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Percutaneous nephrolithotripsy is the treatment of choice for large renal calculi. Total stone clearance as the treatment goal remains elusive, despite staged procedures and multiple tracks. There is also the morbidity of multiple sittings and tracks. We investigated the feasibility of a synchronized approach to clearing these difficult stones with two teams operating through two or more tracks in tandem and also the ergonomic and logistic issues involved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) is a well-established and convenient label-free technique for measuring biomolecular interactions in aqueous solutions. ITC enables accurate measurement of the affinities and thermodynamic parameters, such as changes in Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy, which help dissect the binding mechanisms. ITC is commonly used to study protein-protein, protein-peptide, protein-DNA, and small-molecule inhibitor binding to target proteins. ITC can determine binding affinities ranging from nM to low-mM. This chapter provides a detailed protocol to investigate the binding of FOXO3 peptide to 14-3-3ε using ITC., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Feeling of body ownership is a complex process with different brain mechanisms involved in integrating the varied and multiple representations of the body . The ability to discriminate between one's own and others' body parts can be lost after brain damage. We report a unique case study of a patient with head injury who experienced a phenomenon where he felt that his head was positioned with another person standing next to him. We describe this as a form of pathological embodiment and call it the "head mislocalization" phenomenon. We report his clinical findings and using the methods of lesion mapping and lesion network mapping postulate the neural mechanisms for this symptom.

Background: Dietary chemicals and their gut-metabolized products are explored for their anti-proliferative and pro-cell death effects. Dietary and metabolized chemicals are different from ruminants such as goats over humans., Methods: Loss of cell viability and induction of death due to goat urine DMSO fraction (GUDF) derived chemicals were assessed by routine in vitro assays upon MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Intracellular metabolite profiling of MCF-7 cells treated with goat urine DMSO fraction (GUDF) was performed using an in-house designed vertical tube gel electrophoresis (VTGE) assisted methodology, followed by LC-HRMS. Next, identified intracellular dietary chemicals such as ellagic acid were evaluated for their inhibitory effects against transducers of the c-Raf signaling pathway employing molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation., Results: GUDF treatment upon MCF-7 cells displayed significant loss of cell viability and induction of cell death. A set of dietary and metabolized chemicals in the intracellular compartment of MCF-7 cells, such as ellagic acid, 2-hydroxymyristic acid, artelinic acid, 10-amino-decanoic acid, nervonic acid, 2,4-dimethyl-2-eicosenoic acid, 2,3,4'- Trihydroxy,4-Methoxybenzophenone and 9-amino-nonanoic acid were identified. Among intracellular dietary chemicals, ellagic acid displayed a strong inhibitory affinity (-8.7 kcal/mol) against c-Raf kinase. The inhibitory potential of ellagic acid was found to be significantly comparable with a known c-Raf kinase inhibitor sorafenib with overlapping inhibitory site residues (ARG450, GLU425, TRP423, VA403)., Conclusion: Intracellular dietary-derived chemicals such as ellagic acid are suggested for the induction of cell death in MCF-7 cells. Ellagic acid is predicted as an inhibitor of c-Raf kinase and could be explored as an anti-cancer drug., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.net.)

Target-based discovery of first-in-class therapeutics demands an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying human diseases. Precise measurements of cellular and biochemical activities are critical to gain mechanistic knowledge of biomolecules and their altered function in disease conditions. Such measurements enable the development of intervention strategies for preventing or treating diseases by modulation of desired molecular processes. Fluorescence-based techniques are routinely employed for accurate and robust measurements of in-vitro activity of molecular targets and for discovering novel chemical molecules that modulate the activity of molecular targets. In the current review, the authors focus on the applications of fluorescence-based high throughput screening (HTS) and fragment-based ligand discovery (FBLD) techniques such as fluorescence polarization (FP), Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), fluorescence thermal shift assay (FTSA) and microscale thermophoresis (MST) for the discovery of chemical probe to exploring target's role in disease biology and ultimately, serve as a foundation for drug discovery. Some recent advancements in these techniques for compound library screening against important classes of drug targets, such as G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and GTPases, as well as phosphorylation- and acetylation-mediated protein-protein interactions, are discussed. Overall, this review presents a landscape of how these techniques paved the way for the discovery of small-molecule modulators and biologics against these targets for therapeutic benefits., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2023 The Authors.)

α-Synuclein (αSyn) aggregation is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). The region αSyn 36-42 acts as the nucleation 'master controller' and αSyn 1-12 as a 'secondary nucleation site'. They drive monomeric αSyn to aggregation. Small molecules targeting these motifs are promising for disease-modifying therapy. Using computational techniques, we screened thirty phytochemicals for αSyn binding. The top three compounds were experimentally validated for their binding affinity. Amongst them, celastrol showed high binding affinity. NMR analysis confirmed stable αSyn-celastrol interactions involving several residues in the N-terminus and NAC regions but not in the C-terminal tail. Importantly, celastrol interacted extensively with the key motifs that drive αSyn aggregation. Thioflavin-T assay indicated that celastrol reduced αSyn aggregation. Thus, celastrol holds promise as a potent drug candidate for PD.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Genetic screening technologies to identify and validate macromolecular interactions (MMIs) essential for complex pathways remain an important unmet need for systems biology and therapeutics development. Here, we use a library of peptides from diverse prokaryal genomes to screen MMIs promoting the nuclear relocalization of Forkhead Box O3 (FOXO3a), a tumor suppressor more frequently inactivated by post-translational modification than mutation. A hit peptide engages the 14-3-3 family of signal regulators through a phosphorylation-dependent interaction, modulates FOXO3a-mediated transcription, and suppresses cancer cell growth. In a crystal structure, the hit peptide occupies the phosphopeptide-binding groove of 14-3-3ε in a conformation distinct from its natural peptide substrates. A biophysical screen identifies drug-like small molecules that displace the hit peptide from 14-3-3ε, providing starting points for structure-guided development. Our findings exemplify "protein interference," an approach using evolutionarily diverse, natural peptides to rapidly identify, validate, and develop chemical probes against MMIs essential for complex cellular phenotypes., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests A.R.V., C.J.T., and G.J.M. are founders of PhoreMost Ltd. C.J.T., M.M., and M.C. are employees and shareholders of the company, A.R.V. is a shareholder and the chief scientific adviser, and G.J.M. and B.S.H. are shareholders. P.M.W. is a founder and shareholder, and N.M. a shareholder, of PYC Therapeutics., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

α-Synuclein (αS) plays a key role in Parkinson's disease (PD). The αS nuclear role, its binding affinity and specificity to histones and dsDNA remains unknown. Here, we have measured the binding affinity ( K d ) between αS wild-type (wt) and PD-specific αS S129-phosphorylation mimicking (S129E) mutant with full-length and flexible tail truncated individual core histones (H2a, H2b, H3, and H4), linker histone (H1), and carried out αS-dsDNA interaction studies. This study revealed that αS(wt) interacts specifically with N-terminal flexible tails of histone H3, H4, and flexible tails of H1. The αS(S129E) mutant recognizes histones similar to αS(wt) but binds with higher affinity. Intriguingly, αS(S129E) showed a binding affinity for control proteins (bovine serum albumin and lysozyme), while no interaction was seen for αS(wt). Based on our above observation, we contemplate that the physio-chemical properties of αS with S129-phosphorylation has changed compared to αS(wt), resulting in interaction for other proteins, which is the basis for Lewy body formation. Besides, this study showed αS binding to dsDNA is weak and nonspecific. Overall, αS specificity for histone binding suggests that its nuclear role is possibly driven through histone interaction., (© 2021 The Protein Society.)

