Ferromagnetic trinuclear carbonato-bridged and tetranuclear hydroxo-bridged Cu(II) compounds with 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine as ligand. X-ray structure, spectroscopy and magnetism

A controlled synthesis, characterisation and single-crystal X-ray analysis of two novel copper(II) compounds with the ligand 4,4′-dimethyl-2,2′-bipyridine (abbreviated dmbipy) is described. In a CO₂ atmosphere, with sodium hydroxide added, the carbonato-bridged triangular trinuclear compound [Cu₃(dmbipy)₆(μ₃-CO₃)](BF₄)₄(C₂H₅OH)(H₂O) (1) is obtained. Compound 1 crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n with a=16.169(6), b=23.351(11), c=21.312(7) Å, β=91.26(3), Z=4. The three copper ions are connected via the oxygen atoms from the symmetrically bridging carbonato group, resulting in a triangular array of copper atoms. Each copper has a distorted square-pyramidal environment with a basal plane formed by three nitrogen atoms of the two chelating bipyridine groups and the oxygen atom of the bridging carbonato group (Cu-N/O distances about 2.0 Å). The apical position at each copper is occupied by the fourth nitrogen atom of the bipyridines with distances varying from 2.100(11) to 2.146(11) Å. In all other experimental conditions the tetranuclear hydroxo-bridged compound [Cu₄(dmbipy)₄(μ₃-OH)₂(μ-OH)₂(H₂O)₂](BF₄)₄(H₂O)₄ (2) is obtained. Compound 2 crystallises in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a=13.274(8), b=21.685(7), c=11.266(7) Å, β=107.71(4), Z=2. The structure consists of two bis(hydroxo)-bridged dinuclear planar units which are connected with long Cu-O bonds to form a tetranuclear unit. Each Cu ion has a similar square-pyramidal coordination geometry: the equatorial plane of each Cu ion consists of two nitrogen atoms of the dmbipy ligand (Cu-N distances 1.945-2.003 Å), and two bridging hydroxo oxygen atoms (Cu-O distances 1.945-1.973 Å). The apical position of Cu1 is occupied by an oxygen atom of a water molecule with a distance of 2.262 Å. The second copper atom, Cu2, has the apical position occupied by an oxygen atom of a bridging hydroxo group at a distance of 2.349 Å; this bond is responsible for the formation of the tetranuclear unity. Compound 1 exhibits a ferromagnetic interaction between the copper ions with a J=29.3 cm⁻¹ and a very weak ferromagnetic intercluster interaction with zj′=2.4 cm⁻¹. Compound 2 also exhibits a ferromagnetic interaction between the copper ions with a J=31.1 cm⁻¹ and an overall magnetic interaction between the two dimeric units J′=8.76 cm⁻¹     

Phenotype frequencies of autosomal minor histocompatibility antigens display significant differences among populations

Minor histocompatibility (H) antigens are allogeneic target molecules having significant roles in alloimmune responses after human leukocyte antigen–matched solid organ and stem cell transplantation (SCT). Minor H antigens are instrumental in the processes of transplant rejection, graft-versus-host disease, and in the curative graft-versus-tumor effect of SCT. The latter characteristic enabled the current application of selected minor H antigens in clinical immunotherapeutic SCT protocols. No information exists on the global phenotypic distribution of the currently identified minor H antigens. Therefore, an estimation of their overall impact in human leukocyte antigen–matched solid organ and SCT in the major ethnic populations is still lacking. For the first time, a worldwide phenotype frequency analysis of ten autosomal minor H antigens was executed by 31 laboratories and comprised 2,685 randomly selected individuals from six major ethnic populations. Significant differences in minor H antigen frequencies were observed between the ethnic populations, some of which appeared to be geographically correlated.     

