A rapid method for detection of catalase-positive and catalase-negative bacteria based on monitoring of hydrogen peroxide evolution at a composite peroxidase biosensor

The rapid detection of catalase-positive and catalase-negative bacteria in complex culture media has been accomplished by monitoring of hydrogen peroxide consumption or generation with a graphite-Teflon-peroxidase-ferrocene composite electrode. Escherichia coli and Streptococcus pneumoniae have been used as model catalase-positive and catalase-negative bacteria, respectively. Hydrogen peroxide evolution was amperometrically measured at 0.00 V. Experimental conditions, including the working solution composition, the incubation time and the hydrogen peroxide concentration, were optimized. The reusability of the biosensor was improved by placing a nylon membrane on the bioelectrode surface to prevent fouling caused by the bacterial medium. The developed methodology allowed the detection of E. coli and S. pneumoniae at concentration levels of approximately 2x10(6) and 2x10(5) cfu/mL, in assays taking 10 and 15 min, respectively, without any pre-concentration step or pre-enrichment procedure.     

Homophymine A, an anti-HIV cyclodepsipeptide from the sponge Homophymia sp

A new anti-HIV cyclodepsipeptide, homophymine A, was isolated from a New Caledonian collection of the marine sponge Homophymia sp. The structure of homophymine A was determined by interpretation of spectroscopic data, acid hydrolysis, and LC-MS analysis. Homophymine A contains 11 amino acid residues and an amide-linked 3-hydroxy-2,4,6-trimethyloctanoic acid moiety. Along with four D-, two L-, and one N-methyl amino acids, it also contains four unusual amino acid residues: (2S,3S,4R)-3,4-diMe-Gln, (2R,3R,4S)-4-amino-2,3-dihydroxy-1,7-heptandioic acid, L-ThrOMe, and (2R,3R,4R)-2-amino-3-hydroxy-4,5-dimethylhexanoic acid. In a cell-based XTT assay, homophymine A exhibited cytoprotective activity against HIV-1 infection with a IC50 of 75 nM.     

Bottom-up Solution Synthesis of Graphene Nanoribbons with Precisely Engineered Nanopores

The incorporation of nanopores into graphene nanostructures has been demonstrated as an efficient tool in tuning their band gaps and electronic structures. However, precisely embedding the uniform nanopores into graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) at the atomic level remains underdeveloped especially for in-solution synthesis due to the lack of efficient synthetic strategies. Herein we report the first case of solution-synthesized porous GNR ( pGNR ) with a fully conjugated backbone via the efficient Scholl reaction of tailor-made polyphenylene precursor ( P1 ) bearing pre-installed hexagonal nanopores. The resultant pGNR features periodic subnanometer pores with a uniform diameter of 0.6 nm and an adjacent-pores-distance of 1.7 nm. To solidify our design strategy, two porous model compounds ( 1 a , 1 b ) containing the same pore size as the shortcuts of pGNR , are successfully synthesized. The chemical structure and photophysical properties of pGNR are investigated by various spectroscopic analyses. Notably, the embedded periodic nanopores largely reduce the π-conjugation degree and alleviate the inter-ribbon π–π interactions, compared to the nonporous GNRs with similar widths, affording pGNR with a notably enlarged band gap and enhanced liquid-phase processability.     

Structure-based approach for identification of novel phenylboronic acids as serine-β-lactamase inhibitors

β-Lactamases are bacterial enzymes conferring resistance to β-lactam antibiotics in clinically-relevant pathogens, and represent relevant drug targets. Recently, the identification of new boronic acids (i.e. RPX7009) paved the way to the clinical application of these molecules as potential drugs. Here, we screened in silico a library of ~1400 boronic acids as potential AmpC β-lactamase inhibitors. Six of the most promising candidates were evaluated in biochemical assays leading to the identification of potent inhibitors of clinically-relevant β-lactamases like AmpC, KPC-2 and CTX-M-15. One of the selected compounds showed nanomolar K _i value with the clinically-relevant KPC-2 carbapenemase, while another one exhibited broad spectrum inhibition, being also active on Enterobacter AmpC and the OXA-48 class D carbapenemase.     

Matrix approaches to approximate solutions of variational inequalities in Hilbert spaces

A matrix approach to approximating solutions of variational inequalities in Hilbert spaces is introduced. This approach uses two matrices: one for iteration process and the other for regularization. Ergodicity and convergence (both weak and strong) are studied. Our methods combine new or well-known iterative methods (such as the original Mann’s method) with regularized processes involved regular matrices in the sense of Toeplitz.     