Context: The aim was to identify the current training standard of laparoscopy skills among the urology residents., Aims: This paper presents the residents' subjective perception of their laparoscopy skills and evidence of an objective assessment of their actual skills., Settings and Design: An online survey was mailed, and completed by urology residents in training. The residents' perception of laparoscopy training received, exposure to laparoscopy procedures, and training facilities were queried. The assessment was done on the skill levels of the residents presenting at an annual training program., Subjects and Methods: 103 residents responded to the online survey and 115 residents were assessed at the training program., Statistical Analysis Used: Discrete data were compared using the t -test to test for significance of the means; P < 0.05 was considered significant. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to obtain the relationship between variables., Results: An overwhelming 91% rated their laparoscopy skill as just "satisfactory" or worse, and 60% did not have any training facilities in their department. 66% continue to be "assistants only" in conventional laparoscopy surgeries. Assessment of basic laparoscopy skills in the dry lab revealed 92% of residents having poor laparoscopy skills; similar to the subjective opinion in the survey. Only 6% ( n = 5) of the residents showed a good or better skill score in the dry lab; similar to the survey., Conclusions: Based on the survey, a large number of residents have a poor opinion of their own laparoscopy skills, and the training facilities available to them. The data objectively prove the self-assessment of the residents on their laparoscopy skill level., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Urology Annals.)

A series of multifunctional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), SNU-170-SNU-176, has been synthesized using ligands, in which various functional pendants such as -NH2, -SMe, -OMe, -OEt, -OPr, and -OBu are attached to the phenyl ring of 4-(2-carboxyvinyl)benzoic acid. The MOFs are isostructural but the interpenetration depends on the pendant group of the ligand. The MOFs exhibit high adsorption capacities for H2, CO2, and CH4 gases, ligand-based photoluminescence, and chemical sensing abilities, all being affected by the pendant group. All of the as-synthesized MOFs can sense nitroaromatics by luminescence quenching, and some of the activated MOFs can sense the type of solvents by the altered emission maxima with enhanced intensity. In particular, SNU-176 synthesized from a mixture of two different ligands with -SMe and -OMe pendants shows higher gas adsorption capacities than the MOFs synthesized from the individual ligands (SNU-171 and SNU-172). It also shows the ability to differentiate nitrobenzene (NB) and 2,4-dinitrotoluene (DNT) unlike the MOFs composed of single ligands.

Background and Aims: Modern anesthetic practice utilizes low-flow anesthesia with evolving evidence on its pulmonary effects. Studies comparing measurement of vital capacity and inspiratory reserve volume using respirometer in both low-flow and high-flow anesthesia are sparse. We evaluated the effects of low-flow and high-flow anesthesia on postoperative pulmonary functions using respirometer., Material and Methods: This was a prospective randomized double blind study wherein One hundred and ten patients undergoing peripheral surgeries under general anesthesia were allocated into two groups Group I- Low-flow anesthesia with O2 + N2O + Sevoflurane (0.5L + 0.5L + 3.5%) and Group II- High-flow anesthesia with O2 + N2O + Sevoflurane (2L + 2L + 2%). The difference in vital capacity (VC), inspiratory reserve volume (IRV), and peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) from the preoperative period were compared in both the groups postoperatively., Results: The difference in VC, IRV, and PEFR measured in both the groups between the preoperative and postoperative period were found to be similar and statistically insignificant ( P - 0.173, 1.00 and 0.213 respectively). The difference in single breath count (SBC), breath holding time (BHT), and respiratory rates (RR) were also similar in both the groups ( P - 0.101, 0.698, and 0.467) respectively., Conclusions: The pulmonary effects of low-flow anesthesia are comparable with the high-flow ones in patients undergoing elective surgeries under general anesthesia., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2021 Journal of Anaesthesiology Clinical Pharmacology.)

Context: Traditional truncal blocks are devoid of visceral analgesia. Quadratus lumborum (QL) block has shown greater efficacy in providing the same., Aims: This study was done to compare the efficacy of transversus abdominal plane (TAP) block versus QL block in providing postoperative analgesia for lower abdominal surgeries., Settings and Design: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study., Subjects and Methods: Seventy adult patients were randomly allocated into two groups, where Group A received TAP block with 20 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine on each side ( n = 35) and Group B received QL block with 20 ml of 0.25% ropivacaine on each side ( n = 35). The time of block, duration of surgery, Numerical Pain Intensity Scale (NPIS) score at the 1 st , 2 nd , 4 th , 8 th , 12 th , 16 th , and 24 th postoperative hours, and the total analgesic drug requirements were noted and compared between the two groups., Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed with SPSS version 23 (IBM corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) with independent t -test and Chi-square test as appropriate. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: The time for first analgesic requirement was 243.00 ± 97.36 min and 447.00 ± 62.52 min and the total analgesic consumption (morphine in mg) was 5.65 ± 1.55 and 3.25 ± 0.78 in Group A and Group B, respectively, both of which were statistically significant ( P < 0.01). There was a significant difference in postoperative pain scores (NPIS scale 0-10) at rest, between the two groups, up to 16 h., Conclusions: Patients who received QL block had a significant improvement in postoperative pain relief with reduced consumption of opioids., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Context: Dexamethasone as an adjunct to ropivacaine has shown promising results in prolonging the duration of analgesia in transverse abdominis plane (TAP) block. Only limited studies evaluated the effects of dexamethasone with ropivacaine in TAP block in specific population., Aims: The effects of adding dexamethasone to ropivacaine on the quality and duration of TAP block in lower abdominal surgeries in multiple specialties were studied., Settings and Design: This was a prospective, randomized, double-blinded study., Subjects and Methods: Seventy adult patients undergoing lower abdominal surgeries were allocated into two groups to receive general anesthesia with TAP block with 20 ml 0.25% ropivacaine with 8 mg dexamethasone (2 ml) (Group A, n = 35) or 20 mL 0.25% ropivacaine with 2 ml saline (Group B, n = 35) each side. The analgesic efficacy in terms of pain scores, morphine consumption, and occurrence of nausea and vomiting was compared between two groups., Statistical Analysis Used: Data were analyzed with SPSS 23 with independent t -test and Chi-square test as applicable. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: The duration of analgesia was significantly prolonged in Group A ( P = 0.000). The total morphine consumption was significantly lesser in Group A ( P = 0.000). The pain scores (numerical pain intensity scale) were significantly lesser in Group A till the 8 th postoperative hours. The occurrence of nausea and vomiting was comparable between the groups ( P = 0.3821)., Conclusions: Addition of dexamethasone to ropivacaine significantly improved the quality of analgesia with reduced consumption of opioids as compared to plain ropivacaine in TAP block., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Background: Oxygen supplementation through Hudson type face mask is frequently used in perioperative settings. Hudson mask is a variable rate performance device with the risk of rebreathing. Studies using capnography to find out an actual fraction of rebreathing in spontaneously breathing patients are not available., Aims: In this study, we analyzed the effects of different flow rates through Hudson mask with capnography on fractional inspired carbon dioxide (FiCO 2 )., Setting and Designs: Forty patients posted for minor surgeries under monitored anesthesia care were divided into four groups. They received oxygen flow rate of 3 L/min, 4 L/min, 5 L/min, and 6 L/min as per group division, through Hudson mask., Materials and Methods: Parameters such as pulse rate, noninvasive blood pressure, oxygen saturation, respiratory rate (RR), end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO 2 ), and FiCO 2 were noted at baseline. After starting oxygen supplementation, these parameters were monitored every minute for ten minutes. Statistical analysis was done using analysis of variance and Kruskal-Wallis test. Pearson correlation was used to establish a relation between RR and FiCO 2 ., Results and Conclusions: EtCO 2 and FiCO 2 were comparable in all four groups with no statistical significance. There was strong positive correlation seen between RR and FiCO 2 at a flow rate of 3 L/min while negative correlation in other groups. We conclude that FiCO 2 is similar at all flow rates while breathing through Hudson mask. Increase in RR can cause increase in FiCO 2 at lower flow rate, which is within physiological tolerance limits., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest.

