Mean background levels of ROS and bSO did not differ between caro

Mean background levels of ROS and bSO did not differ between carotenoid-treated and control males. bSO, which represents the superoxide level in un-manipulated blood, was negatively correlated with colour development in all males, regardless of carotenoid treatment. Thus, carotenoid intake does not reduce circulating levels of ROS or bSO, suggesting that Tariquidar mouse carotenoids are inefficient antioxidants in vivo and, therefore, are unlikely to provide a direct link between oxidative stress

and colouration.”
“Background: Due to the lack of country-specific norms in Saudi Arabia, age- and gender-specific lipid reference intervals are needed to be established

for Saudi children.\n\nMethods: Blood samples were collected from 1168 children aged 6-16 years: 500 boys (43%) and 668 girls (57%), and were analyzed for cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Reference intervals were established by calculating the mean and the 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles.\n\nResults: There were significant differences between boys at each Tanner stage with respect to cholesterol (P < 0.001); and HDL (P < 0.0001) but not LDL (P < 0.06) among girls. INCB024360 research buy There were significant differences between boys and girls during puberty with respect to cholesterol (P < 0.0001), HDL (P < 0.0001), and LDL (P < 0.001). There was a significant positive

Savolitinib cost correlation between total cholesterol levels, LDL and HDL levels at all Tanner stages in both genders. In girls, the only significant inverse correlation was at stage I (r = -0.243, P = 0.001); there was no significant correlation at other stages.\n\nConclusions: Unlike children in other developing countries, Saudi children do not have lower serum cholesterol than theirWestern counterparts. These findings reflect changing dietary habits and increasing affluence in Saudi Arabia. These reference intervals may be used to aid in the early assessment of cardiovascular risk in Saudi pediatric populations.”
“Fifteen new ent-kaurane diterpenoids, compounds 1-15, and two known analogues, 4-epi-henryine A (16) and leukamenin E (17), were isolated from the whole plants of Salvia cavaleriei. The structures of the new compounds were established by spectroscopic methods, and their absolute configurations were determined by electronic circular dichroism and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses with Cu K alpha radiation. Compounds 1-15 were evaluated for their cytotoxicity against five human cancer cell lines, HL-60, SMMC-7721, A-549, MCF-7, and SW480, as well as the noncancerous Beas-2B cell line.

jejuni strains from Finnish human domestically acquired infection

jejuni strains from Finnish human domestically acquired infections. Non-sialylated LOS locus classes were associated with STs that comprised a parts per thousand 55% of patient strains. Sialylated LOS locus classes A and B were associated with STs infrequently isolated, whereas class C was correlated with the ST-21 complex, found in a parts per thousand 14% of human strains. A combination of the LOS locus class and multilocus

sequence type may provide new information MAPK inhibitor on the epidemiology and association of C. jejuni strains with certain disease outcomes.”
“BACKGROUND: Bioaccessibility is often the limiting factor for the biodegradation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in soils. The present study explores the potential of amending canola oil, an economically and ecologically attractive soil additive, for the enhancement of bioaccessibility and, in consequence, biodegradation of PAH in historically

contaminated, bioaccessibility limited soils.\n\nRESULTS: The amendment of canola oil (1% and 5%, w/w) to contaminated soils increased the bioaccessibility and selleck products the subsequent biodegradation of PAH with up to four rings. Residual concentrations of pyrene and fluoranthene in oil-treated soils were 38-53% lower compared to the unamended tests. The continuous removal of bioaccessible PAH with a passive sampling system confirmed that oil amendment indeed increased bioaccessibility, leading to a lower non-accessible PAH fraction. Canola oil amendment did, by contrast, not increase the bioaccessibility of high molecular weight PAH, likely due to their strong binding to soil organic carbon compounds.\n\nCONCLUSION: Canola oil can be used efficiently in low concentrations to render PAH up to four rings

