Quantification of monohydroxy-PAH metabolites in urine by solid-phase extraction with isotope dilution-GC–MS

For measurement of biomarkers from polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) exposure, an analytical method is described quantifying hydroxylated PAH (OH-PAH) in urine samples. This method determined monohydroxy metabolites of naphthalene, fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene, pyrene, chrysene, benzo[c]phenanthrene, and benz[a]anthracene. The sample preparation consisted of enzymatic hydrolysis, solid-phase extraction and derivatization with a silylating reagent. Five carbon-13 labeled standards were used for isotope dilution. Analytes were separated by gas chromatography (GC) and quantified with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS). This method produced good recoveries (41-70%), linearity, and specificity. Data were corrected for blank levels from the naphthalene, fluorene, and phenanthrene metabolites. Method detection limits ranged from 2 ng L(-1) for 1-hydroxypyrene to 43.5 ng L(-1) for 1-hydroxynaphthalene. Using quality control charts from two urine pools, the method can be readily applied to biomonitoring PAH exposure.     

Improved immunodetection of human papillomavirus E7

Human papillomavirus E7 (HPV E7) is a viral oncoprotein that plays an important role in cervical carcinogenesis through binding with retinoblastoma protein (Rb). Inactivation of Rb by E7 is necessary but not sufficient for cellular transformation, suggesting other protein-protein interactions are required for E7-mediated cellular transformation aside from the interaction with Rb. However, studies on the oncogenic function of HPV E7 have been limited by its poor immunoreactivity. In this report, we show that the fixation of purified recombinant HPV E7 on blotted nitrocellulose membrane with glutaldehyde markedly enhanced the immunoreactivity of HPV E7 protein. Using HeLa and Caski cell lines which are infected with HPV 18 and HPV 16, respectively, we demonstrated that native HPV E7 proteins also could be detected by this method. These results therefore can provide the experimental conditions for detection of HPV E7 proteins with greater sensitivity and may help to analyze E7 functions.     

Lanthanum chromites partially substituted by calcium,strontium and barium synthesized by urea combustion

Because of their electrical, magnetic and catalytic properties rare earth and transition metal mixed oxides are important compounds. Lanthanum chromites have been extensively used as solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect materials. In this work, lanthanum chromites partially substituted by alkaline earth metals were synthesized by the urea combustion process. TG and DSC techniques were used to evaluate the presence of the organic material in the powder after reaction on the hot plate. The powders were calcinated at 900°C and characterized by XRD and SEM. The results show that the particles have nanometric dimensions and the perovskite structure was formed.     

Novel method for bulk resistance evaluation in conductivity measurement for high-purity water

A major issue with the electrolytic conductivity measurement for pure water is the lack of standard or reference methods. A primary method traceable to SI and suitable for pure-water conductivity measurement was developed at the Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Germany, as the base for the calibration method for the conductivity measuring devices at the low conductivity level. This paper provides a novel method to calculate the bulk resistance of pure water using impedance measured at a single frequency, which is one of the key procedures for the primary methods.     

Mimicry of tandem repeat peptides against cell surface carbohydrates

Our approach to multivalent peptide construction relies on tentacle peptides, also known as a multiple antigenic peptides, which contain two and four repeats of a selected peptide. In this communication, we report the results of preliminary studies aimed at (1) the selection of short peptides against the carbohydrate, sLeX, (2) the synthesis of tentacle dimers and tetramers of the selected peptides, and (3) the determination of affinities and specificities of the peptides to several related carbohydrates by using the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and the equilibrium dialysis techniques. Binding affinity studies, as well as assays of in vitro binding of the peptides to a sLeX-specific cell line, have shown that the tetrameric peptides bind to the cell surface sugars.     

Syntheses and characterization of three hybrid materials based on polymeric copper complexes and saturated Keggin polyoxoanions

Three novel heteropolytungstates, [Cu(phen)₂]₄[α-SiW₁₂O₄₀] (1), [Cu₄(4,4′-bpy)₃(2,2′-bpy)₄][α-SiW₁₂O₄₀] · H₂O (2) and [Cu(4,4′-bpy)(4,4′-Hbpy)_0.5]₂[PW₁₂O₄₀] (3) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, 4,4′-bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine, 2,2′-bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine), have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, IR, TG analyses and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound (1) exhibits interesting chiral layer constructed from interperpendicular helical chains running along a crystallographic 2₁ axis in the c and a directions. Furthermore, the chiral layers are connected by the [α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions via hydrogen bonding interactions to form a 3D superamolecular structure. The [Cu₄(4,4′-bpy)₃(2,2′-bpy)₄]⁴⁺ coordinated complexes in compound (2) are packed together via the aromatic π–π stacking interactions and exhibit an interesting 3D sandglasslike “host” network with 1D channels, in which [α-SiW₁₂O₄₀]⁴⁻ anions “guests” reside. Compound (3) has a unique 2D superamolecular network, which is composed of cationic Cu^I coordination polymer chains and discrete [PW₁₂O₄₀]³⁻ polyoxoanions as linkers. It is noteworthy that the monprotonated 4,4′-bpy ligands of (3) act as arms and connect the adjacent 2D network, generating a 3D interpenetrating superamolecular structure.     

