The endotoxic portion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a glycophospholipid Lipid A, initiates the activation of the Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4)-myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD-2) complex, which results in pro-inflammatory immune signaling. To unveil the structural requirements for TLR4·MD-2-specific ligands, we have developed conformationally restricted Lipid A mimetics wherein the flexible βG...

The internal mammary artery (IMA) is currently the preferred conduit for myocardial revascularization. However, pre-operative vasospasm and a hypoperfusion state during maximal exercise may limit its use as a bypass graft. The mechanism of spasm has not been clearly defined. Since β-adrenoceptor activation plays a major role in vasorelaxation, the present study was carried out to investigate th...

A logic is understood here as an algebraic structure L = (FL,SL, 2L) that consists of a set FL of formulas (sentences) plus a class SL of structures and a relation of satisfaction 2L between them. We have the usual metalogical notions like logical consequence and logical equivalence, defined in the usual way. A logic is rigid, if there exists a set Fat ⊆ FL so that the logic can be reduced to t...

The proteasome is a sophisticated, 2.5-MDa, multisubunit complex that contains a catalytic core particle (CP) and two terminal regulatory particles (RPs); the RPs associate with the termini of the central CP at opposite orientations. The CP consists of four axially stacked heptameric rings (two outer α-rings and two inner β-rings), which are made up of seven structurally related, but not identi...

We present results from a large suite of simulations of Saturn’s dense A and B rings using a new model of particle sticking in local simulations (Perrine, R.P., Richardson, D.C., Scheeres, D.J. [2011]. Icarus 212, 719– 735). In this model, colliding particles can be incorporated into or help fragment rigid aggregations on the basis of certain user-specified parameters that can represent van der...

The title compound, C(25)H(20)N(4), is a disubstituted methane derivative having two pyridyl-methyl-ene-amino-phenyl arms, one of which is essentially rigid as all atoms lie on a plane (r.m.s. deviation = 0.074 Å), whereas the other is twisted [dihedral angle between the phenyl-ene and pyridyl rings = 51.1 (4)°]. The angle at the methyl-ene C atom is 113.2 (2)°.

We describe cholate-based cage amphiphiles with a unique architecture that combines elements of structural rigidity and flexibility. The cage compounds are built by extending and bridging three polar chains underneath the concave steroid rings of cholate and capping with another rigid, symmetrically trifunctionalized cyanuric acid moiety. The connecting chains are varied to include, for instanc...

Formyl peptide receptor-induced chemotaxis of neutrophils depends on the release of ATP and autocrine feedback through purinergic receptors. Here, we show that adrenergic receptor signaling requires similar purinergic feedback mechanisms. Real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that human embryonic kidney (HEK)-293 cells express several subtypes of adrenergic (α(1)-, α(2)-, and β-receptors), adenosi...