A Non‐Enzymatic Carbohydrate Sensor Based on Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Modified with Adsorbed Active Gold Particles

The voltammetric behavior of a glassy carbon electrode modified with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Au particles was studied in alkaline medium towards the electrooxidation of some carbohydrates used as model compounds. The influence of carbohydrate concentration and scan rate on peak potentials, peak currents, etc., observed at the modified electrode was evaluated and critically discussed. The Au particles dispersed into multiwalled carbon nanotubes structures showed favorable electrocatalytic and analytical properties towards the electrooxidation of xylose and glucose molecules. Atomic force microscopy performed on the resulting modified electrode showed a well‐efficient 3D distribution of Au active particles having sharp‐edged and elongated grains along bundles of the MWCNTs. The three‐dimensional MWCNT‐Au composite structure of the catalyst act as a promoter to enhance the diffusive character of recorded currents and probably also increases the rate of the heterogeneous electron transfer of the electrooxidation process considered.     

Branched tetrahydrofuran α,α-disubstituted-δ-sugar amino acid scaffolds from branched sugar lactones: a new family of foldamers?

Efficient S_N2 ring closure of open chain trihydroxytriflates—in which the leaving group is on a primary carbon adjacent to a quaternary centre—provides access to tetrahydrofurans with branched carbon chains from branched carbohydrate lactones; the first examples of a new class of branched chain tetrahydrofuran α,α-disubstituted-δ-sugar amino acid scaffolds are described.     

Lanthanide Identity Governs Guest-Induced Dimerization in LnIII[15-MC N(L-pheHA)-5])3+ Metallacrowns

Series of lanthanide-containing metallic coordination complexes are frequently presented as structurally analogous, due to the similar chemical and coordinative properties of the lanthanides. In the case of chiral (Ln^III[15-MC _N(L-pheHA)-5])³⁺ metallacrowns (MCs), which are well established supramolecular hosts, the formation of dimers templated by a dicarboxylate guest (muconate) in solution of neutral pH is herein shown to have a unique dependence on the identity of the MC's central lanthanide. Calorimetric data and nuclear magnetic resonance diffusion studies demonstrate that MCs containing larger or smaller lanthanides as the central metal only form monomeric host-guest complexes whereas analogues with intermediate lanthanides (for example, Eu, Gd, Dy) participate in formation of dimeric host-guest-host compartments. The driving force for the dimerization event across the series is thought to be a competition between formation of highly stable MCs (larger lanthanides) and optimally linked bridging guests (smaller lanthanides).     

A Ten Years Monitoring of Chlorofluorocarbons at the Antarctica: Results and Perspectives

Abstract

Chlorofluorocarbons are man-made long lasting atmospheric pollutants of great environmental concern, responsible for important global change phenomena. Recently, they were replaced by hydrogenated halocarbons that, even if less persistent, do not lack in environmental impact. Atmospheric concentrations of these compounds were measured in Antarctica by gas chromatography. The extremely low atmospheric mixing ratios of these compounds require a pre-concentration step of the air sample on suitable adsorbent in order to meet the sensitivity of the analytical method Results obtained analyzing air samples collected in Antarctica since 1988 for the determination of CFC-12 and CFC-11 are reported, together with data concerning the less abundant species.     

Derivation of Lanthanide Series Crystal Field Parameters From First Principles

Two series of lanthanide complexes have been chosen to analyze trends in the magnetic properties and crystal field parameters (CFPs) along the two series: The highly symmetric LnZn₁₆(picHA)₁₆ series (Ln=Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb; picHA=picolinohydroxamic acid) and the [Ln(dpa)₃](C₃H₅N₂)₃ ⋅ 3H₂O series (Ln=Ce–Yb; dpa=2,6-dipicolinic acid) with approximate three-fold symmetry. The first series presents a compressed coordination sphere of eight oxygen atoms whereas in the second series, the coordination sphere consists of an elongated coordination sphere formed of six oxygen atoms. The CFPs have been deduced from ab initio calculations using two methods: The AILFT (ab initio ligand field theory) method, in which the parameters are determined at the orbital level, and the ITO (irreducible tensor operator) decomposition, in which the problems are treated at the many-electron level. It has been found that the CFPs are transferable from one derivative to another, within a given series, as a first approximation. The sign of the second-order parameter differs in the two series, reflecting the different environments. It has been found that the use of the strength parameter S allows for an easy comparison between complexes. Furthermore, in both series, the parameters have been found to decrease in magnitude along the series, and this decrease is attributed to covalent effects.     

KAM for Reversible Derivative Wave Equations

We prove the existence of Cantor families of small amplitude, analytic, linearly stable quasi-periodic solutions of reversible derivative wave equations.     

Neuroprotective Effects of Curcumin in Methamphetamine-Induced Toxicity

Curcumin (CUR), a natural polyphenol extracted from rhizome of the Curcuma longa L, has received great attention for its multiple potential health benefits as well as disease prevention. For instance, CUR protects against toxic agents acting on the human body, including the nervous system. In detail, CUR possesses, among others, strong effects as an autophagy activator. The present study indicates that CUR counteracts methamphetamine (METH) toxicity. Such a drug of abuse is toxic by disturbing the autophagy machinery. We profited from an unbiased, low variable cell context by using rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cell line. In such a system, a strong protection was exerted by CUR against METH toxicity. This was associated with increased autophagy flux, merging of autophagosomes with lysosomes and replenishment of autophagy vacuoles with LC3, which instead is moved out from the vacuoles by METH. This is expected to enable the autophagy machinery. In fact, while in METH-treated cells the autophagy substrates α-synuclein accumulates in the cytosol, CUR speeds up α-synuclein clearance. Under the effects of CUR LC3 penetrate in autophagy vacuoles to commit them to cell clearance and promotes the autophagy flux. The present data provide evidence that CUR counteracts the neurotoxic effects induced by METH by promoting autophagy.     

Thiazole Analogues of the Marine Alkaloid Nortopsentin as Inhibitors of Bacterial Biofilm Formation

Anti-virulence strategy is currently considered a promising approach to overcome the global threat of the antibiotic resistance. Among different bacterial virulence factors, the biofilm formation is recognized as one of the most relevant. Considering the high and growing percentage of multi-drug resistant infections that are biofilm-mediated, new therapeutic agents capable of counteracting the formation of biofilms are urgently required. In this scenario, a new series of 18 thiazole derivatives was efficiently synthesized and evaluated for its ability to inhibit biofilm formation against the Gram-positive bacterial reference strains Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 and S. aureus ATCC 6538 and the Gram-negative strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442. Most of the new compounds showed a marked selectivity against the Gram-positive strains. Remarkably, five compounds exhibited BIC₅₀ values against S. aureus ATCC 25923 ranging from 1.0 to 9.1 µM. The new compounds, affecting the biofilm formation without any interference on microbial growth, can be considered promising lead compounds for the development of a new class of anti-virulence agents.