Confirmation that SNPs in the high mobility group‐A2 gene (HMGA2) are associated with adult height in the Japanese population; wide‐ranging population survey of height‐related SNPs in HMGA2

Adult height is a highly heritable trait in that multiple genes are involved. Recent genome‐wide association studies have identified a novel single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1042725 in the high mobility group‐A2 gene (HMGA2) and shown it to be associated with human height in Caucasian populations. We performed a replication study to examine the associations between SNPs in HMGA2 and adult height in the Japanese population based on autopsy cases. Although we could not confirm a significant association between rs1042725 in HMGA2 and adult height, another SNP, rs7968902, in the gene achieved significance for its association in the same populations, and the effect was the same as that documented previously. These findings permit us to conclude that the SNPs in HMGA2 are common variants influencing human height across different populations. Moreover, a worldwide population study of these SNPs using 14 different populations including Asians, Africans and Caucasians demonstrated that both haplotypes and genotypes for three height‐related SNPs (rs1042725, rs7968682 and rs7968902) in HMGA2 were distributed in an ethnicity‐dependent manner. This information will be useful for clarifying the genetic basis of human height.     

A comprehensive in Silico analysis of the functional and structural impact of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the human IL-33 gene

Interleukin 33 (IL-33) is the latest member of the IL-1 cytokine family, which plays both pro - and anti-inflammatory functions. Numerous Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the IL-33 gene have been recognized to be associated with a vast variety of inflammatory disorders. SNPs associated studies have become a crucial approach in uncovering the genetic background of human diseases. However, distinguishing the functional SNPs in a disease-related gene from a pool of both functional and neutral SNPs is a major challenge and needs multiple experiments of hundreds or thousands of SNPs in candidate genes. This study aimed to identify the possible deleterious SNPs in the IL-33 gene using bioinformatics predictive tools. The nonsynonymous SNPs (nsSNPs) were analyzed by SIFT, PolyPhen, PROVEAN, SNP&GO, MutPred, SNAP, PhD SNP, and I-Mutant tools. The Non-coding SNPs (ncSNPs) were also analyzed by SNPinfo and RegulomeDB tools. In conclusion, our in-silico analysis predicted 5 nsSNPs and 22 ncSNPs as potential candidates in the IL-33 gene for future genetic association studies.     

Development of nanostructure in resistant starch type III during thermal treatments and cycling

The effect of recrystallization temperature on the lamellar structure of RSIII samples was studied using XRD and SAXS. The polymorph type could be manipulated in a controlled manner, independently of the plant source. In RSIII from corn starch and from high-amylose corn starch, retrogradation at a low temperature led to the formation of polymorph B with lamellas arranged in long-range periodicity, whereas retrogradation at a high temperature led to the formation of polymorphs A and V with no defined periodicity. The retrogradation temperature of wheat starch did not have a major effect on its nanostructure. For both polymorphs, the enzymatic degradation decreased as the degree of order within the crystal increased.     

Vanadium(III) Complexes with Picolinic Acid and Dipicolinic Acid in Aqueous Solution

The complex species formed in aqueous solution (25 ^∘C, I = 3.0 mol-dm⁻³ KCl ionic medium) between V³⁺ cation and the ligands: picolinic acid (Hpic, HL) and dipicolinic acid (H₂dipic, H₂L), have been studied potentiometrically and by spectrophotometric measurements. The application of the least-squares computer program LETAGROP to the experimental emf (H) data, taking into account the hydrolytic species of V³⁺ ion, indicates that under the employed experimental conditions, the formation of the complexes [VL]²⁺, [V(OH)L]⁺, [VL₂]⁺, [VL₃], [V₂OL₄] with picolinic acid and the complexes [VL]⁺, [V(OH)L], [V(OH)₂L]⁻, [V(HL)(L)], and [VL₂]⁻ with dipicolinic acid were observed. The stability constants of the complexes formed were determined by potentiometric measurements, and spectrophotometric measurements were done in order to perform a qualitative characterization of the complexes formed in aqueous solution.     

