The new genotypic human calicivirus isolated in Seoul

A new type of human calicivirus (HuCV) showing the classic cup-shaped surface morphology was identified in the stool sample from a child with symptoms of acute gastroenteritis in Seoul, Korea (SK virus). Genomic RNA was extracted directly from the stool sample, and the nucleotide sequence of 3.2 kb of the 3' end of SK virus was determined from cDNA. This region spanned sequences from the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RDRP) region in the open reading frame 1 (ORF1) to the 3' poly A tail. The non-structural and capsid protein coding sequences were fused in a single ORF as observed in Manchester type (Genogroup III). However, ORF2 of Manchester virus was missing in SK virus. In RDRP region, SK virus showed amino acid and nucleotide identities of 74-75% and 68-69% respectively, with those of Manchester virus, while showed 34-46% and 55-60% identities respectively with those of other human caliciviruses. However, capsid protein of SK virus showed a partial (29-46%) amino acid identity with those of other caliciviruses including Manchester type. The closest resemblance in amino acid (97-99%) and nucleotide sequence (85-86%) identities were found in RDRP region with Vanderbijlpark and Pretoria isolates recently found in South Africa. These results suggest that SK virus together with Vanderbijlpark and Pretoria isolates belong to a new type different from Manchester virus.     

Determination of sulfur-containing amino acids by capillary electrophoresis dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Capillary electrophoresis dynamic reaction cell™ inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (CE-DRC-ICP-MS) for the determination of sulfur-containing amino acids is described. The sulfur-containing amino acids studied include l-cysteine, l-cystine, dl-homocystine and l-methionine. The species studied were well separated using a 70 cm length×75 μm i.d. fused silica capillary while the applied voltage was set at +22 kV and a 10 mmol l⁻¹ disodium tetraborate buffer (pH 9.8) containing 0.1 mmol l⁻¹ EDTA and 0.5 mmol l⁻¹ Triton X-100 was used as the electrophoretic buffer. The sulfur-selective electropherogram was determined at m/z 48 as by using its reaction with O₂ in the reaction cell. The method avoided the effect of polyatomic isobaric interferences at m/z 32 caused by and on by detecting as the oxide ion at m/z 48, which is less interfered. The detection limit of various species studied was in the range of 0.047-0.058 μg S ml⁻¹, which corresponded to the absolute detection limit of 1.3-1.6 pg S based on the injection volume of 27 nl. We determined the concentrations of selected sulfur-containing amino acids in urine and nutritive complement samples. The recovery was in the range of 92-128% for various species.     

Preparation of 3-Aryl-4-(5-ARYL-Δ2-1,2,4-Oxadiazolin-3-YL)Sydnones and their Conversion into 3-ARYL-4-(5-ARYL-1,2,4-Oxadiazol-3-YL)Sydnones

3-Aryl-4-(5-aryl-Δ²-1,2,4-oxadiazolin-3-yl)sydnones (5) were synthesized in high yields by the reaction of 3-arylsydnone-4-carboxamide oximes (prepared from the corresponding 3-arylsydnone-4-carbonitriles) with aromatic aldehydes in the presence of acid catalysts. No reaction occurred when aliphatic aldehydes were used. The oxadiazolin-3-ylsydnones (5) were easily converted into the corresponding 3-aryl-4-(5-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl)sydnones by N-bromosuccinimide oxidation. The 3-arylsydnone-4-carbonitrile oxides were synthesized in good yields by N-bromosuccinimide oxidation of the corresponding 3-arylsydnone-4-carboxaldehyde oximes.     

The β-Carboline Analog Mana-Hox Causes Mitotic Aberration by Interacting with DNA

Mana-Hox, an analog of beta-carbolines with anticancer activity, induces aberrant mitosis and delays mitotic exit. However, the cellular target is not known. In this study, we visualized the intracellular localization of Mana-Hox. Mana-Hox rapidly penetrated into cells (within 1 min) and concentrated on disorganized metaphase chromosomes after 13 hr of exposure. We demonstrated that Mana-Hox is a noncovalent DNA binder that can interact with DNA through intercalation and/or through minor groove binding. Furthermore, Mana-Hox also inhibits topoisomerase II relaxation activity in vitro, suggesting that Mana-Hox could perturb mitotic chromosome decatenation. Overall, Mana-Hox binding to DNA plays a critical role in the induction of aberrant mitosis and contributes to its anticancer activity.     

Effects of combined photodynamic therapy and ionizing radiation on human glioma spheroids

The effects of combined photodynamic therapy (PDT) and ionizing radiation are studied in a human glioma spheroid model. The degree of interaction between the two modalities depends in a complex manner on factors such as PDT irradiation fluence, fluence rate and dose of ionizing radiation. It is shown that gamma radiation and PDT interact in a synergistic manner only if both light fluence and gamma radiation dose exceed approximately 25 J cm(-2) and 8 Gy, respectively. Synergistic interactions are observed only for the lower fluence rate (25 mW cm(-2)) investigated. The degree of interaction appears to be independent of both sequence and the PDT or ionizing radiation time intervals investigated (1 and 24 h). Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick-end labeling assays show that low-fluence rate PDT is very efficient at inducing apoptotic cell death, whereas neither high-fluence rate PDT nor ionizing radiation produces significant apoptosis. Although the mechanisms remain to be elucidated, the data imply that the observed synergism is likely not due to gamma-induced cell cycle arrest or to PDT-induced inhibition of DNA repair.     

