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Monitoring the therapeutic response of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients is crucial to determine treatment strategies; therefore, we constructed a liquid biopsy-based approach for tracking tumor dynamics in non-metastatic (nmCRC) and metastatic (mCRC) patients (n = 55). Serial blood collections were performed during chemotherapy for measuring the amount and the global methylation pattern of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), the promoter methylation of SFRP2 and SDC2 genes, and the plasma homocysteine level. The average cfDNA amount was higher (p < 0.05) in nmCRC patients with recurrent cancer (30.4 ± 17.6 ng) and mCRC patients with progressive disease (PD) (44.3 ± 34.5 ng) compared to individuals with remission (13.2 ± 10.0 ng) or stable disease (12.5 ± 3.4 ng). More than 10% elevation of cfDNA from first to last sample collection was detected in all recurrent cases and 92% of PD patients, while a decrease was observed in most patients with remission. Global methylation level changes indicated a decline (75.5 ± 3.4% vs. 68.2 ± 8.4%), while the promoter methylation of SFRP2 and SDC2 and homocysteine level (10.9 ± 3.4 µmol/L vs. 13.7 ± 4.3 µmol/L) presented an increase in PD patients. In contrast, we found exact opposite changes in remission cases. Our study offers a more precise blood-based approach to monitor the treatment response to different chemotherapies than the currently used markers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP)10 is a PARP family member that performs mono-ADP-ribosylation of target proteins. Recent studies have linked PARP10 to metabolic processes and metabolic regulators that prompted us to assess whether PARP10 influences mitochondrial oxidative metabolism. The depletion of PARP10 by specific shRNAs increased mitochondrial oxidative capacity in cellular models of breast, cervical, colorectal and exocrine pancreas cancer. Upon silencing of PARP10, mitochondrial superoxide production decreased in line with increased expression of antioxidant genes pointing out lower oxidative stress upon PARP10 silencing. Improved mitochondrial oxidative capacity coincided with increased AMPK activation. The silencing of PARP10 in MCF7 and CaCo2 cells decreased the proliferation rate that correlated with increased expression of anti-Warburg enzymes (Foxo1, PGC-1α, IDH2 and fumarase). By analyzing an online database we showed that lower PARP10 expression increases survival in gastric cancer. Furthermore, PARP10 expression decreased upon fasting, a condition that is characterized by increases in mitochondrial biogenesis. Finally, lower PARP10 expression is associated with increased fatty acid oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer cells are characterized by metabolic alterations, namely, depressed mitochondrial oxidation, enhanced glycolysis and pentose phosphate shunt flux to support rapid cell growth, which is called the Warburg effect. In our study we assessed the metabolic consequences of a joint treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with AICAR, an inducer of AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) jointly with methotrexate (MTX), a folate-analog antimetabolite that blunts de novo nucleotide synthesis. MCF7 cells, a model of breast cancer cells, were resistant to the individual application of AICAR or MTX, however combined treatment of AICAR and MTX reduced cell proliferation. Prolonged joint application of AICAR and MTX induced AMPK and consequently enhanced mitochondrial oxidation and reduced the rate of glycolysis. These metabolic changes suggest an anti-Warburg rearrangement of metabolism that led to the block of the G1/S and the G2/M transition slowing down cell cycle. The slowdown of cell proliferation was abolished when mitotropic transcription factors, PGC-1α, PGC-1β or FOXO1 were silenced. In human breast cancers higher expression of AMPKα and FOXO1 extended survival. AICAR and MTX exerts similar additive antiproliferative effect on other breast cancer cell lines, such as SKBR and 4T1 cells, too. Our data not only underline the importance of Warburg metabolism in breast cancer cells but nominate the AICAR+MTX combination as a potential cytostatic regime blunting Warburg metabolism. Furthermore, we suggest the targeting of AMPK and FOXO1 to combat breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The X-ray structure of {C(NH2)3}[Tl(dota)]·H2O shows that the Tl3+ ion is deeply buried in the macrocyclic cavity of the dota4- ligand (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetate) with average Tl-N and Tl-O distances of 2.464 and 2.365 Å, respectively. The metal ion is directly coordinated to the eight donor atoms of the