Glycosidase inhibition by macrolide antibiotics elucidated by STD-NMR spectroscopy

A glycosynthase approach was attempted to glycodiversify macrolide antibiotics, using DesR, a family-3 retaining beta-glucosidase involved in the self-resistance mechanism of methymycin production. STD-NMR was used to probe enzyme-substrate interactions. Analysis of competitive STD-NMR experiments between erythromycin A and a chromogenic substrate (pNP-beta-d-glucose) with the hydrolytically inactive nucleophile mutants led us to discover a family of unprecedented glycosidase inhibitors. Analysis of kinetic data with wild-type DesR determined that erythromycin is a competitive inhibitor of the glucosidase (IC50 = 2.8 +/- 0.3 microM and Ki = 2 +/- 0.2 microM) with respect to the hydrolysis of pNP-beta-d-glucose. Comparable inhibitory data was obtained for clarithromycin; however, the inhibitory effect of azithromycin was weak and no significant inhibition was observed with methymycin or d-desosamine. This report documents significant inhibition of glycosidases by macrolide antibiotics and provides insight into the design of novel glycosidase inhibitors based on the macrolactone ring of macrolide antibiotics.     

Pretreatment of softwood by acid-catalyzed steam explosion followed by alkali extraction

A process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to ethanol hydrolyzes the hemicellulosic fraction to soluble sugars (i.e., pretreatment), followed by acid- or enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis of the cellulosic fraction. Enzymatic hydrolysis may be improved by using an alkali to extract a fraction of the lignin from the pretreated material. The removal of the lignin may increase the accessibility of the cellulose to enzymatic attack, and thus improve overall economics of the process, if the alkali-treated material can still be effectively converted to ethanol. Pretreated Douglas fir produced by a sulfuric-acid-catalyzed steam explosion was treated with NaOH, NH₄OH, and lime to extract some of the lignin. The treated material, along with an untreated control sample, was tested by an enzymatic-digestion procedure, and converted to ethanol by simultaneous saccharification and fermentation using a glucose-fermenting yeast. NaOH was most effective at removing lignin (removed 29%), followed by NH4OH and lime. However, the susceptibility of the treated material to enzymatic digestion was lower than the control and decreased with increasing lignin removal. Ethanol production was similar for the control and NaOH-treated material, and lower for NH₄OH- and lime-treated material.     

Determination of furosemide in urine by HPLC with preconcentration by micellar-extraction

The micellar extraction of furosemide by the nonionic surfactant (NS) Triton X-100 at the cloud point was studied; it was performed in a conventional heating mode and upon induction with phenol. It was shown that the quantitative recovery of the preparation was attained using hydrophobic micellar phases of NS modified with phenol. A procedure was developed for determining furosemide in urine by reversed-phase HPLC with preconcentration by micellar extraction in the presence of phenol. The preconcentration ratio was 80 and the detection limit for furosemide, 3 mg/L. The procedure was used to analyze urine samples by the standard addition method.     

紫外可见分光光度法测定酶解桑葚酒中多糖含量

采用紫外可见分光光度法测定酶解桑葚酒中的多糖含量。向酶解桑葚酒中加入硫酸,使样品中的多糖水解成单糖,并迅速脱水生成糖醛衍生物,加入苯酚作为显色剂,检测波长为490 nm,标准工作曲线线性方程为y=0.056 8x–0.035,相关系数r=0.999 4。测定结果的相对标准偏差为0.03%(n=5),平均加标回收率为98.69%。该方法用于检测酶解桑葚酒中多糖含量,简便、快速。     

Cellulose nanofibres by sonocatalysed-TEMPO-oxidation

The purpose of this work was to study the influence of acoustic cavitation on the oxidation of a mill bleached machine dried hardwood Kraft pulp. The oxidation of the pulp was carried out using 4-acetamido-TEMPO coupled with NaOCl/NaBr as co-oxidizer. The carboxylate content was increased by about 30% without any adverse impact on the degree of polymerization in the case of oxidations under acoustic cavitation compared to the reference without acoustic cavitation. A close correlation between the yield of nanocellulose and the carboxylate content of the oxidized pulps was observed. The individualized cellulose nanofibres were 3–4 nm in width and a few microns in length.     