accessible for biodegradation in historically contaminated soils. Contaminants remaining in soil after treatment may pose a significantly lowered environmental risk, as is indicated by the lack of mobilisation by a solubilising agent such as canola oil. (C) 2009 Society of Chemical Industry”
“The internal pressures PLK inhibitor of medication reservoirs of gas-compensated intrathecal medication infusion pumps decrease when medication is discharged, and these discharge-induced pressure drops can decrease the volume of medication discharged. To prevent these reductions, the volumes discharged must be adjusted to maintain the required dosage levels. In this study, the authors developed an automatic control algorithm for an intrathecal infusion pump developed by the Korean National Cancer Center that regulates single-dose volumes. The proposed algorithm estimates the amount of medication remaining and adjusts control parameters automatically to maintain single-dose volumes at predetermined levels. Experimental results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm can regulate mean single-dose volumes with a variation of <3% and estimate the remaining medication volume with an accuracy of >98%.

Due to the fact that GBM is a

Due to the fact that GBM is a Crenigacestat Stem Cells & Wnt inhibitor disease of heterogeneity,

chemotherapy with multitargeting properties may be the way of the future. In broader terms, DSF kills CSCs from a range of different cancer types further supporting the idea of repurposing it for target practice. Stem Cells2015;33:1042-1046″
“Objective. The pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) involves cytokines and chemokines. Given the role of intraarticular macrophage infiltration in RA, this study was undertaken to address the pathogenic role of CCR2, a chemokine receptor that is abundantly expressed by macrophages, in Il1rn-deficient mice, a mouse model of RA.\n\nMethods. Il1rn-deficient and Il1rn and Ccr2-double-deficient mice were subjected to clinical assessment of arthritis and histologic examination. Bone mineral density was measured with computed tomography. The types of cells infiltrating joints were determined by immunohistochemical

analysis and flow cytometric analysis. Osteoclasts in joints were quantified after tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining. Cytokine and chemokine levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and multiplex suspension array assay. The expression patterns learn more of chemokines and osteoclastogenic factors were determined by double-color immunofluorescence analysis. Anti-mouse CXCR2 antibody was injected into Il1rn and Ccr2-double-deficient mice for blocking experiments.\n\nResults. Ablation of the Ccr2 gene actually exacerbated arthritis and intraarticular osteoclastogenesis, while it enhanced intraarticular neutrophil but not macrophage accumulation in Il1rn-deficient mice. Infiltrated neutrophils expressed the osteoclastogenic factors RANKL and ADAM-8, thereby augmenting intraarticular osteoclastogenesis in Il1rn and Ccr2-double-deficient mice. Moreover, the double-deficient mice exhibited enhanced GKT137831 chemical structure expression of the neutrophilic chemokines keratinocyte

chemoattractant and macrophage inflammatory protein 2 (MIP-2), compared with Il1rn-deficient mice. Finally, neutralizing antibodies to CXCR2, the receptor for keratinocyte chemoattractant and MIP-2, dramatically attenuated arthritis in Il1rn and Ccr2-double-deficient mice.\n\nConclusion. Our findings indicate that CCR2-mediated signals can modulate arthritis in Il1rn-deficient mice by negatively regulating neutrophil infiltration.”
“Polymer biomolecule hybrids represent a powerful class of highly customizable nanomaterials. Here, we report star-polymer conjugates with DNA using a “ligandless” Cu(I) promoted azide-alkyne cycloaddition click reaction. The multivalency of the star-polymer architecture allows for the concomitant conjugation of other molecules along with the DNA, and the conjugation method provides control over the DNA orientation. The star-polymer DNA nanoparticles are shown to assemble into higher-order nanoassemblies through hybridization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: All the synthesized

\n\nMATERIALS AND METHODS: All the synthesized learn more compounds 7-12 were tested for their in vitro antifungal activities against Candida sp. namely Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida parapsilosis, Candida dubliniensis and Candida krusei.\n\nRESULTS: A close inspection of the in vitro anticandidal activity profile in differently electron withdrawing (-F, -Cl, and -Br) functional group and electron donating (CH3 and OCH3) substituted phenyl rings of novel highly functionalized bis cyclohexenone ethyl carboxylates 7-12 exerted strong anticandidal activity against all the tested Candida species. All the synthesized

