High-Caloric Diets in Adolescence Impair Specific GABAergic Subpopulations, Neurogenesis, and Alter Astrocyte Morphology.

We compared the effects of two different high-caloric diets administered to 4-week-old rats for 12 weeks: a diet rich in sugar (30% sucrose) and a cafeteria diet rich in sugar and high-fat foods. We focused on the hippocampus, particularly on the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic system, including the Ca-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV), calretinin (CR), calbindin (CB), and the neuropeptides somatostatin (SST) and neuropeptide Y (NPY). We also analyzed the density of cholinergic varicosities, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (), reelin (), and cyclin-dependent kinase-5 () mRNA levels, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression.

New Ruthenium-Cyclopentadienyl Complexes Affect Colorectal Cancer Hallmarks Showing High Therapeutic Potential.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is among the most deadly cancers worldwide. Current therapeutic strategies have low success rates and several side effects. This relevant clinical problem requires the discovery of new and more effective therapeutic alternatives.

Biotinylated Polymer-Ruthenium Conjugates: In Vitro and In Vivo Studies in a Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Model.

The need for new therapeutic approaches for triple-negative breast cancer is a clinically relevant problem that needs to be solved. Using a multi-targeting approach to enhance cancer cell uptake, we synthesized a new family of ruthenium(II) organometallic complexes envisaging simultaneous active and passive targeting, using biotin and polylactide (PLA), respectively. All compounds with the general formula, [Ru(η-CpR)(P)(2,2'-bipy-4,4'-PLA-biotin)][CFSO], where R is -H or -CH and P is P(CH), P(CHF) or P(CHOCH), were tested against triple-negative breast cancer cells MDA-MB-231 showing IC values between 2.

Ruthenium(II)-Cyclopentadienyl-Derived Complexes as New Emerging Anti-Colorectal Cancer Drugs.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies and one of the leading causes of cancer-related death worldwide, urging the need for new and more efficient therapeutic approaches. Ruthenium complexes have emerged as attractive alternatives to traditional platinum-based compounds in the treatment of CRC. This work aims to evaluate anti-CRC properties, as well as to identify the mechanisms of action of ruthenium complexes with the general formula [Ru(η-CHR)(PPh)(4,4'-R'-2,2'-bipyridine)][CFSO], where R = CH, CHO or CHOH and R' = H, CH, CHOH, or dibiotin ester.

Microglia modulate blood flow, neurovascular coupling, and hypoperfusion via purinergic actions.

Microglia, the main immunocompetent cells of the brain, regulate neuronal function, but their contribution to cerebral blood flow (CBF) regulation has remained elusive. Here, we identify microglia as important modulators of CBF both under physiological conditions and during hypoperfusion. Microglia establish direct, dynamic purinergic contacts with cells in the neurovascular unit that shape CBF in both mice and humans.

A New Family of Iron(II)-Cyclopentadienyl Compounds Shows Strong Activity Against Colorectal and Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells.

A family of compounds with the general formula [Fe(η-CH)(CO)(PPh)(NCR)] has been synthesized (NCR = benzonitrile (); 4-hydroxybenzonitrile (); 4-hydroxymethylbenzonitrile (); 4-aminobenzonitrile (); 4-bromobenzonitrile (); and, 4-chlorocinnamonitrile ()). All of the compounds were obtained in good yields and were completely characterized by standard spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Compounds , , and crystallize in the monoclinc P21/c space group and packing is determined by short contacts between the phosphane phenyl rings and cyclopentadienyl (compounds and ) or π-π lateral interactions between the benzonitrile molecules (complex ).

Lidocaine turns the surface charge of biological membranes more positive and changes the permeability of blood-brain barrier culture models.

The surface charge of brain endothelial cells forming the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is highly negative due to phospholipids in the plasma membrane and the glycocalyx. This negative charge is an important element of the defense systems of the BBB. Lidocaine, a cationic and lipophilic molecule which has anaesthetic and antiarrhytmic properties, exerts its actions by interacting with lipid membranes.

Ruthenium-Cyclopentadienyl Bipyridine-Biotin Based Compounds: Synthesis and Biological Effect.

Prospective anticancer metallodrugs should consider target-specific components in their design in order to overcome the limitations of the current chemotherapeutics. The inclusion of vitamins, which receptors are overexpressed in many cancer cell lines, has proven to be a valid strategy. Therefore, in this paper we report the synthesis and characterization of a set of new compounds [Ru(η-CH)(P(CHR))(4,4'-R'-2,2'-bpy)] (R = F and R' = H, ; R = F and R' = biotin, ; R = OCH and R' = H, ; R = OCH and R' = biotin, ), inspired by the exceptional good results recently obtained for the analogue bearing a triphenylphosphane ligand.