Ammonia sorption by Dawson acid studied by IR spectroscopy and microbalance

Using in-situ microbalance and infrared spectroscopy techniques the double ammonia proton complexation was traced. The results confirm the formation of N₂H₇⁺ dimer in solid Dawson acid H₆P₂W₁₈O₆₂, previously reported only for N₂H₇I and for (N₂H₇)₄SiW₁₂O₄₀. The formation of such dimers was evidenced by the microbalance results, the molar ratio of ammonia to proton was measured as 2:1 at 10.7 kPa and 298 K. The formation of NH₄⁺ monomer (band at 1410 cm⁻¹) and N₂H₇⁺ dimer (1460 cm⁻¹) was revealed by IR spectroscopy. Enthalpy of ammonia sorption on Dawson structure was calculated to be −127.9 kJ mol⁻¹, indicating the lower acid strength of Dawson-type compared to that of the Keggin-type heteropolyacids, like H₄SiW₁₂O₄₀.     

Immobilization of a recombinant cutinase by entrapment and by covalent binding

Fusarium solani pisi recombinant cutinase, immobilized by entrapment in calcium alginate and by covalent binding on porous silica, was used to catalyze the hydrolysis of tricaprylin. The influence of relevant parameters on the catalytic activity such as pH, temperature, and the substrate concentration were studied. Cutinase immobilized by entrapment presented a Michaelis-Menten kinetics for tricaprylin concentrations up to 200 mM. At higher concentrations of substrate, inhibition was observed. For covalent binding immobilization, diffusional limitations were observed at low substrate concentrations and substrate inhibition occurred for concentrations higher than 150 mM. The stability of immobilized cutinase was also evaluated. The enzyme immobilized by entrapment showed a high stability, in contrast to the immobilization on porous silica.     

微波辐射固体酸催化合成己二酸二正辛酯

采用微波辐射技术 ,以活性炭担载对甲苯磺酸为催化剂 ,由己二酸和正辛醇直接酯化合成己二酸二正辛酯。用正交试验研究了各反应因素对反应转化率的影响 ,确定其最佳反应条件为 :己二酸的用量 1mmol,正辛醇的用量 4mmol,催化剂用量为 0 .8g ,微波功率 6 0 0W ,辐射时间 45s ,转化率为 99.3 % ,催化剂且可重复使用。     

Regioselectivity of olefin oxidation by iodosobenzene catalyzed by metalloporphyrins : control by the catalyst

The regioselectivity of the oxidation of three monosubstituted olefins, 6-phenoxyhex-1-ene, hex-1-ene and styrene, by iodosobenzene in the presence of various Fe-, Mn- or Cr-tetraaryl-porphyrins, was studied. It was found that, besides epoxides, known products from such systems, allylic alcohols and aldehydes were formed, the latter not being derived from the corresponding epoxides. The relative importance of these reactions greatly depends upon both the metal and porphyrin constituents of the catalyst. More particularly, the competition between epoxidation and allylic hydroxylation can be efficiently controlled by non-bonded interactions between the olefin and porphyrin substituents. No hydroxylation of the aromatic rings and no oxidative dealkylation of the ether function was detected.     

Catalytic Nitrene Transfer by an FeIV-Imido Complex Generated by a Comproportionation Process

Nitrene transfer reactions have emerged as one of the most powerful and versatile ways to insert an amine function to various kinds of hydrocarbon substrates. However, the mechanisms of nitrene generation have not been studied in depth albeit their formation is taken for granted in most cases without definitive evidence of their occurrence. In the present work, we compare the generation of tosylimido iron species and NTs transfer from Fe^II and Fe^III precursors where the metal is embedded in a tetracarbene macrocycle. Catalytic nitrene transfer to reference substrates (thioanisole, styrene, ethylbenzene and cyclohexane) revealed that the same active species was at play, irrespective of the ferrous versus ferric nature of the precursor. Through combination of spectroscopic (UV-visible, Mössbauer), ESI-MS and DFT studies, an Fe^IV tosylimido species was identified as the catalytically active species and was characterized spectroscopically and computationally. Whereas its formation from the Fe^II precursor was expected by a two-electron oxidative addition, its formation from an Fe^III precursor was unprecedented. Thanks to a combination of spectroscopic (UV-visible, EPR, Hyscore and Mössbauer), ESI-MS and DFT studies, we found that, when starting from the Fe^III precursor, an Fe^III tosyliodinane adduct was formed and decomposed into an Fe^V tosylimido species which generated the catalytically active Fe^IV tosylimide through a comproportionation process with the Fe^III precursor.     

Polyfluoroalkylation of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol by 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane activated by sulfur dioxide

It was shown that it was possible to perform fluoroalkylation of both sterically-hindered phenolates and phenols with the use of 2,6-di-tert-butylphenol as an example. The role of sulfur dioxide as an activator of the interaction process was established.     

