Theoretical exploration of MgH2 and graphene nano-flakes in cyclohexane: proposing a new perspective toward functional hydrogen storage material

MgH₂ generated from di-n-butylmagnesium decomposition in cyclohexane assembles onto graphene, bringing the potential for efficient hydrogen storage material.

A DFT/TD-DFT study of thiazolidinedione derivative in dimethylformamide: cooperative roles of hydrogen bondings, electronic and vibrational spectra

The time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) method has been applied to investigate the thiazolidinedione (TZD) derivative A and its hydrogen-bonded complexes with dimethylformamide (DMF) (A-DMF and A-2DMF). The calculation results showed that the excited-state hydrogen bondings of O-H⋯O=C and N-H⋯O=C are strengthened and weakened in the hydrogen-bonded trimer A-2DMF, and their cooperation effect caused a blue shift in the electronic spectrum of A-2DMF. This modulation mechanism of the hydrogen-bond strengthening and weakening and its role in influencing the spectroscopy property of the TZD derivative A in DMF have been analyzed and showed in details.

Computational efficiency improvement with Wigner rotation technique in studying atoms in intense few-cycle circularly polarized pulses

We show that by introducing Wigner rotation technique into the solution of time-dependent Schrödinger equation in length gauge, computational efficiency can be greatly improved in describing atoms in intense few-cycle circularly polarized laser pulses. The methodology with Wigner rotation technique underlying our openMP parallel computational code for circularly polarized laser pulses is described. Results of test calculations to investigate the scaling property of the computational code with the number of the electronic angular basis function l as well as the strong field phenomena are presented and discussed for the hydrogen atom.

The impact of ionizing radiation on placental trophoblasts

INTRODUCTION

Exposure to low-dose radiation is widespread and attributable to natural sources. However, occupational, medical, accidental, and terrorist-related exposures remain a significant threat. Information on radiation injury to the feto-placental unit is scant and largely observational. We hypothesized that radiation causes trophoblast injury, and alters the expression of injury-related transcripts in vitro or in vivo, thus affecting fetal growth.

METHODS

Primary human trophoblasts (PHTs), BeWo or NCCIT cells were irradiated in vitro, and cell number and viability were determined. Pregnant C57Bl/6HNsd mice were externally irradiated on E13.5, and placentas examined on E17.5. RNA expression was analyzed using microarrays and RT-qPCR. The experiments were repeated in the presence of the gramicidin S (GS)-derived nitroxide JP4-039, used to mitigate radiation-induced cell injury.

RESULTS

We found that survival of in vitro-irradiated PHT cell was better than that of irradiated BeWo trophoblast cell line or the radiosensitive NCCIT mixed germ cell tumor line. Radiation altered the expression of several trophoblast genes, with a most dramatic effect on CDKN1A (p21, CIP1). Mice exposed to radiation at E13.5 exhibited a 25% reduction in mean weight by E17.5, and a 9% reduction in placental weight, which was associated with relatively small changes in placental gene expression. JP4-039 had a minimal effect on feto-placental growth or on gene expression in irradiated PHT cells or mouse placenta.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

While radiation affects placental trophoblasts, the established placenta is fairly resistant to radiation, and changes in this tissue may not fully account for fetal growth restriction induced by ionizing radiation.

One step cathodically electrodeposited [Tb2(BDC)3(H2O)4]n thin film as a luminescent probe for Cu2+ detection

A luminescent [Tb₂(BDC)₃(H₂O)₄]_n film with a leaf-like morphology is fabricated on FTO by electrochemical method, the film exhibits highly selective detection of Cu²⁺.

Effect of ovarian stimulation on oocyte gene expression in cattle

The objective was to analyze the impact of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, ovarian stimulation) on the transcriptome of in vivo bovine oocytes three times around the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. In vivo bovine oocytes were collected 2 h pre-LH surge, 6 h post-LH surge, and 22 h post-LH surge in both naturally ovulating and superovulated animals. To assess potential changes in gene levels, samples were hybridized using a custom bovine microarray. Two series of hybridizations were performed: the first comparing natural vs. stimulated cycles, the second according to time of collection. Among the potential candidates, 13 genes were selected according to their degree of differential expression and their potential link to oocyte competence. Measurements of their relative mRNA levels was made using QPCR. Gene candidates BTG4 (P = 0.0006), PTTG1 (P = 0.0027), PAPOLA (P = 0.0245), and LEO1 (P = 0.0393) had higher mRNA levels in oocytes treated with FSH for all collection times when compared to oocytes produced through the natural cycle. Among our selected candidates, only one gene, GDF9 (P = 0.0261), was present at a higher level in oocytes collected at -2 h and 6 h than 22 h post-LH for all treatments, regardless of the presence of FSH. Although the number of genes influenced by ovarian stimulation seemed low, the observed differences occurred at a time of minimal transcriptional activity and supported the potential impact on the future embryo. These impacts could have been epigenetic in nature, as embryo quality was not reported to be different from stimulated animals.

