Virus Particles Monitored by Fluorescence Spectroscopy: A Potential Detection Assay for Macromolecular Assembly¶

Native fluorescence spectroscopy was used for in situ investigations of two lipid‐containing bacteriophages from the cystovirus family as well as their Pseudomonad host cells. Both the viruses φ6 and φ12 and their bacterial host proteins contain the amino acid tryptophan (trp), which is the predominant fluorophore in UV. Within proteins, trp's structural environment differs, and the differences are reflected in their spectroscopic signatures. It was observed that the peak of the trp emission from both viruses was at 330 nm, a significantly shorter wavelength than trp in either the Pseudomonad host cells or the amino acid's chemical form. This allowed us to monitor the viral attachment process and subsequent lytic release of progeny virus particles by measurement of the trp emission spectra during the infection process. This work demonstrates that fluorescence may offer a novel tool to detect viruses and monitor viral infection of cells and may be part of a biodefense application.     

Simple instrument for titrimetry without visual indicators. gasometric titrations: Cerimetry,chlorometry, nitrate,nitrite, hydroxide and carbonate determination

It was shown in previous papers, that many titrimetric problems can be solved by observing the pressure change of a closed system above the solution titrated at the equivalence point. This principle was made the basis of a gasometric titration method in which the end-point is found graphically. The titrant is added to the sample solution in measured increments at fixed intervals of time and the corresponding gas pressure or volume of the system is recorded and then plotted against the volume of added titrant. Half a dozen readings are sufficient to establish the end-point of a titration, which is found at the intersection of two straight lines. This graphical method was applied to cerimetry and chlorometry, as well as to some other analytical reactions (determination of nitrite, nitrate, hydroxide and carbonate) already described in previous papers on the gas pressure end-point technique. The results are comparable in precision and accuracy to the values obtained by the conventional visual end-point titrations. A gasometric titration takes about 10 minutes. The presence of other substances in the sample capable of reacting with the titrant does not necessarily cause interference.     

Explorative data analysis of two-dimensional electrophoresis gels

Methods for classification of two-dimensional (2-DE) electrophoresis gels based on multivariate data analysis are demonstrated. Two-dimensional gels of ten wheat varieties are analyzed and it is demonstrated how to classify the wheat varieties in two qualities and a method for initial screening of gels is presented. First, an approach is demonstrated in which no prior knowledge of the separated proteins is used. Alignment of the gels followed by a simple transformation of data makes it possible to analyze the gels in an automated explorative manner by principal component analysis, to determine if the gels should be further analyzed. A more detailed approach is done by analyzing spot volume lists by principal components analysis and partial least square regression. The use of spot volume data offers a mean to investigate the spot pattern and link the classified protein patterns to distinct spots on the gels for further investigation. The explorative approach in analysis of 2-D gels makes it possible, in a fast and convenient way, to screen many gels in order to determine the protein patterns that form clusters and could be selected for further examination.     

Preparation of 4-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3,3-dimethylisoquinolines and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3,3-dimethyl-4-phenylbenz[h]isoquinolines

Synthetic procedures to prepare a number of 4-aryl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3,3-dimethylisoquinolines and their benzo-homogues 3 through a series of intermediates are described. The condensation of α-(1-amino-1-methylethyl)arylmethanols 5 with arylaldehydes 6 gave imino derivatives 7 which on reduction with borohydride gave secondary amines 8 . The treatment of 8 with mineral acids gave the target compounds 3 . Biological activities of 3 are briefly discussed.     

Rotational spectroscopy and equilibrium structures of S3 and S4

The sulfur molecules thiozone S3 and tetrasulfur S4 have been observed in a supersonic molecular beam in the centimeter-wave band by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy, and in the millimeter- and submillimeter-wave bands in a low-pressure glow discharge. For S3 over 150 rotational transitions between 10 and 458 GHz were measured, and for S4 a comparable number between 6 and 271 GHz. The spectrum of S3 is reproduced to within the measurement uncertainties by an asymmetric top Hamiltonian with three rotational and 12 centrifugal distortion constants; ten distortion constants, but an additional term to account for very small level shifts caused by interchange tunneling, are required to reproduce to comparable accuracy the spectrum of S4. Empirical equilibrium (r(e)(emp)) structures of S3 and S4 were derived from experimental rotational constants of the normal and sulfur-34 species and vibrational corrections from coupled-cluster theory calculations. Quantum chemical calculations show that interchange tunneling occurs because S4 automerizes through a transition state with D2h symmetry which lies about 500 cm(-1) above the two equivalent C2upsilon minima on the potential energy surface.