Synthesis and catalytic epoxidation potentiality of oxodiperoxo molybdenum(VI) complexes with pyridine-2-carboxaldoxime and pyridine-2-carboxylate: the crystal structure of PMePh<Subscript>3</Subscript>[MoO(O<Subscript>2</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>(PyCO)]

[MoO(O₂)₂(PyCOXH)(H₂O)] and PMePh₃[MoO(O₂)₂(PyCO)] (PyCOXH = Pyridine-2-carboxaldoxime and PyCOH = Pyridine-2-carboxylic acid) have been synthesized. Both complexes have been characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods; in addition, the carboxylate complex has been structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography. The carboxylate complex is a more efficient catalyst than the oxime complex for epoxidation of olefins and shows excellent catalytic activity for the substrates: cyclooctene, cinnamyl alcohol, allyl alcohol and 1-hexene. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Thermodynamic quantities for the oxidation of ranitidine by diperiodatocuprate(III) in aqueous alkaline medium

The kinetics of oxidation of the anti-ulcer drug, ranitidine hydrochloride (RNH) by diperiodatocuprate(III) (DPC) in alkaline medium was studied spectrophotometrically. The reaction exhibits 1:2 stoichiometry (ranitidine:DPC). The reaction is of first order in [DPC] and has less than unit order in [RNH] and negative fractional order in [alkali]. The involvement of free radicals was observed in the reaction. The oxidation has been found to proceed via a DPC-ranitidine complex, which decomposes slowly in a rate-determining step followed by other fast steps to give the products, which were identified as ranitidine sulfoxide by spot test and spectroscopic studies. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Synthesis,crystal structures,and antimicrobial activity of two thiocyanato-bridged dinuclear copper(II) complexes derived from 2,4-dibromo-6-[(2-diethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol and 4-nitro-2-[(2-ethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol

A pair of structurally similar thiocyanato-bridged dinuclear Cu(II) complexes derived from the Schiff bases 2,4-dibromo-6-[(2-diethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol and 4-nitro-2-[(2-ethylaminoethylimino)methyl]phenol has been prepared and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Each Cu atom is five-coordinate in a square-pyramidal geometry, with one O and two N atoms of one Schiff base ligand and one N atom of a bridging thiocyanate ligand defining the basal plane, and with one terminal S atom of another bridging thiocyanate ligand occupying the apical position. Antimicrobial activities of the Schiff bases and the two complexes have been tested. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Built-in quality systems in regulated contract research organizations (CRO) conducting bioequivalence studies: a regulatory science perspective

As contract research organizations are now familiar with GXPs and have become more popular for conducting bioequivalence studies, it is very important that the sponsor has the assurance that the study has been conducted not only to the highest standard of science but also in compliance with regulatory requirements. The dynamic role of quality personnel requires alert knowledgeable people to recognise all the issues which arise and take the proper actions—experienced persons can detect and rectify these. On the basis of equality, for quality system personnel and scientists a firm grasp of regulatory science is needed to succeed. It must be remembered that compliance is monitored by adherence to regulatory standards, whereas the regulatory bodies review the appropriately implemented regulatory science principles. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Certification of standard reference materials containing bitter orange

A suite of three dietary supplement standard reference materials (SRMs) containing bitter orange has been developed, and the levels of five alkaloids and caffeine have been measured by multiple analytical methods. Synephrine, octopamine, tyramine, N-methyltyramine, hordenine, total alkaloids, and caffeine were determined by as many as six analytical methods, with measurements performed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and at two collaborating laboratories. The methods offer substantial independence, with two types of extractions, two separation methods, and four detection methods. Excellent agreement was obtained among the measurements, with data reproducibility for most methods and analytes better than 5% relative standard deviation. The bitter-orange-containing dietary supplement SRMs are intended primarily for use as measurement controls and for use in the development and validation of analytical methods. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A computational study of the cooperativity in clusters of interhalogen derivatives

