Surface-enhanced Raman study of the interactions between tripodal cationic polyamines and polynucleotides

Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectra of new DNA/RNA-binding compounds consisting of three imidazole (Im) and three pyridine (Py) rings connected by tripodal polyaminomethylene linkages were obtained by the near-infrared excitation at 1064 nm. Study of interactions of Im and Py polyamines with single-stranded RNA polynucleotides (poly?A, poly?G, poly?C, poly?U), double-stranded DNA polynucleotides (poly?dAdT-poly?dAdT, poly?dGdC-poly?dGdC) and calf thymus DNA (ct-DNA) by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) reveals unambiguous enhancement of the Raman scattering from the small molecules as well as appearance of new bands in spectra associated mainly with nucleobases. The SERS experiments point toward comparable interactions of Im and Py polyamines with single-stranded purine and pyrimidine polynucleotides. Furthermore, SERS experiments with double stranded polynucleotides reveal the base-pair dependent selectivity of Im and Py, whereby interactions within both, major and minor groove are indicated for poly?dAdT-poly?dAdT, at variance to preferred binding of Im and Py to only major groove of poly?dGdC-poly?dGdC. SERS spectra of Im and Py with ct-DNA imply that protonated amino groups of these compounds preferentially interact with N7 atoms (adenine, guanine) while nitrogen in aromatic rings of polyamines might be attracted to C6-NH(2) (adenine), all sites being located at the major groove of the DNA helix. Wavenumber downshift of the imidazole (Im) and pyridine (Py) ring vibrations supports aromatic stacking interactions of imidazole and pyridine aromatic moieties with DNA base-pairs.     

Vicinal 1H-1H NMR coupling constants from density functional theory as reliable tools for stereochemical analysis of highly flexible multichiral center molecules

A protocol for stereochemical analysis, based on the systematic comparison between theoretical and experimental vicinal (1)H-(1)H NMR coupling constants, was developed and applied to a series of flexible compounds (1-8) derived from the 6-heptenyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one framework. The method included a broad conformational search, followed by geometry optimization at the DFT B3LYP/DGDZVP level, calculation of the vibrational frequencies, thermochemical parameters, magnetic shielding tensors, and the total NMR spin-spin coupling constants. Three scaling factors, depending on the carbon atom hybridizations, were found for the (1)H-C-C-(1)H vicinal coupling constants: f((sp3)-(sp3)) = 0.910, f((sp3)-(sp2)) = 0.929, and f((sp2)-(sp2))= 0.977. A remarkable correlation between the theoretical (J(pre)) and experimental (1)H-(1)H NMR (J(exp)) coupling constants for spicigerolide (1), a cytotoxic natural product, and some of its synthetic stereoisomers (2-4) demonstrated the predictive value of this approach for the stereochemical assignment of highly flexible compounds containing multiple chiral centers. The stereochemistry of two natural 6-heptenyl-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-ones (14 and 15) containing diverse functional groups in the heptenyl side chain was also analyzed by application of this combined theoretical and experimental approach, confirming its reliability. Additionally, a geometrical analysis for the conformations of 1-8 revealed that weak hydrogen bonds substantially guide the conformational behavior of the tetraacyloxy-6-heptenyl-2H-pyran-2-ones.     

Three extra mirror or sequential families: case for a heavy Higgs boson and inert doublet

We study the possibility of the existence of extra fermion families and an extra Higgs doublet. We find that requiring the extra Higgs doublet to be inert leaves space for three extra families, allowing for mirror fermion families and a dark matter candidate at the same time. The emerging scenario is very predictive: It consists of a standard model Higgs boson, with a mass above 400 GeV, heavy new quarks between 340 and 500 GeV, light extra neutral leptons, and an inert scalar with a mass below M(Z).     

