In Vitro and In Vivo Sequestration of Phencyclidine by Me4Cucurbit[8]uril**

We report investigations of the use of cucurbit[8]uril (CB[8]) macrocycles as an antidote to counteract the in vivo biological effects of phencyclidine. We investigate the binding of CB[8] and its derivative Me₄CB[8] toward ten drugs of abuse ( 3 – 9 , 12 – 14 ) by a combination of ¹H NMR spectroscopy and isothermal titration calorimetry in phosphate buffered water. We find that the cavity of CB[8] and Me₄CB[8] are able to encapsulate the 1-amino-1-aryl-cyclohexane ring system of phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine as well as the morphinan skeleton of morphine and hydromorphone with K_d values ≤50 nm . In vitro cytotoxicity (MTS metabolic and adenylate kinase cell death assays in HEK293 and HEPG2 cells) and in vivo maximum tolerated dose studies (Swiss Webster mice) which were performed for Me₄CB[8] indicated good tolerability. The tightest host⋅guest pair (Me₄CB[8]⋅PCP; K_d=2 nm ) was advanced to in vivo efficacy studies. The results of open field tests demonstrate that pretreatment of mice with Me₄CB[8] prevents subsequent hyperlocomotion induction by PCP and also that treatment of animals previously dosed with PCP with Me₄CB[8] significantly reduces the locomotion levels.     

Directly Functionalized Cucurbit[7]uril as a Biosensor for the Selective Detection of Protein Interactions by 129Xe hyperCEST NMR

Advancement of hyperpolarized ¹²⁹Xe MRI technology toward clinical settings demonstrates the considerable interest in this modality for diagnostic imaging. The number of contrast agents, termed biosensors, for ¹²⁹Xe MRI that respond to specific biological targets, has grown and diversified. Directly functionalized xenon-carrying macrocycles, such as the large family of cryptophane-based biosensors, are good for localization-based imaging and provide contrast before and after binding events occur. Noncovalently functionalized constructs, such as cucurbituril- and cyclodextrin-based biosensors, benefit from commercial availability and optimal exchange dynamics for CEST imaging. In this work, we report the first directly functionalized cucurbituril used as a xenon biosensor. Biotinylated cucurbit[7]uril (btCB7) gives rise to a ¹²⁹Xe hyperCEST response at the unusual shift of δ=28 ppm when bound to its protein target with substantial CEST contrast. We posit that the observed chemical shift is due to the deformation of btCB7 upon binding to avidin, caused by proximity to the protein surface. Conformational searches and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations support this hypothesis. This construct combines the strengths of both families of biosensors, enables a multitude of biological targets through avidin conjugation, and demonstrates the advantages of functionalized cucurbituril-based biosensors.     

Synthesis of N-Substituted phosphoramidic acid esters as “reverse” fosmidomycin analogues

An efficient synthetic pathway to a series of novel “reverse” fosmidomycin analogues has been developed, commencing from substituted benzylamines. In these analogues, the fosmidomycin hydroxamate moiety is reversed and the tetrahedral methylene carbon adjacent to the phosphonate moiety is replaced by a nitrogen atom bearing different benzyl groups. The resulting phosphonate esters were designed as potential antimalarial “pro-drugs”.     

New Synthetic Route to Water-Soluble Prism[5]arene Hosts and Their Molecular Recognition Properties**

We report that the direct macrocyclization of naphthalene monomers bearing ethyl ester functional groups delivers prism[5]arene derivatives, which can be deprotected to yield water-soluble prism[5]arenes ( H1 and H3 ). ¹H NMR spectroscopy showed that dicationic guests bind with the hydrophobic cores buried inside the anisotropic magnetically shielding cavity. Isothermal titration calorimetry measurements showed that H1 and H3 are high-affinity hosts in PBS-buffered water with K_a values exceeding 10⁹ M⁻¹ for a select guest. The complexation events are driven by the non-classical hydrophobic effect, CH⋅⋅⋅π interactions, and electrostatic interactions. Host H1 displays somewhat higher affinity toward a common guest than pillar[6]arene bearing carboxylic acid functional groups but is significantly less potent than pillar[6]arene bearing sulfate groups. H1 and H3 should be considered alongside other high affinity hosts for a variety of chemical and biological applications.     

Economic assessment of single-walled carbon nanotube processes

The carbon nanotube market is steadily growing and projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2010. This study examines the economics of manufacturing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) using process-based cost models developed for arc, CVD, and HiPco processes. Using assumed input parameters, manufacturing costs are calculated for 1 g SWNT for arc, CVD, and HiPco, totaling $1.9 billion by 2010. This study examines the economics of manufacturing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT) using process-based cost models developed for arc, CVD, and HiPco processes. Using assumed input parameters, manufacturing costs are calculated for 1 g SWNT for arc, CVD, and HiPco, totaling 1,906, 1,706, and1,706, and 485, respectively. For each SWNT process, the synthesis and filtration steps showed the highest costs, with direct labor as a primary cost driver. Reductions in production costs are calculated for increased working hours per day and for increased synthesis reaction yield (SRY) in each process. The process-based cost models offer a means for exploring opportunities for cost reductions, and provide a structured system for comparisons among alternative SWNT manufacturing processes. Further, the models can be used to comprehensively evaluate additional scenarios on the economics of environmental, health, and safety best manufacturing practices.     

Nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril exhibits homotropic allosterism

The condensation of glycoluril and formaldehyde in concentrated HCl at 50 degrees C delivers nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril (ns-CB [10]). 1H NMR and X-ray crystallographic evidence indicates that the two cavities of ns-CB[10] accommodate guests that are typically bound within CB[6] or CB[7]. Several interesting types of selectivity are possible within these ternary complexes-top/center isomerism, diastereoselective complexation of chiral (but racemic) guest pairs, and guest size controlled homotropic allosterism.     

Complemented subgroups and <Emphasis Type="Italic">p</Emphasis>-nilpotence in finite groups

Let p be the smallest prime divisor of the order of a finite group G. We find sufficient conditions for G to be p-nilpotent based on the existence of complements in G for p-subgroups of certain orders. In particular, we generalize a recent result of M. Asaad.     

Group actions and orbits

Let A be a group acting via automorphisms on a group G, and let Ω be the set of orbits in this action. Then C = C _G (A) acts on Ω in a natural manner, and using this action, we deduce some divisibility information about |Ω|.