Interaction of bovine serum albumin with chrysotile: spectroscopic and morphological studies

The biodurability of chrysotile fibers, which is related to their cytotoxicity and mutagenic responses, is strongly affected by the surface chemical adsorption of biological molecules. Natural chrysotile is a heterogeneous material in both structure and composition. The availability of synthetic stoichiometric chrysotile of constant structure and uniform morphology has allowed us to investigate its interaction with bovine serum albumin (BSA). By using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), we have obtained the first morphological evidence of albumin adsorption onto chrysotile nanocrystals. FTIR spectroscopy was used to quantify modifications of BSA secondary structure that were induced by the surface interaction. The protein transition to beta-turns allows a stronger interaction between the protein hydrophilic side-chains and the charged asbestos surface, which is consistent with hydrogen bonds involving the superficial OH groups. Synthetic stoichiometric chrysotile nanocrystals were shown to be an ideal reference standard with which to study the interaction of asbestos fibers with biological systems, in order to elucidate the chemical mechanisms of asbestos toxicity.     

Solution-, solid-phase, and fluorous synthesis of beta,beta-difluorinated cyclic quaternary alpha-amino acid derivatives: a comparative study

The diastereoselective synthesis of cyclic beta,beta-difluorinated alpha-amino acid derivatives bearing a quaternary stereocenter is described. The process relies on the chemo- and diastereoselective addition of allylic organometallic reagents to fluorinated alpha-imino esters and a subsequent ring-closing metathesis reaction (RCM). Complete selectivity in the nucleophilic addition was achieved with (R)-phenylglycinol methyl ether as a chiral auxiliary. The resulting amino acids were introduced into peptide chains, which could facilitate the preparation of potentially bioactive dipeptide derivatives. In addition, the solution synthesis of these cyclic fluorinated alpha-amino acids was successfully adapted to solid-phase and fluorous-phase techniques. The reaction times and final deprotection were clearly more favorable in the latter, in which a fluorous trimethylsilylethanol (TMSE) tag was used. The tag was then easily removed upon treatment with TBAF in a high-yield transesterification process.     

An efficient synthesis of new fluorinated uracil derivatives

A series of potentially biologically active fluorinated uracil derivatives has been prepared in three steps from oxazolines and fluorinated nitriles with good chemical yields.     

Quasi-quantization of writhe in ideal knots

The values of writhe of the tightest conformations, found by the SONO algorithm, of all alternating prime knots with up to 10 crossings are analysed. The distribution of the writhe values is shown to be concentrated around the equally spaced levels. The “writhe quantum” is shown to be close to the rational 4/7 value. The deviation of the writhe values from the n(4/7) writhe levels scheme is analysed quantitatively. Received 29 February 2001 and Received in final form 17 August 2001     

Preformulation study of nicergoline solid dispersions

Nicergoline, a semisynthetic ergot derivative, which, in its crystalline state, is insoluble in water, was dispersed in polyvinylpyrrolidone K30 (PVP K30) to improve drug particle dissolution. Preformulation studies were carried out initially by differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction in order to predict the conditions and the possibility to actually obtain solid dispersions by mixing the two components at different proportions. Solid dispersions were finally prepared by dissolving nicergoline and PVP K30 in chloroform that was next evaporated under reduced pressure. Under these conditions, an amorphous powder was recovered in every proportion of the two components. Nicergoline demonstrated to be physically and chemically stable for 1 year. The dissolution studies revealed a very high dissolution rate of nicergoline from solid dispersions only lower than the pure amorphous form. This is the consequence of the molecular dispersion of nicergoline in the polymer that enhances the rate of drug release from the polymer.     

Catalytic oxidation of organic substrates by molecular oxygen and hydrogen peroxide by multistep electron transfer--a biomimetic approach

Oxidation reactions are of fundamental importance in nature, and are key transformations in organic synthesis. The development of new processes that employ transition metals as substrate-selective catalysts and stoichiometric environmentally friendly oxidants, such as molecular oxygen or hydrogen peroxide, is one of the most important goals in oxidation chemistry. Direct oxidation of the catalyst by molecular oxygen or hydrogen peroxide is often kinetically unfavored. The use of coupled catalytic systems with electron-transfer mediators (ETMs) usually facilitates the procedures by transporting the electrons from the catalyst to the oxidant along a low-energy pathway, thereby increasing the efficiency of the oxidation and thus complementing the direct oxidation reactions. As a result of the similarities with biological systems, this can be dubbed a biomimetic approach.     

Antiviral properties of lactoferrin--a natural immunity molecule

Lactoferrin, a multifunctional iron binding glycoprotein, plays an important role in immune regulation and defence mechanisms against bacteria, fungi and viruses. Lactoferrin's iron withholding ability is related to inhibition of microbial growth as well as to modulation of motility, aggregation and biofilm formation of pathogenic bacteria. Independently of iron binding capability, lactoferrin interacts with microbial, viral and cell surfaces thus inhibiting microbial and viral adhesion and entry into host cells. Lactoferrin can be considered not only a primary defense factor against mucosal infections, but also a polyvalent regulator which interacts in viral infectious processes. Its antiviral activity, demonstrated against both enveloped and naked viruses, lies in the early phase of infection, thus preventing entry of virus in the host cell. This activity is exerted by binding to heparan sulphate glycosaminoglycan cell receptors, or viral particles or both. Despite the antiviral effect of lactoferrin, widely demonstrated in vitro studies, few clinical trials have been carried out and the related mechanism of action is still under debate. The nuclear localization of lactoferrin in different epithelial human cells suggests that lactoferrin exerts its antiviral effect not only in the early phase of surface interaction virus-cell, but also intracellularly. The capability of lactoferrin to exert a potent antiviral activity, through its binding to host cells and/or viral particles, and its nuclear localization strengthens the idea that lactoferrin is an important brick in the mucosal wall, effective against viral attacks and it could be usefully applied as novel strategy for treatment of viral infections.