A bioinformatics approach to the development of immunoassays for specified risk material in canned meat products

A bioinformatics approach to developing antibodies to specific proteins has been evaluated for the production of antibodies to heat-processed specified risk tissues from ruminants (brain and eye tissue). The approach involved the identification of proteins specific to ruminant tissues by interrogation of the annotation fields within the Swissprot database. These protein sequences were then interrogated for peptide sequences that were unique to the protein. Peptides were selected that met these criteria as close as possible and that were also theoretically resistant to either pepsin or trypsin. The selected peptides were synthesised and used as immunogens to raise monoclonal antibodies. Antibodies specific for the synthetic peptides were raised to half of the selected peptides. These antibodies have each been incorporated into a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and shown to be able to detect the heat-processed parent protein after digestion with either pepsin or trypsin. One antibody, specific for alpha crystallin peptide (from bovine eye tissue), was able to detect the peptide in canned meat products spiked with 10% eye tissue. These results, although preliminary in nature, show that bioinformatics in conjunction with enzyme digestion can be used to develop ELISA for proteins in high-temperature processed foods and demonstrate that the approach is worth further study.     

Assessing the exchange coupling in binuclear lanthanide(iii) complexes and the slow relaxation of the magnetization in the antiferromagnetically coupled Dy2 derivative

We report here the synthesis and the investigation of the magnetic properties of a series of binuclear lanthanide complexes belonging to the metallacrown family. The isostructural complexes have a core structure with the general formula [Ga₄Ln₂(shi^3–)₄(Hshi^2–)₂(H₂shi^–)₂(C₅H₅N)₄(CH₃OH)_x(H₂O)_x]·xC₅H₅N·xCH₃OH·xH₂O (where H₃shi = salicylhydroxamic acid and Ln = Gd^III1; Tb^III2; Dy^III3; Er^III4; Y^III5; Y^III_0.9Dy^III_0.16). Apart from the Er-containing complex, all complexes exhibit an antiferromagnetic exchange coupling leading to a diamagnetic ground state. Magnetic studies, below 2 K, on a single crystal of 3 using a micro-squid array reveal an opening of the magnetic hysteresis cycle at zero field. The dynamic susceptibility studies of 3 and of the diluted DyY 6 complexes reveal the presence of two relaxation processes for 3 that are due to the excited ferromagnetic state and to the uncoupled Dy^III ions. The antiferromagnetic coupling in 3 was shown to be mainly due to an exchange mechanism, which accounts for about 2/3 of the energy gap between the antiferro- and the ferromagnetic states. The overlap integrals between the Natural Spin Orbitals (NSOs) of the mononuclear fragments, which are related to the magnitude of the antiferromagnetic exchange, are one order of magnitude larger for the Dy₂ than for the Er₂ complex.     

Octanuclear and nonanuclear supramolecular copper(II) complexes with linear "tritopic" ligands: structural and magnetic studies

