Dissociation and Degradation of Thiol-Modified DNA on Gold Nanoparticles in Aqueous and Organic Solvents

This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Langmuir, copyright © American Chemical Society after peer review and technical editing by publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://dx.doi.org/10.1021/la200241dGold nanoparticles functionalized with thiol-modified DNA have been widely used in making various nanostructures, colorimetric biosensors, and drug delivery vehicles. Over the past 15 years, significant progress has been made to improve the stability of such functionalized nanoparticles. The stability of the gold–thiol bond in this system, however, has not been studied in a systematic manner. Most information on the gold–thiol bond was obtained from the study of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). In this study, we employed two fluorophore-labeled and thiol-modified DNAs. The long-term stability of the thiol–gold bond as a function of time, salt, temperature, pH, and organic solvent has been studied. We found that the bond spontaneously dissociated under all tested conditions. The dissociation was favored at high salt, high pH, and high temperature, and little DNA degradation was observed in our system. Most organic solvents showed a moderate protection effect on the gold–thiol bond. The stability of the gold–thiol bond in the DNA system was also compared with that in SAMs. While there are many similarities, we also observed opposite trends for the salt and ethanol effect. This study suggests that the purified DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles should be freshly prepared and used in a day or two. Long-term storage should be carried out at relatively low temperature in low salt and slightly acidic buffers.University of Waterloo || Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council |

Influenza returns with a season dominated by clade 3C.2a1b.2a.2 A(H3N2) viruses, WHO European Region, 2021/22

In the WHO European Region, COVID-19 non-pharmaceutical interventions continued slowing influenza circulation in the 2021/22 season, with reduced characterisation data. A(H3) predominated and, in some countries, co-circulated with A(H1)pdm09 and B/Victoria viruses. No B/Yamagata virus detections were confirmed. Substantial proportions of characterised circulating virus subtypes or lineages differed antigenically from their respective northern hemisphere vaccine components. Appropriate levels of influenza virus characterisations should be maintained until the season end and in future seasons, when surveillance is adapted to integrate SARS-CoV-2.ECDC and WHO internal funds.S

SUMOylation of the Forkhead Transcription Factor FOXL2 Promotes Its Stabilization/Activation through Transient Recruitment to PML Bodies

International audienceBACKGROUND: FOXL2 is a transcription factor essential for ovarian development and maintenance. It is mutated in the genetic condition called Blepharophimosis Ptosis Epicantus inversus Syndrome (BPES) and in cases of isolated premature ovarian failure. We and others have previously shown that FOXL2 undergoes several post-translational modifications. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, using cells in culture, we show that interference with FOXL2 SUMOylation leads to a robust inhibition of its transactivation ability, which correlates with a decreased stability. Interestingly, FOXL2 SUMOylation promotes its transient recruitment to subnuclear structures that we demonstrate to be PML (Promyelocytic Leukemia) Nuclear Bodies. Since PML bodies are known to be sites where post-translational modifications of nuclear factors take place, we used tandem mass spectrometry to identify new post-translational modifications of FOXL2. Specifically, we detected four phosphorylated, one sulfated and three acetylated sites. CONCLUSIONS: By analogy with other transcription factors, we propose that PML Nuclear Bodies might transiently recruit FOXL2 to the vicinity of locally concentrated enzymes that could be involved in the post-translational maturation of FOXL2. FOXL2 acetylation, sulfation, phosphorylation as well as other modifications yet to be discovered might alter the transactivation capacity of FOXL2 and/or its stability, thus modulating its global intracellular activity

