Opposite effect of acute and subchronic treatments with Ferula hermonis on copulatory behavior of male rats

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A new framework topology in the dehydrated form of zeolite levyne.

0003-004X/13/1112\u20132063$05.00/DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2138/am.2013.4583 2063 A new framework topology in the dehydrated form of zeolite levyne Rossella Arletti1, Giovanna Vezzalini2, Simona Quartieri3, Fernando C\ue1mara1 and Matteo Alvaro4,* 1Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra, Universit\ue0 di Torino, via Valperga Caluso n. 35, 10125 Torino, Italy 2Dipartimento di Scienze Chimiche e Geologiche, Universit\ue0 di Modena e Reggio Emilia, via Giuseppe Campi, 183, 41125 Modena, Italy 3Dipartimento di Fisica e Scienze della Terra, Universit\ue0 di Messina, Viale F. Stagno D\u2019Alcontres, 31, 98122 Messina, Italy 4Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell\u2019Ambiente, Universit\ue0 degli Studi di Pavia, Italy; and International Research School of Planetary Sciences, Universit\ue0 G. d\u2019Annunzio, Chieti, Italy A bstract The thermoelastic behavior and structural evolution of a natural levyne-Ca [(Ca7.8 Na2.2K1.1)\u3a311.1 Al20.0Si34.2O108 c551.5H2O; R3m; a = 13.377(4) \uc5, c = 22.870(1) \uc5, V = 3544.1(3) \uc53] were studied by both T-resolved synchrotron X\u2011ray powder diffraction (SR-XRPD) between room temperature and 800 \ub0C, and by conventional-source high-temperature single-crystal X\u2011ray diffraction (SC-XRD). Above 230 \ub0C, water loss and reallocation of extraframework cations induce the straining and consequent breaking of T-O-T bridges in the D6R, with resulting migration of tetrahedral cations to new tetrahedral sites. The new tetrahedra share an edge with the previously occupied tetrahedra. This phenomenon gives rise to a new topology, which coexists to about 40%, with the original one. The new framework consists of a sequence of a novel zeolitic cage (described as a 20-hedron formed by fourteen 6mR and six 4mR) and two consecutive cancrinite cages along [0001]. This topology, which is reported in the database of the hypothetical zeolite structures as 166_2_293, belongs to the ABC-6 family and can be described by the following sequence of 6-rings: ABCBCACAB, to be compared with that of levyne AABCCABBC. In the new topology the extraframework cations are distributed over 3 new sites: one at the center of the 6mR a5 [0001] shared by the two cancrinite cages, one near the center of the 6mR a5 [0001] at the base of the new cage, and a last one in a 6mR window of the new cage. The 8mR bidimensional channel system originally present in levyne is therefore absent in the new topology and hence molecular diffusion is likely to be partially hindered in the dehydrated form. The phase transition is not completely reversible, at least in the short term, as only partial rehydration was demonstrated

Identification of Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase Receptor Gamma Extracellular Domain (sPTPRG) as a Natural Soluble Protein in Plasma

BACKGROUND:PTPRG is a widely expressed protein tyrosine phosphatase present in various isoforms. Peptides from its extracellular domain have been detected in plasma by proteomic techniques. We aim at characterizing the plasmatic PTPRG (sPTPRG) form and to identify its source.METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS:The expression of sPTPRG was evaluated in human plasma and murine plasma and tissues by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. The polypeptides identified have an apparent Mr of about 120 kDa (major band) and 90 kDa (minor band) respectively. Full length PTPRG was identified in the 100.000 7g pelleted plasma fraction, suggesting that it was present associated to cell-derived vesicles (exosomes). The release of sPTPRG by HepG2 human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line was induced by ethanol and sensitive to metalloproteinase and not to Furin inhibitors. Finally, increased levels of the plasmatic 3c120 kDa isoform were associated with the occurrence of liver damage.CONCLUSIONS:These results demonstrate that sPTPRG represent a novel candidate protein biomarker in plasma whose increased expression is associated to hepatocyte damage. This observation could open a new avenue of investigation in this challenging field

Distribution of different isoforms of receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase \u3b3 (Ptprg-RPTP \u3b3) in adult mouse brain: upregulation during neuroinflammation.

The receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase \u3b3 (Ptprg-RPTP\u3b3) is a receptor protein widely expressed in many tissues, including the central nervous system (CNS). Several RPTP\u3b3 isoforms are expressed in the brain during development and in adulthood, but their distribution and role are unknown. In this study, we investigated the distribution of some RPTP\u3b3 isoforms in the adult brain using antibodies against the epitopes localized in the C- and in the N-terminal domains of the full length isoform of RPTP\u3b3. We found a predominant and widespread neuronal positivity throughout the neocortex, hippocampus, striatum and in many nuclei of the brainstem and cerebellum. At least 2 distinct isoforms that can co-exist in various compartments in the same cell are detectable in different neuron types. Immunopositivity for epitopes located in both the N- and C-terminus domains were found in the neuropil of cortical and hippocampal neurons, whereas the N-terminal domain positivity was found in the soma, often without colocalization with its C-terminal counterpart. Among glial cells, some protoplasmic and perivascular astrocytes and the cerebellar Bergmann glia, express RPTP\u3b3. The astrocytic expression of RPTP\u3b3 and putative processing isoforms of 120 and 80 kDa increases during neuroinflammation, in particular 24 h after LPS treatment. Activated astrocytes were found to be strongly positive for RPTP\u3b3 also in a mice model of Alzheimer's disease. Our results confirm previous findings and enrich the current knowledge of RPTP\u3b3 distribution in the CNS, highlighting a role of RPTP\u3b3 during neuroinflammation processes

Crystal-fluid interactions in open-framework materials at high pressure

The number of experiments on the high-pressure behavior of open-framework materials increased significantly in the last decade [1,2]. The framework topology, the chemical composition and the so-called \u201chost-guest\u201d interactions (between the framework and the extraframework components) were found to significantly influence the response of zeolites to the applied pressure. However, the HP-behavior of zeolites may also be influenced by crystal-fluid interactions when P-transmitting fluids (PTF) are used to generate hydrostatic compression, and in particular when the PTF is \u201cpore-penetrating\u201d. In such a case, the P-induced penetration of PTF molecules into the zeolite structural voids leads to a change of the physical-chemical properties of the studied material, for example inducing a stiffening of the elastic behavior or leading to the hyperconfinement of supramolecular aggregates (in the zeolite channels) with functional properties [3]. In this study, we describe the HP-behavior and the crystal-fluid interactions of two synthetic zeolites with empty channels and cages, i.e. all-silica ferrierite (Si-FER) and ALPO4-5 (AlPO4), compressed with non-penetrating (silicone oil, s.o.) and potentially pore-penetrating PTF. The compression of Si-FER in s.o. evidences the remarkable flexibility of this framework: a first displacive phase transition was observed from the Pmnn to the P121/n1 space group at ~ 0.7 GPa. A second displacive phase transition, involving a significant unit-cell volume contraction, was observed at ~ 1.24 GPa from the P121/n1 to the P21/n11 space group (through an intermediate P-1 structure, \u201ctype-II\u201d transition according to Christy [4]). The high-P P21/n11 polymorph was found to be stable at least up to 3.00(7) GPa, whereas - upon pressure release - the starting Pmnn structure was fully recovered. The three polymorphs were found to share a virtually identical bulk elastic behavior, being their average volume compressibility \u3b2V: 0.051(4), 0.056(9) and 0.055(3) GPa-1, respectively. The compression of Si-FER and ALPO-5 in potentially pore-penetrating PTF showed a lower bulk compressibility, different phase-transition paths (for Si-FER) and diverse atomic-scale deformation mechanisms with respect to the compression in silicone oil, suggesting the onset of significant crystal-fluid interactions, likely due to the P-induced penetration of PTF molecules. In addition, the HPbehavior of Si-FER is strongly influenced by the process kinetics, which was found to control the P-induced molecules intrusion phenomena and, as consequence, the P-induced phase transitions in this material. The authors acknowledge the Italian Ministry of Education, MIUR-Project: \u201cFuturo in Ricerca 2012 - ImPACTRBFR12CLQD\u201d. [1] G.D. Gatta, Y. Lee Mineral. Mag. 2014, 78, 267-291. [2] G. Vezzalini, R. Arletti, S. Quartieri Acta Cryst. 2014, B70, 444-471. [3] M. Santoro, F.A. Gorelli, R. Bini, J. Haines, A. Van der Lee Nat. Commun. 2013, 4, 1557-1563. [4] A.G. Christy Acta Cryst. 1993, B49, 987-996

Rapid recognition of drug-resistance/sensitivity in leukemic cells by Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy and unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis.