Complexation studies of Cm(III), Am(III), and Eu(III) with linear and cyclic carboxylates and polyaminocarboxylates

Solvent extraction and potentiometric titration methods have been used to measure the stability constants of Cm(III), Am(III), and Eu(III) with both linear and cyclic carboxylates and polyaminocarboxylates in an ionic strength of 0.1?mol?L^?1 (NaClO₄). Luminescence lifetime measurements of Cm(III) and Eu(III) were used to study the change in hydration upon complexation over a range of concentrations and pH values. Aromatic carboxylates, phthalate (1,2 benzene dicarboxylates, PHA), trimesate (1,3,5 benzene tricarboxylates, TSA), pyromellitate (1,2,4,5 tetracarboxylates, PMA), hemimellitate (1,2,3 benzene tricarboxylates, HMA), and trimellitate (1,2,4 benzene tricarboxylates, TMA) form only 1?:?1 complexes, while both 1?:?1 and 1?:?2 complexes were observed with PHA. Their complexation strength follows the order: PHA～TSA>TMA>PMA>HMA. Carboxylate ligands with adjacent carboxylate groups are bidentate and replace two water molecules upon complexation, while TSA displaces 1.5 water molecules of hydration upon complexation. Only 1?:?1 complexes were observed with the macrocyclic dicarboxylates 1,7-diaza-4,10,13-trioxacyclopentadecane-N,N′-diacetate (K21DA) and 1,10-diaza-4,7,13,16-tetraoxacyclooctadecane-N,N′-diacetate (K22DA); both 1?:?1 and 1?:?2 complexes were observed with methyleneiminodiacetate (MIDA), hydroxyethyleneiminodiacetate (HIDA), benzene-1,2-bis oxyacetate (BDODA), and ethylenediaminediacetate (EDDA), while three complexes (1?:?1, 1?:?2, and 1?:?3) were observed with pyridine 2,6 dicarboxylates (DPA) and chelidamate (CA). The complexes of M-MIDA are tridentate, while that of M-HIDA is tetradentate in both 1?:?1 and 1?:?2 complexes. The M-BDODA and M-EDDA complexes are tetradentate in the 1?:?1 and bidentate in the 1?:?2 complexes. The complexes of M-K22DA are octadentate with one water molecule of hydration, while that of K21DA is heptadentate with two water molecules of hydration. Simple polyaminocarboxylate 1,2 diaminopropanetetraacetate (PDTA) and ethylenediamine N,N′-diacetic-N,N′-dipropionate (ENDADP) like ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) form only 1?:?1 complexes and their complexes are hexadentate. Polyaminocarboxylates with additional functional groups in the ligand backbone, e.g., ethylenebis(oxyethylenenitrilo) tetraacetate (EGTA), and 1,6 diaminohexanetetraacetate (HDTA) or with additional number of groups in the carboxylate arms diethylenetriamine pentaacetato-monoamide (DTPA-MA), diethylenetriamine pentaacetato-bis-methoxyethylamide (DTPA-BMEA), and diethylenetriamine pentaacetato-bis glucosaamide (DTPA-BGAM) are octadentate with one water molecule of hydration, except N-methyl MS-325 which is heptadentate with two water molecules of hydration and HDTA which is probably dimeric with three water molecules of hydration. Macrocyclic tetraaminocarboxylate, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecanetetraacetate (DOTA) forms only 1?:?1 complex which is octadentate with one water molecule of hydration. The functionalization of these carboxylates and polycarboxylates affect the complexation ability toward metal cations. The results, in conjunction with previous results on the Eu(III) complexes, provide insight into the relation between ligand steric requirement and the hydration state of the Cm(III) and Eu(III) complexes in solution. The data are discussed in terms of ionic radii of the metal cations, cavity size, basicity, and ligand steric effects upon complexation.     

Chelate ring closing and opening behavior in cyclopentadienyl cobalt(III) complexes with pendant nitrogen functional group

Kinetic studies were performed for the chelate ring closing and opening process of cyclopentadienyl cobalt(III) complexes having a pendant N-functional group with an amine, piperidine or pyridine moiety in the side chain. The metal-nitrogen bond energy was measured. The rate of chelation by such pendant N-functionalized side chains in diiodomonocarbonyl cobalt(III) reaction intermediates is determined by the electronic density on the donor atom and the strength of the forming chelated bond. The steric factor around the donor atom plays a secondary role. On the basis of the enthalpies and entropies obtained from the kinetic studies, the process of chelate ring closing in diiodomonocarbonyl cobalt(III) reaction intermediates is via an associative pathway involving loss of CO, while the chelate ring opening process in the resulted chelators is via a metal-nitrogen bond cleavage, solvation then metal-phosphorus bond formation pathway during substitution of PPh₃. The chelator with the most rigid arm of picolyl shows a smallest steric hindrance for incoming PPh₃ compared to the other two analogues.     

Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagent Mediated Synthesis of 2‐Methylbenzofuran Derivatives by Pummerer‐type Reaction in Ionic Liquid

An efficient route for the synthesis of 2‐methylbenzofuran derivatives utilizing hypervalent iodine(III) reagent and a‐(methylthio)acetone via Pummerer‐type reaction in ionic liquid is described.     

On-line solid-phase extraction and multisyringe flow injection analysis of Al(III) and Fe(III) in drinking water

A new analytical method was developed for on-line monitoring of residual coagulants (aluminium and iron salts) in potable water. The determination was based on a sequential procedure coupling an extraction/enrichment step of the analytes onto a modified resin and a spectrophotometric measurement of a surfactant-sensitized binary complex formed between eluted analytes and Chrome Azurol S. The optimization of the solid phase extraction was performed using factorial design and a Doehlert matrix considering six variables: sample percolation rate, sample metal concentration, flow-through sample volume (all three directly linked to the extraction step), elution flow rate, concentration and volume of eluent (all three directly linked to the elution step). A specific reagent was elaborated for sensitive and specific spectrophotometric determination of Al(III) and Fe(III), by optimizing surfactant and ligand concentrations and buffer composition. The whole procedure was automated by a multisyringe flow injection analysis (MSFIA) system. Detection limits of 4.9 and 5.6 μg L⁻¹ were obtained for Al(III) and Fe(III) determination , respectively, and the linear calibration graph up to 300 μg L⁻¹ (both for Al(III) and Fe(III)) was well adapted to the monitoring of drinking water quality. The system was successfully applied to the on-site determination of Al(III) and Fe(III) at the outlet of two water treatment units during two periods of the year (winter and summer conditions).     

Synthetic and catalytic investigations of ruthenium(III) complexes with triphenylphosphine/triphenylarsine and tridentate Schiff base

The synthesis and characterization of several hexa‐coordinated ruthenium(III) complexes of the type [RuCl(PPh₃)₂(L)] (L = dibasic tridentate ligand derived by the condensation of salicylaldehyde/o‐vanillin with o‐aminophenol/o‐aminothiophenol) are reported. IR, electronic, EPR spectral data and redox bahaviour of the complexes are discussed. An octahedral geometry has been tentatively proposed for all the complexes. The new complexes were found to be effective catalysts for the oxidation of benzyl alcohol and cyclohexanol to benzaldehyde and cyclohexanone respectively using N‐methylmorpholine‐N‐oxide as a co‐oxidant. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular Dynamics Simulations Study of the Interactions between Human Dipeptidyl-Peptidase III and Two Substrates

Human dipeptidyl-peptidase III (hDPP III) is capable of specifically cleaving dipeptides from the N-terminal of small peptides with biological activity such as angiotensin II (Ang II, DRVYIHPF), and participates in blood pressure regulation, pain modulation, and the development of cancers in human biological activities. In this study, 500 ns molecular dynamics simulations were performed on free-hDPP III (PDB code: 5E33), hDPP III-Ang II (PDB code: 5E2Q), and hDPP III-IVYPW (PDB code: 5E3C) to explore how these two peptides affect the catalytic efficiency of enzymes in terms of the binding mode and the conformational changes. Our results indicate that in the case of the hDPP III-Ang II complex, subsite S1 became small and hydrophobic, which might be propitious for the nucleophile to attack the substrate. The structures of the most stable conformations of the three systems revealed that Arg421-Lys423 could form an α-helix with the presence of Ang II, but only part of the α-helix was produced in hDPP III-IVYPW. As the hinge structure in hDPP III, the conformational changes that took place in the Arg421-Lys423 residue could lead to the changes in the shape and space of the catalytic subsites, which might allow water to function as a nucleophile to attack the substrate. Our results may provide new clues to enable the design of new inhibitors for hDPP III in the future.     

Salicylaldoxime in manganese(III) carboxylate chemistry: Synthesis, structural characterization and physical studies of hexanuclear and polymeric complexes

