The biogenetic law

We develop one criterion for the selection of the content of a mathematics syllabus. We advocate the importance of the biogenetic law and stress the importance of a historical perspective in mathematical education.     

Revised structure of paederoside,a novel monoterpene S-methyl thiocarbonate

On the basis of its mass spectrum, nmr and hydrolysis products, the iridoid glucoside, paederoside, is identified as an S-methyl thiocarbonate.     

Enantioselective Synthesis of alpha,alpha-Disubstituted Amino Acid Derivatives via Enzymatic Resolution: Preparation of a Thiazolyl-Substituted alpha-Methyl alpha-Benzyl Amine

A new and efficient enantioselective synthesis of the (S)-alpha,alpha-disubstituted phenethylamine 1 via Lipase resolution of the esters 3 and 4 is described. The effect of pH, enzyme load, and solubilizing additives has been studied and optimized. Conversion of the carboxylic acid 10 to the desired thiazole 1 is accomplished in high overall yield via an intermediate oxazolinone 13. This facile process requires only a single chromatographic step, and multigram quantities of 1 have been prepared.     

Solid phase radioimmunoassay of triiodothyronine (T3) using antibody coupled carboxymethylcellulose powder

The paper describes a solid-phase radioimmunoassay for triiodothyronine (T₃) using antibody coupled to carboxymethylcellulose powder. The free carboxylic acid groups of cellulose are covalently coupled to the amino groups of the antibody using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylamino-propyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride. Immobilized antibody thus prepared was used in a solid-phase radioimmunoassay of T₃. The assay has a sensitivity of 0.18 g/l, and a range of 0.18–4 g/l. Satisfactory correlation was obtained when this assay was compared with a T₃ assay based on dextran coated charcoal separation system (Y=0.95X+0.15 g/L; r=0.98).     

Effect of Na＋, K＋ and Ca2＋ Ions on Physico-chemical Properties of Thymine, Cytosine, Thymidine and Cytidine in Aqueous Urea Solution

Experimental determination of density, ultrasonic velocity and viscosity of two pyrimidine bases thymine and cytosine along with their respective nucleosides, thymidine and cytidine has been carried out in aqueous urea solutions in the presence of different concentrations of three salts, viz. NaCl, KCl and CaCl₂. The experimental data have been used for the computation of various thermodynamic parameters, viz. apparent molar volume, apparent molar compressibility, coefficients A and B of the Jones-Dole equation, internal pressure, acoustic impedance, etc. Structural studies of solutions under investigation have also been carried out by ultraviolet spectroscopy, and an attempt has been made to collaborate the findings of ultraviolet spectroscopy with results obtained thermodynamically.     

Photocleavage of lysozyme by cobalt(III) complexes

Photochemical reagents that cleave proteins at specific sites (photoproteases) are useful for studying protein structure and protein-ligand interactions. PolyammineCo(III) complexes are tested here as photochemical probes to cleave proteins. Irradiation of a mixture of lysozyme, a model protein, and polyammineCo(III) complexes resulted in the facile cleavage of the peptide backbone. Photocleavage yielded two fragments of molecular weights 10.6 and 3.7 kDa, and these masses sum to the molecular mass of lysozyme (14.3 kDa). No cleavage was detected in the absence of the metal complex, in the dark, or upon irradiation at wavelengths of >420 nm. The photocleavage yield increased with irradiation time and with the concentrations of the metal complex and the protein. N-terminal sequencing of the 10.6 kDa fragment indicated residues that are identical to the N-terminus of lysozyme, and sequencing of the 3.7 kDa fragment indicated Val-Ala-Trp-Arg, an internal sequence of lysozyme. From the known primary sequence of lysozyme and the sequencing data, the cleavage site was assigned to Trp108-Val109. Molecular modeling indicates that the observed cleavage site is within few angstroms from the proposed metal binding site at Glu35-Asp52. This is the first report of the successful photocleavage of proteins, with high selectivity, by transition metal complexes. This novel observation can facilitate the rational design of transition metal complexes for the photochemical footprinting of metal binding sites on proteins.     

Eco‐Efficient Synthesis of New Pyrido [2, 3‐c] Coumarin Scaffolds Under Sonochemical Method

We have explored a green and simple approach to assembling of pyrido[2,3‐c]coumarin derivatives via one‐pot multi‐component condensation of 4‐hydroxy‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one, benzaldehyde, acetoacetanilide, and ammonium acetate in the absence of catalyst in ethanol under ultrasound irradiation. Compared with thermal method, this methodology has significant advantages, for example, it can be easily operated, it has an easy work‐up and short reaction times, and it produces satisfactory yields.