The expression profile of C19MC microRNAs in primary human trophoblast cells and exosomes

The largest gene cluster of human microRNAs (miRNAs), the chromosome 19 miRNA cluster (C19MC), is exclusively expressed in the placenta and in undifferentiated cells. The precise expression pattern and function of C19MC members are unknown. We sought to profile the relative expression of C19MC miRNAs in primary human trophoblast (PHT) cells and exosomes. Using high-throughput profiling, confirmed by PCR, we found that C19MC miRNAs are among the most abundant miRNAs in term human trophoblasts. Hypoxic stress selectively reduced miR-520c-3p expression at certain time-points with no effect on other C19MC miRNAs. Similarly, differentiation in vitro had a negligible effect on C19MC miRNAs. We found that C19MC miRNAs are the predominant miRNA species expressed in exosomes released from PHT, resembling the profile of trophoblastic cellular miRNA. Predictably, we detected the similar levels of circulating C19MC miRNAs in the serum of healthy pregnant women at term and in women with pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction. Our data define the relative expression levels of C19MC miRNAs in trophoblasts and exosomes, and suggest that C19MC miRNAs function in placental-maternal signaling.

TD-DFT study on fluoride-sensing mechanism of 2-(2'-phenylureaphenyl)benzoxazole: the way to inhibit the ESIPT process

The fluoride-sensing mechanism of the sensor 2-(2'-phenylurea-phenyl)benzoxazole (PUBO) has been investigated by means of the TD-DFT method. The present theoretical study indicates that there is an excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) process in the sensor PUBO. The added fluoride anion could capture the proton in the free N-H moiety instead of the hydrogen-bonding one. The experimental UV/Vis and fluorescence spectra (J. Org. Chem. 2007, 72, 62) are well reproduced by the calculated vertical excitation energies in the ground state and the first singlet excited state. For example, the calculated emission wavelength of PUBO at 534 nm is very close to the fluorescence band at 554 nm. Furthermore, we theoretically confirmed that the added fluoride anions could inhibit the ESIPT process in PUBO. But different from the classical ESIPT-inhibition mechanism, the ESIPT process in the sensor PUBO is inhibited by the high energy barrier of its deprotonated form rather than by the absence of the transferred proton.

The timing and duration of hypoxia determine gene expression patterns in cultured human trophoblasts

OBJECTIVE

Exposure of cultured trophoblasts to hypoxia is commonly used to interrogate the molecular mechanisms underlying placental hypoxic injury. We examined the effect of levels, durations, and patterns of hypoxia on gene expression patterns in primary human trophoblasts.

STUDY DESIGN

We exposed primary term human trophoblasts to either standard culture conditions (O(2) = 20%) or to static or alternating levels of oxygen (O(2) = 8%, or O(2) = 0%) either early or late in culture, and analyzed the expression of 34 genes that are known to be regulated in placentas from pregnancies complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR).

RESULTS

Using multidimensional scale analysis, Euclidean distance, and hierarchical clustering, we found that gene expression patterns in cells exposed to O(2) = 8% were similar to patterns observed in O(2) = 20%, but more distant from patterns in O(2) = 0%. Alternating atmospheric oxygen (8% vs. 0%) yielded intermediate results. Changes in oxygen levels over a longer period had a greater effect on gene expression than short-term changes. Gene expression patterns in cultured trophoblasts did not fully capture expression patterns observed in biopsies from FGR placentas vs. control.

CONCLUSIONS

The level, duration, and patterns of hypoxia are critical in determining trophoblast gene expression, and therefore germane for analysis of trophoblast hypoxic injury.

A near-IR reversible fluorescent probe modulated by selenium for monitoring peroxynitrite and imaging in living cells

We have developed a near-IR reversible fluorescent probe containing an organoselenium functional group that can be used for the highly sensitive and selective monitoring of peroxynitrite oxidation and reduction events under physiological conditions. The probe effectively avoids the influence of autofluorescence in biological systems and gave positive results when tested in both aqueous solution and living cells. Real-time images of cellular peroxynitrite were successfully acquired.

