Copper (Cu) is an important trace element in humans; it plays a role as a cofactor for numerous enzymes and other proteins crucial for respiration, iron transport, metabolism, cell growth, and hemostasis. Natural copper comprises two stable isotopes, (63)Cu and (65)Cu, and 5 principal radioisotopes for molecular imaging applications ((60)Cu, (61)Cu, (62)Cu, and (64)Cu) and in vivo targeted radi...

The Cu-Sn metallurgical soldering reaction in two-segmented Cu-Sn nanowires is studied by in situ transmission electron microscopy. By varying the relative lengths of Cu and Sn segments, we show that the metallurgical reaction results in a Cu-Sn solid solution for small Sn/Cu length ratio while Cu-Sn intermetallic compounds (IMCs) for larger Sn/Cu length ratios. Upon heating the nanowires to ∼5...

The title binuclear Cu(II) complex, [Cu(2)(CH(3)CO(2))(4)(C(5)H(4)Cl(2)N(2))(2)], is disposed about a crystallographic inversion center, located at the mid-point of the Cu-Cu connecting line. The Cu⋯Cu distance is 2.6600 (6) Å and each metal atom exhibits a Jahn-Teller-distorted octa-hedral geometry.

Investigations were carried out on the feasibility of using an oral repletion technique in the rat to assess the bioavailability of copper in experimental sources providing no more than 250 micrograms Cu from any one source. Preliminary studies on the response in plasma Cu of partially Cu-depleted rats given repletion doses of 20-50 micrograms Cu as CuSO4/d on four consecutive days indicated th...

Sandwich-cultured hepatocytes (SCH) from rats (SCRH), dogs (SCDH), and humans (SCHH) were used as an in vitro model to assess the hepatobiliary disposition of copper (Cu). The expression of Cu transporters, ceruloplasmin synthesis, Cu uptake, and biliary excretion and species differences in drug-induced alterations in Cu disposition were determined in SCH from all species. Western blot analysis...

A single dose of radioactive copper ((64)Cu or new Cu) was infused into the stomach of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to model dietary copper (Cu) uptake under conditions of a normal nutritional dose and optimum environmental temperature (16 degrees C, 0.117 microg Cu g(-)(1 )body mass). The distribution of new Cu to the gut and internal organs occurred in two phases: rapid uptake by the g...

Reaction thermodynamics and potential energy surfaces are calculated using density functional methods to investigate possible reactive Cu/O(2) species for H-atom abstraction in peptidylglycine alpha-hydroxylating monooxygenase (PHM), which has a noncoupled binuclear Cu active site. Two possible mononuclear Cu/O(2) species have been evaluated, the 2-electron reduced Cu(II)(M)-OOH intermediate an...

MTs (metallothioneins) increase the resistance of cells to exposure to high Cu (copper) levels. Characterization of the MT-Cu complex suggests that MT has an important role in the cellular storage and/or delivery of Cu ions to cuproenzymes. In this work we investigate how these properties contribute to Cu homoeostasis by evaluating the uptake, accumulation and efflux of Cu in wild-type and MT I...

Cu and Fe metabolism are known to be linked, but the interactions during pregnancy are less well studied. In the present study we used rats to examine the effect of Cu deficiency during pregnancy on Fe and Cu levels in maternal and fetal tissue and on the gene expression profile of proteins involved in Cu and Fe metabolism in the placenta. Rats were fed diets with different Cu contents before a...