Self-assembling Characteristics of Amphiphilic Star Block Copolymers with a Polyelectrolyte Shell

1 Results Amphiphilic block copolymers are capable of forming supramolecular assemblies resembling those observed in nature,such as spherical micelles,worm micelles,and vesicles.Changing the solvent composition,ionic strength or pH of the polymer solution may induce the self-assembly of block copolymers or trigger the transition between the geometries of noncovalent assemblies.In the current work,we have synthesised starlike amphiphilic block copolymers having hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate),PMMA,core,and hydrophilic poly(acrylic acid),PAA,shell.The self-assembling characteristics of these polymers have been investigated in aqueous solutions by light scattering and direct visualisation by cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryoTEM)[1]. Computer simulations along with the theoretical predictions made for the star-like system based on mean-field theory have been used to support the experimental observations[2]. The association of the starlike macromolecules resembles that of charged biopolymers,such as actin,since a balance between attractive and repulsive forces is required for the formation of cylindrical assemblies and can be manipulated by changing the pH or the ionic strength of the solvent[3].     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Legionella pneumophila</Emphasis> — a human pathogen that co-evolved with fresh water protozoa

The bacterial pathogen Legionella pneumophila is found ubiquitously in fresh water environments where it replicates within protozoan hosts. When inhaled by humans it can replicate within alveolar macrophages and cause a severe pneumonia, Legionnaires disease. Yet much needs to be learned regarding the mechanisms that allow Legionella to modulate host functions to its advantage and the regulatory network governing its intracellular life cycle. The establishment and publication of the complete genome sequences of three clinical L. pneumophila isolates paved the way for major breakthroughs in understanding the biology of L. pneumophila. Based on sequence analysis many new putative virulence factors have been identified foremost among them eukaryotic-like proteins that may be implicated in many different steps of the Legionella life cycle. This review summarizes what is currently known about regulation of the Legionella life cycle and gives insight in the Legionella-specific features as deduced from genome analysis. Received 1 September 2006; received after revision 10 October 2006; accepted 22 November 2006     

新型降血脂药用化合物——山梨酸衍生物的研究

采用酰氯法合成了一种山梨酸衍生物--N-异丁基山梨酰胺.降血脂药效实验发现,N-异丁基山梨酰胺在预防性高血脂症动物实验中,表现出降低血清TC值(P=0.0858)和显著降低血清LDL-C(P=0.0116)的功效,具有良好的降血脂作用.     

Variation in FTO contributes to childhood obesity and severe adult obesity

We identified a set of SNPs in the first intron of the FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene on chromosome 16q12.2 that is consistently strongly associated with early-onset and severe obesity in both adults and children of European ancestry with an experiment-wise P value of 1.67 x 10(-26) in 2,900 affected individuals and 5,100 controls. The at-risk haplotype yields a proportion of attributable risk of 22% for common obesity. We conclude that FTO contributes to human obesity and hence may be a target for subsequent functional analyses.     

浅析体育专业民族学生汉语交际能力的培养

文章通过体育教育专业少数民族学生汉语交际能力的观察,对怎样在体育教学中更好地利用专业汉语课程提高少数民族学生交际能力,对体育专业汉语课程教材、课堂组织、教学方法,交际活动等四个方面进行了分析,对教学中的一些常见的做法作出了初步的探讨。     

宇航员之妻

1 2030年5月,学校刚刚放了假,我们家就从新泽西搬到了得克萨斯州中部的城市塞金市,那里是世界上最大的美洲山核桃之乡,是我父母工作的公司安排我们到那里去的.一切料理妥当,父母亲就都上班去了,只有我一人呆在家里.     

Ras proteins: paradigms for compartmentalised and isoform-specific signalling

Ras GTPases mediate a wide variety of cellular processes by converting a multitude of extracellular stimuli into specific biological responses including proliferation, differentiation and survival. In mammalian cells, three ras genes encode four Ras isoforms (H-Ras, K-Ras4A, K-Ras4B and N-Ras) that are highly homologous but functionally distinct. Differences between the isoforms, including their post-translational modifications and intracellular sorting, mean that Ras has emerged as an important model system of compartmentalised signalling and membrane biology. Ras isoforms in different subcellular locations are proposed to recruit distinct upstream and downstream accessory proteins and activate multiple signalling pathways. Here, we summarise data relating to isoform-specific signalling, its role in disease and the mechanisms promoting compartmentalised signalling. Further understanding of this field will reveal the role of Ras signalling in development, cellular homeostasis and cancer and may suggest new therapeutic approaches.