Melibiose permease of Escherichia coli: large scale purification and evidence that H+, Na+, and Li+ sugar symport is catalyzed by a single polypeptide

As much as 20-30 mg of functional recombinant melibiose permease (Mel-6His permease) of Escherichia coli, carrying a carboxy-terminal affinity tag for metallic ions (six successive histidines), can be routinely purified from 10 g of cells (dry weight) by combining nickel chelate affinity chromatography and ion exchange chromatography. Mel-6His permease was constructed by modifying the permease gene (melB) in vitro and then overproduced in cells transformed with multicopy plasmids. The tagged permease was efficiently solubilized in the presence of 3-(laurylamido)-N,N'-dimethylaminopropylamine oxide (LAPAO) and high sodium salt concentration and then selectively adsorbed on a nickel nitrilotriacetic acid (Ni-NTA) affinity resin. After the replacement of LAPAO by n-dodecyl beta-D-maltoside to maintain the activity of the soluble permease in low ionic strength media, the permease-enriched fraction (> 90%) was eluted with 0.1 M imidazole and finally purified to homogeneity (> 99%) using ion exchange chromatography. Determination of the permease N-terminal sequence shows that an initiating methionine is missing and that a Ser-Ile-Ser stretch precedes the postulated primary amino acid sequence. Purified permeases, reconstituted in liposomes, display H(+)-, Na(+)-, or Li(+)-dependent sugar binding and active transport activities similar to those of the native permease in its natural environment, proving that all three modes of symport activity are mediated by one and the same polypeptide.

Tribological concepts involved in slipping accident analysis

According to tribology science, the friction force produced at the sliding interface between a rubber piece and an inflexible surface presents three main components: the first is due to molecular adhesion between the two bodies, it occurs at the regions of real contact; the second is a hysteresis component resulting from the periodic excitation of the bulk of the rubber by surface roughness; the third is due to effects of product shape. The shape of the elastomer product and the conditions in which the friction occurs (lubricant, roughness of the inflexible surface, etc.) determine the appearance of each one of these components and its importance. Experimentations made by the French national research and safety Institute (INRS) revealed adhesion and hysteresis components in the lubricated friction of an elastomer over a representative sample of industrial floor surfaces. Measurements have been made by means of a portable friction tester (PFT) assessing sliding resistance of floor coverings. The sliding movement takes place between a braked test wheel and the floor covering. The effect of product shape is insignificant as the wheel is covered with smooth elastomer. The friction force produced at the sliding interface between the elastomer and the floor covering has been evaluated on smooth and rough floors, and under different lubrication conditions (flooded with water, large, medium and small quantities of mineral oil). Several test wheels, with different and sometimes used rubber coverings, have been employed. The friction force is altered when the elastomer composition or the state of the elastomer that is covering the test wheel changes. The differences pointed out depend also on floor covering roughness and lubrication. The importance of either the adhesion or hysteresis components of the friction force in accordance with the composition and the state of the elastomer that is covering the test wheel, the lubricant amount, and the floor covering roughness enable the interpretation of these differences. Some experimental results are explained from the squeeze lubricant film process. This experimental study permits a better understanding of phenomena produced at the sliding interface between a rubber sole and a floor covering when a pedestrian slips. It also plays a great part in bringing the portable friction tester into operation in order to carry out a measurement campaign of slipping resistance of industrial floors.

Assessment of slipping resistance of footwear and floor surfaces. Influence of manufacture and utilization of the products

The slipping resistance of footwear or floor surfaces is a characteristic which it is vital to be able to quantify. Work is being carried out at the International Standard Organization (ISO) and at the European Committee for Standardization (CEN) into the slip resistance of both work shoes and protective footwear, involving analysis of the latest developments in both the validity of measuring methods and the extent of the influence of certain experimental parameters on the slip resistance. Two industrial factors, independent of the measuring process but essential to the determination of the coefficient of friction of the models have been experimentally studied, namely the effect of the manufacture of the footwear or floor surfaces on the scattering of the specific coefficient of friction of a referenced model and the effect on the coefficient of friction of mechanical wear and tear on the soles as a result of their use respectively. Work into slipping on industrial floor surfaces is less advanced. Yet, problems raised call for the same approach than for problems linked to slipping resistance of footwear, and applications will be also at first related to standardized measurement conditions.

Development of a carbon-carbon hip prosthesis

This article deals with the use of carbon-fiber-reinforced-carbon materials for the manufacture of hip prosthesis stems. It considers the manufacturing process of carbon-carbon (C-C) composites made of carbon fibers infiltrated either with dense pyrolytic carbon or silicon carbide (SiC) through chemical vapor infiltration. The chemicophysical properties of these composites are examined according to their structures. The long-term response (2 years) of cortical bone to various types of carbon-carbon was evaluated mainly for bone contact and ingrowth. Carbon-carbon coated with calcium phosphate was found to speed up the bone formation as compared to pyrolytic carbon or SiC coatings. The low modulus of elasticity of the C-C materials could be responsible for quicker bone contact as compared to a much stiffer material like sintered aluminum oxide. The biomechanical performance of C-C hip stems was assessed through (a) implantations into cadaver femurs, (b) fatigue testing, and (c) finite element analysis. These tests showed: (a) a better stress transfer as compared to a metal prosthesis having the same design, (b) no fatigue damage, (c) a computerized stem stress distribution in accordance with the fractures obtained during static mechanical testing.