Measurement of the absolute branching fraction of D+→K0e+ve via K0→π0π0

By analyzing 2.93 fb^-1 data collected at the center-of-mass energy √s=3.773 GeV with the BESIII detector, we measure the absolute branching fraction of the semileptonic decay D⁺→K⁰e⁺v_e to be B(D⁺→K⁰e⁺v_e)=(8.59±0.14±0.21)% using K⁰→K_S⁰→π⁰π⁰, where the first uncertainty is statistical and the second systematic. Our result is consistent with previous measurements within uncertainties..     

Selective Inhibitors of the Inducible Nitric Oxide Synthase as Modulators of Cell Responses in LPS-Stimulated Human Monocytes

Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) is a crucial enzyme involved in monocyte cell response towards inflammation, and it is responsible for the production of sustained amounts of nitric oxide. This free radical molecule is involved in the defense against pathogens; nevertheless, its continuous and dysregulated production contributes to the development of several pathological conditions, including inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effects of two new iNOS inhibitors, i.e., 4-(ethanimidoylamino)-N-(4-fluorophenyl)benzamide hydrobromide (FAB1020) and N-{3-[(ethanimidoylamino)methyl]benzyl}-l-prolinamidedihydrochloride (CM554), on human LPS-stimulated monocytes, using the 1400 W compound as a comparison. Our results show that CM544 and FAB1020 are selective and decrease cytotoxicity, IL-6 secretion and LPS-stimulated monocyte migration. Furthermore, the modulation of iNOS, nitrotyrosine and Nrf2 were analyzed at the protein level. Based on the collected preliminary results, the promising therapeutic value of the investigated compounds emerges, as they appear able to modulate the pro-inflammatory LPS-stimulated response in the low micromolar range in human monocytes.     

Design of a five-coordinate heme protein maquette: a spectroscopic model of deoxymyoglobin

The substitution of 1-methyl-l-histidine for the histidine heme ligands in a de novo designed four-alpha-helix bundle scaffold results in conversion of a six-coordinate cytochrome maquette into a self-assembled five-coordinate mono-(1-methyl-histidine)-ligated heme as an initial maquette for the dioxygen carrier protein myoglobin. UV-vis, magnetic circular dichroism, and resonance Raman spectroscopies demonstrate the presence of five-coordinate mono-(1-methyl-histidine) ligated ferrous heme spectroscopically similar to deoxymyoglobin. Thermodynamic analysis of the ferric and ferrous heme dissociation constants indicates greater destabilization of the ferric state than the ferrous state. The ferrous heme protein reacts with carbon monoxide to form a (1-methyl-histidine)-Fe(II)(heme)-CO complex; however, reaction with dioxygen leads to autoxidation and ferric heme dissociation. These results indicate that negative protein design can be used to generate a five-coordinate heme within a maquette scaffold.     

On the distribution of complex numbers according to their transcendence types

Summary For each complex number its transcendence type is defined as a non-negative real number, which supplies a measure of its approximability by algebraic numbers. The distribution of complex numbers according to their transcendence types is studied and the existence of complex numbers with a given transcendence type is proved.

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Sunto Per ogni numero complesso è definito il suo tipo di trascendenza come un numero reale non negativo che fornisce una misura della sua approssimabilità mediante numeri algebrici. Si studia la distribuzione dei numeri complessi in relazione al loro tipo di transcendenza e viene dimostrata l'esistenza di numeri complessi aventi tipo di trascendenza assegnato.

     