Eight porous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) incorporating various alkoxy pendant groups (-OC(n)H(2n+1); n=1-8) in the channels have been synthesized. All MOFs have macrosized, hollow, single-crystal morphologies independent of the type of alkoxy pendant groups. The X-ray single-crystal structures indicate that the MOFs have doubly interpenetrated 3D frameworks that generate clover-shaped 1D channels, the window sizes of which reduce as the length of the alkoxy pendant groups increases from -OCH3 to -OC8H17. The hollow axes of the tubular crystals are parallel to the 1D channels of the MOFs, which suggests that the hollow crystal is grown by the unidirectional addition of pillar ligands to the 2D network. Among the activated MOFs, only the MOFs with methoxy and ethoxy pendant groups show selective CO2 adsorption over N2 and CH4, whereas those with longer alkoxy pendant groups barely adsorb CO2 at room temperature, which implies that the pendant doors of the MOFs should have an appropriate length for selective CO2 capture., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Chewing tobacco is a common practice in certain socio-economic sections of southern Asia, particularly in the Indian subcontinent and has been well associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. The molecular mechanisms of chewing tobacco which leads to malignancy remains unclear. In large majority of studies, short-term exposure to tobacco has been evaluated. From a biological perspective, however, long-term (chronic) exposure to tobacco mimics the pathogenesis of oral cancer more closely. We developed a cell line model to investigate the chronic effects of chewing tobacco. Chronic exposure to tobacco resulted in higher cellular proliferation and invasive ability of the normal oral keratinocytes (OKF6/TERT1). We carried out quantitative proteomic analysis of OKF6/TERT1 cells chronically treated with chewing tobacco compared to the untreated cells. We identified a total of 3,636 proteins among which expression of 408 proteins were found to be significantly altered. Among the overexpressed proteins, stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD) was found to be 2.6-fold overexpressed in the tobacco treated cells. Silencing/inhibition of SCD using its specific siRNA or inhibitor led to a decrease in cellular proliferation, invasion and colony forming ability of not only the tobacco treated cells but also in a panel of head and neck cancer cell lines. These findings suggest that chronic exposure to chewing tobacco induced carcinogenesis in non-malignant oral epithelial cells and SCD plays an essential role in this process. The current study provides evidence that SCD can act as a potential therapeutic target in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, especially in patients who are users of tobacco.

Background: The vitreous humor is a transparent, gelatinous mass whose main constituent is water. It plays an important role in providing metabolic nutrient requirements of the lens, coordinating eye growth and providing support to the retina. It is in close proximity to the retina and reflects many of the changes occurring in this tissue. The biochemical changes occurring in the vitreous could provide a better understanding about the pathophysiological processes that occur in vitreoretinopathy. In this study, we investigated the proteome of normal human vitreous humor using high resolution Fourier transform mass spectrometry., Results: The vitreous humor was subjected to multiple fractionation techniques followed by LC-MS/MS analysis. We identified 1,205 proteins, 682 of which have not been described previously in the vitreous humor. Most proteins were localized to the extracellular space (24%), cytoplasm (20%) or plasma membrane (14%). Classification based on molecular function showed that 27% had catalytic activity, 10% structural activity, 10% binding activity, 4% cell and 4% transporter activity. Categorization for biological processes showed 28% participate in metabolism, 20% in cell communication and 13% in cell growth. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD000957., Conclusion: This large catalog of vitreous proteins should facilitate biomedical research into pathological conditions of the eye including diabetic retinopathy, retinal detachment and cataract.

The hydrophobic effect plays a major role in a variety of important phenomena in chemistry, materials science and biology, for instance in protein folding and protein-ligand interactions. Studies--performed within cavities of the unique metal oxide based porous capsules of the type {(pentagon)12(linker)30}≡{(W)W5}12{Mo2(ligand)}30 with different acetate/water ligand ratios--have provided unprecedented results revealing segregation/repellency of the encapsulated "water" from the internal hydrophobic ligand walls of the capsules, while the disordered water molecules, interacting strongly with each other via hydrogen bonding, form in all investigated cases the same type of spherical shell. The present results can be (formally) compared--but only regarding the repellency effect--with the amazing "action" of the (super)hydrophobic Lotus (Nelumbo) leaves, which are self-cleaning based on water repellency resulting in the formation of water droplets picking up dirt. The present results were obtained by constructing deliberately suitable hydrophobic interiors within the mentioned capsules., (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Three three-dimensional coordination polymers, viz. poly[[diaqua-μ4-oxydiacetato-di-μ4-sulfato-dipraseodymium(III)] hemihydrate], [Pr2(C4H4O5)(SO4)2(H2O)2]·0.5H2O, (I), poly[[diaquadi-μ3-oxydiacetato-μ3-sulfato-dineodymium(III)] 1.32-hydrate], [Nd2(C4H4O5)2(SO4)(H2O)2]·1.32H2O, (II), and poly[[diaquadi-μ3-oxydiacetato-μ3-sulfato-disamarium(III)] 1.32-hydrate], [Sm2(C4H4O5)2(SO4)(H2O)2]·1.32H2O, (III), were obtained by hydrothermal reactions of the respective lanthanide oxides and ZnSO4 with oxydiacetic acid (odaH2). The Nd(3+) and Sm(3+) compounds form isomorphous crystal structures in which the lanthanide cations are nine-coordinate, having a tricapped trigonal prismatic coordination. The Pr(3+) compound has an entirely different crystal structure in which two types of coordination polyhedra are observed, viz. nine-coordinate (trigonal prism) and ten-coordinate (bicapped square antiprism). The sulfate anions show various coordination modes, one of which has only rarely been observed crystallographically to date.

