Synthesis, physicochemical and spectroscopic characterization of copper(II)-polysaccharide pullulan complexes by UV-vis, ATR-FTIR, and EPR

Bioactive copper(II) complexes with polysaccharides, like pullulan and dextran, are important in both veterinary and human medicine for the treatment of hypochromic microcitary anemia and hypocupremia. In aqueous alkaline solutions, Cu(II) ion forms complexes with the exopolysaccharide pullulan and its reduced low-molecular derivative. The metal content and the solution composition depend on pH, temperature, and time of the reaction. The complexing process begins in a weak alkali solution (pH >7) and involves OH groups of pullulan monomer (glucopyranose) units. Complexes of Cu(II) ion with reduced low-molecular pullulan (RLMP, M_w 6000 g mol⁻¹) were synthesized in water solutions, at the boiling temperature and at different pH values ranging from 7.5 to 12. The Cu(II) complex formation with RLMP was analyzed by UV–vis spectrophotometry and other physicochemical methods. Spectroscopic characterizations (ATR-FTIR, FT-IRIS, and EPR) and spectra–structure correlation of Cu(II)–RLMP complexes were also carried out.     

The memory enhancing effect of the APP-derived tripeptide Ac-rER is mediated through CRMP2

Photoactivated adenylyl cyclase α (PACα) was originally isolated from the flagellate Euglena gracilis. Following stimulation by blue light it causes a rapid increase in cAMP levels. In the present study, we expressed PACα in cholinergic neurons of Caenorhabditis elegans. Photoactivation led to a rise in swimming frequency, speed of locomotion, and a decrease in the number of backward locomotion episodes. The extent of the light-induced behavioral effects was dependent on the amount of PACα that was expressed. Furthermore, electrophysiological recordings from body wall muscle cells revealed an increase in miniature post-synaptic currents during light stimulation. We conclude that the observed effects were caused by cAMP synthesis because of photoactivation of pre-synaptic PACα which subsequently triggered acetylcholine release at the neuromuscular junction. Our results demonstrate that PACα can be used as an optogenetic tool in C. elegans for straightforward in vivo manipulation of intracellular cAMP levels by light, with good temporal control and high cell specificity. Thus, using PACα allows manipulation of neurotransmitter release and behavior by directly affecting intracellular signaling.     

FGF-21/FGF-21 receptor interaction and activation is determined by betaKlotho

Fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) is a metabolic regulator that can influence glucose and lipid control in diabetic rodents and primates. We demonstrate that betaKlotho is an integral part of an activated FGF-21-betaKlotho-FGF receptor (FGFR) complex thus a critical subunit of the FGF-21 receptor. Cells lacking betaKlotho did not respond to FGF-21; the introduction of betaKlotho to these cells conferred FGF-21-responsiveness and recapitulated the entire scope of FGF-21 signaling observed in naturally responsive cells. Interestingly, FGF-21-mediated effects are heparin independent suggesting that betaKlotho plays a role in FGF-21 activity similar to the one played by heparin in the signaling of conventional FGFs. Moreover, in addition to conferring specificity for FGF-21, betaKlotho appears to support FGF-19 activity and mediates the receptor selectivity profile of FGF-19. All together, these results indicate that betaKlotho and FGFRs form the cognate FGF-21 receptor complex, mediating FGF-21 cellular specificity and physiological effects.     

The Impact of National Institutes of Health Funding on U.S. Cardiovascular Disease Research

Background

Intense interest surrounds the recent expansion of US National Institutes of Health (NIH) budgets as part of economic stimulus legislation. However, the relationship between NIH funding and cardiovascular disease research is poorly understood, making the likely impact of this policy change unclear.

Methods

The National Library of Medicine''s PubMed database was searched for articles published from 1996 to 2006, originating from U.S. institutions, and containing the phrases “cardiolog,” “cardiovascular,” or “cardiac,” in the first author''s department. Research methodology, journal of publication, journal impact factor, and receipt of NIH funding were recorded. Differences in means and trends were tested with t-tests and linear regression, respectively, with P≤0.05 for significance.

