Adsorption of Cu(II), Hg(II), and Ni(II) ions by modified natural wool chelating fibers.

PubMed

Monier, M; Ayad, D M; Sarhan, A A

2010-04-15

The graft copolymerization of ethyl acrylate (EA) onto natural wool fibers initiated by potassium persulphate and Mohr's salt redox initiator system in limited aqueous medium was carried out in heterogeneous media. Ester groups of the grafted copolymers were partially converted into hydrazide function groups followed by hydrazone formation through reaction with isatin. Also the application of the modified fibers for metal ion uptake was studied using Cu(II), Hg(II) and Ni(II). The modified chelating fibers were characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, SEM and X-ray diffraction. 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles supported copper(II) and nickel(II) Schiff base complexes: Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial activity and enzyme immobilization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tahmasbi, Leila; Sedaghat, Tahereh; Motamedi, Hossein; Kooti, Mohammad

2018-02-01

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared by sol-gel method and functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Schiff base grafted mesoporous silica nanoparticle was synthesized by the condensation of 2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde and amine-functionalized MSNs. The latter material was then treated with Cu(II) and Ni(II) salts separately to obtain copper and nickel complexes anchored mesoporous composites. The newly prepared hybrid organic-inorganic nanocomposites have been characterized by several techniques such as FT-IR, LA-XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, EDS, BET and TGA. The results showed all samples have MCM-41 type ordered mesoporous structure and functionalization occurs mainly inside the mesopore channel. The presence of all elements in synthesized nanocomposites and the coordination of Schiff base via imine nitrogen and phenolate oxygen were confirmed. MSNs and all functionalized MSNs have uniform spherical nanoparticles with a mean diameter less than 100 nm. The as-synthesized mesoporous nanocomposites were investigated for antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (B. subtilis and S. aureus) and Gram-negative (E. coli and P. aeruginosa) bacteria, as carrier for gentamicin and also for immobilization of DNase, coagulase and amylase enzymes. MSN-SB-Ni indicated bacteriocidal effect against S.aureus and all compounds were found to be good carrier for gentamicin. Results of enzyme immobilization for DNase and coagulase and α-amylase revealed that supported metal complexes efficiently immobilized enzymes.

Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial activity and DFT studies of 2-(pyrimidin-2-ylamino)naphthalene-1,4-dione and its Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chioma, Festus; Ekennia, Anthony C.; Ibeji, Collins U.; Okafor, Sunday N.; Onwudiwe, Damian C.; Osowole, Aderoju A.; Ujam, Oguejiofo T.

2018-07-01

A pyrimidine-based ligand, 2-(pyrimidin-2-ylamino)naphthalene-1,4-dione (L), has been synthesized by the reaction of 2-aminopyrimidine with 2-hydroxy-1,4-napthoquinone. Reaction of the ligand with Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Zn(II) acetate gave the corresponding metal complexes which were characterized by spectroscopic techniques, (infrared, electronic), elemental analysis, room-temperature magnetometry, conductance measurements and thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analyses. The room-temperature magnetic data and electronic spectral measurements of the complexes gave evidence of 4-coordinate square planar/tetrahedral geometry. The thermal analyses values obtained indicated the monohydrate complexes. The antimicrobial screening of the compounds showed mild to very good results. The Mn(II) complex showed the best result within in the range of 11.5-29 mm. The electronic, structural and spectroscopic properties of the complexes were further discussed using density functional theory. Molecular docking studies showed significant binding affinity with the drug targets and the metal complexes have potentials to be used as drugs.

Deep functional analysis of synII, a 770-kilobase synthetic yeast chromosome.

PubMed

Shen, Yue; Wang, Yun; Chen, Tai; Gao, Feng; Gong, Jianhui; Abramczyk, Dariusz; Walker, Roy; Zhao, Hongcui; Chen, Shihong; Liu, Wei; Luo, Yisha; Müller, Carolin A; Paul-Dubois-Taine, Adrien; Alver, Bonnie; Stracquadanio, Giovanni; Mitchell, Leslie A; Luo, Zhouqing; Fan, Yanqun; Zhou, Baojin; Wen, Bo; Tan, Fengji; Wang, Yujia; Zi, Jin; Xie, Zexiong; Li, Bingzhi; Yang, Kun; Richardson, Sarah M; Jiang, Hui; French, Christopher E; Nieduszynski, Conrad A; Koszul, Romain; Marston, Adele L; Yuan, Yingjin; Wang, Jian; Bader, Joel S; Dai, Junbiao; Boeke, Jef D; Xu, Xun; Cai, Yizhi; Yang, Huanming

2017-03-10

Here, we report the successful design, construction, and characterization of a 770-kilobase synthetic yeast chromosome II (synII). Our study incorporates characterization at multiple levels-including phenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, chromosome segregation, and replication analysis-to provide a thorough and comprehensive analysis of a synthetic chromosome. Our Trans-Omics analyses reveal a modest but potentially relevant pervasive up-regulation of translational machinery observed in synII, mainly caused by the deletion of 13 transfer RNAs. By both complementation assays and SCRaMbLE (synthetic chromosome rearrangement and modification by loxP -mediated evolution), we targeted and debugged the origin of a growth defect at 37°C in glycerol medium, which is related to misregulation of the high-osmolarity glycerol response. Despite the subtle differences, the synII strain shows highly consistent biological processes comparable to the native strain. Copyright © 2017, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Cloning and functional characterization of a fatty acid transport protein (FATP) from the pheromone gland of a lichen moth, Eilema japonica, which secretes an alkenyl sex pheromone.

PubMed

Qian, Shuguang; Fujii, Takeshi; Ito, Katsuhiko; Nakano, Ryo; Ishikawa, Yukio

2011-01-01

Sex pheromones of moths are largely classified into two types based on the presence (Type I) or absence (Type II) of a terminal functional group. While Type-I sex pheromones are synthesized from common fatty acids in the pheromone gland (PG), Type-II sex pheromones are derived from hydrocarbons produced presumably in the oenocytes and transported to the PG via the hemolymph. Recently, a fatty acid transport protein (BmFATP) was identified from the PG of the silkworm Bombyx mori, which produces a Type-I sex pheromone (bombykol). BmFATP was shown to facilitate the uptake of extracellular fatty acids into PG cells for the synthesis of bombykol. To elucidate the presence and function of FATP in the PG of moths that produce Type-II sex pheromones, we explored fatp homologues expressed in the PG of a lichen moth, Eilema japonica, which secretes an alkenyl sex pheromone (Type II). A fatp homologue cloned from E. japonica (Ejfatp) was predominantly expressed in the PG, and its expression is upregulated shortly after eclosion. Functional expression of EjFATP in Escherichia coli enhanced the uptake of long chain fatty acids (C₁₈ and C₂₀), but not pheromone precursor hydrocarbons. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the cloning and functional characterization of a FATP in the PG of a moth producing a Type-II sex pheromone. Although EjFATP is not likely to be involved in the uptake of pheromone precursors in E. japonica, the expression pattern of Ejfatp suggests a role for EjFATP in the PG not directly linked to pheromone biosynthesis. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Facile low-temperature one-step synthesis of pomelo peel biochar under air atmosphere and its adsorption behaviors for Ag(I) and Pb(II).

PubMed

Zhao, Tuo; Yao, Ying; Li, Danrong; Wu, Feng; Zhang, Cunzhong; Gao, Bin

2018-05-29

This study prepared a novel low-cost surface functionalized carbon adsorbent (PPC) from biomass waste (pomelo peel) through a facile low-temperature (250 °C) one-step method under regular air atmosphere. The adsorption performance and mechanism of the carbon material for Ag(I) and Pb(II) were investigated by a range of sorption experiments and characterizations including SEM, EDX, XRD and FTIR. Sorption experimental results suggested that PPC had high adsorption capacities of 137.4 and 88.7 mg/g for Ag(I) and Pb(II), respectively, with adsorbent dosage of 2 g/L at unadjusted solution pH and room temperature (23 ± 1 °C). The characterization results indicated high-efficiency removal of the heavy metals by PPC was attributed to the strong chemical adsorption involving that Ag(I) ions were reduced as metallic Ag particles by oxygenic functional groups and Pb(II) ions were precipitated as Pb 5 (PO 4 ) 3 OH crystals by phosphorous functional groups on the carbon surfaces. This study provides the possibility of synthesis high-efficient adsorbent using economic and environmental-friendly approach with low energy consumption. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

34 CFR 668.231 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... intellectual disability means a student— (1) With mental retardation or a cognitive impairment characterized by significant limitations in— (i) Intellectual and cognitive functioning; and (ii) Adaptive behavior as...

34 CFR 668.231 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... intellectual disability means a student— (1) With mental retardation or a cognitive impairment characterized by significant limitations in— (i) Intellectual and cognitive functioning; and (ii) Adaptive behavior as...

34 CFR 668.231 - Definitions.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... intellectual disability means a student— (1) With mental retardation or a cognitive impairment characterized by significant limitations in— (i) Intellectual and cognitive functioning; and (ii) Adaptive behavior as...

Reconstitution of active human core Mediator complex reveals a critical role of the MED14 subunit.

PubMed

Cevher, Murat A; Shi, Yi; Li, Dan; Chait, Brian T; Malik, Sohail; Roeder, Robert G

2014-12-01

The evolutionarily conserved Mediator complex is a critical coactivator for RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated transcription. Here we report the reconstitution of a functional 15-subunit human core Mediator complex and its characterization by functional assays and chemical cross-linking coupled to MS (CX-MS). Whereas the reconstituted head and middle modules can stably associate, basal and coactivator functions are acquired only after incorporation of MED14 into the bimodular complex. This results from a dramatically enhanced ability of MED14-containing complexes to associate with Pol II. Altogether, our analyses identify MED14 as both an architectural and a functional backbone of the Mediator complex. We further establish a conditional requirement for metazoan-specific MED26 that becomes evident in the presence of heterologous nuclear factors. This general approach paves the way for systematic dissection of the multiple layers of functionality associated with the Mediator complex.

Interfacial charge separation and photovoltaic efficiency in Fe(ii)-carbene sensitized solar cells.

PubMed

Pastore, Mariachiara; Duchanois, Thibaut; Liu, Li; Monari, Antonio; Assfeld, Xavier; Haacke, Stefan; Gros, Philippe C

2016-10-12

The first combined theoretical and photovoltaic characterization of both homoleptic and heteroleptic Fe(ii)-carbene sensitized photoanodes in working dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) has been performed. Three new heteroleptic Fe(ii)-NHC dye sensitizers have been synthesized, characterized and tested. Despite an improved interfacial charge separation in comparison to the homoleptic compounds, the heteroleptic complexes did not show boosted photovoltaic performances. The ab initio quantitative analysis of the interfacial electron and hole transfers and the measured photovoltaic data clearly evidenced fast recombination reactions for heteroleptics, even associated with un unfavorable directional electron flow, and hence slower injection rates, in the case of homoleptics. Notably, quantum mechanics calculations revealed that deprotonation of the not anchored carboxylic function in the homoleptic complex can effectively accelerate the electron injection rate and completely suppress the electron recombination to the oxidized dye. This result suggests that introduction of strong electron-donating substituents on the not-anchored carbene ligand in heteroleptic complexes, in such a way of mimicking the electronic effects of the carboxylate functionality, should yield markedly improved interfacial charge generation properties. The present results, providing for the first time a detailed understanding of the interfacial electron transfers and photovoltaic characterization in Fe(ii)-carbene sensitized solar cells, open the way to a rational molecular engineering of efficient iron-based dyes for photoelectrochemical applications.

Preparation and characterization of trihydroxamic acid functionalized carbon materials for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Godino-Salido, M. Luz; Santiago-Medina, Antonio; López-Garzón, Rafael; Gutiérrez-Valero, María D.; Arranz-Mascarós, Paloma; López de la Torre, M. Dolores; Domingo-García, María; López-Garzón, F. Javier

2016-11-01

The main objective of this study is to prepare and characterize two functionalizated carbon materials with enhanced adsorptive properties for Cu(II). Thus, two novel hybrid materials have been prepared by a non-covalent functionalization method based on the adsorption of a pyrimidine-desferrioxamine-B conjugate compound (H4L) on two activated carbons, ACs (labelled Merck and F). The adsorption of H4L on the ACs is pH-dependent and highly irreversible. This is due to strong π-π interactions between the arene centers of the ACs and the pyrimidine moiety of H4L. The textural characterization of the AC/H4L hybrids shows large decreases of their surface areas. Thus the values of Merck and F are 1031 and 1426 m2/g respectively, while these of Merck/H4L and F/H4L hybrids are 200 and 322 m2/g. An important decrease in the micropore volumes is also found, due to the blockage of narrow porosity produced by the adsorption of H4L molecules. The ACs/H4L hybrids show larger adsorption capacities for Cu(II) (0.105(4) and 0.13(2) mmol/g, at pH 2.0, and 0.20(3) and 0.242(9) mmol/g, at pH 5.5, for Merck/H4L and F/H4L, respectively) than those of the ACs (0.024(6) and 0.096(9) mmol/g, at pH 2.0, and 0.10(2) and 0.177(8) mmol/g, at pH 5.5, for Merck and F respectively), which is explained on the basis of the complexing ability of the trihydroxamic acid functions. The desorption of Cu(II) from the ACs/H4L/Cu(II) materials in acid solution allows the regeneration of most active sites (78.5% in the case of Merck/H4L/Cu(II) and 83.0% in the case of F/H4L/Cu(II)).

Molecular characterization of a functional type VI secretion system from a clinical isolate of Aeromonas hydrophila

EPA Science Inventory

Our laboratory recently molecularly characterized the type II secretion system (T2SS)-associated cytotoxic enterotoxin (Act) and the T3SS-secreted AexU effector from a diarrheal isolate SSU of Aeromonas hydrophila. The role of these toxin proteins in the pathogenesis of A. hydrop...

Molecular Characterization of a Functional Type VI Secretion System from a Clinical Isolate of Aeromonas hydrophilia

EPA Science Inventory

Our laboratory recently molecularly characterized the type II secretion system (T2SS)-associated cytotoxic enterotoxin (Act) and the T3SS-secreted AexU effector from a diarrheal isolate SSU of Aeromonas hydrophila. The role of these toxin proteins in the pathogenesis of A. hydrop...

Polymers containing nickel(II) complexes of Goedken's macrocycle: optimized synthesis and electrochemical characterization.

PubMed

Paquette, Joseph A; Sauvé, Ethan R; Gilroy, Joe B

2015-04-01

The synthesis and characterization of a new class of nickel-containing polymers is described. The optimized copolymerization of alkyne-bearing nickel(II) complexes of Goedken's macrocycle (4,11-dihydro-5,7,12,14-tetramethyldibenzo[b,i][1,4,8,11]tetraazacyclotetradecine) and brominated 9,9-dihexylfluorene produced polymers with potential application as functional redox-active materials. The title polymers exhibit electrochemically reversible, ligand-centered oxidation events at 0.24 and 0.73 V versus the ferrocene/ferrocenium redox couple. They also display exceptional thermal stability and interesting absorption properties due to the presence of the macrocyclic nickel(II) complexes and π-conjugated units incorporated in their backbones. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Synthesis of asymmetric zinc(II) phthalocyanines with two different functional groups & spectroscopic properties and photodynamic activity for photodynamic therapy.

PubMed

Göksel, Meltem

2016-09-15

Zinc(II) phthalocyanine containing [2-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)amino]ethoxy and iodine groups (A and B), as well as their deprotected mono-amino and tri-iodine zinc(II) phthalocyanine (2) were obtained. This structure surrounds by substituents with functional groups. From this perspective it can be used a starting material for many reactions and applications, such as sonogashira coupling, carbodiimide coupling. An example of a first diversification reaction of this compound was obtained with conjugation of a biotin. Asymmetrically biotin conjugated and heavy atom bearing zinc(II) phthalocyanine (3) were synthesized characterized for the first time and photophysical, photochemical and photobiological properties of these phthalocyanines were compared in this study. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic characterization and nonlinear optical properties of manganese (II) complex of picolinate: A combined experimental and computational study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tamer, Ömer; Avcı, Davut; Atalay, Yusuf; Çoşut, Bünyemin; Zorlu, Yunus; Erkovan, Mustafa; Yerli, Yusuf

2016-02-01

A novel manganese (II) complex with picolinic acid (pyridine 2-carboxylic acid, Hpic), namely, [Mn(pic)2(H2O)2] was prepared and its crystal structure was fully characterized by using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Picolinate (pic) ligands were coordinated to the central manganese(II) ion as bidentate N,O-donors through the nitrogen atoms of pyridine rings and the oxygen atoms of carboxylate groups forming five-membered chelate rings. The spectroscopic characterization of Mn(II) complex was performed by the applications of FT-IR, Raman, UV-vis and EPR techniques. In order to support these studies, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out by using B3LYP level. IR and Raman spectra were simulated at B3LYP level, and obtained results indicated that DFT calculations generally give compatible results to the experimental ones. The electronic structure of the Mn(II) complex was predicted using time dependent DFT (TD-DFT) method with polarizable continuum model (PCM). Molecular stability, hyperconjugative interactions, intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) and bond strength were investigated by applying natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. Nonlinear optical properties of Mn(II) complex were investigated by the determining of molecular polarizability (α) and hyperpolarizability (β) parameters.

Mononuclear nickel (II) and copper (II) coordination complexes supported by bispicen ligand derivatives: Experimental and computational studies

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singh, Nirupama; Niklas, Jens; Poluektov, Oleg

2017-01-01

The synthesis, characterization and density functional theory calculations of mononuclear Ni and Cu complexes supported by the N,N’-Dimethyl-N,N’-bis-(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)-1,2-diaminoethane ligand and its derivatives are reported. The complexes were characterized by X-ray crystallography as well as by UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and EPR spectroscopy. The solid state structure of these coordination complexes revealed that the geometry of the complex depended on the identity of the metal center. Solution phase characterization data are in accord with the solid phase structure, indicating minimal structural changes in solution. Optical spectroscopy revealed that all of the complexes exhibit color owing to d-d transition bands in the visiblemore » region. Magnetic parameters obtained from EPR spectroscopy with other structural data suggest that the Ni(II) complexes are in pseudo-octahedral geometry and Cu(II) complexes are in a distorted square pyramidal geometry. In order to understand in detail how ligand sterics and electronics affect complex topology detailed computational studies were performed. The series of complexes reported in this article will add significant value in the field of coordination chemistry as Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes supported by tetradentate pyridyl based ligands are rather scarce.« less

Characterization of folding intermediates during urea-induced denaturation of human carbonic anhydrase II.

PubMed

Wahiduzzaman; Dar, Mohammad Aasif; Haque, Md Anzarul; Idrees, Danish; Hassan, Md Imtaiyaz; Islam, Asimul; Ahmad, Faizan

2017-02-01

Knowledge of folding/unfolding pathway is fundamental basis to study protein structure and stability. Human carbonic anhydrase II (HCAII) is a ∼29kDa, β-sheet dominated monomeric protein of 259 amino acid residues. In the present study, the urea-induced denaturation of HCAII was carried out which was a tri-phasic process, i.e., N (native) ↔ X I ↔ X II ↔ D (denatured) with stable intermediates X I and X II populated around 2 and 4M urea, respectively. The far-UV CD was used to characterize the intermediate states (X I and X II ) for secondary structural content, near-UV CD for tertiary structure, dynamic light scattering for hydrodynamic radius and ANS fluorescence spectroscopy for the presence of exposed hydrophobic patches. Based on these experiments, we concluded that urea-induced X I state has characteristics of molten globule state while X II state bears characteristics features of pre-molten globule state. Characterization of the intermediates on the folding pathway will contribute to a deeper understanding of the structure-function relationship of HCAII. Furthermore, this system may provide an excellent model to study urea stress and the strategies adopted by the organisms to combat such a stress. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-II from probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici: Purification and functional characterization.

PubMed

Gandhi, Dimpi; Chanalia, Preeti; Attri, Pooja; Dhanda, Suman

2016-12-01

Dipeptidylpeptidase-II (DPP-II, E.C. 3.4.14.2), an exopeptidase was purified 15.4 fold with specific activity and yield of 15.4U/mg/mL and 14.68% respectively by a simple two step procedure from a probiotic Pediococcus acidilactici. DPP-II is 38.7KDa homodimeric serine peptidase with involvement of His and subunit mass of 18.9KDa. The enzyme exhibited optimal activity at pH 7.0 and 37°C with activation energy of 24.97kJ/mol. The enzyme retained more than 90% activity upto 50°C thus adding industrial importance. DPP-II hydrolysed Lys-Ala-4mβNA with K M of 50μM and V max of 30.8nmol/mL/min. In-silico characterization studies of DPP-II on the basis of peptide fragments obtained by MALDI-TOF revealed an evolutionary relationship between DPP-II of prokaryotes and phosphate binding proteins. Secondary and three-dimensional structure of enzyme was also deduced by in-silico approach. Functional studies of DPP-II by TLC and HPLC-analysis of collagen degraded products revealed that enzyme action released free amino acids and other metabolites. Microscopic and SDS-PAGE analysis of enzyme treated analysis of chicken's chest muscle (meat) hydrolysis revealed change and hydrolysis of myofibrils. This may affect the flavor and texture of meat thereby suggesting its role in meat tenderization. Being a protein of LAB (Lactic acid bacteria), it is also expected to be safe. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and characterization of sulfur functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets as efficient sorbent for removal of Pb2+, Cd2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ ions from aqueous solution: A combined thermodynamic and kinetic studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pirveysian, Mahtab; Ghiaci, Mehran

2018-01-01

A very simple, one pot method was used for preparation of sulfur functionalized graphene oxide (GO-SOxR) with sodium sulfide and water in reflux condition. The elemental analysis data showed high sulfur content up to 15%. EDS and XPS analysis also proved introduction of sulfur element. To make the sorbent more efficient operationally, the GO-SOxR was coated with a mesoporous shell of TiO2 or SiO2. The prepared sorbents were characterized by SEM, TEM, TGA, XPS, XRD, IR and EDS. GO-SOxR@TiO2 and GO-SOxR@SiO2 composites were tested for removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) as heavy metal ions from aqueous solution in batch method. Adsorption of the heavy metal ions was studied kinetically, and the adsorption capacities of GO-SOxR, GO-SOxR@TiO2, and GO-SOxR@SiO2 were evaluated using equilibrium adsorption isotherms, and compared to other adsorbents used for removal of these heavy metals. Kinetic studies showed that the experimental data was fitted with pseudo second order model. The adsorption capacity of GO was significantly improved by sulfur functionalization and TiO2 coating.

Genome-wide characterization of Mediator recruitment, function, and regulation.

PubMed

Grünberg, Sebastian; Zentner, Gabriel E

2017-05-27

Mediator is a conserved and essential coactivator complex broadly required for RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription. Recent genome-wide studies of Mediator binding in budding yeast have revealed new insights into the functions of this critical complex and raised new questions about its role in the regulation of gene expression.

Structure function analysis of two-scale Scalar Ramps. Part II: Coherent structure scaling and surface renewal applications

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Structure functions are used to study the dissipation and inertial range scales of turbulent energy, to parameterize remote turbulence measurements, and to characterize ramp features in the turbulent field. The ramp features are associated with turbulent coherent structures, which dominate energy a...

Spectroscopic characteristic (FT-IR, 1H, 13C NMR and UV-Vis) and theoretical calculations (MEP, DOS, HOMO-LUMO, PES, NBO analysis and keto-enol tautomerism) of new tetradentate N,N‧-bis(4-hydroxysalicylidene)-1,4-phenylenediamine ligand as chelating agent for the synthesis of dinuclear Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rajaei, Iman; Mirsattari, Seyed Nezamoddin

2018-07-01

The synthesis and characterization of a novel symmetrical Schiff base ligand N,Nʹ-bis(4-hydroxysalicylidene)-1,4-phenylenediamine (BHSP) was presented in this study and characterized by FT-IR, NMR (1H and 13C) and UV-Vis spectroscopy experimentally and theoretically. Also a series of binuclear Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes of BHSP ligand have been synthesized by conventional sequential route in 1:1 equivalent of L:M ratio and characterized by routine physicochemical characterizations. The molecular geometry and vibrational frequencies of the BHSP in the ground state were calculated by using density functional theory (DFT) B3LYP method invoking 6-31G(d,p) and 6-31++G(d,p) basis sets. To study different conformations of the molecule, potential energy surface (PES) scan investigations were performed. The energetic behavior of the ligand compound (BHSP) in solvent media has been examined using B3LYP method with the 6-31G(d,p) and 6-31++G(d,p) basis sets by applying the polarized continuum model (PCM). In addition, DFT calculations of the BHSP ligand, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP), contour map, natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis, frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) analysis, NMR analysis and TD-DFT calculations were conducted. The calculated properties are in agreement with the available experimental data and closely related molecule BSP. The calculated results show that the optimized geometry can well reproduce the crystal structural parameters.

Synthesis, characterization and catalytic oxidation properties of multi-wall carbon nanotubes with a covalently attached copper(II) salen complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salavati-Niasari, Masoud; Bazarganipour, Mehdi

2009-06-01

Hydroxyl functionalized copper(II) Schiff-base, N,N'-bis(4-hydroxysalicylidene)-ethylene-1,2-diaminecopper(II), [Cu((OH) 2-salen)], has been covalently anchored on modified MWCNTs. The new modified MWCNTs ([Cu((OH) 2-salen)]-MWCNTs) have been characterized by TEM, thermal analysis, XRD, XPS, UV-vis, DRS, FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The modified copper(II) MWCNTs solid was used to affect the catalytic oxidation of ethylbenzene with tert-butylhydroperoxide as the oxidant at 333 K. The system is truly heterogeneous (no leaching observed) and reusable (no decrease in activity) in three consecutive runs. Acetophenone was the major product though small amounts of o- and p-hydroxyacetophenones were also formed revealing that C-H bond activation takes place both at benzylic and aromatic ring carbon atoms. Ring hydroxylation was more over the "neat" complexes than over the encapsulated complexes.

o-Vanillin functionalized mesoporous silica – coated magnetite nanoparticles for efficient removal of Pb(II) from water

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Culita, Daniela C., E-mail: danaculita@yahoo.co.uk; Simonescu, Claudia Maria; Patescu, Rodica-Elena

2016-06-15

o-Vanillin functionalized mesoporous silica – coated magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MCM-41-N-oVan) was synthesized and fully characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N{sub 2} adsorption–desorption technique and magnetic measurements. The capacity of Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MCM-41-N-oVan to adsorb Pb(II) from aqueous solutions was evaluated in comparison with raw mesoporous silica – coated magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MCM-41) and amino – modified mesoporous silica coated magnetite (Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MCM-41-NH{sub 2}). The effect of adsorption process parameters such us pH, contact time, initial Pb(II) concentration was also investigated. The adsorption data were successfully fitted with the Langmuir model, exhibiting a maximummore » adsorption capacity of 155.71 mg/g at pH=4.4 and T=298 K. The results revealed that the adsorption rate was very high at the beginning of the adsorption process, 80–90% of the total amount of Pb(II) being removed within the first 60 min, depending on the initial concentration. The results of the present work suggest that Fe{sub 3}O{sub 4}@MCM-41-N-oVan is a suitable candidate for the separation of Pb(II) from contaminated water. - Graphical abstract: A novel magnetic adsorbent based on o-vanillin functionalized mesoporous silica – coated magnetite was synthesized and fully characterized and its adsorption capacity for Pb(II) ions in aqueous solutions was evaluated. The maximum adsorption capacity for Pb(II) ions was determined to be 155.71 mg g{sup −1}. The adsorption rate was very high at the beginning of the adsorption process, 90% of the total amount of Pb(II) being removed within the first 60 min. Display Omitted.« less

Isotherm and thermodynamic studies of Zn (II) adsorption on lignite and coconut shell-based activated carbon fiber.

PubMed

Shrestha, Sohan; Son, Guntae; Lee, Seung Hwan; Lee, Tae Gwan

2013-08-01

The Zn (II) adsorption capacity of lignite and coconut shell-based activated carbon fiber (ACF) was evaluated as a function of initial Zn (II) concentration, temperature and contact time in batch adsorption process in this study. Adsorption uptake increased with initial Zn (II) concentration and temperature. Optimal contact time for the adsorption of Zn (II) ions onto lignite and coconut shell-based ACF was found to be 50 min. Removal percentage decreased from 88.0% to 78.54% with the increment in initial Zn (II) concentration from 5 to 50 mg L(-1). Equilibrium data fit well with Langmuir-I isotherm indicating homogeneous monolayer coverage of Zn (II) ions on the adsorbent surface. Maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of Zn (II) ions on ACF was found to be 9.43 mg g(-1). Surface morphology and functionality of ACF prior to and after adsorption were characterized by electron microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Various thermodynamic parameters such as standard Gibbs free energy (ΔG°), standard enthalpy (ΔH°), and standard entropy (ΔS°) were evaluated. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Dynamics of networks of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in response to time-dependent inputs.

PubMed

Ledoux, Erwan; Brunel, Nicolas

2011-01-01

We investigate the dynamics of recurrent networks of excitatory (E) and inhibitory (I) neurons in the presence of time-dependent inputs. The dynamics is characterized by the network dynamical transfer function, i.e., how the population firing rate is modulated by sinusoidal inputs at arbitrary frequencies. Two types of networks are studied and compared: (i) a Wilson-Cowan type firing rate model; and (ii) a fully connected network of leaky integrate-and-fire (LIF) neurons, in a strong noise regime. We first characterize the region of stability of the "asynchronous state" (a state in which population activity is constant in time when external inputs are constant) in the space of parameters characterizing the connectivity of the network. We then systematically characterize the qualitative behaviors of the dynamical transfer function, as a function of the connectivity. We find that the transfer function can be either low-pass, or with a single or double resonance, depending on the connection strengths and synaptic time constants. Resonances appear when the system is close to Hopf bifurcations, that can be induced by two separate mechanisms: the I-I connectivity and the E-I connectivity. Double resonances can appear when excitatory delays are larger than inhibitory delays, due to the fact that two distinct instabilities exist with a finite gap between the corresponding frequencies. In networks of LIF neurons, changes in external inputs and external noise are shown to be able to change qualitatively the network transfer function. Firing rate models are shown to exhibit the same diversity of transfer functions as the LIF network, provided delays are present. They can also exhibit input-dependent changes of the transfer function, provided a suitable static non-linearity is incorporated.

[Effect of angiotensin II depot administration on bioelectric functional processes of the central nervous system].

PubMed

Martin, G; Baumann, H; Grieger, F

1976-01-01

Using the average evoked potential technique, angiotensin-II depot effects (1 mg implantate = 3--4 mg/kg body weight angiotensin-II) were studied neuroelectrophysiologically in reticular, hippocampal and neocrotical structures of albino rats. A multivariate variance and discriminance analysis program revealed differentiated changes of the bioelectrical processing data of the CNS. Evidence was obtained for a varying structural sensitivity of central-nervous substructures under depot administration of angiotensin-II. In later phases of angiotensin-II action, the hippocampus was characterized by an electrographic synchronization phenomenon with high-amplitude average evoked potentials. The reticular formation, and to a lesser extent the visual cortex, showed an angiotensin-induced diminution of bioelectrical excitation. However, the intensity of the change in functional CNS patterns did not always correlate with maximal blood pressure rises. The described changes of afference processing to standardized sensory stimuli, especially in hippocampal and reticular structures of the CNS foll owing angiotensin depot action, point to a central-nervous action mechanism of angiotensin-II.

Repression of enhancer II activity by a negative regulatory element in the hepatitis B virus genome.

PubMed Central

Lo, W Y; Ting, L P

1994-01-01

Enhancer II of human hepatitis B virus has dual functions in vivo. Located at nucleotides (nt) 1646 to 1741, it can stimulate the surface and X promoters from a downstream position. Moreover, the same sequence can also function as upstream regulatory element that activates the core promoter in a position- and orientation-dependent manner. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of a negative regulatory element (NRE) upstream of enhancer II (nt 1613 to 1636) which can repress both the enhancer and upstream stimulatory function of the enhancer II sequence in differentiated liver cells. This NRE has marginal inhibitory effect by itself but a strong repressive function in the presence of a functional enhancer II. Mutational analysis reveals that sequence from nt 1616 to 1621 is required for repression of enhancer activity by the NRE. Gel shift analysis reveals that this negative regulatory region can be recognized by a specific protein factor(s) present at the 0.4 M NaCl fraction of HepG2 nuclear extracts. The discovery of the NRE indicates that HBV gene transcription is controlled by combined effects of both positive and negative regulation. It also provides a unique system with which to study the mechanism of negative regulation of gene expression. Images PMID:8107237

Brake System Design Optimization. Volume II : Supplemental Data.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1981-06-01

Existing freight car braking systems, components, and subsystems are characterized both physically and functionally, and life-cycle costs are examined. Potential improvements to existing systems previously proposed or available are identified and des...

Preparation, spectroscopic, thermal, antihepatotoxicity, hematological parameters and liver antioxidant capacity characterizations of Cd(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II) mononuclear complexes of paracetamol anti-inflammatory drug

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Megharbel, Samy M.; Hamza, Reham Z.; Refat, Moamen S.

2014-10-01

Keeping in view that some metal complexes are found to be more potent than their parent drugs, therefore, our present paper aimed to synthesized Cd(II), Hg(II) and Pb(II) complexes of paracetamol (Para) anti-inflammatory drug. Paracetamol complexes with general formula [M(Para)2(H2O)2]·nH2O have been synthesized and characterized on the basis of elemental analysis, conductivity, IR and thermal (TG/DTG), 1H NMR, electronic spectral studies. The conductivity data of these complexes have non-electrolytic nature. Comparative antimicrobial (bacteria and fungi) behaviors and molecular weights of paracetamol with their complexes have been studied. In vivo the antihepatotoxicity effect and some liver function parameters levels (serum total protein, ALT, AST, and LDH) were measured. Hematological parameters and liver antioxidant capacities of both Para and their complexes were performed. The Cd2+ + Para complex was recorded amelioration of antioxidant capacities in liver homogenates compared to other Para complexes treated groups.

Synthesis, spectroscopic and thermal studies of Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) diclofenac sodium complexes as anti-inflammatory drug and their protective effects on renal functions impairment and oxidative stress

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Megharbel, Samy M.; Hamza, Reham Z.; Refat, Moamen S.

2015-01-01

The main task of our present study is the preparation of newly complexes of Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) with diclofenac which succeeded to great extent in alleviating the side effects of diclofenac alone and ameliorating the kidney function parameters and antioxidant capacities with respect to diclofenac treated group alone. The Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) with diclofenac have been synthesized and characterized using infrared, electronic and 1H NMR spectral, thermogravimetric and conductivity measurements. The diclofenac ligand has been found to act as bidentate chelating agent. Diclofenac complexes coordinate through the oxygen's of the carboxyl group. The molar ratio chelation is 1:2 (M2+-dic) with general formula [M(dic)2(H2O)2]ṡnH2O. Antibacterial screening of the alkaline earth metal complexes against Escherichia coli (Gram - ve), Bacillus subtilis (Gram + ve) and anti-fungal (Asperagillus oryzae, Asperagillus niger, Asperagillus flavus) were investigated. The kidney functions in male albino rats were ameliorated upon treatment with metal complexes of dic, which are represented by decreasing the levels of urea and uric acid to be located within normal values. The other looks bright spot in this article is the assessment of antioxidant defense system including SOD, CAT and MDA with the help of Sr2+, Mg2+ and Ca2+-dic complexes. The hormones related to kidney functions and stresses have been greatly ameliorated in groups treated with dic complexes in comparable with dic treated group.

Reconstitution of active human core Mediator complex reveals a pivotal role of the MED14 subunit

PubMed Central

Cevher, Murat A.; Shi, Yi; Li, Dan; Chait, Brian T.; Malik, Sohail; Roeder, Robert G.

2014-01-01

The evolutionarily conserved Mediator complex is a critical coactivator for RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-mediated transcription. Here, we report the reconstitution of a functional 15-subunit human core Mediator complex and its characterization by functional assays and chemical cross-linking coupled to mass spectrometry (CX-MS). Whereas the reconstituted head and middle modules can stably associate, only with incorporation of MED14 into the bi-modular complex does it acquire basal and coactivator functions. This results from a dramatically enhanced ability of MED14-containing complexes to associate with Pol II. Altogether, our analyses identify MED14 as both an architectural and a functional backbone of the Mediator complex. We further establish a conditional requirement for metazoan-specific MED26 that becomes evident in the presence of heterologous nuclear factors. This general approach paves the way for systematically dissecting the multiple layers of functionalities associated with the Mediator complex. PMID:25383669

Unusual Circularly Polarized and Aggregation-Induced Near-Infrared Phosphorescence of Helical Platinum(II) Complexes with Tetradentate Salen Ligands.

PubMed

Song, Jintong; Wang, Man; Zhou, Xiangge; Xiang, Haifeng

2018-05-17

A series of chiral and helical Pt II -Salen complexes with 1,1'-binaphthyl linkers were synthesized and characterized. Owing to the restriction of intramolecular motions of central 1,1'-binaphthyls, the complexes exhibit unusual near-infrared aggregation-induced phosphorescence (AIP). The (R)/(S) enantiopure complexes were characterized by X-ray diffraction, circular dichroism spectra, time-dependent density functional theory calculations, and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL). The present work explores the use of tetradentate ligands that can be easily prepared from commercially available enantiopure compounds, and the subsequent preparation of stable CPL-active square planar Pt II complexes with AIP effect that may have interest in many applications. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Takifugu rubripes cation independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor: Cloning, expression and functional characterization of the IGF-II binding domain.

PubMed

A, Ajith Kumar; Nadimpalli, Siva Kumar

2018-07-01

Mannose 6-phosphate/IGF-II receptor mediated lysosomal clearance of insulin-like growth factor-II is significantly associated with the evolution of placental mammals. The protein is also referred to as the IGF-II receptor. Earlier studies suggested relatively low binding affinity between the receptor and ligand in prototherian and metatherian mammals. In the present study, we cloned the IGF-II binding domain of the early vertebrate fugu fish and expressed it in bacteria. A 72000Da truncated receptor containing the IGF-II binding domain was obtained. Analysis of this protein (covering domains 11-13 of the CIMPR) for its affinity to fish and human IGF-II by ligand blot assays and ELISA showed that the expressed receptor can specifically bind to both fish and human IGF-II. Additionally, a peptide-specific antibody raised against the region of the IGF-II binding domain also was able to recognize the IGF-II binding regions of mammalian and non-mammalian cation independent MPR protein. These interactions were further characterized by Surface Plasma resonance support that the receptor binds to fish IGF-II, with a dissociation constant of 548nM. Preliminary analysis suggests that the binding mechanism as well as the affinity of the fish and human receptor for IGF-II may have varied according to different evolutionary pressures. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Identification and Characterization of Novel Immunomodulatory Bursal-derived Pentapeptide-II (BPP-II)*

PubMed Central

Feng, Xiu-Li; Liu, Qing-Tao; Cao, Rui-Bing; Zhou, Bin; Ma, Zhi-Yong; Deng, Wen-Lei; Wei, Jian-Chao; Qiu, Ya-Feng; Wang, Fang-Quan; Gu, Jin-Yan; Wang, Feng-Juan; Zheng, Qi-Sheng; Ishag, Hassan; Chen, Pu-Yan

2012-01-01

The bursa of Fabricius, the acknowledged central humoral immune organ, plays a vital role in B lymphocyte differentiation. However, there are few reports of the molecular basis of the mechanism on immune induction and potential antitumor activity of bursal-derived peptides. In this paper, a novel bursal-derived pentapeptide-II (BPP-II, MTLTG) was isolated and exerted immunomodulatory functions on antibody responses in vitro. Gene microarray analyses demonstrated that BPP-II regulated expression of 2478 genes in a mouse-derived hybridoma cell line. Immune-related gene ontology functional procedures were employed for further functional analysis. Furthermore, the majority of BPP-II-regulated pathways were associated with immune responses and tumor processes. Moreover, BPP-II exhibited immunomodulatory effects on antigen-specific immune responses in vivo, including enhancement of avian influenza virus (H9N2 subtype)-specific antibody and cytokine production and modification of T cell immunophenotypes and lymphocyte proliferation. Finally, BPP-II triggered p53 expression and stabilization and selectively inhibited tumor cell proliferation. These data identified the multifunctional factor, BPP-II, as a novel biomaterial representing an important linking between the humoral central immune system and immune induction, including antitumor. Information generated in this study elucidates further the mechanisms involved in humoral immune system and represents the potential basis of effective immunotherapeutic strategies for treating human tumors and immune improvement. PMID:22184121

Identification and characterization of novel immunomodulatory bursal-derived pentapeptide-II (BPP-II).

PubMed

Feng, Xiu-Li; Liu, Qing-Tao; Cao, Rui-Bing; Zhou, Bin; Ma, Zhi-Yong; Deng, Wen-Lei; Wei, Jian-Chao; Qiu, Ya-Feng; Wang, Fang-Quan; Gu, Jin-Yan; Wang, Feng-Juan; Zheng, Qi-Sheng; Ishag, Hassan; Chen, Pu-Yan

2012-02-03

The bursa of Fabricius, the acknowledged central humoral immune organ, plays a vital role in B lymphocyte differentiation. However, there are few reports of the molecular basis of the mechanism on immune induction and potential antitumor activity of bursal-derived peptides. In this paper, a novel bursal-derived pentapeptide-II (BPP-II, MTLTG) was isolated and exerted immunomodulatory functions on antibody responses in vitro. Gene microarray analyses demonstrated that BPP-II regulated expression of 2478 genes in a mouse-derived hybridoma cell line. Immune-related gene ontology functional procedures were employed for further functional analysis. Furthermore, the majority of BPP-II-regulated pathways were associated with immune responses and tumor processes. Moreover, BPP-II exhibited immunomodulatory effects on antigen-specific immune responses in vivo, including enhancement of avian influenza virus (H9N2 subtype)-specific antibody and cytokine production and modification of T cell immunophenotypes and lymphocyte proliferation. Finally, BPP-II triggered p53 expression and stabilization and selectively inhibited tumor cell proliferation. These data identified the multifunctional factor, BPP-II, as a novel biomaterial representing an important linking between the humoral central immune system and immune induction, including antitumor. Information generated in this study elucidates further the mechanisms involved in humoral immune system and represents the potential basis of effective immunotherapeutic strategies for treating human tumors and immune improvement.

The differentiation and protective function of cytolytic CD4 T cells in influenza infection

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

CD4 T cells that recognize peptide antigen in the context of Class II MHC can differentiate into various subsets that are characterized by their helper functions. However, increasing evidence indicates that CD4 cells with direct cytolytic activity play a role in chronic, as well as, acute infections...

Genome-wide characterization of Mediator recruitment, function, and regulation

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Mediator is a conserved and essential coactivator complex broadly required for RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription. Recent genome-wide studies of Mediator binding in budding yeast have revealed new insights into the functions of this critical complex and raised new questions about its role in the regulation of gene expression. PMID:28301289

Dynamic Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions: Measurement and Representation

DTIC Science & Technology

2008-02-01

be included in the harmonic fits. Other sets of orthogonal functions such as Zernike polynomials have also been used to characterize BRDF and could...reflectance spectra of 3D objects,” Proc. SPIE 4663, 370–378 2001. 13J. R. Shell II, C. Salvagio, and J. R. Schott, “A novel BRDF measurement technique

Functional condition of masseters muscles of patients with class ?? subdivision.

PubMed

Kuroyedova, Vera D; Makarova, Alexandra N; Chicor, Tatyana A

Main functional characteristics of masticator muscles in patients with class ?? malocclusions is activity dominance of m. temporalis in comparison with m. ?asseter. We have not found datum about functional status of the masticators in patients with class II subdivision. The purpose of our study was to investigate the functional characteristics of m. ?asseter, m. temporalis in adult patients with class II subdivision malocclusion. There have been carried out the surface electromyographic study of m. masseter, m. temporalis in 17 adult patients with class II subdivision. It was realized quantitative analysis of 271 electromyogram, it was determined the average bioelectric activity, index activity, symmetry and torsion index. It was observed predominance of the bioelectrical activity of m. temporales on m. masseter for all persons with class II subdivision. Bioelectrical activity for m. masseter was bigger on side of distal ratio and for m. temporales on side of neutral ratio. In class ?? subdivision right, the mandible was deviated to the left side and in class ?? subdivision left is deviated to the right side. Thus, rotational moment generated during compression of the jaws, causes deviation of the lower jaw to the side, with a neutral molar ratio. During voluntary chewing bioelectrical activity of m. masseter and m. temporalis was higher in the right side. In accordance with the functional condition of the masticatory muscles of class II subdivision is characterized with functional features of distal occlusion.

Localization of Usher syndrome type II to chromosome 1q.

PubMed

Kimberling, W J; Weston, M D; Möller, C; Davenport, S L; Shugart, Y Y; Priluck, I A; Martini, A; Milani, M; Smith, R J

1990-06-01

Usher syndrome is characterized by congenital hearing loss, progressive visual impairment due to retinitis pigmentosa, and variable vestibular problems. The two subtypes of Usher syndrome, types I and II, can be distinguished by the degree of hearing loss and by the presence or absence of vestibular dysfunction. Type I is characterized by a profound hearing loss and totally absent vestibular responses, while type II has a milder hearing loss and normal vestibular function. Fifty-five members of eight type II Usher syndrome families were typed for three DNA markers in the distal region of chromosome 1q: D1S65 (pEKH7.4), REN (pHRnES1.9), and D1S81 (pTHH33). Statistically significant linkage was observed for Usher syndrome type II with a maximum multipoint lod score of 6.37 at the position of the marker THH33, thus localizing the Usher type II (USH2) gene to 1q. Nine families with type I Usher syndrome failed to show linkage to the same three markers. The statistical test for heterogeneity of linkage between Usher syndrome types I and II was highly significant, thus demonstrating that they are due to mutations at different genetic loci.

Discovery of new class of methoxy carrying isoxazole derivatives as COX-II inhibitors: Investigation of a detailed molecular dynamics study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Joy, Monu; Elrashedy, Ahmed A.; Mathew, Bijo; Pillay, Ashona Singh; Mathews, Annie; Dev, Sanal; Soliman, Mahmoud E. S.; Sudarsanakumar, C.

2018-04-01

Two novel isoxazole derivatives were synthesized and characterized by NMR and single crystal X-ray crystallography techniques. The methoxy and dimethoxy functionalized variants of isoxazole were screened for its anti-inflammatory profile using cyclooxygenase fluorescent inhibitor screening assay methods along with standard drugs, Celecoxib and Diclofenac. The potent and selective nature of the two isoxazole derivatives on COX-II isoenzyme with a greater magnitude of inhibitory concentration, as compared to the standard drugs and further exploited through molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. Classical, accelerated and multiple MD simulations were performed to investigate the actual binding mode of the two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug candidates and addressed their functional selectivity towards COX-II enzyme inhibitory nature.

Co(II) Coordination in Prokaryotic Zinc Finger Domains as Revealed by UV-Vis Spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Sivo, Valeria; D'Abrosca, Gianluca; Russo, Luigi; Iacovino, Rosa; Pedone, Paolo Vincenzo; Fattorusso, Roberto

2017-01-01

Co(II) electronic configuration allows its use as a spectroscopic probe in UV-Vis experiments to characterize the metal coordination sphere that is an essential component of the functional structure of zinc-binding proteins and to evaluate the metal ion affinities of these proteins. Here, exploiting the capability of the prokaryotic zinc finger to use different combinations of residues to properly coordinate the structural metal ion, we provide the UV-Vis characterization of Co(II) addition to Ros87 and its mutant Ros87_C27D which bears an unusual CysAspHis2 coordination sphere. Zinc finger sites containing only one cysteine have been infrequently characterized. We show for the CysAspHis2 coordination an intense d-d transition band, blue-shifted with respect to the Cys2His2 sphere. These data complemented by NMR and CD data demonstrate that the tetrahedral geometry of the metal site is retained also in the case of a single-cysteine coordination sphere. PMID:29386985

Co(II) Coordination in Prokaryotic Zinc Finger Domains as Revealed by UV-Vis Spectroscopy.

PubMed

Sivo, Valeria; D'Abrosca, Gianluca; Russo, Luigi; Iacovino, Rosa; Pedone, Paolo Vincenzo; Fattorusso, Roberto; Isernia, Carla; Malgieri, Gaetano

2017-01-01

Co(II) electronic configuration allows its use as a spectroscopic probe in UV-Vis experiments to characterize the metal coordination sphere that is an essential component of the functional structure of zinc-binding proteins and to evaluate the metal ion affinities of these proteins. Here, exploiting the capability of the prokaryotic zinc finger to use different combinations of residues to properly coordinate the structural metal ion, we provide the UV-Vis characterization of Co(II) addition to Ros87 and its mutant Ros87_C27D which bears an unusual CysAspHis 2 coordination sphere. Zinc finger sites containing only one cysteine have been infrequently characterized. We show for the CysAspHis 2 coordination an intense d - d transition band, blue-shifted with respect to the Cys 2 His 2 sphere. These data complemented by NMR and CD data demonstrate that the tetrahedral geometry of the metal site is retained also in the case of a single-cysteine coordination sphere.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(phenylacetylene)s with Ru(II) bis-terpyridine complexes in the side-chain.

PubMed

Breul, Alexander M; Kübel, Joachim; Häupler, Bernhard; Friebe, Christian; Hager, Martin D; Winter, Andreas; Dietzek, Benjamin; Schubert, Ulrich S

2014-04-01

An alkyne-functionalized ruthenium(II) bis-terpyridine complex is directly copolymerized with phenylacetylene by alkyne polymerization. The polymer is characterized by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC), (1) H NMR spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements, and thermal analysis. The photophysical properties of the polymer are studied by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. In addition, spectro-electrochemical measurements are carried out. Time-resolved luminescence lifetime decay curves show an enhanced lifetime of the metal complex attached to the conjugated polymer backbone compared with the Ru(tpy)2 (2+) model complex. © 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

Application of EDTA-functionalized bamboo activated carbon (BAC) for Pb(II) and Cu(II) removal from aqueous solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lv, Dan; Liu, Yu; Zhou, Jiasheng; Yang, Kunlun; Lou, Zimo; Baig, Shams Ali; Xu, Xinhua

2018-01-01

In this study, a novel bamboo activated carbon (BAC) with ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) functionality was prepared by direct grafting in the presence of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as a crosslinking agent. The BAC@SiO2-EDTA was characterized by SEM, TEM, TGA, FTIR, XPS and its adsorption property for removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) under various experimental conditions was also investigated. The characterization results reflected that EDTA was successfully assembled on the surface of the BAC and average pore size increased from 4.10 to 4.83 nm as BAC grafted with EDTA. Adsorption data fitted very well in Langmuir isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. As compared with the raw BAC, the maximum adsorption capacities of BAC@SiO2-EDTA for the Pb(II) and Cu(II) increased from 45.45 to 123.45 mg g-1 and from 6.85 to 42.19 mg g-1, since the existence of EDTA on modified BAC promoted the formation of chemical complex. The removal of heavy metal ions mainly depended on the complexation with EDTA and the electrostatic attractions with negatively charged surface of BAC@SiO2-EDTA. The adsorption of Pb(II)/Cu(II) on the BAC@SiO2-EDTA was pH dependent and pH 5-6 was considered an optimum. However, lower temperature favored the adsorption and the maximum adsorption was recorded at 20 °C. In addition, BAC@SiO2-EDTA had an excellent reusability with about 40% decline in the adsorption capacity for Pb(II) after fifth reuse. Insignificant influences of co-existing cations and natural organic matter (NOM) were found on the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cu(II). All the results demonstrate that BAC@SiO2-EDTA is a potential adsorbent for metal ions in wastewater.

Functionalization of Magnetic Chitosan Particles for the Sorption of U(VI), Cu(II) and Zn(II)—Hydrazide Derivative of Glycine-Grafted Chitosan

PubMed Central

Hamza, Mohammed F.; Aly, Mohsen M.; Abdel-Rahman, Adel A.-H.; Ramadan, Samar; Raslan, Heba; Wang, Shengye; Vincent, Thierry; Guibal, Eric

2017-01-01

A new magnetic functionalized derivative of chitosan is synthesized and characterized for the sorption of metal ions (environmental applications and metal valorization). The chemical modification of the glycine derivative of chitosan consists of: activation of the magnetic support with epichlorohydrin, followed by reaction with either glycine to produce the reference material (i.e., Gly sorbent) or glycine ester hydrochloride, followed by hydrazinolysis to synthesize the hydrazide functionalized sorbent (i.e., HGly sorbent). The materials are characterized by titration, elemental analysis, FTIR analysis (Fourrier-transform infrared spectrometry), TGA analysis (thermogravimetric analysis) and with SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscopy coupled to energy dispersive X-ray analysis). The sorption performances for U(VI), Cu(II), and Zn(II) are tested in batch systems. The sorption performances are compared for Gly and HGly taking into account the effect of pH, the uptake kinetics (fitted by the pseudo-second order rate equation), and the sorption isotherms (described by the Langmuir and the Sips equations). The sorption capacities of the modified sorbent reach up to 1.14 mmol U g−1, 1.69 mmol Cu g−1, and 0.85 mmol Zn g−1. In multi-metal solutions of equimolar concentration, the chemical modification changes the preferences for given metal ions. Metal ions are desorbed using 0.2 M HCl solutions and the sorbents are re-used for five cycles of sorption/desorption without significant loss in performances. PMID:28772896

Design, Fabrication, Characterization and Modeling of Integrated Functional Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-10-01

cobalt ferrite (CoFe2O4) nanoparticles dispersed in a low-loss commercial polymer matrix obtained from Rogers Corporation. 2 mmol of Cobalt (II...oleylamine and 20 ml benzyl ether were added to the Iron (III) acetylacetonate and Cobalt (II) acetylacetonate mixture. The mixture was stirred...microwave applications Multiferroic bilayers of Cobalt Ferrite and PZT: The objective of this project is to fabricate bilayers of ferroelectric

Preparation and characterization of chitosan-clay nanocomposites for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution.

PubMed

Azzam, Eid M S; Eshaq, Gh; Rabie, A M; Bakr, A A; Abd-Elaal, Ali A; El Metwally, A E; Tawfik, Salah M

2016-08-01

In the present study, chitosan assembled on gold and silver nanoparticles were prepared and characterized by UV-vis, TEM, EDX and DLS techniques. The nanocomposites chitosan (Ch)/clay, chitosan (Ch)/AgNPs/clay and chitosan (Ch)/AuNPs/clay were prepared by solution mixing method and characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. The adsorption of copper(II) ions onto the prepared hybrid composites from an aqueous solution using batch adsorption was examined. The results showed that benefiting from the surface property of clay, the abundant amino and hydroxyl functional groups of chitosan, the adsorbent provides adequate and versatile adsorption for the Cu(II) ions under investigation. The batch adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption of the Cu(II) is considerably dependent on pH of milieu, the amount of adsorbent, and contact time. Batch adsorption studies revealed that the adsorption capacity of Cu(II) increased with increase in initial concentration and contact time with optimum pH in the range around neutral. The maximum uptake of Cu(II) ions by (Ch)/AgNPs/clay composite was found to be 181.5mg/g. The adsorption efficiency of Cu(II) ions by prepared (Ch)/AgNPs/clay and (Ch)/AuNPs/clay is bigger than that the individual chitosan (Ch)/clay composite which clarifies the role of metal nanoparticles in enhancement the adsorption characters. The study suggests that the (Ch)/AgNPs/clay hybrid composite is a promising nano-adsorbent for the removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Kinetic modelling for zinc (II) ions biosorption onto Luffa cylindrica

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Oboh, I., E-mail: innocentoboh@uniuyo.edu.ng; Aluyor, E.; Audu, T.

The biosorption of Zinc (II) ions onto a biomaterial - Luffa cylindrica has been studied. This biomaterial was characterized by elemental analysis, surface area, pore size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, and the biomaterial before and after sorption, was characterized by Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectrometer. The kinetic nonlinear models fitted were Pseudo-first order, Pseudo-second order and Intra-particle diffusion. A comparison of non-linear regression method in selecting the kinetic model was made. Four error functions, namely coefficient of determination (R{sup 2}), hybrid fractional error function (HYBRID), average relative error (ARE), and sum of the errors squared (ERRSQ), were used tomore » predict the parameters of the kinetic models. The strength of this study is that a biomaterial with wide distribution particularly in the tropical world and which occurs as waste material could be put into effective utilization as a biosorbent to address a crucial environmental problem.« less

Kinetic modelling for zinc (II) ions biosorption onto Luffa cylindrica

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Oboh, I.; Aluyor, E.; Audu, T.

2015-03-01

The biosorption of Zinc (II) ions onto a biomaterial - Luffa cylindrica has been studied. This biomaterial was characterized by elemental analysis, surface area, pore size distribution, scanning electron microscopy, and the biomaterial before and after sorption, was characterized by Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectrometer. The kinetic nonlinear models fitted were Pseudo-first order, Pseudo-second order and Intra-particle diffusion. A comparison of non-linear regression method in selecting the kinetic model was made. Four error functions, namely coefficient of determination (R2), hybrid fractional error function (HYBRID), average relative error (ARE), and sum of the errors squared (ERRSQ), were used to predict the parameters of the kinetic models. The strength of this study is that a biomaterial with wide distribution particularly in the tropical world and which occurs as waste material could be put into effective utilization as a biosorbent to address a crucial environmental problem.

Midrange affinity fluorescent Zn(II) sensors of the Zinpyr family: syntheses, characterization, and biological imaging applications.

PubMed

Nolan, Elizabeth M; Jaworski, Jacek; Racine, Maryann E; Sheng, Morgan; Lippard, Stephen J

2006-11-27

The syntheses and photophysical characterization of ZP9, 2-{2-chloro-6-hydroxy-3-oxo-5-[(2-{[pyridin-2-ylmethyl-(1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}phenylamino)methyl]-3H-xanthen-9-yl}benzoic acid, and ZP10, 2-{2-chloro-6-hydroxy-5-[(2-{[(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethyl)pyridin-2-ylmethylamino]methyl}phenylamino)methyl]-3-oxo-3H-xanthen-9-yl}benzoic acid, two asymmetrically derivatized fluorescein-based dyes, are described. These sensors each contain an aniline-based ligand moiety functionalized with a pyridyl-amine-pyrrole group and have dissociation constants for Zn(II) in the sub-micromolar (ZP9) and low-micromolar (ZP10) range, which we define as "midrange". They give approximately 12- (ZP9) and approximately 7-fold (ZP10) fluorescence turn-on immediately following Zn(II) addition at neutral pH and exhibit improved selectivity for Zn(II) compared to the di-(2-picolyl)amine-based Zinpyr (ZP) sensors. Confocal microscopy studies indicate that such asymmetrical fluorescein-based probes are cell permeable and Zn(II) responsive in vivo.

Midrange Affinity Fluorescent Zn(II) Sensors of the Zinpyr Family: Syntheses, Characterization, and Biological Imaging Applications

PubMed Central

Nolan, Elizabeth M.; Jaworski, Jacek; Racine, Maryann E.; Sheng, Morgan; Lippard, Stephen J.

2006-01-01

The syntheses and photophysical characterization of ZP9, 2-{2-chloro-6-hydroxy-3-oxo-5-[(2-{[pyridin-2-ylmethyl-(1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethyl)amino]methyl}phenylamino)methyl]-3H-xanthen-9-yl}benzoic acid, and ZP10, 2-{2-chloro-6-hydroxy-5-[(2-{[(1-methyl-1H-pyrrol-2-ylmethyl)pyridin-2-ylmethylamino]methyl}phenylamino)methyl]-3-oxo-3H-xanthen-9-yl}benzoic acid, two asymmetrically derivatized fluorescein-based dyes, are described. These sensors each contain an aniline-based ligand moiety functionalized with a pyridyl-amine-pyrrole group and have dissociation constants for Zn(II) in the sub-micromolar (ZP9) and low-micromolar (ZP10) range, which we define as “midrange”. They give ~12- (ZP9) and ~7-fold (ZP10) fluorescence turn-on immediately following Zn(II) addition at neutral pH and exhibit improved selectivity for Zn(II) compared to the di-(2-picolyl)amine-based Zinpyr (ZP) sensors. Confocal microscopy studies indicate that such asymmetrical fluorescein-based probes are cell permeable and Zn(II) responsive in vivo. PMID:17112271

Synthesis, structure characterization, and anticancer activity of a novel oxygen-bridged tricyclic Biginelli adduct

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibrahim, Mohamed M.; El-Sheshtawy, Hamdy S.; El-Kemary, Maged; Al-Juaid, Salih; Youssef, Mohamed; El-Azab, Islam H.

2017-06-01

Herein, we report the one-pot cyclization of Biginelli Adduct, ethyl 4-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-6-methyl-2-thioxo-1,2,3,4-tetrahydropyrimidine-5-carboxylate (I) to the oxygen-bridged adduct, ethyl 2-methyl-4-thioxo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-2,6-methanobenzo[g] [1,3,5]oxadiazocine-11-carboxylate (II) in a high yield and purity under mild reaction condition using zinc(II) perchlorate hexahydrate as a highly efficient catalyst. The cyclic product (II) was characterized both in the solid state and in solution using FT-IR, 1H NMR, and UV-visible spectroscopy. Theoretical calculations using density functional theory with B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level were used to further investigate the structure properties. DFT calculations (gas phase) revealed the stability of cyclic compound II (3.45 kcal/mol) than compound I. In addition, the anticancer activity of II was investigated using MCF-7 human breast cell line. The results revealed a moderate activity with 223.55 μg/ml IC50 value.

SPE coupled to AAS trace determination of Cd(II) and Zn(II) in food samples using amine functionalized GMA-MMA-EGDMA terpolymer: Isotherm and kinetic studies.

PubMed

Islam, Aminul; Kumar, Suneel; Zaidi, Noushi; Ahmad, Hilal

2016-12-15

An ethylenediamine functionalized glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) based terpolymeric chelating resin was synthesized for the separation and preconcentration of Cd(II) and Zn(II) by SPE from bread, rice and fruit juice prior to FAAS determination. The resin was characterized by FT-IR, TGA/DTA, SEM, BET analysis and EDS. Synthesized resin shows a good capacity of 53.96mgg(-1) for Cd(II) and 24.19mgg(-1) for Zn(II) at pH 8.0. Five isotherm equilibrium models were studied to explain the sorption phenomenon out of which Langmuir, Dubinin-Radushkevich, Scatchard and Temkin models were found to be the best fitted. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) were observed to be 1.5 and 5.1μgL(-1) for Cd and 1.2 and 4.1μgL(-1) for Zn. The reliability of the method was investigated by the analysis of SRM and the recovery of analytes from various spiked food samples. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Bifurcation analysis of parametrically excited bipolar disorder model

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Nana, Laurent

2009-02-01

Bipolar II disorder is characterized by alternating hypomanic and major depressive episode. We model the periodic mood variations of a bipolar II patient with a negatively damped harmonic oscillator. The medications administrated to the patient are modeled via a forcing function that is capable of stabilizing the mood variations and of varying their amplitude. We analyze analytically, using perturbation method, the amplitude and stability of limit cycles and check this analysis with numerical simulations.

BPM Breakdown Potential in the PEP-II B-factory Storage Ring Collider

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weathersby, Stephen; Novokhatski, Alexander; /SLAC

2010-02-10

High current B-Factory BPM designs incorporate a button type electrode which introduces a small gap between the button and the beam chamber. For achievable currents and bunch lengths, simulations indicate that electric potentials can be induced in this gap which are comparable to the breakdown voltage. This study characterizes beam induced voltages in the existing PEP-II storage ring collider BPM as a function of bunch length and beam current.

Modulation of CaM kinase II activity is coincident with induction of status epilepticus in the rat pilocarpine model.

PubMed

Singleton, Michael W; Holbert, William H; Lee, Anh Tuyet; Bracey, James M; Churn, Severn B

2005-09-01

This study was conducted to characterize the early cellular changes in CaM kinase II activity that occur during the induction of status epilepticus (SE). The pilocarpine model of SE was characterized both behaviorally and electrographically. At specific time points after the first discrete seizure, specific brain regions were isolated for biochemical study. Phosphate incorporation into a CaM kinase II-specific substrate, autocamtide III, was used to determine kinase activity. After the development of SE, the data show an immediate inhibition of both cortical and hippocampal CaM kinase II activity in homogenate, but a delayed inhibition in synaptic kinase activity. The maintenance of synaptic kinase activity was due to a translocation of CaM kinase II protein to the synapse. However, despite the translocation of functional kinase, CaM kinase II activity was not maintained, membrane potential was not restored, and the newly translocated CaM kinase II did not terminate the SE event. Unlike the homogenate samples, in the crude synaptoplasmic membrane (SPM) subcellular fractions, a positive correlation is found between the duration of SE and the inhibition of CaM kinase II activity in both the cortex and hippocampus. The data support the hypothesis that alterations of CaM kinase II activity are involved in the early events of SE pathology.

Detection of Maillard reaction products by a coupled HPLC-Fraction collector technique and FTIR characterization of Cu(II)-complexation with the isolated species

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ioannou, Aristos; Daskalakis, Vangelis; Varotsis, Constantinos

2017-08-01

The isolation of reaction products of asparagine with reducing sugars at alkaline pH and high temperature has been probed by a combination of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with a Fraction Collector. The UV-vis and FTIR spectra of the isolated Maillard reaction products showed structure-sensitive changes as depicted by deamination events and formation of asparagine-saccharide conjugates. The initial reaction species of the Asn-Gluc reaction were also characterized by Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods. Evidence for Cu (II) metal ion complexation with the Maillard reaction products is supported by UV-vis and FTIR spectroscopy.

Multilayer adsorption of Cu(II) and Cd(II) over Brazilian Orchid Tree (Pata-de-vaca) and its adsorptive properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jorgetto, Alexandre de O.; da Silva, Adrielli C. P.; Wondracek, Marcos H. P.; Silva, Rafael I. V.; Velini, Edivaldo D.; Saeki, Margarida J.; Pedrosa, Valber A.; Castro, Gustavo R.

2015-08-01

Through very simple and inexpensive processes, pata-de-vaca leaves were turned into a powder and applied as an adsorbent for the uptake of Cu(II) and Cd(II) from water. The material was characterized through SEM, EDX, FTIR and surface area measurement. The material had its point of zero charge determined (5.24), and its adsorption capacity was evaluated as a function of time, pH and metal concentration. The material presented fast adsorption kinetics, reaching adsorption equilibrium in less than 5 min and it had a good correlation with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. Optimum pH for the adsorption of Cu(II) and Cd(II) were found to be in the range from 4 to 5, approximately. In the experiment as a function of the analyte concentration, analogously to gas adsorption, the material presented a type II isotherm, indicating the formation of multilayers for both species. Such behavior was explained with basis in the alternation between cations and anions over the material's surface, and the maximum adsorption capacity, considering the formation of the multilayers were found to be 0.238 mmol L-1 for Cu(II) and 0.113 mmol L-1 for Cd(II).

Surface Charge Transfer Doping via Transition Metal Oxides for Efficient p-Type Doping of II-VI Nanostructures.

PubMed

Xia, Feifei; Shao, Zhibin; He, Yuanyuan; Wang, Rongbin; Wu, Xiaofeng; Jiang, Tianhao; Duhm, Steffen; Zhao, Jianwei; Lee, Shuit-Tong; Jie, Jiansheng

2016-11-22

Wide band gap II-VI nanostructures are important building blocks for new-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices. However, the difficulty of realizing p-type conductivity in these materials via conventional doping methods has severely handicapped the fabrication of p-n homojunctions and complementary circuits, which are the fundamental components for high-performance devices. Herein, by using first-principles density functional theory calculations, we demonstrated a simple yet efficient way to achieve controlled p-type doping on II-VI nanostructures via surface charge transfer doping (SCTD) using high work function transition metal oxides such as MoO 3 , WO 3 , CrO 3 , and V 2 O 5 as dopants. Our calculations revealed that these oxides were capable of drawing electrons from II-VI nanostructures, leading to accumulation of positive charges (holes injection) in the II-VI nanostructures. As a result, Fermi levels of the II-VI nanostructures were shifted toward the valence band regions after surface modifications, along with the large enhancement of work functions. In situ ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy characterizations verified the significant interfacial charge transfer between II-VI nanostructures and surface dopants. Both theoretical calculations and electrical transfer measurements on the II-VI nanostructure-based field-effect transistors clearly showed the p-type conductivity of the nanostructures after surface modifications. Strikingly, II-VI nanowires could undergo semiconductor-to-metal transition by further increasing the SCTD level. SCTD offers the possibility to create a variety of electronic and optoelectronic devices from the II-VI nanostructures via realization of complementary doping.

Cognitive Profiles in Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Investigation of Base Rate Discrepancies Using the Differential Ability Scales-Second Edition

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Nowell, Kerri P.; Schanding, G. Thomas, Jr.; Kanne, Stephen M.; Goin-Kochel, Robin P.

2015-01-01

Extant data suggest that the cognitive profiles of individuals with ASD may be characterized by variability, particularly in terms of verbal intellectual functioning (VIQ) and non-verbal intellectual functioning (NVIQ) discrepancies. The "Differential Ability Scales, Second Edition" (DAS-II) has limited data available on its use with…

Human tRNA genes function as chromatin insulators

PubMed Central

Raab, Jesse R; Chiu, Jonathan; Zhu, Jingchun; Katzman, Sol; Kurukuti, Sreenivasulu; Wade, Paul A; Haussler, David; Kamakaka, Rohinton T

2012-01-01

Insulators help separate active chromatin domains from silenced ones. In yeast, gene promoters act as insulators to block the spread of Sir and HP1 mediated silencing while in metazoans most insulators are multipartite autonomous entities. tDNAs are repetitive sequences dispersed throughout the human genome and we now show that some of these tDNAs can function as insulators in human cells. Using computational methods, we identified putative human tDNA insulators. Using silencer blocking, transgene protection and repressor blocking assays we show that some of these tDNA-containing fragments can function as barrier insulators in human cells. We find that these elements also have the ability to block enhancers from activating RNA pol II transcribed promoters. Characterization of a putative tDNA insulator in human cells reveals that the site possesses chromatin signatures similar to those observed at other better-characterized eukaryotic insulators. Enhanced 4C analysis demonstrates that the tDNA insulator makes long-range chromatin contacts with other tDNAs and ETC sites but not with intervening or flanking RNA pol II transcribed genes. PMID:22085927

Insight into the Structure of Light Harvesting Complex II and its Stabilization in Detergent Solution

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cardoso, Mateus B; Smolensky, Dmitriy; Heller, William T

2009-01-01

The structure of spinach light-harvesting complex II (LHC II), stabilized in a solution of the detergent n-octyl-{beta}-d-glucoside (BOG), was investigated by small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Physicochemical characterization of the isolated complex indicated that it was pure (>95%) and also in its native trimeric state. SANS with contrast variation was used to investigate the properties of the protein-detergent complex at three different H{sub 2}O/D{sub 2}O contrast match points, enabling the scattering properties of the protein and detergent to be investigated independently. The topological shape of LHC II, determined using ab initio shape restoration methods from the SANS data at the contrastmore » match point of BOG, was consistent with the X-ray crystallographic structure of LHC II (Liu et al. Nature 2004 428, 287-292). The interactions of the protein and detergent were investigated at the contrast match point for the protein and also in 100% D{sub 2}O. The data suggested that BOG micelle structure was altered by its interaction with LHC II, but large aggregate structures were not formed. Indirect Fourier transform analysis of the LHC II/BOG scattering curves showed that the increase in the maximum dimension of the protein-detergent complex was consistent with the presence of a monolayer of detergent surrounding the protein. A model of the LHC II/BOG complex was generated to interpret the measurements made in 100% D{sub 2}O. This model adequately reproduced the overall size of the LHC II/BOG complex, but demonstrated that the detergent does not have a highly regular shape that surrounds the hydrophobic periphery of LHC II. In addition to demonstrating that natively structured LHC II can be produced for functional characterization and for use in artificial solar energy applications, the analysis and modeling approaches described here can be used for characterizing detergent-associated {alpha}-helical transmembrane proteins.« less

Removal of GaAs growth substrates from II-VI semiconductor heterostructures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bieker, S.; Hartmann, P. R.; Kießling, T.; Rüth, M.; Schumacher, C.; Gould, C.; Ossau, W.; Molenkamp, L. W.

2014-04-01

We report on a process that enables the removal of II-VI semiconductor epilayers from their GaAs growth substrate and their subsequent transfer to arbitrary host environments. The technique combines mechanical lapping and layer selective chemical wet etching and is generally applicable to any II-VI layer stack. We demonstrate the non-invasiveness of the method by transferring an all-II-VI magnetic resonant tunneling diode. High resolution x-ray diffraction proves that the crystal integrity of the heterostructure is preserved. Transport characterization confirms that the functionality of the device is maintained and even improved, which is ascribed to completely elastic strain relaxation of the tunnel barrier layer.

Strains, functions, and dynamics in the expanded Human Microbiome Project

PubMed Central

Lloyd-Price, Jason; Mahurkar, Anup; Rahnavard, Gholamali; Crabtree, Jonathan; Orvis, Joshua; Hall, A. Brantley; Brady, Arthur; Creasy, Heather H.; McCracken, Carrie; Giglio, Michelle G.; McDonald, Daniel; Franzosa, Eric A.; Knight, Rob; White, Owen; Huttenhower, Curtis

2018-01-01

Summary The characterization of baseline microbial and functional diversity in the human microbiome has enabled studies of microbiome-related disease, microbial population diversity, biogeography, and molecular function. The NIH Human Microbiome Project (HMP) has provided one of the broadest such characterizations to date. Here, we introduce an expanded second phase of the study, abbreviated HMP1-II, comprising 1,631 new metagenomic samples (2,355 total) targeting diverse body sites with multiple time points in 265 individuals. We applied updated profiling and assembly methods to these data to provide new characterizations of microbiome personalization. Strain identification revealed distinct subspecies clades specific to body sites; it also quantified species with phylogenetic diversity under-represented in isolate genomes. Body-wide functional profiling classified pathways into universal, human-enriched, and body site-enriched subsets. Finally, temporal analysis decomposed microbial variation into rapidly variable, moderately variable, and stable subsets. This study furthers our knowledge of baseline human microbial diversity, thus enabling an understanding of personalized microbiome function and dynamics. PMID:28953883

Functionalized SBA-15 supported nickel (II)–oxime–imine catalysts for liquid phase oxidation of olefins under solvent-free conditions

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Paul, Luna; Banerjee, Biplab; Bhaumik, Asim, E-mail: msab@iacs.res.in

2016-05-15

A new oxime–imine functionalized highly ordered mesoporous SBA-15 (SBA-15-NH{sub 2}-DAMO) has been synthesized via post-synthesis functionalization of SBA-15 with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane followed by the Schiff base condensation with diacetylmonooxime, which was further reacted with Ni(ClO{sub 4}){sub 2} to yield the functionalized nickel catalyst SBA-15-NH{sub 2}-DAMO-Ni. All the synthesized materials were thoroughly characterized using different characterization techniques. It was found that SBA-15-NH{sub 2}-DAMO-Ni catalyzes the one-pot oxidation of olefins like styrene, cyclohexene, cyclooctene, 1-hexene and 1-octene to the corresponding benzaldehyde, cyclohexene-1-ol and cyclooctene-oxide, respectively under solvent-free conditions by using tert-butylhydroperoxide as oxidant. - Graphical abstract: A new well characterized oxime–imine functionalized highlymore » ordered mesoporous SBA-15-NH{sub 2}-DAMO-Ni complex catalyzes the one-pot oxidation of olefins under solvent free mild conditions.« less

Characterization of antigen-presenting cells from the porcine respiratory system.

PubMed

López-Robles, Guadalupe; Silva-Campa, Erika; Burgara-Estrella, Alexel; Hernández, Jesús

2015-06-01

Antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are strategically placed in all anatomic sites with high antigen exposure such as the respiratory system. The aim of this study was to evaluate phenotypic and functional properties of APCs from the lung (L-Cs), mediastinal lymph node (LN-Cs) and bronchoalveolar lavage cells (BAL-Cs). The APCs were first analyzed based on forward scatter and side scatter profiles and the selection of MHC-II(high)CD172a(+) cells (referred to as APCs); then the expression of CD1a, CD163, CD206, CD16 and CD11R3 was evaluated in the APCs. The results showed that CD1a, CD163 and CD206 were differentially expressed among L-Cs, LN-Cs and BAL-Cs, suggesting the phenotype MHC-II(high)CD172a(+)CD1a(low/-)CD163(low)CD206(-) for L-Cs and MHC-II(high)CD172a(+)CD1a(+)CD163(low/-)CD206(+) for LN-Cs. BAL-Cs were MHC-II(high)CD172a(+)CD1a(-)CD163(high)CD206(+/-). The functional characteristics of L-Cs and LN-Cs were different from those of BAL-Cs, confirming that L-Cs and LN-Cs resemble specialized APCs. In conclusion, we present the characterization of APCs from L-Cs, LN-Cs and BAL-Cs of the porcine respiratory system. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Determination of Key Residues for Catalysis and RNA Cleavage Specificity

PubMed Central

Barbas, Ana; Matos, Rute G.; Amblar, Mónica; López-Viñas, Eduardo; Gomez-Puertas, Paulino; Arraiano, Cecília M.

2009-01-01

RNase II is the prototype of a ubiquitous family of enzymes that are crucial for RNA metabolism. In Escherichia coli this protein is a single-stranded-specific 3′-exoribonuclease with a modular organization of four functional domains. In eukaryotes, the RNase II homologue Rrp44 (also known as Dis3) is the catalytic subunit of the exosome, an exoribonuclease complex essential for RNA processing and decay. In this work we have performed a functional characterization of several highly conserved residues located in the RNase II catalytic domain to address their precise role in the RNase II activity. We have constructed a number of RNase II mutants and compared their activity and RNA binding to the wild type using different single- or double-stranded substrates. The results presented in this study substantially improve the RNase II model for RNA degradation. We have identified the residues that are responsible for the discrimination of cleavage of RNA versus DNA. We also show that the Arg-500 residue present in the RNase II active site is crucial for activity but not for RNA binding. The most prominent finding presented is the extraordinary catalysis observed in the E542A mutant that turns RNase II into a “super-enzyme.” PMID:19458082

Ferromagnetic dinuclear mixed-valence Mn(II)/Mn(III) complexes: building blocks for the higher nuclearity complexes. structure, magnetic properties, and density functional theory calculations.

PubMed

Hänninen, Mikko M; Välivaara, Juha; Mota, Antonio J; Colacio, Enrique; Lloret, Francesc; Sillanpää, Reijo

2013-02-18

A series of six mixed-valence Mn(II)/Mn(III) dinuclear complexes were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction. The reactivity of the complexes was surveyed, and structures of three additional trinuclear mixed-valence Mn(III)/Mn(II)/Mn(III) species were resolved. The magnetic properties of the complexes were studied in detail both experimentally and theoretically. All dinuclear complexes show ferromagnetic intramolecular interactions, which were justified on the basis of the electronic structures of the Mn(II) and Mn(III) ions. The large Mn(II)-O-Mn(III) bond angle and small distortion of the Mn(II) cation from the ideal square pyramidal geometry were shown to enhance the ferromagnetic interactions since these geometrical conditions seem to favor the orthogonal arrangement of the magnetic orbitals.

The Physiological Functions and Structural Determinants of Catalytic Bias in the [FeFe]-Hydrogenases CpI and CpII of Clostridium pasteurianum Strain W5.

