Crystal structure of 4,4-dimethyl-2-(trifluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-imidazole, C6H9F3N2

C6H9F3N2, monoclinic, P21/n (no. 14), a = 10.6224(9) Å, b = 11.8639(9) Å, c = 13.3139(11) Å, β = 105.903(3)°, V = 1613.6(2) Å3, Z = 8, Rgt(F) = 0.0618, wRref(F2) = 0.1629, T = 102(2) K [1–3]

The Eye on Mitochondrial Disorders.

Ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders are frequently neglected or overlooked because they are often not regarded as part of the phenotype. This review aims at summarizing and discussing the etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment of ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders. Review of publications about ophthalmologic involvement in mitochondrial disorders by search of Medline applying appropriate search terms. The eye is frequently affected by syndromic as well as nonsyndromic mitochondrial disorders. Primary and secondary ophthalmologic manifestations can be differentiated. The most frequent ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders include ptosis, progressive external ophthalmoplegia, optic atrophy, retinopathy, and cataract. More rarely occurring are nystagmus and abnormalities of the cornea, ciliary body, intraocular pressure, the choroidea, or the brain secondarily affecting the eyes. It is important to recognize and diagnose ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders as early as possible because most are accessible to symptomatic treatment with partial or complete short-term or long-term beneficial effect. Ophthalmologic manifestations of mitochondrial disorders need to be appropriately diagnosed to initiate the most effective management and guarantee optimal outcome

Brain Peroxisomes

Peroxisomes are essential organelles in higher eukaryotes as they play a major role in numerous metabolic pathways and redox homeostasis. Some peroxisomal abnormalities, which are often not compatible with life or normal development, were identified in severe demyelinating and neurodegenerative brain diseases. The metabolic roles of peroxisomes, especially in the brain, are described and human brain peroxisomal disorders resulting from a peroxisome biogenesis or a single peroxisomal enzyme defect are listed. The brain abnormalities encountered in these disorders (demyelination, oxidative stress, inflammation, cell death, neuronal migration, differentiation) are described and their pathogenesis are discussed. Finally, the contribution of peroxisomal dysfunctions to the alterations of brain functions during aging and to the development of Alzheimer's disease is considered

Adenosine-mono-phosphate-activated protein kinase-independent effects of metformin in T cells

The anti-diabetic drug metformin regulates T-cell responses to immune activation and is proposed to function by regulating the energy-stress-sensing adenosine-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK). However, the molecular details of how metformin controls T cell immune responses have not been studied nor is there any direct evidence that metformin acts on T cells via AMPK. Here, we report that metformin regulates cell growth and proliferation of antigen-activated T cells by modulating the metabolic reprogramming that is required for effector T cell differentiation. Metformin thus inhibits the mammalian target of rapamycin complex I signalling pathway and prevents the expression of the transcription factors c-Myc and hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha. However, the inhibitory effects of metformin on T cells did not depend on the expression of AMPK in T cells. Accordingly, experiments with metformin inform about the importance of metabolic reprogramming for T cell immune responses but do not inform about the importance of AMPK