Peptidomic approach based on combined capillary isoelectric focusing and mass spectrometry for the characterization of the plasmin primary products from bovine and water buffalo beta-casein

The main peptides produced by hydrolysis of water buffalo beta-casein with plasmin were characterized by capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry and compared with their bovine homologous. A novel breakdown product arising from the hydrolysis of water buffalo beta-casein, originated by the presence of a plasmin-sensitive Lys bond at position 68 was identified, which was not present in bovine beta-casein. On the basis of this evidence, an improved procedure for the detection and the differentiation of the products of plasmin hydrolysis of bovine and water buffalo beta-casein by capillary isoelectric focusing was set-up. In the experimental conditions, the gamma-casein from the two species was efficiently separated. Comparison of the capillary electropherograms with those obtained by ultra-thin-layer isoelectric focusing, the reference method for routine analysis of plasmin digests of casein, suggests that capillary electrophoresis isoelectric focusing may constitute a successful alternative to the traditional slab gel electrophoresis analysis of plasmin digests of casein either for basic structural studies or for applications in the quality assessment of dairy products.     

Coordination chemistry of the cyclo-(P(5)tBu(4))(-) ion: monomeric and oligomeric copper(I), silver(I) and gold(I) complexes

[Na{cyclo-(P(5)tBu(4))}] (1) reacts with [CuCl(PCyp(3))(2)] (Cyp=cyclo-C(5)H(9)) and [CuCl(PPh(3))(3)] (1:1) to give the corresponding copper(I) complexes with a tetra-tert-butylcyclopentaphosphanide ligand, [Cu{cyclo- (P(5)tBu(4))}(PCyp(3))(2)] (2) and [Cu{cyclo-(P(5)tBu(4))}(PPh(3))(2)] (3). The CuCl adduct of 2, [Cu(2)(mu-Cl){cyclo-(P(5)tBu(4))}(PCyp(3))(2)] (4), was obtained from the reaction of 1 with [CuCl(PCyp(3))(2)] (1:2). Compounds 2 and 3 rearrange, even at -27 degrees C, to give [Cu(4){cyclo- (P(4)tBu(3))PtBu}(4)] (5), in which ring contraction of the [cyclo-(P(5)tBu(4))](-) anion has occurred. The reaction of 1 with [AgCl(PCyp(3))](4) or [AgCl(PPh(3))(2)] (1:1) leads to the formation of [Ag(4){cyclo-(P(4)tBu(3))PtBu}(4)] (6). Intermediates, which are most probably mononuclear, "[Ag{cyclo-(P(5)tBu(4))}(PR(3))(2)]" (R=Cyp, Ph) could be detected in the reaction mixtures, but not isolated. Finally, the reaction of 1 with [AuCl(PCyp(3))] (1:1) yielded [Au{cyclo-(P(5)tBu(4))}(PCyp(3))] (7), whereas an inseparable mixture of [Au(3){cyclo-(P(5)tBu(4))}(3)] (8) and [Au(4){cyclo-(P(4)tBu(3))PtBu}(4)] (9) was obtained from the analogous reaction with [AuCl(PPh(3))]. Complexes 3-7 were characterised by (31)P NMR spectroscopy, and X-ray crystal structures were determined for 3-9.     

The synthesis of azadirachtin: a potent insect antifeedant

We describe in full the first synthesis of the potent insect antifeedant azadirachtin through a highly convergent approach. An O-alkylation reaction is used to unite decalin ketone and propargylic mesylate fragments, after which a Claisen rearrangement constructs the central C8-C14 bond in a stereoselective fashion. The allene which results from this sequence then enables a second critical carbon-carbon bond forming event whereby the [3.2.1] bicyclic system, present in the natural product, is generated via a 5-exo-radical cyclisation process. Finally, using knowledge gained through our early studies into the reactivity of the natural product, a series of carefully designed steps completes the synthesis of this challenging molecule.     