PubMed

Therien, Jesse B; Artz, Jacob H; Poudel, Saroj; Hamilton, Trinity L; Liu, Zhenfeng; Noone, Seth M; Adams, Michael W W; King, Paul W; Bryant, Donald A; Boyd, Eric S; Peters, John W

2017-01-01

The first generation of biochemical studies of complex, iron-sulfur-cluster-containing [FeFe]-hydrogenases and Mo-nitrogenase were carried out on enzymes purified from Clostridium pasteurianum (strain W5). Previous studies suggested that two distinct [FeFe]-hydrogenases are expressed differentially under nitrogen-fixing and non-nitrogen-fixing conditions. As a result, the first characterized [FeFe]-hydrogenase (CpI) is presumed to have a primary role in central metabolism, recycling reduced electron carriers that accumulate during fermentation via proton reduction. A role for capturing reducing equivalents released as hydrogen during nitrogen fixation has been proposed for the second hydrogenase, CpII. Biochemical characterization of CpI and CpII indicated CpI has extremely high hydrogen production activity in comparison to CpII, while CpII has elevated hydrogen oxidation activity in comparison to CpI when assayed under the same conditions. This suggests that these enzymes have evolved a catalytic bias to support their respective physiological functions. Using the published genome of C. pasteurianum (strain W5) hydrogenase sequences were identified, including the already known [NiFe]-hydrogenase, CpI, and CpII sequences, and a third hydrogenase, CpIII was identified in the genome as well. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments were performed in order to analyze transcript abundance of the hydrogenases under diazotrophic and non-diazotrophic growth conditions. There is a markedly reduced level of CpI gene expression together with concomitant increases in CpII gene expression under nitrogen-fixing conditions. Structure-based analyses of the CpI and CpII sequences reveal variations in their catalytic sites that may contribute to their alternative physiological roles. This work demonstrates that the physiological roles of CpI and CpII are to evolve and to consume hydrogen, respectively, in concurrence with their catalytic activities in vitro , with CpII capturing excess reducing equivalents under nitrogen fixation conditions. Comparison of the primary sequences of CpI and CpII and their homologs provides an initial basis for identifying key structural determinants that modulate hydrogen production and hydrogen oxidation activities.

The Physiological Functions and Structural Determinants of Catalytic Bias in the [FeFe]-Hydrogenases CpI and CpII of Clostridium pasteurianum Strain W5

DOE PAGES

Therien, Jesse B.; Artz, Jacob H.; Poudel, Saroj; ...

2017-07-12

Here, the first generation of biochemical studies of complex, iron-sulfur-cluster-containing [FeFe]-hydrogenases and Mo-nitrogenase were carried out on enzymes purified from Clostridium pasteurianum (strain W5). Previous studies suggested that two distinct [FeFe]-hydrogenases are expressed differentially under nitrogen-fixing and non-nitrogen-fixing conditions. As a result, the first characterized [FeFe]-hydrogenase (CpI) is presumed to have a primary role in central metabolism, recycling reduced electron carriers that accumulate during fermentation via proton reduction. A role for capturing reducing equivalents released as hydrogen during nitrogen fixation has been proposed for the second hydrogenase, CpII. Biochemical characterization of CpI and CpII indicated CpI has extremely high hydrogenmore » production activity in comparison to CpII, while CpII has elevated hydrogen oxidation activity in comparison to CpI when assayed under the same conditions. This suggests that these enzymes have evolved a catalytic bias to support their respective physiological functions. Using the published genome of C. pasteurianum (strain W5) hydrogenase sequences were identified, including the already known [NiFe]-hydrogenase, CpI, and CpII sequences, and a third hydrogenase, CpIII was identified in the genome as well. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments were performed in order to analyze transcript abundance of the hydrogenases under diazotrophic and non-diazotrophic growth conditions. There is a markedly reduced level of CpI gene expression together with concomitant increases in CpII gene expression under nitrogen-fixing conditions. Structure-based analyses of the CpI and CpII sequences reveal variations in their catalytic sites that may contribute to their alternative physiological roles. This work demonstrates that the physiological roles of CpI and CpII are to evolve and to consume hydrogen, respectively, in concurrence with their catalytic activities in vitro, with CpII capturing excess reducing equivalents under nitrogen fixation conditions. Comparison of the primary sequences of CpI and CpII and their homologs provides an initial basis for identifying key structural determinants that modulate hydrogen production and hydrogen oxidation activities.« less

The Physiological Functions and Structural Determinants of Catalytic Bias in the [FeFe]-Hydrogenases CpI and CpII of Clostridium pasteurianum Strain W5

PubMed Central

Therien, Jesse B.; Artz, Jacob H.; Poudel, Saroj; Hamilton, Trinity L.; Liu, Zhenfeng; Noone, Seth M.; Adams, Michael W. W.; King, Paul W.; Bryant, Donald A.; Boyd, Eric S.; Peters, John W.

2017-01-01

The first generation of biochemical studies of complex, iron-sulfur-cluster-containing [FeFe]-hydrogenases and Mo-nitrogenase were carried out on enzymes purified from Clostridium pasteurianum (strain W5). Previous studies suggested that two distinct [FeFe]-hydrogenases are expressed differentially under nitrogen-fixing and non-nitrogen-fixing conditions. As a result, the first characterized [FeFe]-hydrogenase (CpI) is presumed to have a primary role in central metabolism, recycling reduced electron carriers that accumulate during fermentation via proton reduction. A role for capturing reducing equivalents released as hydrogen during nitrogen fixation has been proposed for the second hydrogenase, CpII. Biochemical characterization of CpI and CpII indicated CpI has extremely high hydrogen production activity in comparison to CpII, while CpII has elevated hydrogen oxidation activity in comparison to CpI when assayed under the same conditions. This suggests that these enzymes have evolved a catalytic bias to support their respective physiological functions. Using the published genome of C. pasteurianum (strain W5) hydrogenase sequences were identified, including the already known [NiFe]-hydrogenase, CpI, and CpII sequences, and a third hydrogenase, CpIII was identified in the genome as well. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments were performed in order to analyze transcript abundance of the hydrogenases under diazotrophic and non-diazotrophic growth conditions. There is a markedly reduced level of CpI gene expression together with concomitant increases in CpII gene expression under nitrogen-fixing conditions. Structure-based analyses of the CpI and CpII sequences reveal variations in their catalytic sites that may contribute to their alternative physiological roles. This work demonstrates that the physiological roles of CpI and CpII are to evolve and to consume hydrogen, respectively, in concurrence with their catalytic activities in vitro, with CpII capturing excess reducing equivalents under nitrogen fixation conditions. Comparison of the primary sequences of CpI and CpII and their homologs provides an initial basis for identifying key structural determinants that modulate hydrogen production and hydrogen oxidation activities. PMID:28747909

Kinetic mechanism of non-muscle myosin IIB: functional adaptations for tension generation and maintenance.

PubMed

Wang, Fei; Kovacs, Mihaly; Hu, Aihua; Limouze, John; Harvey, Estelle V; Sellers, James R

2003-07-25

Besides driving contraction of various types of muscle tissue, conventional (class II) myosins serve essential cellular functions and are ubiquitously expressed in eukaryotic cells. Three different isoforms in the human myosin complement have been identified as non-muscle class II myosins. Here we report the kinetic characterization of a human non-muscle myosin IIB subfragment-1 construct produced in the baculovirus expression system. Transient kinetic data show that most steps of the actomyosin ATPase cycle are slowed down compared with other class II myosins. The ADP affinity of subfragment-1 is unusually high even in the presence of actin filaments, and the rate of ADP release is close to the steady-state ATPase rate. Thus, non-muscle myosin IIB subfragment-1 spends a significantly higher proportion of its kinetic cycle strongly attached to actin than do the muscle myosins. This feature is even more pronounced at slightly elevated ADP levels, and it may be important in carrying out the cellular functions of this isoform working in small filamentous assemblies.

Interaction of curcumin with Zn(II) and Cu(II) ions based on experiment and theoretical calculation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhao, Xue-Zhou; Jiang, Teng; Wang, Long; Yang, Hao; Zhang, Sui; Zhou, Ping

2010-12-01

Curcumin and its complexes with Zn 2+ and Cu 2+ ions were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, UV spectroscopy, solution 1H and solid-state 13C NMR spectroscopy, EPR spectroscopy. In addition, the density functional theory (DFT)-based UV and 13C chemical shift calculations were also performed to view insight into those compound structures and properties. The results show that curcumin easily chelate the metal ions, such as Zn 2+ and Cu 2+, and the Cu(II)-curcumin complex has an ability to scavenge free-radicals. We demonstrated the differences between Zn(II)-curcumin and Cu(II)-curcumin complexes in structure and properties, enhancing the comprehensions about the curcumin roles in the Alzhermer's disease treatment.

Bioinformatics analysis of organizational and expressional characterizations of the IFNs, IRFs and CRFBs in grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella.

PubMed

Liao, Zhiwei; Wan, Quanyuan; Su, Jianguo

2016-08-01

Interferons (IFNs) play crucial roles in the immune response of defense against viral infection and bacteria invasion. In the present study, we systematically identified and characterized the IFNs, their regulatory factors (Interferon Regulatory Factors, IRFs) and receptors (Cytokine Receptor Family B, CRFBs) in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). Grass carp IFNs can be classified into type I IFN (IFN-I) and type II IFN (IFN-II) like other teleosts. IFN-I consist of two groups with two (group I) or four (group II) cysteines in the mature peptide and can be further divided into three subgroups (IFN-a, -c and -d), containing four members: IFN1, IFN2, IFN3, IFN4 in grass carp. IFN-II contain two members, IFNγ2 with the similarity to mammalian IFNγ and a cyprinid specific IFNγ1 (IFNγ-rel) molecule. mRNA expression analyses of IFNs discovered that IFN1 and IFN-II were sustainably expressed in many tissues, while other IFN members were transiently expressed in specific tissues and time points. In the immune response, IFN transcriptions are primarily regulated through multiple IRFs after grass carp reovirus (GCRV) challenge. IRF family possess thirteen members in grass carp, which can be further divided into four subfamilies (IRF-1, -3, -4 and -5 subfamily), each of them plays different roles in the innate and adaptive immunity via various signaling pathways to interact with IFNs (mainly IFN-I). IFNs have to bind receptors (CRFBs) to perform their functions. CRFBs as IFN receptors contain six members in grass carp. The structure and expression characterizations of IFNs, IRFs and CRFBs were analyzed using bioinformatics tools. These results might provide basic data for the further functional research of IFN system, and deeply understand fish immune mechanisms against virus infection. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Egg Yolk Factor of Staphylococcus aureus II. Characterization of the Lipase Activity

PubMed Central

Shah, D. B.; Wilson, J. B.

1965-01-01

Shah, D. B. (University of Wisconsin, Madison), and J. B. Wilson. Egg yolk factor of Staphylococcus aureus. II. Characterization of the lipase activity. J. Bacteriol. 89:949–953. 1965.—The staphylococcal egg yolk factor was characterized as a lipase. The enzyme had an optimal pH of 7.8, but the optimal pH of stability was 7. Substrate specificity data showed that the relative rate of hydrolysis was lowest with triacetin as substrate, was maximal with tributyrin, and decreased as the chain length of the acyl moieties increased. The enzyme showed an absolute requirement for a fatty acid acceptor like calcium, when the acyl moiety of triglyceride was water-insoluble. Magnesium, strontium, and barium functioned equally well as fatty acid acceptors. The enzyme was able to hydrolyze coconut oil, peanut oil, olive oil, and egg yolk oil. PMID:14276120

Functionalized mesoporous silica supported copper(II) and nickel(II) catalysts for liquid phase oxidation of olefins.

PubMed

Nandi, Mahasweta; Roy, Partha; Uyama, Hiroshi; Bhaumik, Asim

2011-12-14

Highly ordered 2D-hexagonal mesoporous silica has been functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (3-APTES). This is followed by its condensation with a dialdehyde, 4-methyl-2,6-diformylphenol to produce an immobilized Schiff-base ligand (I). This material is separately treated with methanolic solution of copper(II) chloride and nickel(II) chloride to obtain copper and nickel anchored mesoporous materials, designated as Cu-AMM and Ni-AMM, respectively. The materials have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance (DRS) spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N(2) adsorption-desorption studies and (13)C CP MAS NMR spectroscopy. The metal-grafted mesoporous materials have been used as catalysts for the efficient and selective epoxidation of alkenes, viz. cyclohexene, trans-stilbene, styrene, α-methyl styrene, cyclooctene and norbornene to their corresponding epoxides in the presence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as the oxidant under mild liquid phase conditions.

Hydration of copper(II): new insights from density functional theory and the COSMO solvation model.

PubMed

Bryantsev, Vyacheslav S; Diallo, Mamadou S; van Duin, Adri C T; Goddard, William A

2008-09-25

The hydrated structure of the Cu(II) ion has been a subject of ongoing debate in the literature. In this article, we use density functional theory (B3LYP) and the COSMO continuum solvent model to characterize the structure and stability of [Cu(H2O)n](2+) clusters as a function of coordination number (4, 5, and 6) and cluster size (n = 4-18). We find that the most thermodynamically favored Cu(II) complexes in the gas phase have a very open four-coordinate structure. They are formed from a stable square-planar [Cu(H2O)8](2+) core stabilized by an unpaired electron in the Cu(II) ion d(x(2)-y(2)) orbital. This is consistent with cluster geometries suggested by recent mass-spectrometric experiments. In the aqueous phase, we find that the more compact five-coordinate square-pyramidal geometry is more stable than either the four-coordinate or six-coordinate clusters in agreement with recent combined EXAFS and XANES studies of aqueous solutions of Cu(II). However, a small energetic difference (approximately 1.4 kcal/mol) between the five- and six-coordinate models with two full hydration shells around the metal ion suggests that both forms may coexist in solution.

The Extended Northern ROSAT Galaxy Cluster Survey (NORAS II). I. Survey Construction and First Results

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Böhringer, Hans; Chon, Gayoung; Trümper, Joachim

As the largest, clearly defined building blocks of our universe, galaxy clusters are interesting astrophysical laboratories and important probes for cosmology. X-ray surveys for galaxy clusters provide one of the best ways to characterize the population of galaxy clusters. We provide a description of the construction of the NORAS II galaxy cluster survey based on X-ray data from the northern part of the ROSAT All-Sky Survey. NORAS II extends the NORAS survey down to a flux limit of 1.8 × 10{sup −12} erg s{sup −1} cm{sup −2} (0.1–2.4 keV), increasing the sample size by about a factor of two. The NORAS IImore » cluster survey now reaches the same quality and depth as its counterpart, the southern REFLEX II survey, allowing us to combine the two complementary surveys. The paper provides information on the determination of the cluster X-ray parameters, the identification process of the X-ray sources, the statistics of the survey, and the construction of the survey selection function, which we provide in numerical format. Currently NORAS II contains 860 clusters with a median redshift of z  = 0.102. We provide a number of statistical functions, including the log N –log S and the X-ray luminosity function and compare these to the results from the complementary REFLEX II survey. Using the NORAS II sample to constrain the cosmological parameters, σ {sub 8} and Ω{sub m}, yields results perfectly consistent with those of REFLEX II. Overall, the results show that the two hemisphere samples, NORAS II and REFLEX II, can be combined without problems into an all-sky sample, just excluding the zone of avoidance.« less

Characterization of HKE2: an ancient antigen encoded in the major histocompatibility complex.

PubMed

Ostrov, D A; Barnes, C L; Smith, L E; Binns, S; Brusko, T M; Brown, A C; Quint, P S; Litherland, S A; Roopenian, D C; Iczkowski, K A

2007-02-01

Genes at the centromeric end of the human leukocyte antigen region influence adaptive autoimmune diseases and cancer. In this study, we characterized protein expression of HKE2, a gene located in the centromeric portion of the class II region of the major histocompatibility complex encoding subunit 6 of prefoldin. Immunohistochemical analysis using an anti-HKE2 antibody indicated that HKE2 protein expression is dramatically upregulated as a consequence of activation. In a tissue microarray and in several tumors, HKE2 was overexpressed in certain cancers compared with normal counterparts. The localization of the HKE2 gene to the class II region, its cytoplasmic expression and putative protein-binding domain suggest that HKE2 may function in adaptive immunity and cancer.

Isolation of Plant Photosystem II Complexes by Fractional Solubilization

PubMed Central

Haniewicz, Patrycja; Floris, Davide; Farci, Domenica; Kirkpatrick, Joanna; Loi, Maria C.; Büchel, Claudia; Bochtler, Matthias; Piano, Dario

2015-01-01

Photosystem II (PSII) occurs in different forms and supercomplexes in thylakoid membranes. Using a transplastomic strain of Nicotiana tabacum histidine tagged on the subunit PsbE, we have previously shown that a mild extraction protocol with β-dodecylmaltoside enriches PSII characteristic of lamellae and grana margins. Here, we characterize residual granal PSII that is not extracted by this first solubilization step. Using affinity purification, we demonstrate that this PSII fraction consists of PSII-LHCII mega- and supercomplexes, PSII dimers, and PSII monomers, which were separated by gel filtration and functionally characterized. Our findings represent an alternative demonstration of different PSII populations in thylakoid membranes, and they make it possible to prepare PSII-LHCII supercomplexes in high yield. PMID:26697050

One-step synthesis of water-dispersible cysteine functionalized magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles for mercury(II) removal from aqueous solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shen, Xiaofang; Wang, Qin; Chen, WenLing; Pang, Yuehong

2014-10-01

Cysteine functionalized Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (Cys-Fe3O4 MNPs) were prepared facilely for Hg(II) removal from aqueous solutions. Using Fe2+ as precursors, air as oxidant and Cys as protectant, this novel material was one-pot synthesis at room temperature by oxidation-precipitation method with the assistance of sonication. The MNPs were characterized by TEM, VSM, FTIR, X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRD) and TGA methods. Under the optimum experimental conditions, the removal efficiency was as high as 95% and the maximum sorption capacity is found to be 380 mg/mol for Hg(II). Study on adsorption kinetics shows that adsorption of Hg(II) onto Cys-Fe3O4 MNPs follows pseudo-first-order kinetic model and the adsorption rate constant was 0.22 min-1. Additionally, the Hg(II)-loaded Cys-Fe3O4 MNPs could be easily regenerated up to 95% using 1.0 M acetic acid. These results indicated that Cys-Fe3O4 MNPs is a potentially attractive material for the removal of Hg(II) from water.

Functionalized SBA-15 supported nickel (II)-oxime-imine catalysts for liquid phase oxidation of olefins under solvent-free conditions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Paul, Luna; Banerjee, Biplab; Bhaumik, Asim; Ali, Mahammad

2016-05-01

A new oxime-imine functionalized highly ordered mesoporous SBA-15 (SBA-15-NH2-DAMO) has been synthesized via post-synthesis functionalization of SBA-15 with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane followed by the Schiff base condensation with diacetylmonooxime, which was further reacted with Ni(ClO4)2 to yield the functionalized nickel catalyst SBA-15-NH2-DAMO-Ni. All the synthesized materials were thoroughly characterized using different characterization techniques. It was found that SBA-15-NH2-DAMO-Ni catalyzes the one-pot oxidation of olefins like styrene, cyclohexene, cyclooctene, 1-hexene and 1-octene to the corresponding benzaldehyde, cyclohexene-1-ol and cyclooctene-oxide, respectively under solvent-free conditions by using tert-butylhydroperoxide as oxidant.

Thin-plate spline analysis of mandibular shape changes induced by functional appliances in Class II malocclusion : A long-term evaluation.

PubMed

Franchi, Lorenzo; Pavoni, Chiara; Faltin, Kurt; Bigliazzi, Renato; Gazzani, Francesca; Cozza, Paola

2016-09-01

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the long-term morphological mandibular changes induced by functional treatment of Class II malocclusion with mandibular retrusion. Forty patients (20 females, 20 males) with Class II malocclusion consecutively treated with either a Bionator or an Activator followed by fixed appliances were compared with a control group of 40 subjects (19 females, 21 males) with untreated Class II malocclusion. Lateral cephalograms were available at the start of treatment (T1, mean age 9.9 years), at the end of treatment with functional appliances (T2, mean age 12.2 years), and for long-term follow-up (T3, mean age 18.3 years). Mandibular shape changes were analyzed on lateral cephalograms of the subjects in both groups via thin-plate spline (TPS) analysis. Shape differences were statistically analyzed by conducting permutation tests on Goodall F statistics. In the long term, both the treated and control groups exhibited significant longitudinal mandibular shape changes characterized by upward and forward dislocation of point Co associated with a vertical extension in the gonial region and backward dislocation of point B. Functional appliances induced mandible's significant posterior morphogenetic rotation over the short term. The treated and control groups demonstrated similar mandibular shape over the long term.

Metal selectivity of the E. coli nickel metallochaperone, SlyD

PubMed Central

Kaluarachchi, Harini; Siebel, Judith F.; Kaluarachchi-Duffy, Supipi; Krecisz, Sandra; Sutherland, Duncan E. K.; Stillman, Martin J.; Zamble, Deborah B.

2012-01-01

SlyD is a Ni(II)-binding protein that contributes to nickel homeostasis in Escherichia coli. The C-terminal domain of SlyD contains a rich variety of metal-binding amino acids, suggesting broader metal-binding capabilities, and previous work demonstrated that the protein can coordinate several types of first row transition metals. However, the binding of SlyD to metals other than Ni(II) has not been previously characterized. To further our understanding of the in vitro metal-binding activity of SlyD and how it correlates with the in vivo function of this protein, the interactions between SlyD and the series of biologically relevant transition metals Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(I) and Zn(II) were examined by using a combination of optical spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. SlyD binding to Mn(II) or to Fe(II) ions was not detected but the protein coordinates multiple ions of Co(II), Zn(II) and Cu(I) with appreciable affinities (KD ≤ nM), highlighting the promiscuous nature of this protein. The order of affinities of SlyD for the metals examined is Mn(II), Fe(II) < Co(II) < Ni(II) ~ Zn(II) ≪ Cu(I). Although the purified protein is unable to overcome the large thermodynamic preference for Cu(I) and exclude Zn(II) chelation in the presence of Ni(II), in vivo studies reveal a Ni(II)-specific function for the protein. Furthermore, these latter experiments support a specific role for SlyD as a [NiFe]-hydrogenase enzyme maturation factor. The implications of the divergence between the metal selectivity of SlyD in vitro and the specific activity in vivo are discussed. PMID:22047179

Pb(II) sorption from aqueous solution by novel biochar loaded with nano-particles.

PubMed

Wang, Chongqing; Wang, Hui

2018-02-01

Novel sorbent (HBC) is prepared by introducing nano-particles (Maghemite and EDTA functionalized layered double hydroxides) on biochar surface. FTIR, XRD, SEM and EDS are used to characterize the biochar nanocomposites. Pb(II) sorption is highly dependent on solution pH. Sorption kinetics and isotherms indicate that Pb(II) sorption onto the sorbents follows pseudo-second order model and Langmuir isotherm. The maximum sorption capacity of Pb(II) onto HBC is up to146.84 mg g -1 , higher than previously reported sorbents. The magnetic particles enable easy separation of HBC from aqueous solution by external magnetic fields. HBC can be used as effective sorbent for removal of heavy metals from wastewater. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Chen, Yi xi; Zhang, Man; Cai, Yuehua

Activation of the silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1) has been shown consistent antiinflammatory function. However, little information is available on the function of SIRT1 during Angiotensin II (AngII)-induced atherosclerosis. Here we report atheroprotective effects of sirt1 activation in a model of AngII-accelerated atherosclerosis, characterized by suppression pro-inflammatory transcription factors Nuclear transcription factor (NF)-κB and Signal Transducers and Activators of Transcription. (STAT) signaling pathway, and atherosclerotic lesion macrophage content. In this model, administration of the SIRT1 agonist SRT1720 substantially attenuated AngII-accelerated atherosclerosis with decreasing blood pressure and inhibited NF-κB and STAT3 activation, which was associated with suppressionmore » of inflammatory factor and atherogenic gene expression in the artery. In vitro studies demonstrated similar changes in AngII-treated VSMCs and macrophages: SIRT1 activation inhibited the expression levels of proinflammatory factor. These studies uncover crucial proinflammatory mechanisms of AngII and highlight actions of SIRT1 activation to inhibit AngII signaling, which is atheroprotective. - Highlights: • SRT1720 reduced atherosclerotic lesion size in aortic arches and atherosclerotic lesion macrophage content. • SRT1720 could inhibit the phosphorylation of STAT3 and p65 phosphorylation and translocation. • SRT1720 could inhibit the expression of proinflammatory factor.« less

Fabrication of the tea saponin functionalized reduced graphene oxide for fast adsorptive removal of Cd(II) from water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Li, Zhigang; Liu, Zhifeng; Wu, Zhibin; Zeng, Guangming; Shao, Binbin; Liu, Yujie; Jiang, Yilin; Zhong, Hua; Liu, Yang

2018-05-01

A novel graphene-based material of tea saponin functionalized reduced graphene oxide (TS-RGO) was synthesized via a facil thermal method, and it was characterized as the absorbent for Cd(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The factors on adsorption process including solution pH, contact time, initial concentration of Cd(II) and background electrolyte cations were studied to optimize the conditions for maximum adsorption at room temperature. The results indicated that Cd(II) adsorption was strongly dependent on pH and could be strongly affected by background electrolytes and ionic strength. The optimal pH and required equilibrium time was 6.0 and 10 min, respectively. The Cd(II) removal decreased with the presence of background electrolyte cations (Na+ < Ca2+ < Al3+). The adsorption kinetics of Cd(II) followed well with the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption isotherm fitted well to the Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption was a monolayer adsorption process occurred on the homogeneous surfaces of TS-RGO. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was 127 mg/g at 313 K and pH 6.0. Therefore, the TS-RGO was considered to be a cost-effective and promising material for the removal of Cd(II) from wastewater.

Cyclic AMP-dependent modification of gonad-selective TAF(II)105 in a human ovarian granulosa cell line.

PubMed

Wu, Yimin; Lu, Yunzhe; Hu, Yanfen; Li, Rong

2005-11-01

In response to gonadotropins, the elevated level of intracellular-cyclic AMP (cAMP) in ovarian granulosa cells triggers an ordered activation of multiple ovarian genes, which in turn promotes various ovarian functions including folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis. Identification and characterization of transcription factors that control ovarian gene expression are pivotal to the understanding of the molecular basis of the tissue-specific gene regulation programs. The recent discovery of the mouse TATA binding protein (TBP)-associated factor 105 (TAF(II)105) as a gonad-selective transcriptional co-activator strongly suggests that general transcription factors such as TFIID may play a key role in regulating tissue-specific gene expression. Here we show that the human TAF(II)105 protein is preferentially expressed in ovarian granulosa cells. We also identified a novel TAF(II)105 mRNA isoform that results from alternative exon inclusion and is predicted to encode a dominant negative mutant of TAF(II)105. Following stimulation by the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin, TAF(II)105 in granulosa cells undergoes rapid and transient phosphorylation that is dependent upon protein kinase A (PKA). Thus, our work suggests that pre-mRNA processing and post-translational modification represent two important regulatory steps for the gonad-specific functions of human TAF(II)105. Copyright 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Using Synchrotron Radiation-Based Infrared Microspectroscopy to Reveal Microchemical Structure Characterization: Frost Damaged Wheat vs. Normal Wheat

PubMed Central

Xin, Hangshu; Zhang, Xuewei; Yu, Peiqiang

2013-01-01

This study was conducted to compare: (1) protein chemical characteristics, including the amide I and II region, as well as protein secondary structure; and (2) carbohydrate internal structure and functional groups spectral intensities between the frost damaged wheat and normal wheat using synchrotron radiation-based Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (SR-FTIRM). Fingerprint regions of specific interest in our study involved protein and carbohydrate functional group band assignments, including protein amide I and II (ca. 1774–1475 cm−1), structural carbohydrates (SCHO, ca. 1498–1176 cm−1), cellulosic compounds (CELC, ca. 1295–1176 cm−1), total carbohydrates (CHO, ca. 1191–906 cm−1) and non-structural carbohydrates (NSCHO, ca. 954–809 cm−1). The results showed that frost did cause variations in spectral profiles in wheat grains. Compared with healthy wheat grains, frost damaged wheat had significantly lower (p < 0.05) spectral intensities in height and area ratios of amide I to II and almost all the spectral parameters of carbohydrate-related functional groups, including SCHO, CHO and NSCHO. Furthermore, the height ratio of protein amide I to the third peak of CHO and the area ratios of protein amide (amide I + II) to carbohydrate compounds (CHO and SCHO) were also changed (p < 0.05) in damaged wheat grains. It was concluded that the SR-FTIR microspectroscopic technique was able to examine inherent molecular structure features at an ultra-spatial resolution (10 × 10 μm) between different wheat grains samples. The structural characterization of wheat was influenced by climate conditions, such as frost damage, and these structural variations might be a major reason for the decreases in nutritive values, nutrients availability and milling and baking quality in wheat grains. PMID:23949633

Incorporation of Pyrazine and Bipyridine Linkers with High-Spin Fe(II) and Co(II) in a Metal–Organic Framework

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Kawamura, Airi; Greenwood, Arin R.; Filatov, Alexander S.

2017-02-27

A series of isoreticular metal organic frameworks (MOFs) of the formula M(BDC)(L) (M = Fe(II) or Co(II), BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate, L = pyrazine (pyz) or 4,4'-bipyridine (bipy)) has been synthesized and characterized by N-2 gas uptake Measurements, single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, magnetometry, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and Mossbauer spectroscopy. These studies indicate the formation of a permanently porous solid with high-spin Fe(II) and Co(II) centers that are weakly coupled, consistent with first-principles density functional theory calculations. This family of materials represents unusual examples of paramagnetic metal centers coordinated by linkers capable of mediating magnetic or electronic coupling in amore » porous framework. While only weak interactions are observed, the rigid 3D framework of the MOF dramatically impacts the properties of these materials when compared with close structural analogues.« less

Identification and pharmacological characterization of native, functional human urotensin-II receptors in rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines

PubMed Central

Douglas, Stephen A; Naselsky, Diane; Ao, Zhaohui; Disa, Jyoti; Herold, Christopher L; Lynch, Frank; Aiyar, Nambi V

2004-01-01

In an effort to identify endogenous, native mammalian urotensin-II (U-II) receptors (UT), a diverse range of human, primate and rodent cell lines (49 in total) were screened for the presence of detectable [125I]hU-II binding sites. UT mRNA (Northern blot, PCR) and protein (immunocytochemistry) were evident in human skeletal muscle tissue and cells. [125I]hU-II bound to a homogenous population of high-affinity, saturable (Kd 67.0±11.8 pM, Bmax 9687±843 sites cell−1) receptors in the skeletal muscle (rhabdomyosarcoma) cell line SJRH30. Radiolabel was characteristically slow to dissociate (⩽15% dissociation 90 min). A lower density of high-affinity U-II binding sites was also evident in the rhabdomyosarcoma cell line TE671 (1667±165 sites cell−1, Kd 74±8 pM). Consistent with the profile recorded in human recombinant UT-HEK293 cells, [125I]hU-II binding to SJRH30 cells was selectively displaced by both mammalian and fish U-II isopeptides (Kis 0.5±0.1–1.2±0.3 nM) and related analogues (hU-II[4-11]>[Cys5,10]Acm hU-II; Kis 0.4±0.1 and 864±193 nM, respectively). U-II receptor activation was functionally coupled to phospholipase C-mediated [Ca2+]i mobilization (EC50 6.9±2.2 nM) in SJRH30 cells. The present study is the first to identify the presence of ‘endogenous' U-II receptors in SJRH30 and TE671 cells. SJRH30 cells, in particular, might prove to be of utility for (a) investigating the pharmacological properties of hU-II and related small molecule antagonists at native human UT and (b) delineating the role of this neuropeptide in the (patho)physiological regulation of mammalian neuromuscular function. PMID:15210573

Polymorphism at donkey β-lactoglobulin II locus: identification and characterization of a new genetic variant with a very low expression.

PubMed

Criscione, Andrea; Cunsolo, Vincenzo; Tumino, Serena; Di Francesco, Antonella; Bordonaro, Salvatore; Muccilli, Vera; Saletti, Rosaria; Marletta, Donata

2018-06-01

In the last years, donkey milk had evidenced a renewed interest as a potential functional food and a breast milk substitute. In this light, the study of the protein composition assumes an important role. In particular, β-lactoglobulin (β-LG), which is considered as one of the main allergenic milk protein, in donkey species consists of two molecular forms, namely β-LG I and β-LG II. In the present research, a genetic analysis coupled with a proteomic approach showed the presence of a new allele, here named F, which is apparently associated with a null or a severely reduced expression of β-LG II protein. The new β-LG II F genetic variant shows a theoretical average mass (M av ) of 18,310.64 Da, a value practically corresponding with that of the variant D (∆ mass  < 0.07 Da), but differs from β-LG II D for two amino acid substitutions: Thr 100 (variant F) → Ala 100 (variant D) and Thr 118 (variant F) → Met 118 (variant D). Proteomic investigation of the whey protein fraction of an individual milk sample, homozygous FF at β-LG II locus, allowed to identify, as very minor component, the new β-LG II F genetic variant. By MS/MS analysis of enzymatic digests, the sequence of the β-LG II F was characterized, and the predicted genomic data confirmed.

The Exoplanet Mass-Ratio Function From the MOA-II Survey: Discovery of a Break and Likely Peak at a Neptune Mass

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Suzuki, D.; Bennett, D. P.; Sumi, T.; Bond, I. A.; Rogers, L. A.; Abe, F.; Asakura, Y.; Bhattacharya, A.; Donachie, M.; Freeman, M.;

Molecular architecture of the human Mediator-RNA polymerase II-TFIIF assembly.

PubMed

Bernecky, Carrie; Grob, Patricia; Ebmeier, Christopher C; Nogales, Eva; Taatjes, Dylan J

2011-03-01

The macromolecular assembly required to initiate transcription of protein-coding genes, known as the Pre-Initiation Complex (PIC), consists of multiple protein complexes and is approximately 3.5 MDa in size. At the heart of this assembly is the Mediator complex, which helps regulate PIC activity and interacts with the RNA polymerase II (pol II) enzyme. The structure of the human Mediator-pol II interface is not well-characterized, whereas attempts to structurally define the Mediator-pol II interaction in yeast have relied on incomplete assemblies of Mediator and/or pol II and have yielded inconsistent interpretations. We have assembled the complete, 1.9 MDa human Mediator-pol II-TFIIF complex from purified components and have characterized its structural organization using cryo-electron microscopy and single-particle reconstruction techniques. The orientation of pol II within this assembly was determined by crystal structure docking and further validated with projection matching experiments, allowing the structural organization of the entire human PIC to be envisioned. Significantly, pol II orientation within the Mediator-pol II-TFIIF assembly can be reconciled with past studies that determined the location of other PIC components relative to pol II itself. Pol II surfaces required for interacting with TFIIB, TFIIE, and promoter DNA (i.e., the pol II cleft) are exposed within the Mediator-pol II-TFIIF structure; RNA exit is unhindered along the RPB4/7 subunits; upstream and downstream DNA is accessible for binding additional factors; and no major structural re-organization is necessary to accommodate the large, multi-subunit TFIIH or TFIID complexes. The data also reveal how pol II binding excludes Mediator-CDK8 subcomplex interactions and provide a structural basis for Mediator-dependent control of PIC assembly and function. Finally, parallel structural analysis of Mediator-pol II complexes lacking TFIIF reveal that TFIIF plays a key role in stabilizing pol II orientation within the assembly.

Critical role of the tumor suppressor tuberous sclerosis complex 1 in dendritic cell activation of CD4 T cells by promoting MHC class II expression via IRF4 and CIITA.

PubMed

Pan, Hongjie; O'Brien, Thomas F; Wright, Gabriela; Yang, Jialong; Shin, Jinwook; Wright, Kenneth L; Zhong, Xiao-Ping

2013-07-15

Dendritic cell (DC) maturation is characterized by upregulation of cell-surface MHC class II (MHC-II) and costimulatory molecules, and production of a variety of cytokines that can shape both innate and adaptive immunity. Paradoxically, transcription of the MHC-II genes, as well as its activator, CIITA, is rapidly silenced during DC maturation. The mechanisms that control CIITA/MHC-II expression and silencing have not been fully understood. We report in this article that the tumor suppressor tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (TSC1) is a critical regulator of DC function for both innate and adaptive immunity. Its deficiency in DCs results in increased mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 but decreased mTORC2 signaling, altered cytokine production, impaired CIITA/MHC-II expression, and defective Ag presentation to CD4 T cells after TLR4 stimulation. We demonstrate further that IFN regulatory factor 4 can directly bind to CIITA promoters, and decreased IFN regulatory factor 4 expression is partially responsible for decreased CIITA/MHC-II expression in TSC1-deficient DCs. Moreover, we identify that CIITA/MHC-II silencing during DC maturation requires mTOR complex 1 activity. Together, our data reveal unexpected roles of TSC1/mTOR that control multifaceted functions of DCs.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, electrochemistry and biological evaluation of some metal (II) complexes with ONO donor ligand containing benzo[b]thiophene and coumarin moieties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahendra Raj, K.; Mruthyunjayaswamy, B. H. M.

2014-09-01

Schiff base ligand 3-chloro-N‧-((7-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-oxo-2H-chromen-8-yl)methylene)benzo[b]thiophene-2-carbohydrazide and its Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes were synthesized, characterized by elemental analysis and various physico-chemical techniques like, IR, 1H NMR, ESI-mass, UV-Visible, thermogravimetry - differential thermal analysis, magnetic measurements and molar conductance. Spectral analysis indicates octahedral geometry for all the complexes. Cu(II) complex have 1:1 stoichiometry of the type [M(L)(Cl)(H2O)2], whereas Co(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes have 1:2 stoichiometric ratio of the type [M(L)2]. The bonding sites are the oxygen atom of amide carbonyl, nitrogen of azomethine function and phenolic oxygen of the Schiff base ligand via deprotonation. The thermogravimetry - differential thermal analysis studies gave evidence for the presence of coordinated water molecules in the composition of Cu(II) complex which was further supported by IR measurements. All the complexes were investigated for their electrochemical activity, but only the Cu(II) complex showed the redox property. In order to evaluate the effect of antimicrobial potency of metal ions upon chelation, ligand and its metal complexes along with their respective metal chlorides were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. The results showed that the metal complexes were found to be more active than free ligand. Ligand and its complexes were screened for free radical scavenging activity by DPPH method and DNA cleavage activity using Calf-thymus DNA (Cat. No-105850).

A Non-Competitive Inhibitor of VCP/p97 and VPS4 Reveals Conserved Allosteric Circuits in Type I and II AAA ATPases.

PubMed

Pöhler, Robert; Krahn, Jan H; van den Boom, Johannes; Dobrynin, Grzegorz; Kaschani, Farnusch; Eggenweiler, Hans-Michael; Zenke, Frank T; Kaiser, Markus; Meyer, Hemmo

2018-02-05

AAA ATPases have pivotal functions in diverse cellular processes essential for survival and proliferation. Revealing strategies for chemical inhibition of this class of enzymes is therefore of great interest for the development of novel chemotherapies or chemical tools. Here, we characterize the compound MSC1094308 as a reversible, allosteric inhibitor of the type II AAA ATPase human ubiquitin-directed unfoldase (VCP)/p97 and the type I AAA ATPase VPS4B. Subsequent proteomic, genetic and biochemical studies indicate that MSC1094308 binds to a previously characterized drugable hotspot of p97, thereby inhibiting the D2 ATPase activity. Our results furthermore indicate that a similar allosteric site exists in VPS4B, suggesting conserved allosteric circuits and drugable sites in both type I and II AAA ATPases. Our results may thus guide future chemical tool and drug discovery efforts for the biomedically relevant AAA ATPases. © 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.

The Synthesis and Origin of the Pectic Polysaccharide Rhamnogalacturonan II – Insights from Nucleotide Sugar Formation and Diversity

PubMed Central

Bar-Peled, Maor; Urbanowicz, Breeanna R.; O’Neill, Malcolm A.

2012-01-01

There is compelling evidence showing that the structurally complex pectic polysaccharide rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II) exists in the primary cell wall as a borate cross-linked dimer and that this dimer is required for the assembly of a functional wall and for normal plant growth and development. The results of several studies have also established that RG-II structure and cross-linking is conserved in vascular plants and that RG-II likely appeared early in the evolution of land plants. Two features that distinguish RG-II from other plant polysaccharides are that RG-II is composed of 13 different glycoses linked to each other by up to 22 different glycosidic linkages and that RG-II is the only polysaccharide known to contain both apiose and aceric acid. Thus, one key event in land plant evolution was the emergence of genes encoding nucleotide sugar biosynthetic enzymes that generate the activated forms of apiose and aceric acid required for RG-II synthesis. Many of the genes involved in the generation of the nucleotide sugars used for RG-II synthesis have been functionally characterized. By contrast, only one glycosyltransferase involved in the assembly of RG-II has been identified. Here we provide an overview of the formation of the activated sugars required for RG-II synthesis and point to the possible cellular and metabolic processes that could be involved in assembling and controlling the formation of a borate cross-linked RG-II molecule. We discuss how nucleotide sugar synthesis is compartmentalized and how this may control the flux of precursors to facilitate and regulate the formation of RG-II. PMID:22639675

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vankerschaver, Joris; Liao, Cuicui; Leok, Melvin

The main goal of this paper is to derive an alternative characterization of the multisymplectic form formula for classical field theories using the geometry of the space of boundary values. We review the concept of Type-I/II generating functionals defined on the space of boundary data of a Lagrangian field theory. On the Lagrangian side, we define an analogue of Jacobi's solution to the Hamilton–Jacobi equation for field theories, and we show that by taking variational derivatives of this functional, we obtain an isotropic submanifold of the space of Cauchy data, described by the so-called multisymplectic form formula. As an examplemore » of the latter, we show that Lorentz's reciprocity principle in electromagnetism is a particular instance of the multisymplectic form formula. We also define a Hamiltonian analogue of Jacobi's solution, and we show that this functional is a Type-II generating functional. We finish the paper by defining a similar framework of generating functions for discrete field theories, and we show that for the linear wave equation, we recover the multisymplectic conservation law of Bridges.« less

Amylopectin-g-poly(methylacrylate-co-sodium acrylate): An efficient Cd(II) binder.

PubMed

Sasmal, Dinabandhu; Kolya, Haradhan; Tripathy, Tridib

2016-10-01

Synthesis, characterization and Cd(II) adsorption studies of a novel biodegradable graft copolymer based on partially hydrolysed polymethylacrylate (PMA) grafted amylopectin was reported, which was prepared by first grafting of PMA chains onto the amylopectin backbone followed by partial alkaline hydrolysis. The hydrolysed graft copolymer (PHAP) was characterized by measuring saponification equivalent (SE), FTIR, (1)H NMR and (13)C NMR spectroscopy and thermal analysis (TG/DTG). The graft copolymer was biodegradable. Various operating variables affecting the metal sorption such as, amount of adsorbent, solution pH, contact time, temperature and Cd(II) solution concentration were studied which showed that the maximum adsorption of Cd(II) was found at pH 5.5, temperature 90°C, time 120min, polymer dose, 0.02g/L and initial Cd(II) concentration, 50mg/L. The adsorption data were well described by the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir isotherm model. Metal complexation studies were carried out experimentally using UV-visible, FTIR spectroscopy and theoretically using Density Functional Theory by Gaussian 09 and Gauss view 5.0 programmes which confirms a square planer geometry involving Cd(II) and COO(-) groups. Calculation of the various thermodynamic parameters was also done. The negative value of free energy change indicates the spontaneous nature of the adsorption. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, characterization, spectroscopic and theoretical studies of new zinc(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) complexes based on imine ligand containing 2-aminothiophenol moiety

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Shafaatian, Bita; Mousavi, S. Sedighe; Afshari, Sadegh

2016-11-01

New dimer complexes of zinc(II), copper(II) and nickel(II) were synthesized using the Schiff base ligand which was formed by the condensation of 2-aminothiophenol and 2-hydroxy-5-methyl benzaldehyde. This tridentate Schiff base ligand was coordinated to the metal ions through the NSO donor atoms. In order to prevent the oxidation of the thiole group during the formation of Schiff base and its complexes, all of the reactions were carried out under an inert atmosphere of argon. The X-ray structure of the Schiff base ligand showed that in the crystalline form the SH groups were oxidized to produce a disulfide Schiff base as a new double Schiff base ligand. The molar conductivity values of the complexes in dichloromethane implied the presence of non-electrolyte species. The fluorescence properties of the Schiff base ligand and its complexes were also studied in dichloromethane. The products were characterized by FT-IR, 1H NMR, UV/Vis spectroscopies, elemental analysis, and conductometry. The crystal structure of the double Schiff base was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Furthermore, the density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) level of theory for the determination of the optimized structures of Schiff base complexes.

Preparation and characterization of magnetic allylamine modified graphene oxide-poly(vinyl acetate-co-divinylbenzene) nanocomposite for vortex assisted magnetic solid phase extraction of some metal ions.

PubMed

Khan, Mansoor; Yilmaz, Erkan; Sevinc, Basak; Sahmetlioglu, Ertugrul; Shah, Jasmin; Jan, Muhammad Rasul; Soylak, Mustafa

2016-01-01

Magnetic allylamine modified graphene oxide-poly(vinyl acetate-co-divinylbenzene) (MGO-DVB-VA) was synthesized and used for magnetic solid phase extraction of Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) prior to their determination by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. The adsorbent surface functional group was characterized by using FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. XRD pattern was used to determine the layers of GO. Surface morphology and elemental composition of the adsorbent were evaluated by using SEM and EDX analysis. Various parameters, effecting adsorption efficiency like initial solution pH, adsorbent dose, type and volume of eluent, volume of sample and diverse ions effects were optimized. The preconcentration factor (PF) is 40 for all the metals and the limits of detection for Pb, Cd, Cu, Ni and Co are in the range of 0.37-2.39 µg L(-1) and relative standard deviation below 3.1%. The method was validated by using the method for certified reference materials (Tobacco Leaves (INCT-OBTL-5), Tomato Leaves (1573a), Certified Water (SPS-ww2) and Certified Water (TMDA 64-2)). The method was successfully applied for natural water and food samples. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characterization of full-length MHC class II sequences in Indonesian and Vietnamese cynomolgus macaques.

PubMed

Creager, Hannah M; Becker, Ericka A; Sandman, Kelly K; Karl, Julie A; Lank, Simon M; Bimber, Benjamin N; Wiseman, Roger W; Hughes, Austin L; O'Connor, Shelby L; O'Connor, David H

2011-09-01

In recent years, the use of cynomolgus macaques in biomedical research has increased greatly. However, with the exception of the Mauritian population, knowledge of the MHC class II genetics of the species remains limited. Here, using cDNA cloning and Sanger sequencing, we identified 127 full-length MHC class II alleles in a group of 12 Indonesian and 12 Vietnamese cynomolgus macaques. Forty two of these were completely novel to cynomolgus macaques while 61 extended the sequence of previously identified alleles from partial to full length. This more than doubles the number of full-length cynomolgus macaque MHC class II alleles available in GenBank, significantly expanding the allele library for the species and laying the groundwork for future evolutionary and functional studies.

Biochar prepared from castor oil cake at different temperatures: A voltammetric study applied for Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and Cu(2+) ions preconcentration.

PubMed

Kalinke, Cristiane; Mangrich, Antonio Sálvio; Marcolino-Junior, Luiz H; Bergamini, Márcio F

2016-11-15

Biochar is a carbonaceous material similar produced by pyrolysis of biomass under oxygen-limited conditions. Pyrolysis temperature is an important parameter that can alters biochar characteristics (e.g. surface area, pore size distribution and surface functional groups) and affects it efficacy for adsorption of several probes. In this work, biochar samples have been prepared from castor oil cake using different temperatures of pyrolysis (200-600°C). For the first time, a voltammetric procedure based on carbon paste modified electrode (CPME) was used to investigate the effect of temperature of pyrolysis on the adsorptive characteristics of biochar for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions. Besides the electrochemical techniques, several characterizations have been performed to evaluate the physicochemical properties of biochar in function of the increase of the pyrolysis temperature. Results suggest that biochar pyrolized at 400°C (BC400) showed a better potential for ions adsorption. The CPME modified with BC400 showed better relative current signal with adsorption affinity: Pb(II)>Cd(II)>Cu(II). Kinetic studies revealed that the pseudo-second order model describes more accurately the adsorption process suggesting that the surface reactions control the adsorption rate. Values found for amount adsorbed were 15.94±0.09; 4.29±0.13 and 2.38±0.39μgg(-1) for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions, respectively. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Cross-linking of initiation factor IF3 to Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit by trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II): characterization of two cross-linking sites in 16S rRNA; a possible way of functioning for IF3.

PubMed Central

Ehresmann, C; Moine, H; Mougel, M; Dondon, J; Grunberg-Manago, M; Ebel, J P; Ehresmann, B

1986-01-01

The initiation factor IF3 is platinated with trans-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and cross-linked to Escherichia coli 30S ribosomal subunit. Two cross-linking sites are unambiguously identified on the 16S rRNA: a major one, in the region 819-859 in the central domain, and a minor one, in the region 1506-1529 in the 3'-terminal domain. Specific features of these sequences together with their particular location within the 30S subunit lead us to postulate a role for IF3, that conciliates topographical and functional observations made so far. Images PMID:2425339

New copper(II) complexes with dopamine hydrochloride and vanillymandelic acid: Spectroscopic and thermal characterization

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamed, Gehad G.; Nour El-Dien, F. A.; El-Nahas, R. G.

2011-10-01

The dopamine derivatives participate in the regulation of wide variety of physiological functions in the human body and in medication life. Increase and/or decrease in the concentration of dopamine in human body reflect an indication for diseases such as Schizophrenia and/or Parkinson diseases. The Cu(II) chelates with coupled products of dopamine hydrochloride (DO.HCl) and vanillymandelic acid (VMA) with 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP) are prepared and characterized. Different physico-chemical techniques namely IR, magnetic and UV-vis spectra are used to investigate the structure of these chelates. Cu(II) forms 1:1 (Cu:DO) and 1:2 (Cu:VMA) chelates. DO behave as a uninegative tridentate ligand in binding to the Cu(II) ion while VMA behaves as a uninegative bidentate ligand. IR spectra show that the DO is coordinated to the Cu(II) ion in a tridentate manner with ONO donor sites of the phenolic- OH, -NH and carbonyl- O, while VMA is coordinated with OO donor sites of the phenolic- OH and -NH. Magnetic moment measurements reveal the presence of Cu(II) chelates in octahedral and square planar geometries with DO and VMA, respectively. The thermal decomposition of Cu(II) complexes is studied using thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. The activation thermodynamic parameters, such as, energy of activation, enthalpy, entropy and free energy change of the complexes are evaluated and the relative thermal stability of the complexes are discussed.

[Resistivity and hemodynamic reactions of essentially healthy pilots to the passive orthostatic test].

PubMed

Bondareva, S V; Vartbaronov, R A; Ponomarenko, K V; Bagaudinov, K G; Khomenko, M N

2009-01-01

The paper analyzes the data of expert tilt testing (-80 degrees, 20 min.) of 66 essentially healthy pilots. Hemodynamic reactions were characterized based on the standard concept of functional classes (FC). Good test tolerance was recorded in 86.4% of cases among which 36.4% were referred to FC-I and 50%--to FC-II. Adequate test tolerance (FC-II) was recorded in 10.6%; reduced and poor test tolerance (FC-IV and FC-V)--in 3%. According to ECG and computerized tachooscillography, the adaptive hemodynamic reactions were optimum in pilots of group FC-I as compared with group FC-II and all the more so when compared with FC-III. The last two groups showed some objective symptoms that had not been looked for in the past (a distinct lability of blood pressure, and incomplete hypertensive and hypotensive reactions) that differentiated these groups from FC-I. Results of the analysis made it possible to put forward additional clinical functional criteria to assess tilt tolerance of pilots with different levels of functional tolerance.

Functional characterizations of malonyl-CoA:acyl carrier protein transacylase (MCAT) in Eimeria tenella.

PubMed

Sun, Mingfei; Zhu, Guan; Qin, Zonghua; Wu, Caiyan; Lv, Minna; Liao, Shenquan; Qi, Nanshan; Xie, Mingquan; Cai, Jianping

2012-07-01

Eimeria tenella, an apicomplexan parasite in chickens, possesses an apicoplast and its associated metabolic pathways including the Type II fatty acid synthesis (FAS II). Malonyl-CoA:acyl-carry protein transacylase (MCAT) encoded by the fabD gene is one of the essential enzymes in the FAS II system. In the present study, the entire E. tenella MCAT gene (EtfabD) was cloned and sequenced. Immunolabeling located this protein in the apicoplast organelle in coccidial sporozoites. Functional replacement of the fabD gene with amber mutation of E. coli temperature-sensitive LA2-89 strain by E. tenella EtMCAT demonstrated that EcFabD and EtMCAT perform the same biochemical function. The recombinant EtMCAT protein was expressed and its general biochemical features were also determined. An alkaloid natural product corytuberine (CAS: 517-56-6) could specifically inhibit the EtMCAT activity (IC(50)=16.47μM), but the inhibition of parasite growth in vitro by corytuberine was very weak (the predicted MIC(50)=0.65mM). Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Isolation and characterization of the stage-specific cytochrome b small subunit (CybS) of Ascaris suum complex II from the aerobic respiratory chain of larval mitochondria.

PubMed

Amino, Hisako; Osanai, Arihiro; Miyadera, Hiroko; Shinjyo, Noriko; Tomitsuka, Eriko; Taka, Hikari; Mineki, Reiko; Murayama, Kimie; Takamiya, Shinzaburo; Aoki, Takashi; Miyoshi, Hideto; Sakamoto, Kimitoshi; Kojima, Somei; Kita, Kiyoshi

2003-05-01

We recently reported that Ascaris suum mitochondria express stage-specific isoforms of complex II: the flavoprotein subunit and the small subunit of cytochrome b (CybS) of the larval complex II differ from those of adult enzyme, while two complex IIs share a common iron-sulfur cluster subunit (Ip). In the present study, A. suum larval complex II was highly purified to characterize the larval cytochrome b subunits in more detail. Peptide mass fingerprinting and N-terminal amino acid sequencing showed that the larval and adult cytochrome b (CybL) proteins are identical. In contrast, cDNA sequences revealed that the small subunit of larval cytochrome b (CybS(L)) is distinct from the adult CybS (CybS(A)). Furthermore, Northern analysis and immunoblotting showed stage-specific expression of CybS(L) and CybS(A) in larval and adult mitochondria, respectively. Enzymatic assays revealed that the ratio of rhodoquinol-fumarate reductase (RQFR) to succinate-ubiquinone reductase (SQR) activities and the K(m) values for quinones are almost identical for the adult and larval complex IIs, but that the fumarate reductase (FRD) activity is higher for the adult form than for the larval form. These results indicate that the adult and larval A. suum complex IIs have different properties than the complex II of the mammalian host and that the larval complex II is able to function as a RQFR. Such RQFR activity of the larval complex II would be essential for rapid adaptation to the dramatic change of oxygen availability during infection of the host.

Functional and Biochemical Characterization of Three Recombinant Human Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Mutants: Zacatecas, Vanua-Lava and Viangchan.

PubMed

Gómez-Manzo, Saúl; Marcial-Quino, Jaime; Vanoye-Carlo, America; Serrano-Posada, Hugo; González-Valdez, Abigail; Martínez-Rosas, Víctor; Hernández-Ochoa, Beatriz; Sierra-Palacios, Edgar; Castillo-Rodríguez, Rosa Angélica; Cuevas-Cruz, Miguel; Rodríguez-Bustamante, Eduardo; Arreguin-Espinosa, Roberto

2016-05-21

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency in humans causes severe disease, varying from mostly asymptomatic individuals to patients showing neonatal jaundice, acute hemolysis episodes or chronic nonspherocytic hemolytic anemia. In order to understand the effect of the mutations in G6PD gene function and its relation with G6PD deficiency severity, we report the construction, cloning and expression as well as the detailed kinetic and stability characterization of three purified clinical variants of G6PD that present in the Mexican population: G6PD Zacatecas (Class I), Vanua-Lava (Class II) and Viangchan (Class II). For all the G6PD mutants, we obtained low purification yield and altered kinetic parameters compared with Wild Type (WT). Our results show that the mutations, regardless of the distance from the active site where they are located, affect the catalytic properties and structural parameters and that these changes could be associated with the clinical presentation of the deficiency. Specifically, the structural characterization of the G6PD Zacatecas mutant suggests that the R257L mutation have a strong effect on the global stability of G6PD favoring an unstable active site. Using computational analysis, we offer a molecular explanation of the effects of these mutations on the active site.

Graphical analysis for gel morphology II. New mathematical approach for stretched exponential function with β>1

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hashimoto, Chihiro; Panizza, Pascal; Rouch, Jacques; Ushiki, Hideharu

2005-10-01

A new analytical concept is applied to the kinetics of the shrinking process of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPA) gels. When PNIPA gels are put into hot water above the critical temperature, two-step shrinking is observed and the secondary shrinking of gels is fitted well by a stretched exponential function. The exponent β characterizing the stretched exponential is always higher than one, although there are few analytical concepts for the stretched exponential function with β>1. As a new interpretation for this function, we propose a superposition of step (Heaviside) function and a new distribution function of characteristic time is deduced.

Photoisomerization of ruthenium(ii) aquo complexes: mechanistic insights and application development.

PubMed

Hirahara, Masanari; Yagi, Masayuki

2017-03-21

Ruthenium(ii) complexes with polypyridyl ligands have been extensively studied as promising functional molecules due to their unique photochemical and photophysical properties as well as redox properties. In this context, we report the photoisomerization of distal-[Ru(tpy)(pynp)OH 2 ] 2+ (d-1) (tpy = 2,2';6',2''-terpyridine, pynp = 2-(2-pyridyl)-1,8-naphthyridine) to proximal-[Ru(tpy)(pynp)OH 2 ] 2+ (p-1), which has not been previously characterized for polypyridyl ruthenium(ii) aquo complexes. Herein, we review recent progress made by our group on the mechanistic insights and application developments related to the photoisomerization of polypyridyl ruthenium(ii) aquo complexes. We report a new strategic synthesis of dinuclear ruthenium(ii) complexes that can act as an active water oxidation catalyst, as well as the development of unique visible-light-responsive giant vesicles, both of which were achieved based on photoisomerization.

Infrastructure development for radioactive materials at the NSLS-II

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Sprouster, D. J.; Weidner, R.; Ghose, S. K.

2018-02-01

The X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) Beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II is a multipurpose instrument designed for high-resolution, high-energy X-ray scattering techniques. In this article, the capabilities, opportunities and recent developments in the characterization of radioactive materials at XPD are described. The overarching goal of this work is to provide researchers access to advanced synchrotron techniques suited to the structural characterization of materials for advanced nuclear energy systems. XPD is a new beamline providing high photon flux for X-ray Diffraction, Pair Distribution Function analysis and Small Angle X-ray Scattering. The infrastructure and software described here extend the existing capabilitiesmore » at XPD to accommodate radioactive materials. Such techniques will contribute crucial information to the characterization and quantification of advanced materials for nuclear energy applications. We describe the automated radioactive sample collection capabilities and recent X-ray Diffraction and Small Angle X-ray Scattering results from neutron irradiated reactor pressure vessel steels and oxide dispersion strengthened steels.« less

Infrastructure development for radioactive materials at the NSLS-II

DOE PAGES

Sprouster, David J.; Weidner, R.; Ghose, S. K.; ...

2017-11-04

The X-ray Powder Diffraction (XPD) Beamline at the National Synchrotron Light Source-II is a multipurpose instrument designed for high-resolution, high-energy X-ray scattering techniques. In this paper, the capabilities, opportunities and recent developments in the characterization of radioactive materials at XPD are described. The overarching goal of this work is to provide researchers access to advanced synchrotron techniques suited to the structural characterization of materials for advanced nuclear energy systems. XPD is a new beamline providing high photon flux for X-ray Diffraction, Pair Distribution Function analysis and Small Angle X-ray Scattering. The infrastructure and software described here extend the existing capabilitiesmore » at XPD to accommodate radioactive materials. Such techniques will contribute crucial information to the characterization and quantification of advanced materials for nuclear energy applications. Finally, we describe the automated radioactive sample collection capabilities and recent X-ray Diffraction and Small Angle X-ray Scattering results from neutron irradiated reactor pressure vessel steels and oxide dispersion strengthened steels.« less

Fe(II)-dependent, uridine-5'-monophosphate α-ketoglutarate dioxygenases in the synthesis of 5'-modified nucleosides.

PubMed

Yang, Zhaoyong; Unrine, Jason; Nonaka, Koichi; Van Lanen, Steven G

2012-01-01

Several nucleoside antibiotics from various actinomycetes contain a high-carbon sugar nucleoside that is putatively derived via C-5'-modification of the canonical nucleoside. Two prominent examples are the 5'-C-carbamoyluridine- and 5'-C-glycyluridine-containing nucleosides, both families of which were discovered using screens aimed at finding inhibitors of bacterial translocase I involved in the assembly of the bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall. A shared open reading frame was identified whose gene product is similar to enzymes of the nonheme, Fe(II)-, and α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases. The enzyme LipL from the biosynthetic pathway for A-90289, a 5'-C-glycyluridine-containing nucleoside, was functionally characterized as an UMP:α-ketoglutarate dioxygenase, providing the enzymatic imperative for the generation of a nucleoside-5'-aldehdye that serves as a downstream substrate for an aldol or aldol-type reaction leading to the high-carbon sugar scaffold. The functional assignment of LipL and the homologous enzymes-including bioinformatic analysis, iron detection and quantification, and assay development for biochemical characterization-is presented herein. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Direct evidence for functional smooth muscle myosin II in the 10S self-inhibited monomeric conformation in airway smooth muscle cells

PubMed Central

Milton, Deanna L.; Schneck, Amy N.; Ziech, Dominique A.; Ba, Mariam; Facemyer, Kevin C.; Halayko, Andrew J.; Baker, Jonathan E.; Gerthoffer, William T.; Cremo, Christine R.

2011-01-01

The 10S self-inhibited monomeric conformation of myosin II has been characterized extensively in vitro. Based upon its structural and functional characteristics, it has been proposed to be an assembly-competent myosin pool in equilibrium with filaments in cells. It is known that myosin filaments can assemble and disassemble in nonmuscle cells, and in some smooth muscle cells, but whether or not the disassembled pool contains functional 10S myosin has not been determined. Here we address this question using human airway smooth muscle cells (hASMCs). Using two antibodies against different epitopes on smooth muscle myosin II (SMM), two distinct pools of SMM, diffuse, and stress-fiber–associated, were visualized by immunocytochemical staining. The two SMM pools were functional in that they could be interconverted in two ways: (i) by exposure to 10S- versus filament-promoting buffer conditions, and (ii) by exposure to a peptide that shifts the filament-10S equilibrium toward filaments in vitro by a known mechanism that requires the presence of the 10S conformation. The effect of the peptide was not due to a trivial increase in SMM phosphorylation, and its specificity was demonstrated by use of a scrambled peptide, which had no effect. Based upon these data, we conclude that hASMCs contain a significant pool of functional SMM in the 10S conformation that can assemble into filaments upon changing cellular conditions. This study provides unique direct evidence for the presence of a significant pool of functional myosin in the 10S conformation in cells. PMID:21205888

Square-antiprismatic eight-coordinate complexes of divalent first-row transition metal cations: a density functional theory exploration of the electronic-structural landscape.

PubMed

Conradie, Jeanet; Patra, Ashis K; Harrop, Todd C; Ghosh, Abhik

2015-02-16

Density functional theory (in the form of the PW91, BP86, OLYP, and B3LYP exchange-correlation functionals) has been used to map out the low-energy states of a series of eight-coordinate square-antiprismatic (D2d) first-row transition metal complexes, involving Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II), along with a pair of tetradentate N4 ligands. Of the five complexes, the Mn(II) and Fe(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized structurally and spectroscopically, whereas the other three are as yet unknown. Each N4 ligand consists of a pair of terminal imidazole units linked by an o-phenylenediimine unit. The imidazole units are the strongest ligands in these complexes and dictate the spatial disposition of the metal three-dimensional orbitals. Thus, the dx(2)-y(2) orbital, whose lobes point directly at the coordinating imidazole nitrogens, has the highest orbital energy among the five d orbitals, whereas the dxy orbital has the lowest orbital energy. In general, the following orbital ordering (in order of increasing orbital energy) was found to be operative: dxy < dxz = dyz ≤ dz(2) < dx(2)-y(2). The square-antiprism geometry does not lead to large energy gaps between the d orbitals, which leads to an S = 2 ground state for the Fe(II) complex. Nevertheless, the dxy orbital has significantly lower energy relative to that of the dxz and dyz orbitals. Accordingly, the ground state of the Fe(II) complex corresponds unambiguously to a dxy(2)dxz(1)dyz(1)dz(2)(1)dx(2)-y(2)(1) electronic configuration. Unsurprisingly, the Mn(II) complex has an S = 5/2 ground state and no low-energy d-d excited states within 1.0 eV of the ground state. The Co(II) complex, on the other hand, has both a low-lying S = 1/2 state and multiple low-energy S = 3/2 states. Very long metal-nitrogen bonds are predicted for the Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes; these bonds may be too fragile to survive in solution or in the solid state, and the complexes may therefore not be isolable. Overall, the different exchange-correlation functionals provided a qualitatively consistent and plausible picture of the low-energy d-d excited states of the complexes.

Selective Solid-Phase Extraction of Zinc(II) from Environmental Water Samples Using Ion Imprinted Activated Carbon.

PubMed

Moniri, Elham; Panahi, Homayon Ahmad; Aghdam, Khaledeh; Sharif, Amir Abdollah Mehrdad

2015-01-01

A simple ion imprinted amino-functionalized sorbent was synthesized by coupling activated carbon with iminodiacetic acid, a functional compound for metal chelating, through cyanoric chloride spacer. The resulting sorbent has been characterized using FTIR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis and evaluated for the preconcentration and determination of trace Zn(II) in environmental water samples. The optimum pH value for sorption of the metal ion was 6-7.5. The sorption capacity of the functionalized sorbent was 66.6 mg/g. The chelating sorbent can be reused for 10 cycles of sorption-desorption without any significant change in sorption capacity. A recovery of 100% was obtained for the metal ion with 0.5 M nitric acid as the eluent. Compared with nonimprinted polymer particles, the prepared Zn-imprinted sorbent showed high adsorption capacity, significant selectivity, and good site accessibility for Zn(II). Scatchard analysis revealed that the homogeneous binding sites were formed in the polymer. The equilibrium sorption data of Zn(II) by modified resin were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Redlich-Peterson models. Based on equilibrium adsorption data, the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin constants were determined as 0.139, 12.82, and 2.34, respectively, at 25°C.

Small-Molecule Fluorescent Sensors for Investigating Zinc Metalloneurochemistry

PubMed Central

Nolan, Elizabeth M.; Lippard, Stephen J.

2008-01-01

Conspectus Metal ions are involved in many neurobiological processes relevant to human health and disease. The metalloneurochemistry of Zn(II) is of substantial current interest. Zinc is the second most abundant d-block metal ion in the human brain and its distribution varies, with relatively high concentrations found in the hippocampus. Brain zinc is generally divided into two categories: protein-bound and loosely-bound. The latter pool is also referred to as histochemically observable, chelatable, labile, or mobile zinc. The neurophysiological and neuropathological significance of such mobile Zn(II) remains enigmatic. Studies of Zn(II) distribution, translocation, and function in vivo require tools for its detection. Because Zn(II) has a closed-shell d10 configuration and no convenient spectroscopic signature, fluorescence is a suitable method for monitoring Zn(II) in biological contexts. This Account summarizes work by our laboratory addressing the design, preparation, characterization, and use of small-molecule fluorescent sensors for imaging mobile Zn(II) in living cells and samples of brain tissue. These sensors provide “turn-on” or ratiometric Zn(II) detection in aqueous solution at neutral pH. By making alterations to the Zn(II)-binding unit and fluorophore platform, we have devised sensors with varied photophysical and metal-binding properties. We used several of these probes to image Zn(II) distribution, uptake, and mobilization in a variety of cell types, including neuronal cultures. Goals for the future include developing strategies for multi-color imaging, further defining the quenching and turn-on mechanisms of the sensors, and employing the probes to elucidate the functional significance of Zn(II) in neurobiology. PMID:18989940

A System of Poisson Equations for a Nonconstant Varadhan Functional on a Finite State Space

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cavazos-Cadena, Rolando; Hernandez-Hernandez, Daniel

2006-01-15

Given a discrete-time Markov chain with finite state space and a stationary transition matrix, a system of 'local' Poisson equations characterizing the (exponential) Varadhan's functional J(.) is given. The main results, which are derived for an arbitrary transition structure so that J(.) may be nonconstant, are as follows: (i) Any solution to the local Poisson equations immediately renders Varadhan's functional, and (ii) a solution of the system always exist. The proof of this latter result is constructive and suggests a method to solve the local Poisson equations.

Novel homo- and heterobinuclear ball-type phthalocyanines: synthesis and electrochemical, electrical, EPR and MCD spectral properties.

PubMed

Odabaş, Zafer; Dumludağ, Fatih; Ozkaya, Ali Riza; Yamauchi, Seigo; Kobayashi, Nagao; Bekaroğlu, Ozer

2010-09-21

The mononuclear Fe(II) phthalocyanine 2 and ball-type homobinuclear Fe(II)-Fe(II) and Cu(II)-Cu(II) phthalocyanines, 3 and 4 respectively, were synthesized from the corresponding 4,4'-[1,1'-methylenebis-(naphthalene-2,1-diyl)]bis(oxy)diphthalonitrile 1, and then ball-type heterobinuclear Fe(II)-Cu(II) phthalocyanine 5 was synthesized from 2. The novel compounds 4 and 5 have been characterized by elemental analysis, UV/vis, IR and MALDI-TOF mass spectroscopies. Electron paramagnetic resonance and magnetic circular dichroism measurements of 3, 4 and 5 were also examined. The voltammetric measurements of the complexes showed the formation of various electrochemically stable ligand- and metal-based mixed-valence species, due to the intramolecular interactions between the two MPc units, especially in ball-type binuclear iron(II) phthalocyanine. Impedance spectroscopy and d.c. conductivity measurements of 4 and 5 were performed as a function of temperature (295-523 K) and frequency (40-10(5) Hz). While room temperature impedance spectra consist of a curved line, a transformation into a full semicircle with increasing temperature was observed for both compounds.

Molecular Architecture of the Human Mediator–RNA Polymerase II–TFIIF Assembly

PubMed Central

Bernecky, Carrie; Grob, Patricia; Ebmeier, Christopher C.; Nogales, Eva; Taatjes, Dylan J.

2011-01-01

The macromolecular assembly required to initiate transcription of protein-coding genes, known as the Pre-Initiation Complex (PIC), consists of multiple protein complexes and is approximately 3.5 MDa in size. At the heart of this assembly is the Mediator complex, which helps regulate PIC activity and interacts with the RNA polymerase II (pol II) enzyme. The structure of the human Mediator–pol II interface is not well-characterized, whereas attempts to structurally define the Mediator–pol II interaction in yeast have relied on incomplete assemblies of Mediator and/or pol II and have yielded inconsistent interpretations. We have assembled the complete, 1.9 MDa human Mediator–pol II–TFIIF complex from purified components and have characterized its structural organization using cryo-electron microscopy and single-particle reconstruction techniques. The orientation of pol II within this assembly was determined by crystal structure docking and further validated with projection matching experiments, allowing the structural organization of the entire human PIC to be envisioned. Significantly, pol II orientation within the Mediator–pol II–TFIIF assembly can be reconciled with past studies that determined the location of other PIC components relative to pol II itself. Pol II surfaces required for interacting with TFIIB, TFIIE, and promoter DNA (i.e., the pol II cleft) are exposed within the Mediator–pol II–TFIIF structure; RNA exit is unhindered along the RPB4/7 subunits; upstream and downstream DNA is accessible for binding additional factors; and no major structural re-organization is necessary to accommodate the large, multi-subunit TFIIH or TFIID complexes. The data also reveal how pol II binding excludes Mediator–CDK8 subcomplex interactions and provide a structural basis for Mediator-dependent control of PIC assembly and function. Finally, parallel structural analysis of Mediator–pol II complexes lacking TFIIF reveal that TFIIF plays a key role in stabilizing pol II orientation within the assembly. PMID:21468301

Alkyl sulfonic acide hydrazides: Synthesis, characterization, computational studies and anticancer, antibacterial, anticarbonic anhydrase II (hCA II) activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

O. Ozdemir, Ummuhan; İlbiz, Firdevs; Balaban Gunduzalp, Ayla; Ozbek, Neslihan; Karagoz Genç, Zuhal; Hamurcu, Fatma; Tekin, Suat

2015-11-01

Methane sulfonic acide hydrazide, CH3SO2NHNH2 (1), ethane sulfonic acide hydrazide, CH3CH2SO2NHNH2 (2), propane sulfonic acide hydrazide, CH3CH2CH2SO2NHNH2 (3) and butane sulfonic acide hydrazide, CH3CH2CH2CH2SO2NHNH2 (4) have been synthesized as homologous series and characterized by using elemental analysis, spectrophotometric methods (1H-13C NMR, FT-IR, LC-MS). In order to gain insight into the structure of the compounds, we have performed computational studies by using 6-311G(d, p) functional in which B3LYP functional were implemented. The geometry of the sulfonic acide hydrazides were optimized at the DFT method with Gaussian 09 program package. A conformational analysis of compounds were performed by using NMR theoretical calculations with DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(2d, 2p) level of theory by applying the (GIAO) approach. The anticancer activities of these compounds on MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line investigated by comparing IC50 values. The antibacterial activities of synthesized compounds were studied against Gram positive bacteria; Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, Bacillus cereus NRRL-B-3711, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 and Gram negative bacteria; Escherichia coli ATCC 11230, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442, Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 70063 by using the disc diffusion method. The inhibition activities of these compounds on carbonic anhydrase II enzyme (hCA II) have been investigated by comparing IC50 and Ki values. The biological activity screening shows that butane sulfonic acide hydrazide (4) has more activity than the others against tested breast cancer cell lines MCF-7, Gram negative/Gram positive bacteria and carbonic anhydrase II (hCA II) isoenzyme.

Radiation grafting of acrylamide and maleic acid on chitosan and effective application for removal of Co(II) from aqueous solutions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Saleh, Alaaeldine Sh.; Ibrahim, Ahmed G.; Elsharma, Emad M.; Metwally, Essam; Siyam, Tharwat

2018-03-01

The graft copolymerization has been proven as a superior polymerization technique because it combines the functional advantages of the grafted and base polymers. In this work, the radiation-induced grafting of acrylamide (AAm) and maleic acid (MA) onto chitosan (CTS) was developed and optimized by determining the grafting percentage and efficiency as a function of grafting conditions such as AAm, MA, and CTS concentrations, and absorbed dose. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis (FTIR) confirmed the graft copolymerization. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) further characterized the grafted copolymers and showed their high thermal stability. Using batch sorption experiments and 60Co as a radiotracer, poly(CTS-AAm) and poly(CTS-MA) were evaluated for Co(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The Co(II) removal increases with increasing time, pH, polymer, and Co(II) concentrations. Experimentally, P(CTS-AAm) and P(CTS-MA) show high sorption capacities of Co(II), i.e. 150 mg g-1 and 421 mg g-1, respectively, which makes them potential sorbents of Co(II) for water and wastewater treatment. Finally, the Co(II) sorption was examined using sorption isotherm and kinetic models. The sorption was best fitted to Langmuir model which suggests the sorption is of chemisorption type. On the other hand, the sorption kinetics was best represented by Elovich model which also indicates the chemical nature of Co(II) sorption on P(CTS-AAm) and P(CTS-MA).

Selective Adsorption of Pb(II) from Aqueous Solution by Triethylenetetramine-Grafted Polyacrylamide/Vermiculite

PubMed Central

Gu, Shiqing; Wang, Lan; Mao, Xinyou; Yang, Liping; Wang, Chuanyi

2018-01-01

Amine groups play significant roles in polymeric composites for heavy metals removal. However, generating a composite with a large number of functional and stable amine groups based on clay is still a challenge. In this work, a new amine-functionalized adsorbent based on acid-activated vermiculite (a-Verm) was prepared by organic modification of silane coupling agent as bridge, followed by in situ polymerization of acrylamide (AM) and further grafting of triethylene tetramine (TETA). The obtained polymeric composite g-PAM/OVerm was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermal analysis (TG/DTG), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analyses, confirming that amine groups were successfully grafted onto the surface of Verm. The efficacy g-PAM/OVerm for removing Pb(II) was tested. The adsorption equilibrium data on g-PAM/OVerm was in good accordance with the Langmuir adsorption isotherms, and the adsorption maximal value of Pb(II) was 219.4 mg·g−1. The adsorption kinetic data fit the pseudo-second-order kinetic model well. Additionally, g-PAM/OVerm has better selectivity for Pb(II) ion in comparison with Zn(II), Cd(II) and Cu(II) ions. The present work shows that g-PAM/OVerm holds great potential for removing Pb(II) from wastewater, and provides a new and efficient method for the removal of heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater. PMID:29597288

Chronic plus binge ethanol feeding induces myocardial oxidative stress, mitochondrial and cardiovascular dysfunction, and steatosis

PubMed Central

Matyas, Csaba; Varga, Zoltan V.; Mukhopadhyay, Partha; Paloczi, Janos; Lajtos, Tamas; Erdelyi, Katalin; Nemeth, Balazs T.; Nan, Mintong; Hasko, Gyorgy; Gao, Bin

2016-01-01

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy in humans develops in response to chronic excessive alcohol consumption; however, good models of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy in mice are lacking. Herein we describe mouse models of alcoholic cardiomyopathies induced by chronic and binge ethanol (EtOH) feeding and characterize detailed hemodynamic alterations, mitochondrial function, and redox signaling in these models. Mice were fed a liquid diet containing 5% EtOH for 10, 20, and 40 days (d) combined with single or multiple EtOH binges (5 g/kg body wt). Isocalorically pair-fed mice served as controls. Left ventricular (LV) function and morphology were assessed by invasive pressure-volume conductance approach and by echocardiography. Mitochondrial complex (I, II, IV) activities, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) levels, gene expression of markers of oxidative stress (gp91phox, p47phox), mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC1α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α), and fibrosis were examined. Cardiac steatosis and fibrosis were investigated by histological/immunohistochemical methods. Chronic and binge EtOH feeding (already in 10 days EtOH plus single binge group) was characterized by contractile dysfunction (decreased slope of end-systolic pressure-volume relationship and preload recruitable stroke work), impaired relaxation (decreased time constant of LV pressure decay and maximal slope of systolic pressure decrement), and vascular dysfunction (impaired arterial elastance and lower total peripheral resistance). This was accompanied by enhanced myocardial oxidative/nitrative stress (3-NT; gp91phox; p47phox; angiotensin II receptor, type 1a) and deterioration of mitochondrial complex I, II, IV activities and mitochondrial biogenesis, excessive cardiac steatosis, and higher mortality. Collectively, chronic plus binge EtOH feeding in mice leads to alcohol-induced cardiomyopathies (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism models) characterized by increased myocardial oxidative/nitrative stress, impaired mitochondrial function and biogenesis, and enhanced cardiac steatosis. PMID:27106042

Chronic plus binge ethanol feeding induces myocardial oxidative stress, mitochondrial and cardiovascular dysfunction, and steatosis.

