Single-Crystal-to-Single-Crystal Synthesis of a Polymer in Two Distinct Topologies.

A squaramide-based monomer, designed for topochemical azide-alkyne cycloaddition (TAAC) polymerization, crystallizes as two polymorphs, M1 and M2, both having crystal packing suitable for topochemical polymerization. The hydrogen-bonding between squaramide units  bias the molecular organization in both the polymorphs. 3D packing of H-bonded stacks of monomer lead to juxtaposition of  azide and alkyne units of adjacent molecules in a transition-state-like arrangement for their regiospecific cycloaddition reaction.

A Self-Healing Crystal That Repairs Multiple Cracks.

We report both cracking and self-healing in crystals occurring during a thermal phase transition, followed by a topochemical polymerization. A squaramide-based monomer was designed where the azide and alkyne units of adjacent molecules are positioned favorably for a topochemical click reaction. The monomer undergoes spontaneous single-crystal-to-single-crystal (SCSC) polymerization at room temperature via regiospecific 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition, yielding the corresponding triazole-linked polymer in a few days.

Molecular insight into the structural and functional aspects of arene Ru(II) complexes bearing bulky thiourea ligands.

Herein we report four new arene ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(η-p-cymene)(L1)кCl] (C1), [Ru(η-benzene)(L1)кCl] (C2) where L1 is N-((2,6-dimethylphenyl)carbamothioyl)benzamide (L1), and [Ru(η-p-cymene)(L2)кCl] (C3), [Ru(η-benzene)(L2)кCl] (C4) where L2 is N-((2,6-diisopropylphenyl)carbamothioyl)benzamide (L2) which were synthesized and evaluated for biological activity. The monodentate coordination of thione sulphur (S) to ruthenium ion along with two terminal chloride was confirmed by X-Ray diffraction analysis thus revealing a typical "piano-stool" pseudo tetrahedral geometry. DPPH radical scavenging activity showed that ligands were less efficient however on complex formation it showed significant efficacy with C4 showing the highest activity.

Two Structurally Different Polymers from a Single Monomer.

We designed and synthesized a malonamide-derived monomer, containing azide and alkyne units, for topochemical polymerization to yield nylon (n,3). This monomer on crystallization gave two concomitant polymorphs and . Both the polymorphs show crystal packings that are suitable for topochemical azide-alkyne cycloaddition polymerization.

Microglia specific deletion of miR-155 in Alzheimer's disease mouse models reduces amyloid-β pathology but causes hyperexcitability and seizures.

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is characterized by the accumulation of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) as well as CNS and systemic inflammation. Microglia, the myeloid cells resident in the CNS, use microRNAs to rapidly respond to inflammatory signals. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) modulate inflammatory responses in microglia, and miRNA profiles are altered in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients.

A Subpopulation of Microglia Generated in the Adult Mouse Brain Originates from Prominin-1-Expressing Progenitors.

Microglia maintain brain health and play important roles in disease and injury. Despite the known ability of microglia to proliferate, the precise nature of the population or populations capable of generating new microglia in the adult brain remains controversial. We identified Prominin-1 (Prom1; also known as CD133) as a putative cell surface marker of committed brain myeloid progenitor cells.

Topochemical polymerizations for the solid-state synthesis of organic polymers.

Topochemical polymerizations are solid-state reactions driven by the alignment of monomers in the crystalline state. The molecular confinement in the monomer crystal lattice offers precise control over the tacticity, packing and crystallinity of the polymer formed in the topochemical reaction. As topochemical reactions occur under solvent- and catalyst-free conditions, giving products in high yield and selectivity/specificity that do not require tedious chromatographic purification, topochemical polymerizations are highly attractive over traditional solution-phase polymer synthesis.

The microvascular extracellular matrix in brains with Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change (ADNC) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA).

Background: The microvasculature (MV) of brains with Alzheimer's disease neuropathologic change (ADNC) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), in the absence of concurrent pathologies (e.g., infarctions, Lewy bodies), is incompletely understood.

Predictions of the mechanical properties of unidirectional fibre composites by supervised machine learning.

We present an application of data analytics and supervised machine learning to allow accurate predictions of the macroscopic stiffness and yield strength of a unidirectional composite loaded in the transverse plane. Predictions are obtained from the analysis of an image of the material microstructure, as well as knowledge of the constitutive models for fibres and matrix, without performing physically-based calculations. The computational framework is based on evaluating the 2-point correlation function of the images of 1800 microstructures, followed by dimensionality reduction via principal component analysis.

Along-axon diameter variation and axonal orientation dispersion revealed with 3D electron microscopy: implications for quantifying brain white matter microstructure with histology and diffusion MRI.

Tissue microstructure modeling of diffusion MRI signal is an active research area striving to bridge the gap between macroscopic MRI resolution and cellular-level tissue architecture. Such modeling in neuronal tissue relies on a number of assumptions about the microstructural features of axonal fiber bundles, such as the axonal shape (e.g.

Increased Hyaluronan and TSG-6 in Association with Neuropathologic Changes of Alzheimer's Disease.

