Synthesis of branched oxime-linked peptide mimetics of the MUC1 containing a universal T-helper epitope

Our goal was to develop mimics of MUC1, highly immunogenic to induce an efficient immune response against the tumor-associated form of MUC1, and sufficiently different from the natural antigen to bypass the tolerance barrier in humans. With the aim of obtaining a well-defined peptide construct as a means of evoking the precise immune responses required in immunotherapy, we synthesized artificial mimics of the MUC1 protein composed of two MUC1 repeat units of inverse orientation and a universal T-helper epitope. To synthesize these heteromeric peptide constructs, we followed a convergent approach using chemoselective ligation based on oxime chemistry. A stem peptide was first synthesized bearing two orthogonally masked aldehydes. After successive deprotection, two oxime bonds can be specifically generated. The proposed strategy proved to be concise and robust, and allowed the synthesis of the tri-branched protein in a very satisfactory yield. The different constructs were tested for their ability to generate antibodies able to recognize the MUC1 protein.     

Pion multiplicity in nuclear collisions

Data on the mean multiplicity of ^- produced in minimum bias proton-proton, proton-neutron and proton-nucleus interactions as well as central nucleus-nucleus collisions at momenta of 1.4–400 GeV/c per nucleon have been compiled and studied. The results for neutron-neutron and nucleon-nucleon interactions were then constructed. The dependence of the mean pion multiplicity in proton-nucleus interactions and central collisions of identical nuclei are studied as a function of the collision energy and the nucleus mass number. The number of produced pions per participant nucleon in central collisions of identical nuclei is found to be independent of the number of participants at a fixed incident momentum per nucleon. The mean multiplicity of negatively charged hadrons per participant nucleon for central nucleus-nucleus collisions is lower by about 0.12 than the corresponding multiplicity for nucleon-nucleon interactions atp _LAB 15 A·GeV/c, whereas the result at 200 A·GeV/c is above the corresponding nucleon-nucleon multiplicity. This may indicate change of the collision dynamics at high energy.     

Anodic behaviour of mono- and bisdithiafulvenyl-9,9′-spirobifluorene: insertion of vinylogous TTF into the spirobifluorenyle framework

New three-dimensional copolymers containing 9,9′-spirobifluorenyl-ethylene units were prepared by anodic oxidation of 9,9′-spirobifluorenes 2-mono- or 2,7′-disubstituted by a dithiafulvenyl unit. The synthesis, physicochemical properties and electrochemistry of both monomers and derived oligomers and polymers are reported.     

Studium des gegenseitigen Einflusses der Bindungen in Thiocyanat-Kupfer(II)-Komplexen mit Methyl- und Dimethylpyridinen mittels Infrarotspektroskopie

The infrared spectra of thiocyanato-copper(II) complexes of the type Cu(NCS)₂ L ₂ with all isomeric picolines and lutidines (L) as well as those of the type Cu(NCS)₂ L ₃ withL=3- and 4-picoline, 3,4- and 3,5-lutidine were measured. The behaviour of the (CN) stretching vibrations of the Cu(NCS)₂ L ₂ complexes led to conclusions on the different kind of coordination of the NCS groups in dependence on the ligandL. The mutually conditioned strength of the Cu–NCS and Cu–N(L) bonds in the equatorial plane, especially in the presence of ligandsL with the steric effect, was determined from the frequency shift of the Cu–NCS and Cu–N(L) stretching vibrations with regard to the vibrations for Cu(NCS)₂(pyridine)₂.

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Cellulose microfibrils from banana farming residues: isolation and characterization

Cellulose microfibrils have been prepared from banana rachis using a combination of chemical and mechanical treatments. The morphology and structure of the samples were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to characterize the chemical modifications of the samples after each treatment. Suspensions of bundled or individualized 5-nm-wide microfibrils were obtained after homogenization (PH) whereas an organosolv (PO) treatment resulted in shorter aggregates of parallel cellulose microcrystallites. The sharper rings in the X-ray diffraction pattern of the PO-treated sample suggest a higher crystallinity due to a more efficient removal of hemicelluloses and dissolution of amorphous zones by the acid treatment. Both microfibrils and microcrystals prepared by both methods can be used as reinforcing filler in nanocomposite materials.     

Ligandenfeldspektren einiger Cyanato-Kupfer(II)-Komplexe des Typs Cu(NCO)2 L 2 mit Liganden aus der Chinolin- und Isochinolingruppe Cyanato-Kupfer(II)-Komplexe mit organischen Liganden, 7. Mitt.

Zusammenfassung Die Ligandenfeldspektren der Komplexe des Typs Cu(NCO)₂ L ₂ (L=Ligand der Chinolin- bzw. Isochinolingruppe) im festen Zustand wurden aufgenommen. Das Spektrum des Komplexes Cu(NCO)₂(Chin)₂ weist eine einzige Bande auf und deutet auf eine pseudooktaedrische Struktur. Die Spektren der übrigen Komplexe enthalten hingegen neben den Hauptbanden auch Schultern bzw. ist die anwesende Bande zusammengesetzt, so daß diese Spektren mit einer planaren Struktur im Einklang sind. Die annähernden Werte für den Parameter 10Dq wurden berechnet; sie liegen im Bereich von 7,1 bis 7,8 kK.

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Ligand field spectra of some cyanato-copper(II) complexes with ligands from the quinoline- and isoquinoline group

The ligand field spectra of complexes of the type Cu(NCO)₂ L ₂ (L=ligand from the quinoline or isoquinoline group) in the solid state were recorded. Only the spectrum of Cu(NCO)₂(Quin)₂ exhibits a single band and indicates a pseudooctahedral structure, while the spectra of the remaining complexes also contain shoulders in addition to the main band, or this band is composite, thus being in accordance with a planar structure. The approximate values of the parameter 10Dq were calculated and found to be in the range of 7.1 to 7.8 kK.

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6. Mitt.:M. Quastlerová-Hvastijová, J. Kohout undJ. Gao, Z. anorg. allgem. Chem., im Druck.     

Syntheses and structures of structurally diverse potassium beta-diketiminates derived from the ligand [(N(SiMe3)C(Ph))2CH

The compounds [K((mu-N(SiMe3)C(Ph))2CH)(thf)2]infinity 1, [K(mu-N(SiMe3)C(Ph)C(H)C(Ph)NH)L]2 [L = (thf)2 2, tmen 3], [K(mu-NSi(Me)2C(Ph)C(H)C(Ph)N)(thf)3]2 4 and [K(N(H)C(Ph))2CH](thf)0.5 5 have been prepared from K[(N(SiMe3)C(Ph))2CH] and the X-ray structures of 1-4 are reported.     

Second-order Green's function calculations of the ionization potential of a (H2)7 chain embedded in a homogeneous electric field

Summary The vertical ionization potential and the related pole strength of a model alternant chain of 14 hydrogen atoms subject to a homogeneous electric field, parallel to the chain and of increasing intensity are calculated, in the framework of a 6–31G** basis set, at the second-order level of the many-body Green's function theory. Trends observed with orbital relaxation, pair removal and pair relaxation effects are interpreted in terms of deformations of the electron density.