A new electrochemical cell adapted to quartz crystal microbalance measurements

As the resonance frequency of an oscillating quartz changes upon the deposition of a given mass to the crystal surface, it can be used as a very sensitive mass measuring device. Despite a growing interest in the use of electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM), there is still no commercial available measurement cell which can satisfy all the conditions needed in electrochemical investigations. The design and characteristics of a new electrochemical cell adapted to EQCM measurements are presented. The sensitivity of the microbalance, which is determined by several calibration runs of silver electrodeposition is (183.2±2.9) Hz μg⁻¹ cm². This value, which is close to the theoretical one, confirms the validity of the system we have developed. The calibration procedure and the EQCM using range are then discussed.     

Regio et stereochimie de la reduction de derives d'alcools propargyliques catalysee par un complexe de palladium (O)

Regio and stereoselectivity of the palladium catalyzed reduction of propargylic halides and esters is greatly influenced by the nature of the hydride donor as by the leaving group. Best results in allene formation are observed in the reduction by lithium triethyl-borohydride of mesylates and phosphates. In the former case, reaction occurs with anti displacement of the sulfonyl group.     

On the diophantine equation (x − 1)(y − 1) = (z − 1)

Let k ≥ 3 be an integer. We study the possible existence of pairs of distinct positive integers (a, b) such that any of the three numbers a + 1, b + 1, and ab + 1 is a k-th power. We further investigate several related questions.     

Influence of relative humidity on electrical properties of alpha-Al2O3 powders: resistivity and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

The influence of humidity on the electrical properties of alpha-Al2O3 powders has been investigated using adsorption isotherms, DC resistivity, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Samples of two alpha-Al2O3 particle sizes were examined, both individually and mixed together. The results show that the grain-bed resistivity decreases with humidity, whereas the grain capacitance is almost constant. The resistivity difference between the two particle sizes is of several orders of magnitude, while the capacitance values are not very different. These results are interpreted in terms of the layer-by-layer growth of water adsorbed on the grain surfaces. The first, more tightly bound adsorbed layer does not provoke the same effects as those layers adsorbed at higher relative humidity.     

Binding sites of amyloid beta-peptide in cell plasma membrane and implications for Alzheimer's disease

The binding of amyloid beta peptides (Abeta) to plasma membranes appears to be a promising point of intervention in the events leading to the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This binding has been studied as regards the direct toxicity of Abeta on neurons, and the activation of a local inflammation phase involving microglia. By virtue of its structure, Abeta is able to bind to a variety of biomolecules, including lipids, proteoglycans and proteins. This review focuses on the membrane proteins that can mediate the interaction between Abeta and the plasma membranes in AD. On neurons, these are APP (amyloid precursor protein), the NMDA-R (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor), integrins, the alpha7nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (alpha7nAChR), the P75 neurotrophin receptor (P75NTR) and the CLAC-P/collagen type XXV (collagen-like Alzheimer amyloid plaque component precursor/collagen XXV). On glial cells, FPRL1 (formyl peptide receptor-like 1), the scavenger receptors A, BI (SR-A, SR-BI) and CD36, a complex involving CD36, alpha(6)beta(1)-integrin and CD47, and heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been reported to bind Abeta. It should be noted that integrins, RAGE (receptor for advanced glycosylation end-products), the Serpin-enzyme complex receptor (SEC-R) and the insulin receptor can bind Abeta and are present on neurons and on glial cells. After a presentation of the structure and the function of each of these proteins, the method used to prove their binding to Abeta is described, and the implication of this binding in AD is discussed. Finally, it is underlined that multireceptor complexes containing integrins may be involved in this interaction.     

Aristolochic Acids as a Defensive Substance for the Aristolochiaceous Plant‐Feeding Swallowtail Butterfly,Pachliopta aristolochiae interpositus

The chemical constituents isolated from every stage of the Taiwanese swallowtail butterfly, Pachliopta aristolochiae interpositus, were studied and compared with the constituents of the insect feeding plant, A. cucurbitifolia. Two aristolochic acid derivatives ( 1 and 4 ) and three aristolactam analogues ( 5, 6 , and 7 ) were isolated from the larval osmeterial fluid and larvae of the insect. In addition, four purines ( 2, 3, 13 , and 14 ), one indole alkaloid ( 11 ), one steroid ( 10 ), two benzenoids ( 8 and 9 ) and allantoin ( 12 ) were also isolated from the insect. Among these compounds, aristolochic acid ‐I (AA‐I, 1 ) was detected in all life stages of the insect, especially in the larval osmeterial fluid. The studies confirm that the toxic AAs are used as larval feeding stimulants and deterrent allomones against birds.     

The Structure of 2‐[(1S)‐(+)‐10‐camphorsulfonamino]‐6‐aminopyridine in the Solid State and in Solution; Unprecedented Cocrystallization of Four Stereoisomers

The solid and solution structures of a new optically active aminopyridine compound, 2‐[(1S)‐(+)‐10‐camphorsulfonamino]‐6‐aminopyridine [(S)‐csaap], 1 , are reported. Crystal data: space group P2₁, a = 8.9729 (5), b = 10.9447 (6), c = 36.693 (2) Å, β = 96.435 (1)°, V = 3580.8 (3) ų, Z = 8, R₁ = 0.0673 and wR₂ = 0.1600 with I > 2σ(I). This chiral compound shows an unprecedented cocrystallization of four stereoisomers, which are characterized by X‐ray crystallography and NMR spectroscopy.     

Inside Cover: A Synthetic Lectin for O‐Linked β‐N‐Acetylglucosamine (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 10/2009)

Carbohydrates are slippery customers in water. Camouflaged by solvent‐mimicking hydroxy groups, they make challenging targets, even for natural receptors. In their Communication on page 1775 ff., A. P. Davis and co‐workers describe a synthetic receptor that is remarkably effective for the important β‐N‐acetylglucosaminyl (β‐GlcNAC) unit. The affinities of the receptor are good and its selectivities are excellent, even by the standards of natural carbohydrate‐binding proteins.