Structure and evolutionary history of a large family of NLR proteins in the zebrafish

Multicellular eukaryotes have evolved a range of mechanisms for immune recognition. A widespread family involved in innate immunity are the NACHT-domain and leucine-rich-repeat-containing (NLR) proteins. Mammals have small numbers of NLR proteins, whereas in some species, mostly those without adaptive immune systems, NLRs have expanded into very large families. We describe a family of nearly 400 NLR proteins encoded in the zebrafish genome. The proteins share a defining overall structure, which arose in fishes after a fusion of the core NLR domains with a B30.2 domain, but can be subdivided into four groups based on their NACHT domains. Gene conversion acting differentially on the NACHT and B30.2 domains has shaped the family and created the groups. Evidence of positive selection in the B30.2 domain indicates that this domain rather than the leucine-rich repeats acts as the pathogen recognition module. In an unusual chromosomal organization, the majority of the genes are located on one chromosome arm, interspersed with other large multigene families, including a new family encoding zinc-finger proteins. The NLR-B30.2 proteins represent a new family with diversity in the specific recognition module that is present in fishes in spite of the parallel existence of an adaptive immune system

Predictors of enhancing human physical attractiveness: Data from 93 countries

People across the world and throughout history have gone to great lengths to enhance their physical appearance. Evolutionary psychologists and ethologists have largely attempted to explain this phenomenon via mating preferences and strategies. Here, we test one of the most popular evolutionary hypotheses for beauty-enhancing behaviors, drawn from mating market and parasite stress perspectives, in a large cross-cultural sample. We also test hypotheses drawn from other influential and non-mutually exclusive theoretical frameworks, from biosocial role theory to a cultural media perspective. Survey data from 93,158 human participants across 93 countries provide evidence that behaviors such as applying makeup or using other cosmetics, hair grooming, clothing style, caring for body hygiene, and exercising or following a specific diet for the specific purpose of improving ones physical attractiveness, are universal. Indeed, 99% of participants reported spending >10 min a day performing beauty-enhancing behaviors. The results largely support evolutionary hypotheses: more time was spent enhancing beauty by women (almost 4 h a day, on average) than by men (3.6 h a day), by the youngest participants (and contrary to predictions, also the oldest), by those with a relatively more severe history of infectious diseases, and by participants currently dating compared to those in established relationships. The strongest predictor of attractiveness-enhancing behaviors was social media usage. Other predictors, in order of effect size, included adhering to traditional gender roles, residing in countries with less gender equality, considering oneself as highly attractive or, conversely, highly unattractive, TV watching time, higher socioeconomic status, right-wing political beliefs, a lower level of education, and personal individualistic attitudes. This study provides novel insight into universal beauty-enhancing behaviors by unifying evolutionary theory with several other complementary perspectives

Adhesion and proliferation of living cell on surface functionalized with glycine nanostructures

This research presents the application of glycine amino acid for establishing firm cell-substrate interaction instead of expensive adhesion proteins, peptides and peptide derivatives. The glycine amino acid is chemically functionalized on the coverslip to achieve self-assembled nanostructure. Glycine self-assembly on NaCl treated coverslips is initiated with SiONa+:COO− linkage while their nanostructure is achieved with formation of glycine chain through NH3+:COO− covalent linkage between the adjacent molecules. The functionalization steps are confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) investigation. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) investigations reveal that glycine growth initiates at 4 Hours (H) post-treatment while maximum growth appears after 8H-10H. Both the vertical and horizontal growth of nanostructures show dependence on functionalization periods. Various levels of glycine functionalized surface show different levels of baby hamster kidney (BHK-21) cell adhesion and proliferation efficiency with maximum performance for 10H functionalized surface. The adhesion and proliferation performance of 10H glycine functionalized surface shows negligible difference when compared with glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) functionalized surface. Finally, growth curves obtained from both glycine and RGD functionalized surface reveal exponential growth phage up to 48H followed by stationary phage between 48H and 72H while death of many cells appears from 72H to 96H. Thus, this research concluded that glycine functionalized surface is equally effective for cell adhesion and proliferation

Synthesis and characterization of functional copolymer/organo-silicate nanoarchitectures through interlamellar complex-radical (co)terpolymerization

The functional copolymers, having a combination of rigid/flexible linkages and an ability of complex-formation with interlayered surface of organo-silicate, and their nanocomposites have been synthesized by interlamellar complex-radical (co)terpolymerization of intercalated monomer complexes of maleic anhydride (MA) and itaconic acid (IA) with dimethyl dodecylamine surface modified montmorillonite (organo-MMT) (MA. DMDA-MMT and IA...DMDA-MMT) n-butyl methacrylate (BMA) and/or BMA/styrene monomer mixtures. The results of nanocomposite structure-composition-property relationship studies indicate that interlamellar complex-formation between anhydride/acid units and surface alkyl amine and rigid/flexible linkage balance in polymer chains are important factors providing the effective intercalation/exfoliation of the polymer chains into the silicate galleries, the formation of nanostructural hybrids with higher thermal stability, dynamic mechanical behaviour and well dispersed morphology.WoSScopu