compounds 7-12 exhibited MIC value in the range of 6.25-200 mu g/mL against all the tested Candida (C.) species.\n\nCONCLUSIONS: Compound 8 against C. albicans, 9,11 against C. glabrata, 8,10 against C. parapsilosis, 7,9 against C. dubliniensis, 8,10 against C. krusei exhibited excellent anticandidal activity at a MIC value of 6.25 mu g/mL. Likewise compound 7, 911 against C. albicans, 8, 9, Nec-1s order 11 against C. tropicalis, 8 against C. glabrata, 9 against C. parapsilosis, 10 against C. dubliniensis, 9 against C. krusei revealed superior activity at a MIC value

of 12.5 mu g/mL.”
“A smart fully automated system is proposed for determination of thorium and uranium in a wide concentration range, reaching environmental levels. The hyphenation of lab-on-valve (LOV) and multisyringe flow injection analysis (MSFIA), coupled to a long path length liquid waveguide capillary cell, allows the spectrophotometric determination of thorium and uranium in different types of environmental sample matrices achieving high selectivity and sensitivity levels. Online separation and preconcentration of thorium and uranium is carried out by means of Uranium and TEtraValents Actinides resin. The potential of the LOV-MSFIA makes possible the

full automation of the system by selleck inhibitor the in-line regeneration of the column and its combination with a smart methodology is a step forward in automation. After elution, thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) are spectrophotometrically detected after reaction with arsenazo-III. We propose a rapid, inexpensive, and fully automated method to determine thorium(IV) and uranium(VI) in a wide concentration range (0-1,200 and 0-2,000 mu g L(-1) Th and U, respectively). Limits of detection reached are 5.9.g L(-1) of uranium and 60 eta g L(-1) of thorium. Different water sample matrices (seawater, well water, freshwater, tap water, and mineral water), and a channel sediment reference material which contained thorium and uranium were satisfactorily analyzed with the proposed method.

It was more effective in this regard than a 1:1 mixture of the co

It was more effective in this regard than a 1:1 mixture of the constituent cation and anion receptors (4 and 5).”
“Background. NIMA-related kinase 2 (NEK2), an enzyme involved in the development and progression

of cancer, is abnormally expressed in a wide variety of human cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), and is known to have roles in cell division Alisertib ic50 and mitotic regulation through centrosome splitting. We investigated the clinical significance of NEK2 in CRC. In particular, we examined miR-128 expression, which is thought to target NEK2.\n\nMethods. We measured NEK2 mRNA and miR-128 levels in clinical samples by quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR and analyzed the associations between NEK2 levels, miR-128 levels, clinicopathological

factors, and A-1331852 mw prognoses. Furthermore, we performed in vitro assays using a pre-miR-128 precursor and conducted miR-128 methylation analyses.\n\nResults. MiR-128 inhibited NEK2 expression and cancer cell proliferation via cell cycle arrest. Moreover, miR-128 was silenced by DNA methylation. Increased NEK2 expression was associated with serosal invasion, lymphatic invasion, and peritoneal dissemination. Patients with high NEK2 expression also had significantly poorer prognoses. Multivariate analysis indicated that high NEK2 expression was an independent prognostic factor for survival. Patients with high miR-128 expression had significantly lower NEK2 expression and lower NEK2

expression and lower recurrence rates than those with low miR-128 expression.\n\nConclusions. NEK2 may be an independent prognostic factor for CRC and was regulated by miR-128, a microRNA that was subjected to epigenetic regulation. Thus, this miR-128/NEK2 pathway may be a prospective therapeutic target for patients with CRC.”
“We identified 16 variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. These VNTRs were evaluated with panels of 183 diverse isolates, 203 closely related isolates and 54 isolates from seven outbreaks. Epigenetics inhibitor The evaluations revealed that five of the 16 VNTRs had diversity values greater than 0.5, and three (STIRS, STTR6 and STTR10) were hypervariable. The results obtained from the outbreak isolates suggested that the 16 VNTRs were considerably stable in isolates recovered during a normal outbreak time course. Multilocus VNTR analysis (MLVA) based on four most variable VNTRs (MLVA4), exhibited a better resolving power over pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) in discriminating among isolates, in particular among the closely-related isolates. An MLVA5, which is based on five VNTRs and has been widely used in many European laboratories, displayed a level of discrimination close to MLVA4. The phylogenetic tree established using the MLVA16 profiles presented four distinct clusters, which were associated with four different phage types.

