G(IKK)(3)I-NH2 has been recently shown to be highly effective at killing bacteria and inhibiting cancer cell growth while remaining benign to normal host mammalian cells. The aim of this work is to evaluate how residue substitutions of Ala (A), Val (V), Glu (E), and Lys (K) for the N-terminal Gly (G) or C-terminal Ile (I) of G(ILKK)(3)I-NH2 affect the physiochemical properties and bioactivity of the variants. All substitutions caused the reduction of peptide hydrophobicity, while N-terminal substitutions had a less noticeable effect on the surface activity and helix-forming ability than C-terminal substitutions. N-terminal variants held potent anticancer activity but exhibited reduced hemolytic activity; these actions were related to the maintenance of their moderate surface pressures (12-16 mN m(-1)), while their hydrophobicity was reduced. Thus, N-terminal substitutions enhanced the cell selectivity of the mutants relative.to the control peptide G(IIKK)(3)I-NH2. In contrast, C-terminal variants exhibited lower anticancer activity and much lower hemolytic activity,except for G(IIKK)(3)V-NH2. These featutes were correlated well with their lower surface pressures (<=3D 10 mN m(-1)) and decreased hydrophobicity. In Spite of its very low helical content, the C-terminal variant G(IIKK)(3)V-NH2 still displayed potent anticancer activity while retaining high hemolytic activity as well, again correlating well with its relatively high surface pressure and hydrophobicity. These results together indicated that surface activity governs the anticancer activity of the peptides, but hydrophobicity influences their hemolytic activity. In contrast, helicity appears to be poorly correlated to their bioactivity. This work has demonstrated that N-terminal modifications provide a useful strategy to optimize the anticancer activity of helical anticancer peptides (ACPs) against its potential toxicity to mammalian host cells.

Two types of thermoresponsive microgels, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) microgels and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PNIPAMAC) microgels were synthesized and used as templates for the mineralization of amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC) by diffusion of CO(2) vapor under ambient conditions. Thermosensitive PNIPAM/CaCO(3) hybrid macroscopic hydrogels and micrometer-sized PNIPAMAC/CaCO(3) hybrid microgels were controllably obtained and different mineralization mechanistic processes were proposed. The impact of the loaded CaCO(3) on the size, morphology, stability, and thermosensitivity of the microgels was also analyzed. PNIPAM/CaCO(3) hybrid macrogels had a slight decrease in thermoresponsive phase transition temperature, while PNIPAMAC/CaCO(3) hybrid microgels showed a clear increase in phase transition temperature. The difference reflected different amount and location of ACC in the gel network, causing different interactions with polymer chains. The PNIPAMAC/CaCO(3) microgels formed stable monolayer films on bare silica wafers and glass coverslips upon drying. The microgel films could facilitate the attachment and growth of 3T3 fibroblast cells and their subsequent detachment upon temperature drop from 37 =C2=B0C to the ambient condition around 20 =C2=B0C, thus, offering a convenient procedure for cell harvesting.=20

The full-potential linearised augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method has been used to study the elastic, thermal and bonding properties of heavy rare earth nitrides REN (RE = Tb-Lu). In the present work, band structure and density of states of TbN-LuN are studied. We have calculated the Young's modulus E, shear modulus G, bulk modulus B, Poisson's ratio upsilon, shear anisotropy factor A, and Lame's coefficients mu & lambda for all these compounds. Thermal property such as Debye temperature and average sound velocity have been estimated for all these compounds and their relation to elastic properties is discussed. To understand the bonding nature of these compounds, the electronic charge density has been calculated for all these compounds and the relation of this bonding with the mechanical properties has been studied. From the calculated ratio of bulk to shear modulus B/ G, these compounds are found to be brittle in nature. The value of Poisson's ratio suggests that these compounds are ionic and this is in agreement with the charge density plots which show the ionic bonding nature of these compounds. The G values show that these compounds are easier to shear on the plane [110] rather than on plane [100] for all the compounds except YbN.

Based on a study of Qin Jian Ren Jia, a community consisting of mainly temporary dwellings in Dujiangyan, this paper illustrates how social work services should be carried out to assist the rebuilding of the community after it was devastated by an earthquake. It describes first the backdrop for social work intervention, the nature of the projects delivered, and the importance of the lessons learned. It suggests that in order for any social work service to function effectively, social work must be incorporated into the government administrative structure for delivering aid to occupy a particular niche. It also proposes that for any service project to work efficiently in a disaster struck community, the project must have a long-term goal aiming at improving community management. Furthermore, it argues that group work is more conducive in rebuilding social relationships, and in turn, they will further enhance the development of social activism and positive energy for mitigating community problems. To these ends, it is most important to ensure social work services and expertise relevant to local contexts so that services rendered in rebuilding community can become professionalized, specialized and sustainable.