Electrochemical screening of anti-microbial peptide LL-37 interaction with phospholipids

LL-37 is an alpha-helical antimicrobial peptide of human origin. It is a 37 residue cathelicidin peptide. This paper explores the use of electrochemical methods to investigate the interaction of LL-37 with phospholipid and lipid A monolayers on a mercury drop electrode. Experiments were carried out in Dulbecco's phosphate buffered saline at pH approximately 7.6. The capacity-potential curves of the coated electrode in the presence and absence of LL-37 were measured using out-of-phase ac voltammetry. The frequency dependence of the complex impedance of the coated electrode in the presence and absence of LL-37 was estimated at -0.4 V versus Ag/AgCl 3.5 mol dm(-3) KCl. The monolayer permeability to ions was studied by following the reduction of Tl(I) to Tl(Hg) at the coated electrode. LL-37 shows no significant interaction with DOPC. However, LL-37 shows a small interaction with DOPG and lipid A within a DOPC monolayer where the monolayer permeability is marginally increased and the zero frequency capacitance (ZFC) is marginally decreased in both cases. LL-37 shows a significant interaction with a lipid A monolayer thereby decreasing the ZFC by 30%. The results concur with the known membrane active properties of LL-37 and establish this electrochemical approach as a key technique for screening peptides.     

Study of quality control and metal distribution in urban airborne particulates

In this investigation, results of 33 elements in airborne samples collected continuously over nine urban locations are discussed. Inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry technique was used for determining concentration of metals. Quality control was established prior to analysis of real air samples. The guidelines followed are based on USEPA Compendium Method IO-3.4. Uncertainty in analysis was also established. Based on the concentration of metals in airborne particulates, we attempted to study the metal distribution characteristics in ambient air at various urban locations. Metals such as Al, Ca, Fe were comparatively at higher concentrations than the other elements under study at most of the locations. The city vehicles operate on lead-free fuels; however, concentration of lead in urban dust was observed in the concentration range of 0.33–6.24 μg/m³. Soil samples were also collected from sites close to the air sampling locations. Soil samples were also analysed for metal content. Enrichment factor was determined for elements measured at nine urban locations. The data supports interpretation of results in terms of contribution of metals in airborne particulates from anthropogenic and noncrustal origin.     

New method for chloroamidation of olefins. Application in the synthesis of N-glycopeptides and anticancer agents

Chloroamidation of olefins using a new reagent system (COCl)2-AgNO3-CH3CN was observed. Various glycals with this reagent system produce 2-chloro-1-acetamido sugars in good yields which, in turn, were converted to free amino derivatives and various glycopeptides. The acetamido sugar derivatives and free amines were found to be promising anticancer agents against the U-87 malignant glyoma (a brain tumor) cell line with IC-50=1 nm-22 microM, and they were found to be far less cytotoxic against a normal human embryonic kidney cell line.     

Cell motility assays on tissue culture dishes via non-invasive confinement and release of cells

In vitro cell migration assays are useful for screening bioactive agents that regulate angiogenesis, tumor metastasis, would healing, and immune responses by effecting changes in the rate of cell migration. Here we have developed a noninvasive in vitro migration assay that operates through release of confluent groups of cells initially confined within patterns of cell-resistant polyelectrolyte. Cell-resistant patterns of polyelectrolyte, separating groups of confluent cells, are rendered cell adhesive by adsorption of a second, cell adhesive polyelectrolyte of opposite charge; thereby, resulting in migration of cells into the separating regions. By dynamically controlling cell-surface interactions through self-assembly of cell-adhesive and cell resistant polyelectrolytes, this method eliminates the need to mechanically wound cells, as is done in current cell migration assays. The utility of this technique in identifying molecules and mechanisms that regulate cell migration is demonstrated by its application as an assay for the effects of platelet derived growth factors, cytoskeleton disrupting agents, and Merlin overexpression, on the migration of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts.     

Hypervalent iodine(V) mediated mild and convenient synthesis of substituted 2-amino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles

A simple protocol for the synthesis of 2-amino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles starting from the corresponding acylhydrazides by cyclodesulfurization of intermediate acylthiosemicarbazides mediated by o-iodoxybenzoic acid in good yields has been described. The protocol is mild with wide substrate scope, and thus a range of 2-amino-1,3,4-oxadiazoles have been prepared.     