(C) 2012 Elsevier B V All rights reserved “
“Transcriptiona

(C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“Transcriptional cofactors are essential for proper embryonic development. One such cofactor in Drosophila, Degringolade (Dgrn), encodes a RING finger/E3 ubiquitin ligase. Dgrn and its mammalian ortholog RNF4 are SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases (STUbLs). STUbLs bind to SUMOylated proteins via their SUMO interaction motif (SIM) domains and facilitate substrate ubiquitylation. In this study, we show that

Dgrn is a negative regulator of the repressor Hairy and its corepressor Groucho (Gro/transducin-like enhancer (TLE)) during embryonic Selleck EVP4593 segmentation and neurogenesis, as dgrn heterozygosity suppresses Hairy mutant phenotypes and embryonic lethality. Mechanistically Dgrn functions as a molecular selector: it targets Hairy for SUMO-independent ubiquitylation that inhibits the recruitment of its corepressor Gro, without affecting the recruitment of its other cofactors or the stability of Hairy. Concomitantly, Dgrn specifically targets

SUMOylated Gro for sequestration and antagonizes Gro functions in vivo. Our findings suggest that by targeting SUMOylated Gro, Dgrn serves as a molecular switch that regulates cofactor recruitment and function during development. As Gro/TLE proteins are conserved universal corepressors, this may be a general PR 171 paradigm used to regulate the Gro/TLE corepressors in other developmental processes. The EMBO Journal (2011) 30, 1289-1301. doi: 10.1038/emboj.2011.42; Published online 22 February 2011″
“Spectrin assembles into an anti-parallel heterodimeric flexible rod-like molecule through a multistep process initiated by a high affinity interaction between discrete complementary homologous motifs or “repeats” near the actin binding domain. Attempts to determine crystallographic structures of this critical dimer initiation complex have so far been unsuccessful. Therefore, in

this study we determined the subunit-subunit docking interface and a plausible medium resolution structure of the heterodimer initiation site using homology modeling coupled with structural refinement based on experimentally determined distance constraints. Intramolecular and intermolecular cross-links formed by the “zero length” cross-linking reagent, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) GDC-0941 clinical trial carbodiimide were identified after trypsin digestion of cross-linked heterodimer complex using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. High confidence assignment of cross-linked peptides was facilitated by determination of cross-linked peptide masses with an uncertainty of a few parts per million using a high sensitivity linear ion trap mass spectrometer equipped with a Fourier-transform ion cyclotron resonance detector. Six interchain cross-links distinguished between alternative docking models, and these distance constraints, as well as three intrachain crosslinks, were used to further refine an initial homology-based structure.

The MLVSS/MLSS ratio was reduced from 75% to 68% Regardless of t

The MLVSS/MLSS ratio was reduced from 75% to 68%. Regardless of the FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O addition, the TN removal efficiencies were maintained around 62% in both systems. In conclusion, the sludge disintegration plays an important role in reduction of sludge production rate. Although the adding FeSO4 center dot 7H(2)O caused a reduction in sludge production rate, the effluent water qualities and membrane operation were not significant affected during the operation

of over 9 months. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.”
“In order to distinguish chilling and freezing tolerance mechanisms in pea, responses to cold exposure were compared between the freezing tolerant line Champagne and the sensitive AZD6094 price line Terese. Global gene expression was considered EVP4593 clinical trial in the two lines and associated with morphological, histological and biochemical approaches. The chilling tolerance in both lines was related to responses of the CBF, COR and LEA genes belonging to the CBF regulon, with greater earliness of expression in the Champagne genotype. The freezing tolerance, only observed in Champagne, was associated with acclimation processes

such as cellular osmotic stabilization, photosynthesis modifications, antioxidants production, modifications in hormone metabolism, cell wall composition and dynamics. (C) 2012 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.”
“The recently updated German S3-guideline regarding the diagnosis and treatment

