Fluorinated Phthalonitriles and Phthalocyanines: Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties

Since their discovery at the beginning of the 20th century, phthalocyanines (Pc) have come a long way; today they are replacing the porphyrins (natural products) in most of their applications. The functionalization of the organic macrocycle, the use of different metals, and the change of the axial ligands resulted in Pc applications in a wide range of fields, ranging from photochemistry, paints, catalysis, to fuel cells and cosmetic products. In Dr. Gorun’s group was developed a series of electron-deficient Pcs that benefit from a Teflon-like chemical shield, meant also to break the π-π interactions, namely the F64PcM series. The present work is focused on (i) the redox properties of complexes with main group trivalent metals, namely non-functionalized F64PcGaCl and F64PcInCl, studied using classical electrochemical methods, cyclic voltammetry, and differential pulse polarography, (ii) the synthesis and photo-catalytical properties of a series of functionalized PcZn, and (iii) heterogenization strategies to produce functionalized Pc-based hybrid materials via bioconjugation or immobilization on solid supports. Amido phthalonitriles and Pcs were produced to reveal the influence of exocyclic conjugation on the spectroscopic and photochemical properties of the Pcs. The phthalonitrile precursors and Pc, 20 new compounds, were synthesized using conventional and non-conventional methods (microwave), purified by chromatographic techniques, characterized by spectral methods (UV-Vis, FT-IR, 1H-, 19F-NMR, HRMS). 16 of the newly synthesized compounds were analyzed by single-crystal X-ray crystallography confirming the spectral data and providing new structural information at the molecular and state-state levels, especially spectroscopically and catalytically relevant aggregation

Expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) ligands system in the most common endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer subtypes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>Endometrioid carcinoma of the ovary is one of the most types of epithelial ovarian cancer associated to endometrioisis. Endometrioid tumors as well as endometriotic implants are characterized by the presence of epithelial cells, stromal cells, or a combination of booth, that resemble the endometrial cells, suggesting a possible endometrial origin of these tumors. Pro-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1 (IL-1) have been reported to be involved in both endometriosis and ovarian carcinogenesis. The major objective of this study was to determine the level expression of IL-1 ligands system (IL-1α, IL-1β and IL-1RA) in the most common subtypes of ovarian cancer cells compared to endometrial cells.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We used primary endometrial cells, endometrial cell line RL-952 and different subtypes of epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines including TOV-112D (endometrioid), TOV-21G (clear cell) and OV-90 (serous). Immunofluorescence and real-time PCR analysis were used respectively for detecting IL-1 ligands at the levels of cell-associated protein and mRNA. Soluble IL-1 ligands were analyzed by ELISA.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We demonstrated that IL-1 ligands were expressed by all endometriosis-associated ovarian cancer subtypes and endometrial cells. In contrast to other cancer ovarian cells, endometrioid cells exhibit a specific decrease of cell-associated IL-1RA expression and its soluble secretion.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Endometrioid ovarian cancer exhibits an alteration in the expression of IL-1RA, a key protector against tumorogenic effects of IL-1. This alteration evokes the same alteration observed in endometriotic cells in previous studies. This suggests a possible link between the endometrium, the tissue ectopic endometriosis and endometrioid ovarian cancer.</p

Estimation of genetic parameters for milk traits in Romanian local sheep breed

ABSTRACT Objective. Estimate the genetic parameters for milk traits in a Romanian local sheep population Teleorman Black Head. Material and methods. Records of 262 sheep belonging to 17 rams and 139 ewes were used in the study. The following traits were investigated: milk yield, fat yield, protein yield, fat percentage and protein percentage. The genetic parameters were estimated using the Restricted Maximum Likelihood method, with a model including maternal effects. Results. The results from our study revealed that direct heritability estimates were moderate for milk yield (0.449), fat yield (0.442), protein yield (0.386) while for protein percentage (0.708) and fat percentage (0.924) were high. The high direct and maternal genetic correlation was between milk yield and protein yield (0.979, 0.973) and between protein yield and fat yield (0.952, 0.913) while the phenotypic correlation between the milk yield and fat yield (0.968), the milk yield and protein yield (0.967), fat yield and protein yield (0.936) was high and positive. Conclusions. The genetic parameters are important in selection program on this breed for genetic improvement

Relationship between gene polymorphism and milk production traits in Teleorman Black Head sheep breed

