Characters and a Verlinde-type formula for symmetric Hopf algebras

We study certain aspects of finite-dimensional non-semisimple symmetric Hopf algebras H and their duals H^*. We focus on the set I(H) of characters of projective H-modules which is an ideal of the algebra of cocommutative elements of H^*. This ideal corresponds via a symmetrizing form to the projective center (Higman ideal) of H which turns out to be ΛH, where Λ is an integral of H and is the left adjoint action of H on itself. We describe ΛH via primitive and central primitive idempotents of H. We also show that it is stable under the quantum Fourier transform. Our best results are obtained when H is a factorizable ribbon Hopf algebra over an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0. In this case ΛH is also the image of I(H) under a “translated” Drinfel'd map. We use this fact to prove the existence of a Steinberg-like character. The above ingredients are used to prove a Verlinde-type formula for ΛH.     

Ultra-fast chromatographic micro-assay for quantification of diphenidol in plasma: application in an oral multi-dose switchability trial

Pharmacokinetics of diphenidol (DPN) is limited due to the lack of analytical methodology. Here, a micro-assay for DPN quantification was developed, by coupling ultra-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. The procedure involved plasma precipitation and injection of supernatant into UPLC with an Acquitytrade mark C18 column. Detection was in positive electrospray, following transitions of m/z 310.3 --> 292.3 and m/z 275.3 --> 230.2 for DPN and chlorphenamine (internal standard), respectively. The method was linear with a range of 4-400 ng/mL, and a 2 min run time. This method was applied in a switchability trial, where both formulations of DPN were bioequivalent.     

The chemistry and biology of organic guanidine derivatives

Organic guanidine compounds are reviewed, with emphasis on natural products isolation, identification, synthesis and biological activities. The literature survey includes purely synthetic guanidine derivatives, guanidine alkaloids and non-ribosomal peptides from bacteria and cyanobacteria, as well as related compounds isolated from marine and terrestrial invertebrates and higher plants.     

A novel protecting/activating strategy for beta-hydroxy acids and its use in convergent peptide synthesis

beta-Hydroxy acids were reacted with hexafluoroacetone and carbodiimides to give carboxy-activated six-membered lactones in good yields. On reaction with amines, the corresponding amides were obtained. We demonstrate the following applications of this protecting/activating strategy: preparation of carboxamides in solution and on solid phase (both normal and reverse mode); recovery and reuse of the excess material in solid-phase synthesis; and convergent solid-phase peptide synthesis (CSPPS) with peptide segments bearing C-terminal Ser or Thr with very low levels of epimerization (<1%, HPLC).     

Infrared multiple photon dissociation spectroscopy of potassiated proline

The structure of proline in [proline + K]+ has been investigated in the gas phase using high level DFT and MP2 calculations and infrared photo dissociation spectroscopy with a free electron laser (FELIX). The respective FELIX spectrum of [proline + K]+ matches convincingly the calculated spectra of two structurally closely related and nearly iso-energetic zwitterionic salt bridge (SB) structures. An additional unresolved band at approximately 1725 cm(-1) matching with the characteristic CO stretching mode of charge solvation (CS) structures points toward the presence of a minor population of these conformers of proline in [proline + K]+. However, theory predicts a significant energy gap of 18.9 kJ mol(-1) (B3LYP/6-311++G(2d,2p)) or 15.6 kJ mol(-1) (MP2) between the lowest CS conformer of proline and the clearly favored SB structure.     

