Descripción: Aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) share several physicochemical characteristics and they both bind to transferrin (Tf), entering the cell via Tf receptors (TfR). Previously, we found similar values of affinity constant for the binding of TfR to Tf carrying either Al or Fe. The competitive interaction between both metals prevented normal Fe incorporation into K562 cells and triggered the upregulation of Fe transport. In the present work we demonstrated that Al modified Fe uptake without affecting the expression of Tf receptors. Both TfR and TfR2 mRNA levels, evaluated by RT-PCR, and TfR antigenic sites, analyzed by flow cytometry, were found unchanged after Al exposure. In turn, Al did induce upregulation of non-Tf bound Fe (NTBI) uptake. This modulation was not due to intracellular Fe decrease since NTBI transport proved not to be regulated by Fe depletion. Unlike its behavior in the presence of Tf, Al was unable to compete with NTBI uptake, suggesting that both metals do not share the same alternative transport pathway. We propose that Al interference with TfR-mediated Fe incorporation might trigger the upregulation of NTBI uptake, an adaptation aimed at incorporating the essential metal required for cellular metabolism without allowing the simultaneous access of a potentially toxic metal. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Descripción: Glucocorticoids are potent regulators of the innate immune response, and alteration in this inhibitory feedback has detrimental consequences for the neural tissue. This study profiled and investigated functionally candidate genes mediating this switch between cell survival and death during an acute inflammatory reaction subsequent to the absence of glucocorticoid signaling. Oligonucleotide microarray analysis revealed that following lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intracerebral administration at striatum level, more modulated genes presented transcription impairment than exacerbation upon glucocorticoid receptor blockage. Among impaired genes we identified ceruloplasmin (Cp), which plays a key role in iron metabolism and is implicated in a neurodegenative disease. Microglial and endothelial induction of Cp is a natural neuroprotective mechanism during inflammation, because Cp-deficient mice exhibited increased iron accumulation and demyelination when exposed to LPS and neurovascular reactivity to pneumococcal meningitis. This study has identified genes that can play a critical role in programming the innate immune response, helping to clarify the mechanisms leading to protection or damage during inflammatory conditions in the CNS. © 2007 Glezer et al.

Descripción: An analysis of the abundances of the Silicon star HD 206653 is presented using an ATLAS9 model atmosphere and observational material taken with a REOSC echelle spectrograph attached to the Jorge Sahade 2.15 m telescope at CASLEO. The light elements are solar or deficient except silicon which is overabundant by a factor of 5. The iron peak elements are all overabundant by factors between 10 and 50. Sr and Y are around 1000 times the solar values. Among the Rare Earths only Ce and Eu are identified; both are overabundant by large factors.

Descripción: 1. 1. The present work undertakes a comparative study on the hexachlorobenzene (HCB) porphyria induction in female rats of Wistar and CHBBTHOM strains. The purpose was to characterize the CHBBTHOM strain with respect to the haem metabolic pathway, its regulatory mechanisms and its response to foreign drugs. 2. 2. After 7 weeks of treatment it was observed that the hepatic porphyrins increased 140 times, ALA-synthase 4 times and PCL was 73% inhibited in the Wistar strain. 3. 3. On the other hand the animals of CHBBTHOM strain showed lesser alteration on these parameters; hepatic porphyrins increased only 3-fold, ALA-synthase 1.7-fold and PCL was only 22% inhibited. 4. 4. Total iron liver content was nearly equal in both strains of rats. 5. 5. The results obtained would indicate that the lower susceptibility of the CHBBTHOM strain to acquire porphyria does not seem to be due to either: (1) congenital alterations of any parameters of the haem metabolic pathway, since the behaviour of normal animals from both strains was similar; or (2) a lower hepatic iron content in such animals. 6. 6. These findings would suggest that the differential response to HCB to this strain would be looked for in another metabolic pathway, such as that involved in the metabolization process of the toxic. © 1989.