Location of Si vacancies and [Ti(OSi)4] and [Ti(OSi)3OH] sites in the MFI framework: a large cluster and full ab initio study

Titanium silicalite-1 (TS-1) is an important catalyst for selective oxidation reactions. However, the nature and structure of the active sites and the mechanistic details of the catalytic reactions over TS-1 have not been well-understood, leaving a continuous debate on the genesis of active sites on the TS-1 surface in the literature. In this work, the location of Si vacancies and [Ti(OSi)(4)] and [Ti(OSi)(3)OH] sites in the MFI (Framework Type Code of ZSM-5 (Zeolite Socony Mobile-Five)) framework has been studied using a full ab initio method with 40T clusters with a Si:Ti molar ratio of 39:1. It was shown that the former four energetically favorable sites for Si vacancies are T6, T12, T4, and T8 and for Ti centers of [Ti(OSi)(4)] are T10, T4, T8 and T11, being partially the same sites. Whether by replacing Si vacancies or substituting the fully coordinated Si sites, the most preferential site for Ti is T10, which indicates that the insertion mechanism does not affect the favorable sites of Ti in the MFI lattice. For the defective [Ti(OSi)(3)OH] sites, it was found that the Si vacancy at T6 with a Ti at its neighboring T9 site (T6-def-T9-Ti pair) is the most energetically favorable one, followed by a T6-def-T5-Ti pair with a small energy gap. These findings are significant to elucidate the nature of the active sites and the mechanism of reactions catalyzed by TS-1 and to design the TS-1 catalyst.

Maternal gene expression profiling during pregnancy and preeclampsia in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells

Preeclampsia is a major obstetrical complication affecting maternal and fetal health. While it is clear that there is a substantial placental contribution to preeclampsia pathogenesis, the maternal contribution is less well characterized. We therefore performed a genome-wide transcriptome analysis to explore disease-associated changes in maternal gene expression patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

METHODS

Preeclampsia was defined as gestational hypertension, proteinuria and hyperurecimia. Total RNA was isolated from PBMCs obtained from women with uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 5) and women with preeclamptic pregnancies (n = 5). Gene expression analysis was carried out using Agilent oligonucleotide microarrays. Biological pathway analysis was undertaken using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software. Quantitative real-time PCR (QRTPCR) was performed to validate the gene expression changes of selected genes in normotensive and preeclamptic patients (n = 12 each).

RESULTS

We identified a total of 368 genes that were differentially expressed in women with preeclampsia compared to normal controls with false discovery rate (FDR) controlled at 10%. In follow up experiments we further analyzed the expression levels of a number of genes that were identified as altered by the microarray data including survivin (BIRC5), caveolin (CAV1), GATA binding protein-1 (GATA1), signal tranducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), E2F transcription factor-1 (E2F1), fibronectin-1 (FN1), interleukin-4 (IL-4), matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) and WAP four disulfide domain protein (WFDC-1) by QRTPCR. Additionally we performed immuno blot analysis and zymography to verify some of these candidate genes at the protein level. Computational analysis of gene function identified an anti-proliferative and altered immune function cellular phenotype in severe preeclamptic samples.

CONCLUSIONS

We have characterized the genome-wide mRNA expression changes associated with preeclampsia-specific genes in circulating maternal blood cells at the time of delivery. In addition to providing information relating to the biological basis of the preeclampsia phenotype, our data provide a number of potential biomarkers for use in the further characterization of this disease.

The levels of hypoxia-regulated microRNAs in plasma of pregnant women with fetal growth restriction

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. While mostly intracellular, a portion of cellular miRNAs is released to the circulation and their level in the plasma is altered in certain pathological conditions such as cancer, and also during pregnancy. We examined the circulating levels of a set of trophoblastic miRNAs, which we recently found to be regulated by hypoxia, in the plasma of pregnant women with fetal growth restriction (FGR). Pregnancy was associated with increased plasma levels of several placenta-specific miRNAs, compared to non-pregnant controls. Among pregnant women, the overall levels of miRNA species that we analyzed were increased by 1.84-fold (p < or = 0.01) in plasma of women with pregnancies complicated by FGR, but decreased in FGR placentas by 24% (p < or = 0.01) compared to values from uncomplicated pregnancies. Together, our results show that plasma concentration of miRNAs is regulated in pregnancy, and that FGR is associated with increased circulating miRNA levels, highlighting the need to explore plasma miRNAs as potential biomarkers for placental diseases.

