Comparison of luminescence ADP production assay and radiometric scintillation proximity assay for Cdc7 kinase

Several assay technologies have been successfully adapted and used in HTS to screen for protein kinase inhibitors; however, emerging comparative analysis studies report very low hit overlap between the different technologies, which challenges the working assumption that hit identification is not dependent on the assay method of choice. To help address this issue, we performed two screens on the cancer target, Cdc7-Dbf4 heterodimeric protein kinase, using a direct assay detection method measuring [(33)P]-phosphate incorporation into the substrate and an indirect method measuring residual ADP production using luminescence. We conducted the two screens under similar conditions, where in one, we measured [(33)P]-phosphate incorporation using scintillation proximity assay (SPA), and in the other, we detected luminescence signal of the ATP-dependent luciferase after regenerating ATP from residual ADP (LUM). Surprisingly, little or no correlation were observed between the positives identified by the two methods; at a threshold of 30% inhibition, 25 positives were identified in the LUM screen whereas the SPA screen only identified two positives, Tannic acid and Gentian violet, with Tannic acid being common to both. We tested 20 out of the 25 positive compounds in secondary confirmatory study and confirmed 12 compounds including Tannic acid as Cdc7-Dbf4 kinase inhibitors. Gentian violet, which was only positive in the SPA screen, inhibited luminescence detection and categorized as a false positive. This report demonstrates the strong impact in detection format on the success of a screening campaign and the importance of carefully designed confirmatory assays to eliminate those compounds that target the detection part of the assay.     

Solid phase extraction of Cd(II) and Pb(II) using a magnetic metal-organic framework, and their determination by FAAS

We describe a novel magnetic metal-organic framework (MOF) for the preconcentration of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions. The MOF was prepared from the Fe₃O₄-pyridine conjugate and the copper(II) complex of trimesic acid. The MOF was characterized by IR spectroscopy, elemental analysis, SEM and XRD. A Box-Behnken design through response surface methodology and experimental design was used to identify the optimal parameters for preconcentration. Extraction time, amount of magnetic MOF and pH value were found to be critical factors for uptake, while type, volume, concentration of eluent, and elution time are critical in the elution step. The ions were then determined by FAAS. The limits of detection are 0.2 and 1.1 μg?L^?1 for Cd(II), and Pb(II) ions, respectively, relative standard deviations are <4.5% (for five replicates at 50 μg?L^?1 of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions), and the enrichment capacity of the MOF is at around 190 mg?g^?1 for both ions which is higher than the conventional Fe3O4-pyridine material. The magnetic MOF was successfully applied to the rapid extraction of trace quantities of Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions in fish, sediment, and water samples.

A catalyst-free and green method for synthesis of 9-substituted-9H-diuracilopyrans in magnetized water: experimental aspects and molecular dynamics simulation

Research on Chemical Intermediates - The reactions of aldehydes and barbituric acid at low temperatures in magnetized water, as a green-promoting medium, provides 9-substituted-9H-diuracilopyrans...     

Convenient Synthesis of 14‐Aryl‐14‐H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes Catalyzed by Acyclic Brønsted Acidic Ionic Liquid [H—NMP]+[HSO4]− under Microwave Irradiation

Efficient method for direct preparation of 14‐aryl‐14‐H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes through condensation of β‐naphthol with various aromatic aldehydes in the presence of the catalytic amount of [H—NMP]⁺[HSO₄]^? under microwave irradiation was described. This method has the advantages such as; very easy reaction workup, absolute separation of catalyst from the reaction mixture and smooth recyclability of catalyst. In this reaction 14‐aryl‐14‐H‐dibenzo[a,j]xanthenes were obtained as desired products in excellent yields and short reaction times via green and one‐pot procedure.     

Amplified cathodic electrochemiluminescence of luminol based on zinc oxide nanoparticle modified Ni-foam electrode for ultrasensitive detection of amoxicillin

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Here is reported a new feasible and facile method for the determination of amoxicillin by the electrochemiluminescence (ECL) method. The ECL signal was...     

N,N ′-Diiodo-N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis(p-toluenesulfonamide) as an Efficient Catalyst for Acetylation of Alcohols,Phenols, Amines,and Thiols Under Solvent-Free Conditions

N,N′-Diiodo-N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis(p-toluenesulfonamide) (NIBTS) is a highly efficient catalyst for the acetylation of alcohols, phenols, amines, and thiols under solvent-free conditions. Primary, secondary, tertiary alcohols; phenols; amines; and thiols can be easily acetylated in good to excellent yields at 80 °C.     