Background: The ciliary body is the circumferential muscular tissue located just behind the iris in the anterior chamber of the eye. It plays a pivotal role in the production of aqueous humor, maintenance of the lens zonules and accommodation by changing the shape of the crystalline lens. The ciliary body is the major target of drugs against glaucoma as its inhibition leads to a drop in intraocular pressure. A molecular study of the ciliary body could provide a better understanding about the pathophysiological processes that occur in glaucoma. Thus far, no large-scale proteomic investigation has been reported for the human ciliary body., Results: In this study, we have carried out an in-depth LC-MS/MS-based proteomic analysis of normal human ciliary body and have identified 2,815 proteins. We identified a number of proteins that were previously not described in the ciliary body including importin 5 (IPO5), atlastin-2 (ATL2), B-cell receptor associated protein 29 (BCAP29), basigin (BSG), calpain-1 (CAPN1), copine 6 (CPNE6), fibulin 1 (FBLN1) and galectin 1 (LGALS1). We compared the plasma proteome with the ciliary body proteome and found that the large majority of proteins in the ciliary body were also detectable in the plasma while 896 proteins were unique to the ciliary body. We also classified proteins using pathway enrichment analysis and found most of proteins associated with ubiquitin pathway, EIF2 signaling, glycolysis and gluconeogenesis., Conclusions: More than 95% of the identified proteins have not been previously described in the ciliary body proteome. This is the largest catalogue of proteins reported thus far in the ciliary body that should provide new insights into our understanding of the factors involved in maintaining the secretion of aqueous humor. The identification of these proteins will aid in understanding various eye diseases of the anterior segment such as glaucoma and presbyopia.

Tetrairon(III) complexes known as "ferric stars" have been functionalized with azobenzene groups to investigate the effect of light-induced trans-cis isomerization on single-molecule magnet (SMM) behaviour. According to DC magnetic data and EPR spectroscopy, clusters dispersed in polystyrene (4% w/w) exhibit the same spin (S = 5) and magnetic anisotropy as bulk samples. Ligand photoisomerization, achieved by irradiation at 365 nm, has no detectable influence on static magnetic properties. However, it induces a small but significant acceleration of magnetic relaxation as probed by AC susceptometry. The pristine behaviour can be almost quantitatively recovered by irradiation with white light. Our studies demonstrate that magnetic and optical bistability can be made to coexist in SMM materials, which are of current interest in molecular spintronics.

In metal-organic framework (MOF) chemistry, interpenetration greatly affects the gas-sorption properties. However, there is a lack of a systematic study on how to control the interpenetration and whether the interpenetration enhances gas uptake capacities or not. Herein, we report an example of interpenetration that is simply controlled by the presence of a carbon-carbon double or single bond in identical organic building blocks, and provide a comparison of gas-sorption properties for these similar frameworks, which differ only in their degree of interpenetration. Noninterpenetrated (SNU-70) and doubly interpenetrated (SNU-71) cubic nets were prepared by a solvothermal reaction of [Zn(NO(3))(2)]⋅6 H(2)O in N,N-diethylformamide (DEF) with 4-(2-carboxyvinyl)benzoic acid and 4-(2-carboxyethyl)benzoic acid, respectively. They have almost-identical structures, but the noninterpenetrated framework has a much bigger pore size (ca. 9.0×9.0 Å) than the interpenetrated framework (ca. 2.5×2.5 Å). Activation of the MOFs by using supercritical CO(2) gave SNU-70' and SNU-71'. The simulation of the PXRD pattern of SNU-71' indicates the rearrangement of the interpenetrated networks on guest removal, which increases pore size. SNU-70' has a Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area of 5290 m(2) g(-1), which is the highest value reported to date for a MOF with a cubic-net structure, whereas SNU-71' has a BET surface area of 1770 m(2) g(-1). In general, noninterpenetrated SNU-70' exhibits much higher gas-adsorption capacities than interpenetrated SNU-71' at high pressures, regardless of the temperature. However, at P<1 atm, the gas-adsorption capacities for N(2) at 77 K and CO(2) at 195 K are higher for noninterpenetrated SNU-70' than for interpenetrated SNU-71', but the capacities for H(2) and CH(4) are the opposite; SNU-71' has higher uptake capacities than SNU-70' due to the higher isosteric heat of gas adsorption that results from the smaller pores. In particular, SNU-70' has exceptionally high H(2) and CO(2) uptake capacities. By using a post-synthetic method, the CC double bond in SNU-70 was quantitatively brominated at room temperature, and the MOF still showed very high porosity (BET surface area of 2285 m(2) g(-1))., (Copyright © 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), {[Cu(2)(bdcppi)(dmf)(2)]·10DMF·2H(2)O}(n) (SNU-50) and {[Zn(2)(bdcppi)(dmf)(3)]·6DMF·4H(2)O}(n) (SNU-51), have been prepared by the solvothermal reactions of N,N'-bis(3,5-dicarboxyphenyl)pyromellitic diimide (H(4)BDCPPI) with Cu(NO(3))(2) and Zn(NO(3))(2), respectively. Framework SNU-50 has an NbO-type net structure, whereas SNU-51 has a PtS-type net structure. Desolvated solid [Cu(2)(bdcppi)](n) (SNU-50'), which was prepared by guest exchange of SNU-50 with acetone followed by evacuation at 170 °C, adsorbs high amounts of N(2), H(2), O(2), CO(2), and CH(4) gases due to the presence of a vacant coordination site at every metal ion, and to the presence of imide groups in the ligand. The Langmuir surface area is 2450 m(2) g(-1). It adsorbs H(2) gas up to 2.10 wt% at 1 atm and 77 K, with zero coverage isosteric heat of 7.1 kJ mol(-1), up to a total of 7.85 wt% at 77 K and 60 bar. Its CO(2) and CH(4) adsorption capacities at 298 K are 77 wt% at 55 bar and 17 wt% at 60 bar, respectively. Of particular note is the O(2) adsorption capacity of SNU-50' (118 wt% at 77 K and 0.2 atm), which is the highest reported so far for any MOF. By metal-ion exchange of SNU-51 with Cu(II), {[Cu(2)(bdcppi)(dmf)(3)]·7DMF·5H(2)O}(n) (SNU-51-Cu(DMF)) with a PtS-type net was prepared, which could not be synthesized by a direct solvothermal reaction.

