Design and Asymmetric Synthesis of beta-Strand Peptidomimetics

We describe the asymmetric synthesis of non-peptidic compounds that feature rigid backbone conformations and present various side-chain functions. The key step in the synthesis of these compounds is the C-acylation of an appropriate ketone with a suitably protected aspartic acid derivative. The resulting dipeptide modules may be connected to form tetrapeptide mimics. Specifically is described the mimicry of a four-residue segment of CD4, the cellular receptor of HIV-1. The design was based on molecular modeling and the X-ray crystal structures of CD4 and intended to present the most important side chains and backbone elements of the Phe43-Lys46 segment.     

Resolving Sphingolipid Isomers Using Cryogenic Infrared Spectroscopy

1‐Deoxysphingolipids are a recently described class of sphingolipids that have been shown to be associated with several disease states including diabetic and hereditary neuropathy. The identification and characterization of 1‐deoxysphingolipids and their metabolites is therefore highly important. However, exact structure determination requires a combination of sophisticated analytical techniques due to the presence of various isomers, such as ketone/alkenol isomers, carbon–carbon double‐bond (C=C) isomers and hydroxylation regioisomers. Here we demonstrate that cryogenic gas‐phase infrared (IR) spectroscopy of ionized 1‐deoxysphingolipids enables the identification and differentiation of isomers by their unique spectroscopic fingerprints. In particular, C=C bond positions and stereochemical configurations can be distinguished by specific interactions between the charged amine and the double bond. The results demonstrate the power of gas‐phase IR spectroscopy to overcome the challenge of isomer resolution in conventional mass spectrometry and pave the way for deeper analysis of the lipidome.     

Radiation synthesis of starch-acrylic acid–vinyl sulfonic acid/multiwalled carbon nanotubes composite for the removal of 134Cs and 152+154Eu from aqueous solutions

Starch-acrylic acid-co-vinyl sulfonic acid/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (starch-AA-VSA/f-MWCNTs) bionanocomposite was successfully synthesized using gamma radiation for initiate the grafting of AA/VSA on starch in the presence of f-MWCNTs by template polymerization technique. The structural characteristics were confirmed by FTIR, SEM, and TGA. The adsorption behaviors of bionanocomposite toward Eu(III) and Cs(I) were examined using the batch adsorption experiments. Langmuir and Freundlich’s models were used to fit the experimental data of the adsorption isotherms. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption data followed the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the reaction was favorable at high temperature and endothermic process.

     

Substituent effects in the 13C NMR chemical shifts of para-(para-substituted benzylidene amino)benzonitrile and para-(ortho-substituted benzylidene amino)benzonitrile

¹³C NMR chemical shifts were measured in CDCl₃ for two series of substituted benzylidene anilines. The substituted benzylidene anilines p-X-C₆H₄CH=NC₆H₄-p-CN p-X-C₆H₄CH=NC₆H₄-o-CN (X = NO₂, F, Cl, Br, H, Me, MeO, NMe₂). The substituent dependence of δC(C=N) was used as a tool to study electronic substituent effects on the azomethine unit. The benzylidene substituents X have a reverse effect on δC(C=N): electron-withdrawing substituents cause shielding, while electrondonating ones do the reverse, the resonance effects clearly predominating over the inductive effects. Additionally, the presence of a specific cross-interaction between X and C=N could be verified. The electronic effects of the neighboring aromatic ring substituents systematically modify the sensitivity of the C=N group to the electronic effects of the benzylidene substituents. These results can be rationalized in terms of the substituent-sensitive balance of the electron delocalization (mesomeric effects).     