Monitoring frontal photopolymerization by electroresistance

The frontal photopolymerization of acrylates was conducted in tube with TPO as bleachable photoinitiator and was identified to reach complete conversion in the formed polymer phase. The spatiotemporal temperature profiles of the frontal photopolymerization of acrylates were detected with a series of immobilized thermocouples along with the reactor. Monomer with high functionality resulted great summit temperature and was favorable for accelerating the traveling of polymerization front. It was found that the front traveling may be affected by the protruded thermocouples head. Based on the sudden increase of electrical resistance during rapid photopolymerization, an electrical measurement was setup to follow the front traveling of frontal photopolymerization.     

Extraction of parabens by melamine sponge with determination by high-performance liquid chromatography

In the present study, we propose a novel method for the extraction of parabens in personal care products. A new, simple adsorptive material was obtained by combining metal-organic frameworks and melamine sponges using the adhesive property of polyvinylidene fluoride. This new material, metal-organic frameworks/melamine sponges, was found to be particularly suitable for solid-phase extraction. The structural characteristics of metal-organic frameworks/melamine sponges were first analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. Subsequently, solid-phase extraction was performed on sample solutions, and the extracted substances were then analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Following optimization of important experimental conditions, excellent recovery rates were obtained. Our novel method was then applied to the extraction of four parabens (methylparahydroxybenzoates, ethylparahydroxybenzoates, propylparahydroxybenzoates, and butylparahydroxybenzoates) from real samples. The results yielded limits of detection of 0.26–0.41 ng/mL. The inter- and intra-day recoveries were 104.0–109.7% and 91.2–98.1%, respectively (relative standard deviation, <13.8%).     

Protection by methylated urates of oxyhemoglobin oxidation induced by sodium nitrite

When 60 μM sheep oxyhemoglobin was treated with 1.2 mM sodium nitrite, the oxyhemoglobin was completely converted to methemoglobin in 7 min. The addition of increasing concentrations of uric acid (1–10 μM) resulted in a decrease in the rate of methemoglobin formation; at 10 μM, uric acid completely protected the oxyhemoglobin. At a concentration of 5 μM, uric acid and all of the mono- and dimethylurates, with the exception of 3,9-dimethyluric acid, protected oxyhemoglobin from oxidation to methemoglobin by 1.2 mM sodium nitrite; 1,3,9-trimethyl-, 3,7,9-trimethyl-, and 1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid did not protect oxyhemoglobin. It was concluded that the hydrogens at nitrogens 3 and 9 of uric acid are necessary for it to prevent the oxidation of oxyhemoglobin by sodium nitrite.     

Subspeciation of nickel disulfide by carbon paste electrode voltammetry catalyzed by Ni2+

In subspeciation of sulfidic nickel, carbon paste electrode voltammetry was developed for the specific determination of Ni3S2 or NiS, but NiS2 was found to be unreactive. Ni2+ in pH 7.2 acetate solution was able to catalyze NiS2 to undergo redox reactions. The cyclic voltammogram showed two anodic peaks at -0.3 and +0.7 V and a cathodic peak at -0.6 V. The first anodic peak at -0.3 V and the cathodic peak were common among the three nickel sulfides, but the second anodic peak at +0.7 V was unique to NiS2. This peak current gave a linear dose response to NiS2 from 40 to 610 microg, with a correlation coefficient of 0.994, and a detection limit of 40 microg.     

Solvent-free oxidation of cumene by molecular oxygen catalyzed by cobalt salen-type complexes

Co(salen)-type [where salen?=?di-(salicylal)-ethylenediimine] complexes were shown to be efficient catalysts in the oxidation of 2-phenylpropane (cumene) by dioxygen primarily to 2-phenyl-2-propanol (cumyl alcohol), 2-phenylpropene (??-methylstyrene), and 1-phenylethanone (acetophenone) applying ¹H NMR spectroscopy and gas chromatography?Cmass spectrometry (GC?CMS). The effect of substitution on the ligand was also monitored in both oxygen-absorption and the catalytic reaction. Based on these results, the trend observed for the production of ??-methylstyrene and cumyl alcohol were parallel to dioxygen uptake by the catalyst in neat cumene, while acetophenone productions obeyed a non-linear trend. The best selectivity for the reaction in terms of acetophenone production was observed for the complex with the least oxygen-absorption feature. The intermediate of the reaction, LCo(III)-OOcumyl (where L?=?salen) complex, was synthesized and characterized by IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis, and its reactivity in the present catalytic reaction was also studied. A series of experiments were performed to propose a mechanism for the reaction on the basis of the product distributions in the reaction mixture.     

