High stability amperometric biosensor based on enzyme entrapment in microgels

The preparation and characterization of an amperometric glucose biosensor based on the entrapment of glucose oxidase (GOx) in a polyacrylamide microgel is described. This study proves that polyacrylamide microgels provide an excellent matrix for GOx immobilization that can be used as a biological material in amperometric biosensors. The interference produced by ascorbic and uric acid has been eliminated by including acrylic acid in the polymeric matrix. With this modification, we obtain an adequate device for glucose determination in complex samples such as blood and serum. The study of the temperature effect in the response of biosensors indicates that swelling of the microgels directly influences the enzymatic activity. Thus, the behaviour of the enzyme in the swollen microgels is similar to the enzyme in solution, but the enzyme's activation energy increases when the water content in the microgels decreases. One important property of these biosensors is their remarkable stability. After 4 months of its manufacture, there is no loss in the initial response. Furthermore, the enzymatic activity of freeze-dried microgels containing enzyme remains unaltered for at least 18 months.     

Regioselective palladium-catalyzed alkylation of allylic halides with benzylic grignard reagents. Two-step synthesis of abietane terpenes and tetracyclic polyprenoid compounds

A highly regioselective palladium-catalyzed alpha-alkylation of allylic bromides 1a,c-e and chloride 1b with substituted and unsubstituted benzylic Grignard reagents is reported. The resulting all-trans polyenehomobenzene derivatives were obtained in excellent yields and regioselectivity. These products were easily converted to abietane-type diterpenes (10-12) and tetracyclic polyprenoid compounds (13, 14) through a Lewis acid-promoted cascade polyene cyclization reaction.     

Conformational mobility of thianthrene-5-oxide

[reaction: see text] Data on the apparent dipole moment of thianthrene-5-oxide (1) and (1)H NMR spectra in different solvents support the conformational mobility of 1, which flaps between two limit boat conformations with the sulfinyl group in pseudoequatorial and pseudoaxial positions, respectively. The conformational equilibrium of 1 occurs too fast for the (1)H NMR (500 MHz) time-scale even at -130 degrees C, and the equilibrium constant has not been determined. The apparent dipole moments of 1 in n-hexane and 1,4-dioxane and the (1)H NMR spectra of 1 and the model compounds cis- and trans-thianthrene-5,10-dioxides (2) and thianthrene (5) in different solvents and at various temperatures confirm that the relative position of the conformational equilibrium of 1 is solvent-dependent, and more polar solvents favor the conformation with the sulfoxide group in the pseudoaxial position (1(')(ax)). Variable-temperature (1)H NMR spectra have established the interconversion barrier of trans-2 and confirmed that the conformational equilibrium of cis-2 is strongly displaced toward the conformation with both sulfinyl groups in the pseudoequatorial position. The (1)H NMR data support the transannular interaction of the functional groups in 1 and trans-2.     

Thermodynamic properties of quinoxaline-1,4-dioxide derivatives: a combined experimental and computational study

The mean (N-O) bond dissociation enthalpies were derived for three 2-methyl-3-(R)-quinoxaline 1,4-dioxide (1) derivatives, with R = methyl (1a), ethoxycarbonyl (1b), and benzyl (1c). The standard molar enthalpies of formation in the gaseous state at T = 298.15 K for the three 1 derivatives were determined from the enthalpies of combustion of the crystalline solids and their enthalpies of sublimation. In parallel, accurate density functional theory-based calculations were carried out in order to estimate the gas-phase enthalpies of formation for the corresponding quinoxaline derivatives. Also, theoretical calculations were used to obtain the first and second N-O dissociation enthalpies. These dissociation enthalpies are in excellent agreement with the experimental results herewith reported.     

Elucidation of the pore structure of SBA-2 using Monte Carlo simulation to interpret experimental data for the adsorption of light hydrocarbons

We have measured the adsorption of methane and ethane to high pressure on SBA-2, a structured mesoporous silica composed of spheres connected by narrow channels. The experimental data were analyzed by carrying out Monte Carlo simulations of adsorption in pore structure models of different complexity and then adjusting the parameters of the models to match the Monte Carlo results to the experimental data. We found that a model based on single-sized spherical cavities was inadequate and that it is necessary to explicitly account for the interconnecting channels. Further, we found that despite the basic regularity of the SBA-2 structure, it is necessary to allow for a distribution of the sizes of both the cavities and the channels. These size distributions were obtained by fitting the parameters of the model to the experimental adsorption data, revealing detailed structural information not previously known for this material. The channels were found to be 5-15 A in diameter, while the cavities were 40-50 A in diameter. There is some evidence that the distribution of channel sizes leads to a percolation effect whereby the pore structure is not equally accessible to all adsorptives.     