Descripción: 1. 1. Effects of various factors on chlorophyll, porphyrin and protein content, growth and on the activities of the enzymes involved in the earlier stages of tetrapyrrole synthesis, in cultured soybean cells, were studied. 2. 2. When dark-grown callus was exposed to light, it was found that the amount of porphyrins formed was not altered, but chlorophyll content as well as Succinyl CoA Synthetase (Suc.CoA-S), Aminolevulic Acid Synthetase (ALA-S), Aminolevulic Acid Dehydratase (ALA-D) and Porphobilinogenase (PBGase) activities increased. 3. 3. Addition of Aminolevulic Acid (ALA) to the medium culture, was found to stimulate porphyrin accumulation and to prevent growth; however chlorophyll content was not significantly modified. ALA-S was inhibited while both ALA-D and PBGase activities were enhanced. The action of puromycin and mitomycin added along with ALA to the media, was also studied, but neither of these inhibitors modified much the effects produced by ALA. 4. 4. Addition of Porphobilinogen (PBG), showed accumulation of uroporphyrin in the tissue; except inhibition of ALA-S, enzymes activities, protein and chlorophyll content were not modified. Evidence obtained would indicate that callus tissue was not permeable to PBG. 5. 5. Omission of iron from the culture medium, produced porphyrin accumulation and prevented growth. It has been consistently found that, the higher the content of porphyrins, the less the callus growth. Coproporphyrin was the major component of the porphyrins formed in ALA supplemented or iron deficient media. ALA-S and ALA-D were reduced under iron deficiency. 6. 6. The addition of ATP to the media, did not affect porphyrin, protein, and chlorophyll synthesis, growth or ALA-D, but Suc.CoA-S, ALA-S and PBGase activities diminished. 7. 7. Gibberelic acid produced a measurable increase of PBGase, while diminished Suc.CoA-S and ALA-S. 8. 8. Succinate increased growth and inhibited ALA-S and ALA-D. 9. 9. Carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazine (CCCP), added to the medium produced accumulation of porphyrins, consequently, ALA-S was greatly inhibited and growth prevented. PBGase was also diminished. 10. 10. Coproporphyrinogenase and Decarboxylases activities were hardly detected in most experiments, and are limiting. 11. 11. The complex pattern of results obtained is discussed. © 1975.

Descripción: Frataxin (FXN) is an α/β protein that plays an essential role in iron homeostasis. Apparently, the function of human FXN (hFXN) depends on the cooperative formation of crucial interactions between helix α1, helix α2, and the C-terminal region (CTR) of the protein. In this work we quantitatively explore these relationships using a purified recombinant fragment hFXN90-195. This variant shows the hydrodynamic behavior expected for a monomeric globular domain. Circular dichroism, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopies show that hFXN90-195 presents native-like secondary and tertiary structure. However, chemical and temperature induced denaturation show that CTR truncation significantly destabilizes the overall hFXN fold. Accordingly, limited proteolysis experiments suggest that the native-state dynamics of hFXN90-195 and hFXN90-210 are indeed different, being the former form much more sensitive to the protease at specific sites. The overall folding dynamics of hFXN fold was further explored with structure-based protein folding simulations. These suggest that the native ensemble of hFXN can be decomposed in at least two substates, one with consolidation of the CTR and the other without consolidation of the CTR. Explicit-solvent all atom simulations identify some of the proteolytic target sites as flexible regions of the protein. We propose that the local unfolding of CTR may be a critical step for the global unfolding of hFXN, and that modulation of the CTR interactions may strongly affect hFXN physiological function. © 2012 Roman et al.

