New 2,3-Benzodiazepine Derivative: Synthesis, Activity on Central Nervous System, and Toxicity Study in Mice

We report the design and synthesis of a new diazepine derivative, 4-(4-methoxyphenyl)-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-2,3-benzodiazepin-1-one (VBZ102), and the evaluation of its anxiolytic-like profile, memory impairment effect, and toxicity in Swiss mice. VBZ102 was evaluated for central nervous system effects in an open field, light–dark box, and novel object recognition tests under oral administration for acute and sub-acute treatment. We tested the VBZ102 toxicity in mice through a determination of LD50 values and examination of the biochemical and histopathological parameters. The VBZ102 induced an anxiolytic effect at different doses both in the light–dark box and open field tests. Unlike other benzodiazepines (e.g., bromazepam), a sedative effect was noted only after administration of the VBZ102 at 10.0 mg/kg

Dehydrogenation versus deprotonation of disaccharide molecules in vacuum: a thorough theoretical investigation

International audienceDehydrogenation and deprotonation of sucrose and trehalose molecules in vacuum is theoretically studied by using ab initio calculations in the framework of the density functional theory. The differences in the structural, electronic, energetic and vibrational properties of dehydrogenated and deprotonated molecules are discussed, depending on the site from which the hydrogen atom or the proton has been removed. The dehydrogenated molecules are found to be stable, regardless of which hydrogen atom is removed. This contrasts with the instability of the deprotonated molecules, where break-ups or structural reorganizations of the molecule are observed in 20–30% of the cases, but only when the hydrogen atom whose proton is removed was bonded to a carbon atom. Considering the stability and possible rearrangements of the hydrogen network of the deprotonated/dehydrogenated molecule, the formation of additional hydrogen-bridge bonds compared with the nominal molecule appears to be more pronounced for the deprotonated molecules than for the dehydrogenated ones. Moreover, our calculations show that the hydrogen-transfer energy barriers are usually larger for the deprotonated molecules than for the dehydrogenated ones. Finally, compared with the nominal molecule, the vibrational frequency spectrum is shifted to lower frequencies for both the dehydrogenated and the deprotonated molecules

Elucidating the effect of spin crossover materials on graphene sensing devices

Graphene films are used to detect the presence and transition of spin crossover nanoparticles aggregates. Experiments performed far from the graphene neutrality point, combining impedance spectroscopy and Hall measurements, provide better insight into the mechanism for the change of impedance of the graphene layer in proximity with different states of the molecular structure. We observe that the change of spin state shifts the graphene Fermi level and its intrinsic resistance, with resulting positive insight into using this type of hybrid device for fast molecular electronics purposes.Nanomatériaux hybrides pour une commutation photo-thermique contrôléeQuantum Science and NanomaterialsQuantum Science and NanomaterialsFaçonner les talents en formation et en recherche à l'Université de StrasbourgPar-delà les frontières, l'Université de StrasbourgMagnetics and Microhydrodynamics - from guided transport to deliveryQUSTEC: international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral doctoral programme in Quantum Science and Technologie

Room temperature optoelectronic devices operating with spin crossover nanoparticles

International audienceMolecular systems can exhibit multi-stimuli switching of their properties, with spin crossover materials having unique magnetic transition triggered by temperature and light, among others. Light-induced room temperature operation is however elusive, as optical changes between metastable spin states require cryogenic temperatures. Furthermore, electrical detection is hampered by the intrinsic low conductivity properties of these materials. We show here how a graphene underlayer reveals the light-induced heating that triggers a spin transition, paving the way for using these molecules for room temperature optoelectronic applications

Complexities in the Molecular Spin Crossover Transition

Variable-temperature studies of the electronic structures of four different Fe(II) spin crossover molecules, [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(bipy)] (pz = pyrazol-1-yl, bipy = 2,2′-bipyridine), [Fe(H2B(pz)2)2(phen)], [Fe(phen)2(NCS)2] (phen = 9,10-phenantroline), and [Fe(PM-AzA)2(NCS)2] (PM-AzA = 4-phenyldiazenyl-N-(pyridin-2-ylmethylene)aniline) by X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), combined with electrical properties studies of the [Fe(PM-AzA)2(NCS)2] single crystal are presented. We show that both the XAS signature of the spin state of powdered samples and the dielectric permittivity of the [Fe(PM-AzA)2(NCS)2] single crystal change at significantly lower temperatures than the magnetometry, structure, and resistivity indicators of a spin crossover transition. The changes in electronic structure are in agreement with the expectations from density functional theory (DFT) results for the different molecular electronic structures associated with the high-spin and low-spin states. These findings suggest that the electronic structure phase ordering process does not simply follow the spin transition.Éléments de mémoires multifonctionnels utilisant des connections supramoléculaires auto assemblée

International consensus recommendations on face transplantation: A 2-step Delphi study

: face transplantation is a viable reconstructive approach for severe craniofacial defects. despite the evolution witnessed in the field, ethical aspects, clinical and psychosocial implications, public perception, and economic sustainability remain the subject of debate and unanswered questions. furthermore, poor data reporting and sharing, the absence of standardized metrics for outcome evaluation, and the lack of consensus definitions of success and failure have hampered the development of a "transplantation culture" on a global scale. we completed a 2-round online modified delphi process with 35 international face transplant stakeholders, including surgeons, clinicians, psychologists, psychiatrists, ethicists, policymakers, and researchers, with a representation of 10 of the 19 face transplant teams that had already performed the procedure and 73% of face transplants. themes addressed included patient assessment and selection, indications, social support networks, clinical framework, surgical considerations, data on patient progress and outcomes, definitions of success and failure, public image and perception, and financial sustainability. the presented recommendations are the product of a shared commitment of face transplant teams to foster the development of face transplantation and are aimed at providing a gold standard of practice and policy

Protein kinase cδ deficiency causes mendelian systemic lupus erythematosus with B cell-defective apoptosis and hyperproliferation

International audienceOBJECTIVE: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a prototype autoimmune disease that is assumed to occur via a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors. Rare causes of monogenic SLE have been described, providing unique insights into fundamental mechanisms of immune tolerance. The aim of this study was to identify the cause of an autosomal-recessive form of SLE. METHODS: We studied 3 siblings with juvenile-onset SLE from 1 consanguineous kindred and used next-generation sequencing to identify mutations in the disease-associated gene. We performed extensive biochemical, immunologic, and functional assays to assess the impact of the identified mutations on B cell biology. RESULTS: We identified a homozygous missense mutation in PRKCD, encoding protein kinase δ (PKCδ), in all 3 affected siblings. Mutation of PRKCD resulted in reduced expression and activity of the encoded protein PKCδ (involved in the deletion of autoreactive B cells), leading to resistance to B cell receptor- and calcium-dependent apoptosis and increased B cell proliferation. Thus, as for mice deficient in PKCδ, which exhibit an SLE phenotype and B cell expansion, we observed an increased number of immature B cells in the affected family members and a developmental shift toward naive B cells with an immature phenotype. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that PKCδ is crucial in regulating B cell tolerance and preventing self-reactivity in humans, and that PKCδ deficiency represents a novel genetic defect of apoptosis leading to SLE