Host microenvironment in breast cancer development: Inflammatory cells, cytokines and chemokines in breast cancer progression: reciprocal tumor–microenvironment interactions

A comprehensive overview of breast cancer development and progression suggests that the process is influenced by intrinsic properties of the tumor cells, as well as by microenvironmental factors. Indeed, in breast carcinoma, an intensive interplay exists between the tumor cells on one hand, and inflammatory cells/cytokines/chemokines on the other. The purpose of the present review is to outline the reciprocal interactions that exist between these different elements, and to shed light on their potential involvement in breast cancer development and progression

Calix[n] imidazolium as a new class of positively charged homo-calix compounds

Macrocycles based on neutral calixarenes and calixpyrroles have been extensively explored for ion binding, molecular assembly and related applications. Given that only these two types of calix compounds and their analogs are available, the introduction of new forms of widely usable calix macrocycles is an outstanding challenge. Here we report the quadruply/quintuply charged imidazole-based homo-calix compounds, calix[4/5] imidazolium. The noncovalent (C-H)(+)/pi(+) -anion interactions of the imidazolium rings with anions inside and outside the cone are the stabilizing factors for crystal packing, resulting in self-assembled arrays of cone-shaped calix-imidazolium molecules. Calix[4] imidazolium senses fluoride selectively even in aqueous solutions. Calix[5] imidazolium recognizes neutral fullerenes through pi(+) -pi interactions and makes them soluble in water, which could be useful in fullerene chemistry. Not only derivatization and ring expansion of calix[n] imidazolium, but also their utilization in ionic liquids, carbene chemistry and nanographite/graphene exfoliation could be exploited.close10

Linking the evolution of habitat choice to ecosystem functioning: Direct and indirect effects of pond-resproducing fire salamanders on aquatic - terrestrial subsidies.

Reinhardt T, Steinfartz S, Paetzold A, Weitere M. Linking the evolution of habitat choice to ecosystem functioning: Direct and indirect effects of pond-resproducing fire salamanders on aquatic - terrestrial subsidies. Oecologia. 2013;173(1):281-291