A Novel Tetraoxygenated Δ8(9),15-Pimaric Acid Methyl Ester From Lycopus Europaeus - II

Identification of a novel diterpene (la-hydroxy-7a,l1a,14~-triacetoxy-LB(gJ.15_pimaraicid methyl ester) from plant species Lycopus Europaeus by means of two-dimensional IH homonuclear correlated NMR spectroscopy (COSY) is reported

NMR microscopy of tissue in organic and mixed solvents

We propose to use organic and mixed solvents for nuclear magnetic resonance microscopy of fixed tissue as a means for improving image information content. NMR properties of some standard solvents (methanol, acetone, DMSO) and solvents in use for tissue processing in pathology (xylenes, paraffin, ‘Clearify’) have been measured, reviewed, and analyzed. It was found that DMSO and paraffin are very useful solvents that provide images of better quality than those obtained in water (neutralized formalin buffer). This is illustrated on the formalin fixed mouse brain sections imaged at 16.4 teslas (700 MHz)

NMR h3 JNC’ Couplings Provide Comprehensive Geometrical Constraints for Protein H-bonds in Solution

Protein backbone H-bonds (>N–H···O–C<) show relationships between NMR h3JNC\u27 couplings measured in solution and H-bond geometry parameters seen in X-ray crystal structures. Assuming that the solution and crystal structure of protein backbone is the same, the h3JNC\u27 couplings can be calibrated to provide good estimates of both angular and radial H-bond parameters in a solution. The crucial premise of equality between the solution and the crystal structure of protein backbone we validated on the level of the NH-bonds orientation, by comparing the orientations inferred from X-ray crystal structures with the solution ones determined from NMR residual dipolar couplings

Further guaianolides from Amphoricarpos neumayeri ssp murbeckii from Montenegro

The aerial parts of Amphoricarpos neumayeri ssp. murbeckii afforded eleven guaianolides with the same relative (1 alpha H,4 beta H,5 alpha H, 7 alpha H) configuration of the basic skeleton. All of them contained a CH2OX (X = H, acetyl or isovaleroyl) group in 4 alpha-position, typical for amphoricarpolides. Four compounds (1-4) were isolated before from the same species, originating from different localities. Guaianolides 5-11 are new compounds. Compounds 7 and 8 were epoxidized at the 10 alpha(14)-position. Instead of the Delta(11(13))-double bond, observed in all previously isolated guaianolides from the same species, the four lactones contained 11 alpha,13-diol (8-10) or 11 alpha-OH, 13-chloro (11) moieties respectively

Evolution of cardiac and renal impairment detected by high-field cardiovascular magnetic resonance in mice with renal artery stenosis

BACKGROUND: Renal artery stenosis (RAS) promotes hypertension and cardiac dysfunction. The 2-kidney, 1-clip mouse model in many ways resembles RAS in humans and is amenable for genetic manipulation, but difficult to evaluate noninvasively. We hypothesized that cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is capable of detecting progressive cardiac and renal dysfunction in mice with RAS and monitoring the progression of the disease longitudinally. METHODS: RAS was induced at baseline in eighteen mice by constricting the renal artery. Nine additional animals served as normal controls. CMR scans (16.4 T) were performed in all mice one week before and 2 and 4 weeks after baseline. Renal volumes and hemodynamics were assessed using 3D fast imaging with steady-state precession and arterial spin labelling, and cardiac function using CMR cine. Renal hypoxia was investigated using blood oxygen-level dependent (BOLD) MR. RESULTS: Two weeks after surgery, mean arterial pressure was elevated in RAS mice. The stenotic kidney (STK) showed atrophy, while the contra-lateral kidney (CLK) showed hypertrophy. Renal blood flow (RBF) and cortical oxygenation level declined in the STK but remained unchanged in CLK. Moreover, cardiac end-diastolic and stroke volumes decreased and myocardial mass increased. At 4 weeks, STK RBF remained declined and the STK cortex and medulla showed development of hypoxia. Additionally, BOLD detected a mild hypoxia in CLK cortex. Cardiac end-diastolic and stroke volumes remained reduced and left ventricular hypertrophy worsened. Left ventricular filling velocities (E/A) indicated progression of cardiac dysfunction towards restrictive filling. CONCLUSIONS: CMR detected longitudinal progression of cardiac and renal dysfunction in 2K, 1C mice. These observations support the use of high-field CMR to obtain useful information regarding chronic cardiac and renal dysfunction in small animals