Genome-wide linkage scan of prostate cancer Gleason score and confirmation of chromosome 19q

Despite evidence that prostate cancer has a genetic etiology, it has been extremely difficult to confirm genetic linkage results across studies, emphasizing the large extent of genetic heterogeneity associated with this disease. Because prostate cancer is common—approximately one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their life—genetic linkage studies are likely plagued by phenocopies (i.e., men with prostate cancer due to environmental or lifestyle factors), weakly penetrant alleles, or a combination of both, making it difficult to replicate linkage findings. One way to account for heterogeneous causes is to use clinical information that is related to the aggressiveness of disease as an endpoint for linkage analyses. Gleason grade is a measure of prostate tumor differentiation, with higher grades associated with more aggressive disease. This semi-quantitative score has been used as a quantitative trait for linkage analysis in several prior studies. Our aim was to determine if prior linkage reports of Gleason grade to specific loci could be replicated, and to ascertain if new regions of linkage could be found. Gleason scores were available for 391 affected sib pairs from 183 hereditary prostate cancer pedigrees as part of the PROGRESS study. Analyzing Gleason score as a quantitative trait, and using microsatellite markers, suggestive evidence for linkage (P-value ≤ 0.001) was found on chromosomes 19q and 5q, with P-values ≤ 0.01 observed on chromosomes 3q, 7q, and 16q. Our results confirm reports of Gleason score linkage to chromosome 19q and suggest new loci for further investigation.     

Non‐native plant species benefit from disturbance: a meta‐analysis

Disturbances, such as fire and grazing, are often claimed to facilitate plant species richness and plant invasions in particular, although empirical evidence is contradictory. We conducted a meta‐analysis to synthesize the literature on how non‐native plant species are affected by disturbances. We explored whether the observed impact of disturbance on non‐native plant communities is related to its type and frequency, to habitat type, study approach (observational or experimental), and to the temporal and spatial scales of the study. To put the results in a broader context, we also conducted a set of parallel analyses on a data set involving native plant species. The diversity and abundance of non‐native plant species were significantly higher at disturbed sites than at undisturbed sites, while the diversity and abundance of native plant species did not differ between the two types of sites. The effect of disturbance on non‐native plant species depended on the measure used to evaluate the impact (species diversity or abundance) and on disturbance type, with grazing and anthropogenic disturbances leading to higher diversity and abundance of non‐native plant species than other disturbance types examined. The impact of disturbance on non‐natives was also associated with study approach, habitat type and temporal scale, but these factors covaried with disturbance type, complicating the interpretation of the results. Overall, our results indicate that disturbance has a positive impact particularly on non‐native plant species (at least when they are already present in the community), and that the strength of this impact depends primarily on the disturbance type. Synthesis Empirical evidence of the effect of disturbances on plant species richness is contradictory. Here we use a meta‐analysis to synthesize the published literature on how different types of disturbances influence the diversity and abundance of plant species, focusing in particular on non‐native plants. Our study supports the hypothesis that disturbances generally facilitate the diversity and abundance of non‐native plant species, although the strength of this facilitation depends primarily on the disturbance type.     

The Human Mitochondrial DNA Depletion Syndrome Gene MPV17 Encodes a Non-selective Channel That Modulates Membrane Potential

The human MPV17-related mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome is an inherited autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the inner mitochondrial membrane protein MPV17. Although more than 30 MPV17 gene mutations were shown to be associated with mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome, the function of MPV17 is still unknown. Mice deficient in Mpv17 show signs of premature aging. In the present study, we used electrophysiological measurements with recombinant MPV17 to reveal that this protein forms a non-selective channel with a pore diameter of 1.8 nm and located the channel''s selectivity filter. The channel was weakly cation-selective and showed several subconductance states. Voltage-dependent gating of the channel was regulated by redox conditions and pH and was affected also in mutants mimicking a phosphorylated state. Likewise, the mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψ_m) and the cellular production of reactive oxygen species were higher in embryonic fibroblasts from Mpv17^−/− mice. However, despite the elevated Δψ_m, the Mpv17-deficient mitochondria showed signs of accelerated fission. Together, these observations uncover the role of MPV17 as a Δψ_m-modulating channel that apparently contributes to mitochondrial homeostasis under different conditions.     

