EVOLUTION, Issue 5 2010
Xiaowei Jiang
The antigenic peptide, major histocompatibility complex molecule (MHC; also called human leukocyte antigen, HLA), coreceptor CD8, or CD4 and T-cell receptor (TCR) function as a complex to initiate effectors' mechanisms of the immune system. The tight functional and physical interaction among these molecules may have involved strong coevolution links among domains within and between proteins. Despite the importance of unraveling such dependencies to understand the arms race of host,pathogen interaction, no previous studies have aimed at achieving such an objective. Here, we perform an exhaustive coevolution analysis and show that indeed such dependencies are strongly shaping the evolution and probably the function of these molecules. We identify intramolecular coevolution in HLA class I and II at domains important for their immune activity. Most of the amino acid sites identified to be coevolving in HLAI have been also detected to undergo positive Darwinian selection highlighting therefore their adaptive value. We also identify coevolution among antigen-binding pockets (P1-P9) and among these and TCR-binding sites. Conversely to HLAI, coevolution is weaker in HLAII. Our results support that such coevolutionary patterns are due to selective pressures of host,pathogen coevolution and cooperative binding of TCRs, antigenic peptides, and CD8/CD4 to HLAI and HLAII. [source]

PHYLOGENY OF AULACOSEIRA (BACILLARIOPHYTA) BASED ON MOLECULES AND MORPHOLOGY,

JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY, Issue 4 2004
Stacy M. Edgar
The phylogeny of 67 populations representing 45 species of Aulacoseira Thwaites was estimated by maximum parsimony methods using a combination of nucleotide sequence data and qualitative and quantitative morphological characteristics of the silica cell wall gathered primarily from original observation by LM and SEM. A new type of character using continuous quantitative variables that describe the ontogenetic-allometric trajectories of cell wall characteristics over the life cycle (size range) of diatoms is introduced. In addition to the 45 Aulacoseira species, the phylogeny also incorporated one Miosira Krammer, Lange-Bertalot, and Schiller species and two outgroup species (Melosira varians Agardh and Stephanopyxis nipponica Gran & Yendo). Fifteen species, represented by 24 populations, also contained molecular data from the nuclear genome (18S rDNA), and 11 of these species (18 populations) contained data from the chloroplast genome (rbcL) as well, which were sequenced or downloaded from GenBank. The phylogeny of Aulacoseira is composed of five major clades: 1) an A. crenulata (Ehrenburg) Thwaites and A. italica (Ehrenburg) Simonsen clade, which is the most basal; 2) an A. granulata (Ehrenburg) Simonsen complex clade; 3) an A. ambigua (Grunow) Simonsen clade; 4) an A. subarctica (O. Müller) Haworth and A. distans (Ehrenburg) Simonsen clade; and 5) an A. islandica (O. Müller) Simonsen clade that also contained endemic species from Lake Baikal, Siberia and many extinct Aulacoseira taxa. Monophyly of Aulacoseira can only be achieved if Miosira is no longer given separate generic status. [source]

AMP-activated protein kinase in Sickness and Health , From Molecule to Man

ACTA PHYSIOLOGICA, Issue 1 2009
J. F. P. Wojtaszewski
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Expression of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (CD56) in Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinoma

DERMATOLOGIC SURGERY, Issue 11 2008
ROB C. BELJAARDS MD
No abstract is available for this article. [source]

Designing the Host-Guest Properties of Tetranuclear Arene Ruthenium Metalla-Rectangles to Accommodate a Pyrene Molecule

