Duplicated ring enlargement of 4,9-methanothia[11]annulene to 6,11-methanothia[15]annulene

3,10-Dipyrrolidinyl-4,9-methanothia[11]annulene reacts with excess dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate (DMAD) in refluxing toluene to give ring-enlarged 6,11-methanothia[15]annulene. X-ray crystallographic analysis of the product shows two different cis,trans-dienyl parts in the ring system. Product formation possibly involves π-facial selective addition of the enamine with DMAD and torque-selective ring opening of the intermediate cyclobutenes.     

A novel small molecule fluorescent sensor for Zn2+ based on pyridine-pyridone scaffold

The development of a water-soluble and small molecular weight fluorescent probe, 3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-(methylsulfanyl)-6-(pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-2(1H)-one (3), for detecting Zn²⁺ based on pyridine-pyridone skeleton is reported. We observed a clear chelation enhanced fluorescence effect of 3 in the presence of Zn²⁺. Other fluorescent properties of 3 are discussed.     

Evaluation of TA10 broth for recovery of heat- and freeze-injured Salmonella from beef

The Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) Salmonella pre-enrichment broth [lactose (LAC) broth], buffered peptone water, and universal pre-enrichment (UP) broth were compared with TA10 broth, developed in our laboratory, for recovery of heat- and freeze-injured Salmonella (55 degrees C for 2-20 min and -20 degrees C for 2 months, respectively) from beef. Beef samples were contaminated with single Salmonella serovars, and contamination levels of 0.44 to <0.001 most probable number (MPN)/g and 0.74 to 0.14 MPN/g were used for heat- and freezing-induced injury studies, respectively. Twenty test portions (25 g) of the contaminated beef were pre-enriched in each broth, and the BAM Salmonella culture method was used thereafter. There was a significant difference (chi2 = 7.73) in recovery of heat-injured Salmonella between TA10 broth and LAC broth, 189 (67.5%) versus 156 (55.7%) positive samples, respectively, determined by plating onto selective agars and identification by biochemical tests. For the recovery of freeze-injured Salmonella, there was a significant difference (chi2 = 24.7) between TA10 and LAC broth, 189 (72.7%) versus 133 (51.2%) positive samples, respectively. TA10 broth was more effective than LAC broth and UP broth for recovery of freeze-injured Salmonella. The results indicate that TA10 broth should be used instead of LAC broth for testing of beef that may be contaminated with heat- and freeze-injured Salmonella spp.     

Authenticity assessment of beef origin by principal component analysis of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometric data

It has become necessary to assess the authenticity of beef origin because of concerns regarding human health hazards. In this study, we used a metabolomic approach involving matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry to assess the authenticity of beef origin. Highly accurate data were obtained for samples of extracted lipids from beef of different origin; the samples were grouped according to their origin. The analysis of extracted lipids in this study ended within 10 min, suggesting this approach can be used as a simple authenticity assessment before a definitive identification by isotope analysis.     

Abnormal phospholipids distribution in the prefrontal cortex from a patient with schizophrenia revealed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry

Schizophrenia is one of the major psychiatric disorders, and lipids have focused on the important roles in this disorder. In fact, lipids related to various functions in the brain. Previous studies have indicated that phospholipids, particularly ones containing polyunsaturated fatty acyl residues, are deficient in postmortem brains from patients with schizophrenia. However, due to the difficulties in handling human postmortem brains, particularly the large size and complex structures of the human brain, there is little agreement regarding the qualitative and quantitative abnormalities of phospholipids in brains from patients with schizophrenia, particularly if corresponding brain regions are not used. In this study, to overcome these problems, we employed matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (IMS), enabling direct microregion analysis of phospholipids in the postmortem brain of a patient with schizophrenia via brain sections prepared on glass slides. With integration of traditional histochemical examination, we could analyze regions of interest in the brain at the micrometric level. We found abnormal phospholipid distributions within internal brain structures, namely, the frontal cortex and occipital cortex. IMS revealed abnormal distributions of phosphatidylcholine molecular species particularly in the cortical layer of frontal cortex region. In addition, the combined use of liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry strengthened the capability for identification of numerous lipid molecular species. Our results are expected to further elucidate various metabolic processes in the neural system.     

Synthesis of poly(isobutyl‐co‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate) with 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphinato platinum(II) moiety as an oxygen‐sensing dye for pressure‐sensitive paint

Pressure‐sensitive paint (PSP), which consists of luminescent molecules embedded in an oxygen‐permeable polymer, has been developed for use in wind‐tunnel experiments. To improve the PSP technique, a novel luminescent methacrylate monomer, 5‐[4‐(2‐methacryloyloxyethoxycarbonyl)phenyl]‐10,15,20‐triphenylporphinato platinum(II), was synthesized and copolymerized with isobutyl methacrylate and 2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate to produce a dye‐pendant copolymer ( 2 ). The introduction of 5,10,15,20‐tetraphenylporphinato platinum(II) (PtTPP) dye into 2 was confirmed by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and extended X‐ray absorption fine structure measurements. The extent of PtTPP dye incorporation in 2 was proportional to the molar fraction of the PtTPP‐pendant methacrylate monomer in the feed. The oxygen‐sensing property of 2 was compared with that of a PSP consisting of PtTPP dye embedded in poly(isobutyl‐co‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate). Although the simple mixture of PtTPP and poly(isobutyl‐co‐2,2,2‐trifluoroethyl methacrylate) showed a marked deviation from a single Stern–Volmer relation, novel copolymer 2 gave a highly linear Stern–Volmer plot. This was unequivocal evidence of dye conjugation on the oxygen‐sensing polymer film. © 2005Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 2997–3006, 2005     

Photooxygenation of pyrazin-2(1h)-ones

1-Alkyl-5,6-diphenylpyra2in-2(1H)-ones (1a-b) reacted with singlet oxygen in dichloromethane to afford the stable endoperoxide (1a-b), while in methanol to afford the 1:1-adduct (3a-b) of the endoperoxide (2a-b) and methanol.     

Diarrhetic shellfish toxins

As the causative agents of a new type of shellfish poisoning, named diarrhetic shellfish poisoning, okadaic acid, 35(S)-methylokadaic acid, 7-O-acyl derivatives of 35(S)-methylokadaic acid, two novel polyether lactones named pectenotoxin-1 and -2 have been isolated and had their structures determined. Three pectenotoxin analogues were also present. In addition to the previously identified Dinophysis fortii, D. acuminata was newly suggested as a source of toxins.