ligand, which results in a twisted square antiprismatic (TSAP') coordination around Tl3+. A multinuclear ¹H, 13C, and 205Tl NMR study combined with DFT calculations confirmed the TSAP' structure of the complex in aqueous solution, which exists as the Λ(λλλλ)/Δ(δδδδ) enantiomeric pair. 205Tl NMR spectroscopy allowed the protonation constant associated with the protonation of the complex according to [Tl(dota)]- + H+ ⇆ [Tl(Hdota)] to be determined, which turned out to be pKHTl(dota) = 1.4 ± 0.1. [Tl(dota)]- does not react with Br-, even when using an excess of the anion, but it forms a weak mixed complex with cyanide, [Tl(dota)]- + CN- ⇆ [Tl(dota)(CN)]2-, with an equilibrium constant of Kmix = 6.0 ± 0.8. The dissociation of the [Tl(dota)]- complex was determined by UV-vis spectrophotometry under acidic conditions using a large excess of Br-, and it was found to follow proton-assisted kinetics and to take place very slowly (~10 days), even in 1 M HClO4, with the estimated half-life of the process being in the 109 h range at neutral pH. The solution dynamics of [Tl(dota)]- were investigated using 13C NMR spectroscopy and DFT calculations. The 13C NMR spectra recorded at low temperature (272 K) point to C4 symmetry of the complex in solution, which averages to C4v as the temperature increases. This dynamic behavior was attributed to the Λ(λλλλ) ↔ Δ(δδδδ) enantiomerization process, which involves both the inversion of the macrocyclic unit and the rotation of the pendant arms. According to our calculations, the arm-rotation process limits the Λ(λλλλ) ↔ Δ(δδδδ) interconversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes plays an important role in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. N-Hydroxy-4-(5-methyl-3-phenylisoxazol-4-yl)benzenesulfonamide (3)—a primary metabolite of the highly selective COX-2 inhibitor valdecoxib—was synthesized and stabilized as its monohydrate (3a·H2O). The anti-inflammatory properties of 3a·H2O were investigated in carrageenan-induced edema and in acute and chronic pain models. Based on our biological investigation, we conclude that N-hydroxy-valdecoxib 3a is an active metabolite of valdecoxib. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] • Simplified preparation of thiol functionalized short range ordered mesoporous silicas. • Selective sorption of aqueous Ag(I) with a capacity of 238 mg g−1 at pH = 5.0. • Sorption equilibrium establishes extremely fast, in 15 min contact time. • Strong and selective binding of Ag(I) due to the formation of layered thiolate coordination compounds on the surface. • Quantitative recovery of Ag(I) and sorbent regeneration with 10 mM Na 2 S 2 O 3 solution. A simplified sol–gel method was developed for the preparation of thiol functionalized porous silica particles using (3-mercaptopropyl)-trimethoxy-silane (MPTMS) for co-gelation in the presence of micellar templates. The resulting short range ordered porous silica microparticles are exceptionally effective sorbents of aqueous Ag(I). The binding of aqueous Ag(I) is almost stoichiometric in the broad pH range between 4.0 and 9.0 even at low Ag(I) concentrations until reaching the limiting 238 mg g−1 sorption capacity. The sorbent displays high selectivity towards Ag(I), which was tested in the simultaneous presence of several different metal compounds. The practically complete recovery of Ag(I) and the regeneration of the sorbent was achieved by washing with a 10 mM Na 2 S 2 O 3 solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that silver is not reduced on the surface of the sorbent. The reason for the strong and selective binding of Ag(I) is the formation of layered thiolate coordination compounds on the functionalized silica surface that display characteristically high stability even in the presence of other competing metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the magnetic properties of thin iron films deposited on the nanoporous titanium oxide templates and analyze their dependance on nanopore radius. We then compare the results to a continuous iron film of the same thickness. Additionally, we investigate the evolution of the magnetic properties of these films after annealing. We demonstrate that the M(H) loops consist of two magnetic phases originating from the iron layer and iron oxides formed at the titanium oxide/iron interface. We perform deconvolution of hysteresis loops to extract information for each magnetic phase. Finally, we investigate the magnetic interactions between the phases and verify the presence of exchange coupling between them. We observe the altering of the magnetic properties by the nanopores as a magnetic hardening of the magnetic material. The ZFC-FC (Zero-field cooled/field cooled) measurements indicate the presence of a disordered glass state below 50 K, which can be explained by the formation of iron oxide at the titanium oxide-iron interface with a short-range magnetic order. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tin (Sn) -bentonite was prepared by ion exchange method from Ca-bentonite. For the ion exchange process, tin-chloride (SnCl 2) solution was prepared from metallic tin, and the tin concentration was determined by Microwave Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (MP-AES). Sn-bentonite was characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and 119Sn as well as iron-57 (57Fe) Mössbauer spectroscopy. 119Sn Mössbauer spectroscopy and XPS undoubtedly revealed both Sn+2 and Sn+4 ions in Sn-bentonite. SnII was attributed to be incorporated into the interlayer space while SnIV located partly in the octahedral position and in the interlayer space of montmorillonite. The removal of radioactive pertechnetate anion (99mTcO 4 -) was studied on Sn-bentonite in aqueous and artificial urine media. Based on the measurement results, 99mTcO 4 - ion can be removed, in case of aqueous media, the equilibrium is reached after 5 mins (x = 99.9 ± 0.01%, k = 4.2 ± 0.83 1/min) (Buzetzky et al., 2019), while in the case of urine media the equilibrium is reached after 30 mins (x = 59.1% ± 2.7, k = 0.18 ± 0.05 1/min). Pertechnetate anoin sorption on tin-bentonite is a (Sn(II/IV)-TcO 4 -) redox reaction. Thus, Sn-bentonite can be a suitable sorbent for radioactive waste management. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grain boundary (GB) diffusion of Si in polycrystalline Cu film was studied in the temperature range of 403–453 K, in the C-type kinetic regime. The amorphous Si layer (80 nm) and polycrystalline Cu layer (40 nm) were successively deposited by magnetron sputtering at room temperature onto a Si (111) wafer. Appearance of Si atoms on the copper surface due to GB diffusion through the copper layer was detected by low energy ion scattering spectroscopy with high sensitivity. The depth distribution of Si in Cu grain boundaries was revealed by secondary neutral mass spectrometry. Surface morphology of Cu films was investigated by scanning tunneling microscopy. Identification of Si chemical bonds on the surface layer was made by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. GB diffusion coefficients were estimated by the relation used for calculation of diffusant distribution from a constant source in assumption that the diffusion path equals to the film thickness at the moment of appearing Si atoms on the Cu surface. At 453 K we estimated the surface segregation factor and detected formation of Cu–O–Si atomic bonds on the Cu film surface. • Nanoscale grain boundary diffusion of silicon. • Nanoscale depth profile analysis. • Application of low energy ion scattering for study of nanoscale diffusion mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria are essential in cellular stress responses. Mitochondrial output to environmental stress is a major factor in metabolic adaptation and is regulated by a complex network of energy and nutrient sensing proteins. Activation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) has been known to impair mitochondrial function; however, our view of PARP-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and injury has only recently fundamentally evolved. In this review, we examine our current understanding of PARP-elicited mitochondrial damage, PARP-mediated signal transduction pathways, transcription factors that interact with PARPs and govern mitochondrial biogenesis, as well as mitochondrial diseases that are mediated by PARPs. With PARP activation emerging as a common underlying mechanism in numerous pathologies, a better understanding the role of various PARPs in mitochondrial regulation may help open new therapeutic avenues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a long-lasting task to understand heat conduction phenomena beyond Fourier. Besides the low-temperature experiments on extremely pure crystals, it has turned out recently that heterogeneous materials with macro-scale size can also show thermal effects that cannot be modeled by the Fourier equation. This is called over-diffusive propagation, different from low-temperature observations, and is found in numerous samples made from metal foam, rocks, and composites. The measured temperature history is indeed similar to what Fourier's law predicts but the usual evaluation cannot provide reliable thermal parameters. This paper is a report on our experiments on several rock types, each type having multiple samples with different thicknesses. We show that size-dependent thermal behavior can occur for both Fourier and non-Fourier situations. Moreover, based on the present