Protein immobilization on epoxy-activated thin polymer films: effect of surface wettability and enzyme loading

A series of epoxy-activated polymer films composed of poly(glycidyl methacrylate/butyl methacrylate/hydroxyethyl methacrylate) were prepared. Variation in comonomer composition allowed exploration of relationships between surface wettability and Candida antartica lipase B (CALB) binding to surfaces. By changing solvents and polymer concentrations, suitable conditions were developed for preparation by spin-coating of uniform thin films. Film roughness determined by AFM after incubation in PBS buffer for 2 days was less than 1 nm. The occurrence of single CALB molecules and CALB aggregates at surfaces was determined by AFM imaging and measurements of volume. Absolute numbers of protein monomers and multimers at surfaces were used to determine values of CALB specific activity. Increased film wettability, as the water contact angle of films increased from 420 to 550, resulted in a decreased total number of immobilized CALB molecules. With further increases in the water contact angle of films from 55 degrees to 63 degrees, there was an increased tendency of CALB molecules to form aggregates on surfaces. On all flat surfaces, two height populations, differing by more than 30%, were observed from height distribution curves. They are attributed to changes in protein conformation and/or orientation caused by protein-surface and protein-protein interactions. The fraction of molecules in these populations changed as a function of film water contact angle. The enzyme activity of immobilized films was determined by measuring CALB-catalyzed hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl butyrate. Total enzyme specific activity decreased by decreasing film hydrophobicity.     

Designed folding of pseudopeptides: the transformation of a configurationally driven preorganization into a stereoselective multicomponent macrocyclization reaction

The efficient synthesis of large-ring pseudopeptidic macrocycles through a multicomponent [2+2] reductive amination reaction is described. The reaction was entirely governed by the structural information contained in the corresponding open-chain pseudopeptidic bis(amidoamine) precursors, which have a rigid (R,R)-cyclohexane-1,2-diamine moiety. A remarkable match/mismatch relationship between the configurations of the chiral centers of the cyclic diamine and those of the peptidic frame was observed. The macrocyclic tetraimine intermediates have been studied in detail by NMR spectroscopy, circular dichroism (CD), and molecular modeling, and the results support the appropriate preorganization induced by the match combination of the chiral centers. We have also synthesized the corresponding open-chain bis(imine) model compounds. The structural studies (NMR spectroscopy, CD, modeling) of these systems showed an intrinsically lower reactivity of the mismatch combination, even when the product of the reaction was acyclic. In addition, a synergistic effect between the two chiral substructures for the correct folding of the molecules was observed. Finally, X-ray analysis of the HCl salt of one of the macrocycles showed an interesting pattern; the macrocyclic rings stack in columnar aggregates leaving large interstitial channels filled with water-solvated chloride anions.     

The accuracy of rotational constants predicted by high-level quantum-chemical calculations. I. molecules containing first-row atoms

A statistical analysis of the accuracy of theoretically predicted rotational constants is presented based on the data for a total of 16 molecules and 97 isotopologues. Special focus is given on the treatment of electron correlation by using coupled-cluster methods up to quadruple excitations, core correlation, basis-set effects, zero-point vibrational corrections, and the electronic contribution to the rotational constants. The high accuracy achieved in the present investigation is demonstrated by the fact that at our best theoretical level, termed as CCSD(T)cc-pV infinity Z+Delta core+DeltaT+DeltaQ+DeltaB vib+DeltaB el, the mean absolute error is 0.04% and the standard deviation is 0.07% in comparison with the available experimental data. The importance of higher excitations, core correlation, and zero-point vibrational effects is emphasized, while the electronic contribution is found to be less important.     

Halogen Bonding Assembles Anion⋅⋅⋅Anion Architectures in Non-centrosymmetric Iodate and Bromate Crystals

Single crystal X-ray diffraction of iodate and bromate salts shows that the I and Br atoms in IO₃⁻ and BrO₃⁻ anions form short and linear O−I/Br ⋅⋅⋅ O contacts with the O atoms of nearby anions. Non-centrosymmetric systems are formed wherein anions are orderly aligned into supramolecular 1D and 2D networks. Theoretical evidences, namely the outcome of QTAIM and NCIplot studies, prove the attractive nature of these contacts and the ability of iodate and bromate anions to act as robust halogen bond (HaB) donors. The HaB is proposed as a general and effective assisting tool to control the architecture of acentric iodate salts.