Observation and interpretation of HH coupling in 1H187Os satellite NMR spectra

The single hydride resonance observed for each of the compounds H₃Os₃(CO)₉CX (X = OMe, Br, H) has one set of ¹⁸⁷Os satellites which are further split into doublets by HH coupling. The implications of this observation for structural assignments based on ¹⁸⁷Os satellites are discussed.     

Crystallization and characterization of an inflammatory lectin purified from the seeds of Dioclea wilsonii

DwL, a lectin extracted from the seeds of Dioclea wilsonii, is a metalloprotein with strong agglutinating activity against rabbit and ABO erythrocytes, inhibited by glucose and mannose. DwL was purified by affinity chromatography on a Sephadex G-50 column and ion exchange chromatography on a HiTrap SP XL column. SDS-PAGE revealed three electrophoretic bands corresponding to the α (25,634 ± 2 Da), β (12,873 ± 2 Da) and γ (12,779 ± 2 Da) chains. Protein sequencing was done by Tandem Mass Spectrometry. The primary sequence featured 237 amino acids and was highly homologous to other reported Diocleinae lectins. A complete X-ray dataset was collected at 2.0 ? for X-Man-complexed DWL crystals produced by the vapor diffusion method. The crystals were orthorhombic and belonged to the space group I222, with the unit-cell parameters a = 59.6, b = 67.9 and c = 109.0 ?. DWL differed in potency from other ConA-like lectins and was found to induce neutrophil migration in rats, making it particularly useful in structural/functional studies of this class of proteins.     

Nonpeptide inhibitors of cathepsin G: optimization of a novel beta-ketophosphonic acid lead by structure-based drug design

The serine protease cathepsin G (EC 3.4.21.20; Cat G), which is stored in the azurophilic granules of neutrophils (polymorphonuclear leukocytes) and released on degranulation, has been implicated in various pathological conditions associated with inflammation. By employing high-throughput screening, we identified beta-ketophosphonic acid 1 as a moderate inhibitor of Cat G (IC(50) = 4.1 microM). We were fortunate to obtain a cocrystal of 1 with Cat G and solve its structure by X-ray crystallography (3.5 A). Structural details from the X-ray analysis of 1.Cat G served as a platform for optimization of this lead compound by structure-based drug design. With the aid of molecular modeling, substituents were attached to the 3-position of the 2-naphthyl ring of 1, which occupies the S1 pocket of Cat G, to provide an extension into the hydrophobic S3 region. Thus, we arrived at analogue 7 with an 80-fold potency improvement over 1 (IC(50) = 53 nM). From these results, it is evident that the beta-ketophosphonic acid unit can form the basis for a novel class of serine protease inhibitors.     

Sun Exposure over a Lifetime in Australian Adults from Latitudinally Diverse Regions

Spatio‐temporal patterns in sun exposure underlie variations in skin cancer incidence and vitamin D deficiency, indicate effectiveness of sun protection programs and provide insights into future health risks. From 558 adults across four regions of Australia (Brisbane (27°S), Newcastle (33°S), Geelong and the Western Districts of Victoria (37°S) and Tasmania (43°S)), we collected: self‐report data on time‐in‐the‐sun from age 6 years; natural skin color and ethnicity; silicone skin casts (for cumulative skin damage); and serum for vitamin D status. Ambient ultraviolet radiation (UVR) at the location of residence, with time‐in‐the‐sun, was used to calculate a “UVR dose” for each year of life. Individuals maintained their ranking compared to their peers for time‐in‐the‐sun in summer compared to winter and across ages (Spearman rho 0.24–0.84, all P < 0.001). Time‐in‐the‐sun decreased with age in all birth cohorts, and over calendar time. Summer time‐in‐the‐sun increased with increasing latitude (P < 0.001). Seasonal variation in vitamin D status had greater amplitude and vitamin D deficiency increased with increasing latitude. Temporal patterns are consistent with effectiveness of sun protection programs. Higher relative time‐in‐the‐sun persists from childhood through adulthood. Lower summer time‐in‐the‐sun in the warmest location may have implications for predictions of UVR‐related health risks of climate change.     

A reassessment of the transition-metal free suzuki-type coupling methodology

We present here a reassessment of our transition-metal free Suzuki-type coupling protocol. We believe that, although the reaction can be run without the need for addition of a metal catalyst, palladium contaminants down to a level of 50 ppb found in commercially available sodium carbonate are responsible for the generation of the biaryl rather than, as previously suggested, an alternative non-palladium-mediated pathway. We present a revised methodology for Suzuki couplings using ultralow palladium concentrations for use with aryl and vinyl boronic acids and discuss the effects of the purity of the boronic acid on the reaction.     

Optimization of carbohydrate silylation for gas chromatography

We developed and optimized a new carbohydrate mono- and disaccharides silylation reaction, replacing pyridine and requiring lower reaction temperature and less time. Our method consists of three basic steps. The first one is oxime formation, the second one silylate derivative and the last one gas chromatography separation and quantification with an internal standard. We evaluated several solvents, including acetonitrile, hydroxylamine and aniline. We found aniline to be the best reaction media for oxime formation with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Among silylation agents we found N,O-bis(trimethyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) was the most efficient. Together these reagents favored both a short analysis time and fewer by-products. We evaluated the method with model solutions containing: arabinose and co-eluting xylose, fructose, glucose, sucrose and salicin (internal standard) and found it suitable for processed food analysis.     

Two new marine sediment standard reference materials (SRMs) for the determination of organic contaminants

Two new marine sediment standard reference materials (SRMs), SRM 1941b Organics in Marine Sediment and SRM 1944 New York/New Jersey Waterway Sediment, have been recently issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the determination of organic contaminants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and chlorinated pesticides. Both sediment SRMs were analyzed using multiple analytical methods including gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) on columns with different selectivity, reversed-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection (for PAHs only), and GC with electron capture detection (for PCBs and pesticides only). SRM 1941b has certified concentrations for 24 PAHs, 29 PCB congeners, and 7 pesticides, and SRM 1944 has certified concentrations for 24 PAHs, 29 PCB congeners, and 4 pesticides. Reference concentrations are also provided for an additional 58 (SRM 1941b) and 39 (SRM 1944) PAHs, PCB congeners, and pesticides. SRM 1944, which was collected from multiple sites within New York/New Jersey coastal waterways, has contaminant concentrations that are generally a factor of 10–20 greater than SRM 1941b, which was collected in the Baltimore (Maryland) harbor. These two SRMs represent the most extensively characterized marine sediment certified reference materials available for the determination of organic contaminants.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at . A link in the frame on the left on that page takes you directly to the supplementary material.