Protein and Peptide Substances in the Treatment of Respiratory Syncytial Infection: Current State

Respiratory syncytial virus infection (RSVI) is an acute medical and social problem in many countries globally. Infection is most dangerous for infants under one year old and the elderly. Despite its epidemiological relevance, only two drugs are registered for clinical use against RSVI: ribavirin (approved in a limited number of countries due to side effects) and palivizumab (Synagis), which is intended only for the prevention, but not the treatment, of infection. Currently, various research groups are searching for new drugs against RSV, with three main areas of research: small molecules, polymeric drugs (proteins and peptides), and plant extracts. This review is devoted to currently developed protein and peptide anti-RSV drugs.     

Nondissipative curves in Hilbert spaces having a limit of the corresponding correlation function

In this work a class of nondissipative curves in Hilbert spaces whose correlation functions have a limit ast± is presented. These curves correspond to a class of nondissipative basic operators that are a coupling of a dissipative operator and an antidissipative one. The wave operators and the scattering operator for the couple (A ^*, A) ( ) are obtained. The present work is a continuation and a generalization of the investigations of K.Kirchev and V.Zolotarev [1, 2, 3] on the model representations of curves in Hilbert spaces where the respective semigroup generator is a dissipative operator. This article includes four parts. A new form of the triangular model of M.S. Livic ([4, 5]) for the considered operators is introduced in the first part by the help of a suitable representation of the selfadjoint operatorL. This allows us to describe the studied class of nondissipative curves. The second part studies some results concerning the application of the analogue for multiplicative integrals of the well-known Privalov's theorem ([6]) about the limit values in the scalar case. This analogue is a reconstruction of measure by limit values in Stieltjes-Perron's style and it is obtained by L.A. Sakhnovich ([7]). Another problem, considered in the second part is the analogue inC ^m of the classical gamma-function and several properties for further consideration. In the third part the asymptotics of the studied curves corresponding to the nondissipative operators-couplings of a dissipative and an antidissipative operator with absolutely continuous real spectra and the limits of their correlation functions are obtained In the fourth part a scattering theory of a couple (A ^*, A) with a nondissipative operatorA from is constructed as in the selfadjoint case ([8, 9, 10]) and in the dissipative case ([7]). These results show an interesting new effect: the studied nondissipative case is near to the dissipative one.Partially supported by Grant MM-810/98 of MESC     

A molecular keypad lock: a photochemical device capable of authorizing password entries

This paper describes a new concept in the way information can be protected at the molecular scale. By harnessing the principles of molecular Boolean logic, we have designed a molecular device that mimics the operation of an electronic keypad lock, e.g., a common security circuit used for numerous applications, in which access to an object or data is to be restricted to a limited number of persons. What distinguishes this lock from a simple molecular logic gate is the fact that its output signals are dependent not only on the proper combination of the inputs but also on the correct order by which these inputs are introduced. In other words, one needs to know the exact passwords that open this lock. The different password entries are coded by a combination of two chemical and one optical input signals, which can activate, separately, blue or green fluorescence output channels from pyrene or fluorescein fluorophores. The information in each channel is a single-bit light output signal that can be used to authorize a user, to verify authentication of a product, or to initiate a higher process. This development not only opens the way for a new class of molecular decision-making devices but also adds a new dimension of protection to existing defense technologies, such as cryptography and steganography, previously achieved with molecules.     

Formation of the paramagletic Ni(I) π-allyl complex in the Ni(allyl)2 - (2,6-diisopropylphenyl)diazabutadiene system

It has been shown that the reaction of Ni(allyl)₂ with (2,6-diisopropylphenyl)diazabutadiene gives the imino-amide Ni complex (1). The imino-amide moiety of this complex undergoes some complicated rearrangements resulting in spontaneous formation of a paramagnetic π-allyl Ni(I) complex. Nickel complexes formed in the system have been studied with ESR, FTIR, 2D NMR, and mass spectrometry. The structure of complex 1 was studied with X-ray diffraction.     