Three crystalline compounds, [Bi(2-O(2)C-C(5)H(4)N)(3)](n) (), {Bi[(2,6-O(2)C)(2)C(5)H(3)N)][(2-HO(2)C-6-O(2)C)C(5)H(3)N].H(2)O}(n) (3) and Bi(O(2)CC(9)H(6)N)(2)(O(3)N)(O(2)CC(9)H(6)NH).2H(2)O () have been prepared by simple reactions in aqueous medium using the readily available bismuth nitrate and the corresponding acids, picolinic acid, dipicolinic acid and quinaldic acid. While and are coordination polymers with bismuth in tricapped trigonal prismatic and dodecahedral environments, compound is a monomeric species with dodecahedral geometry at bismuth. Compound represents a second crystalline form of a recently reported structure with subtle differences in bond parameters, and highlights the flexibility in structural motifs during crystallization. Compound involves skeletons with dimeric [Bi(2)O(2)] and trimeric [BiOCOBiOBiOCO] moieties. In , while the N-protonated carboxylate forms a four-membered chelate ring with bismuth, the other two carboxylates form five-membered ring chelates with the nitrate accounting for the remaining two sites again as a chelate. TGA studies are consistent with the presence of non-coordinated water in and . Compounds and , although insoluble in most of the organic solvents and water, are readily soluble in dilute hydrochloric acid.

A series of new heterometallic compounds containing cerium(IV) and lanthanide(III) with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (dipicH(2)) have been synthesized. Depending on the Ln(III) ion and preparation conditions, we obtained four types of compounds. Type-I: one-dimensional coordination polymer, [Ln(dipicH)(H(2)O)(4)Ce(dipic)(3)].7H(2)O; Ln = La (1), Ce (2), or Pr (3). Type-II: ionic compound, [Ln(dipicH)(H(2)O)(6)][Ce(dipic)(3)].7H(2)O; Ln = Nd (4), Sm (5), Eu (6), Gd (7), or Dy (8). Type-III: octanuclear cluster incorporating a six-membered coordination ring, [Ln(H(2)O)(7)Ln(dipic)(H(2)O)(4)(Ce(dipic)(3))(2)](2).nH(2)O; Ln = La (9) n = 24, Ce (10) n = 24, Pr (11) n = 24, or Nd (12) n = 26. Type-IV: hexanuclear cluster incorporating a four-membered coordination ring, [(Ln(H(2)O)(5))(2)(Ce(dipic)(3))(4)(2H(+))].nH(2)O; Ln = Nd (13) n = 34, Sm (14) n = 26, Eu (15) n = 26, or Gd (16) n = 26. Crystal structures were determined for compounds 1-16. Tb and heavier lanthanides all form compounds isomorphous with Type-IV compounds. The observed structural variety is a consequence of the interplay of lanthanide contraction and kinetic effects involving water molecules, free as well as clusters, ranging in size from 6 to 26. A metal-centered luminescence sensitized by dipic ligand was observed in compounds containing Eu(III) and Dy(III) ions. Direct chelation, as opposed to bridging coordination, leads to enhanced luminescence. Resolved EPR spectra were observed for the Gd(III) compounds which are dependent on the coordination environment.

The photophysical properties of axial-bonding types (terpyridoxy)aluminum(III) porphyrin (Al(PTP)), bis(terpyridoxy)tin(IV) porphyrin (Sn(PTP) 2), and bis(terpyridoxy)phosphorus(V) porphyrin ([P(PTP) 2] (+)) are reported. Compared with their hydroxy analogues, the fluorescence quantum yields and singlet-state lifetimes were found to be lower for Sn(PTP) 2 and [P(PTP) 2] (+), whereas no difference was observed for Al(PTP). At low temperature, all of the compounds show spin-polarized transient electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectra that are assigned to the lowest excited triplet state of the porphyrin populated by intersystem crossing. In contrast, at room temperature, a triplet radical-pair spectrum that decays to the porphyrin triplet state with a lifetime of 175 ns is observed for [P(PTP) 2] (+), whereas no spin-polarized TREPR spectrum is found for Sn(PTP) 2 and only the porphyrin triplet populated by intersystem crossing is seen for Al(PTP). These results clarify the role of the internal molecular structure and the reduction potential for electron transfer from the terpyridine ligand to the excited porphyrin. It is argued that the efficiency of this process is dependent on the oxidation state of the metal/metalloid present in the porphyrin and the reorganization energy of the solvent.

STONE MANAGEMENT IN HORSESHOE KIDNEYS IS CHALLENGING: percutaneous nephrolithotripsy is a safe and effective procedure in the treatment of large stones within horseshoe kidneys. Simultaneous bilateral PCNL has been described with a single surgeon operating sequentially on one renal unit following the other under the same anesthetic. We describe synchronized bilateral PCNL by two operating teams in tandem for a patient with bilateral stag horn calculi associated with a horseshoe kidney.

We have used total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM) to investigate the characteristics of the yeast homologous recombination factor Rdh54 on DNA. Our results demonstrate translocation of Rdh54 on DNA and extrusion of DNA loops by Rdh54 in an ATP hydrolysis-dependent manner. The translocating Rdh54 was highly processive and displayed a variety of behavior, including variations in translocation rate and distance, pauses, and reversals. We provide evidence that the DNA loops generated encompass an average of 6 kb, and Rdh54 often abruptly releases the extruded DNA. Rdh54 forms a multimeric complex, which we speculate has at least two functionally distinct DNA-binding sites, one of which enables translocation while the other remains anchored to another DNA locale. Our work, together with other recent studies, suggests that translocation-coupled DNA loop extrusion is a common mechanistic feature among the Snf2-family of chromatin-remodeling proteins.

A novel series of cationic amphiphiles based on dialkyl glutamides with cationic pyridinium head group were synthesized as potential gene delivery agents. Four cationic lipids with glutamide as linker and varying chain lengths were tested for their transfection efficiency in three cell lines. The DNA-lipid complexes were characterized for their ability to bind to DNA, protection from nuclease digestion, size, zeta-potential, and toxicity. All four lipids demonstrated efficient transfection in MCF-7, COS, and HeLa cells, and the reporter gene expression was much higher with DOPE as the helper lipid in the formulation when compared to cholesterol. Among these 14-carbon lipids, lipid 2 has shown the highest transfection efficiency, complete protection of DNA from nuclease digestion, and low toxicity. Interestingly, lipid 2 has also shown remarkable enhancement in transfection in the presence of serum.