The clusters, up to four monomers, of the interhalogen derivatives (FCl, FBr, and ClBr) have been studied by means of ab initio and DFT methods, up to MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ computational methods. Two dispositions, linear and cyclic, of the clusters have been studied. Cooperative effects in the geometry, energy, and electron density have been observed in the linear and cyclic dispositions of these clusters. The Natural Energy Decomposition Analysis shows that the main source of the interaction corresponds to the polarization term. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Platinum nanoparticle catalysed coupling of phenol derivatives with 4-aminoantipyrine in aqueous medium

The oxidative coupling of phenols with 4-aminoantipyrine (AmNH₂) has been studied by UV–visible spectroscopy using platinum nanoparticles as catalyst. The rate of antipyrilquinoneimine dye formation depends on the nature of substrates, temperature, pH, and the use of microheterogeneous media such as sodium dodecylsulphate (SDS), cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Triton X-100 (TX-100). The reactivity trend observed for differently substituted phenols follows the order: 3,5-dimethylphenol > phenol > o-chlorophenol > o-nitrophenol. The rate of dye formation is greater at acid pH than at basic pH and the optimum pH is 5.4. A reaction pathway is proposed, involving the activation of o-chlorophenol with AmNH₂ by metal nanoparticles and concomitant reactions of free radicals. Transmission electron microscopy results show that the particle size is 20 nm for the platinum nanoparticles involved in catalysis. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of a mixed valence heteropoly green compound, (PPh<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>[PMo<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>40</Subscript>], and its use as a catalyst in olefin epoxidation

A green heteropolyblue compound, (PPh₄)₄[PMo₁₂O₄₀] · 3DMF(1), has been synthesized from MoO₃, H₂O₂ and H₃PO₄ in acetylacetone medium and crystallized from N,N-dimethylformamide. Compound 1 was characterized by analytical and spectroscopic methods, and X-ray structure analysis. The compound is a one-electron paramagnet and shows a featureless and cubic EPR spectrum with <g> = 1.95 in DMF glass. The complex shows a Mo(V)–Mo(IV) couple, which has been studied by cyclic voltammetric and coulometric methods. The compound acts as an efficient olefin epoxidation catalyst with H₂O₂ as oxidant and NaHCO₃ as co-catalyst. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Closing the side-chain gap in protein loop modeling

The success of structure-based drug design relies on accurate protein modeling where one of the key issues is the modeling and refinement of loops. This study takes a critical look at modeled loops, determining the effect of re-sampling side-chains after the loop conformation has been generated. The results are evaluated in terms of backbone and side-chain conformations with respect to the native loop. While models can contain loops with high quality backbone conformations, the side-chain orientations could be poor, and therefore unsuitable for ligand docking and structure-based design. In this study, we report on the ability to model loop side-chains accurately using a variety of commercially available algorithms that include rotamer libraries, systematic torsion scans and knowledge-based methods. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Surface modification using a novel type I hydrophobin HGFI

Surface wettability conversion with hydrophobins is important for its applications in biodevices. In this work, the application of a type I hydrophobin HGFI in surface wettability conversion on mica, glass, and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) was investigated. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and water-contact-angle (WCA) measurements indicated that HGFI modification could efficiently change the surface wettability. Data also showed that self-assembled HGFI had better stability than type II hydrophobin HFBI. Protein patterning and the following immunoassay illustrated that surface modification with HGFI should be a feasible strategy for biosensor device fabrication. Figure A hydrophobin HGFI has been applied into surface wettability conversion for protein immobilization Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Studies on the interactions of a novel ruthenium(II) complex with G-quadruplex DNA

A novel ruthenium(II) porphyrin complex, [Ru(phen)₂MPyTPP] (phen = phenanthroline, MPyTPP = mono-(3′-Pyridine)-10,15,20-triphenyl porphyrin), has been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, ESI-MS and NMR methods. The interaction of the complex with G-quadruplex DNA has been studied by spectroscopy, and the results have shown that [Ru(phen)₂MPyTPP] can bind to G-quadruplex d(TTAGGG)₄ with high affinity. In the presence of d(TTAGGG)₄, the characteristic Soret and intra-ligand (IL) transitions in the UV–Vis spectrum of the complex exhibit hypochromism of 25% (Δλ = 6 nm) and 18% (Δλ = 1 nm), respectively. The intrinsic binding constant was calculated according to the decay of the Soret band as 3.02(±0.08) × 10⁶ M⁻¹. The positive signal of d(TTAGGG)₄ in its circular dichroism spectra was clearly decreased in the presence of the complex, indicating the conformation of the G-quadruplex was severely disturbed by the ruthenium(II) complex. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A pulse radiolysis study of free radicals formed by one-electron oxidation of the antimalarial drug pyronaridine