Identification of Clostridium botulinum with API 20 A, Rapid ID 32 A and RapID ANA II

Three commercially available test systems for the identification of anaerobic bacteria were evaluated for the identification of 18 proteolytic group I and 69 non-proteolytic group II Clostridium botulinum, four Clostridium sporogenes and 18 non-toxigenic group II C. botulinum-like strains. All proteolytic C. botulinum strains were misidentified by the Rapid ID 32 A and RapID ANA II, while 14 strains and all C. sporogenes strains were identified as C. botulinum or C. sporogenes by the API 20 A. Reversely, all non-proteolytic C. botulinum strains were misidentified by the API 20 A while the Rapid ID 32 A recognized 67 and RapID ANA II 68 strains. All C. sporogenes strains were recognized by the RapID ANA II, while the Rapid ID 32 A recognized one strain. All non-proteolytic non-toxigenic strains were identified as C. botulinum group II by the Rapid ID 32 A, 17 strains by the RapID ANA II, and one strain by the API 20 A. The results show that these test systems do not provide a reliable method for identification of C. botulinum.     

Safety Evaluation of Sous Vide-Processed Products with Respect to Nonproteolytic Clostridium botulinum by Use of Challenge Studies and Predictive Microbiological Models

Sixteen different types of sous vide-processed products were evaluated for safety with respect to nonproteolytic group II Clostridium botulinum by using challenge tests with low (2.0-log-CFU/kg) and high (5.3-log-CFU/kg) inocula and two currently available predictive microbiological models, Food MicroModel (FMM) and Pathogen Modeling Program (PMP). After thermal processing, the products were stored at 4 and 8°C and examined for the presence of botulinal spores and neurotoxin on the sell-by date and 7 days after the sell-by date. Most of the thermal processes were found to be inadequate for eliminating spores, even in low-inoculum samples. Only 2 of the 16 products were found to be negative for botulinal spores and neurotoxin at both sampling times. Two products at the high inoculum level showed toxigenesis during storage at 8°C, one of them at the sell-by date. The predictions generated by both the FMM thermal death model and the FMM and PMP growth models were found to be inconsistent with the observed results in a majority of the challenges. The inaccurate predictions were caused by the limited number and range of the controlling factors in the models. Based on this study, it was concluded that the safety of sous vide products needs to be carefully evaluated product by product. Time-temperature combinations used in thermal treatments should be reevaluated to increase the efficiency of processing, and the use of additional antibotulinal hurdles, such as biopreservatives, should be assessed.     

Food and Nutrient Intake and Nutritional Status of Finnish Vegans and Non-Vegetarians

BackgroundVegetarian and vegan diets have become more popular among adolescents and young adults. However, few studies have investigated the nutritional status of vegans, who may be at risk of nutritional deficiencies.ObjectiveTo compare dietary intake and nutritional status of Finnish long-term vegans and non-vegetarians.MethodsDietary intake and supplement use were estimated using three-day dietary records. Nutritional status was assessed by measuring biomarkers in plasma, serum, and urine samples. Vegans’ (n = 22) data was compared with those of sex- and age-matched non-vegetarians (n = 19).ResultsAll vegans adhered strictly to their diet; however, individual variability was marked in food consumption and supplementation habits. Dietary intakes of key nutrients, vitamins B12 and D, were lower (P < 0.001) in vegans than in non-vegetarians. Nutritional biomarker measurements showed lower concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3), iodine and selenium (corrected for multiple comparisons, P < 0.001), Vegans showed more favorable fatty acid profiles (P < 0.001) as well as much higher concentrations of polyphenols such as genistein and daidzein (P < 0.001). Eicosapentaenoic acid proportions in vegans were higher than expected. The median concentration of iodine in urine was below the recommended levels in both groups.ConclusionsLong-term consumption of a vegan diet was associated with some favorable laboratory measures but also with lowered concentrations of key nutrients compared to reference values. This study highlights the need for nutritional guidance to vegans.