Doming Modes and Dynamics of Model Heme Compounds

Synchrotron far-IR spectroscopy and density-functional calculations are used to characterize the low-frequency dynamics of model heme FeCO compounds. The “doming” vibrational mode in which the iron atom moves out of the porphyrin plane while the periphery of this ring moves in the opposite direction determines the reactivity of oxygen with this type of molecule in biological systems. Calculations of frequencies and absorption intensities and the measured pressure dependence of vibrational modes in the model compounds are used to identify the doming and related normal modes

Deciphering Normal Blood Gene Expression Variation—The NOWAC Postgenome Study

There is growing evidence that gene expression profiling of peripheral blood cells is a valuable tool for assessing gene signatures related to exposure, drug-response, or disease. However, the true promise of this approach can not be estimated until the scientific community has robust baseline data describing variation in gene expression patterns in normal individuals. Using a large representative sample set of postmenopausal women (N = 286) in the Norwegian Women and Cancer (NOWAC) postgenome study, we investigated variability of whole blood gene expression in the general population. In particular, we examined changes in blood gene expression caused by technical variability, normal inter-individual differences, and exposure variables at proportions and levels relevant to real-life situations. We observe that the overall changes in gene expression are subtle, implying the need for careful analytic approaches of the data. In particular, technical variability may not be ignored and subsequent adjustments must be considered in any analysis. Many new candidate genes were identified that are differentially expressed according to inter-individual (i.e. fasting, BMI) and exposure (i.e. smoking) factors, thus establishing that these effects are mirrored in blood. By focusing on the biological implications instead of directly comparing gene lists from several related studies in the literature, our analytic approach was able to identify significant similarities and effects consistent across these reports. This establishes the feasibility of blood gene expression profiling, if they are predicated upon careful experimental design and analysis in order to minimize confounding signals, artifacts of sample preparation and processing, and inter-individual differences

Medical conditions in autism spectrum disorders

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a behaviourally defined syndrome where the etiology and pathophysiology is only partially understood. In a small proportion of children with the condition, a specific medical disorder is identified, but the causal significance in many instances is unclear. Currently, the medical conditions that are best established as probable causes of ASD include Fragile X syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis and abnormalities of chromosome 15 involving the 15q11-13 region. Various other single gene mutations, genetic syndromes, chromosomal abnormalities and rare de novo copy number variants have been reported as being possibly implicated in etiology, as have several ante and post natal exposures and complications. However, in most instances the evidence base for an association with ASD is very limited and largely derives from case reports or findings from small, highly selected and uncontrolled case series. Not only therefore, is there uncertainty over whether the condition is associated, but the potential basis for the association is very poorly understood. In some cases the medical condition may be a consequence of autism or simply represent an associated feature deriving from an underlying shared etiology. Nevertheless, it is clear that in a growing proportion of individuals potentially causal medical conditions are being identified and clarification of their role in etio-pathogenesis is necessary. Indeed, investigations into the causal mechanisms underlying the association between conditions such as tuberous sclerosis, Fragile X and chromosome 15 abnormalities are beginning to cast light on the molecular and neurobiological pathways involved in the pathophysiology of ASD. It is evident therefore, that much can be learnt from the study of probably causal medical disorders as they represent simpler and more tractable model systems in which to investigate causal mechanisms. Recent advances in genetics, molecular and systems biology and neuroscience now mean that there are unparalleled opportunities to test causal hypotheses and gain fundamental insights into the nature of autism and its development

High-pressure phases of lithium borohydride LiBH4: a first-principles study

High-pressure phase transformations in LiBH 4 were theoretically investigated using first-principles density functional methods. A series of pressure-induced structural transformations are predicted in LiBH 4, as Pnma (phase II) \u2192 I4 1/acd (phase III) \u2192 NaCl type (phase V) \u2192 NiAs type (phase VI) \u2192 polymeric forms. The calculated pressures for the II \u2192 III transition and the III \u2192 V transition are 0.9 and 27 GPa, respectively, and both agree very well with recent experimental observations. A B1-B8 transformation becomes more favored at higher pressure, and this results in a distorted NiAs structure of LiBH 4. Denoted as phase VI, the distorted NiAs structure is the lowest enthalpy phase of LiBH 4 above 60 GPa and confirmed to be dynamically stable by phonon calculations. The ionic character and band gap of the phase VI decreases with increasing pressure. At still higher pressures, the extended structures formed by polymeric BH 4 layers intercalated by Li\u3b4 + cations may exist, and these represent the metallic forms of LiBH 4. Published by the American Physical Society.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye

Structural phase transitions in Si under hydrostatic and uniaxial compression

Phase transitions induced by hydrostatic and uniaxial compression of Si are examined using a density functional-based metadynamics method. A metastable Cmcm structure is predicted to form under hydrostatic compression at 300 K in the pressure range near 20 GPa. Enthalpy calculations indicate that this new phase of Si is energetically competitive with the other Si structures found in this pressure range. This phase is shown to be dynamically stable, with a structure closely related to that of the \u3b2-Sn and Imma structures previously identified in experiments. Uniaxial compression at 15 GPa and 300 K obtained simple hexagonal Imma and \u3b2-Sn structures. The low energy barrier for the formation of the Cmcm structure from the diamond ambient pressure form suggests that this structure may be seen in experiment with the proper experimental conditions.Peer reviewed: YesNRC publication: Ye