Crucial role of paramagnetic ligands for magnetostructural anomalies in "breathing crystals"

Breathing crystals based on polymer-chain complexes of Cu(hfac)(2) with nitroxides exhibit thermally and light-induced magnetostructural anomalies in many aspects similar to a spin crossover. In the present work, we report the synthesis and investigation of a new family of Cu(hfac)(2) complexes with tert-butylpyrazolylnitroxides and their nonradical structural analogues. The complexes with paramagnetic ligands clearly exhibit structural rearrangements in the copper(II) coordination units and accompanying magnetic phenomena characteristic for breathing crystals. Contrary to that, their structural analogues with diamagnetic ligands do not undergo rearrangements in the copper(II) coordination environments. This confirms experimentally the crucial role of paramagnetic ligands and exchange interactions between them and copper(II) ions for the origin of magnetostructural anomalies in this family of molecular magnets.     

New insights into water‐soluble and water‐coordinated copper 15‐metallacrown‐5 gadolinium complexes designed for high‐field magnetic resonance imaging applications

The development of contrast agents specifically designed for high‐field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is required because the relaxation efficiency of classic Gd(III) contrast agents significantly decreases with increasing magnetic field strengths. With an idea of exploring the unique structure of lanthanide (Ln) 15‐MC‐5 metallacrowns, we developed a series of water‐soluble Gd(III) aqua‐complexes, bearing aminohydroxamate (glycine, α‐alanine, α‐phenylalanine and α‐tyrosine) ligands, with increasing number of water molecules directly coordinated to the Gd(III) ion: Gd(H₂O)₄[15‐MC_Cu(II)Glyha‐5](Cl)₃ ( 1 (Gd)), Gd(H₂O)₄[15‐MC_Cu(II)Alaha‐5](Cl)₃ ( 2 (Gd)), Gd(H₂O)₃[15‐MC_{Cu(II)Phalaha}‐5](Cl)₃ ( 3 (Gd)) and Gd(H₂O)₃[15‐MC_Cu(II)Tyrha‐5](Cl)₃ ( 4 (Gd)). In these systems, the Ln(III) central ion is coordinated by five oxygen donor atoms of the ligands and three or four inner‐sphere water molecules. The X‐ray crystal structure of metallacrown Ln(H₂O)_3,4[15‐MC_Cu(II)Rha‐5]³⁺ agrees with density functional theory predictions. The calculations demonstrate that the exchange of coordinated water molecules can proceed easily, resulting in increased relaxivity parameters. The longitudinal relaxivities (r₁) of 1 (Gd)– 4 (Gd) in water at ultrahigh magnetic field of 9.4 T were determined to be 11.5, 14.8, 13.9 and 12.2 mM^?1 s^?1, respectively. The ability to increase the number of Ln(III) inner‐sphere water molecules up to four, the planar metallacrown structure and the rich hydration shell due to strong hydrogen bonds between the [15‐MC‐5] moiety and bulk water molecules provide new opportunities for potential MRI applications.     

Biodegradable liposome–chitosan complexes: enzyme-mediated release of encapsulated substances

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Synthesis of H (type 4) trisaccharide,key structural fragment of globo-H and fucosyl-GM1 cancer-associated antigens

A convenient synthesis of Fucα1-2Galβ1-3GalNAcβ-OCH₂CH₂CH₂NH₂ (trisaccharide H type 4) is described. This glycan is the terminal part of glycosphingolipids globo-H and fucosyl-GM1 known as cancer-associated carbohydrate antigens.     

Polyacrylonitrile molecular weight effect on the structural and magnetic properties of metal–carbon nanomaterial

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Transformations of 5-(2-arylethynyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles under superelectrophilic activation

Reaction of 5-arylethynyl-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles (acetylene tetrazoles) with arenes under the action of Brønsted superacid CF₃SO₃H or acidic zeolite HUSY CBV-720 gives rise to E-/Z-5-(2,2-diarylethenyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles, as products of hydroarylation of acetylene bond, in yields up to 98% with predominant formation of E-isomers. Cationic intermediates of these reactions have been studied theoretically by DFT calculations. Addition of CF₃SO₃H to the triple bond of acetylene tetrazoles leads to the corresponding E-/Z-vinyl triflates in high yields. Hydration of triple bond in these tetrazoles in H₂SO₄ results in the formation of 5-(2-aryl-2-oxoethyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles. Tandem hydroarylation-ionic hydrogenation of acetylene tetrazoles in the systems acid(CF₃SO₃H or AlCl₃)-arene-cyclohexane affords 5-(2,2-diarylethyl)-2-methyl-2H-tetrazoles.