Spin-dependent electronic conduction along zigzag graphene nanoribbons bearing adsorbed Ni and Fe nanostructures

Using SMEAGOL, an ab initio computational method that combines the non-equilibrium Green's function formalism with density-functional theory, we calculated spin-specific electronic conduction in systems consisting of single Fen and Nin nanostructures (n = 1-4) adsorbed on a hydrogen-passivated zigzag graphene nanoribbon. For each cluster we considered both ferromagnetically and antiferromagnetically coupled ribbon edges (Ferro-F and Ferro-A systems, respectively). Adstructures located laterally on Ferro-A ribbons caused significant transmittance loss at energies 0.6-0.25 eV below the Fermi level for one spin and 0.2-0.4 eV above the Fermi level for the other, allowing the potential use of these systems in transistors to create a moderately spin-polarized current of one or the other sign depending on the gate voltage. Ni3 and Ni4 clusters located at the centre of Ferro-F ribbons exhibited a strong spin-filtering effect in a narrow energy window around the Fermi level.

Structure, fragmentation patterns, and magnetic properties of small cobalt oxide clusters

Spin isomers of stoichiometric cobalt oxide clusters and planar ring-like to three dimensional cobalt subcluster transition.

Antiferromagnetic-like coupling in the cationic iron cluster of thirteen atoms

We explore, within the density functional theory in the generalized gradient approximation to exchange and correlation, the map of spin isomers of the cationic Fe13(+) cluster in connection with recent X-ray magnetic circular dichroism spectroscopy experiments [M. Niemeyer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 2012, 108, 057201] which showed an anomalous low magnetic moment per number of 3d holes in this cluster. We systematically explore the low-lying magnetic excitations and correlate them with structural rearrangements and stability indicators. We obtain the observed low magnetic moment per 3d hole as the ground state of Fe13(+) and we demonstrate that, as supposed by the experimentalists, the cluster undergoes a magnetic transition from a ferromagnetic-like configuration to an antiferromagnetic-like one upon ionization. We unravel this unexpected magnetic behavior showing that it is concomitant with a Th-deformation of the icosahedral structure together with the electronic filling of this particular iron cluster. The spin-orbit interaction preserves this magnetic configuration which is essentially due to the spin. Our computed magnetic anisotropy energy supports the experimental interpretation of the cluster as fluxional due to the very weak coupling of the magnetic moment to an easy axis.

Oxysterol receptors and their therapeutic applications in cancer conditions

INTRODUCTION

Oxysterols are implicated in various cellular processes. Among their target proteins, liver X receptors (LXRs) α and β modulate the cell cycle in a large range of cancer cell lines. Besides their role as cholesterol sensors, LXRs are also involved in the proliferation/apoptosis balance regulation in various types of cancers.

AREAS COVERED

This review covers oxysterols and derivatives of cholesterol as well as synthetic or natural ligands (agonist/antagonist) of LXRs. Most tumor cell lines are sensitive to LXR activation. Indeed various cancers are concerned such as prostate, breast, glioblastoma, colorectal, and ovary tumors, and leukemia.

EXPERT OPINION

Developing the use of LXR ligands in human health, especially in the field of cancer, represents a novel and promising strategy. Despite a wide spectrum of applications, numerous adverse effects of LXR activation need to be solved before genuine clinical trials in humans. Future directions will be based on the engineering of selective LXRs modulators (SLiMs) as already done for nuclear steroid receptors.

Neonatal exposure to zearalenone induces long term modulation of ABC transporter expression in testis

Mycotoxin zearalenone (ZEN) is a cereal contaminant produced by various species of Fusarium fungi. When interacting with estrogen receptors, ZEN leads to animal fertility disturbances and other reproductive pathologies. Few data are available on the effects of perinatal exposure to ZEN, particularly in the blood-testis barrier. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of ZEN in adult rats exposed neonatally. We focused on the expression and cellular localization of major ABC transporters expressed in adult rat testis, comparing ZEN effects with those of Estradiol Benzoate (EB) neonatal exposure. Dose-dependent and long term modulations of mRNA and protein levels of Abcb1, Abcc1, Abcg2, Abcc4 and Abcc5 were observed, along with Abcc4 protein cellular delocalization. ZEN exposure of SerW3 Sertoli cells showed modulation of Abcb1, Abcc4 and Abcc5. Comparison with EB exposure showed similar modulation profiles for Abcg2 but differential modulations for Abcb1, Abcc1, Abcc4 and Abcc5 in vivo, and a similar profile for Abcb1 modulation by ZEN and EB, but differential modulation for Abcc4 and Abcc5 in vitro. ZEN and EB effects were inhibited by in vitro addition of the pure anti-estrogen ICI 182.780, suggesting the at least partial implication of ZEN estrogenic activity in these modulations. These results suggested that ZEN neonatal exposure could affect the exposure of testis to ABC transporter substrates, and negatively influence spermatogenesis and male fertility.