of Crohn’s disease incorporates several changes concerning the radiological approach compared to the former guideline. This article focuses on guideline-based radiological imaging techniques for patients with Crohn’s disease. see more The new guideline is also compared to former European and German guidelines in the context of recently published radiological literature.”
“Lipoabdominoplasty is nearly a daily aesthetic procedure. Despite the emergence of laser-assisted liposuction, to date, it has not been clearly evaluated combined with abdominoplasty. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of laser-assisted liposuction relative to traditional liposuction combined with high-lateral-tension abdominoplasty.\n\nThis study investigated 36 consecutive female patients who underwent high-lateral-tension abdominoplasty combined with liposuction of the upper central abdomen and both flanks. The patients were divided into three equal groups based on the technique used for liposuction. Group 1 underwent conventional liposuction with abdominoplasty. Group 2 underwent a mixture of conventional and laser-assisted liposuction with abdominoplasty. Group 3 underwent laser-assisted liposuction with abdominoplasty.\n\nThe patients in groups 2 and 3 had a better aesthetic outcome than those in group 1 with regard to abdominal contour and skin tightness. No major complications were observed in groups 1 and 2.

The developmental profile of intrinsic axons also varies between

The developmental profile of intrinsic axons also varies between cortical areas: those in V1, for example, undergo an early proliferation followed by pruning and local consolidation into adulthood, whereas those in area TE tend to establish their

territory and consolidate it into adulthood with little pruning. We correlate the anatomical findings with the electrophysiological properties of cells in the different cortical areas, including membrane time BI 2536 ic50 constant, depolarizing sag, duration of individual action potentials, and spike-frequency adaptation. All of the electrophysiological variables ramped up before 7 months of age in V1, but continued to ramp up over a protracted period of time in area TE. These data suggest that the anatomical and electrophysiological profiles of pyramidal cells vary among cortical areas at birth, and continue to diverge into adulthood. Moreover, the data reveal that the “use it or lose it” notion of synaptic reinforcement may speak to only part of the story,” use it but you still might lose it” may be just as prevalent in the cerebral cortex.”
“Emotional memories represent the core of human and animal life and drive future choices and behaviors.

Early research involving brain lesion studies in animals lead to the idea that the auditory cortex participates Cl-amidine supplier in emotional learning by processing the sensory features of auditory stimuli paired with emotional consequences and by transmitting this information to the amygdala. Nevertheless, electrophysiological and imaging studies revealed that, following emotional experiences, the auditory cortex undergoes learning-induced changes that are highly specific, associative selleck chemicals and long lasting.

These studies suggested that the role played by the auditory cortex goes beyond stimulus elaboration and transmission. Here, we discuss three major perspectives created by these data. In particular, we analyze the possible roles of the auditory cortex in emotional learning, we examine the recruitment of the auditory cortex during early and late memory trace encoding, and finally we consider the functional interplay between the auditory cortex and subcortical nuclei, such as the amygdala, that process affective information. We conclude that, starting from the early phase of memory encoding, the auditory cortex has a more prominent role in emotional learning, through its connections with subcortical nuclei, than is typically acknowledged. (C) 2015 IBRO. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Odiparcil is a novel, orally active beta-D-thioxyloside analog with antithrombotic activity associated with a reduced risk of adverse bleeding events. Its unique mechanism of action is postulated by means of an elevation in circulating endogenous chondroitin sulfate-related glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) levels.

4%) in the generator exchange group could not be defibrillated us

4%) in the generator exchange group could not be defibrillated using the standard approach. All of those patients had either chronic amiodarone therapy, secondary prevention or a cardiac resynchronization therapy device (CRT). Sapitinib datasheet In univariate analysis, amiodarone therapy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and lower ejection fraction were predictors of failure. Conclusion: Our

study’s results as well as a review of the current literature favor shock testing, especially in patients with specific risk factors as mentioned above. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 24, pp. 437-441, April 2013)”
“Aims The study was designed to test the influence of the temporal resolution, at which tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle tracking imaging Nepicastat (STI) operate, on the accurate assessment of left ventricular (LV) untwist rate (UR).\n\nMethods and results Echo imaging and invasive LV pressure measurements

