The detrital zircon record of Variscan to post‑Variscan tectonosedimentary and magmatic processes in the Tauern Window (Eastern Alps)

Coupled U–Pb and Lu–Hf LA-ICP-MS detrital and igneous zircon data were obtained from metasedimentary sequences (Kaserer Formation, Schmirntal Quartzite, Seidlwinkel Formation, Bündnerschiefer Basin, Riffler Basin) of the western Tauern Window (Eastern Alps). Results show maximum deposition ages between the Late Permian and the Triassic, indicating protracted sedimentation and magmatism between the Late Paleozoic and the Mesozoic. The Lu–Hf fingerprint shows a change from subchondritic to variable subchondritic to suprachondritic compositions at ca. 290 Ma, possibly documenting the transition from Late Paleozoic Variscan post-collisional processes to intracontinental extension. Lithospheric thinning and magmatic underplating may explain the observed Hf isotopic evolution as the result of mixing of crustal and mantellic sources. From a paleogeographical perspective, results confirm that the Tauern Window was situated between Alpine basement units (South Alpine, Austroalpine and External Massifs) and the Bohemian Massif during the Permian–Triassic.Fil: Veselá, P.. Ludwig Maximilians Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Oriolo, Sebastián. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Geociencias Básicas, Aplicadas y Ambientales de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Basei, M. A. S.. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Lammerer, Bernd. Ludwig Maximilians Universitat; AlemaniaFil: Siegesmund, S.. Universität Göttingen; Alemani

Lipolytic and Hypolipidemic Properties of Newly Synthesized Aryloxypropanolamine Derivatives

In this study, the lipolytic effect of two newly synthesized potential β3-adrenergic agonists A482 and B496 in active acid forms was tested using isolated sliced epididymal adipose tissue of Wistar rats, and compared with Isoprenaline and BRL37344. Furthermore, effects of an eight-week oral administration of the newly synthesized substances on serum cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, adiponectin, resistin and weight gain were studied in C57Bl/6J mice that were fed high energy diet. The newly synthesized substance A482 (4-(2-{[2-hydroxy-3-(4-methyl-carbamoylphenoxy) propyl]amino}ethyl)phenoxy-acetic acid hydrochloride) was able to produce almost full lipolysis at a 1 × 10-7 M concentration, and its effect on the rat epididymal adipose tissue was similar to the specific β3-adrenergic agonist BRL37344. Ethyl ester of this substance significantly lowered plasma total cholesterol (p p p p p 3-adrenergic agonists. Our results suggest that the newly synthesised substance A482 may represent a potent β3-adrenergic agonist

Activation of Multiple Apoptotic Pathways in Human Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells by the Prenylated Isoflavone, Osajin

Osajin is a prenylated isoflavone showing antitumor activity in different tumor cell lines. The underlying mechanism of osajin-induced cancer cell death is not clearly understood. In the present study, the mechanisms of osajin-induced cell death of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells were explored. Osajin was found to significantly induce apoptosis of NPC cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Multiple molecular effects were observed during osajin treatment including a significant loss of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, enhanced expression of Fas ligand (FasL), suppression of glucose-regulated protein 78 kDa (GRP78), and activation of caspases-9, -8, -4 and -3. In addition, up-regulation of proapoptotic Bax protein and down-regulation of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 protein were also observed. Taken together, osajin induces apoptosis in human NPC cells through multiple apoptotic pathways, including the extrinsic death receptor pathway, and intrinsic pathways relying on mitochondria and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Thus, osajin could be developed as a new effective and chemopreventive compound for human NPC

Durbachites–Vaugnerites – a geodynamic marker in the central European Variscan orogen

Durbachites–Vaugnerites are K–Mg-rich magmatic rocks derived from an enriched mantle source. Observed throughout the European Variscan basement, their present-day geographical distribution does not reveal any obvious plate-tectonic context. Published geochronological data show that most durbachites–vaugnerites formed around 335–340 Ma. Plotted in a Visean plate-tectonic reconstruction, the occurrences of durbachites–vaugnerites are concentrated in a hotspot like cluster in the Galatian superterrane, featuring a distinctive regional magmatic province. Reviewing the existing local studies on Variscan durbachite–vaugnerite rocks, we interpret their extensive appearance in the Visean in terms of two factors: (i) long-term mantle enrichment above early Variscan subduction systems; and (ii) melting of this enriched subcontinental mantle source during the Variscan collision stage due to thermal anomalies below the Galatian superterrane, possibly created by slab windows and and/or the sinking of the subducted Rheic slab into the mantle. The tectonic reorganization of Europe in the Late Palaeozoic and during the Alpine orogeny has torn apart and blurred this marked domain of durbachites–vaugnerites