Conserved Domains,Conserved Residues,and Surface Cavities of C-reactive Protein (CRP)

C-reactive protein (CRP) is a highly conserved plasma protein belonging to pentraxins, a superfamily which has significant proinflammatory role. Therefore, CRP can be a good target for drug discovery to prevent disease pathogenesis, especially cardioprotection in acute myocardial infarction and neuroprotection in stroke. Hence, the knowledge of the structure of CRP is very important. In this paper, we have demonstrated three-dimensional structure, conserved domains, and surface structure of human CRP with the help of bioinformatics analysis. We have also depicted that evolutionary relationship of CRP exists among the different species. Simultaneously, WebLogo has been generated to know the more conserved part of this medically important protein.     

Effect of inclining strain on the crystal lattice along an extended series of lanthanide hydroxysulfates Ln(OH)SO4 (Ln = Pr-Yb, except Pm)

A series of trivalent lanthanide hydroxysulfates, Ln(OH)SO(4), (Ln = Pr through Yb, except radioactive Pm) has been synthesized via hydrothermal methods from Ln(2)(SO(4))(3)·8H(2)O by reaction with aqueous NaOH at 170 °C in Teflon lined Parr steel autoclaves, and were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. Two types of arrangements were found in the solid state. The lighter (Ln = Pr-Nd, Sm-Gd) and heavier lanthanide(III) hydroxysulfates (Tb-Yb) are each isostructural. Both structure types exhibit the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, but the unit cell content is doubled with two crystallographically distinct LnO(8) polyhedra for the heavier lanthanide compounds. The lighter complexes maintain the coordination number 9, forming a three-dimensional extended lattice. The heavier counterparts exhibit the coordination number 8, and arrange as infinite columns of two crystallographically different LnO(8) polyhedra, while extending along the "c" axis. These columns of LnO(8) polyhedra are surrounded and separated by six columns of sulfate ions, also elongating in the "c" direction. The rigid sulfate entities seem to obstruct the closing in of the lighter LnO(9) polyhedra, and show an inclining degree of torsion into the "ac" layers. The crystal lattice of the lighter 4f complexes can sufficiently withstand the tension buildup, caused by the decreasing Ln(3+) radius, up to Gd(OH)SO(4). The energy profile of this structural arrangement then seems to exceed levels at which this structure type is favorable. The lattice arrangement of the heavier Ln-analogues seems to offer a lower energy profile. This appears to be the preferred arrangement for the heavier lanthanide hydroxysulfates, whose crystal lattice exhibits more flexibility, as the coordination sphere of these analogues is less crowded. The IR absorbance frequencies of the hydroxide ligands correlate as a function of the Ln(3+) ionic radius. This corresponds well with the X-ray single crystal analysis data.     

Astroparticle physics: Working group report

The astroparticle physics working group witnessed intense discussion and activity covering a broad range of topics ranging from supergravity and baryogenesis to compact stars and the large scale structure of the Universe. A summary of some of the subject areas in which collaborations were initiated during WHEPP-5 is presented below.     

Electroactive Prussian Blue Encapsulated Iron Oxide Nanostructures for Mediator‐Free Cholesterol Estimation

Iron oxide nanoparticles of size ～10 nm have been encapsulated into four nanometer thick shells of Prussian blue and were then electrophoretically deposited onto an indium tin oxide substrate. The immobilization of cholesterol oxidase has been done onto the nanostructured film to investigate the kinetic parameters and biosensing characteristics. The fabricated bioelectrode exhibits an electron transfer coefficient and a charge transfer rate constant of 0.45 and 45.15 s^?1, respectively. Direct electron transfer properties of the nanostructured film result in 3^rd generation cholesterol biosensor. The bioelectrode exhibits high sensitivity (2.15 mAM^?1 cm^?2), a low K_m^app value (0.07 mM), good stability and high selectivity towards cholesterol.     

A facile approach to substituted acrylates by regioselective and stereoselective addition of thiols and amines to an alkynyl ester in water

Abstract  

Water-promoted hydrothiolation and hydroamination of ethyl propiolate leading to highly regioselective and stereoselective formation of thioacrylates and β-enamino esters in excellent yields, by a simple, efficient, and environmentally friendly reaction procedure without employing any hazardous reagent or solvent is reported.     

Effect of discontinuity in density and conductivity on the hydromagnetic stability of a two-dimensional jet

The hydromagnetic stability of an incompressible, inviscid, and two-dimensional jet in the presence of a discontinuity in density and conductivity across the jet surfaces is studied against small and large wavelength disturbances. In the equilibrium state the magnetic field is uniform and aligned with the direction of jet velocity. Study of several different cases shows that discontinuity in density or conductivity or in the product of density and conductivity across the jet surfaces has a stabilizing effect on the jet.     

Pd-catalyzed selective hydrosilylation of aryl ketones and aldehydes

Pd salts in combination with triethylsilane as hydride source and DMF as solvent has been found to be excellent catalytic combination that selectively reduces aryl ketones and aldehydes under mild conditions to afford triethylsilyloxy compounds in excellent yields. Product selectivity to the respective benzyl alcohols can however be achieved when the reaction was performed in DMF/H₂O (4:1) as solvent system.     

Vapor-Phase Detection of Trinitrotoluene by AIEE-Active Hetero-oligophenylene-Based Carbazole Derivatives

New AIEE-active hetero-oligophenylene carbazole derivatives 3 and 4 have been synthesized and serve as fluorescent probes for the selective detection of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in the vapor phase, the solid phase, and aqueous media. In addition, paper strips prepared by dip-coating a solution of aggregates of derivatives 3 and 4 can provide a simple, portable, sensitive, selective, low-cost method for the detection of TNT on the picogram level.