Ab Initio Study of Conformational Properties of Heteroatom-Containing 1,2-Bisketene Analogues

Abstract

Minimum-energy and transition-state geometries of 4-oxobuta-1,3-diene-1-thione, buta-1,3-diene-1,4-dithione, 4-selenoxobuta-1,3-diene-1-thione, 4-selenoxobuta-1,3-diene-1-one, and buta-1,3-diene-1,4-diselenone were calculated using HF, B3LYP, and MP2 levels of theory and 6–31 + G* basis set by rotation around the related ?C?C? single bonds. In all of the above-mentioned molecules, the s-trans conformation was obtained as the most stable conformer with the 180° dihedral angle. In buta-1,3-diene-1,4-dithione, 4-selenoxobuta-1,3-diene-1-thione, and buta-1,3-diene-1,4-diselenone, the s-cis form of these compounds corresponded to the other energy-minimum geometry. Their skew geometries, with torsional angles approximately 100°, were a transition state for conformational interconversion between the two global minima forms. In 4-oxobuta-1,3-diene-1-thione and 4-selenoxobuta-1,3-diene-1-one, geometries with the C?C?C?C dihedral angles about 51 and 43° (respectively) were attributed to the second energy-minimum geometry. Transition-state structures from both molecules were found in the torsional angles at about 0 and 100°.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT     

Covalent Functionalization of Pristine and Ga-Doped Boron Phosphide Nanotubes with Imidazole

Abstract

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6–31G* level were performed to investigate covalent functionalization of imidazole on pristine (in gas and H₂O phases) and Ga-doped BPNT models in terms of energetic, geometric, and electronic properties. The results show that imidazole, as a functional group, prefers to be adsorbed via its nitrogen atom on the pristine, Ga_B, and Ga_P nanotube models. The adsorption energy of imidazole on the (6,0) zigzag BPNT in gas and solvent phases is ?0.76 and ?1.11 eV, respectively, and about 0.38 and 0.43 electron are transferred from the imidazole to nanotube in the phases. The presence of a polar solvent increases the electron donor of imidazole molecule. The results show that Ga doping can significantly enhance the adsorption energy of imidazole on the nanotube models to about 95%.

Moreover, the imidazole adsorption on the pristine and Ga-doped BPNT models has not significant changes in the energy gap of the nanotube models and it is slightly changed after covalent functionalization process. This study may provide new insight to the development of functionalized boron phosphide nanotubes for generation of the new hybrid compounds especially in drug delivery systems for virtual applications.     

Nitrogen doped nano porous graphene as a sorbent for separation and preconcentration trace amounts of Pb,Cd and Cr by Ultrasonic assisted in‐syringe dispersive micro solid phase extraction

Nitrogen doped nano porous graphene was used as an efficient sorbent in solid‐phase extraction process for simultaneous separation and pre‐concentration of metal ions lead (II), cadmium(II), and chromium(III)) in biological samples. Ultrasonic assisted in‐syringe dispersive micro solid phase extraction coupled with micro sampling atomic absorption spectrometry was utilized for the determination of metal ions. Nitrogen doped nano porous graphene was synthesized as a nano sorbent by chemical vapour deposition method. Methane and aniline were used as carbon and nitrogen sources. The characterization of sorbent was performed by field emission scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscope, fourier transform infrared, chemical element analysis and raman analysis. Effective parameters on the extraction efficiency such as pH, sorbent dosage, eluent volume and eluent concentration were optimized by central composite design and desirability function. Experimental results indicate that the optimal conditions for this extraction were pH = 6.4, 1.42 mg of sorbent, 100 μL of eluent, and 0.84 mol L^‐1 of eluent concentration. The detection limits are as low as 1.5, 0.3 and 0.9 μg L^‐1 for lead, cadmium, and chromium, respectively. The intra‐day precisions were 3.6, 4.38 and 2.94 and Inter‐day precision were 4.83, 5.26 and 4.52 for lead, cadmium, and chromium, respectively. Method performance was investigated by determination of mentioned heavy metals in complicated biological matrixes such as human plasma, urine and saliva samples with good recoveries.     

Magnetically nano core–shell Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>@Cu(OH)<Subscript>x</Subscript>: a highly efficient and reusable catalyst for rapid and green reduction of nitro compounds

Magnetically separable nano core–shell Fe₃O₄@Cu(OH)_x with 22 % Cu content was prepared by the addition of sodium hydroxide to a mixture of CuCl₂·2H₂O and nano Fe₃O₄ in water. Characterization of the impregnated copper hydroxide was carried out by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), value stream mapping (VSM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis. The core–shell nanocatalyst exhibited the excellent catalytic activity toward reduction of various nitro compounds to the corresponding amines with NaBH₄. All reactions were carried out in H₂O (55–60 °C) within 3–15 min to afford amines in high to excellent yields. Reusability of core–shell Cu(OH)_x catalyst was examined 9 times without significant loss of its catalytic activity.