A Single Dose of Neuron-Binding Human Monoclonal Antibody Improves Spontaneous Activity in a Murine Model of Demyelination

Our laboratory demonstrated that a natural human serum antibody, sHIgM12, binds to neurons in vitro and promotes neurite outgrowth. We generated a recombinant form, rHIgM12, with identical properties. Intracerebral infection with Theiler's Murine Encephalomyelitis Virus (TMEV) of susceptible mouse strains results in chronic demyelinating disease with progressive axonal loss and neurologic dysfunction similar to progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. To study the effects of rHIgM12 on the motor function of TMEV-infected mice, we monitored spontaneous nocturnal activity over many weeks. Nocturnal behavior is a sensitive measure of rodent neurologic function because maximal activity changes are expected to occur during the normally active night time monitoring period. Mice were placed in activity boxes eight days prior to treatment to collect baseline spontaneous activity. After treatment, activity in each group was continuously recorded over 8 weeks. We chose a long 8-week monitoring period for two reasons: (1) we previously demonstrated that IgM induced remyelination is present by 5 weeks post treatment, and (2) TMEV-induced demyelinating disease in this strain progresses very slowly. Due to the long observation periods and large data sets, differences among treatment groups may be difficult to appreciate studying the original unfiltered recordings. To clearly delineate changes in the highly fluctuating original data we applied three different methods: (1) binning, (2) application of Gaussian low-pass filters (GF) and (3) polynomial fitting. Using each of the three methods we showed that compared to control IgM and saline, early treatment with rHIgM12 induced improvement in both horizontal and vertical motor function, whereas later treatment improved only horizontal activity. rHIgM12 did not alter activity of normal, uninfected mice. This study supports the hypothesis that treatment with a neuron-binding IgM not only protects neurons in vitro, but also influences functional motor improvement

Partial inhibition of mitochondrial complex I ameliorates Alzheimer\u27s disease pathology and cognition in APP/PS1 female mice.

Alzheimer\u27s Disease (AD) is a devastating neurodegenerative disorder without a cure. Here we show that mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I is an important small molecule druggable target in AD. Partial inhibition of complex I triggers the AMP-activated protein kinase-dependent signaling network leading to neuroprotection in symptomatic APP/PS1 female mice, a translational model of AD. Treatment of symptomatic APP/PS1 mice with complex I inhibitor improved energy homeostasis, synaptic activity, long-term potentiation, dendritic spine maturation, cognitive function and proteostasis, and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in brain and periphery, ultimately blocking the ongoing neurodegeneration. Therapeutic efficacy in vivo was monitored using translational biomarkers FDG-PET, 31P NMR, and metabolomics. Cross-validation of the mouse and the human transcriptomic data from the NIH Accelerating Medicines Partnership-AD database demonstrated that pathways improved by the treatment in APP/PS1 mice, including the immune system response and neurotransmission, represent mechanisms essential for therapeutic efficacy in AD patients

Compositions

The thesis for the Master of Music degree in Composition consists of live performances of original works composed during graduate study. The student is expected to have written and have performed approximately an hour of music for various media. My compositions were performed on March 3, 2006; March 18, 2006; April 13, 2006; November 9, 2006; January 7, 2007; January 26, 2007; March 12, 2007; March 17, 2007; March 31, 2007; and April 19, 2007.Arts, Faculty ofMusic, School ofGraduat

A novel pimara-8(9),15-diene from lycopus europaeus

Identification of a novel trioxygenated Δ8(9),15_ pimaric acid methyl ester from plant species Lycopus europaeus by means of two-dimensional 1H NMR spectroscopy (COSY and NOESY) is reported. © 1985