Free radicals from one-electron oxidation of the antimalarial drug pyronaridine have been studied by pulse radiolysis. The results show that pyronaridine is readily oxidised to an intermediate semi-iminoquine radical by inorganic and organic free radicals, including those derived from tryptophan and acetaminophen. The pyronaridine radical is rapidly reduced by both ascorbate and caffeic acid. The results indicate that the one-electron reduction potential of the pyronaridine radical at neutral pH lies between those of acetaminophen (707 mV) and caffeic acid (534 mV). The pyronaridine radical decays to produce the iminoquinone, detected by electrospray mass spectrometry, in a second-order process that density functional theory (DFT) calculations (UB3LYP/6-31+G*) suggest is a disproportionation reaction. Important calculated dimensions of pyronaridine, its phenoxyl and aminyl radical, as well as the iminoquinone, are presented. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

A computational study of the effect of C-lithiation on the NMR properties (chemical shifts and coupling constants) of aziridines

A DFT (B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) study of a series of N-H, N-methyl and N-propyl aziridines and their C-lithium derivatives has been carried out in order to explore their configurational as well as their NMR properties (¹H and ¹³C). The results agree fairly well with experimental observations [Org Lett 9:1263, 2007 and J Org Chem 73, 2008 (73:3197)] and reveal the existence of lithium-N(lone pair) and lithium C(aromatic) interactions. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Hierarchically macro/mesoporous silica monoliths constructed with interconnecting micrometer-sized unit rods

Under typical dilute reactant compositions (3 ~ 5 wt% of surfactant template concentration) and conventional hydrothermal conditions for mesoporous materials synthesis, successful preparation of hierarchically macro/mesoporous silica monoliths was reported in this paper. The resultant materials were characterized by a series of techniques including powder X-ray diffraction, N₂ adsorption–desorption, SEM, TEM/EDS, and Hg porosimetry. A new kind of stable and hierarchically porous pure silica monoliths was confirmed, which are featured with highly ordered mesoporous structures, rod-shaped unit particles, large specific surface area of 492 m²/g, continuous macropores of about 4.0 μm in size and high macropore volume of about 13.1 cm³/g. Moreover, using the resultant silica monoliths as hard templates, carbon monoliths have been successfully replicated, which inherit the structural characters of parent silica materials. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and crystal structure of Na(NH4)[C13N2H16]2[Mo7O24]?·?8H2O: A novel 3-D extended supramolecular network with 1-D channels

A novel three-dimensional (3-D) supramolecular assembly of organic bicapped heptamolybdate Na(NH₄)[C₁₃N₂H₁₆]₂[Mo₇O₂₄]·8H₂O has been hydrothermally synthesized and structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR spectra, elemental analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). X-ray analyses show that compound 1 represent a novel 3-D extended supramolecular “host” networks with 1-D channels encapsulating flexible cation “guests”. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Cigarette smoke extract induced protein phosphorylation changes in human microvascular endothelial cells in vitro

Phosphorylation is the most widely studied posttranslational modification (PTM) and is an important regulatory mechanism used during cellular responses to external stimuli. The kinases and phosphatases that regulate protein phosphorylation are known to be affected in many human diseases. Cigarette smoking causes cardiovascular disease (CVD). Endothelial cells play a pivotal role in CVD initiation and development; however, there have been limited investigations of the specific signaling cascades and protein phosphorylations activated by cigarette smoke in endothelial cells. The purpose of this research was to better understand the differential protein phosphorylation in endothelial cells stimulated with extracts of cigarette smoke total particulate matter (CS-TPM) in vitro. Human microvascular endothelial cells were exposed in vitro to CS-TPM at concentrations that were shown to cause endothelial cell dysfunction. The phosphorylated proteins were isolated using phosphoprotein-specific chromatography, followed by enzymatic digestion and nano-flow capillary liquid chromatography (ncap-LC) coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry. This study putatively identified 94 proteins in human microvascular endothelial cells that were differentially bound to a phosphoprotein-specific chromatography column following exposure to CS-TPM suggesting differential phosphorylation. Pathway analysis has also been conducted and confirmations of several observations have been made using immunoaffinity-based techniques (e.g., Western blotting). Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Synthesis and crystal structures of two isostructural manganese(III) and iron(III) complexes derived from <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>′-bis(3-ethoxysalicylidene)-1,2-propanediamine with cytochrome P450-like hydroxylation properties