PubMed

Matyas, Csaba; Varga, Zoltan V; Mukhopadhyay, Partha; Paloczi, Janos; Lajtos, Tamas; Erdelyi, Katalin; Nemeth, Balazs T; Nan, Mintong; Hasko, Gyorgy; Gao, Bin; Pacher, Pal

2016-06-01

Alcoholic cardiomyopathy in humans develops in response to chronic excessive alcohol consumption; however, good models of alcohol-induced cardiomyopathy in mice are lacking. Herein we describe mouse models of alcoholic cardiomyopathies induced by chronic and binge ethanol (EtOH) feeding and characterize detailed hemodynamic alterations, mitochondrial function, and redox signaling in these models. Mice were fed a liquid diet containing 5% EtOH for 10, 20, and 40 days (d) combined with single or multiple EtOH binges (5 g/kg body wt). Isocalorically pair-fed mice served as controls. Left ventricular (LV) function and morphology were assessed by invasive pressure-volume conductance approach and by echocardiography. Mitochondrial complex (I, II, IV) activities, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) levels, gene expression of markers of oxidative stress (gp91phox, p47phox), mitochondrial biogenesis (PGC1α, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α), and fibrosis were examined. Cardiac steatosis and fibrosis were investigated by histological/immunohistochemical methods. Chronic and binge EtOH feeding (already in 10 days EtOH plus single binge group) was characterized by contractile dysfunction (decreased slope of end-systolic pressure-volume relationship and preload recruitable stroke work), impaired relaxation (decreased time constant of LV pressure decay and maximal slope of systolic pressure decrement), and vascular dysfunction (impaired arterial elastance and lower total peripheral resistance). This was accompanied by enhanced myocardial oxidative/nitrative stress (3-NT; gp91phox; p47phox; angiotensin II receptor, type 1a) and deterioration of mitochondrial complex I, II, IV activities and mitochondrial biogenesis, excessive cardiac steatosis, and higher mortality. Collectively, chronic plus binge EtOH feeding in mice leads to alcohol-induced cardiomyopathies (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism models) characterized by increased myocardial oxidative/nitrative stress, impaired mitochondrial function and biogenesis, and enhanced cardiac steatosis. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Radiometric characterization of an LWIR, type-II strained layer superlattice pBiBn photodetector

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Treider, L. A.; Morath, C. P.; Cowan, V. M.; Tian, Z. B.; Krishna, S.

2015-05-01

Type-II Strained Layer Superlattice (T2SLS) infrared photodetectors have been in development over the last decade. T2SLS offers a theoretically longer Auger recombination lifetime than traditional mercury cadmium telluride (MCT), which presumably translates to infrared detectors with lower dark-current and higher operating temperatures. However, these improvements did not materialize due to the presence of Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) defects in T2SLSs, which limits the recombination lifetime well below the Auger-limit. With the recent introduction of the pBiBn, and other similar unipolar barrier detectors, T2SLS material has seen renewed interest since these designs ideally eliminate the SRH-generation and surface currents while retaining the other potential advantages of T2SLS: reduced manufacturing cost, better availability of a durable state-side manufacturing base, ability to tune the cutoff wavelength, and better uniformity. Here, an electrical and optical characterization of a long-wave, pBiBn detector with a T2SLS absorber is presented. Dark-current, spectral response and optical response were measured as functions of temperature and bias. Activation energy was then determined as a function of bias from the dark-current measurements. Quantum efficiency was also determined as a function of bias from the optical response measurements. Additionally, noise spectrum measurements were taken as a function of bias.

The Staphylococcus aureus group II biotin protein ligase BirA is an effective regulator of biotin operon transcription and requires the DNA binding domain for full enzymatic activity.

PubMed

Henke, Sarah K; Cronan, John E

2016-11-01

Group II biotin protein ligases (BPLs) are characterized by the presence of an N-terminal DNA binding domain that functions in transcriptional regulation of the genes of biotin biosynthesis and transport. The Staphylococcus aureus Group II BPL which is called BirA has been reported to bind an imperfect inverted repeat located upstream of the biotin synthesis operon. DNA binding by other Group II BPLs requires dimerization of the protein which is triggered by synthesis of biotinoyl-AMP (biotinoyl-adenylate), the intermediate in the ligation of biotin to its cognate target proteins. However, the S. aureus BirA was reported to dimerize and bind DNA in the absence of biotin or biotinoyl-AMP (Soares da Costa et al. (2014) Mol Microbiol 91: 110-120). These in vitro results argued that the protein would be unable to respond to the levels of biotin or acceptor proteins and thus would lack the regulatory properties of the other characterized BirA proteins. We tested the regulatory function of the protein using an in vivo model system and examined its DNA binding properties in vitro using electrophoretic mobility shift and fluorescence anisotropy analyses. We report that the S. aureus BirA is an effective regulator of biotin operon transcription and that the prior data can be attributed to artifacts of mobility shift analyses. We also report that deletion of the DNA binding domain of the S. aureus BirA results in loss of virtually all of its ligation activity. © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Characterization of an O-Demethylase of Desulfitobacterium hafniense DCB-2

PubMed Central

Studenik, Sandra; Vogel, Michaela

2012-01-01

Besides acetogenic bacteria, only Desulfitobacterium has been described to utilize and cleave phenyl methyl ethers under anoxic conditions; however, no ether-cleaving O-demethylases from the latter organisms have been identified and investigated so far. In this study, genes of an operon encoding O-demethylase components of Desulfitobacterium hafniense strain DCB-2 were cloned and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Methyltransferases I and II were characterized. Methyltransferase I mediated the ether cleavage and the transfer of the methyl group to the superreduced corrinoid of a corrinoid protein. Desulfitobacterium methyltransferase I had 66% identity (80% similarity) to that of the vanillate-demethylating methyltransferase I (OdmB) of Acetobacterium dehalogenans. The substrate spectrum was also similar to that of the latter enzyme; however, Desulfitobacterium methyltransferase I showed a higher level of activity for guaiacol and used methyl chloride as a substrate. Methyltransferase II catalyzed the transfer of the methyl group from the methylated corrinoid protein to tetrahydrofolate. It also showed a high identity (∼70%) to methyltransferases II of A. dehalogenans. The corrinoid protein was produced in E. coli as cofactor-free apoprotein that could be reconstituted with hydroxocobalamin or methylcobalamin to function in the methyltransferase I and II assays. Six COG3894 proteins, which were assumed to function as activating enzymes mediating the reduction of the corrinoid protein after an inadvertent oxidation of the corrinoid cofactor, were studied with respect to their abilities to reduce the recombinant reconstituted corrinoid protein. Of these six proteins, only one was found to catalyze the reduction of the corrinoid protein. PMID:22522902

Characterizing adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder and comorbid borderline personality disorder: ADHD symptoms, psychopathology, cognitive functioning and psychosocial factors.

PubMed

O'Malley, G K; McHugh, L; Mac Giollabhui, N; Bramham, J

2016-01-01

To characterize adults with comorbid attention-deficit/hyperactivity-disorder (ADHD) and borderline personality disorder (BPD) with regard to ADHD symptoms, psychopathology, cognitive functioning and psychosocial factors. A between-group design compared a group of individuals diagnosed with ADHD (n=40) with a group diagnosed with BPD and who also met the criteria for ADHD (ADHD+BPD) (n=20). Significant differences were observed for both childhood and current impulsivity symptoms, whereby ADHD+BPD exhibited increased impulsivity; no differences on self-report and cognitive measures of impulsivity were reported. The ADHD+BPD group scored significantly higher on measures of depression, anxiety and numerous other axis I and II conditions. The ADHD+BPD group scored significantly lower on most measures of intellectual functioning and attention, however largely not on those relating to response inhibition. Furthermore, group differences were observed for psychosocial factors, including education, substance use and criminal record. Comorbid ADHD and BPD is characterized by more symptoms of impulsivity, additional psychopathology, comparatively lower intellectual and attentional functioning and increased psychosocial difficulties. Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

Successful Conversion of the Bacillus subtilis BirA Group II Biotin Protein Ligase into a Group I Ligase

PubMed Central

Henke, Sarah K.; Cronan, John E.

2014-01-01

Group II biotin protein ligases (BPLs) are characterized by the presence of an N-terminal DNA binding domain that allows transcriptional regulation of biotin biosynthetic and transport genes whereas Group I BPLs lack this N-terminal domain. The Bacillus subtilis BPL, BirA, is classified as a Group II BPL based on sequence predictions of an N-terminal helix-turn-helix motif and mutational alteration of its regulatory properties. We report evidence that B. subtilis BirA is a Group II BPL that regulates transcription at three genomic sites: bioWAFDBI, yuiG and yhfUTS. Moreover, unlike the paradigm Group II BPL, E. coli BirA, the N-terminal DNA binding domain can be deleted from Bacillus subtilis BirA without adverse effects on its ligase function. This is the first example of successful conversion of a Group II BPL to a Group I BPL with retention of full ligase activity. PMID:24816803

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Qu, Liujing; Li, Ge; Xia, Dan

The atypical protein kinase C isoform PRKC iota (PRKCI) plays a key role in cell proliferation, differentiation, and carcinogenesis, and it has been shown to be a human oncogene. Here, we show that PRKCI overexpression in U2OS cells impaired functional autophagy in normal or cell stress conditions, as characterized by decreased levels of light chain 3B-II protein (LC3B-II) and weakened degradation of endogenous and exogenous autophagic substrates. Conversely, PRKCI knockdown by small interference RNA resulted in opposite effects. Additionally, we identified two novel PRKCI mutants, PRKCI{sup L485M} and PRKCI{sup P560R}, which induced autophagy and exhibited dominant negative effects. Further studiesmore » indicated that PRKCI knockdown–mediated autophagy was associated with the inactivation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase alpha/AKT–mammalian target of rapamycin (PIK3CA/AKT–MTOR) signaling. These data underscore the importance of PRKCI in the regulation of autophagy. Moreover, the finding may be useful in treating PRKCI-overexpressing carcinomas that are characterized by increased levels of autophagy. - Highlights: • The atypical protein kinase C iota isoform (PRKCI) is a human oncogene. • PRKCI overexpression impairs functional autophagy in U2OS cells. • It reduces LC3B-II levels and weakens SQSTM1 and polyQ80 aggregate degradation. • PRKCI knockdown has the opposite effect. • The effect of PRKCI knockdown is related to PIK3CA/AKT–MTOR signaling inactivation.« less

Efficient adsorption of Hg (II) ions in water by activated carbon modified with melamine

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qin, Hangdao; Meng, Jingling; Chen, Jing

2018-04-01

Removal of Hg (II) ions from industrial wastewater is important for the water treatment, and adsorption is an efficient treatment process. Activated carbon (AC) was modified with melamine, which introduced nitrogen-containing functional groups onto AC surface. Original AC and melamine modified activated carbon (ACM) were characterized by elemental analysis, N2 adsorption-desorption, determination of the pH of the point of zero charge (pHpzc) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and their performance in the adsorption of Hg(II) ions was investigated. Langmuir model fitted the experimental data of equilibrium isotherms well. ACM showed the higher Hg (II) ions adsorption capacity, increasing more than more than 1.8 times compared to the original one. Moreover, ACM showed a wider pH range for the maximum adsorption than the parent AC.

Metal-organometallic polymers and frameworks derived from facially metalated arylcarboxylates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumalah Robinson, Sayon A.

The interest in coordination polymers, also known as metal-organic frameworks, has risen drastically over the past 2 decades. In this time, the field has matured and given rise to a diverse range of crystalline structures possessing various functionalities. Coordination polymers are typically formed from the self assembly of metal ions which serve as nodes and organic ligands which act as bridges. By the careful selection of the organic ligand and the metal ion, the overall physical properties of the material may be tuned. In this work, the use of organometallic bridging ligands are explored using facially metalated aryl carboxylates ligands to synthesize metal-organometallic frameworks (MOMFs). Therefore, with the aim of synthesizing [CpM]+-functionalized (M = FeII, RuII; Cp = cyclopentadienyl) coordination polymers and metal organic frameworks, various [CpFe]+and [CpRu] + functionalized aryl carboxylates were synthesized and characterized. In particular, the [CpFe]+-functionalized benzoic, terephthalic and trimesic acids as well as the [CpRu]+-functionalized terephthalic acid were made. Using the [CpFe]+ complexes of the benzoic and terephthalic acid as bridging ligands, a number of 1D and 2D coordination polymers were synthesized. For instance, the reaction of [CpFe]+-functionalized benzoic acid with CdCl2 yielded the 1D chain of [Cd(benzoate)Cl 2]˙H2O whilst the reaction of [CpFe]+-functionalized terephthalic acid with Cu(NO3)2˙6H2O yielded a 2D square grid sheet. Using the [CpFe]+-functionalized terephthalic acid, a series of polymorphic, 3D metal-organometallic frameworks of the general formula [M3(terephthalate)4(mu-H2O)2(H 2O)2][NO3]2˙xsolvent (M = Co II, NiII ; solvent = EtOH, DMF, H2O) were synthesized and fully characterized. The polymorphic nature of these frameworks may be attributed to the different orientations that the [CpFe]+ moiety may adapt within the cavities in the 3D frameworks. The selectivity of the desolvated forms of the polymorphs for various alcohols was also probed. A framework having the same 3D topology but slightly different composition as the polymorphic frameworks of [M3(terephthalate)4(mu-H 2O)2(H2O)2][NO3]2˙ xsolvent was obtained using MnBr2˙4H2O. The solvothermal reaction of [CpFe]+-functionalized terephthalic acid and Co(NO3)2˙6H2O afforded the first microporous metal-organometallic phosphate. This 3D framework formed a cubic, 12-connected face centered net featuring a novel dodecanuclear truncated tetrahedral node consisting of [CpFe(terephthalate)]+, CoII, F- and phosphate ions. Lastly, the [CpFe]+-functionalized terephthalic acid was successfully reticulated into the MIL-88 and MIL 53 framework topologies indicating that the metalated ligand may be used to synthesis both known and novel 3D metal organic frameworks.

Unprecedented Self-Organized Monolayer of a Ru(II) Complex by Diazonium Electroreduction.

PubMed

Nguyen, Van Quynh; Sun, Xiaonan; Lafolet, Frédéric; Audibert, Jean-Frédéric; Miomandre, Fabien; Lemercier, Gilles; Loiseau, Frédérique; Lacroix, Jean-Christophe

2016-08-03

A new heteroleptic polypyridyle Ru(II) complex was synthesized and deposited on surface by the diazonium electroreduction process. It yields to the covalent grafting of a monolayer. The functionalized surface was characterized by XPS, electrochemistry, AFM, and STM. A precise organization of the molecules within the monolayer is observed with parallel linear stripes separated by a distance of 3.8 nm corresponding to the lateral size of the molecule. Such organization suggests a strong cooperative process in the deposition process. This strategy is an original way to obtain well-controlled and stable functionalized surfaces for potential applications related to the photophysical properties of the grafted chromophore. As an exciting result, it is the first example of a self-organized monolayer (SOM) obtained using diazonium electroreduction.

Variola virus immune evasion proteins.

PubMed

Dunlop, Lance R; Oehlberg, Katherine A; Reid, Jeremy J; Avci, Dilek; Rosengard, Ariella M

2003-09-01

Variola virus, the causative agent of smallpox, encodes approximately 200 proteins. Over 80 of these proteins are located in the terminal regions of the genome, where proteins associated with host immune evasion are encoded. To date, only two variola proteins have been characterized. Both are located in the terminal regions and demonstrate immunoregulatory functions. One protein, the smallpox inhibitor of complement enzymes (SPICE), is homologous to a vaccinia virus virulence factor, the vaccinia virus complement-control protein (VCP), which has been found experimentally to be expressed early in the course of vaccinia infection. Both SPICE and VCP are similar in structure and function to the family of mammalian complement regulatory proteins, which function to prevent inadvertent injury to adjacent cells and tissues during complement activation. The second variola protein is the variola virus high-affinity secreted chemokine-binding protein type II (CKBP-II, CBP-II, vCCI), which binds CC-chemokine receptors. The vaccinia homologue of CKBP-II is secreted both early and late in infection. CKBP-II proteins are highly conserved among orthopoxviruses, sharing approximately 85% homology, but are absent in eukaryotes. This characteristic sets it apart from other known virulence factors in orthopoxviruses, which share sequence homology with known mammalian immune regulatory gene products. Future studies of additional variola proteins may help illuminate factors associated with its virulence, pathogenesis and strict human tropism. In addition, these studies may also assist in the development of targeted therapies for the treatment of both smallpox and human immune-related diseases.

Synthesis, spectral characterization and computed optical analysis of potent triazole based compounds

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sumrra, Sajjad H.; Mushtaq, Fazila; Khalid, Muhammad; Raza, Muhammad Asam; Nazar, Muhammad Faizan; Ali, Bakhat; Braga, Ataualpa A. C.

2018-02-01

Biologically active triazole Schiff base ligand (L) and metal complexes [Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] are reported herein. The ligand acted as tridentate and coordinated towards metallic ions via azomethine-N, triazolic-N moiety and deprotonated-O of phenyl substituents in an octahedral manner. These compounds were characterized by physical, spectral and analytical analysis. The synthesized ligand and metal complexes were screened for antibacterial pathogens against Chromohalobacter salexigens, Chromohalobacter israelensi, Halomonas halofila and Halomonas salina, antifungal bioassay against Aspergillus niger and Aspergellus flavin, antioxidant (DPPH, phosphomolybdate) and also for enzyme inhibition [butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) and acetylcholinesterase (AChE)] studies. The results of these activities indicated the ligand to possess potential activity which significantly increased upon chelation. Moreover, vibrational bands, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and natural bond analysis (NBO) of ligand (1) were carried out through density functional theory (DFT) with B3lYP/6-311 ++G (d,p) approach. While, UV-Vis analysis was performed by time dependent TD-DFT with B3lYP/6-311 ++G (d,p) method. NBO analysis revealed that investigated compound (L) contains enormous molecular stability owing to hyper conjugative interactions. Theoretical spectroscopic findings showed good agreement to experimental spectroscopic data. Global reactivity descriptors were calculated using the energies of FMOs which indicated compound (L) might be bioactive. These parameters confirmed the charge transfer phenomenon and reasonable correspondence with experimental bioactivity results.

DESY II, a new injector for the DESY storage rings PETRA and DORIS II

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hemmie, G.

1983-08-01

There is a proposal to build a new 9 GeV electron synchrotron as a dedicated injector for the storage rings DORIS and PETRA. This machine will be housed in the old DESY-tunnel side-by-side with the original DESY-synchrotron. It is characterized by a separated function lattice, a 12.5 Hz repetition frequency, an all-metal vacuum chamber and a high shunt impedance rf-system. After commissioning of this new machine in 1984, the old DESY-synchrotron could be converted into a dedicated proton-accelerator as part of the injection chain for HERA.

Specific threonine-4 phosphorylation and function of RNA polymerase II CTD during M phase progression

PubMed Central

Hintermair, Corinna; Voß, Kirsten; Forné, Ignasi; Heidemann, Martin; Flatley, Andrew; Kremmer, Elisabeth; Imhof, Axel; Eick, Dirk

2016-01-01

Dynamic phosphorylation of Tyr1-Ser2-Pro3-Thr4-Ser5-Pro6-Ser7 heptad-repeats in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the large subunit coordinates progression of RNA polymerase (Pol) II through the transcription cycle. Here, we describe an M phase-specific form of Pol II phosphorylated at Thr4, but not at Tyr1, Ser2, Ser5, and Ser7 residues. Thr4 phosphorylated Pol II binds to centrosomes and midbody and interacts with the Thr4-specific Polo-like kinase 1. Binding of Pol II to centrosomes does not require the CTD but may involve subunits of the non-canonical R2TP-Prefoldin-like complex, which bind to and co-localize with Pol II at centrosomes. CTD Thr4 mutants, but not Ser2 and Ser5 mutants, display severe mitosis and cytokinesis defects characterized by multipolar spindles and polyploid cells. We conclude that proper M phase progression of cells requires binding of Pol II to centrosomes to facilitate regulation of mitosis and cytokinesis in a CTD Thr4-P dependent manner. PMID:27264542

Specific threonine-4 phosphorylation and function of RNA polymerase II CTD during M phase progression.

PubMed

Hintermair, Corinna; Voß, Kirsten; Forné, Ignasi; Heidemann, Martin; Flatley, Andrew; Kremmer, Elisabeth; Imhof, Axel; Eick, Dirk

2016-06-06

Dynamic phosphorylation of Tyr1-Ser2-Pro3-Thr4-Ser5-Pro6-Ser7 heptad-repeats in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the large subunit coordinates progression of RNA polymerase (Pol) II through the transcription cycle. Here, we describe an M phase-specific form of Pol II phosphorylated at Thr4, but not at Tyr1, Ser2, Ser5, and Ser7 residues. Thr4 phosphorylated Pol II binds to centrosomes and midbody and interacts with the Thr4-specific Polo-like kinase 1. Binding of Pol II to centrosomes does not require the CTD but may involve subunits of the non-canonical R2TP-Prefoldin-like complex, which bind to and co-localize with Pol II at centrosomes. CTD Thr4 mutants, but not Ser2 and Ser5 mutants, display severe mitosis and cytokinesis defects characterized by multipolar spindles and polyploid cells. We conclude that proper M phase progression of cells requires binding of Pol II to centrosomes to facilitate regulation of mitosis and cytokinesis in a CTD Thr4-P dependent manner.

Enhanced Detection of Antigen-Specific CD4+ T Cells Using Altered Peptide Flanking Residue Peptide–MHC Class II Multimers

PubMed Central

Holland, Christopher J.; Dolton, Garry; Scurr, Martin; Ladell, Kristin; Schauenburg, Andrea J.; Miners, Kelly; Madura, Florian; Sewell, Andrew K.; Price, David A.

2015-01-01

Fluorochrome-conjugated peptide–MHC (pMHC) class I multimers are staple components of the immunologist’s toolbox, enabling reliable quantification and analysis of Ag-specific CD8+ T cells irrespective of functional outputs. In contrast, widespread use of the equivalent pMHC class II (pMHC-II) reagents has been hindered by intrinsically weaker TCR affinities for pMHC-II, a lack of cooperative binding between the TCR and CD4 coreceptor, and a low frequency of Ag-specific CD4+ T cell populations in the peripheral blood. In this study, we show that peptide flanking regions, extending beyond the central nonamer core of MHC-II–bound peptides, can enhance TCR–pMHC-II binding and T cell activation without loss of specificity. Consistent with these findings, pMHC-II multimers incorporating peptide flanking residue modifications proved superior for the ex vivo detection, characterization, and manipulation of Ag-specific CD4+ T cells, highlighting an unappreciated feature of TCR–pMHC-II interactions. PMID:26553072

o-Vanillin functionalized mesoporous silica - coated magnetite nanoparticles for efficient removal of Pb(II) from water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Culita, Daniela C.; Simonescu, Claudia Maria; Patescu, Rodica-Elena; Dragne, Mioara; Stanica, Nicolae; Oprea, Ovidiu

2016-06-01

o-Vanillin functionalized mesoporous silica - coated magnetite (Fe3O4@MCM-41-N-oVan) was synthesized and fully characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, N2 adsorption-desorption technique and magnetic measurements. The capacity of Fe3O4@MCM-41-N-oVan to adsorb Pb(II) from aqueous solutions was evaluated in comparison with raw mesoporous silica - coated magnetite (Fe3O4@MCM-41) and amino - modified mesoporous silica coated magnetite (Fe3O4@MCM-41-NH2). The effect of adsorption process parameters such us pH, contact time, initial Pb(II) concentration was also investigated. The adsorption data were successfully fitted with the Langmuir model, exhibiting a maximum adsorption capacity of 155.71 mg/g at pH=4.4 and T=298 K. The results revealed that the adsorption rate was very high at the beginning of the adsorption process, 80-90% of the total amount of Pb(II) being removed within the first 60 min, depending on the initial concentration. The results of the present work suggest that Fe3O4@MCM-41-N-oVan is a suitable candidate for the separation of Pb(II) from contaminated water.

Monitoring of trace amounts of heavy metals in different food and water samples by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer after preconcentration by amine-functionalized graphene nanosheet.

PubMed

Behbahani, Mohammad; Tapeh, Nasim Akbari Ghareh; Mahyari, Mojtaba; Pourali, Ali Reza; Amin, Bahareh Golrokh; Shaabani, Ahmad

2014-11-01

We are introducing graphene oxide modified with amine groups as a new solid phase for extraction of heavy metal ions including cadmium(II), copper(II), nickel(II), zinc(II), and lead(II). Effects of pH value, flow rates, type, concentration, and volume of the eluent, breakthrough volume, and the effect of potentially interfering ions were studied. Under optimized conditions, the extraction efficiency is >97 %, the limit of detections are 0.03, 0.05, 0.2, 0.1, and 1 μg L(-1) for the ions of cadmium, copper, nickel, zinc, and lead, respectively, and the adsorption capacities for these ions are 178, 142, 110, 125, and 210 mg g(-1). The amino-functionalized graphene oxide was characterized by thermogravimetric analysis, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. The proposed method was successfully applied in the analysis of environmental water and food samples. Good spiked recoveries over the range of 95.8-100.0 % were obtained. This work not only proposes a useful method for sample preconcentration but also reveals the great potential of modified graphene as an excellent sorbent material in analytical processes.

Properties of an intermediate-duration inactivation process of the voltage-gated sodium conductance in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons.

PubMed

French, Christopher R; Zeng, Zhen; Williams, David A; Hill-Yardin, Elisa L; O'Brien, Terence J

2016-02-01

Rapid transmembrane flow of sodium ions produces the depolarizing phase of action potentials (APs) in most excitable tissue through voltage-gated sodium channels (NaV). Macroscopic currents display rapid activation followed by fast inactivation (IF) within milliseconds. Slow inactivation (IS) has been subsequently observed in several preparations including neuronal tissues. IS serves important physiological functions, but the kinetic properties are incompletely characterized, especially the operative timescales. Here we present evidence for an "intermediate inactivation" (II) process in rat hippocampal CA1 neurons with time constants of the order of 100 ms. The half-inactivation potentials (V0.5) of steady-state inactivation curves were hyperpolarized by increasing conditioning pulse duration from 50 to 500 ms and could be described by a sum of Boltzmann relations. II state transitions were observed after opening as well as subthreshold potentials. Entry into II after opening was relatively insensitive to membrane potential, and recovery of II became more rapid at hyperpolarized potentials. Removal of fast inactivation with cytoplasmic papaine revealed time constants of INa decay corresponding to II and IS with long depolarizations. Dynamic clamp revealed attenuation of trains of APs over the 10(2)-ms timescale, suggesting a functional role of II in repetitive firing accommodation. These experimental findings could be reproduced with a five-state Markov model. It is likely that II affects important aspects of hippocampal neuron response and may provide a drug target for sodium channel modulation. Copyright © 2016 the American Physiological Society.

Enhanced Materials Based on Submonolayer Type-II Quantum Dots

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tamargo, Maria C; Kuskovsky, Igor L.; Meriles, Carlos

2017-04-15

We have investigated a nanostructured material known as sub-monolayer type-II QDs, made from wide bandgap II-VI semiconductors. Our goal is to understand and exploit their tunable optical and electrical properties by taking advantage of the type-II band alignment and quantum confinement effects. Type-II ZnTe quantum dots (QDs) in a ZnSe host are particularly interesting because of their relatively large valence band and conduction band offsets. In the current award we have developed new materials based on sub-monolayer type-II QDs that may be advantageous for photovoltaic and spintronics applications. We have also expanded the structural characterization of these materials by refiningmore » the X-ray diffraction methodologies needed to investigate them. In particular, we have 1) demonstrated ZnCdTe/ZnCdSe type-II QDs materials that have ideal properties for the development of novel high efficiency “intermediate band solar cells”, 2) we developed a comprehensive approach to describe and model the growth of these ultra-small type-II QDs, 3) analysis of the evolution of the photoluminescence (PL) emission, combined with other characterization probes allowed us to predict the size and density of the QDs as a function of the growth conditions, 4) we developed and implemented novel sophisticated X-ray diffraction techniques from which accurate size and shape of the buried type-II QDs could be extracted, 5) a correlation of the shape anisotropy with polarization dependent PL was observed, confirming the QDs detailed shape and providing insight about the effects of this shape anisotropy on the physical properties of the type-II QD systems, and 6) a detailed “time-resolved Kerr rotation” investigation has led to the demonstration of enhanced electron spin lifetimes for the samples with large densities of type-II QDs and an understanding of the interplay between the QDs and Te-isoelectroic centers, a defect that forms in the spacer layers that separate the QDs.« less

High fat, high sucrose diet causes cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction due in part to oxidative post-translational modification of mitochondrial complex II

PubMed Central

Sverdlov, Aaron L.; Elezaby, Aly; Behring, Jessica B.; Bachschmid, Markus M.; Luptak, Ivan; Tu, Vivian H.; Siwik, Deborah A.; Miller, Edward J.; Liesa, Marc; Shirihai, Orian S; Pimentel, David R.; Cohen, Richard A.; Colucci, Wilson S.

2014-01-01

Background Diet-induced obesity leads to metabolic heart disease (MHD) characterized by increased oxidative stress that may cause oxidative post-translational modifications (OPTM) of cardiac mitochondrial proteins. The functional consequences of OPTM of cardiac mitochondrial proteins in MHD are unknown. Our objective was to determine whether cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction in MHD due to diet-induced obesity is associated with cysteine OPTM. Methods and results Male C57Bl/6J mice were fed either a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) or control diet for 8 months. Cardiac mitochondria from HFHS-fed mice (vs. control diet) had an increased rate of H2O2 production, a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio, a decreased rate of complex II substrate-driven ATP synthesis and decreased complex II activity. Complex II substrate-driven ATP synthesis and complex II activity were partially restored ex-vivo by reducing conditions. A biotin switch assay showed that HFHS feeding increased cysteine OPTM in complex II subunits A (SDHA) and B (SDHB). Using iodo-TMT multiplex tags we found that HFHS feeding is associated with reversible oxidation of cysteines 89 and 231 in SDHA, and 100, 103 and 115 in SDHB. Conclusions MHD due to consumption of a HFHS “Western” diet causes increased H2O2 production and oxidative stress in cardiac mitochondria associated with decreased ATP synthesis and decreased complex II activity. Impaired complex II activity and ATP production are associated with reversible cysteine OPTM of complex II. Possible sites of reversible cysteine OPTM in SDHA and SDHB were identified by iodo-TMT tag labeling. Mitochondrial ROS may contribute to the pathophysiology of MHD by impairing the function of complex II. PMID:25109264

Facile and green preparation of novel adsorption materials by combining sol-gel with ion imprinting technology for selective removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ren, Zhongqi; Zhu, Xinyan; Du, Jian; Kong, Delong; Wang, Nian; Wang, Zhuo; Wang, Qi; Liu, Wei; Li, Qunsheng; Zhou, Zhiyong

2018-03-01

A novel green adsorption polymer was prepared by ion imprinted technology in conjunction with sol-gel process under mild conditions for the selective removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution. Effects of preparation conditions on adsorption performance of prepared polymers were studied. The ion-imprinted polymer was prepared using Cu(II) ion as template, N-[3-(2-aminoethylamino) propyl] trimethoxysilane (AAPTMS) as functional monomer and tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) as cross-linker. Water was used as solvent in the whole preparation process. The imprinted and non-imprinted polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET) and zeta potential. Three-dimensional network structure was formed and functional monomer was successfully cross-linked into the network structure of polymers. Effects of adsorption conditions on adsorption performance of prepared polymers were studied too. The pH value is of great influence on adsorption behavior. Adsorption by ion-imprinted polymer was fast (adsorption equilibrium was reached within 60 min). The adsorption capacity of Cu(II) ion-imprinted polymer was always larger than that of non-imprinted polymer. Pseudo-second-order kinetics model and Freundlich isotherm model fitted well with adsorption data. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(II) ion-imprinted polymer was 39.82 mg·g-1. However, the preparation conditions used in this work are much milder than those reported in literatures. The Cu(II) ion-imprinted polymer showed high selectivity and relative selectivity coefficients for Pb(II), Ni(II), Cd(II) and Co(II). In addition, the prepared ion-imprinted polymer could be reused several times without significant loss of adsorption capacity.

Sorption selectivity of birnessite particle edges: a d-PDF analysis of Cd(ii) and Pb(ii) sorption by δ-MnO2 and ferrihydrite.

PubMed

van Genuchten, Case M; Peña, Jasquelin

2016-08-10

Birnessite minerals (layer-type MnO2), which bear both internal (cation vacancies) and external (particle edges) metal sorption sites, are important sinks of contaminants in soils and sediments. Although the particle edges of birnessite minerals often dominate the total reactive surface area, especially in the case of nanoscale crystallites, the metal sorption reactivity of birnessite particle edges remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the sorption selectivity of birnessite particle edges by combining Cd(ii) and Pb(ii) adsorption isotherms at pH 5.5 with surface structural characterization by differential pair distribution function (d-PDF) analysis. We compared the sorption reactivity of δ-MnO2 to that of the nanomineral, 2-line ferrihydrite, which exhibits only external surface sites. Our results show that, whereas Cd(ii) and Pb(ii) both bind to birnessite layer vacancies, only Pb(ii) binds extensively to birnessite particle edges. For ferrihydrite, significant Pb(ii) adsorption to external sites was observed (roughly 20 mol%), whereas Cd(ii) sorption was negligible. These results are supported by bond valence calculations that show comparable degrees of saturation of oxygen atoms on birnessite and ferrihydrite particle edges. Therefore, we propose that the sorption selectivity of birnessite edges follows the same order of that reported previously for ferrihydrite: Ca(ii) < Cd(ii) < Ni(ii) < Zn(ii) < Cu(ii) < Pb(ii).

Electrical Characterization of Signal Processing Microcircuit

DTIC Science & Technology

1989-04-01

Transistor Array 14 Liner Microcircuits Analog Switches Analog MUX Device Characterization Analog Multiplexer References nS report Covere tV Whe m ^~~ 11Ur...ity Assurance Branch of the Rome Air Development Center pertainIng to the electrical characterization and MIL- M -38510 specifi- cation of analog...PAGI ELECTRICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF SIGNAL PROCESSING MICROCIRCUITS SECTION TITLE PAGE I Introduction I-i II Analog Multipliers, MIL- M -38510/139 II-i III

Spectroscopic Investigations of Catalase Compound II: Characterization of an Iron(IV) Hydroxide Intermediate in a Non-thiolate-Ligated Heme Enzyme

PubMed Central

Yosca, Timothy H.; Langston, Matthew C.; Krest, Courtney M.; Onderko, Elizabeth L.; Grove, Tyler L.; Livada, Jovan; Green, Michael T.

2018-01-01

We report on the protonation state of Helicobacter pylori catalase compound II. UV/visible, Mössbauer, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies have been used to examine the intermediate from pH 5 to 14. We have determined that HPC-II exists in an iron(IV) hydroxide state up to pH 11. Above this pH, the iron(IV) hydroxide complex transitions to a new species (pKa = 13.1) with Mössbauer parameters that are indicative of an iron(IV)-oxo intermediate. Recently, we discussed a role for an elevated compound II pKa in diminishing the compound I reduction potential. This has the effect of shifting the thermodynamic landscape toward the two-electron chemistry that is critical for catalase function. In catalase, a diminished potential would increase the selectivity for peroxide disproportionation over off-pathway one-electron chemistry, reducing the buildup of the inactive compound II state and reducing the need for energetically expensive electron donor molecules. PMID:27960340

Characterization of potassium hydroxide (KOH) modified hydrochars from different feedstocks for enhanced removal of heavy metals from water.

PubMed

Sun, Kejing; Tang, Jingchun; Gong, Yanyan; Zhang, Hairong

2015-11-01

Hydrochars produced from different feedstocks (sawdust, wheat straw, and corn stalk) via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) and KOH modification were used as alternative adsorbents for aqueous heavy metals remediation. The chemical and physical properties of the hydrochars and KOH-treated hydrochars were characterized, and the ability of hydrochars for removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions as a function of reaction time, pH, and initial contaminant concentration was tested. The results showed that KOH modification of hydrochars might have increased the aromatic and oxygen-containing functional groups, such as carboxyl groups, resulting in about 2-3 times increase of cadmium sorption capacity (30.40-40.78 mg/g) compared to that of unmodified hydrochars (13.92-14.52 mg/g). The sorption ability among different feedstocks after modification was as the following: sawdust > wheat straw > corn stack. Cadmium sorption kinetics on modified hydrochars could be interpreted with a pseudo-second order, and sorption isotherm was simulated with Langmuir adsorption model. High cadmium uptake on modified hydrochars was observed over the pH range of 4.0-8.0, while for other heavy metals (Pb(2+), Cu(2+), and Zn(2+)) the range was 4.0-6.0. In a multi-metal system, the sorption capacity of heavy metals by modified hydrochars was also higher than that by unmodified ones and followed the order of Pb(II) > Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Zn(II). The results suggest that KOH-modified hydrochars can be used as a low cost, environmental-friendly, and effective adsorbent for heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions.

Estonian soil classification as a tool for recording information on soil cover and its matching with local site types, plant covers and humus forms classifications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kõlli, Raimo; Tõnutare, Tõnu; Rannik, Kaire; Krebstein, Kadri

2015-04-01

Estonian soil classification (ESC) has been used successfully during more than half of century in soil survey, teaching of soil science, generalization of soil databases, arrangement of soils sustainable management and others. The Estonian normally developed (postlithogenic) mineral soils (form 72.4% from total area) are characterized by mean of genetic-functional schema, where the pedo-ecological position of soils (ie. location among other soils) is given by means of three scalars: (i) 8 stage lithic-genetic scalar (from rendzina to podzols) separates soils each from other by parent material, lithic properties, calcareousness, character of soil processes and others, (ii) 6 stage moisture and aeration conditions scalar (from aridic or well aerated to permanently wet or reductic conditions), and (iii) 2-3 stage soil development scalar, which characterizes the intensity of soil forming processes (accumulation of humus, podzolization). The organic soils pedo-ecological schema, which links with histic postlithogenic soils, is elaborated for characterizing of peatlands superficial mantle (form 23.7% from whole soil cover). The position each peat soil species among others on this organic (peat) soil matrix schema is determined by mean of 3 scalars: (i) peat thickness, (ii) type of paludification or peat forming peculiarities, and (iii) stage of peat decomposition or peat type. On the matrix of abnormally developed (synlithogenic) soils (all together 3.9%) the soil species are positioned (i) by proceeding in actual time geological processes as erosion, fluvial processes (at vicinity of rivers, lakes or sea) or transforming by anthropogenic and technological processes, and (ii) by 7 stage moisture conditions (from aridic to subaqual) of soils. The most important functions of soil cover are: (i) being a suitable environment for plant productivity; (ii) forming adequate conditions for decomposition, transformation and conversion of falling litter (characterized by humus cover type); (iii) being compartment for deposition of humus, individual organic compounds, plant nutrition elements, air and water, and (iv) forming (bio)chemically variegated active space for soil type specific edaphon. For studying of ESC matching with others ecosystem compartments classifications the comparative analysis of corresponding classification schemas was done. It may be concluded that forest and natural grasslands site types as well the plant associations of forests and grasslands correlate (match) well with ESC and therefore these compartments may be adequately expressed on soil cover matrixes. Special interest merits humus cover (in many countries known as humus form), which is by the issue natural body between plant and soil or plant cover and soil cover. The humus cover, which lied on superficial part of soil cover, has been formed by functional interrelationships of plants and soils, reflects very well the local pedo-ecological conditions (both productivity and decomposition cycles) and, therefore, the humus cover types are good indicators for characterizing of local pedo-ecological conditions. The classification of humus covers (humus forms) should be bound with soil classifications. It is important to develop a pedocentric approach in treating of fabric and functioning of natural and agro-ecosystems. Such, based on soil properties, ecosystem approach to management and protection natural resources is highly recommended at least in temperate climatic regions. The sound matching of soil and plant cover is of decisive importance for sustainable functioning of ecosystem and in attaining a good environmental status of the area.

Fructose Degradation in the Haloarchaeon Haloferax volcanii Involves a Bacterial Type Phosphoenolpyruvate-Dependent Phosphotransferase System, Fructose-1-Phosphate Kinase, and Class II Fructose-1,6-Bisphosphate Aldolase

PubMed Central

Pickl, Andreas; Johnsen, Ulrike

2012-01-01

The halophilic archaeon Haloferax volcanii utilizes fructose as a sole carbon and energy source. Genes and enzymes involved in fructose uptake and degradation were identified by transcriptional analyses, deletion mutant experiments, and enzyme characterization. During growth on fructose, the gene cluster HVO_1495 to HVO_1499, encoding homologs of the five bacterial phosphotransferase system (PTS) components enzyme IIB (EIIB), enzyme I (EI), histidine protein (HPr), EIIA, and EIIC, was highly upregulated as a cotranscript. The in-frame deletion of HVO_1499, designated ptfC (ptf stands for phosphotransferase system for fructose) and encoding the putative fructose-specific membrane component EIIC, resulted in a loss of growth on fructose, which could be recovered by complementation in trans. Transcripts of HVO_1500 (pfkB) and HVO_1494 (fba), encoding putative fructose-1-phosphate kinase (1-PFK) and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (FBA), respectively, as well as 1-PFK and FBA activities were specifically upregulated in fructose-grown cells. pfkB and fba knockout mutants did not grow on fructose, whereas growth on glucose was not inhibited, indicating the functional involvement of both enzymes in fructose catabolism. Recombinant 1-PFK and FBA obtained after homologous overexpression were characterized as having kinetic properties indicative of functional 1-PFK and a class II type FBA. From these data, we conclude that fructose uptake in H. volcanii involves a fructose-specific PTS generating fructose-1-phosphate, which is further converted via fructose-1,6-bisphosphate to triose phosphates by 1-PFK and FBA. This is the first report of the functional involvement of a bacterial-like PTS and of class II FBA in the sugar metabolism of archaea. PMID:22493022

Characterization of the functional activity of botulinum neurotoxin subtype B6.

PubMed

Kohda, Tomoko; Nakamura, Keiji; Hosomi, Koji; Torii, Yasushi; Kozaki, Shunji; Mukamoto, Masafumi

2017-11-01

Clostridium botulinum produces the highly potent neurotoxin, botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT), which is classified into seven serotypes (A-G); the subtype classification is confirmed by the diversity of amino acid sequences among the serotypes. BoNT from the Osaka05 strain is associated with type B infant botulism and has been classified as BoNT/B subtype B6 (BoNT/B6) by phylogenetic analysis and the antigenicity of its C-terminal heavy chain (H C ) domain. However, the molecular bases for its properties, including its potency, are poorly understood. In this study, BoNT/B6 holotoxin was purified and the biological activity and receptor binding activity of BoNT/B6 compared with those of the previously-characterized BoNT/B1 and BoNT/B2 subtypes. The derivative BoNT/B6 was found to be already nicked and in an activated form, indicating that endogenous protease production may be higher in this strain than in the other two strains. BoNT/B1 exhibited the greatest lethal activity in mice, followed by BoNT/B6, which is consistent with the sensitivity of PC12 cells. No significant differences were seen in the enzymatic activities of the BoNT/Bs against their substrate. H C /B1 and H C /B6 exhibited similar binding affinities to synaptotagmin II (SytII), which is a specific protein receptor for BoNT/B. Binding to the SytII/ganglioside complex is functionally related to the toxic action; however, the receptor recognition sites are conserved. These results suggest that the distinct characteristics and differences in biological sensitivity of BoNT/B6 may be attributable to the function of its H c .domain. © 2017 The Societies and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Characterization of pulmonary function impairments in patients with mucopolysaccharidoses--changes with age and treatment.

PubMed

Lin, Shuan-Pei; Shih, Shou-Chuan; Chuang, Chih-Kuang; Lee, Kuo-Sheng; Chen, Ming-Ren; Niu, Dau-Ming; Chiu, Pao Chin; Lin, Shio Jean; Lin, Hsiang-Yu

2014-03-01

The mucopolysaccharidoses (MPS) comprise a group of inherited lysosomal storage disorders characterized by deficiencies in enzymes catalyzing the degradation of glycosaminoglycans. Impairment of pulmonary function is an important health problem for patients with MPS. However, there are few published reports on the prevalence and severity of pulmonary dysfunction in relation to age and treatment in this disorder. To evaluate pulmonary function in patients with MPS, we performed spirometry in 35 patients (22 males and 13 females; 1 with MPS I, 12 with MPS II, 16 with MPS IVA, and 6 with MPS VI; mean age, 14.6 ± 5.9 years; age range, 6.4 years to 33 years). Forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expired volume in 1 sec (FEV1), FEV1 to FVC ratio (FEV1/FVC), peak expiratory flow (PEF), and mean forced expiratory flow during the middle half of FVC (FEF25-75% ) were measured. Mean FVC, FEV1 , PEF, and FEF25-75% were 74.2%, 73.9%, 64.7%, and 37.1% of the predicted values, respectively. By spirometric classification, 32 patients (91%) had small airway disease (FEF25-75%  < 65%), 17 (48%) had restrictive lung disease, and 3 (9%) had obstructive lung disease. Percent predicted FVC, FEV1 , and PEF, as well as FEV1 /FVC, were all negatively correlated with age (P < 0.01), such that pubertal and post-pubertal patients had significantly lower values than younger patients. Of eight attenuated MPS II and VI patients who underwent follow-up pulmonary function testing after receiving enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for 1.5-7.4 years, six showed improvements in % predicted FVC and five improved in % predicted FEV1 . Our additional characterization of the types and prevalence of pulmonary function abnormalities seen in MPS patients should be useful for clinical care. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Phosphine-functionalized NHC Ni(ii) and Ni(0) complexes: synthesis, characterization and catalytic properties.

PubMed

Rull, S G; Rama, R J; Álvarez, E; Fructos, M R; Belderrain, T R; Nicasio, M C

2017-06-13

Two families of nickel complexes bearing chelating diphenylphosphine-functionalized NHC ligands [Ni II (ArNHCPPh 2 )(allyl)]Cl 1a (Ar = Mes); 1b, (Ar = 2,6-iPr 2 -C 6 H 3 ) and [Ni 0 (ArNHCPPh 2 )(alkene)] 2a (Ar = 2,6-iPr 2 -C 6 H 3 , alkene = styrene); 2b (Ar = 2,6-iPr 2 -C 6 H 3 , alkene = diethyl fumarate) have been prepared and fully characterized. VT-NMR experiments in solution reveal that the allyl derivatives 1a-b are stereochemically nonrigid. The solid-state structure of the Ni 0 derivative 2b is also reported. These complexes display interesting catalytic properties in various cross-coupling reactions. The precatalyst [Ni 0 (ArNHCPPh 2 )(styrene)] 2a was found to be the most active system. The bulkiness of the N-substituent on the imidazole ring and the low oxidation state of the metal center in 2a accounted for its enhanced catalytic performance. This system catalyzed effectively the coupling of (hetero)aryl chlorides with a range of nucleophiles including Grignard reagents, boronic acids, secondary amines and indoles.

Design of a flexible organometallic tecton: host-guest chemistry with picric acid and self-assembly of platinum macrocycles.

PubMed

Jana, Achintya; Bhowmick, Sourav; Kaur, Supreet; Kashyap, Hemant K; Das, Neeladri

2017-02-14

The synthesis and characterization of a new pyrazine-based "flexible" and ditopic platinum(ii) organometallic molecule (3) is being reported. Flexibility in this molecule is due to the presence of ether functional groups that bridge the rigid core and periphery. Due to the presence of square planar Pt(ii) centers at the two ends, the molecule's potential to act as an acceptor building block in the construction of metallamacrocycles was tested. Upon reaction of 3 with various dicarboxylates in a 1 : 1 stoichiometric ratio, [2 + 2] self-assembled neutral metallacycles (M1-M3) were obtained in high yields. M1-M3 were characterized using multinuclear NMR, high resolution mass spectrometry and elemental analyses. The shape and dimensions of these supramolecular structures were also confirmed by optimizing the geometry using the density functional theory (DFT) approach. Computational studies suggest that M1-M3 are nanoscalar macrocyles. Furthermore, using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), it was shown that 3 can bind with picric acid (PA) to yield a 3·(PA) 2 host-guest complex. The magnitude of the binding constant indicates that 3 has significant affinity for PA.

Sea anemone actinoporins: the transition from a folded soluble state to a functionally active membrane-bound oligomeric pore.

PubMed

Alegre-Cebollada, J; Oñaderra, M; Gavilanes, J G; del Pozo, A Martínez

2007-12-01

Actinoporins are a family of 20-kDa, basic proteins isolated from sea anemones, whose activity is inhibited by preincubation with sphingomyelin. They are produced in monomeric soluble form but, when binding to the plasma membrane, they oligomerize to produce functional pores which result in cell lysis. Equinatoxin II (EqtII) from Actinia equina and Sticholysin II (StnII) from Stichodactyla helianthus are the actinoporins that have been studied in more detail. Both proteins display a beta-sandwich fold composed of 10 beta-strands flanked on each side by two short alpha-helices. Two-dimensional crystallization on lipid monolayers has allowed the determination of low-resolution models of tetrameric structures distinct from the pore. However, the actual structure of the pore is not known yet. Wild-type EqtII and StnII, as well as a nice collection of natural and artificially made variants of both proteins, have been produced in Escherichia coli and purified. Their characterization has allowed the proposal of a model for the mechanism of pore formation. Four regions of the actinoporins structure seem to play an important role. First, a phosphocholine-binding site and a cluster of exposed aromatic residues, together with a basic region, would be involved in the initial interaction with the membrane, whereas the amphipathic N-terminal region would be essential for oligomerization and pore formation. Accordingly, the model states that pore formation would proceed in at least four steps: Monomer binding to the membrane interface, assembly of four monomers, and at least two distinct conformational changes driving to the final formation of the functional pore.

Improvement of oxygen-containing functional groups on olive stones activated carbon by ozone and nitric acid for heavy metals removal from aqueous phase.

PubMed

Bohli, Thouraya; Ouederni, Abdelmottaleb

2016-08-01

Recently, modification of surface structure of activated carbons in order to improve their adsorption performance toward especial pollutants has gained great interest. Oxygen-containing functional groups have been devoted as the main responsible for heavy metal binding on the activated carbon surface; their introduction or enhancement needs specific modification and impregnation methods. In the present work, olive stones activated carbon (COSAC) undergoes surface modifications in gaseous phase using ozone (O3) and in liquid phase using nitric acid (HNO3). The activated carbon samples were characterized using N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm, SEM, pHpzc, FTIR, and Boehm titration. The activated carbon parent (COSAC) has a high surface area of 1194 m(2)/g and shows a predominantly microporous structure. Oxidation treatments with nitric acid and ozone show a decrease in both specific surface area and micropore volumes, whereas these acidic treatments have led to a fixation of high amount of surface oxygen functional groups, thus making the carbon surface more hydrophilic. Activated carbon samples were used as an adsorbent matrix for the removal of Co(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. Adsorption isotherms were obtained at 30 °C, and the data are well fitted to the Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir equation. Results show that oxidized COSACs, especially COSAC(HNO3), are capable to remove more Co(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) from aqueous solution. Nitric acid-oxidized olive stones activated carbon was tested in its ability to remove metal ions from binary systems and results show an important maximum adsorbed amount as compared to single systems.

Combined EXAFS and DFT Structure Calculations Provide Structural Insights into the 1:1 Multi-Histidine Complexes of CuII, CuI and ZnII with the Tandem Octarepeats of the Mammalian Prion Protein

PubMed Central

Pushie, M. Jake; Nienaber, Kurt H.; McDonald, Alex; Millhauser, Glenn L.; George, Graham N.

2014-01-01

The metal coordinating properties of the prion protein (PrP) have been the subject of intense focus and debate since the first reports of copper interaction with PrP just before the turn of the century. The picture of metal coordination to PrP has been improved and refined over the past decade, and yet the structural details of the various metal coordination modes have not been fully elucidated in some cases. Herein we employ X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy as well as extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy to structurally characterize the dominant 1:1 coordination modes for CuII, CuI and ZnII with an N-terminal fragment of PrP. The PrP fragment constitutes four tandem repeats representative of the mammalian octarepeat domain, designated OR4, which is also the most studied PrP fragment for metal interactions, making our findings applicable to a large body of previous work. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide additional structural and thermodynamic data, and candidate structures are used to inform EXAFS data analysis. The optimized geometries from DFT calculations are used to identify potential coordination complexes for multi-histidine coordination of CuII, CuI and ZnII in an aqueous medium, modeled using 4-methylimidazole to represent the histidine side chain. Through a combination of in silico coordination chemistry as well as rigorous EXAFS curve fitting, using full multiple scattering on candidate structures from DFT calculations, we have characterized the predominant coordination modes for the 1:1 complexes of CuII, CuI and ZnII with the OR4 peptide at pH 7.4 at atomic resolution, which are best represented as a square planar [CuII(His)4]2+, digonal [CuI(His)2]+ and tetrahedral [ZnII(His)3(OH2)]2+, respectively. PMID:25042361

Specific binding of a naturally occurring amyloidogenic fragment of Streptococcus mutans adhesin P1 to intact P1 on the cell surface characterized by solid state NMR spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Tang, Wenxing; Bhatt, Avni; Smith, Adam N.; Crowley, Paula J.; Brady, L. Jeannine; Long, Joanna R.

2016-01-01

The P1 adhesin (aka Antigen I/II or PAc) of the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans is a cell surface-localized protein involved in sucrose-independent adhesion and colonization of the tooth surface. The immunoreactive and adhesive properties of S. mutans suggest an unusual functional quaternary ultrastructure comprised of intact P1 covalently attached to the cell wall and interacting with non-covalently associated proteolytic fragments thereof, particularly the ~57-kDa C-terminal fragment C123 previously identified as Antigen II. S. mutans is capable of amyloid formation when grown in a biofilm and P1 is among its amyloidogenic proteins. The C123 fragment of P1 readily forms amyloid fibers in vitro suggesting it may play a role in the formation of functional amyloid during biofilm development. Using wild-type and P1-deficient strains of S. mutans, we demonstrate that solid state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy can be used to 1) globally characterize cell walls isolated from a Gram-positive bacterium and 2) characterize the specific binding of heterologously expressed, isotopically-enriched C123 to cell wall-anchored P1. Our results lay the groundwork for future high-resolution characterization of the C123/P1 ultrastructure and subsequent steps in biofilm formation via ssNMR spectroscopy, and they support an emerging model of S. mutans colonization whereby quaternary P1-C123 interactions confer adhesive properties important to binding to immobilized human salivary agglutinin. PMID:26837620

Specific binding of a naturally occurring amyloidogenic fragment of Streptococcus mutans adhesin P1 to intact P1 on the cell surface characterized by solid state NMR spectroscopy.

PubMed

Tang, Wenxing; Bhatt, Avni; Smith, Adam N; Crowley, Paula J; Brady, L Jeannine; Long, Joanna R

2016-02-01

The P1 adhesin (aka Antigen I/II or PAc) of the cariogenic bacterium Streptococcus mutans is a cell surface-localized protein involved in sucrose-independent adhesion and colonization of the tooth surface. The immunoreactive and adhesive properties of S. mutans suggest an unusual functional quaternary ultrastructure comprised of intact P1 covalently attached to the cell wall and interacting with non-covalently associated proteolytic fragments thereof, particularly the ~57-kDa C-terminal fragment C123 previously identified as Antigen II. S. mutans is capable of amyloid formation when grown in a biofilm and P1 is among its amyloidogenic proteins. The C123 fragment of P1 readily forms amyloid fibers in vitro suggesting it may play a role in the formation of functional amyloid during biofilm development. Using wild-type and P1-deficient strains of S. mutans, we demonstrate that solid state NMR (ssNMR) spectroscopy can be used to (1) globally characterize cell walls isolated from a Gram-positive bacterium and (2) characterize the specific binding of heterologously expressed, isotopically-enriched C123 to cell wall-anchored P1. Our results lay the groundwork for future high-resolution characterization of the C123/P1 ultrastructure and subsequent steps in biofilm formation via ssNMR spectroscopy, and they support an emerging model of S. mutans colonization whereby quaternary P1-C123 interactions confer adhesive properties important to binding to immobilized human salivary agglutinin.

Carbonic anhydrase inhibition of Schiff base derivative of imino-methyl-naphthalen-2-ol: Synthesis, structure elucidation, molecular docking, dynamic simulation and density functional theory calculations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abbas, Saghir; Nasir, Hafiza Huma; Zaib, Sumera; Ali, Saqib; Mahmood, Tariq; Ayub, Khurshid; Tahir, Muhammad Nawaz; Iqbal, Jamshed

2018-03-01

In the present study, we have designed and synthesized a Schiff base derivative 3 and characterized by FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. Single crystal X-ray diffraction and NMR studies were also performed. The synthetic compound was screened for its inhibitory potential against carbonic anhydrase II. The experimental results were validated by molecular docking and dynamic simulations of compound 3 in the active pocket of enzyme. Important binding interactions with the key residues in the active site of the carbonic anhydrase enzyme were revealed. Moreover, supramolecular assembly of the title compound was analyzed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. These studies rendered a more clear understanding for the demonstration of novel molecular mechanism involved in CA II inhibition by the synthesized compound.

An ion-imprinted silica-supported organic-inorganic hybrid sorbent prepared by a surface imprinting technique combined with a polysaccharide incorporated sol-gel process for selective separation of cadmium(II) from aqueous solution.

PubMed

Li, Feng; Jiang, Hongquan; Zhang, Shusheng

2007-03-15

Ion-imprinting concept and polysaccharide incorporated sol-gel process were applied to the preparation of a new silica-supported organic-inorganic hybrid sorbent for selective separation of Cd(II) from aqueous solution. In the prepared shell/core composite sorbent, covalently surface coating on the supporting silica gel was achieved by using a Cd(II)-imprinting sol-gel process starting from an inorganic precursor, gamma-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysiloxane (GPTMS), and a functional biopolymer, chitosan (CS). The sorbent was prepared through self-hydrolysis of GPTMS, self-condensation and co-condensation of silanol groups (Si-OH) from siloxane and silica gel surface, in combination with in situ covalent cross-linking of CS with partial amine shielded by Cd(II) complexation. Extraction of the imprinting molecules left a predetermined arrangement of ligands and tailored binding pockets for Cd(II). The prepared sorbent was characterized by using X-ray energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Batch experiments were conducted to study the sorption performance by removal of Cd(II) when present singly or in binary system, an aqueous Cd(II) and Zn(II) mixture. The ion-imprinted composite sorbent offered a fast kinetics for the sorption of Cd(II) and the maximum capacity was 1.14mmolg(-1). The uptake capacity of the imprinted sorbent and the selectivity coefficient were much higher than that of the non-imprinted sorbent. The imprinted sorbent exhibited high reusability. The prepared functional sorbent was shown to be promising for the preconcentration of cadmium in environmental and biological samples.

Structural, theoretical and corrosion inhibition studies on some transition metal complexes derived from heterocyclic system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gupta, Shraddha Rani; Mourya, Punita; Singh, M. M.; Singh, Vinod P.

2017-06-01

A Schiff base, (E)-N‧-((1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-2-aminobenzohydrazide (Iabh) and its Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been synthesized. These compounds have been characterized by different physico-chemical and spectroscopic tools (UV-Vis, IR, NMR and ESI-Mass). The molecular structure of Iabh is determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. The ligand Iabh displays E-configuration about the >Cdbnd N- bond. The structure of ligand is stabilized by intra-molecular H-bonding. In all the metal complexes the ligand coordinates through azomethine-N and carbonyl-O resulting a distorted octahedral geometry for Mn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II) complexes in which chloride ions occupy axial positions. Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes, however, form 4-coordinate distorted square planer and tetrahedral geometry around metal ion, respectively. The structures of the complexes have been satisfactorily modeled by calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) and time dependent-DFT (TD-DFT). The corrosion inhibition study of the compounds have been performed against mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4 solution at 298 K by using weight loss, potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). They show appreciable corrosion inhibition property.

l-Citrulline Protects from Kidney Damage in Type 1 Diabetic Mice

PubMed Central

Romero, Maritza J.; Yao, Lin; Sridhar, Supriya; Bhatta, Anil; Dou, Huijuan; Ramesh, Ganesan; Brands, Michael W.; Pollock, David M.; Caldwell, Ruth B.; Cederbaum, Stephen D.; Head, C. Alvin; Bagi, Zsolt; Lucas, Rudolf; Caldwell, Robert W.

2013-01-01

Rationale: Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a major cause of end-stage renal disease, associated with endothelial dysfunction. Chronic supplementation of l-arginine (l-arg), the substrate for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), failed to improve vascular function. l-Citrulline (l-cit) supplementation not only increases l-arg synthesis, but also inhibits cytosolic arginase I, a competitor of eNOS for the use of l-arg, in the vasculature. Aims: To investigate whether l-cit treatment reduces DN in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes (T1D) in mice and rats and to study its effects on arginase II (ArgII) function, the main renal isoform. Methods: STZ-C57BL6 mice received l-cit or vehicle supplemented in the drinking water. For comparative analysis, diabetic ArgII knock out mice and l-cit-treated STZ-rats were evaluated. Results: l-Citrulline exerted protective effects in kidneys of STZ-rats, and markedly reduced urinary albumin excretion, tubulo-interstitial fibrosis, and kidney hypertrophy, observed in untreated diabetic mice. Intriguingly, l-cit treatment was accompanied by a sustained elevation of tubular ArgII at 16 weeks and significantly enhanced plasma levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Diabetic ArgII knock out mice showed greater blood urea nitrogen levels, hypertrophy, and dilated tubules than diabetic wild type (WT) mice. Despite a marked reduction in collagen deposition in ArgII knock out mice, their albuminuria was not significantly different from diabetic WT animals. l-Cit also restored nitric oxide/reactive oxygen species balance and barrier function in high glucose-treated monolayers of human glomerular endothelial cells. Moreover, l-cit also has the ability to establish an anti-inflammatory profile, characterized by increased IL-10 and reduced IL-1β and IL-12(p70) generation in the human proximal tubular cells. Conclusion: l-Citrulline supplementation established an anti-inflammatory profile and significantly preserved the nephron function during T1D. PMID:24400007

2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine functionalized sodium dodecyl sulfate-coated magnetite nanoparticles for effective removal of Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions from water samples.

PubMed

Sobhanardakani, Soheil; Zandipak, Raziyeh

2015-07-01

2,4-Dinitrophenylhydrazine immobilized on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-coated magnetite and was used for removal of Cd(II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution. The prepared product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The size of the nanoparticles according to SEM was obtained around 20-35 nm. In batch tests, the effects of pH, contact time, initial metal concentration, and temperature were studied. The kinetic and equilibrium data were modeled with recently developed models. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms were well fitted by the fractal-like pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir-Freundlich model, respectively. Maximum adsorption capacity by this adsorbent is 255.1 mg g(-1) for Cd(II) ion and 319.6 mg g(-1) for Ni(II) ion at pH 7.0 and 25 °C. The method was successfully applied to the removal of metal cations in real samples (tap water, river water, and petrochemical wastewater).

Synthesis, Characterization, and Handling of Eu(II)-Containing Complexes for Molecular Imaging Applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basal, Lina A.; Allen, Matthew J.

2018-03-01

Considerable research effort has focused on the in vivo use of responsive imaging probes that change imaging properties upon reacting with oxygen because hypoxia is relevant to diagnosing, treating, and monitoring diseases. One promising class of compounds for oxygen-responsive imaging is Eu(II)-containing complexes because the Eu(II/III) redox couple enables imaging with multiple modalities including magnetic resonance and photoacoustic imaging. The use of Eu(II) requires care in handling to avoid unintended oxidation during synthesis and characterization. This review describes recent advances in the field of imaging agents based on discrete Eu(II)-containing complexes with specific focus on the synthesis, characterization, and handling of aqueous Eu(II)-containing complexes.

Characterization and copper binding properties of human COMMD1 (MURR1).

PubMed

Narindrasorasak, Suree; Kulkarni, Prasad; Deschamps, Patrick; She, Yi-Min; Sarkar, Bibudhendra

2007-03-20

COMMD1 (copper metabolism gene MURR1 (mouse U2af1-rs1 region1) domain) belongs to a family of multifunctional proteins that inhibit nuclear factor NF-kappaB. COMMD1 was implicated as a regulator of copper metabolism by the discovery that a deletion of exon 2 of COMMD1 causes copper toxicosis in Bedlington terriers. Here, we report the detailed characterization and specific copper binding properties of purified recombinant human COMMD1 as well as that of the exon 2 product, COMMD(61-154). By using various techniques including native-PAGE, EPR, UV-visible electronic absorption, intrinsic fluorescence spectroscopies as well as DEPC modification of histidines, we demonstrate that COMMD1 specifically binds copper as Cu(II) in 1:1 stoichiometry and does not bind other divalent metals. Moreover, the exon 2 product, COMMD(61-154), alone was able to bind Cu(II) as well as the wild type protein, with a stoichiometry of 1 mol of Cu(II) per protein monomer. The protection of DEPC modification of COMMD1 by Cu(II) implied that Cu(II) binding involves His residues. Further investigation by DEPC modification of COMMD(61-154) and subsequent MALDI MS mapping and MS/MS sequencing identified the protection of His101 and His134 residues in the presence of Cu(II). Fluorescence studies of single point mutants of the full-length protein revealed the involvement of M110 in addition to H134 in direct Cu(II) binding. Taken together, the data provide insight into the function of COMMD1 and especially COMMD(61-154), a product of exon 2 that is deleted in terriers affected by copper toxicosis, as a regulator of copper homeostasis.

Characterization of renin-angiotensin system enzyme activities in cultured mouse podocytes.

PubMed

Velez, Juan Carlos Q; Bland, Alison M; Arthur, John M; Raymond, John R; Janech, Michael G

2007-07-01

Intraglomerular ANG II has been linked to glomerular injury. However, little is known about the contribution of podocytes (POD) to intraglomerular ANG II homeostasis. The aim of the present study was to examine the processing of angiotensin substrates by cultured POD. Our approach was to use matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry for peptide determination from conditioned cell media and customized AQUA peptides for quantification. Immortalized mouse POD were incubated with 1-2 microM ANG I, ANG II, or the renin substrate ANG-(1-14) for different time intervals and coincubated in parallel with various inhibitors. Human mesangial cells (MES) were used as controls. POD incubated with 1 microM ANG I primarily formed ANG-(1-9) and ANG-(1-7). In contrast, MES incubated with ANG I primarily generated ANG II. In POD, ANG-(1-7) was the predominant product, and its formation was inhibited by a neprilysin inhibitor. Modest angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) activity was also detected in POD, although only after cells were incubated with 2 microM ANG I. In addition, we observed that POD degraded ANG II into ANG III and ANG-(1-7). An aminopeptidase A inhibitor inhibited ANG III formation, and an ACE2 inhibitor led to ANG II accumulation. Furthermore, we found that POD converted ANG-(1-14) to ANG I and ANG-(1-7). This conversion was inhibited by a renin inhibitor. These findings demonstrate that POD express a functional intrinsic renin-angiotensin system characterized by neprilysin, aminopeptidase A, ACE2, and renin activities, which predominantly lead to ANG-(1-7) and ANG-(1-9) formation, as well as ANG II degradation. These findings may reflect a specific role of POD in maintenance of intraglomerular renin-angiotensin system balance.

Development and characterization of a eukaryotic expression system for human type II procollagen.

PubMed

Wieczorek, Andrew; Rezaei, Naghmeh; Chan, Clara K; Xu, Chuan; Panwar, Preety; Brömme, Dieter; Merschrod S, Erika F; Forde, Nancy R

2015-12-15

Triple helical collagens are the most abundant structural protein in vertebrates and are widely used as biomaterials for a variety of applications including drug delivery and cellular and tissue engineering. In these applications, the mechanics of this hierarchically structured protein play a key role, as does its chemical composition. To facilitate investigation into how gene mutations of collagen lead to disease as well as the rational development of tunable mechanical and chemical properties of this full-length protein, production of recombinant expressed protein is required. Here, we present a human type II procollagen expression system that produces full-length procollagen utilizing a previously characterized human fibrosarcoma cell line for production. The system exploits a non-covalently linked fluorescence readout for gene expression to facilitate screening of cell lines. Biochemical and biophysical characterization of the secreted, purified protein are used to demonstrate the proper formation and function of the protein. Assays to demonstrate fidelity include proteolytic digestion, mass spectrometric sequence and posttranslational composition analysis, circular dichroism spectroscopy, single-molecule stretching with optical tweezers, atomic-force microscopy imaging of fibril assembly, and transmission electron microscopy imaging of self-assembled fibrils. Using a mammalian expression system, we produced full-length recombinant human type II procollagen. The integrity of the collagen preparation was verified by various structural and degradation assays. This system provides a platform from which to explore new directions in collagen manipulation.

Genetic Dissection of Nutrition-Induced Plasticity in Insulin/Insulin-Like Growth Factor Signaling and Median Life Span in a Drosophila Multiparent Population

PubMed Central

Stanley, Patrick D.; Ng’oma, Enoch; O’Day, Siri; King, Elizabeth G.

2017-01-01

The nutritional environments that organisms experience are inherently variable, requiring tight coordination of how resources are allocated to different functions relative to the total amount of resources available. A growing body of evidence supports the hypothesis that key endocrine pathways play a fundamental role in this coordination. In particular, the insulin/insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) and target of rapamycin (TOR) pathways have been implicated in nutrition-dependent changes in metabolism and nutrient allocation. However, little is known about the genetic basis of standing variation in IIS/TOR or how diet-dependent changes in expression in this pathway influence phenotypes related to resource allocation. To characterize natural genetic variation in the IIS/TOR pathway, we used >250 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a multiparental mapping population, the Drosophila Synthetic Population Resource, to map transcript-level QTL of genes encoding 52 core IIS/TOR components in three different nutritional environments [dietary restriction (DR), control (C), and high sugar (HS)]. Nearly all genes, 87%, were significantly differentially expressed between diets, though not always in ways predicted by loss-of-function mutants. We identified cis (i.e., local) expression QTL (eQTL) for six genes, all of which are significant in multiple nutrient environments. Further, we identified trans (i.e., distant) eQTL for two genes, specific to a single nutrient environment. Our results are consistent with many small changes in the IIS/TOR pathways. A discriminant function analysis for the C and DR treatments identified a pattern of gene expression associated with the diet treatment. Mapping the composite discriminant function scores revealed a significant global eQTL within the DR diet. A correlation between the discriminant function scores and the median life span (r = 0.46) provides evidence that gene expression changes in response to diet are associated with longevity in these RILs. PMID:28592498

Synthesis, characterization, and antipathogenic studies of some transition metal complexes with N,O-chelating Schiff's base ligand incorporating azo and sulfonamide Moieties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alaghaz, Abdel-Nasser M. A.; Bayoumi, Hoda A.; Ammar, Yousry A.; Aldhlmani, Sharah A.

2013-03-01

Chromium(III), Manganese(II), Cobalt(II), nickel(II), copper(II) and cadmium(II) complexes of 4-[4-hydroxy-3-(phenyliminomethyl)-phenylazo]benzenesulfonamide, were prepared and characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, spectral, magnetic, molar conductance and thermal analysis. Square planar, tetrahedral and octahedral geometries have been assigned to the prepared complexes. Dimeric complexes are obtained with 2:2 molar ratio except chromium(III) complex is monomeric which is obtained with 1:1 molar ratios. The IR spectra of the prepared complexes were suggested that the Schiff base ligand(HL) behaves as a bi-dentate ligand through the azomethine nitrogen atom and phenolic oxygen atom. The crystal field splitting, Racah repulsion and nepheloauxetic parameters and determined from the electronic spectra of the complexes. Thermal studies suggest a mechanism for degradation of HL and its metal complexes as function of temperature supporting the chelation modes. Also, the activation thermodynamic parameters, such as ΔE*, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG* for the different thermal decomposition steps of HL and its metal complexes were calculated. The pathogenic activities of the synthesized compounds were tested in vitro against the sensitive organisms Staphylococcus aureus (RCMB010027), Staphylococcus epidermidis (RCMB010024) as Gram positive bacteria, Klebsiella pneumonia (RCMB 010093), Shigella flexneri (RCMB 0100542), as Gram negative bacteria and Aspergillus fumigates (RCMB 02564), Aspergillus clavatus (RCMB 02593) and Candida albicans (RCMB05035) as fungus strain, and the results are discussed.

Biologically active Schiff bases containing thiophene/furan ring and their copper(II) complexes: Synthesis, spectral, nonlinear optical and density functional studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gündüzalp, Ayla Balaban; Özsen, İffet; Alyar, Hamit; Alyar, Saliha; Özbek, Neslihan

2016-09-01

Schiff bases; 1,8-bis(thiophene-2-carboxaldimine)-p-menthane (L1) and 1,8-bis(furan-2-carboxaldimine)-p-menthane (L2) have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, 1Hsbnd 13C NMR, UV-vis, FT-IR and LC-MS methods. 1H and 13C shielding tensors for L1 and L2 were calculated with GIAO/DFT/B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) methods in CDCl3. The vibrational band assignments, nonlinear optical (NLO) activities, frontier molecular orbitals (FMOs) and absorption spectrum have been investigated by the same basis set. Schiff base-copper(II) complexes have been synthesized and structurally characterized with spectroscopic methods, magnetic and conductivity measurements. The spectroscopic data suggest that Schiff base ligands coordinate through azomethine-N and thiophene-S/furan-O donors (as SNNS and ONNO chelating systems) to give a tetragonal geometry around the copper(II) ions. Schiff bases and Cu(II) complexes have been screened for their biological activities on different species of pathogenic bacteria, those are, Gram positive bacteria: Bacillus subtitilus, Yersinia enterotica, Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, Micrococcus luteus and Gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, Klebsiella pseudomonas by using microdilution technique (MIC values in mM). Biological activity results show that Cu(II) complexes have higher activities than parent ligands and metal chelation may affect significantly the antibacterial behavior of the organic ligands.

8-aminoquinoline functionalized silica nanoparticles: a fluorescent nanosensor for detection of divalent zinc in aqueous and in yeast cell suspension.

PubMed

Rastogi, Shiva K; Pal, Parul; Aston, D Eric; Bitterwolf, Thomas E; Branen, A Larry

2011-05-01

Zinc is one of the most important transition metal of physiological importance, existing primarily as a divalent cation. A number of sensors have been developed for Zn(II) detection. Here, we present a novel fluorescent nanosensor for Zn(II) detection using a derivative of 8-aminoquinoline (N-(quinolin-8-yl)-2-(3 (triethoxysilyl)propylamino)acetamide (QTEPA) grafted on silica nanoparticles (SiNPs). These functionalized SiNPs were used to demonstrate specific detection of Zn(II) in tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.22), in yeast cell (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) suspension, and in tap water. The silane QTEPA, SiNPs and final product were characterized using solution and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet-visible absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis, thermogravimetric techniques, and fluorescence spectroscopy. The nanosensor shows almost 2.8-fold fluorescence emission enhancement and about 55 nm red-shift upon excitation with 330 ± 5 nm wavelength in presence of 1 μM Zn(II) ions in tris-HCl (pH 7.22). The presence of other metal ions has no observable effect on the sensitivity and selectivity of nanosensor. This sensor selectively detects Zn(II) ions with submicromolar detection to a limit of 0.1 μM. The sensor shows good applicability in the determination of Zn(II) in tris-HCl buffer and yeast cell environment. Further, it shows enhancement in fluorescence intensity in tap water samples.

Functions of tocopherols in the cells of plants and other photosynthetic organisms.

PubMed

Mokrosnop, V M

2014-01-01

Tocopherol synthesis has only been observed in photosynthetic organisms (plants, algae and some cyanobacteria). Tocopherol is synthesized in the inner membrane of chloroplasts and distributed between chloroplast membranes, thylakoids and plastoglobules. Physiological significance of tocopherols for human and animal is well-studied, but relatively little is known about their function in plant organisms. Among the best characterized functions oftocopherols in cells is their ability to scavenge and quench reactive oxygen species and fat-soluble by-products of oxidative stress. There are the data on the participation of different mechanisms of α-tocopherol action in protecting photosystem II (PS II) from photoinhibition both by deactivation of singlet oxygen produced by PSII and by reduction of proton permeability of thylakoid membranes, leading to acidification of lumen under high light conditions and activation of violaxanthin de-epoxidase. Additional biological activity of tocopherols, independent of its antioxidant functions have been demonstrated. Basic mechanisms for these effects are connected with the modulation of signal transduction pathways by specific tocopherols and, in some instances, by transcriptional activation of gene expression.

Sorption selectivity of birnessite particle edges: a d-PDF analysis of Cd( ii ) and Pb( ii ) sorption by δ-MnO 2 and ferrihydrite

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

van Genuchten, Case M.; Peña, Jasquelin

2016-01-01

Birnessite minerals (layer-type MnO2), which bear both internal (cation vacancies) and external (particle edges) metal sorption sites, are important sinks of contaminants in soils and sediments. Although the particle edges of birnessite minerals often dominate the total reactive surface area, especially in the case of nanoscale crystallites, the metal sorption reactivity of birnessite particle edges remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the sorption selectivity of birnessite particle edges by combining Cd(II) and Pb(II) adsorption isotherms at pH 5.5 with surface structural characterization by differential pair distribution function (d-PDF) analysis. We compared the sorption reactivity of δ-MnO2 to that ofmore » the nanomineral, 2-line ferrihydrite, which exhibits only external surface sites. Our results show that, whereas Cd(II) and Pb(II) both bind to birnessite layer vacancies, only Pb(II) binds extensively to birnessite particle edges. For ferrihydrite, significant Pb(II) adsorption to external sites was observed (roughly 20 mol%), whereas Cd(II) sorption was negligible. These results are supported by bond valence calculations that show comparable degrees of saturation of oxygen atoms on birnessite and ferrihydrite particle edges. Therefore, we propose that the sorption selectivity of birnessite edges follows the same order of that reported previously for ferrihydrite: Ca(II) < Cd(II) < Ni(II) < Zn(II) < Cu(II) < Pb(II).« less

[EFFICIENCY OF COMBINATION OF ROFLUMILAST AND QUERCETIN FOR CORRECTION OXYGEN- INDEPENDENT MECHANISMS AND PHAGOCYTIC ACTIVITY OF MACROPHAGE CELLS OF PATIENTS WITH ACUTE EXACERBATION OF CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE WHEN COMBINED WITH CORONARY HEART DISEASE].

PubMed

Gerych, P; Yatsyshyn, R

2015-01-01

Studied oxygen independent reaction and phagocytic activity of macrophage cells of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) II-III stage when combined with coronary heart disease (CHD). The increasing oxygen independent reactions monocytes and neutrophils and a decrease of the parameters that characterize the functional state of phagocytic cells, indicating a decrease in the functional capacity of macrophage phagocytic system (MPS) in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD, which runs as its own or in combination with stable coronary heart disease angina I-II. FC. Severity immunodeficiency state in terms of cellular component of nonspecific immunity in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD II-III stage in conjunction with the accompanying CHD increases with the progression of heart failure. Inclusion of basic therapy of COPD exacerbation and standard treatment of coronary artery disease and drug combinations Roflumilastand quercetin causes normalization of phagocytic indices MFS, indicating improved immune status and improves myocardial perfusion in terms of daily ECG monitoring.

Exome sequencing identifies NFS1 deficiency in a novel Fe-S cluster disease, infantile mitochondrial complex II/III deficiency.