Quantum mechanics and quasiclassical study of the H/D+FO --> OH/OD+F, HF/DF+O reactions: chemical stereodynamics

The time-dependent quantum wave packet and the quasi-classical trajectory (QCT) calculations for the title reactions are carried out using three recent-developed accurate potential energy surfaces of the 1(1)A', 1(3)A', and 1(3)A'' states. The two commonly used polarization-dependent differential cross sections, dsigma(00)/domega(t), dsigma(20)/domega(t), with omega(t) being the polar coordinates of the product velocity omega', and the three angular distributions, P(theta(r)), P(Phi(r)), and P(theta(r),Phi(r)), with theta(r), Phi(r) being the polar angles of the product angular momentum, are generated in the center-of-mass frame using the QCT method to gain insight into the alignment and the orientation of the product molecules. Influences of the potential energy surface, the collision energy, and the isotope mass on the stereodynamics are shown and discussed. Validity of the QCT calculation has been examined and proved in the comparison with the quantum wave packet calculation.

A lumped-parameter model to investigate the effect of plantar pressure on arterial blood flow in a diabetic foot

This paper presents a lumped-parameter model for the big-toe region that investigates the effect of plantar pressure on the diameter of the blood vessels, specifically the arteries, in the presence of arterial and/or tissue changes. The model developed in this paper uses a multi-domain energy system approach to develop the lumped-parameter differential equations. Blood flow is modelled as fluidic flow through compliant pipes that have inertia, stiffness, and damping. The tissue material is treated as a soft compliant material that transmits the external force to the blood vessels. Conclusions have been drawn to show the effect of plantar pressure, tissue damage, and their combination on the diameter of the blood vessels. The principles used here can be used to model the entire foot and the model used to investigate the effect of plantar pressure, tissue damage, and arterial changes on different parts of the foot. The work presented here may also have applications in other vascular diseases.

Selective inhibition of Abeta42 production by NSAID R-enantiomers

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been associated with reduced risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and selected NSAIDs racemates suppress beta-amyloid (Abeta) accumulation in vivo and Abeta42 production in vitro. Clinical use of NSAIDs for preventing or treating AD has been hampered by dose-limiting toxicity believed to be due to cyclooxygenase (COX)-inhibition that is reportedly not essential for selective Abeta42 reduction. Profens have racemates and R-enantiomers were supposed to be inactive forms. Here we demonstrate that R-ibuprofen and R-flurbiprofen, with poor COX-inhibiting activity, reduce Abeta42 production by human cells. Although these R-enantiomers inhibit nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation and NF-kappaB can selectively regulate Abeta42, Abeta42 reduction is not mediated by inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. Because of its efficacy at lowering Abeta42 production and low toxicity profile, R-flurbiprofen is a strong candidate for clinical development.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis

Langerhans cell histiocytosis is a rare condition that can affect any organ of the body. Patients of all ages may present to the dermatologist and it is important to make the diagnosis as quickly as possible, because time from presentation to diagnosis is of prognostic importance in adults with the disease. Langerhans cell histiocytosis is now classified as a class I histiocytosis and research into this disease has been very active over the past 10 years. We now know that the disease represents a clonal expansion of a Langerhans cell, which shows phenotypic evidence of activation. The tissue damage induced by the disease appears to be related to local cytokine release. In single system disease, Langerhans cell histiocytosis is responsive to local therapy but, in resistant single system disease or in multisystem disease, etoposide is the most effective monochemotherapy. Some patients will need maintenance treatment with azathioprine or 6-mercaptopurine with or without methotrexate. In such cases, physicians who are used to treating chronic and relapsing diseases and who have experience with these drugs, such as dermatologists, are the most appropriate to manage patients with Langerhans cell histiocytosis.

Identification of genes involved in the host response to neurovirulent alphavirus infection