Comparing micellar electrokinetic chromatography and microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography for the analysis of preservatives in pharmaceutical and cosmetic products

In this study, separation and determination of nine preservatives ranging from hydrophilic to hydrophobic properties, which are commonly used as additives in various pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, by micellar electrokinetic chromatograpy (MEKC) and microemulsion electrokinetic chromatography (MEEKC) were compared. The effect of temperature, buffer pH, and concentration of surfactant on separation were examined. In MEKC, the separation resolution of preservatives improved markedly by changing the sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration. Temperature and pH of running buffers were used mainly to shorten the magnitude of separation time. However, in order to detect all preservatives in a single run in a MEEKC system, a microemulsion of higher pH was needed. The separation resolution was improved dramatically by changing temperature, and a higher concentration of SDS was necessary for maintaining a stable microemulsion solution, therefore the separation of the nine preservatives in MEEKC took longer than in MEKC. An optimum MEKC method for separation of the nine preservatives was obtained within 9.0 min with a running buffer of pH 9.0 containing 20 mM SDS at 25 degrees C. A separation with baseline resolution was also obtained within 16 min using a microemulsion of pH 9.5 which composed of SDS, 1-butanol, and octane, and a shorter capillary column at 34 degrees C. Finally, the developed MEKC and MEEKC methods determined successfully preservatives in various cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.     

Carbon-13 NMR Studies of Some Sydnone Derivatives

The natural abundance carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of 3-arylsydnone, 3-aryl-4-formylsydnone, 4-acetyl-3-arylsydnone, 3-aryl-4-cyanosydnone as well as some derivatives of the above compounds have been studied. The data indicate that the electron withdrawing effect on the C₄ atom of the sydnone ring decreases in the sequence: C≡N>COCH₃～CHO. The solvent effect on the chemical shift has also been investigated.     

Calorimetric study on oxidation of alumina supported rhodium by dioxygen

Rhodium particles in nanometer size were prepared by impregnating alumina powders with aqueous solutions containing rhodium salts. The dispersion (D) of rhodium crystallites on the prepared samples was estimated by dioxygen adsorption measured at 300 K. Phenomena of oxidizing the supported crystallites with 2.5 × 10⁴ Pa O₂ in a temperature range between 280 and 870 K were calorimetrically studied. Extent of oxidation may be distinguished into three stages, i.e., adsorption on surface (T < 300 K), progressive penetration into bulk, and formation of a stable bulk oxide (T> 700 K), on raising the oxidation temperature. Heat of dioxygen adsorption varies only slightly with the dispersion (D) of rhodium and has a value of 294 ± 6 kJ (mol O₂)⁻¹. Chemical stoichiometry of the bulk oxide formed, however, varies with the dispersion of rhodium crystallites. A dioxide (RhO₂) (_f H = 225 ± 3 kJ (mol O₂)⁻¹) and a sesquioxide (Rh₂O₃) (_f H = 273 ± 3 kJ (mol O₂)⁻¹) was formed at D < 60% and D> 80%,     

A Facile Synthesis of Bridged‐tricyclic Skeletons via Intramolecular Diels‐Alder Reaction of Cyclic 1,3‐Dienes Containing an α,β‐Unsaturated Ester

Intramolecular Diels‐Alder reaction (IMDA) precursors are easily available starting from addition of ester functionalized zinc‐copper reagents to cyclohexadienyl‐ and cycloheptadienylirontricarbonyl cation salts. The resulting cyclic 1,3‐dienes containing an α,β‐unsaturated ester functionality underwent smoothly IMDA reaction to afford bridged tricyclic compounds. Bridged heterotricyclic skeletons were also available via IMDA reaction of cyclic 1,3‐dienes bearing an imine or aldehyde functionality.     

Synthesis and crystal structure of the double cluster [Cp3Fe4(CO)4(C5H4)]2(p-C6H4)

[Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] (1) reacts with p-BrC₆H₄Li and MeOH in sequence to afford the functionalized cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (2), while the reaction of 2 with n-BuLi and MeOH produces [Cp₂Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄Bu)(C₅H₄-p-C₆H₄Br)] (3). The double cluster [Cp₃Fe₄(CO)₄(C₅H₄)]₂(p-C₆H₄) (4) has been prepared by treatment of [Cp₄Fe₄(CO)₄] with p-C₆H₄Li₂ and MeOH in sequence. The electrochemistry of 2 and 4, as well as the crystal structure of 4 have been investigated.