Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the high molecular weight ketoacyl reductase FabG4 complexed with NADH. Corrigendum

In the article by Duttaet al.[(2012)Acta Cryst.F68, 786–789] two citations were given erroneously. These are now corrected.

Interpersonal sensitivity in the at-risk mental state for psychosis

BACKGROUND

Interpersonal sensitivity is a personality trait described as excessive awareness of both the behaviour and feelings of others. Although interpersonal sensitivity has been found to be one of the vulnerability factors to depression, there has been little interest in its relationship with the prodromal phase of psychosis. The aims of this study were to examine the level of interpersonal sensitivity in a sample of individuals with an at-risk mental state (ARMS) for psychosis and its relationship with other psychopathological features.

METHOD

Sixty-two individuals with an ARMS for psychosis and 39 control participants completed a series of self-report questionnaires, including the Interpersonal Sensitivity Measure (IPSM), the Prodromal Questionnaire (PQ), the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (WCQ) and the Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS).

RESULTS

Individuals with an ARMS reported higher interpersonal sensitivity compared to controls. Associations between interpersonal sensitivity, positive psychotic symptoms (i.e. paranoid ideation), avoidant coping and symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress were also found.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that being 'hypersensitive' to interpersonal interactions is a psychological feature of the putatively prodromal phase of psychosis. The relationship between interpersonal sensitivity, attenuated positive psychotic symptoms, avoidant coping and negative emotional states may contribute to long-term deficits in social functioning. We illustrate the importance, when assessing a young client with a possible ARMS, of examining more subtle and subjective symptoms in addition to attenuated positive symptoms.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of the high molecular weight ketoacyl reductase FabG4 complexed with NADH

FabG4 from Mycobacterium tuberculosis belongs to the high molecular weight ketoacyl reductases (HMwFabGs). The enzyme requires NADH for β-ketoacyl reductase activity. The protein was overexpressed, purified to homogeneity and crystallized as a FabG4-NADH complex. A mountable FabG4:NADH complex crystal diffracted to 2.59 Å resolution and belonged to space group P1, with unit-cell parameters a = 63.07, b = 71.03, c = 92.92 Å, α = 105.02, β = 97.06, γ = 93.66°. The Matthews coefficient suggested the presence of four monomers in the unit cell. In addition, a self-rotation function revealed the presence of two twofold NCS axes and one fourfold NCS axis. At χ = 180° the highest peak corresponds to the twofold NCS between two monomers, whereas the second peak corresponds to the twofold NCS between two dimers.

Small Colony variants of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from a patient with infective endocarditis: a case report and review of the literature

Staphylococcus aureus produces a particular morphological variant called small colony variant (SCV) which is responsible for persistent subclinical infections in predisposed individuals and is usually resistant to aminoglycosides and cell wall active antibiotics. Infections by SCV of S. aureus are an upcoming problem due to difficulty in laboratory diagnosis and resistance to antimicrobial chemotherapy. We here report a case of infective endocarditis caused by SCV of Staphylococcus aureus in a pediatric patient.

A structurally novel hemopexin fold protein of rice plays role in chlorophyll degradation

Proteins containing hemopexin fold domain are suggested to have diverse functions in various living organisms. In order to investigate the structure and function of this type of protein in rice plant (Oryza sativa), the gene encoding a hemopexin fold protein (OsHFP) was cloned, analyzed in silico and characterized. Molecular modeling revealed that the OsHFP is closely related to other hemopexin fold proteins, but is unique with a cylindrical central tunnel as well as extended N- and C-terminal domains. The recombinant OsHFP was found to bind hemin, the oxidized form of heme in vitro. The expression of the single copy OsHFP gene was detected in rice flower buds. Heterologous expression of OsHFP in green leaf tissues resulted in chlorophyll degradation; however, stable expression of OsHFP was observed in transgenic hairy roots, a non-green tissue. The possible role of OsHFP in regulating programmed cell death in anther green tissues of rice is proposed.

