Molecular clouds and the large-scale structure of the galaxy

The application of molecular radio astronomy to the study of the large-scale structure of the Galaxy is reviewed and the distribution and characteristic properties of the Galactic population of Giant Molecular Clouds (GMCs), derived primarily from analysis of the Columbia CO survey, and their relation to tracers of Population 1 and major spiral features are described. The properties of the local molecular interstellar gas are summarized. The CO observing programs currently underway with the Center for Astrophysics 1.2 m radio telescope are described, with an emphasis on projects relevant to future comparison with high-energy gamma-ray observations. Several areas are discussed in which high-energy gamma-ray observations by the EGRET (Energetic Gamma-Ray Experiment Telescope) experiment aboard the Gamma Ray Observatory will directly complement radio studies of the Milky Way, with the prospect of significant progress on fundamental issues related to the structure and content of the Galaxy

Nitro-fatty acid formation and metabolism

Nitro-fatty acids (NO 2 -FA) are pleiotropic modulators of redox signaling pathways. Their effects on inflammatory signaling have been studied in great detail in cell, animal and clinical models primarily using exogenously administered nitro-oleic acid. While we know a considerable amount regarding NO 2 -FA signaling, endogenous formation and metabolism is relatively unexplored. This review will cover what is currently known regarding the proposed mechanisms of NO 2 -FA formation, dietary modulation of endogenous NO 2 -FA levels, pathways of NO 2 -FA metabolism and the detection of NO 2 -FA and corresponding metabolites.Fil: Buchan, Gregory J.. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Bonacci, Gustavo Roberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Bioquímica Clínica e Inmunología; ArgentinaFil: Fazzari, Marco. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unidos. Fondazione Ri.Med; ItaliaFil: Salvatore, Sonia Rosana. University of Pittsburgh; Estados UnidosFil: Gelhaus Wendell, Stacy. University of Pittsburgh; Estados Unido

DraGnET: Software for storing, managing and analyzing annotated draft genome sequence data

BackgroundNew next generation DNA sequencing technologies offer individual researchers the ability to rapidly generate large amounts of genome sequence data at dramatically reduced costs. As a result, a need has arisen for new software tools for storage, management and analysis of genome sequence data. Although bioinformatic tools are available for the analysis and management of genome sequences, limitations still remain. For example, restrictions on the submission of data and use of these tools may be imposed, thereby making them unsuitable for sequencing projects that need to remain in-house or proprietary during their initial stages. Furthermore, the availability and use of next generation sequencing in industrial, governmental and academic environments requires biologist to have access to computational support for the curation and analysis of the data generated; however, this type of support is not always immediately available. ResultsTo address these limitations, we have developed DraGnET (Draft Genome Evaluation Tool). DraGnET is an open source web application which allows researchers, with no experience in programming and database management, to setup their own in-house projects for storing, retrieving, organizing and managing annotated draft and complete genome sequence data. The software provides a web interface for the use of BLAST, allowing users to perform preliminary comparative analysis among multiple genomes. We demonstrate the utility of DraGnET for performing comparative genomics on closely related bacterial strains. Furthermore, DraGnET can be further developed to incorporate additional tools for more sophisticated analyses. Conclusions DraGnET is designed for use either by individual researchers or as a collaborative tool available through Internet (or Intranet) deployment. For genome projects that require genome sequencing data to initially remain proprietary, DraGnET provides the means for researchers to keep their data in-house for analysis using local programs or until it is made publicly available, at which point it may be uploaded to additional analysis software applications. The DraGnET home page is available at http://www.dragnet.cvm.iastate.edu and includes example files for examining the functionalities, a link for downloading the DraGnET setup package and a link to the DraGnET source code hosted with full documentation on SourceForge

Rapid Synthesis of Near Infrared Polymeric Micelles for Real-Time Sentinel Lymph Node Imaging

In this manuscript a synthetic methodology for developing sub 20 nm sized polymeric micellar nanoparticles designed for extravascular imaging and therapy is revealed. A simple, one-pot method is followed, which involves a rapid co-self-assembly of an amphiphilic diblock copolymer (PS-b-PAA) and polyoxyethylene (80) sorbitan monooleate in water. Sorbitan monooleate imparts stability to the micelles and helps to drive down the particle size below 20 nm. The particles are incorporated with a water soluble dye ADS832WS, which absorbs in the near infrared range (λ_(ex) = 832 nm) for sensitive detection with optical and photoacoustic imaging techniques. A candidate lipophilic anti-angiogenic therapeutic agent fumagillin was also incorporated with high entrapment (>95%) efficiency. The effectiveness of this theranostic platform for real-time, high-resolution intraoperative photoacoustic imaging for facilitating direct assessment of the sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) in breast cancer staging is demonstrated. The technique offers huge potential providing faster resection of SLN and may minimize complications caused by axillary exploration due to mismarking with dyes or low-resolution imaging techniques. Finally, the biodistribution and organ accumulation of the intravenously and intradermally injected particles are studied in a rodent model by optical imaging. Data suggest that intraveneously injected NIR-polymeric nanoparticles follow a typical bio-distribution clearance path through the reticuloendothelial (RES) system. For the intradermally injected particles, a slower mechanism of clearance is noticed

CASTER - a concept for a Black Hole Finder Probe based on the use of new scintillator technologies

The primary scientific mission of the Black Hole Finder Probe (BHFP), part of the NASA Beyond Einstein program, is to survey the local Universe for black holes over a wide range of mass and accretion rate. One approach to such a survey is a hard X-ray coded-aperture imaging mission operating in the 10--600 keV energy band, a spectral range that is considered to be especially useful in the detection of black hole sources. The development of new inorganic scintillator materials provides improved performance (for example, with regards to energy resolution and timing) that is well suited to the BHFP science requirements. Detection planes formed with these materials coupled with a new generation of readout devices represent a major advancement in the performance capabilities of scintillator-based gamma cameras. Here, we discuss the Coded Aperture Survey Telescope for Energetic Radiation (CASTER), a concept that represents a BHFP based on the use of the latest scintillator technology.Comment: 12 pages; conference paper presented at the SPIE conference "UV, X-Ray, and Gamma-Ray Space Instrumentation for Astronomy XIV." To be published in SPIE Conference Proceedings, vol. 589

Fingerloop activates cargo delivery and unloading during cotranslational protein targeting

During cotranslational protein targeting by the signal recognition particle (SRP), information about signal sequence binding in the SRP's M domain must be effectively communicated to its GTPase domain to turn on its interaction with the SRP receptor (SR) and thus deliver the cargo proteins to the membrane. A universally conserved “fingerloop” lines the signal sequence–binding groove of SRP; the precise role of this fingerloop in protein targeting has remained elusive. In this study, we show that the fingerloop plays important roles in SRP function by helping to induce the SRP into a more active conformation that facilitates multiple steps in the pathway, including efficient recruitment of SR, GTPase activation in the SRP•SR complex, and most significantly, the unloading of cargo onto the target membrane. On the basis of these results and recent structural work, we propose that the fingerloop is the first structural element to detect signal sequence binding; this information is relayed to the linker connecting the SRP's M and G domains and thus activates the SRP and SR for carrying out downstream steps in the pathway

An efficacy trial of an electronic health record-based strategy to inform patients on safe medication use: The role of written and spoken communication

We tested the feasibility and efficacy of an electronic health record (EHR) strategy that automated the delivery of print medication information at the time of prescribing