Silver intercalation in PbS1.18(TiS2)n, n=1, 2, misfit layer compounds

The reaction between metallic Ag and PbS_1.18(TiS₂)_n, n=1, 2, misfit layer compounds has been investigated by electrochemical technique, X-ray powder analysis and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that silver intercalation is possible only in the compound with n=2. The thermodynamic behavior and location of phase boundaries were studied in the temperature range 400–650 K. DC-conductivity and magnetic-susceptibility measurements were performed, and the data can be interpreted as an appearance of small polarons during silver insertion.     

Off‐diagonal and asymptotic results on the Ramsey number r(K2,m,K2,n)

An upper bound on the Ramsey number r(K_2,n‐s,K_2,n) where s ≥ 2 is presented. Considering certain r(K_2,n‐s,K_2,n)‐colorings obtained from strongly regular graphs, we additionally prove that this bound matches the exact value of r(K_2,n‐s,K_2,n) in infinitely many cases if holds. Moreover, the asymptotic behavior of r(K_2,m,K_2,n) is studied for n being sufficiently large depending on m. We conclude with a table of all known Ramsey numbers r(K_2,m,K_2,n) where m,n ≤ 10. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Graph Theory 43: 252–268, 2003     

Quantitative analysis of the low molecular weight serum proteome using 18O stable isotope labeling in a lung tumor xenograft mouse model

With advancements in the analytical technologies and methodologies in proteomics, there is great interest in biomarker discovery in biofluids such as serum and plasma. Current hypotheses suggest that the low molecular weight (LMW) serum proteome possesses an archive of clipped and cleaved protein fragments that may provide insight into disease development. Though these biofluids represent attractive samples from which new and more accurate disease biomarkers may be found, the intrinsic person-to-person variability in these samples complicates their discovery. Mice are one of the most extensively used animal models for studying human disease because they represent a highly controllable experimental model system. In this study, the LMW serum proteome was compared between xenografted tumor-bearing mice and control mice by differential labeling utilizing trypsin-mediated incorporation of the stable isotope of oxygen, 18O. The digestates were combined, fractionated by strong cation exchange chromatography, and analyzed by nanoflow reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled online with tandem mass spectrometry, resulting in the identification of 6003 proteins identified by at least a single, fully tryptic peptide. Almost 1650 proteins were identified and quantitated by two or more fully tryptic peptides. The methodology adopted in this work provides the means for future quantitative measurements in comparative animal models of disease and in human disease cohorts.     

A combinatorial approach toward the generation of ambiphilic peptide-based inhibitors of protein:geranylgeranyl transferase-1

A combinatorial synthesis of oligopeptide analogues and their evaluation as protein:geranylgeranyl transferase inhibitors is presented. The combinatorial strategy is based on the random mutation, in each new generation, of one of any of the four amino acid building blocks of which the most effective compounds of the previous generation are assembled. In this way, a progressive improvement of the average inhibitory activity was observed until the fifth generation. The most active inhibitors were found to inhibit PGGT-1 in the low micromolar range (IC(50): 3.8-8.1 microM).     

Planar Iron Hydride Nanoclusters: Combined Spectroscopic and Theoretical Insights into Structures and Building Principles

The controlled assembly of well-defined planar nanoclusters from molecular precursors is synthetically challenging and often plagued by the predominant formation of 3D-structures and nanoparticles. Herein, we report planar iron hydride nanoclusters from reactions of main group element hydrides with iron(II) bis(hexamethyldisilazide). The structures and properties of isolated Fe₄, Fe₆, and Fe₇ nanoplatelets and calculated intermediates enable an unprecedented insight into the underlying building principle and growth mechanism of iron clusters, metal monolayers, and nanoparticles.     

Biological N Removal from Wastes Generated from Amine-Based CO2 Capture: Case Monoethanolamine

Large-scale amine-based CO₂ capture will generate waste containing large amounts of ammonia, in addition to contaminants such as the actual amine as well as degradation products thereof. Monoethanolamine (MEA) has been a dominant amine applied so far in this context. This study reveals how biological N removal can be achieved even in systems heavily contaminated by MEA in post- as well as pre-denitrification treatment systems, elucidating the rate-limiting factors of nitrification as well as aerobic and denitrifying biodegradation of MEA. The hydrolysis of MEA to ammonia readily occurred both in post- and pre-denitrification treatment systems with a hydraulic retention time of 7 h. MEA removal was ≥99?±?1 % and total nitrogen removal 77?±?10 % in both treatment systems. This study clearly demonstrates the advantage of pre-denitrification over post-denitrification for achieving biological nitrogen removal from MEA-contaminated effluents. Besides the removal of MEA, the removal efficiency of total nitrogen as well as organic matter was high without additional carbon source supplied.     

Hexaphenylbenzene-based polymers of intrinsic microporosity

Microporous polymers derived from the 1,2- and 1,4-regioisomers of di(3',4'-dihydroxyphenyl)tetraphenylbenzene have very different properties with the former being composed predominantly of cyclic oligomers whereas the latter is of high molar mass suitable for the formation of robust solvent-cast films of high gas permeability.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of prodrugs based on the natural antibiotic duocarmycin for use in ADEPT and PMT

Chemotherapy of malign tumors is usually associated with serious side effects as common anticancer drugs lack selectivity. An approach to deal with this problem is the antibody-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (ADEPT) and the prodrug monotherapy (PMT). Herein, the synthesis and biological evaluation of new glycosidic prodrugs suitable for both concepts are described. All prodrugs but one are stable in human serum and show QIC(50) values (IC(50) of prodrug/IC(50) of prodrug in the presence of the appropriate glycohydrolase) of up to 6500. This is the best value found so far for compounds interacting with DNA.