Manipulation of molecular transport into mesoporous silica thin films by the infiltration of polyelectrolytes

The design of hybrid mesoporous materials incorporating polymeric assemblies as versatile functional units has become a very fertile research area offering major opportunities for controlling molecular transport through interfaces. However, the creation of such functional materials depends critically on our ability to assemble polymeric units in a predictable manner within mesopores with dimensions comparable to the size of the macromolecular blocks themselves. In this work, we describe for the first time the manipulation of the molecular transport properties of mesoporous silica thin films by the direct infiltration of polyelectrolytes into the inner environment of the 3D porous framework. The hybrid architectures were built up through the infiltration-electrostatic assembly of polyallylamine (PAH) on the mesopore silica walls, and the resulting systems were studied by a combination of experimental techniques including ellipso-porosimetry, cyclic voltammetry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, among others. Our results show that the infiltration-assembly of PAH alters the intrinsic cation-permselective properties of mesoporous silica films, rendering them ion-permeable mesochannels and enabling the unrestricted diffusion of cationic and anionic species through the hybrid interfacial architecture. Contrary to what happens during the electrostatic assembly of PAH on planar silica films (quantitative charge reversal), the surface charge of the mesoporous walls is completely neutralized upon assembling the cationic PAH layer (i.e., no charge reversal occurs). We consider this work to have profound implications not only on the molecular design of multifunctional mesoporous thin films but also on understanding the predominant role of nanoconfinement effects in dictating the functional properties of polymer-inorganic hybrid nanomaterials.     

Addition and redox reactivity of hydrogen sulfides (H2S/HS⁻) with nitroprusside: new chemistry of nitrososulfide ligands

The nitroprusside ion [Fe(CN)(5)NO](2-) (NP) reacts with excess HS(-) in the pH range 8.5-12.5, in anaerobic medium ("Gmelin" reaction). The progress of the addition process of HS(-) into the bound NO(+) ligand was monitored by stopped-flow UV/Vis/EPR and FTIR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chemical analysis. Theoretical calculations were employed for the characterization of the initial adducts and reaction intermediates. The shapes of the absorbance-time curves at 535-575 nm depend on the pH and concentration ratio of the reactants, R=[HS(-)]/[NP]. The initial adduct [Fe(CN)(5)N(O)SH](3-) (AH, λ(max) ≈570 nm) forms in the course of a reversible process, with k(ad)=190±20 M(-1)s(-1) , k(-ad)=0.3±0.05 s(-1) . Deprotonation of AH (pK(a)=10.5±0.1, at 25.0 °C, I=1 M), leads to [Fe(CN)(5)N(O)S](4-) (A, λ(max)=535 nm, ε=6000±300 M(-1) cm(-1) ). [Fe(CN)(5)NO](.)(3-) and HS(2)(.)(2-) radicals form through the spontaneous decomposition of AH and A. The minor formation of the [Fe(CN)(5)NO](3-) ion equilibrates with [Fe(CN)(4)NO](2-) through cyanide labilization, and generates the "g=2.03" iron-dinitrosyl, [Fe(NO)(2)(SH)(2)](-) , which is labile toward NO release. Alternative nucleophilic attack of HS(-) on AH and A generates the reactive intermediates [Fe(CN)(5)N(OH)(SH)(2)](3-) and [Fe(CN)(5)N(OH)(S)(SH)](4-) , respectively, which decompose through multielectronic nitrosyl reductions, leading to NH(3) and hydrogen disulfide, HS(2)(-) . N(2)O is also produced at pH≥11. Biological relevance relates to the role of NO, NO(-) , and other bound intermediates, eventually able to be released to the medium and rapidly trapped by substrates. Structure and reactivity comparisons of the new nitrososulfide ligands with free and bound nitrosothiolates are provided.     

A new analytic expression for fast calculation of the transient near and far field of a rectangular baffled piston

Essential to (cardiac) 3D ultrasound are 2D matrix array transducer technology and the associated (two-stage) beam forming. Given the large number of degrees of freedom and the complexity of this problem, simulation tools play an important role. Hereto, the impulse response (IR) method is commonly used. Unfortunately, given the large element count of 2D array transducers, simulation times become significant jeopardizing the efficacy of the design process. The aim of this study was therefore to derive a new analytical expression to more efficiently calculate the IR in order to speed up the calculation process. To compare accuracy and computation time, the reference and the proposed method were implemented in MATLAB and contrasted. For all points of observation tested, the IR with both methods was identical. The mean calculation time however reduced in average by a factor of 3.93 ± 0.03 times. The proposed IR method therefore speeds up the calculation time of the IR of an individual transducer element while remaining perfectly accurate. This new expression will be particularly relevant for 2D matrix transducer design where computation times remain currently a bottle neck in the design process.     