PubMed

Farhan, Sali M K; Wang, Jian; Robinson, John F; Lahiry, Piya; Siu, Victoria M; Prasad, Chitra; Kronick, Jonathan B; Ramsay, David A; Rupar, C Anthony; Hegele, Robert A

2014-01-01

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are a class of highly conserved and ubiquitous prosthetic groups with unique chemical properties that allow the proteins that contain them, Fe-S proteins, to assist in various key biochemical pathways. Mutations in Fe-S proteins often disrupt Fe-S cluster assembly leading to a spectrum of severe disorders such as Friedreich's ataxia or iron-sulfur cluster assembly enzyme (ISCU) myopathy. Herein, we describe infantile mitochondrial complex II/III deficiency, a novel autosomal recessive mitochondrial disease characterized by lactic acidemia, hypotonia, respiratory chain complex II and III deficiency, multisystem organ failure and abnormal mitochondria. Through autozygosity mapping, exome sequencing, in silico analyses, population studies and functional tests, we identified c.215G>A, p.Arg72Gln in NFS1 as the likely causative mutation. We describe the first disease in man likely caused by deficiency in NFS1, a cysteine desulfurase that is implicated in respiratory chain function and iron maintenance by initiating Fe-S cluster biosynthesis. Our results further demonstrate the importance of sufficient NFS1 expression in human physiology.

Functional metagenomic selection of RubisCOs from uncultivated bacteria

USGS Publications Warehouse

Varaljay, Vanessa A; Satagopan, Sriram; North, Justin A.; Witteveen, Briana; Dourado, Manuella N.; Anantharaman, Karthik; Arbing, Mark A.; McCann, Shelley; Oremland, Ronald S.; Banfield, Jillian F.; Wrighton, Kelly C.; Tabita, F. Robert

2016-01-01

Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RubisCO) is a critical yet severely inefficient enzyme that catalyses the fixation of virtually all of the carbon found on Earth. Here, we report a functional metagenomic selection that recovers physiologically active RubisCO molecules directly from uncultivated and largely unknown members of natural microbial communities. Selection is based on CO2-dependent growth in a host strain capable of expressing environmental deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), precluding the need for pure cultures or screening of recombinant clones for enzymatic activity. Seventeen functional RubisCO-encoded sequences were selected using DNA extracted from soil and river autotrophic enrichments, a photosynthetic biofilm and a subsurface groundwater aquifer. Notably, three related form II RubisCOs were recovered which share high sequence similarity with metagenomic scaffolds from uncultivated members of theGallionellaceae family. One of the Gallionellaceae RubisCOs was purified and shown to possessCO2/O2 specificity typical of form II enzymes. X-ray crystallography determined that this enzyme is a hexamer, only the second form II multimer ever solved and the first RubisCO structure obtained from an uncultivated bacterium. Functional metagenomic selection leverages natural biological diversity and billions of years of evolution inherent in environmental communities, providing a new window into the discovery of CO2-fixing enzymes not previously characterized.

Gas-phase noncovalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes with a Ni(II) tetraaza[14]annulene complex

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Basiuk, Vladimir A.; Henao-Holguín, Laura Verónica; Álvarez-Zauco, Edgar; Bassiouk, María; Basiuk, Elena V.

2013-04-01

The noncovalent functionalization of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with aromatic polyazamacrocyclic compounds, based on π-π-interactions, keeps the intrinsic electronic structure of CNTs totally intact and allows for combining unique properties of the two interacting components. In addition to porphyrins and phthalocyanines, there are other, simpler compounds exhibiting similar properties, potentially useful for photovoltaic, catalytic and electrochemical applications: for example, tetraaza[14]annulenes. Many of them are highly thermally stable, which makes it possible to employ physical vapor deposition for the preparation of macrocycle-nanotube hybrids. One of such compounds is Ni(II) complex of 5,7,12,14-tetramethyldibenzo-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradeca-3,5,7,10,12,14-hexaene (also called Ni(II)-tetramethyldibenzotetraaza[14]annulene, or NiTMTAA for simplicity). In the present work, we attempted the noncovalent functionalization of both single-walled and multi-walled CNTs with NiTMTAA in the gas phase at two selected temperatures of 220 and 270 °C, which does not require the use of organic solvents and therefore can be considered as ecologically friendly. The nanohybrids obtained were characterized by means of scanning and transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, Fourier-transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric analysis. An additional insight into the structure of adsorption complexes of NiTMTAA on CNTs was provided from density functional theory and molecular mechanics calculations.

Syntheses, spectroscopic and thermal analyses of cyanide bridged heteronuclear polymeric complexes: [M(L)2Ni(CN)4]n (Ldbnd N-methylethylenediamine or N-ethylethylenediamine; Mdbnd Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) or Cd(II))

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karaağaç, Dursun; Kürkçüoğlu, Güneş Süheyla

2016-02-01

Polymeric tetracyanonickelate(II) complexes of the type [M(L)2Ni(CN)4]n (Ldbnd N-methylethylenediamine (men) or N-ethylethylenediamine (neen); Mdbnd Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) or Cd(II)) have been prepared and characterized by FT-IR, Raman spectroscopy, thermal and elemental analysis techniques. Additionally, FT-IR and Raman spectral analyses of men and neen have experimentally and theoretically investigated in the range of 4000-250 cm-1. The corresponding vibration assignments of men and neen are performed by using B3LYP density functional theory (DFT) method together with 6-31 G(d) basis set. The spectral features of the complexes suggest that the coordination environment of the M(II) ions are surrounded by the two symmetry related men and neen ligands and the two symmetry related N atom of cyanide groups, whereas the Ni(II) atoms are coordinated with a square-planar to four C atoms of the cyanide groups. Polymeric structures of the complexes consist of one dimensional alternative chains of [M(L)2]2+ and [Ni(CN)4]2- moieties. The thermal decompositions in the temperature range 30-700 °C of the complexes were investigated in the static air atmosphere.

Automated characterization and assembly of individual nanowires for device fabrication.

PubMed

Yu, Kaiyan; Yi, Jingang; Shan, Jerry W

2018-05-15

The automated sorting and positioning of nanowires and nanotubes is essential to enabling the scalable manufacturing of nanodevices for a variety of applications. However, two fundamental challenges still remain: (i) automated placement of individual nanostructures in precise locations, and (ii) the characterization and sorting of highly variable nanomaterials to construct well-controlled nanodevices. Here, we propose and demonstrate an integrated, electric-field based method for the simultaneous automated characterization, manipulation, and assembly of nanowires (ACMAN) with selectable electrical conductivities into nanodevices. We combine contactless and solution-based electro-orientation spectroscopy and electrophoresis-based motion-control, planning and manipulation strategies to simultaneously characterize and manipulate multiple individual nanowires. These nanowires can be selected according to their electrical characteristics and precisely positioned at different locations in a low-conductivity liquid to form functional nanodevices with desired electrical properties. We validate the ACMAN design by assembling field-effect transistors (FETs) with silicon nanowires of selected electrical conductivities. The design scheme provides a key enabling technology for the scalable, automated sorting and assembly of nanowires and nanotubes to build functional nanodevices.

Characterization of hearing loss in aged type II diabetics

PubMed Central

Frisina, Susan T.; Mapes, Frances; Kim, SungHee; Frisina, D. Robert; Frisina, Robert D.

2009-01-01

Presbycusis – age-related hearing loss – is the number one communicative disorder and a significant chronic medical condition of the aged. Little is known about how type II diabetes, another prevalent age-related medical condition, and presbycusis interact. The present investigation aimed to comprehensively characterize the nature of hearing impairment in aged type II diabetics. Hearing tests measuring both peripheral (cochlea) and central (brainstem and cortex) auditory processing were utilized. The majority of differences between the hearing abilities of the aged diabetics and their age-matched controls were found in measures of inner ear function. For example, large differences were found in pure-tone audiograms, wideband noise and speech reception thresholds, and otoacoustic emissions. The greatest deficits tended to be at low frequencies. In addition, there was a strong tendency for diabetes to affect the right ear more than the left. One possible interpretation is that as one develops presbycusis, the right ear advantage is lost, and this decline is accelerated by diabetes. In contrast, auditory processing tests that measure both peripheral and central processing showed fewer declines between the elderly diabetics and the control group. Consequences of elevated blood sugar levels as possible underlying physiological mechanisms for the hearing loss are discussed. PMID:16309862

A Probabilistic Atlas of Diffuse WHO Grade II Glioma Locations in the Brain

PubMed Central

Baumann, Cédric; Zouaoui, Sonia; Yordanova, Yordanka; Blonski, Marie; Rigau, Valérie; Chemouny, Stéphane; Taillandier, Luc; Bauchet, Luc; Duffau, Hugues; Paragios, Nikos

2016-01-01

Diffuse WHO grade II gliomas are diffusively infiltrative brain tumors characterized by an unavoidable anaplastic transformation. Their management is strongly dependent on their location in the brain due to interactions with functional regions and potential differences in molecular biology. In this paper, we present the construction of a probabilistic atlas mapping the preferential locations of diffuse WHO grade II gliomas in the brain. This is carried out through a sparse graph whose nodes correspond to clusters of tumors clustered together based on their spatial proximity. The interest of such an atlas is illustrated via two applications. The first one correlates tumor location with the patient’s age via a statistical analysis, highlighting the interest of the atlas for studying the origins and behavior of the tumors. The second exploits the fact that the tumors have preferential locations for automatic segmentation. Through a coupled decomposed Markov Random Field model, the atlas guides the segmentation process, and characterizes which preferential location the tumor belongs to and consequently which behavior it could be associated to. Leave-one-out cross validation experiments on a large database highlight the robustness of the graph, and yield promising segmentation results. PMID:26751577

Biosorption of Microelements by Spirulina: Towards Technology of Mineral Feed Supplements

PubMed Central

Chojnacka, Katarzyna

2014-01-01

Surface characterization and metal ion adsorption properties of Spirulina sp. and Spirulina maxima were verified by various instrumental techniques. FTIR spectroscopy and potentiometric titration were used for qualitative and quantitative determination of metal ion-binding groups. Comparative FTIR spectra of natural and Cu(II)-treated biomass proved involvement of both phosphoryl and sulfone groups in metal ions sorption. The potentiometric titration data analysis provided the best fit with the model assuming the presence of three types of surface functional groups and the carboxyl group as the major binding site. The mechanism of metal ions biosorption was investigated by comparing the results from multielemental analyses by ICP-OES and SEM-EDX. Biosorption of Cu(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Co(II) ions by lyophilized Spirulina sp. was performed to determine the metal affinity relationships for single- and multicomponent systems. Obtained results showed the replacement of naturally bound ions: Na(I), K(I), or Ca(II) with sorbed metal ions in a descending order of Mn(II) > Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II) for single- and Cu(II) > Mn(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) for multicomponent systems, respectively. Surface elemental composition of natural and metal-loaded material was determined both by ICP-OES and SEM-EDX analysis, showing relatively high value of correlation coefficient between the concentration of Na(I) ions in algal biomass. PMID:25386594

The TFIID components human TAF(II)140 and Drosophila BIP2 (TAF(II)155) are novel metazoan homologues of yeast TAF(II)47 containing a histone fold and a PHD finger.

PubMed

Gangloff, Y G; Pointud, J C; Thuault, S; Carré, L; Romier, C; Muratoglu, S; Brand, M; Tora, L; Couderc, J L; Davidson, I

2001-08-01

The RNA polymerase II transcription factor TFIID comprises the TATA binding protein (TBP) and a set of TBP-associated factors (TAF(II)s). TFIID has been extensively characterized for yeast, Drosophila, and humans, demonstrating a high degree of conservation of both the amino acid sequences of the constituent TAF(II)s and overall molecular organization. In recent years, it has been assumed that all the metazoan TAF(II)s have been identified, yet no metazoan homologues of yeast TAF(II)47 (yTAF(II)47) and yTAF(II)65 are known. Both of these yTAF(II)s contain a histone fold domain (HFD) which selectively heterodimerizes with that of yTAF(II)25. We have cloned a novel mouse protein, TAF(II)140, containing an HFD and a plant homeodomain (PHD) finger, which we demonstrated by immunoprecipitation to be a mammalian TFIID component. TAF(II)140 shows extensive sequence similarity to Drosophila BIP2 (dBIP2) (dTAF(II)155), which we also show to be a component of Drosophila TFIID. These proteins are metazoan homologues of yTAF(II)47 as their HFDs selectively heterodimerize with dTAF(II)24 and human TAF(II)30, metazoan homologues of yTAF(II)25. We further show that yTAF(II)65 shares two domains with the Drosophila Prodos protein, a recently described potential dTAF(II). These conserved domains are critical for yTAF(II)65 function in vivo. Our results therefore identify metazoan homologues of yTAF(II)47 and yTAF(II)65.

Palladium(ii)-catalyzed synthesis of dibenzothiophene derivatives via the cleavage of carbon–sulfur and carbon–hydrogen bonds† †Electronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Experimental procedures and characterization data for all new compounds. See DOI: 10.1039/c5sc04890g Click here for additional data file.

PubMed Central

Masuya, Yoshihiro; Baba, Katsuaki

2016-01-01

A new process has been developed for the palladium(ii)-catalyzed synthesis of dibenzothiophene derivatives via the cleavage of C–H and C–S bonds. In contrast to the existing methods for the synthesis of this scaffold by C–H functionalization, this new catalytic C–H/C–S coupling method does not require the presence of an external stoichiometric oxidant or reactive functionalities such as C–X or S–H, allowing its application to the synthesis of elaborate π-systems. Notably, the product-forming step of this reaction lies in an oxidative addition step rather than a reductive elimination step, making this reaction mechanistically uncommon. PMID:28660030

Is there a strategy I iron uptake mechanism in maize?

PubMed

Li, Suzhen; Zhou, Xiaojin; Chen, Jingtang; Chen, Rumei

2018-04-03

Iron is a metal micronutrient that is essential for plant growth and development. Graminaceous and nongraminaceous plants have evolved different mechanisms to mediate Fe uptake. Generally, strategy I is used by nongraminaceous plants like Arabidopsis, while graminaceous plants, such as rice, barley, and maize, are considered to use strategy II Fe uptake. Upon the functional characterization of OsIRT1 and OsIRT2 in rice, it was suggested that rice, as an exceptional graminaceous plant, utilizes both strategy I and strategy II Fe uptake systems. Similarly, ZmIRT1 and ZmZIP3 were identified as functional zinc and iron transporters in the maize genome, along with the determination of several genes encoding Zn and Fe transporters, raising the possibility that strategy I Fe uptake also occurs in maize. This mini-review integrates previous reports and recent evidence to obtain a better understanding of the mechanisms of Fe uptake in maize.

Computation-Facilitated Assignment of Function in the Enolase Superfamily: A Regiochemically Distinct Galactarate Dehydratase from Oceanobacillus iheyensis†

PubMed Central

Rakus, John F.; Kalyanaraman, Chakrapani; Fedorov, Alexander A.; Fedorov, Elena V.; Mills-Groninger, Fiona P.; Toro, Rafael; Bonanno, Jeffrey; Bain, Kevin; Sauder, J. Michael; Burley, Stephen K.; Almo, Steven C.; Jacobson, Matthew P.; Gerlt, John A.

2009-01-01

The structure of an uncharacterized member of the enolase superfamily from Oceanobacillus iheyensis (GI: 23100298; IMG locus tag Ob2843; PDB Code 2OQY) was determined by the New York SGX Research Center for Structural Genomics (NYSGXRC). The structure contained two Mg2+ ions located 10.4 Å from one another, with one located in the canonical position in the (β/α)7β-barrel domain (although the ligand at the end of the fifth β-strand is His, unprecedented in structurally characterized members of the superfamily); the second is located in a novel site within the capping domain. In silico docking of a library of mono- and diacid sugars to the active site predicted a diacid sugar as a likely substrate. Activity screening of a physical library of acid sugars identified galactarate as the substrate (kcat = 6.8 s−1, KM = 620 μM; kcat/KM = 1.1 × 104 M−1 s−1), allowing functional assignment of Ob2843 as galactarate dehydratase (GalrD-II) The structure of a complex of the catalytically impaired Y90F mutant with Mg2+ and galactarate allowed identification of a Tyr 164-Arg 162 dyad as the base that initiates the reaction by abstraction of the α-proton and Tyr 90 as the acid that facilitates departure of the β-OH leaving group. The enzyme product is 2-keto-3-deoxy-D-threo-4,5-dihydroxyadipate, the enantiomer of the product obtained in the GalrD reaction catalyzed by a previously characterized bifunctional L-talarate/galactarate dehydratase (TalrD/GalrD). On the basis of the different active site structures and different regiochemistries, we recognize that these functions represent an example of apparent, not actual, convergent evolution of function. The structure of GalrD-II and its active site architecture allow identification of the seventh functionally and structurally characterized subgroup in the enolase superfamily. This study provides an additional example that an integrated sequence/structure-based strategy employing computational approaches is a viable approach for directing functional assignment of unknown enzymes discovered in genome projects. PMID:19883118

Synthesis and characterization of new complexes of nickel (II), palladium (II) and platinum(II) with derived sulfonamide ligand: Structure, DFT study, antibacterial and cytotoxicity activities

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bouchoucha, Afaf; Zaater, Sihem; Bouacida, Sofiane; Merazig, Hocine; Djabbar, Safia

2018-06-01

The synthesis, characterization and biological study of new nickel (II), palladium (II), and platinum (II) complexes with sulfamethoxazole ligand used in pharmaceutical field, were reported. [MLCl2].nH2O is the general formula obtained for Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes. These complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR, 1HNMR spectral, magnetic measurements, UV-Visible spectra, and conductivity. The DFT calculation was applied to optimize the geometric structure of the Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes. A new single-crystal X-ray structure of the Ni(II) complex has been determined. It crystallized in monoclinic system with P 21/c space group and Z = 8. The invitro antibacterial activity of ligand and complexes against Escherichia coli, P. aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, S. aureus, Bacillus subtilis species has been carried out and compared using agar-diffusion method. The Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes showed a remarkable inhibition against bacteria tested. The invitro cytotoxicity assay of the complexes against three cell lines chronic myelogenous leukaemia (K562), human colon adenocarcinoma (HT-29) and breast cancer (MCF-7) was also reported.

Composition, Characterization and Antibacterial activity of Mn(II), Co(II),Ni(II), Cu(II) Zn(II) and Cd(II) mixed ligand complexes Schiff base derived from Trimethoprim with 8-Hydroxy quinoline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Numan, Ahmed T.; Atiyah, Eman M.; Al-Shemary, Rehab K.; Ulrazzaq, Sahira S. Abd

2018-05-01

New Schiff base ligand 2-((4-amino-5-(3, 4, 5-trimethoxybenzyl) pyrimidin-2-ylimino) (phenyl)methyl)benzoic acid] = [HL] was synthesized using microwave irradiation trimethoprim and 2-benzoyl benzoic acid. Mixed ligand complexes of Mn((II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) are reacted in ethanol with Schiff base ligand [HL] and 8-hydroxyquinoline [HQ] then reacted with metal salts in ethanol as a solvent in (1:1:1) ratio. The ligand [HL] is characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, melting point, elemental microanalysis (C.H.N), 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and mass spectra. The mixed ligand complexes are characterized by infrared spectra, electronic spectra, (C.H.N), melting point, atomic absorption, molar conductance and magnetic moment measurements. These measurements indicate that the ligand [HL] coordinates with metal (II) ion in a tridentate manner through the oxygen and nitrogen atoms of the ligand, octahedral structures are suggested for these complexes. Antibacterial activity of the ligands [HL], [HQ] and their complexes are studied against (gram positive) and (gram negative) bacteria.

Synthesis and adsorption of silica gel modified 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) from corn cobs against Cu(II) in water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Purwanto, Agung; Yusmaniar, Ferdiani, Fatmawati; Damayanti, Rachma

2017-03-01

Silica gel modified APTS was synthesized from silica gel which was obtained from corn cobs via sol-gel process. Silica gel was synthesized from corn cobs and then chemically modified with silane coupling agent which has an amine group (NH2). This process resulting modified silica gel 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS). Characterization of silica gel modified APTS by SEM-EDX showed that the size of the particles of silica gel modified APTS was 20µm with mass percentage of individual elements were nitrogen (N) 15.56%, silicon (Si) 50.69% and oxygen (O) 33.75%. In addition, silica gel modified APTS also showed absorption bands of functional groups silanol (Si-OH), siloxane (Si-O-Si), and an aliphatic chain (-CH2-), as well as amine (NH2) from FTIR spectra. Based on the characterization of XRD, silica gel 2θ of 21.094° and 21.32° respectively. It indicated that both material were amorphous. Determination of optimum pH and contact time on adsorption of silica gel 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTS) against Cu(II). The optimum pH and contact time was measured by using AAS. Optimum pH of adsorption silica gel modified APTS against metal Cu(II) could be obtained at pH 6 while optimum contact time was at 30 minutes, with the process of adsorption metal Cu(II) occured based on the model Freundlich isotherm.

Dentoskeletal and Soft Tissue Effects in the Treatment of Class II Malocclusion with Klammt's Elastic Open Activator.

PubMed

Inamassu-Lemes, Sheila Marques; Fuziy, Acácio; Costa, André Luiz Ferreira; Carvalho, Paulo Eduardo Guedes; Nahás-Scocate, Ana Carla Raphaelli

2016-01-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dentoskeletal and soft tissue effects resulting from treatment with Klammt's elastic open activator (EOA) functional orthopedic appliance in patients with Class II malocclusion characterized by mandibular deficiency. Teleradiographs were evaluated in the lateral aspect of the initial (T1) and final (T2) orthopedic phases for 16 patients with Class II, Division 1 malocclusion. The age range was from 9 to 11.2 years, with a mean age of 9.9 years. The cephalometric points were demarcated, and cephalometric measurements were obtained by the same investigator to avoid interobserver variability. The EOA promoted increased lower anterior facial height (LAFH), increased effective mandibular length, clockwise rotation of the mandible, retrusion and verticalization of the upper incisors, proclination and protrusion of the lower incisors, extrusion of the upper molars, mesial movement of the lower molars and anterior projection of the lower lip. Skeletal changes characterized by an increase in mandibular length and dentoalveolar changes with an emphasis on the verticalization and retrusion of the upper incisors, proclination of the lower incisors and mesial positioning of the lower molars were key to improving the occlusal relationship and esthetic facial factors. The EOA is well indicated in patients with Class II malocclusion due to mandibular deficiency with increased overbite, proclined upper incisors and verticalized lower incisors.

[Mania associated with Usher syndrome type II].

PubMed

Praharaj, Samir Kumar; Acharya, Mahima; Sarvanan, Arul; Kongasseri, Sreejayan; Behere, Rishikesh V; Sharma, P S V N

2012-01-01

Usher syndrome (or Hallgren syndrome) is an autosomal recessive genetic disorder characterized by sensorineural deafness, retinitis pigmentosa, and variable vestibular deficit; Usher syndrome type II is the most common form. Various neuropsychiatric disorders have been reported to occur in those with Usher syndrome, including schizophrenia-like disorder, atypical psychosis, recurrent depressive illness, neurotic disorder, and mental retardation; however, bipolar disorder is not common in those with Usher syndrome. Herein we describe a 30-year-old male with Usher syndrome type II that developed features indicative of a probable manic episode. The patient had complete remission of symptoms in response to treatment with olanzapine 20 mg d-1. In persons with dual sensory impairment there are inherent problems with assessment and diagnosis is difficult due to their limited communication abilities. The diagnosis of Usher syndrome depends heavily on behavioral observation and disturbances in vegetative functions.

Experimental and density functional theory (DFT) studies on the interactions of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes with the RAN triplex poly(U)˙poly(A)*poly(U).

PubMed

Zhang, Hong; Liu, Xuewen; He, Xiaojun; Liu, Ying; Tan, Lifeng

2014-11-01

There is renewed interest in investigating triple helices because these novel structures have been implicated as a possible means of controlling cellular processes by endogenous or exogenous mechanisms. Due to the Hoogsteen base pairing, triple helices are, however, thermodynamically less stable than the corresponding duplexes. The poor stability of triple helices limits their practical applications under physiological conditions. In contrast to DNA triple helices, small molecules stabilizing RNA triple helices at present are less well established. Furthermore, most of these studies are limited to organic compounds and, to a far lesser extent, to metal complexes. In this work, two Ru(II) complexes, [Ru(bpy)2(btip)](2+) (Ru1) and [Ru(phen)2(btip)](2+) (Ru2), have been synthesized and characterized. The binding properties of the two metal complexes with the triple RNA poly(U)˙poly(A)*poly(U) were studied by various biophysical and density functional theory methods. The main results obtained here suggest that the slight binding difference in Ru1 and Ru2 may be attributed to the planarity of the intercalative ligand and the LUMO level of Ru(II) complexes. This study further advances our knowledge on the triplex RNA-binding by metal complexes, particularly Ru(II) complexes.

Adsorption of Hg(II) and Pb(II) ions by nanoscale zero valent iron supported on ostrich bone ash in a fixed-bed column system.

PubMed

Amiri, Mohammad Javad; Abedi-Koupai, Jahangir; Eslamian, Saeid

2017-07-01

In this research, ostrich bone ash (OBA) was modified with nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI) particles and applied as a novel composite adsorbent (OBA/nZVI) for dynamic adsorption/reduction of Hg(II) and Pb(II) ions in a fixed-bed column system. Entrapment of nZVI in OBA beads barricades the particles from oxidation and aggregation. The dynamic behavior of metal ions removal by OBA/nZVI was assessed as a function of inlet flow rates, bed height, initial pollutants concentration and pH. The synthesized OBA/nZVI composite was characterized by several physicochemical techniques. Increase in pH and bed height and decrease in flow rates and initial metal concentration resulted in delay of breakthrough time. OBA breakthrough profile is sharper than the OBA/nZVI breakthrough curve for both metal ions and the breakthrough times increase in the order OBA/nZVI-Hg(II) > OBA/nZVI-Pb(II) > OBA-Pb(II) > OBA-Hg(II). Based on the experiment results, redox reaction is expected to occur to a certain extent, as the standard reduction potentials of Hg(II) and Pb(II) are more than that of Fe(II). From a practical point of view, the OBA/nZVI could be applied as a material to remove Hg(II) and Pb(II) ions from natural surface and ground water with a pH value of 5-9.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and antimicrobial studies of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with Schiff bases derived from 5-bromo-salicylaldehyde

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kursunlu, Ahmed Nuri; Guler, Ersin; Sevgi, Fatih; Ozkalp, Birol

2013-09-01

In this study, the new Schiff base ligands derived from condensation of amine and 5-bromo-salicylaldehyde were characterized. All compounds, the Schiff bases and the metal complexes, were characterized by elemental analyzes, FT-IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The synthesized ligands, along with their metal (II) complexes, were screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against four Gram-negative (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella enteritidis) and four Gram-positive (Streptococcus pyogones, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant S. aureus) bacterial strains by using disc diffusion and broth microdilution techniques.

Characterization of the Igf-II Binding Site of the IGF-II/MAN-6-P Receptor Extracellular Domain.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Garmroudi, Farideh

1995-01-01

In mammals, insulin-like growth factor II (IGF -II) and glycoproteins bearing the mannose 6-phosphate (Man -6-P) recognition marker bind with high affinity to the same receptor. The functional consequences of IGF-II binding to the receptor at the cell surface are not clear. In these studies, we sought to broaden our understanding of the functional regions of the receptor regarding its IGF -II binding site. The IGF-II binding/cross-linking domain of the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor was mapped by sequencing receptor fragments covalently attached to IGF-II. Purified rat placental or bovine liver receptors were affinity-labeled, with ^{125}I-IGF-II and digested with endoproteinase Glu-C. Analysis of digests by gel electrophoresis revealed a major radiolabeled band of 18 kDa, which was purified by gel filtration chromatography followed by reverse-phase HPLC and electroblotting. Sequence analysis revealed that, the peptide S(H)VNSXPMF, located within extracellular repeat 10 and beginning with serine 1488 of the bovine receptor, was the best candidate for the IGF-II cross-linked peptide. These data indicated that residues within repeats 10-11 were important for IGF -II binding. To define the location of the IGF-II binding site further, a nested set of six human receptor cDNA constructs was designed to produce epitope-tagged fusion proteins encompassing the region between repeats 8 and 11 of the human IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor extracellular domain. These truncated receptors were transiently expressed in COS-7 cells, immunoprecipitated and analyzed for their abilities to bind and cross-link to IGF-II. All of the constructs were capable of binding/cross-linking to IGF-II, except for the 9.0-11 construct. Displacement curve analysis indicated that the truncated receptors were approximately equivalent in IGF-II binding affinity, but were of 5- to 10-fold lower affinity than full-length receptors. Sequencing of the 9.0-11 construct indicated the presence of a point mutation substituting threonine for isoleucine at position 1621, which is located in the N-terminal half of repeat 11, and was found to abrogate IGF-II binding. Collectively, our work indicates that repeat 11 of the IGF-II/Man-6-P receptor's extracellular domain encompasses the elements both for binding and cross-linking to IGF-II.

High fat, high sucrose diet causes cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction due in part to oxidative post-translational modification of mitochondrial complex II.

PubMed

Sverdlov, Aaron L; Elezaby, Aly; Behring, Jessica B; Bachschmid, Markus M; Luptak, Ivan; Tu, Vivian H; Siwik, Deborah A; Miller, Edward J; Liesa, Marc; Shirihai, Orian S; Pimentel, David R; Cohen, Richard A; Colucci, Wilson S

2015-01-01

Diet-induced obesity leads to metabolic heart disease (MHD) characterized by increased oxidative stress that may cause oxidative post-translational modifications (OPTM) of cardiac mitochondrial proteins. The functional consequences of OPTM of cardiac mitochondrial proteins in MHD are unknown. Our objective was to determine whether cardiac mitochondrial dysfunction in MHD due to diet-induced obesity is associated with cysteine OPTM. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed either a high-fat, high-sucrose (HFHS) or control diet for 8months. Cardiac mitochondria from HFHS-fed mice (vs. control diet) had an increased rate of H2O2 production, a decreased GSH/GSSG ratio, a decreased rate of complex II substrate-driven ATP synthesis and decreased complex II activity. Complex II substrate-driven ATP synthesis and complex II activity were partially restored ex-vivo by reducing conditions. A biotin switch assay showed that HFHS feeding increased cysteine OPTM in complex II subunits A (SDHA) and B (SDHB). Using iodo-TMT multiplex tags we found that HFHS feeding is associated with reversible oxidation of cysteines 89 and 231 in SDHA, and 100, 103 and 115 in SDHB. MHD due to consumption of a HFHS "Western" diet causes increased H2O2 production and oxidative stress in cardiac mitochondria associated with decreased ATP synthesis and decreased complex II activity. Impaired complex II activity and ATP production are associated with reversible cysteine OPTM of complex II. Possible sites of reversible cysteine OPTM in SDHA and SDHB were identified by iodo-TMT tag labeling. Mitochondrial ROS may contribute to the pathophysiology of MHD by impairing the function of complex II. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled "Mitochondria: From Basic Mitochondrial Biology to Cardiovascular Disease". Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of papain-like isoenzymes from latex of Asclepias curassavica by molecular biology validated by proteomic approach.

PubMed

Obregón, Walter D; Liggieri, Constanza S; Trejo, Sebastian A; Avilés, Francesc X; Vairo-Cavalli, Sandra E; Priolo, Nora S

2009-01-01

Latices from Asclepias spp are used in wound healing and the treatment of some digestive disorders. These pharmacological actions have been attributed to the presence of cysteine proteases in these milky latices. Asclepias curassavica (Asclepiadaceae), "scarlet milkweed" is a perennial subshrub native to South America. In the current paper we report a new approach directed at the selective biochemical and molecular characterization of asclepain cI (acI) and asclepain cII (acII), the enzymes responsible for the proteolytic activity of the scarlet milkweed latex. SDS-PAGE spots of both purified peptidases were digested with trypsin and Peptide Mass Fingerprints (PMFs) obtained showed no equivalent peptides. No identification was possible by MASCOT search due to the paucity of information concerning Asclepiadaceae latex cysteine proteinases available in databases. From total RNA extracted from latex samples, cDNA of both peptidases was obtained by RT-PCR using degenerate primers encoding Asclepiadaceae cysteine peptidase conserved domains. Theoretical PMFs of partial polypeptide sequences obtained by cloning (186 and 185 amino acids) were compared with empirical PMFs, confirming that the sequences of 186 and 185 amino acids correspond to acI and acII, respectively. N-terminal sequences of acI and acII, characterized by Edman sequencing, were overlapped with those coming from the cDNA to obtain the full-length sequence of both mature peptidases (212 and 211 residues respectively). Alignment and phylogenetic analysis confirmed that acI and acII belong to the subfamily C1A forming a new group of papain-like cysteine peptidases together with asclepain f from Asclepias fruticosa. We conclude that PMF could be adopted as an excellent tool to differentiate, in a fast and unequivocal way, peptidases with very similar physicochemical and functional properties, with advantages over other conventional methods (for instance enzyme kinetics) that are time consuming and afford less reliable results.

Software for Engineering Simulations of a Spacecraft

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shireman, Kirk; McSwain, Gene; McCormick, Bernell; Fardelos, Panayiotis

2005-01-01

Spacecraft Engineering Simulation II (SES II) is a C-language computer program for simulating diverse aspects of operation of a spacecraft characterized by either three or six degrees of freedom. A functional model in SES can include a trajectory flight plan; a submodel of a flight computer running navigational and flight-control software; and submodels of the environment, the dynamics of the spacecraft, and sensor inputs and outputs. SES II features a modular, object-oriented programming style. SES II supports event-based simulations, which, in turn, create an easily adaptable simulation environment in which many different types of trajectories can be simulated by use of the same software. The simulation output consists largely of flight data. SES II can be used to perform optimization and Monte Carlo dispersion simulations. It can also be used to perform simulations for multiple spacecraft. In addition to its generic simulation capabilities, SES offers special capabilities for space-shuttle simulations: for this purpose, it incorporates submodels of the space-shuttle dynamics and a C-language version of the guidance, navigation, and control components of the space-shuttle flight software.

Characterization of Cu(II)-reconstituted ACC Oxidase using experimental and theoretical approaches.

PubMed

El Bakkali-Tahéri, Nadia; Tachon, Sybille; Orio, Maylis; Bertaina, Sylvain; Martinho, Marlène; Robert, Viviane; Réglier, Marius; Tron, Thierry; Dorlet, Pierre; Simaan, A Jalila

2017-06-01

1-Aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid oxidase (ACCO) is a non heme iron(II) containing enzyme that catalyzes the final step of the ethylene biosynthesis in plants. The iron(II) ion is bound in a facial triad composed of two histidines and one aspartate (H177, D179 and H234). Several active site variants were generated to provide alternate binding motifs and the enzymes were reconstituted with copper(II). Continuous wave (cw) and pulsed Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) spectroscopies as well as Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations were performed and models for the copper(II) binding sites were deduced. In all investigated enzymes, the copper ion is equatorially coordinated by the two histidine residues (H177 and H234) and probably two water molecules. The copper-containing enzymes are inactive, even when hydrogen peroxide is used in peroxide shunt approach. EPR experiments and DFT calculations were undertaken to investigate substrate's (ACC) binding on the copper ion and the results were used to rationalize the lack of copper-mediated activity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Big angiotensin-25: a novel glycosylated angiotensin-related peptide isolated from human urine.

PubMed

Nagata, Sayaka; Hatakeyama, Kinta; Asami, Maki; Tokashiki, Mariko; Hibino, Hajime; Nishiuchi, Yuji; Kuwasako, Kenji; Kato, Johji; Asada, Yujiro; Kitamura, Kazuo

2013-11-29

The renin-angiotensin system (RAS), including angiotensin II (Ang II), plays an important role in the regulation of blood pressure and body fluid balance. Consequently, the RAS has emerged as a key target for treatment of kidney and cardiovascular disease. In a search for bioactive peptides using an antibody against the N-terminal portion of Ang II, we identified and characterized a novel angiotensin-related peptide from human urine as a major molecular form. We named the peptide Big angiotensin-25 (Bang-25) because it consists of 25 amino acids with a glycosyl chain and added cysteine. Bang-25 is rapidly cleaved by chymase to Ang II, but is resistant to cleavage by renin. The peptide is abundant in human urine and is present in a wide range of organs and tissues. In particular, immunostaining of Bang-25 in the kidney is specifically localized to podocytes. Although the physiological function of Bang-25 remains uncertain, our findings suggest it is processed from angiotensinogen and may represent an alternative, renin-independent path for Ang II synthesis in tissue. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Tests of potential functional barriers for laminated multilayer food packages. Part II: Medium molecular weight permeants.

PubMed

Simal-Gándara, J; Sarria-Vidal, M; Rijk, R

2000-09-01

Experiments were performed to characterize the kinetics of the permeation of different medium molecular weight model permeants: bisphenol A, warfarin and anthracene, from liquid paraffin, through a surrogate potential functional barrier (25 microns-thick orientated polypropylene--OPP) into the food simulants olive oil and 3% (w/v) acetic acid. The characterization of permeation kinetics generally observed the permeation models previously reported to explain the experimental permeation results obtained for a low molecular weight group of model permeants. In general, the model permeants exhibited behaviour consistent with their relative molecular weights with respect to (a) the time taken to attain steady-state permeation into the food simulant in which they were more soluble, (b) their subsequent steady-state permeation rates, and (c) their partition between liquid paraffin and the OPP membrane.

Optical and Electronic NOx Sensors for Applications in Mechatronics

PubMed Central

Di Franco, Cinzia; Elia, Angela; Spagnolo, Vincenzo; Scamarcio, Gaetano; Lugarà, Pietro Mario; Ieva, Eliana; Cioffi, Nicola; Torsi, Luisa; Bruno, Giovanni; Losurdo, Maria; Garcia, Michael A.; Wolter, Scott D.; Brown, April; Ricco, Mario

2009-01-01

Current production and emerging NOx sensors based on optical and nanomaterials technologies are reviewed. In view of their potential applications in mechatronics, we compared the performance of: i) Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) based photoacoustic (PA) systems; ii) gold nanoparticles as catalytically active materials in field-effect transistor (FET) sensors, and iii) functionalized III-V semiconductor based devices. QCL-based PA sensors for NOx show a detection limit in the sub part-per-million range and are characterized by high selectivity and compact set-up. Electrochemically synthesized gold-nanoparticle FET sensors are able to monitor NOx in a concentration range from 50 to 200 parts per million and are suitable for miniaturization. Porphyrin-functionalized III-V semiconductor materials can be used for the fabrication of a reliable NOx sensor platform characterized by high conductivity, corrosion resistance, and strong surface state coupling. PMID:22412315

Group II chaperonins: new TRiC(k)s and turns of a protein folding machine.

PubMed

Gutsche, I; Essen, L O; Baumeister, W

1999-10-22

In the past decade, the eubacterial group I chaperonin GroEL became the paradigm of a protein folding machine. More recently, electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography offered insights into the structure of the thermosome, the archetype of the group II chaperonins which also comprise the chaperonin from the eukaryotic cytosol TRiC. Some structural differences from GroEL were revealed, namely the existence of a built-in lid provided by the helical protrusions of the apical domains instead of a GroES-like co-chaperonin. These structural studies provide a framework for understanding the differences in the mode of action between the group II and the group I chaperonins. In vitro analyses of the folding of non-native substrates coupled to ATP binding and hydrolysis are progressing towards establishing a functional cycle for group II chaperonins. A protein complex called GimC/prefoldin has recently been found to cooperate with TRiC in vivo, and its characterization is under way. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Adsorption of Pb(II) ions onto biomass from Trifolium resupinatum: equilibrium and kinetic studies

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Athar, Makshoof; Farooq, Umar; Aslam, Muhammad; Salman, M.

2013-09-01

The present study provides information about the binding of Pb(II) ions on an eco-friendly and easily available biodegradable biomass Trifolium resupinatum. The powdered biomass was characterized by FTIR, potentiometric titration and surface area analyses. The FTIR spectrum showed the presence of hydroxyl, carbonyl and amino functional groups and Pb(II) ions bound with the oxygen- and nitrogen-containing sites (hydroxyl and amino groups). The acidic groups were also confirmed by titrations. Effects of various environmental parameters (time, pH and concentration) have been studied. The biosorption process achieved equilibrium in a very short period of time (25 min). Non-linear approach for Langmuir and Freundlich models was used to study equilibrium process and root mean-square error was used as an indicator to decide the fitness of the mathematical model. The biosorption process was found to follow pseudo-second-order kinetics and was very fast. Thus, the biomass can be cost-effectively used for the binding of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions.

Two new bradykinin-related peptides from the venom of the social wasp Protopolybia exigua (Saussure).

PubMed

Mendes, Maria Anita; Palma, Mario Sergio

2006-11-01

Two bradykinin-related peptides (Protopolybiakinin-I and Protopolybiakinin-II) were isolated from the venom of the social wasp Protopolybia exigua by RP-HPLC, and sequenced by Edman degradation method. Peptide sequences of Protopolybiakinin-I and Protopolybiakinin-II were DKNKKPIRVGGRRPPGFTR-OH and DKNKKPIWMAGFPGFTPIR-OH, respectively. Synthetic peptides with identical sequences to the bradykinin-related peptides and their biological functions were characterized. Protopolybiakinin-I caused less potent constriction of the isolated rat ileum muscles than bradykinin (BK). In addition, it caused degranulation of mast cells which was seven times more potent than BK. This peptide causes algesic effects due to the direct activation of B(2)-receptors. Protopolybiakinin-II is not an agonist of rat ileum muscle and had no algesic effects. However, Protopolybiakinin-II was found to be 10 times more potent as a mast cell degranulator than BK. The amino acid sequence of Protopolybiakinin-I is the longest among the known wasp kinins.

Preparation of chitosan/amine modified diatomite composites and adsorption properties of Hg(II) ions.

PubMed

Fu, Yong; Huang, Yue; Hu, Jianshe; Zhang, Zhengjie

2018-03-01

A green functional adsorbent (CAD) was prepared by Schiff base reaction of chitosan and amino-modified diatomite. The morphology, structure and adsorption properties of the CAD were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer Emmett Teller measurements. The effect of pH value, contact time and temperature on the adsorption of Hg(II) ions for the CAD is discussed in detail. The experimental results showed that the CAD had a large specific surface area and multifunctional groups such as amino, hydroxyl and Schiff base. The optimum adsorption effect was obtained when the pH value, temperature and contact time were 4, 25 °C and 120 min, respectively, and the corresponding maximum adsorption capacity of Hg(II) ions reached 102 mg/g. Moreover, the adsorption behavior of Hg(II) ions for the CAD followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model. The negative ΔG 0 and ΔH 0 suggested that the adsorption was a spontaneous exothermic process.

Characterizations of strontium(II) and barium(II) adsorption from aqueous solutions using dolomite powder.

PubMed

Ghaemi, Ahad; Torab-Mostaedi, Meisam; Ghannadi-Maragheh, Mohammad

2011-06-15

In this research, adsorption technique was applied for strontium and barium removal from aqueous solution using dolomite powder. The process has been investigated as a function of pH, contact time, temperature and adsorbate concentration. The experimental data was analyzed using equilibrium isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic models. The isotherm data was well described by Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 1.172 and 3.958 mg/g for Sr(II) and Ba(II) from the Langmuir isotherm model at 293 K, respectively. The kinetic data was tested using first and pseudo-second order models. The results indicated that adsorption fitted well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) were also determined using the equilibrium constant value obtained at different temperatures. The results showed that the adsorption for both ions was feasible and exothermic. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis and application of ion imprinting polymer coated magnetic multi-walled carbon nanotubes for selective adsorption of nickel ion

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

He, Junnan; Shang, Hongzhou; Zhang, Xing; Sun, Xiaoran

2018-01-01

A novel nickel ion imprinted polymers (IIPs) based on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were synthesized inverse emulsion system, using chitosan(CS) and acrylic acid as the functional monomers, Ni (II) as the template, and N' N-methylene bis-acrylamide as the cross-linker. The chemical structure and morphological feature of the IIPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Thermogravimetry (TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The studies indicated that the gel layer was well grafted on the surface of MWCNTs. Studies on the adsorption ability of the IIPs, by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, demonstrated that IIPs possessed excellent adsorption and selective ability towards Ni (II), fitting to pseudo second-order kinetic isotherms and with a maximum capacity of 19.86 mg/g, and selectivity factor of 13.09 and 4.42. The electrochemical performance of ion imprinting carbon paste electrode (CPE/IIPs) was characterized by Cyclic voltammetry (CV). Studies have shown that CPE/IIPs showed excellent electrochemical performance.

Nonlinear stability of Gardner breathers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alejo, Miguel A.

2018-01-01

We show that breather solutions of the Gardner equation, a natural generalization of the KdV and mKdV equations, are H2 (R) stable. Through a variational approach, we characterize Gardner breathers as minimizers of a new Lyapunov functional and we study the associated spectral problem, through (i) the analysis of the spectrum of explicit linear systems (spectral stability), and (ii) controlling degenerated directions by using low regularity conservation laws.

Uncovering the Terahertz Spectrum of Copper Sulfate Pentahydrate.

PubMed

Ruggiero, Michael T; Korter, Timothy M

2016-01-21

Terahertz vibrational spectroscopy has evolved into a powerful tool for the detection and characterization of transition metal sulfate compounds, specifically for its ability to differentiate between various hydrated forms with high specificity. Copper(II) sulfate is one such system where multiple crystalline hydrates have had their terahertz spectra fully assigned, and the unique spectral fingerprints of the forms allows for characterization of multicomponent systems with relative ease. Yet the most commonly occurring form, copper(II) sulfate pentahydrate (CuSO4·5H2O), has proven elusive due to the presence of a broad absorption across much of the terahertz region, making the unambiguous identification of its spectral signature difficult. Here, it is shown that the sub-100 cm(-1) spectrum of CuSO4·5H2O is obscured by absorption from adsorbed water and that controlled drying reveals sharp underlying features. The crystalline composition of the samples was monitored in parallel by X-ray diffraction as a function of drying time, supporting the spectroscopic results. Finally, the terahertz spectrum of CuSO4·5H2O was fully assigned using solid-state density functional theory simulations, helping attribute the additional absorptions that appear after excessive drying to formation of CuSO4·3H2O.

Cadmium(II) and lead(II) adsorption onto hetero-atom functional mesoporous silica and activated carbon

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Machida, Motoi; Fotoohi, Babak; Amamo, Yoshimasa; Mercier, Louis

2012-07-01

Adsorption of cadmium(II) and lead(II) on amino-, mercapto-functionalized mesoporous silica (HMS) and carboxylic-functionalized activated carbon (AC) were examined. The resultant isotherms fitted the Langmuir model and amino-functionalized HMS exhibited the highest adsorption capacity for both cadmium(II) and lead(II). Adsorption affinities for cadmium(II) were always greater than those for lead(II) in all three adsorbent types, while the difference between the two values was the largest for mercapto-functionalized HMS indicating a selective adsorption of cadmium(II). Influence of equilibrium solution pH on adsorption of cadmium(II), lead(II) and their binary mixtures was also studied. Carboxylic-functionalized AC adsorbed cadmium(II) and lead(II) in a wide pH range than conditions for the mercapto-functionalized HMS. It was concluded that each functional group had its own characteristics and advantages for adsorption of heavy metal ions; amino-groups showed high adsorption capacity, while mercapto-groups had good selectivity toward cadmium(II) adsorption and a wide solution pH in adsorption by carboxylic-groups were established in this study.

New copper complexes with bipyrazolic ligands: Synthesis, characterization and evaluation of the antibacterial and catalytic properties

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Harit, Tarik; Abouloifa, Houssam; Tillard, Monique; Eddike, Driss; Asehraou, Abdeslam; Malek, Fouad

2018-07-01

The synthesis of new bipyrazolic ligands functionalized by carboxyl groups, namely 3-Bis(3‧-carboxyl-5‧-methyl-l'-pyrazolyl) propan-2-ol (L1) and 1,3-Bis(3‧-carboxyl-5‧-methyl-l '-pyrazolyl),2-methyl propane (L2) is reported. Their corresponding [C13H15CuN4O5] (CuL1) and [C14H16CuN4O4] (CuL2) copper (II) complexes are also elaborated and characterized by elemental analysis, FTIR an UV-visible spectroscopy. The crystal structure of the CuL1 complex confirms that copper atom is 4-coordinated, in a distorted square planar geometry within the molecule, and achieves its coordination through weak intermolecular interactions leading to two dimensional slabs. This geometry is in agreement with UV-visible results which also evidence that structure of complexes are affected in DMSO in contrast to methanol. No antibacterial activity against all the tested bacterial strains has been found for the Cu (II) complexes. By contrast, CuL1 is characterized with good catalytic properties in the air-oxidation of catechol substrate to quinone.

Structural and biological characterization of three novel mastoparan peptides from the venom of the neotropical social wasp Protopolybia exigua (Saussure).

PubMed

Mendes, Maria Anita; de Souza, Bibiana Monson; Palma, Mario Sergio

2005-01-01

The venom of the Neotropical social wasp Protopolybia exigua(Saussure) was fractionated by RP-HPLC resulting in the elution of 20 fractions. The homogeneity of the preparations were checked out by using ESI-MS analysis and the fractions 15, 17 and 19 (eluted at the most hydrophobic conditions) were enough pure to be sequenced by Edman degradation chemistry, resulting in the following sequences: Protopolybia MPI I-N-W-L-K-L-G-K-K-V-S-A-I-L-NH2 Protopolybia-MP II I-N-W-K-A-I-I-E-A-A-K-Q-A-L-NH2 Protopolybia-MP III I-N-W-L-K-L-G-K-A-V-I-D-A-L-NH2 All the peptides were manually synthesized on-solid phase and functionally characterized. Protopolybia-MP I is a hemolytic mastoparan, probably acting on mast cells by assembling in plasma membrane, resulting in pore formation; meanwhile, the peptides Protopolybia-MP II and -MP III were characterized as a non-hemolytic mast cell degranulator toxins, which apparently act by virtue of their binding to G-protein receptor, activating the mast cell degranulation.

Retinal Prosthesis System for Advanced Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Health Technology Assessment Update

PubMed Central

Lee, Christine; Tu, Hong Anh; Wells, David; Holubowich, Corinne

2017-01-01

Background Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of inherited disorders characterized by the degeneration of the photoreceptors in the retina, resulting in progressive vision loss. The Argus II system is designed to restore partial functional vision in patients with profound vision loss from advanced retinitis pigmentosa. At present, it is the only treatment option approved by Health Canada for this patient population. In June 2016, Health Quality Ontario published a health technology assessment of the Argus II retinal prosthesis system for patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa. Based on that assessment, the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommended against publicly funding the Argus II system for this population. It also recommended that Health Quality Ontario re-evaluate the evidence in 1 year. The objective of this report was to examine new evidence published since the 2016 health technology assessment. Methods We completed a health technology assessment, which included an evaluation of clinical benefits and harms, value for money, and patient preferences related to the Argus II system. We performed a systematic literature search for studies published since the 2016 Argus II health technology assessment. We developed a Markov decision-analytic model to assess the cost-effectiveness of the Argus II system compared with standard care, and we calculated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios over a 20-year time horizon. We also conducted a five-year budget impact analysis. Finally, we interviewed people with retinitis pigmentosa about their lived experience with vision loss, and with the Argus II system. Results Four publications from one multicentre international study were included in the clinical review. Patients showed significant improvements in visual function and functional outcomes with the Argus II system, and these outcomes were sustained up to a 5-year follow-up (moderate quality of evidence). The safety profile was generally acceptable. In the base case economic analysis, the Argus II system was cost-effective compared with standard care if the willingness to pay was more than $97,429 per quality-adjusted life-year. We estimated that funding the Argus II system would cost the province $0.71 to $0.78 million per year over 5 years, assuming 4 implants per year. People with lived experience spoke about the challenges of retinitis pigmentosa, including the gradual but persistent progression of the disease; its impact on their quality of life and their families; and the accessibility challenges they faced. Those who used the Argus II system spoke about its positive impact on their quality of life. Conclusions Based on evidence of moderate quality, the Argus II retinal prosthesis system improved visual function, real-life functional outcomes, and quality of life in patients with advanced retinitis pigmentosa. The Argus II system is expensive, but the cost to publicly fund it would be low, because of the small number of eligible patients. The Argus II system can only enable perception of light/dark and shapes/objects, but these advancements represent important gains for people with retinitis pigmentosa in terms of mobility and quality of life. PMID:29201260

The multitalented Mediator complex.

PubMed

Carlsten, Jonas O P; Zhu, Xuefeng; Gustafsson, Claes M

2013-11-01

The Mediator complex is needed for regulated transcription of RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent genes. Initially, Mediator was only seen as a protein bridge that conveyed regulatory information from enhancers to the promoter. Later studies have added many other functions to the Mediator repertoire. Indeed, recent findings show that Mediator influences nearly all stages of transcription and coordinates these events with concomitant changes in chromatin organization. We review the multitude of activities associated with Mediator and discuss how this complex coordinates transcription with other cellular events. We also discuss the inherent difficulties associated with in vivo characterization of a coactivator complex that can indirectly affect diverse cellular processes via changes in gene transcription. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

O2 and CO binding to tetraaza-tripodal-capped iron(II) porphyrins.

PubMed

Ruzié, Christian; Even, Pascale; Ricard, David; Roisnel, Thierry; Boitrel, Bernard

2006-02-06

A series of tris(2-aminoethylamine) (tren) capped iron(II) porphyrins has been synthesized and characterized and their affinities for dioxygen and carbon monoxide measured. The X-ray structure of the basic scaffold with nickel inserted in the porphyrin is also reported. All the ligands differ by the nature of the group(s) attached to the secondary amine functions of the cap. These various substitutions were introduced to probe if a hydrogen bond with these secondary amine groups acting as the donor could rationalize the high affinity of these myoglobin models. This work clearly indicates that the cage structure of the tren predominates over all the other appended groups with the exception of p-nitrophenol.

Type II NKT Cells in Inflammation, Autoimmunity, Microbial Immunity, and Cancer

PubMed Central

Marrero, Idania; Ware, Randle; Kumar, Vipin

2015-01-01

Natural killer T cells (NKT) recognize self and microbial lipid antigens presented by non-polymorphic CD1d molecules. Two major NKT cell subsets, type I and II, express different types of antigen receptors (TCR) with distinct mode of CD1d/lipid recognition. Though type II NKT cells are less frequent in mice and difficult to study, they are predominant in human. One of the major subsets of type II NKT cells reactive to the self-glycolipid sulfatide is the best characterized and has been shown to induce a dominant immune regulatory mechanism that controls inflammation in autoimmunity and in anti-cancer immunity. Recently, type II NKT cells reactive to other self-glycolipids and phospholipids have been identified suggesting both promiscuous and specific TCR recognition in microbial immunity as well. Since the CD1d pathway is highly conserved, a detailed understanding of the biology and function of type II NKT cells as well as their interplay with type I NKT cells or other innate and adaptive T cells will have major implications for potential novel interventions in inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, microbial immunity, and cancer. PMID:26136748

Activation and reactivation of the RNA polymerase II trigger loop for intrinsic RNA cleavage and catalysis

PubMed Central

Čabart, Pavel; Jin, Huiyan; Li, Liangtao; Kaplan, Craig D

2014-01-01

In addition to RNA synthesis, multisubunit RNA polymerases (msRNAPs) support enzymatic reactions such as intrinsic transcript cleavage. msRNAP active sites from different species appear to exhibit differential intrinsic transcript cleavage efficiency and have likely evolved to allow fine-tuning of the transcription process. Here we show that a single amino-acid substitution in the trigger loop (TL) of Saccharomyces RNAP II, Rpb1 H1085Y, engenders a gain of intrinsic cleavage activity where the substituted tyrosine appears to participate in acid-base chemistry at alkaline pH for both intrinsic cleavage and nucleotidyl transfer. We extensively characterize this TL substitution for each of these reactions by examining the responses RNAP II enzymes to catalytic metals, altered pH, and factor inputs. We demonstrate that TFIIF stimulation of the first phosphodiester bond formation by RNAP II requires wild type TL function and that H1085Y substitution within the TL compromises or alters RNAP II responsiveness to both TFIIB and TFIIF. Finally, Mn2+ stimulation of H1085Y RNAP II reveals possible allosteric effects of TFIIB on the active center and cooperation between TFIIB and TFIIF. PMID:25764335

Cyber-Physical Correlations for Infrastructure Resilience: A Game-Theoretic Approach

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rao, Nageswara S; He, Fei; Ma, Chris Y. T.

In several critical infrastructures, the cyber and physical parts are correlated so that disruptions to one affect the other and hence the whole system. These correlations may be exploited to strategically launch components attacks, and hence must be accounted for ensuring the infrastructure resilience, specified by its survival probability. We characterize the cyber-physical interactions at two levels: (i) the failure correlation function specifies the conditional survival probability of cyber sub-infrastructure given the physical sub-infrastructure as a function of their marginal probabilities, and (ii) the individual survival probabilities of both sub-infrastructures are characterized by first-order differential conditions. We formulate a resiliencemore » problem for infrastructures composed of discrete components as a game between the provider and attacker, wherein their utility functions consist of an infrastructure survival probability term and a cost term expressed in terms of the number of components attacked and reinforced. We derive Nash Equilibrium conditions and sensitivity functions that highlight the dependence of infrastructure resilience on the cost term, correlation function and sub-infrastructure survival probabilities. These results generalize earlier ones based on linear failure correlation functions and independent component failures. We apply the results to models of cloud computing infrastructures and energy grids.« less

Profiling MHC II immunopeptidome of blood-stage malaria reveals that cDC1 control the functionality of parasite-specific CD4 T cells.

PubMed

Draheim, Marion; Wlodarczyk, Myriam F; Crozat, Karine; Saliou, Jean-Michel; Alayi, Tchilabalo Dilezitoko; Tomavo, Stanislas; Hassan, Ali; Salvioni, Anna; Demarta-Gatsi, Claudia; Sidney, John; Sette, Alessandro; Dalod, Marc; Berry, Antoine; Silvie, Olivier; Blanchard, Nicolas

2017-11-01

In malaria, CD4 Th1 and T follicular helper (T FH ) cells are important for controlling parasite growth, but Th1 cells also contribute to immunopathology. Moreover, various regulatory CD4 T-cell subsets are critical to hamper pathology. Yet the antigen-presenting cells controlling Th functionality, as well as the antigens recognized by CD4 T cells, are largely unknown. Here, we characterize the MHC II immunopeptidome presented by DC during blood-stage malaria in mice. We establish the immunodominance hierarchy of 14 MHC II ligands derived from conserved parasite proteins. Immunodominance is shaped differently whether blood stage is preceded or not by liver stage, but the same ETRAMP-specific dominant response develops in both contexts. In naïve mice and at the onset of cerebral malaria, CD8α + dendritic cells (cDC1) are superior to other DC subsets for MHC II presentation of the ETRAMP epitope. Using in vivo depletion of cDC1, we show that cDC1 promote parasite-specific Th1 cells and inhibit the development of IL-10 + CD4 T cells. This work profiles the P. berghei blood-stage MHC II immunopeptidome, highlights the potency of cDC1 to present malaria antigens on MHC II, and reveals a major role for cDC1 in regulating malaria-specific CD4 T-cell responses. © 2017 The Authors. Published under the terms of the CC BY 4.0 license.

IR, UV-Vis, magnetic and thermal characterization of chelates of some catecholamines and 4-aminoantipyrine with Fe(III) and Cu(II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mohamed, Gehad G.; Zayed, M. A.; El-Dien, F. A. Nour; El-Nahas, Reham G.

2004-07-01

The dopamine derivatives participate in the regulation of wide variety of physiological functions in the human body and in medication life. Increase and/or decrease in the concentration of dopamine in human body reflect an indication for diseases such as Schizophrenia and/or Parkinson diseases. α-Methyldopa (α-MD) in tablets is used in medication of hypertension. The Fe(III) and Cu(II) chelates with coupled products of adrenaline hydrogen tartarate (AHT), levodopa (LD), α-MD and carbidopa (CD) with 4-aminoantipyrine (4-AAP) are prepared and characterized. Different physico-chemical methods like IR, magnetic and UV-Vis spectra are used to investigate the structure of these chelates. Fe(III) form 1:2 (M:catecholamines) chelates while Cu(II) form 1:1 chelates. Catecholamines behave as a bidentate mono- or dibasic ligands in binding to the metal ions. IR spectra show that the catecholamines are coordinated to the metal ions in a bidentate manner with O,O donor sites of the phenolic - OH. Magnetic moment measurements reveal the presence of Fe(III) chelates in octahedral geometry while the Cu(II) chelates are square planar. The thermal decomposition of Fe(III) and Cu(II) complexes is studied using thermogravimetric (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) techniques. The water molecules are removed in the first step followed immediately by decomposition of the ligand molecules. The activation thermodynamic parameters, such as, energy of activation, enthalpy, entropy and free energy change of the complexes are evaluated and the relative thermal stability of the complexes are discussed.

Synthesis, characterization and investigation of electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical properties of peripherally tetra 4-phenylthiazole-2-thiol substituted metal-free, zinc(II), copper(II) and cobalt(II) phthalocyanines

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Demirbaş, Ümit; Akçay, Hakkı Türker; Koca, Atıf; Kantekin, Halit

2017-08-01

In this study novel peripherally tetra 4-phenylthiazole-2-thiol substituted metal-free phthalocyanine (4) and its zinc(II) (5), copper(II) (6) and cobalt(II) (7) derivatives were synthesized and characterized by a combination of various spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, 1H-NMR, UV-vis and MALDI-TOF mass. Electrochemical characterizations of metallo-phthalocyanine complexes were conducted by voltammetric and in situ spectroelectrochemical measurements. CoIIPc went [CoIIPc-2]/[CoIPc-2]1-, [CoIPc-2]1-/[CoIPc-3]2-, [CoIPc-3]2-/[CoIPc-4]3- and [CoIIPc-2]/[CoIIPc-2]1+ reduction and oxidation processes respectively. Differently ZnIIPc only showed four ligand-based reductions and two ligand based oxidation processes.

mCSF1, a nucleus-encoded CRM protein required for the processing of many mitochondrial introns, is involved in the biogenesis of respiratory complexes I and IV in Arabidopsis.

PubMed

Zmudjak, Michal; Colas des Francs-Small, Catherine; Keren, Ido; Shaya, Felix; Belausov, Eduard; Small, Ian; Ostersetzer-Biran, Oren

2013-07-01

The coding regions of many mitochondrial genes in plants are interrupted by intervening sequences that are classified as group II introns. Their splicing is essential for the expression of the genes they interrupt and hence for respiratory function, and is facilitated by various protein cofactors. Despite the importance of these cofactors, only a few of them have been characterized. CRS1-YhbY domain (CRM) is a recently recognized RNA-binding domain that is present in several characterized splicing factors in plant chloroplasts. The Arabidopsis genome encodes 16 CRM proteins, but these are largely uncharacterized. Here, we analyzed the intracellular location of one of these hypothetical proteins in Arabidopsis, mitochondrial CAF-like splicing factor 1 (mCSF1; At4 g31010), and analyzed the growth phenotypes and organellar activities associated with mcsf1 mutants in plants. Our data indicated that mCSF1 resides within mitochondria and its functions are essential during embryogenesis. Mutant plants with reduced mCSF1 displayed inhibited germination and retarded growth phenotypes that were tightly associated with reduced complex I and IV activities. Analogously to the functions of plastid-localized CRM proteins, analysis of the RNA profiles in wildtype and mcsf1 plants showed that mCSF1 acts in the splicing of many of the group II intron RNAs in Arabidopsis mitochondria. © 2013 The Authors. New Phytologist © 2013 New Phytologist Trust.

Single cigar-shaped nanopores functionalized with amphoteric amino acid chains: experimental and theoretical characterization.

PubMed

Ali, Mubarak; Ramirez, Patricio; Nguyen, Hung Quoc; Nasir, Saima; Cervera, Javier; Mafe, Salvador; Ensinger, Wolfgang

2012-04-24

We present an experimental and theoretical characterization of single cigar-shaped nanopores with pH-responsive carboxylic acid and lysine chains functionalized on the pore surface. The nanopore characterization includes (i) optical images of the nanostructure obtained by FESEM; (ii) different chemical procedures for the nanopore preparation (etching time and functionalizations; pH and electrolyte concentration of the external solution) allowing externally tunable nanopore responses monitored by the current-voltage (I-V) curves; and (iii) transport simulations obtained with a multilayer nanopore model. We show that a single, approximately symmetric nanopore can be operated as a reconfigurable diode showing different rectifying behaviors by applying chemical and electrical signals. The remarkable characteristics of the new nanopore are the sharp response observed in the I-V curves, the improved tunability (with respect to previous designs of symmetric nanopores) which is achieved because of the direct external access to the nanostructure mouths, and the broad range of rectifying properties. The results concern both fundamental concepts useful for the understanding of transport processes in biological systems (ion channels) and applications relevant for tunable nanopore technology (information processing and drug controlled release).

Properties of electronically excited states of four squaraine dyes and their complexes with fullerene C70: A theoretical investigation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhang, Jian; Li, Tingyu

2017-09-01

Solar cells sensitized by polypyridyl Ru(II) complexes exhibit relatively high efficiency, however those photo-sensitizers did not absorb the photons in the far-red and near-infrared region. At present, squaraine dyes have received considerable attention as their attractively intrinsic red light absorption and unusual high molar extinction coefficient. Here we applied density functional theory and time dependent density functional theory to investigate the properties of electronically excited states of four squaraine dyes and their complexes with fullerene C70. The influences of different functionals, basis sets and solvent effects are evaluated. To understand the photophysical properties, the investigations are basing on a classification method which splits the squaraine dyes and their complexes with fullerene C70 into two units to characterize the intramolecular density distribution. We present the signatures of their electronically excited states which are characterized as local excitation or charge-transfer excitation. The relationship between open-circuit voltage and the number of intramolecular hydrogen bonds in squaraine dyes are discussed.

Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite nanoparticles impregnated on apple pomace to enhanced adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution.

PubMed

Chand, Piar; Pakade, Yogesh B

2015-07-01

Hydroxyapatite nanoparticles were synthesized, characterized, and impregnated onto apple pomace surface (HANP@AP) for efficient removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions from water. HANP@AP was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and surface area analysis. Batch sorption studies were carried out to investigate the influence of different parameters as amount of dose (g), pH, time (min), and initial concentration (mg L(-1)) on adsorption process. Experimental kinetic data followed pseudo-second-order model and equilibrium data well fitted to Langmuir adsorption model with maximum adsorption capacities of 303, 250, and 100 mg g(-1) for Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions, respectively. Competitive adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions in presences of each other was studied to evaluate the removal efficiency of HANP@AP against multi metal-loaded water. HANP@AP was successfully applied to real industrial wastewater with 100 % removal of all three metal ions even at high concentration. HANP@AP could be recycled for four, four, and three cycles in case of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II), respectively. The study showed that HANP@AP is fast, cost effective, and environmental friendly adsorbent for removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) ions from real industrial wastewater.

Control of gill ventilation and air-breathing in the bowfin amia calva

PubMed

Hedrick; Jones

1999-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of branchial and gas bladder reflex pathways in the control of gill ventilation and air-breathing in the bowfin Amia calva. We have previously determined that bowfin use two distinct air-breathing mechanisms to ventilate the gas bladder: type I air breaths are characterized by exhalation followed by inhalation, are stimulated by aquatic or aerial hypoxia and appear to regulate O2 gas exchange; type II air breaths are characterized by inhalation alone and possibly regulate gas bladder volume and buoyancy. In the present study, we test the hypotheses (1) that gill ventilation and type I air breaths are controlled by O2-sensitive chemoreceptors located in the branchial region, and (2) that type II air breaths are controlled by gas bladder mechanosensitive stretch receptors. Hypothesis 1 was tested by examining the effects of partial or complete branchial denervation of cranial nerves IX and X to the gill arches on gill ventilation frequency (fg) and the proportion of type I air breaths during normoxia and hypoxia; hypothesis II was tested by gas bladder inflation and deflation. Following complete bilateral branchial denervation, fg did not differ from that of sham-operated control fish; in addition, fg was not significantly affected by aquatic hypoxia in sham-operated or denervated fish. In sham-operated fish, aquatic hypoxia significantly increased overall air-breathing frequency (fab) and the percentage of type I breaths. In fish with complete IX-X branchial denervation, fab was also significantly increased during aquatic hypoxia, but there were equal percentages of type I and type II air breaths. Branchial denervation did not affect the frequency of type I air breaths during aquatic hypoxia. Gas bladder deflation via an indwelling catheter resulted in type II breaths almost exclusively; furthermore, fab was significantly correlated with the volume removed from the gas bladder, suggesting a volume-regulating function for type II air breaths. These results indicate that chronic (3-4 weeks) branchial denervation does not significantly affect fg or type I air-breathing responses to aquatic hypoxia. Because type I air-breathing responses to aquatic hypoxia persist after IX-X cranial nerve denervation, O2-sensitive chemoreceptors that regulate air-breathing may be carried in other afferent pathways, such as the pseudobranch. Gas bladder deflation reflexly stimulates type II breaths, suggesting that gas bladder volume-sensitive stretch receptors control this particular air-breathing mechanism. It is likely that type II air breaths function to regulate buoyancy when gas bladder volume declines during the inter-breath interval.

Multifunctional Nanomaterials: Design, Synthesis and Application Properties.

PubMed

Martinelli, Marisa; Strumia, Miriam Cristina

2017-02-07

The immense scope of variation in dendritic molecules (hyper-branching, nano-sized, hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, rigidity/flexibility balance, etc.) and their versatile functionalization, with the possibility of multivalent binding, permit the design of highly improved, novel materials. Dendritic-based materials are therefore viable alternatives to conventional polymers. The overall aim of this work is to show the advantages of dendronization processes by presenting the synthesis and characterization of three different dendronized systems: (I) microbeads of functionalized chitosan; (II) nanostructuration of polypropylene surfaces; and (III) smart dendritic nanogels. The particular properties yielded by these systems could only be achieved thanks to the dendronization process.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Activity of 1,4-di[ aminomethylene carboxyl] phenylene (H2L) and its Complexes Co(II), Cu (II), Zn(II) and Cd (II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sultan, J. S.; Fezea, S. M.; Mousa, F. H.

2018-05-01

A binucleating tetradentate Schiff base ligand, 1,4- di[amino methylene carboxylic] phenylene (H2L) and its forth new binuclear complexes [Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II)] were prepared via reaction metal (II) chloride with ligand (H2L) using 2:1 (M:L) in ethanol solvent. The new ligand (H2L) and its complexes were characterized by elemental microanalysis (C.H.N), atomic absorption, chloride content, molar conductance’s magnetic susceptibility, FTIR UV- Vis spectral and, 1H, 13 C- NMR (for H2L). The antibacterial activity with bacteria activity with bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus and Esccherichia Coli were studied.

URI Regulates KAP1 Phosphorylation and Transcriptional Repression via PP2A Phosphatase in Prostate Cancer Cells*

PubMed Central

Mita, Paolo; Savas, Jeffrey N.; Briggs, Erica M.; Ha, Susan; Gnanakkan, Veena; Yates, John R.; Robins, Diane M.; David, Gregory; Boeke, Jef D.; Garabedian, Michael J.; Logan, Susan K.

2016-01-01

URI (unconventional prefoldin RPB5 interactor protein) is an unconventional prefoldin, RNA polymerase II interactor that functions as a transcriptional repressor and is part of a larger nuclear protein complex. The components of this complex and the mechanism of transcriptional repression have not been characterized. Here we show that KAP1 (KRAB-associated protein 1) and the protein phosphatase PP2A interact with URI. Mechanistically, we show that KAP1 phosphorylation is decreased following recruitment of PP2A by URI. We functionally characterize the novel URI-KAP1-PP2A complex, demonstrating a role of URI in retrotransposon repression, a key function previously demonstrated for the KAP1-SETDB1 complex. Microarray analysis of annotated transposons revealed a selective increase in the transcription of LINE-1 and L1PA2 retroelements upon knockdown of URI. These data unveil a new nuclear function of URI and identify a novel post-transcriptional regulation of KAP1 protein that may have important implications in reactivation of transposable elements in prostate cancer cells. PMID:27780869

A Bispidol Chelator with a Phosphonate Pendant Arm: Synthesis, Cu(II) Complexation, and 64Cu Labeling.

PubMed

Gillet, Raphaël; Roux, Amandine; Brandel, Jérémy; Huclier-Markai, Sandrine; Camerel, Franck; Jeannin, Olivier; Nonat, Aline M; Charbonnière, Loïc J

2017-10-02

Here we present the synthesis and characterization of a new bispidine (3,7-diazabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane) ligand with N-methanephosphonate substituents (L 2 ). Its physicochemical properties in water, as well as those of the corresponding Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes, have been evaluated by using UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, potentiometry, 1 H and 31 P NMR, and cyclic voltammetry. Radiolabeling experiments with 64 Cu II have been carried out, showing excellent radiolabeling properties. Quantitative complexation was achieved within 60 min under stoichiometric conditions, at room temperature and in the nanomolar concentration range. It was also demonstrated that the complexation occurred below pH 2. Properties have been compared to those of the analogue bispidol bearing a N-methanecarboxylate substituent (L 1 ). Although both systems meet the required criteria to be used as new chelator for 64/67 Cu in terms of the kinetics of formation, thermodynamic stability, selectivity for Cu(II), and kinetic inertness regarding redox- or acid-assisted decomplexation processes, substitution of the carboxylic acid function by the phosphonic moiety is responsible for a significant increase in the thermodynamic stability of the Cu(II) complex (+2 log units for pCu) and also leads to an increase in the radiochemical yields with 64 Cu II which is quantitative for L 2 .

Synthesis, structure and catalytic properties of CNN pincer palladium(II) and ruthenium(II) complexes with N-substituted-2-aminomethyl-6-phenylpyridines.

PubMed

Wang, Tao; Hao, Xin-Qi; Zhang, Xiao-Xue; Gong, Jun-Fang; Song, Mao-Ping

2011-09-21

N-substituted-2-aminomethyl-6-phenylpyridines 2a-c have been easily prepared from commercially available 6-bromo-2-picolinaldehyde in two steps. Reaction of 2a-c with PdCl(2) in toluene in the presence of triethylamine gave the CNN pincer Pd(II) complexes 3a-c in 18-28% yields. The CNN pincer Ru(II) complex 5 containing a Ru-NHR functionality could be obtained in a 71% yield by treatment of 2c with a Ru(II) precursor instead of PdCl(2). Additionally, the related CNN pincer Ru(II) complex 7 containing a Ru-NH(2) functionality has been synthesized by the reaction of 2-aminomethyl-6-phenylpyridine with the same Ru(II) precursor in a 68% yield. All the new compounds were characterized by elemental analysis (MS for ligands), (1)H, (13)C NMR, (31)P{(1)H} NMR (for Ru complexes) and IR spectra. Molecular structures of Pd complex 3c as well as Ru complexes 5 and 7 have been determined by X-ray single-crystal diffraction. The obtained Pd complexes 3a-c were effective catalysts for the allylation of aldehydes as well as for three-component allylation of aldehydes, arylamines and allyltributyltin and their activity was found to be much higher than a related NCN Pd(II) pincer in the allylation of aldehyde. On the other hand, the two new CNN pincer Ru(II) complexes 5 and 7 displayed excellent catalytic activity in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones in refluxing 2-propanol with the latter being much more active. The final TOF values were up to 4510 h(-1) with 0.01 mol% of 5 and 220,800 h(-1) with 0.005 mol% of 7, respectively. This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2011

Initiation of ART during Early Acute HIV Infection Preserves Mucosal Th17 Function and Reverses HIV-Related Immune Activation

PubMed Central

Schuetz, Alexandra; Deleage, Claire; Sereti, Irini; Rerknimitr, Rungsun; Phanuphak, Nittaya; Phuang-Ngern, Yuwadee; Estes, Jacob D.; Sandler, Netanya G.; Sukhumvittaya, Suchada; Marovich, Mary; Jongrakthaitae, Surat; Akapirat, Siriwat; Fletscher, James L. K.; Kroon, Eugene; Dewar, Robin; Trichavaroj, Rapee; Chomchey, Nitiya; Douek, Daniel C.; O′Connell, Robert J.; Ngauy, Viseth; Robb, Merlin L.; Phanuphak, Praphan; Michael, Nelson L.; Excler, Jean-Louis; Kim, Jerome H.; de Souza, Mark S.; Ananworanich, Jintanat

2014-01-01

Mucosal Th17 cells play an important role in maintaining gut epithelium integrity and thus prevent microbial translocation. Chronic HIV infection is characterized by mucosal Th17 cell depletion, microbial translocation and subsequent immune-activation, which remain elevated despite antiretroviral therapy (ART) correlating with increased mortality. However, when Th17 depletion occurs following HIV infection is unknown. We analyzed mucosal Th17 cells in 42 acute HIV infection (AHI) subjects (Fiebig (F) stage I-V) with a median duration of infection of 16 days and the short-term impact of early initiation of ART. Th17 cells were defined as IL-17+ CD4+ T cells and their function was assessed by the co-expression of IL-22, IL-2 and IFNγ. While intact during FI/II, depletion of mucosal Th17 cell numbers and function was observed during FIII correlating with local and systemic markers of immune-activation. ART initiated at FI/II prevented loss of Th17 cell numbers and function, while initiation at FIII restored Th17 cell numbers but not their polyfunctionality. Furthermore, early initiation of ART in FI/II fully reversed the initially observed mucosal and systemic immune-activation. In contrast, patients treated later during AHI maintained elevated mucosal and systemic CD8+ T-cell activation post initiation of ART. These data support a loss of Th17 cells at early stages of acute HIV infection, and highlight that studies of ART initiation during early AHI should be further explored to assess the underlying mechanism of mucosal Th17 function preservation. PMID:25503054

Optical studies on phthalocyanines substituted with phenylazonaphthoxy groups

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Özçeşmeci, İbrahim; Sorar, Idris; Gül, Ahmet

2016-10-01

The synthesis and characterization of peripherally ({1-[(Z or E)-phenylazo]-2-naphthyl} oxy) tetra-substituted metal-free and metallo (Zn(II), Co(II) and Cu(II)) phthalocyanines are described in this study. Aggregation properties of these compounds were investigated in the concentration range of 20-1 μM in tetrahydrofuran. Spectroscopic and photophysical properties of these phthalocyanines have been investigated in tetrahydrofuran. Thin films of metallophthalocyanines were prepared by spin coating technique. Results show that transmittance values of the films change with respect to the metal ions in the visible and Q absorptions regions. Films were also annealed at 100, 200 and 300 °C and their optical properties were investigated as a function of annealing temperature. The spectrophotometric measurements of transmittance spectra were carried out in the wavelength range 200-1000 nm. Results showed that transmittance values of ZnPc thin films were increased as a result of heat treatment.

Bose-Einstein Condensation of a Stochastic Liquid

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maćkowiak, Jan

The Bogoliubov-Lee-Huang theory of superfluid 4He is modified by introducing an effective temperature scale (which accounts for the deep well of the interatomic potential) and by incorporating into the Hamiltonian a stochastic term Vl, which simulates liquidity of HeI and liquidity of the normal and superfluid component of HeII. Vl depends on two independent random angles αn, αs ∈ [0, π], which characterize the locally ordered motion of the two fluids (the normal fluid and superfluid) comprising HeII. The resulting thermodynamics improves the thermodynamic functions and excitation spectrum Ep(αn, αs) of the superfluid phase, obtained previously, leaving the heat capacity CV (T) of the normal phase, with a minimum at Tmin > 2.17K, unchanged. The theoretical velocity of sound in HeII, equal to the initial slope of Ep(π, π), agrees with experiment.

Transition metal complexes of quinolino[3,2-b]benzodiazepine and quinolino[3,2-b]benzoxazepine: synthesis, characterization, and antimicrobial studies.

PubMed

Basavaraju, B; Naik, Halehatty S Bhojya; Prabhakara, Mustur C

2007-01-01

The synthesis and characterization of title complexes of the ligand Quinolino[3,2-b]benzodiazepine (QBD) and Quinolino[3,2-b]benzoxazepine (QBO) are reported. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic studies, IR, H1 NMR, and UV-visible studies. They have the stoichiometry [ML2C12], where M=Co(II)/Ni(II), L=QBD/QBO, and [MLC12], where M=Zn(II)/Cd(II), L=QBD/QBO. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the metal complexes has been investigated. The complexes were found to have higher antimicrobial activity than the parent ligand.