Clinical profile of patients having pulmonary tuberculosis and renal amyloidosis

Objectives: This study was planned to define the clinical profile of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients having renal amyloidosis, to identify the factors responsible for development of amyloidosis, to detect the time period between onset of amyloidosis and PTB, and analyze clinical features of amyloidosis in PTB patients for early diagnosis and timely assessment. Materials and Methods: Patients of PTB having pedal edema, proteinuria, and grossly diseased kidneys on ultrasound abdomen were subjected to renal biopsy and appropriate biochemical investigations. Clinical profile of biopsy proven amyloidosis cases was analyzed. Results: There were 43 patients (32 males, 11 females, age range 20-65 years) having PTB with pedal edema, proteinuria, and renal medical disease on abdominal ultrasound where amyloidosis was confirmed by renal biopsy. The total duration of illness ranged from two months to seven years (mean 2.25 years) and was less than five years in 93% patients. All patients had significant proteinuria. Nephrotic syndrome was seen in 23, hypertension in 19, hypoalbuminemia in 33, hypercholesterolemia in 29, and deranged renal functions in 32 patients. Ninety percent patients had moderate to far advanced pulmonary lesions on chest radiography with smear positivity in 21 patients. Conclusions: Renal amyloidosis is an important complication of PTB and should be suspected clinically in patients presenting with a triad of pedal edema, proteinuria, and medical renal disease on ultrasound. Contrary to general belief, renal amyloidosis may occur in PTB patients having disease for relatively shorter duration, and even if adequately treated

Tsunami Relief (semester?), IPRO 308

The project will be a continuing multi-semester development. The first semester will be a period where the students and faculty decide which route to take, research the feasibility, research old or create new designs, structure a plan, and set up the contacts necessary to achieve one or more of the following: (1) Plan and design a clinic, (2) Plan and design a school, (3) Research problems and difficulties that current relief organizations have been encountering and develop viable solutions, (4) plan and design (and build?) cost-effective homes in collaboration with other universities (e.g. University of Houston).Deliverables for IPRO 308: Tsunami Relief for the Spring 2005 semeste

Tsunami Relief (semester?), IPRO 308: Tsunami Relief IPRO 308 IPRO Day Presentation Sp05

The project will be a continuing multi-semester development. The first semester will be a period where the students and faculty decide which route to take, research the feasibility, research old or create new designs, structure a plan, and set up the contacts necessary to achieve one or more of the following: (1) Plan and design a clinic, (2) Plan and design a school, (3) Research problems and difficulties that current relief organizations have been encountering and develop viable solutions, (4) plan and design (and build?) cost-effective homes in collaboration with other universities (e.g. University of Houston).Deliverables for IPRO 308: Tsunami Relief for the Spring 2005 semeste

Tsunami Relief (semester?), IPRO 308: Tsunami Relief IPRO 308 Final Report Sp05

The project will be a continuing multi-semester development. The first semester will be a period where the students and faculty decide which route to take, research the feasibility, research old or create new designs, structure a plan, and set up the contacts necessary to achieve one or more of the following: (1) Plan and design a clinic, (2) Plan and design a school, (3) Research problems and difficulties that current relief organizations have been encountering and develop viable solutions, (4) plan and design (and build?) cost-effective homes in collaboration with other universities (e.g. University of Houston).Deliverables for IPRO 308: Tsunami Relief for the Spring 2005 semeste

Tsunami Relief (semester?), IPRO 308: Tsunami Relief IPRO 308 Project Plan Sp05

The project will be a continuing multi-semester development. The first semester will be a period where the students and faculty decide which route to take, research the feasibility, research old or create new designs, structure a plan, and set up the contacts necessary to achieve one or more of the following: (1) Plan and design a clinic, (2) Plan and design a school, (3) Research problems and difficulties that current relief organizations have been encountering and develop viable solutions, (4) plan and design (and build?) cost-effective homes in collaboration with other universities (e.g. University of Houston).Deliverables for IPRO 308: Tsunami Relief for the Spring 2005 semeste

Tsunami Relief (semester?), IPRO 308: Tsunami Relief IPRO 308 Poster Sp05

The project will be a continuing multi-semester development. The first semester will be a period where the students and faculty decide which route to take, research the feasibility, research old or create new designs, structure a plan, and set up the contacts necessary to achieve one or more of the following: (1) Plan and design a clinic, (2) Plan and design a school, (3) Research problems and difficulties that current relief organizations have been encountering and develop viable solutions, (4) plan and design (and build?) cost-effective homes in collaboration with other universities (e.g. University of Houston).Deliverables for IPRO 308: Tsunami Relief for the Spring 2005 semeste