Inhibition of Cell Adhesion by Peptides Derived from the EC-4 Domain of E-Cadherin

The objective of this project was to evaluate the biological activity of peptides derived from the EC-4 domain of E-cadherin in inhibiting E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion. The activity of these peptides was determined by inhibition of Caco-2 single cells that bind to a Caco-2 monolayer and inhibition of junction resealing of MDCK II cell monolayers. The results showed that peptide 6 (LVVQAADLQG) derived from the EC-2 domain and peptide 8 derived from the EC-4 domain (YTALIIATDN) of E-cadherin were more effective in inhibiting single cell adhesion than peptides from other domains (EC-1, EC-3) of E-cadherin. Peptide 8 had better activity than peptide 6. From overlapping hexapeptides derived from peptide 8, it was found that peptide 12 with ALIIAT sequence had the best activity, suggesting that it was the activity sequence of peptide 8. Alanine-scanning and mutation experiments found that peptide 22 (TEIIAT) had the best activity compared to other hexapeptides derived from peptide 8 in inhibiting cell adhesion of Caco-2 cells and junction resealing of MDCK-II cell monolayers

Role of Extracellular Hemoglobin in Thrombosis and Vascular Occlusion in Patients with Sickle Cell Anemia

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a common hemolytic disorder caused by a gene mutation in the β-globin subunit of hemoglobin (Hb) and affects millions of people. The intravascular hemolysis releases excessive amount of extracellular hemoglobin (ECHb) into plasma that causes many cellular dysfunctions in patients with SCA. ECHb scavenges NO which promotes crisis events such as vasoconstriction, thrombosis and hypercoagulation. ECHb and its degradation product, heme, are known to cause oxidative damage to the vessel wall and stimulate the expression of adhesive protein ligands on vascular endothelium. Our study shows that ECHb binds potently to VWF—largest multimeric glycoprotein in circulation—through the A2-domain, and significantly inhibits its cleavage by the metalloprotease ADAMTS13. Furthermore, a subpopulation of VWF multimers bound to ECHb exists in significant amount, accounting for about 14% of total plasma VWF, in SCD patients. The Hb-bound VWF multimers are resistant to ADAMTS13, and are hyperactive in aggregating platelets. Thus, the data suggest that Hb-bound VWF multimers are ultralarge and hyperactive because they are resistant to the protease. The Hb-bound VWF multimers are elevated parallely with the level of ECHb in patients' plasma, and is associated with the pathogenesis of thrombosis and vascular occlusion in SCA

1951, October 15, Oil-Rich Bartlesville in Throes of Fight over Civil Liberties

Civil liberties, under attack in this oil-rich city, are being defended with such effect that a district judge has refused to rule on the issues involved

1950, October 16, 1950, Librarian Fights for Job Lost over Criticism of Journals Chosen (page 2)

Page 2 of newspaper clipping Librarian Fights for Job Lost over Criticism of Journals Chosen by F.A. Behymer, from St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 16, 1950

1950, October 16, Librarian Fights for Job Lost over Criticism of Journals Chosen

4 pages. Typescript of article published in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch

1950, October 14, Oil-Rich Bartlesville in Throes Of Fight over Civil Liberties

Clipping of article, Oil-Rich Bartlesville in Throes Of Fight over Civil Liberties by F.A. Behymer from St. Louis Post-Dispatch, October 14, 1950. Bartlesville, Oklahoma Oct 14-Civil liberties, under attack in this oil-rich city, are being defended with such effect that a district judge has refused to rule on the issues involved

1950, October 16, 1950, Librarian Fights for Job Lost over Criticism of Journals Chosen (page 1)

Page 1 of newspaper clipping Librarian Fights for Job Lost over Criticism of Journals Chose

Mass transport and calibration in liquid chromatography particle beam mass spectrometry

AbstractDifferences in the designs of two liquid chromatography particle beam mass spectrometry systems result in differences in the transport of ammonium acetate and differences in ion abundance-enhancing carrier effects. The effect of mobile phase composition, especially the proportion of water in the mobile phase, on transport efficiency is described. Instrument detection limits for 12 compounds with two different interface designs are presented. The calibrations are generally nonlinear explained in terms of mass transport effects and supported by experiments with isotopically labeled species that coelute with the native species. Summary results of a small multilaboratory study are presented. Calibration with isotopically labelled internal standards is recommended for real-world environmental sample

FUNCTIONALIZED LATERAL SURFACE COATED LASERS FOR CHEM-BIO DETECTION

We present a class of compact, monolithic, photonic sensors consisting of multiple section edge emitting lasers with functionalized lateral surface coatings for low level detection of chemical or biological agents. Specifically, we discuss 8 {micro}m x 250 {micro}m Pd-coated H{sub 2} sensors and configurations to reduce the minimum detection limit from 138ppm for passive sensors to 1ppm for active sensors. Compared with conventional optical H{sub 2} sensors that use fiber gratings, surface plasmon resonances, or surface reflectance, our sensors offer the advantages of smaller size, wider dynamic range, monolithic integration of laser source and detector, and 2-D scalability to arrays of sensors that are functionalized to detect different agents