Syntheses, crystal structures, and magnetic properties of two novel Ni(mnt)2-based molecular magnetic materials containing substituted triphenylphosphinium

Two novel molecular magnetic materials, [RBzTPP][Ni(mnt)₂] (mnt²⁻ = maleonitriledithiolate, [RBzTPP]⁺ = 4-R-benzyltriphenylphosphinium; R = CN (1), Cl (2)) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. In crystal of 1, the [Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ anions form a dimer via Ni?S and π?π stacking interactions between Ni(mnt)₂ planes, and the C-H?Ni and C-H?N H-bonding interactions are found between the [Ni(mnt)₂]⁻ anions and the neighboring [CNBzTPP]⁺ cations. The anions and cations of 2 stack into well-segregated columns in the solid state; and the Ni(III) ions form a 1D alternating chain in a Ni(mnt)₂ column through intermolecular Ni?S, or π?π interactions with the Ni?Ni distances of 3.900, 4.198, and 4.165 Å. Magnetic susceptibility measurements for these complexes in the temperature range 1.8-300 K show that the overall magnetic behavior for 1 and 2 indicates the presence of antiferromagnetic interaction, but 1 exhibits an activated magnetic behavior in the high-temperature (HT) region together with a Curie tail in the low-temperature (LT) region.     

T-cell activation without proliferation in juvenile idiopathic arthritis

A study was done to determine if the differentiation and activation phenotype of T cells in synovial fluid (SF) from patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is associated with T-cell proliferation in situ. Mononuclear cells were isolated from 44 paired samples of peripheral blood and SF. Differentiation and activation markers were determined on CD4 and CD8 T cells by flow cytometry. Cell-cycle analysis was performed by propidium iodide staining, and surface-marker expression was also assessed after culture of the T cells under conditions similar to those found in the synovial compartment. The majority of the T cells in the SF were CD45RO⁺CD45RB^dull. There was greater expression of the activation markers CD69, HLA-DR, CD25 and CD71 on T cells from SF than on those from peripheral blood. Actively dividing cells accounted for less than 1% of the total T-cell population in SF. The presence or absence of IL-16 in T-cell cultures with SF or in a hypoxic environment did not affect the expression of markers of T-cell activation. T cells from the SF of patients with JIA were highly differentiated and expressed early and late markers of activation with little evidence of in situ proliferation. This observation refines and extends previous reports of the SF T-cell phenotype in JIA and may have important implications for our understanding of chronic inflammation.     

Isolation of heat shock factor HsfA1a-binding sites in vivo revealed variations of heat shock elements in Arabidopsis thaliana

The information about DNA-binding sites of regulatory protein is important to understanding the regulatory network of DNA-protein interactions in the genome. In this report we integrated chromatin immunoprecipitation with DNA cloning to isolate genomic sites bound in vivo by heat shock factor HsfA1a in Arabidopsis thaliana. Plantlets were subjected to formaldehyde crosslinking, followed by immunoprecipitation of chromatin. The immunoprecipitated DNA was amplified by PCR and cloned. From a library enriched in putative HsfA1a-binding sites, 21 different genomic fragments were identified (65-332 bp). Six fragments contained known HsfA1a-binding motif (perfect heat shock element). Six fragments contained novel HsfA1a-binding motifs: (1) gap-type, (2) TTC-rich-type, (3) stress responsive element (STRE). Representatives of each were verified by in vitro electrophoretic mobility shift assay. About 81% of the isolated fragments contained the HsfA1a-binding motifs, and/or could be bound by HsfA1a, demonstrating that the method is efficient in the isolation of genomic binding sites of a regulatory protein. The nearest downstream genes to the HsfA1a-binding fragments, which were considered as potential HsfA1a target genes, include a set of classical heat shock protein genes: Hsp17.4, Hsp18.2, Hsp21, Hsp81-1, Hsp101, and several novel genes encoding a non-race specific disease resistance protein and a transmembrane CLPTM1 family protein.     

The effect of selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors,alone and in combination,on a murine model of allergic asthma

BackgroundThe anti-inflammatory effects of the selective phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors cilostazol (PDE 3), RO 20-1724 (PDE 4) and sildenafil (PDE 5) were examined in a murine model of allergic asthma. These compounds were used alone and in combination to determine any potential synergism, with dexamethasone included as a positive control.MethodsControl and ovalbumin sensitised Balb/C mice were administered orally with each of the possible combinations of drugs at a dose of 3 mg/Kg for 10 days.ResultsWhen used alone, RO 20-1724 significantly reduced eosinophil influx into lungs and lowered tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid when compared to untreated mice. Treatment with cilostazol or sildenafil did not significantly inhibit any markers of inflammation measured. Combining any of these PDE inhibitors produced no additive or synergistic effects. Indeed, the anti-inflammatory effects of RO 20-1724 were attenuated by co-administration of either cilostazol or sildenafil.ConclusionsThese results suggest that concurrent treatment with a PDE 3 and/or PDE 5 inhibitor will reduce the anti-inflammatory effectiveness of a PDE 4 inhibitor.     

尊重斯德哥尔摩的历史中心—骑士岛的激活改造

瑞典国家财产委员会拥有骑士岛的所有权与管理权,并计划对该岛上所有的公共空间进行更新和开发,以提高其可达性与吸引力。该项目的核心是找到一种更新和修复岛屿的方法,从而在尊重历史价值的同时满足现代功能需求。对骑士岛南部的改造是岛上公共空间更新的第一部分。设计的关键条件是沿滨水区域创造可以供人步行与停坐的大面积空间,并在保持开放海港氛围的同时,对旧的道路铺装进行管理。设计者设计了一套灵活使用公共空间的综合解决方案,将开放空间与之前的码头一样,沿着水滨的形态进行布局。     

PARASITISM VERSUS COMMENSALISM: THE CASE OF TABULATE ENDOBIONTS

Abstract:  Tube-like traces of organisms belonging to the ichnogenus Chaetosalpinx Sokolov have been considered in the literature as commensal endobiontic organisms of tabulate corals. Their position between the corallites (or sometimes within the septa), perforation of the host's skeleton and soft tissue, modification of its phenotype and a possible inhibition of its growth show that the relationship between these organisms and tabulate corals can best be interpreted as parasitism rather than commensalism, as previously suggested. Such an interpretation may be extended to the ichnogenera Helicosalpinx Oekentorp and Actinosalpinx Sokolov, which show identical placement within the host colony and similar features, such as the absence of their own wall.     

2D proteome analysis initiates new Insights on the Salmonella Typhimurium LuxS protein

Background  

Quorum sensing is a term describing a bacterial communication system mediated by the production and recognition of small signaling molecules. The LuxS enzyme, catalyzing the synthesis of AI-2, is conserved in a wide diversity of bacteria. AI-2 has therefore been suggested as an interspecies quorum sensing signal. To investigate the role of endogenous AI-2 in protein expression of the Gram-negative pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium), we performed a 2D-DIGE proteomics experiment comparing total protein extract of wildtype S. Typhimurium with that of a luxS mutant, unable to produce AI-2.