Biomedical subjects

John W White

Publications and source records attributed to John W White.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Achieving high selectivity and facile displacement with a new thiol auxiliary for boron-mediated aldol reactions.

Synthesis of a new thiol auxiliary (1) is readily achieved (in five or six steps, >74% overall yield from norephedrine) and is shown to give high diastereoselectivity in boron-mediated anti-aldol reactions with a range of aldehydes. This new thiol auxiliary may be directly displaced by a range of nucleophiles under very mild conditions, to give the corresponding phosphonate esters, alcohols, acids, SNAC thiolesters, and methyl esters.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Protein-poly(silicic) acid interactions at the air/solution interface.

The structure of the interface generated by a spread layer of beta-casein on an aqueous colloidal poly(silicic) acid subphase is described. The results are compared with data for the protein alone spread at the air/water interface and the silicate solution. Films develop at the air-solution interface and a strong pH dependence of the interaction causing this is demonstrated. Reflectometry with X-rays and neutrons was used to probe the interaction as a function of subphase pH and film compression. Film thickness, tau/A, scattering length density, rho/A(-2), water volume fraction, phi(w), and surface coverage, Gamma/mg m(-2), were used to quantify the interfacial structure. Where possible, the X-ray and neutron data sets were co-refined enabling phi(w) to be evaluated without assumption regarding the protein density. At pH 5-7, strong protein-silicate interaction occurred, the interface comprising three regions: a discrete protein upper layer on top of a 15 +/- 2 A layer of silicated material followed by a diffuse layer that extended into the subphase.

Air↗

PubMed2003

A search for the pathophysiology of the nonspecific "occupational overuse syndrome" in musicians.

The findings of this investigation have suggested a new theory to help explain the origin of activity-related pain. It proposes an as yet unrecognized physiologic process (the physiologic activity limitation process). When the intensity of an activity is greater than that appropriate for an individual's level of fitness for that activity, this process then generates unpleasant sensations, physiologic activity-related pain, the function of which is to limit that activity. The physiologic pain generated by this process will have pathways in common with pain caused by other protective mechanisms.

Algorithms↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Characterization of a protein-based adhesive elastomer secreted by the Australian frog Notaden bennetti.

When provoked, Notaden bennetti frogs secrete an exudate which rapidly forms a tacky elastic solid ("frog glue"). This protein-based material acts as a promiscuous pressure-sensitive adhesive that functions even in wet conditions. We conducted macroscopic tests in air to assess the tensile strength of moist glue (up to 78 +/- 8 kPa) and the shear strength of dry glue (1.7 +/- 0.3 MPa). We also performed nanomechanical measurements in water to determine the adhesion (1.9-7.2 nN or greater), resilience (43-56%), and elastic modulus (170-1035 kPa) of solid glue collected in different ways. Dry glue contains little carbohydrate and consists mainly of protein. The protein complement is rich in Gly (15.8 mol %), Pro (8.8 mol %), and Glu/Gln (14.1 mol %); it also contains some 4-hydroxyproline (4.6 mol %) but no 5-hydroxylysine or 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-Dopa). Denaturing gel electrophoresis of the glue reveals a characteristic pattern of proteins spanning 13-400 kDa. The largest protein (Nb-1R, apparent molecular mass 350-500 kDa) is also the most abundant, and this protein appears to be the key structural component. The solid glue can be dissolved in dilute acids; raising the ionic strength causes the glue components to self-assemble spontaneously into a solid which resembles the starting material. We describe scattering studies on dissolved and solid glue and provide microscopy images of glue surfaces and sections, revealing a porous interior that is consistent with the high water content (85-90 wt %) of moist glue. In addition to compositional similarities with other biological adhesives and well-known elastomeric proteins, the circular dichroism spectrum of dissolved glue is almost identical to that for soluble elastin and electron and scanning probe microscopy images invite comparison with silk fibroins. Covalent cross-linking does not seem to be necessary for the glue to set.

Adhesiveness↗