Novel ruthenium methylcyclopentadienyl complex bearing a bipyridine perfluorinated ligand shows strong activity towards colorectal cancer cells.

Three new compounds have been synthesized and completely characterized by analytical and spectroscopic techniques. The new bipyridine-perfluorinated ligand L1 and the new organometallic complex [Ru(η-MeCp)(PPh)Cl] (Ru1) crystalize in the centrosymmetric triclinic space group P1¯. Analysis of the phenotypic effects induced by both organometallic complexes Ru1 and [Ru(η-MeCp)(PPh)(L1)][CFSO] (Ru2), on human colorectal cancer cells (SW480 and RKO) survival, showed that Ru2 has a potent anti-proliferative activity, 4-6 times higher than cisplatin, and induce apoptosis in these cells.

Influence of the Solvent Quality on Ring Polymer Dimensions.

We present a systematic investigation of well-characterized, experimentally pure polystyrene (PS) rings with molar mass of 161 000 g/mol in dilute solutions. We measure the ring form factor at - and good-solvent conditions as well as in a polymeric solvent (linear PS of roughly comparable molar mass) by means of small-angle neutron scattering (SANS). Additional dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements support the SANS data and help elucidate the role of solvent quality and solution preparation.

The segmental and chain relaxation modes in high-cis-polyisoprene as studied by thermally stimulated currents.

The technique of Thermally Stimulated Currents is used to study the slow molecular mobility in a series of poly (1,4-cis-isoprene) samples with different molecular weights, Mw, and low polydispersity. The technique revealed a high resolution power, particularly useful in the study of the lower molecular weight samples where the chain and the segmental relaxations strongly overlap. The dynamic crossover that is reported for the normal mode by varying the molecular weight is clearly revealed by the thermally stimulated depolarization currents results through the temperature location, TMn, of the normal mode peak, the values of the relaxation time at TMn, τ(TMn), and the value of the fragility index of the normal mode, mn.

Compact structure and non-Gaussian dynamics of ring polymer melts.

We present a neutron scattering analysis of the structure and dynamics of PEO polymer rings with a molecular weight 2.5 times higher than the entanglement mass. The melt structure was found to be more compact than a Gaussian model would suggest.

Viscosity of ring polymer melts.

We have measured the linear rheology of critically purified ring polyisoprenes, polystyrenes and polyethyleneoxides of different molar masses. The ratio of the zero-shear viscosities of linear polymer melts to their ring counterparts at isofrictional conditions is discussed as function of the number of entanglements . In the unentangled regime is virtually constant, consistent with the earlier data, atomistic simulations, and the theoretical expectation .

Dynamical characterization of a cellulose acetate polysaccharide.

This work brings together dynamical and structural information at a molecular level for cellulose acetate being an original contribution to the general description of polysaccharide properties. In particular, it allowed reinterpreting the secondary relaxation mechanisms that are still controversial in the literature; a compilation of data provided by different authors is provided. Detailed dynamical information is provided by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) (10(-1)-10(6) Hz) for cellulose acetate (CA) in the sub-T(g) region below ambient temperature; results were compared with cellulose acetate structured as an asymmetric membrane (CAmb).

Ion jelly: a tailor-made conducting material for smart electrochemical devices.

We present a new concept for the design of a polymeric conducting material that combines the chemical versatility of an organic salt (ionic liquid) with the morphological versatility of a biopolymer (gelatin); the resulting 'ion jelly' can be applied in electrochemical devices, such as batteries, fuel cells, electrochromic windows or photovoltaic cells.

Molecular motions in amorphous ibuprofen as studied by broadband dielectric spectroscopy.

The molecular mobility of amorphous ibuprofen has been investigated by broadband dielectric relaxation spectroscopy (DRS) covering a temperature range of more than 200 K. Four different relaxation processes, labeled as alpha, beta, gamma, and D, were detected and characterized, and a complete relaxation map was given for the first time. The gamma-process has activation energy E a = 31 kJ.

Changes in molecular dynamics upon formation of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal.

The molecular dynamics during the formation of a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) was followed by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy in the frequency range from 10(-1) to 2 x 10(6) Hz and over the temperature range from 158 to 273 K. The composite was produced by thermal polymerization induced phase separation of a mixture of triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate and the nematic liquid crystal, E7, in the proportion of 60:40 w/w. Both monomer and liquid crystal vitrify upon cooling having glass transition relaxation processes already characterized by some of us; yet E7 was previously studied in a narrower frequency range, so the present work updates its dielectric behavior.