Identification of inhibitors for UDP-galactopyranose mutase

The flavoenzyme uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP)-galactopyranose mutase (UGM) plays a key role in the cell wall biosynthesis of many pathogens, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Using a synthetic fluorescent ligand, we screened 16 000 compounds in a fluorescence polarization assay. Effective inhibitors of UGM were identified.     

Feature based fuzzy matching of 2D gel electrophoresis images

Automatic alignment (matching) of two-dimensional gel electrophoresis images is of primary interest in the evolving field of proteomics. In the present study, feature-based matching techniques, in their classical and robust versions, are described, and an automatic method of fuzzy alignment (FA) is introduced. This method allows automatic matching of two gel images with different numbers of features with unknown correspondence. Performance of FA is tested on simulated and real data sets.     

Construction of a liquid-membrane type periodate ion-selective electrode and its application to the potentiometric titration of alpha-diols and alpha-amino-alcohols

The construction of a liquid-membrane type periodate ion-selective electrode and its application to the potentiometric titration of alpha-diols and alpha-amino-alcohols are described. The ion-pair of periodate anion with Capriquat (tri-n-octylmethylammonium chloride), is easily extracted into nitrobenzene, and this extract is employed as a liquid ion-exchange membrane. The calibration curve shows Nernstian response towards periodate ion over the concentration range from 10(-1)M to 10(-7)M with a slope of 60 mV/pIO(-)(4). Selectivity coefficients with respect to various ions were evaluated. The electrode potential was independent of pH in the range 2.5-7.5. Some alpha-diols and monoethanolamine were successfully titrated potentiometrically with the aid of the present electrode.     

On-line sorbent extraction, preconcentration and determination of lead by atomic absorption spectrometry

A method for the quantitative preconcentration of lead based on an existing batch process was developed for implementation in a flow system including a flame AAS detector. Lead can be quantitatively preconcentrated as pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate or dithizonate on an activated carbon minicolumn. The chelates are eluted in methyl isobutyl ketone and introduced directly into the nebuliser-burner. An enrichment factor of 50 is typically obtained for a preconcentration time of 2 min (lead can be determined at concentrations between 15 and 400 ng/ml), which results in a throughput of ca. 25 samples per hr. The sensitivity achieved with the two reagents is similar, but the selectivity provided by APDC exceeds that of dithizone. Based on the results obtained in the determination of lead in reference materials (minerals and skim milk), the proposed APDC method is applicable to real samples.     

New methodologies for the preparation of porphodimethenes and their conversion to trans-porphyrins with functionalized naphthyl spacers

The MacDonald [2 + 2]-type condensation of readily available 5-aryl-substituted dipyrromethanes with acenaphthenequinone leads to the trans-syn- and anti-porphodimethenes, which in turn can be converted to the alpha,alpha- and alpha,beta-porphyrin atropisomers, respectively. Treatment of the metalated or unmetalated porphodimethenes with KOH or NaOMe in THF followed by protonation with HCl results in a ring opening of the acenaphthenone and formation of the trans-8-carboxynaphthylporphyrins or their esters (NaOMe) after oxidation. Alternatively, the porphyrin formation can be accomplished by reaction of the porphodimethenes with acids in the presence of water or methanol. Reaction with NaBH(4) in a THF--methanol mixture yields the corresponding dialcohols in nearly quantitative yields. Sixteen different building blocks were prepared in order to evaluate the generality of this new synthetic approach, with Ar = 2,4,6-Me(3)C(6)H(2); 2,6-Cl(2)C(6)H(3); 2,6-F(2)C(6)H(3); 3,4-tBu(2)C(6)H(3); 3,4,5-(MeO)(3)C(6)H(2); 4-BrC(6)H(4); 4-MeC(6)H(4); and 4-MeOOCC(6)H(4) at the meso positions. The synthesized porphodimethenes and porphyrins have been fully characterized, and the X-ray structure analyses of three representative derivatives are presented.     

