Comparison of fluorescence reagents for simultaneous determination of hydroxylated phenylalanine and nitrated tyrosine by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are well-known and important contributors to oxidative and nitrosative stress in several diseases. Hydroxylated phenylalanine and nitrated tyrosine products appear to be particularly susceptible targets of oxidative and nitrosative stress. We compared fluorescence reagents for their potential use in the analysis of hydroxylated phenylalanine and nitrated tyrosine products with a high-sensitivity and high-specificity HPLC-UV-FL technique. The analytes were extracted from serum via solid-phase extraction on Waters Oasis MCX cartridges. Chromatographic separation was achieved on an ODS column (Capcell Pak MG II; 150 × 2.0 mm) using a gradient mobile phase consisting of 20 mm sodium phosphate buffer (adjusted to pH 3.0) and acetonitrile. The method quantification limit for 4-nitrophenylalanine, m-tyrosine, and 3-nitrotyrosine was 0.1 μm. The relative standard deviation of the precision and accuracy was acceptable at the spiked concentration of 0.1 μm for 4-nitrophenylalanine, m-tyrosine and 3-nitrotyrosine. The method could be used for the in vitro analysis of serum samples.     

Protonation‐Assisted Conjugate Addition of Axially Chiral Enolates: Asymmetric Synthesis of Multisubstituted β‐Lactams from α‐Amino Acids

β‐Lactams with contiguous tetra‐ and trisubstituted carbon centers were prepared in a highly enantioselective manner through 4‐exo‐trig cyclization of axially chiral enolates generated from readily available α‐amino acids. Use of a weak base (metal carbonate) in a protic solvent (EtOH) is the key to the smooth production of β‐lactams. Use of the weak base is expected to generate the axially chiral enolates in a very low concentration, which undergo intramolecular conjugate addition without suffering intermolecular side reactions. Highly strained β‐lactam enolates thus formed through reversible intramolecular conjugate addition (4‐exo‐trig cyclization) of axially chiral enolates undergo prompt protonation by EtOH in the reaction media (not during the work‐up procedure) to give β‐lactams in up to 97 % ee.     

A novel method for enzymatic asymmetric reduction of ketones in a supercritical carbon dioxide/water biphasic system

A novel method to enable asymmetric reduction of ketones by an alcohol dehydrogenase from Geotrichum candidum in a supercritical carbon dioxide and water biphasic system is described. The addition of sodium bicarbonate improved the reactivity up to a practical level while retaining excellent enantioselectivity.     

Silaphenylmercuric Triflate Catalyzed Reactions: Synthesis of a Solid‐Supported Mercuric Salt Catalyst

Let it flow, let it flow : A procedure to generate the first solid‐supported mercuric salt, silaphenylmercuric triflate, is described. Silaphenylmercuric triflate showed remarkable catalytic activity for an indole synthesis, furanoyne cyclization, arylyne cyclization, and tandem carbocyclizations. An efficient flow reaction system for indole synthesis and arylyne cyclization is also described (see figure).

     

Ambient imaging mass spectrometry by electrospray ionization using solid needle as sampling probe

Although being an atmospheric pressure ion source, electrospray ionization (ESI) has rarely been used directly for ambient imaging mass spectrometry because the sample has to be introduced as liquid solution through the capillary. Instead of capillary, probe electrospray ionization (PESI), which has been developed recently, uses a solid needle as the sampling probe, as well as the electrospray emitter, and has been applied not only for liquid solutions but also for the direct sampling on wet samples. Biological tissues are composed of cells that contain 70–90% water, and when the surface is probed by the needle tip, the biological fluid adhering to the needle can be electrosprayed directly or assisted by additional solvent added onto the needle surface. Here, we demonstrate ambient imaging mass spectrometry of mouse brain section using PESI, incorporated with an auxiliary heated capillary sprayer. The solvent vapor generated from the sprayer condensed on the needle tip, re‐dissolving the adhered sample, and at the same time, providing an indirect means for needle cleaning. The histological sections were prepared by fixation using paraformaldehyde, and the spatial analysis was automated by maintaining an equal sampling depth into the sample in addition to raster scan. Phospholipids and galactosylceramides were readily detected from the mouse brain section in the positive ion mode, and were mapped with 60 µm lateral resolution to form mass spectrometric images. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Development of a durable fiber-optic oxygen sensor for harsh underground environments

This paper focuses on effects of protection with a silicone resin to develop a fiber-optic oxygen sensor with long-term stability and durability in harsh underground environments. Ruthenium (II) complexes were used as oxygen-sensing compounds. A uniform composite film composed of silicone resin and the Ru complex was prepared with spin coating technique. A comparison of dissolved-oxygen (DO) sensitivity between the composite film and a Ru complex film was made by exposing to hot water (80 °C). The result of the accelerated degradation test showed that sensitivity of the Ru complex film was stable; meanwhile that of the composite film increased with exposure time in a short period. In order to improve stability, the Ru complex film overcoated with silicone resin was prepared. Differences in sensitivity for saturated DO (8.5 ppm) between with and without the silicone resin overcoating on the Ru complex film were investigated by exposing to the hot water and simulated underground water. These results revealed that the sensitivities and response times of the overcoated films were stable and slow, respectively, compared to those of non-overcoated films. Then, optodes were evaluated for effects of the overcoating on sensing properties by exposing to 100 vol.% oxygen gas. The experiment showed that: (1) the response time was significantly influenced by the thickness of the overcoating; and (2) response speed of the overcoated optode was slow by a factor of about 35 compared to that of the non-overcoated. We concluded that the overcoating was effective in the application to mid- and long-term oxygen monitoring in the harsh environments.     

One-pot synthesis of 1,4-dihydro-3,1-benzoxazine-2-thiones by the reaction of 2-lithiophenyl isothiocyanates with aldehydes or ketones

An efficient one-pot method for the synthesis of 4-monosubstituted and 4,4-disubstituted 1,4-dihydro-3,1-benzoxazine-2-thiones has been developed. Treatment of 2-bromophenyl isothiocyantes with butyllithium in THF at −78 °C generates 2-lithiophenyl isothiocyanates, which are allowed to react with various carbonyl compounds, including aldehydes, ketones, and butanolide, to give the corresponding desired products in moderate to good yields.     

Surface tension and viscosity of molten vanadium measured with an electrostatic levitation furnace

Surface tension and viscosity of molten vanadium were measured over a wide temperature range by the oscillating drop method in an electrostatic levitation furnace. Over the (2023 to 2517) K temperature range, the surface tension can be expressed as γ(T)/(10^?3 N/m) = 1935 ? 0.27 {(T ? T_m)/K} with T_m = 2183 K. Over the same temperature span, the viscosity can be expressed as η(T)/(10^?3 Pa · s) = 1.23exp[2.27 · 10⁴/(RTK^?1)], where R is the gas constant.