We tested the ability of Fourier Transform (FT) InfraRed (IR) microspectroscopy (microFTIR) in combination with unsupervised Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) in identifying drug-resistance/sensitivity in leukemic cells exposed to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). Experiments were carried out in a well-established mouse model of human Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML). Mouse-derived pro-B Ba/F3 cells transfected with and stably expressing the human p210(BCR-ABL) drug-sensitive wild-type BCR-ABL or the V299L or T315I p210(BCR-ABL) drug-resistant BCR-ABL mutants were exposed to imatinib-mesylate (IMA) or dasatinib (DAS). MicroFTIR was carried out at the Diamond IR beamline MIRIAM where the mid-IR absorbance spectra of individual Ba/F3 cells were acquired using the high brilliance IR synchrotron radiation (SR) via aperture of 15 7 15 \u3bcm(2) in sizes. A conventional IR source (globar) was used to compare average spectra over 15 cells or more. IR signatures of drug actions were identified by supervised analyses in the spectra of TKI-sensitive cells. Unsupervised HCA applied to selected intervals of wavenumber allowed us to classify the IR patterns of viable (drug-resistant) and apoptotic (drug-sensitive) cells with an accuracy of >95%. The results from microFTIR + HCA analysis were cross-validated with those obtained via immunochemical methods, i.e. immunoblotting and flow cytometry (FC) that resulted directly and significantly correlated. We conclude that this combined microFTIR + HCA method potentially represents a rapid, convenient and robust screening approach to study the impact of drugs in leukemic cells as well as in peripheral blasts from patients in clinical trials with new anti-leukemic drugs

Defective CFTR Expression and Function Are Detectable in Blood Monocytes: Development of a New Blood Test for Cystic Fibrosis

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) functional activity to assess new therapies and define diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) is cumbersome. It is known that leukocytes express detectable levels of CFTR but the molecule has not been characterized in these cells. In this study we aim at setting up and validating a blood test to evaluate CFTR expression and function in leukocytes. DESCRIPTION: Western blot, PCR, immunofluorescence and cell membrane depolarization analysis by single-cell fluorescence imaging, using the potential-sensitive DiSBAC(2)(3) probe were utilized. Expression of PKA phosphorylated, cell membrane-localized CFTR was detected in non-CF monocytes, being undetectable or present in truncated form in monocytes derived from CF patients presenting with nonsense mutations. CFTR agonist administration induced membrane depolarization in monocytes isolated from non-CF donors (31 subjects) and, to a lesser extent, obligate CFTR heterozygous carriers (HTZ: 15 subjects), but it failed in monocytes from CF patients (44 subjects). We propose an index, which values in CF patients are significantly (p<0.001) lower than in the other two groups. Nasal Potential Difference, measured in selected subjects had concordant results with monocytes assay (Kappa statistic 0.93, 95%CI: 0.80-1.00). RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE: CFTR is detectable and is functional in human monocytes. We also showed that CFTR-associated activity can be evaluated in 5 ml of peripheral blood and devise an index potentially applicable for diagnostic purposes and both basic and translational research: from drug development to evaluation of functional outcomes in clinical trials

Dehydration mechanism in brewsterite: single-crystal X-ray diffraction study

The crystal structure of the zeolite brewsterite (space group P2(1)/m, ideal formula (Sr,Ba)(2)Al4Si12O32. 10H(2)O) was studied at different dehydration levels. Six single crystals were kept in evacuated capillaries at different temperatures and for different treatment times, and the X-ray diffraction data were collected at room temperature. The following results were obtained. 1, The structure refinements of the partially dehydrated brewsterite indicate that, as dehydration advances, the cell volume decreases, the channels are contracted and the exchangeable cations spread over several sites, which were occupied in the original structure by water molecules. These results are in agreement with a previous in situ powder diffraction study. 2. The T-O-T bridge breaking and the consequent formation of new 4- and 5-coordinated (Si,Al) polyhedra, already observed in a previous single-crystal dehydration study, are caused by the necessity of the exchangeable cations to be coordinated by the framework oxygens when the water loss is almost complete. This phenomenon was not observed in the in situ powder diffraction experiment, probably owing to the presence of residual water. 3. The effect of the heating time was also evaluated: a longer exposure of the crystal at high temperature in vacuum favors a higher percentage of T-O-T bridge breaking, and induces the complete depopulation of the original Sr site, with a wider spreading of the extra-framework cations. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Calcio-ancylite-(Nd), a new REE-carbonate from Baveno, Italy

Calcio-ancylite-(Nd), a new basic hydrated carbonate of calcium and REE, occurs as pink pine-cone-like crystals in miarolitic cavities of Baveno granite, Italy. Electron microprobe analysis yields the formula: (Nd0.90Co0.64Sm0.33Gd0.28Y0.26Pr0.15La0.14Dy0.07 Tm0.03) Σ=2.80 Ca1.20(CO3)3.98(OH)2.84.1.01H2O (Z = 1). The mineral is monoclinic, Pm11, with a = 4.976(2), b = 8.468(2), c = 7.212(2) Å, α = 90.04(3)°; dmeas > 4.02 and dcalc = 4.08 g/cm3; hardness (Mohs) 4-4.5; biaxial (-). A re-examination of the discredited mineral "weibyeite' from Baveno shows that it is a calcio-ancylite (Ce) with variable REE content