Polarized microtubule remodeling transforms the morphology of reactive microglia and drives cytokine release.

Microglial reactivity is a pathological hallmark in many neurodegenerative diseases. During stimulation, microglia undergo complex morphological changes, including loss of their characteristic ramified morphology, which is routinely used to detect and quantify inflammation in the brain. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms and the relation between microglial morphology and their pathophysiological function are unknown.

Cytolinker Gas2L1 regulates axon morphology through microtubule-modulated actin stabilization.

Crosstalk between the actin and microtubule cytoskeletons underlies cellular morphogenesis. Interactions between actin filaments and microtubules are particularly important for establishing the complex polarized morphology of neurons. Here, we characterized the neuronal function of growth arrest-specific 2-like 1 (Gas2L1), a protein that can directly bind to actin, microtubules and microtubule plus-end-tracking end binding proteins.

The HAUS Complex Is a Key Regulator of Non-centrosomal Microtubule Organization during Neuronal Development.

Neuron morphology and function are highly dependent on proper organization of the cytoskeleton. In neurons, the centrosome is inactivated early in development, and acentrosomal microtubules are generated by mechanisms that are poorly understood. Here, we show that neuronal migration, development, and polarization depend on the multi-subunit protein HAUS/augmin complex, previously described to be required for mitotic spindle assembly in dividing cells.

APC2 controls dendrite development by promoting microtubule dynamics.

Mixed polarity microtubule organization is the signature characteristic of vertebrate dendrites. Oppositely oriented microtubules form the basis for selective cargo trafficking in neurons, however the mechanisms that establish and maintain this organization are unclear. Here, we show that APC2, the brain-specific homolog of tumor-suppressor protein adenomatous polyposis coli (APC), promotes dynamics of minus-end-out microtubules in dendrites.

Microtubules and Growth Cones: Motors Drive the Turn.

Navigation of the growth cone at the tip of the developing axon is crucial for the proper wiring of the nervous system. Mechanisms of actin-dependent growth cone steering, via signaling cascades, are well documented. Microtubules are also important in growth cone guidance, because their polarized invasion into the peripheral domain on one side of the growth cone is essential for it to turn in that direction.

TPX2 regulates neuronal morphology through kinesin-5 interaction.

TPX2 (targeting protein for Xklp2) is a multifunctional mitotic spindle assembly factor that in mammalian cells localizes and regulates mitotic motor protein kinesin-5 (also called Eg5 or kif11). We previously showed that upon depletion or inhibition of kinesin-5 in cultured neurons, microtubule movements increase, resulting in faster growing axons and thinner dendrites. Here, we show that depletion of TPX2 from cultured neurons speeds their rate of process outgrowth, similarly to kinesin-5 inhibition.

Current trends in the surgical treatment of pediatric ovarian torsion: we can do better.

Introduction: Current literature strongly recommends ovarian preservation for pediatric patients with ovarian torsion. The purpose of this study was to evaluate national trends in the surgical management of pediatric ovarian torsion and to compare outcomes between pediatric surgeons (PED) and gynecologists (GYN).

Methods: We queried Pediatric Health Information System (PHIS) data from 2007 to 2011 for patients <18years old with a diagnosis of ovarian torsion who underwent a surgical procedure.

Effects of kinesin-5 inhibition on dendritic architecture and microtubule organization.

Kinesin-5 is a slow homotetrameric motor protein best known for its essential role in the mitotic spindle, where it limits the rate at which faster motors can move microtubules. In neurons, experimental suppression of kinesin-5 causes the axon to grow faster by increasing the mobility of microtubules in the axonal shaft and the invasion of microtubules into the growth cone. Does kinesin-5 act differently in dendrites, given that they have a population of minus end-distal microtubules not present in axons? Using rodent primary neurons in culture, we found that inhibition of kinesin-5 during various windows of time produces changes in dendritic morphology and microtubule organization.

Substantial increase of the ordering temperature for [MnII/MoIII(CN)7]-based magnets as a function of the 3d ion site geometry: example of two supramolecular materials with Tc = 75 and 106 K.

Two molecule-based magnets, [Mn(2)(tea)Mo(CN)(7)].H(2)O, 1, and [Mn(2)(tea)Mo(CN)(7)], 2 (tea stands for triethanolamine), formed with the 4d ion building block, [Mo(CN)(7)](4)(-), Mn(II) ions, and an additional ligand, tea, have been prepared and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray analyses. Whereas 1 is obtained by a self-assembling process in solution, compound 2 is quantitatively formed through a smooth thermal treatment of 1.

Spin densities in a ferromagnetic bimetallic chain compound: polarized neutron diffraction and DFT calculations.

The spin population distribution in the ferromagnetically coupled hetero-bimetallic chain compound [MnNi(NO(2))(4)(en)(2)] (en = 1,2-ethanediamine) has been investigated by means of polarized neutron diffraction experiments, and the results compared with those from theoretical estimates obtained via calculations based on density functional theory on dinuclear molecular models of the chain. The spin distributions obtained from experiment and from theory are consistent and reflect a larger spin delocalization from the Ni atom due to the more covalent character of the Ni-N bonds compared to the Mn-O ones. Also a nearly isotropic spin distribution is observed for the more ionic d(5) Mn(2+) ion and a clearly anisotropic distribution for the d(8) Ni(2+) ion.