On the saturation of the refractive index structure function. II - Influence of the correlation length on astronomical 'seeing'

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Venkatakrishnan, P.

1987-01-01

A physical length scale in the wavefront corresponding to the parameter (r sub 0) characterizing the loss in detail in a long exposure image is identified, and the influence of the correlation scale of turbulence as r sub 0 approaches this scale is shown. Allowing for the effect of 2-point correlations in the fluctuations of the refractive index, Venkatakrishnan and Chatterjee (1987) proposed a modified law for the phase structure function. It is suggested that the departure of the phase structure function from the 5/3 power law for length scales in the wavefront approaching the correlation scale of turbulence may lead to better 'seeing' at longer wavelengths.

A Novel Cryptic Binding Motif, LRSKSRSFQVSDEQY, in the C-Terminal Fragment of MMP-3/7-Cleaved Osteopontin as a Novel Ligand for α9β1 Integrin Is Involved in the Anti-Type II Collagen Antibody-Induced Arthritis

PubMed Central

Kon, Shigeyuki; Nakayama, Yosuke; Matsumoto, Naoki; Ito, Koyu; Kanayama, Masashi; Kimura, Chiemi; Kouro, Hitomi; Ashitomi, Dai; Matsuda, Tadashi; Uede, Toshimitsu

2014-01-01

Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional protein that has been linked to various intractable inflammatory diseases. One way by which OPN induces inflammation is the production of various functional fragments by enzyme cleavage. It has been well appreciated that OPN is cleaved by thrombin, and/or matrix metalloproteinase-3 and -7 (MMP-3/7). Although the function of thrombin-cleaved OPN is well characterized, little is known about the function of MMP-3/7-cleaved OPN. In this study, we found a novel motif, LRSKSRSFQVSDEQY, in the C-terminal fragment of MMP-3/7-cleaved mouse OPN binds to α9β1 integrin. Importantly, this novel motif is involved in the development of anti-type II collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA). This study provides the first in vitro and in vivo evidence that OPN cleavage by MMP-3/7 is an important regulatory mechanism for CAIA. PMID:25545242

Splice-mediated Variants of Proteins (SpliVaP) - data and characterization of changes in signatures among protein isoforms due to alternative splicing.

PubMed

Floris, Matteo; Orsini, Massimiliano; Thanaraj, Thangavel Alphonse

2008-10-02

It is often the case that mammalian genes are alternatively spliced; the resulting alternate transcripts often encode protein isoforms that differ in amino acid sequences. Changes among the protein isoforms can alter the cellular properties of proteins. The effect can range from a subtle modulation to a complete loss of function. (i) We examined human splice-mediated protein isoforms (as extracted from a manually curated data set, and from a computationally predicted data set) for differences in the annotation for protein signatures (Pfam domains and PRINTS fingerprints) and we characterized the differences & their effects on protein functionalities. An important question addressed relates to the extent of protein isoforms that may lack any known function in the cell. (ii) We present a database that reports differences in protein signatures among human splice-mediated protein isoform sequences. (i) Characterization: The work points to distinct sets of alternatively spliced genes with varying degrees of annotation for the splice-mediated protein isoforms. Protein molecular functions seen to be often affected are those that relate to: binding, catalytic, transcription regulation, structural molecule, transporter, motor, and antioxidant; and the processes that are often affected are nucleic acid binding, signal transduction, and protein-protein interactions. Signatures are often included/excluded and truncated in length among protein isoforms; truncation is seen as the predominant type of change. Analysis points to the following novel aspects: (a) Analysis using data from the manually curated Vega indicates that one in 8.9 genes can lead to a protein isoform of no "known" function; and one in 18 expressed protein isoforms can be such an "orphan" isoform; the corresponding numbers as seen with computationally predicted ASD data set are: one in 4.9 genes and one in 9.8 isoforms. (b) When swapping of signatures occurs, it is often between those of same functional classifications. (c) Pfam domains can occur in varying lengths, and PRINTS fingerprints can occur with varying number of constituent motifs among isoforms - since such a variation is seen in large number of genes, it could be a general mechanism to modulate protein function. (ii) The reported resource (at http://www.bioinformatica.crs4.org/tools/dbs/splivap/) provides the community ability to access data on splice-mediated protein isoforms (with value-added annotation such as association with diseases) through changes in protein signatures.

Synthesis and application of ion-imprinted polymer nanoparticles for the extraction and preconcentration of mercury in water and food samples employing cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry.

PubMed

Roushani, Mahmoud; Abbasi, Shahryar; Khani, Hossein

2015-09-01

We describe a nanosized Hg(II)-imprinted polymer that was prepared from methacrylic acid as functional monomer, ethyleneglycol dimethacrylate as cross-linker, 2,2'-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as radical initiator, 2, 2'-di pyrydyl amine as a specific ligand, and Hg (II) as the template ions by precipitation polymerization method in methanol as the progeny solvent. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH, Hg (II) imprinted polymer amount, adsorption and desorption time, volume, and concentration of eluent. The synthesized polymer particles were characterized physically and morphologically by using infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopic techniques. The maximum adsorption capacity of the ion-imprinted and non-imprinted sorbent was 27.96 and 7.89 mg g(-1), respectively. Under optimal conditions, the detection limit for mercury was 0.01 μg L(-1) and the relative standard deviation was 3.2 % (n = 6) at the 1.00 μg L(-1). The procedure was applied to determination of mercury in fish and water samples with satisfactory results.

Fabrication of magnetic water-soluble hyperbranched polyol functionalized graphene oxide for high-efficiency water remediation

PubMed Central

Hu, Lihua; Li, Yan; Zhang, Xuefei; Wang, Yaoguang; Cui, Limei; Wei, Qin; Ma, Hongmin; Yan, Liangguo; Du, Bin

2016-01-01

Magnetic water-soluble hyperbranched polyol functionalized graphene oxide nanocomposite (MWHPO-GO) was successfully prepared and applied to water remediation in this paper. MWHPO-GO was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), magnetization curve, zeta potential, scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses. MWHPO-GO exhibited excellent adsorption performance for the removal of synthetic dyes (methylene blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV)) and heavy metal (Pb(II)). Moreover, MWHPO-GO could be simply recovered from water with magnetic separation. The pseudo-second order equation and the Langmuir model exhibited good correlation with the adsorption kinetic and isotherm data, respectively, for these three pollutants. The thermodynamic results (ΔG < 0, ΔH < 0, ΔS < 0) implied that the adsorption process of MB, MV and Pb(II) was feasible, exothermic and spontaneous in nature. A possible adsorption mechanism has been proposed where π-π stacking interactions, H-bonding interaction and electrostatic attraction dominated the adsorption of MB/MV and chelation and electrostatic attraction dominated the adsorption of Pb(II). In addition, the excellent reproducibility endowed MWHPO-GO with the potential for application in water remediation. PMID:27354318

A model for melanosome biogenesis based on the purification and analysis of early melanosomes

PubMed Central

Kushimoto, Tsuneto; Basrur, Venkatesha; Valencia, Julio; Matsunaga, Jun; Vieira, Wilfred D.; Ferrans, Victor J.; Muller, Jacqueline; Appella, Ettore; Hearing, Vincent J.

2001-01-01

Melanosome biogenesis and function were studied after purification of early stage melanosomes and characterization of specific proteins sorted to that organelle. Melanosomes were isolated from highly pigmented human MNT1 melanoma cells after disruption and initial separation by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. Low-density sucrose fractions were found by electron microscopy to be enriched in stage I and stage II melanosomes, and these fractions were further separated and purified by free flow electrophoresis. Tyrosinase and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) activities were found exclusively in stage II melanosomes, even though DCT (and to some extent tyrosinase) proteins were sorted to stage I melanosomes. Western immunoblotting revealed that these catalytic proteins, as well as TYRP1, MART1, and GP100, were cleaved and inactivated in stage I melanosomes. Proteolytic cleavage was critical for the refolding of GP100 within the melanosomal milieu, and subsequent reorganization of amorphous stage I melanosomes into fibrillar, ovoid, and highly organized stage II melanosomes appears to stabilize the catalytic functions of melanosomal enzymes and allows melanin biosynthesis to begin. These results provide a better understanding of the structural features seen during melanosome biogenesis, and they yield further clues as to the physiological regulation of pigmentation. PMID:11526213

Structural characterization and antimicrobial activities of transition metal complexes of a hydrazone ligand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bakale, Raghavendra P.; Naik, Ganesh N.; Machakanur, Shrinath S.; Mangannavar, Chandrashekhar V.; Muchchandi, Iranna S.; Gudasi, Kalagouda B.

2018-02-01

A hydrazone ligand has been synthesized by the condensation of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde and hydralazine, and its Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been reported. Structural characterization of the ligand and its metal complexes has been performed by various spectroscopic [IR, NMR, UV-Vis, Mass], thermal and other physicochemical methods. The structure of the ligand and its Ni(II) complex has been characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies. All the synthesized compounds have been screened for in vitro antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial activity is tested against Gram-positive strains Enterococcus faecalis, Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative strains Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae using ciprofloxacin as the reference standard. Antifungal activity is tested against Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger using ketoconazole as the reference standard. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined for test compounds as well as for reference standard. Ligand, Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes have shown excellent activity against Candida albicans.

Comparative structural modeling of six old yellow enzymes (OYEs) from the necrotrophic fungus Ascochyta rabiei: insight into novel OYE classes with differences in cofactor binding, organization of active site residues and stereopreferences.

PubMed

Nizam, Shadab; Gazara, Rajesh Kumar; Verma, Sandhya; Singh, Kunal; Verma, Praveen Kumar

2014-01-01

Old Yellow Enzyme (OYE1) was the first flavin-dependent enzyme identified and characterized in detail by the entire range of physical techniques. Irrespective of this scrutiny, true physiological role of the enzyme remains a mystery. In a recent study, we systematically identified OYE proteins from various fungi and classified them into three classes viz. Class I, II and III. However, there is no information about the structural organization of Class III OYEs, eukaryotic Class II OYEs and Class I OYEs of filamentous fungi. Ascochyta rabiei, a filamentous phytopathogen which causes Ascochyta blight (AB) in chickpea possesses six OYEs (ArOYE1-6) belonging to the three OYE classes. Here we carried out comparative homology modeling of six ArOYEs representing all the three classes to get an in depth idea of structural and functional aspects of fungal OYEs. The predicted 3D structures of A. rabiei OYEs were refined and evaluated using various validation tools for their structural integrity. Analysis of FMN binding environment of Class III OYE revealed novel residues involved in interaction. The ligand para-hydroxybenzaldehyde (PHB) was docked into the active site of the enzymes and interacting residues were analyzed. We observed a unique active site organization of Class III OYE in comparison to Class I and II OYEs. Subsequently, analysis of stereopreference through structural features of ArOYEs was carried out, suggesting differences in R/S selectivity of these proteins. Therefore, our comparative modeling study provides insights into the FMN binding, active site organization and stereopreference of different classes of ArOYEs and indicates towards functional differences of these enzymes. This study provides the basis for future investigations towards the biochemical and functional characterization of these enigmatic enzymes.

Structural and Biochemical Characterization of a Novel Aminopeptidase from Human Intestine

DOE PAGES

Tykvart, Jan; Bařinka, Cyril; Svoboda, Michal; ...

2015-03-09

N-acetylated α-linked acidic dipeptidase-like protein (NAALADase L), encoded by the NAALADL1 gene, is a close homolog of glutamate carboxypeptidase II, a metallopeptidase that has been intensively studied as a target for imaging and therapy of solid malignancies and neuropathologies. However, neither the physiological functions nor structural features of NAALADase L are known at present. In this paper, we report a thorough characterization of the protein product of the human NAALADL1 gene, including heterologous overexpression and purification, structural and biochemical characterization, and analysis of its expression profile. By solving the NAALADase L x-ray structure, we provide the first experimental evidence thatmore » it is a zinc-dependent metallopeptidase with a catalytic mechanism similar to that of glutamate carboxypeptidase II yet distinct substrate specificity. A proteome-based assay revealed that the NAALADL1 gene product possesses previously unrecognized aminopeptidase activity but no carboxy- or endopeptidase activity. These findings were corroborated by site-directed mutagenesis and identification of bestatin as a potent inhibitor of the enzyme. Analysis of NAALADL1 gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels revealed the small intestine as the major site of protein expression and points toward extensive alternative splicing of the NAALADL1 gene transcript. Taken together, our data imply that the NAALADL1 gene product's primary physiological function is associated with the final stages of protein/peptide digestion and absorption in the human digestive system. Finally, based on these results, we suggest a new name for this enzyme: human ileal aminopeptidase (HILAP).« less

Risk Modeling of Interdependent Complex Systems of Systems: Theory and Practice.

PubMed

Haimes, Yacov Y

2018-01-01

The emergence of the complexity characterizing our systems of systems (SoS) requires a reevaluation of the way we model, assess, manage, communicate, and analyze the risk thereto. Current models for risk analysis of emergent complex SoS are insufficient because too often they rely on the same risk functions and models used for single systems. These models commonly fail to incorporate the complexity derived from the networks of interdependencies and interconnectedness (I-I) characterizing SoS. There is a need to reevaluate currently practiced risk analysis to respond to this reality by examining, and thus comprehending, what makes emergent SoS complex. The key to evaluating the risk to SoS lies in understanding the genesis of characterizing I-I of systems manifested through shared states and other essential entities within and among the systems that constitute SoS. The term "essential entities" includes shared decisions, resources, functions, policies, decisionmakers, stakeholders, organizational setups, and others. This undertaking can be accomplished by building on state-space theory, which is fundamental to systems engineering and process control. This article presents a theoretical and analytical framework for modeling the risk to SoS with two case studies performed with the MITRE Corporation and demonstrates the pivotal contributions made by shared states and other essential entities to modeling and analysis of the risk to complex SoS. A third case study highlights the multifarious representations of SoS, which require harmonizing the risk analysis process currently applied to single systems when applied to complex SoS. © 2017 Society for Risk Analysis.

Very long haplotype tracts characterized at high resolution from HLA homozygous cell lines

PubMed Central

Norman, Paul J.; Norberg, Steve; Nemat-Gorgani, Neda; Royce, Thomas; Hollenbach, Jill A.; Won, Melissa Shults; Guethlein, Lisbeth A.; Gunderson, Kevin L.; Ronaghi, Mostafa; Parham, Peter

2015-01-01

The HLA region of chromosome 6 contains the most polymorphic genes in humans. Spanning ~5Mbp the densely packed region encompasses approximately 175 expressed genes including the highly polymorphic HLA class I and II loci. Most of the other genes and functional elements are also polymorphic, and many of them are directly implicated in immune function or immune-related disease. For these reasons this complex genomic region is subject to intense scrutiny by researchers with the common goal of aiding further understanding and diagnoses of multiple immune-related diseases and syndromes. To aid assay development and characterization of the classical loci, a panel of cell lines partially or fully homozygous for HLA class I and II was assembled over time by the International Histocompatibility Working Group (IHWG). Containing a minimum of 88 unique HLA haplotypes, we show this panel represents a significant proportion of European HLA allelic and haplotype diversity (60–95%). Using a high-density whole genome array that includes 13,331 HLA region SNPs, we analyzed 99 IHWG cells to map the coordinates of the homozygous tracts at a fine scale. The mean homozygous tract length within chromosome 6 from these individuals is 21Mbp. Within HLA the mean haplotype length is 4.3Mbp, and 65% of the cell lines were shown to be homozygous throughout the entire region. In addition, four cell lines are homozygous throughout the complex KIR region of chromosome 19 (~250kbp). The data we describe will provide a valuable resource for characterizing haplotypes, designing and refining imputation algorithms and developing assay controls. PMID:26198775

Stem mortality in surface fires: Part II, experimental methods for characterizing the thermal response of tree stems to heating by fires

Treesearch

D. M. Jimenez; B. W. Butler; J. Reardon

2003-01-01

Current methods for predicting fire-induced plant mortality in shrubs and trees are largely empirical. These methods are not readily linked to duff burning, soil heating, and surface fire behavior models. In response to the need for a physics-based model of this process, a detailed model for predicting the temperature distribution through a tree stem as a function of...

Comparison of BRDF-Predicted and Observed Light Curves of GEO Satellites

DTIC Science & Technology

2015-10-18

to validate the BRDF models . 7. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This work was partially funded by a Phase II SBIR (FA9453-14-C-029) from the AFRL Space...Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Function ( BRDF ) models . These BRDF models have generally come from researchers in computer graphics and machine...characterization, there is a lack of research on the validation of BRDFs with regards to real data. In this paper, we compared telescope data provided by the

Syntheses, characterization and antioxidant activity studies of mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes of 2,2‧-bipyridine and glycine: The X-ray crystal structure of [Cu(BPy)(Gly)]ClO4

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ibrahim, Mohamed M.; Ramadan, Abd El-Motaleb M.; Shaban, Shaban Y.; Mersal, Gaber A. M.; El-Shazly, Samir A.; Al-Juaid, Salih

2017-04-01

A series of mixed-ligand complexes, viz., [CuLL'X]Y {L = bipyridine; L' = glycine; X = 0, Y = ClO4- (1); X = Cl, Y = 2H2O (2); X = H2O, Y = NO3- (3); X = CH3COO-, Y = H2O (4)} and {[Cu(Gly)(BPy)]2-μ-(SO4)}(5)} have been synthesized and characterized by means of elemental analysis, spectroscopic (FT-IR, UV-Vis and ESR), and thermal analysis, as well as magnetic moment measurements. Spectral and X-ray structural features led to the conclusion that complexes 2-5 have square-pyramidal environments around copper(II) center with coordination chromophores CuN3OCl and CuN3O2, respectively. Whereas complex 1 displays square planar geometry. The quasi-reversible CuII/CuI redox couple slightly improves its reversibility with considerable decrease in current intensity. Additionally, the antioxidant (superoxide dismutase and catalase) biomimetic catalytic activities of the obtained complexes have been tested and found to be promising candidates as dual functional mimic enzyme to serve for complete reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification, both with respect to the superoxide radicals and the related peroxides.

Structure-function relationships between aldolase C/zebrin II expression and complex spike synchrony in the cerebellum.

PubMed

Tsutsumi, Shinichiro; Yamazaki, Maya; Miyazaki, Taisuke; Watanabe, Masahiko; Sakimura, Kenji; Kano, Masanobu; Kitamura, Kazuo

2015-01-14

Simple and regular anatomical structure is a hallmark of the cerebellar cortex. Parasagittally arrayed alternate expression of aldolase C/zebrin II in Purkinje cells (PCs) has been extensively studied, but surprisingly little is known about its functional significance. Here we found a precise structure-function relationship between aldolase C expression and synchrony of PC complex spike activities that reflect climbing fiber inputs to PCs. We performed two-photon calcium imaging in transgenic mice in which aldolase C compartments can be visualized in vivo, and identified highly synchronous complex spike activities among aldolase C-positive or aldolase C-negative PCs, but not across these populations. The boundary of aldolase C compartments corresponded to that of complex spike synchrony at single-cell resolution. Sensory stimulation evoked aldolase C compartment-specific complex spike responses and synchrony. This result further revealed the structure-function segregation. In awake animals, complex spike synchrony both within and between PC populations across the aldolase C boundary were enhanced in response to sensory stimuli, in a way that two functionally distinct PC ensembles are coactivated. These results suggest that PC populations characterized by aldolase C expression precisely represent distinct functional units of the cerebellar cortex, and these functional units can cooperate to process sensory information in awake animals. Copyright © 2015 the authors 0270-6474/15/350843-10$15.00/0.

Spectroscopic and functional characterization of iron-bound forms of Azotobacter vinelandii (Nif)IscA.

PubMed

Mapolelo, Daphne T; Zhang, Bo; Naik, Sunil G; Huynh, Boi Hanh; Johnson, Michael K

2012-10-16

The ability of Azotobacter vinelandii(Nif)IscA to bind Fe has been investigated to assess the role of Fe-bound forms in NIF-specific Fe-S cluster biogenesis. (Nif)IscA is shown to bind one Fe(III) or one Fe(II) per homodimer and the spectroscopic and redox properties of both the Fe(III)- and Fe(II)-bound forms have been characterized using the UV-visible absorption, circular dichroism, and variable-temperature magnetic circular dichroism, electron paramagnetic resonance, Mössbauer and resonance Raman spectroscopies. The results reveal a rhombic intermediate-spin (S = 3/2) Fe(III) center (E/D = 0.33, D = 3.5 ± 1.5 cm(-1)) that is most likely 5-coordinate with two or three cysteinate ligands and a rhombic high spin (S = 2) Fe(II) center (E/D = 0.28, D = 7.6 cm(-1)) with properties similar to reduced rubredoxins or rubredoxin variants with three cysteinate and one or two oxygenic ligands. Iron-bound (Nif)IscA undergoes reversible redox cycling between the Fe(III)/Fe(II) forms with a midpoint potential of +36 ± 15 mV at pH 7.8 (versus NHE). l-Cysteine is effective in mediating release of free Fe(II) from both the Fe(II)- and Fe(III)-bound forms of (Nif)IscA. Fe(III)-bound (Nif)IscA was also shown to be a competent iron source for in vitro NifS-mediated [2Fe-2S] cluster assembly on the N-terminal domain of NifU, but the reaction occurs via cysteine-mediated release of free Fe(II) rather than direct iron transfer. The proposed roles of A-type proteins in storing Fe under aerobic growth conditions and serving as iron donors for cluster assembly on U-type scaffold proteins or maturation of biological [4Fe-4S] centers are discussed in light of these results.

A spectroscopic and voltammetric study of the pH-dependent Cu(II) coordination to the peptide GGGTH: relevance to the fifth Cu(II) site in the prion protein.

PubMed

Hureau, Christelle; Charlet, Laurent; Dorlet, Pierre; Gonnet, Florence; Spadini, Lorenzo; Anxolabéhère-Mallart, Elodie; Girerd, Jean-Jacques

2006-09-01

The GGGTH sequence has been proposed to be the minimal sequence involved in the binding of a fifth Cu(II) ion in addition to the octarepeat region of the prion protein (PrP) which binds four Cu(II) ions. Coordination of Cu(II) by the N- and C-protected Ac-GGGTH-NH(2) pentapeptide (P(5)) was investigated by using potentiometric titration, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, UV-vis spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry experiments. Four different Cu(II) complexes were identified and characterized as a function of pH. The Cu(II) binding mode switches from NO(3) to N(4) for pH values ranging from 6.0 to 10.0. Quasi-reversible reduction of the [Cu(II)(P(5))H(-2)] complex formed at pH 6.7 occurs at E (1/2)=0.04 V versus Ag/AgCl, whereas reversible oxidation of the [Cu(II)(P(5))H(-3)](-) complex formed at pH 10.0 occurs at E (1/2)=0.66 V versus Ag/AgCl. Comparison of our EPR data with those of the rSHaPrP(90-231) (Burns et al. in Biochemistry 42:6794-6803, 2003) strongly suggests an N(3)O binding mode at physiological pH for the fifth Cu(II) site in the protein.

Unusual hepatic mitochondrial arginase in an Indian air-breathing teleost, Heteropneustes fossilis: purification and characterization.

PubMed

Srivastava, Shilpee; Ratha, B K

2013-02-01

A functional urea cycle with both cytosolic (ARG I) and mitochondrial (ARG II) arginase activity is present in the liver of an ureogenic air-breathing teleost, Heteropneustes fossilis. Antibodies against mammalian ARG II showed no cross-reactivity with the H. fossilis ARG II. ARG II was purified to homogeneity from H. fossilis liver. Purified ARG II showed a native molecular mass of 96 kDa. SDS-PAGE showed a major band at 48 kDa. The native enzyme, therefore, appears to be a homodimer. The pI value of the enzyme was 7.5. The purified enzyme showed maximum activity at pH 10.5 and 55 °C. The K(m) of purified ARG II for l-arginine was 5.25±1.12 mM. L-Ornithine and N(ω)-hydroxy-L-arginine showed mixed inhibition with K(i) values 2.16±0.08 and 0.02±0.004 mM respectively. Mn(+2) and Co(+2) were effective activators of arginase activity. Antibody raised against purified H. fossilis ARG II did not cross-react with fish ARG I, and mammalian ARG I and ARG II. Western blot with the antibodies against purified H. fossilis hepatic ARG II showed cross reactivity with a 96 kDa band on native PAGE and a 48 kDa band on SDS-PAGE. The molecular, immunological and kinetic properties suggest uniqueness of the hepatic mitochondrial ARG II in H. fossilis. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Structural basis for the initiation of eukaryotic transcription-coupled DNA repair.

PubMed

Xu, Jun; Lahiri, Indrajit; Wang, Wei; Wier, Adam; Cianfrocco, Michael A; Chong, Jenny; Hare, Alissa A; Dervan, Peter B; DiMaio, Frank; Leschziner, Andres E; Wang, Dong

2017-11-30

Eukaryotic transcription-coupled repair (TCR) is an important and well-conserved sub-pathway of nucleotide excision repair that preferentially removes DNA lesions from the template strand that block translocation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II). Cockayne syndrome group B (CSB, also known as ERCC6) protein in humans (or its yeast orthologues, Rad26 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhp26 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe) is among the first proteins to be recruited to the lesion-arrested Pol II during the initiation of eukaryotic TCR. Mutations in CSB are associated with the autosomal-recessive neurological disorder Cockayne syndrome, which is characterized by progeriod features, growth failure and photosensitivity. The molecular mechanism of eukaryotic TCR initiation remains unclear, with several long-standing unanswered questions. How cells distinguish DNA lesion-arrested Pol II from other forms of arrested Pol II, the role of CSB in TCR initiation, and how CSB interacts with the arrested Pol II complex are all unknown. The lack of structures of CSB or the Pol II-CSB complex has hindered our ability to address these questions. Here we report the structure of the S. cerevisiae Pol II-Rad26 complex solved by cryo-electron microscopy. The structure reveals that Rad26 binds to the DNA upstream of Pol II, where it markedly alters its path. Our structural and functional data suggest that the conserved Swi2/Snf2-family core ATPase domain promotes the forward movement of Pol II, and elucidate key roles for Rad26 in both TCR and transcription elongation.

Optical and Electronic NO(x) Sensors for Applications in Mechatronics.

PubMed

Di Franco, Cinzia; Elia, Angela; Spagnolo, Vincenzo; Scamarcio, Gaetano; Lugarà, Pietro Mario; Ieva, Eliana; Cioffi, Nicola; Torsi, Luisa; Bruno, Giovanni; Losurdo, Maria; Garcia, Michael A; Wolter, Scott D; Brown, April; Ricco, Mario

2009-01-01

Current production and emerging NO(x) sensors based on optical and nanomaterials technologies are reviewed. In view of their potential applications in mechatronics, we compared the performance of: i) Quantum cascade lasers (QCL) based photoacoustic (PA) systems; ii) gold nanoparticles as catalytically active materials in field-effect transistor (FET) sensors, and iii) functionalized III-V semiconductor based devices. QCL-based PA sensors for NO(x) show a detection limit in the sub part-per-million range and are characterized by high selectivity and compact set-up. Electrochemically synthesized gold-nanoparticle FET sensors are able to monitor NO(x) in a concentration range from 50 to 200 parts per million and are suitable for miniaturization. Porphyrin-functionalized III-V semiconductor materials can be used for the fabrication of a reliable NO(x) sensor platform characterized by high conductivity, corrosion resistance, and strong surface state coupling.

Functional analysis of a SOX10 gene mutation associated with Waardenburg syndrome II.

PubMed

Wang, Xue-Ping; Hao, Zi-Qi; Liu, Ya-Lan; Mei, Ling-Yun; He, Chu-Feng; Niu, Zhi-Jie; Sun, Jie; Zhao, Yu-Lin; Feng, Yong

2017-11-04

Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is an autosomal dominant inherited non-syndromic type of hereditary hearing loss characterized by varying combinations of sensorineural hearing loss and abnormal pigmentation of the hair, skin, and inner ear. WS is classified into four subtypes (WS1-WS4) based on additional symptoms. WS2 is characterized by the absence of additional symptoms. Recently, we identified a SOX10 missense mutation c.422T > C (p.L141P) associated with WS2. We performed functional assays and found the mutant loses DNA-binding capacity, shows aberrant cytoplasmic and nuclear localization, and fails to interact with PAX3. Therefore, the mutant cannot transactivate the MITF promoter effectively, inhibiting melanin synthesis and leading to WS2. Our study confirmed haploinsufficiency as the underlying pathogenesis for WS2. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Monoclonal Antibodies Against Tyrosyl-tRNA Synthetase and Its Isolated Cytokine-Like Domain

PubMed Central

Khoruzenko, Antonina; Cherednyk, Olga; Filonenko, Valeriy; Kornelyuk, Aleksander

2013-01-01

Tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (TyrRS) is one of the key enzymes of protein biosynthesis. In addition to its basic role, this enzyme reveals some important non-canonical functions. Under apoptotic conditions, the full-length enzyme splits into two fragments having distinct cytokine activities, thereby linking protein synthesis to cytokine signaling pathways. The NH2-terminal catalytic fragment, known as miniTyrRS, binds strongly to the CXC-chemokine receptor CXCR1 and, like interleukin 8, functions as a chemoattractant for polymorphonuclear leukocytes. On the other hand, an extra COOH-terminal domain of human TyrRS has cytokine activities like those of a mature human endothelial monocyte-activating polypeptide II (EMAP II). Moreover, the etiology of specific diseases (cancer, neuronal pathologies, autoimmune disorders, and disrupted metabolic conditions) is connected to specific aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases. Here we report the generation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies specific to N- and C-terminal domains of TyrRS. Recombinant TyrRS and its N- and C-terminal domains were expressed as His-tag fusion proteins in bacteria. Affinity purified proteins have been used as antigens for immunization and hybridoma cell screening. Monoclonal antibodies specific to catalytic N-terminal module and C-terminal EMAP II-like domain of TyrRS may be useful as tools in various aspects of TyrRS function and cellular localization. PMID:23750478

Pressure chamber tests of eustachian tube function document lower efficiency in adults with colds when compared to without colds.

PubMed

Doyle, William J; Singla, Alok; Banks, Juliane; El-Wagaa, Jenna; Swarts, J Douglas

2014-07-01

Fractional gradient equilibrated (FGE) for ears with applied positive but not negative middle ear (ME)-ambient pressure gradients is highly sensitive to a cold-like illness (CLI). The sequential development of eustachian tube (ET) dysfunction, ME under-pressure, and otitis media (OM) characterizes many children during a CLI. If linked, OM burden would be lessened by interventions that promote/preserve good ET function during a CLI. Evaluating this requires a quantitative ET function test for MEs with an intact tympanic membrane responsive to a CLI. Pressure chamber testing of ET function was performed at +200 and -200 daPa in 3 groups of adults: group I, 21 subjects with an extant CLI and groups II and III, 14 and 57 adults, respectively, without a CLI. ME-chamber pressure gradient was recorded by tympanometry before and after the subject swallowed twice. ET functional efficiency was quantified as the FGE, which was then compared among groups using a Mann-Whitney U test. At chamber pressures of 200 daPa, the ME-chamber pressure gradient was negative, and FGE was low and not different among groups. At chamber pressures of -200 daPa that gradient was positive, and FGE was significantly higher in groups II and III when compared with group I.

Characterization of archaeal group II chaperonin-ADP-metal fluoride complexes: implications that group II chaperonins operate as a "two-stroke engine".

PubMed

Iizuka, Ryo; Yoshida, Takao; Ishii, Noriyuki; Zako, Tamotsu; Takahashi, Kazunobu; Maki, Kosuke; Inobe, Tomonao; Kuwajima, Kunihiro; Yohda, Masafumi

2005-12-02

Group II chaperonins, found in Archaea and in the eukaryotic cytosol, act independently of a cofactor corresponding to GroES of group I chaperonins. Instead, the helical protrusion at the tip of the apical domain forms a built-in lid of the central cavity. Although many studies on the lid's conformation have been carried out, the conformation in each step of the ATPase cycle remains obscure. To clarify this issue, we examined the effects of ADP-aluminum fluoride (AlFx) and ADP-beryllium fluoride (BeFx) complexes on alpha-chaperonin from the hyperthermophilic archaeum, Thermococcus sp. strain KS-1. Biochemical assays, electron microscopic observations, and small angle x-ray scattering measurements demonstrate that alpha-chaperonin incubated with ADP and BeFx exists in an asymmetric conformation; one ring is open, and the other is closed. The result indicates that alpha-chaperonin also shares the inherent functional asymmetry of bacterial and eukaryotic cytosolic chaperonins. Most interestingly, addition of ADP and BeFx induced alpha-chaperonin to encapsulate unfolded proteins in the closed ring but did not trigger their folding. Moreover, alpha-chaperonin incubated with ATP and AlFx or BeFx adopted a symmetric closed conformation, and its functional turnover was inhibited. These forms are supposed to be intermediates during the reaction cycle of group II chaperonins.

Photosystem II Peripheral Accessory Chlorophyll Mutants in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. Biochemical Characterization and Sensitivity to Photo-Inhibition12

PubMed Central

Ruffle, Stuart V.; Wang, Jun; Johnston, Heather G.; Gustafson, Terry L.; Hutchison, Ronald S.; Minagawa, Jun; Crofts, Anthony; Sayre, Richard T.

2001-01-01

In addition to the four chlorophylls (Chls) involved in primary charge separation, the photosystem II (PSII) reaction center polypeptides, D1 and D2, coordinate a pair of symmetry-related, peripheral accessory Chls. These Chls are axially coordinated by the D1-H118 and D2-H117 residues and are in close association with the proximal Chl antennae proteins, CP43 and CP47. To gain insight into the function(s) of each of the peripheral Chls, we generated site-specific mutations of the amino acid residues that coordinate these Chls and characterized their energy and electron transfer properties. Our results demonstrate that D1-H118 and D2-H117 mutants differ with respect to: (a) their relative numbers of functional PSII complexes, (b) their relative ability to stabilize charge-separated states, (c) light-harvesting efficiency, and (d) their sensitivity to photo-inhibition. The D2-H117N and D2-H117Q mutants had reduced levels of functional PSII complexes and oxygen evolution capacity as well as reduced light-harvesting efficiencies relative to wild-type cells. In contrast, the D1-H118Q mutant was capable of near wild-type rates of oxygen evolution at saturating light intensities. The D1-H118Q mutant also was substantially more resistant to photo-inhibition than wild type. This reduced sensitivity to photo-inhibition is presumably associated with a reduced light-harvesting efficiency in this mutant. Finally, it is noted that the PSII peripheral accessory Chls have similarities to a to a pair of Chls also present in the PSI reaction center complex. PMID:11598237

Transition Metal Complexes of Quinolino[3,2-b]benzodiazepine and Quinolino[3,2-b]benzoxazepine: Synthesis, Characterization, and Antimicrobial Studies

PubMed Central

Basavaraju, B.; Bhojya Naik, Halehatty S.; Prabhakara, Mustur C.

2007-01-01

The synthesis and characterization of title complexes of the ligand Quinolino[3,2-b]benzodiazepine (QBD) and Quinolino[3,2-b]benzoxazepine (QBO) are reported. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic studies, IR, H1 NMR, and UV-visible studies. They have the stoichiometry [ML2C12], where M=Co(II)/Ni(II), L=QBD/QBO, and [MLC12], where M=Zn(II)/Cd(II), L=QBD/QBO. The antibacterial and antifungal activity of the metal complexes has been investigated. The complexes were found to have higher antimicrobial activity than the parent ligand. PMID:18273383

Overexpression of prefoldin from the hyperthermophilic archaeum Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 endowed Escherichia coli with organic solvent tolerance.

PubMed

Okochi, Mina; Kanie, Kei; Kurimoto, Masaki; Yohda, Masafumi; Honda, Hiroyuki

2008-06-01

Prefoldin is a jellyfish-shaped hexameric chaperone that captures a protein-folding intermediate and transfers it to the group II chaperonin for correct folding. In this work, we characterized the organic solvent tolerance of Escherichia coli cells that overexpress prefoldin and group II chaperonin from a hyperthermophilic archeaum, Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3. The colony-forming efficiency of E. coli cells overexpressing prefoldin increased by 1,000-fold and decreased the accumulation of intracellular organic solvent. The effect was impaired by deletions of the region responsible for the chaperone function of prefoldin. Therefore, we concluded that prefoldin endows E. coli cells by preventing accumulation of intracellular organic solvent through its molecular chaperone activity.

LIPIDS OF SARCINA LUTEA II.

PubMed Central

Albro, Phillip W.; Huston, Charles K.

1964-01-01

Albro, Phillip W. (Ft. Detrick, Frederick, Md.), and Charles K. Huston. Lipids of Sarcina lutea. II. Hydrocarbon content of the lipid extracts. J. Bacteriol. 88:981–986. 1964.—The hydrocarbon fraction from Sarcina lutea lipid extracts was characterized by a combination of thin-layer and gas-liquid chromatography and infrared spectroscopy. A total of 37 components were observed by gas-liquid chromatography of this material. A breakdown of the components into classes indicated a composition consisting of 88.9% n-saturates, 1.2% monoenes, 2.1% dienes, 5.0% trienes, and 0.6% branched-saturates. Less than 0.1% of the hydrocarbon material was aromatic. No attempt was made in this study to relate the composition to either origin or function in the cell. PMID:14222808

Photodamage of a Mn(III/IV)-oxo mixed-valence compound and photosystem II: evidence that a high-valent manganese species is responsible for UV-induced photodamage of the oxygen-evolving complex in photosystem II.

PubMed

Wei, Zi; Cady, Clyde W; Brudvig, Gary W; Hou, Harvey J M

2011-01-01

The Mn cluster in photosystem II (PS II) is believed to play an important role in the UV photoinhibition of green plants, but the mechanism is still not clear at a molecular level. In this work, the photochemical stability of [Mn(III)(O)(2)Mn(IV)(H(2)O)(2)(Terpy)(2)](NO(3))(3) (Terpy=2,2':6',2''-terpyridine), designated as Mn-oxo mixed-valence dimer, a well characterized functional model of the oxygen-evolving complex in PS II, was examined in aqueous solution by exposing the complex to excess light irradiation at six different wavelengths in the range of 250 to 700 nm. The photodamage of the Mn-oxo mixed-valence dimer was confirmed by the decrease of its oxygen-evolution activity measured in the presence of the chemical oxidant oxone. Ultraviolet light irradiation induced a new absorption peak at around 400-440 nm of the Mn-oxo mixed-valence dimer. Visible light did not have the same effect on the Mn-oxo mixed-valence dimer. We speculate that the spectral change may be caused by conversion of the Mn(III)O(2)Mn(IV) dimer into a new structure--Mn(IV)O(2)Mn(IV). In the processes, the appearance of a 514 nm fluorescence peak was observed in the solution and may be linked to the hydration or protonation of Terpy ligand in the Mn-oxo dimer. In comparing the response of the PS II functional model compound and the PS II complex to excess light radiation, our results support the idea that UV photoinhibition is triggered at the Mn(4)Ca center of the oxygen-evolution complex in PS II by forming a modified structure, possibly a Mn(IV) species, and that the reaction of Mn ions is likely the initial step. Published by Elsevier B.V.

Effects of ball milling on the physicochemical and sorptive properties of biochar: Experimental observations and governing mechanisms.

PubMed

Lyu, Honghong; Gao, Bin; He, Feng; Zimmerman, Andrew R; Ding, Cheng; Huang, Hua; Tang, Jingchun

2018-02-01

With the goal of combining the advantages of ball-milling and biochar technologies, a variety of ball-milled biochars (BM-biochars) were synthesized, characterized, and tested for nickel (Ni(II)) removal from aqueous solution. Ball milling increased only the external surface area of low temperature biochars, but still dramatically enhanced their ability to sorb aqueous Ni(II). For higher temperature biochars with relatively low surface area, ball milling increased both external and internal surface area. Measurements of pH, zeta potential, stability, and Boehm titration demonstrated that ball milling also added oxygen-containing functional groups (e.g., carboxyl, lactonic, and hydroxyl) to biochar's surface. With these changed, all the BM-biochars showed much better Ni(II) removal efficiency than unmilled biochars. Ball-milled 600 °C bagasse biochar (BMBG600) showed the greatest Ni(II) adsorption capacity (230-650 compared to 26-110 mmol/kg for unmilled biochar) and the adsorption was dosage and pH dependent. Compared with the unmilled biochar, BMBG600 also displayed faster adsorption kinetics, likely due to an increase in rates of intra-particle diffusion in the latter. Experimental and modeling results suggest that the increase in BM-biochar's external and internal surface areas exposed its graphitic structure, thus enhancing Ni(II) adsorption via strong cation-π interaction. In addition, the increase in acidic surface functional groups enhanced Ni(II) adsorption by BM-biochar via electrostatic interaction and surface complexation. Ball milling thus has great potential to increase the efficiency of environmentally friendly biochar for various environmental applications. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Efficient Destruction of Pollutants in Water by a Dual-Reaction-Center Fenton-like Process over Carbon Nitride Compounds-Complexed Cu(II)-CuAlO2.

PubMed

Lyu, Lai; Yan, Dengbiao; Yu, Guangfei; Cao, Wenrui; Hu, Chun

2018-04-03

Carbon nitride compounds (CN) complexed with the in-situ-produced Cu(II) on the surface of CuAlO 2 substrate (CN-Cu(II)-CuAlO 2 ) is prepared via a surface growth process for the first time and exhibits exceptionally high activity and efficiency for the degradation of the refractory pollutants in water through a Fenton-like process in a wide pH range. The reaction rate for bisphenol A removal is ∼25 times higher than that of the CuAlO 2 . According to the characterization, Cu(II) generation on the surface of CuAlO 2 during the surface growth process results in the marked decrease of the surface oxygen vacancies and the formation of the C-O-Cu bridges between CN and Cu(II)-CuAlO 2 in the catalyst. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that the dual reaction centers are produced around the Cu and C sites due to the cation-π interactions through the C-O-Cu bridges in CN-Cu(II)-CuAlO 2 . During the Fenton-like reactions, the electron-rich center around Cu is responsible for the efficient reduction of H 2 O 2 to • OH, and the electron-poor center around C captures electrons from H 2 O 2 or pollutants and diverts them to the electron-rich area via the C-O-Cu bridge. Thus, the catalyst exhibits excellent catalytic performance for the refractory pollutant degradation. This study can deepen our understanding on the enhanced Fenton reactivity for water purification through functionalizing with organic solid-phase ligands on the catalyst surface.

Interaction between transition metals and phenylalanine: a combined experimental and computational study.

PubMed

Elius Hossain, Md; Mahmudul Hasan, Md; Halim, M E; Ehsan, M Q; Halim, Mohammad A

2015-03-05

Some transition metal complexes of phenylalanine of general formula [M(C9H10NO2)2]; where M=Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) are prepared in aqueous medium and characterized by spectroscopic, thermo-gravimetric (TG) and magnetic susceptibility analysis. Density functional theory (DFT) has been employed calculating the equilibrium geometries and vibrational frequencies of those complexes at B3LYP level of theory using 6-31G(d) and SDD basis sets. In addition, frontier molecular orbital and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations are performed with CAM-B3LYP/6-31+G(d,p) and B3LYP/SDD level of theories. Thermo-gravimetric analysis confirms the composition of the complexes by comparing the experimental and calculated data for C, H, N and metals. Experimental and computed IR results predict a significant change in vibrational frequencies of metal-phenylalanine complexes compared to free ligand. DFT calculation confirms that Mn, Co, Ni and Cu complexes form square planar structure whereas Zn adopts distorted tetrahedral geometry. The metal-oxygen bonds in the optimized geometry of all complexes are shorter compared to the metal-nitrogen bonds which is consistent with a previous study. Cation-binding energy, enthalpy and Gibbs free energy indicates that these complexes are thermodynamically stable. UV-vis and TD-DFT studies reveal that these complexes demonstrate representative metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) and d-d transitions bands. TG analysis and IR spectra of the metal complexes strongly support the absence of water in crystallization. Magnetic susceptibility data of the complexes exhibits that all except Zn(II) complex are high spin paramagnetic. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Spectroscopic and computational studies of a trans-mu-1,2-disulfido-bridged dinickel species, [{(tmc)Ni}(2)(S(2))](OTf)(2): comparison of end-on disulfido and peroxo bonding in (Ni(II))(2) and (Cu(II))(2) species.

PubMed

Van Heuvelen, Katherine M; Kieber-Emmons, Matthew T; Riordan, Charles G; Brunold, Thomas C

2010-04-05

A powerful means of enhancing our understanding of the structures and functions of enzymes that contain nickel-sulfur bonds, such as Ni superoxide dismutase, acetyl-coenzyme A synthase/carbon monoxide dehydrogenase, [NiFe] hydrogenase, and methyl-CoM reductase, involves the investigation of model compounds with similar structural and/or electronic properties. In this study, we have characterized a trans-mu-1,2-disulfido-bridged dinickel(II) species, [{(tmc)Ni}(2)(S(2))](2+) (1, tmc = 1,4,8,11-tetramethyl-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) by using electronic absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and resonance Raman (rR) spectroscopic techniques, as well as density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT computational methods. Our computational results, validated on the basis of the experimental MCD data and previously reported (1)H NMR spectra, reveal that 1 is best described as containing two antiferromagnetically coupled high-spin Ni(II) centers. A normal coordinate analysis of the rR vibrational data was performed to quantify the core bond strengths, yielding force constants of k(Ni-S) = 2.69 mdyn/A and k(S-S) = 2.40 mdyn/A. These values provide a useful basis for a comparison of metal-S/O bonding in 1 and related Ni(2)(O(2)), Cu(2)(O(2)), and Cu(2)(S(2)) dimers. In both the disulfido and the peroxo species, the lower effective nuclear charge of Ni(II) as compared to Cu(II) results in a decreased covalency, and thus relatively weaker metal-S/O bonding interactions in the Ni(2) dimers than in the Cu(2) complexes.

Lobular homology in cerebellar hemispheres of humans, non-human primates and rodents: a structural, axonal tracing and molecular expression analysis.

PubMed

Luo, Yuanjun; Fujita, Hirofumi; Nedelescu, Hermina; Biswas, Mohammad Shahangir; Sato, Chika; Ying, Sarah; Takahashi, Mayu; Akita, Keiichi; Higashi, Tatsuya; Aoki, Ichio; Sugihara, Izumi

2017-08-01

Comparative neuroanatomy provides insights into the evolutionary functional adaptation of specific mammalian cerebellar lobules, in which the lobulation pattern and functional localization are conserved. However, accurate identification of homologous lobules among mammalian species is challenging. In this review, we discuss the inter-species homology of crus I and II lobules which occupy a large volume in the posterior cerebellar hemisphere, particularly in humans. Both crus I/II in humans are homologous to crus I/II in non-human primates, according to Paxinos and colleagues; however, this area has been defined as crus I alone in non-human primates, according to Larsell and Brodal. Our neuroanatomical analyses in humans, macaques, marmosets, rats, and mice demonstrate that both crus I/II in humans are homologous to crus I/II or crus I alone in non-human primates, depending on previous definitions, and to crus I alone in rodents. Here, we refer to the region homologous to human crus I/II lobules as "ansiform area (AA)" across animals. Our results show that the AA's olivocerebellar climbing fiber and Purkinje cell projections as well as aldolase C gene expression patterns are both distinct and conserved in marmosets and rodents. The relative size of the AA, as represented by the AA volume fraction in the whole cerebellum was 0.34 in human, 0.19 in macaque, and approximately 0.1 in marmoset and rodents. These results indicate that the AA reflects an evolutionarily conserved structure in the mammalian cerebellum, which is characterized by distinct connectivity from neighboring lobules and a massive expansion in skillful primates.

Quantum quench in a p+ip superfluid: Winding numbers and topological states far from equilibrium

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Foster, Matthew S.; Dzero, Maxim; Gurarie, Victor; Yuzbashyan, Emil A.

2013-09-01

We study the nonadiabatic dynamics of a two-dimensional p+ip superfluid following an instantaneous quantum quench of the BCS coupling constant. The model describes a topological superconductor with a nontrivial BCS (trivial BEC) phase appearing at weak- (strong-) coupling strengths. We extract the exact long-time asymptotics of the order parameter Δ(t) by exploiting the integrability of the classical p-wave Hamiltonian, which we establish via a Lax construction. Three different types of asymptotic behavior can occur depending upon the strength and direction of the interaction quench. We refer to these as the nonequilibrium phases {I, II, III}, characterized as follows. In phase I, the order parameter asymptotes to zero due to dephasing. In phase II, Δ→Δ∞, a nonzero constant. Phase III is characterized by persistent oscillations of Δ(t). For quenches within phases I and II, we determine the topological character of the asymptotic states. We show that two different formulations of the bulk topological winding number, although equivalent in the BCS or BEC ground states, must be regarded as independent out of equilibrium. The first winding number Q characterizes the Anderson pseudospin texture of the initial state; we show that Q is generically conserved. For Q≠0, this leads to the prediction of a “gapless topological” state when Δ asymptotes to zero. The presence or absence of Majorana edge modes in a sample with a boundary is encoded in the second winding number W, which is formulated in terms of the retarded Green's function. We establish that W can change following a quench across the quantum critical point. When the order parameter asymptotes to a nonzero constant, the final value of W is well defined and quantized. We discuss the implications for the (dis)appearance of Majorana edge modes. Finally, we show that the parity of zeros in the bulk out-of-equilibrium Cooper-pair distribution function constitutes a Z2-valued quantum number, which is nonzero whenever W≠Q. The pair distribution can in principle be measured using rf spectroscopy in an ultracold-atom realization, allowing direct experimental detection of the Z2 number. This has the following interesting implication: topological information that is experimentally inaccessible in the bulk ground state can be transferred to an observable distribution function when the system is driven far from equilibrium.

Diversity promotes temporal stability across levels of ecosystem organization in experimental grasslands.

PubMed

Proulx, Raphaël; Wirth, Christian; Voigt, Winfried; Weigelt, Alexandra; Roscher, Christiane; Attinger, Sabine; Baade, Jussi; Barnard, Romain L; Buchmann, Nina; Buscot, François; Eisenhauer, Nico; Fischer, Markus; Gleixner, Gerd; Halle, Stefan; Hildebrandt, Anke; Kowalski, Esther; Kuu, Annely; Lange, Markus; Milcu, Alex; Niklaus, Pascal A; Oelmann, Yvonne; Rosenkranz, Stephan; Sabais, Alexander; Scherber, Christoph; Scherer-Lorenzen, Michael; Scheu, Stefan; Schulze, Ernst-Detlef; Schumacher, Jens; Schwichtenberg, Guido; Soussana, Jean-François; Temperton, Vicky M; Weisser, Wolfgang W; Wilcke, Wolfgang; Schmid, Bernhard

2010-10-13

The diversity-stability hypothesis states that current losses of biodiversity can impair the ability of an ecosystem to dampen the effect of environmental perturbations on its functioning. Using data from a long-term and comprehensive biodiversity experiment, we quantified the temporal stability of 42 variables characterizing twelve ecological functions in managed grassland plots varying in plant species richness. We demonstrate that diversity increases stability i) across trophic levels (producer, consumer), ii) at both the system (community, ecosystem) and the component levels (population, functional group, phylogenetic clade), and iii) primarily for aboveground rather than belowground processes. Temporal synchronization across studied variables was mostly unaffected with increasing species richness. This study provides the strongest empirical support so far that diversity promotes stability across different ecological functions and levels of ecosystem organization in grasslands.

Molecular Cloning and Expression Analysis of Eight PgWRKY Genes in Panax ginseng Responsive to Salt and Hormones.

PubMed

Xiu, Hao; Nuruzzaman, Mohammed; Guo, Xiangqian; Cao, Hongzhe; Huang, Jingjia; Chen, Xianghui; Wu, Kunlu; Zhang, Ru; Huang, Yuzhao; Luo, Junli; Luo, Zhiyong

2016-03-04

Despite the importance of WRKY genes in plant physiological processes, little is known about their roles in Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer. Forty-eight unigenes on this species were previously reported as WRKY transcripts using the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Subsequently, one gene that encodes PgWRKY1 protein belonging to subgroup II-d was cloned and functionally characterized. In this study, eight WRKY genes from the NGS-based transcriptome sequencing dataset designated as PgWRKY2-9 have been cloned and characterized. The genes encoding WRKY proteins were assigned to WRKY Group II (one subgroup II-c, four subgroup II-d, and three subgroup II-e) based on phylogenetic analysis. The cDNAs of the cloned PgWRKYs encode putative proteins ranging from 194 to 358 amino acid residues, each of which includes one WRKYGQK sequence motif and one C₂H₂-type zinc-finger motif. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated that the eight analyzed PgWRKY genes were expressed at different levels in various organs including leaves, roots, adventitious roots, stems, and seeds. Importantly, the transcription responses of these PgWRKYs to methyl jasmonate (MeJA) showed that PgWRKY2, PgWRKY3, PgWRKY4, PgWRKY5, PgWRKY6, and PgWRKY7 were downregulated by MeJA treatment, while PgWRKY8 and PgWRKY9 were upregulated to varying degrees. Moreover, the PgWRKY genes increased or decreased by salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), and NaCl treatments. The results suggest that the PgWRKYs may be multiple stress-inducible genes responding to both salt and hormones.

Radiochemical studies of 99mTc complexes of modified cysteine ligands and bifunctional chelating agents.

PubMed

Pillai, M R; Kothari, K; Banerjee, S; Samuel, G; Suresh, M; Sarma, H D; Jurisson, S

1999-07-01

The synthesis of four novel ligands using the amino-acid cysteine and its ethyl carboxylate derivative is described. The synthetic method involves a two-step procedure, wherein the intermediate Schiff base formed by the condensation of the amino group of the cysteine substrate and salicylaldehyde is reduced to give the target ligands. The intermediates and the final products were characterized by high resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Complexation studies of the ligands with 99mTc were optimized using stannous tartrate as the reducing agent under varying reaction conditions. The complexes were characterized using standard quality control techniques such as thin layer chromatography, paper electrophoresis, and paper chromatography. Lipophilicities of the complexes were estimated by solvent extraction into chloroform. Substantial changes in net charge and lipophilicity of the 99mTc complexes were observed on substituting the carboxylic acid functionality in ligands I and II with the ethyl carboxylate groups (ligands II and IV). All the ligands formed 99mTc complexes in high yield. Whereas the complexes with ligands I and II were observed to be hydrophilic in nature and not extractable into CHCl3, ligands III and IV resulted in neutral and lipophilic 99mTc complexes. The 99mTc complex with ligand II was not stable and on storage formed a hydrophilic and nonextractable species. The biodistribution of the complexes of ligands I and II showed that they cleared predominantly through the kidneys, whereas the complexes with ligands III and IV were excreted primarily through the hepatobiliary system. No significant brain uptake was observed with the 99mTc complexes with ligands III and IV despite their favorable properties of neutrality, lipophilicity, and conversion into a hydrophilic species. These ligands offer potential for use as bifunctional chelating agents.

Conformation and Dynamics of Human Urotensin II and Urotensin Related Peptide in Aqueous Solution.

PubMed

Haensele, Elke; Mele, Nawel; Miljak, Marija; Read, Christopher M; Whitley, David C; Banting, Lee; Delépée, Carla; Sopkova-de Oliveira Santos, Jana; Lepailleur, Alban; Bureau, Ronan; Essex, Jonathan W; Clark, Timothy

2017-02-27

Conformation and dynamics of the vasoconstrictive peptides human urotensin II (UII) and urotensin related peptide (URP) have been investigated by both unrestrained and enhanced-sampling molecular-dynamics (MD) simulations and NMR spectroscopy. These peptides are natural ligands of the G-protein coupled urotensin II receptor (UTR) and have been linked to mammalian pathophysiology. UII and URP cannot be characterized by a single structure but exist as an equilibrium of two main classes of ring conformations, open and folded, with rapidly interchanging subtypes. The open states are characterized by turns of various types centered at K 8 Y 9 or F 6 W 7 predominantly with no or only sparsely populated transannular hydrogen bonds. The folded conformations show multiple turns stabilized by highly populated transannular hydrogen bonds comprising centers F 6 W 7 K 8 or W 7 K 8 Y 9 . Some of these conformations have not been characterized previously. The equilibrium populations that are experimentally difficult to access were estimated by replica-exchange MD simulations and validated by comparison of experimental NMR data with chemical shifts calculated with density-functional theory. UII exhibits approximately 72% open:28% folded conformations in aqueous solution. URP shows very similar ring conformations as UII but differs in an open:folded equilibrium shifted further toward open conformations (86:14) possibly arising from the absence of folded N-terminal tail-ring interaction. The results suggest that the different biological effects of UII and URP are not caused by differences in ring conformations but rather by different interactions with UTR.

Regular Article Macroautophagy is Defective in Mucolipin 1-Deficient Mouse Neurons

PubMed Central

Curcio-Morelli, Cyntia; Charles, Florie A.; Micsenyi, Matthew C.; Cao, Yi; Venugopal, Bhuvarahamurthy; Browning, Marsha F.; Dobrenis, Kostantin; Cotman, Susan L.; Walkley, Steven U.; Slaugenhaupt, Susan A.

2013-01-01

Mucolipidosis Type IV is a neurodegenerative lysosomal disease clinically characterized by psychomotor retardation, visual impairment, and achlorhydria. In this study we report the development of a neuronal cell model generated from cerebrum of Mcoln1-/- embryos. Prior functional characterization of MLIV cells has been limited to fibroblast cultures gleaned from patients. The current availability of the mucolipin-1 knockout mouse model Mcoln1-/- allows the study of mucolipin1-defective neurons, which is important since the disease is characterized by severe neurological impairment. Electron microscopy studies reveal significant membranous intracytoplasmic storage bodies, which correlate with the storage morphology observed in cerebral cortex of Mcoln1-/- P7 pups and E17 embryos. The Mcoln1-/- neuronal cultures show an increase in size of LysoTracker and Lamp1 positive-vesicles. Using this neuronal model system, we show that macroautophagy is defective in mucolipin-1 deficient neurons and that LC3-II levels are significantly elevated. Treatment with rapamycin plus protease inhibitors did not increase levels of LC3-II in Mcoln1-/- neuronal cultures, indicating that the lack of mucolipin-1 affects LC3-II clearance. P62/SQSTM1 and ubiquitin levels were also increased in Mcoln1-/- neuronal cultures, suggesting an accumulation of protein aggregates and a defect in macroautophagy which could help explain the neurodegeneration observed in MLIV. This study describes, for the first time, a defect in macroautophagy in mucolipin-1 deficient neurons, which corroborates recent findings in MLIV fibroblasts and provides new insight into the neuronal pathogenesis of this disease. PMID:20600908

Enhanced Removal of Lead by Chemically and Biologically Treated Carbonaceous Materials

PubMed Central

Mahmoud, Mohamed E.; Osman, Maher M.; Ahmed, Somia B.; Abdel-Fattah, Tarek M.

2012-01-01

Hybrid sorbents and biosorbents were synthesized via chemical and biological treatment of active carbon by simple and direct redox reaction followed by surface loading of baker's yeast. Surface functionality and morphology of chemically and biologically modified sorbents and biosorbents were studied by Fourier Transform Infrared analysis and scanning electron microscope imaging. Hybrid carbonaceous sorbents and biosorbents were characterized by excellent efficiency and superiority toward lead(II) sorption compared to blank active carbon providing a maximum sorption capacity of lead(II) ion as 500 μmol g−1. Sorption processes of lead(II) by these hybrid materials were investigated under the influence of several controlling parameters such as pH, contact time, mass of sorbent and biosorbent, lead(II) concentration, and foreign ions. Lead(II) sorption mechanisms were found to obey the Langmuir and BET isotherm models. The potential applications of chemically and biologically modified-active carbonaceous materials for removal and extraction of lead from real water matrices were also studied via a double-stage microcolumn technique. The results of this study were found to denote to superior recovery values of lead (95.0–99.0 ± 3.0–5.0%) by various carbonaceous-modified-bakers yeast biosorbents. PMID:22629157

Molecular characterization of the group II chaperonin from the hyperthermophilic archaeum Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3.

PubMed

Okochi, Mina; Matsuzaki, Hiroki; Nomura, Tomoko; Ishii, Noriyuki; Yohda, Masafumi

2005-04-01

The group II chaperonin from the hyperthermophilic archaeum Pyrococcus horikoshii OT3 (PhCPN) and its functional cooperation with the cognate prefoldin were investigated. PhCPN existed as a homo-oligomer in a double-ring structure, which protected the citrate synthase of a porcine heart from thermal aggregation at 45 degrees C, and did the same on the isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IPMDH) of a thermophilic bacterium, Thermus thermophilus HB8, at 90 degrees C. PhCPN also enhanced the refolding of green fluorescent protein (GFP), which had been unfolded by low pH, in an ATP-dependent manner. Unexpectedly, functional cooperation between PhCPN and Pyrococcus prefoldin (PhPFD) in the refolding of GFP was not observed. Instead, cooperation between PhCPN and PhPFD was observed in the refolding of IPMDH unfolded with guanidine hydrochloride. Although PhCPN alone was not effective in the refolding of IPMDH, the refolding efficiency was enhanced by the cooperation of PhCPN with PhPFD.

Structure Expression and Function of kynurenine Aminotransferases in Human and Rodent Brains

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Q Han; T Cai; D Tagle

Kynurenine aminotransferases (KATs) catalyze the synthesis of kynurenic acid (KYNA), an endogenous antagonist of N-methyl-D: -aspartate and alpha 7-nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Abnormal KYNA levels in human brains are implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, Alzheimer's disease, and other neurological disorders. Four KATs have been reported in mammalian brains, KAT I/glutamine transaminase K/cysteine conjugate beta-lyase 1, KAT II/aminoadipate aminotransferase, KAT III/cysteine conjugate beta-lyase 2, and KAT IV/glutamic-oxaloacetic transaminase 2/mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase. KAT II has a striking tertiary structure in N-terminal part and forms a new subgroup in fold type I aminotransferases, which has been classified as subgroup Iepsilon. Knowledge regarding KATsmore » is vast and complex; therefore, this review is focused on recent important progress of their gene characterization, physiological and biochemical function, and structural properties. The biochemical differences of four KATs, specific enzyme activity assays, and the structural insights into the mechanism of catalysis and inhibition of these enzymes are discussed.« less

Functionalized copper(II)-phthalocyanine in solution and as thin film: photochemical and morphological characterization toward applications.

PubMed

Ingrosso, Chiara; Curri, M Lucia; Fini, Paola; Giancane, Gabriele; Agostiano, Angela; Valli, Ludovico

2009-09-01

This article reports on an extensive investigation on a functionalized phthalocyanine, namely, copper(II) tetrakis-(isopropoxy-carbonyl)-phthalocyanine (TIPCuPc). The self-association of the molecules is extensively described in solution in different solvents (DMSO, DMF, CHCl(3), pyridine) by means of UV-vis steady state spectroscopy at the air/water interface by Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) and in thin films by using atomic force microscopy (AFM). We investigated the morphology of TIPCuPc as thin film by evaluating different factors: temperature, solvent, concentration, transferring procedure (spin-coating and Langmuir-Schafer technique), and nature of the substrate (mica and quartz). The behavior of the molecules under UV light irradiation and their thermal stability were studied as well. Such a detailed study can allow a suitable processing of this phthalocyanine derivative for future applications. Here the photoelectrochemical activity of the phthalocyanine was investigated when suitably combined as sensitizer with rodlike TiO(2) nanocrystals (NCs) in hybrid junctions integrated in a photoelectrochemical cell.

TIF-IC, a factor involved in both transcription initiation and elongation of RNA polymerase I.

PubMed

Schnapp, G; Schnapp, A; Rosenbauer, H; Grummt, I

1994-09-01

We have characterized a transcription factor from Ehrlich ascites cells that is required for ribosomal gene transcription by RNA polymerase I (Pol I). This factor, termed TIF-IC, has a native molecular mass of 65 kDa, associates with Pol I, and is required both for the assembly of Sarkosyl-resistant initiation complexes and for the formation of the first internucleotide bonds. In addition to its function in transcription initiation, TIF-IC also plays a role in elongation of nascent RNA chains. At suboptimal levels of TIF-IC, transcripts with heterogeneous 3' ends are formed which are chased into full-length transcripts by the addition of more TIF-IC. Moreover, on a tailed template, which allows initiation in the absence of auxiliary factors, TIF-IC was found to stimulate the overall rate of transcription elongation and suppress pausing of Pol I. Thus TIF-IC appears to serve a function similar to the Pol II-specific factor TFIIF which is required for Pol II transcription initiation and elongation.

Masseter function and skeletal malocclusion.

PubMed

Sciote, J J; Raoul, G; Ferri, J; Close, J; Horton, M J; Rowlerson, A

2013-04-01

The aim of this work is to review the relationship between the function of the masseter muscle and the occurrence of malocclusions. An analysis was made of the masseter muscle samples from subjects who underwent mandibular osteotomies. The size and proportion of type-II fibers (fast) decreases as facial height increases. Patients with mandibular asymmetry have more type-II fibers on the side of their deviation. The insulin-like growth factor and myostatin are expressed differently depending on the sex and fiber diameter. These differences in the distribution of fiber types and gene expression of this growth factor may be involved in long-term postoperative stability and require additional investigations. Muscle strength and bone length are two genetically determined factors in facial growth. Myosin 1H (MYOH1) is associated with prognathia in Caucasians. As future objectives, we propose to characterize genetic variations using "Genome Wide Association Studies" data and their relationships with malocclusions. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Coordination Polymer: Synthesis, Spectral Characterization and Thermal Behaviour of Starch-Urea Based Biodegradable Polymer and Its Polymer Metal Complexes

PubMed Central

Malik, Ashraf; Parveen, Shadma; Ahamad, Tansir; Alshehri, Saad M.; Singh, Prabal Kumar; Nishat, Nahid

2010-01-01

A starch-urea-based biodegradable coordination polymer modified by transition metal Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) was prepared by polycondensation of starch and urea. All the synthesized polymeric compounds were characterized by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), 1H-NMR spectroscopy, 13C-NMR spectroscopy, UV-visible spectra, magnetic moment measurements, differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results of electronic spectra and magnetic moment measurements indicate that Mn(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) complexes show octahedral geometry, while Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes show square planar and tetrahedral geometry, respectively. The thermogravimetric analysis revealed that all the polymeric metal complexes are more thermally stable than the parental ligand. In addition, biodegradable studies of all the polymeric compounds were also carried out through ASTM standards of biodegradable polymers by CO2 evolution method. PMID:20414461

Immobilization of 5-aminopyridine-2-tetrazole on cross-linked polystyrene for the preparation of a new adsorbent to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solution.

PubMed

Zhang, Yu; Chen, Youning; Wang, Chaozhan; Wei, Yinmao

2014-07-15

Novel 5-aminopyridine-2-tetrazole-functionalized polystyrene resin (APTZ-PS) was prepared by anchoring 5-aminopyridine-2-carbonitrile onto chloromethylated polystyrene beads (CMPS) and subsequently using the cyano-tetrazole conversion reaction. The APTZ-PS resin was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and specific surface area and pore size analyses. The adsorption experiments of the prepared resin for heavy metal ions were conducted by batch methods. The effects of the experimental conditions, such as pH, contact time and initial metal ion concentration on the adsorption properties of Cu(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II) were investigated. The results showed that the resin possessed perfect adsorption capacities for Cu(II), Pb(II) and Hg(II), and the selectivity was different from the commonly used iminodiacetic acid-chelating resin. The sorption kinetics of the three metal ions followed the pseudo-second-order equation. The adsorption isotherms for Cu(II) and Pb(II) could be better fitted by the Langmuir model than the Freundlich model, whereas the Freundlich model was the best for the Hg(II) ion. Even after five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles, no obvious change in the adsorption capacity of the resin was found, which implied that the APTZ-PS resin was suitable for the efficient removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, spectral and theoretical studies of Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of 5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole-3-imine-2‧-hydroxynaphyhaline

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gaber, Mohamed; El-Ghamry, Hoda; Atlam, Faten; Fathalla, Shaimaa

2015-02-01

Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of 5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole-3-imine-2‧-hydroxynaphthaline have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, EI-mass, UV-vis, molar conductance, magnetic moment measurements and thermogravimetric analysis. The molar conductance values indicated that the complexes are non-electrolytes. The magnetic moment values of the complexes displayed diamagnetic behavior for Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes and tetrahedral geometrical structure for Ni(II) complex. From the bioinorganic applications point of view, the interaction of the ligand and its metal complexes with CT-DNA was investigated using absorption and viscosity titration techniques. The Schiff-base ligand and its metal complexes have also been screened for their antimicrobial and antitumor activities. Also, theoretical investigation of molecular and electronic structures of the studied ligand and its metal complexes has been carried out. Molecular orbital calculations were performed using DFT (density functional theory) at B3LYP level with standard 6-31G(d,p) and LANL2DZ basis sets to access reliable results to the experimental values. The calculations were performed to obtain the optimized molecular geometry, charge density distribution, extent of distortion from regular geometry, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), Mulliken atomic charges, reactivity index (ΔE), dipole moment (D), global hardness (η), softness (σ), electrophilicity index (ω), chemical potential and Mulliken electronegativity (χ).

Heterologous expression of Cenchritis muricatus protease inhibitor II (CmPI-II) in Pichia pastoris system: Purification, isotopic labeling and preliminary characterization.

PubMed

Cabrera-Muñoz, Aymara; Rojas, Laritza; Gil, Dayrom F; González-González, Yamile; Mansur, Manuel; Camejo, Ayamey; Pires, José R; Alonso-Del-Rivero Antigua, Maday

2016-10-01

Cenchritis muricatus protease inhibitor II (CmPI-II) is a tight-binding serine protease inhibitor of the Kazal family with an atypical broad specificity, being active against several proteases such as bovine pancreatic trypsin, human neutrophil elastase and subtilisin A. CmPI-II 3D structures are necessary for understanding the molecular basis of its activity. In the present work, we describe an efficient and straightforward recombinant expression strategy, as well as a cost-effective procedure for isotope labeling for NMR structure determination purposes. The vector pCM101 containing the CmPI-II gene, under the control of Pichia pastoris AOX1 promoter was constructed. Methylotrophic Pichia pastoris strain KM71H was then transformed with the plasmid and the recombinant protein (rCmPI-II) was expressed in benchtop fermenter in unlabeled or (15)N-labeled forms using ammonium chloride ((15)N, 99%) as the sole nitrogen source. Protein purification was accomplished by sequential cation exchange chromatography in STREAMLINE DirectHST, anion exchange chromatography on Hitrap Q-Sepharose FF and gel filtration on Superdex 75 10/30, yielding high quantities of pure rCmPI-II and (15)N rCmPI-II. Recombinant proteins displayed similar functional features as compared to the natural inhibitor and NMR spectra indicated folded and homogeneously labeled samples, suitable for further studies of structure and protease-inhibitor interactions. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Localization and characterization of angiotensin II receptor binding and angiotensin converting enzyme in the human medulla oblongata.

PubMed

Allen, A M; Chai, S Y; Clevers, J; McKinley, M J; Paxinos, G; Mendelsohn, F A

1988-03-08

Angiotensin II receptor and angiotensin converting enzyme distributions in the human medulla oblongata were localised by quantitative in vitro autoradiography. Angiotensin II receptors were labelled with the antagonist analogue 125I-[Sar1, Ile8] AII while angiotensin converting enzyme was labelled with 125I-351A, a derivative of the specific converting enzyme inhibitor, lisinopril. Angiotensin II receptor binding and angiotensin converting enzyme are present in high concentrations in the nucleus of the solitary tract, the dorsal motor nucleus of vagus, the rostral and caudal ventrolateral reticular nucleus, and in a band connecting the dorsal and ventral regions. In the rostral and caudal ventrolateral reticular nucleus, angiotensin II receptors are distributed in a punctate pattern that registers with neuronal cell bodies. The distribution and density of these cell bodies closely resemble those of catecholamine-containing neurones mapped by others. In view of the known interactions of angiotensin II with both central and peripheral catecholamine-containing neurons of laboratory animals, the current anatomical findings suggest similar interactions between these neuroactive compounds in the human central nervous system. The presence of angiotensin II receptors and angiotensin converting enzyme in the nucleus of the solitary tract, dorsal motor nucleus of vagus, and rostral and caudal ventrolateral reticular nucleus demonstrates sites for central angiotensin II to exert its known actions on vasopressin release and autonomic functions including blood pressure control. These data also suggest a possible interaction between angiotensin II and central catecholeminergic systems.

Catalysts of Cu(II) and Co(II) ions adsorbed in chitosan used in transesterification of soy bean and babassu oils - a new route for biodiesel syntheses.

PubMed

da Silva, Rondinelly Brandão; Lima Neto, Alcides Fernandes; Soares Dos Santos, Lucas Samuel; de Oliveira Lima, José Renato; Chaves, Mariana Helena; Dos Santos, José Ribeiro; de Lima, Geraldo Magela; de Moura, Edmilson Miranda; de Moura, Carla Verônica Rodarte

2008-10-01

Catalysts of Cu(II) and Co(II) adsorbed in chitosan was used in transesterification of soy bean and babassu oils. The catalysts were characterized by infrared, atomic absorption and TG, and biodiesels was characterized by infrared, NMR, CG, TG, physic chemistry analysis. The maximum adsorption values found for copper and cobalt cations were 1.584 and 1.260mgg(-1), respectively, in 180min. However, conversion of oils in biodiesel was better when used Co(II) adsorbed in chitosan.

Superpave in-situ stress/strain investigation--phase II : vol. II, materials characterization.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

2009-05-01

The characterization of materials is an intergral part of the overall effort to validate the Superpave system and to calibrate the performance prdeictionmodels for the environmental conditions observed in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Moebius Syndrome

MedlinePlus

... by small or absent brain stem nuclei that control the cranial nerves; Group II, characterized by loss and degeneration of neurons ... by small or absent brain stem nuclei that control the cranial nerves; Group II, characterized by loss and degeneration of neurons ...

Prevalent genotypes of Toxoplasma gondii in pregnant women and patients from Crete and Cyprus.

PubMed

Messaritakis, Ippokratis; Detsika, Maria; Koliou, Maria; Sifakis, Stavros; Antoniou, Maria

2008-08-01

Molecular genotyping has been used to characterize Toxoplasma gondii strains into the three clonal lineages known as types I, II, and III. To characterize T. gondii strains from Greece and Cyprus, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis on the GRA6 gene was performed directly on 20 clinical samples from 18 humans (11 pregnant women, six patients with lymphadenopathy, and one patient positive for human immunodeficiency virus) and two rats. Characterization of T. gondii types was performed after digestion of amplified products with Mse I. The 20 strains were characterized as type II (20%) and type III (80%). Of these strains, 19 originated from the island of Crete (4 strains type II and 15 strains type III), and 1 from the island of Cyprus (type III). Although both type II and type III strains were found, type III was the most prevalent in Crete.

Synthesis, spectroscopic, biological activity and thermal characterization of ceftazidime with transition metals

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Masoud, Mamdouh S.; Ali, Alaa E.; Elasala, Gehan S.; Kolkaila, Sherif A.

2018-03-01

Synthesis, physicochemical characterization and thermal analysis of ceftazidime complexes with transition metals (Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II)) were discussed. It's obtained that ceftazidime act as bidentate ligand. From magnetic measurement and spectral data, octahedral structures were proposed for all complexes except for cobalt, nickel and mercury had tetrahedral structural. Hyper chemistry program confirmed binding sites of ceftazidime. Ceftazidime complexes show higher activity than ceftazidime for some strains. From TG and DTA curves the thermal decomposition mechanisms of ceftazidime and their metal complexes were suggested. The thermal decomposition of the complexes ended with the formation of metal oxides as a final product except in case of Hg complex.

Molecular changes in hepatic metabolism and transport in cirrhosis and their functional importance

PubMed Central

Dietrich, Christoph G; Götze, Oliver; Geier, Andreas

2016-01-01

Liver cirrhosis is the common endpoint of many hepatic diseases and represents a relevant risk for liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma. The progress of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis is accompanied by deteriorating liver function. This review summarizes the regulatory and functional changes in phase I and phase II metabolic enzymes as well as transport proteins and provides an overview regarding lipid and glucose metabolism in cirrhotic patients. Interestingly, phase I enzymes are generally downregulated transcriptionally, while phase II enzymes are mostly preserved transcriptionally but are reduced in their function. Transport proteins are regulated in a specific way that resembles the molecular changes observed in obstructive cholestasis. Lipid and glucose metabolism are characterized by insulin resistance and catabolism, leading to the disturbance of energy expenditure and wasting. Possible non-invasive tests, especially breath tests, for components of liver metabolism are discussed. The heterogeneity and complexity of changes in hepatic metabolism complicate the assessment of liver function in individual patients. Additionally, studies in humans are rare, and species differences preclude the transferability of data from rodents to humans. In clinical practice, some established global scores or criteria form the basis for the functional evaluation of patients with liver cirrhosis, but difficult treatment decisions such as selection for transplantation or resection require further research regarding the application of existing non-invasive tests and the development of more specific tests. PMID:26755861

Coordination behavior of tetraaza [N4] ligand towards Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cu(I) and Pd(II) complexes: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and anticancer activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

El-Boraey, Hanaa A.

2012-11-01

Novel eight Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Cu(I) and Pd(II) complexes with [N4] ligand (L) i.e. 2-amino-N-{2-[(2-aminobenzoyl)amino]ethyl}benzamide have been synthesized and structurally characterized by elemental analysis, spectral, thermal (TG/DTG), magnetic, and molar conductivity measurements. On the basis of IR, mass, electronic and EPR spectral studies an octahedral geometry has been proposed for Co(II), Ni(II) complexes and Cu(II) chloride complex, square-pyramidal for Cu(I) bromide complex. For Cu(II) nitrate complex (6), Pd(II) complex (8) square planar geometry was proposed. The EPR data of Cu(II) complexes in powdered form indicate dx2-y2 ground state of Cu(II) ion. The antitumor activity of the synthesized ligand and some selected metal complexes has been studied. The palladium(II) complex (8) was found to display cytotoxicity (IC50 = 25.6 and 41 μM) against human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and human hepatocarcinoma HEPG2 cell line.

Structural and magnetic characterization of a tetranuclear copper(II) cubane stabilized by intramolecular metal cation-π interactions.

PubMed

Papadakis, Raffaello; Rivière, Eric; Giorgi, Michel; Jamet, Hélène; Rousselot-Pailley, Pierre; Réglier, Marius; Simaan, A Jalila; Tron, Thierry

2013-05-20

A novel tetranuclear copper(II) complex (1) was synthesized from the self-assembly of copper(II) perchlorate and the ligand N-benzyl-1-(2-pyridyl)methaneimine (L(1)). Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies revealed that complex 1 consists of a Cu4(OH)4 cubane core, where the four copper(II) centers are linked by μ3-hydroxo bridges. Each copper(II) ion is in a distorted square-pyramidal geometry. X-ray analysis also evidenced an unusual metal cation-π interaction between the copper ions and phenyl substituents of the ligand. Calculations based on the density functional theory method were used to quantify the strength of this metal-π interaction, which appears as an important stabilizing parameter of the cubane core, possibly acting as a driving parameter in the self-aggregation process. In contrast, using the ligand N-phenethyl-1-(2-pyridyl)methaneimine (L(2)), which only differs from L(1) by one methylene group, the same synthetic procedure led to a binuclear bis(μ-hydroxo)copper(II) complex (2) displaying intermolecular π-π interactions or, by a slight variation of the experimental conditions, to a mononuclear complex (3). These complexes were studied by X-ray diffraction techniques. The magnetic properties of complexes 1 and 2 are reported and discussed.