The use of salicylaldehyde oxime (H₂salox) in manganese(III) carboxylate chemistry has yielded new members of the family of hexanuclear compounds presenting the [Mn₆(μ₃-O)₂(μ₂-OR)₂]¹²⁺ core, complexes [Mn^III₆(μ₃-O)₂(O₂CPh)₂(salox)₆(L₁)₂(L₂)₂] (L₁ = py, L₂ = H₂O (1); L₁ = Me₂CO, L₂ = H₂O (2); L₁ = L₂ = MeOH (3)). Addition of NaOMe to the acetonitrile reaction mixture, afforded the 1D complex [Mn^III₃Na(μ₃-O)(O₂CPh)₂(salox)₃(MeCN)]_n (4), whereas addition of NaClO₄ to the acetone reaction mixture afforded an analogous 1D complex [Mn^III₃Na(μ₃-O)(O₂CPh)₂(salox)₃(Me₂CO)]_n (5). The structures of 1–3 present the [Mn₆(μ₃-O)₂(μ₂-OR)₂]¹²⁺ core and can be described as two [Mn₃(μ₃-O)]⁷⁺ triangular subunits linked by two μ₂-oximato oxygen atoms of the salox²⁻ ligands, which show the less common μ₃-κ²O:κO′:κN coordination mode. The benzoato ligands are coordinated through the usual syn,syn-μ₂-κO:κO′ mode. The 1D polymeric structures of 4 and 5 consist of alternating [Mn₃(μ₃-O)]⁷⁺ subunits and Na⁺ atoms linked through two μ₃-κ²O:κO′:κN and one μ₄-κ²O:κ²O′:κN salox²⁻ ligands as well as one syn,anti-μ₂-κO:κO′ benzoato ligand. DC and AC magnetic susceptibility studies on 1 revealed the stabilization of an S = 4 ground state, and indications of single-molecule magnetism behavior, whereas the DC experimental data from polycrystalline sample of 5 are indicative of antiferromagnetic interactions within the [Mn₃] subunit. Solid state ¹H NMR data of 1 were used to probe the spin-lattice relaxation of the system.     

The Study on the Stability Constant and Species Distribution of Eu (III) and Tb (III) Complexes with BDBPH

Biomimetic hydrolysis of DNA or RNA is of increasing importance in biotechnology and medicine. The ability to cleave nucleic acids efficiently, in a non-degradative manner, and with high levels of selectivity for site or structure will be required by many applications for the manipulation of genes, the design of structural probes and the development of novel therapeutics1. There has been much interest in the development of lanthanide complexes as nucleic acid cleavage agents. It has been fou…     

Synthesis,characterization, and in vitro antioxidant and anticancer studies of ruthenium(III) complexes of symmetric and asymmetric tetradentate Schiff bases

Ruthenium(III) complexes of three tetradentate Schiff bases with N₂O₂ donors formulated as [RuCl(LL¹)(H₂O)], [RuCl(LL²)(H₂O)] and [RuCl(LL³)(H₂O)] were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molar conductance, FTIR, and electronic spectral measurements. The FTIR data showed that the tetradentate Schiff base ligands coordinate to Ru ions through the azomethine nitrogen and enolic oxygen. The antioxidant activities of the complexes were investigated through scavenging activity on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radicals. The DPPH activity for [RuCl(LL²)(H₂O)] with IC₅₀ = 0.031 mg mL^?1 was higher than the values obtained for the other Ru(III) compounds. The study revealed that the synthesized Ru(III) complexes of the tetradentate Schiff base exhibited strong scavenging activities against DPPH and moderate against ABTS radicals. In addition, the antiproliferative studies of the complexes were also tested against human renal cancer cells (TK10), human melanoma cancer cells (UACC62), and human breast cancer cells (MCF7) using the SRB assay. The results indicated that the Ru(III) complexes showed low anticancer activities against the tested human cancer cell lines.     

Clean analytical methodology for the determination of lead with Arsenazo III by cyclic flow-injection analysis

A clean analytical methodology, where the sample determined and the reagent used are both toxic, has been proposed. A cation exchange mini-column was incorporated after the flow-through cell for on-line regeneration of the main reagent and the accumulation of heavy metal ions. The method involves the spectrophotometric determination of lead with Arsenazo III, the accumulation of lead onto the cationic exchanger, and subsequent regeneration of the chromogenic reagent, which makes the system reversible and the reagents reusable. The developed method provides a satisfactory way to cut down on the toxic reagent consumption and the produced volume of waste, an important step towards the zero emissions research initiative concept. The excellent repeatability and reproducibility, and the simplicity of this method are well suited for continuous measurements. The method was successively applied to the assay of lead in high-octane gasoline.     

Fe(III)-pyruvate and Fe(III)-citrate induced photodegradation of glyphosate in aqueous solutions

The photolysis of Fe(III)-pyruvate and Fe(III)-citrate complexes in water produces hydroxyl radicals in the presence of dissolved oxygen, and can promote the oxidation of organic compounds. The photodegradation of glyphosate with Fe(III)-pyruvate and Fe(III)-citrate complexes was investigated under irradiation at λ?≥?365?nm. The effect of initial concentration of glyphosate, the initial pH value, and the Fe(III)/carboxylate ratio were examined. Upon irradiation of glyphosate aqueous solution with the complexes in the acidic range of natural waters, the bioavailable orthophosphate could be released from degradation of glyphosate. The amount of orthophosphate increased with increasing Fe(III)/carboxylate ratio.     