experimental data, we find an empirical relation between the Fourier and non-Fourier parameters, which may be helpful in later experiments to develop a more robust and reliable evaluation procedure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of active screen plasma nitriding (ASPN) and the influence of the active screen's coating material on the surface properties of the nitrided layer was investigated on low alloyed steel samples, using chromium or nickel-coated active screens. ASPN experiments were performed at 510 °C, for 5 h in a 75% N 2 + 25% H 2 gas mixture using tempered 42CrMo4 type low alloy steel. The base material of the screens was unalloyed steel, but the screens were electroplated with chromium or nickel. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and secondary neutral mass spectrometry (SNMS) were used for the characterization of surface properties of the samples and the screen. SNMS results show that the coating material of the active screen (chromium or nickel) was deposited on the surface of the samples in the form of compounds, with layer thicknesses between 160 and 200 nm (chromium) and 290–420 nm (nickel). Chemical analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), performed at the interface of the steel sample and the deposited compounds reveals that iron-nitride was only formed in the case of samples that were treated with a Cr-coated active screen. Here the decomposition and oxidation of the unstable chromium-nitride provided the nitrogen atoms and the chemical drive for the formation of iron-nitride. In the case of the Ni-coated active screen, only molecular nitrogen was observed in the treated steel samples. The results prove that – contrary to widespread models on ASPN nitriding mechanisms – physically adsorbed nitrogen plays little role in the nitriding process of iron. • The material of the active screen is a major parameter which influences the outcome of the nitriding. • Cr- and Ni-coated active screen plasma nitriding produced uniform layer. • Cr- and Ni-nitrides are sputtered and subsequently deposited on the surface from the screen. • The effect of physically adsorbed and desorbed N is much lower since iron-nitride cannot be found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • High- and low-field NMR study of mesoporous cement- and metakaolin-based binders. • Formation and nanoscale structure of cement-based materials by NMR cryoporometry and relaxometry. • Water mobility and diffusion in the hydrated binders: T 2 transverse relaxation and H 2 O–D 2 O exchange technique. • Conditions of radioactive waste conditioning: effect of rehydration, added complexing agents, model ions on water mobility. Cement as a porous material contains pores and cracks on the whole nanoscale forming an interconnected pore structure. Its interaction with water during the rehydration of cement plays a key role in every application, such as in nuclear waste treatment, where cement binders are commonly used for conditioning liquid radioactive waste. In the prediction of the long-term disposal the knowledge of water mobility and distribution in the formed porous cement matrix is essential. In this study we systematically investigate the effects of metakaolin and several components of the liquid phase (complexing agents, model ions, boric acid, etc.) on the hydrated solid structure by various nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. The novelty lies in the complex use of such non-conventional techniques that separately provide only partial information of the cement structure; however, the gained results complete each other to offer a new approach in the structural study under several conditions. Water mobility is deduced from NMR T 2 relaxation distributions and D 2 O-H 2 O exchange diffusion measurements, and the conclusion on structural properties is supported by the macropore structure revealed from NMR cryoporometry and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) images, as well as by following the formation of pores and water domains in the curing process with NMR relaxometry. The results confirm that metakaolin was built into the CSH (calcium silicate hydrate) gel region without altering its mesoporous structure, however, it significantly decreased the capillary pore size and the diffusion coefficient of water. Complexing agent concentration between 2 and 20 g/l and the presence of model ions did not cause significant structural changes, while the rehydration decreased the size of capillary pores due to swelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancement of structural behaviour of various construction materials using fibre reinforced plastics (FRP) is an important branch of engineering research, including the increasing application