Water-soluble polymeric chemosensor for selective detection of Hg(2+) in aqueous solution using rhodamine-based modified poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid).

We report the fabrication of a novel easily available turn-on fluorescent water-soluble polymeric chemosensor for Hg(2+) ions that was simply prepared by micellar free radical polymerization of a water-insoluble organic rhodamine-based Hg(2+)-recognizing monomer (GR6GH), with hydrophilic monomers acrylamide (AM) and acrylic acid (AA). The chemical structure of the polymeric sensor was characterized by FT-IR and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The apparent viscosity average molecular weight Mη of poly(acrylamide-acrylic acid) [poly(AM-NaAA)] and the water-soluble polymeric chemosensor poly(AM-NaAA-GR6GH) were 1.

Molecular neuroanatomy: a generation of progress.

The neuroscience research landscape has changed dramatically over the past decade. Specifically, an impressive array of new tools and technologies have been generated, including but not limited to: brain gene expression atlases, genetically encoded proteins to monitor and manipulate neuronal activity, and new methods for imaging and mapping circuits. However, despite these technological advances, several significant challenges must be overcome to enable a better understanding of brain function and to develop cell type-targeted therapeutics to treat brain disorders.

A spin-crossover cluster of iron(II) exhibiting a mixed-spin structure and synergy between spin transition and magnetic interaction.

How low can you go? An Fe(II) (4) square was prepared by self-assembly and exhibits both thermally induced and photoinduced spin crossover from a system with four high-spin (HS) centers to one with two high-spin and two low-spin (LS) centers. The spin-crossover sites are located on the same side of the square, and the spin transition and magnetic interactions (see picture) are synergistically coupled.

Noncoding RNAs in the brain.

Cells transcribe thousands of RNAs that do not appear to encode proteins. The neuronal functions of these noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) are for the most part not known, but specific ncRNAs have been shown to regulate dendritic spine development, neuronal fate specification and differentiation, and synaptic protein synthesis. ncRNAs have been implicated in a number of neuronal diseases including Tourette's syndrome and Fragile X syndrome.

Metal complexes formed by metal-assisted solvolysis of di-pyridylketone azine: structures and magnetic properties.

A series of metal complexes were achieved from the metal-assisted solvolysis reaction of di-pyridylketone azine (dpka). The tetranuclear nickel cluster , [Ni(2)[dpk(O)(OH)][dpk(O)(OCH(3))](N(3))(2)](2), is centrosymmetric with a central core described as an edge-shared triangle core. Neighboring Ni(II) ions are alternately bridged by (micro(2)-N(3), micro(3)-O) and (micro(2)-O, micro(3)-O) double bridges.

Quinoline-based molecular clips for selective fluorescent detection of Zn2+.

New selective Zn2+ fluorescent sensors, di(2-quinoline-carbaldehyde)-2,2'-bibenzoyl-hydrazone (QB1) and di(2-quinolinecarbaldehyde)-6,6'-dicarboxylic acid hydrazone-2,2'-bipyridine (QB2), have been designed and prepared. Both QB sensors exhibit an emission band centered at 405 nm (excitation at 350 nm) with low quantum yield. Zinc binding not only red-shifts the emission band to 500 nm, but also enhances the fluorescence intensity by an order of magnitude based on the deprotonization strategy via self-assembly.

The biology of feather follicles.

The feather is a complex epidermal organ with hierarchical branches and represents a multi-layered topological transformation of keratinocyte sheets. Feathers are made in feather follicles. The basics of feather morphogenesis were previously described (Lucas and Stettenheim, 1972).

Integument pattern formation involves genetic and epigenetic controls: feather arrays simulated by digital hormone models.

Pattern formation is a fundamental morphogenetic process. Models based on genetic and epigenetic control have been proposed but remain controversial. Here we use feather morphogenesis for further evaluation.

A novel RNA splicing-mediated gene silencing mechanism potential for genome evolution.

Over 90% of the human genome consists of non-protein-coding regions. Introns constitute most of the non-coding regions located in precursor messenger RNAs (pre-mRNAs). During pre-mRNA maturation, the introns are excised out of mRNA and thought to be completely digested prior to translation.

PKC isozymes in the enhanced regrowth of retinal neurites after optic nerve injury.

Purpose: To establish an in vitro model of axonal regeneration from mammalian retinal ganglion cells and to evaluate the role of PKC isozymes in promoting such retinal axon regeneration.

Methods: Postnatal day-3 mice were subjected to optic nerve crush, and then retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) were used for culture 5 days later. RGCs were selected using anti-Thy 1.

Support of retinal ganglion cell survival and axon regeneration by lithium through a Bcl-2-dependent mechanism.

Purpose: To explore whether lithium, a long-standing mood-stabilizing drug, can be used to induce expression of Bcl-2 and support the survival and regeneration of axons of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs).

Methods: Levels of expression of Bcl-2 in the retina were assessed with quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. To determine whether lithium directly supports the survival of and axon-regenerative functions of RGCs, various amounts of lithium were added to cultures of isolated RGCs.