Results

Of 117,643 world cardiovascular articles, 36,684 (31.2%) originated from the U.S., of which 10,293 (28.1%) received NIH funding. The NIH funded 40.1% of U.S. basic science articles, 20.3% of overall clinical trials, 18.1% of randomized-controlled, and 12.2% of multicenter clinical trials. NIH-funded and total articles grew significantly (65 articles/year, P<0.001 and 218 articles/year, P<0.001, respectively). The proportion of articles receiving NIH funding was stable, but grew significantly for basic science and clinical trials (0.87%/year, P<0.001 and 0.67%/year, P = 0.029, respectively). NIH-funded articles had greater journal impact factors than non NIH-funded articles (5.76 vs. 3.71, P<0.001).

Conclusions

NIH influence on U.S. cardiovascular research expanded in the past decade, during the period of NIH budget doubling. A substantial fraction of research is now directly funded and thus likely sensitive to budget fluctuations, particularly in basic science research. NIH funding predicts greater journal impact.     

Activity of adenosine deaminase and adenylate deaminase on adenosine and 2', 3(')-isopropylidene adenosine: role of the protecting group at different pH values

The deamination rate of 2',3'-isopropylidene adenosine catalyzed by adenosine deaminase (ADA) from calf intestine and adenylate deaminase (AMPDA) from Aspergillus species has been evaluated and compared with that of the enzymatic reactions of adenosine, to elucidate the influence of the protecting group on enzyme activity.     

Nitric oxide-scavenging activity of polyhydroxylated fullerenol, C60(OH)24.

Investigation of the possible nitric oxide-scavenging activity of hydroxylated derivative of fullerene, fullerenol C60(OH)24, demonstrated that it expressed direct scavenging activity toward nitric oxide radical (NO) liberated within solution of sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a well known NO donor. In parallel, pre-treatment (30') with intratesticular injection of fullerenol (60 microg/each testis) prevented NO-induced decrease of catalase, glutathione transferase and glutathione peroxidase activities in the denucleated fraction of interstitial testicular cells of adult rats 2 h after intratesticular injection of SNP (20 microg/each testis). In addition, fullerenol decreased formation of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS) with similar efficiency as butylated hydroxy toluen (BHT), a well known antioxidant. Also, fullerenol expressed certain scavenging activity toward superoxide anion (O2-) in xanthine/xanthine oxidase system. In summary, results obtained in this study confirmed free radical-scavenging activity of fullerenol, and according to our knowledge, it is the first evidence of direct NO-quenching activity of hydroxylated C60 derivative in different milieu.     

Polypropionate lactones of deoxysugars glycosides from slime mold Lycogala epidendrum

Two novel polypropionate lactone glycosides (1 and 2, i.e. lycogalinosides A and B) were isolated from the slime mold Lycogala epidendrum. Their structures, including the absolute configurations of the hydroxyl and methyls groups, were determined by means of extensive spectroscopic data such as mass, IR, UV, and 1D and 2D NMR spectra and chemical degradation followed by spectroscopic and chromatographic analysis. Compounds 1 and 2 are unique in structure containing a 2-deoxy-alpha-L-fucopyranosyl-(1-4)-6-deoxy-beta-D-gulopyranosyl unit and a beta-D-olivopyranosyl-(1-4)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl unit, respectively, and showed growth inhibitory activities against Gram-positive bacteria.     

Morphological variation in different populations of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aceria anthocoptes</Emphasis> (Acari: Eriophyoidea) associated with the Canada thistle, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cirsium arvense</Emphasis>, in Serbia

The russet mite, Aceria anthocoptes (Nal.), is the only eriophyid that has been recorded on Canada thistle, Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. It has been noted in several European countries and recently in the USA. With its apparent host specificity and because of the damage it causes to its host plant, A. anthocoptes is being studied as a potential candidate for classical biological control. The aim of the present study was to examine quantitative morphological traits in four populations of A. anthocoptes living on two infraspecific host plant taxa (C. arvense var. arvense and C. arvense var. vestitum) in two geographically separate areas of Serbia in order to test the hypothesis of absence of the possible host plant impact on mite morphology. MANOVA analysis revealed significant differences between populations from different localities in Serbia. Populations of A. anthocoptes inhabiting two thistle varieties in the vicinity of Belgrade differed significantly from mites inhabiting the same two host varieties in the vicinity of the town of Ivanjica. Canonical discriminant analysis showed that the trait which best discriminates the populations of A. anthocoptes is the number of dorsal annuli. It was not possible to ascribe morphological differences to the impact of the host plant.