19 research outputs found
Polyamide-Scorpion Cyclam Lexitropsins Selectively Bind AT-Rich DNA Independently of the Nature of the Coordinated Metal
Cyclam was attached to 1-, 2- and 3-pyrrole lexitropsins for the first time
through a synthetically facile copper-catalyzed âclickâ reaction.
The corresponding copper and zinc complexes were synthesized and characterized.
The ligand and its complexes bound AT-rich DNA selectively over GC-rich DNA, and
the thermodynamic profile of the binding was evaluated by isothermal titration
calorimetry. The metal, encapsulated in a scorpion azamacrocyclic complex, did
not affect the binding, which was dominated by the organic tail
Iron Behaving Badly: Inappropriate Iron Chelation as a Major Contributor to the Aetiology of Vascular and Other Progressive Inflammatory and Degenerative Diseases
The production of peroxide and superoxide is an inevitable consequence of
aerobic metabolism, and while these particular "reactive oxygen species" (ROSs)
can exhibit a number of biological effects, they are not of themselves
excessively reactive and thus they are not especially damaging at physiological
concentrations. However, their reactions with poorly liganded iron species can
lead to the catalytic production of the very reactive and dangerous hydroxyl
radical, which is exceptionally damaging, and a major cause of chronic
inflammation. We review the considerable and wide-ranging evidence for the
involvement of this combination of (su)peroxide and poorly liganded iron in a
large number of physiological and indeed pathological processes and
inflammatory disorders, especially those involving the progressive degradation
of cellular and organismal performance. These diseases share a great many
similarities and thus might be considered to have a common cause (i.e.
iron-catalysed free radical and especially hydroxyl radical generation). The
studies reviewed include those focused on a series of cardiovascular, metabolic
and neurological diseases, where iron can be found at the sites of plaques and
lesions, as well as studies showing the significance of iron to aging and
longevity. The effective chelation of iron by natural or synthetic ligands is
thus of major physiological (and potentially therapeutic) importance. As
systems properties, we need to recognise that physiological observables have
multiple molecular causes, and studying them in isolation leads to inconsistent
patterns of apparent causality when it is the simultaneous combination of
multiple factors that is responsible. This explains, for instance, the
decidedly mixed effects of antioxidants that have been observed, etc...Comment: 159 pages, including 9 Figs and 2184 reference
The partnership between school leaders and parents: views of Solomon Islands parents
Effective communication and the building and sustaining of a positive relationship on trust and respect are important aspects influencing the nexus between the school and the parents. It is, therefore, very important that schools create an atmosphere in which parents feel valued and respected. This study investigated the views of parents regarding the partnership between themselves and the school leaders of their childrenâs primary schools in Solomon Islands. The research was conducted qualitatively by the use of a semi-structured interview guide to facilitate discussion with the participants. The research fieldwork was carried out in Solomon Islands with six parents from six different primary schools in Honiara city and Guadalcanal Province. The parents of this study highlighted some factors that inhibit the building of relationship and of trust between schools and the parents. These include the lack of on-going communication from schools about childrenâs learning progress and school developments and a lack of transparency from school leaders about the use of school funds and parentsâ financial constraints. Parents of this study also suggested recommendations that they want to see their school leaders implement, to include sharing in decision-making, greater transparency, and effective communication between the school and parents
Juggling multiple accountability systems: how three principals manage these tensions in Ontario, Canada
Accountability in education is not new. Schools have always been accountable in one way or another to the communities they serve, regardless of the policy environment of the time (Elmore, The Educational Forum, 69:134â142, 2005). This article explores how three principals from Ontario, Canada manage the tensions of multiple accountability systems in their work. Findings indicate that the principals were able to find ways to be accountable to a variety of communities and ideals by prioritizing and honoring local needs and beliefs within the larger provincial mandate. Principals could not ignore the various accountability pressures; indeed, their success hinged on the ability to negotiate them. This delicate balancing act requires school principals to develop skills necessary to successfully juggle these competing demands