Single-amino-acid mutations in Sindbis virus proteins can convert clinically silent encephalitis into uniformly lethal disease. However, little is known about the host gene response during avirulent and virulent central nervous system (CNS) infections. To identify candidate host genes that modulate alphavirus neurovirulence, we utilized GeneChip Expression analysis to compare CNS gene expression in mice infected with two strains of Sindbis virus that differ by one amino acid in the E2 envelope glycoprotein. Infection with Sindbis virus, dsTE12H (E2-55 HIS), resulted in 100% mortality in 10-day-old mice, whereas no disease was observed in mice infected with dsTE12Q (E2-55 GLN). dsTE12H, compared with dsTE12Q, replicated to higher titers in mouse brain and induced more CNS apoptosis. Infection with the neurovirulent dsTE12H strain was associated with both a greater number of host genes with increased expression and greater changes in levels of host gene expression than was infection with the nonvirulent dsTE12Q strain. In particular, dsTE12H infection resulted in greater increases in the levels of mRNAs encoding chemokines, proteins involved in antigen presentation and protein degradation, complement proteins, interferon-regulated proteins, and mitochondrial proteins. At least some of these increases may be beneficial for the host, as evidenced by the demonstration that enforced expression of the antiapoptotic mitochondrial protein peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) protects neonatal mice against lethal Sindbis virus infection. Thus, our findings identify specific host genes that may play a role in the host protective or pathologic response to neurovirulent Sindbis virus infection.

Phenolic anti-inflammatory antioxidant reversal of Abeta-induced cognitive deficits and neuropathology

Both oxidative damage and inflammation have been implicated in age-related neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's Disease (AD). The yellow curry spice, curcumin, has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities which confer significant protection against neurotoxic and genotoxic agents. We used 22 month Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats to compare the effects of the conventional NSAID, ibuprofen, and curcumin for their ability to protect against amyloid beta-protein (Abeta)-induced damage. Lipoprotein carrier-mediated, intracerebroventricular infusion of Abeta peptides induced oxidative damage, synaptophysin loss, a microglial response and widespread Abeta deposits. Dietary curcumin (2000 ppm), but not ibuprofen, suppressed oxidative damage (isoprostane levels) and synaptophysin loss. Both ibuprofen and curcumin reduced microgliosis in cortical layers, but curcumin increased microglial labeling within and adjacent to Abeta-ir deposits. In a second group of middle-aged female SD rats, 500 ppm dietary curcumin prevented Abeta-infusion induced spatial memory deficits in the Morris Water Maze and post-synaptic density (PSD)-95 loss and reduced Abeta deposits. Because of its low side-effect profile and long history of safe use, curcumin may find clinical application for AD prevention.

The curry spice curcumin reduces oxidative damage and amyloid pathology in an Alzheimer transgenic mouse

Inflammation in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients is characterized by increased cytokines and activated microglia. Epidemiological studies suggest reduced AD risk associates with long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Whereas chronic ibuprofen suppressed inflammation and plaque-related pathology in an Alzheimer transgenic APPSw mouse model (Tg2576), excessive use of NSAIDs targeting cyclooxygenase I can cause gastrointestinal, liver, and renal toxicity. One alternative NSAID is curcumin, derived from the curry spice turmeric. Curcumin has an extensive history as a food additive and herbal medicine in India and is also a potent polyphenolic antioxidant. To evaluate whether it could affect Alzheimer-like pathology in the APPSw mice, we tested a low (160 ppm) and a high dose of dietary curcumin (5000 ppm) on inflammation, oxidative damage, and plaque pathology. Low and high doses of curcumin significantly lowered oxidized proteins and interleukin-1beta, a proinflammatory cytokine elevated in the brains of these mice. With low-dose but not high-dose curcumin treatment, the astrocytic marker GFAP was reduced, and insoluble beta-amyloid (Abeta), soluble Abeta, and plaque burden were significantly decreased by 43-50%. However, levels of amyloid precursor (APP) in the membrane fraction were not reduced. Microgliosis was also suppressed in neuronal layers but not adjacent to plaques. In view of its efficacy and apparent low toxicity, this Indian spice component shows promise for the prevention of Alzheimer's disease.

Estrogen (E2) and glucocorticoid (Gc) effects on microglia and A beta clearance in vitro and in vivo

