Galactose-Grafted 2D Nanosheets from the Self-Assembly of Amphiphilic Janus Dendrimers for the Capture and Agglutination of Escherichia coli

High aspect ratio, sugar-decorated 2D nanosheets are ideal candidates for the capture and agglutination of bacteria. Herein, the design and synthesis of two carbohydrate-based Janus amphiphiles that spontaneously self-assemble into high aspect ratio 2D sheets are reported. The unique structural features of the sheets include the extremely high aspect ratio and dense display of galactose on the surface. These structural characteristics allow the sheet to act as a supramolecular 2D platform for the capture and agglutination of E. coli through specific multivalent noncovalent interactions, which significantly reduces the mobility of the bacteria and leads to the inhibition of their proliferation. Our results suggest that the design strategy demonstrated here can be applied as a general approach for the crafting of biomolecule-decorated 2D nanosheets, which can perform as 2D platforms for their interaction with specific targets.     

Studies towards the synthesis of FCRR toxin: an expeditious entry into 7-5-6 ring systems via [5+2] oxidopyrylium-alkene cycloaddition

Synthetic studies towards the diterpene natural product FCRR toxin have been undertaken. An intermolecular [5+2] oxidopyrylium-alkene cycloaddition reaction was employed to construct the 7-5-6 tricyclic framework. The reaction proceeded with very high regio- and stereoselectivity and the bridging ether was reductively cleaved to unmask the carbocycle.     

Mixed-ligand copper(II) complexes with positive redox potentials

Summary Mixed-ligand complexes formed by reaction of Cu(ClO₄)₂ with 3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine (dppt) as primary ligand and 2,2-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp), N,N-bis(pyrid-2-ylmethyl)amine (dipica), N,N-bis(benzimidazol-2-ylmethyl)amine (bba), 1,3-bis(2-benzimidazolyl)-2-thiapropane (bbms) and 1,5-bis(benzimidazolyl)-3-thiapentane (bbes) as the secondary ligands have been isolated. They are of the type [Cu(dppt)L](ClO₄)₂·nH₂O, where n = 0 or 2. All complexes exhibit only one ligand field band and their cryogenic solution e.p.r. spectra are axial, with v_max and g values diagnostic of a square-based geometry. The spectral and redox data are consistent with facial coordination of the tridentate ligands. All the complexes exhibit a positive redox potential (versus n.h.e.). The weak -bonding of dppt, caused by the highly electron-withdrawing phenyl rings, the strong -back bonding involving phen and dmp, and interligand repulsions appear to be responsible for the relatively positive Cu^II/Cu^I redox potentials.     

Extraction of Am(III) by mixture of dihexyl N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate and tributyl phosphate in benzene from nitric acid solutions

Extraction of Am(III) by dihexyl N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate (CMP) in benzene from nitric acid solutions (pH 2.0 to 6.0M) has been studied. High extraction of Am(III) by CMP from 2–3M HNO₃ was observed. The species extracted was found to be Am(NO₃)₃·3CMP. The extraction was also done with mixtures of CMP+TBP and CMP+TOPO, where mixed species were extracted in the organic phase. The back-extraction experiments gave an efficient back-extraction of Am(III) by pH 2.0 (HNO₃) from the loaded CMP+TBP phase but a poor back-extraction from the loaded CMP+TOPO phase. The loading of Nd(III) by mixture of CMP and TBP was 50% of the CMP concentrations at a total Nd(III) concentration of 0.182M. The thermodynamic parameters of Am(III) extraction by a mixture of CMP and TBP were evaluated by temperature variation method, which suggests that the two-phase reaction is stabilized by enthalpy and opposed by entropy.     

EFFECTIVENESS OF UV-B RADIATION ON THE GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGY OF FIELD-GROWN SOYBEAN MODIFIED BY WATER STRESS

Abstract— Soybeans [ Glycine max (L) Merr. cv Essex] were grown in field plots during May-October 1985 under ambient and an enhanced level of ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation (supplemental daily dose: 5.1 effective kJ m^-2). They were either subjected to water stress or supplementally irrigated, resulting in a 2.0 MPa lower soil water potential in stressed plots. Increased levels of UV-B radiation reduced leaf area, total plant dry weight and net photosynthesis under well-watered conditions, but no significant UV-B effects were detected in plants concurrently subjected to water stress. The insensitivity of growth and net photosynthesis to UV-B radiation in water-stressed plants may be related to anatomical and biochemical changes induced by water stress. These include an increase in the concentration of UV absorbing compounds in leaf tissues and leaf thickening.     

Polyamides of 2,5-bis(amino methyl) 1,4-dioxane and dicarboxylic acids

Novel polyamides of 2,5-bis(amino methyl) 1,4-dioxane (cis/trans-BAMD) with adipic/sebacic acids and of 2,5-bis(carboxy methyl)/2,5-bis(carboxy) 1,4-dioxane with 1,6-hexane diamine have been prepared. Because of the slightly higher conformational flexibility of the 1,4-dioxane ring in comparison with that of the cyclohexane ring, the BAMD polyamides have lower T_g and T_m than the corresponding 1,4-bis(amino methyl) cyclohexane (BAMC) polyamides. The symmetry of the trans-dioxane moiety permits high crystallinity in the trans-BAMD polymers. The crystallinity T_g and T_m of the trans polymers are decreased with the incorporation of the cis-dioxane moiety which lacks a plane of symmetry. Because of the hydrophilic nature of the dioxane ring, t-BAMD-6 has good moisture-regain properties, yet is melt processable (T_m = 292°C).     

Synthesis of hydroxyapatite crystals using amino acid-capped gold nanoparticles as a scaffold

Inorganic composites are of special interest for biomedical applications such as in dental and bone implants wherein the ability to modulate the morphology and size of the inorganic crystals is important. One interesting possibility to control the size of inorganic crystals is to grow them on nanoparticles. We report here the use of surface-modified gold nanoparticles as templates for the growth of hydroxyapatite crystals. Crystal growth is promoted by a monolayer of aspartic acid bound to the surface of the gold nanoparticles; the carboxylate ions in aspartic acid are excellent binging sites for Ca(2+) ions. Isothermal titration calorimetry studies of Ca(2+) ion binding with aspartic acid-capped gold nanoparticles indicates that the process is entropically driven and that screening of the negative charge by the metal ions leads to their aggregation. The aggregates of gold nanoparticles are believed to be responsible for assembly of the platelike hydroxyapatite crystals into quasi-spherical superstructures. Control experiments using uncapped gold nanoparticles and pure aspartic acid indicate that the amino acid bound to the nanogold surface plays a key role in inducing and directing hydroxyapatite crystal growth.     

Extraction of Pm(III) from acidic solutions using dihexyl N,N-diethylcarbamoylmethyl phosphonate

Benzene solution of dihexyl N,N-diethyl-carbamoylmethyl phosphonate (CMP) has been used for the extraction of Pm(III) from 0.2 to 6.0M HNO₃. High extraction of Pm(III) was observed between 2 to 4M HNO₃. The species extracted in the organic phase were Pm(NO₃)₃.3CMP and Pm (NO₃)₃ (3-n) CMP.nTBP when the extractants were CMP and CMP+TBP, respectively. Pm could be efficiently backextracted from both organic phases by pH 2.0 HNO₃ solution.     

Bacterial aerobic synthesis of nanocrystalline magnetite

The synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles of the predominantly magnetite phase by the reaction of aqueous iron complexes with the bacterium, Actinobacter spp., is described. This reaction occurs at room temperature and under aerobic conditions, resulting in the formation of superparamagnetic magnetite.