Cyclic assemblies formed by metal ions, pyrimidines and isogeometrical heterocycles: DNA binding properties and antitumour activity

In this contribution, we discuss the use of simple pyrimidine derivatives and geometrically related heterocycles in combination with protected metal ions to build cyclic polynuclear coordination assemblies. The resulting assemblies range from conformationally rigid triangles to corrugated octagons with positively charged cavities and surfaces that can interact with anionic species in a supramolecular fashion. Special attention has been focussed to the supramolecular interaction of these systems towards mononucleotides and DNA as a possible novel interaction of DNA binding metallo-drugs. The results show that these systems efficiently interact with both mononucleotides and ds-DNA. The molecular recognition of ds-DNA leads to significant conformational changes, however, this interaction gives only rise to moderate cytotoxic effects towards tumour cell lines.     

不同训练负荷太极拳运动对早中期帕金森病患者康复疗效

目的 通过对比对照组和太极拳运动组，评价太极拳运动在早中期帕金森病患者康复作用。方法 45例帕金森病患者随机分为：对照组（n=15），不接受干预；太极拳1组（n=15）采用24式简化太极拳练习，40 min/次，3次/周；太极拳2组（n=15）采用24式简化太极拳练习，60 min/次，3次/周。在基线、12周、24周运动后采用患者跌倒功效量表（FES）、起立-行走计时测试（TUGT）、Berg平衡量表评分（BBS）、统一帕金森病评定量表（UPDRS） Ⅲ评分、汉密尔顿焦虑抑郁量表评分（HAMD、HAMA）、匹兹堡睡眠质量指数评分（PSQI）进行评估。结果 太极拳1组，24周对比基线在TUGT、BBS评分的改善上有统计学意义（P<0.05）。太极拳2组，24周对比基线在TUGT、 BBS评分的改善上有统计学意义（P<0.05）,24周对比12周在TUGT的改善上有统计学意义（P<0.05）。结论 太极拳运动可以改善早中期帕金森病患者的平衡障碍，可降低跌倒风险。     

Preliminary Observations on the Characteristics of the Owned Dog Population in Roseau,Dominica

The subject of sanctuaries for chimpanzees has lately become the topic of a great deal of discussion (Brent, Butler, &; Haberstroh, 1997; Committee on Long-Term Care of Chimpanzees, 1997; Dyke, Williams-Blangero, Mamelka, &; Goodwin, 1995; Peterson &; Goodall, 1993). In the United States, laboratories that use chimpanzees in research are facing a housing crisis. An increase in captive births caused by the initiation of the National Chimpanzee Breeding and Research Program in 1986 (Hobson, Graham, &; Rowell, 1991), coupled with the diminished use of chimpanzees as experimental subjects, have led to a large population of chimpanzees considered to be surplus to demand (Blood, Wolfle, &; Whitney, 1992). These chimpanzees, as well as an unknown number from the private sector, are candidates for what is currently being called retirement.     

Use of alanine-silicone pellets for electron paramagnetic resonance gamma dosimetry.

Silicone is proposed as an alternative binding substance in the production of D-L alanine pellets used in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) dosimetry of gamma rays. The dosimeters are manufactured at room temperature, making the production simple. Examination by EPR silicone-alanine pellets irradiated with 60Co gamma rays in the dose range 10 to 10(6) Gy shows that the proposed silicone binder does not affect typical alanine dose-response curves. Thermal stability of the pellets below 40 degrees C is good, but their pre-dose EPR signal amplitude is slightly higher than for nonirradiated alanine.     

Cryo‐EM structure of metazoan TRAPPIII,the multi‐subunit complex that activates the GTPase Rab1

The TRAPP complexes are nucleotide exchange factors that play essential roles in membrane traffic and autophagy. TRAPPII activates Rab11, and TRAPPIII activates Rab1, with the two complexes sharing a core of small subunits that affect nucleotide exchange but being distinguished by specific large subunits that are essential for activity in vivo. Crystal structures of core subunits have revealed the mechanism of Rab activation, but how the core and the large subunits assemble to form the complexes is unknown. We report a cryo‐EM structure of the entire Drosophila TRAPPIII complex. The TRAPPIII‐specific subunits TRAPPC8 and TRAPPC11 hold the catalytic core like a pair of tongs, with TRAPPC12 and TRAPPC13 positioned at the joint between them. TRAPPC2 and TRAPPC2L link the core to the two large arms, with the interfaces containing residues affected by disease‐causing mutations. The TRAPPC8 arm is positioned such that it would contact Rab1 that is bound to the core, indicating how the arm could determine the specificity of the complex. A lower resolution structure of TRAPPII shows a similar architecture and suggests that the TRAPP complexes evolved from a single ur‐TRAPP.