ABSTRACT Objective. This study is a preliminary step of a larger national program aimed to develop a strategy for “in situ” preservation of Teleorman Black Head sheep population. In this paper we estimated the effect of β-lactoglobulin, casein and prolactin on some quantitative and qualitative milk traits in this local sheep population. Material and methods. Genotyping methodology included PCR for CSN3 (A and B alleles) and PCR-RFLP for LGB (A and B alleles) and PRL (T and C alleles), respectively. Repeated milking and milk composition analysis were used for the polymorphism effect estimation. Results. No association between CSN3 polymorphism and milk traits was found. Effect of LGB on production traits was quite constant. Genotype AA performed better than BB. PRL marker effect showed small differences than LGB. Concerning milk, fat and protein yield, AA genotype for PRL had a smaller positive impact than AA genotype for LGB. Regarding fat and protein content, PRL showed a negative effect for AA and positive for BB genotype, respectively. Conclusions. Positive association between LGB and milk yield and composition recommend this candidate gene like marker for a future MAS program. Although PRL gene is also associated with an increased milk quantity, inverse response over milk composition must be considered in MAS strategy. Our study demonstrated that both LGB and PRL markers could became an advent of MAS utilization in Romanian dairy sheep breeding industry.   RESUMEN Objetivo. Este estudio es un paso preliminar de un programa nacional más amplio destinado a desarrollar una estrategia para la conservación “in situ”de la población de ovejas Cabeza Negra de Teleorman. En este trabajo se estimó el efecto de la β-lactoglobulina, caseína y prolactina en algunos rasgos cuantitativos y cualitativos de la leche en esta población de ovejas locales. Material y métodos. Metodología de PCR para genotipificación incluido CSN3 (A y B alelos) y PCR-RFLP para LGB (A y B alelos) y PRL (T y C alelos). Análisis y composición de la leche de ordeños repetidos se utilizaron para estimación el efecto del polimorfismo. Resultados. No se encontró asociación entre el polimorfismo y la leche rasgos CSN3. Efecto de LGB en los rasgos de producción era bastante constante. Genotipo AA obtenido mejores resultados que BB. Efecto marcador PRL mostró pequeñas diferencias que LGB. En cuanto a la leche grasa y proteína el genotipo AA para PRL tuvo un impacto positivo más pequeño que el genotipo AA para LGB. En cuanto a contenido de grasa y proteína, PRL mostró un efecto negativo para AA y positivo para BB genotipo. Conclusiones.La asociación positiva entre LGB y la producción de leche y la composición recomienda este gen candidato como marcador para un futuro programa de MAS. Aunque gen PRL también se asocia con un incrementoen la cantidad de leche, la respuesta inversa sobre composición de la leche debe ser considerado en la estrategia de MAS. Nuestro estudio demostró que los marcadores tanto LGB y PRL podrían venir a ser utilizados en MAS en la industria rumanade cría deovejas lecheras

Influence of sorghum inclusion in fattening steers diets on health and fatty acids profile of Longissimus dorsi muscle

The study was conducted using 21 Romanian Black Spotted fattening steers to determine the effects of sorghum grains on health and fatty acid profile of Longissimus dorsi muscle. The animals were assigned uniformly to 3 groups of 7 steers each, which received different treatments: control (C) received a compound feed without sorghum grains, experimental group (E1) received 15% sorghum grains in the compound feed, while next experimental group (E2) received 25% sorghum grains in the compound feed. To determine the biochemical parameters, blood samples were collected from animals at the end of experimental period. The laboratory analyses conducted on samples of Longissimus dorsi muscle collected from the 3 experimental groups, showed changes in the fatty acid composition. The proportion of saturated fatty acids (SFA) decreased in favour of the unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) with 1.04% in group E2, while the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased from 53.00% in the control group to 54.19% in group E2

MED12 Alterations in Both Human Benign and Malignant Uterine Soft Tissue Tumors

The relationship between benign uterine leiomyomas and their malignant counterparts, i.e. leiomyosarcomas and smooth muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP), is still poorly understood. The idea that a leiomyosarcoma could derive from a leiomyoma is still controversial. Recently MED12 mutations have been reported in uterine leiomyomas. In this study we asked whether such mutations could also be involved in leiomyosarcomas and STUMP oncogenesis. For this purpose we examined 33 uterine mesenchymal tumors by sequencing the hot-spot mutation region of MED12. We determined that MED12 is altered in 66.6% of typical leiomyomas as previously reported but also in 11% of STUMP and 20% of leiomyosarcomas. The mutated allele is predominantly expressed in leiomyomas and STUMP. Interestingly all classical leiomyomas exhibit MED12 protein expression while 40% of atypical leiomyomas, 50% of STUMP and 80% of leiomyosarcomas (among them the two mutated ones) do not express MED12. All these tumors without protein expression exhibit complex genomic profiles. No mutations and no expression loss were identified in an additional series of 38 non-uterine leiomyosarcomas. MED12 mutations are not exclusive to leiomyomas but seem to be specific to uterine malignancies. A previous study has suggested that MED12 mutations in leiomyomas could lead to Wnt/β-catenin pathway activation however our immunohistochemistry results show that there is no association between MED12 status and β-catenin nuclear/cytoplasmic localization. Collectively, our results show that subgroups of benign and malignant tumors share a common genetics. We propose here that MED12 alterations could be implicated in the development of smooth muscle tumor and that its expression could be inhibited in malignant tumors

Exome Sequencing of Uterine Leiomyosarcomas Identifies Frequent Mutations in TP53, ATRX, and MED12

Uterine leiomyosarcomas (ULMSs) are aggressive smooth muscle tumors associated with poor clinical outcome. Despite previous cytogenetic and molecular studies, their molecular background has remained elusive. To examine somatic variation in ULMS, we performed exome sequencing on 19 tumors. Altogether, 43 genes were mutated in at least two ULMSs. Most frequently mutated genes included tumor protein P53 (TP53; 6/19; 33%), alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX; 5/19; 26%), and mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12; 4/19; 21%). Unlike ATRX mutations, both TP53 and MED12 alterations have repeatedly been associated with ULMSs. All the observed ATRX alterations were either nonsense or frameshift mutations. ATRX protein levels were reliably analyzed by immunohistochemistry in altogether 44 ULMSs, and the majority of tumors (23/44; 52%) showed clearly reduced expression. Loss of ATRX expression has been associated with alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT), and thus the telomere length was analyzed with telomere-specific fluorescence in situ hybridization. The ALT phenotype was confirmed in all ULMSs showing diminished ATRX expression. Exome data also revealed one nonsense mutation in death-domain associated protein (DAXX), another gene previously associated with ALT, and the tumor showed ALT positivity. In conclusion, exome sequencing revealed that TP53, ATRX, and MED12 are frequently mutated in ULMSs. ALT phenotype was commonly seen in tumors, indicating that ATR inhibitors, which were recently suggested as possible new drugs for ATRX-deficient tumors, could provide a potential novel therapeutic option for ULMS.Peer reviewe