Carbohydrate-based DNA ligands: sugar-oligoamides as a tool to study carbohydrate-nucleic acid interactions

Sugar-oligoamides have been designed and synthesized as structurally simple carbohydrate-based ligands to study carbohydrate-DNA interactions. The general design of the ligands 1-3 has been done as to favor the bound conformation of Distamycin-type gamma-linked covalent dimers which is a hairpin conformation. Indeed, NMR analysis of the sugar-oligoamides in the free state has indicated the presence of a percentage of a hairpin conformation in aqueous solution. The DNA binding activity of compounds 1-3 was confirmed by calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) NMR titration. Interestingly, the binding of the different sugar-oligoamides seems to be modulated by the sugar configuration. Semiquantitative structural information about the DNA ligand complexes has been derived from NMR data. A competition experiment with Netropsin suggested that the sugar-oligoamide 3 bind to DNA in the minor groove. The NMR titrations of 1-3 with poly(dA-dT) and poly(dG-dC) suggested preferential binding to the ATAT sequence. TR-NOE NMR experiments for the sugar-oligoamide 3-ct-DNA complex both in D(2)O and H(2)O have confirmed the complex formation and given information on the conformation of the ligand in the bound state. The data confirmed that the sugar-oligoamide ligand is a hairpin in the bound state. Even more relevant to our goal, structural information on the conformation around the N-glycosidic linkage has been accessed. Thus, the sugar asymmetric centers pointing to the NH-amide and N-methyl rims of the molecule have been characterized.     

Thermal decomposition of HO2NO2 (peroxynitric acid, PNA): rate coefficient and determination of the enthalpy of formation

Rate coefficients for the gas-phase thermal decomposition of HO(2)NO(2) (peroxynitric acid, PNA) are reported at temperatures between 331 and 350 K at total pressures of 25 and 50 Torr of N(2). Rate coefficients were determined by measuring the steady-state OH concentration in a mixture of known concentrations of HO(2)NO(2) and NO. The measured thermal decomposition rate coefficients k(-)(1)(T,P) are used in combination with previously published rate coefficient data for the HO(2)NO(2) formation reaction to yield a standard enthalpy for reaction 1 of Delta(r)H degrees (298K) = -24.0 +/- 0.5 kcal mol(-1) (uncertainties are 2sigma values and include estimated systematic errors). A HO(2)NO(2) standard heat of formation, Delta(f)H degrees (298K)(HO(2)NO(2)), of -12.6 +/- 1.0 kcal mol(-1) was calculated from this value. Some of the previously reported data on the thermal decomposition of HO(2)NO(2) have been reanalyzed and shown to be in good agreement with our reported value.     

Applications of catalytic reactions. Kinetic microdetermination of W(VI) and V(V)

Summary Applications of Catalytic Reactions. Kinetic Microdetermination of W(VI) and V(V) A kinetic method is described for the microdetermination of tungsten and vanadium. The method is based on the catalytic action of tungstate and vanadate ions on the oxidation of 2,4-diaminophenol with hydrogen peroxide. The effect of reagent concentration is studied and the maximum tolerable amounts of interfering ions are determined. Procedures for the determination of 0.46 to 73.5g/ml tungsten are given with a relative error of about 1.5%. Quantities of 2.02·10^–2 to 2.5g/ml vanadium could be determined with a relative error of about 2%.Furthermore a kinetic determination of tungstate and vanadate ions in their mixtures is proposed.Part of PhD Thesis-University of Thessaloniki, 1975.     

Nitrosyl derivatives of tricobaltcarbon clusters

The nitrosyl clusters PPN[YCCo₃(CO)₇(NO)] (Y = Me, Ph, COOH, (C₅H₅)Fe(C₅H₄)) have been prepared in high yield from the reaction of YCCo₃(CO)₉ with PPN(NO₂) in THF, acetone or acetonitrile. Spectroscopic evidence indicates the structure of the nitrosyl anions is derived from that of YCCo₃(CO)₉ by the replacement of two CO ligands on one cobalt atom by a linear, terminal nitrosyl group. The nitrosyl metallates are extremely sensitive to oxidation and attempts to protonate the anions resulted in the reformation of the parent YCCo₃(CO)₉, molecules. The oxidative electrochemistry of the ferrocene complex, PPN[(C₅H₅)Fe(C₅H₄CCo₃(CO)₇(NO)] is also discussed.     