Visual detection of cysteine and homocysteine

The determination of cysteine and homocysteine levels is of great current interest for the monitoring of desease states. A new colorimetric method for the simultaneous detection of l-cysteine and l-homocysteine has been developed. A fluorescein derivative reacts with the above amino acids, producing their respective thiazolidines resulting in color changes. Interference from other amino acids and proteins is minimal.     

PHYSIOLOGICAL RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN PHYTOCHROME EFFECTS ON INTERNODE EXTENSION GROWTH AND DRY MATTER ACCUMULATION INLIGHT-GROWN MUSTARD

The physiological relationships between the effects of phytochrome photoequilibrium (Pfr/P) on internode extension growth and dry matter accumulation were investigated in white light (WL)-grown Sinapis alba L. seedlings. After 11 days under continuous WL, the seedlings were exposed: (a) to pulses of light providing different Pfr/P, followed by 24 h darkness (D); (b) to pulses of light providing different Pfr/P, followed by 3 h D and 24 h continuous WL; (c) to continuous WL with or without supplementary far-red light (to reduce Pfr/P); or (d) to pulses of light providing different Pfr/P followed by D, in factorial combination with either water or a saturating (0.2 M) sucrose solution applied to one of the leaves. In D (“a” and “d”) low, compared to high Pfr/P increased both internode extension growth and dry weight to the same extent. Under WL (“b” and “c”) low PfrlP promoted internode extension growth but had no proportional effects on internode dry weight. Sucrose promoted internode extension growth with a lag of at least 8 h (compared to the rapid effect of low Pfr/P) and did not reduce the effect of low Pfr/P. These results indicate that Pfr/P effects on internode extension growth are not the consequence of changes in photoassimilate translocation from the leaves. Under WL, PfdP effects on internode length occur partially at the expense of internode dry matter per unit length.     

Assignment of the relative configuration of spiro[4.5]decanes by 13C, 15N and 17O NMR

The relative configuration of 11 1,4-diazaspiro[4.5]decanes (1a-1j and 1m), 15 1,4-oxazaspiro[4.5]decanes (2a-2o) and 10 1,4-dioxaspiro[4.5]decanes (3a-3n) substituted at the 2-, 6-, 7- or 8-position by a methyl group or using the tert-butyl group as a model for the ananchomeric structure is reported. The relative stereochemistry was analyzed by 1H, 13C, 15N and 17O NMR and all isomers present were characterized spectroscopically. Compounds with a methyl group in the six-membered ring show a chair conformation preference with the methyl group in the equatorial position. Compounds with one or two nitrogens exhibit a tautomeric equilibrium between the imine-diazolidine forms, as demonstrated by IR and 13C NMR.     

Determination of oxidized and reduced glutathione, by capillary zone electrophoresis, in Brassica juncea plants treated with copper and cadmium

A rapid method of capillary zone electrophoresis is described to determine the oxidized (GSSG) and reduced (GSH) form of glutathione in plant tissue. In order to separate both analytes in a fused-silica capillary, the pH and composition of the electrolyte solution were optimized. The electrolyte composition was 100 mmol/L, borate 25 mmol/L Tris, and 0.2% w/v metaphosphoric acid (MPA), pH 8.2. Some instrumental conditions used to run the samples were hydrostatic injection for 30 s, 30 kV applied voltage, and UV detection (185 nm) at 25 degrees C. Linearity and useful range obtained for the calibration curves were optimum, with correlation coefficients about 0.999 in the 0-120 micromol/L range. The migration time was highly reproducible, less than 5 min being afforded to run a sample. Electrolyte buffer and samples required a careful pH control for optimal separation of both analytes. This aspect constitutes a critical analytical step when acids are used in the procedure for sample preparation. Simultaneous analysis of GSH and GSSG may provide a useful tool for comparative studies of plants in order to select those species with a potential capacity for detoxification from toxic elements or those appearing promising from phytoremediation for these elements.