Molecular distribution of some commercial nonylphenol ethoxylates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) belong to a group of nonionic surfactants that are collectively referred to as alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEs). APEs find widespread use in heavy-duty commercial and household cleaning formulations, shampoos, and industrial processing, i.e. textile manufacture. Their environmental impact depends on the molecular distribution and the extent of their biodegradation in municipal sewage systems, waterways and rivers. We have established two sample preparation methods that have enabled the determination of the molecular distributions of six commercial nonylphenol ethoxylates using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry (MS). In both methods, alpha-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamic acid, dissolved in acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran, was used as the matrix. In one set of experiments, the NPEs were dissolved in an acetonitrile/tetrahydrofuran solvent system prior to mixing with the matrix solution, and the resulting MALDI-TOF mass spectra produced mostly sodiated molecules [M + Na](+). The NPEs, all having the formula 4-(C(9)H(19))-C(6)H(4)-(OCH(2)CH(2))(n)-OH, are Surfonic (R)N-95, N-100, N-102, N-120, N-150 and N-300. Surfonic N-95 and N-100 gave n values of 5-20; Surfonic N-102, N-120, N-150, and N-300 gave n values of 5-21, 5-22, 8-25 and 15-40, respectively. In order to develop a sample preparation method that could be used with less polar NPEs, we dissolved the NPEs (except N-300) in pentane prior to mixing with the matrix solution, and found that the MALDI spectral quality was unaffected by the solvent systems. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Choline Chloride-Based DES as Solvents/Catalysts/Chemical Donors in Pharmaceutical Synthesis

DES are mixtures of two or more compounds, able to form liquids upon mixing, with lower freezing points when compared to the individual constituents (eutectic mixtures). This attitude is due to the specific hydrogen-bond interactions network between the components of the mixture. A notable characteristic of DES is the possibility to develop tailor-made mixtures by changing the components ratios or a limited water dilution, for special applications, making them attractive for pharmaceutical purposes. In this review, we focused our attention on application of ChCl-based DES in the synthesis of pharmaceutical compounds. In this context, these eutectic mixtures can be used as solvents, solvents/catalysts, or as chemical donors and we explored some representative examples in recent literature of such applications.     

Synthesis and Penicillin‐binding Protein Inhibitory Assessment of Dipeptidic 4‐Phenyl‐β‐lactams from α‐Amino Acid‐derived Imines

Monocyclic β‐lactams revive the research field on antibiotics, which are threatened by the emergence of resistant bacteria. A six‐step synthetic route was developed, providing easy access to new 3‐amino‐1‐carboxymethyl‐4‐phenyl‐β‐lactams, of which the penicillin‐binding protein (PBP) inhibitory potency was demonstrated biochemically.     

Latent cationic palladium(II) phosphine carboxylate complexes for norbornene polymerization

The catalytic efficacy of trans‐[(R₃P)₂Pd(O₂CR′)(LB)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 1 ) (LB = Lewis base) and [(R₃P)₂Pd(κ²‐O,O‐O₂CR′)][B(C₆F₅)₄] ( 2 ) for mass polymerization of 5‐n‐butyl‐2‐norbornene (Butyl‐NB) was investigated. The nature of PR₃ and LB in 1 and 2 are the most critical components influencing catalytic activity/latency for the mass polymerization of Butyl‐NB. Further, it was shown that 1 is in general more latent than 2 in mass polymerization of Butyl‐NB. 5‐n‐Decyl‐2‐norbornene (Decyl‐NB) was subjected to solution polymerization in toluene at 63(±3) °C in the presence of several of the aforementioned palladium complexes as catalysts and the polymers obtained were characterized by gel permeation chromatography. Cationic trans‐[(R₃P)₂PdMe(MeCN)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 3a ), and ⁱPr ( 3b )] and trans‐[(R₃P)₂PdH (MeCN)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 4a ), and ⁱPr ( 4b )], possible products from thermolysis of trans‐[(R₃P)₂Pd(O₂CMe)(MeCN)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 1a ) and ⁱPr ( 1g )], as well as trans‐[(R₃P)₂Pd(η³‐C₃H₅)][B(C₆F₅)₄] [R = Cy ( 5a ), and ⁱPr ( 5b )], were also examined as catalysts for solution polymerization of Decyl‐NB. A maximum activity of 5360 kg/(molPd h) of 2a was achieved at a Decyl‐NB/Pd: 26,700 ratio which is slightly better than that achieved with 5a [activity: 5030 kg/(molPd h)] but far less compared with 4a [activity: 6110 kg/(molPd h)]. Polydispersity values indicate a single highly homogeneous character of the active catalyst species. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 103–110, 2009