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2010
Nicolas P. E. Barry
Abstract Cationic tetranuclear arene ruthenium complexes of the general formula [Ru4(p -cymene)4(N,N)2(dhnq)2]4+ comprising rectangular structures are obtained in methanol from the reaction of the dinuclear arene ruthenium precursor [Ru2(p -cymene)2(dhnq)2Cl2] (dhnq = 5,8-dihydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinonato) with pyrazine or bipyridine linkers [N,N = pyrazine, 1; 4,4,-bipyridine, 2; 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene, 3] in the presence of AgCF3SO3. All complexes 1,3, isolated in good yield as triflate salts, have been characterised by NMR and IR spectroscopy. The interaction of these rectangular complexes with pyrene as a guest molecule has been studied in solution by various NMR techniques (1D, DOSY, ROESY). In [D3]acetonitrile, the pyrazine-containing metalla-rectangle 1 shows no meaningful interactions with pyrene. On the other hand, the 4,4,-bipyridine- and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene-containing metalla-rectangles 2 and 3 clearly interact with pyrene in [D3]acetonitrile. DOSY measurements suggest that, in the case of [Ru4(p -cymene)4(4,4,-bipyridine)2(dhnq)2]4+ (2), the interactions occur on the outside of the rectangular assembly, while in the case of [Ru4(p -cymene)4{1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethylene}2(dhnq)2]4+ (3), the pyrene molecule is found inside the hydrophobic cavity of the metalla-rectangle, thus giving rise to a host-guest system. [source]

Synthesis of An Enantioenriched C2 -Symmetric Molecule by a Chiral-Base-Mediated Kinetic Resolution of an (Arene)tricarbonylchromium(0) Complex

EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ORGANIC CHEMISTRY, Issue 8 2006
M. Paola Castaldi
Abstract Trimethylsilyl substituents have been used to control the conformational preferences of a 1,2-disubstituted (arene)tricarbonylchromium(0) complex. The kinetic resolution of the mono-methyl derivative (±)- 11 using a chiral base/iodomethane quench sequence led to the synthesis of the enantioenriched C2 -symmetric bis-ether (+)- 13. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006) [source]

An Organic Nanoparticle Transistor Behaving as a Biological Spiking Synapse

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 2 2010
Fabien Alibart
Abstract Molecule-based devices are envisioned to complement silicon devices by providing new functions or by implementing existing functions at a simpler process level and lower cost, by virtue of their self-organization capabilities. Moreover, they are not bound to von Neuman architecture and this feature may open the way to other architectural paradigms. Neuromorphic electronics is one of them. Here, a device made of molecules and nanoparticles,a nanoparticle organic memory field-effect transistor (NOMFET),that exhibits the main behavior of a biological spiking synapse is demonstrated. Facilitating and depressing synaptic behaviors can be reproduced by the NOMFET and can be programmed. The synaptic plasticity for real-time computing is evidenced and described by a simple model. These results open the way to rate-coding utilization of the NOMFET in dynamical neuromorphic computing circuits. [source]

Balancing Intermolecular and Molecule,Substrate Interactions in Supramolecular Assemblies

ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS, Issue 2 2009
Dimas G. de Oteyza
Abstract Self-assembly of functional supra-molecular nanostructures is among the most promising strategies for further development of organic electronics. However, a poor control of the interactions driving the assembling phenomena still hampers the tailored growth of designed structures. Here exploration of how non-covalent molecule-substrate interactions can be modified on a molecular level is described. For that, mixtures of DIP and F16CuPc, two molecules with donor and acceptor character, respectively are investigated. A detailed study of their structural and electronic properties is performed. In reference to the associated single-component layers, the growth of binary layers results in films with strongly enhanced intermolecular interactions and consequently reduced molecule-substrate interactions. This new insight into the interplay among the aforementioned interactions provides a novel strategy to balance the critical interactions in the assembly processes by the appropriate choice of molecular species in binary supra-molecular assemblies, and thereby control the self-assembly of functional organic nanostructures. [source]