The accumulation of fibrillar aggregates of beta Amyloid (A beta) in Alzheimer's Disease (AD) brain is associated with chronic brain inflammation. Although activated microglia (mu glia) can potentially clear toxic amyloid, chronic activation may lead to excessive production of neurotoxins. Recent epidemiological and clinical data have raised questions about the use of anti-inflammatory steroids (glucocorticoids, Gcs) and estrogens for treatment or prevention of AD. Since very little is known about steroid effects on mu glial interactions with amyloid, we investigated the effects of the synthetic Gc dexamethasone (DXM) and 17-beta estradiol (E2) in vitro in a murine mu glial-like N9 cell line on toxin production and intracellular A beta accumulation. To determine whether the steroid alterations of A beta uptake in vitro had relevance in vivo, we examined the effects of these steroids on A beta accumulation and mu glial responses to A beta infused into rat brain. Our in vitro data demonstrate for the first time that Gc dose-dependently enhanced mu glial A beta accumulation and support previous work showing that E2 enhances A beta uptake. Despite both steroids enhancing uptake, degradation was impeded, particularly with Gcs. Distinct differences between the two steroids were observed in their effect on toxin production and cell viability. Gc dose-dependently increased toxicity and potentiated A beta induction of nitric oxide, while E2 promoted cell viability and inhibited A beta induction of nitric oxide. The steroid enhancement of mu glial uptake and impedence of degradation observed in vitro were consistent with observations from in vivo studies. In the brains of A beta-infused rats, the mu glial staining in entorhinal cortex layer 3, not associated with A beta deposits was increased in response to A beta infusion and this effect was blocked by feeding rats prednisolone. In contrast, E2 enhanced mu glial staining in A beta-infused rats. A beta-immunoreactive (ir) deposits were quantitatively smaller, appeared denser, and were associated with robust mu glial responses. Despite the fact that steroid produced a smaller more focal deposit, total extracted A beta in cortical homogenate was elevated. Together, the in vivo and in vitro data support a role for steroids in plaque compaction. Our data are also consistent with the hypothesis that although E2 is less potent than Gc in impeding A beta degradation, long term exposure to both steroids could reduce A beta clearance and clinical utility. These data showing Gc potentiation of A beta-induced mu glial toxins may help explain the lack of epidemiological correlation for AD. The failure of both steroids to accelerate A beta degradation may explain their lack of efficacy for treatment of AD.

Ibuprofen effects on Alzheimer pathology and open field activity in APPsw transgenic mice

We previously showed the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) ibuprofen suppresses inflammation and amyloid in the APPsw (Tg2576) Tg2576 transgenic mouse. The mechanism for these effects and the impact on behavior are unknown. We now show ibuprofen's effects were not mediated by alterations in amyloid precursor protein (APP) expression or oxidative damage (carbonyls). Six months ibuprofen treatment in Tg+ females caused a decrease in open field behavior (p < 0.05), restoring values similar to Tg- mice. Reduced caspase activation per plaque provided further evidence for a neuroprotective action of ibuprofen. The impact of a shorter 3 month duration ibuprofen trial, beginning at a later age (from 14 to 17 months), was also investigated. Repeated measures ANOVA of Abeta levels (soluble and insoluble) demonstrated a significant ibuprofen treatment effect (p < 0.05). Post-hoc analysis showed that ibuprofen-dependent reductions of both soluble Abeta and Abeta42 were most marked in entorhinal cortex (p < 0.05). Although interleukin-1beta and insoluble Abeta were more effectively reduced with longer treatment, the magnitude of the effect on soluble Abeta was not dependent on treatment duration.

Convergence in discrete-time neural networks with specific performance

We analyze convergence in discrete-time neural networks with specific performance such as decay rate and trajectory bounds in terms of componentwise absolute (exponential) stability. Simple necessary and sufficient stability and positive invariance conditions are presented, which allow us to design a convergent network with prescribed performance. Our approach is based on a decomposition of competitive-cooperative connectivity or inhibitory-excitatory interaction that abounds in neural networks, without assuming symmetry of the connection matrices. The key idea is that through the decomposition, we can always relate a competitive-cooperative network with a cooperative dynamical system. The latter possesses significant order-preserving properties that are basic to our analysis. The explicit division of connection weights into inhibitory and excitatory types offers a higher potential for relating formal neural network models to neurophysiology.

Cortex, a Drosophila gene required to complete oocyte meiosis, is a member of the Cdc20/fizzy protein family

Mutations in cortex and grauzone cause abnormal arrest in Drosophila female meiosis. cortex was mapped to a 14 kb interval in 26F-27A by the male recombination mapping method. While these experiments mapped the gene accurately, they also illustrated some complexities of this method. Rescue results showed that a 2.8 kb genomic fragment from this interval was able to fully rescue the cortex phenotype. The 2.8 kb rescuing fragment contains a single open reading frame. The predicted amino acid sequence indicates that cortex encodes a WD-repeat protein and is a distant member of the Cdc20 protein family. Results from a developmental Northern analysis showed that the cortex transcript is expressed at high levels during oogenesis and early embryogenesis. Interestingly, the meiotic metaphase-anaphase II arrest defect in embryos laid by cortex homozygous females resembles the mitotic metaphase-anaphase defects observed in yeast cdc20 mutants. The predicted nature of the Cortex protein, together with the observed meiotic phenotype in cortex mutants, suggest that a similar pathway to the cdc20 dependent APC-mediated proteolysis pathway, which governs the metaphase-anaphase transition in mitosis, is also important in regulating oocyte meiosis.

