Separation Options for Phosphorylated Osteopontin from Transgenic Microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii.

Correct folding and post-translational modifications are vital for therapeutic proteins to elicit their biological functions. Osteopontin (OPN), a bone regenerative protein present in a range of mammalian cells, is an acidic phosphoprotein with multiple potential phosphorylation sites. In this study, the ability of unicellular microalgae, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, to produce phosphorylated recombinant OPN in its chloroplast is investigated. This study further explores the impact of phosphorylation and expression from a "plant-like" algae on separation of OPN. Chromatography resins ceramic hydroxyapatite (CHT) and Gallium-immobilized metal affinity chromatography (Ga-IMAC) were assessed for their binding specificity to phosphoproteins. Non-phosphorylated recombinant OPN expressed in E. coli was used to compare the specificity of interaction of the resins to phosphorylated OPN. We observed that CHT binds OPN by multimodal interactions and was better able to distinguish phosphorylated proteins in the presence of 250 mM NaCl. Ga-IMAC interaction with OPN was not selective to phosphorylation, irrespective of salt, as the resin bound OPN from both algal and bacterial sources. Anion exchange chromatography proved an efficient capture method to partially separate major phosphorylated host cell protein impurities such as Rubisco from OPN

Recombinant cyclodextran glucanotransferase mutants

A recombinant cyclodextrin glucanotransferase mutant is provided, which mutant produces lowered amounts of β-cyclodextrins and γ-cyclodextrins compared to wild-type cyclodextrin glucanotransferas

ТНЕ EFFECT OF VARNA SEA-COAST CLIMAТIC FACTORS ON NEURO-VEGEТAТIVE REACТIVIТY

The effect of Black sea-coast factors оn various functions of healthy individuals and persons with various affections has been the objective of а number оf investigations in Bulgaria. The alterations of the neuro-vegetative reactivity under the effect of climatic factors of the sea-shore region is of special interest, for it greatly contributes to the elucidatjon оf the mechanism bу which these factors influence and mnodify the various functions оf the organism

Refined physical properties and g',r',i',z',J,H,K transmission spectrum of WASP-23b from the ground

Multi-band observations of planetary transits using the telescope defocus technique may yield high-quality light curves suitable for refining the physical properties of exoplanets even with small or medium size telescopes. Such observations can be used to construct a broad-band transmission spectrum of transiting planets and search for the presence of strong absorbers. We have thoroughly characterised the orbital ephemeris and physical properties of the transiting planet and host star in the WASP-23b system, constructed a broad-band transmission spectrum of WASP-23b and performed a comparative analysis with theoretical models of hot Jupiters. We observed a complete transit of WASP-23b in seven bands simultaneously, using the GROND instrument on the MPG/ESO 2.2m telescope at La Silla Observatory and telescope defocussing. The optical data were taken in the Sloan g',r',i' and z' bands. The resulting light curves are of high quality, with a root-mean-square scatter of the residual as low as 330ppm in the z'-band, with a cadence of 90s. Near-infrared data were obtained in the JHK bands. We performed MCMC analysis of our photometry plus existing radial velocity data to refine measurements of the ephemeris and physical properties of the WASP-23. We constructed a broad-band transmission spectrum of WASP-23b and compared it with a theoretical transmission spectrum of a Hot Jupiter. We measured the central transit time with a precision about 8s. From this and earlier observations we obtain an orbital period of P=2.9444300+/-0.0000011d. Our analysis also yielded a larger radius and mass for the planet (Rp=1.067+0.045-0.038 RJup and, Mp=0.917+0.040-0.039MJup). The transmission spectrum is marginally flat, given the limited precision of the measurements for the planet radius and poor spectral resolution of the data.Comment: 8 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Astronomy & Astrophysic

Convergence and multiplicities for the Lempert function

Given a domain $\Omega \subset \mathbb C$, the Lempert function is a functional on the space Hol (\D,\Omega) of analytic disks with values in $\Omega$, depending on a set of poles in $\Omega$. We generalize its definition to the case where poles have multiplicities given by local indicators (in the sense of Rashkovskii's work) to obtain a function which still dominates the corresponding Green function, behaves relatively well under limits, and is monotonic with respect to the indicators. In particular, this is an improvement over the previous generalization used by the same authors to find an example of a set of poles in the bidisk so that the (usual) Green and Lempert functions differ.Comment: 24 pages; many typos corrected thanks to the referee of Arkiv for Matemati

Autistic disorder:Current psychopharmacological treatments and areas of interest for future developments

