Non-thermal effects of 500 MHz-900MHz microwave radiation on enzyme kinetics

Enzymes are essential for the catalysis of biochemical reactions and in the regulation of metabolic pathways. They function by greatly accelerating the rate of specific chemical reactions that would otherwise be slow. It has been shown that extremely low-power microwaves can influence enzyme activity [1¿5]. This study is focused at investigating the effects of low level microwave exposures ranging from 500MHz to 900MHz on L-Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) enzyme activity. The results obtained revealed the increased bioactivity of the LDH upon microwave radiation at two particular frequencies 500MHz and 900MHz

Investigation of the mechanisms of electromagnetic field interaction with proteins

In our earlier work we have proposed that protein activation is electromagnetic in its nature. This prediction is based on the resonant recognition model (RRM) where proteins are analyzed using digital signal processing (DSP) methods applied to the distribution of free electron energies along the protein sequence. This postulate is investigated here by applying the electromagnetic radiation to example of L-lactate dehydrogenase protein and its biological activity is measured before and after the exposures. The concepts presented would lead to the new insights into proteins susceptibility to perturbation by exposure to electromagnetic fields and possibility to program, predict, design and modify proteins and their bioactivit

Biological Effects of a De Novo Designed Myxoma Virus Peptide Analogue: Evaluation of Cytotoxicity on Tumor Cells

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Hybrid approach to analysis of beta-sheet structures based on signal processing and statistical consideration

A number of biotechnology applications are based on protein design. For this design, the relationship between a proteins primary structure and its conformation is of vital importance. A beta-sheet is a common feature of a proteins two-dimensional structure; therefore, elucidating the principles governing beta-sheet structure and its stability is critical for understanding the protein-folding process. In the three-dimensional representation of protein molecules, C(alpha) carbon coordinates (carbon atom immediately adjacent to the carboxylate group) have often been employed instead of the complete set of coordinates for the corresponding residues. Using the C(alpha) carbon coordinates, we showed that particular amino acids are not randomly distributed within a beta-sheet structure. On the basis of a new statistical approach for the analysis of a spatial distribution of amino acids in a protein, presented by their physico-chemical parameters, the electron-ion interaction potential (EIIP) and hydrophobicity, are described here. The relationship between amino acid positions inside the beta-sheet and the EIIP and hydrophobicity parameters was established. The correlation between amino acid propensities related to the beta-sheet was examined using multiple cross-spectra analysis. We also applied the continuous wavelet transform for the analysis of selected beta-sheet structures using the EIIP and hydrophobicity parameters. The findings provide new insight into conformational propensities of amino acids for the adaption of beta-sheet structures

‘The International Teacher Leadership project,’ a case of international action research.

Copyright CARNThe paper arises from the International Teacher Leadership project, a research and development project involving researchers and practitioners in 14 European countries. The paper provides a conceptual exploration of the idea of teacher leadership and its role in educational reform, central to which is the idea that teachers, regardless of their level of power and organisational position, can engage in the leadership of enquiry-based development activity aimed at influencing their colleagues and embedding improved practices in their schools. The paper provides an outline of the project’s methodology which builds on that used in the Carpe Vitam Leadership for Learning project (Frost, 2008a). It is a form of collaborative action research which is highly developmental and discursive. It seeks to identify principles, strategies and tools that can be applied in a range of cultural settings. The paper includes a thematic analysis of the cultural contexts and policy environments of the participating countries in order to identify the obstacles to teacher leadership and to inform the nature of the support strategies employed

Late-Onset Sepsis Mortality among Preterm Infants: Beyond Time to First Antibiotics