The structures and magnetic properties of self-assembled copper(II) clusters and grids with the "tritopic" ligands 2poap (a), Cl2poap (b), m2poap (c), Cl2pomp (d), and 2pomp (e) are described [ligands derived by reaction of 4-R-2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic hydrazide (R = H, Cl, MeO) with 2-pyridinemethylimidate (a-c, respectively) or 2-acetylpyridine (d, R = Cl; e, R = H)]. Cl2poap and Cl2pomp self-assemble with Cu(NO(3))(2) to form octanuclear "pinwheel" cluster complexes [Cu(8)(Cl2poap-2H)(4)(NO(3))(8)].20H(2)O (1) and [Cu(8)(Cl2pomp-2H)(4)(NO(3))(8)].15H(2)O (2), built on a square [2 x 2] grid with four pendant copper arms, using "mild" reaction conditions. Similar reactions of Cl2pomp and 2pomp with Cu(ClO(4))(2) produce pinwheel clusters [Cu(8)(Cl2pomp-2H)(4)(H(2)O)(8)](ClO(4))(8).7H(2)O (3) and [Cu(8)(2pomp-2H)(4)(H(2)O)(8)](ClO(4))(8) (4), respectively. Heating a solution of 1 in MeOH/H(2)O produces a [3 x 3] nonanuclear square grid complex, [Cu(9)(Cl2poap-H)(3)(Cl2poap-2H)(3)](NO(3))(9).18H(2)O (5), which is also produced by direct reaction of the ligand and metal salt under similar conditions. Reaction of m2poap with Cu(NO(3))(2) produces only the [3 x 3] grid [Cu(9)(m2poap-H)(2)(m2poap-2H)(4)](NO(3))(8).17H(2)O (6) under similar conditions. Mixing the tritopic ligand 2poap with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (picd) in the presence of Cu(NO(3))(2) produces a remarkable mixed ligand, nonanuclear grid complex [Cu(9)(2poap-H)(4)(picd-H)(3)(picd-2H)](NO(3))(9).9H(2)O (7), in which aromatic pi-stacking interactions are important in stabilizing the structure. Complexes 1-3 and 5-7 involve single oxygen atom (alkoxide) bridging connections between adjacent copper centers, while complex 4 has an unprecedented mixed micro-(N-N) and micro-O metal ion connectivity. Compound 1 (C(76)H(92)N(44)Cu(8)O(50)Cl(4)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 21.645(1) A, c = 12.950(1) A, and Z = 2. Compound 2 (C(84)H(88)N(36)O(44)Cl(4)Cu(8)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I, with a = 21.2562(8) A, c = 12.7583(9) A, and Z = 2. Compound 4 (C(84)H(120)N(28)O(66)Cl(8)Cu(8)) crystallizes in the tetragonal system, space group I4(1)/a, with a = 20.7790(4) A, c = 32.561(1) A, and Z = 4. Compound 7(C(104)H(104)N(46)O(56)Cu(9)) crystallizes in the triclinic system, space group P, with a = 15.473(1) A, b = 19.869(2) A, c = 23.083(2) A, alpha = 88.890(2) degrees, beta = 81.511(2) degrees, gamma = 68.607(1) degrees, and Z = 2. All complexes exhibit dominant intramolecular ferromagnetic exchange coupling, resulting from an orthogonal bridging arrangement within each polynuclear structure.     

Effect of p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene Fitted with Phosphinoyl Pendant Arms as Synergistic Agent in the Solvent Extraction and Separation of Some Trivalent Lanthanoids with 4-Benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone

The synergistic solvent extraction of five selected lanthanoid ions (La³⁺, Nd³⁺, Eu³⁺, Ho³⁺ and Lu³⁺) with a 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-pyrazolone(HP) and the 5,11,17,23-tert-butyl-25,26,27,28-tetrakis(dimethylphosphinoylmethoxy)calix[4]arene, (S) in CHCl₃ has been studied. It was found that in presence of this phosphorus-containing calix[4]arene the lanthanoids have been extracted as LnP₃ · S. On the basis of the experimental data, the values of the equilibrium constants have been calculated. The influence of the synergistic agent on the extraction process has been discussed. A synergistic effect of almost three orders of magnitude occurs in the extraction of Ln(III) with mixture of HP and S. The values of the separation factors (S.F.) between the adjacent elements have been evaluated. On the basis of the IR and NMR spectra the stoichiometry and the structure of the solid complexes of Eu(III) with HP and Eu(III) with HP and S were proposed.     

Interplay of Interactions Governing the Dynamic Conversions of Acyclic and Macrocyclic Helicates

Systemic change : A system of transformations between helical structures was observed to be governed by interactions mediated by the electronic effects of substituents, entropic effects, the conformational preferences of organic building blocks, and the coordinative preferences of the metal ion. All of these effects were important, but all must be considered together to allow the prediction of the product observed (see scheme).

     

Revision of the absolute configurations of bethosides B and C and their aglycone

The absolute stereochemistry of the steroidal saponins bethosides B and C was previously assigned as (22R,25R) on the basis of work that employed Horeau's method. Our studies of helosides A and B created doubt about both the original assignment and consequently our conclusion that relied upon it. The absolute configurations of bethosides B and C are revised to (22S,25R) following X-ray crystallographic analysis of their aglycone. Synthesis and full spectral characterization of both the 22R and 22S aglycones is reported to facilitate future stereochemical assignments in this series of saponins.     

