Expression, purification and structural analysis of the Pyrococcus abyssi RNA binding protein PAB1135

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The gene coding for the uncharacterized protein PAB1135 in the archaeon <it>Pyrococcus abyssi </it>is in the same operon as the ribonuclease P (RNase P) subunit Rpp30.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Here we report the expression, purification and structural analysis of PAB1135. We analyzed the interaction of PAB1135 with RNA and show that it binds efficiently double-stranded RNAs in a non-sequence specific manner. We also performed molecular modeling of the PAB1135 structure using the crystal structure of the protein Af2318 from <it>Archaeoglobus fulgidus </it>(<ext-link ext-link-id="2OGK" ext-link-type="pdb">2OGK</ext-link>) as the template.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Comparison of this model has lead to the identification of a region in PAB1135 that could be involved in recognizing double-stranded RNA.</p

Recent advances on materials for lithium-ion batteries

Environmental issues related to energy consumption are mainly associated with the strong dependence on fossil fuels. To solve these issues, renewable energy sources systems have been developed as well as advanced energy storage systems. Batteries are the main storage system related to mobility, and they are applied in devices such as laptops, cell phones, and electric vehicles. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are the most used battery system based on their high specific capacity, long cycle life, and no memory effects. This rapidly evolving field urges for a systematic comparative compilation of the most recent developments on battery technology in order to keep up with the growing number of materials, strategies, and battery performance data, allowing the design of future developments in the field. Thus, this review focuses on the different materials recently developed for the different battery components—anode, cathode, and separator/electrolyte—in order to further improve LIB systems. Moreover, solid polymer electrolytes (SPE) for LIBs are also highlighted. Together with the study of new advanced materials, materials modification by doping or synthesis, the combination of different materials, fillers addition, size manipulation, or the use of high ionic conductor materials are also presented as effective methods to enhance the electrochemical properties of LIBs. Finally, it is also shown that the development of advanced materials is not only focused on improving efficiency but also on the application of more environmentally friendly materials.Funding grants UID/FIS/04650/2020, UID/EEA/04436/2020 and UID/QUI/0686/2020; and project PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017. Financial support grants SFRH/BD/140842/2018 (J.C.B.) and Investigator FCT Contracts CEECIND/00833/2017 (R.G.) and 2020.04028.CEECIND (C.M.C.) Financial support ELKARTEK and PIBA (PIBA-2018-06) programs

Synthesis of diarylamines in the benzo[b]thiophene series by palladium-catalyzed amination and structure-activity relationship as antibacterial agents

The palladium-catalyzed amination of arylhalides has become an important method for the synthesis of arylamines found in pharmaceuticals. Using this methodology we were able to synthesize several diarylamines in the benzo[b]thiophene series.Here we report the synthesis 01 differently substituted diarylamines derivatives 01 6-bromo or 6-amino- 2,3,5-trimethylbenzo[b]thiophene in good to high yields (50-90%) (Scheme), The amino precursor was prepared from the bromo compound using also a C-N palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling with benzophenone imine, followed by acidic hydrolysis in a 60% overall yield

Linking mould filling and structural simulations

Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) is common standard in the development process within the automotive industry. For thermoplastic components, for example, the manufacturing process is commonly simulated with injection moulding simulation software and passive safety with explicit crash software. Currently both disciplines are only linked within the simulation of fibre reinforced thermoplastics to take into account the fibre orientation from injection moulding simulation within crash simulation due to the significant influence of the fibre orientation on mechanical part properties. This work proposes a methodology that allows consideration of moulding conditions on the mechanical behaviour of unreinforced injection moulded components by coupling injection moulding simulation (Moldflow) and crash simulation (LS-DYNA (R)/RADIOSS (R)). A newly developed dedicated computer application allows to directly consider results from injection simulation within crash simulations. The manufacturing boundary conditions that most influence the mechanical behaviour are combined within the thermomechanical indices (TMI) methodology, and mapped onto each finite element within the crash simulation. Mathematical functions have been used to correlate the TMI to important mechanical properties of the moulded polymer. A user defined material model can read those indices and translate them to local mechanical properties.This work is funded by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 program and National Funds through FCT under project UID/CTM/50025/2013, and grant SFRH/BD/51570/2011

Effects of 10min vs. 20min passive rest after warm-up on 100m freestyle time-trial performance: A randomized crossover study