Rad51 is the core component of the eukaryotic homologous recombination machinery and assembles into extended nucleoprotein filaments on DNA. To study the dynamic behavior of Rad51 we have developed a single-molecule assay that relies on a combination of hydrodynamic force and microscale diffusion barriers to align individual DNA molecules on the surface of a microfluidic sample chamber that is coated with a lipid bilayer. When visualized with total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM), these "molecular curtains" allow for the direct visualization of hundreds of individual DNA molecules. Using this approach, we have analyzed the binding of human Rad51 to single molecules of double-stranded DNA under a variety of different reaction conditions by monitoring the extension of the fluorescently labeled DNA, which coincides with assembly of the nucleoprotein filament. We have also generated several mutants in conserved regions of Rad51 implicated in DNA binding, and tested them for their ability to assemble into extended filaments. We show that proteins with mutations within the DNA-binding surface located on the N-terminal domain still retain the ability to form extended nucleoprotein filaments. Mutations in the L1 loop, which projects towards the central axis of the filament, completely abolish assembly of extended filaments. In contrast, most mutations within or near the L2 DNA-binding loop, which is also located near the central axis of the filament, do not affect the ability of the protein to assemble into extended filaments on double-stranded (ds)DNA. Taken together, these results demonstrate that the L1-loop plays a crucial role in the assembly of extended nucleoprotein filaments on dsDNA, but the N-terminal domain and the L2 DNA-binding loop have significantly less impact on this process. The results presented here also provide an important initial framework for beginning to study the biochemical behaviors of Rad51 nucleoprotein filaments using our novel experimental system.

The title compound, [Fe2O(SO4)2(C10H8N2)4], crystallizes as two different hydrates, viz. 11H2O, (I), and 15H2O, (II). The complex is binuclear, in which the two FeIII atoms are coordinated in an octahedral geometry to four N atoms from the two bipyridine ligands, to one O atom from the sulfate ion and to an oxide ion on a twofold axis, which acts as a bridge between the symmetry-related units. The Fe...Fe separation is 3.556 (4) A and the Fe-O-Fe angle is 161.6 (2) degrees in (I); the corresponding values are 3.544 (1) A and 165.8 (2) degrees in (II). In (II), one of the O atoms of the sulfate ion is disordered over two positions. In both compounds, the solvent water molecules form slightly different one-dimensional hydrogen-bonded networks which pass along the c axis of the unit cell. In (I), three solvent water molecules and, in (II), one solvent water molecule, are situated on the twofold axis. In both (I) and (II), the central O atom of the metal complex lies on a twofold axis.

An unappreciated aspect of many single-molecule techniques is the need for an inert surface to which individual molecules can be anchored without compromising their biological integrity. Here, we present new methods for tethering large DNA molecules to the surface of a microfluidic sample chamber that has been rendered inert by the deposition of a supported lipid bilayer. These methods take advantage of the "bio-friendly" environment provided by zwitterionic lipids, but still allow the DNA molecules to be anchored at fixed positions on the surface. We also demonstrate a new method for constructing parallel arrays of individual DNA molecules assembled at defined positions on a bilayer-coated, fused silica surface. By using total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy to visualize the arrays, it is possible to simultaneously monitor hundreds of aligned DNA molecules within a single field-of-view. These molecular arrays will significantly increase the throughput capacity of single-molecule, fluorescence-based detection methods by allowing parallel processing of multiple individual reaction trajectories.

2-(2-Aminoethyl)pyridine (2-aep, C7H10N2) acts as a bridging ligand in bis[mu-2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine-kappa(2)N:N']disilver(I) dinitrate, [Ag2(2-aep)2](NO3)2, and bis[mu-2-(2-aminoethyl)pyridine-kappa(2)N:N']disilver(I) diperchlorate, [Ag2(2-aep)2](ClO4)2. Both salts contain the dinuclear [Ag2(2-aep)2]2+ cation, which possesses a crystallographic inversion center. The Ag...Ag distance is 3.1163 (5) A for the nitrate and 3.0923 (3) A for the perchlorate salt, and may indicate a weak d(10)-d(10) interaction in each case. Essentially linear coordination of the AgI atom is perturbed by weak coordination to the anionic O atoms. These latter interactions organize the dinuclear cations into one-dimensional polymeric chains in the crystals of the two salts.

Variation in transfection efficiency observed in different cell-types is poorly understood. To investigate the influence of endocytic activity on lipid-mediated transfections, we have monitored both the processes in 12 different cell-types. The endocytic activity shows a strong positive correlation (P < 0.01), with transfection efficiency. Treatment with wortmannin resulted in cell-type-dependent inhibition of transfection. Studies on M-phase cells by confocal microscopy show that compared to interphase cells, uptake of cationic liposomes was substantially reduced. In addition, transfection efficiency of cells in mitotic phase was inhibited by >70% compared to controls. Our study based on several cell-types demonstrates for the first time that quantitative aspects of endocytosis have decisive influence on the overall process of lipid-mediated transgene expression.

Sigma receptors are membrane-bound proteins that are overexpressed in certain human malignancies including breast cancer. These receptors show very high affinity for various sigma ligands including neuroleptics like haloperidol. We hypothesized that in associating haloperidol-linked lipid into the cationic lipid-DNA complex, we can specifically target and deliver genes to breast cancer cells that overexpress sigma receptors. In the present study, haloperidol was chemically modified to conjugate at the distal end of the polyethylene glycollinked phospholipid, which was then incorporated into the cationic liposome known to condense and deliver genes inside cells. The resulting haloperidol-conjugated targeted lipoplex showed at least 10-fold higher (p < 0.001) reporter gene expression in MCF-7 cells than control lipoplex. The reporter gene expression of the targeted lipoplex was significantly blocked by haloperidol (p < 0.001) and by another sigma ligand, 1,3-ditolylguanidine (p < 0.001) in the majority of cationic lipid to DNA charge ratios (+/-). Spironolactone-mediated sigma receptor down-regulation enabled MCF-7 to show 10-fold lower transgene expression with targeted lipoplex compared with that obtained in spironolactone-untreated cells. The targeted lipoplex generated nonspecific gene expression in sigma receptor-nonexpressing human cancer cells such as Hela, KB, HepG2, and Chinese hamster ovary cells. Moreover, the transgene expression remained unabated in physiologically relevant serum concentrations. This is the first study to demonstrate that haloperidol-targeted gene delivery systems can mediate efficient targeting of genes to sigma receptor-overexpressing breast cancer cells, thereby becoming a novel class of therapeutics for the treatment of human cancers.