were performed during right atrial (RA) pacing and dobutamine challenge in eight pigs. LV torsion and torsional rate profiles were analysed from grey scale and tissue Doppler data ( apical and basal short axis) at frame rates of 82 +/- 17 and 183 +/- 14 Hz, respectively. Temporal subsampling of TDI data sets was performed at 82 +/- 6 Hz in order to mimic the mean temporal resolution of STI and the LV torsional curves were again extracted. At rest, LV UR values were comparable for both imaging techniques. However, during dobutamine stimulation, TDI estimated peak UR was predominantly higher than UR measured by STI (-112.1 +/- 64.58 degrees/s vs. -75.5 +/- 31.48 find more degrees/s, P < 0.05). The similarity of LV UR measurements with respect to the STI/TDI data was examined by a Bland-Altman analysis.\n\nConclusion Although both methods regarding LV UR correlated well, these methods cannot be interchanged. STI showed a bias

to underestimate UR at high values.”
“Real-time 4D full-range complex-conjugate-free Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT) is implemented using a dual graphics processing units (dual-GPUs) architecture. One GPU is dedicated to the FD-OCT data processing while the second one is used for the volume rendering and display. GPU accelerated non-uniform fast Fourier transform (NUFFT) is also implemented to suppress the side lobes of the point spread function to improve the image quality. Using a 128,000 A-scan/second OCT spectrometer, we obtained 5 volumes/second real-time full-range 3D OCT imaging. A complete micro-manipulation of a phantom using a microsurgical tool is monitored by multiple volume renderings of the same 3D date set with different view angles. Compared to the conventional surgical microscope, this technology would provide the surgeons a more comprehensive spatial view of the microsurgical site and could serve as an effective intraoperative guidance tool.

56A degrees to 10 6A degrees (CCW condition) The temporal index

56A degrees to 10.6A degrees (CCW condition). The temporal index in the anterior-posterior direction varied from 0.711 to 1.103 (CW condition) and from 1.071 to 1.905 (CCW condition). The index in the right-left direction

varied from 0.773 to 2.081 (CW condition) and from 0.842 to 1.226 (CCW condition). Characteristic hollows or protrusions were detected from the first derivatives of head turning trajectories and were regarded as abrupt changes in angular velocity during head turning. The results AICAR ic50 suggest that these three indices are appropriate tools for evaluation of the constancy of head turning.”
“GPR54 is a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) which was formerly an orphan receptor. Recent functional study of GPR54 revealed that the receptor has an essential

role to modulate sex-hormones including GnRH. Though antagonists of GPR54 are expected to be novel drugs for sex-hormone dependent diseases such as prostate cancer or endometriosis, small molecule GPR54 antagonists have not been reported. We have synthesized a series of 2-acylamino-4,6-diphenylpyridines to identify potent GPR54 antagonists. Detailed structure-activity relationship studies led to compound 9l with an IC(50) value check details of 3.7 nM in a GPR54 binding assay, and apparent antagonistic activity in a cellular functional assay. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The McpS chemoreceptor of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 recognizes six different tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates. However, the magnitude of the chemotactic response towards these compounds differs largely, which has led to distinguish between strong attractants (malate, succinate, fumarate, oxaloacetate)

and weak attractants (citrate, isocitrate). Citrate is abundantly present in plant tissues and root exudates and can serve as the only carbon source for growth. Citrate is known to form complexes with divalent cations which are also abundantly present in natural habitats of this bacterium. We have used isothermal titration calorimetry to study the formation of citrate-metal ion complexes. In all cases binding Rabusertib cost was entropy driven but significant differences in affinity were observed ranging from K-D = 157 mu M (for Mg2+) to 3 mu M (for Ni2+). Complex formation occurred over a range of pH and ionic strength. The ligand binding domain of McpS (McpS-LBD) was found to bind free citrate, but not complexes with physiologically relevant Mg2+ and Ca2+. In contrast, complexes with divalent cations which are present as trace elements (Co2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+) were recognized by McpS-LBD. This discrimination differs from other citrate sensing proteins. These results are discussed in the context of the three dimensional structure of free citrate and its complex with Mg2+. Chemotaxis assays using P. putida revealed that taxis towards the strong attractant malate is strongly reduced in the presence of free citrate. However, this reduction is much less important in the presence of citrate-Mg2+ complexes.