Distortion isomerism of Cu(II) chloride adducts with bis(2-benzimidazolyl)ethane. Synthesis, characterization, X-ray structures and spectroscopy of four different isomers

Metals in Catalysis, Biomimetics & Inorganic Material

Red and Blue Compounds Formed from Copper(II) Bromide and the Ligand 7-Isobutyl-5-methyl-[1,2,4]triazolo [1,5-a]pyrimidine: Synthesis, Spectroscopy and Single-Crystal Structures

Metals in Catalysis, Biomimetics & Inorganic Material

Synthesis, crystal structure and spectroscopy of catena-poly-bis(azido-N1,N1)(2-Aminopyrimidine)Copper(II)

The compound [Cu(ampym)(l1,1-N3)2]n (ampym = 2-aminopyrimidine) has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography and infrared spectroscopy. In addition, Ligand Field and powder EPR measurements have been performed. The structure is solved in space group P21/c with a = 7.303(2), b = 19.716(4), c = 5.949(1) A˚ , b = 98.17(3), V = 847.9(3) A˚ 3 , Z = 2 with final R = 0.0382. The coordination geometry around the Cu(II) ion is distorted square pyramidal, with four nitrogen atoms of four bridging azido anions in the basal plane with Cu–N distances that range from 1.998(3) to 2.069(3) A˚ . The apical position is occupied by a nitrogen atom of the ampym molecule at a Cu–N distance of 2.169(3) A˚ . The trans-basal angles are 165.7(1) and 143.9(1). Weak hydrogen bonding is observed between the two amine hydrogen atoms and nitrogen of an azide anion and the pyrimidine-ring nitrogen atom of a neighbouring molecule (NN distances 3.174(5), 3.106(4) A˚ ). These last hydrogen bonds (N7N3) are forming so-called ‘‘WatsonCrick type’’ hydrogen bonds. In the infrared the vibrations of the coordinated azide anion are observed at 2,062, 1,273 and 655 cm-1 , while the Cu–N vibrations are observed at 370 and 224 cm-1 . Ligand-field and EPR spectra are uneventful and give spectral parameters expected in the range for such Cu(II) compounds. Magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal a weak antiferromagnetic interaction between the Cu(II) ions.Metals in Catalysis, Biomimetics & Inorganic Material

Cu(II) Compounds with Pyrimidine-Based Chelating Ligands, Bridged by a Flexible Alkyl Spacer: Synthesis, Characterisation and X-Ray Structures of Methoxide-Bridged Dinuclear-Based Species

Metals in Catalysis, Biomimetics & Inorganic Material

Beneficial effects of running and milk protein supplements on Sirtuins and risk factors of metabolic disorders in rats with low aerobic capacity

Background Physical activity and dietary intake of dairy products are associated with improved metabolic health. Dairy products are rich with branched chain amino acids that are essential for energy production. To gain insight into the mechanisms underlying the benefit of the sub-chronic effects of running and intake of milk protein supplements, we studied Low Capacity Runner rats (LCR), a rodent exercise model with risk for metabolic disorders. We especially focused on the role of Sirtuins, energy level dependent proteins that affect many cellular metabolic processes. Methods Forty-seven adult LCR female rats sedentary or running voluntarily in wheels were fed normal chow and given supplements of either whey or milk protein drink (PD)-supplemented water, or water only for 21 weeks. Physiological responses were measured in vivo. Blood lipids were determined from serum. Mitochondrial markers and Sirtuins (Sirt1-7) including downstream targets were measured in plantaris muscle by western blotting. Results For the first 10 weeks whey-drinking rats ran about 50% less compared to other groups; still, in all runners glucose tolerance improved and triglycerides decreased. Generally, running induced a ∼six-fold increase in running capacity and a ∼8% decrease in % body fat. Together with running, protein supplements increased the relative lean mass of the total body weight by ∼11%. In comparison with sedentary controls, running and whey increased HDL (21%) and whey, with or without running, lowered LDL (−34%). Running increased mitochondrial biogenesis and Sirtuins 3 and 4. When combined with exercise, both whey and milk protein drink induced about a 4-fold increase in Sirt3, compared to runners drinking water only, and about a 2-fold increase compared to the respective sedentary group. Protein supplements, with or without running, enhanced the phosphorylation level of the acetyl-coA-carboxylase, suggesting increased fat oxidation. Both supplemented diets increased Sirt5 and Sirt7 without an additional effect from exercise. Running diminished and PD supplement increased Sirt6. Conclusion We demonstrate in rats new sub-chronic effects of milk proteins on metabolism that involve Sirtuins and their downstream targets in skeletal muscle. The results show that running and milk proteins act on reducing the risk factors of metabolic disorders and suggest that the underlying mechanisms may involve Sirtuins. Notably, we found that milk protein supplements have some favorable effects on metabolism even without running.Peer reviewe

