Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of commonly used compounds, known particularly for their hydrophobic, nonstick properties. Their unique chemistry has also led to their use in ski waxes. While competition rules and some regions have recently banned the use of fluorinated waxes, the persistence of PFAS means they could still be detected for years.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRibonucleic acids (RNAs) are key to the central dogma of molecular biology. While Raman spectroscopy holds great potential for studying RNA conformational dynamics, current computational Raman prediction and assignment methods are limited in terms of system size and inclusion of conformational exchange. Here, a framework is presented that predicts Raman spectra using mixtures of sub-spectra corresponding to major conformers calculated using classical and ab initio molecular dynamics.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWhole body exposure to ionizing radiation damages tissues leading to physical symptoms which contribute to acute radiation syndrome. Radiation biodosimetry aims to determine characteristic early biomarkers indicative of radiation exposure and is necessary for effective triage after an unanticipated radiological incident. Radiation metabolomics can address this aim by assessing metabolic perturbations following exposure.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRecent research suggests that exercise may help facilitate abstinence from cocaine addiction, though the mechanisms are not well understood. In mice, wheel running accelerates the extinction of conditioned place preference (CPP) for cocaine, providing an animal model for evaluating potential neurological mechanisms. The objective of this study was to quantify dynamic changes in endogenous peptides in the amygdala and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus in mice exposed to a context paired with the effects of cocaine, and in response to exercise.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe major structural components of protective mucus hydrogels on mucosal surfaces are the secreted polymeric gel-forming mucins. The very high molecular weight and extensive O-glycosylation of gel-forming mucins, which are key to their viscoelastic properties, create problems when studying mucins using conventional biochemical/structural techniques. Thus, key structural information, such as the secondary structure of the various mucin subdomains, and glycosylation patterns along individual molecules, remains to be elucidated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurr Opin Chem Biol
October 2013
The mass spectrometry-based 'omics' sub-discipline that focuses on comprehensive, often exploratory, analyses of endogenous peptides involved in cell-to-cell communication is oftentimes referred to as peptidomics. Although the progress in bioanalytical technology development for peptide discovery has been tremendous, perhaps the largest advances have involved robust quantitative mass spectrometric approaches and data mining algorithms. These efforts have accelerated the discovery and validation of biomarkers, functionally important posttranslational modifications, and unexpected molecular interactions, information that aids drug development.
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