Di-μ-thio­cyanato-bis­({2,4-dichloro-6-[2-(diethyl­amino)ethyl­imino­meth­yl]phenolato}copper(II))

The title compound, [Cu2(NCS)2(C13H17Cl2N2O)2], was obtained by the reaction of 3,5-dichloro­salicylaldehyde, N,N-diethyl­ethane-1,2-diamine, sodium thio­cyanate, and copper(II) acetate in an ethanol solution. It crystallizes as a centrosymmetric dimer with a very long Cu⋯S axial bond [2.972 (3) Å]. The Cu atom is five-coordinated by the three donor atoms of the Schiff base ligand, 2,4-dichloro-6-[(2-diethyl­amino­ethyl­imino)meth­yl]phenol, one N atom of a thio­cyanate group, and one S atom of a symmetry-related thio­cyanate group, forming a slightly distorted square-pyramidal geometry

Dynamic Pax6 expression during the neurogenic cell cycle influences proliferation and cell fate choices of retinal progenitors

BACKGROUND: The paired homeobox protein Pax6 is essential for proliferation and pluripotency of retinal progenitors. However, temporal changes in Pax6 protein expression associated with the generation of various retinal neurons have not been characterized with regard to the cell cycle. Here, we examine the dynamic changes of Pax6 expression among chicken retinal progenitors as they progress through the neurogenic cell cycle, and determine the effects of altered Pax6 levels on retinogenesis. RESULTS: We provide evidence that during the preneurogenic to neurogenic transition, Pax6 protein levels in proliferating progenitor cells are down-regulated. Neurogenic retinal progenitors retain a relatively low level of Pax6 protein, whereas postmitotic neurons either elevate or extinguish Pax6 expression in a cell type-specific manner. Cell imaging and cell cycle analyses show that neurogenic progenitors in the S phase of the cell cycle contain low levels of Pax6 protein, whereas a subset of progenitors exhibits divergent levels of Pax6 protein upon entering the G2 phase of the cell cycle. We also show that M phase cells contain varied levels of Pax6, and some correlate with the onset of early neuronal marker expression, forecasting cell cycle exit and cell fate commitment. Furthermore, either elevating or knocking down Pax6 attenuates cell proliferation and results in increased cell death. Reducing Pax6 decreases retinal ganglion cell genesis and enhances cone photoreceptor and amacrine interneuron production, whereas elevating Pax6 suppresses cone photoreceptor and amacrine cell fates. CONCLUSION: These studies demonstrate for the first time quantitative changes in Pax6 protein expression during the preneurogenic to neurogenic transition and during the neurogenic cell cycle. The results indicate that Pax6 protein levels are stringently controlled in proliferating progenitors. Maintaining a relatively low Pax6 protein level is necessary for S phase re-entry, whereas rapid accumulation or reduction of Pax6 protein during the G2/M phase of the cell cycle may be required for specific neuronal fates. These findings thus provide novel insights on the dynamic regulation of Pax6 protein among neurogenic progenitors and the temporal frame of neuronal fate determination

{2-Bromo-4-chloro-6-[2-(diethyl­amino)ethyl­imino­meth­yl]phenolato-κ3 N,N′,O}(thio­cyanato-κN)copper(II)

In the title compound, [Cu(C13H17BrClN2O)(NCS)], the Cu atom is in a slightly distorted square-planar geometry, coordinated by the three donor atoms of the ligand and the N atom of the isothio­cyanate group

Electronic Structure and Energy Band of IIIA Doped Group ZnO Nanosheets

The electronic and magnetic properties of IIIA group doped ZnO nanosheets (ZnONSs) are investigated by the first principles. The results show that the band gap of ZnO nanosheets increases gradually along with Al, Ga, and In ions occupying Zn sites and O sites. The configuration of Al atoms replacing Zn atoms is more stable than other doped. The system shows half-metallic characteristics for In-doped ZnO nanosheets

Rigid vortices in MgB2

Magnetic relaxation of high-pressure synthesized MgB$_2$ bulks with different thickness is investigated. It is found that the superconducting dia-magnetic moment depends on time in a logarithmic way; the flux-creep activation energy decreases linearly with the current density (as expected by Kim-Anderson model); and the activation energy increases linearly with the thickness of sample when it is thinner than about 1 mm. These features suggest that the vortices in the MgB$_2$ are rather rigid, and the pinning and creep can be well described by Kim-Anderson model.Comment: Typo corrected & reference adde