Cu(I)-catalyzed direct enantioselective cross aldol-type reaction of acetonitrile

Direct catalytic enantioselective cross aldol-type reaction of an acetate surrogate was developed using Cu alkoxide-chiral phosphine complexes as catalysts. Chemoselective activation and deprotonation of the donor substrate (acetonitrile) by the soft metal alkoxide in a strongly donating solvent (HMPA) are key to success in this reaction. Useful chemical yields and promising enantioselectivities are produced using either DTBM-SEGPHOS or a tuned BIPHEP as a chiral ligand. [reaction: see text]     

Stability constants of some bivalent first row transition metal chelates of dicarboxylic acids containing ether linkages

The stability constants of the Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) complexes with four acids of the type HOOCCH(2)O(CH(2)CH(2)O)(n) CH(2)COOH (n = 0-3) are reported. For n = 0 the constants are in the Irving-Williams order, but not for n = 1-3.     

Guest sorption and desorption in the metal-organic framework [Co(INA)(2)] (INA=isonicotinate)--evidence of intermediate phases during desorption

The metal-organic framework [Co(INA)(2)]x0.5EtOH (INA = isonicotinate, NC(5)H(4)-4-CO(2)(-)), was synthesised under solvothermal conditions. Its X-ray crystal structure shows channels containing ethanol guests which are hydrogen-bonded to carboxylate oxygens of the framework. The pyridyl rings of the framework alternate between 'open' and 'closed' positions along the channels resulting in large variation in the channel cross-sectional area from ca. 1.4 by 2.3 A at the narrowest point to 4.9 by 5.3 A at the widest. Despite the very small windows, the ethanol guests (of van der Waals diameter ca. 4.2-6.1 A) may be reversibly desorbed and sorbed into the structure quantitatively, as shown by in situ variable-temperture IR spectroscopy and XRPD. The single-crystal structure of the desolvated form [Co(INA)(2)] shows that there is no change in the overall connectivity on desolvation, but the rotational positions of the pyridine rings are altered. This suggests that pyridyl rotation may occur to allow guests to pass in and out. When the synthesis was conducted in 1-propanol solvent [Co(INA)(2)]x0.5Pr(n)OHxH(2)O, was obtained, and a single-crystal X-ray structure revealed the same overall connectivity as in but with pyridine rings disordered over closed and open positions. There was no evidence of included guests from X-ray crystallography, suggesting that they are also highly disordered. Variable-temperature XRPD performed on bulk samples showed peaks which were unsymmetrical and exhibited shoulders, suggesting that for each pattern obtained the material actually consisted of several closely-related phases. The movements of the peaks during desolvation showed the presence of intermediate phases before the final desolvated product was formed. The peak positions of the intermediate phases matched more closely with the calculated pattern for than with or, suggesting that they may have disordered structures similar to. The results also suggest that the intermediate phase represents an initial increase in volume before a larger decrease in volume occurs to give the final desolvated material.     

Study of the cerium(IV)-picrate system in acetonitrile

A potentiometric and spectrophotometric study has been made of the reaction between hexanitratocerate and picrate in dry acetonitrile. Several cerium(IV)-picrate complexes are formed; the formation constant for the first is estimated to be 4 from spectrophotometric measurements. The catalytic effect of picrate on hydroquinone oxidation by nitratocerate is postulated to be due to more rapid electron transfer by cerium picrate complexes.     

Assessment of drinking water radioactivity content by liquid scintillation counting: set up of high sensitivity and emergency procedures

In our institute, different procedures have been developed to measure the radioactivity content of drinking water both in normal and in emergency situations, such as those arising from accidental and terrorist events. A single radiometric technique, namely low level liquid scintillation counting (LSC), has been used. In emergency situations a gross activity screening is carried out without any sample treatment by a single and quick liquid scintillation counting. Alpha and beta activities can be measured in more than one hundred samples per day with sensitivities of a few Bq/L. Higher sensitivity gross alpha and beta, uranium and radium measurements can be performed on water samples after specific sample treatments. The sequential method proposed is designed in such a way that the same water sample can be used in all the stages, with slight modifications. This sequential procedure was applied in a survey of the Lombardia district. At first tap waters of the 13 largest towns were examined, then a more detailed monitoring was carried out in the surroundings of Milano and Lodi towns. The high sensitivity method for the determination of uranium isotopes was used to check the presence of depleted uranium in Lake Garda. Reduced equipment requirements and relative readiness of radiochemical procedures make LSC an attractive technique which can also be applied by laboratories lacking specific radiochemistry facilities and experience.