Descripción: Although hypoxia-inducible factor-α (HIFα) subunit-specific hydroxylation and proteolytic breakdown explain the binary switch between the presence (hypoxia) and absence (normoxia) of HIFs, little is known of the mechanisms that fine-tune HIF activity under constant, rather than changing, oxygen tensions. Here, we report that the Drosophila HIFα homolog, the basic helix-loop-helix/PAS protein Sima (Similar), in hypoxic cultures of SL2 cells is expressed in full-length (fl) and splice variant (sv) isoforms. The following evidence supports the role of flSima as functional HIFα and the role of SL2 HIF as a transcriptional activator or suppressor. The pO2 dependence of Sima abundance matched that of HIF activity. HIF-dependent changes in candidate target gene expression were detected through variously effective stimuli: hypoxia (strong) > iron chelation, e.g. desferrioxamine (moderate) ≪ transition metals, e.g. cobalt ≃ normoxia (ineffective). Sima overexpression augmented hypoxic induction or suppression of different targets. In addition to the full-length exon 1-12 transcript yielding the 1510-amino acid HIFα homolog, the sima gene also expressed, specifically under hypoxia, an exon 1-7/12 splice variant, which translated into a 426-amino acid Sima truncation termed svSima. svSima contains basic helix-loop-helix and PAS sequences identical to those of flSima, but, because of deletion of exons 8-11, lacks the oxygen-dependent degradation domain and nuclear localization signals. Overexpressed svSima failed to transactivate reporter genes. However, it attenuated HIF (Sima-Tango)-stimulated reporter expression in a dose-dependent manner. Thus, svSima has the potential to regulate Drosophila HIF function under steady and hypoxic pO2 by creating a cytosolic sink for the Sima partner protein Tango.

Descripción: An analysis of the abundances of the helium-weak CP stars HD 19400, HD 34797 and HD 35456, is presented using ATLAS9 model atmospheres and observational material taken with a REOSC echelle spectrograph attached to the Jorge Sahade 2.15 m telescope at CASLEO. The light elements are deficient except silicon which is overabundant in HD 19400 and HD 34797. The iron peak elements are all overabundant by factors between 5 and 60. The heavy elements show an overabundance in the three stars studied.

Descripción: 1. 1. δ-Aminolaevulinate synthetase has been detected in extracts of soybean callus tissues and the enzyme activity reached its maximum when callus were 11 days old. 2. 2. The presence of a compound which seems to control δ-aminolaevulinate synthetase activity was demonstrated. The enzyme was present in the soluble fraction and was very labile. 3. 3. When crude extracts or 500 × g supernatant were stored at 4-6°, the apparent activity of δ-aminolaevulinate synthetase increased by as much as 3-6 times, while the activities of δ-aminolaevulinate dehydratase and succinyl-CoA synthetase did not significantly change during the storage. Activation was dependent on concentrations of cells suspensions during disruption and aging. 4. 4. Gel filtration with Sephadex G-25 of 2000 × g supernatants produced an enzyme fraction 30% more active. An increase in enzyme activity was observed when dark-grown callus were exposed to light. 5. 5. The addition of ATP, gibberellic acid and δ-aminolaevulinate to the culture media diminished activity; iron deficiency also produced an δ-aminolaevulinate synthetase less active. © 1971.

Descripción: These concretions form discrete spherical bodies 2 to 20 cm in sizes, within medium grained massive sandstone (arkosic arenite). Three concentric zones are recognized: a) dark green to black core composed of quartz and feldespar cemented by illite and roscoellite, b) an intermediate pale red zone of hematite-coated quartz, and c) a white, iron-leached outer zone. Edax and ICP analyses reveal high concentrations of vanadium mainly in zones a) and b) (60340 and 2582 ppm respectivily), uranium (237 and 163 ppm), rubidium (252ppm) and copper (178ppm). The concretions are interpreted as formed under eodiagenetic conditions before the development of haematite cement which gave the red colour to the host rock.

