimers of the pyrrole amino acid (Paa), 5-(aminomethyl)pyrrole-2-carboxylic acid, and its derivatives having Lys anchored on N- and C-termini bind in the minor groove of DNA with considerable apparent binding affinities. When the Lys unit is attached to the C-terminus, the resulting ligand binds to ds-DNA with twice the affinity, of the order of 10⁵, than the one carrying two positive charges at the same end.     

Extraction and characterization of adenovirus

A new methodology for the extraction and characterization of proteins from Coomassie-stained sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) has been described. The utility of this methodology was demonstrated in the characterization of adenovirus proteins. The key steps in the extraction and destaining process involve washing the excised band with a combination of solvents that include 10% acetic acid, acetonitrile, methanol, and formic acid:water:isopropanol mixture. By using this procedure, we determined adenovirus proteins with molecular weights ranging from 10,000 to 110,000 Da by MALDI-MS, obtaining a detection limit of approximately 6 pmol. Parallel experiments were successfully carried out to analyze adenovirus proteins from Cu-stained gels. It was observed that increase in laser intensity resulted in significant improvements in the quality of MALDI mass spectra for the analysis of inefficiently destained proteins from Cu-stained gels.     

Complexes of poly(ethylene glycol)-based cationic random copolymer and calf thymus DNA: a complete biophysical characterization

Complete biophysical characterization of complexes (polyplexes) of cationic polymers and DNA is needed to understand the mechanism underlying nonviral therapeutic gene transfer. In this article, we propose a new series of synthesized random cationic polymers (RCPs) from methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (MePEGMA) and (3-(methacryloylamino)propyl)trimethylammonium chloride with different mole ratios (32:68, 11:89, and 6:94) which could be used as a model system to address and answer the basic questions relating to the mechanism of the interaction of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and cationic polymers. The solubility of the complexes of CT-DNA and RCP was followed by turbidity measurements. It has been observed that complexes of RCP with 68 mol % MePEGMA precipitate near the charge neutralization point, whereas complexes of the other two polymers are water-soluble and stable at all compositions. Dnase 1 digestion experiments show that DNA is inaccessible when it forms complexes with RCP. Ethidium bromide exclusion and gel electrophoretic mobility show that both polymers are capable of binding with CT-DNA. Atomic force microscopy images in conjunction with light scattering experiments showed that the complexes are spherical in nature and 75-100 nm in diameter. Circular dichroism spectroscopy studies indicated that the secondary structure of DNA in the complexes is not perturbed due to the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) segments in the polymer. Furthermore, we used a combination of spectroscopic and calorimetric techniques to determine complete thermodynamic profiles accompanying the helix-coil transition of CT-DNA in the complexes. UV and differential scanning calorimetry melting experiments revealed that DNA in the complexes is more stable than in the free state and the extent of stability depends on the polymer composition. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed that the binding of these RCPs to CT-DNA is associated with small exothermic enthalpy changes. A complete thermodynamic profile showed that the RCP/DNA complex formation is entropically favorable. Much broader opportunities to vary the architecture of the polymers studied here make these systems promising in addressing various basic and practical problems in gene delivery systems.     

An affinity-based probe for the proteomic profiling of aspartic proteases

We have developed an affinity-based probe for the proteomic profiling of aspartic proteases. Our probe was shown to be selective towards aspartic proteases over other proteins. It was also shown that the strategy may be used to label selectively aspartic proteases in the presence of a large excess of other proteins, thus making it useful for future proteome profiling experiments.