High expression of tumour-associated trypsin inhibitor correlates with liver metastasis and poor prognosis in colorectal cancer

Increased expression of tumour-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI) in tumour tissue and/or serum has been associated with poor survival in various cancer forms. Moreover, a proinvasive function of TATI has been shown in colon cancer cell lines. In this study, we have examined the prognostic significance of tumour-specific TATI expression in colorectal cancer, assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) on tissue microarrays (TMAs) with tumour specimens from two independent patient cohorts. Kaplan–Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards modelling were used to estimate time to recurrence, disease-free survival and overall survival. In both cohorts, a high (>50% of tumour cells) TATI expression was an independent predictor of a significantly shorter overall survival. In cohort II, in multivariate analysis including age, gender, disease stage, differentiation grade, vascular invasion and carcinoembryonal antigen (CEA), high TATI expression was associated with a significantly decreased overall survival (HR=1.82; 95% CI=1.19–2.79) and disease-free survival (HR=1.56; 95% CI=1.05–2.32) in curatively treated patients. Moreover, there was an increased risk for liver metastasis in both cohorts that remained significant in multivariate analysis in cohort II (HR=2.85; 95% CI=1.43–5.66). In conclusion, high TATI expression is associated with liver metastasis and is an independent predictor of poor prognosis in patients with colorectal cancer

Graz Endocrine Causes of Hypertension (GECOH) study: a diagnostic accuracy study of aldosterone to active renin ratio in screening for primary aldosteronism

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Primary aldosteronism (PA) affects approximately 5 to 10% of all patients with arterial hypertension and is associated with an excess rate of cardiovascular complications that can be significantly reduced by a targeted treatment. There exists a general consensus that the aldosterone to renin ratio should be used as a screening tool but valid data about the accuracy of the aldosterone to renin ratio in screening for PA are sparse. In the Graz endocrine causes of hypertension (GECOH) study we aim to prospectively evaluate diagnostic procedures for PA.</p> <p>Methods and design</p> <p>In this single center, diagnostic accuracy study we will enrol 400 patients that are routinely referred to our tertiary care center for screening for endocrine hypertension. We will determine the aldosterone to active renin ratio (AARR) as a screening test. In addition, all study participants will have a second determination of the AARR and will undergo a saline infusion test (SIT) as a confirmatory test. PA will be diagnosed in patients with at least one AARR of ≥ 5.7 ng/dL/ng/L (including an aldosterone concentration of ≥ 9 ng/dL) who have an aldosterone level of ≥ 10 ng/dL after the saline infusion test. As a primary outcome we will calculate the receiver operating characteristic curve of the AARR in diagnosing PA. Secondary outcomes include the test characteristics of the saline infusion test involving a comparison with 24 hours urine aldosterone levels and the accuracy of the aldosterone to renin activity ratio in diagnosing PA. In addition we will evaluate whether the use of beta-blockers significantly alters the accuracy of the AARR and we will validate our laboratory methods for aldosterone and renin.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Screening for PA with subsequent targeted treatment is of great potential benefit for hypertensive patients. In the GECOH study we will evaluate a standardised procedure for screening and diagnosing of this disease.</p