New versatile route to the synthesis of tetrahydro-beta-carbolines and tetrahydro-pyrano[3,4-b]indoles via an intramolecular Michael addition catalyzed by InBr3

A simple multistep synthetic strategy to 4-substituted 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline and 1,3,4,9-tetrahydro-pyrano[3,4-b]indole derivatives starting from commercially available indole 2-carboxylic acid (5) is described. The final intramolecular Michael addition promoted by catalytic amount of InBr(3) (5-10 mol %) provided the expected polycyclic compounds in excellent yields (up to 97%) both in anhydrous organic and aqueous media.     

A Highly Luminescent Tetramer from a Weakly Emitting Monomer: Acid‐ and Redox‐Controlled Multiple Complexation by Cucurbit[7]uril

The tetrahedral, shape‐persistent molecule 1 ⁴⁺, containing four pyridylpyridinium units connected through a central carbon atom, exhibits unexpected photophysical properties including a substantially redshifted absorption (2350 cm^?1) and a very strong fluorescence (Φ_em=40 %), compared with the monomer 2 ⁺ (Φ_em=0.4 %). Density functional theory calculations on the structure and spectroscopic properties of 1 ⁴⁺ and 2 ⁺ show that exciton interactions, homoconjugation, and orbital nature account for the observed differences in their photophysical properties. The protonated tetramer binds four cucurbit[7]uril molecules and the host/guest interactions can be controlled by chemical (acid/base) as well as redox stimuli.     

Spontaneous Formation of Microgroove Arrays on the Surface of p‐Type Porous Silicon Induced by a Turing Instability in Electrochemical Dissolution

Self‐organization plays an imperative role in recent materials science. Highly tunable, periodic structures based on dynamic self‐organization at micrometer scales have proven difficult to design, but are desired for the further development of micropatterning. In the present study, we report a microgroove array that spontaneously forms on a p‐type silicon surface during its electrodissolution. Our detailed experimental results suggest that the instability can be classified as Turing instability. The characteristic scale of the Turing‐type pattern is small compared to self‐organized patterns caused by the Turing instabilities reported so far. The mechanism for the miniaturization of self‐organized patterns is strongly related to the semiconducting property of silicon electrodes as well as the dynamics of their surface chemistry.     

A Hot‐Segment‐Based Approach for the Design of Cross‐Amyloid Interaction Surface Mimics as Inhibitors of Amyloid Self‐Assembly

The design of inhibitors of protein–protein interactions mediating amyloid self‐assembly is a major challenge mainly due to the dynamic nature of the involved structures and interfaces. Interactions of amyloidogenic polypeptides with other proteins are important modulators of self‐assembly. Here we present a hot‐segment‐linking approach to design a series of mimics of the IAPP cross‐amyloid interaction surface with Aβ (ISMs) as nanomolar inhibitors of amyloidogenesis and cytotoxicity of Aβ, IAPP, or both polypeptides. The nature of the linker determines ISM structure and inhibitory function including both potency and target selectivity. Importantly, ISMs effectively suppress both self‐ and cross‐seeded IAPP self‐assembly. Our results provide a novel class of highly potent peptide leads for targeting protein aggregation in Alzheimer’s disease, type 2 diabetes, or both diseases and a chemical approach to inhibit amyloid self‐assembly and pathogenic interactions of other proteins as well.     

Water droplets as template for next-generation self-assembled poly-(etheretherketone) with cardo membranes

Next generation PEEK-WC membranes have been fabricated by using an innovative self-assembly technique. Patterned architectures have been achieved via a solvent-reduced and water-assisted process, resulting in honeycomb packed geometry. The membranes exhibit monodisperse pores with size and shape comparable to those left by templating water droplets. Influencing factors for the formation of self-assembled poly-(etheretherketone) with Cardo [PEEK-WC] membranes have been evaluated, identifying the critical parameters for nucleation, growth, and propagation of the droplet-mobile arrays through the overall films. Structure-transport relationships have been discussed according to the results achieved from the implementation of membrane distillation processes, yielding indication about the suitability of self-assembled PEEK-WC films to work as interfaces in contactor operations.     

Development of Fish Immunity and the Role of β-Glucan in Immune Responses

Administration of β-glucans through various routes, including immersion, dietary inclusion, or injection, have been found to stimulate various facets of immune responses, such as resistance to infections and resistance to environmental stress. β-Glucans used as an immunomodulatory food supplement have been found beneficial in eliciting immunity in commercial aquaculture. Despite extensive research involving more than 3000 published studies, knowledge of the receptors involved in recognition of β-glucans, their downstream signaling, and overall mechanisms of action is still lacking. The aim of this review is to summarize and discuss what is currently known about of the use of β-glucans in fish.     

In situ enzymatic digestion of oligopeptides on a direct insertion probe tip combined with fast atom bombardment and tandem mass spectrometry

The applicability of an approach to establish the sequence of oligopeptides involving on-probe-tip enzymatic fragmentation and subsequent direct fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectrometry (MS) and FAB-MS/MS of the subpeptide mixture was tested using two model peptides consisting of 19 and 25 amino acid residues. The method was found to be both time and sample sparing and flexible enough to use even subsequent digests, if necessary, with enzymes of different specificity. It provided in both cases complete information, not only for the sequence of enzymic fragments but also for their order in the original oligopeptide. Consequently, this approach to the sequence analysis of oligopeptides can be a method of choice when the FAB-MS/MS technique itself is unsuitable for obtaining detailed structural information. The method seems to be applicable to enzymically digestible peptides with an upper mass limit of about 3500.     

A mesoporous non-precious metal boride system: synthesis of mesoporous cobalt boride by strictly controlled chemical reduction

Generating high surface area mesoporous transition metal boride is interesting because the incorporation of boron atoms generates lattice distortions that lead to the formation of amorphous metal boride with unique properties in catalysis. Here we report the first synthesis of mesoporous cobalt boron amorphous alloy colloidal particles using a soft template-directed assembly approach. Dual reducing agents are used to precisely control the chemical reduction process of mesoporous cobalt boron nanospheres. The Earth-abundance of cobalt boride combined with the high surface area and mesoporous nanoarchitecture enables solar-energy efficient photothermal conversion of CO₂ into CO compared to non-porous cobalt boron alloys and commercial cobalt catalysts.

Generating high surface area mesoporous transition metal boride is challenging but interesting because incorporation of boron atoms can generate lattice distortion to form amorphous metal boride which has unique properties in catalysis.