High-yield chemical synthesis of hexagonal ZnO nanoparticles and nanorods with excellent optical properties

Large yield and low temperature growth of nanostructures are key requirements for fulfilling the demand of large scale applications of nanomaterials. Here, we report a highly efficient chemical method to synthesize high quality hexagonal ZnO nanoparticle and nanorods utilizing the low temperature oxidation of metallic zinc powder in the presence of an appropriate catalyst. This one-step method has advantages such as low temperature (90 degrees C) and atmospheric pressure synthesis and a high yield (> 90%). Microstructure and optical properties of the as-synthesized ZnO nanoparticles are found to be identical or better than those of the commercial ZnO nanopower (Sigma-Aldrich). In particular, in comparison to the commercial nanopowder the as-grown ZnO nanorods and nanoparticles exhibit stronger UV absorption at 376 nm and intense UV photoluminescence emission at -382 nm, with negligible defect emission band. This method is suitable for large-scale production of nanosized ZnO and could be extended for the synthesis of other metal oxides.

Exposure to the common food additive carrageenan leads to glucose intolerance, insulin resistance and inhibition of insulin signalling in HepG2 cells and C57BL/6J mice

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the common food additive carrageenan (E407) on glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and insulin signalling in a mouse model and human hepatic cells, since carrageenan is known to cause inflammation through interaction with toll-like receptor (TLR)4, which is associated with inflammation in diabetes.

METHODS

Male C57BL/6J mice were given carrageenan (10 mg/l) in their drinking water, and underwent a glucose tolerance test (GTT), an insulin tolerance test (ITT) and an ante-mortem intraperitoneal insulin injection. HepG2 cells were exposed to carrageenan (1 mg/l × 24 h) and insulin. Levels of phospho(Ser473)-protein kinase B (Akt), phospho(Ser307)-IRS1, phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) activity and phospho(Ser32)-inhibitor of κB (IκBα) were determined by western blotting and ELISA.

RESULTS

Glucose tolerance was significantly impaired in carrageenan-treated 12-week-old mice compared with untreated controls at all time points (n = 12; p < 0.0001). Baseline insulin and insulin levels at 30 min after taking glucose during the GTT were significantly higher following carrageenan treatment. During the ITT, glucose levels declined by more than 80% in controls, but not in carrageenan-treated mice. Carrageenan exposure completely inhibited insulin-induced increases in phospho-(Ser473)-Akt and PI3K activity in vivo in mouse liver and in human HepG2 cells. Carrageenan increased phospho(Ser307)-IRS1 levels, and this was blocked when carrageenan-induced inflammation was inhibited.

CONCLUSION

This is the first report of the impact of carrageenan on glucose tolerance and indicates that carrageenan impairs glucose tolerance, increases insulin resistance and inhibits insulin signalling in vivo in mouse liver and human HepG2 cells. These effects may result from carrageenan-induced inflammation. The results demonstrate extra-colonic manifestations of ingested carrageenan and suggest that carrageenan in the human diet may contribute to the development of diabetes.

Role of common biochemical markers for the assessment of fracture union

The progress of fracture union requires close monitoring. Whereas, clinical examination and radiographic studies assess the outcome, biochemical markers like serum alkaline phosphatase and urinary hydroxyproline reflect the actual status of bone resorption and bone formation over a short time frame. 36 patients of long bone fracture were randomly allocated for the study. When the patient reported to the Department of Orthopedics after fracture, serum and urinary samples were collected and X-ray of the affected part were taken. Subsequent samples were collected and X-ray taken just after management (either operative or conservative), after 3rd, 5th, 8th and 12th week, respectively after onset of fracture. According to the course of callus formation the patients were divided into two groups that progressed to proper union or malunion. The levels of serum alkaline phosphatase, urinary total and free hydroxyproline levels were measured and statistically analysed and compared. A statistically significant positive correlation between total urinary hydroxyproline excretion and serum alkaline phosphatase indicate progress towards satisfactory union. Thus, serial monitoring of biochemical markers of bone turnover can be used as an adjunct to clinical and radiological evidence of fracture healing.

