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Human APOBEC3A (A3A) cytidine deaminase shows pro-apoptotic properties resulting from hypermutation of genomic DNA, induction of double-stranded DNA breaks (DSBs) and G1 cell cycle arrest. Given this, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of A3A by intratumoral electroporation of an A3A expression plasmid. DNA was repeatedly electroporated into B16OVA, B16Luc tumors of C57BL/6J mice as well as the aggressive fibrosarcoma Sarc2 tumor of HLA-A*0201/DRB1*0101 transgenic mice using noninvasive plate electrodes. Intratumoral electroporation of A3A plasmid DNA resulted in regression of ~50% of small B16OVA melanoma tumors that did not rebound in the following 2 months without treatment. Larger or more aggressive tumors escaped regression when so treated. As APOBEC3A was much less efficient in provoking hypermutation and DSBs in B16OVA cells compared with human or quail cells, it is likely that APOBEC3A would be more efficient in a human setting than in a mouse model.

Context. Laboratory measurements and analysis of the microwave and millimeter-wave spectra of potential interstellar molecules are a prerequisite for their subsequent identification by radioastronomical techniques. The spectral analysis provides spectroscopic parameters that are used in the assignment procedure of the laboratory spectra, and that also predict the frequencies of transitions not measured in the laboratory with a high degree of precision.

A novel series of ω-aminoalkanoic acid derivatives of betulinic acid were synthesized and evaluated for their activity against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The anti-HIV-1 activity of several members of this new series was found to be in the nanomolar range in CEM 4 and MT-4 cell cultures. The optimization of the ω-aminoalkanoic acid side chain is described. The presence of an amide function within the side chain was found important for optimal activity. RPR 103611 (14g), a statine derivative, was found to be inactive against HIV-1 protease, reverse transcriptase, and integrase as well as on gp120/CD4 binding. “Time of addition” experiments suggested interaction with an early step of HIV-1 replication. As syncytium formation, but not virus−cell binding, seems to be affected, betulinic acid derivatives are assumed to interact with the postbinding virus−cell fusion process.

A full Hamiltonian matrix coherent with a phase convention leading to e/f labellings and to positive l-doubling q parameters is constructed to describe the rovibrational energy levels in a linear polyatomic molecule with two bending vibrations. This model is used to investigate quantitatively the effect of the rotational and vibrational l resonances on level mixings and intensity features in C2H2.

A growth model for the european eel (Anguilla anguilla) has been designed in order to take into account the growth rate variability in this species.

14 rovibrational bands are observed in the 1 micron region of the absorption spectrum of C2H2, between 9300 and 10 500 cm-1, and rotationally analysed. Transition induced dipole moments are estimated for all the cold bands involving upper levels of σu+ symmetry. Those various data are used to demonstrate the leading role of the 0030000 level in the vibrational mixings and also to deal quantitatively with a possible picture of the couplings occurring among the cluster of levels in resonance with 0030000.

A series of triterpene compounds characterized by a stringent structure-activity relationship were identified as potent and selective inhibitors of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) replication. Currently studied botulinic derivatives have 50% inhibitory concentrations (IC50) against HIV-1 strain IIIB/LAI in the 10 nM range in several cellular infection assays but are inactive against HIV-2. These compounds did not significantly inhibit the in vitro activities of several purified HIV-1 enzymes. Rather, they appeared to block virus infection at a postbinding, envelope-dependent step involved in the fusion of the virus to the cell membrane.

Using laser imaging systems to represent 3-D scene becomes a referent prospective technology in the areas of guidance and navigation. Measurements with high spatial resolution for significant range can be achieved, even in degraded visibility conditions such as the Brown-White Out, rain, fog, sandstorms... Moreover, this technology is well suited for assisted perception tasks (access to 3D information) and obstacle detection (telemetry of small objects). For airborne applications, it is very complementary to conventional enhanced vision systems such as Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) and millimeter wave radar to provide images of land in environments with limited visibility. It also offers a 3D mapping of land or a single location in relation to the environment, which means alone or coupled with others, can realign and secure real-time database of information used such in a synthetic vision system (SVS). The objective of the work is to assess the impact of degraded visibility conditions on the laser radiometric propagation of a 3D laser scanner as they directly influence the performance of the ladar system [1].