Future of biological aerosol detection

Biological aerosol detection in real time is an urgent civilian and military requirement. Such detection capability will be useful in environmental monitoring, for example, in gathering information in perceived hazardous areas such as housing developments downwind of sewage treatment plants. To be truly functional, the instrument has to operate continuously, 24 h a day and 7 days a week with minimal maintenance and few false alarms. A novel concept is proposed. The system employs a rapid front-end warning/alarming mechanism based on optical technologies that provides useful information for protection decision makers. This is connected to a sample collector that feeds a slower back-end liquid chemistry system that provides analytical results to the medical personnel to assist in prophylaxis and therapy decisions. Experience gained from measuring fluorescence signals of single bacterial spores under flow cytometry (FCM) using UV excitation at 340-360 nm, was applied to concept testing of a prototype instrument, built to do the same for aerosols. This machine was capable of resolving particle size as well as fluorescence intensity of each particle under laboratory and field conditions; it was called the fluorescent aerodynamic particle sizer (FLAPS). This paper describes practical aspects of measuring biological aerosols when the results must be compared to reference samplers that provide culturable or “live” data. Treatment of particle size and fluorescence information is discussed with respect to FLAPS and reference data fidelity. Along with an objective method to evaluate FLAPS data correlation to reference data, an approach for determining limit of detection in the field is discussed. In addressing the back-end detector chemistry, we have prioritized a number of important biological characteristics that must be given to a clinician to help in prophylaxis and therapy decisions. A series of biochemical measurements are proposed to define the threat of a sample and different solutions are given to implement these tests. We predict that the future for biological detection looks promising for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) techniques in identifying microorganisms. A conceptual instrument based on merging FCM and microchip-based analysis is described.     

Comparative assessment of solid-phase extraction clean-up procedures, GC columns and perfluoroacylation reagents for determination of type B trichothecenes in wheat by GC-ECD

Various solid-phase extraction (SPE) procedures for clean-up, two perfluoroacylation reagents (pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA) and heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA)) and two chromatographic columns (HP-1701 and HP-5) have been assessed comparatively to achieve the determination of type B trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol (DON), nivalenol (NIV), 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol (3- and 15-ADON)) in wheat grain by gas chromatography (GC)-electron-capture detection (ECD). Spiked wheat samples were extracted with acetonitrile-water (84:16, v/v). Tested SPE procedures were MycoSep 225 column, Florisil and different cartridges prepared in the laboratory with mixtures of various sorbents like alumina, Celite 545, C18, silica and charcoal. We propose MycoSep 225 column, and cartridges made with alumina-charcoal-silica and alumina-charcoal-C18 silica mixtures as clean-up procedures on the basis of recovery values (89.6, 87.3 and 86.1% for deoxynivalenol, respectively, at 1.0 mg/kg spiking level). The two last procedures are less expensive. Pentafluoropropionic anhydride was more stable against moisture and less expensive, while recoveries were similar to those obtained with heptafluorobutyric anhydride. HP-1701 column can separate 3- and 15-acetyldeoxynivalenol derivatives while HP-5 cannot, although this last column provided lower bleed and better sensitivity.     

High pressure [4+2] and [2+2+2] reactions between cycloheptatriene and methyl propiolate

Under high pressure conditions, cycloheptatriene reacts with methyl propiolate to afford mono-, bis- and trisadducts all retaining, the norcaradiene structure. The four new compounds are formed via [4+21] and [2+2+2] cycloadditions. The latter are examples for the high pressure extension of the scope of homo-Diels-Alder reactions.     

Determination of azolic fungicides in wine by solid-phase extraction and high-performance liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry

A method for simultaneous analysis of eight azolic fungicides: cyproconazole, diniconazole, tetraconazole, thiabendazole, flusilazole, triadimenol, triadimefon, carbendazim and the degradation product 2-aminobenzimidazole in wine samples is described. The compounds are isolated from the samples and concentrated by solid-phase extraction on polymeric cartridges. The determination is carried out by liquid chromatography with mass spectrometric detection in positive ionization and selected ion monitoring modes. The influence of parameters such as the mobile phase composition, column temperature, corona current and fragmentor voltage is studied and the proposed method is validated. Recoveries of the nine compounds added to wine samples range from 83 to 109%, with relative standard deviations below 10%. The quantitation limits are between 9 and 31 microg/L. Real wine samples are analyzed by the proposed method, also.     

Phosphate-selective electrodes containing immobilised ionophores

Phosphate selective electrodes have been produced based upon rubbery membranes containing heterocylic macrocycles as sensors covalently bound to a cross-linked polystyrene-block–polybutadiene-block–polystyrene (SBS) polymer. The membranes were robust and the best HPO₄²⁻-selective membrane fabricated was composed of 7.1% (m/m) dicumyl peroxide, 28.3% (m/m) 2-nitrophenyloctylether, 9.8% (m/m) 3-(10-undecenyl)-1,5,8-triazacyclodecane-2,4-dione, 31.0% (m/m) SBS and 23.8% (m/m) PoleStar™ 200R (clay-based filler). The characteristics of this electrode were a linear Nernstian range of 3.9×10⁻³ to 1×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ HPO₄²⁻ with a limit of detection of 1.0×10⁻⁶ mol dm⁻³ HPO₄²⁻, a slope of −29.7±0.9 mV per activity decade and a pH range from 6 to 8. Selectivity coefficients for phosphate against various interfering anions (chloride, sulfate and nitrate) were determined. Response times were 2 min or under, stability of response and electrode lifetime in continuous use were also very satisfactory. The response behavior of HPO₄²⁻-ISEs based upon mobile and bound ionophores was comparable and suggests that mobility of the ionophore is not necessary to obtain a working ISE and that covalent binding of ionophores can be used to produce ISEs of increased stability and robustness.