Bioengineering functional copolymers. XXI. Synthesis of a novel end carboxyl-trithiocarbonate functionalized poly(maleic anhydride) and its interaction with cancer cells

WOS: 000307244300021PubMed: 22796348A novel carboxyl-trithiocarbonate functionalized polymer with a highly selective antitumor activity was synthesized by a reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization of maleic anhydride (MA) with benzoyl peroxide as an initiator and S-1-dodecyl-S-(alpha, alpha'-dimethyl-alpha ''-acetic acid)-trithiocarbonate as a RAFT agent with the aim to design and synthesize an effective anticancer agent with minimum side effects. The structure, molecular weights and composition of synthesized polymers were investigated by H-1 (C-13) NMR, MALDI-TOF-MS and GPC analyzes. It was demonstrated that RAFT polymerization of MA was accompanied by a partially controlled decarboxylation of anhydride units and the formation of conjugated double bond fragments in backbone macromolecular chains. The mechanism of interaction of pristine RAFT agent and PMA-RAFT polymer with cancer (HeLa human cervix carcinoma) and normal (L929 Fibroblast) cells was investigated by using a combination of chemical, biochemical, statistical, spectroscopic (SEM and fluorescence inverted microscope) and real-time analysis (RTCA) methods. PMA-RAFT exhibited higher and selective cytotoxicity, apoptotic and necrotic effects toward HeLa cells at relatively low concentrations (around 7.5-75 mu g mL (1), IC50 = 11.183 mu g mL (1)) and toward Fibroblast cells at high concentrations (IC50 > 100 mu g mL (1)). The observed highly selective antitumor activity render PMA-RAFT polymers as promising candidates for the utilization in cancer chemotherapy. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.TUBITAK (Turkish Scientific and Technology Research Council)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK); Hacettepe University Scientific Research FoundationHacettepe University [TBAG-2386, HU-BAB-0201602006]The financial support for this work was provided by TUBITAK (Turkish Scientific and Technology Research Council) and the Hacettepe University Scientific Research Foundation through Grants TBAG-2386 and HU-BAB-0201602006, which are gratefully acknowledged

A Low Band Gap Benzimidazole Derivative and Its Copolymer with 3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene for Electrochemical Studies

A novel monomer; 2-(3-nitrophenyl)-4,7-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-benzo[d]imidazole) (BIMN) was used for electrochemical copolymerization with 3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT). Polymerization was achieved in acetonitrile (ACN)/dichloromethane (DCM) (1:1, 1:3 and 1:5, molar ratios) solution containing sodium perchlorate (NaClO4) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO4) mixture as the supporting electrolyte on an ITO electrode. The chemical structures of monomer and copolymers were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optical and electrochromic properties were investigated by UV-vis spectrophotometer and cyclic voltammetry, respectively. Combination of BIMN and EDOT provides lower oxidation potential, lower bandgap and higher optical contrast. (C) The Author(s) 2014. Published by ECS. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse of the work in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. All rights reserved

Maturity assessment and maturity models in healthcare: a multivocal literature review

Context: Maturity of practices and infrastructure in healthcare domain directly impacts the quality and efficiency of healthcare services. Therefore, various healthcare administrations (e.g., hospital management to nation-wide health authority) need to assess and improve their operational maturity. \u3cbr/\u3eObjective: This study aims to review and classify studies that propose/use maturity assessment or maturity models (MMs) as a vehicle to achieve operational excellence in healthcare domain. \u3cbr/\u3eMethod: To achieve this objective, we performed a Multivocal Literature Review (MLR) that is a form of Systematic Review and includes data from the grey literature (e.g., white papers and online documents) in addition to formal, peer-reviewed literature. \u3cbr/\u3eResults: Based on 101 sources, 80 of which are from the peer-reviewed literature and 21 are from the grey literature, we identified 68 different MMs on, e.g., telemedicine, care pathways, and digital imaging. We reviewed them with respect to various aspects including: types of research and contribution; list of MMs proposed/used with their subject focuses; elements of maturity/capability; and application scope or scale. In the synthesis of empirical benefits of using MMs, two were found significant: (1) Identifying issues and providing guidance for improvement in healthcare contexts; (2) Improving efficiency, effectiveness, performance, and productivity. \u3cbr/\u3eConclusion: This MLR provides an overview of the landscape and serves as an index to the vast body of knowledge in this area. Our review creates an opportunity to cope with the challenges in getting an overview of the state-of-the-art and practice, choosing the most suitable models, or developing new models with further specialties