A lead (II) selective PVC membrane potentiometric sensor based on a tetraazamacrocyclic ligand

A polymeric membrane based Pb(II) selective potentiometric sensor was developed by using 1,3,7,9-tetraaza-2,8-dithia-4,10-dimethyl-6,12-diphenylcyclododeca-4,6,10,12-tetraene (TDDDCT) as an electroactive material along with anion excluder sodium tetraphenylborate (NaTPB) and plasticizer dioctylphthalate (DOP). The best performance in terms of slope, concentration range and response time was exhibited by the membrane having TDDDCT:PVC:DOP:NaTPB in the ratio 3:32:62:3 (w/w%). Potentiometric results show that the developed sensor works well in the concentration range 5.0 × 10^?7–1.0 × 10^?1 M with a near Nernstian slope of 29.5 (±0.5) mV decade^?1. The detection limit is down to 2.5 × 10^?7 M. The working pH range of this sensor is 2.8–7.0 and it works well in partially nonaqueous medium up to 25 % (v/v) methanol and ethanol. It exhibits a fast response time of 10 s. Selectivity coefficient values of various interfering ions were determined by the fixed interference method (FIM). The sensor reveals good selectivity for Pb(II) ions over other metal ions investigated. The developed sensor is used in the determination of lead in ‘Eveready battery waste’ and as an indicator electrode in the potentiometric titration of Pb(II) against EDTA.     

A Multifunctional Microfluidic Platform for High-Throughput Experimentation of Electroorganic Chemistry

Electroorganic synthesis is a promising tool to design sustainable transformations and discover new reactivities. However, the added setup complexity caused by electrodes in the system impedes efficient screening of reaction conditions. Herein, we present a microfluidic platform that enables automated high-throughput experimentation (HTE) for electroorganic synthesis at a 15-microliter scale. Two HTE modules are demonstrated: 1) the rapid electrochemical reaction condition screening for a radical–radical cross-coupling reaction on micro-fabricated interdigitated electrodes, and 2) measurements of kinetics for mediated anodic oxidations using the microliter-scale cyclic voltammetry. The presented modular approach could be deployed for a range of other electroorganic chemistry applications beyond the demonstrated functionalities.     

Photo Catalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes over Mn2+ Doped TiO2 Catalyst under UV/Solar Light:An Insight to the Route of Electron Transfer in the Mixed Phase of Anatase and Rutile

Mn²⁺ ion was doped into the TiO₂ matrix and its photocatalytic activity was evaluated for the degradation of a mono azo dye methyl orange (MO) and a di‐azo dye brilliant yellow (BY) under UV/solar light. X‐ray diffraction results revealed the phase transformation from anatase to rutile due to the inclusion of Mn²⁺ ion into the TiO₂ matrix. All the doped catalysts showed a red shift in the band gap to the visible region. The degradation reaction of the dyes was found to be dependent on its structure. It was found that mono azo dye degrades faster than di azo dye under UV/solar light. The rate constant under identical conditions calculated for the degradation of MO is 2.4 times (under UV light) and 4.5 times (under solar light) higher compared to BY. Among the photocatalysts studied, Mn²⁺(0.06 at.%)‐TiO₂ showed higher activity under both UV and solar light illumination. The synergestic effect in the bicrystalline framework of anatase and rutile effectively suppresses the charge carrier recombination and enhances the photocatalytic activity. The degradation reaction was followed by UV‐visible spectroscopy and the photoproducts formed were analyzed by GC‐MS techniques.     

Stereoselective synthesis of fluoro-homoneplanocin A as a potential antiviral agent

Fluoro-homoneplanocin A (4) was synthesized from d-ribose, via the enyne ring-closing metathesis of 9, the stereoselective opening of epoxide 23a with fluoride, and a simultaneous oxidation-elimination reaction. The key intermediate 8 is expected to serve as a versatile intermediate for the synthesis of carbanucleosides.     

Strategies developed on the modification of titania for visible light response with enhanced interfacial charge transfer process: an overview

The modification of titania by metal / non metal ion doping, coupling with narrow band gap sensitizer, surface flourination, metal deposition, and together with recent ventures on application of {001} facets of anatase titania for visible light response with enhanced charge carrier separation are briefly overviewed.