Ibuprofen suppresses plaque pathology and inflammation in a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease

The brain in Alzheimer's disease (AD) shows a chronic inflammatory response characterized by activated glial cells and increased expression of cytokines and complement factors surrounding amyloid deposits. Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated a reduced risk for AD in patients using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), prompting further inquiries about how NSAIDs might influence the development of AD pathology and inflammation in the CNS. We tested the impact of chronic orally administered ibuprofen, the most commonly used NSAID, in a transgenic model of AD displaying widespread microglial activation, age-related amyloid deposits, and dystrophic neurites. These mice were created by overexpressing a variant of the amyloid precursor protein found in familial AD. Transgene-positive (Tg+) and negative (Tg-) mice began receiving chow containing 375 ppm ibuprofen at 10 months of age, when amyloid plaques first appear, and were fed continuously for 6 months. This treatment produced significant reductions in final interleukin-1beta and glial fibrillary acidic protein levels, as well as a significant diminution in the ultimate number and total area of beta-amyloid deposits. Reductions in amyloid deposition were supported by ELISA measurements showing significantly decreased SDS-insoluble Abeta. Ibuprofen also decreased the numbers of ubiquitin-labeled dystrophic neurites and the percentage area per plaque of anti-phosphotyrosine-labeled microglia. Thus, the anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen, which has been associated with reduced AD risk in human epidemiological studies, can significantly delay some forms of AD pathology, including amyloid deposition, when administered early in the disease course of a transgenic mouse model of AD.

The only function of Grauzone required for Drosophila oocyte meiosis is transcriptional activation of the cortex gene

The grauzone and cortex genes are required for the completion of meiosis in Drosophila oocytes. The grauzone gene encodes a C2H2-type zinc-finger transcription factor that binds to the cortex promoter and is necessary for high-level activation of cortex transcription. Here we define the region of the cortex promoter to which Grauzone binds and show that the binding occurs through the C-terminal, zinc-finger-rich region of the protein. Mutations in two out of the five grauzone alleles result in single amino acid changes within different zinc-finger motifs. Both of these mutations result in the inability of Grauzone to bind DNA effectively. To determine the mechanism by which Grauzone regulates meiosis, transgenic flies were produced with an extra copy of the cortex gene in homozygous grauzone females. This transgene rescued the meiosis arrest of embryos from these mutants and allowed their complete development, indicating that activation of cortex transcription is the primary role of Grauzone during Drosophila oogenesis. These experiments further define a new transcriptional pathway that controls the meiotic cell cycle in Drosophila oocytes.

Spatial and temporal changes in natural and target deprivation-induced cell death in the mouse inferior olive

The survival of inferior olive neurons is dependent on contact with cerebellar Purkinje cells. There is evidence that this dependence changes with time. Because inferior olivary axons, called climbing fibers, already show significant topographical ordering in cerebellar target zones during late embryogenesis in mice, the question arises as to whether olive neurons are dependent on target Purkinje cells for their survival at this early age. To better characterize this issue, inferior olive development was studied in two transgenic mouse mutants, wnt-1 and L7ADT, with embryonic and early postnatal loss of cerebellar target cells, respectively, and compared to that in the well-studied mutant, Lurcher. Morphological criteria as well as quantitative measures of apoptosis were considered in this developmental analysis. Survival of inferior olive neurons is observed to be independent of Purkinje cells throughout embryogenesis, but dependence begins immediately at birth in both wild types and mutants. Thereafter, wild types and mutants show a rapid increase in olive cell apoptosis, with a peak at postnatal day 4, followed by a period of low-level, but significant, apoptosis that continues to at least postnatal day 11; the main difference is that apoptosis is quantitatively enhanced in the mutants compared to wild types. The multiphasic course of these effects roughly parallels the known phases of climbing fiber synaptogenesis. In addition, despite significant temporal differences among the mutants with respect to absolute numbers of dying cells, there are common spatial features suggestive of distinct intrinsic programs linking different olivary subnuclei to their targets.