Syntheses and properties of mixed dinuclear copper(II) complexes with heterocyclic dithiocarbamates and a cyclic octadentate tertiary amine

Five new Cu^II complexes of general formula [Cu₂(Rdtc)tpmc](ClO₄)₃, (1)–(5), where tpmc and Rdtc ^– refer to N,N,N,N-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,4,8,11-teraazacyclotetradecane and piperidine- (Pipdtc), 4-morpholine- (Morphdtc), 4-thiomorpholine- (Timdtc), piperazine- (Pzdtc) or N-methylpiperazine- (N-Mepzdtc) dithiocarbamates, respectively, have been prepared. Elemental analyses, conductometric and magnetic measurements, u.v./vis, i.r., e.p.r. and mass spectroscopy have been employed to characterize them. The complexes adopt an exo coordination of Cu^II ions and tpmc. The dithiocarbamate ion joins both the sulphur and the copper atoms acting as a bridging ligand The presence of different heteroatoms in the piperidine ring influences the (C=N) and (C=S) vibrations which decrease in the order of the complexes: Pipdtc>N-Mepipdtc>Pzdtc>Morphdtc>Timdtc ligands. Attention has been paid to the detailed mechanism of the mass spectral fragmentation of the complexes. The g _eff factors of the complexes have been also estimated by e.p.r. spectra. Finally, the complexes obtained demonstrate microbiologycal activity against some bacteria.     

Interaction between the antibacterial compound,oleuropein, and model membranes

Oleuropein, a secoiridoid glycoside extracted from the olive tree, Olea europaea L., has been described as showing antibacterial properties. However, the exact mechanism of these antimicrobial properties is not yet well understood. In the present study, we have studied the interaction of oleuropein with phosphatidylglycerol (PG) as a model membrane for Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (Gram-positive bacteria) and phosphatidylethanolamine and Escherichia coli (E. coli) lipid extract as a model membrane for E. coli (Gram-negative bacteria). The study has been carried out using monolayers as model membranes and using kinetics at constant area and compression isotherms with Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) observations. The results show that oleuropein interacts in higher extent with PG monolayers, which is related with its stronger antibacterial effect against Gram-positive bacteria. The effects on the membrane are probably produced at the cell surface because oleuropein did not form stable mixed monolayers with the lipids assayed at the air/water interface.     

Polymerizable benzophenone derivatives for labeling vinyl acetate‐butylacrylate latex particles

We describe the synthesis and characterization of three new polymerizable benzophenone derivatives [2‐acryloxy‐5‐methyl benzophenone ( 8 ), 4′‐dimethylamino‐2‐acryloxy‐5‐methyl benzophenone ( 9 ), and 4′‐dimethylamino‐2‐(β‐acryloxyethyl)oxy‐5‐methyl benzophenone ( 10 )]. We show that these monomers can successfully be incorporated into vinyl acetate (VAc) copolymer latex particles. These particles were prepared by semicontinuous emulsion polymerization and mini‐emulsion polymerization of VAc with butylacrylate (BA) for VAc/BA = 4/1 by weight. The two monomers 9 and 10 bearing the 4′‐dimethylamino group satisfy the important spectroscopic criteria required of a dye to serve as an acceptor chromophore for nonradiative energy transfer from phenanthrene (Phe) as the donor. Their UV absorption spectra suggest significant overlap with the emission spectrum of Phe, which can be incorporated into P(VAc‐co‐BA) latex through copolymerization with 9‐acryloxymethyl Phe ( 2 ). In addition, these chromophores provide a window in their absorption spectra for excitation of the Phe chromophore at 300 nm. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 3001–3011, 2002     

Investigation of Raman,FT-IR,EPR spectra and antimicrobial activity of 2-(5-H/Me/Cl-1<Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">H</Emphasis>-benzimidazol-2-yl)-phenol ligands and their Fe(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> complexes

2-(5-H/Me/Cl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-phenol ligands form 1:1 electrolytes, 5-coordinate monometallic complexes with iron(III) nitrate. The geometry of the [Fe(L)(OH)(H₂O)₂](NO₃) complexes was derived from theoretical calculation in DGauss/DFT level (DZVP basis set) on CACHE. In all of the complexes the ligands are bidentate, via one imine nitrogen atom and phenolate oxygen atom. The coordination is completed with a hydroxide ion, and two water molecules, adopting a distorted square pyramidal geometry. The structures of the compounds were confirmed on the basis of elemental analysis, molar conductivity, magnetic moment, FT-Raman, FT-IR (mid-IR, far-IR), EPR and u.v.–vis. The antimicrobial activities of the free ligands, their hydrochloride salts, and the complexes were evaluated using the disk diffusion method in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) as well as the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) dilution method, against nine bacteria and the results are compared with several known antibiotic agents. Antifungal activities were reported for Candida albicans, Kluyveromyces fragilis, Rhodotorula rubra, Debaryomyces hansenii, Hanseniaspora guilliermondii, and the results were referenced against nystatin, ketaconazole, and clotrimazole antifungal agents. In most cases, the compounds tested showed broad-spectrum (Gram⁺ & Gram⁻ bacteria) activities that were either more active or as potent as the references.