Response of diazotrophic cyanobacterium Nostoc carneum under pesticide and UV-B stress

A study was under taken, under controlled laboratory conditions, to investigate the influence of non-ionizing radiation (UV-B) and an organochlorine pesticide on the growth, photosynthetic pigments, protein content and DCPIP photoreduction of a cyanobacterium Nostoc carneum. Test algae was isolated from rice field soils of Sambalpur, Western Orissa, India and grown in nitrogen free BG 11 culture medium. Culture of algae from log phase of growth was treated with 5 pp m of the insecticide, Endodhan and UV-B (20 mW m(-2)) for 2h daily, separately and in combination of insecticide and UV-B radiation. Algal samples treated with UV-B and pesticide separately showed distinct inhibitory effects on growth, pigments, protein content and DCPIP reduction of the test samples. However, when pesticide treated samples were subjected to UV-B exposure, the effect showed additive as well as synergetic effect. Experiment conducted to check the ability of the organism to recover from the stress, exposed for various time periods, suggest their ability to partially recover from the stress.

Cloning, overexpression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction analysis of an inositol monophosphatase family protein (SAS2203) from Staphylococcus aureus MSSA476

The gene product of the sas2203 ORF of Staphylococcus aureus MSSA476 encodes a 30 kDa molecular-weight protein with a high sequence resemblance (29% identity) to tetrameric inositol monophosphatase from Thermotoga maritima. The protein was cloned, expressed, purified to homogeneity and crystallized. Crystals appeared in several conditions and good diffraction-quality crystals were obtained from 0.2 M Li(2)SO(4), 20% PEG 3350, 0.1 M HEPES pH 7.0 using the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method. A complete diffraction data set was collected to 2.6 Å resolution using a Rigaku MicroMax-007 HF Cu Kα X-ray generator and a Rigaku R-AXIS IV(++) detector. The diffraction data were consistent with the orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1), with unit-cell parameters a = 49.98, b = 68.35, c = 143.79 Å, α = β = γ = 90°, and the crystal contained two molecules in the asymmetric unit.

HIV encephalopathy in a child in the presence of a high CD4 count: a rare presentation

A two-year-old girl presented with regression of developmental milestones for the last three and a half months. She was diagnosed as HIV-positive, but her CD4 count was found to be normal. Computed tomography (CT) scan of her brain showed bilateral basal ganglia calcification with cortical atrophy. A final diagnosis of HIV encephalopathy was made which had occurred despite a normal CD4 count, which is extremely uncommon.

Evidence for a spin-aligned neutron-proton paired phase from the level structure of (92)Pd

Shell structure and magic numbers in atomic nuclei were generally explained by pioneering work that introduced a strong spin-orbit interaction to the nuclear shell model potential. However, knowledge of nuclear forces and the mechanisms governing the structure of nuclei, in particular far from stability, is still incomplete. In nuclei with equal neutron and proton numbers (N = Z), enhanced correlations arise between neutrons and protons (two distinct types of fermions) that occupy orbitals with the same quantum numbers. Such correlations have been predicted to favour an unusual type of nuclear superfluidity, termed isoscalar neutron-proton pairing, in addition to normal isovector pairing. Despite many experimental efforts, these predictions have not been confirmed. Here we report the experimental observation of excited states in the N = Z = 46 nucleus (92)Pd. Gamma rays emitted following the (58)Ni((36)Ar,2n)(92)Pd fusion-evaporation reaction were identified using a combination of state-of-the-art high-resolution γ-ray, charged-particle and neutron detector systems. Our results reveal evidence for a spin-aligned, isoscalar neutron-proton coupling scheme, different from the previous prediction. We suggest that this coupling scheme replaces normal superfluidity (characterized by seniority coupling) in the ground and low-lying excited states of the heaviest N = Z nuclei. Such strong, isoscalar neutron-proton correlations would have a considerable impact on the nuclear level structure and possibly influence the dynamics of rapid proton capture in stellar nucleosynthesis.