The fusion peptide epitope is hidden inside the HA proteins, making it inaccessible for quantitative antibody binding. Our simple slot blot protocol highlights pre-treatment of HA samples with moderate concentrations

of denaturant to maximally expose the fusion peptide on the protein surface, followed by detection using universal antibodies targeting the fusion peptide. The method is highly reliable, inexpensive and easy to follow. The entire procedure GW786034 cell line takes only 5 h and can be applied to the quantitative determination of virtually all influenza viral HAs using a single antibody targeting the fusion peptide.”
“Expansion of human articular chondrocytes (HACs) in serum-free medium (SFM) has been shown to be enhanced by the control of medium selleck inhibitor osmolality. HACs attained better growth when cultured at osmolalities lower than the average osmolality found in articular cartilage in vivo, although the specific causes for this improved expansion were not speculated. The aim of this study was to perform monolayer cultures of HACs in SFM at two different medium osmolalities, 320 and 400 mOsm/kg, and observe changes in protein content. A proteomics approach using differential in gel electrophoresis (DIGE) revealed differences in 20 spots. MALDI-TOF/TOF mass spectrometry

identified 18 of the 20 spots. Proteins affected by higher osmolality in SFM were identified and found to function, traditionally, in the cytoskeleton, protection against reactive oxygen species,

mRNA biogenesis, and the heat learn more shock response. All of these proteins were correlated with the cell cycle and proliferation, emphasizing the importance of medium osmolality control in the expansion of HACs in SFM. In addition, no protein expression changes were observed regarding chondrogenic markers, which supports our previous result that adjusting medium osmolality in SFM, while enhancing growth, does not deter the tissue-forming capability of HACs.”
“The varroa mite (Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman) is a devastating pest of honey bees (Apis mellifera L.). Beekeepers have relied on the pyrethroid pesticide tau-fluvalinate as a principal agent of varroa mite control. While this miticide was quite effective at controlling varroa mites through the 1990s, its efficacy has waned as resistance to tau-fluvalinate has appeared in many populations of mites. Resistance in some populations of varroa mites has been associated with elevated detoxification of tau-fluvalinate. Honey bees tolerate miticidal tau-fluvalinate applications principally through rapid detoxification mediated by cytochrome-P450 mono-oxygenases, with the other detoxification enzyme families, the carboxylesterases and glutathione-S-transferases, playing much smaller roles in miticide tolerance.