Substrates for flexible electronics: A practical investigation on the electrical,film flexibility,optical, temperature,and solvent resistance properties

Designing and developing flexible electronics requires a thorough investigation of the substrates available for the fabrication of devices. Here, we present a practical study on a variety of significant substrates: polyethylene terephthalate (PET), its heat‐stabilized (HS) derivative, HS‐PET, and polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) plastic insulating films; indium tin oxide (ITO)‐coated ITO/PEN and ITO/PET transparent conducting films; rigid ITO/glass and FTO/glass substrates; stainless steel and titanium foils. We put the substrates through a range of tests these actually undergo during device fabrication to determine their optical, mechanical flexibility (under different types of tensile and compressive stress bending with and without a PEDOT:PSS conducting polymer layer), solvent resistance, stability to temperature treatment (conductivity and deformation), and to UV irradiation. We highlight issues and propose solutions to improve substrate response. The results and thresholds extracted reveal limitations and windows of opportunity useful for the designer of flexible optoelectronics in determining manufacturing processes and the final applications under everyday operation. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011     

Synthesis of Pyrrolidine Analogues of N-Acetylneuraminic Acid as Potential Sialidase Inhibitors

The pyrrolidine derivatives 3 , 4 , and 5 were prepared from the methyl ester 7 of Neu2en5Ac via lie pyrrolidine-borane adduct 33 . They inhibit Vibrio cholerae sialidase competitively with K_i = 4. 4 10^?3 M, 5. 3 10^?3 M, and 4. 0 10^?2 M, respectively. Benzylation of 7 gave the fully O-benzylated 8 besides 9, 10 , and 11. Ozonolysis and reduction with NaBH₄ of 8 and 9 gave the 1, 4-diols 12 and 15 , the hydroxy acetates 13 and 16 , and the furanoses 14 and 17 (Scheme 1), respectively. The diol 12 was selectively protected (→ 19 → 20 → 23 ) and transformed into the azide 27 by a Mitsunobu reaction. Selective base-catalysed deprotection of the diacetate 22 , obtained from 12 , was hampered by an easy acetyl-group migration. The mesylate 28 proved unstable. The azide 27 was transformed via 29 into the ketone 30 (Scheme 2). Hydrogenation of 30 gave the dihydropyrrole 31 and, hence, the pyrrole 32. The adduct 33 was obtained from 30 by a Staudinger reaction (→31) and reduction with LiBH₄/HBF⁴. It was transformed into the pyrroudine 34 . The structure of 34 was established by X-ray analysis. Reductamination of the pyrrolidine-borane adduct with glyoxylic acid gave 40 and, hence, 3. N-Alkylation afforded 44 and, hence, the phosphonate 4. The acid 5 was obtained from 33 by acylation (→ 47 ) and deprotection (Scheme 4).     

Toxic and essential metals determination in commercial seafood: Paracentrotus lividus by ICP-MS

Toxic and essential metals content was determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in commercial sea urchins samples from the Mediterranean Sea and Pacific Ocean. Results show that Chilean samples have the highest values of Cd, As, Ni, Cr and V; Spanish samples have the maximum Hg content while Sicilian samples have the lowest content of toxic metals. The toxic metal traces were compared with the limits of European Community (EC) No. 1881/2006 for bivalve molluscs. All samples exceed Pb and Cd limit levels; regarding Hg levels, only Sicilian and Sardinian samples have Hg content below the EC limits. The dietary intake of toxic and essential elements was evaluated for an adult. Furthermore, our study highlights a correlation between the toxic elements content and the marine environmental conditions of the places of origin even though only the generic FAO fishing area is specified.     

Nickel-Catalyzed Preparations of Functionalized Organozincs

The reaction of primary alkyl bromides or chlorides with diethylzinc in the presence of Ni(acac)(2) (5 mol %) furnishes the corresponding alkylzinc halides (X = Br, Cl) via a halogen-zinc exchange reaction. The treatment of terminal alkenes with diethylzinc (neat, 25-60 degrees C) in the presence of Ni(acac)(2) as a catalyst (1-5 mol %) and 1,5-cyclooctadiene (COD) affords the corresponding dialkylzincs via a hydrozincation reaction. Whereas the conversion for simple alkenes bearing a remote functionality reaches 40 to 63%, the hydrozincation of allylic, homoallylic alcohols and allylic amines proceeds very efficiently (85-95% conversion). All the zinc organometallics obtained react with various electrophiles (allylic halides, enones, acid chlorides, alkynyl halides, ethyl propiolate) after transmetalation with CuCN.2LiCl. In the presence of the chiral catalyst 12, the dialkylzincs prepared add to aldehydes with high enantioselectivity.