Biosensors for environmental pollutants and food contaminants

This review article provides an overview of the most recent literature on biosensors for environmental pollutants and food contaminants. Due to the large number of publications, only papers published between 2000 and January 2003 were considered. Also, while not all of the published literature could be reviewed here, over 200 references are cited to provide a good overview of research undertaken in the last two years. Older publications are covered by a number of earlier review articles. This article provides an introduction into the field including specific consideration of the application areas, describes the typical biosensor assay format used, and is subsequently structured according to the biorecognition elements used (i.e., nucleic acids, enzymes, whole cells, tissue and whole organisms, antibodies and receptors, and biomimetic materials). In addition, a section on microbiosensing systems is provided. Since only very few microbiosensors with applications in environmental and food systems have been published, enabling technology is also covered in this article.Abbreviations BOD biological oxygen demand - cfu colony forming units - DNP dinitrophenol - GFP green fluorescent protein - NASBA nucleic acid sequence-based amplification - PCR polymerase chain reaction - ppt parts per trillion - QCM quartz crystal microbalance - SPR surface plasmon resonance     

Hydroxyl radical probe of the calmodulin-melittin complex interface by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The calcium-dependent interaction of calmodulin and melittin is studied through the application of a radical probe approach in which solutions of the protein and peptide and protein alone are subjected to high fluxes of hydroxyl and other oxygen radicals on millisecond timescales. These radicals are generated by an electrical discharge within an electrospray ion source of a mass spectrometer. Condensation of the electrosprayed droplets followed by proteolytic digestion of both calmodulin and melittin has identified residues in both which participate in the interaction and/or are shielded from solvent within the protein complex. Consistent with other theoretical models and available experimental data, the tryptophan residue of melittin at position 19 is shown to be critical to the formation of the complex with the C-terminal domain of peptide enveloped by and protected from oxidation upon binding to the protein. Furthermore, the N-terminal domain (to residue 36) and tyrosine at position 99 in calmodulin are significantly protected from limited oxidation upon the binding of melittin while exposing the phenylalanine residue at position 92 of the flexible loop domain. The N-terminus (through residue 36) of calmodulin is shown to lie in closer proximity to the melittin helix than its C-terminal counterpart (residues 127-148) based upon the protection levels measured at reactive residues within these segments of the protein.     

Computer experiments on crystalline nylons: structural analysis of nylons with large aliphatic segments

A theoretical study based on force-field calculations has been performed to investigate the structural preferences of crystalline even nylons n with large and very large aliphatic segments. Atomistic energy calculations and Monte Carlo simulations were carried out considering the conventional and forms of nylons 10, 12, 18, 24, and 32. Results indicated that the form is the most favored for nylons 10, 12, 18, and 24. However, the structure was unstable for nylon 32, a polymer in which the density of hydrogen bonds is almost negligible. In this case, the arrangement is energetically more favored than the one.     

The de novo methylation activity of Dnmt3a is distinctly different than that of Dnmt1

Background  

Though Dnmt1 is considered the primary maintenance methyltransferase and Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b are considered de novo methyltransferases in mammals, these three enzymes may work together in maintaining as well as establishing DNA methylation patterns. It has been proposed that Dnmt1 may carry out de novo methylation at sites in the genome with transient single-stranded regions, such as replication origins, and then spread methylation from these nucleation sites in vivo, even though such activity has not been reported.     

High-Yield Syntheses of Tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide and Tetra-O-pivaloyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide and their Advantage in the Koenigs-Knorr Reaction

Several improved approaches for the preparation of tetra-O-benzyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide and tetra-O-pivaloyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide are discussed. The importance of these compounds, which are useful glycosyl donors, was demonstrated by successful preparation of cholesteryl glucopyranosides in an almost neutral medium without the formation of orthoesters. In addition, accurate ¹H and ¹³C NMR resonance assignments of the synthesized cholesteryl glycosides were performed by 2D NMR spectroscopy.     

A kinetic approach to homogeneous Ziegler type polymerization. Steady state

In this paper we present a kinetic approach to the analysis of steady-state homogeneous Ziegler-Natta polymerization activity data. The influence of the number of monomeric species that are coordinated to the active site on the apparent rate law is discussed and the equations are fitted to the experimental results.     

Preparation and Chemical and Biological Studies of the Novel Complex μ-1,4,5-triphenyl-1,3,4-triazole-2-thiolate-bis[dichlorotriethylphosphineplatinum(II)]a

The mesoionic compound, 1,4,5-triazole-2-thiolate, is a versatile ligand, capable of binding metal centres in different ways. The present study shows how it reacts with the bridging platinum(II) complex μ-dichlorobis[(chlorotriethylphosphineplatinum(II)], [Pt₂(PEt₃)₂Cl₄], originating a bimetallic complex. Both the sulphur atom and nitrogen 3 behave as basic sites, coordinating different platinum centres. An interesting isomerization process, shown by ³¹P{¹H} n.m.r. spectroscopy, occurs at the S-bonded platinum moiety, resulting in a fluxional behaviour of the complex. It is also shown to target CT-DNA with moderate binding affinity.To the memory of Dr. Wagner M. Teles (1971–2004).     

Determining consanguinity by oligonucleotide fingerprinting with (GTG)5/(CAC)5

Simple tandemly organized (GTG)n/(CAC)n sequences are spread throughout the human chromosomes. The most informative DNA fingerprints for the testing of pedigrees and/or paternity were obtained with the simple triplet repeat probe (GTG)5 or its complement (CAC)5. These hypervariable simple-repeat fragments are stably inherited in a Mendelian fashion. Using these highly discriminating probes, all human individuals could, theoretically, be differentiated, except for genetically identical monozygotic twins. Examples from actual case work are reported and pertinent advantages of this methodology are discussed.     

Determination of uranium by XRF analysis following its preconcentration with some organic precipitants

The determination of uranium in natural waters by XRF analysis after its preconcentration with some organic precipitants is described.¹⁰⁹Cd source is used for the excitation of L-series X-rays of uranium. Separation yield, kinetics of coprecipitation and the possibility of preparing thin-layer samples for XRF analysis were studied in detail for uranium concentration with α-nitroso-β-naphtol, methylene blue with ammonium thiocyanate, tannin with urotropine and other precipitants. A procedure using coprecipitation of uranium with α-nitroso-β-naphtol from 500 ml samples of surface or waste, waters is proposed.     

Kinetic determination of tellurium based on its inhibitory effect on the palladium(II)-catalysed reaction between pyronine G and hypophosphite ion

A kinetic method for the determination of Te based on its inhibitory effect on the PdII-catalysed reaction between pyronine G and H2PO2- is described. The influence of experimental variables on the rate of the process and the potential interfering effect of a large number of ions has been studied. Under the selected experimental conditions: 6 x 10(-5) M pyronine G; 0.6 M H2PO2-; pH 2.6, adjusted with Britton-Robinson buffer; 0.80 microgram ml-1 of PdII; and a temperature of 22 +/- 0.2 degrees C, Te was determined in the concentration range 0.08-0.85 microgram ml-1. The method was applied to the determination of Te in waters and lead concentrates.