Copper(II) and zinc(II) as metal-carboxylate coordination complexes based on (1-methyl-1H-benzo[d]imidazol-2-yl) methanol derivative: Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopy, DFT calculations and antioxidant activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benhassine, Anfel; Boulebd, Houssem; Anak, Barkahem; Bouraiou, Abdelmalek; Bouacida, Sofiane; Bencharif, Mustapha; Belfaitah, Ali

2018-05-01

This work presents a combined experimental and theoretical study of two new metal-carboxylate coordination compounds. These complexes were prepared from (1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)methanol under mild conditions. The structures of the prepared compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis, FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy. In the Cupper complex, the Cu(II) ion is coordinated by two ligands, which act as bidentate chelator through the non-substituted N and O atoms, and two carboxylicg oxygen atoms, displaying a hexa-coordinated compound in a distorted octahedral geometry, while in the Zinc complex the ligand is ligated to the Zn(II) ion in monodentate fashion through the N atom, and the metal ion is also bonded to carboxylic oxygen atoms. The tetra-coordinated compound displays a distorted tetrahedral shape. The density functional theory calculations are carried out for the determination of the optimized structures. The electronic transitions and fundamental vibrational wave numbers are calculated and are in good agreement with experimental. In addition, the ligand and its Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were screened and evaluated for their potential as DPPH radical scavenger.

The Circularization of Amyloid Fibrils Formed by Apolipoprotein C-II

PubMed Central

Hatters, Danny M.; MacRaild, Christopher A.; Daniels, Rob; Gosal, Walraj S.; Thomson, Neil H.; Jones, Jonathan A.; Davis, Jason J.; MacPhee, Cait E.; Dobson, Christopher M.; Howlett, Geoffrey J.

2003-01-01

Amyloid fibrils have historically been characterized by diagnostic dye-binding assays, their fibrillar morphology, and a “cross-β” x-ray diffraction pattern. Whereas the latter demonstrates that amyloid fibrils have a common β-sheet core structure, they display a substantial degree of morphological variation. One striking example is the remarkable ability of human apolipoprotein C-II amyloid fibrils to circularize and form closed rings. Here we explore in detail the structure of apoC-II amyloid fibrils using electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and x-ray diffraction studies. Our results suggest a model for apoC-II fibrils as ribbons ∼2.1-nm thick and 13-nm wide with a helical repeat distance of 53 nm ± 12 nm. We propose that the ribbons are highly flexible with a persistence length of 36 nm. We use these observed biophysical properties to model the apoC-II amyloid fibrils either as wormlike chains or using a random-walk approach, and confirm that the probability of ring formation is critically dependent on the fibril flexibility. More generally, the ability of apoC-II fibrils to form rings also highlights the degree to which the common cross-β superstructure can, as a function of the protein constituent, give rise to great variation in the physical properties of amyloid fibrils. PMID:14645087

Characterization and inhibition of a cholecystokinin-inactivating serine peptidase.

PubMed

Rose, C; Vargas, F; Facchinetti, P; Bourgeat, P; Bambal, R B; Bishop, P B; Chan, S M; Moore, A N; Ganellin, C R; Schwartz, J C

1996-04-04

A cholecystokinin (CCK)-inactivating peptidase was purified and identified as a membrane-bound isoform of tripeptidyl peptidase II (EC 3.4.14.10), a cytosolic subtilisin-like peptidase of previously unknown functions. The peptidase was found in neurons responding to cholecystokinin, as well as in non-neuronal cells. Butabindide, a potent and specific inhibitor, was designed and shown to protect endogenous cholecystokinin from inactivation and to display pro-satiating effects mediated by the CCKA receptor.

A vitellogenic-like carboxypeptidase expressed by human macrophages is localized in endoplasmic reticulum and membrane ruffles

PubMed Central

Harris, James; Schwinn, Nicole; Mahoney, James A; Lin, Hsi-Hsien; Shaw, Michael; Howard, Chris J; da Silva, Rosangela P; Gordon, Siamon

2006-01-01

Carboxypeptidase, vitellogenic-like (CPVL) is a serine carboxypeptidase of unknown function that was first characterized in human macrophages. Initial studies suggested that CPVL is largely restricted to the monocytic lineage, although it may also be expressed by cells outside the immune system. Here, we use a new monoclonal antibody to characterize the properties and localization of CPVL in human macrophages to elucidate a possible function for the protease. CPVL is up-regulated during the maturation of monocytes (MO) to macrophages, although the protein can be seen in both. In primary macrophages, CPVL is glycosylated with high mannose residues and colocalizes with markers for endoplasmic reticulum, while in MO it is more disperse and less clearly associated with endoplasmic reticulum. CPVL is highly expressed in lamellipodia and membrane ruffles, which also concentrate markers of the secretory pathway (MIP-1α and tumour necrosis factor-α) and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and II molecules. CPVL can be seen on early latex bead and Candida albicans phagosomes, but it is not retained in the maturing phagosome, unlike MHC class I/II. CPVL has a mixed cytosolic and membrane-associated localization but is not detectable on the outer plasma membrane. We propose that CPVL may be involved in antigen processing, the secretory pathway and/or in actin remodelling and lamellipodium formation. PMID:16436111

Biochemical and Spectroscopic Characterization of Highly Stable Photosystem II Supercomplexes from Arabidopsis*

PubMed Central

Crepin, Aurelie; Santabarbara, Stefano; Caffarri, Stefano

2016-01-01

Photosystem II (PSII) is a large membrane supercomplex involved in the first step of oxygenic photosynthesis. It is organized as a dimer, with each monomer consisting of more than 20 subunits as well as several cofactors, including chlorophyll and carotenoid pigments, lipids, and ions. The isolation of stable and homogeneous PSII supercomplexes from plants has been a hindrance for their deep structural and functional characterization. In recent years, purification of complexes with different antenna sizes was achieved with mild detergent solubilization of photosynthetic membranes and fractionation on a sucrose gradient, but these preparations were only stable in the cold for a few hours. In this work, we present an improved protocol to obtain plant PSII supercomplexes that are stable for several hours/days at a wide range of temperatures and can be concentrated without degradation. Biochemical and spectroscopic properties of the purified PSII are presented, as well as a study of the complex solubility in the presence of salts. We also tested the impact of a large panel of detergents on PSII stability and found that very few are able to maintain the integrity of PSII. Such new PSII preparation opens the possibility of performing experiments that require room temperature conditions and/or high protein concentrations, and thus it will allow more detailed investigations into the structure and molecular mechanisms that underlie plant PSII function. PMID:27432883

Characterizing functional lung heterogeneity in COPD using reference equations for CT scan-measured lobar volumes.

PubMed

Come, Carolyn E; Diaz, Alejandro A; Curran-Everett, Douglas; Muralidhar, Nivedita; Hersh, Craig P; Zach, Jordan A; Schroeder, Joyce; Lynch, David A; Celli, Bartolome; Washko, George R

2013-06-01

CT scanning is increasingly used to characterize COPD. Although it is possible to obtain CT scan-measured lung lobe volumes, normal ranges remain unknown. Using COPDGene data, we developed reference equations for lobar volumes at maximal inflation (total lung capacity [TLC]) and relaxed exhalation (approximating functional residual capacity [FRC]). Linear regression was used to develop race-specific (non-Hispanic white [NHW], African American) reference equations for lobar volumes. Covariates included height and sex. Models were developed in a derivation cohort of 469 subjects with normal pulmonary function and validated in 546 similar subjects. These cohorts were combined to produce final prediction equations, which were applied to 2,191 subjects with old GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) stage II to IV COPD. In the derivation cohort, women had smaller lobar volumes than men. Height positively correlated with lobar volumes. Adjusting for height, NHWs had larger total lung and lobar volumes at TLC than African Americans; at FRC, NHWs only had larger lower lobes. Age and weight had no effect on lobar volumes at TLC but had small effects at FRC. In subjects with COPD at TLC, upper lobes exceeded 100% of predicted values in GOLD II disease; lower lobes were only inflated to this degree in subjects with GOLD IV disease. At FRC, gas trapping was severe irrespective of disease severity and appeared uniform across the lobes. Reference equations for lobar volumes may be useful in assessing regional lung dysfunction and how it changes in response to pharmacologic therapies and surgical or endoscopic lung volume reduction.

Evaluating the Global Precipitation Measurement mission with NOAA/NSSL Multi-Radar Multisensor: current status and future directions.

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kirstetter, P. E.; Petersen, W. A.; Gourley, J. J.; Kummerow, C.; Huffman, G. J.; Turk, J.; Tanelli, S.; Maggioni, V.; Anagnostou, E. N.; Hong, Y.; Schwaller, M.

2017-12-01

Accurate characterization of uncertainties in space-borne precipitation estimates is critical for many applications including water budget studies or prediction of natural hazards at the global scale. The GPM precipitation Level II (active and passive) and Level III (IMERG) estimates are compared to the high quality and high resolution NEXRAD-based precipitation estimates derived from the NOAA/NSSL's Multi-Radar, Multi-Sensor (MRMS) platform. A surface reference is derived from the MRMS suite of products to be accurate with known uncertainty bounds and measured at a resolution below the pixel sizes of any GPM estimate, providing great flexibility in matching to grid scales or footprints. It provides an independent and consistent reference research framework for directly evaluating GPM precipitation products across a large number of meteorological regimes as a function of resolution, accuracy and sample size. The consistency of the ground and space-based sensors in term of precipitation detection, typology and quantification are systematically evaluated. Satellite precipitation retrievals are further investigated in terms of precipitation distributions, systematic biases and random errors, influence of precipitation sub-pixel variability and comparison between satellite products. Prognostic analysis directly provides feedback to algorithm developers on how to improve the satellite estimates. Specific factors for passive (e.g. surface conditions for GMI) and active (e.g. non uniform beam filling for DPR) sensors are investigated. This cross products characterization acts as a bridge to intercalibrate microwave measurements from the GPM constellation satellites and propagate to the combined and global precipitation estimates. Precipitation features previously used to analyze Level II satellite estimates under various precipitation processes are now intoduced for Level III to test several assumptions in the IMERG algorithm. Specifically, the contribution of Level II is explicitly characterized and a rigorous characterization is performed to migrate across scales fully understanding the propagation of errors from Level II to Level III. Perpectives are presented to advance the use of uncertainty as an integral part of QPE for ground-based and space-borne sensors

Synthesis and Characterization of Diranitidinecopper(II) Sulfate Dihydrate

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Syaima, H.; Rahardjo, S. B.; Zein, I. M.

2018-04-01

The complex of ranitidine with Cu(II) has been synthesized in 1:2-mole ratio of metal to the ligand in water. The forming of the complex was indicated by shifting of maximum wavelength from 816 nm (CuSO4·5H2O) to 626 nm (the complex). Infrared spectra indicated NO2 and NH functional group were coordinated to Cu(II). The percentage of copper in the complex measured by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) analysis was 7.5% indicating that formula of the complex was Cu(ranitidine)2SO4(H2O)n (n=2, 3 or 4). The electrical conductivity of Cu(II) complex in water was 71.0 Scm2mol-1 corresponding to 1:1 electrolytes. Thermogravimetric/Differential Thermal Analysis (TG/DTA) showed the presence of two molecules of H2O in the complex. UV-Vis spectra showed a transition peak on 15974 cm-1 indicating square planar geometry. The complex was paramagnetic with µeff 1.77 BM. The proposed formula of the complex was [Cu(ranitidine)2]SO4·2H2O.

Structural, spectral, DFT and biological studies on macrocyclic mononuclear ruthenium (II) complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Muthukkumar, M.; Kamal, C.; Venkatesh, G.; Kaya, C.; Kaya, S.; Enoch, Israel V. M. V.; Vennila, P.; Rajavel, R.

2017-11-01

Macrocyclic mononuclear ruthenium (II) complexes have been synthesized by condensation method [Ru (L1, L2, L3) Cl2] L1 = (C36 H31 N9), L2= (C42H36N8), L3= (C32H32 N8)]. These ruthenium complexes have been established by elemental analyses and spectroscopic techniques (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), 1H- nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), 13C- NMR and Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS)). The coordination mode of the ligand has been confirmed and the octahedral geometry around the ruthenium ion has been revealed. Binding affinity and binding mode of ruthenium (II) complexes with Bovine serum Albumin (BSA) have been characterized by Emission spectra analysis. UV-Visible and fluorescence spectroscopic techniques have also been utilized to examine the interaction between ligand and its complexes L1, L2, & L3 with BSA. Chemical parameters and molecular structure of Ru (II) complexes L1H, L2H, & L3H have been determined by DFT coupled with B3LYP/6-311G** functional in both the gaseous and aqueous phases.

Biosorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution by Solanum melongena leaf powder as a low-cost biosorbent prepared from agricultural waste.

PubMed

Yuvaraja, Gutha; Krishnaiah, Nettem; Subbaiah, Munagapati Venkata; Krishnaiah, Abburi

2014-02-01

Solanum melongena leaves are relatively galore and used as inexpensive material. This paper presents the characterization and evaluation of potential of S. melongena leaf powder (SMLP) for removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution as a function of pH, biomass dosage, initial metal ion concentration, contact time and temperature. Experimental data were analyzed in terms of three kinetic models such as the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models and the results showed that the biosorption processes of Pb(II) followed well pseudo-second-order kinetics. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to describe the biosorption process. Langmuir isotherm described the equilibrium data very well, with a maximum monolayer sorption capacity of 71.42 mg/g for Pb(II) ions at 323 K. The biosorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature with negative ΔG° (-8.746, -8.509 and -7.983 kJ/mol) and positive value for ΔH° (3.698 kJ/mol). Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The Relation Between Inflation in Type-I and Type-II Error Rate and Population Divergence in Genome-Wide Association Analysis of Multi-Ethnic Populations.

PubMed

Derks, E M; Zwinderman, A H; Gamazon, E R

2017-05-01

Population divergence impacts the degree of population stratification in Genome Wide Association Studies. We aim to: (i) investigate type-I error rate as a function of population divergence (F ST ) in multi-ethnic (admixed) populations; (ii) evaluate the statistical power and effect size estimates; and (iii) investigate the impact of population stratification on the results of gene-based analyses. Quantitative phenotypes were simulated. Type-I error rate was investigated for Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) with varying levels of F ST between the ancestral European and African populations. Type-II error rate was investigated for a SNP characterized by a high value of F ST . In all tests, genomic MDS components were included to correct for population stratification. Type-I and type-II error rate was adequately controlled in a population that included two distinct ethnic populations but not in admixed samples. Statistical power was reduced in the admixed samples. Gene-based tests showed no residual inflation in type-I error rate.

Structural and catalytic characterization of a heterovalent Mn(II)Mn(III) complex that mimics purple acid phosphatases.

PubMed

Smith, Sarah J; Riley, Mark J; Noble, Christopher J; Hanson, Graeme R; Stranger, Robert; Jayaratne, Vidura; Cavigliasso, Germán; Schenk, Gerhard; Gahan, Lawrence R

2009-11-02

The binuclear heterovalent manganese model complex [Mn(II)Mn(III)(L1)(OAc)(2)] ClO(4) x H(2)O (H(2)L1 = 2-(((3-((bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)methyl)-2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amino)-methyl)phenol) has been prepared and studied structurally, spectroscopically, and computationally. The magnetic and electronic properties of the complex have been related to its structure. The complex is weakly antiferromagnetically coupled (J approximately -5 cm(-1), H = -2J S(1) x S(2)) and the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra identify the Jahn-Teller distortion of the Mn(III) center as predominantly a tetragonal compression, with a significant rhombic component. Electronic structure calculations using density functional theory have confirmed the conclusions derived from the experimental investigations. In contrast to isostructural M(II)Fe(III) complexes (M = Fe, Mn, Zn, Ni), the Mn(II)Mn(III) system is bifunctional possessing both catalase and hydrolase activities, and only one catalytically relevant pK(a) (= 8.2) is detected. Mechanistic implications are discussed.

Crystal Structure of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas1 and Its Interaction with Csn2 in the Type II CRISPR-Cas System.

PubMed

Ka, Donghyun; Lee, Hasup; Jung, Yi-Deun; Kim, Kyunggon; Seok, Chaok; Suh, Nayoung; Bae, Euiyoung

2016-01-05

CRISPRs and Cas proteins constitute an RNA-guided microbial immune system against invading nucleic acids. Cas1 is a universal Cas protein found in all three types of CRISPR-Cas systems, and its role is implicated in new spacer acquisition during CRISPR-mediated adaptive immunity. Here, we report the crystal structure of Streptococcus pyogenes Cas1 (SpCas1) in a type II CRISPR-Cas system and characterize its interaction with S. pyogenes Csn2 (SpCsn2). The SpCas1 structure reveals a unique conformational state distinct from type I Cas1 structures, resulting in a more extensive dimerization interface, a more globular overall structure, and a disruption of potential metal-binding sites for catalysis. We demonstrate that SpCas1 directly interacts with SpCsn2, and identify the binding interface and key residues for Cas complex formation. These results provide structural information for a type II Cas1 protein, and lay a foundation for studying multiprotein Cas complexes functioning in type II CRISPR-Cas systems. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Phenotypic characterization of 10 methanol oxidation mutant classes in Methylobacterium sp. strain AM1

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Nunn, D.N.; Lidstrom, M.E.

Twenty-five methanol oxidation mutants of the facultative methylotroph Methylobacterium sp. strain AM1 have been characterized by complementation analysis and assigned to 10 complementation groups, Mox A1, A2, A3, and B through H. In this study we have characterized each of the mutants belonging to the 10 Mox complementation groups for the following criteria: (i) phenazine methosulfate-dichlorophenolindophenol dye-linked methanol dehydrogenase activity; (ii) methanol-dependent whole-cell oxygen consumption; (iii) the presence or absence of methanol dehydrogenase protein by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blotting; (iv) the absorption spectra of purified mutant methanol dehydrogenase proteins; and (v) the presence or absence ofmore » the soluble cytochrome c proteins of Methylobacterium sp. strain AM1, as determined by reduced-oxidized difference spectra and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. With this information, we have proposed functions for each of the genes deficient in the mutants of the 10 Mox complementation groups. These proposed gene functions include two linked genes that encode the methanol dehydrogenase structural protein and the soluble cytochrome c/sub L/, a gene encoding a secretion function essential for the synthesis and export of methanol dehydrogenase and cytochrome c/sub L/, three gene functions responsible for the proper association of the pyrrolo-quinoline quinone prosthetic group with the methanol dehydrogenase apoprotein, and four positive regulatory gene functions controlling the expression of the ability to oxidize methanol.« less

Activity of insulin growth factors and shrimp neurosecretory organ extracts on a lepidopteran cell line.

PubMed

Hatt, P J; Liebon, C; Morinière, M; Oberlander, H; Porcheron, P

1997-01-01

Ecdysteroids, or molting hormones, have been proven to be key differentiation regulators for epidermal cells in the postembryonic development of arthropods. Regulators of cell proliferation, however, remain largely unknown. To date, no diffusible insect peptidic growth factors have been characterized. Molecules structurally related to insulin have been discovered in insects, as in other eucaryotes. We developed in vitro tests for the preliminary characterization of potential growth factors in arthropods by adapting the procedures designed to detect such factors in vertebrates to an insect cell line (IAL-PID2) established from imaginal discs of the Indian meal moth. We verified the ability of these tests to measure the proliferation of IAL-PID2 cells. We tested mammalian insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I, IGF-II). Following an arrest of cell proliferation by serum deprivation, IGF-I and IGF-II caused partial resumption of the cell cycle, evidenced by DNA synthesis. In contrast, the addition of 20-hydroxyecdysone arrested the proliferation of the IAL-PID2 cells. The cell line was then used in a test for functional characterization of potential growth factors originating from the penaeid shrimp, Penaeus vannamei. Crude extracts of neurosecretory and nervous tissues, eyestalks, and ventral neural chain compensated for serum deprivation and stimulated completion of mitosis. Arch.

Impaired expression and function of group II metabotropic glutamate receptors in pilocarpine-treated chronically epileptic rats

PubMed Central

Garrido-Sanabria, Emilio R.; Otalora, Luis F. Pacheco; Arshadmansab, Massoud F.; Herrera, Berenice; Francisco, Sebastian; Ermolinsky, Boris

2008-01-01

Group II metabotropic (mGlu II) receptor subtypes mGlu2 and mGlu3 are important modulators of synaptic plasticity and glutamate release in the brain. Accordingly, several pharmacological ligands have been designed to target these receptors for the treatment of neurological disorders characterized by anomalous glutamate regulation including epilepsy. In this study, we examine whether the expression level and function of mGlu2 and mGlu3 are altered in experimental epilepsy by using immunohistochemistry, Western blot analysis, RT-PCR and extracellular recordings. A down-regulation of mGlu2/3 protein expression at the mossy fiber pathway was associated with a significant reduction in mGlu2/3 protein expression in the hippocampus and cortex of chronically epileptic rats. Moreover, a reduction in mGlu2 and mGlu3 transcripts levels was noticed as early as 24h after pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE) and persisted during subsequent “latent” and chronic periods. In addition, a significant impairment of mGlu II-mediated depression of field excitatory postsynaptic potentials at mossy fiber-CA3 synapses was detected in chronically epileptic rats. Application of mGlu II agonists (2S,2'R,3'R)-2-(2',3'-dicarboxycyclopropyl)glycine (DCG-IV) induced a significant reduction of the fEPSP amplitude in control rats, but not in chronic epileptic rats. These data indicate a long-lasting impairment of mGlu2/3 expression that may contribute to abnormal presynaptic plasticity, exaggerate glutamate release and hyperexcitability in temporal lobe epilepsy. PMID:18804094

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization and biological activities of N4O2 Schiff base ligand and its metal complexes of Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Al-Resayes, Saud I.; Shakir, Mohammad; Abbasi, Ambreen; Amin, Kr. Mohammad Yusuf; Lateef, Abdul

The Schiff base ligand, bis(indoline-2-one)triethylenetetramine (L) obtained from condensation of triethylenetetramine and isatin was used to synthesize the complexes of type, [ML]Cl2 [M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)]. L was characterized on the basis of the results of elemental analysis, FT-IR, 1H and 13C NMR, mass spectroscopic studies. The stoichiometry, bonding and stereochemistries of complexes were ascertained on the basis of results of elemental analysis, magnetic susceptibility values, molar conductance and various spectroscopic studies. EPR, UV-vis and magnetic moments revealed an octahedral geometry for complexes. L and its Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes were screened for their antibacterial activity. Analgesic activity of Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes was also tested in rats by tail flick method. Both complexes were found to possess good antibacterial and moderate analgesic activity.

Syntheses and structural characterization of iron(II) and copper(II) coordination compounds with the neutral flexible bidentate N-donor ligands

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Beheshti, Azizolla; Lalegani, Arash; Bruno, Giuseppe; Rudbari, Hadi Amiri

2014-08-01

Two new coordination compounds [Fe(bib)2(N3)2]n(1) and [Cu2(bpp)2(N3)4] (2) with azide and flexible ligands 1,4-bis(imidazolyl)butane (bib) and 1,3-bis(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)propane (bpp) were prepared and structurally characterized. In the 2D network structure of 1, the iron(II) ion lies on an inversion center and exhibits an FeN6 octahedral arrangement while in the dinuclear structure of 2, the copper(II) ion adopts an FeN5 distorted square pyramid geometry. In the complex 1, each μ2-bib acts as bridging ligand connecting two adjacent iron(II) ions while in the complex 2, the bpp ligand is coordinated to copper(II) ion in a cyclic-bidentate fashion forming an eight-membered metallocyclic ring. Coordination compounds 1 and 2 have been characterized by infrared spectroscopy, elemental analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Thermal analysis of polymer 1 was also studied.

Isolation and characterization of a cDNA clone specific for avian vitellogenin II.

PubMed Central

Protter, A A; Wang, S Y; Shelness, G S; Ostapchuk, P; Williams, D L

1982-01-01

A clone for vitellogenin, a major avian, estrogen responsive egg yolk protein, was isolated from the cDNA library of estrogen-induced rooster liver. Two forms of plasma vitellogenin, vitellogenin I (VTG I) and vitellogenin II (VTG II), distinguishable on the basis of their unique partial proteolysis maps, have been characterized and their corresponding hepatic precursor forms identified. We have used this criterion to specifically characterize which vitellogenin protein had been cloned. Partial proteolysis maps of BTG I and VTG II standards, synthesized in vivo, were compared to maps of protein synthesized in vitro using RNA hybrid-selected by the vitellogenin plasmid. Eight major digest fragments were found common to the in vitro synthesized vitellogenin and the VTG II standard while no fragments were observed to correspond to the VTG I map. A restriction map of the VTG II cDNA clone permits comparison to previously described cDNA and genomic vitellogenin clones. Images PMID:6182527

Combining Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Density Functional Theory Calculations to Characterize Carvedilol Polymorphs.

PubMed

Rezende, Carlos A; San Gil, Rosane A S; Borré, Leandro B; Pires, José Ricardo; Vaiss, Viviane S; Resende, Jackson A L C; Leitão, Alexandre A; De Alencastro, Ricardo B; Leal, Katia Z

2016-09-01

The experiments of carvedilol form II, form III, and hydrate by (13)C and (15)N cross-polarization magic-angle spinning (CP MAS) are reported. The GIPAW (gauge-including projector-augmented wave) method from DFT (density functional theory) calculations was used to simulate (13)C and (15)N chemical shifts. A very good agreement was found for the comparison between the global results of experimental and calculated nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) chemical shifts for carvedilol polymorphs. This work aims a comprehensive understanding of carvedilol crystalline forms employing solution and solid-state NMR as well as DFT calculations. Copyright © 2016. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Anti-Platelet Therapy with Clopidogrel Prevents Endothelial Dysfunction and Vascular Remodeling in Aortas from Hypertensive Rats

PubMed Central

Giachini, Fernanda R.; Leite, Romulo; Osmond, David A.; Lima, Victor V.; Inscho, Edward W.; Webb, R. Clinton; Tostes, Rita C.

2014-01-01

The aim was to investigate the beneficial effects of clopidogrel in thoracic aorta function and structure and to characterize if P2Y12 receptors contribute to these effects. Male Sprague Dawley rats were infused with angiotensin II [(Ang II) 60 ng.min−1, 14 days] or saline (control rats) and were simultaneously treated with clopidogrel (10 mg.kg−1.day−1) or vehicle. After 14 days, systolic blood pressure (mmHg) was similar in Ang II-hypertensive rats treated with clopidogrel or vehicle (199±9 vs. 190±11, respectively). Systolic blood pressure in control rats was not altered by clopidogrel treatment (128±1 vs. vehicle, 134±2). Endothelium-dependent relaxation induced by 2-MeS-ADP was decreased in aortas from vehicle-treated Ang II-hypertensive rats, compared to vehicle-treated control rats. This response was elicited via activation of P2Y1 and P2Y12 receptors. In the presence of L-NAME and indomethacin, 2-MeS-ADP induced contraction and this response was augmented in vehicle-treated Ang II-hypertensive rats, compared to vehicle-treated control rats. The contraction to 2-MeS-ADP was evoked by P2Y13 and P2Y12 receptor activation. Clopidogrel-treatment did not normalize relaxation or contractile responses induced by 2-MeS-ADP in aortas from Ang II-hypertensive rats. P2Y1 and P2Y12 protein expression was increased, whereas P2Y13 receptor expression was reduced in aorta from vehicle-treated Ang II-hypertensive rats. Endothelium-dependent relaxation upon acetylcholine-stimulation was reduced in vehicle-treated Ang II-hypertensive rats, and clopidogrel treatment was effective in improving endothelial function. Clopidogrel also prevented vascular remodeling, evidenced by augmented media thickness in aortas from Ang II-hypertensive rats. Clopidogrel has beneficial effects on the aortic endothelium of Ang II-hypertensive rats, but its effects do not seem to be directly related to the presence of P2Y12 receptors in this vessel. PMID:24638017

ProTx-II, a selective inhibitor of NaV1.7 sodium channels, blocks action potential propagation in nociceptors.

PubMed

Schmalhofer, William A; Calhoun, Jeffrey; Burrows, Rachel; Bailey, Timothy; Kohler, Martin G; Weinglass, Adam B; Kaczorowski, Gregory J; Garcia, Maria L; Koltzenburg, Martin; Priest, Birgit T

2008-11-01

Voltage-gated sodium (Na(V)1) channels play a critical role in modulating the excitability of sensory neurons, and human genetic evidence points to Na(V)1.7 as an essential contributor to pain signaling. Human loss-of-function mutations in SCN9A, the gene encoding Na(V)1.7, cause channelopathy-associated indifference to pain (CIP), whereas gain-of-function mutations are associated with two inherited painful neuropathies. Although the human genetic data make Na(V)1.7 an attractive target for the development of analgesics, pharmacological proof-of-concept in experimental pain models requires Na(V)1.7-selective channel blockers. Here, we show that the tarantula venom peptide ProTx-II selectively interacts with Na(V)1.7 channels, inhibiting Na(V)1.7 with an IC(50) value of 0.3 nM, compared with IC(50) values of 30 to 150 nM for other heterologously expressed Na(V)1 subtypes. This subtype selectivity was abolished by a point mutation in DIIS3. It is interesting that application of ProTx-II to desheathed cutaneous nerves completely blocked the C-fiber compound action potential at concentrations that had little effect on Abeta-fiber conduction. ProTx-II application had little effect on action potential propagation of the intact nerve, which may explain why ProTx-II was not efficacious in rodent models of acute and inflammatory pain. Mono-iodo-ProTx-II ((125)I-ProTx-II) binds with high affinity (K(d) = 0.3 nM) to recombinant hNa(V)1.7 channels. Binding of (125)I-ProTx-II is insensitive to the presence of other well characterized Na(V)1 channel modulators, suggesting that ProTx-II binds to a novel site, which may be more conducive to conferring subtype selectivity than the site occupied by traditional local anesthetics and anticonvulsants. Thus, the (125)I-ProTx-II binding assay, described here, offers a new tool in the search for novel Na(V)1.7-selective blockers.

Different functional classes of genes are characterized by different compositional properties.

PubMed

D'Onofrio, Giuseppe; Ghosh, Tapash Chandra; Saccone, Salvatore

2007-12-22

A compositional analysis on a set of human genes classified in several functional classes was performed. We found out that the GC3, i.e. the GC level at the third codon positions, of the genes involved in cellular metabolism was significantly higher than those involved in information storage and processing. Analyses of human/Xenopus ortologous genes showed that: (i) the GC3 increment of the genes involved in cellular metabolism was significantly higher than those involved in information storage and processing; and (ii) a strong correlation between the GC3 and the corresponding GCi, i.e. the GC level of introns, was found in each functional class. The non-randomness of the GC increments favours the selective hypothesis of gene/genome evolution.

First principles materials design of novel functional oxides

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cooper, Valentino R.; Voas, Brian K.; Bridges, Craig A.

2016-05-31

We review our efforts to develop and implement robust computational approaches for exploring phase stability to facilitate the prediction-to-synthesis process of novel functional oxides. These efforts focus on a synergy between (i) electronic structure calculations for properties predictions, (ii) phenomenological/empirical methods for examining phase stability as related to both phase segregation and temperature-dependent transitions and (iii) experimental validation through synthesis and characterization. We illustrate this philosophy by examining an inaugural study that seeks to discover novel functional oxides with high piezoelectric responses. Lastly, our results show progress towards developing a framework through which solid solutions can be studied to predictmore » materials with enhanced properties that can be synthesized and remain active under device relevant conditions.« less

Synthesis, characterization and antimicrobial studies of Schiff base complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zafar, Hina; Ahmad, Anis; Khan, Asad U.; Khan, Tahir Ali

2015-10-01

The Schiff base complexes, MLCl2 [M = Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)] have been synthesized by the template reaction of respective metal ions with 2-acetylpyrrole and 1,3-diaminopropane in 1:2:1 M ratio. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses, ESI - mass, NMR (1H and 13C), IR, XRD, electronic and EPR spectral studies, magnetic susceptibility and molar conductance measurements. These studies show that all the complexes have octahedral arrangement around the metal ions. The molar conductance measurements of all the complexes in DMSO indicate their non-electrolytic nature. The complexes were screened for their antibacterial activity in vitro against Gram-positive (Streptococcus pyogenes) and Gram-negative (Klebsiella pneumoniae) bacteria. Among the metal complexes studied the copper complex [CuLCl2], showed highest antibacterial activity nearly equal to standard drug ciprofloxacin. Other complexes also showed considerable antibacterial activity. The relative order of activity against S. Pyogenes is as Cu(II) > Zn(II) > Co(II) = Fe(II) > Ni(II) and with K. Pneumonia is as Cu(II) > Co(II) > Zn(II) > Fe(II) > Ni(II).

The terpene synthase gene family in Tripterygium wilfordii harbors a labdane-type diterpene synthase among the monoterpene synthase TPS-b subfamily.

PubMed

Hansen, Nikolaj L; Heskes, Allison M; Hamberger, Britta; Olsen, Carl E; Hallström, Björn M; Andersen-Ranberg, Johan; Hamberger, Björn

2017-02-01

Tripterygium wilfordii (Celastraceae) is a medicinal plant with anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Identification of a vast array of unusual sesquiterpenoids, diterpenoids and triterpenoids in T. wilfordii has spurred investigations of their pharmacological properties. The tri-epoxide lactone triptolide was the first of many diterpenoids identified, attracting interest due to the spectrum of bioactivities. To probe the genetic underpinning of diterpenoid diversity, an expansion of the class II diterpene synthase (diTPS) family was recently identified in a leaf transcriptome. Following detection of triptolide and simple diterpene scaffolds in the root, we sequenced and mined the root transcriptome. This allowed identification of the root-specific complement of TPSs and an expansion in the class I diTPS family. Functional characterization of the class II diTPSs established their activities in the formation of four C-20 diphosphate intermediates, precursors of both generalized and specialized metabolism and a novel scaffold for Celastraceae. Functional pairs of the class I and II enzymes resulted in formation of three scaffolds, accounting for some of the terpenoid diversity found in T. wilfordii. The absence of activity-forming abietane-type diterpenes encouraged further testing of TPSs outside the canonical class I diTPS family. TwTPS27, close relative of mono-TPSs, was found to couple with TwTPS9, converting normal-copalyl diphosphate to miltiradiene. The phylogenetic distance to established diTPSs indicates neo-functionalization of TwTPS27 into a diTPS, a function not previously observed in the TPS-b subfamily. This example of evolutionary convergence expands the functionality of TPSs in the TPS-b family and may contribute miltiradiene to the diterpenoids of T. wilfordii. © 2016 The Authors The Plant Journal © 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

New platinum (II) and palladium (II) complexes of coumarin-thiazole Schiff base with a fluorescent chemosensor properties: Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, X-ray structure determination, in vitro anticancer activity on various human carcinoma cell lines and computational studies.

PubMed

Şahin, Ömer; Özdemir, Ümmühan Özmen; Seferoğlu, Nurgül; Genc, Zuhal Karagöz; Kaya, Kerem; Aydıner, Burcu; Tekin, Suat; Seferoğlu, Zeynel

2018-01-01

A new coumarin-thiazole based Schiff base (Ligand, L) and its Pd(II), Pt(II) complexes; ([Pd(L) 2 ] and [Pt(L) 2 ]), were synthesized and characterized using spectrophotometric techniques (NMR, IR, UV-vis, LC-MS), magnetic moment, and conductivity measurements. A single crystal X-ray analysis for only L was done. The crystals of L have monoclinic crystal system and P21/c space group. To gain insight into the structure of L and its complexes, we used density functional theory (DFT) method to optimize the molecules. The photophysical properties changes were observed after deprotonation of L with CN - via intermolecular charge transfer (ICT). Additionally, as the sensor is a colorimetric and fluorimetric cyanide probe containing active sites such as coumarin-thiazole and imine (CH=N), it showed fast color change from yellow to deep red in the visible region, and yellow fluorescence after CN - addition to the imine bond, in DMSO. The reaction mechanisms of L with CN - , F - and AcO - ions were evaluated using 1 H NMR shifts. The results showed that, the reaction of L with CN - ion was due to the deprotonation and addition mechanisms at the same time. The anti-cancer activity of L and its Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes were evaluated in vitro using MTT assay on the human cancer lines MCF-7 (human breast adenocarcinoma), LS174T (human colon carcinoma), and LNCAP (human prostate adenocarcinoma). The anti-cancer effects of L and its complexes, on human cells, were determined by comparing the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC 50 ) values. The activity results showed that, the Pd(II) complex of L has higher anti-tumor effect than L and its Pt(II) complex against the tested human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), human prostate adenocarcinoma (LNCAP), and human colon carcinoma (LS174T) cell lines. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystal structure, biochemical and genetic characterization of yeast and E. cuniculi TAF(II)5 N-terminal domain: implications for TFIID assembly.

PubMed

Romier, Christophe; James, Nicole; Birck, Catherine; Cavarelli, Jean; Vivarès, Christian; Collart, Martine A; Moras, Dino

2007-05-18

General transcription factor TFIID plays an essential role in transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II at numerous promoters. However, understanding of the assembly and a full structural characterization of this large 15 subunit complex is lacking. TFIID subunit TAF(II)5 has been shown to be present twice in this complex and to be critical for the function and assembly of TFIID. Especially, the TAF(II)5 N-terminal domain is required for its incorporation within TFIID and immuno-labelling experiments carried out by electron microscopy at low resolution have suggested that this domain might homodimerize, possibly explaining the three-lobed architecture of TFIID. However, the resolution at which the electron microscopy (EM) analyses were conducted is not sufficient to determine whether homodimerization occurs or whether a more intricate assembly implying other subunits is required. Here we report the X-ray structures of the fully evolutionary conserved C-terminal sub-domain of the TAF(II)5 N terminus, from yeast and the mammalian parasite Encephalitozoon cuniculi. This sub-domain displays a novel fold with specific surfaces having conserved physico-chemical properties that can form protein-protein interactions. Although a crystallographic dimer implying one of these surfaces is present in one of the crystal forms, several biochemical analyses show that this sub-domain is monomeric in solution, even at various salt conditions and in presence of different divalent cations. Consequently, the N-terminal sub-domain of the TAF(II)5 N terminus, which is homologous to a dimerization motif but has not been fully conserved during evolution, was studied by analytical ultracentrifugation and yeast genetics. Our results show that this sub-domain dimerizes at very high concentration but is neither required for yeast viability, nor for incorporation of two TAF(II)5 molecules within TFIID and for the assembly of this complex. Altogether, although our results do not argue in favour of a homodimerization of the TAF(II)5 N-terminal domain, our structural analyses suggest a role for this domain in assembly of TFIID and its related complexes SAGA, STAGA, TFTC and PCAF.

Probability distributions of molecular observables computed from Markov models. II. Uncertainties in observables and their time-evolution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chodera, John D.; Noé, Frank

2010-09-01

Discrete-state Markov (or master equation) models provide a useful simplified representation for characterizing the long-time statistical evolution of biomolecules in a manner that allows direct comparison with experiments as well as the elucidation of mechanistic pathways for an inherently stochastic process. A vital part of meaningful comparison with experiment is the characterization of the statistical uncertainty in the predicted experimental measurement, which may take the form of an equilibrium measurement of some spectroscopic signal, the time-evolution of this signal following a perturbation, or the observation of some statistic (such as the correlation function) of the equilibrium dynamics of a single molecule. Without meaningful error bars (which arise from both approximation and statistical error), there is no way to determine whether the deviations between model and experiment are statistically meaningful. Previous work has demonstrated that a Bayesian method that enforces microscopic reversibility can be used to characterize the statistical component of correlated uncertainties in state-to-state transition probabilities (and functions thereof) for a model inferred from molecular simulation data. Here, we extend this approach to include the uncertainty in observables that are functions of molecular conformation (such as surrogate spectroscopic signals) characterizing each state, permitting the full statistical uncertainty in computed spectroscopic experiments to be assessed. We test the approach in a simple model system to demonstrate that the computed uncertainties provide a useful indicator of statistical variation, and then apply it to the computation of the fluorescence autocorrelation function measured for a dye-labeled peptide previously studied by both experiment and simulation.

Evolutionary Trails of Plant Group II Pyridoxal Phosphate-Dependent Decarboxylase Genes.

PubMed

Kumar, Rahul

2016-01-01

Type II pyridoxal phosphate-dependent decarboxylase (PLP_deC) enzymes play important metabolic roles during nitrogen metabolism. Recent evolutionary profiling of these genes revealed a sharp expansion of histidine decarboxylase genes in the members of Solanaceae family. In spite of the high sequence homology shared by PLP_deC orthologs, these enzymes display remarkable differences in their substrate specificities. Currently, limited information is available on the gene repertoires and substrate specificities of PLP_deCs which renders their precise annotation challenging and offers technical challenges in the immediate identification and biochemical characterization of their full gene complements in plants. Herein, we explored their evolutionary trails in a comprehensive manner by taking advantage of high-throughput data accessibility and computational approaches. We discussed the premise that has enabled an improved reconstruction of their evolutionary lineage and evaluated the factors offering constraints in their rapid functional characterization, till date. We envisage that the synthesized information herein would act as a catalyst for the rapid exploration of their biochemical specificity and physiological roles in more plant species.

Hydride bridge in [NiFe]-hydrogenase observed by nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy

DOE PAGES

Ogata, Hideaki; Krämer, Tobias; Wang, Hongxin; ...

2015-08-10

The metabolism of many anaerobes relies on [NiFe]-hydrogenases, whose characterization when bound to substrates has proven non-trivial. Presented here is direct evidence for a hydride bridge in the active site of the 57Fe-labelled fully reduced Ni-R form of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F [NiFe]-hydrogenase. A unique ‘wagging’ mode involving H- motion perpendicular to the Ni(μ-H)57Fe plane was studied using 57Fe-specific nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. On Ni(μ-D)57Fe deuteride substitution, this wagging causes a characteristic perturbation of Fe–CO/CN bands. Spectra have been interpreted by comparison with Ni(μ-H/D)57Fe enzyme mimics [(dppe)Ni(μ-pdt)(μ-H/D)57Fe(CO)3]+ and DFT calculations, which collectively indicate amore » low-spin Ni(II)(μ-H)Fe(II) core for Ni-R, with H- binding Ni more tightly than Fe. Lastly, the present methodology is also relevant to characterizing Fe–H moieties in other important natural and synthetic catalysts.« less

Synthesis and characterizations of melamine-based epoxy resins.

PubMed

Ricciotti, Laura; Roviello, Giuseppina; Tarallo, Oreste; Borbone, Fabio; Ferone, Claudio; Colangelo, Francesco; Catauro, Michelina; Cioffi, Raffaele

2013-09-05

A new, easy and cost-effective synthetic procedure for the preparation of thermosetting melamine-based epoxy resins is reported. By this innovative synthetic method, different kinds of resins can be obtained just by mixing the reagents in the presence of a catalyst without solvent and with mild curing conditions. Two types of resins were synthesized using melamine and a glycidyl derivative (resins I) or by adding a silane derivative (resin II). The resins were characterized by means of chemical-physical and thermal techniques. Experimental results show that all the prepared resins have a good thermal stability, but differ for their mechanical properties: resin I exhibits remarkable stiffness with a storage modulus value up to 830 MPa at room temperature, while lower storage moduli were found for resin II, indicating that the presence of silane groups could enhance the flexibility of these materials. The resins show a pot life higher than 30 min, which makes these resins good candidates for practical applications. The functionalization with silane terminations can be exploited in the formulation of hybrid organic-inorganic composite materials.

Synthesis and Characterizations of Melamine-Based Epoxy Resins

PubMed Central

Ricciotti, Laura; Roviello, Giuseppina; Tarallo, Oreste; Borbone, Fabio; Ferone, Claudio; Colangelo, Francesco; Catauro, Michelina; Cioffi, Raffaele

2013-01-01

A new, easy and cost-effective synthetic procedure for the preparation of thermosetting melamine-based epoxy resins is reported. By this innovative synthetic method, different kinds of resins can be obtained just by mixing the reagents in the presence of a catalyst without solvent and with mild curing conditions. Two types of resins were synthesized using melamine and a glycidyl derivative (resins I) or by adding a silane derivative (resin II). The resins were characterized by means of chemical-physical and thermal techniques. Experimental results show that all the prepared resins have a good thermal stability, but differ for their mechanical properties: resin I exhibits remarkable stiffness with a storage modulus value up to 830 MPa at room temperature, while lower storage moduli were found for resin II, indicating that the presence of silane groups could enhance the flexibility of these materials. The resins show a pot life higher than 30 min, which makes these resins good candidates for practical applications. The functionalization with silane terminations can be exploited in the formulation of hybrid organic-inorganic composite materials. PMID:24013372

Gold(I) NHC-based homo- and heterobimetallic complexes: synthesis, characterization and evaluation as potential anticancer agents.

PubMed

Bertrand, Benoît; Citta, Anna; Franken, Inge L; Picquet, Michel; Folda, Alessandra; Scalcon, Valeria; Rigobello, Maria Pia; Le Gendre, Pierre; Casini, Angela; Bodio, Ewen

2015-09-01

While N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHC) are ubiquitous ligands in catalysis for organic or industrial syntheses, their potential to form transition metal complexes for medicinal applications has still to be exploited. Within this frame, we synthesized new homo- and heterobimetallic complexes based on the Au(I)-NHC scaffold. The compounds were synthesized via a microwave-assisted method developed in our laboratories using Au(I)-NHC complexes carrying a pentafluorophenol ester moiety and another Au(I) phosphane complex or a bipyridine ligand bearing a pendant amine function. Thus, we developed two different methods to prepare homo- and heterobimetallic complexes (Au(I)/Au(I) or Au(I)/Cu(II), Au(I)/Ru(II), respectively). All the compounds were fully characterized by several spectroscopic techniques including far infrared, and were tested for their antiproliferative effects in a series of human cancer cells. They showed moderate anticancer properties. Their toxic effects were also studied ex vivo using the precision-cut tissue slices (PCTS) technique and initial results concerning their reactivity with the seleno-enzyme thioredoxin reductase were obtained.

In silico identification and characterization of the WRKY gene superfamily in pepper (Capsicum annuum L.).

PubMed

Cheng, Y; Yao, Z P; Ruan, M Y; Ye, Q J; Wang, R Q; Zhou, G Z; Luo, J

2016-09-23

The WRKY family is one of the most important transcription factor families in plants, involved in the regulation of a broad range of biological roles. The recent releases of whole-genome sequences of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) allow us to perform a genome-wide identification and characterization of the WRKY family. In this study, 61 CaWRKY proteins were identified in the pepper genome. Based on protein structural and phylogenetic analyses, these proteins were classified into four main groups (I, II, III, and NG), and Group II was further divided into five subgroups (IIa to IIe). Chromosome mapping analysis indicated that CaWRKY genes are distributed across all 12 chromosomes, although the location of four CaWRKYs (CaWRKY58-CaWRKY61) could not be identified. Two pairs of CaWRKYs located on chromosome 01 appear to be tandem duplications. Furthermore, the phylogenetic tree showed a close evolutionary relationship of WRKYs in three species from Solanaceae. In conclusion, this comprehensive analysis of CaWRKYs will provide rich resources for further functional studies in pepper.

Hydride bridge in [NiFe]-hydrogenase observed by nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy

PubMed Central

Ogata, Hideaki; Krämer, Tobias; Wang, Hongxin; Schilter, David; Pelmenschikov, Vladimir; van Gastel, Maurice; Neese, Frank; Rauchfuss, Thomas B.; Gee, Leland B.; Scott, Aubrey D.; Yoda, Yoshitaka; Tanaka, Yoshihito; Lubitz, Wolfgang; Cramer, Stephen P.

2015-01-01

The metabolism of many anaerobes relies on [NiFe]-hydrogenases, whose characterization when bound to substrates has proven non-trivial. Presented here is direct evidence for a hydride bridge in the active site of the 57Fe-labelled fully reduced Ni-R form of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Miyazaki F [NiFe]-hydrogenase. A unique ‘wagging' mode involving H− motion perpendicular to the Ni(μ-H)57Fe plane was studied using 57Fe-specific nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. On Ni(μ-D)57Fe deuteride substitution, this wagging causes a characteristic perturbation of Fe–CO/CN bands. Spectra have been interpreted by comparison with Ni(μ-H/D)57Fe enzyme mimics [(dppe)Ni(μ-pdt)(μ-H/D)57Fe(CO)3]+ and DFT calculations, which collectively indicate a low-spin Ni(II)(μ-H)Fe(II) core for Ni-R, with H− binding Ni more tightly than Fe. The present methodology is also relevant to characterizing Fe–H moieties in other important natural and synthetic catalysts. PMID:26259066

[Basic understanding of the HLA system in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation].

PubMed

Ichinohe, Tatsuo

2015-10-01

Human immune responses are principally characterized by the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) system, a diverse set of cell surface molecules encoded by the major histocompatibility complex gene cluster on the short arm of chromosome 6. Among various members of the HLA family, the best characterized are the classic highly polymorphic class I and class II molecules that are responsible for antigen presentation to T cells and regulation of NK cell functions. In allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation, sophisticated approaches to donor-recipient allele-level matching at 3 class I (HLA-A/B/C) and 3 class II (HLA-DRB1/DQB1/DPB1) loci have been proven to lower the risk of immunologic complications such as graft failure and graft-versus-host disease, and possibly to confer effective graft-versus-malignancy effects. Future areas of research include clarifying the role of relatively non-polymorphic non-classical HLA molecules (HLA-E/F/G, HLA-DM/DO) and polymorphic/non-polymorphic class I-related molecules (MICA, MICB, HFE, MR1, CD1, FcRn) in the immune regulation that follows hematopoietic cell transplantation.

Spectral Characterization and 3D Molecular Modeling Studies of Metal Complexes Involving the O, N-Donor Environment of Quinazoline-4(3H)-one Schiff Base and Their Biological Studies

PubMed Central

Siddappa, Kuruba; Mane, Sunilkumar B.

2014-01-01

A simple condensation of 3-amino-2-methylquinazoline-4-one with 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde produced new tridentate ONO donor Schiff base ligand with efficient yield. The structural characterization of ligand and its Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) complexes were achieved by the aid of elemental analysis, spectral characterization such as (UV-visible, IR, NMR, mass, and ESR), and magnetic data. The analytical and spectroscopic studies suggest the octahedral geometries of Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Mn(II) complexes and tetrahedral geometry of Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes with the tridentate ONO Schiff base ligand. Furthermore, the conclusions drawn from these studies afford further support to the mode of bonding discussed on the basis of their 3D molecular modeling studies by considering different bond lengths, bond angles, and bond distance. The ligand and its metal complexes evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (MTCC number 7443), Bacillus subtilis (MTCC number 9878), Escherichia coli (MTCC number 1698), Aspergillus niger (MTCC number 281), and Aspergillus flavus (MTCC number 277). The MIC of these compounds was found to be most active at 10 μg/mL concentration in inhibiting the growth of the tested organisms. The DNA cleavage activity of all the complexes was studied by gel electrophoresis method. PMID:24678278

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, thermal analysis and electrical conductivity studies of Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) vitamin B2 complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Refat, Moamen S.; Moussa, Mohamed A. A.; Mohamed, Soha F.

2011-05-01

Riboflavin (RF) complexes of Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) were successfully synthesized. Structures of metal complexes obtained were confirmed and characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, and infrared spectra. DC electrical conductivity measurements indicated that the alkaline earth metal (II) complexes of RF ligand are non-electrolytes. Elemental analysis of chelates suggest that the metal(II) ligand ratio is 1:2 with structure formula as [M(RF) 2( X) 2]· nH 2O. Infrared assignments clearly show that RF ligand coordinated as a bidentate feature through azomethine nitrogen of pyrazine ring and C dbnd O of pyrimidine-2,4-dione. Thermal analyses of Mg(II), Ca(II), Sr(II) and Ba(II) complexes were investigated using (TG/DSC) under atmospheric nitrogen between 30 and 800 °C. The surface morphology of the complexes was studied by SEM. The electrical conductivities of RF and its metal complexes were also measured with DC electrical conductivity in the temperature range from room to 483 K.

Thermodynamic Analysis of Nickel(II) and Zinc(II) Adsorption to Biochar.

PubMed

Alam, Md Samrat; Gorman-Lewis, Drew; Chen, Ning; Flynn, Shannon L; Ok, Yong Sik; Konhauser, Kurt O; Alessi, Daniel S

2018-05-21

While numerous studies have investigated metal uptake from solution by biochar, few of these have developed a mechanistic understanding of the adsorption reactions that occur at the biochar surface. In this study, we explore a combined modeling and spectroscopic approach for the first time to describe the molecular level adsorption of Ni(II) and Zn(II) to five types of biochar. Following thorough characterization, potentiometric titrations were carried out to measure the proton (H + ) reactivity of each biochar, and the data was used to develop protonation models. Surface complexation modeling (SCM) supported by synchrotron-based extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) was then used to gain insights into the molecular scale metal-biochar surface reactions. The SCM approach was combined with isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) data to determine the thermodynamic driving forces of metal adsorption. Our results show that the reactivity of biochar toward Ni(II) and Zn(II) directly relates to the site densities of biochar. EXAFS along with FT-IR analyses, suggest that Ni(II) and Zn(II) adsorption occurred primarily through proton-active carboxyl (-COOH) and hydroxyl (-OH) functional groups on the biochar surface. SCM-ITC analyses revealed that the enthalpies of protonation are exothermic and Ni(II) and Zn(II) complexes with biochar surface are slightly exothermic to slightly endothermic. The results obtained from these combined approaches contribute to the better understanding of molecular scale metal adsorption onto the biochar surface, and will facilitate the further development of thermodynamics-based, predictive approaches to biochar removal of metals from contaminated water.

Structural Basis for Eukaryotic Transcription-Coupled DNA Repair Initiation

PubMed Central

Xu, Jun; Lahiri, Indrajit; Wang, Wei; Wier, Adam; Cianfrocco, Michael A.; Chong, Jenny; Hare, Alissa A.; Dervan, Peter B.; DiMaio, Frank; Leschziner, Andres E.; Wang, Dong

2017-01-01

Eukaryotic transcription-coupled repair (TCR), or transcription-coupled nucleotide excision repair (TC-NER), is an important and well-conserved sub-pathway of nucleotide excision repair (NER) that preferentially removes DNA lesions from the template strand blocking RNA polymerase II (Pol II) translocation1,2. Cockayne syndrome group B protein in humans (CSB, or ERCC6), or its yeast orthologs (Rad26 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Rhp26 in Schizosaccharomyces pombe), is among the first proteins to be recruited to the lesion-arrested Pol II during initiation of eukaryotic TCR1,3–10. Mutations in CSB are associated with Cockayne syndrome, an autosomal-recessive neurologic disorder characterized by progeriod features, growth failure, and photosensitivity1. The molecular mechanism of eukaryotic TCR initiation remains elusive, with several long-standing questions unanswered: How do cells distinguish DNA lesion-arrested Pol II from other forms of arrested Pol II? How does CSB interact with the arrested Pol II complex? What is the role of CSB in TCR initiation? The lack of structures of CSB or the Pol II-CSB complex have hindered our ability to answer those questions. Here we report the first structure of S. cerevisiae Pol II-Rad26 complex solved by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). The structure reveals that Rad26 binds to the DNA upstream of Pol II where it dramatically alters its path. Our structural and functional data suggest that the conserved Swi2/Snf2-family core ATPase domain promotes forward movement of Pol II and elucidate key roles for Rad26/CSB in both TCR and transcription elongation. PMID:29168508

The Presence, Persistence and Functional Properties of Plasmodium vivax Duffy Binding Protein II Antibodies Are Influenced by HLA Class II Allelic Variants

PubMed Central

Torres, Leticia M.; Lima, Barbara A. S.; Sousa, Taís N.; Alves, Jéssica R. S.; Rocha, Roberto S.; Fontes, Cor J. F.; Sanchez, Bruno A. M.; Adams, John H.; Brito, Cristiana F. A.; Pires, Douglas E. V.; Ascher, David B.; Sell, Ana Maria; Carvalho, Luzia H.

2016-01-01

Background The human malaria parasite Plasmodium vivax infects red blood cells through a key pathway that requires interaction between Duffy binding protein II (DBPII) and its receptor on reticulocytes, the Duffy antigen/receptor for chemokines (DARC). A high proportion of P. vivax-exposed individuals fail to develop antibodies that inhibit DBPII-DARC interaction, and genetic factors that modulate this humoral immune response are poorly characterized. Here, we investigate if DBPII responsiveness could be HLA class II-linked. Methodology/Principal Findings A community-based open cohort study was carried out in an agricultural settlement of the Brazilian Amazon, in which 336 unrelated volunteers were genotyped for HLA class II (DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 loci), and their DBPII immune responses were monitored over time (baseline, 6 and 12 months) by conventional serology (DBPII IgG ELISA-detected) and functional assays (inhibition of DBPII–erythrocyte binding). The results demonstrated an increased susceptibility of the DRB1*13:01 carriers to develop and sustain an anti-DBPII IgG response, while individuals with the haplotype DRB1*14:02-DQA1*05:03-DQB1*03:01 were persistent non-responders. HLA class II gene polymorphisms also influenced the functional properties of DBPII antibodies (BIAbs, binding inhibitory antibodies), with three alleles (DRB1*07:01, DQA1*02:01 and DQB1*02:02) comprising a single haplotype linked with the presence and persistence of the BIAbs response. Modelling the structural effects of the HLA-DRB1 variants revealed a number of differences in the peptide-binding groove, which is likely to lead to altered antigen binding and presentation profiles, and hence may explain the differences in subject responses. Conclusions/Significance The current study confirms the heritability of the DBPII antibody response, with genetic variation in HLA class II genes influencing both the development and persistence of IgG antibody responses. Cellular studies to increase knowledge of the binding affinities of DBPII peptides for class II molecules linked with good or poor antibody responses might lead to the development of strategies for controlling the type of helper T cells activated in response to DBPII. PMID:27959918

[Examination of diagnosis procedure combination survey data that influence function evaluation coefficient II].

PubMed

Nakajima, Hisato; Yano, Kouya; Nagasawa, Kaoko; Kobayashi, Eiji; Yokota, Kuninobu

2015-01-01

On the basis of Diagnosis Procedure Combination (DPC) survey data, the factors that increase the value of function evaluation coefficient II were considered. A total of 1,505 hospitals were divided into groups I, II, and III, and the following items were considered. 1. Significant differences in function evaluation coefficient II and DPC survey data. 2. Examination of using the Mahalanobis-Taguchi (MT) method. 3. Correlation between function evaluation coefficient II and each DPC survey data item. 1. Function evaluation coefficient II was highest in group II. Group I hospitals showed the highest bed capacity, and numbers of hospitalization days, operations, chemotherapies, radiotherapies and general anesthesia procedures. 2. Using the MT method, we found that the number of ambulance conveyances was effective factor in group I hospitals, the number of general anesthesia procedures was effective factor in group II hospitals, and the bed capacity was effective factor in group III hospitals. 3. In group I hospitals, function evaluation coefficient II significantly correlated to the numbers of ambulance conveyances and chemotherapies. In group II hospitals, function evaluation coefficient II significantly correlated to bed capacity, the numbers of ambulance conveyances, hospitalization days, operations, general anesthesia procedures, and mean hospitalization days. In group III hospitals, function evaluation coefficient II significantly correlated to all items. The factors that improve the value of function evaluation coefficient II were the increases in the numbers of ambulance conveyances, chemotherapies and radiotherapies in group I hospitals, increases in the numbers of hospitalization days, operations, ambulance conveyances and general anesthesia procedures in group II hospitals, and increases in the numbers of hospitalization days, operations and ambulance conveyances. These results indicate that the profit of a hospital will increase, which will lead to medical services of good quality.

URI Regulates KAP1 Phosphorylation and Transcriptional Repression via PP2A Phosphatase in Prostate Cancer Cells.

PubMed

Mita, Paolo; Savas, Jeffrey N; Briggs, Erica M; Ha, Susan; Gnanakkan, Veena; Yates, John R; Robins, Diane M; David, Gregory; Boeke, Jef D; Garabedian, Michael J; Logan, Susan K

2016-12-02

URI (unconventional prefoldin RPB5 interactor protein) is an unconventional prefoldin, RNA polymerase II interactor that functions as a transcriptional repressor and is part of a larger nuclear protein complex. The components of this complex and the mechanism of transcriptional repression have not been characterized. Here we show that KAP1 (KRAB-associated protein 1) and the protein phosphatase PP2A interact with URI. Mechanistically, we show that KAP1 phosphorylation is decreased following recruitment of PP2A by URI. We functionally characterize the novel URI-KAP1-PP2A complex, demonstrating a role of URI in retrotransposon repression, a key function previously demonstrated for the KAP1-SETDB1 complex. Microarray analysis of annotated transposons revealed a selective increase in the transcription of LINE-1 and L1PA2 retroelements upon knockdown of URI. These data unveil a new nuclear function of URI and identify a novel post-transcriptional regulation of KAP1 protein that may have important implications in reactivation of transposable elements in prostate cancer cells. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Theoretical vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy of water near lipid and surfactant monolayer interfaces. II. Two-dimensional spectra.

PubMed

Roy, S; Gruenbaum, S M; Skinner, J L

2014-12-14

The structural stability and function of biomolecules is strongly influenced by the dynamics and hydrogen bonding of interfacial water. Understanding and characterizing the dynamics of these water molecules require a surface-sensitive technique such as two-dimensional vibrational sum-frequency generation (2DSFG) spectroscopy. We have combined theoretical 2DSFG calculations with molecular dynamics simulations in order to investigate the dynamics of water near different lipid and surfactant monolayer surfaces. We show that 2DSFG can distinguish the dynamics of interfacial water as a function of the lipid charge and headgroup chemistry. The dynamics of water is slow compared to the bulk near water-zwitterionic and water-anionic interfaces due to conformational constraints on interfacial water imposed by strong phosphate-water hydrogen bonding. The dynamics of water is somewhat faster near water-cationic lipid interfaces as no such constraint is present. Using hydrogen bonding and rotational correlation functions, we characterize the dynamics of water as a function of the distance from the interface between water and zwitterionic lipids. We find that there is a transition from bulk-like to interface-like dynamics approximately 7 Å away from a zwitterionic phosphatidylcholine monolayer surface.

Functional Characterization of UDP-apiose Synthases from Bryophytes and Green Algae Provides Insight into the Appearance of Apiose-containing Glycans during Plant Evolution.

PubMed

Smith, James; Yang, Yiwen; Levy, Shahar; Adelusi, Oluwatoyin Oluwayemi; Hahn, Michael G; O'Neill, Malcolm A; Bar-Peled, Maor

2016-10-07

Apiose is a branched monosaccharide that is present in the cell wall pectic polysaccharides rhamnogalacturonan II and apiogalacturonan and in numerous plant secondary metabolites. These apiose-containing glycans are synthesized using UDP-apiose as the donor. UDP-apiose (UDP-Api) together with UDP-xylose is formed from UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) by UDP-Api synthase (UAS). It was hypothesized that the ability to form Api distinguishes vascular plants from the avascular plants and green algae. UAS from several dicotyledonous plants has been characterized; however, it is not known if avascular plants or green algae produce this enzyme. Here we report the identification and functional characterization of UAS homologs from avascular plants (mosses, liverwort, and hornwort), from streptophyte green algae, and from a monocot (duckweed). The recombinant UAS homologs all form UDP-Api from UDP-glucuronic acid albeit in different amounts. Apiose was detected in aqueous methanolic extracts of these plants. Apiose was detected in duckweed cell walls but not in the walls of the avascular plants and algae. Overexpressing duckweed UAS in the moss Physcomitrella patens led to an increase in the amounts of aqueous methanol-acetonitrile-soluble apiose but did not result in discernible amounts of cell wall-associated apiose. Thus, bryophytes and algae likely lack the glycosyltransferase machinery required to synthesize apiose-containing cell wall glycans. Nevertheless, these plants may have the ability to form apiosylated secondary metabolites. Our data are the first to provide evidence that the ability to form apiose existed prior to the appearance of rhamnogalacturonan II and apiogalacturonan and provide new insights into the evolution of apiose-containing glycans. © 2016 by The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.

Functional Characterization of UDP-apiose Synthases from Bryophytes and Green Algae Provides Insight into the Appearance of Apiose-containing Glycans during Plant Evolution*

PubMed Central

Smith, James; Yang, Yiwen; Levy, Shahar; Adelusi, Oluwatoyin Oluwayemi; Hahn, Michael G.; O'Neill, Malcolm A.; Bar-Peled, Maor

2016-01-01

Apiose is a branched monosaccharide that is present in the cell wall pectic polysaccharides rhamnogalacturonan II and apiogalacturonan and in numerous plant secondary metabolites. These apiose-containing glycans are synthesized using UDP-apiose as the donor. UDP-apiose (UDP-Api) together with UDP-xylose is formed from UDP-glucuronic acid (UDP-GlcA) by UDP-Api synthase (UAS). It was hypothesized that the ability to form Api distinguishes vascular plants from the avascular plants and green algae. UAS from several dicotyledonous plants has been characterized; however, it is not known if avascular plants or green algae produce this enzyme. Here we report the identification and functional characterization of UAS homologs from avascular plants (mosses, liverwort, and hornwort), from streptophyte green algae, and from a monocot (duckweed). The recombinant UAS homologs all form UDP-Api from UDP-glucuronic acid albeit in different amounts. Apiose was detected in aqueous methanolic extracts of these plants. Apiose was detected in duckweed cell walls but not in the walls of the avascular plants and algae. Overexpressing duckweed UAS in the moss Physcomitrella patens led to an increase in the amounts of aqueous methanol-acetonitrile-soluble apiose but did not result in discernible amounts of cell wall-associated apiose. Thus, bryophytes and algae likely lack the glycosyltransferase machinery required to synthesize apiose-containing cell wall glycans. Nevertheless, these plants may have the ability to form apiosylated secondary metabolites. Our data are the first to provide evidence that the ability to form apiose existed prior to the appearance of rhamnogalacturonan II and apiogalacturonan and provide new insights into the evolution of apiose-containing glycans. PMID:27551039

Identification and characterization of proteins involved in rice urea and arginine catabolism.

PubMed

Cao, Feng-Qiu; Werner, Andrea K; Dahncke, Kathleen; Romeis, Tina; Liu, Lai-Hua; Witte, Claus-Peter

2010-09-01

Rice (Oryza sativa) production relies strongly on nitrogen (N) fertilization with urea, but the proteins involved in rice urea metabolism have not yet been characterized. Coding sequences for rice arginase, urease, and the urease accessory proteins D (UreD), F (UreF), and G (UreG) involved in urease activation were identified and cloned. The functionality of urease and the urease accessory proteins was demonstrated by complementing corresponding Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) mutants and by multiple transient coexpression of the rice proteins in Nicotiana benthamiana. Secondary structure models of rice (plant) UreD and UreF proteins revealed a possible functional conservation to bacterial orthologs, especially for UreF. Using amino-terminally StrepII-tagged urease accessory proteins, an interaction between rice UreD and urease could be shown. Prokaryotic and eukaryotic urease activation complexes seem conserved despite limited protein sequence conservation for UreF and UreD. In plant metabolism, urea is generated by the arginase reaction. Rice arginase was transiently expressed as a carboxyl-terminally StrepII-tagged fusion protein in N. benthamiana, purified, and biochemically characterized (K(m) = 67 mm, k(cat) = 490 s(-1)). The activity depended on the presence of manganese (K(d) = 1.3 microm). In physiological experiments, urease and arginase activities were not influenced by the external N source, but sole urea nutrition imbalanced the plant amino acid profile, leading to the accumulation of asparagine and glutamine in the roots. Our data indicate that reduced plant performance with urea as N source is not a direct result of insufficient urea metabolism but may in part be caused by an imbalance of N distribution.

Analysis of URI nuclear interaction with RPB5 and components of the R2TP/prefoldin-like complex.

PubMed

Mita, Paolo; Savas, Jeffrey N; Ha, Susan; Djouder, Nabil; Yates, John R; Logan, Susan K

2013-01-01

Unconventional prefoldin RPB5 Interactor (URI) was identified as a transcriptional repressor that binds RNA polymerase II (pol II) through interaction with the RPB5/POLR2E subunit. Despite the fact that many other proteins involved in transcription regulation have been shown to interact with URI, its nuclear function still remains elusive. Previous mass spectrometry analyses reported that URI is part of a novel protein complex called R2TP/prefoldin-like complex responsible for the cytoplasmic assembly of RNA polymerase II. We performed a mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analysis to identify nuclear proteins interacting with URI in prostate cells. We identified all the components of the R2TP/prefoldin-like complex as nuclear URI interactors and we showed that URI binds and regulates RPB5 protein stability and transcription. Moreover, we validated the interaction of URI to the P53 and DNA damage-Regulated Gene 1 (PDRG1) and show that PDRG1 protein is also stabilized by URI binding. We present data demonstrating that URI nuclear/cytoplasmic shuttling is affected by compounds that stall pol II on the DNA (α-amanitin and actinomycin-D) and by leptomycin B, an inhibitor of the CRM1 exportin that mediates the nuclear export of pol II subunits. These data suggest that URI, and probably the entire R2TP/prefoldin-like complex is exported from the nucleus through CRM1. Finally we identified putative URI sites of phosphorylation and acetylation and confirmed URI sites of post-transcriptional modification identified in previous large-scale analyses the importance of which is largely unknown. However URI post-transcriptional modification was shown to be essential for URI function and therefore characterization of novel sites of URI modification will be important to the understanding of URI function.

Analysis of URI Nuclear Interaction with RPB5 and Components of the R2TP/Prefoldin-Like Complex

PubMed Central

Mita, Paolo; Savas, Jeffrey N.; Ha, Susan; Djouder, Nabil; Yates, John R.; Logan, Susan K.

2013-01-01

Unconventional prefoldin RPB5 Interactor (URI) was identified as a transcriptional repressor that binds RNA polymerase II (pol II) through interaction with the RPB5/POLR2E subunit. Despite the fact that many other proteins involved in transcription regulation have been shown to interact with URI, its nuclear function still remains elusive. Previous mass spectrometry analyses reported that URI is part of a novel protein complex called R2TP/prefoldin-like complex responsible for the cytoplasmic assembly of RNA polymerase II. We performed a mass spectrometry (MS)-based proteomic analysis to identify nuclear proteins interacting with URI in prostate cells. We identified all the components of the R2TP/prefoldin-like complex as nuclear URI interactors and we showed that URI binds and regulates RPB5 protein stability and transcription. Moreover, we validated the interaction of URI to the P53 and DNA damage-Regulated Gene 1 (PDRG1) and show that PDRG1 protein is also stabilized by URI binding. We present data demonstrating that URI nuclear/cytoplasmic shuttling is affected by compounds that stall pol II on the DNA (α-amanitin and actinomycin-D) and by leptomycin B, an inhibitor of the CRM1 exportin that mediates the nuclear export of pol II subunits. These data suggest that URI, and probably the entire R2TP/prefoldin-like complex is exported from the nucleus through CRM1. Finally we identified putative URI sites of phosphorylation and acetylation and confirmed URI sites of post-transcriptional modification identified in previous large-scale analyses the importance of which is largely unknown. However URI post-transcriptional modification was shown to be essential for URI function and therefore characterization of novel sites of URI modification will be important to the understanding of URI function. PMID:23667685

Identification and functional characterization of type II toxin/antitoxin systems in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.

PubMed

Schneider, B; Weigel, W; Sztukowska, M; Demuth, D R

2018-06-01

Type II toxin/antitoxin (TA) systems contribute to the formation of persister cells and biofilm formation for many organisms. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans thrives in the complex oral microbial community subjected to continual environmental flux. Little is known regarding the presence and function of type II TA systems in this organism or their contribution to adaptation and persistence in the biofilm. We identified 11 TA systems that are conserved across all seven serotypes of A. actinomycetemcomitans and represent the RelBE, MazEF and HipAB families of type II TA systems. The systems selectively responded to various environmental conditions that exist in the oral cavity. Two putative RelBE-like TA systems, D11S_1194-1195 and D11S_1718-1719 were induced in response to low pH and deletion of D11S_1718-1719 significantly reduced metabolic activity of stationary phase A. actinomycetemcomitans cells upon prolonged exposure to acidic conditions. The deletion mutant also exhibited reduced biofilm biomass when cultured under acidic conditions. The D11S_1194 and D11S_1718 toxin proteins inhibited in vitro translation of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) and degraded ribosome-associated, but not free, MS2 virus RNA. In contrast, the corresponding antitoxins (D11S_1195 and D11S_1719), or equimolar mixtures of toxin and antitoxin, had no effect on DHFR production or RNA degradation. Together, these results suggest that D11S_1194-1195 and D11S_1718-1719 are RelBE-like type II TA systems that are activated under acidic conditions and may function to cleave ribosome-associated mRNA to inhibit translation in A. actinomycetemcomitans. In vivo, these systems may facilitate A. actinomycetemcomitans adaptation and persistence in acidic local environments in the dental biofilm. © 2018 The Authors. Molecular Oral Microbiology Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Zwitterion-functionalized polymer microspheres as a sorbent for solid phase extraction of trace levels of V(V), Cr(III), As(III), Sn(IV), Sb(III) and Hg(II) prior to their determination by ICP-MS.

PubMed

Jia, Xiaoyu; Gong, Dirong; Zhao, Junyi; Ren, Hongyun; Wang, Jiani; Zhang, Xian

2018-03-19

This paper describes the preparation of zwitterion-functionalized polymer microspheres (ZPMs) and their application to simultaneous enrichment of V(V), Cr(III), As(III), Sn(IV), Sb(III) and Hg(II) from environmental water samples. The ZPMs were prepared by emulsion copolymerization of ethyl methacrylate, 2-diethylaminoethyl methacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethyl acrylate followed by modification with 1,3-propanesultone. The components were analyzed by elemental analyses as well as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and the structures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The ZPMs were packed into a mini-column for on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) of the above metal ions. Following extraction with 40 mM NH 4 NO 3 and 0.5 M HNO 3 solution, the ions were quantified by ICP-MS. Under the optimized conditions, the enrichment factors (from a 40 mL sample) are up to 60 for the ions V(V), As(III), Sb(III) and Hg(II), and 55 for Cr(III) and Sn(IV). The detection limits are 1.2, 3.4, 1.0, 3.7, 2.1 and 1.6 ng L -1 for V(V), Cr(III), As(III), Sn(IV), Sb(III) and Hg(II), respectively, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) are below 5.2%. The feasibility and accuracy of the method were validated by successfully analyzing six certified reference materials as well as lake, well and river waters. Graphical abstract Zwitterion-functionalized polymer microspheres (ZPMs) were prepared and packed into a mini-column for on-line solid-phase extraction (SPE) via pump 1. Then V(V), Cr(III), As(III), Sn(IV), Sb(III) and Hg(II) ions in environmental waters were eluted and submitted to ICP-MS via pump 2.

Chitosan-bound pyridinedicarboxylate Ni(II) and Fe(III) complex biopolymer films as waste water decyanidation agents.

PubMed

Adewuyi, Sheriff; Jacob, Julianah Modupe; Olaleye, Oluwatoyin Omolola; Abdulraheem, Taofiq Olanrewaju; Tayo, Jubril Ayopo; Oladoyinbo, Fatai Oladipupo

2016-10-20

Chitosan is a biopolymer with immense structural advantage for chemical and mechanical modifications to generate novel properties, functions and applications. This work depicts new pyridinedicarboxylicacid (PDC) crosslinked chitosan-metal ion films as veritable material for cyanide ion removal from aqueous solution. The PDC-crosslinked chitosan-metal films (PDC-Chit-Ni(II) and PDC-Chit-Fe(III)) were formed by complexing PDC-crosslinked chitosan film with anhydrous nickel(II) and iron(III) chloride salts respectively. The PDC-Chit and its metal films were characterized employing various analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The FT-IR, UV-vis and the XRD results confirm the presence of the metal ions in the metal coordinated PDC-crosslinked chitosan film. The surface morphological difference of PDC-Chit-Ni(II) film before and after decyanidation was explored with scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, the quantitative amount of nickel(II) and iron(III) present in the complex were determined using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer as 32.3 and 37.2μg/g respectively which portends the biopolymer film as a good complexing agent. Removal of cyanide from aqueous solution with PDC-Chit, PDC-Chit-Ni(II) and PDC-Chit-Fe(III) films was studied with batch equilibrium experiments. At equilibrium, decyanidation capacity (DC) followed the order PDC-Chit-Ni (II)≈PDC-Chit-Fe(III)>PDC-Chit. PDC-Chit-Ni(II) film gave 100% CN(-) removal within 40min decyanidation owing to favorable coordination geometry. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effect of Simvastatin, Coenzyme Q10, Resveratrol, Acetylcysteine and Acetylcarnitine on Mitochondrial Respiration.

PubMed

Fišar, Z; Hroudová, J; Singh, N; Kopřivová, A; Macečková, D

2016-01-01

Some therapeutic and/or adverse effects of drugs may be related to their effects on mitochondrial function. The effects of simvastatin, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10, acetylcysteine, and acetylcarnitine on Complex I-, Complex II-, or Complex IV-linked respiratory rate were determined in isolated brain mitochondria. The protective effects of these biologically active compounds on the calcium-induced decrease of the respiratory rate were also studied. We observed a significant inhibitory effect of simvastatin on mitochondrial respiration (IC50 = 24.0 μM for Complex I-linked respiration, IC50 = 31.3 μM for Complex II-linked respiration, and IC50 = 42.9 μM for Complex IV-linked respiration); the inhibitory effect of resveratrol was found at very high concentrations (IC50 = 162 μM for Complex I-linked respiration, IC50 = 564 μM for Complex II-linked respiration, and IC50 = 1454 μM for Complex IV-linked respiration). Concentrations required for effective simvastatin- or resveratrol-induced inhibition of mitochondrial respiration were found much higher than concentrations achieved under standard dosing of these drugs. Acetylcysteine and acetylcarnitine did not affect the oxygen consumption rate of mitochondria. Coenzyme Q10 induced an increase of Complex I-linked respiration. The increase of free calcium ions induced partial inhibition of the Complex I+II-linked mitochondrial respiration, and all tested drugs counteracted this inhibition. None of the tested drugs showed mitochondrial toxicity (characterized by respiratory rate inhibition) at drug concentrations achieved at therapeutic drug intake. Resveratrol, simvastatin, and acetylcarnitine had the greatest neuroprotective potential (characterized by protective effects against calcium-induced reduction of the respiratory rate).

Characterization of Amoeba proteus myosin VI immunoanalog.

PubMed

Dominik, Magdalena; Kłopocka, Wanda; Pomorski, Paweł; Kocik, Elzbieta; Redowicz, Maria Jolanta

2005-07-01

Amoeba proteus, the highly motile free-living unicellular organism, has been widely used as a model to study cell motility. However, molecular mechanisms underlying its unique locomotion and intracellular actin-based-only trafficking remain poorly understood. A search for myosin motors responsible for vesicular transport in these giant cells resulted in detection of 130-kDa protein interacting with several polyclonal antibodies against different tail regions of human and chicken myosin VI. This protein was binding to actin in the ATP-dependent manner, and immunoprecipitated with anti-myosin VI antibodies. In order to characterize its possible functions in vivo, its cellular distribution and colocalization with actin filaments and dynamin II during migration and pinocytosis were examined. In migrating amoebae, myosin VI immunoanalog localized to vesicular structures, particularly within the perinuclear and sub-plasma membrane areas, and colocalized with dynamin II immunoanalog and actin filaments. The colocalization was even more evident in pinocytotic cells as proteins concentrated within pinocytotic pseudopodia. Moreover, dynamin II and myosin VI immunoanalogs cosedimented with actin filaments, and were found on the same isolated vesicles. Blocking endogenous myosin VI immunoanalog with anti-myosin VI antibodies inhibited the rate of pseudopodia protrusion (about 19% decrease) and uroidal retraction (about 28% decrease) but did not affect cell morphology and the manner of cell migration. Treatment with anti-human dynamin II antibodies led to changes in directionality of amebae migration and affected the rate of only uroidal translocation (about 30% inhibition). These results indicate that myosin VI immunoanalog is expressed in protist Amoeba proteus and may be involved in vesicle translocation and cell locomotion.