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and other adducts in aging-related diseases and alcohol-mediated tissue injury

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are potentially harmful and heterogeneous molecules derived from nonenzymatic glycation. The pathological implications of AGEs are ascribed to their ability to promote oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis. Recent studies in basic and translational research have revealed the contributing roles of AGEs in the development and progression of various aging-related pathological conditions, such as diabetes, cardiovascular complications, gut microbiome-associated illnesses, liver or neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer. Excessive chronic and/or acute binge consumption of alcohol (ethanol), a widely consumed addictive substance, is known to cause more than 200 diseases, including alcohol use disorder (addiction), alcoholic liver disease, and brain damage. However, despite the considerable amount of research in this area, the underlying molecular mechanisms by which alcohol abuse causes cellular toxicity and organ damage remain to be further characterized. In this review, we first briefly describe the properties of AGEs: their formation, accumulation, and receptor interactions. We then focus on the causative functions of AGEs that impact various aging-related diseases. We also highlight the biological connection of AGE–alcohol–adduct formations to alcohol-mediated tissue injury. Finally, we describe the potential translational research opportunities for treatment of various AGE- and/or alcohol-related adduct-associated disorders according to the mechanistic insights presented.Subject terms: Medical research, Experimental models of disease     

利用真空退火的界面工程处理方法制备边缘结

本文采用真空退火的界面工程处理的方法，成功地制备了高温超导边缘结，并在8mm微波辐照下得到了Shapiro台阶。测量结果表明，该结的特性基本符合RSJ模型。     

New Mononuclear and Binuclear Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) Thiosemicarbazone Complexes with Potential Biological Activity: Antimicrobial and Molecular Docking Study

Herein, we report the synthesis of eight new mononuclear and binuclear Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺ methoxy thiosemicarbazone (MTSC) complexes aiming at obtaining thiosemicarbazone complex with potent biological activity. The structure of the MTSC ligand and its metal complexes was fully characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis), molar conductivity, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and thermal differential analysis (DrTGA). The spectral and analytical data revealed that the obtained thiosemicarbazone-metal complexes have octahedral geometry around the metal center, except for the Zn²⁺-thiosemicarbazone complexes, which showed a tetrahedral geometry. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the MTSC ligand and its (Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Zn²⁺) metal complexes were also investigated. Interestingly, the antibacterial activity of MTSC- metal complexes against examined bacteria was higher than that of the MTSC alone, which indicates that metal complexation improved the antibacterial activity of the parent ligand. Among different metal complexes, the MTSC- mono- and binuclear Cu²⁺ complexes showed significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Proteus vulgaris, better than that of the standard gentamycin drug. The in silico molecular docking study has revealed that the MTSC ligand could be a potential inhibitor for the oxidoreductase protein.     

Simultaneous determination of ascorbic acid,uric acid and dopamine at modified electrode based on hybrid nickel hexacyanoferrate/poly(1,5-diaminonaphthalene)

A novel modified electrode was fabricated by a mixed-valent nickel hexacyanoferrate (NiHCF) and poly 1,5-diaminonaphthalene (PDAN) hybrid at glassy carbon (GC) electrode. The obtained NiHCF/PDAN/GC modified electrode was characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV) technique and scanning electron microscope (SEM). This electrode showed excellent catalytic properties toward the electrooxidation of ascorbic acid (A.A), dopamine (D.A) and uric acid (U.A) in 0.1 M NaCl solution using CV and square wave voltammetry (SWV) techniques. The NiHCF/PDAN/GC modified electrode exhibits high sensitivity, selectivity and stability making it a suitable sensor for the simultaneous detection of A.A, U.A and D.A in single and ternary mixture solutions. Different analytical parameters such as low detection limit (LOD), low quantification limit, correlation coefficient (R) and linear dynamic range were reported and discussed. The NiHCF/PDAN/GC modified electrode exhibits linear responses to A.A, D.A and U.A in the range 600–1000, 600–1000 and 600–1000 µM, respectively. The LOD for A.A, D.A and U.A were 0.036, 0.034 and 0.037 µM, respectively. The analytical behavior of this sensor had been evaluated for the detection of A.A and U.A in human serum and urine samples with satisfactory results.     

Adsorption — Desorption equilibria of some radionuclides in sediment — Sea water system

Chemical and physical properties of Suez Canal bottom sediments (SCBS) and sea water at port Tawfeek area, the south entrance of Suez canal, have been studied. The SCBS was separated into its size fractions (natural sediment, sand, silt and clay). These different sediment fractions were allwed to be in equilibrium with⁸⁹Sr,⁶⁰Co and¹³⁴Cs solutions. Desorption studies were carried out on these contaminated sediments.