Absolute Conformations of the (,)-[9](2,5)Pyridinophane Molecule

HELVETICA CHIMICA ACTA, Issue 8 2009
Maxim Fedorovsky
Abstract [9](2,5)Pyridinophane was first synthesized, and its enantiomers were separated, more than 40 years ago, but the molecule's absolute conformations could not be determined up to now. We show here, by the comparison of measured and computed vibrational optical activity (VOA), that the CIP descriptor (P) applies to the (,)-enantiomer. This assignment is based on the VOA of bands from vibrations localized on the pyridine ring bent by the tense (CH2)9 chain extending from position 2 to 5. The VOA of vibrations localized on the chain is in agreement with this assignment. Its behavior differs from the VOA of the bent pyridine ring, and conclusions drawn from the chain's VOA alone would not be sufficient, because the close-to-enantiomorphic geometries of the chain present in some of the 14 conformers of (,)-[9](2,5)pyridinophane lead to VOA with an opposite sign. Understanding of how VOA is generated is crucial for the unambiguous assignment of the molecule's absolute conformations. [source]

Controllable Growth of 0D to Multidimensional Nanostructures of a Novel Porphyrin Molecule

ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 17 2009
Changshui Huang
Control of the progressive growth of porphyrin triads from 0D to multidimensional nanostructures is achieved. Electron-microscopy images vividly record the growth process and confirm that the molecules are able to self-assemble into spherical vesicles, thereafter continually growing into tadpole-like vesicles, nanotubes, and Y-like nanotubes. [source]

Molecule,Surface Plasmon Interactions in Hole Arrays: Enhanced Absorption, Refractive Index Changes, and All-Optical Switching,

ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 10 2006
J. Dintinger
Enhanced molecular absorption of dyes in the visible range, mediated by surface plasmon excitations on metallic hole arrays, is reported. The combination of these structures with a photochromic cover layer can be used to create an all-optical switching system, essential for the development of active plasmonic devices. The figure shows transmission images of the coated hole array before (left) and after (right) UV irradiation. [source]

Experimental Approaches for Controlling Current Flowing through Metal,Molecule,Metal Junctions,

ADVANCED MATERIALS, Issue 10 2006
E. Tran
Abstract Two experimental approaches that enable control of current flow through metal,molecules,metal junctions are described. A number of studies using two-electrode metal,molecules,metal junctions have shown that the current between the electrodes depends on the structures of the incorporated molecules. When a tunneling mechanism dominates electron transport through organic molecules, the molecules behave similar to resistors with resistivities that can be controlled by changing the structure. Incorporation of molecules with increasing conjugation into Hg-based junctions increases the current flow dramatically. Alternatively, by using four-electrode electrochemical junctions that allow the potential of the electrodes to be controlled with respect to the energy levels of the incorporated molecules, it is possible to change the mechanism of electron transfer and produce abrupt increases in the current flow. These signals, analogous to solid-state diodes, are particularly significant for molecular electronics. Electrochemical junctions also permit prediction of the value of the applied potential at which the current will start taking off and to identify the mechanism of charge transport. New and recently published results obtained using junctions based on Hg electrodes in an "electrochemical" mode show that two junctions incorporating redox centers by different interactions behave as current switches, with the current flow dominated by different charge-transport mechanisms. [source]

A Novel Proline-Valinol Thioamide Small Organic Molecule for a Highly Enantioselective Direct Aldol Reaction

ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 14-15 2009
Bing Wang
Abstract A new prolinethioamide compound 4, prepared from readily available natural amino acid L -proline and amino alcohol L -valinol, has been found to be an active catalyst for the direct aldol reaction of various aldehydes with acetone, cyclohexanone or cyclopentanone at 0,°C. Using only 2,mol% loading of this organocatalyst, the reaction could give high enantioselectivity with up to 96% enantiomeric excess for the reaction of 2-nitrobenzaldehyde with acetone. And as for the cyclohexanone, the excellent diastereoselectivity (anti/syn: 99/1) and enantioselectivity (99% ee) could be achieved when reacted with 3-nitrobenzaldehyde in water in the presence of this thioamide 4. This structurally simple catalyst is a highly efficient prolinethioamide derivative, and the terminal hydroxy group in this catalyst is a primary alcohol which is different from the previously reported prerequisite secondary or tertiary alcohol of prolinamides. Our results suggest a new strategy in the design of diversiform organic catalysts for direct asymmetric aldol reactions and related transformations. [source]