Stochastic simulation of reactive separations in capillary electrophoresis

A stochastic (Monte Carlo) simulation is used to investigate thermodynamic and kinetic contributions from the reversible A <--> B reaction in capillary electrophoresis (CE). The effects of equilibrium constant, rate constant, and electrophoretic mobility on the molecular zone profiles and the corresponding statistical moments are evaluated. As the reaction approaches steady state, the velocity of the zone is governed by the equilibrium constant and the electrophoretic mobilities of the reacting molecules. When the equilibrium constant is less than unity, the mean zone velocity is more similar to that of the reactant A. Conversely, when the equilibrium constant is greater than unity, the velocity is more similar to that of the product B. The extent of zone-broadening and asymmetry at steady state is dependent upon the equilibrium constant, the characteristic reaction lifetime, and the electrophoretic mobility difference between reacting molecules. If all other parameters are held constant, the plate height is greatest and skew is least when the equilibrium constant is unity. The plate height increases linearly with the characteristic reaction lifetime and electrophoretic mobility difference, whereas the skew is independent of these parameters. These conclusions have important implications for the elucidation of thermodynamic and kinetic information from experimental data.     

Paradigms and Paradoxes: Thoughts on the Enthalpy of Formation of Guanidine and Its Monosubstituted Derivatives

Despite their seeming simplicity, substituted guanidines have not particularly caught the attention of the thermochemical community. The current paper compares the enthalpy of formation of solid substituted guanidines with correspondingly substituted benzenes, also as solids.     

Peripherally and Axially Carboxylic Acid Substituted Subphthalocyanines for Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells

A series of subphthalocyanines (SubPcs) bearing a carboxylic acid group either at the peripheral or axial position have been designed and synthesized to investigate the influence of the COOH group positions on the dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance. The DSSC devices based on SubPcs with axially substituted carboxylic acid groups showed low photovoltaic performance, whereas peripherally substituted one exhibited higher power conversion efficiency owing to improved injection from LUMO of SubPcs to the TiO₂ conduction band.     

Synthesis and characterization of modular polyphosphonate homopolymers and copolymers

Linear polyphosphonates with the generic formula –[P(Ph)(X)OR′O]_n– (X = S or Se) have been synthesized by polycondensations of P(Ph)(NEt₂)₂ and a diol (HOR′OH = 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 1,4-benzenedimethanol, tetraethylene glycol, or 1,12-dodecanediol) followed by reaction with a chalcogen. Random copolymers have been synthesized by polycondensations of P(Ph)(NEt₂)₂ and mixture of two of the diols in a 2:1:1 mol ratio followed by reaction with a chalcogen. Block copolymers with the generic formula –[P(Ph)(X)OR′O]_{(x + 2)} –[P(Ph)(X)OR′O]_{(x + 3)}– (X = S or Se) have been synthesized by the polycondensations of Et₂N[P(Ph)(X)OR′O]_{(x + 2)}P(Ph)NEt₂ oligomers with HOR′O[P(Ph)(X)OR′O]_{(x + 3)}H oligomers followed by reaction with a chalcogen. The Et₂N[P(Ph)(X)OR′O]_{(x + 2)}P(Ph)NEt₂ oligomers are prepared by the reaction of an excess of P(Ph)(NEt₂)₂ with a diol while the HOR′O[P(Ph)(X)OR′O]_{(x + 3)}H oligomers are prepared by the reaction of P(Ph)(NEt₂)₂ with an excess of the diol. In each case the excess, x is the same and determines the average block sizes. All of the polymers were characterized using ¹H, ¹³C{¹H}, and ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy, TGA, DSC, and SEC. ³¹P{¹H} NMR spectroscopy demonstrates that the random and block copolymers have the expected arrangements of monomers and, in the case of block copolymers, verifies the block sizes. All polymers are thermally stable up to ~300°C, and the arrangements of monomers in the copolymers (block vs. random) affect their degradation temperatures and T_g profiles. The polymers have weight average MWs of up to 3.8 × 10⁴ Da.