Descripción: Magnetic elastic structured composites were prepared by using CoFe 2O4 ferromagnetic and superparamagnetic nanoparticles as fillers in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrixes, which were cured in the presence of a uniform magnetic field. Cobalt-iron oxide nanoparticles of three different average sizes (between 2 and 12 nm) were synthesized and characterized. The smallest nanoparticles presented superparamagnetic behavior, with a blocking temperature of approximately 75 K, while larger particles are already blocked at room temperature. Macroscopically structured-anisotropic PDMS-CoFe2O4 composites were obtained when curing the dispersion of the nanoparticles in the presence of a uniform magnetic field (0.3 T). The formation of the particle's chains (needles) orientated in the direction of the magnetic field was observed only when loading with the larger magnetically blocked nanoparticles. The SEM images show that the needles are formed by groups of nanoparticles which retain their original average size. The Young's moduli of the structured composites are four times larger when measured along the oriented needles than in the perpendicular direction. Magnetization (VSM) and ferromagnetic resonance curves of the structured composites were determined as a function of the relative orientation between the needles and the probe field. The remanence magnetization was 30 higher when measured parallel to the needles, while the coercive field remains isotropic. These observations are discussed in terms of the individual nanoparticle's properties and its aggregation in the composites. © 2011 American Institute of Physics.

Descripción: We report experimental results on the magnetic and transport properties of Ag/Co 90Fe 10 multilayers with variable Ag and Co 90Fe 10 thicknesses. The magnetism samples was characterized by magnetization measurements and ferromagnetic resonance spectroscopy. These measurements show that the magnetic layers are in general composed by single-domain particles and that the shape and the size of the magnetic clusters can be changed by using an applied magnetic field (H dep) on deposition. The resistivity of these multilayered systems is described by a mixed model that includes current-in-plane and current perpendicular plane transport contributions. The transport model proposed to explain the experimental results emphasizes the role played by the magnetic entities on the scattering processes and strongly depends on the silver layer thickness. An electrical percolative transition is observed for samples grown at H dep>H* dep while the magnetic properties of these samples still show a granularlike behavior. © 2004 American Institute of Physics.

Descripción: The recent solar minimum with very low activity provides us a unique opportunity for validating solar wind models. During CR2077 (2008 November 20 through December 17), the number of sunspots was near the absolute minimum of solar cycle 23. For this solar rotation, we perform a multi-spacecraft validation study for the recently developed three-dimensional, two-temperature, Alfvén-wave-driven global solar wind model (a component within the Space Weather Modeling Framework). By using in situ observations from the Solar Terrestrial Relations Observatory (STEREO) A and B, Advanced Composition Explorer (ACE), and Venus Express, we compare the observed proton state (density, temperature, and velocity) and magnetic field of the heliosphere with that predicted by the model. Near the Sun, we validate the numerical model with the electron density obtained from the solar rotational tomography of Solar and Heliospheric Observatory/Large Angle and Spectrometric Coronagraph C2 data in the range of 2.4 to 6 solar radii. Electron temperature and density are determined from differential emission measure tomography (DEMT) of STEREO A and B Extreme Ultraviolet Imager data in the range of 1.035 to 1.225 solar radii. The electron density and temperature derived from the Hinode/Extreme Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrometer data are also used to compare with the DEMT as well as the model output. Moreover, for the first time, we compare ionic charge states of carbon, oxygen, silicon, and iron observed in situ with the ACE/Solar Wind Ion Composition Spectrometer with those predicted by our model. The validation results suggest that most of the model outputs for CR2077 can fit the observations very well. Based on this encouraging result, we therefore expect great improvement for the future modeling of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and CME-driven shocks. © 2012. The American Astronomical Society. All rights reserved.

