Evaluation of N-phenyl homopiperazine analogs as potential dopamine D3 receptor selective ligands.

A series of N-(2-methoxyphenyl)homopiperazine analogs was prepared and their affinities for dopamine D2, D3, and D4 receptors were measured using competitive radioligand binding assays. Several ligands exhibited high binding affinity and selectivity for the D3 dopamine receptor compared to the D2 receptor subtype. Compounds 11a, 11b, 11c, 11f, 11j and 11k had K(i) values ranging from 0.

Non-photochemical quenching capacity in Arabidopsis thaliana affects herbivore behaviour.

Under natural conditions, plants have to cope with numerous stresses, including light-stress and herbivory. This raises intriguing questions regarding possible trade-offs between stress defences and growth. As part of a program designed to address these questions we have compared herbivory defences and damage in wild type Arabidopsis thaliana and two "photoprotection genotypes", npq4 and oePsbS, which respectively lack and overexpress PsbS (a protein that plays a key role in qE-type non-photochemical quenching).

Comparison of the binding and functional properties of two structurally different D2 dopamine receptor subtype selective compounds.

We previously reported on the synthesis of substituted phenyl-4-hydroxy-1-piperidyl indole analogues with nanomolar affinity at D2 dopamine receptors, ranging from 10- to 100-fold selective for D2 compared to the D3 dopamine receptor subtype. More recently, we evaluated a panel of aripiprazole analogues, identifying several analogues that also exhibit D2 vs D3 dopamine receptor binding selectivity. These studies further characterize the intrinsic efficacy of the compound with the greatest binding selectivity from each chemical class, 1-((5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)-4-(4-(methylthio)phenyl)piperidin-4-ol (SV 293) and 7-(4-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)butoxy)-3,4-dihydroquinolin-2(1H)-one (SV-III-130s), using an adenylyl cyclase inhibition assay, a G-protein-coupled inward-rectifying potassium (GIRK) channel activation assay, and a cell based phospho-MAPK (pERK1/2) assay.

Tin oxide nanowires suppress herpes simplex virus-1 entry and cell-to-cell membrane fusion.

The advent of nanotechnology has ushered in the use of modified nanoparticles as potential antiviral agents against diseases such as herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1) (HSV-2), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), monkeypox virus, and hepatitis B virus. Here we describe the application of tin oxide (SnO(2)) nanowires as an effective treatment against HSV-1 infection. SnO(2) nanowires work as a carrier of negatively charged structures that compete with HSV-1 attachment to cell bound heparan sulfate (HS), therefore inhibiting entry and subsequent cell-to-cell spread.

Prophylactic, therapeutic and neutralizing effects of zinc oxide tetrapod structures against herpes simplex virus type-2 infection.

The attachment of Herpes simplex virus type-2 (HSV-2) to a target cell requires ionic interactions between negatively charged cell surface co-receptor heparan sulfate (HS) and positively charged residues on viral envelop glycoproteins, gB and gC. Effective blocking of this first step of HSV-2 pathogenesis demonstrates significant prophylactic effects against the viral disease; any in vitro therapeutic effects of blocking this interaction, however, are not clear. Here, we provide new evidence that zinc oxide tetrapod micro-nanostructures synthesized by flame transport approach significantly block HSV-2 entry into target cells and, in addition, demonstrate the potential to stop the spread of the virus among already infected cells.

Joining the un-joinable: adhesion between low surface energy polymers using tetrapodal ZnO linkers.

Tetrapodal ZnO crystals are used for mechanical interlocking of PTFE and cross-linked PDMS, classically non-adhesive polymers. This novel approach is straightforward and easily applicable and leads to a peel strength that is higher than 200 N m(-1) without chemical modification of the surfaces. The shape of these fillers emerged as a crucial aspect of the interlocking mechanism.

Solvent free fabrication of micro and nanostructured drug coatings by thermal evaporation for controlled release and increased effects.

Nanostructuring of drug delivery systems offers many promising applications like precise control of dissolution and release kinetics, enhanced activities, flexibility in terms of surface coatings, integration into implants, designing the appropriate scaffolds or even integrating into microelectronic chips etc. for different desired applications. In general such kind of structuring is difficult due to unintentional mixing of chemical solvents used during drug formulations.

Aerographite: ultra lightweight, flexible nanowall, carbon microtube material with outstanding mechanical performance.

An ultra lightweight carbon microtube material called Aerographite is synthesized by a novel single-step chemical vapor deposition synthesis based on ZnO networks, which is presently the lightest known material with a density smaller than μg/cm(3). Despite its low density, the hierarchical design leads to remarkable mechanical, electrical, and optical properties. The first experiments with Aerographite electrodes confirm its applicability.

Metabolic profiling reveals metabolic shifts in Arabidopsis plants grown under different light conditions.

Plants have tremendous capacity to adjust their morphology, physiology and metabolism in response to changes in growing conditions. Thus, analysis solely of plants grown under constant conditions may give partial or misleading indications of their responses to the fluctuating natural conditions in which they evolved. To obtain data on growth condition-dependent differences in metabolite levels, we compared leaf metabolite profiles of Arabidopsis thaliana growing under three constant laboratory light conditions: 30 [low light (LL)], 300 [normal light (NL)] and 600 [high light (HL)]µmol photons m(-2) s(-1).

Expressed sequences and polymorphisms in rohu carp (Labeo rohita, Hamilton) revealed by mRNA-seq.