Osteoclastogenesis-Related Antigen, a Novel Molecule on Mouse Stromal Cells, Regulates Osteoclastogenesis,

JOURNAL OF BONE AND MINERAL RESEARCH, Issue 4 2003
Satoshi Arai
Abstract Osteoclastogenesis is regulated by RANKL expressed on stromal cells. In this study, we sought to isolate a new surface molecule regulating osteoclastogenesis on stromal cells by generating monoclonal antibodies. A rat was immunized with the mouse stromal cell line, TSB13, which can support osteoclastogenesis, and a monoclonal antibody, A15-1, was obtained. A15-1 bound to a surface antigen on TSB13 cells, termed osteoclastogenesis-related antigen (OCRA), and immunoprecipitation with this antibody revealed that OCRA was a 220-kDa molecule. By means of flow cytometry, the A15-1 antigen (OCRA) was found to be expressed on various mesenchymal cell lines but not on hematopoietic cell lines, and the expression level of OCRA on the TSB13 cells was slightly increased by treatment with 1,,25(OH)2D3. When osteoclast progenitors and TSB13 cells were co-cultured in the presence of 1,,25(OH)2D3, the addition of A15-1 inhibited osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner; however, no significant inhibition of soluble RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis was observed, suggesting that A15-1 inhibited only stromal cell-dependent osteoclastogenesis. The same inhibitory effect of A15-1 was also observed when primary bone marrow-derived stromal cells were used. The osteoclastogenesis-promoting effects of other osteotropic factors, such as parathyroid hormone (PTH) and interleukin (IL)-1,, were also inhibited by A15-1. Time-course analysis of osteoclast differentiation in vitro indicated that the initial 2 days of treatment with A15-1 was sufficient for inhibition, suggesting that A15-1 inhibits the early stages of osteoclast differentiation. Finally, we investigated the in vivo effects of A15-1 on PTH-induced hypercalcemia in mice. Treatment with A15-1 significantly decreased the osteoclast surface in the PTH-administered mice. Taken together, our data indicate that OCRA, a novel A15-1-detected antigen, regulates stromal cell-dependent osteoclastogenesis. [source]

Hydrogen Peroxide in Plants: a Versatile Molecule of the Reactive Oxygen Species Network

JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE PLANT BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2008
Li-Juan Quan
Abstract Plants often face the challenge of severe environmental conditions, which include various biotic and abiotic stresses that exert adverse effects on plant growth and development. During evolution, plants have evolved complex regulatory mechanisms to adapt to various environmental stressors. One of the consequences of stress is an increase in the cellular concentration of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are subsequently converted to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Even under normal conditions, higher plants produce ROS during metabolic processes. Excess concentrations of ROS result in oxidative damage to or the apoptotic death of cells. Development of an antioxidant defense system in plants protects them against oxidative stress damage. These ROS and, more particularly, H2O2, play versatile roles in normal plant physiological processes and in resistance to stresses. Recently, H2O2 has been regarded as a signaling molecule and regulator of the expression of some genes in cells. This review describes various aspects of H2O2 function, generation and scavenging, gene regulation and cross-links with other physiological molecules during plant growth, development and resistance responses. [source]

A Synthetic Peptide Ligand of Neural Cell Adhesion Molecule (NCAM) IgI Domain Prevents NCAM Internalization and Disrupts Passive Avoidance Learning

JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY, Issue 6 2000
Andrew G. Foley
Abstract: The neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) mediates cell adhesion and signal transduction through trans -homophilic- and/or cis -heterophilic-binding mechanisms. Intraventricular infusions of anti-NCAM have revealed a functional requirement of NCAM for the consolidation of memory in rats and chicks in a specific interval 6-8 h after training. We have now extended these studies to a synthetic peptide ligand of NCAM (C3) with an affinity for the IgI domain and the capability of inhibiting NCAM-mediated neurite outgrowth in vitro. Intraventricular administration of a single 5 ,g bolus of C3 strongly inhibited recall of a passive avoidance response in adult rats, when given during training or in the 6-8-h posttraining period. The effect of C3 on memory consolidation was similar to that obtained with anti-NCAM as the amnesia was not observed until the 48-h recall time. The unique amnesic action of C3 during training could be related to disrupted NCAM internalization following training. In the 3-4-h posttraining period NCAM 180, the synapse-associated isoform, was down-regulated in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. This effect was mediated by ubiquitination and was prevented by C3 administration during training. These findings indicate NCAM to be involved in both the acquisition and consolidation of a passive avoidance response in the rat. Moreover, the study provides the first in vivo evidence for NCAM internalization in learning and identifies a synthetic NCAM ligand capable of modulating memory processes in vivo. [source]

Protein Diffusion Probed by the Transient Grating Method with a New Type of Photochromic Molecule,

PHOTOCHEMISTRY & PHOTOBIOLOGY, Issue 4 2008
Takeshi Eitoku
A new type of photochromic molecule that can be used for diffusion coefficient (D) measurements of various proteins in solution is described. The absorption spectrum of this molecule is changed upon photoexcitation by the trans,cis isomerization reaction. Target proteins were labeled by this photochromic molecule in the dark and the translational motion of the proteins was detected by the transient grating (TG) method. The TG signal was simple enough to determine D accurately and was stable even for long-time irradiation by the laser light. The TG method using this probe molecule improves many drawbacks of the other techniques. [source]

Sphericity Governs Both Stereochemistry in a Molecule and Stereoisomerism Among Molecules

THE CHEMICAL RECORD, Issue 3 2002
Shinsaku Fujita
Abstract The concept of sphericity and relevant fundamental concepts that we have proposed have produced a systematized format for comprehending stereochemical phenomena. Permutability of ligands in conventional approaches is discussed from a stereochemical point of view. After the introduction of orbits governed by coset representations, the concepts of subduction and sphericity are proposed to characterize desymmetrization processes, with a tetrahedral skeleton as an example. The stereochemistry and stereoisomerism of the resulting promolecules (molecules formulated abstractly) are discussed in terms of the concept of sphericity as a common mathematical and logical framework. Thus, these promolecules are characterized by point group and permutation group symmetry. Prochirality, stereogenicity, prostereogenicity, and relevant topics are described in terms of the concept of sphericity. © 2002 The Japan Chemical Journal Forum and Wiley Periodicals, Inc., Chem Rec 2: 164,176; 2002: Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com) DOI 10.1002/tcr.10018 [source]

ORIGINAL ARTICLE: CCL20/MIP3, is a Novel Anti-HIV-1 Molecule of the Human Female Reproductive Tract

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 1 2009
Mimi Ghosh
Problem, CCL20/MIP3, is a chemokine for immature dendritic cells as well as an antibacterial against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The role of CCL20/MIP3, as an antiviral is unknown. In this study, we have examined the production of CCL20/MIP3, by epithelial cells from the upper female reproductive tract as well as its activity as an antiviral molecule. Method of study, Primary uterine and Fallopian tube epithelial cells were treated with Poly(I:C) and CCL20/MIP3, mRNA and protein was measured by Realtime RT-PCR and ELISA assays. Anti-HIV activity was determined using an indicator cell line TZM-bl and quantified by using a luminometer. Results, Primary uterine and Fallopian tube epithelial cells produce CCL20/MIP3, constitutively and the production is enhanced following stimulation with viral double-stranded RNA mimic Poly(I:C). Recombinant CCL20/MIP3, was able to inhibit both T-cell-tropic X4/IIIB and macrophage-tropic R5/BaL HIV-1 when virus was directly incubated with CCL20/MIP3, but not when CCL20/MIP3, was added to cells either prior to infection or post-infection. This suggests that the mechanism of inhibition is likely to be a direct interaction between HIV-1 and CCL20/MIP3,. Conclusion, This study demonstrates that CCL20/MIP3, is an important endogenous anti-HIV-1 microbicide of the female reproductive tract. [source]

