Involvement of the Pta-AckA pathway in protein folding and aggregation

Acetyl phosphate is a central metabolite involved in a broad range of versatile cellular functions. Recently it was observed that in Escherichia coli the acetyl phosphate pathway is required for efficient ATP-dependent proteolysis. Deletion of the operon coding for acetyl phosphate metabolism (ΔackApta) results in a very low cytoplasmic level of acetyl phosphate and impaired proteolysis. Here we show that the ΔackApta mutation affects additional components of the protein quality control system. Thus, this deletion is accompanied by a decrease in protein refolding and rescue from aggregates. These results indicate the involvement of the acetyl phosphate pathway in chaperone capabilities, in addition to their effect on proteolysis.     

A hospital as victim and responder: The Sepulveda VA Medical Center and the Northridge earthquake

Many hospital emergency plans focus on the hospital as a disaster responder, with a fully operational medical facility, able to receive and treat mass casualties from a clearly defined accident scene. However, hospitals need to prepare a response for extreme casualty events such as earthquakes, tornadoes, or hurricanes. This article describes the planning, mitigation, response, and recovery of a major medical-surgical center thrust into a victim responder role following the devastating Northridge earthquake. The subsequent evacuation and care of patients, treatment of casualties, incident command, prior education and training, and recovery issues are addressed.     

补骨脂素的热解动力学研究

本研究采用固体热解装置并引入同步辐射真空紫外光电离质谱技术(SVUV-PIMS)对补骨脂素的热解产物进行检测,结合量子化学计算其初始热解路径,研究补骨脂素的热解动力学。结果表明,SVUV-PIMS检测到3种热解产物,分别为CO,C9H6O,C10H6O2;通过理论计算出补骨脂素3种可能的裂解途径,其中,补骨脂素主要的初级分解路径是脱CO,主要二级分解反应为脱CO产物的脱CO反应。