One of the steps that limit transfection efficiency in non-viral gene delivery is inefficient nuclear import of plasmid DNA, once it has been delivered into the cytoplasm. Recently, via microinjection into the cytoplasm and in situ hybridizations into a few cell types, it was shown that a region of Simian virus 40(SV40), specifically a c. 372-bp fragment of SV40 genomic DNA encompassing the SV40 promoter-enhancer-origin of replication (SV40 DTS), could enable the nuclear import of a plasmid carrying these sequences (Dean D.A. Exp. Cell Res. 230 (1997) 293). In this report, we address the issue of the suitability of the SV40 DTS for cationic lipid-mediated gene delivery, and its capacity to improve the efficiency of the transfection process. For this study, we used transient reporter gene expression assays on various cell types. The gene expression from the plasmid constructs carrying the SV40 DTS varied with cell type and plasmid construct used. Such cell-type and plasmid-construct dependency on gene expression from plasmids containing the SV40 DTS suggests that the gene expression from plasmids is not entirely dependent on its ability to enhance the nuclear import of said plasmids.

Cationic lipids and cationic polymers are widely used in gene delivery. Using 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP) as a cationic lipid, we have investigated the stability of the DNA in DOTAP:DNA complexes by probing with potassium permanganate (KMnO4). Interestingly, thymidines followed by a purine showed higher susceptibility to cationic ligand-mediated melting. Similar studies performed with other water-soluble cationic ligands such as polylysine, protamine sulfate and polyethyleneimine also demonstrated melting of the DNA but with variations. Small cations such as spermine and spermidine and a cationic detergent, cetyl trimethylammonium bromide, also rendered the DNA susceptible to modification by KMnO4. The data presented here provide direct proof for melting of DNA upon interaction with cationic lipids. Structural changes subsequent to binding of cationic lipids/ligands to DNA may lead to instability and formation of DNA bubbles in double-stranded DNA.

Lipid/DNA complexes or Lipoplexes have been characterized by various biochemical and biophysical methods to understand the physical basis of transfection. Here we have addressed the effect of cationic liposomes, 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium-propane (DOTAP), on transcription of DNA templates in vitro. Transcriptional activity of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase at DNA templates complexed with the cationic lipid varied as a function of charge ratio of lipid/DNA. At low charge ratios of 0.3:1 lipid/DNA and up to 1:1, we observed stimulation in transcription, while at higher charge ratios of lipid/DNA 3:1, complete inhibition in the activity occurred. Cetyl tri-methyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), a cationic detergent, and polyethylenimine (PEI), a cationic polymer, also bring about similar changes although to a lesser extent. The stimulation in transcription motivated us to probe into the molecular nature of the lipid/DNA interactions by absorbance spectroscopy and circular dichroism (CD). Upon interaction with lipids, hyperchromicity and susceptibility to micrococcal nuclease has increased, which suggests that the DNA was partially denatured. On complexation with the cationic lipid (DOTAP), the magnitude of the positive band in CD spectra decreased, accompanied with a red shift, as a function of charge ratio. Results from spectroscopic and enzyme assays suggest that at low charge ratios DNA may be partially unwound.

Geranoyl-CoA carboxylase (EC 6.4.1.4) is a biotin-containing enzyme previously described in two genera of bacteria. Here we report the presence of geranoyl-CoA carboxylase in kingdom Plantae. Geranoyl-CoA carboxylase was purified 180-fold from maize leaves. The enzyme has a biotin-containing subunit of 122 kDa. The pH optimum for activity is 8.3. The apparent Km values for the substrates geranoyl-CoA, bicarbonate, and ATP are 64 +/- 5 microM, 0. 58 +/- 0.04 mM, and 8.4 +/- 0.4 microM, respectively. Subcellular fractionations indicate that geranoyl-CoA carboxylase is located in plastids. Geranoyl-CoA carboxylase activity is ubiquitous in organs of monocots and dicots and varies with development. We postulate that geranoyl-CoA carboxylase plays an important role in isoprenoid catabolism in plants, in a pathway analogous to that shown in Psuedomonas sp. In plants, this catabolic pathway would require the interaction of at least three subcellular compartments (plastids, microbodies, and mitochondria) and two biotin-containing enzymes, geranoyl-CoA carboxylase and 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase., (Copyright 1999 Academic Press.)

The mechanisms of chilling acclimation and the role of antioxidant enzymes, catalase in particular, in inducing chilling tolerance in pre-emergent maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings have been investigated. Seedlings were acclimated to chilling stress in two different ways. Three-day-old seedlings did not survive 7 d of 4[deg]C stress unless acclimated by exposure to either 14[deg]C for 1 d or 4[deg]C for 1 d followed by recovery at 27[deg]C for 1 d. Although no changes in superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase activities were observed, both kinds of acclimated seedlings had higher catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase, and guaiacol peroxidase activities compared with nonacclimated seedlings during low-temperature stress and recovery conditions. To study the role of CAT in chilling tolerance, aminotriazole (AT) was used as a tool to artificially inhibit CAT activity and to initiate oxidative stress in the seedlings. Treatment of acclimating seedlings with 3 mM AT for 18 h abolished the acclimation phenomenon. AT treatment was found to be specific to CAT inhibition, because the total activities or isozyme profiles of the other investigated antioxidant enzymes were not altered in AT-treated seedlings. Protein carbonyl content, an indication of oxidative damage, was increased 2-fold in nonacclimated and AT-treated acclimated seedlings. These results collectively indicate that acclimation to prolonged chilling stress can be achieved by briefly pre-exposing the seedlings to 4[deg]C chilling stress and that acclimation-induced (oxidative stress-induced) CAT seems to play a major role, probably along with other antioxidant enzymes, in inducing chilling tolerance in pre-emergent maize seedlings.

The response of antioxidants to acclimation and chilling in various tissues of dark-grown maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings was examined in relation to chilling tolerance and protection from chilling-induced oxidative stress. Chilling caused an accumulation of H2O2 in both the coleoptile + leaf and the mesocotyl (but not roots), and acclimation prevented this accumulation. None of the antioxidant enzymes were significantly affected by acclimation or chilling in the coleoptile + leaf or root. However, elevated levels of glutathione in acclimated seedlings may contribute to an enhanced ability to scavenge H2O2 in the coleoptile + leaf. In the mesocotyl (visibly most susceptible to chilling), catalase3 was elevated in acclimated seedlings and may represent the first line of defense from mitochondria-generated H2O2. Nine of the most prominent peroxidase isozymes were induced by acclimation, two of which were located in the cell wall, suggesting a role in lignification. Lignin content was elevated in mesocotyls of acclimated seedlings, likely improving the mechanical strength of the mesocotyl. One cytosolic glutathione reductase isozyme was greatly decreased in acclimated seedlings, whereas two others were elevated, possibly resulting in improved effectiveness of the enzyme at low temperature. When taken together, these responses to acclimation illustrate the potential ways in which chilling tolerance may be improved in preemergent maize seedlings.