Objective: To investigate the impact of timing, in vitro activity and appropriateness of empirical antimicrobials on the outcome of late-onset sepsis among preterm very low birth weight infants that are at high risk of developing meningitis. Study design: This retrospective study included 83 LOS episodes in 73 very low birth weight infants born at ≤32 weeks’ gestation with positive blood and/or cerebrospinal fluid culture or polymerase chain reaction at >72 h of age. To define the appropriateness of empirical antimicrobials we considered both their in vitro activity and their ideal delivery through the blood-brain barrier when meningitis was confirmed or not ruled out through a lumbar puncture. The primary outcome was sepsis-related mortality. The secondary outcome was the development of brain lesions. Timing, in vitro activity and appropriateness of empirical antimicrobials, were compared between fatal and non-fatal episodes. Uni- and multi-variable analyses were carried out for the primary outcome. Results: Time to antibiotics and in vitro activity of empirical antimicrobials were similar between fatal and non-fatal cases. By contrast, empirical antimicrobials were appropriate in a lower proportion of fatal episodes of late-onset sepsis (4/17, 24%) compared to non-fatal episodes (39/66, 59%). After adjusting for Gram-negative vs. Gram-positive pathogen and for other supportive measures (time to volume administration), inappropriate empirical antimicrobials remained associated with mortality (aOR, 10.3; 95% CI, 1.4–76.8, p = 0.023), while timing to first antibiotics was not (aOR 0.9; 95% CI, 0.7–1.2, p = 0.408; AUC = 0.88). The association between appropriate antimicrobials and brain sequelae was also significant (p = 0.024). Conclusions: The risk of sepsis-related mortality and brain sequelae in preterm very low birth weight infants is significantly associated with the appropriateness (rather than the timing and the in vitro activity) of empirical antimicrobials. Until meningitis is ruled out through lumbar puncture, septic very low birth weight infants at high risk of mortality should receive empiric antimicrobials with high delivery through the blood-brain barrier

Overview of IFMIF-DONES diagnostics: Requirements and techniques

The IFMIF-DONES Facility is a unique first-class scientific infrastructure whose construction is foreseen in Granada, Spain, in the coming years. Strong integration efforts are being made at the current project phase aiming at harmonizing the ongoing design of the different and complex Systems of the facility. The consolidation of the Diagnostics and Instrumentation, transversal across many of them, is a key element of this purpose. A top-down strategy is proposed for a systematic Diagnostics Review and Requirement definition, putting emphasis in the one-of-a-kind instruments necessary by the operational particularities of some of the Systems, as well as to the harsh environment that they shall survive. In addition, other transversal aspects such as the ones related to Safety and Machine Protection and their respective requirements shall be also considered. The goal is therefore to advance further and solidly in the respective designs, identify problems in advance, and steer the Diagnostics development and validation campaigns that will be required. The present work provides an overview of this integration strategy as well as a description of some of the most challenging Diagnostics and Instruments within the facility, including several proposed techniques currently under study

Maternal blood cadmium, lead and arsenic levels, nutrient combinations, and offspring birthweight

Abstract Background Cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and arsenic (As) are common environmental contaminants that have been associated with lower birthweight. Although some essential metals may mitigate exposure, data are inconsistent. This study sought to evaluate the relationship between toxic metals, nutrient combinations and birthweight among 275 mother-child pairs. Methods Non-essential metals, Cd, Pb, As, and essential metals, iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), copper (Cu), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), and manganese (Mn) were measured in maternal whole blood obtained during the first trimester using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Folate concentrations were measured by microbial assay. Birthweight was obtained from medical records. We used quantile regression to evaluate the association between toxic metals and nutrients due to their underlying wedge-shaped relationship. Ordinary linear regression was used to evaluate associations between birth weight and toxic metals. Results After multivariate adjustment, the negative association between Pb or Cd and a combination of Fe, Se, Ca and folate was robust, persistent and dose-dependent (p < 0.05). However, a combination of Zn, Cu, Mn and Mg was positively associated with Pb and Cd levels. While prenatal blood Cd and Pb were also associated with lower birthweight. Fe, Se, Ca and folate did not modify these associations. Conclusion Small sample size and cross-sectional design notwithstanding, the robust and persistent negative associations between some, but not all, nutrient combinations with these ubiquitous environmental contaminants suggest that only some recommended nutrient combinations may mitigate toxic metal exposure in chronically exposed populations. Larger longitudinal studies are required to confirm these findings