for structural timber as well. This study deals with the reinforcement of standard construction formwork timber beams with carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRP). Beams with various amount of reinforcement were prepared using simultaneous formation of lamella and bonding. Laboratory bending tests are carried out and load-deflection data were measured to experimentally determine the change of load-bearing capacity and stiffness with respect to non-reinforced reference sample, as well as to assess the structural behaviour. Evaluation of failure modes is carried out on each specimen. A statistical analysis of the experimental results using t-test is also made. The experiments prove the enhancement of structural behaviour, especially in terms of the increased load-bearing capacity, the increased ductility in certain cases, the decrease of the scattering of results, and also in failure modes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Veneering ceramics should be strongly bonded to zirconia core in order to achieve successfully long-term clinical practice. Indeed, to pursue the high zirconia core–veneering ceramic bonding is still a concerned issue. In this regard, this study was to treat zirconia surface using a 3 wt% Si 3 N 4 solution in 4 M NaOH and to investigate the effect of soaking time (5, 10, and 20 days) on the surface properties of zirconia and shear bond strength between zirconia and veneering ceramics. The residual veneering ceramics on zirconia surfaces and failure modes were also examined after fracture. The results showed that the phase composition of zirconia before and after surface modification was not changed. The elemental mapping and depth profiling consistently revealed the soaking-time-dependent Si content on the zirconia surface. The surface roughness of zirconia was significantly (P < 0.05) increased with the increasing soaking time. When zirconia was treated for 10 days, the shear bond strength value of 27.4 MPa was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the control (18.6 MPa), associated with greater remaining amounts of veneering ceramics on the zirconia surface. The failure mode of the treated zirconia was almost the mixed failure. On the basis of the data, surface modification using Si 3 N 4 in NaOH solution for zirconia core could be a simple and effective method for enhancing the veneering ceramic–zirconia bonding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hydrogen-bonded open framework with pores decorated by pyridyl groups was constructed by off-charge-stoichiometry assembly of protonated tetrakis(4-pyridyloxymethyl)methane and [Al(oxalate)3]3−, which are the H-bond donor and acceptor of ionic H-bond interactions, respectively. This supramolecular porous architecture ( SPA-2) has 1 nm-large pores interconnected in 3D with large solvent-accessible void (53 %). It demonstrated remarkable affinity for acidic organic molecules in solution, which was investigated by means of various carboxylic acids including larger drug molecules. Competing sorption between acetic acid and its halogenated homologues evidenced good selectivity of the porous material for the halogenated acids. The gathered results, including a series of guest@ SPA-2 crystal structures and HRMAS-NMR spectra, suggest that the efficient sorption exhibited by the material relies not only on an acid-base interaction. The facile release of these guest molecules under neutral conditions makes this SPA a carrier of acidic molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beige adipocytes are special cells situated in the white adipose tissue. Beige adipocytes, lacking thermogenic cues, morphologically look quite similar to regular white adipocytes, but with a markedly different response to adrenalin. White adipocytes respond to adrenergic stimuli by enhancing lipolysis, while in beige adipocytes adrenalin induces mitochondrial biogenesis too. A key step in the differentiation and function of beige adipocytes is the deacetylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPARγ) by SIRT1 and the consequent mitochondrial biogenesis. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an upstream activator of SIRT1, therefore we set out to investigate the role of AMPK in beige adipocyte differentiation using human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADMSCs) from pericardial adipose tissue. hADMSCs were differentiated to white and beige adipocytes and the differentiation medium of the white adipocytes was supplemented with 100 μM [(2R,3S,4R,5R)-5-(4-Carbamoyl-5-aminoimidazol-1-yl)-3,4-dihydroxyoxolan-2-yl]methyl dihydrogen phosphate (AICAR), a known activator of AMPK. The activation of AMPK with AICAR led to the appearance of beige-like morphological properties in differentiated white adipocytes. Namely, smaller lipid droplets appeared in AICAR-treated white adipocytes in a similar fashion as in beige cells. Moreover, in AICAR-treated white adipocytes the mitochondrial network was more fused than in white adipocytes; a fused mitochondrial system was characteristic to beige adipocytes. Despite the morphological similarities between AICAR-treated white adipocytes and beige cells, functionally AICAR-treated white adipocytes were similar to white adipocytes. We were unable to detect increases in basal or cAMP-induced oxygen consumption rate (a marker of mitochondrial biogenesis) when comparing control and AICAR-treated white adipocytes. Similarly, markers of beige adipocytes such as TBX1, UCP1, CIDEA, PRDM16 and TMEM26 remained the same when comparing control and AICAR-treated white adipocytes. Our data point out that in human pericardial hADMSCs the role of AMPK activation in controlling beige differentiation is restricted to morphological features, but not to actual metabolic changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TASK-3 (KCNK9 or K9.1) channels are thought to promote proliferation and/or survival of malignantly transformed cells, most likely by increasing their hypoxia tolerance. Based on our previous results that suggested mitochondrial expression of TASK-3 channels, we hypothesized that TASK-3 channels have roles in maintaining mitochondrial activity. In the present work we studied the effect of reduced TASK-3 expression on the mitochondrial function and survival of WM35 and A2058 melanoma cells. TASK-3 knockdown cells had depolarized mitochondrial membrane potential and contained a reduced amount of mitochondrial DNA. Compared to their scrambled shRNA-transfected counterparts, they demonstrated diminished responsiveness to the application of the mitochondrial uncoupler [(3-chlorophenyl)hydrazono]malononitrile (CCCP). These observations indicate impaired mitochondrial function. Further, TASK-3 knockdown cells presented reduced viability, decreased total DNA content, altered cell morphology, and reduced surface area. In contrast to non- and scrambled shRNA-transfected melanoma cell lines, which did not present noteworthy apoptotic activity, almost 50 % of the TASK-3 knockdown cells exhibited strong Annexin-V-specific immunofluorescence signal. Sequestration of cytochrome c from the mitochondria to the cytosol, increased caspase 3 activity, and translocation of the apoptosis-inducing factor from mitochondria to cell nuclei were also demonstrated in TASK-3 knockdown cells. Interference with TASK-3 channel expression, therefore, induces caspase-dependent and -independent apoptosis of melanoma cells, most likely via causing mitochondrial depolarization. Consequently, TASK-3 channels may be legitimate targets of future melanoma therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the synthesis of the ligand Hnompa (6-((l,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)methyl)picolinic add) and a detailed characterization of the Mn2+ complexes formed by this ligand and the related ligands Hdompa (6-((1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan-1-yl)methyl)picolinic add) and Htempa (6-((1,4,8,11- tetraazacydotetradecan-1-yl)methyl)-picolinic acid). These ligands form thermodynamically stable complexes in aqueous solution with stability constants of logKMnl. = 10.28(1) (nompa), 14.48(1) (dompa), and 12.53(1) (tempa). A detailed study of the dissodation kinetics of these Mn2+ complexes indicates mat the decomplexation reaction at about neutral pH occurs mainly following a spontaneous dissodation mechanism. The X-ray structure of [Mn2(nompa)2(H2O)2]-(ClO4) 2 shows that the Mn2+ ion is seven-coordinate in the solid state, being directly bound to five donor atoms of the ligand, the oxygen atom of a coordinated water molecule and an oxygen atom of a neighboring nompa- ligand acting as a bridging bidentate carboxylate group (µ- η¹-carboxylate). Nudear magnetic relaxation dispersion (¹H NMRD) profiles and 17O NMR chemical shifts and transverse relaxation rates of aqueous solutions of [Mn(nompa)] + indicate that the Mn2+ ion is six-coordinate in solution by the pentadentate ligand and one inner-sphere water molecule. The analysis of the ¹H NMRD and 17O NMR data provides a very high water exchange rate of the inner-sphere water molecule (Kex298 = 2.8 ² 109 s-1) and an unusually high value of the 17O hyperfine coupling constant of the coordinated water molecule (Ao/ħ = 73.3 ± 0.6 rad s-1). DFT calculations performed on the [Mn(nompa)(H2O)]+-2H2O system (TPSSh model) provide a Ao/ħ value in excellent agreement with the one obtained experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-2 (PARP-2) is acknowledged as a DNA repair