Expressed genes and polymorphisms were identified in lines of rohu Labeo rohita selected for resistance or susceptibility to Aeromonas hydrophila, an important bacterial pathogen causing aeromoniasis. All animals were grown in a common environment and RNA from ten individuals from each line pooled for Illumina mRNA-seq. De novo transcriptome assembly produced 137,629 contigs with 40× average coverage.

Arabidopsis plants grown in the field and climate chambers significantly differ in leaf morphology and photosystem components.

Background: Plants exhibit phenotypic plasticity and respond to differences in environmental conditions by acclimation. We have systematically compared leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana plants grown in the field and under controlled low, normal and high light conditions in the laboratory to determine their most prominent phenotypic differences.

Results: Compared to plants grown under field conditions, the "indoor plants" had larger leaves, modified leaf shapes and longer petioles.

Expression, purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.

Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) is a key component of a large family of thiol-specific antioxidant (TSA) proteins distributed among prokaryotes and eukaryotes. AhpC is involved in the detoxification of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive sulfur species (RSS). Sequence analysis of AhpC from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp.

Trapping and two-photon fluorescence excitation of microscopic objects using ultrafast single-fiber optical tweezers.

Analysis of trapped microscopic objects using fluorescence and Raman spectroscopy is gaining considerable interest. We report on the development of single fiber ultrafast optical tweezers and its use in simultaneous two-photon fluorescence (TPF) excitation of trapped fluorescent microscopic objects. Using this method, trapping depth of a few centimeters was achieved inside a colloidal sample with TPF from the trapped particle being visible to the naked eye.

Virostatic potential of micro-nano filopodia-like ZnO structures against herpes simplex virus-1.

Herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) entry into target cell is initiated by the ionic interactions between positively charged viral envelop glycoproteins and a negatively charged cell surface heparan sulfate (HS). This first step involves the induction of HS-rich filopodia-like structures on the cell surface that facilitate viral transport during cell entry. Targeting this initial first step in HSV-1 pathogenesis, we generated different zinc oxide (ZnO) micro-nano structures (MNSs) that were capped with multiple nanoscopic spikes mimicking cell induced filopodia.

Preparation of stroma, thylakoid membrane, and lumen fractions from Arabidopsis thaliana chloroplasts for proteomic analysis.

For many studies regarding important chloroplast processes such as oxygenic photosynthesis, fractionation of the total chloroplast proteome is a necessary first step. Here, we describe a method for isolating the stromal, the thylakoid membrane, and the thylakoid lumen subchloroplast fractions from Arabidopsis thaliana leaf material. All three fractions can be isolated sequentially from the same plant material in a single day preparation.

N-(3-fluoro-4-(4-(2-methoxy or 2,3-dichlorophenyl)piperazine-1-yl)butyl)arylcarboxamides as selective dopamine D3 receptor ligands: critical role of the carboxamide linker for D3 receptor selectivity.

N-(3-fluoro-4-(4-(2,3-dichloro- or 2-methoxyphenyl)piperazine-1-yl)butyl)arylcarboxamides were prepared and evaluated for binding and function at dopamine D3 receptors (D3Rs) and dopamine D2 receptors (D2Rs). In this series, we discovered some of the most D3R selective compounds reported to date (e.g.

Outcomes of coronary artery bypass grafting and reduction annuloplasty for functional ischemic mitral regurgitation: a prospective multicenter study (Randomized Evaluation of a Surgical Treatment for Off-Pump Repair of the Mitral Valve).

Objective: Functional ischemic mitral regurgitation is a complication of ventricular remodeling; standard therapy is reduction annuloplasty and coronary artery bypass grafting. Unfortunately, outcomes are retrospective and contradictory. We report a multicenter study that documents the outcomes of reduction annuloplasty for functional ischemic mitral regurgitation.

Outcomes of the RESTOR-MV Trial (Randomized Evaluation of a Surgical Treatment for Off-Pump Repair of the Mitral Valve).

Objectives: we sought to determine whether patients with functional mitral regurgitation (FMR) would benefit from ventricular reshaping by the Coapsys device (Myocor, Inc., Maple Grove, Minnesota).

Background: FMR occurs when ventricular remodeling impairs valve function.

Synthesis and characterization of Ag-polymer nanocomposites.

We report the synthesis of Ag nanoparticles in polyethylene terephthalate (PET) matrix using atom beam co-sputtering. Metal filling factor was evaluated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. Microstructural evolutions of the nanocomposites films were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, which confirmed the formation of irregular shaped Ag nanoparticles.

Synthesis of plasmonic nanocomposites for diverse applications.

We report the synthesis of gold and silver nanostructures embedded in different dielectric matrices by atom beam co-sputtering, a novel technique. We have synthesized gold-silicon core shell nanostructures and Au-ZnO nanocomposite with tunable surface plasmon resonance (SPR) by atom beam co-sputtering and subsequent annealing. The Au-ZnO nanocomposite shows significant enhancement in intensity of Raman modes of fullerene molecules and therefore can help in surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy investigation of organic molecules.

Anesthetic management of right atrial mass removal and pulmonary artery thrombectomy in a patient with primary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APLAS) characterises a clinical condition of arterial and venous thrombosis associated with phospholipids directed antibodies. APLAS occurs in 2% of the general population. However, one study demonstrated that 7.

AhpC (alkyl hydroperoxide reductase) from Anabaena sp. PCC 7120 protects Escherichia coli from multiple abiotic stresses.

Alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AhpC) is known to detoxify peroxides and reactive sulfur species (RSS). However, the relationship between its expression and combating of abiotic stresses is still not clear. To investigate this relationship, the genes encoding the alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (ahpC) from Anabaena sp.