Descripción: Phosphate prospecting in marine sedimentary rocks of the Marginal and Austral basins of the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego resulted in the first discovery of phosphatic beds in the Paleogene Rio Claro Formation. Phosphatic anomalies of up to 20.1% P2U5 in concretions and up to 2% PaOs in bulk rock offer promising opportunities for systematic prospection on the Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego. The phosphatic beds are conglomerates, coquinas and conglomeratic sandstones interbedded with thick mudstone packets. They belong to the condensed-type phosphatic beds, which are the product of erosion and reworking of concretions developed in fine sediments. Phosphate concretions containing glauconite, together with abundant glauconite in the same and closely associated beds, indicate a common syn-sedimentary to earlydiagenetic origin for both minerals, via recycling of sedimentary iron. This process occurred on a shelf with low sedimentation rates, pointing to high sea-level stands and marked interruptions in the sedimentation of the thick Paleogene sedimentary sequence of the Austral Basin . The deposit point to the existence and extension of this early Cenozoic phosphogenic episode to high latitudes in the Southern Hemisphere. © 1998 Asociacidn Geoldgica Argentina.

Descripción: The study of mineral assemblages and metamorphic facies in rocks exposed on the eastern margin of Brazo Huemul, Nahuel Huapi Lake, allowed the reconsideration of the temporal succession of units whose outcrops are isolated and difficult to locate due to the exuberant forest that covers the southestern part of Neuquén province. The rocks exposed in the study area are mainly of tonalitic composition and have been correlated with the Subcordilleran Patagonian Batholith because they are crosscut by two different types of dikes. One group of dikes shows an albite -chlorite - epidote - cummingtonite/grunerite -hornblende mineral assemblage as a consequence of a thermal metamorphic event transitional between albite - epidote hornfels facies and hornblende hornfels conditions. This process has been attributed to the emplacement of the Cordilleran Patagonian Batholith of Cretaceous age. Because of this, the hornfels dikes were correlated with Montes de Oca Formation. The other group of dikes shows a chlorite + pumpellyite + kumontite + chlorite/esmectite + iron oxides assemblage indicating metamorphism in zeolite facies of high temperature or, sometimes shows propilitic alteration and these dikes have been correlated with the Ventana Formation. The differences between these two types of dikes allow the discussion of the relative age of the tonalitic rocks that host them. In this paper it is proposed that this tonalitic body is of Low to Middle Jurassic age. © 2006 Asociación Geológica Argentina.

Descripción: Background: Chronic injury deregulates cellular homeostasis and induces a number of alterations leading to disruption of cellular processes such as cell cycle checkpoints and apoptosis, driving to carcinogenesis. The stress protein heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) catalyzes heme degradation producing biliverdin, iron and CO. Induction of HO-1 has been suggested to be essential for a controlled cell growth. The aim of this work was to analyze the in vivo homeostatic response (HR) triggered by the withdrawal of a potent carcinogen, p-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB), after preneoplastic lesions were observed. We analyzed HO-1 cellular localization and the expression of HO-1, Bcl-2 and cell cycle related proteins under these conditions comparing them to hepatocellular carcinoma (HC). Methods: The intoxication protocol was designed based on previous studies demonstrating that preneoplastic lesions were evident after 89 days of chemical carcinogen administration. Male CF1 mice (n = 18) were used. HR group received DAB (0.5 % w/w) in the diet for 78 days followed by 11 days of carcinogen deprivation. The HC group received the carcinogen and control animals the standard diet during 89 days. The expression of cell cycle related proteins, of Bcl-2 and of HO-1 were analyzed by western blot. The cellular localization and expression of HO-1 were detected by immnunohistochemistry. Results: Increased expression of cyclin E/CDK2 was observed in HR, thus implicating cyclin E/CDK2 in the liver regenerative process. p21cip1/waf1 and Bcl-2 induction in HC was restituted to basal levels in HR. A similar response profile was found for HO-1 expression levels, showing a lower oxidative status in the carcinogen-deprived liver. The immunohistochemical studies revealed the presence of macrophages surrounding foci of necrosis and nodular lesions in HR indicative of an inflammatory response. Furthermore, regenerative cells displayed changes in type, size and intensity of HO-1 immunostaining. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that the regenera tive capacity of the liver is still observed in the pre-neoplastic tissue after carcinogen withdrawal suggesting that reversible mechanism/s to compensate necrosis and to restitute homeostasis are involved. © 2006 Castronuovo et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.