enzyme. However, recent investigations have attributed unique roles to PARP-2 in metabolic regulation in the liver. We assessed changes in hepatic lipid homeostasis upon the deletion of PARP-2 and found that cholesterol levels were higher in PARP-2−/− mice as compared to wild-type littermates. To uncover the molecular background, we analyzed changes in steady-state mRNA levels upon the knockdown of PARP-2 in HepG2 cells and in murine liver that revealed higher expression of sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP)-1 dependent genes. We demonstrated that PARP-2 is a suppressor of the SREBP1 promoter, and the suppression of the SREBP1 gene depends on the enzymatic activation of PARP-2. Consequently, the knockdown of PARP-2 enhances SREBP1 expression that in turn induces the genes driven by SREBP1 culminating in higher hepatic cholesterol content. We did not detect hypercholesterolemia, higher fecal cholesterol content or increase in serum LDL, although serum HDL levels decreased in the PARP-2−/− mice. In cells and mice where PARP-2 was deleted we observed decreased ABCA1 mRNA and protein expression that is probably linked to lower HDL levels. In our current study we show that PARP-2 impacts on hepatic and systemic cholesterol homeostasis. Furthermore, the depletion of PARP-2 leads to lower HDL levels which represent a risk factor to cardiovascular diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Dependence of effective minority carrier lifetime on surface contaminations. • Controlled ppb-level contamination of silicon wafer surfaces. • Low energy LA-ICP-MS method to measure low-level surface metal contaminations. • Surface mapping of ppb-level Cu contaminations. Contamination of silicon semiconductor cells strongly influences their working properties, such as minority carrier lifetime. During manufacture, i.e. cutting off the silicon ingot, the entry of metal contaminants into the silicon needs to be avoided since it decreases the performance of solar cells. To study this effect, controlled contaminations were performed by immersing silicon wafers in dilute HCl-based (pH = 1.3) solutions, containing precisely defined amounts of metal concentrations of 30, 100, 300, and 1000 ppb. The two most common and most damaging transient metals, the iron and copper, were tested. Determination of surface contaminations was carried out by two different methods: Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence (TXRF) measurements and Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). The minority carrier lifetime was checked by photoluminescence (PL) measurements. The LA-ICP-MS method was proved to be an effective arrangement for direct determination of ppb-level surface impurities and their penetration depths. The results received by TXRF and LA-ICP-MS were compared. The advantage of LA-ICP-MS was that in addition to a simple contamination level determination it could be used to acquire the total surface map of contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-Fourier heat conduction phenomenon on room temperature is analyzed from various aspects. The first one shows its experimental side, in what form it occurs, and how we treated it. It is demonstrated that the Guyer-Krumhansl equation can be the next appropriate extension of Fourier's law for room-temperature phenomena in modeling of heterogeneous materials. The second approach provides an interpretation of generalized heat conduction equations using a simple thermo-mechanical background. Here, Fourier heat conduction is coupled to elasticity via thermal expansion, resulting in a particular generalized heat equation for the temperature field. Both aforementioned approaches show the size dependency of non-Fourier heat conduction. Finally, a third approach is presented, called pseudo-temperature modeling. It is shown that non-Fourier temperature history can be produced by mixing different solutions of Fourier's law. That kind of explanation indicates the interpretation of underlying heat conduction mechanics behind non-Fourier phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Off ‐ charge ‐ stoichiometry assemblage of ionic H ‐ bond donors and acceptors was found to be a straightforward approach to a hydrogen ‐ bonded open framework with pores decorated by basic sites. The supramolecular architecture exhibits 1 ‐ nm ‐ wide channels functionalized by pyridyl groups and high accessible voids (53 %).Remarkable affinity was achieved for acidic organic molecules, including larger drug molecules. Notably, good selectivity of the porous material for the halogenated acids was also observed. More information can be found in the Full Paper by N. Roques, J. ‐ P. Sutter et al. on page 11818. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]