Bimodal Therapeutic Agents Against Glioblastoma,One of the Most Lethal Forms of Cancer

About 95 % of people diagnosed with glioblastoma die within five years. Glioblastoma is the most aggressive central nervous system tumour. It is necessary to make progress in the glioblastoma treatment so that advanced chemotherapy drugs or radiation therapy or, ideally, two-in-one hybrid systems should be implemented. Tyrosine kinase receptors–inhibitors and boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), together, could provide a therapeutic strategy. In this work, sunitinib decorated-carborane hybrids were prepared and biologically evaluated identifying excellent antitumoral- and BNCT-agents. One of the selected hybrids was studied against glioma-cells and found to be 4 times more cytotoxic than sunitinib and 1.7 times more effective than ¹⁰B-boronophenylalanine fructose complex when the cells were irradiated with neutrons.     

Long-Term Monokaryotic Cultures of Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida Produce High and Stable Laccase Activity Capable to Degrade ß-Carotene

An extracellular laccase (Lacc10) was discovered in submerged cultures of Pleurotus ostreatus var. florida bleaching ß-carotene effectively without the addition of a mediator (650 mU/L, pH 4). Heterologous expression in P. pastoris confirmed the activity and structural analyses revealed a carotenoid-binding domain, which formed the substrate-binding pocket and is reported here for the first time. In order to increase activity, 106 basidiospore-derived monokaryons and crosses of compatible progenies were generated. These showed high intraspecific variability in growth rate and enzyme formation. Seventy-two homokaryons exhibited a higher activity-to-growth-rate-relation than the parental dikaryon, and one isolate produced a very high activity (1800 mU/L), while most of the dikaryotic hybrids showed lower activity. The analysis of the laccase gene of the monokaryons revealed two sequences differing in three amino acids, but the primary sequences gave no clue for the diversity of activity. The enzyme production in submerged cultures of monokaryons was stable over seven sub-cultivation cycles.

     

Goodness-of-Fit Tests for Continuous Regression

A family of transformations of the processes of accumulated residues of linear models is used to construct tests of fit of the models, consistent for any alternative, and focused on alternatives in the direction selected by the user. The resulting tests are asymptotically distribution free, both under the null hypothesis of fit, and under the selected alternatives. An interesting feature is that this distributions do not depend on (possible) parameter estimations.     

Micro-spectrochemical analysis of document paper and gel inks by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and laser induced breakdown spectroscopy

Current methods used in document examinations are not suitable to associate or discriminate between sources of paper and gel inks with a high degree of certainty. Nearly non-destructive, laser-based methods using laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were used to improve the forensic comparisons of gel inks, ballpoint inks and document papers based on similarities in elemental composition. Some of the advantages of these laser-based methods include minimum sample consumption/destruction, high sensitivity, high selectivity and excellent discrimination between samples from different origins. Figures of merit are reported including limits of detection, precision, homogeneity at a micro-scale and linear dynamic range. The variation of the elemental composition in paper was studied within a single sheet, between pages from the same ream, between papers produced by the same plant at different time intervals and between seventeen paper sources produced by ten different plants. The results show that elemental analysis of paper by LIBS and LA-ICP-MS provides excellent discrimination (> 98%) between different sources. Batches manufactured at weekly and monthly intervals in the same mill were also differentiated. The ink of more than 200 black pens was analyzed to determine the variation of the chemical composition of the ink within a single pen, between pens from the same package and between brands of gel inks and ballpoint inks. Homogeneity studies show smaller variation of elemental compositions within a single source than between different sources (i.e. brands and types). It was possible to discriminate between pen markings from different brands and between pen markings from the same brand but different model. Discrimination of ~ 96–99% was achieved for sets that otherwise would remain inseparable by conventional methods. The results show that elemental analysis, using either LA-ICP-MS or LIBS, provides an effective, practical and robust technique for the discrimination of document paper and gel inks with minimum mass removal (9–15 μg) and minimum damage to the document's substrate.