Placental Trophoblast from Successful Human Pregnancies Expresses the Tolerance Signaling Molecule, CD200 (OX-2),

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
David A. Clark
Problem: Th1 cytokine-dependent abortions in the CBA × DBA/2 mouse model have been linked to down-regulation of expression of the CD200 (OX-2) ,tolerance' signal on trophoblast and in decidua prior to onset of the abortion process. Abortions could be prevented by administration of a soluble CD200. Is CD200 expressed on trophoblast in successful human pregnancy? Method of study: As one cannot easily obtain trophoblasts in large quantities from successful human pregnancies in the first trimester prior to the onset of the abortion process at 6 weeks gestation, we examined as a first step, trophoblast isolated from term placentae (i.e. successful pregnancies). CD9, trophoblasts were isolated by affinity column and stained for intracellular cytokeratin, and surface CD200 using PE-anti-human CD200 monoclonal antibody. mRNA was extracted from CD9+ and CD9, cells and tested by reverse transcription,polymerase chain reaction for CD200 mRNA. CD9, placental cells were separated by velocity sedimentation and test for CD200-dependent suppression of an allogeneic human mixed lymphocyte culture where cytotoxic T cell (CTL) generation, and Th1 , Th2 cytokine production shift were measured. Results: CD9, but not CD9+ placental cell populations contained cells with mRNA for CD200, both a normal length transcript and a truncated transcript. Flow cytometry showed a CD200+ cytokeratin+ moderate-to-large-sized cell population compatible with trophoblasts and a smaller subset of cytokeratin, cells that expressed CD200 at normal and at high levels. The moderate-sized population proved most potent at inhibiting CTL generation and caused a Th1,Th2 cytokine shift. These effects were blocked by monoclonal anti-CD200. Conclusions: A subpopulation of cytokeratin+ placental trophoblasts express bioactive CD200 able to alter maternal immune responses in a favorable (Th2 > Th1) direction. Two populations of CD200+ small- and medium-small-sized cytokeratin, placental cells remain to be identified. Studies of karyotyped first trimester elective termination and spontaneous miscarriage tissues are needed. [source]

Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF), Intracellular Adhesion Molecule (sICAM-1) Level in Serum and Follicular Fluid of Infertile Women with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Endometriosis and Tubal Damage, and their Effect on ICSI Outcome