Laminar and cytoarchitectonic features of the cerebral cortex in the Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus).

PubMed

Furutani, Rui

2008-09-01

The present investigation carried out Nissl, Klüver-Barrera, and Golgi studies of the cerebral cortex in three distinct genera of oceanic dolphins (Risso's dolphin, striped dolphin and bottlenose dolphin) to identify and classify cortical laminar and cytoarchitectonic structures in four distinct functional areas, including primary motor (M1), primary sensory (S1), primary visual (V1), and primary auditory (A1) cortices. The laminar and cytoarchitectonic organization of each of these cortical areas was similar among the three dolphin species. M1 was visualized as five-layer structure that included the molecular layer (layer I), external granular layer (layer II), external pyramidal layer (layer III), internal pyramidal layer (layer V), and fusiform layer (layer VI). The internal granular layer was absent. The cetacean sensory-related cortical areas S1, V1, and A1 were also found to have a five-layer organization comprising layers I, II, III, V and VI. In particular, A1 was characterized by the broadest layer I, layer II and developed band of pyramidal neurons in layers III (sublayers IIIa, IIIb and IIIc) and V. The patch organization consisting of the layer IIIb-pyramidal neurons was detected in the S1 and V1, but not in A1. The laminar patterns of V1 and S1 were similar, but the cytoarchitectonic structures of the two areas were different. V1 was characterized by a broader layer II than that of S1, and also contained the specialized pyramidal and multipolar stellate neurons in layers III and V.

Applications of several spectral techniques to characterize coordination compounds derived from 2,6-diacetylpyridine derivative

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandra, Sulekh; Sharma, Amit Kumar

2009-09-01

The coordination compounds of Cr III, Mn II and Co II metal ions derived from quinquedentate 2,6-diacetylpyridine derivative have been synthesized and characterized by using the various physicochemical studies like stoichiometric, molar conductivity and magnetic, and spectral techniques like IR, NMR, mass, UV and EPR. The general stoichiometries of the complexes are found to be [Cr(H 2L)X] and [M(HL)X], where M = Mn(II) and Co(II); H 2L = dideprotonated ligand, HL = monodeprotonated ligand and X = NO 3-, Cl - and OAc -. The studies reveal that the complexes possess monomeric compositions with six coordinated octahedral geometry (Cr III and Mn II complexes) and six coordinated tetragonal geometry (Co II complexes).

Angiotensin II receptors in cortical and medullary adrenal tumors.

PubMed

Opocher, G; Rocco, S; Cimolato, M; Vianello, B; Arnaldi, G; Mantero, F

1997-03-01

Several pieces of evidences suggest that angiotensin II (Ang II) has mitogenic effects, and a link between Ang II receptors and adrenal tumors can be suggested. In various adrenal tumors, aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA), Cushing's adrenal adenomas (Cush), pheochromocytomas (Pheo), and adrenal carcinomas, we studied the density, affinity, and subtype of Ang II receptors. Ang II binding was tested in cell membrane homogenates. [125I]Ang II was used as ligand, and Losartan and CGP 42112 were used as selective Ang II type 1 and type 2 antagonists, respectively. In APA, Ang II receptor density was 178.5 +/- 82.7 fmol/mg: however, due to the high degree of variability, the receptor density was not significantly higher than that in nontumorous adrenal cortex (59.3 +/- 8.4 fmol/mg). In Cush, the receptor density (27.6 +/- 8.2 fmol/mg; P < 0.05) was significantly lower than that in controls, whereas in Pheo and cortical carcinoma, Ang II binding was very low and in several cases almost undetectable. There was no remarkable difference in the Ang II receptor affinity among all tissues tested. The ratio between type 1 and type 2 Ang II receptors showed a large prevalence of type 1 in controls, APA, and three cases of Cush; in two cases of Cush, this ratio was reversed. In conclusion, our data indicate that Ang II receptors are normally expressed in APA and can also be detected in Cush, whereas they have a very low density in Pheo and adrenal carcinoma. Therefore, Ang II receptors are not involved in the lack of response to Ang II that is characteristic of APA; additionally, a reduction of Ang II receptors can be associated with dedifferentiation or malignancy of adrenal tumors. Further investigation of the expression and functional characterization of Ang II receptors is required to better clarify their possible role in adrenal tumorigenesis.

Characterization of Robotic Tail Orientation as a Function of Platform Position for Surf-Zone Robots

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-01

components. The basic components for Robster’s power supply and distribution system were taken from the Bigfoot robot developed by John Herkamp [5...18MAR2009 Changes: Eliminated all references to Bigfoot Arm and Thermopile Commented out sonar II. AGBOT Code v2.1 - 20MAR2009 Changes: Added...anaOutVolts(rt_ch, PW_STOP); anaOutVolts(lt_ch, PW_STOP); //Stops Bigfoot for (i = 0; i < 10; i++) 69

Synthesis and characterization of carboxylic cation exchange bio-resin for heavy metal remediation.

PubMed

Kulkarni, Vihangraj V; Golder, Animes Kumar; Ghosh, Pranab Kumar

2018-01-05

A new carboxylic bio-resin was synthesized from raw arecanut husk through mercerization and ethylenediaminetetraacetic dianhydride (EDTAD) carboxylation. The synthesized bio-resin was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, proximate & ultimate analyses, mass percent gain/loss, potentiometric titrations, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Mercerization extracted lignin from the vesicles on the husk and EDTAD was ridged in to, through an acylation reaction in dimethylformamide media. The reaction induced carboxylic groups as high as 0.735mM/g and a cation exchange capacity of 2.01meq/g functionalized mercerized husk (FMH). Potentiometric titration data were fitted to a newly developed single-site proton adsorption model (PAM) that gave pKa of 3.29 and carboxylic groups concentration of 0.741mM/g. FMH showed 99% efficiency in Pb(II) removal from synthetic wastewater (initial concentration 0.157mM), for which the Pb(II) binding constant was 1.73×10 3 L/mol as estimated from modified PAM. The exhaustion capacity was estimated to be 18.7mg/g of FMH. Desorption efficiency of Pb(II) from exhausted FMH was found to be about 97% with 0.1N HCl. The FMH simultaneously removed lead and cadmium below detection limit from a real lead acid battery wastewater along with the removal of Fe, Mg, Ni, and Co. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Heterofunctionality interaction with donor solvent coal liquefaction. Final progress report, August 1982-April 1984

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Cronauer, D.C.

1984-05-01

This project was undertaken to understand the role of the coal liquefaction solvent through a study of the interaction between the hydrogen donor solvent characteristics and the heterofunctionality of the solvent. Specifically, hydroxyl- and nitrogen-containing solvents were studied and characterized. A series of coal liquefaction experiments were carried out at 450/sup 0/C in a continuous feed stirred-tank reactor (CSTR) to observe the effect of adding phenolics to anthracene oil (AO) and SRC-II recycle solvents. The addition of phenol to AO at a ratio of 5/65 resulted in a nominal increase in coal conversion to THF solubles, but the amount ofmore » asphaltenes more than doubled resulting in a sizable net loss of solvent. The addition of m-cresol to both AO and SRC-II solvents had a positive effect on coal conversion to both THF and pentane solubles (oils). The partial removal of an OH-concentrate from SRC-II solvent was carried out using Amberlyst IRA-904 ion exchange resin. The resin-treated oil was only marginally better than raw SRC-II recycle solvent for coal liquefaction. Hydroaromatics having nitrogen functionality should be good solvents for coal liquefaction considering their effective solvent power, ability to penetrate and swell coal, and their ability to readily transfer hydrogen, particularly in the presence of oxygen functionality. However, these benefits are overshadowed by the strong tendency of the nitrogen-containing species to adduct with themselves and coal-derived materials.« less

Diversity Promotes Temporal Stability across Levels of Ecosystem Organization in Experimental Grasslands

PubMed Central

Proulx, Raphaël; Wirth, Christian; Voigt, Winfried; Weigelt, Alexandra; Roscher, Christiane; Attinger, Sabine; Baade, Jussi; Barnard, Romain L.; Buchmann, Nina; Buscot, François; Eisenhauer, Nico; Fischer, Markus; Gleixner, Gerd; Halle, Stefan; Hildebrandt, Anke; Kowalski, Esther; Kuu, Annely; Lange, Markus; Milcu, Alex; Niklaus, Pascal A.; Oelmann, Yvonne; Rosenkranz, Stephan; Sabais, Alexander; Scherber, Christoph; Scherer-Lorenzen, Michael; Scheu, Stefan; Schulze, Ernst-Detlef; Schumacher, Jens; Schwichtenberg, Guido; Soussana, Jean-François; Temperton, Vicky M.; Weisser, Wolfgang W.; Wilcke, Wolfgang; Schmid, Bernhard

2010-01-01

The diversity–stability hypothesis states that current losses of biodiversity can impair the ability of an ecosystem to dampen the effect of environmental perturbations on its functioning. Using data from a long-term and comprehensive biodiversity experiment, we quantified the temporal stability of 42 variables characterizing twelve ecological functions in managed grassland plots varying in plant species richness. We demonstrate that diversity increases stability i) across trophic levels (producer, consumer), ii) at both the system (community, ecosystem) and the component levels (population, functional group, phylogenetic clade), and iii) primarily for aboveground rather than belowground processes. Temporal synchronization across studied variables was mostly unaffected with increasing species richness. This study provides the strongest empirical support so far that diversity promotes stability across different ecological functions and levels of ecosystem organization in grasslands. PMID:20967213

Expanding the spectrum of genetic mutations in antenatal Bartter syndrome type II.

PubMed

Fretzayas, Andreas; Gole, Evangelia; Attilakos, Achilleas; Daskalaki, Anna; Nicolaidou, Polyxeni; Papadopoulou, Anna

2013-06-01

Bartter syndrome (BS) is a group of genetic disorders characterized by hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis, hyponatremia and elevated renin and aldosterone plasma concentrations. BS type II is caused by mutations in the KCNJ1 gene and usually presents with transient hyperkalemia. We report here a novel KCNJ1 mutation in a male neonate, prematurely born after a pregnancy complicated by polyhydramnios. The infant presented with typical clinical and laboratory findings of BS type II, such as hyponatremia, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, severe weight loss, elevated renin and aldosterone levels and transient hyperkalemia in the early postnatal period, which were later normalized. Molecular analysis revealed a compound heterozygous mutation in the KCNJ1 gene, consisting of a novel K76E and an already described V315G mutation, both affecting functional domains of the channel protein. Typical manifestations of antenatal BS in combination with hyperkalemia should prompt the clinician to search for mutations in the KCNJ1 gene first. © 2013 The Authors. Pediatrics International © 2013 Japan Pediatric Society.

The Diagnosis and Management of Bipolar I and II Disorders: Clinical Practice Update.

PubMed

Bobo, William V

2017-10-01

Bipolar disorders, including bipolar I disorder (BP-I) and bipolar II disorder (BP-II), are common, potentially disabling, and, in some cases, life-threatening conditions. Bipolar disorders are characterized by alternating episodes of mania or hypomania and depression, or mixtures of manic and depressive features. Bipolar disorders present many diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for busy clinicians. Adequate management of bipolar disorders requires pharmacotherapy and psychosocial interventions targeted to the specific phases of illness. Effective treatments are available for each illness phase, but mood episode relapses and incomplete responses to treatment are common, especially for the depressive phase. Mood symptoms, psychosocial functioning, and suicide risk must, therefore, be continually reevaluated, and, when necessary, the plan of care must be adjusted during long-term treatment. Many patients will require additional treatment of comorbid psychiatric and substance use disorders and management of a variety of commonly co-occurring chronic general medical conditions. Copyright © 2017 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Functionalized Derivatives of Benzo-Crown Ethers. Part 4. Antifungal Macrocyclic Supramolecular Complexes of Transition Metal Ions Acting as Lanosterol-14-α-Demethylase Ihibitors

PubMed Central

Barboiu, Mihai; Scozzafava, Andrea; Guran, Cornelia; Diaconescu, Paula; Bojin, Mihaela; Iluc, Vlad; Cot, Louis

1999-01-01

Poly- and mononuclear metal complexes of 2,3,11,12-bis[4-(10-aminodecylcarbonyl)]benzo-18- crown-6 (L) and Cu(II); Ni(II); Co(II) and Cr(III) have been synthesized and characterized by standard physico-chemical procedures. In the newly prepared complexes the crown moiety oxygen atoms of the macrocyclic host did not generally interact with metal ions, whereas the two amino groups of the ligand always did. Several of the newly synthesized compounds act as effective antifungal agents against Aspergillus and Candida spp., some of them showing activities comparable to ketoconazole, with minimum inhibitory concentrations in the range of 0.3−0.5 μg/mL. The mechanism of antifungal action of these coordination compounds is probably connected to an inhibition of lanosterol-14-α-demethylase, a metallo-enzyme playing a key role in sterol biosynthesis in fungi, bacteria and eukariotes. PMID:18475888

Postfunctionalization of periodic mesoporous silica SBA-1 with magnesium(II) and iron(II) silylamides.

PubMed

Deschner, Thomas; Klimpel, Michael; Tafipolsky, Maxim; Scherer, Wolfgang; Törnroos, Karl W; Anwander, Reiner

2012-06-28

Magnesium silylamide complexes Mg[N(SiHMe(2))(2)](2)(THF)(2) and Mg[N(SiPhMe(2))(2)](2) were synthesized according to transsilylamination and alkane elimination protocols, respectively, utilizing Mg[N(SiMe(3))(2)](2)(THF)(2) and [Mg(n-Bu)](2) as precursors. Cage-like periodic mesoporous silica SBA-1 was treated with donor solvent-free dimeric [Mg{N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(2)](2), [Mg{N(SiMe(3))(2)}(2)](2) and monomeric Mg[N(SiPhMe(2))(2)](2), producing hybrid materials [Mg(NR(2))(2)]@SBA-1 with magnesium located mainly at the external surface. Consecutive grafting of [Mg{N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(2)](2) and [Fe(II){N(SiHMe(2))(2)}(2)](2) onto SBA-1 led to heterobimetallic hybrid materials which exhibit complete consumption of the isolated surface silanol groups, evidencing intra-cage surface functionalization. All materials were characterized by DRIFT spectroscopy, nitrogen physisorption and elemental analysis.

The PDF4LHC report on PDFs and LHC data: Results from Run I and preparation for Run II

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Rojo, Juan; Accardi, Alberto; Ball, Richard D.

2015-09-16

The accurate determination of Parton Distribution Functions (PDFs) of the proton is an essential ingredient of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) program. PDF uncertainties impact a wide range of processes, from Higgs boson characterization and precision Standard Model measurements to New Physics searches. A major recent development in modern PDF analyses has been to exploit the wealth of new information contained in precision measurements from the LHC Run I, as well as progress in tools and methods to include these data in PDF fits. In this report we summarize the information that PDF-sensitive measurements at the LHC have provided somore » far, and review the prospects for further constraining PDFs with data from the recently started Run II. As a result, this document aims to provide useful input to the LHC collaborations to prioritize their PDF-sensitive measurements at Run II, as well as a comprehensive reference for the PDF-fitting collaborations.« less

The Study of Blocking Agent on Lengkeng (Euphoria Logan Lour) Fruit Shell and Seed for Adsorption of Pb (II) from Aqueous Solution

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kurniawati, D.; Zein, R.; Chaidir, Z.; Aziz, H.

2018-04-01

The study focuses on the roles played by mayor functional groups(carboxyl) in the lengkeng shell for sorption of Pb (II). The biosorbent was characterized by FTIR and elemental analyses. The parameters such as pH, initial concentration, particle sizes, adsorbent dose and flow rate were also studied. The results showed that the optimum condition was at pH = 3, concentration 400 mg/l, 250 μm particle sizes, adsorbent dose 0,5 g and 2 ml/min flow rate with adsorption capacity 4,8933 mg/g(shell) and 5,2720 mg/g(seed). It is show that ion exchange play as a more important role in the sorption of Pb (II) on lengkeng shell and seed. Blocking of COOH groups by chemical esterification resulted in Pb important reduction in metal binding.The result showed that adsorption capacity of lengkeng shell uncreases until 63.67 % and lengkeng seed uncreases 98.70%.

Case 22:Type II diabetes

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels. It is composed of two types depending on the pathogenesis. Type I diabetes is characterized by insulin deficiency and usually has its onset during childhood or teenage years. This is also called ketosis-prone diabetes. Type II diab...

Synthesis, spectral and theoretical studies of Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of 5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole-3-imine-2'-hydroxynaphthaline.

PubMed

Gaber, Mohamed; El-Ghamry, Hoda; Atlam, Faten; Fathalla, Shaimaa

2015-02-25

Ni(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes of 5-mercapto-1,2,4-triazole-3-imine-2'-hydroxynaphthaline have been isolated and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, (1)H NMR, EI-mass, UV-vis, molar conductance, magnetic moment measurements and thermogravimetric analysis. The molar conductance values indicated that the complexes are non-electrolytes. The magnetic moment values of the complexes displayed diamagnetic behavior for Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes and tetrahedral geometrical structure for Ni(II) complex. From the bioinorganic applications point of view, the interaction of the ligand and its metal complexes with CT-DNA was investigated using absorption and viscosity titration techniques. The Schiff-base ligand and its metal complexes have also been screened for their antimicrobial and antitumor activities. Also, theoretical investigation of molecular and electronic structures of the studied ligand and its metal complexes has been carried out. Molecular orbital calculations were performed using DFT (density functional theory) at B3LYP level with standard 6-31G(d,p) and LANL2DZ basis sets to access reliable results to the experimental values. The calculations were performed to obtain the optimized molecular geometry, charge density distribution, extent of distortion from regular geometry, the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), Mulliken atomic charges, reactivity index (ΔE), dipole moment (D), global hardness (η), softness (σ), electrophilicity index (ω), chemical potential and Mulliken electronegativity (χ). Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Synthesis, characterization, nucleic acid interactions and photoluminescent properties of methaniminium hydrazone Schiff base and its Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sennappan, M.; Murali Krishna, P.; Hosamani, Amar A.; Hari Krishna, R.

2018-07-01

An environmental benign and efficient reaction was carried out via amine exchange and condensation reaction in water and methanol mixture (3:1) and absence of catalyst between 1-[3-(2-hydroxy benzylidene)amine)phenyl]ethanone and benzhydrazide yields methaniminium hydrazone Schiff base in high yield. The prepared ligand was structurally characterized by using single crystal XRD, elemental analysis and spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FT-IR, LC-MS and NMR) techniques. The crystal data indicates the ligand crystallizes in orthorhombic system with Pna21 space group. Further, the ligand was used in synthesis of mononuclear Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes and were characterized by elemental analysis, magnetic moment and spectroscopy (UV-Vis, FT-IR and ESR) studies. The spectral data showed that ligand is coordinated to the metal ion through azomethine nitrogen and methaniminium nitrogen. The DNA binding absorption titrations reveals that, ligand, L and its metal complexes, 1-6 are avid binders to CT- DNA. The apparent binding constant values of compounds are in the order of 106 M-1. The nuclease activity of ligand, L and its metal complexes, 1-6 were investigated by gel electrophoresis method using pUC18 DNA. The photoluminescent properties of the methaniminium hydrazone ligand, L and its various metal complexes, 1-6 were investigated. The emission spectra of both ligand (L) and metal complexes (1-6) exhibits emission in the range of blue to red.

The overlooked "nonclassical" functions of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens in immune and nonimmune cells.

PubMed

Altomonte, M; Pucillo, C; Maio, M

1999-06-01

Besides their "classical" antigenic peptide-presenting activity, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II antigens can activate different cellular functions in immune and nonimmune cells. However, this "nonclassical" role and its functional consequences are still substantially overlooked. In this review, we will focus on these alternative functional properties of MHC class II antigens, to reawaken attention to their present and foreseeable immunobiologic and pathogenetic implications. The main issues that will be addressed concern 1) the role of MHC class II molecules as basic components of exchangeable oligomeric protein complexes with intracellular signaling ability; 2) the nonclassical functions of MHC class II antigens in immune cells; 3) the pathogenetic role of MHC class II antigens in inflammatory/autoimmune and infectious disease; and 4) the functional role of MHC class II antigens in solid malignancies.

Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes of new Schiff base ligand: Synthesis, thermal and spectroscopic characterizations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Refat, Moamen S.; El-Sayed, Mohamed Y.; Adam, Abdel Majid A.

2013-04-01

Cu(II), Co(II), and Ni(II) complexes were synthesized from 2-[(5-o-chlorophenylazo-2-hydroxybenzylidin)amino]-phenol Schiff base (H2L). Metal ions coordinate in a tetradentate or hexadentate features with these O2N donor ligand, which are characterized by elemental analyses, magnetic moments, infrared, Raman laser, electronic, and 1H NMR spectral studies. The elemental analysis suggests the stoichiometry to be 1:1 (metal:ligand). Reactions with Cu(II), Co(II) and Ni(II), resulted [Cu(H2L)(H2O)2(Cl)]Cl, [Co(H2L)(H2O)3]Cl2ṡ3H2O and [Ni(H2L)(H2O)2]Cl2ṡ6H2O. The thermal decomposition behavior of H2L complexes has been investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TG/DTG) at a heating rate of 10 °C min-1 under nitrogen atmosphere. The brightness side in this study is to take advantage for the preparation and characterizations of single phases of CuO, CoO and NiO nanoparticles using H2L complexes as precursors via a solid-state decomposition procedure. The crystalline structures of products using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), morphology of particles by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were investigated.

Mode II Interlaminar Fracture Toughness and Fatigue Characterization of a Graphite Epoxy Composite Material

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

O'Brien, T. Kevin; Johnston, William M.; Toland, Gregory J.

2010-01-01

Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness and delamination onset and growth characterization data were generated for IM7/8552 graphite epoxy composite materials from two suppliers for use in fracture mechanics analyses. Both the fracture toughness testing and the fatigue testing were conducted using the End-notched Flexure (ENF) test. The ENF test for mode II fracture toughness is currently under review by ASTM as a potential standard test method. This current draft ASTM protocol was used as a guide to conduct the tests on the IM7/8552 material. This report summarizes the test approach, methods, procedures and results of this characterization effort.

The Cytophaga hutchinsonii ChTPSP: First characterized bifunctional TPS-TPP protein as putative ancestor of all eukaryotic trehalose biosynthesis proteins.

PubMed

Avonce, Nelson; Wuyts, Jan; Verschooten, Katrien; Vandesteene, Lies; Van Dijck, Patrick

2010-02-01

The most widely distributed pathway to synthesize trehalose in nature consists of two consecutive enzymatic reactions with a trehalose-6-P (T6P)-synthase (TPS) enzyme, producing the intermediate T6P, and a T6P-phosphatase (TPP) enzyme, which dephosphorylates T6P to produce trehalose and inorganic phosphate. In plants, these enzymes are called Class I and Class II proteins, respectively, with some Class I proteins being active enzymes. The Class II proteins possess both TPS and TPP consensus regions but appear to have lost enzymatic activity during evolution. Plants also contain an extra group of enzymes of small protein size, of which some members have been characterized as functional TPPs. These Class III proteins have less sequence similarity with the Class I and Class II proteins. Here, we characterize for the first time, by using biochemical analysis and yeast growth complementation assays, the existence of a natural TPS-TPP bifunctional enzyme found in the bacterial species Cytophaga hutchinsonii. Through phylogenetic analysis, we show that prokaryotic genes such as ChTPSP might be the ancestor of the eukaryotic trehalose biosynthesis genes. Second, we show that plants have recruited during evolution, possibly by horizontal transfer from bacteria such as Rhodoferax ferrireducens, a new type of small protein, encoding TPP activity, which have been named Class III proteins. RfTPP has very high TPP activity upon expression in yeast. Finally, we demonstrate that TPS gene duplication, the recruitment of the Class III enzymes, and recruitment of an N-terminal regulatory element, which regulates the Class I enzyme activity in higher plants, were initiated very early in eukaryan evolution as the three classes of trehalose biosynthesis genes are already present in the alga Ostreococcus tauri.

Nuclear chromatin-concentrated osteoblasts in renal bone diseases.

PubMed

Kazama, Junichiro James; Yamamoto, Suguru; Narita, Ichiei; Kurihara, Satoshi

2011-06-01

The morphological appearance of an osteoblast largely alters with its differentiation and maturation, along with the change of cell function. We quantitatively observed the osteoblast morphology and compared it with bone metabolism. Biopsied iliac bone samples obtained from 77 dialysis patients (14 mild change, 37 osteitis fibrosa, 2 osteomalacia, 8 mixed, and 16 adynamic bone) were included in the study. Osteoblast appearances were classified into three groups: (i) type II and III osteoblasts, namely, active osteoblasts characterized by cuboidal or columnar shapes with or without a nuclear clear zone; (ii) type IV osteoblasts, lining osteoblasts characterized by extremely thin cytoplasm; and (iii) type V osteoblasts, apoptotic osteoblasts characterized by nuclear chromatin concentration. The results were quantitatively expressed as the length of bone surface covered by each type of osteoblasts. The type II and III osteoblasts were predominant in osteitis fibrosa, mixed, and mild change. The type IV osteoblasts were overwhelmingly predominant in adynamic bone. The type V osteoblasts appeared most frequently in osteitis fibrosa, followed by mixed and mild change. Both absolute and relative lengths of bone surface covered by the type V osteoblasts were significantly higher in the high-turnover bone group (osteitis fibrosa and mixed) than the low-turnover bone group (adynamic bone and osteomalacia). The type V osteoblasts were slightly correlated with serum intact parathyroid hormone levels. In conclusion, a high bone-turnover condition seems to be associated with the promotion of osteoblastic apoptosis in dialysis patients. This finding may explain the fact that osteopenia develops faster in CKD patients with high turnover of bone. © 2011 The Authors. Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis © 2011 International Society for Apheresis.

Acetate-Bridged Platinum(III) Complexes Derived from Cisplatin

PubMed Central

Wilson, Justin J.

2012-01-01

Oxidation of the acetate-bridged half-lantern platinum(II) complex, cis-[PtII(NH3)2(µ-OAc)2PtII(NH3)2](NO3)2, [1](NO3)2, with iodobenzene dichloride or bromine generates the halide-capped platinum(III) species, cis-[XPtIII(NH3)2(µ-OAc)2PtIII(NH3)2X](NO3)2, where X is Cl in [2](NO3)2, or Br in [3](NO3)2, respectively. These three complexes, characterized structurally by X-ray crystallography, feature short (≈ 2.6 Å) Pt–Pt separations, consistent with formation of a formal metal-metal bond upon oxidation. Elongated axial Pt–X distances occur, reflecting the strong trans influence of the metal-metal bond. The three structures are compared to those of other known dinuclear platinum complexes. A combination of 1H, 13C, 14N, and 195Pt NMR spectroscopy was used to characterize [1]2+–[3]2+ in solution. All resonances shift downfield upon oxidation of [1]2+ to [2]2+ and [3]2+. For the platinum(III) complexes, the 14N and 195Pt resonances exhibit decreased linewidths by comparison to those of [1]2+. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations suggest that the decrease in 14N linewidth arises from a diminished electric field gradient (EFG) at the 14N nuclei in the higher valent compounds. The oxidation of [1](NO3)2 with the alternative oxidizing agent, bis(trifluoroacetoxy) iodobenzene, affords the novel tetranuclear complex, cis-[(O2CCF3)PtIII(NH3)2(µ-OAc)2PtIII(NH3)(µ-NH2)]2(NO3)4, [4](NO3)4, also characterized structurally by X-ray crystallography. In solution, this complex exists as a mixture of species, the identities of which are proposed. PMID:22946515

Optical, morphological and structural characterization of Langmuir-Schaefer films of a functionalized copper phthalocyanine.

PubMed

Giancane, Gabriele; Filippo, Emanuela; Manno, Daniela; Serra, Antonio; Valli, Ludovico

2011-11-01

Langmuir-Schaefer (LS) films of copper(II) tetrakis-(isoprpoxy-carbonyl)-phthalocyanine (TiPCuPc) have been deposited onto various solid supports. Its floating film have been characterized at the air-water interface by means of Brewster Angle Microscopy and Langmuir curves. Vibrational modes of multilayer transferred LS film have been studied by Raman spectroscopy and the optical parameters (refractive index n and extinction coefficient k) have been determined in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Linearly polarized light absorbance measurements have been performed at room temperature in the 400-800 nm spectral range and the average orientation of the phthalocyanine rings have been estimated. Transmission electron microscopy has been also used to characterize the morphological properties of the LS film and a close packed arrangement of the deposited molecules has been observed. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Surface characterization and testing II; Proceedings of the Meeting, San Diego, CA, Aug. 10, 11, 1989

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Greivenkamp, John E. (Editor); Young, Matt (Editor)

1989-01-01

Various papers on surface characterization and testing are presented. Individual topics addressed include: simple Hartmann test data interpretation, optimum configuration of the Offner null corrector, system for phase-shifting interferometry in the presence of vibration, fringe variation and visibility in speckle-shearing interferometry, functional integral representation of rough surfaces, calibration of surface heights in an interferometric optical profiler, image formation in common path differential profilometers, SEM of optical surfaces, measuring surface profiles with scanning tunneling microscopes, surface profile measurements of curved parts, high-resolution optical profiler, scanning heterodyne interferometer with immunity from microphonics, real-time crystal axis measurements of semiconductor materials, radial metrology with a panoramic annular lens, surface analysis for the characterization of defects in thin-film processes, Spacelab Optical Viewport glass assembly optical test program for the Starlab mission, scanning differential intensity and phase system for optical metrology.

Use of boron nitride for neutron spectrum characterization and cross-section validation in the epithermal range through integral activation measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Radulović, Vladimir; Trkov, Andrej; Jaćimović, Radojko; Gregoire, Gilles; Destouches, Christophe

2016-12-01

A recent experimental irradiation and measurement campaign using containers made from boron nitride (BN) at the Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI) TRIGA Mark II reactor in Ljubljana, Slovenia, has shown the applicability of BN for neutron spectrum characterization and cross-section validation in the epithermal range through integral activation measurements. The first part of the paper focuses on the determination of the transmission function of a BN container through Monte Carlo calculations and experimental measurements. The second part presents the process of tayloring the sensitivity of integral activation measurements to specific needs and a selection of suitable radiative capture reactions for neutron spectrum characterization in the epithermal range. A BN container used in our experiments and its qualitative effect on the neutron spectrum in the irradiation position employed is displayed in the Graphical abstract.

Synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of pentamethylcyclopentadienyl complexes of divalent cobalt and nickel

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Smith, Michael Edward

1993-10-01

The thesis is divided into the following 4 chapters: synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of trinuclear pentamethylcyclopentadienyl cobalt and nickel clusters with triply-bridging methylidyne groups; chemical and physical properties of pentamethylcyclopentadienyl acetylacetonate complexes of Co(II) and Ni(II); synthesis, characterization, and reactivity of pentamethylcyclopentadienyl halide complexes of Co and Ni; and crystallographic studies of distortions in metallocenes with C 5-symmetrical cyclopentadienyl rings.

Characterizing Attention with Predictive Network Models.

PubMed

Rosenberg, M D; Finn, E S; Scheinost, D; Constable, R T; Chun, M M

2017-04-01

Recent work shows that models based on functional connectivity in large-scale brain networks can predict individuals' attentional abilities. While being some of the first generalizable neuromarkers of cognitive function, these models also inform our basic understanding of attention, providing empirical evidence that: (i) attention is a network property of brain computation; (ii) the functional architecture that underlies attention can be measured while people are not engaged in any explicit task; and (iii) this architecture supports a general attentional ability that is common to several laboratory-based tasks and is impaired in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Looking ahead, connectivity-based predictive models of attention and other cognitive abilities and behaviors may potentially improve the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of clinical dysfunction. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Characterization of the Earwig, Doru lineare, as a Predator of Larvae of the Fall Armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda: A Functional Response Study

PubMed Central

Sueldo, Mabel Romero; Bruzzone, Octavio A.; Virla, Eduardo G.

2010-01-01

Spodoptera frugiperda Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is considered as the most important pest of maize in almost all tropical America. In Argentina, the earwig Doru lineare Eschscholtz (Dermaptera: Forficulidae) has been observed preying on S. frugiperda egg masses in corn crops, but no data about its potential role as a biocontrol agent of this pest have been provided. The predation efficiency of D. lineare on newly emerged S. frugiperda larva was evaluated through a laboratory functional response study. D. lineare showed type II functional response to S. frugiperda larval density, and disc equation estimations of searching efficiency and handling time were (a) = 0.374 and (t) = 182.9 s, respectively. Earwig satiation occurred at 39.4 S. frugiperda larvae. PMID:20575739

Solid Phase Extraction of Trace Al(III), Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) Ions in Beverages on Functionalized Polymer Microspheres Prior to Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determinations.

PubMed

Berber, Hale; Alpdogan, Güzin

2017-01-01

In this study, poly(glycidyl methacrylate-methyl methacrylate-divinylbenzene) was synthesized in the form of microspheres, and then functionalized by 2-aminobenzothiazole ligand. The sorption properties of these functionalized microspheres were investigated for separation, preconcentration and determination of Al(III), Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The optimum pH values for quantitative sorption were 2 - 4, 5 - 8, 6 - 8, 4 - 6, 2 - 6 and 2 - 3 for Al(III), Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively, and also the highest sorption capacity of the functionalized microspheres was found to be for Cu(II) with the value of 1.87 mmol g -1 . The detection limits (3σ; N = 6) obtained for the studied metals in the optimal conditions were observed in the range of 0.26 - 2.20 μg L -1 . The proposed method was successfully applied to different beverage samples for the determination of Al(III), Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions, with the relative standard deviation of <3.7%.

Metal complexes of diisopropylthiourea: synthesis, characterization and antibacterial studies.

PubMed

Ajibade, Peter A; Zulu, Nonkululeko H

2011-01-01

Co(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) complexes of diisopropylthiourea have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductivity, magnetic susceptibility, FTIR and electronic spectroscopy. The compounds are non-electrolytes in solution and spectroscopic data of the complexes are consistent with 4-coordinate geometry for the metal(II) complexes and six coordinate octahedral for Fe(III) complex. The complexes were screened for their antibacterial activities against six bacteria: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas auriginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus pumilus. The complexes showed varied antibacterial activities and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined.

Autonomic control of the heart is altered in Sprague-Dawley rats with spontaneous hydronephrosis

PubMed Central

Arnold, Amy C.; Shaltout, Hossam A.; Gilliam-Davis, Shea; Kock, Nancy D.

2011-01-01

The renal medulla plays an important role in cardiovascular regulation, through interactions with the autonomic nervous system. Hydronephrosis is characterized by substantial loss of renal medullary tissue. However, whether alterations in autonomic control of the heart are observed in this condition is unknown. Thus we assessed resting hemodynamics and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) for control of heart rate in urethane/chloralose-anesthetized Sprague-Dawley rats with normal or hydronephrotic kidneys. While resting arterial pressure was similar, heart rate was higher in rats with hydronephrosis (290 ± 12 normal vs. 344 ± 11 mild/moderate vs. 355 ± 13 beats/min severe; P < 0.05). The evoked BRS to increases, but not decreases, in pressure was lower in hydronephrotic rats (1.06 ± 0.06 normal vs. 0.72 ± 0.10 mild/moderate vs. 0.63 ± 0.07 ms/mmHg severe; P < 0.05). Spectral analysis methods confirmed reduced parasympathetic function in hydronephrosis, with no differences in measures of indirect sympathetic activity among conditions. As a secondary aim, we investigated whether autonomic dysfunction in hydronephrosis is associated with activation of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS). There were no differences in circulating angiotensin peptides among conditions, suggesting that the impaired autonomic function in hydronephrosis is independent of peripheral RAS activation. A possible site for angiotensin II-mediated BRS impairment is the solitary tract nucleus (NTS). In normal and mild/moderate hydronephrotic rats, NTS administration of the angiotensin II type 1 receptor antagonist candesartan significantly improved the BRS, suggesting that angiotensin II provides tonic suppression to the baroreflex. In contrast, angiotensin II blockade produced no significant effect in severe hydronephrosis, indicating that at least within the NTS baroreflex suppression in these animals is independent of angiotensin II. PMID:21460193

Comparison of Mode II and III Monotonic and Fatigue Delamination Onset Behavior for Carbon/Toughened Epoxy Composites

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Li, Jian; OBrien, T. Kevin; Lee, Shaw Ming

1997-01-01

Monotonic and fatigue tests were performed to compare the Mode II and III interlaminar fracture toughness and fatigue delamination onset for Tenax-HTA/R6376 carbon/toughened epoxy composites. The Mode II interlaminar fracture toughness and fatigue delamination onset were characterized using the end-notched flexure (ENF) test while the Mode III interlaminar fracture toughness and fatigue delamination onset were characterized by using the edge crack torsion (ECT) test. Monotonic tests show that the Mode III fracture toughness is higher than the Mode II fracture toughness. Both Mode II and III cyclic loading greatly increases the tendency for a delamination to grow relative to a single monotonically increasing load. Under fatigue loading, the Mode III specimen also has a longer life than the Mode II specimen.

Localization and Characterization of Photosystem II in Grana and Stroma Lamellae 1

PubMed Central

Armond, Paul A.; Arntzen, Charles J.

1977-01-01

Attempts have been made to identify intramembranous particles observed in freeze-fracture electron microscopy as specific functional components of the membrane. The intramembranous particles of the exoplasmic fracture (EF) face of freeze-fractured pea (Pisum sativum) chloroplast lamellae are nonuniformly distributed along the membrane. Approximately 20% of the particles are in unpaired membrane regions whereas 80% are localized in regions of stacked lamellae (grana partitions). The EF particles within the grana regions of the chloroplast membrane are of a larger average size than those in stroma lamellae. Photosystem II activity of isolated stroma lamellae is about 20 to 25% of that of grana-enriched membrane fragments when measured at high light intensities. The photosystem II activity of stroma lamellae requires higher light intensities for attainment of maximal rates than does that of grana membranes. Lactoperoxidase-catalyzed iodination of stacked chloroplast lamellae was used to demonstrate that 75 to 80% of all photosystem II centers are localized in grana partition regions. The data presented support the concept that the intramembranous particles of the EF face visualized on freeze-fractured chloroplast lamellae represent a central photosystem II reaction center complex plus associated light-harvesting chlorophyll protein. The fact that the EF particles of stroma lamellae are smaller than those of grana regions can be directly correlated to the presence of photosystem II units with small antennae chlorophyll assemblies in stroma lamellae. Images PMID:16659861

Evaluation of porogen factors for the preparation of ion imprinted polymer monoliths used in mercury removal

PubMed Central

Rahman, Siti Khadijah Ab.; Yusof, Nor Azah; Abdullah, Abdul Halim; Idris, Azni; Al-lohedan, Hamad A.

2018-01-01

In the present study, ion imprinted polymer monoliths (IIPMs) were developed to overcome the limitations of ion imprinted polymer particles (IIPPs) used for the removal of Hg(II) ions from waste water samples. The adsorbents preparation, characterization and Hg(II) removal were very well reported. The IIPMs on porogen optimization was prepared using the molding technique with Hg(II) as a template ion, [2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl]trimethylammonium cysteine (MAETC) as ligand, methacrylic acid (MAA) as functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylamide (EGDMA) as cross-linker, benzoyl peroxide as an initiator and methanol and acetonitrile as porogen in the polypropylene tube (drinking straw) as mold. The IIPMs prepared with higher volumes of porogen were indicated to have a good adsorption rate for the Hg(II) removal along with good water permeability and larger porosity as compared to a lower volume of porogen. The IIPMs prepared using the binary porogen were able to improve the porosity and surface area of the monolithic polymers as compared to the single porogen added IIPMs. Finally, we indicate from our analysis that the IIPM having the efficient capacity for the Hg(II) ions is easy to prepare, and has higher water permeability along with high porosity and high adsorption capacity and all these factors making it one of the suitable adsorbent for the successful removal of Hg(II) ions. PMID:29649325

Novel Cobalt(II) complexes containing N,N-di(2-picolyl)amine based ligands; Synthesis, characterization and application towards methyl methacrylate polymerisation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahn, Seoung Hyun; Choi, Sang-Il; Jung, Maeng Joon; Nayab, Saira; Lee, Hyosun

2016-06-01

The reaction of [CoCl2·6H2O] with N‧-substituted N,N-di(2-picolyl)amine ligands such as 1-cyclohexyl-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)methanamine (LA), 2-methoxy-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)ethan-1-amine (LB), and 3-methoxy-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)propan-1-amine (LC), yielded [LnCoCl2] (Ln = LA, LB and LC), respectively. The Co(II) centre in [LnCoCl2] (Ln = LA, and LC) adopted distorted bipyramidal geometries through coordination of nitrogen atoms of di(2-picolyl)amine moiety to the Co(II) centre along with two chloro ligands. The 6-coordinated [LBCoCl2] showed a distorted octahedral geometry, achieved through coordination of the two pyridyl units, two chloro units, and bidentate coordination of nitrogen and oxygen in the N‧-methoxyethylamine to the Co(II) centre. [LCCoCl2] (6.70 × 104 gPMMA/molCo h) exhibited higher catalytic activity for the polymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) in the presence of modified methylaluminoxane (MMAO) compared to rest of Co(II) complexes. The catalytic activity was considered as a function of steric properties of ligand architecture and increased steric bulk around the metal centre resulted in the decrease catalytic activity. All Co(II) initiators yielded syndiotactic poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA).

Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Determination of Trace Metal Ions in Environmental and Biological Samples After Preconcentration on a Newly Developed Amberlite XAD-16 Chelating Resin Containing p-Aminobenzene Sulfonic Acid.

PubMed

Islam, Aminul; Ahmad, Akil; Laskar, Mohammad Asaduddin

2015-01-01

Amberlite® XAD-16 was functionalized with p-aminobenzene sulfonic acid via an azo spacer in order to prepare a new chelating resin, which was then characterized by water regain value, hydrogen ion capacity, elemental analyses, and IR spectral and thermal studies. The maximum uptake of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Cr(III), Fe(III), and Pb(II) ions was observed in the pH range 4.0-6.0 with the corresponding half-loading times of 6.5, 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, 11.0, 8.5, and 16.5 min. The sorption data followed Langmuir isotherms and a pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic quantities, ΔH and ΔS, based on the variation of the distribution coefficient with temperature were also evaluated. High preconcentration factors of 60-100 up to a low preconcentration limit of 4.0-6.6 μg/L have been achieved for the metal ions. The validity of the method was checked by analyzing standard reference materials and recoveries of trace metals after spiking. The analytical applications of the method were explored by analyzing natural water, mango pulp, mint leaves, and fish.

Preparation of chitosan/MCM-41-PAA nanocomposites and the adsorption behaviour of Hg(II) ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fu, Yong; Huang, Yue; Hu, Jianshe

2018-03-01

A novel functional hybrid mesoporous composite material (CMP) based on chitosan and MCM-41-PAA was reported and its application as an excellent adsorbent for Hg(II) ions was also investigated. Innovatively, MCM-41-PAA was prepared by using diatomite and polyacrylic acid (PAA) with integrated polymer-silica hybrid frameworks, and then CMP was fabricated by introducing MCM-41-PAA to chitosan using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. The structure and morphology of CMP were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller measurements. The results showed that the CMP possessed multifunctional groups such as -OH, -COOH and -NH2 with large specific surface area. Adsorption behaviour of Hg(II) ions onto CMP was fitted better by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model when the initial Hg(II) concentration, pH, adsorption temperature and time were 200 mg l-1, 4, 298 K and 120 min, respectively, as the optimum conditions. The corresponding maximum adsorption capacity could reach 164 mg g-1. According to the thermodynamic parameters determined such as free energy, enthalpy and entropy, the adsorption process of Hg(II) ions was spontaneous endothermic adsorption.

Preparation of chitosan/MCM-41-PAA nanocomposites and the adsorption behaviour of Hg(II) ions

PubMed Central

Fu, Yong; Huang, Yue; Hu, Jianshe

2018-01-01

A novel functional hybrid mesoporous composite material (CMP) based on chitosan and MCM-41-PAA was reported and its application as an excellent adsorbent for Hg(II) ions was also investigated. Innovatively, MCM-41-PAA was prepared by using diatomite and polyacrylic acid (PAA) with integrated polymer–silica hybrid frameworks, and then CMP was fabricated by introducing MCM-41-PAA to chitosan using glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. The structure and morphology of CMP were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller measurements. The results showed that the CMP possessed multifunctional groups such as –OH, –COOH and –NH2 with large specific surface area. Adsorption behaviour of Hg(II) ions onto CMP was fitted better by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir model when the initial Hg(II) concentration, pH, adsorption temperature and time were 200 mg l−1, 4, 298 K and 120 min, respectively, as the optimum conditions. The corresponding maximum adsorption capacity could reach 164 mg g−1. According to the thermodynamic parameters determined such as free energy, enthalpy and entropy, the adsorption process of Hg(II) ions was spontaneous endothermic adsorption. PMID:29657793

Thermal, spectroscopic, and ab initio structural characterization of carprofen polymorphs.

PubMed

Bruni, Giovanna; Gozzo, Fabia; Capsoni, Doretta; Bini, Marcella; Macchi, Piero; Simoncic, Petra; Berbenni, Vittorio; Milanese, Chiara; Girella, Alessandro; Ferrari, Stefania; Marini, Amedeo

2011-06-01

Commercial and recrystallized polycrystalline samples of carprofen, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, were studied by thermal, spectroscopic, and structural techniques. Our investigations demonstrated that recrystallized sample, stable at room temperature (RT), is a single polymorphic form of carprofen (polymorph I) that undergoes an isostructural polymorphic transformation by heating (polymorph II). Polymorph II remains then metastable at ambient conditions. Commercial sample is instead a mixture of polymorphs I and II. The thermodynamic relationships between the two polymorphs were determined through the construction of an energy/temperature diagram. The ab initio structural determination performed on synchrotron X-Ray powder diffraction patterns recorded at RT on both polymorphs allowed us to elucidate, for the first time, their crystal structure. Both crystallize in the monoclinic space group type P2(1) /c, and the unit cell similarity index and the volumetric isostructurality index indicate that the temperature-induced polymorphic transformation I → II is isostructural. Polymorphs I and II are conformational polymorphs, sharing a very similar hydrogen bond network, but with different conformation of the propanoic skeleton, which produces two different packing. The small conformational change agrees with the low value of transition enthalpy obtained by differential scanning calorimetry measurements and the small internal energy computed with density functional methods. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Syntheses, crystal structures and Hirshfeld surface analysis of a coordination polymer of Cu(II) chlorido and a tris-octahedral complex of Ni(II) containing isonicotinoylhydrazone blockers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mahmoudi, Ghodrat; Chowdhury, Habibar; Ghosh, Barindra K.; Lofland, Samuel E.; Maniukiewicz, Waldemar

2018-05-01

One-pot reactions of pre-assigned molar ratios of appropriate metal (II) salts and HL1 (2-acetylpyridine nicotinoylhydrazone) or HL2 (2-acetylpyridine isonicotinoylhydrazone) in MeOH solutions at room temperature afford 1D coordination polymeric chain [Cu(μ-L1) (Cl)]n (1) and a mononuclear complex [Ni(L2)2] (2). The compounds (1) and (2) were characterized using elemental analyses, spectral and other physicochemical methods. Single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements for (1) and (2) have been made to define the molecular aggregates and crystalline architectures. In (1), each copper (II) center adopts a distorted square pyramidal geometry with a CuN3OCl chromophore linked through μ-L1 to form the 1D polymeric chain. While in (2) each Ni(II) cation is six-coordinate with octahedral structure having NiN4O2 chromophore containing two L2 units each functioning as a classical tridentate (N,N,O) chelator. Different weak non-covalent interactions promote dimensionalities in the compounds. A Hirshfeld surface analysis was employed to gain additional insight into interactions responsible for packing of (1) and (2). Magnetic susceptibility measurement of (1) in the 4-300 K range reveals simple paramagnetism.

Characterization of swine leucocyte antigen alleles in a crossbred pig to be used in xenotransplant studies.

PubMed

Reyes, L M; Blosser, R J; Smith, R F; Miner, A C; Paris, L L; Blankenship, R L; Tector, M F; Tector, A J

2014-11-01

We have characterized swine leucocyte antigen (SLA) classes I and II molecules of a domestic pig as a model for use in our xenotransplant program. Molecular characterization of the SLA classes I and II genes is critical to understanding the adaptive immune responses between swine and humans in the event of xenotransplantation. Seven swine leucocyte antigen genes (SLA-1, SLA-2, SLA-3, DQB1, DRB1, DQA and DRA) were analyzed and 15 alleles were identified. A novel DRA*w04re01 is reported for this limited polymorphic class II gene. The heterozygous haplotypes, Hp-32.0/35.0 and Hp-0.13/0.23 were deduced for our IU-pig model, for SLA classes I and II regions, respectively. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Mechanisms, biology and inhibitors of deubiquitinating enzymes.

PubMed

Love, Kerry Routenberg; Catic, André; Schlieker, Christian; Ploegh, Hidde L

2007-11-01

The addition of ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like (Ubl) modifiers to proteins serves to modulate function and is a key step in protein degradation, epigenetic modification and intracellular localization. Deubiquitinating enzymes and Ubl-specific proteases, the proteins responsible for the removal of Ub and Ubls, act as an additional level of control over the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Their conservation and widespread occurrence in eukaryotes, prokaryotes and viruses shows that these proteases constitute an essential class of enzymes. Here, we discuss how chemical tools, including activity-based probes and suicide inhibitors, have enabled (i) discovery of deubiquitinating enzymes, (ii) their functional profiling, crystallographic characterization and mechanistic classification and (iii) development of molecules for therapeutic purposes.

Hypergeometric continuation of divergent perturbation series: II. Comparison with Shanks transformation and Padé approximation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sanders, Sören; Holthaus, Martin

2017-11-01

We explore in detail how analytic continuation of divergent perturbation series by generalized hypergeometric functions is achieved in practice. Using the example of strong-coupling perturbation series provided by the two-dimensional Bose-Hubbard model, we compare hypergeometric continuation to Shanks and Padé techniques, and demonstrate that the former yields a powerful, efficient and reliable alternative for computing the phase diagram of the Mott insulator-to-superfluid transition. In contrast to Shanks transformations and Padé approximations, hypergeometric continuation also allows us to determine the exponents which characterize the divergence of correlation functions at the transition points. Therefore, hypergeometric continuation constitutes a promising tool for the study of quantum phase transitions.

SHINE, The SpHere INfrared survey for Exoplanets

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chauvin, G.; Desidera, S.; Lagrange, A.-M.; Vigan, A.; Feldt, M.; Gratton, R.; Langlois, M.; Cheetham, A.; Bonnefoy, M.; Meyer, M.

2017-12-01

The SHINE survey for SPHERE High-contrast ImagiNg survey for Exoplanets, is a large near-infrared survey of 400-600 young, nearby stars and represents a significant component of the SPHERE consortium Guaranteed Time Observations consisting in 200 observing nights. The scientific goals are: i) to characterize known planetary systems (architecture, orbit, stability, luminosity, atmosphere); ii) to search for new planetary systems using SPHERE's unprecedented performance; and finally iii) to determine the occurrence and orbital and mass function properties of the wide-orbit, giant planet population as a function of the stellar host mass and age. Combined, the results will increase our understanding of planetary atmospheric physics and the processes of planetary formation and evolution.

THE LOCAL [C ii] 158 μ m EMISSION LINE LUMINOSITY FUNCTION

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Hemmati, Shoubaneh; Yan, Lin; Capak, Peter

We present, for the first time, the local [C ii] 158 μ m emission line luminosity function measured using a sample of more than 500 galaxies from the Revised Bright Galaxy Sample. [C ii] luminosities are measured from the Herschel PACS observations of the Luminous Infrared Galaxies (LIRGs) in the Great Observatories All-sky LIRG Survey and estimated for the rest of the sample based on the far-infrared (far-IR) luminosity and color. The sample covers 91.3% of the sky and is complete at S{sub 60μm} > 5.24 Jy. We calculate the completeness as a function of [C ii] line luminosity and distance, basedmore » on the far-IR color and flux densities. The [C ii] luminosity function is constrained in the range ∼10{sup 7–9} L{sub ⊙} from both the 1/ V{sub max} and a maximum likelihood methods. The shape of our derived [C ii] emission line luminosity function agrees well with the IR luminosity function. For the CO(1-0) and [C ii] luminosity functions to agree, we propose a varying ratio of [C ii]/CO(1-0) as a function of CO luminosity, with larger ratios for fainter CO luminosities. Limited [C ii] high-redshift observations as well as estimates based on the IR and UV luminosity functions are suggestive of an evolution in the [C ii] luminosity function similar to the evolution trend of the cosmic star formation rate density. Deep surveys using the Atacama Large Millimeter Array with full capability will be able to confirm this prediction.« less

A selective potentiometric copper (II) ion sensor based on the functionalized ZnO nanorods.

PubMed

Khun, K; Ibupoto, Z H; Liu, X; Nur, O; Willander, M; Danielsson, B

2014-09-01

In this work, ZnO nanorods were hydrothermally grown on the gold-coated glass substrate and characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The ZnO nanorods were functionalized by two different approaches and performance of the sensor electrode was monitored. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was carried out for the confirmation of interaction between the ionophore molecules and ZnO nanorods. In addition to this, the surface of the electrode was characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showing the chemical and electronic state of the ionophore and ZnO nanorod components. The ionophore solution was prepared in the stabilizer, poly vinyl chloride (PVC) and additives, and then functionalized on the ZnO nanorods that have shown the Nernstian response with the slope of 31 mV/decade. However, the Cu2+ ion sensor was fabricated only by immobilizing the selective copper ion ionophore membrane without the use of PVC, plasticizers, additives and stabilizers and the sensor electrode showed a linear potentiometric response with a slope of 56.4 mV/decade within a large dynamic concentration range (from 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.0 x 10(-1) M) of copper (II) nitrate solutions. The sensor showed excellent repeatability and reproducibility with response time of less than 10 s. The negligible response to potentially interfering metal ions such as calcium (Ca2+), magnesium (Mg2+), potassium (K+), iron (Fe3+), zinc (Zn2+), and sodium (Na+) allows this sensor to be used in biological studies. It may also be used as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration.

Characterization of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes of a reconstructed human epidermal model from adult hair follicles.

PubMed

Bacqueville, Daniel; Jacques, Carine; Duprat, Laure; Jamin, Emilien L; Guiraud, Beatrice; Perdu, Elisabeth; Bessou-Touya, Sandrine; Zalko, Daniel; Duplan, Hélène

2017-08-15

In this study, a comprehensive characterization of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes (XMEs) based on gene expression and enzyme functionality was made in a reconstructed skin epidermal model derived from the outer root sheath (ORS) of hair follicles (ORS-RHE). The ORS-RHE model XME gene profile was consistent with native human skin. Cytochromes P450 (CYPs) consistently reported to be detected in native human skin were also present at the gene level in the ORS-RHE model. The highest Phase I XME gene expression levels were observed for alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenases and (carboxyl) esterases. The model was responsive to the CYP inducers, 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) and β-naphthoflavone (βNF) after topical and systemic applications, evident at the gene and enzyme activity level. Phase II XME levels were generally higher than those of Phase I XMEs, the highest levels were GSTs and transferases, including NAT1. The presence of functional CYPs, UGTs and SULTs was confirmed by incubating the models with 7-ethoxycoumarin, testosterone, benzo(a)pyrene and 3-MC, all of which were rapidly metabolized within 24h after topical application. The extent of metabolism was dependent on saturable and non-saturable metabolism by the XMEs and on the residence time within the model. In conclusion, the ORS-RHE model expresses a number of Phase I and II XMEs, some of which may be induced by AhR ligands. Functional XME activities were also demonstrated using systemic or topical application routes, supporting their use in cutaneous metabolism studies. Such a reproducible model will be of interest when evaluating the cutaneous metabolism and potential toxicity of innovative dermo-cosmetic ingredients. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

The role of chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II in the regulation of hepatic fatty acid oxidation and gluconeogenesis in newborn mice.

PubMed

Planchais, Julien; Boutant, Marie; Fauveau, Véronique; Qing, Lou Dan; Sabra-Makke, Lina; Bossard, Pascale; Vasseur-Cognet, Mireille; Pégorier, Jean-Paul

2015-05-15

Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) is an orphan nuclear receptor involved in the control of numerous functions in various organs (organogenesis, differentiation, metabolic homeostasis, etc.). The aim of the present work was to characterize the regulation and contribution of COUP-TFII in the control of hepatic fatty acid and glucose metabolisms in newborn mice. Our data show that postnatal increase in COUP-TFII mRNA levels is enhanced by glucagon (via cAMP) and PPARα. To characterize COUP-TFII function in the liver of suckling mice, we used a functional (dominant negative form; COUP-TFII-DN) and a genetic (shRNA) approach. Adenoviral COUP-TFII-DN injection induces a profound hypoglycemia due to the inhibition of gluconeogenesis and fatty acid oxidation secondarily to reduced PEPCK, Gl-6-Pase, CPT I, and mHMG-CoA synthase gene expression. Using the crossover plot technique, we show that gluconeogenesis is inhibited at two different levels: 1) pyruvate carboxylation and 2) trioses phosphate synthesis. This could result from a decreased availability in fatty acid oxidation arising cofactors such as acetyl-CoA and reduced equivalents. Similar results are observed using the shRNA approach. Indeed, when fatty acid oxidation is rescued in response to Wy-14643-induced PPARα target genes (CPT I and mHMG-CoA synthase), blood glucose is normalized in COUP-TFII-DN mice. In conclusion, this work demonstrates that postnatal increase in hepatic COUP-TFII gene expression is involved in the regulation of liver fatty acid oxidation, which in turn sustains an active hepatic gluconeogenesis that is essential to maintain an appropriate blood glucose level required for newborn mice survival. Copyright © 2015 the American Physiological Society.

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of 3,4-difluoroacetophenone-thiosemicarbazone and its palladium(II) complex: Evaluation of antimicrobial and antitumour activity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jagadeesh, M.; Rashmi, H. K.; Subba Rao, Y.; Sreenath Reddy, A.; Prathima, B.; Uma Maheswari Devi, P.; Reddy, A. Varada

2013-11-01

A new cis-palladium(II)diaqua(3,4-difluoroacetophenonethiosemicarbazone complex (Pd(II) complex) is synthesized using 3,4-difluoroacetophenonethiosemicarbazone(L). The L and its Pd(II) complex are characterized and confirmed by elemental analyses, electrochemical analyses, FT-IR, FT-Raman, UV-Vis, HRMS and LC-MS techniques. Ligand L is further characterized by 1H, 13C and 19F NMR spectroscopy. The crystal structure of L is unambiguously characterized by single X-ray crystallography. The ligand (L) belongs to monoclinic system with P2(1)/C space group and the unit cell parameters are a(Å) = 9.1144(7), b(Å) = 13.7928(7), c(Å) = 8.4174(5), α(°) = 90, β(°) = 100.715, γ(°) = 90 and volume V(A3) = 1039.73(11). The Raman bands observed for the L and its Pd(II) complex are in good agreement with the FT-IR spectral data. The Pd(II) complex is found to be highly efficient in inhibiting the growth of human pathogens like Salmonella typhimurium and Klebsiella pneumonia with MIC value 10.0 μg/mL whose inhibition zones are almost comparable with the standard antibiotic. The synthesized compounds have shown antiproliferative activity against the human breast cancer cell lines MDA-MB231 by intermitting the regular pathway of ribonucleotidereductase.

Synthesis, characterization and anti-microbial activity of phenylurea-formaldehyde resin (PUF) and its polymer metal complexes (PUF-Mn(II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ahamad, Tansir; Alshehri, Saad M.

2012-10-01

Phenylurea-formaldehyde polymer (PUF) was synthesized via polycondensation of phenylurea and formaldehyde in basic medium, its polymer-metal complexes [PUF-M(II)] were prepared with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions. PUF and PUF-M(II) were characterized with magnetic moment measurements, elemental and spectral (UV-visible, FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and ESR) analysis. The thermal behaviors of all the synthesized polymers were carried out using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The thermal data revealed that all of the PUF-M(II) showed higher thermal stabilities than the PUF and also ascribed that the PUF-Cu(II) showed better thermal stability than the other PUF-M(II). The kinetic parameters such as activation energy, pre-exponential factor etc., were evaluated for these polymer metal complexes using Coats-Redfern equation. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized polymers was tested against several microorganisms using agar well diffusion methods. Among all of the PUF-M(II), the antimicrobial activity of the PUF-Cu(II) showed the highest zone of inhibition because of its higher stability constant and may be used in biomedical applications.

Characterization and cloning of tripeptidyl peptidase II from the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster.

PubMed

Renn, S C; Tomkinson, B; Taghert, P H

1998-07-24

We describe the characterization, cloning, and genetic analysis of tripeptidyl peptidase II (TPP II) from Drosophila melanogaster. Mammalian TPP II removes N-terminal tripeptides, has wide distribution, and has been identified as the cholecystokinin-degrading peptidase in rat brain. Size exclusion and ion exchange chromatography produced a 70-fold purification of dTPP II activity from Drosophila tissue extracts. The substrate specificity and the inhibitor sensitivity of dTPP II is comparable to that of the human enzyme. In particular, dTPP II is sensitive to butabindide, a specific inhibitor of the rat cholecystokinin-inactivating activity. We isolated a 4309-base pair dTPP II cDNA which predicts a 1354-amino acid protein. The deduced human and Drosophila TPP II proteins display 38% overall identity. The catalytic triad, its spacing, and the sequences that surround it are highly conserved; the C-terminal end of dTPP II contains a 100-amino acid insert not found in the mammalian proteins. Recombinant dTPP II displays the predicted activity following expression in HEK cells. TPP II maps to cytological position 49F4-7; animals deficient for this interval show reduced TPP II activity.

Adsorption of transition metal ions from aqueous solutions onto a novel silica gel matrix inorganic-organic composite material.

PubMed

Yin, Ping; Xu, Qiang; Qu, Rongjun; Zhao, Guifang; Sun, Yanzhi

2010-01-15

A novel inorganic-organic composite material silica gel microspheres encapsulated by imidazole functionalized polystyrene (SG-PS-azo-IM) has been synthesized and characterized. This composite material was used to investigate the adsorption of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), Pd(II), Pt(II), Ag(I), and Au(III) from aqueous solutions, and the research results displayed that SG-PS-azo-IM has the highest adsorption capacity for Au(III). Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to analyze the experimental data, the best interpretation for the experimental data was given by the Langmuir isotherm equation, and the maximum adsorption capacity for Au(III) is 1.700 mmol/g. The adsorption selectivity, the dynamic adsorption and desorption properties of SG-PS-azo-IM for Au(III) have also been studied. The results showed that SG-PS-azo-IM had excellent adsorption for Au(III) in four binary ions system, especially in the systems of Au(III)-Zn(II) and Au(III)-Cu(II), and almost Au(III) could be desorbed with the eluent solution of 0.5% thiourea in 1 mol/L HCl. Moreover, this novel composite material was used to preconcentrate Au(III) before its determination by flame atomic adsorption spectrometry. In the initial concentration range of 0.10-0.20 microg/mL, multiple of enrichment could reach 5.28. Thus, silica gel encapsulated by polystyrene coupling with imidazole (SG-PS-azo-IM) is favorable and useful for the removal of transition metal ions, and the high adsorption capacity makes it a good promising candidate material for Au(III) removal.

Application of Fe(II)/peroxymonosulfate for improving ultrafiltration membrane performance in surface water treatment: Comparison with coagulation and ozonation.

PubMed

Cheng, Xiaoxiang; Liang, Heng; Ding, An; Zhu, Xuewu; Tang, Xiaobin; Gan, Zhendong; Xing, Jiajian; Wu, Daoji; Li, Guibai

2017-11-01

Coagulation and ozonation have been widely used as pretreatments for ultrafiltration (UF) membrane in drinking water treatment. While beneficial, coagulation or ozonation alone is unable to both efficiently control membrane fouling and product water quality in many cases. Thus, in this study an emerging alternative of ferrous iron/peroxymonosulfate (Fe(II)/PMS), which can act as both an oxidant and a coagulant was employed prior to UF for treatment of natural surface water, and compared with conventional coagulation and ozonation. The results showed that the Fe(II)/PMS-UF system exhibited the best performance for dissolved organic carbon removal, likely due to the dual functions of coagulation and oxidation in the single process. The fluorescent and UV-absorbing organic components were more susceptible to ozonation than Fe(II)/PMS treatment. Fe(II)/PMS and ozonation pretreatments significantly increased the removal efficiency of atrazine, p-chloronitrobenzene and sulfamethazine by 12-76% and 50-94%, respectively, whereas coagulation exerted a minor influence. The Fe(II)/PMS pretreatment also showed the best performance for the reduction of both reversible and irreversible membrane fouling, and the performance was hardly affected by membrane pore size and surface hydrophobicity. In addition, the characterization of hydraulic irreversible organic foulants confirmed its effectiveness. These results demonstrate the potential advantages of applying Fe(II)/PMS as a pretreatment for UF to simultaneously control membrane fouling and improve the permeate quality. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Class II ADP-ribosylation factors are required for efficient secretion of dengue viruses.

PubMed

Kudelko, Mateusz; Brault, Jean-Baptiste; Kwok, Kevin; Li, Ming Yuan; Pardigon, Nathalie; Peiris, J S Malik; Bruzzone, Roberto; Desprès, Philippe; Nal, Béatrice; Wang, Pei Gang

2012-01-02

Identification and characterization of virus-host interactions are very important steps toward a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease progression and pathogenesis. To date, very few cellular factors involved in the life cycle of flaviviruses, which are important human pathogens, have been described. In this study, we demonstrate a crucial role for class II Arf proteins (Arf4 and Arf5) in the dengue flavivirus life cycle. We show that simultaneous depletion of Arf4 and Arf5 blocks recombinant subviral particle secretion for all four dengue serotypes. Immunostaining analysis suggests that class II Arf proteins are required at an early pre-Golgi step for dengue virus secretion. Using a horseradish peroxidase protein fused to a signal peptide, we show that class II Arfs act specifically on dengue virus secretion without altering the secretion of proteins through the constitutive secretory pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation data demonstrate that the dengue prM glycoprotein interacts with class II Arf proteins but not through its C-terminal VXPX motif. Finally, experiments performed with replication-competent dengue and yellow fever viruses demonstrate that the depletion of class II Arfs inhibits virus secretion, thus confirming their implication in the virus life cycle, although data obtained with West Nile virus pointed out the differences in virus-host interactions among flaviviruses. Our findings shed new light on a molecular mechanism used by dengue viruses during the late stages of the life cycle and demonstrate a novel function for class II Arf proteins.

Class II ADP-ribosylation Factors Are Required for Efficient Secretion of Dengue Viruses*

PubMed Central

Kudelko, Mateusz; Brault, Jean-Baptiste; Kwok, Kevin; Li, Ming Yuan; Pardigon, Nathalie; Peiris, J. S. Malik; Bruzzone, Roberto; Desprès, Philippe; Nal, Béatrice; Wang, Pei Gang

2012-01-01

Identification and characterization of virus-host interactions are very important steps toward a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms responsible for disease progression and pathogenesis. To date, very few cellular factors involved in the life cycle of flaviviruses, which are important human pathogens, have been described. In this study, we demonstrate a crucial role for class II Arf proteins (Arf4 and Arf5) in the dengue flavivirus life cycle. We show that simultaneous depletion of Arf4 and Arf5 blocks recombinant subviral particle secretion for all four dengue serotypes. Immunostaining analysis suggests that class II Arf proteins are required at an early pre-Golgi step for dengue virus secretion. Using a horseradish peroxidase protein fused to a signal peptide, we show that class II Arfs act specifically on dengue virus secretion without altering the secretion of proteins through the constitutive secretory pathway. Co-immunoprecipitation data demonstrate that the dengue prM glycoprotein interacts with class II Arf proteins but not through its C-terminal VXPX motif. Finally, experiments performed with replication-competent dengue and yellow fever viruses demonstrate that the depletion of class II Arfs inhibits virus secretion, thus confirming their implication in the virus life cycle, although data obtained with West Nile virus pointed out the differences in virus-host interactions among flaviviruses. Our findings shed new light on a molecular mechanism used by dengue viruses during the late stages of the life cycle and demonstrate a novel function for class II Arf proteins. PMID:22105072

Pentacyanoiron(II) as an electron donor group for nonlinear optics: medium-responsive properties and comparisons with related pentaammineruthenium(II) complexes.

PubMed

Coe, Benjamin J; Harries, Josephine L; Helliwell, Madeleine; Jones, Lathe A; Asselberghs, Inge; Clays, Koen; Brunschwig, Bruce S; Harris, James A; Garín, Javier; Orduna, Jesús

2006-09-20

In this article, we describe a series of complex salts in which electron-rich {Fe(II)(CN)(5)}(3)(-) centers are coordinated to pyridyl ligands with electron-accepting N-methyl/aryl-pyridinium substituents. These compounds have been characterized by using various techniques including electronic absorption spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. Molecular quadratic nonlinear optical (NLO) responses have been determined by using hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) at 1064 nm, and also via Stark (electroabsorption) spectroscopic studies on the intense, visible d --> pi* metal-to-ligand charge-transfer (MLCT) bands. The relatively large static first hyperpolarizabilities, beta(0), increase markedly on moving from aqueous to methanol solutions, accompanied by large red-shifts in the MLCT transitions. Acidification of aqueous solutions allows reversible switching of the linear and NLO properties, as shown via both HRS and Stark experiments. Time-dependent density functional theory and finite field calculations using a polarizable continuum model yield relatively good agreement with the experimental results and confirm the large decrease in beta(0) on protonation. The Stark-derived beta(0) values are generally larger for related {Ru(II)(NH(3))(5)}(2+) complexes than for their {Fe(II)(CN)(5)}(3)(-) analogues, consistent with the HRS data in water. However, the HRS data in methanol show that the stronger solvatochromism of the Fe(II) complexes causes their NLO responses to surpass those of their Ru(II) counterparts upon changing the solvent medium.

Comparative Analysis of Secretome Profiles of Manganese(II)-Oxidizing Ascomycete Fungi

PubMed Central

Zeiner, Carolyn A.; Purvine, Samuel O.; Zink, Erika M.; Paša-Tolić, Ljiljana; Chaput, Dominique L.; Haridas, Sajeet; Wu, Si; LaButti, Kurt; Grigoriev, Igor V.; Henrissat, Bernard; Santelli, Cara M.; Hansel, Colleen M.

2016-01-01

Fungal secretomes contain a wide range of hydrolytic and oxidative enzymes, including cellulases, hemicellulases, pectinases, and lignin-degrading accessory enzymes, that synergistically drive litter decomposition in the environment. While secretome studies of model organisms such as Phanerochaete chrysosporium and Aspergillus species have greatly expanded our knowledge of these enzymes, few have extended secretome characterization to environmental isolates or conducted side-by-side comparisons of diverse species. Thus, the mechanisms of carbon degradation by many ubiquitous soil fungi remain poorly understood. Here we use a combination of LC-MS/MS, genomic, and bioinformatic analyses to characterize and compare the protein composition of the secretomes of four recently isolated, cosmopolitan, Mn(II)-oxidizing Ascomycetes (Alternaria alternata SRC1lrK2f, Stagonospora sp. SRC1lsM3a, Pyrenochaeta sp. DS3sAY3a, and Paraconiothyrium sporulosum AP3s5-JAC2a). We demonstrate that the organisms produce a rich yet functionally similar suite of extracellular enzymes, with species-specific differences in secretome composition arising from unique amino acid sequences rather than overall protein function. Furthermore, we identify not only a wide range of carbohydrate-active enzymes that can directly oxidize recalcitrant carbon, but also an impressive suite of redox-active accessory enzymes that suggests a role for Fenton-based hydroxyl radical formation in indirect, non-specific lignocellulose attack. Our findings highlight the diverse oxidative capacity of these environmental isolates and enhance our understanding of the role of filamentous Ascomycetes in carbon turnover in the environment. PMID:27434633

Side chain requirements for affinity and specificity in D5, an HIV-1 antibody derived from the VH1-69 germline segment.

PubMed

Stewart, Alex; Harrison, Joseph S; Regula, Lauren K; Lai, Jonathan R

2013-04-08

Analysis of factors contributing to high affinity antibody-protein interactions provides insight into natural antibody evolution, and guides the design of antibodies with new or enhanced function. We previously studied the interaction between antibody D5 and its target, a designed protein based on HIV-1 gp41 known as 5-Helix, as a model system [Da Silva, G. F.; Harrison, J. S.; Lai, J. R., Biochemistry, 2010, 49, 5464-5472]. Antibody D5 represents an interesting case study because it is derived from the VH1-69 germline segment; this germline segment is characterized by a hydrophobic second heavy chain complementarity determining region (HCDR2) that constitutes the major functional paratope in D5 and several antibodies derived from the same progenitor. Here we explore side chain requirements for affinity and specificity in D5 using phage display. Two D5-based libraries were prepared that contained diversity in all three light chain complementarity determining regions (LCDRs 1-3), and in the third HCDR (HCDR3). The first library allowed residues to vary among a restricted set of six amino acids (Tyr/Ala/Asp/Ser/His/Pro; D5-Lib-I). The second library was designed based on a survey of existing VH1-69 antibody structures (D5-Lib-II). Both libraries were subjected to multiple rounds of selection against 5-Helix, and individual clones characterized. We found that selectants from D5-Lib-I generally had moderate affinity and specificity, while many clones from D5-Lib-II exhibited D5-like properties. Additional analysis of the D5-Lib-II functional population revealed position-specific biases for particular amino acids, many that differed from the identity of those side chains in D5. Together these results suggest that there is some permissiveness for alternative side chains in the LCDRs and HCDR3 of D5, but that replacement with a minimal set of residues is not tolerated in this scaffold for 5-Helix recognition. This work provides novel information about this high-affinity interaction involving an antibody from the VH1-69 germline segment.

Evolution of New Function in the GTP Cyclohydrolase II Proteins of Streptomyces coelicolor†

PubMed Central

Spoonamore, James E.; Dahlgran, Annie L.; Jacobsen, Neil E.; Bandarian, Vahe

2009-01-01

The genome sequence of Streptomyces coelicolor contains three open reading frames (sco1441, sco2687, and sco6655) that encode proteins with significant (>40%) amino acid identity to GTP cyclohydrolase II (GCH II), which catalyzes the committed step in the biosynthesis of riboflavin. The physiological significance of the redundancy of these proteins in S. coelicolor is not known. However, the gene contexts of the three proteins are different, suggesting that they may serve alternate biological niches. Each of the three proteins was overexpressed in Escherichia coli and characterized to determine if their functions are biologically overlapping. As purified, each protein contains 1 molar equiv of zinc/ mol of protein and utilizes guanosine 5′-triphosphate (GTP) as substrate. Two of these proteins (SCO 1441 and SCO 2687) produce the canonical product of GCH II, 2,5-diamino-6-ribosylamino-4(3H)-pyrimidinone 5′-phosphate (APy). Remarkably, however, one of the three proteins (SCO 6655) converts GTP to 2-amino-5-formylamino-6-ribosylamino-4(3H)-pyrimidinone 5′-phosphate (FAPy), as shown by UV-visible spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, and NMR. This activity has been reported for a GTP cyclohydrolase III protein from Methanocaldococcus jannaschii [Graham, D. E., Xu, H., and White, R. H. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 15074–15084], which has no amino acid sequence homology to SCO 6655. Comparison of the sequences of these proteins and mapping onto the structure of the E. coli GCH II protein [Ren, J., Kotaka, M., Lockyer, M., Lamb, H. K., Hawkins, A. R., and Stammers, D. K. (2005) J. Biol. Chem. 280, 36912–36919] allowed identification of a switch residue, Met120, which appears to be responsible for the altered fate of GTP observed with SCO 6655; a Tyr is found in the analogous position of all proteins that have been shown to catalyze the conversion of GTP to APy. The Met120Tyr variant of SCO 6655 acquires the ability to catalyze the conversion of GTP to APy, suggesting a role for Tyr120 in the late phase of the reaction. Our data are consistent with duplication of GCH II in S. coelicolor promoting evolution of a new function. The physiological role(s) of the gene clusters that house GCH II homologues will be discussed. PMID:17002314

Anti-inflammatory drugs interacting with Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pt(II) metal ions.

PubMed

Dendrinou-Samara, C; Tsotsou, G; Ekateriniadou, L V; Kortsaris, A H; Raptopoulou, C P; Terzis, A; Kyriakidis, D A; Kessissoglou, D P

1998-09-01

Complexes of Zn(II), Cd(II) and Pt(II) metal ions with the anti-inflammatory drugs, 1-methyl-5-(p-toluoyl)-1H-pyrrole-2-acetic acid (Tolmetin), alpha-methyl-4-(2-methylpropyl)benzeneacetic acid (Ibuprofen), 6-methoxy-alpha-methylnaphthalene-2-acetic acid (Naproxen) and 1-(4-chlorobenzoyl)-5-methoxy-2-methyl-1H-indole-3-acetic acid (indomethacin) have been synthesized and characterized. In the structurally characterized Cd(naproxen)2 complex the anti-inflammatory drugs acts as bidentate chelate ligand coordinatively bound to metal ions through the deprotonated carboxylate group. Crystal data for 1: [C32H26O8Cd], orthorhombic, space group P22(1)2(1), a = 5.693(2) (A), b = 8.760(3) (A), c = 30.74(1) (A), V = 1533(1) A3, Z = 2. Antibacterial and growth inhibitory activity is higher than that of the parent ligands or the platinum(II) diamine compounds.

CHAPTER: In-Situ Characterization of Stimulating Microelectrode Arrays: Study of an Idealized Structure Based on Argus II Retinal implantsBOOK TITLE: Implantable Neural Prostheses 2: Techniques and Engineering Approaches, D.M. Zhou and E. Greenbaum, Eds., Springer, NY 2009

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Greenbaum, Elias; Sanders, Charlene A; Kandagor, Vincent

The development of a retinal prosthesis for artificial sight includes a study of the factors affecting the structural and functional stability of chronically implanted microelectrode arrays. Although neuron depolarization and propagation of electrical signals have been studied for nearly a century, the use of multielectrode stimulation as a proposed therapy to treat blindness is a frontier area of modern ophthalmology research. Mapping and characterizing the topographic information contained in the electric field potentials and understanding how this information is transmitted and interpreted in the visual cortex is still very much a work in progress. In order to characterize the electricalmore » field patterns generated by the device, an in vitro prototype that mimics several of the physical and chemical parameters of the in vivo visual implant device was fabricated. We carried out multiple electrical measurements in a model 'eye,' beginning with a single electrode, followed by a 9-electrode array structure, both idealized components based on the Argus II retinal implants. Correlating the information contained in the topographic features of the electric fields with psychophysical testing in patients may help reduce the time required for patients to convert the electrical patterns into graphic signals.« less

Technical tip: tightrope fixation of neer type II distal clavicle fracture supported by a case series.