O transtorno autista e o grupo de condições relacionadas definidas como transtornos invasivos do desenvolvimento são transtornos de neurodesenvolvimento crônicos que começam na infância precoce e afetam um número significativo de crianças e suas famílias. Ainda que as causas e muito da fisiopatologia do transtorno sejam desconhecidas, em anos recentes, vários tratamentos medicamentosos disponíveis têm sido identificados como contendo a promessa de aliviar alguns dos comportamentos mal-adaptativos mais comprometedores associados aos transtornos invasivos do desenvolvimento. No entanto, esses tratamentos não enfocam os sintomas nucleares da enfermidade e, geralmente, seus efeitos colaterais excedem os benefícios. Portanto, há uma necessidade substancial de novas medicações que sejam mais seguras e mais eficazes em tratar os sintomas comportamentais do autismo. O objetivo desta revisão é o de destacar as farmacoterapias correntes disponíveis e aquelas emergentes e que tenham potencial de melhorar as opções de tratamento de pacientes com transtornos invasivos do desenvolvimento.Autistic disorder and the group of related conditions defined as pervasive developmental disorders are chronic neurodevelopmental disorders starting in early childhood and affecting a significant number of children and families. Although the causes and much of the pathophysiology of the disorder remain unknown, in recent years a number of available medication treatments have been identified as holding promise in alleviating some of the most disabling maladaptive behaviors, associated with pervasive developmental disorders. However these treatments do not address the core symptoms of the disease and oftentimes their side effects outweigh their benefits. Therefore there is substantial need for new medications that are safer and more effective in addressing the behavior symptoms of autism. The aim of this review is to highlight the available current pharmacotherapies and those emerging treatments with potential to enhance the treatment options of patients with pervasive developmental disorders

Physical properties, starspot activity, orbital obliquity, and transmission spectrum of the Qatar-2 planetary system from multi-colour photometry

We present seventeen high-precision light curves of five transits of the planet Qatar-2b, obtained from four defocussed 2m-class telescopes. Three of the transits were observed simultaneously in the SDSS griz passbands using the seven-beam GROND imager on the MPG/ESO 2.2-m telescope. A fourth was observed simultaneously in Gunn grz using the CAHA 2.2-m telescope with BUSCA, and in r using the Cassini 1.52-m telescope. Every light curve shows small anomalies due to the passage of the planetary shadow over a cool spot on the surface of the host star. We fit the light curves with the prism+gemc model to obtain the photometric parameters of the system and the position, size and contrast of each spot. We use these photometric parameters and published spectroscopic measurements to obtain the physical properties of the system to high precision, finding a larger radius and lower density for both star and planet than previously thought. By tracking the change in position of one starspot between two transit observations we measure the orbital obliquity of Qatar-2 b to be 4.3 \pm 4.5 degree, strongly indicating an alignment of the stellar spin with the orbit of the planet. We calculate the rotation period and velocity of the cool host star to be 11.4 \pm 0.5 d and 3.28 \pm 0.13 km/s at a colatitude of 74 degree. We assemble the planet's transmission spectrum over the 386-976 nm wavelength range and search for variations of the measured radius of Qatar-2 b as a function of wavelength. Our analysis highlights a possible H2/He Rayleigh scattering in the blue.Comment: 20 pages, 14 figures, to appear in Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Societ

Simultaneous follow-up of planetary transits: revised physical properties for the planetary systems HAT-P-16 and WASP-21

Context. By now more than 300 planets transiting their host star have been found, and much effort is being put into measuring the properties of each system. Light curves of planetary transits often contain deviations from a simple transit shape, and it is generally difficult to differentiate between anomalies of astrophysical nature (e.g. starspots) and correlated noise due to instrumental or atmospheric effects. Our solution is to observe transit events simultaneously with two telescopes located at different observatories. Aims. Using this observational strategy, we look for anomalies in the light curves of two transiting planetary systems and accurately estimate their physical parameters. Methods. We present the first photometric follow-up of the transiting planet HAT-P-16 b, and new photometric observations of WASP-21 b, obtained simultaneously with two medium-class telescopes located in different countries, using the telescope defocussing technique. We modeled these and other published data in order to estimate the physical parameters of the two planetary systems. Results. The simultaneous observations did not highlight particular features in the light curves, which is consistent with the low activity levels of the two stars. For HAT-P-16, we calculated a new ephemeris and found that the planet is 1.3 \sigma colder and smaller (Rb = 1.190 \pm 0.037 RJup) than the initial estimates, suggesting the presence of a massive core. Our physical parameters for this system point towards a younger age than previously thought. The results obtained for WASP-21 reveal lower values for the mass and the density of the planet (by 1.0 \sigma and 1.4 \sigma respectively) with respect to those found in the discovery paper, in agreement with a subsequent study. We found no evidence of any transit timing variations in either system.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Exhausting domains of the symmetrized bidisc

We show that the symmetrized bidisc may be exhausted by strongly linearly convex domains. It shows in particular the existence of a strongly linearly convex domain that cannot be exhausted by domains biholomorphic to convex ones.Comment: 6 page

"Adaptation" to Displacement Prisms Is Sensorimotor Learning

Observers reaching to a target seen through wedge shaped displacement prisms initially reach in the direction of displacement, correcting their reaches over a series of about 12 trials. With subsequent removal of the prisms, observers initially reach to the opposite side of the target, correcting over about 6 trials. This phenomenon has been called "adaptation" because of its similarity to the adaptation of sensory thresholds to prevailing energy levels. W e show, however, that this perturbation to visually guided reaching only mimics sensory adaptation initially. Subsequent changes show that this is sensorimotor learning. Error in pointing to targets is the commonly used measure. W e measured times for rapid reaches to place a stylus in a target. Participants wearing a prism worked to achieve criterion times previously established with normal, unperturbed vision. Blocks of trials with and without a prism were alternated. Both the number of trials to criterion and the mean times per block of trials decreased over successive blocks in a session, as well as over successive days. By the third day, participants were able to respond rapidly to perturbations. This reflects the acquisition of a new skill that must be similar to that acquired by users of corrective lens