Metal-organic compounds: a new approach for drug discovery. N1-(4-methyl-2-pyridyl)-2,3,6-trimethoxybenzamide copper(II) complex as an inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus 1 protease.

The use of metal-organic complexes is a potentially fruitful approach for the development of novel enzyme inhibitors. They hold the attractive promise of forming stronger attachments with the target by combining the co-ordination ability of metals with the unique stereoelectronic properties of the ligand. We demonstrated that this approach can be successfully used to inhibit the protease of the human immunodeficiency virus (type 1).

Analytical determination of the [Ln-aminoxyl radical] exchange interaction taking into account both the ligand-field effect and the spin-orbit coupling of the lanthanide ion (Ln = DyIII and HoIII).

Numerous compounds in which a paramagnetic LnIII ion is in an exchange interaction with a second spin carrier, such as a transition metal ion or an organic radical, have been described. However, except for GdIII, very little has been reported about the magnitude of the interactions. Indeed, for these ions both the ligand-field effects and the exchange interactions between the magnetic centers become relevant in the same temperature range; this makes the analysis of the magnetic behavior of such compounds more difficult.

Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetism of Mono- and Binuclear Manganese(II) Compounds of Nitronyl Nitroxide Substituted Phosphine Oxides.

Complexes of manganese(II)-containing aminoxyl radical substituted phosphine oxide ligands are reported. The compounds [(o-nitronyl nitroxide-phenyl)diphenylphosphine oxide]bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)manganese(II), 3, and bis{[(p-nitronyl nitroxide-phenyl) diphenylphosphine oxide]bis(hexafluoroacetylacetonato)manganese(II)}, 4, prepared by addition of the free radical phosphine oxides to Mn(hfac)(2), were structurally characterized. Complex 3 is mononuclear, containing an O,O-chelating ortho-substituted radical phosphine oxide ligand, while in 4 the para-substituted ligands bridge two Mn(hfac)(2) units to yield a binuclear molecular rectangle.

Two-Step Spin Conversion for the Three-Dimensional Compound Tris(4,4'-bis-1,2,4-triazole)iron(II) Diperchlorate.

The title compound, [Fe(btr)(3)](ClO(4))(2), has been synthesized. The investigation of its magnetic properties has revealed a low-spin <--> high-spin conversion occurring in two steps, each step involving 50% of the Fe(2+) ions. The low-temperature step is very abrupt and occurs with a thermal hysteresis whose width is about 3 K around T(1) = 184 K.

Nature of the Interaction between Ln(III) and Cu(II) Ions in the Ladder-Type Compounds {Ln(2)[Cu(opba)](3)}.S (Ln = Lanthanide Element; opba = ortho-Phenylenebis(oxamato), S = Solvent Molecules).

To date, most of the studies dealing with the magnetic properties of 4f-3d compounds have been limited to the case in which the 4f ion was Gd(III), with a pure spin ground state. For the lanthanide(III) ions with a first-order orbital momentum, the determination of the nature of the 4f-3d interaction is still a challenge. This paper addresses this problem.

Magnetic Transitions in the Cyano-Bridged Bimetallic Ferromagnet Mn(2)(H(2)O)(5)Mo(CN)(7).4.75H(2)O (beta Phase).

Slow diffusion of two aqueous solutions containing K(4)[Mo(CN)(7)].2H(2)O and [Mn(H(2)O)(6)](NO(3))(2), respectively, has afforded two kinds of single crystals whose formulas are Mn(2)(H(2)O)(5)Mo(CN)(7)].4H(2)O (alpha phase) and Mn(2)(H(2)O)(5)Mo(CN)(7)].

Structural, Magnetic, and Photomagnetic Studies of a Mononuclear Iron(II) Derivative Exhibiting an Exceptionally Abrupt Spin Transition. Light-Induced Thermal Hysteresis Phenomenon.

The new spin-crossover compound Fe(PM-BiA)(2)(NCS)(2) with PM-BiA = N-(2-pyridylmethylene)aminobiphenyl has been synthesized. The temperature dependence of chi(M)T (chi(M) = molar magnetic susceptibility and T = temperature) has revealed an exceptionally abrupt transition between low-spin (LS) (S = 0) and high-spin (HS) (S = 2) states with a well-reproducible hysteresis loop of 5 K (T(1/2) downward arrow = 168 K and T(1/2) upward arrow = 173 K). The crystal structure has been determined both at 298 K in the HS state and at 140 K in the LS state.

Ferro- and Antiferromagnetic Exchange in Decamethylbimetallocenes.

With the aim of studying next-neighbor magnetic interactions in polymeric metallocenes the paramagnetic decamethylbimetallocenes (M'M') have been chosen as most simple model compounds. They have been synthesized for vanadium, cobalt, and nickel (to yield V'V', Co'Co', and Ni'Ni', respectively) by starting from dilithium and dithallium salts of the fulvalene dianion. The latter have been characterized by (13)C NMR spectroscopy.

Ferromagnetic Interactions in the Mn(N(3))(4)[Ni(en)(2)(NO(2))](2) Trinuclear Compound. Crystal Structure and Physical Properties.

The goal of this work was to design a ferromagnetically coupled Mn(2+)Ni(2+) species. For this, we attempted to combine nitro-nitrito and end-on azido bridges which are both known to be ferromagnetic couplers. This has led us to the compound of formula Mn(N(3))(4)[Ni(en)(2)NO(2)](2) (en = ethylenediamine).