Effects on the maternofetal unit of the rabbit model after substitution of the amniotic fluid with perfluorocarbons

Objectives: Exchanging amniotic fluid (AF) with perfluorocarbon (PFC) may serve as a medium for fetoscopic surgery. This study evaluates the distribution and physiologic effects of intraamniotic PFC as a medium for fetoscopy. Methods: Fetuses of 17 pregnant rabbits underwent either exchange of the AF with PFC, electrolyte solution (ES), or control. The quality of vision during fetoscopy was assessed in AF and PFC. After 6 h, we determined the distribution of PFC in the maternofetal unit. Results: Quality of vision during fetoscopy was better in PFC than with AF. There was no difference in fetal survival between the study groups. PFC was demonstrated on X-ray in the pharynx of 4 fetuses, and the esophagus in 1. Conclusions: PFC provided an ideal medium for fetoscopy without fetal compromise. Copyright (c) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel

The polyphenol EGCG directly targets intracellular amyloid-β aggregates and promotes their lysosomal degradation

The accumulation of amyloidogenic protein aggregates in neurons is a pathogenic hallmark of a large number of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Small molecules targeting such structures and promoting their degradation may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of AD. Here, we searched for natural chemical compounds that decrease the abundance of stable, proteotoxic β-sheet-rich amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates in cells. We found that the polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) functions as a potent chemical aggregate degrader (CAD) in SH-EP cells. We further demonstrate that a novel, fluorescently labeled EGCG derivative (EGC-dihydroxybenzoate (DHB)-Rhodamine) also shows cellular activity. It directly targets intracellular Aβ42 aggregates and competes with EGCG for Aβ42 aggregate binding in vitro. Mechanistic investigations indicated a lysosomal accumulation of Aβ42 aggregates in SH-EP cells and showed that lysosomal cathepsin activity is critical for efficient EGCG-mediated aggregate clearance. In fact, EGCG treatment leads to an increased abundance of active cathepsin B isoforms and increased enzymatic activity in our SH-EP cell model. Our findings suggest that intracellular Aβ42 aggregates are cleared through the endo-lysosomal system. We show that EGCG directly targets intracellular Aβ42 aggregates and facilitates their lysosomal degradation. Small molecules, which bind to protein aggregates and increase their lysosomal degradation could have therapeutic potential for the treatment of amyloid diseases

Magnetic anisotropy in surface supported single ion lanthanide complexes

Single ion lanthanide organic complexes can provide stable magnetic moments with well defined orientation for spintronic applications on the atomic level. Here, we show by a combined experimental approach of scanning tunneling microscopy and x ray absorption spectroscopy that dysprosium tris 1,1,1 trifluoro 4 2 thienyl 2,4 butanedionate Dy tta 3 complexes deposited on a Au 111 surface undergo a molecular distortion, resulting in distinct crystal field symmetry imposed on the Dy ion. This leads to an easy axis magnetization direction in the ligand plane. Furthermore, we show that tunneling electrons hardly couple to the spin excitations, which we ascribe to the shielded nature of the 4f electron

Copper-catalyzed asymmetric conjugate reduction as a route to novel β-azaheterocyclic acid derivatives

A chiral copper-hydride catalyst for the asymmetric conjugate reduction of α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds has been used for the reduction of substrates containing β-nitrogen substituents. A new set of reaction conditions has allowed for a variety of β-azaheterocyclic acid derivatives to be synthesized in excellent yields and with high degrees of enantioselectivity. In addition, the effect that the nature of the nitrogen substituent has on the rate of the conjugate reduction reaction has been explored