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 2 2003
M. E. Hammadeh
PROBLEM: The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and soluble intracellular adhesions molecule (sICAM-1) in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of polycystic ovary (PCO), endometriosis and tubal factor infertility and male factor infertility patients, and to investigate the relationship between these parameters and the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHOD OF STUDY: The concentration of FGF and sICAM-1 in serum and FF were determined in patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) for ICSI therapy for various etiology of infertility and the results of cytokines concentration and ICSI outcome were compared between the groups. Twenty patients with PCO (G.I), 17 with endometriosis (G.II), 19 with tubal damage (G.III) and 19 with male factor infertility (G.IV) were enrolled in this study. Quantitative determination of levels of FGF and sICAM-1 was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). RESULTS: The FGF level in serum of PCO patients (G.I) were 4.8 ± 2.3 and in FF were 104.0 ± 39.0 pg/mL. The corresponding values in the endometriosis patients group (G.II) were 5.9 ± 3.1 and 125.4 ± 74.9 pg/mL. The concentration of FGF in tubal factor infertility group (G.III) in serum was significantly higher (P = 0.009) than those observed in the PCO group (G.I) 7.4 ± 4.5 pg/mL, whereas the concentration in FF was at the same level like the other groups investigated, 128.7 ± 75.9 pg/mL. Besides, the sICAM-1 (pg/ml) concentration in FF showed a significant difference between the groups investigated (G.I, 175.3 ± 52.8; G.II 194.4 ± 32.2; G.III 233.1 ± 54.3; and G.IV 215.1 ± 54.4 ng/mL; P = 0.003). The sICAM-1 levels in serum were not significantly different between the groups (217.0 ± 42.9; 216.3 ± 73.6; 254.8 ± 79.6; 237.56 ± 78.4 ng/ml; P = 0.267). The fertilization rate was significantly higher in G.III (66.0 ± 23.89%) in comparison to G.II (38.8 ± 33.9%; P = 0.014) or G.IV (38.7 ± 22.7%; P = 0.012). The pregnancy rates were similar in all groups (30, 35.3 and 35.0, 38.6%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Both, FGF and sICAM-1 are present in serum and FF of patients undergoing controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for ICSI therapy. The FGF concentration in serum differs significantly between the groups investigated, whereas, no significant difference could be observed in the FF concentration of FGF. On the other hand, the sICAM in serum showed no significant difference between the groups, whereas, sICAM in FF demonstrated a significant difference between the patient groups investigated. On the whole, the ICSI outcome was not related to serum or FF concentrations of FGF or sICAM-1. Therefore, the mean concentration of FGF and sICAM-1 in serum and in FF could not be used to predict the fertilization rate in an ICSI program. [source]

Fetal Endothelial Cells Express Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule in the Setting of Chorioamnionitis

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 5 2000
CATHERINE M. CRAVEN
PROBLEM: In intrauterine infection, inflammatory mediators may be released into the fetal circulation prior to fetal infection. We hypothesize that, in chorioamnionitis, inflammation alters fetal blood vessels. To test this, fetal endothelial cells were examined for vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM). METHOD OF STUDY: Umbilical cords (n=9) from placentas with chorioamnionitis were immunostained for VCAM. Controls from preterm preeclamptic pregnancies (n=7) without histologic inflammation were selected, and matched for gestational age and method of delivery. VCAM sections were reviewed by a pathologist blinded to clinical diagnoses. RESULTS: All endothelial cells from each of the nine cords from placentas with chorioamnionitis had strong VCAM staining. Two of nine samples also had acute cord vasculitis. No cord endothelial cells from preeclamptic placentas demonstrated similar VCAM staining (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Histologic chorioamnionitis was associated with VCAM expression of the umbilical cord vessels. In chorioamnionitis, inflammatory mediators may have entered the fetal circulation to activate endothelial cells. Intrauterine inflammation was not restricted to the chorioamnion, but also involved the fetal circulation. [source]

Catalytic Action of a Single Water Molecule in a Proton-Migration Reaction,

ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 29 2010
Yoshiyuki Matsuda Dr.
Ein kleiner Schritt: Der Mechanismus der Protonenverschiebung in ionisiertem Aceton durch Wasser wurde IR-spektroskopisch untersucht. Im Anschluss an die Ionisation spaltet das Wassermolekül ein Proton von einer Methylgruppe des Acetonmoleküls ab und überträgt es auf die Carbonylgruppe (siehe Bild). [source]

Molecule,Light Complex: Dynamics of Hybrid Molecule,Surface Plasmon States,

ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 46 2009
Adi Salomon Dr.
Ein anregender Austausch: Moleküle und Oberflächenplasmonen können über den Austausch von Photonen wechselwirken (siehe Bild) und so neue Hybridzustände bilden, in denen die photophysikalischen Eigenschaften des Moleküls verändert sind. Dies könnte die Grundlage für das Verändern der Photochemie und sogar der Chemie von Molekülen sein. [source]

Innentitelbild: Formation and Characterization of the Iridium Tetroxide Molecule with Iridium in the Oxidation State +VIII (Angew. Chem.

ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 42 2009
42/2009)
Lange war +VI die höchste experimentell nachgewiesene Oxidationsstufe von Ir, doch nun wurde Iridiumtetroxid , mit Iridium in der Oxidationsstufe +VIII , in einer Niedertemperatur-Edelgasmatrix hergestellt und identifiziert. M.,F. Zhou, S. Riedel et,al. beschreiben in der Zuschrift auf S.,8019,ff. die Bildung dieser Verbindung durch gemeinsames Abscheiden von Ir-Atomen und O2 -Edelgas-Mischungen auf eine CsI-Oberfläche bei 4,6,K. Theoretische Analysen sprechen für eine d1 -Spezies mit der formalen Oxidationsstufe IrVIII. [source]

Cardiosulfa, a Small Molecule that Induces Abnormal Heart Development in Zebrafish, and Its Biological Implications,

ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 42 2009
Sung-Kyun Ko
Verändertes Herz: Die Titelverbindung Cardiosulfa wurde mithilfe eines chemogenetischen Phänotyp-zu-Genotyp-Ansatzes identifiziert. Zebrafisch-Embryos, die ihr ausgesetzt sind, haben ein enges, elongiertes Herz innerhalb eines vergrößerten Herzbeutels (siehe Bild; Herz markiert mit grün fluoreszierendem Protein). [source]

Formation and Characterization of the Iridium Tetroxide Molecule with Iridium in the Oxidation State +VIII,

ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE, Issue 42 2009
Yu Gong
In einer festen Edelgasmatrix inserieren Iridiumatome in Disauerstoff unter Bildung von Iridiumdioxid-Molekülen. Beim Erwärmen entsteht der Iridium(dioxid)superoxid-Komplex [(,1 -O2)IrO2], der unter IR-Bestrahlung zum Iridium(dioxid)peroxid-Komplex [(,2 -O2)IrO2] isomerisiert. Beide Komplexe lagern sich photochemisch in das stabilere Iridiumtetraoxid-Molekül um, in dem Ir die Oxidationsstufe +VIII annimmt (siehe Schema; Ir,schwarz, O,rot). [source]

Titanium complexes with sulfur-linked bis(phenolate) ligands

ACTA CRYSTALLOGRAPHICA SECTION C, Issue 11 2009
Thomas S. Dols
High-quality crystals of two bis(phenolate)titanium complexes, namely dichlorido{4,4,-dimethyl-2,2,-[cyclohexane-1,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)]diphenolato}titanium(IV), [Ti(C20H22O2S2)Cl2], (I), and dichlorido{2,2,-[cyclohexane-1,2-diylbis(sulfanediyl)]diphenolato}titanium(IV), [Ti(C18H18O2S2)Cl2], (II), were obtained by reactive crystallization. Depending on the solvent, compound (II) was obtained as unsolvated (IIa) or as the toluene hemisolvate, [Ti(C18H18O2S2)Cl2]·0.5C7H8, (IIb). These systems without bulky substituents on the aromatic phenolate rings serve as ideal model compounds for precatalysts. The excellent X-ray diffraction data will help clarify the nature of the mismatched interactions between the soft S atoms within the ligand and the hard titanium center. Molecule (I) has crystallographic C2 symmetry. [source]

ChemInform Abstract: One-Pot Multicomponent Synthesis of Azaindoles and Pyrroles from One Molecule of a Silicon-Tethered Diyne and Three or Two Molecules of Organonitriles Mediated by Zirconocene.

CHEMINFORM, Issue 11 2010
Shaoguang Zhang
Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 100 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract of an article which was published elsewhere, please select a "Full Text" option. The original article is trackable via the "References" option. [source]

Single-Crystal Structure and Magnetic Behavior of a Molecule-Based Ferrimagnet Mn[Mn0.2Cr0.8(CN)6]×4H2O.

CHEMINFORM, Issue 28 2007
Xiao-Ping Shen
Abstract ChemInform is a weekly Abstracting Service, delivering concise information at a glance that was extracted from about 200 leading journals. To access a ChemInform Abstract, please click on HTML or PDF. [source]