Primary structure of potato Kunitz-type serine proteinase inhibitor

The serine proteinase inhibitor (PSPI-51) isolated from potato tubers (Solanum tuberosum L,) comprises two protein species with pi 5.2 and 6.3, denoted as PSPI-21-5.2 and PSPI-21-6.3, respectively. They were separated by anion exchange chromatography on a Mono Q FPLC column. Both species tightly inhibit human leukocyte elastase, whereas their interaction with trypsin and chymotrypsin is substantially weaker. The sequences of both PSPI-21-5.2 and PSPI-21-6.3 were determined by analysis of overlapping peptides obtained from the oxidized or reduced and S-pyridylethylated proteins after digestion with trypsin or pepsin, Both species of PSPI-21 are composed of two chains, named chains A and B, which are linked by a disulfide bridge between Cys(146) and Cys(157). The other disulfide bridge is located within the A chains between Cys(48) and Cys(97). The amino acid sequences of the large A chains of the two forms, consisting of 150 amino acids residues each, differ in a single residue at position 52. The small chains B, containing 37 and 36 residues in PSPI-21-6.3 and PSPI-21-5.2, respectively, have nine different residues. The entire amino acid sequences of the two inhibitors show a high degree of homology to the other Kunitz-type proteinase inhibitors from plants

Inverse bremsstrahlung contributions to Drell-Yan like processes

The contribution of the sub-process $\gamma q \to q' l_1\bar{l}_2$ in hadron-hadron interactions is considered. It is a part of one-loop electroweak radiative corrections for the Drell-Yan production of lepton pairs at hadron colliders. It is shown that this contribution should be taken into account aiming at the 1% accuracy of the Drell-Yan process theoretical description. Both the neutral and charged current cases are evaluated. Numerical results are presented for typical conditions of LHC experiments.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

Size effects in statistical fracture

We review statistical theories and numerical methods employed to consider the sample size dependence of the failure strength distribution of disordered materials. We first overview the analytical predictions of extreme value statistics and fiber bundle models and discuss their limitations. Next, we review energetic and geometric approaches to fracture size effects for specimens with a flaw. Finally, we overview the numerical simulations of lattice models and compare with theoretical models.Comment: review article 19 pages, 5 figure

THE COMBINED EFFECT OF CYP2D6 AND DRD2 Taq1A POLYMORPHISMS ON THE ANTIPSYCHOTICS DAILY DOSES AND HOSPITAL STAY DURATION IN SCHIZOPHRENIA INPATIENTS (OBSERVATIONAL NATURALISTIC STUDY)

Background: To assess the correlation between the antipsychotics (AP) mean daily doses, hospital stay duration and CYP2D6, DRD2 polymorphisms in naturalistic study. Subjects and methods: CYP2D6 polymorphisms *3, *4, *5, *6, *1XN and DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A polymorphisms were genotyped in a cohort of 226 Caucasian schizophrenic inpatients. AP daily doses, hospital stay duration and AP treatment duration were taken from medical records. To compare mean daily doses of AP among CYP2D6 PMs, EMs, UMs and DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A carriers the actual AP doses were converted to chlorpromazine (CPZ) equivalents and DDD (defined daily dose). Results: Significant correlation (p=0.004) between CYP2D6 metabolic activity and AP mean daily doses was observed only among DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A polymorphic allele carriers: 250.53 (95%CI: 154.90-346.17), 473.82 (95%CI: 426.99-520.64) 602.77 (95%CI: 469.65-735.88) CPZ equivalents in PMs, EMs and UMs, consequently. PMs with DRD2/ANKK1 Taq1A CT genotype received significantly lower doses of AP comparing to CC genotype (p=0.02). Mean hospital stay duration of PMs+UMs was significantly higher comparing to EMs (66.4 days (95% CI: 56.9-75.8) vs 50.2 days (95%CI: 45.5-54.7); p=0.047). Conclusions: In a cohort of schizophrenia inpatients CYP2D6 metabolic activity affects mean AP daily dose only in the presence of DRD2 Taq1A polymorphic allele. CYP2D6 metabolic activity correlates independently from DRD2 Taq1A polymorphism with hospital stay duration. Subpopulation of schizophrenia inpatients with altered CYP2D6 activity (PMs and UMs) carriers of Taq1A polymorphisms needs special attention of clinicians in aligning of AP treatment

Generalization of Barenblatt's cohesive fracture theory for fractal cracks

In this paper, we generalize Barenblatt's cohesive fracture theory for fractal cracks. We discuss the difficulties of generalizing the concept of traction on a fractal surface. Borodich's modification of Griffith's theory for fractal cracks is reviewed. Irwin's driving force is generalized for fractal cracks and a fractal driving force (G_f) is defined. It is shown that to generalize Barenblatt's theory for fractal cracks it is necessary to introduce a new quantity, D-fractal cohesive pseudo-stress. This new quantity is cohesive force per unit of a fractal measure. Fractal modulus of cohesion is seen to be a function of both the material and the fractal dimension of the crack. Equivalence of fractal Barenblatt's and Griffith's theories is discussed. It is seen that the order of stress singularity at the tip of a fractal crack cannot be obtained using modified Barenblatt's theory because this theory is a local theory and assumes the order of stress singularity a priori