Approximate values for force constant and wave number associated with a low-frequency concerted motion in proteins can be evaluated by a comparison of X-ray structures

Low-frequency internal motions in protein molecules play a key role in biological functions. A direct relationship between low-frequency motions and enzymatic activity has been suggested for bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase A). The flexibility-function relationship in this enzyme has been attributed to a subtle and concerted breathing motion of the beta-sheet regions occurring upon substrate binding and release. Here, we calculate an approximate value for the force constant and the wave number of the low-frequency beta-sheet breathing motion of RNase A, by using the Boltzmann hypothesis on a set of data derived from a simple conventional structural superimposition of an unusual large number of X-ray structures available for the protein. The results agree with previous observations and with theoretical predictions on the basis of normal-mode analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first example in which the wave number and the force constant of a low-frequency concerted motion in a protein are directly derived from X-ray structures.     

A general method for the synthesis of the most powerful naturally occurring Maillard flavors

The natural flavors 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline 1a, 2-propionyl-1-pyrroline 1b, 2-acetyl-3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyridine 1c, 2-acetyl-2-thiazoline 1d, 2-propionyl-2-thiazoline 1e, and the artificial flavor 2-acetyl-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,3-thiazine 1f have been prepared by catalytic SeO₂ oxidation of the corresponding cyclic imines 6a-c and sulfur cyclic imines 7a-c using TBHP as co-oxidant. The oxidation of the pyrrolines 1a and b is completely regioselective. Professional olfactory evaluation together with the odor threshold of the new flavor 1f is reported.     

Continuous nondestructive monitoring of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bordetella pertussis</Emphasis> biofilms by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and other corroborative techniques

This work describes the application of several analytical techniques to characterize the development of Bordetella pertussis biofilms and to examine, in particular, the contribution of virulence factors in this development. Growth of surface-attached virulent and avirulent B. pertussis strains was monitored in continuous-flow chambers by techniques such as the crystal violet method, and nondestructive methodologies like fluorescence microscopy and Fourier transform (FT) IR spectroscopy. Additionally, B. pertussis virulent and avirulent strains expressing green fluorescent protein were grown adhered to the base of a glass chamber of 1-μm thickness. Three-dimensional images of mature biofilms, acquired by confocal laser scanning microscopy, were quantitatively analysed by means of the computer program COMSTAT. Our results indicate that only the virulent (Bvg⁺) phase of B. pertussis is able to attach to surfaces and develop a mature biofilm. In the virulent phase these bacteria are capable of producing a biofilm consisting of microcolonies of approximately 200 μm in diameter and 24 μm in depth. FTIR spectroscopy allowed us not only to follow the dynamics of biofilm growth through specific biomass and biofilm marker absorption bands, but also to monitor the maturation of the biofilm by means of the increase of the carbohydrate-to-protein ratio.     

Complexation of transition metals by 3-azidopropionitrile. An electrospray ionization mass spectrometry study

Most complexes of azides and transition metals involve the N(3)(-) azide anion as a ligand other than an organic azide. Complexes of organic azides with metals are involved in biological applications and in the deposition of nitrenes on metal surfaces, producing nitride layers for semi-conductors preparation; this makes the study of these interactions an important issue. This work describes a study of the complexation of nickel and cobalt by 3-azidopropionitrile by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Complexes were obtained from solutions of NiCl(2) and CoCl(2) in methanol/water. In the case of nickel, other NiX(2) salts were investigated (where X = Br or NO(3)) and other solvents were also studied (notably ethanol/water). All complexes detected were single positively charged, with various stoichiometries, some resulted from the fragmentation of the ligand, the loss of N(2), and HCN being quite common. The most abundant cations observed were [Ni(II)AzAzX](+), where X = Cl, Br, NO(3). Some of the complexes showed solvation with methanol/ethanol/water. Metal reduction was observed in complexes where a radical was lost, resulting from the homolytic cleavage of a metal-nitrogen bond. Collision induced dissociation (CID) experiments followed by tandem mass spectrometry (MS-MS) analysis were not absolutely conclusive about the coordination site. However, terminal ions observed from the fragmentation routes were explained by a proposed gas-phase mechanism. Density functional theory calculations were carried out and provided structures for some complexes, pointing to the possibility of 3-azidopropionitrile acting as a mono- or a bidentate ligand.     

Recent advances in the benzannulation of substituted 3-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-hexadienoic acids and 3-alkoxycarbonylhex-3-en-5-ynoic acids to polysubstituted aromatics

The benzannulation reactions of substituted 3-alkoxycarbonyl-3,5-hexadienoic and 3-alkoxycarbonylhex-3-en-5-ynoic acids offer a straightforward access to various polysubstituted aromatic compounds. The process is very flexible, and can be applied to the regiospecific preparation of oligoaryls, naphthalenes, ring-fused heterocycles, chiral tetrahydronaphthalenes, C-aryl-glycosides and many natural products of different structure. In this Concept article, we highlight the potential of this annulation reaction by illustration of our recent contribution to this field, as well as the studies previous reported by others.