Direct and indirect modulation of neuropeptide Y gene expression in response to hypoglycemia in rat arcuate nucleus

AbstractExpression of neuropeptide Y (Npy) heteronuclear (hn) RNA, an indicator of gene transcription, was significantly increased in the arcuate nucleus of rats 30min after insulin injection. Npy hnRNA levels were also increased significantly in response to hypoglycemia in rats in which the hypothalamus was deafferentated, although the absolute levels were significantly lower than in sham-operated rats. Direct effects of lowering glucose levels on Npy gene expression were also confirmed in hypothalamic organotypic cultures. Thus, Npy gene transcription in the arcuate nucleus increases rapidly in response to hypoglycemia, and both direct and indirect inputs are involved in the rapid upregulation

Reductive Elimination Leading to C-C Bond Formation in Gold(III) Complexes: A Mechanistic and Computational Study

The factors affecting the rates of reductive C-C cross-coupling reactions in gold(III) aryls were studied using complexes that allow easy access to a series of electronically modified aryl ligands, as well as to gold methyl and vinyl complexes, using the pincer compounds (C^N^C)AuR (R = C6F5, CH=CMe2, Me and p-C6H4X, where X = OMe, F, H, But, Cl, CF3, or NO2) as starting materials (C^N^C = 2,6-(4′-ButC6H3)2pyridine dianion). Protodeauration followed by addition of 1 equiv. SMe2 leads to the quantitative generation of the thioether complexes [(C^N-CH)AuR(SMe2)]+. Upon addition of a second SMe2 pyridine is displaced, which triggers reductive aryl-R elimination. The rates for these cross-couplings increase in the sequence k(vinyl) > k(aryl) >> k(C6F5) > k(Me). Vinyl-aryl coupling is particularly fast, 1.15 × 10–3 L mol–1 s–1 at 221 K, while both C6F5 and Me couplings encountered higher barriers for the C-C bond forming step. Using P(p-tol)3 in place of SMe2 greatly accelerates C–C couplings. Computational modelling shows that in the C^N bonded compounds displacement of N by a donor L is required before the aryl ligands can adopt a conformation suitable for C-C bond formation, so that elimination takes place from a four-coordinate intermediate. C-C bond formation is rate limiting. In the non-chelating case, reductive C(sp2)-C(sp2) elimination from three-coordinate cations [(Ar1)(Ar2)AuL]+ is almost barrierless, particularly if L = phosphine

Accelerated First-Principles Exploration of Structure and Reactivity in Graphene Oxide

Graphene oxide (GO) materials are widely studied, and yet their atomic-scale structures remain to be fully understood. Here we show that the chemical and configurational space of GO can be rapidly explored by advanced machine-learning methods, combining on-the-fly acceleration for first-principles molecular dynamics with message-passing neural-network potentials. The first step allows for the rapid sampling of chemical structures with very little prior knowledge required; the second step affords state-of-the-art accuracy and predictive power. We apply the method to the thermal reduction of GO, which we describe in a realistic (ten-nanometre scale) structural model. Our simulations are consistent with recent experimental findings and help to rationalise them in atomistic and mechanistic detail. More generally, our work provides a platform for routine, accurate, and predictive simulations of diverse carbonaceous materials

Preserving Charge and Oxidation State of Au(III) Ions in an Agent-Functionalized Nanocrystal Model System

Supporting functional molecules on crystal facets is an established technique in nanotechnology. To preserve the original activity of ionic metallorganic agents on a supporting template, conservation of the charge and oxidation state of, the active center is indispensable. We. present a model system of a metallorganic agent that, indeed, fulfills this design criterion on a technologically relevant metal support With potential Impact on Au(III)-porphyrin-functionalized nanoparticles for an improved anticancer-drug delivery. Employing scanning tunneling microscopy and -spectroscopy in combination with photoemission spectroscopy,we clarify at the single-molecule level the underlying mechanisms of this exceptional adsorption mode. It is based on the balance between a high-energy oxidation state and an electrostatic screening-response of the surface (image charge). Modeling with first principles methods reveals submolecular details of the metal-ligand bonding interaction and completes the study by providing an Illustrative electrostatic.. model relevant for ionic metalorganic agent molecules, in general

Noncovalent Lone Pair⋅⋅⋅(No-π!)-Heteroarene Interactions: The Janus-Faced Hydroxy Group

A comparative study by NMR using designed top pan molecular balances demonstrates that the noncovalent interaction of a hydroxyl group with π-deficient pyrazine and quinoxaline units involves a lone pair•••heteroarene interaction which is much stronger and essentially solvent independent when measured relative to the classical π-facial hydrogen bond to a benzene ring. Alkyl fluorides also prefer the heteroarene rings over the benzene ring. The attractive interaction between a quinoxaline and a terminal alkyne is also stronger than the intramolecular hydrogen bond to an arene

Computational Study of Structures and Electronic Properties of Metal Clusters

Subnanometer sized transition metal clusters have attracted a great deal of interest in recent years. In this thesis we have investigated the structures, electronic and optical properties, the structural evolution due to doping with a heteroatom, and the catalytic activity of subnanometer sized Aun (n = 2-20) clusters using various computational methods. Another major theme of this thesis has been to understand the mechanisms of organic reactions such as C–C coupling and cycloisomerization reactions triggered by transition metal complexes. We have reported electronic and chemical properties of novel 2D materials such as fluorographene, germanene, and germanane. One future extension of this work shall be the investigation of metal clusters anchored on these 2D systems for designing heterogeneous catalysts for vital organic transformations, which has been studied in the presence of naked metal clusters and metal complexes in the present thesis.Research was carried out under the supervision of Prof. Ayan Dutta of Spectroscopy division under SPS [School of Physical Sciences]Research was conducted under IACS fellowship and DST gran