We present evidence of two peroxidases in maize (Zea mays L.) mitochondria. One of these uses guaiacol and the other uses cytochrome c as the electron donor. Treatments of fresh mitochondria with protease(s) indicate that ascorbate and glutathione peroxidases are likely bound to the mitochondria as cytosolic contaminants, whereas guaiacol and cytochrome peroxidases are localized within the mitochondria. These two mitochondrial peroxidases are distinct from contaminant peroxidases and mitochondrial electron transport enzymes. Cytochrome peroxidase is present within the mitochondrial membranes, whereas guaiacol peroxidase is loosely bound to the mitochondrial envelope. Unlike other cellular guaiacol peroxidases, mitochondrial guaiacol peroxidase is not glycosylated. Digestion of lysed mitochondria with trypsin activated mitochondrial guaiacol peroxidase but inhibited cytochrome peroxidase. Isoelectric focusing gel analysis indicated guaiacol peroxidase as a major isozyme (isoelectric point 6.8) that is also activated by trypsin. No change in the mobility of guaiacol peroxidase due to trypsin treatment on native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was observed. Although both peroxidases are induced by chilling acclimation treatments (14[deg]C), only cytochrome peroxidase is also induced by chilling (4[deg]C). Because chilling induces oxidative stress in the maize seedlings and the mitochondria are a target for oxidative stress injury, we suggest that mitochondrial peroxidases play a role similar to catalase in protecting mitochondria from oxidative damage.

Our previous results indicated that 3-d-old dark-grown chilling-sensitive maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings did not survive 7 d of 4[deg]C chilling stress, but 69% of them survived similar stress when the seedlings were either preexposed to 14[deg]C for 3 d or pretreated with 0.1 mM H2O2 for 4 h at 27[deg]C (T.K. Prasad, M.D. Anderson, B.A. Martin, C.R. Stewart [1994] Plant Cell 6: 65-74) or 1 mM abscisic acid (ABA) for 24 h at 27[deg]C (M.D. Anderson, T.K. Prasad, B.A. Martin, C.R. Stewart [1994] Plant Physiol 105: 331-339). We discovered that chilling imposed oxidative stress on the seedlings. Since H2O2 accumulated during the periods of both acclimation and nonacclimation, we concluded that H2O2 had dual effects at low temperature: (a) During acclimation, its early transient accumulation signals the induction of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase 3 and peroxidase to scavenge H2O2; and (b) at 4[deg]C in nonacclimated seedlings, it accumulates to damaging levels in the tissues because of low levels of these and perhaps other antioxidant enzymes. Three-day-old seedlings pretreated with H2O2 (a mild oxidative stress) or ABA showed induced chilling tolerance. In the present study, we investigated whether mitochondria are a target for chilling-induced oxidative stress and, if so, what differences do acclimation, H2O2, or ABA make to protect mitochondria from irreversible chilling injury. The results indicated that chilling, in general, impairs respiratory activity, the cytochrome pathway of electron transport, and ATPase activity regardless of the treatment. In pretreated seedlings, the activities of catalase 3 and peroxidase in the mitochondria increased severalfold compared with control and nonacclimated seedlings. The increases in these antioxidant enzymes imply that mitochondria are under oxidative stress and such increases could initiate a protective mechanism in the mitochondria. Mitochondrial respiration is partially cyanide resistant during chilling stress and also after the 1st d of recovery. Upon further recovery over 3 d, in contrast to nonacclimated seedlings, the mitochondria of acclimation-, H2O2-, and ABA-treated seedlings showed the following recovery features. (a) The mitochondrial respiration changed from a cyanide-resistant to a cyanide-sensitive cytochrome pathway, (b) cytochrome oxidase activity recovered to control levels, (c) the ability of mitochondria to generate ATP was regained, and (d) the antioxidant enzyme activities remained at or above control levels. Based on these results, we conclude that chilling impairs mitochondrial function and that chilling-induced oxidative stress seems to be a factor, at least in part, for causing possible irreversible damage to the mitochondrial membrance components. Acclimation, H2O2, and ABA provide a protective mechanism by inducing antioxidant enzymes to protect mitochondria from irreversible oxidative damage that is absent in nonacclimated seedlings. Therefore, we conclude that the ability of the seedlings to recover from chilling injury is, at least in part, due to the ability of the mitochondria to resume normal function.

An acclimation phenomenon was characterized in seedlings of chilling-sensitive maize (Zea mays L.) inbred G50 (Pioneer). Seedlings were germinated at 27[deg]C for 3 d and then exposed to chilling treatments of 4, 5, or 6[deg]C for 2, 4, 7, or 10 d in darkness. Damage symptoms in the more severe treatments included a waterlogged appearance and a discoloration of the tissue. The symptoms were most obvious in the mesocotyl. After a 10-d grow-out period in the greenhouse, moderately damaged seedlings exhibited chlorotic areas, an occasional disruption in leaf expansion, and a constriction of the mesocotyl. Growth and survival were improved by first exposing seedlings to a 14[deg]C acclimation treatment for 3 d before applying the chilling treatment. After chilling at 5[deg]C for 7 d, 79% of the acclimated seedlings survived, whereas only 22% of the nonacclimated seedlings survived. Differences in gene expression between acclimated and control seedlings were investigated using subtraction and differential screening techniques. Transcripts corresponding to three genes, car333, car30, and car757 (chilling acclimation responsive), were present in higher levels in seedlings after acclimation. Sequence analysis identified car333 as cat3, which encodes maize mitochondrial catalase isozyme 3. Characterization of these three clones revealed that all corresponding transcripts were elevated in acclimated seedlings in a manner that depended on the organ, i.e. coleoptile, mesocotyl, or root. Although transcripts were elevated in all three organs in response to acclimation, car30 was most abundant in the coleoptile and root, whereas cat3 and car757 were most abundant in the coleoptile and mesocotyl. Catalase activity followed the same general trend as cat3 transcript levels. Exogenous treatment with abscisic acid (ABA) resulted in an improvement in growth and survival of nonacclimated, chilled seedlings. Inhibition of ABA biosynthesis with fluridone abolished acclimation-induced chilling tolerance, and exogenous application of ABA to fluridone-treated seedlings restored chilling tolerance. Exogenous ABA treatment also resulted in increases in cat3, car30, and car757 transcript levels and catalase activity in the same organ-specific manner as in acclimated seedlings. These results indicate that ABA synthesis is essential for chilling tolerance. However, measurement of ABA levels in mesocotyls during acclimation and chilling revealed only a marginal increase during acclimation and a dramatic increase during chilling, regardless of whether or not seedlings were acclimated. Thus, although ABA may be required for chilling tolerance, we have no conclusive evidence that the acclimation process is mediated by ABA.