Identification of novel alpha-glucosidase inhibitors by screening libraries based on N- [4-(benzyloxy) benzoyl] alanine derivatives

A library of 72 compounds related to N- [4-(benzyloxy) benzoyl]alanine (I) was synthesized, prepared and screened for alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Four compounds showed potent inhibition, six compounds moderate inhibition, and 16 were weak inhibitors. One compound, N- [4-(benzyloxy) benzoyl] serine, was found to be a potent inhibitor of alpha-glucosidase with 100% inhibition at 1 micro M. This inhibitor was at least five times more potent than the lead compound I.     

Activation and stabilization of enzymes entrapped into reversed micelles

Observations of the activity of two hydrolyzing enzymes—protease and α-amylase—entrapped inside the reversed micelles formed by surfactants in hexane, benzene, and cyclohexane are reported. The surfactants chosen for this study are: Tween 80, a nonionic surfactant, Cetyl pyridinium chloride, a cationic surfactant, and two anionic surfactants, sodium lauryl sulfate and Aerosol OT. Tween 80 enhances the activity of both protease and α-amylase. Sodium lauryl sulfate and Aerosol OT, which are ionic surfactants, enhance the activity of protease, but inhibit the activity of α-amylase. Cetyl pyridinium chloride, however, enhances the activity of α-amylase, but inhibits the activity of protease. Enhanced activity is generally severalfold greater in comparison to the activity observed in the usual aqueous system in the absence of reversed micelles. It has also been observed that the enhanced activity of the enzymes entrapped inside the reversed micelles remains preserved for a much longer period of time in comparison to the activity in the usual aqueous systems. These observations, which support the view that with proper choice of surfactant and the organic solvent, reversed micelles act like a microreactor that provides a favorable aqueous microenvironment for enzyme activity, have biotechnological overtones.     

Numerical simulation of DNA sample preconcentration in microdevice electrophoresis

A numerical model is presented for the accurate and efficient prediction of preconcentration and transport of DNA during sample introduction and injection in microcapillary electrophoresis. The model incorporates conservation laws for the different buffer ions, salt ions, and DNA sample, coupled through a Gaussian electric field to account for the field modifications that cause electromigration. The accuracy and efficiency required to capture the physics associated with such a complex transient problem are realized by the use of the finite element-flux corrected transport (FE-FCT) algorithm in two dimensions. The model has been employed for the prediction of DNA sample preconcentration and transport during electrophoresis in a double-T injector microdevice. To test its validity, the numerical results have been compared with the corresponding experimental data under similar conditions, and excellent agreement has been found. Finally, detailed results from a simulation of DNA sample preconcentration in electrophoretic microdevices are presented using as parameters the electric field strength and the other species concentrations. The effect of the Tris concentration on sample stacking is also investigated. These results demonstrate the great potential offered by the model for future optimization of such microchip devices with respect to significantly enhanced speed and resolution of sample separation.     

Triisopropoxyniobium(V) and tantalum(V)bis-O,O′-dialkyl dithiophosphates

Summary Triisopropoxy bis(O,O-dialkyl dithiophosphates), (i-PrO)₃M[S₂P(OR)₂]₂ (M = Nb^v, Ta^v; R = n-Pr, i-Pr, i-Bu and Ph) have been prepared by reacting the appropriate triisopropoxymetal(V)dichloride, (i-PrO)₃MCl₂ (1 mol) with sodium/ammonium dialkyl dithiophosphates (2 mols)in THF. The monomeric products which are viscous liquids, soluble in common organic solvents and highly susceptible to hydrolysis, were characterized by i.r. and n.m.r. spectra which indicate a bidentate mode of attachment of dithiophosphato groups to the metal.     

Microdetermination of carbonyl compounds by reduction with alkaline sodium borohydride

Summary Alkaline sodium borohydride has been employed as a reducing reagent for the titrimetric determination of compounds containing the carbonyl function. The sample is dissolved in methanol and is then reduced with alkaline sodium borohydride. After completion of the reaction, the excess sodium borohydride is back titrated against standardized hydrochloric acid solution using methyl red as indicator. The stoichiometry between the carbonyl function and sodium borohydride is 41.

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Zusammenfassung Natriumborhydrid dient als Reduktionsmittel zur Titration von Carbonylverbindungen. Die Probe wird in Methanol gelöst und dann mit alkalischem Natriumborhydrid reduziert. Nach Ablauf der Reaktion wird der Überschuß mit Salzsäure gegen Methylrot zurücktitriert. Carbonylverbindung und Natriumborhydrid reagieren im Verhältnis 41.

     

Chloride estimation by a solid membrane electrode

Summary A solid membrane electrode based on Cr-Zr mixed hydrous oxide gel doped with Sn(II) ion has been proposed for the estimation of chloride ions. The electrode can be used in the concentration range 0.1 to 5×10^–5 M. The selectivity of the electrode system is much better as compared to other electrodes reported for the same ion.

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Chloridbestimmung mit Hilfe einer festen Membran-Elektrode

Zusammenfassung Eine feste Membran-Elektrode auf der Basis einer mit Sn(II)-Ionen gedopten Mischung aus Chrom- und Zirkon-Oxidhydratgel wurde für die Bestimmung von Chloridionen vorgeschlagen. Diese Elektrode läßt sich im Konzentrationsgebiet 0,1 bis 5×10^–5 M verwenden. Die Selektivität ist erheblich besser als diejenige anderer Elektroden.

     

Identification of inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase II from a synthetic library of glycoconjugates

A library of 24 glycoconjugates related to glycosylated beta-amino acid derivative (I) was been prepared and screened against DNA topoisomerase-II of the filarial parasite S. cervi. Among these, compound 6 was found to be a potent inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase-II with 95% inhibition at 1.09 microM. Furthermore, compound 6 was at least three times more potent than the lead compound, glycosylated beta-amino acid derivative I.     

Some remarks on the use of rational functions as variational functions

When a Padé-type function is used as a trial function, it is necessary to investigate the location of singularities and the zeros of the optimized function. It is shown that an unacceptable wave function can sometimes yield numerically acceptable values because of the nature of the integration procedure. It is also shown that it is possible to remove the undesirable features of a lower order form by invoking the next approximation.