The -Cys-Cys- motif in Helicobacter pylori's Hpn and HspA proteins is an essential anchoring site for metal ions

The Hpn and HspA proteins from H. pylori are significant for nickel homeostasis and protect the cells from higher concentrations of external metal ions. Both proteins have a unique histidine- and cysteine-rich domain at the C terminus. The interactions of Ni(2+), Bi(3+), Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) ions with C-terminal Ac-CCSTSDSHHQ-NH(2) and Ac-EEGCCHGHHE-NH(2) fragments from Hpn and the Ac-GSCCHTGNHD-NH(2) sequence from HspA were studied by potentiometry, mass spectrometry, circular dichroism and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Ac-CC-NH(2) was used as a reference peptide. The studies have shown that nickel ions form planar complexes with a {2S(-),N(-)} binding mode. The thiol sulfurs of the -Cys-Cys- motif are also the anchoring sites for Bi(3+), Zn(2+) and Cd(2+) ions. The studied protein fragments have the highest affinity for Bi(3+) ions. The thermodynamic stability of Ni(2+) is much higher then that of Zn(2+).     

Synthetic Antitumor Vaccines Containing MUC1 Glycopeptides with Two Immunodominant Domains-Induction of a Strong Immune Response against Breast Tumor Tissues

A shot in the arm for cancer treatment: Two MUC1 tetanus toxoid vaccines were synthesized and induced a strong immune response in mice. The antibodies elicited by the vaccines show a high selectivity for the tumor cells in mammary carcinoma tissues and also distinguish between tumor tissues at different stages.     

1,3,5-Triazine Nitrogen Mustards with Different Peptide Group as Innovative Candidates for AChE and BACE1 Inhibitors

A series of new analogs of nitrogen mustards (4a–4h) containing the 1,3,5-triazine ring substituted with dipeptide residue were synthesized and evaluated for the inhibition of both acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and β-secretase (BACE1) enzymes. The AChE inhibitory activity studies were carried out using Ellman’s colorimetric method, and the BACE1 inhibitory activity studies were carried out using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). All compounds displayed considerable AChE and BACE1 inhibition. The most active against both AChE and BACE1 enzymes were compounds A and 4a, with an inhibitory concentration of AChE IC₅₀ = 0.051 µM; 0.055 µM and BACE1 IC₅₀ = 9.00 µM; 11.09 µM, respectively.     

Intermolecular interactions in mixtures of dichroic dyes with n-alkyl-4-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)bicyclo[2,2,2]octanes

On the basis of the polarized absorption spectra, the guest order parameter as a function of temperature for five dichroic azo dyes dissolved in four members (pentyl to octyl) of the homologous series of n-alkyl-4-(4-isothiocyanatophenyl)bicyclo[2,2,2]octanes has been evaluated. Moreover, the influence of the dichroic dye addition on the nematic-isotropic phase transition temperature has been examined. The relation between the molecular geometry of the guest, its orientation efficiency in the nematic host and the clearing temperature of the azo dye-liquid crystal mixtures has been determined. The experimental results have been compared in some detail with calculations performed on the basis of the mean field theory for binary mixtures.     

Influence of substituent length in dichroic dye molecules on the orientational properties of guest-host liquid crystal mixtures

The polarized absorption spectra of eight dichroic dyes, alkyl derivatives of 4-amino-(N-ethylnaphthalimide) dissolved in the nematic liquid crystals 5CB and 6CHBT have been measured as a function of temperature. On the basis of these spectra, the guest order parameter has been evaluated. The influence of the alkyl chain length of the dye molecule on the molecular orientation has been examined. Moreover, the nematic-isotropic transition temperatures for the dye-liquid crystal mixtures have been determined. The experimental results have been compared in some detail with calculations made on the basis of the mean field theory for binary mixtures.     

Electron impact-induced fragmentation of some aminonitropyridines

The fragmentation behaviour of 18 vicinally substituted aminonitropyridines was studied under electron impact conditions. Tbe decomposition patterns were found to be strongly dependent on the position of substituents. The formation of the aza analogue of carbazole seems to affect considerably the fragmentation of 3-nitro-2-phenylaminopyridine.     

The influence of some fuzzy implication operators on the accuracy of a fuzzy model-part II

The influence of fuzzy implication operators and the connective Also on the accuracy of a fuzzy model of a d.c. series motor is considered. Some typical fuzzy implication operators are applied to the construction of a fuzzy model of a d.c. series motor. A root-mean-square error is used as the criterion of the fuzzy model's adequacy to the real system. A number of mathematical operations necessary for the implementation of the fuzzy model are used as the criterion by which the fuzzy model's applicability if estimated from the point of view of computing techniques. The best types of fuzzy relations, representing fuzzy models of a real system, are chosen in order to secure the least root-mean-square error with minimal number of mathematical operations necessary for computer implementation.     

2' And 3'-ketonucleosides and their arabino and xylo reduction products: Convenient access via selective protection and oxidation of ribonucleosides

A number of 2',5'- or 3',5'-diprotected ribonucleosides and 5'-protected 2'- or 3'-deoxy-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl nucleosides have been oxidized to the corresponding 3' or 2'-ketonucleoside derivatives using chromium trioxide/pyridine/acetic anhydride or dimethyl sulfoxide/ acetic anhydride. Reduction of the carbonyl functions with sodium borohydride gave the inverted arabino, xylo, or deoxy-threo isomers as predominant products by attack at the less hindered α-face of the sugar ring. Parallel reductions using sodium borodeuteride corroborated the epimeric ratios by demonstrating that complete oxidation of the original hydroxyl groups had occurred. The deuterium labeling also aided in making NMR spectral assignments.     

Order parameter of side groups of a polysiloxane in liquid crystalline uniaxial phases

The orientational order of a liquid crystalline side chain polysiloxane has been investigated by means of polarized light spectroscopy and dielectric relaxation measurements. The order parameters (P₂) and (P₄) have been determined as a function of the temperature for the smectic and nematic phases. The orienting properties of the polysiloxane investigated have been compared with those of a polysiloxane with the same mesogenic groups, but a shorter spacer.