Further evidence for linkage of Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) susceptibility loci on chromosomes 2p11, 8q22 and 11q23-24 in South African Afrikaners

Utilizing DNA samples from 91 Afrikaner nuclear families with one or more affected children, five genomic regions on chromosomes 2p, 8q, 11q, 20q, and 21q that gave evidence for association with GTS in previous case-control association studies were investigated for linkage and association with GTS. Highly polymorphic markers with mean heterozygosity of 0.77 were typed and resulting genotypes evaluated using single marker transmission disequilibrium (TDT), single marker haplotype relative risk (HRR), and multi-marker "extended" TDT and HRR methods. Single marker TDT analysis showed evidence for linkage or association, with p-values near 0.05, for markers D2S139, GATA28F12, and D11S1377 on chromosomes 2p11, 8q22 and 11q23-24, respectively. Extended, two-locus TDT and HRR analysis provided further evidence for linkage or association on chromosome 2 with p-values of 0.007 and 0.025, and chromosome 8 with p-values of 0.059 and 0.013, respectively. These results provide important additional evidence for the location of GTS susceptibility loci.

Vykopirovka iz obshchego plana Biiuk-Onlarskoi dachi razverstaniia na uchastki KOMZET-a pod nazv. Biiuk-Onlarskii fond i Nom 9/10/24

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Plan zemelʻnogo uchastka poselka N 24

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Chemotherapy pretreatment sensitizes solid tumor-derived cell lines to Vα24+ NKT cell-mediated cytotoxicity

There is an increasing awareness of the therapeutic potential for combining immune-based therapies with chemotherapy in the treatment of malignant diseases, but few published studies evaluate possible cytotoxic synergies between chemotherapy and cytotoxic immune cells. Human Vα24 +/Vβ11+ NKT cells are being evaluated for use in cell-based immunotherapy of malignancy because of their immune regulatory functions and potent cytotoxic potential. In this study, we evaluated the cytotoxicity of combinations of chemotherapy and NKT cells to determine whether there is a potential to combine these treatment modalities for human cancer therapy. The cytotoxicity of NKT cells was tested against solid-tumor derived cell lines NCI-H358, DLD-1, HT-29, DU-145, TSU-Pr1 and MDA-MB231, with or without prior treatment of these target cells, with a range of chemotherapy agents. Low concentrations of chemotherapeutic agents led to sensitization of cell lines to NKT-mediated cytotoxicity, with the greatest effect being observed for prostate cancer cells. Synergistic cytotoxicity occurred in an NKT cell in a dose-dependent manner. Chemotherapy agents induced upregulation of cell surface TRAIL-R2 (DR5) and Fas (CD95) expression, increasing the capacity for NKT cells to recognize and kill via TRAIL- and FasL-mediated pathways. We conclude that administration of cytotoxic immune cells after chemotherapy may increase antitumor activities in comparison with the use of either treatment alone.

Synthesis, aggregation behavior and cholesterol solubilization studies of 16-epi-pythocholic acid (3 alpha,12 alpha,16 beta-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid)

Synthesis, aggregation behavior and in vitro cholesterol solubilization studies of 16-epi-pythocholic acid (3 alpha,12 alpha,16 beta-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid, EPCA) are reported. The synthesis of this unnatural epimer of pythocholic acid (3 alpha,12 alpha,16 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid, PCA) involves a series of simple and selective chemical transformations with an overall yield of 21% starting from readily available cholic acid (CA). The critical micellar concentration (CMC) of 16-epi-pythocholate in aqueous media was determined using pyrene as a fluorescent probe. In vitro cholesterol solubilization ability was evaluated using anhydrous cholesterol and results were compared with those of other natural di-and trihydroxy bile acids. These studies showed that 16-epi-pythocholic acid (16 beta-hydroxy-deoxycholic acid) behaves similar to cholic acid (CA) and avicholic acid (3 alpha,7 alpha,16 alpha-trihydroxy-5 beta-cholan-24-oic acid, ACA) in its aggregation behavior and cholesterol dissolution properties. (C) 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Silva Fennica Vol. 24, 1990.