Cholesterol and male fertility: what about orphans and adopted?

The link between cholesterol homeostasis and male fertility has been clearly suggested in patients who suffer from hyperlipidemia and metabolic syndrome. This has been confirmed by the generation of several transgenic mouse models or in animals fed with high cholesterol diet. Next to the alteration of the endocrine signaling pathways through steroid receptors (androgen and estrogen receptors); "orphan" and "adopted" nuclear receptors, such as the Liver X Receptors (LXRs), the Proliferating Peroxisomal Activated Receptors (PPARs) or the Liver Receptor Homolog-1 (LRH-1), have been involved in this cross-talk. These transcription factors show distinct expression patterns in the male genital tract, explaining the large panel of phenotypes observed in transgenic male mice and highlighting the importance of lipid homesostasis and the complexity of the molecular pathways involved. Increasing our knowledge of the roles of these nuclear receptors in male germ cell differentiation could help in proposing new approaches to either treat infertile men or define new strategies for contraception.

Acetosolv pulping for the fractionation of empty fruit bunches from palm oil industry

Influence of operational variables in the EFB pulping [acetic acid (60-95%), hydrochloric acid (0.10-0.25%) and time (60-180 min)], on the yield, drainability or beating grade, Kappa number, lignin and viscosity of pulps was studied. By using a factorial design, equations were obtained that reproduced the experimental results for the dependent variables with errors less than 9-18%. These equations can be used to find the suitable conditions, so that operating with not too high values of operating variables (with minor costs of operation and capital) pulps with acceptable properties could be obtained: operating with 86.25% acetic acid, 0.25% hydrochloric acid and 120 min time, produced pulps with 46.56% yield, 15.9 °SR drainability, 36.3 Kappa number, 10.3% lignin and 303 mL/g viscosity, values all of them close to the optimal predicted.

First symposium of ichthyosis experts

On June 22, 2012 the First Symposium of Ichthyosis Experts in Spain was held at the Hospital Niño de Jesús in Madrid. It was a one-day symposium for dermatologists, pediatricians, and physicians-in-training interested in this disease, as well as for other health care professionals involved in the care of patients with ichthyosis. The aim of the meeting was to try to structure the care of ichthyosis patients in Spain. As happens in other rare diseases, because of the low prevalence of ichthyosis and the absence of designated referral centers, the number of patients treated in each center is very low and few dermatologists have any real clinical experience with this condition or know how to order diagnostic genetic tests. This article summarizes the presentations given at the symposium and is intended as a reference for anyone interested in the subject.

Electronic structure and transport properties of monatomic Fe chains in a vacuum and anchored to a graphene nanoribbon

The electronic structure and transport properties of monatomic Fe wires of different characteristics are studied within the density functional theory. In both equidistant and dimerized (more stable) isolated wires, magnetism plays an important role since it leads to different shapes of the transmission coefficients for each spin component. In equidistant wires, electron localization around the Fermi level leads to symmetry breaking between d(xy) and d(x(2)-y(2)) bands. The main effect of the structural dimerization is to decrease the number of channels available for the minority spin component. When anchored to the edges of a graphene nanoribbon, the dimerization of the chain is preserved, despite the hybridization of the d states of Fe with the C atoms which gives way to a reduction in the number of d channels around the Fermi level. Most conduction is then led by an electronic channel from the ribbon and the sp(z) bands from the Fe wires. Suggestions to improve the spintronic ability of Fe wires are proposed.

Magnetization reversal process at atomic scale in systems with itinerant electrons

The magnetic response of itinerant electrons systems to an external magnetic field is investigated on the basis of a microscopic Hamiltonian from which the spin-polarized electronic structure is determined. The magnetic moment and grand thermodynamic potential of the d-electronic subsystem on a particular atomic site in the presence of the external field are calculated as a function of the moment's orientation for fixed electron configuration of its local environment. Self-consistent magnetic solutions strongly depend on the d-electron number, determined by the position of the d level relative to the Fermi energy. For parameters corresponding to α-Fe, two branches of self-consistent solutions with high and low magnetic moments are found. For parameters corresponding to bulk Cr, a Fe impurity in the Cr matrix and a Cr impurity in the Fe matrix, there are only low-spin solutions. The theory is also applied for describing magnetization reversal processes in exchange spring magnets. A slab of Fe was considered as a soft magnetic layer. The influence of the hard magnet is modeled by the inclusion of an external magnetic field applied to the interface Fe layers. The dependence of the hysteresis loop on the thickness of the Fe slab and on the value of the interface field is investigated.