Self-limited oxygen exchange kinetics at SnO2 surfaces

The oxygen exchange at SnO(2) surfaces strongly depends on surface termination, which is affected by the oxygen chemical potential. At low oxygen chemical potential, the surface adopts its reduced termination which allows oxygen exchange, while exchange is suppressed by the stoichiometric surface termination.     

Identification of small molecule binding sites within proteins using phage display technology

Affinity selection of peptides displayed on phage particles was used as the basis for mapping molecular contacts between small molecule ligands and their protein targets. Analysis of the crystal structures of complexes between proteins and small molecule ligands revealed that virtually all ligands of molecular weight 300 Da or greater have a continuous binding epitope of 5 residues or more. This observation led to the development of a technique for binding site identification which involves statistical analysis of an affinity-selected set of peptides obtained by screening of libraries of random, phage-displayed peptides against small molecules attached to solid surfaces. A random sample of the selected peptides is sequenced and used as input for a similarity scanning program which calculates cumulative similarity scores along the length of the putative receptor. Regions of the protein sequence exhibiting the highest similarity with the selected peptides proved to have a high probability of being involved in ligand binding. This technique has been employed successfully to map the contact residues in multiple known targets of the anticancer drugs paclitaxel (Taxol), docetaxel (Taxotere) and 2-methoxyestradiol and the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan, and to identify a novel paclitaxel receptor [1]. These data corroborate the observation that the binding properties of peptides displayed on the surface of phage particles can mimic the binding properties of peptides in naturally occurring proteins. It follows directly that structural context is relatively unimportant for determining the binding properties of these disordered peptides. This technique represents a novel, rapid, high resolution method for identifying potential ligand binding sites in the absence of three-dimensional information and has the potential to greatly enhance the speed of development of novel small molecule pharmaceuticals.     

Synthesis of fragments of the glycocalyx glycan of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni

The chemical synthesis of alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1 --> 4)-beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GalpO(CH2)5NH2, beta-D-GalpNAc-(1 --> 4)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-]beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GalpO(CH2)5NH2, and alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-beta-D-GalpNAc-(1 --> 4)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1 --> 3)-]beta-D-GlcpNAc-(1 --> 3)-alpha-D-GalpO(CH2)5NH2 is described. These structures represent fucosylated oligosaccharide fragments of the glycocalyx glycan of the cercarial stage of the parasite Schistosoma mansoni, and in protein-conjugated form they are potential diagnostics in the search for antibodies raised against the glycan in the serum of infected humans.     

Regioselective conversion of the secondary hydroxyl groups of D-glucuronic acid without the requirement of O-protecting groups

Trifluoromethanesulfonic acid anhydride (triflic acid anhydride) transforms the bicyclic thiazolidinlactam 1 a into the crystalline elimination product 2, in which all four secondary hydroxyl groups of 1 a are differently functionalized. Compound 2 can then add nucleophiles with high chemo- and stereoselectivity. Altogether, the four secondary hydroxyl groups of D-glucuronic acid are selectively transformed without the need for any O-protecting groups. Minimizing the number of O-protecting groups is a prerequisite for the use of sugar scaffolds in molecular libraries. The hapalosin analogues 15, 16, 19, and 22 outline the strategy towards O-diversified glucose derivatives.     

Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI of Implanted VX2 tumors in rabbit muscle: comparison of Gd-DTPA and NMS60

We studied the dynamics of injected contrast enhancement in implanted VX2 tumors in rabbit thigh muscle. We compared two contrast agents Gd-DTPA and NMS60, a novel gadolinium containing trimer of molecular weight 2.1 kd. T1-weighted spin echo images were acquired preinjection and at 5-60 min after i.v. injection of 0.1 mmol/kg of agent. Dynamic T1-weighted SPGR images (1.9 s/image) were acquired during the bolus injection. Male NZW rabbits (n = 13) were implanted with approximately 2 x 10(6) VX2 tumor cells and grew tumors of 28+/-27 mL over 12 to 21 days. NMS60 showed significantly greater peak enhancement in muscle, tumor rim, and core compared to DTPA in both T1-weighted and SPGR images. NMS60 also showed delayed peak enhancement in the dynamic scans (compared to Gd-DTPA) and significantly reduced leakage rate constant into the extravascular space for tumor rim (K21 = 5.1 min(-1) vs. 11.5 min(-1) based on a 2 compartment kinetic model). The intermediate weight contrast agent NMS60 offers greater tumor enhancement than Gd-DTPA and may offer improved regional differentiation on the basis of vascular permeability in tumors.     

Long‐term consequences of single and multiple mild blast exposure on select physiological parameters and blood‐based biomarkers

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), especially when it is repeated (rmTBI), can lead to progressive degenerative diseases and lasting neuropsychiatric abnormalities. To better understand the long‐term pathobiological changes in mTBI and rmTBI, we exposed rats to single or repeated (5 total; administered on consecutive days) mild blast overpressure, monitored changes in physiological parameters, and determined the plasma levels of select biomarkers at 42 days post injury by proteomics. We unexpectedly found comparable changes in arterial oxygen saturation levels and heart rates of single‐injured (SI) and multiple‐injured (MI) rats throughout the observation period. Our analyses indicated lasting oxidative stress, vascular abnormalities, and neuronal and glial cell loss in both injured groups. However, MI rats exhibited a relatively more pronounced increase in the plasma levels of most of the tested markers—particularly those associated with inflammation—albeit the differences between the two injured groups were not statistically significant. Our findings indicate that the frequency of blast exposures is an important determinant of the resulting cumulative damage in rmTBI.     

Polymorphism of pure p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene: conclusive identification of the phase obtained by desolvation

In its pure form, the well-known host compound p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene forms at least two polymorphs; one of these phases is now identified as that formed upon guest removal.