Completion of meiosis in Drosophila oocytes requires transcriptional control by grauzone, a new zinc finger protein

Mutations in grauzone or cortex cause abnormal arrest in Drosophila female meiosis. We cloned grauzone and identified it as a C2H2-type zinc finger transcription factor. The grauzone transcript is present in ovaries and at later developmental stages. A Grauzone-GFP fusion protein is functional and localizes to nuclei of both nurse cells and follicle cells during oogenesis. Three lines of evidence indicate that grauzone and cortex interact: reducing cortex function enhanced the grauzone mutant phenotype; cortex transcript abundance is reduced in the absence of grauzone function and Grauzone protein binds to the cortex promoter. These results demonstrate that activation of cortex transcription by grauzone is necessary for the completion of meiosis in Drosophila oocytes, and establish a new pathway that specifically regulates the female meiotic cell cycle.

Mapping biochemistry to metabolism: FDG-PET and amyloid burden in Alzheimer's disease

We evaluated the relationship between amyloid-beta protein (A beta) concentration and the metabolic abnormality in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) patient as measured by [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET). Across most regions there were significant inverse correlations among FDG-PET intensity values and both insoluble. The temporal lobe samples showed no significant correlation between FDG-PET values and A beta deposition. Findings support A beta as contributing to the hypometabolism in regions of the AD brain that are still relatively viable metabolically; those regions with chronic pathologic damage, such as temporal cortex, may have other factors that contribute to metabolic deficits.

Cloning of a novel MHC-encoded serine peptidase highly expressed by cortical epithelial cells of the thymus

Antigen presentation by cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTEC) during the positive selection of T cells has been shown to differ from that of other antigen-presenting cells. In the case of MHC class II presentation, cathepsin L as opposed to cathepsin S is responsible at least in part for the degradation of invariant chain. Other proteases, however, must be involved. We have identified a putative serine protease that is specifically expressed in the thymus. Encoded within the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region, this gene has sequence homology with lysosomal prolylcarboxypeptidase, suggesting that it is a serine protease. We have, therefore, designated this gene thymus-specific serine protease (TSSP). In situ hybridization and immunofluorescence staining reveal that TSSP is expressed exclusively by cortical thymic epithelial cells, with the strongest staining noted around vessels and the thymic capsule. The identification of TSSP further supports the theory that MHC class II antigen processing and presentation in the thymic cortex involves a proteolytic milieu that differs from that of other antigen-presenting cells.

Anti-inflammatory properties of triblock siloxane copolymer-blended materials

Implantable biomaterials often trigger a variety of adverse responses. Because polydimethyl siloxane surfaces have good hemo- and bio-compatibility, it is generally believed that surface biocompatibility may be improved by modifying biomaterial surfaces with silicone-like properties. For this, we developed a series of polycaprolactone-polydimethylsiloxane-polycaprolactone (PDMS-PCL) copolymers. By mixing the substrate material--polyvinyl chloride--with low concentrations (1.2 and 2.4%) of the PDMS-PCL copolymer, we generated materials with silicone-like surface properties as reflected by increased surface silicon content and surface contact angles. We assessed the biocompatibility of these surfaces in vitro and found that the addition of PDMS-PCL significantly reduced the percentages of surface-'denatured' fibrinogen, a critical element of genesis of many adverse responses to implanted biomaterials. Indeed, using an animal implantation model, we find that PDMS-PCL-blended materials triggered significantly weaker inflammatory responses than did polyvinyl chloride, the substrate control. The results from these experiments suggest that the use of PDMS-PCL additives (2.4%) in polymer blends is a useful means of camouflaging the substrate surface properties and improving the biocompatibility of biomaterials.

ETB receptor activation leads to activation and phosphorylation of NHE3

In OKP cells expressing ETB endothelin receptors, activation of Na+/H+ antiporter activity by endothelin-1 (ET-1) was resistant to low concentrations of ethylisopropyl amiloride, indicating regulation of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 (NHE3). ET-1 increased NHE3 phosphorylation in cells expressing ETB receptors but not in cells expressing ETA receptors. Receptor specificity was not due to demonstrable differences in receptor-specific activation of tyrosine phosphorylation pathways or inhibition of adenylyl cyclase. Phosphorylation was associated with a decrease in mobility on SDS-PAGE, which was reversed by treating immunoprecipitated NHE3 with alkaline phosphatase. Phosphorylation was first seen at 5 min and was maximal at 15-30 min. Phosphorylation was maximal with 10(-9) M ET-1. Phosphorylation occurred on threonine and serine residues at multiple sites. In summary, ET-1 induces NHE3 phosphorylation in OKP cells on multiple threonine and serine residues. ETB receptor specificity, time course, and concentration dependence are all similar between ET-1-induced increases in NHE3 activity and phosphorylation, suggesting that phosphorylation plays a key role in activation.