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of 10min vs. 20min passive rest post warm-up on performance in a 100m freestyle time-trial. Randomized crossover. Eleven competitive male swimmers performed two experimental trials on different days, consisting of 100m freestyle time-trials following 10min or 20min passive rest after a standard 1200m warm-up. Performance (time-trial), biomechanical (stroke length, stroke frequency, stroke index, propelling efficiency), physiological (blood lactate concentrations, heart rate, core and tympanic temperature), and psychophysiological (perceived effort) variables were assessed during both trials. Time-trial performance was faster after 10min as opposed to 20min passive rest (58.41±1.99s vs. 59.06±1.86, p<0.01). This was supported by strong effect sizes (d=0.99) and the qualitative indication of "likely" positive effects. Heart rate before the time-trial was also higher after 10min passive rest (89±12bpm vs. 82±13bpm; p<0.01). Furthermore, net core temperature and oxygen uptake values before the time-trial were substantially lower after 20min passive rest. These data suggest that the 10min post warm-up passive rest enhances 100m freestyle performance when compared to a 20min period. An improvement that appears to be mediated by the combined effects of a shorter post warm-up period on core temperature, heart rate and oxygen uptake.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efeito do tipo de parto na colonização oral e cárie dentária nas crianças: revisão sistemática da literatura

ABSTRACT - This review investigated whether mode of delivery influences the colonization of infant’s oral cavity and the risk of early childhood caries (ECC). The search strategy included systematic searching of electronic databases (Web of Science and PubMed) for articles published (1995–2015) and hand searching of references lists. Outcomes of interest were the presence of oral caries-related microorganisms, oral species considered protective against caries, and dental caries. Other outcomes included severity of dental caries, dental claims, and age at first dental visit. Study quality was assessed using the EPHPP tool. For each study, we present odds ratios and respective 95% confidence intervals for the association between these outcomes and the mode of delivery. Fourteen studies were identified. In 5 out of 8 studies addressing oral colonization, children born by cesarean section were less likely to harbor caries-related microorganisms as well as protective bacteria against caries and acquired caries-related microorganisms earlier, when compared with vaginally delivered children. No consistent results were obtained for the association between mode of delivery and dental caries. Although there were differences in oral colonization by mode of delivery, it seems that other determinants rather than mode of delivery could be major contributors to the development of ECC.RESUMO - Esta revisão investigou se o tipo de parto influencia a colonização da cavidade oral do bebé e o risco de cárie precoce na infância (CPI). A estratégia de pesquisa incluiu a pesquisa sistemática em bases de dados eletrónicas (Web of Science e PubMed) para artigos publicados (1995–2015) e a pesquisa manual de listas de referências. Os principais resultados apontaram para a presença de microrganismos relacionados com a cárie oral, espécies orais consideradas protetoras contra a cárie e a cárie dentária. Outros resultados obtidos incluíram a gravidade da cárie dentária, as reclamações odontológicas e a idade na primeira consulta odontológica. A qualidade do estudo foi avaliada usando a ferramenta EPHPP. Para cada estudo apresentamos odds-ratio (OR) e respetivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC 95%) para a associação entre esses desfechos e o tipo de parto. Foram identificados catorze estudos. Em cinco de oito estudos abordando a colonização oral, as crianças nascidas por cesariana foram menos propensas a abrigar microrganismos relacionados com a cárie, bem como bactérias protetoras contra a cárie e micro-organismos relacionados com cárie adquirida anteriormente, quando comparadas com crianças nascidas de parto vaginal. Não foram obtidos resultados consistentes para a associação entre o tipo de parto e a cárie dentária. Embora houvesse diferenças na colonização oral por tipo de parto, parece que outros determinantes, em vez do tipo de parto, podem ser os principais fatores que contribuem para o desenvolvimento da CPI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Palladium-catalysed amination of electron-deficient or relatively-rich benzo[b]thienylbromides: preliminary studies of antimicrobial activity and SARs

Several diarylamines in the benzo[b]thiophene series were prepared by palladium catalyzed amination of ethyl 3-bromobenzo[b]thien-2-yl carboxylate with anilines and 5-aminoindole, in good to high yields using Pd(OAc)2, BINAP, Cs2CO3 in toluene. The presence of the ester group in the position 2 of the benzo[b]thiophene moiety increases the yields and lowers the heating times when compared with reactions using 3-bromobenzo[b]thiophene. When aminopyridines, instead of anilines, were used the ligand and the solvent need to be changed to XANTHPHOS and dioxane in the amination reaction. From 2-aminopyridine a one pot C-N coupling and intramolecular cyclization involving the nitrogen of the pyridine, with lost of ethanol, occurred giving an interesting fluorescent tetracyclic heteroaromatic compound. The antimicrobial activity, the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and structure-activity relationships (SAR) were evaluated. A selectivity with low MICs was observed against Bacillus Cereus and good results were also obtained against Candida albicans. The acids obtained by hydrolysis of the ester group, as non proteinogenic alpha,beta-unsaturated beta-amino acids can be incorporated in a peptide chain to induce conformational constraints.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. ERASMUS