Direct 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR Study of Lanthanum(III), Thulium(III), and Ytterbium(III) Complex Formation with Nitrate and Isothiocyanate

An ¹H, ¹³C, and ¹⁵N NMR study has been completed for the complexes of La(III), Tm(III), and Yb(III) with nitrate and isothiocyanate in aqueous solvent mixtures. Signals for four complexes are observed for both the Tm³⁺–NO₃ ^– and Yb³⁺–NO₃ ^– solutions, with the species identified as the mono-, di-, tetra-, and either the penta - or hexanitrato. These results are consistent with those determined for the nitrate complexes of the Ce(III)–Eu(III) metal ions. The chemical shifts for the Tm(III) and Yb(III) nitrate complexes indicate a pseudocontact binding mechanism prevails. The complexes of diamagnetic La(III) with NO₃ ^– produce three signals in the ¹⁵NO₃ ^– spectra, with assignments paralleling those observed with the paramagnetic lanthanides. Three complexes are formed in the La³⁺–NCS^– solutions, with signals assigned to the mono-, di-, and triisothiocyanato species.     

Candidate gene polymorphisms for diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer are associated with longevity in Koreans

Long-lived people may have a unique genetic makeup that makes them more resistant than the general population to prevalent age-related diseases; however, not much is known about genes involved in the longevity. To identify susceptibility variants controlling longevity, we performed a high-throughput candidate gene study using 137 Koreans over 90 yr old and 213 young healthy Koreans. We evaluated 463 informative markers located in 176 candidate genes mostly for diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer under five genetic models. We estimated the odds ratios for each allele, genotype, haplotype, and gene-gene interaction using logistic regression analysis. Associations between 13 genes and longevity were detected at a P-value less than 0.01. Particularly, the rs671 (A) allele of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 family (mitochondrial) (ALDH2) gene was associated with longevity only in men (OR 2.11, P = 0.008). Four genes, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 1 (PCSK1, P = 0.008), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR, P = 0.003), paired box 4 (PAX4, P = 0.008), and V-yes-1 Yamaguchi sarcoma viral related oncogene homolog (LYN, P = 0.002) consistently yielded statistical evidence for association with longevity. The findings of the current study may provide a starting point for future studies to unravel genetic factors controlling longevity in Koreans.     

A new efficient adsorbent in the preconcentration studies of the Cr(III) and Fe(III) ions

In this study, the imine‐graphene hybrid material (HM) was used as an adsorbent for removal of Fe(III) and Cr(III) metal ions from the drinking waters. The adsorbent material (HM) was prepared at three steps. At the first step, the graphite was oxidized by Hummer's method for preparation of graphene oxide (GO), in the second step, the silanization derivative (GO‐APTES) was obtained from the reaction of the 3‐(trimethoxysilyl) propylamine and GO. In the final step, the hybrid material (HM) was synthesized from the reaction of the 3,5‐diiodosalicylaldehyde and GO‐APTES. The chemical structures of three materials GO, GO‐APTES and HB were characterized by using the FT‐IR, XRD, EDX, SEM, TEM and UV‐vis methods. Thermal properties of the materials GO, GO‐APTES and HB were investigated by TGA/DTA methods in the 25–1000°C temperature range. Adsorption and desorption studies of the hybrid material toward Fe(III) and Cr(III) metal ions were investigated using the Batch method. The effect of pH, contact time, temperature, concentration on the adsorption properties of the hybrid material were investigated by ICP‐OES. The Fe(III) and Cr(III) ions have the maximum adsorption at the pH 7. The adsorption capacity decreases with the increase in pH values because above pH 9 the adsorption decreases due to the precipitation of metal hydroxide.     

Study of the Ternary Complex Formation between Vanadium(III)-Picolinic Acid and Small Blood Serum Bioligands Using Reduced Formation Functions

The complex species formed between vanadium(III)-picolinic acid with the small blood serum bioligands lactic, oxalic, citric and phosphoric acids, were studied in aqueous solution by means of electromotive force measurements Emf(H) at 25 °C and 3.0 mol⋅dm⁻³ KCl as the ionic medium. The ternary complexes were studied by potentiometric measurements and the data were analyzed using the least-squares computational program LETAGROP to obtain the respective stability constants and the stoichiometric coefficients of the complexes formed.