Development of interdigitated arrays coated with functional polyaniline/MWCNT for electrochemical biodetection: application for human papilloma virus

In this study, polyaniline-multiwalled carbon nanotube film (PANi-MWCNT) has been polymerized on interdigitated platinum electrode arrays (IDA), fabricated by MEMS technology for the detection of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, using immobilized peptide aptamers as affinity capture reagent. Label-free, electrochemical detection of the specific immune reaction between antigen peptide aptamer HPV-16-L1 (with a molecular weight of 1825 Da), the most common genotype in cytological normal women worldwide, and its specific antibody of HPV-16 (which is much bigger with molecular weight of ca. 150 kDa) on multifunctional PANi-MWCNT based arrays was reported. The most significant advantage of this technique consists of reagentless and multiple detection of antigen-antibody complex formation on well conducting IDA interface of PANi-MWCNT, without intermediate steps or any labeling reagents, as normally required in the previous works.     

Design, synthesis and biological characterization of novel inhibitors of CD38

Human CD38 is a novel multi-functional protein that acts not only as an antigen for B-lymphocyte activation, but also as an enzyme catalyzing the synthesis of a Ca(2+) messenger molecule, cyclic ADP-ribose, from NAD(+). It is well established that this novel Ca(2+) signaling enzyme is responsible for regulating a wide range of physiological functions. Based on the crystal structure of the CD38/NAD(+) complex, we synthesized a series of simplified N-substituted nicotinamide derivatives (Compound 1-14). A number of these compounds exhibited moderate inhibition of the NAD(+) utilizing activity of CD38, with Compound 4 showing the highest potency. The crystal structure of CD38/Compound 4 complex and computer simulation of Compound 7 docking to CD38 show a significant role of the nicotinamide moiety and the distal aromatic group of the compounds for substrate recognition by the active site of CD38. Biologically, we showed that both Compounds 4 and 7 effectively relaxed the agonist-induced contraction of muscle preparations from rats and guinea pigs. This study is a rational design of inhibitors for CD38 that exhibit important physiological effects, and can serve as a model for future drug development.     

Synthesis and potent cytotoxic activity of 8- and 9-anilinophenanthridine-7,10-diones

A series of 8-anilino and 9-anilinophenanthridine-7,10-diones was prepared and screened against various cancer cell lines to measure anti-proliferative activity. The compounds tested display potent cytotoxic activity in the micromolar and sub-micromolar range. These compounds are promising new leads for developing anticancer compounds.     

Equilibrium conditions for CO2 hydrate in porous medium

Experimental phase equilibrium conditions data for carbon dioxide (CO₂) hydrate in porous medium with the presence of sodium chloride (NaCl) solution were investigated in this study. The experimental data were generated using graphic-method in presence of solutions contained (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.8) mol/L NaCl. The results indicated the increase of NaCl concentration caused the enhancement in the equilibrium pressure of CO₂ hydrate as the pore size and the temperature were kept the same. Effects of NaCl solutions on CO₂ hydrate equilibrium conditions could be neglected when the temperature is lower than ice point. An improved model was used to predict CO₂ hydrate equilibrium conditions, and the predictions showed good agreement with experimental measurements.     

Reactions of OH with butene isomers: measurements of the overall rates and a theoretical study

Reactions of hydroxyl (OH) radicals with 1-butene (k(1)), trans-2-butene (k(2)), and cis-2-butene (k(3)) were studied behind reflected shock waves over the temperature range 880-1341 K and at pressures near 2.2 atm. OH radicals were produced by shock-heating tert-butyl hydroperoxide, (CH(3))(3)-CO-OH, and monitored by narrow-line width ring dye laser absorption of the well-characterized R(1)(5) line of the OH A-X (0, 0) band near 306.7 nm. OH time histories were modeled using a comprehensive C(5) oxidation mechanism, and rate constants for the reaction of OH with butene isomers were extracted by matching modeled and measured OH concentration time histories. We present the first high-temperature measurement of OH + cis-2-butene and extend the temperature range of the only previous high-temperature study for both 1-butene and trans-2-butene. With the potential energy surface calculated using CCSD(T)/6-311++G(d,p)//QCISD/6-31G(d), the rate constants and branching fractions for the H-abstraction channels of the reaction of OH with 1-butene were calculated in the temperature range 300-1500 K. Corrections for variational and tunneling effects as well as hindered-rotation treatments were included. The calculations are in good agreement with current and previous experimental data and with a recent theoretical study.     

Enamine carboxylates as stereodetermining intermediates in prolinate catalysis

Experimental and computational studies probing the nature of intermediates in the α-amination of aldehydes catalyzed by prolinate salts support an enamine carboxylate intermediate in the stereodetermining step.     

Novel electrochemical deoxygenation reaction using diphenylphosphinates

The electrochemical reduction of diphenylphosphinate esters leads smoothly and in high yields to the corresponding deoxygenated products. In comparison with the previously developed methodologies, the electrolysis could be performed at lower temperature and with a higher current density, resulting in a shorter reaction time.     

Straightforward access to new vinca-alkaloids via selective reduction of a nitrile containing anhydrovinblastine derivative

A procedure to exclusively obtain 3′S-cyanoanhydrovinblastine 12 from two naturally occurring vinca-alkaloids (catharanthine and vindoline) in one step with good yield is described. Stereoselective reductions of 12, providing straightforward access to three new vinca-alkaloids, including two diastereomers 3′S-cyano-(4′R,5′-dihydro)-anhydrovinblastine and 3′S-cyano-(4′S,5′-dihydro)-anhydrovinblastine as well as (3′S-aminomethyl)-(4′S,5′-dihydro)-anhydrovinblastine in good yields is also reported.     

NMR and monte carlo simulation studies of water adsorption dynamics

Nuclear magnetic resonance water proton spin-spin relaxation time T(2) was measured in wood samples with moisture contents ranging from 0.50 to 26.4%. The experimental results are discussed in terms of Monte Carlo simulations, which determine the correlation times tau for reorientation of the water molecule proton-proton vectors. We demonstrate that 1/T(2) and tau qualitatively follow the same behavior with surface hydration. The common application of the multisite exchange model to hydrated systems is discussed in light of the new results.     

Carbolithiation of aromatic rings: cyclohexadienes from N-aroyl-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidines

Benzamides whose nitrogen atom is part of a 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine ring are dearomatised by alkyllithiums, which attack them regioselectively to yield, after electrophilic quench, substituted cyclohexadienes.