Julkaistu Silva Fennica Vol. 24(4) -numeron liitteenä.

An electron diffraction study of quasicrystals in Ti-37 at% Mn and Ti-24 at% Mn-13 at% Fe alloys

Electron diffraction studies were carried out to establish the icosahedral phase formation in rapidly quenched Ti-37 at% Mn and Ti-24 at% Mn-13 at% Fe alloys. Distortions in the diffraction spots and diffuse intensities in the diffraction patterns were investigated. The existence of a rational approximant structure and a decagonal like phase are also reported.

Asymmetric synthesis of steroidal Tröger's base analogues. X-Ray molecular structure of methyl 3?,12?-{6H,12H-5,11-methanodibenzo[b,f][1,5]diazocine-2,8-bisacetoxy}-5?-cholan-24-oate

Cyclization of compound 5c in trifluoroacetic acid/hexamethylenetetramine produces Tröger's base analogue 6c in 75% yield with 70% diastereoselectivity.

Synthesis based on cyclohexadienes .24. A new total synthesis of pupukean-2-one and a facile entry to copa and ylanga type sesquiterpene skeletons

A novel tandem 5-exo-trig allyl and 3-exo-trig radical cyclisation and rearrangement to copa and ylanga type sesquiterpene skeletons from easily prepared cyclohexadienes is reported, A new total synthesis of pupukean-2-one 8, which belongs to a novel class of sesquiterpenes, involving a 5-exo-trig allyl radical cyclisation as the key step is also reported.

Crystal and molecular structure of synthetic cholesterol compounds vitamin D3-analogues (I) 24(S)-hydroxy coprastan-3-one & (II) 24(R)-hydroxy coprastan-3-one

The title compound I (24-(S)-Hydroxy Coprastan-3-one) crystallises in orthorhombic space group P2(1)2(1)2(1) with Z = 4. The unit cell dimensions are a = 6.701(2)Angstrom, b = 11.506(8)Angstrom, c = 32.183(4)Angstrom, V = 2481(2)Angstrom (3), D-cal = 1.077 Mg/m(3). The tide compound II (24-(R)-Hydroxy Coprastan-3-one) crystallises in orthorhombic space group P212121 with two molecules per assymetric unit and with Z = 8. The Unit cell dimensions are a = 10.954(2)Angstrom, b = 21.757(6)Angstrom, c = 21.130(7)Angstrom, V = 5035.0(2)Angstrom (3), D-cal = 1.062 Mg/m(3). In compound I and in both the molecules of compound II, the rings A, B & C are in chair conformation and the five membered ring D is in envelope conformation. The priority sequence attached to the chiral carbon C24 has "S" designation in compound I and "R" designation in compound II. The structures are stabilized by C-H . . .O and O-H---O hydrogen bonds.

Synthesis, structural characterization and ferroelectric properties of Pb(0.76)Ca(0.24)TiO(3) nanotubes

A capillary-enforced template-based method has been applied to fabricate Pb(0.76)Ca(0.24)TiO(3) (PCT24) nanotubes via filling PCT24 precursor solution, prepared by modified sol-gel method, into nanochannels of anodic aluminum oxide templates. The morphology and structure of as-prepared PCT24 were examined by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction techniques. The obtained PCT24 nanotubes with diameter of similar to 200 nm and wall thickness of similar to 20 nm exhibited a tetragonal perovskite structure. High resolution TEM (HRTEM) analysis confirmed that as-obtained PCT24 nanotubes made up of nanoparticles (5-8 nm) which were randomly aligned in the nanotubes. Formation of some solid crystalline PCT24 nanorods, Y-junctions and multi-branches were observed. Interconnections in the pores of template are responsible for the growth of Y-junctions and multi-branches. The possible formation mechanism of PCT24 nanotubes/nanorods was discussed. Ferroelectric hysteresis loops of PCT24 nanotube arrays were measured, showing a room temperature ferroelectric characteristic of as-prepared PCT24 nanotubes. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.