PubMed

Haque, Syed; Khan, Anwar; Sharma, A; Sundararajan, Sabapathy

2014-03-27

We present a case series of 3 patients who underwent a novel technique of tight rope fixation for Neer type II distal clavicle fracture. 2-3 cm incision was made lateral to the fracture site moving inferomedially. Part of the distal end of clavicle was exposed close to fracture site and further dissection was carried out to reveal the coracoid process. Tight rope fixation of the distal ends of clavicle and coracoid was performed to achieve satisfactory fracture reduction on x-ray. 4 weeks of sling with gentle pendulum movement were followed by active shoulder movement exercises. Radiographic union was reached at 6 weeks' time, while the patients achieved proper shoulder functionality 3 months following the operation. Neer type II distal clavicle fractures are characterized by disruption of the coracoclavicular ligament with wide proximal fragment displacement. Overall, type II distal clavicle fractures have a 20-30% nonunion rate if treated non-surgically. Various techniques have been described for the treatment of these fractures, including hook plate and nailing. Tight rope fixation provides proper apposition of the fracture fragments for union by maintaining a reduced coracoclavicular interval.

The application and properties of composite sorbents of inorganic ion exchangers and polyacrylonitrile binding matrix.

PubMed

Nilchi, A; Khanchi, A; Atashi, H; Bagheri, A; Nematollahi, L

2006-10-11

A description is given of the preparation and properties of potassium hexacyanocobalt (II) ferrate (II) (KCFC) and the composite, potassium hexacyanocobalt (II) ferrate (II)-polyacrylonitrile (KCFC-PAN). The materials were dried at high temperatures and characterized by chemical analysis, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma and infrared. The ion exchange of alkaline earth metals and molybdenum on a nonstoichiometric compound K(2)[CoFe(CN)(6)] and its PAN based absorber was examined by batch methods. The adsorption of molybdenum from aqueous solutions on KCFC-PAN was investigated and optimized as a function of equilibration time and pH. The materials which were dried at optimum high temperature of 110 degrees C were found to be stable in water, dilute acids, alkaline solutions and relatively high temperature. The distribution coefficient values K(d) for alkaline earth metals, followed the same trend of increase for both sets of absorbers studied, i.e. Ba(2+)>Sr(2+)>Ca(2+)>Mg(2+), which closely resembles to the order of the size of the hydrated cations. However, the K(d) values show a significant increase for PAN based absorbers in comparison to KCFC absorbers.

Synthesis and characterization of an N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid resin

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Lai, Yuet Fan

1977-10-01

A chelating ion-exchange resin with N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ethylene-diaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) used as the ligand chemically bonded to XAD-4 by an ester linkage, HEDTA-4, was synthesized. It is stable under normal experimental conditions with the liquid chromatograph. The structure of the resin was confirmed by an infrared spectrum, and by potentiometric titrations. The capacity of the resin was also obtained by potentiometric titration and by a nitrogen analysis. The resin was used to pack a column of 5 mm internal diameter and 5 cm long. The effect of pH on the retention of different metal ions on the resin was studied. It wasmore » found that the resin was most selective for chromium(III), copper(II), lead(II), mercury(II), uranium(VI), zirconium(IV) and zinc(II) at a pH of less than 3. Furthermore, the resin proves to be functioning with a chelating mechanism rather than ion-exchange, and it can concentrate trace metal ions in the presence of a large excess of calcium and magnesium. This makes the resin potentially useful for purifying and analyzing drinking water.« less

Optical characterization of type-I to type-II band alignment transition in GaAs/Al x Ga1-x As quantum rings grown by droplet epitaxy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Linlin; Wang, Ying; Guo, Qinglin; Li, Xiaowei; Wang, Shufang; Fu, Guangsheng; Mazur, Yuriy I.; E Ware, Morgan; Salamo, Gregory J.; Liang, Baolai; Huffaker, Diana L.

2017-08-01

Optical properties of GaAs/Al x Ga1-x As quantum rings (QRs) grown on GaAs (1 0 0) by droplet epitaxy have been investigated as a function of the Al-composition in the Al x Ga1-x As barrier. A transition from type-I to type-II band alignment is observed for the QRs via photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements. While x  ⩽  0.45, the QR PL spectra show a blue-shift and an increasing intensity with increasing Al-composition, revealing the enhancement of quantum confinement in the QRs with type-I band alignment. While x  ⩾  0.60, the characteristic large blue-shift with excitation intensity and the much longer lifetime indicate the realization of a type-II band alignment. Due to the height fluctuation of QR structures grown by droplet epitaxy mode, it is not the large blue-shift of emission energy, but the long lifetime that becomes the more important feature to identify the type-II band alignment.

The Bacillus subtilis GntR family repressor YtrA responds to cell wall antibiotics.

PubMed

Salzberg, Letal I; Luo, Yun; Hachmann, Anna-Barbara; Mascher, Thorsten; Helmann, John D

2011-10-01

The transglycosylation step of cell wall synthesis is a prime antibiotic target because it is essential and specific to bacteria. Two antibiotics, ramoplanin and moenomycin, target this step by binding to the substrate lipid II and the transglycosylase enzyme, respectively. Here, we compare the ramoplanin and moenomycin stimulons in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis. Ramoplanin strongly induces the LiaRS two-component regulatory system, while moenomycin almost exclusively induces genes that are part of the regulon of the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor σ(M). Ramoplanin additionally induces the ytrABCDEF and ywoBCD operons, which are not part of a previously characterized antibiotic-responsive regulon. Cluster analysis reveals that these two operons are selectively induced by a subset of cell wall antibiotics that inhibit lipid II function or recycling. Repression of both operons requires YtrA, which recognizes an inverted repeat in front of its own operon and in front of ywoB. These results suggest that YtrA is an additional regulator of cell envelope stress responses.

The Bacillus subtilis GntR Family Repressor YtrA Responds to Cell Wall Antibiotics▿§

PubMed Central

Salzberg, Letal I.; Luo, Yun; Hachmann, Anna-Barbara; Mascher, Thorsten; Helmann, John D.

2011-01-01

The transglycosylation step of cell wall synthesis is a prime antibiotic target because it is essential and specific to bacteria. Two antibiotics, ramoplanin and moenomycin, target this step by binding to the substrate lipid II and the transglycosylase enzyme, respectively. Here, we compare the ramoplanin and moenomycin stimulons in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis. Ramoplanin strongly induces the LiaRS two-component regulatory system, while moenomycin almost exclusively induces genes that are part of the regulon of the extracytoplasmic function (ECF) σ factor σM. Ramoplanin additionally induces the ytrABCDEF and ywoBCD operons, which are not part of a previously characterized antibiotic-responsive regulon. Cluster analysis reveals that these two operons are selectively induced by a subset of cell wall antibiotics that inhibit lipid II function or recycling. Repression of both operons requires YtrA, which recognizes an inverted repeat in front of its own operon and in front of ywoB. These results suggest that YtrA is an additional regulator of cell envelope stress responses. PMID:21856850

TIF-IC, a factor involved in both transcription initiation and elongation of RNA polymerase I.

PubMed Central

Schnapp, G; Schnapp, A; Rosenbauer, H; Grummt, I

1994-01-01

We have characterized a transcription factor from Ehrlich ascites cells that is required for ribosomal gene transcription by RNA polymerase I (Pol I). This factor, termed TIF-IC, has a native molecular mass of 65 kDa, associates with Pol I, and is required both for the assembly of Sarkosyl-resistant initiation complexes and for the formation of the first internucleotide bonds. In addition to its function in transcription initiation, TIF-IC also plays a role in elongation of nascent RNA chains. At suboptimal levels of TIF-IC, transcripts with heterogeneous 3' ends are formed which are chased into full-length transcripts by the addition of more TIF-IC. Moreover, on a tailed template, which allows initiation in the absence of auxiliary factors, TIF-IC was found to stimulate the overall rate of transcription elongation and suppress pausing of Pol I. Thus TIF-IC appears to serve a function similar to the Pol II-specific factor TFIIF which is required for Pol II transcription initiation and elongation. Images PMID:8076598

Adsorption of Pb2+ on Thiol-functionalized Mesoporous Silica, SH-MCM-48

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Taba, P.; Mustafa, R. D. P.; Ramang, L. M.; Kasim, A. H.

2018-03-01

Modification of mesoporous silica, MCM-48, by using 3- mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane has been successfully conducted. MCM-48 and SH-MCM-48 were characterized using XRD and FTIR. SH-MCM-48 was used as an adsorbent of Pb2+ ions from solution. A number of Pb2+ ions adsorbed were studied as the function of time, pH, and concentration. The concentration of the ions after adsorption was determined by an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The removal of the adsorbed ions from the SH-MCM-48 was also studied using several desorbing agents. The result showed that the optimum time was 20 minutes and optimum pH was 4. The adsorption of Pb(II) ion followed the pseudo-second-order with the rate constant of 0,2632 g•mg-1•min-1. Adsorption of Pb(II) ion fitted the Langmuir isotherm with the adsorption capacity of 0,1088 mmol/g. The best desorbing agent to remove the adsorbed ion from SH-MCM-48 was 0.3 M HCl solution with the desorption percentage of 58.6%.

miR-155 functions downstream of angiotensin II receptor subtype 1 and calcineurin to regulate cardiac hypertrophy.

PubMed

Yang, Yong; Zhou, Yong; Cao, Zheng; Tong, Xin Zhu; Xie, Hua Qiang; Luo, Tao; Hua, Xian Ping; Wang, Han Qin

2016-09-01

Cardiac hypertrophy is characterized by maladaptive tissue remodeling that may lead to heart failure or sudden death. MicroRNAs (miRs) are negative regulators of angiotensin II and the angiotensin II receptor subtype 1 (AGTR 1 ), which are two components involved in cardiac hypertrophy. In the present study, the interaction between angiotensin II receptor subtype 1 (AGTR 1 ) signaling and miR-155 was investigated. Rat H9C2 (2-1) cardiomyocytes were transfected with miR-155 analogues or inhibitors, then stimulated with angiotensin II to induce cardiac hypertrophy. miR-155 expression was revealed to be altered following transfection with chemically-modified miR-155 analogues and inhibitors in rat cardiomyocytes. In cell cardiac hypertrophy models, the cell surface area, AGTR 1 , atrial natriuretic peptide and myosin heavy chain-β mRNA expression levels were revealed to be lower in cells stimulated with miR-155 analogue-transfected cells treated with angiotensin II compared with cells stimulated with angiotensin alone (P<0.05), as determined using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), quantitative PCR and western blot analyses. Furthermore, calcineurin mRNA and protein, intracellular free calcium and nuclear factor of activated T-cells-4 proteins were downregulated in miR-155 analogue-transfected cells treated with angiotensin II, as compared with cells stimulated with angiotensin II alone (P<0.05). In conclusion, the current study indicates that miR-155 may improve cardiac hypertrophy by downregulating AGTR 1 and suppressing the calcium signaling pathways activated by AGTR 1 .

Growth and Characterization of GaN As(P) for High Efficiency Solar Cells: Final Subcontract Report, 29 July 1999--28 September 2003

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Narayanamurti, V.

2004-06-01

This report describes the characterization of GaAs1-xNx and GaP1-xNx alloys using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and ballistic electron emission microscopy (BEEM). One objective was to understand the origins of the giant bandgap bowing of these compound semiconductor alloys as a function of nitrogen concentration. The STM and BEEM have been used to characterize GaNxAs1-x and GaNxP1-x as a function of composition. The reduction in bandgap has been measured. Detailed studies of the band structure as a function of N composition has led to a basic understanding of the materials system. The major results of this work include: (i) determination ofmore » relative contributions of the G- and L-like bands of GaNxAs1-x to the BEEM spectra; (ii) determination of the composition dependence of the Au/ G- and L-like bands of GaNxAs1-x Schottky barrier height; (iii) development of a model to describe the BEEM results at nonepitaxial metal/semiconductor interfaces; and (iv) ballistic electron emission spectroscopy studies of GaNxP1-x samples that demonstrated possible splitting in the degeneracy of the X valley due to the nitrogen. The data were qualitatively described by the recent perturbed host states model of Kent and Zunger.« less

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of complexes of 2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylacetophenoneoxime (HDMAOX) with copper(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and palladium(II)

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Singh, Bibhesh K.; Jetley, Umesh K.; Sharma, Rakesh K.; Garg, Bhagwan S.

2007-09-01

A new series of complexes of 2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl acetophenone oxime (HDMAOX) with Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) have been prepared and characterized by different physical techniques. Infrared spectra of the complexes indicate deprotonation and coordination of the phenolic OH. It also confirms that nitrogen atom of the oximino group contributes to the complexation. Electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal square planar geometry for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) complexes and tetrahedral geometry for Co(II) complex. The elemental analyses and mass spectral data have justified the ML 2 composition of complexes. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were computed from the thermal decomposition data using Coats and Redfern method. The geometry of the metal complexes has been optimized with the help of molecular modeling. The free ligand (HDMAOX) and its metal complexes have been tested in vitro against Alternarie alternate, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus niger fungi and Streptococcus, Staph, Staphylococcus and Escherchia coli bacteria in order to assess their antimicrobial potential. The results indicate that the ligand and its metal complexes possess antimicrobial properties.

Synthesis, characterization and biological activity of complexes of 2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethylacetophenoneoxime (HDMAOX) with copper(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and palladium(II).

PubMed

Singh, Bibhesh K; Jetley, Umesh K; Sharma, Rakesh K; Garg, Bhagwan S

2007-09-01

A new series of complexes of 2-hydroxy-3,5-dimethyl acetophenone oxime (HDMAOX) with Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) have been prepared and characterized by different physical techniques. Infrared spectra of the complexes indicate deprotonation and coordination of the phenolic OH. It also confirms that nitrogen atom of the oximino group contributes to the complexation. Electronic spectra and magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal square planar geometry for Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) complexes and tetrahedral geometry for Co(II) complex. The elemental analyses and mass spectral data have justified the ML(2) composition of complexes. Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were computed from the thermal decomposition data using Coats and Redfern method. The geometry of the metal complexes has been optimized with the help of molecular modeling. The free ligand (HDMAOX) and its metal complexes have been tested in vitro against Alternarie alternate, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus nidulans and Aspergillus niger fungi and Streptococcus, Staph, Staphylococcus and Escherchia coli bacteria in order to assess their antimicrobial potential. The results indicate that the ligand and its metal complexes possess antimicrobial properties.

Stepwise Construction of Heterobimetallic Cages by an Extended Molecular Library Approach.

PubMed

Hardy, Matthias; Struch, Niklas; Topić, Filip; Schnakenburg, Gregor; Rissanen, Kari; Lützen, Arne

2018-04-02

Two novel heterobimetallic complexes, a trigonal-bipyramidal and a cubic one, have been synthesized and characterized using the same C 3 -symmetric metalloligand, prepared by a simple subcomponent self-assembly strategy. Adopting the molecular library approach, we chose a mononuclear, preorganized iron(II) complex as the metalloligand capable of self-assembly into a trigonal-bipyramidal or a cubic aggregate upon coordination to cis-protected C 2 -symmetric palladium(II) or unprotected tetravalent palladium(II) ions, respectively. The trigonal-bipyramidal complex was characterized by NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The cubic structure was characterized by NMR and UV-vis spectroscopy and ESI-MS.

Syntheses and structural characterization of Co(II) and Cd(II) coordination polymers with 1,4-bis(imidazolyl)butane ligand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lalegani, Arash; Khalaj, Mehdi; Sedaghat, Sajjad; Łyczko, Krzysztof; Lipkowski, Janusz

2017-11-01

Two new coordination polymers, {[Co(bib)3](PF6)2}n (1) and [Cd (bib) Cl2]n (2), were prepared at room temperature by the reaction of appropriate salts of cobalt (II) and cadmium (II) with the flexible linker ligands 1,4-bis(imidazolyl) butane (bib). The compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, IR spectroscopy and single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the polymeric structure of 1, the Co(II) ion lies on an inversion centre and adopts the CoN6 octahedral geometry, while in the structure of 2, the Cd(II) ions adopt the CdN2Cl4 pseudo-octahedral geometry. In compound 1, six bib ligands are coordinated to one central cobalt (II) to form an open 3D 2-fold interpenetrating framework of the α-polonium (pcu) type topology, while in compound 2 two bib ligands are coordinated to one central cadmium (II) to form 2D network structure.

Design, synthesis and characterization of macrocyclic ligand based transition metal complexes of Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) with their antimicrobial and antioxidant evaluation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gull, Parveez; Malik, Manzoor Ahmad; Dar, Ovas Ahmad; Hashmi, Athar Adil

2017-04-01

Three new complexes Ni(II), Cu(II) and Co(II) were synthesized of macrocyclic ligand derived from 1, 4-dicarbonyl-phenyl-dihydrazide and O-phthalaldehyde in the ratio of 2:2. The synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, FTIR, UV-Vis., Mass and 1H NMR spectral studies. The electronic spectra of the metal complexes indicate a six coordinate octahedral geometry of the central metal ion. These metal complexes and the ligand were evaluated for antimicrobial activity against bacteria (E. coli, B. subtilis, S. aureus) and fungi (A. niger, A. flavus, C. albicans) and compared against standard drugs chloramphenicol and nystatin respectively. In addition, the antioxidant activity of the compounds was also investigated through scavenging effect on DPPH radicals.

Dynamical Characterization of Galaxies at z ˜ 4-6 via Tilted Ring Fitting to ALMA [C II] Observations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jones, G. C.; Carilli, C. L.; Shao, Y.; Wang, R.; Capak, P. L.; Pavesi, R.; Riechers, D. A.; Karim, A.; Neeleman, M.; Walter, F.

2017-12-01

Until recently, determining the rotational properties of galaxies in the early universe (z> 4, universe age < 1.5 Gyr) was impractical, with the exception of a few strongly lensed systems. Combining the high resolution and sensitivity of ALMA at (sub-)millimeter wavelengths with the typically high strength of the [C II] 158 μm emission line from galaxies and long-developed dynamical modeling tools raises the possibility of characterizing the gas dynamics in both extreme starburst galaxies and normal star-forming disk galaxies at z˜ 4{--}7. Using a procedure centered around GIPSY’s ROTCUR task, we have fit tilted ring models to some of the best available ALMA [C II] data of a small set of galaxies: the MS galaxies HZ9 and HZ10, the damped Lyα absorber host galaxy ALMA J0817+1351, the submm galaxies AzTEC/C159 and COSMOS J1000+0234, and the quasar host galaxy ULAS J1319+0950. This procedure directly derives rotation curves and dynamical masses as functions of radius for each object. In one case, we present evidence for a dark matter halo of { O }({10}11) {M}⊙ . We present an analysis of the possible velocity dispersions of two sources based on matching simulated observations to the integrated [C II] line profiles. Finally, we test the effects of observation resolution and sensitivity on our results. While the conclusions remain limited at the resolution and signal-to-noise ratios of these observations, the results demonstrate the viability of the modeling tools at high redshift, and the exciting potential for detailed dynamical analysis of the earliest galaxies, as ALMA achieves full observational capabilities.

Biochemical, Kinetic, and Spectroscopic Characterization of Ruegeria pomeroyi DddW—A Mononuclear Iron-Dependent DMSP Lyase

PubMed Central

Brummett, Adam E.; Schnicker, Nicholas J.; Crider, Alexander; Todd, Jonathan D.; Dey, Mishtu

2015-01-01

The osmolyte dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is a key nutrient in marine environments and its catabolism by bacteria through enzymes known as DMSP lyases generates dimethylsulfide (DMS), a gas of importance in climate regulation, the sulfur cycle, and signaling to higher organisms. Despite the environmental significance of DMSP lyases, little is known about how they function at the mechanistic level. In this study we biochemically characterize DddW, a DMSP lyase from the model roseobacter Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS-3. DddW is a 16.9 kDa enzyme that contains a C-terminal cupin domain and liberates acrylate, a proton, and DMS from the DMSP substrate. Our studies show that as-purified DddW is a metalloenzyme, like the DddQ and DddP DMSP lyases, but contains an iron cofactor. The metal cofactor is essential for DddW DMSP lyase activity since addition of the metal chelator EDTA abolishes its enzymatic activity, as do substitution mutations of key metal-binding residues in the cupin motif (His81, His83, Glu87, and His121). Measurements of metal binding affinity and catalytic activity indicate that Fe(II) is most likely the preferred catalytic metal ion with a nanomolar binding affinity. Stoichiometry studies suggest DddW requires one Fe(II) per monomer. Electronic absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies show an interaction between NO and Fe(II)-DddW, with NO binding to the EPR silent Fe(II) site giving rise to an EPR active species (g = 4.29, 3.95, 2.00). The change in the rhombicity of the EPR signal is observed in the presence of DMSP, indicating that substrate binds to the iron site without displacing bound NO. This work provides insight into the mechanism of DMSP cleavage catalyzed by DddW. PMID:25993446

Synthesis, crystal structure and investigation of mononuclear copper(II) and zinc(II) complexes of a new carboxylate rich tripodal ligand and their interaction with carbohydrates in alkaline aqueous solution

PubMed Central

Stewart, Christopher D.; Pedraza, Mayra; Arman, Hadi; Fan, Hua-Jun; Schilling, Eduardo Luiz; Szpoganicz, Bruno; Musie, Ghezai T.

2016-01-01

A new carboxylate rich asymmetric tripodal ligand, N-[2-carboxybenzomethyl]-N-[carboxymethyl]-β-alanine (H3camb), and its di-copper(II), (NH4)2[1]2, and di-zinc(II), ((CH3)4 N)2[2]2, complexes have been synthesized as carbohydrate binding models in aqueous solutions. The ligand and complexes have been fully characterized using several techniques, including single crystal X-ray diffraction. The interactions of (NH4)2[1]2 and ((CH3)4 N)2[2]2 with D-glucose, D-mannose, D-xylose and xylitol in aqueous alkaline media were investigated using UV–Vis and 13C-NMR spectroscopic techniques, respectively. The molar conductance, NMR and ESI–MS studies indicate that the complexes dissociate in solution to produce the respective complex anions, 1− and 2−. Complexes 1− and 2− showed chelating ability towards the naturally abundant and biologically relevant sugars, D-glucose, D-mannose, D-xylose, and xylitol. The complex ions bind to one molar equivalent of the sugars, even in the presence of stoichiometric excess of the substrates, in solution. Experimentally obtained spectroscopic data and computational results suggest that the substrates bind to the metal center in a bidentate fashion. Apparent binding constant values, pKapp, between the complexes and the substrates were determined and a specific mode of substrate binding is proposed. The pKapp and relativistic density functional theory (DFT) calculated Gibbs free energy values indicate that D-mannose displayed the strongest interaction with the complexes. Syntheses, characterizations, detailed substrate binding studies using spectroscopic techniques, single crystal X-ray diffraction and geometry optimizations of the complex-substrates with DFT calculations are also reported. PMID:25969174

Laminar and cytoarchitectonic features of the cerebral cortex in the Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), and bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

PubMed Central

Furutani, Rui

2008-01-01

The present investigation carried out Nissl, Klüver-Barrera, and Golgi studies of the cerebral cortex in three distinct genera of oceanic dolphins (Risso's dolphin, striped dolphin and bottlenose dolphin) to identify and classify cortical laminar and cytoarchitectonic structures in four distinct functional areas, including primary motor (M1), primary sensory (S1), primary visual (V1), and primary auditory (A1) cortices. The laminar and cytoarchitectonic organization of each of these cortical areas was similar among the three dolphin species. M1 was visualized as five-layer structure that included the molecular layer (layer I), external granular layer (layer II), external pyramidal layer (layer III), internal pyramidal layer (layer V), and fusiform layer (layer VI). The internal granular layer was absent. The cetacean sensory-related cortical areas S1, V1, and A1 were also found to have a five-layer organization comprising layers I, II, III, V and VI. In particular, A1 was characterized by the broadest layer I, layer II and developed band of pyramidal neurons in layers III (sublayers IIIa, IIIb and IIIc) and V. The patch organization consisting of the layer IIIb-pyramidal neurons was detected in the S1 and V1, but not in A1. The laminar patterns of V1 and S1 were similar, but the cytoarchitectonic structures of the two areas were different. V1 was characterized by a broader layer II than that of S1, and also contained the specialized pyramidal and multipolar stellate neurons in layers III and V. PMID:18625031

Approximating Smooth Step Functions Using Partial Fourier Series Sums

DTIC Science & Technology

2012-09-01

interp1(xt(ii), smoothstepbez( t(ii), min(t(ii)), max(t(ii)), ’y’), t(ii), ’linear’, ’ extrap ’); ii = find( abs(t - tau/2) <= epi ); iii = t(ii...interp1( xt(ii), smoothstepbez( rt, min(rt), max(rt), ’y’), t(ii), ’linear’, ’ extrap ’ ); % stepm(ii) = 1 - interp1(xt(ii), smoothstepbez( t(ii...min(t(ii)), max(t(ii)), ’y’), t(ii), ’linear’, ’ extrap ’); In this case, because x is also defined as a function of the independent parameter

HIV Controllers Exhibit Enhanced Frequencies of Major Histocompatibility Complex Class II Tetramer+ Gag-Specific CD4+ T Cells in Chronic Clade C HIV-1 Infection

PubMed Central

Laher, Faatima; Ranasinghe, Srinika; Porichis, Filippos; Mewalal, Nikoshia; Pretorius, Karyn; Ismail, Nasreen; Buus, Søren; Stryhn, Anette; Carrington, Mary; Walker, Bruce D.; Ndung'u, Thumbi

2017-01-01

ABSTRACT Immune control of viral infections is heavily dependent on helper CD4+ T cell function. However, the understanding of the contribution of HIV-specific CD4+ T cell responses to immune protection against HIV-1, particularly in clade C infection, remains incomplete. Recently, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II tetramers have emerged as a powerful tool for interrogating antigen-specific CD4+ T cells without relying on effector functions. Here, we defined the MHC class II alleles for immunodominant Gag CD4+ T cell epitopes in clade C virus infection, constructed MHC class II tetramers, and then used these to define the magnitude, function, and relation to the viral load of HIV-specific CD4+ T cell responses in a cohort of untreated HIV clade C-infected persons. We observed significantly higher frequencies of MHC class II tetramer-positive CD4+ T cells in HIV controllers than progressors (P = 0.0001), and these expanded Gag-specific CD4+ T cells in HIV controllers showed higher levels of expression of the cytolytic proteins granzymes A and B. Importantly, targeting of the immunodominant Gag41 peptide in the context of HLA class II DRB1*1101 was associated with HIV control (r = −0.5, P = 0.02). These data identify an association between HIV-specific CD4+ T cell targeting of immunodominant Gag epitopes and immune control, particularly the contribution of a single class II MHC-peptide complex to the immune response against HIV-1 infection. Furthermore, these results highlight the advantage of the use of class II tetramers in evaluating HIV-specific CD4+ T cell responses in natural infections. IMPORTANCE Increasing evidence suggests that virus-specific CD4+ T cells contribute to the immune-mediated control of clade B HIV-1 infection, yet there remains a relative paucity of data regarding the role of HIV-specific CD4+ T cells in shaping adaptive immune responses in individuals infected with clade C, which is responsible for the majority of HIV infections worldwide. Understanding the contribution of HIV-specific CD4+ T cell responses in clade C infection is particularly important for developing vaccines that would be efficacious in sub-Saharan Africa, where clade C infection is dominant. Here, we employed MHC class II tetramers designed to immunodominant Gag epitopes and used them to characterize CD4+ T cell responses in HIV-1 clade C infection. Our results demonstrate an association between the frequency of HIV-specific CD4+ T cell responses targeting an immunodominant DRB1*11-Gag41 complex and HIV control, highlighting the important contribution of a single class II MHC-peptide complex to the immune response against HIV-1 infections. PMID:28077659

Photophysicochemical behaviour and antimicrobial properties of monocarboxy Mg (II) and Al (III) phthalocyanine-magnetite conjugates

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Idowu, Mopelola Abidemi; Xego, Solami; Arslanoglu, Yasin; Mark, John; Antunes, Edith; Nyokong, Tebello

2018-03-01

Asymmetric Mg (II) or Al (III) phthalocyanine (containing a COOH group and 3-pyridylsulfanyl units) was conjugated via an amide bond to amino functionalized magnetic nanoparticle (AIMN) to form MgPc-AIMN or AlPc-AIMN conjugate, and characterized. The photophysicochemical behaviour of the phthalocyanine-AIMN conjugates was investigated and compared to the asymmetric Pcs and to the simple mixture of Pc with AIMNs without a chemical bond, (MPc-AIMN (mixed)). The directed covalent linkage of AIMNs to the asymmetrical metallopthalocyanines afforded improvements in the singlet oxygen (VΔ) and triplet state quantum yield (VT) as well as singlet oxygen lifetimes for the MPcs-AIMN-linked conjugates compared to MPc-AIMN (mixed) and MPcs alone. The asymmetric phthalocyanines and their conjugates showed effective antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli bacteria under illumination.

[Usher syndrome: clinical features, diagnostic options, and therapeutic prospects].

PubMed

Seeliger, M W; Fischer, M D; Pfister, M

2009-06-01

Usher syndrome denotes a clinically and genetically heterogeneous combination of retinitis pigmentosa and sensorineural deafness. The division into subtypes I, II, and III is based on the degree of hearing loss: Type I is characterized by deafness from birth together with ataxia and retarded motor development, type II by a stationary deafness of a moderate degree, and type III by a progressive deafness with adult onset. In Germany, Usher syndrome currently bears particular relevance because in January 2009 a new compulsory screening of auditory function in newborn infants was introduced. Consequently, it can be expected that a higher number of patients with Usher syndrome will be identified in early childhood and referred to ophthalmologists. The focus of this work is to introduce the typical clinical picture of Usher syndrome, summarize diagnostic options, and give an overview of therapeutic strategies.

Synthesis, structural characterization and antitumor activity of a Ca(II) coordination polymer based on 4-formyl-1,3-benzenedisulfonate-2-furoic acid hydrazide ligands

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Tai, Xi-Shi, E-mail: taixs@wfu.edu.cn; Wang, Xin

2017-03-15

A new Ca(II) coordination polymer, ([CaL(H{sub 2}O){sub 4}] · (H{sub 2}O){sub 4}){sub n} (L = 4-formyl-1,3-benzenedisulfonate-2-furoic acid hydrazide) has been prepared by one-pot synthesis method. And it was characterized by elemental analysis, IR and thermal analysis. The result of X-ray single-crystal diffraction analysis shows that the Ca(II) complex molecules form one-dimensional chain structure by the bridging oxygen atoms. The anti-tumor activity of L ligand and the Ca(II) coordination polymer has also been studied.

Characterization of the homologs of flerovium with crown ether based extraction chromatography resins: studies in nitric acid

DOE PAGES

Despotopulos, John D.; Kmak, Kelly N.; Gharibyan, Narek; ...

2016-09-17

Eichrom’s Pb resin, a crown-ether-based extraction chromatography resin, was characterized for separation of the flerovium (Fl) homologs, Pb and Sn. Batch uptake of Pb(II) and Sn(IV) radionuclides was determined from an HNO 3 matrix. Pb(II) was strongly retained on the resin at all HNO 3 concentrations, while Sn(IV) showed no uptake. Extraction kinetics for Pb(II) were examined and show suitable uptake on the second time scale. Here, separation methods for the isolation of individual homologs, Pb(II) and Sn(IV), have been established using 2 mL pre-packed vacuum flow Pb resin columns.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Activity Studies of Copper(II) Mixed Compound with Histamine and Nalidixic Acid

PubMed Central

Bivián-Castro, Egla Yareth; López, Mercedes G.; Pedraza-Reyes, Mario; Bernès, Sylvain; Mendoza-Díaz, Guillermo

2009-01-01

A mixed copper complex with deprotonated nalidixic acid (nal) and histamine (hsm) was synthesized and characterized by FTIR, UV-Vis, elemental analysis, and conductivity. The crystal structure of [Cu(hsm)(nal)H2O]Cl·3H2O (chn) showed a pentacoordinated cooper(II) in a square pyramidal geometry surrounded by two N atoms from hsm, two O atoms from the quinolone, and one apical water oxygen. Alteration of bacterial DNA structure and/or associated functions in vivo by [Cu(hsm)(nal)H2O]Cl·3H2O was demonstrated by the induction of a recA-lacZ fusion integrated at the amyE locus of a recombinant Bacillus subtilis strain. Results from circular dichroism and denaturation of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) suggested that increased amounts of copper complex were able to stabilize the double helix of DNA in vitro mainly by formation of hydrogen bonds between chn and the sugars of DNA minor groove. In vivo and in vitro biological activities of the chn complex were compared with the chemical nuclease [Cu(phen)(nal)H2O]NO3 · 3H2O (cpn) where phen is phenanthroline. PMID:19557138

Thermolysis synthesis of pure phase NiO from novel sonochemical synthesized Ni(II) nano metal-organic supramolecular architecture.

PubMed

Hanifehpour, Younes; Morsali, Ali; Mirtamizdoust, Babak; Joo, Sang Woo; Soltani, Behzad

2017-07-01

Nano-structures of a new supramolecular coordination compound of divalent nickel with the pyrazol (pzH) containing the terminal azide anions, [Ni(pzH) 2 (N 3 ) 2 ] (1), with discrete molecular architecture (DMA) in solid state was synthesized via sonochemical method. The new nanostructure was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, IR, and elemental analysis. Compound 1 was structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and the single-crystal X-ray data shows that the coordination number of Ni (II) ions is six, (NiN 6 ), with four N-donor atoms from neutral "pzH" ligands and two N-donors from two terminal azide anions. The supramolecular features in these complexes are guided and controlled by weak directional intermolecular interactions. The structure of the title complex was optimized by density functional theory calculations. Calculated structural parameters and IR spectra for the title complex are consistent with the crystal structure. The NiO nanoparticles were obtained by thermolysis of 1 at 180°C with oleic acid as a surfactant. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Assessment of mitochondrial functions in Daphnia pulex clones using high-resolution respirometry.

PubMed

Kake-Guena, Sandrine A; Touisse, Kamal; Vergilino, Roland; Dufresne, France; Blier, Pierre U; Lemieux, Hélène

2015-06-01

The objectives of our study were to adapt a method to measure mitochondrial function in intact mitochondria from the small crustacean Daphnia pulex and to validate if this method was sensitive enough to characterize mitochondrial metabolism in clones of the pulex complex differing in ploidy levels, mitochondrial DNA haplotypes, and geographic origins. Daphnia clones belonging to the Daphnia pulex complex represent a powerful model to delineate the link between mitochondrial DNA evolution and mitochondrial phenotypes, as single genotypes with divergent mtDNA can be grown under various experimental conditions. Our study included two diploid clones from temperate environments and two triploid clones from subarctic environments. The whole animal permeabilization and measurement of respiration with high-resolution respirometry enabled the measurement of the functional capacity of specific mitochondrial complexes in four clones. When expressing the activity as ratios, our method detected significant interclonal variations. In the triploid subarctic clone from Kuujjurapik, a higher proportion of the maximal physiological oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity of mitochondria was supported by complex II, and a lower proportion by complex I. The triploid subarctic clone from Churchill (Manitoba) showed the lowest proportion of the maximal OXPHOS supported by complex II. Additional studies are required to determine if these differences in mitochondrial functions are related to differences in mitochondrial haplotypes or ploidy level and if they might be associated with fitness divergences and therefore selective value. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis is the dominant methanogenic pathway in neotropical tank bromeliad wetlands.

PubMed

Martinson, Guntars O; Pommerenke, Bianca; Brandt, Franziska B; Homeier, Jürgen; Burneo, Juan I; Conrad, Ralf

2018-02-01

Several thousands of tank bromeliads per hectare of neotropical forest create a unique wetland ecosystem that emits substantial amounts of CH 4 . Tank bromeliads growing in the forest canopy (functional type-II tank bromeliads) were found to emit more CH 4 than tank bromeliads growing on the forest floor (functional type-I tank bromeliads) but the reasons for this difference and the underlying microbial CH 4 -cycling processes have not been studied. Therefore, we characterized archaeal communities in bromeliad tanks of the two different functional types in a neotropical montane forest of southern Ecuador using terminal-restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) and performed tank-slurry incubations to measure CH 4 production potential, stable carbon isotope fractionation and pathway of CH 4 formation. The archaeal community composition was dominated by methanogens and differed between bromeliad functional types. Hydrogenotrophic Methanomicrobiales were the dominant methanogens and hydrogenotrophic methanogenesis was the dominant methanogenic pathway among all bromeliads. The relative abundance of aceticlastic Methanosaetaceae and the relative contribution of aceticlastic methanogenesis increased in type-I tank bromeliads probably due to more oxic conditions in type-I than in type-II bromeliads leading to the previously observed lower in situ CH 4 emissions from type-I tank bromeliads but to higher CH 4 production potentials in type-I tank bromeliad slurries. © 2017 Society for Applied Microbiology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides from Rosa cell cultures are boron-bridged in the plasma membrane and form complexes with rhamnogalacturonan II.

PubMed

Voxeur, Aline; Fry, Stephen C

2014-07-01

Boron (B) is essential for plant cell-wall structure and membrane functions. Compared with its role in cross-linking the pectic domain rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), little information is known about the biological role of B in membranes. Here, we investigated the involvement of glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs), major components of lipid rafts, in the membrane requirement for B. Using thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry, we first characterized GIPCs from Rosa cell culture. The major GIPC has one hexose residue, one hexuronic acid residue, inositol phosphate, and a ceramide moiety with a C18 trihydroxylated mono-unsaturated long-chain base and a C24 monohydroxylated saturated fatty acid. Disrupting B bridging (by B starvation in vivo or by treatment with cold dilute HCl or with excess borate in vitro) enhanced the GIPCs' extractability. As RG-II is the main B-binding site in plants, we investigated whether it could form a B-centred complex with GIPCs. Using high-voltage paper electrophoresis, we showed that addition of GIPCs decreased the electrophoretic mobility of radiolabelled RG-II, suggesting formation of a GIPC-B-RG-II complex. Last, using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we showed that added GIPCs facilitate RG-II dimerization in vitro. We conclude that B plays a structural role in the plasma membrane. The disruption of membrane components by high borate may account for the phytotoxicity of excess B. Moreover, the in-vitro formation of a GIPC-B-RG-II complex gives the first molecular explanation of the wall-membrane attachment sites observed in vivo. Finally, our results suggest a role for GIPCs in the RG-II dimerization process. © 2014 The Authors. The Plant Journal published by Society for Experimental Biology and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides from Rosa cell cultures are boron-bridged in the plasma membrane and form complexes with rhamnogalacturonan II

PubMed Central

Voxeur, Aline; Fry, Stephen C

2014-01-01

Boron (B) is essential for plant cell-wall structure and membrane functions. Compared with its role in cross-linking the pectic domain rhamnogalacturonan II (RG-II), little information is known about the biological role of B in membranes. Here, we investigated the involvement of glycosylinositol phosphorylceramides (GIPCs), major components of lipid rafts, in the membrane requirement for B. Using thin-layer chromatography and mass spectrometry, we first characterized GIPCs from Rosa cell culture. The major GIPC has one hexose residue, one hexuronic acid residue, inositol phosphate, and a ceramide moiety with a C18 trihydroxylated mono-unsaturated long-chain base and a C24 monohydroxylated saturated fatty acid. Disrupting B bridging (by B starvation in vivo or by treatment with cold dilute HCl or with excess borate in vitro) enhanced the GIPCs’ extractability. As RG-II is the main B-binding site in plants, we investigated whether it could form a B-centred complex with GIPCs. Using high-voltage paper electrophoresis, we showed that addition of GIPCs decreased the electrophoretic mobility of radiolabelled RG-II, suggesting formation of a GIPC–B–RG-II complex. Last, using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, we showed that added GIPCs facilitate RG-II dimerization in vitro. We conclude that B plays a structural role in the plasma membrane. The disruption of membrane components by high borate may account for the phytotoxicity of excess B. Moreover, the in-vitro formation of a GIPC–B–RG-II complex gives the first molecular explanation of the wall–membrane attachment sites observed in vivo. Finally, our results suggest a role for GIPCs in the RG-II dimerization process. PMID:24804932

Growth in individuals with Majewski osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II caused by pericentrin mutations.

PubMed

Bober, Michael B; Niiler, Tim; Duker, Angela L; Murray, Jennie E; Ketterer, Tara; Harley, Margaret E; Alvi, Sabah; Flora, Christina; Rustad, Cecilie; Bongers, Ernie M H F; Bicknell, Louise S; Wise, Carol; Jackson, Andrew P

2012-11-01

Microcephalic primordial dwarfism (MPD) is a class of disorders characterized by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), impaired postnatal growth and microcephaly. Majewski osteodysplastic primordial dwarfism type II (MOPD II) is one of the more common conditions within this group. MOPD II is caused by truncating mutations in pericentrin (PCNT) and is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Detailed growth curves for length, weight, and OFC are presented here and derived from retrospective data from 26 individuals with MOPD II confirmed by molecular or functional studies. Severe pre- and postnatal growth failure is evident in MOPD II patients. The length, weight, and OFC at term (when corrected for gestational age) were -7.0, -3.9, and -4.6 standard deviation (SD) below the population mean and equivalent to the 50th centile of a 28-29-, 31-32-, and 30-31-week neonate, respectively. While at skeletal maturity, the height, weight, and OFC were -10.3, -14.3, and -8.5 SD below the population mean and equivalent to the size of 3-year 10- to 11-month-old, a 5-year 2- to 3-month-old, and 5- to 6-month-old, respectively. During childhood, MOPD II patients grow with slowed, but fairly constant growth velocities and show no evidence of any pubertal growth spurt. Treatment with human growth hormone (n = 11) did not lead to any significant improvement in final stature. The growth charts presented here will be of assistance with diagnosis and management of MOPD II, and should have particular utility in nutritional management of MOPD II during infancy. Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Synthesis, spectroscopic characterization, first order nonlinear optical properties and DFT calculations of novel Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) complexes with 1,3-diphenyl-4-phenylazo-5-pyrazolone ligand

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Abdel-Latif, Samir A.; Mohamed, Adel A.

2018-02-01

Novel Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) metal ions with 1,3-diphenyl-4-phenylazo-5-pyrazolone (L) have been prepared and characterized using different analytical and spectroscopic techniques. 1:1 Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) are distorted octahedral whereas Ni(II) complex is square planar and Cu(II) is distorted trigonal bipyramid. 1:2 Complexes of Mn(II), Co(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) are distorted trigonal bipyramid whereas Ni(II) complex is distorted tetrahedral. All complexes behave as non-ionic in dimethyl formamide (DMF). The electronic structure and nonlinear optical parameters (NLO) of the complexes were investigated theoretically at the B3LYP/GEN level of theory. Molecular stability and bond strengths have been investigated by applying natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis. The geometries of the studied complexes are non-planner. DFT calculations have been also carried out to calculate the global properties; hardness (η), global softness (S) and electronegativity (χ). The calculated small energy gap between HOMO and LUMO energies shows that the charge transfer occurs within the complexes. The total static dipole moment (μtot), the mean polarizability (<α>), the anisotropy of the polarizability (Δα) and the mean first-order hyperpolarizability (<β>) were calculated and compared with urea as a reference material. The complexes show implying optical properties.

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI): aspects of the core-shell structure and reactions with inorganic species in water.

PubMed

Yan, Weile; Herzing, Andrew A; Kiely, Christopher J; Zhang, Wei-Xian

2010-11-25

Aspects of the core-shell model of nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and their environmental implications were examined in this work. The structure and elemental distribution of nZVI were characterized by X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy (XEDS) with nanometer-scale spatial resolution in an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). The analysis provides unequivocal evidence of a layered structure of nZVI consisting of a metallic iron core encapsulated by a thin amorphous oxide shell. Three aqueous environmental contaminants, namely Hg(II), Zn(II) and hydrogen sulfide, were studied to probe the reactive properties and the surface chemistry of nZVI. High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (HR-XPS) analysis of the reacted particles indicated that Hg(II) was sequestrated via chemical reduction to elemental mercury. On the other hand, Zn(II) removal was achieved via sorption to the iron oxide shell followed by zinc hydroxide precipitation. Hydrogen sulfide was immobilized on the nZVI surface as disulfide (S(2)(2-)) and monosulfide (S(2-)) species. Their relative abundance in the final products suggests that the retention of hydrogen sulfide occurs via reactions with the oxide shell to form iron sulfide (FeS) and subsequent conversion to iron disulfide (FeS(2)). The results presented herein highlight the multiple reactive pathways permissible with nZVI owing to its two functional constituents. The core-shell structure imparts nZVI with manifold functional properties previously unexamined and grants the material with potentially new applications. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Partial Reconstruction of Flavonoid and Isoflavonoid Biosynthesis in Yeast Using Soybean Type I and Type II Chalcone Isomerases1[w

PubMed Central

Ralston, Lyle; Subramanian, Senthil; Matsuno, Michiyo; Yu, Oliver

2005-01-01

Flavonoids and isoflavonoids are major plant secondary metabolites that mediate diverse biological functions and exert significant ecological impacts. These compounds play important roles in many essential physiological processes. In addition, flavonoids and isoflavonoids have direct but complex effects on human health, ranging from reducing cholesterol levels and preventing certain cancers to improving women's health. In this study, we cloned and functionally characterized five soybean (Glycine max) chalcone isomerases (CHIs), key enzymes in the phenylpropanoid pathway that produces flavonoids and isoflavonoids. Gene expression and kinetics analysis suggest that the soybean type I CHI, which uses naringenin chalcone as substrate, is coordinately regulated with other flavonoid-specific genes, while the type II CHIs, which use a variety of chalcone substrates, are coordinately regulated with an isoflavonoid-specific gene and specifically activated by nodulation signals. Furthermore, we found that some of the newly identified soybean CHIs do not require the 4′-hydroxy moiety on the substrate for high enzyme activity. We then engineered yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) to produce flavonoid and isoflavonoid compounds. When one of the type II CHIs was coexpressed with an isoflavone synthase, the enzyme catalyzing the first committed step of isoflavonoid biosynthesis, various chalcone substrates added to the culture media were converted to an assortment of isoflavanones and isoflavones. We also reconstructed the flavonoid pathway by coexpressing CHI with either flavanone 3β-hydroxylase or flavone synthase II. The in vivo reconstruction of the flavonoid and isoflavonoid pathways in yeast provides a unique platform to study enzyme interactions and metabolic flux. PMID:15778463

Analysis of the type II-A CRISPR-Cas system of Streptococcus agalactiae reveals distinctive features according to genetic lineages

PubMed Central

Lier, Clément; Baticle, Elodie; Horvath, Philippe; Haguenoer, Eve; Valentin, Anne-Sophie; Glaser, Philippe; Mereghetti, Laurent; Lanotte, Philippe

2015-01-01

CRISPR-Cas systems (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated proteins) are found in 90% of archaea and about 40% of bacteria. In this original system, CRISPR arrays comprise short, almost unique sequences called spacers that are interspersed with conserved palindromic repeats. These systems play a role in adaptive immunity and participate to fight non-self DNA such as integrative and conjugative elements, plasmids, and phages. In Streptococcus agalactiae, a bacterium implicated in colonization and infections in humans since the 1960s, two CRISPR-Cas systems have been described. A type II-A system, characterized by proteins Cas9, Cas1, Cas2, and Csn2, is ubiquitous, and a type I–C system, with the Cas8c signature protein, is present in about 20% of the isolates. Unlike type I–C, which appears to be non-functional, type II-A appears fully functional. Here we studied type II-A CRISPR-cas loci from 126 human isolates of S. agalactiae belonging to different clonal complexes that represent the diversity of the species and that have been implicated in colonization or infection. The CRISPR-cas locus was analyzed both at spacer and repeat levels. Major distinctive features were identified according to the phylogenetic lineages previously defined by multilocus sequence typing, especially for the sequence type (ST) 17, which is considered hypervirulent. Among other idiosyncrasies, ST-17 shows a significantly lower number of spacers in comparison with other lineages. This characteristic could reflect the peculiar virulence or colonization specificities of this lineage. PMID:26124774

Synthesis and characterization of poly(maleic acid)-grafted crosslinked chitosan nanomaterial with high uptake and selectivity for Hg(II) sorption.

PubMed

Ge, Huacai; Hua, Tingting

2016-11-20

Chitosan-poly(maleic acid) nanomaterial (PMACS) with the size of 400-900nm was synthesized by grafting poly(maleic acid) onto chitosan and then crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. The synthesis conditions were optimized. The structure and morphology of PMACS were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, SEM and TGA. PMACS was used to adsorb some heavy metal ions such as Hg(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Co(II), and Zn(II). The results indicated that PMACS had selectivity for Hg(II) sorption. The effects of various variables for sorption of Hg(II) were further explored. The maximum capacity for Hg(II) sorption was found to be 1044mgg(-1) at pH 6.0, which could compare with the maximal value of the recently reported other sorbents. The sorption followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm models. The rising of temperature benefited the uptake and the sorption was a spontaneous chemical process. The sorbent could be reused with EDTA. Hence, the nanomaterial would be used as a selective and high uptake sorbent in the removal of Hg(II) from effluents. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Isocyanide or nitrosyl complexation to hemes with varying tethered axial base ligand donors: synthesis and characterization.

PubMed

Sharma, Savita K; Kim, Hyun; Rogler, Patrick J; A Siegler, Maxime; Karlin, Kenneth D

2016-09-01

A series of ferrous-heme 2,6-dimethylphenyl isocyanide (DIMPI) and ferrous-heme mononitrosyl complexes have been synthesized and characterized. The heme portion of the complexes studied is varied with respect to the nature of the axial ligand, including complexes, where it is covalently tethered to the porphyrinate periphery. Reduced heme complexes, [(F8)Fe(II)], [(P(Py))Fe(II)], [(P(Im))Fe(II)], and [(P(ImH))Fe(II)], where F8 = tetrakis(2,6-difluorophenyl)-porphyrinate and P(Py), P(Im), and P(ImH) are partially fluorinated tetraaryl porphyrinates with covalently appended axial base pyridyl/imidazolyl or histamine moieties, were employed; P(ImH) is a new construct. Room temperature addition of DIMPI to these iron(II) complexes affords the bis-isocyanide species [(F8)Fe(II)-(DIMPI)2] in the case of [(F8)Fe(II)], while for the other hemes, mono-DIMPI compounds are obtained, [(P(Py))Fe(II)-(DIMPI)] [(2)-DIMPI], [(P(Im))Fe(II)-(DIMPI)] [(3)-DIMPI], and [(P(ImH))Fe(II)-(DIMPI)] [(4)-DIMPI]. The structures of complexes (3)-DIMPI and (4)-DIMPI have been determined by single crystal X-ray crystallography, where interesting H…F(porphryinate aryl group) interactions are observed. (19)F-NMR spectra determined for these complexes suggest that H…F(porphyrinate aryl groups) attractions also occur in solution, the H atom coming either from the DIMPI methyl groups or from a porphyinate axial base imidazole or porphyrinate pyrrole. Similarly, we have used nitrogen monoxide to generate ferrous-nitrosyl complexes, a five-coordinate species for F8, [(F8)Fe(II)-(NO)], or low-spin six-coordinate compounds [(P(Py))Fe(II)-(NO)], [(P(Im))Fe(II)-(NO)], and [(P(ImH))Fe(II)-(NO)]. The DIMPI and mononitrosyl complexes have also been characterized using UV-Vis, IR, (1)H-NMR, and EPR spectroscopies.

Atomistic modeling of structure II gas hydrate mechanics: Compressibility and equations of state

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Vlasic, Thomas M.; Servio, Phillip; Rey, Alejandro D.

2016-08-01

This work uses density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the poorly characterized structure II gas hydrates, for various guests (empty, propane, butane, ethane-methane, propane-methane), at the atomistic scale to determine key structure and mechanical properties such as equilibrium lattice volume and bulk modulus. Several equations of state (EOS) for solids (Murnaghan, Birch-Murnaghan, Vinet, Liu) were fitted to energy-volume curves resulting from structure optimization simulations. These EOS, which can be used to characterize the compressional behaviour of gas hydrates, were evaluated in terms of their robustness. The three-parameter Vinet EOS was found to perform just as well if not better than the four-parameter Liu EOS, over the pressure range in this study. As expected, the Murnaghan EOS proved to be the least robust. Furthermore, the equilibrium lattice volumes were found to increase with guest size, with double-guest hydrates showing a larger increase than single-guest hydrates, which has significant implications for the widely used van der Waals and Platteeuw thermodynamic model for gas hydrates. Also, hydrogen bonds prove to be the most likely factor contributing to the resistance of gas hydrates to compression; bulk modulus was found to increase linearly with hydrogen bond density, resulting in a relationship that could be used predictively to determine the bulk modulus of various structure II gas hydrates. Taken together, these results fill a long existing gap in the material chemical physics of these important clathrates.

Atomistic modeling of structure II gas hydrate mechanics: Compressibility and equations of state

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Vlasic, Thomas M.; Servio, Phillip; Rey, Alejandro D., E-mail: alejandro.rey@mcgill.ca

2016-08-15

This work uses density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the poorly characterized structure II gas hydrates, for various guests (empty, propane, butane, ethane-methane, propane-methane), at the atomistic scale to determine key structure and mechanical properties such as equilibrium lattice volume and bulk modulus. Several equations of state (EOS) for solids (Murnaghan, Birch-Murnaghan, Vinet, Liu) were fitted to energy-volume curves resulting from structure optimization simulations. These EOS, which can be used to characterize the compressional behaviour of gas hydrates, were evaluated in terms of their robustness. The three-parameter Vinet EOS was found to perform just as well if not better thanmore » the four-parameter Liu EOS, over the pressure range in this study. As expected, the Murnaghan EOS proved to be the least robust. Furthermore, the equilibrium lattice volumes were found to increase with guest size, with double-guest hydrates showing a larger increase than single-guest hydrates, which has significant implications for the widely used van der Waals and Platteeuw thermodynamic model for gas hydrates. Also, hydrogen bonds prove to be the most likely factor contributing to the resistance of gas hydrates to compression; bulk modulus was found to increase linearly with hydrogen bond density, resulting in a relationship that could be used predictively to determine the bulk modulus of various structure II gas hydrates. Taken together, these results fill a long existing gap in the material chemical physics of these important clathrates.« less

Synthesis, characterization and anti-microbial activity of phenylurea-formaldehyde resin (PUF) and its polymer metal complexes (PUF-Mn(II).

PubMed

Ahamad, Tansir; Alshehri, Saad M

2012-10-01

Phenylurea-formaldehyde polymer (PUF) was synthesized via polycondensation of phenylurea and formaldehyde in basic medium, its polymer-metal complexes [PUF-M(II)] were prepared with Mn(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) ions. PUF and PUF-M(II) were characterized with magnetic moment measurements, elemental and spectral (UV-visible, FTIR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and ESR) analysis. The thermal behaviors of all the synthesized polymers were carried out using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The thermal data revealed that all of the PUF-M(II) showed higher thermal stabilities than the PUF and also ascribed that the PUF-Cu(II) showed better thermal stability than the other PUF-M(II). The kinetic parameters such as activation energy, pre-exponential factor etc., were evaluated for these polymer metal complexes using Coats-Redfern equation. In addition, the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized polymers was tested against several microorganisms using agar well diffusion methods. Among all of the PUF-M(II), the antimicrobial activity of the PUF-Cu(II) showed the highest zone of inhibition because of its higher stability constant and may be used in biomedical applications. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Soluble minerals in chemical evolution. II - Characterization of the adsorption of 5-prime-AMP and 5-prime-CMP on a variety of soluble mineral salts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chan, Stephen; Orenberg, James; Lahav, Noam

1987-01-01

The adsorption of 5-prime-AMP and 5-prime-CMP is studied in the saturated solutions of several mineral salts as a function of pH, ionic strength, and surface area of the solid salt. It is suggested that the adsorption which results from the binding between the nucleotide molecule and the salt surface is due to electrostatic forces. The adsorption is reversible in nature and decreases with increasing ionic strength.

Type II fuzzy systems for amyloid plaque segmentation in transgenic mouse brains for Alzheimer's disease quantification

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khademi, April; Hosseinzadeh, Danoush

2014-03-01

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia in the elderly characterized by extracellular deposition of amyloid plaques (AP). Using animal models, AP loads have been manually measured from histological specimens to understand disease etiology, as well as response to treatment. Due to the manual nature of these approaches, obtaining the AP load is labourious, subjective and error prone. Automated algorithms can be designed to alleviate these challenges by objectively segmenting AP. In this paper, we focus on the development of a novel algorithm for AP segmentation based on robust preprocessing and a Type II fuzzy system. Type II fuzzy systems are much more advantageous over the traditional Type I fuzzy systems, since ambiguity in the membership function may be modeled and exploited to generate excellent segmentation results. The ambiguity in the membership function is defined as an adaptively changing parameter that is tuned based on the local contrast characteristics of the image. Using transgenic mouse brains with AP ground truth, validation studies were carried out showing a high degree of overlap and low degree of oversegmentation (0.8233 and 0.0917, respectively). The results highlight that such a framework is able to handle plaques of various types (diffuse, punctate), plaques with varying Aβ concentrations as well as intensity variation caused by treatment effects or staining variability.

The Rap GTPase Activator Drosophila PDZ-GEF Regulates Cell Shape in Epithelial Migration and Morphogenesis▿

PubMed Central

Boettner, Benjamin; Van Aelst, Linda

2007-01-01

Epithelial morphogenesis is characterized by an exquisite control of cell shape and position. Progression through dorsal closure in Drosophila gastrulation depends on the ability of Rap1 GTPase to signal through the adherens junctional multidomain protein Canoe. Here, we provide genetic evidence that epithelial Rap activation and Canoe effector usage are conferred by the Drosophila PDZ-GEF (dPDZ-GEF) exchange factor. We demonstrate that dPDZ-GEF/Rap/Canoe signaling modulates cell shape and apicolateral cell constriction in embryonic and wing disc epithelia. In dPDZ-GEF mutant embryos with strong dorsal closure defects, cells in the lateral ectoderm fail to properly elongate. Postembryonic dPDZ-GEF mutant cells generated in mosaic tissue display a striking extension of lateral cell perimeters in the proximity of junctional complexes, suggesting a loss of normal cell contractility. Furthermore, our data indicate that dPDZ-GEF signaling is linked to myosin II function. Both dPDZ-GEF and cno show strong genetic interactions with the myosin II-encoding gene, and myosin II distribution is severely perturbed in epithelia of both mutants. These findings provide the first insight into the molecular machinery targeted by Rap signaling to modulate epithelial plasticity. We propose that dPDZ-GEF-dependent signaling functions as a rheostat linking Rap activity to the regulation of cell shape in epithelial morphogenesis at different developmental stages. PMID:17846121

Mercury(II) removal from aqueous solutions and wastewaters using a novel cation exchanger derived from coconut coir pith and its recovery.

PubMed

Anirudhan, T S; Divya, L; Ramachandran, M

2008-09-15

A new adsorbent (PGCP-COOH) having carboxylate functional group at the chain end was synthesized by grafting poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) onto coconut coir pith, CP (a coir industry-based lignocellulosic residue), using potassium peroxydisulphate as an initiator and in the presence of N,N'-methylenebisacrylamide as a cross-linking agent. The adsorbent was characterized with the help of infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and potentiometric titrations. The ability of PGCP-COOH to remove Hg(II) from aqueous solutions was assessed using batch adsorption technique under kinetic and equilibrium conditions. Adsorbent exhibits very high adsorption potential for Hg(II) and more than 99.0% removal was achieved in the pH range 5.5-8.0. Adsorption process was found to follow first-order-reversible kinetics. An increase of ionic strength of the medium caused a decrease in metal removal, indicating the occurrence of outer-sphere surface complex mechanism. The equilibrium data were fitted well by the Freundlich isotherm model (R(2)=0.99; chi(2)=1.81). The removal efficiency was tested using chlor-alkali industry wastewater. Adsorption isotherm experiments were also conducted for comparison using a commercial carboxylate-functionalized ion exchanger, Ceralite IRC-50. Regeneration experiments were tried for four cycles and results indicate a capacity loss of <9.0%.

An Analysis of the Correspondence between Imagined Interaction Attributes and Functions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bodie, Graham D.; Honeycutt, James M.; Vickery, Andrea J.

2013-01-01

Imagined interaction (II) theory has been productive for communication and social cognition scholarship. There is, however, a yet untested assumption within II theory that the 8 attributes are related to all 6 functions and that II functions can be compared and contrasted in terms of II attributes. In addition, there is little research exploring…

Fracture characterization of human cortical bone under mode II loading using the end-notched flexure test.

PubMed

Silva, F G A; de Moura, M F S F; Dourado, N; Xavier, J; Pereira, F A M; Morais, J J L; Dias, M I R; Lourenço, P J; Judas, F M

2017-08-01

Fracture characterization of human cortical bone under mode II loading was analyzed using a miniaturized version of the end-notched flexure test. A data reduction scheme based on crack equivalent concept was employed to overcome uncertainties on crack length monitoring during the test. The crack tip shear displacement was experimentally measured using digital image correlation technique to determine the cohesive law that mimics bone fracture behavior under mode II loading. The developed procedure was validated by finite element analysis using cohesive zone modeling considering a trapezoidal with bilinear softening relationship. Experimental load-displacement curves, resistance curves and crack tip shear displacement versus applied displacement were used to validate the numerical procedure. The excellent agreement observed between the numerical and experimental results reveals the appropriateness of the proposed test and procedure to characterize human cortical bone fracture under mode II loading. The proposed methodology can be viewed as a novel valuable tool to be used in parametric and methodical clinical studies regarding features (e.g., age, diseases, drugs) influencing bone shear fracture under mode II loading.

The Representation of Orientation in Macaque V2: Four Stripes Not Three

PubMed Central

Felleman, Daniel J.; Lim, Heejin; Xiao, Youping; Wang, Yi; Eriksson, Anastasia; Parajuli, Arun

2015-01-01

Area V2 of macaque monkeys is traditionally thought to consist of 3 distinct functional compartments with characteristic cortical connections and functional properties. Orientation selectivity is one property that has frequently been used to distinguish V2 stripes, however, this receptive field property has been found in a high percentage of neurons across V2 compartments. Using quantitative intrinsic cortical imaging, we derived maps of preferred orientation, orientation selectivity, and orientation gradient in thin stripes, thick stripes, and interstripes in area V2. Orientation-selective responses were found in each V2 stripe, but the magnitude and organization of orientation selectivity differed significantly from stripe to stripe. Remarkably, the 2 pale stripes flanking each cytochrome oxidase dense stripe differed significantly in their representation of orientation resulting in their distinction as type-I and type-II interstripes. V2 orientation maps are characterized by clockwise and anticlockwise “orientation pinwheels”, but unlike V1, they are not homogeneously distributed across V2. Furthermore, V2 stripes contain large-scale sequences of preferred orientation. These analyses demonstrate that V2 consists of 4 distinct functional compartments; thick stripes and type-II interstripes, which are strongly orientation selective and thin stripes and type-I interstripes, which are significantly less selective for orientation and exhibit larger orientation gradient magnitudes. PMID:24614951

Mutations of Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Durham, Santa-Maria and A+ Variants Are Associated with Loss Functional and Structural Stability of the Protein

PubMed Central

Gómez-Manzo, Saúl; Marcial-Quino, Jaime; Vanoye-Carlo, America; Enríquez-Flores, Sergio; De la Mora-De la Mora, Ignacio; González-Valdez, Abigail; García-Torres, Itzhel; Martínez-Rosas, Víctor; Sierra-Palacios, Edgar; Lazcano-Pérez, Fernando; Rodríguez-Bustamante, Eduardo; Arreguin-Espinosa, Roberto

2015-01-01

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency is the most common enzymopathy in the world. More than 160 mutations causing the disease have been identified, but only 10% of these variants have been studied at biochemical and biophysical levels. In this study we report on the functional and structural characterization of three naturally occurring variants corresponding to different classes of disease severity: Class I G6PD Durham, Class II G6PD Santa Maria, and Class III G6PD A+. The results showed that the G6PD Durham (severe deficiency), and the G6PD Santa Maria and A+ (less severe deficiency) (Class I, II and III, respectively) affect the catalytic efficiency of these enzymes, are more sensitive to temperature denaturing, and affect the stability of the overall protein when compared to the wild type WT-G6PD. In the variants, the exposure of more and buried hydrophobic pockets was induced and monitored with 8-Anilinonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (ANS) fluorescence, directly affecting the compaction of structure at different levels and probably reducing the stability of the protein. The degree of functional and structural perturbation by each variant correlates with the clinical severity reported in different patients. PMID:26633385

EXPRESSION, PURIFICATION AND IN VITRO FUNCTIONAL RECONSTITUTION OF THE CHEMOKINE RECEPTOR CCR1

PubMed Central

Allen, Samantha J.; Ribeiro, Sofia; Horuk, Richard; Handel, Tracy M.

2009-01-01

Chemokine receptors are a specific class of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) that control cell migration associated with routine immune surveillance, inflammation and development. In addition to their roles in normal physiology, these receptors and their ligands are involved in a large number of inflammatory diseases, cancer and AIDS, making them prime therapeutic targets in the pharmaceutical industry. Like other GPCRs, a significant obstacle in determining structures and characterizing mechanisms of activation has been the difficulty in obtaining high levels of pure, functional receptor. Here we describe a systematic effort to express the chemokine receptor CCR1 in mammalian cells, and to purify and reconstitute it in functional form. The highest expression levels were obtained using an inducible HEK293 system. The receptor was purified using a combination of N- (StrepII or Hemagglutinin) and C-terminal (His8) affinity tags. Function was assessed by ligand binding using a novel fluorescence polarization assay with fluorescein-labeled chemokine. A strict dependence of function on the detergent composition was observed, as solubilization of CCR1 in n-dodecyl-β-D-maltopyranoside/cholesteryl hemisuccinate yielded functional receptor with a Kd of 21 nM for the chemokine CCL14, whereas it was non-functional in phosphocholine detergents. Differences in function were observed despite the fact that both these detergent types maintained the receptor in a state characterized by monomers and small oligomers, but not large aggregates. While optimization is still warranted, yields of ~ 0.1–0.2mgs of pure functional receptor per 109 cells will permit biophysical studies of this medically important receptor. PMID:19275940

Hyperpolarized Xenon-129 Gas-Exchange Imaging of Lung Microstructure: First Case Studies in Subjects with Obstructive Lung Disease

PubMed Central

Dregely, Isabel; Mugler, John P.; Ruset, Iulian C.; Altes, Talissa A.; Mata, Jaime F.; Miller, G. Wilson; Ketel, Jeffrey; Ketel, Steve; Distelbrink, Jan; Hersman, F.W.; Ruppert, Kai

2011-01-01

Purpose To develop and test a method to non-invasively assess the functional lung microstructure. Materials and Methods The Multiple exchange time Xenon polarization Transfer Contrast technique (MXTC) encodes xenon gas-exchange contrast at multiple delay times permitting two lung-function parameters to be derived: 1) MXTC-F, the long exchange-time depolarization value, which is proportional to the tissue to alveolar-volume ratio and 2) MXTC-S, the square root of the xenon exchange-time constant, which characterizes thickness and composition of alveolar septa. Three healthy volunteers, one asthmatic and two COPD (GOLD stage I and II) subjects were imaged with MXTC MRI. In a subset of subjects, hyperpolarized xenon-129 ADC MRI and CT imaging were also performed. Results The MXTC-S parameter was found to be elevated in subjects with lung disease (p-value = 0.018). In the MXTC-F parameter map it was feasible to identify regional loss of functional tissue in a COPD patient. Further, the MXTC-F map showed excellent regional correlation with CT and ADC (ρ ≥ 0.90) in one COPD subject. Conclusion The functional tissue-density parameter MXTC-F showed regional agreement with other imaging techniques. The newly developed parameter MXTC-S, which characterizes the functional thickness of alveolar septa, has potential as a novel biomarker for regional parenchymal inflammation or thickening. PMID:21509861

Characterization and correction of the false-discovery rates in resting state connectivity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Santosa, Hendrik; Aarabi, Ardalan; Perlman, Susan B.; Huppert, Theodore J.

2017-05-01

Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a noninvasive neuroimaging technique that uses low levels of red to near-infrared light to measure changes in cerebral blood oxygenation. Spontaneous (resting state) functional connectivity (sFC) has become a critical tool for cognitive neuroscience for understanding task-independent neural networks, revealing pertinent details differentiating healthy from disordered brain function, and discovering fluctuations in the synchronization of interacting individuals during hyperscanning paradigms. Two of the main challenges to sFC-NIRS analysis are (i) the slow temporal structure of both systemic physiology and the response of blood vessels, which introduces false spurious correlations, and (ii) motion-related artifacts that result from movement of the fNIRS sensors on the participants' head and can introduce non-normal and heavy-tailed noise structures. In this work, we systematically examine the false-discovery rates of several time- and frequency-domain metrics of functional connectivity for characterizing sFC-NIRS. Specifically, we detail the modifications to the statistical models of these methods needed to avoid high levels of false-discovery related to these two sources of noise in fNIRS. We compare these analysis procedures using both simulated and experimental resting-state fNIRS data. Our proposed robust correlation method has better performance in terms of being more reliable to the noise outliers due to the motion artifacts.

Preparation, structural characterization, and catalytic performance of Pd(II) and Pt(II) complexes derived from cellulose Schiff base

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Baran, Talat; Yılmaz Baran, Nuray; Menteş, Ayfer

2018-05-01

In this study, we reported production, characterization, and catalytic behavior of two novel heterogeneous palladium(II) and platinum(II) catalysts derived from cellulose biopolymer. In order to eliminate the use of toxic organic or inorganic solvents and to reduce the use of excess energy in the coupling reactions, we have developed a very simple, rapid, and eco-friendly microwave irradiation protocol. The developed microwave-assisted method of Suzuki cross coupling reactions produced excellent reaction yields in the presence of cellulose supported palladium and platinum (II) catalysts. Moreover, the catalysts easily regenerated after simple filtration, and they gave good reusability. This study revealed that the designed catalysts and method provide clean, simple, rapid, and impressive catalytic performance for Suzuki coupling reactions.

Insulin-Like Growth Factor II Targets the mTOR Pathway to Reverse Autism-Like Phenotypes in Mice.

PubMed

Steinmetz, Adam B; Stern, Sarah A; Kohtz, Amy S; Descalzi, Giannina; Alberini, Cristina M

2018-01-24

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability characterized by impairments in social interaction and repetitive behavior, and is also associated with cognitive deficits. There is no current treatment that can ameliorate most of the ASD symptomatology; thus, identifying novel therapies is urgently needed. We used male BTBR T + Itpr3 tf /J (BTBR) mice, a model that reproduces most of the core behavioral phenotypes of ASD, to test the effects of systemic administration of insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II), a polypeptide that crosses the blood-brain barrier and acts as a cognitive enhancer. We show that systemic IGF-II treatments reverse the typical defects in social interaction, cognitive/executive functions, and repetitive behaviors reflective of ASD-like phenotypes. In BTBR mice, IGF-II, via IGF-II receptor, but not via IGF-I receptor, reverses the abnormal levels of the AMPK-mTOR-S6K pathway and of active translation at synapses. Thus, IGF-II may represent a novel potential therapy for ASD. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Currently, there is no effective treatment for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a developmental disability affecting a high number of children. Using a mouse model that expresses most of the key core as well as associated behavioral deficits of ASD, that are, social, cognitive, and repetitive behaviors, we report that a systemic administration of the polypeptide insulin-like growth factor II (IGF-II) reverses all these deficits. The effects of IGF-II occur via IGF-II receptors, and not IGF-I receptors, and target both basal and learning-dependent molecular abnormalities found in several ASD mice models, including those of identified genetic mutations. We suggest that IGF-II represents a potential novel therapeutic target for ASD. Copyright © 2018 the authors 0270-6474/18/371015-15$15.00/0.

Adsorption/reduction of Hg(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions by using bone ash/nZVI composite: effects of aging time, Fe loading quantity and co-existing ions.

PubMed

Gil, Antonio; Amiri, Mohammad Javad; Abedi-Koupai, Jahangir; Eslamian, Saeid

2018-01-01

In this research, a versatile and highly efficient method for the stabilization of nanoscale zerovalent iron particles (nZVI) on the surface of ostrich bone ash (OBA) was presented as a novel inorganic adsorbent (OBA/nZVI) for the removal of Hg(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions, even after 1 year of storage under room conditions. The removal behavior of the OBA/nZVI was assessed as a function of the initial pH, contact time, initial pollutants concentration, temperature, amount of adsorbent, effect of competitive metal ions, and ionic strength. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized by several techniques including N 2 adsorption at - 196 °C, FT-IR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and zeta potential. The results confirmed that the OBA is a good candidate as support of nZVI. The maxima adsorption capacity for Hg(II) and Pb(II) ions found from experimental results were 170 and 160 mg g -1 , when the loading quantities of Fe were 20%. The equilibrium sorption data obeyed a Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm type model. The kinetic data of the adsorption followed the mechanism of the pseudo-second-order model. The thermodynamic experiments indicated that the removal of metal ions were feasible, endothermic, and spontaneous. It can be found that fresh and aged OBA/nZVI maintained its usability even after five cycles in the order: fresh (OBA/nZVI)-Hg(II) > fresh (OBA/nZVI)-Pb(II) > aged (OBA/nZVI)-Hg(II) > aged (OBA/nZVI)-Pb(II), which indicate that OBA/nZVI can be regenerated as adsorbent. The existence of Fe in the OBA/nZVI was proved by SEM-EDX results and X-ray diffraction analysis also confirmed adsorption/reduction of some of the Hg(II) to Hg 0 and Pb(II) to Pb 0 .

Curing of polymer thermosets via click reactions and on demand processes

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Brei, Mark Richard

In the first project, an azide functional resin and tetra propargyl aromatic diamines were fabricated for use as a composite matrix. These systems take already established epoxy/amine matrices and functionalize them with click moieties. This allows lower temperatures to be used in the production of a thermoset part. These new systems yield many better mechanical properties than their epoxy/amine derivatives, but their Tgs are low in comparison. The second project investigates the characterization of a linear system based off of the above azide functional resin and a difunctional alkyne. Through selectively choosing catalyst, the linear system can show regioselectivity to either a 1,4-disubstituted triazole, or a 1,5-disubstituted triazole. Without the addition of catalyst, the system produces both triazoles in almost an equal ratio. The differently catalyzed systems were cured and then analyzed by 1H and 13C NMR to better understand the structure of the material. The third project builds off of the utility of the aforementioned azide/alkyne system and introduces an on-demand aspect to the curing of the thermoset. With the inclusion of copper(II) within the azide/alkyne system, UV light is able to catalyze said reaction and cure the material. It has been shown that the copper(II) loading levels can be extremely small, which helps in reducing the copper's effect on mechanical properties The fourth project takes a look at polysulfide-based sealants. These sealants are normally cured via an oxidative reaction. This project took thiol-terminated polysulfides and fabricated alkene-terminated polysulfides for use as a thiol-ene cured material. By changing the mechanism for cure, the polysulfide can be cured via UV light with the use of a photoinitiator within the thiol/alkene polysulfide matrix. The final chapter will focus on a characterization technique, MALDI-TOF, which was used to help characterize the above materials as well as many others. By using MALDI-TOF, the researcher is able to elicit the molecular weight of the repeat unit and end group, which allows the determination of the polymer's structure. This technique can also determine the Mn and M w, as well as the PDI for each given polymer.

Chitosan-Copper (II) complex as antibacterial agent: synthesis, characterization and coordinating bond- activity correlation study

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mekahlia, S.; Bouzid, B.

2009-11-01

The antimicrobial activity of chitosan is unstable and sensitive to many factors such as molecular weight. Recent investigations showed that low molecular weight chitosan exhibited strong bactericidal activities compared to chitosan with high molecular weight. Since chitosan degradation can be caused by the coordinating bond, we attempt to synthesize and characterize the chitosan-Cu (II) complex, and thereafter study the coordinating bond effect on its antibacterial activity against Salmonella enteritidis. Seven chitosan-copper complexes with different copper contents were prepared and characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis, XRD and atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). Results indicated that for chitosan-Cu (II) complexes with molar ratio close to 1:1, the inhibition rate reached 100%.

Functional analysis of a frame-shift mutant of the dihydropyridine receptor pore subunit (α1S) expressing two complementary protein fragments

PubMed Central

Ahern, Chris A; Vallejo, Paola; Mortenson, Lindsay; Coronado, Roberto

2001-01-01

Background The L-type Ca2+ channel formed by the dihydropyridine receptor (DHPR) of skeletal muscle senses the membrane voltage and opens the ryanodine receptor (RyR1). This channel-to-channel coupling is essential for Ca2+ signaling but poorly understood. We characterized a single-base frame-shift mutant of α1S, the pore subunit of the DHPR, that has the unusual ability to function voltage sensor for excitation-contraction (EC) coupling by virtue of expressing two complementary hemi-Ca2+ channel fragments. Results Functional analysis of cDNA transfected dysgenic myotubes lacking α1S were carried out using voltage-clamp, confocal Ca2+ indicator fluoresence, epitope immunofluorescence and immunoblots of expressed proteins. The frame-shift mutant (fs-α1S) expressed the N-terminal half of α1S (M1 to L670) and the C-terminal half starting at M701 separately. The C-terminal fragment was generated by an unexpected restart of translation of the fs-α1S message at M701 and was eliminated by a M701I mutation. Protein-protein complementation between the two fragments produced recovery of skeletal-type EC coupling but not L-type Ca2+ current. Discussion A premature stop codon in the II-III loop may not necessarily cause a loss of DHPR function due to a restart of translation within the II-III loop, presumably by a mechanism involving leaky ribosomal scanning. In these cases, function is recovered by expression of complementary protein fragments from the same cDNA. DHPR-RyR1 interactions can be achieved via protein-protein complementation between hemi-Ca2+ channel proteins, hence an intact II-III loop is not essential for coupling the DHPR voltage sensor to the opening of RyR1 channel. PMID:11806762

Synthesis, Characterization and the Corrosion Inhibition Study of Two Schiff Base Ligands Derived From Urea and Thiourea and Their Complexes with Cu(II) and Hg(II) Ions

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Alwan, Wasan Mohammed

2018-05-01

The research includes synthesis of [L1] and [L2] Schiff base ligands by the reaction of vanillin with urea and thiourea respectively in 2:1 mol ratio. The two ligands were reacted with CuII ion in 1:2 mol ratio and HgII ion in 1:1 mol ratio. The prepared compounds have been identified by FTIR, U.V-Vis, 1H-NMR (L1, L2 and HgII complex) spectroscopies, microelemental analysis (C.H.N.S), magnetic susceptibility measurements, atomic absorption, chloride content along with conductivity and melting point measurements. According to applied characterization methods, the proposed general formulas of CuII and HgII complexes were [Cu2LnCl4] and [HgLnCl]Cl, respectively, (where n = 1, 2). The ability of corrosion inhibition with two ligands and their cupper complexes has been studied in diluted hydrochloric acid media.

Synthesis, characterization, thermal and biological evaluation of Cu (II), Co (II) and Ni (II) complexes of azo dye ligand containing sulfamethaxazole moiety

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Mallikarjuna, N. M.; Keshavayya, J.; Maliyappa, M. R.; Shoukat Ali, R. A.; Venkatesh, Talavara

2018-08-01

A novel bioactive Cu (II), Co (II) and Ni (II) complexes of the azo dye ligand (L) derived from sulfamethoxazole were synthesized. The structures of the newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic susceptibility, FTIR, UV-visible, 1H NMR, mass, thermal and powder XRD spectral techniques. Molar conductivity measurements in DMSO solution confirmed the non-electrolytic nature of the complexes. All the synthesized metal complexes were found to be monomeric and showed square planar geometry except the Co (II) complex which has six coordinate, octahedral environment. The metal complexes have exhibited potential growth inhibitory effect against tested bacterial strains as compared to the free ligand. The ligand and complexes have also shown significant antioxidant and Calf Thymus DNA cleavage activities. Further, the in silico molecular docking studies were performed to predict the possible binding sites of the ligand (L) and its metal complexes with target receptor Glu-6P.