Two isostructural mononuclear complexes with the formula [M^IIIL(N₃)(OH₂)] × 1/2N₂ (M = Mn for (1) and Fe for (2); H₂L = N,N′-bis(3-ethoxysalicylidene)-1,2-propanediamine) have been synthesized and characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Each compound consists of a mononuclear complex molecule and half of a nitrogen molecule of crystallization. Each metal atom in the complexes has a slightly distorted octahedral geometry, coordinated by two nitrogen and two phenolic donors of L, the oxygen atom of the water molecule, and the nitrogen atom of the azide group. Determination by GC/MS analysis indicated that complex (1) has no catalytic property for the dioxygen oxidization of cyclohexene, but complex (2) has good properties. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Enhanced recognition of non-complementary hybridization by single-LNA-modified oligonucleotide probes

Locked nucleic acid (LNA) is a deoxyribonucleotide analogue with an unusual ‘locked’ furanose conformation. LNA-modified oligonucleotide probes have demonstrated an enhanced binding affinity towards their complementary strands; however, their potential to discriminate non-complementary hybridization of mismatches has not been explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of the chemical nature of LNA nucleobases on the hybridization stability and the capability of LNA-modified oligonucleotides to discriminate the LNA:DNA mismatched base pairs. It was observed that LNA modification indeed improves the discrimination capability of oligonucleotides by increasing the melting temperature differences between the complementary duplexes and hybrids containing mismatches. Particularly, LNA purines offer a greater potential to recognize the mismatches than LNA pyrimidines and DNA purines. Real-time PCR experiments further confirmed that LNA modifications at the 3′-end are more effective. The results and conclusions in this study provide useful information for hybridization-based nucleic acid analysis where designing sound oligonucleotide probes is crucial to the success of the analyses.   Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Catalytic oxidation and C–C coupling reactions of new ruthenium(III) Schiff base complexes containing PPh<Subscript>3</Subscript> or AsPh<Subscript>3</Subscript> co-ligands

New mononuclear ruthenium(III) Schiff base complexes of the type [RuX₂(EPh₃)(L)] (X = Cl or Br; E = P or As; L = monobasic tridentate Schiff base derived from o-aminophenol or o-aminothiophenol with ethylacetoacetate or ethylbenzoylacetate) have been synthesized. The Schiff base ligands chelate to ruthenium through O, N, and O/S by dissociation of the phenolic proton/thiophenolic proton forming chelate rings. These complexes have been characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. Cyclic voltammetric data of all the complexes showed Ru(III)/Ru(IV) oxidation and Ru(III)/Ru(II) reduction within the range of 0–1.5 V and 0 to −1.5 V with respect to Ag/AgCl, respectively. The complexes were tested as catalysts in the oxidation of alcohols using molecular oxygen at ambient temperature, and also in C–C coupling reactions. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis and Structures of Two One-Dimensional Heteropolytungstates Chains Formed by Keggin Cluster Units

Single crystals of [W₁₁Ni₁P₁O₃₉(Hbpy)](H₂bpy)₂ · 4.25H₂O (1) and (W₁₁Zn₁P₁O₃₉)(H₂bpy)₂(Hbpy) · 1.5H₂O (2) have been hydrothermally synthesized at 160 °C and both characterized by IR, elemental and single-crystal structural analyses. Compound 1 has a ladder-like chain structure by hydrogen bonding interactions, whereas 2 contains an unprecedented chain of Keggin polyoxotungstates by oxo-bridges and form a 2-D layer via hydrogen bonds. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.