反相高效液相色谱法结合计时波长切换紫外检测法测定苯妥英及其中间体的含量

以盐酸酸化的二甲亚砜为溶剂,铁盐催化空气氧化安息香制备苯偶酰,再由苯偶酰与尿素缩合制备苯妥英。在此合成过程中需对反应液中安息香的浓度、中间产物苯偶酰的含量以及最终产物苯妥英的浓度进行检测。试验提出了采用反相高效液相色谱法结合计时波长切换紫外检测法对上述各化合物进行测定。将所需测定的样品溶于乙腈中,所得溶液经0.45μm滤膜过滤。取滤液(进样量为20μL)通过kromasil 100-5C18色谱柱(200mm×4.6mm,5μm),以体积比为80∶20的乙腈-水溶液作为流动相进行等度洗脱,洗脱液按预设程序进行计时紫外检测。在0~3.0min和波长218nm处检测苯妥英;在3.0~4.0 min和波长247nm处检测安息香;在4.0~6.0min和波长260nm处检测苯偶酰。3种化合物标准曲线的线性范围均为0.1~100mg·L^-1,并测得其检出限(3S/N)依次为0.010,0.003 0,0.007 0mg·L^-1。在实际样品基础上加入3个浓度水平的混合标准溶液进行回收试验,测得3种化合物的回收率为95.4%~105%;测定值的相对标准偏差(n=6)为1.8%~4.2%。     

DNA sensor by using electrochemiluminescence of acridinium ester initiated by tripropylamine

It was found that tripropylamine (TPA) could be used as a coreactant to initiate the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) of acridinium NHS ester (AE NHS) labels attached to DNA. The radicals generated in the electro-oxidation process of TPA reacted with AE NHS to form the excited N-methylacridone, giving rise to light emission. The AE/TPA ECL system was for the first time used as the detection system for developing an ECL-based DNA sensor. In the protocol, streptavidin-modified gold nanoparticles were firstly immobilized onto a thiol-treated gold electrode. The streptavidin could specifically interact with the biontinylated capture DNA. Afterwards, the target DNA and the AE-labeled report DNA were conjugated onto the electrode step by step due to the hybridization reactions, and a sandwich-type sensor was fabricated. The ECL signals of the sensor were obtained under pulse potential condition in alkaline solution containing 50.0 mmol L⁻¹ TPA. Under optimized experimental conditions, the linear range of the DNA sensor for the determination of the target DNA was from 5.0 × 10⁻¹⁵ to 5.0 × 10⁻¹² mol L⁻¹. The detection limit (S/N = 3) was 3.0 × 10⁻¹⁵ mol L⁻¹. Moreover, the sensor could specifically recognize the target DNA against one base-pair mismatched sequences, two base-pair mismatched sequences, and the noncomplementary sequences. It is of great application potential in clinic analysis.     

Hydrolysis Rates of TMOS Catalyzed by Oxalic Acid and Stimulated by Ultrasound

A simple calorimetric method was employed to study the kinetics of the hydrolysis of the solventless TMOS-water mixtures, under ultrasound stimulation, as a function of the concentration of oxalic acid. The reaction rates were obtained, in relative units, from the measured thermal peak of the reaction as a non-separated function of both the sonication time and the instantaneous temperature of the medium. For concentrations of oxalic acid below 0.01 M, polycondensation reaction starts before complete hydrolysis. For concentrations of oxalic acid above 0.01 M, hydrolysis is complete and, in addition, the inverse of the time, as measured from the starting of ultrasound action until the maximum hydrolysis heat release, was found to be a reasonable relative measure of the average hydrolysis rate constant. The average hydrolysis rate constant was found to be proportional to the square root of the molar concentration of the oxalic acid. This result is in agreement with the literature if we assume small dissociation degree for the catalyst in such a solventless alkoxyde-water medium.     

Asymmetric intermolecular cyclopropanation of alkenes by diazoketones catalyzed by Halterman iron porphyrins

The asymmetric addition of diazoacetophenone to styrene derivatives to give optically active cyclopropyl ketones (ee up to 80%) was carried out using chiral iron porphyrins as homogeneous catalysts. Intermolecular N-H functionalization of anilines by means of carbenoid-induced N-H insertion was also possible but without enantioselectivity.