Little is known about the extracellular matrix (ECM) during progression of AD pathology. Brain ECM is abundant in hyaluronan (HA), a non-sulfated glycosaminoglycan synthesized by HA synthases (HAS) 1-3 in a high molecular weight (MW) form that is degraded into lower MW fragments. We hypothesized that pathologic severity of AD is associated with increases in HA and HA-associated ECM molecules.

The Effects of Normal Aging on Regional Accumulation of Hyaluronan and Chondroitin Sulfate Proteoglycans in the Mouse Brain.

The brain changes in volume and composition with normal aging. Cellular components of the brain are supported by an extracellular matrix (ECM) comprised largely of hyaluronan (HA) and HA-associated members of the lectican family of chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs). We examined regional differences in microvascular density, neuronal and glial markers, and accumulation of HA and CSPGs in mouse brains during normal aging.

Daboialectin, a C-type lectin from Russell's viper venom induces cytoskeletal damage and apoptosis in human lung cancer cells in vitro.

'Daboialectin', a low molecular weight C-type lectin (18.5 kDa) isolated from Russell's viper venom showed cytotoxic effects on human broncho-alveolar carcinoma derived (A549) cell lines. Daboialectin induced inhibition of A549 cell growth was time and concentration dependent with severe morphological changes by altering the functions of small GTPases such as Rac, Rho and cdc42.

Bilateral maxillary fourth and fifth molars: An unusual radiographic appearance.

Distomolars are supernumerary teeth present distal to third molars. Although many cases of bilateral fourth molars are reported, very few cases having bilateral fifth molars are described in literature. Here, we present a case having bilateral impacted maxillary fourth and fifth molars with the fifth molar on the left side having an unusually small appearance.

Russell's viper venom affects regulation of small GTPases and causes nuclear damage.

Russell's viper with its five sub-species is found throughout the Indian subcontinent. Its venom is primarily hemotoxic. However, its envenomation causes damage to several physiological systems.

Reduced glomerular size selectivity in late streptozotocin-induced diabetes in rats: application of a distributed two-pore model.

Microalbuminuria is an early manifestation of diabetic nephropathy. Potential contributors to this condition are reduced glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) size- and charge selectivity, and impaired tubular reabsorption of filtered proteins. However, it was recently reported that no significant alterations in charge selectivity of the GFB occur in early experimental diabetic nephropathy.

Responses to dehydration in the one-humped camel and effects of blocking the renin-angiotensin system.

Our objectives were to compare the levels of circulating electrolytes, hormones, and renal function during 20 days of dehydration in camels versus the level in non-dehydrated camels and to record the effect of blocking angiotensin II AT1 receptors with losartan during dehydration. Dehydration induced significant increments in serum sodium, creatinine, urea, a substantial fall in body weight, and a doubling in plasma arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels. Plasma aldosterone, however, was unaltered compared with time-matched controls.

Association between homocysteine and endothelial dysfunction markers in stroke disease.

Background: Evidence shows that there is an increase in concentrations of markers of endothelial dysfunction immediately following acute ischaemic stroke. Several studies suggest that endothelial dysfunction may be partly caused by oxidation related to the effects of raised total plasma homocysteine.

Objective: The aim of this study was to measure changes in total plasma homocysteine and markers of endothelial dysfunction in stroke disease within a known period of time post infarct.

Plasma N terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels and its determinants in a multi-ethnic population.

This study documents the determinants and plasma levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) among hypertensive and normotensive subjects in a multi-ethnic population in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). We obtained demographic, anthropometric and clinical data, together with fasting NT-proBNP and biochemical indices from 128 hypertensive patients and 138 normotensive subjects matched for age, gender and ethnicity. Plasma NT-proBNP levels were significantly (P<0.

Predicting proteinuria in hypertensive pregnancies with urinary protein-creatinine or calcium-creatinine ratio.

Objective: Evaluate the value of random urinary protein-creatinine (PrCr) and calcium-creatinine (CaCr) ratios to predict 24-h proteinuria in hypertensive pregnancies.

Study Design: Spot urine samples were collected before routine 24-h urine collections from consecutive pregnant women with hypertension (n=83). Reliability of spot urinary PrCr and CaCr to detect significant proteinuria (>or=300 mg/day) using 24-h urine protein as 'gold-standard' was assessed by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Under- treatment and under diagnosis of hypertension: a serious problem in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Hypertension, notably untreated or uncontrolled, is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD) morbidity and mortality. In countries in transition, little is known about the epidemiology of hypertension, and its biochemical correlates. This study was carried out in Al Ain, United Arab Emirates, to characterize self-reported (SR) normotensives and hypertensives in terms of actual hypertension status, demographic variables, CVD risk factors, treatment, and sequalae.

Natriuretic peptide and adrenomedullin levels in chronic renal failure and effects of peritoneal dialysis.

Plasma levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and its N-terminal propeptide (NT-BNP) are elevated in renal impairment and provide a robust prognostic index. The effect of peritoneal dialysis on plasma NT-BNP, however, is unknown. Furthermore, no information exists regarding levels of the N-terminal propeptide for C-type natriuretic peptide (NT-CNP) in renal failure and the effects of peritoneal dialysis.