Using a non-invasive stable isotope tracer to measure the absorption of water in humans

The development of solutions that prevent dehydration or promote adequate re-hydration play a vital role in preventing fatigue during exercise, however, the methods commonly used to assess the hydration ability of such solutions are invasive and often assess the components of absorption separately. This paper describes using a non-invasive deuterium tracer technique that assesses gastric emptying and intestinal absorption simultaneously to evaluate the uptake of water during rest and exercise. The kinetics of absorption are further examined by mathematical modelling of the data generated. For the rest group, 0.05 g/kg of body weight of deuterium, contained in gelatine capsules, was ingested with ordinary tap water and saliva samples were collected every 5 min for one hour while the subject remained seated. The deuterium was administered as above for the exercise group but sample collection was during one hour of exercise on a treadmill at 55% of the subject's maximum heart rate. The enrichment data for each subject were mathematically modelled and the parameters obtained were compared across groups using an independent samples t-test. Compared with the rest condition, the exercise group showed delayed absorption of water as indicated by significant differences for the modelling parameters t2, t1/2, maximum absorption rate and solution absorption amount at t1. Labelling with a deuterium tracer is a good measure of the relative rate ingested fluids are absorbed by the body. Mathematical modelling of the data generates rates of maximum absorption and allows calculation of the percentage of the solution that is absorbed at any given time during the testing period.     

The synthesis of anthracyclinones-ii : The synthesis of 7,9-bisdeoxycarminomycinone and -daunomycinone

7,9-Bisdeoxycarminomycinone has been synthesised from 5-hydroxyquinizarin by two annelation routes involving nitronate addition to C-2 and aldol condensation at C-3. 4-Demethoxy-7,9-bisdeoxydaunomycinone has been synthesised efficiently by similar methods.     

Vibrational Spectroscopic Investigations of M(Imidazole)2Ni(CN)4·2 Dioxane Clathrates

Four new clathrates of the formula M(Im)2Ni(CN)4·2·Dioxane (where M = Co, Ni, Cu, Cd; Im = Imidazole) have been prepared in powder form and their FT-IR and laser-Raman spectra are reported for the first time. These clathrates are analogues to the previously reported classical Hofmann type clathrates except for the copper clathrate. The Cu clathrate has different spectral features in comparison with its analogues due to the Jahn-Teller effect.     

Asymmetric synthesis and applications of beta-amino Weinreb amides: asymmetric synthesis of (S)-coniine

Conjugate addition of lithium (S)-N-benzyl-N-alpha-methylbenzylamide to a range of alpha, beta-unsaturated Weinreb amides proceeds with high levels of diastereoselectivity (>95% de). The beta-amino Weinreb amide products may be transformed into beta-amino ketones via reactions with Grignard reagents, while treatment with DIBAL-H furnishes beta-amino aldehydes. Trapping of the aldehyde via Wadsworth-Emmons reaction and subsequent manipulation offers an efficient route to homochiral delta-amino acid derivatives and 2-substituted piperidines. The application of this methodology for the synthesis of (S)-coniine is demonstrated.     

Identification of 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate synthase as the molecular target for the antimicrobial action of (6s)-6-fluoroshikimate

(6S)-6-Fluoroshikimate has antimicrobial activity. The molecular basis of this effect had not been identified, but there was speculation that (6S)-6-fluoroshikimate is first converted in vivo into 2-fluorochorismate, which then could inhibit 4-amino-4-deoxychorismate synthase (ADCS). 2-Fluorochorismate was prepared from E-fluorophosphoenolpyruvate and erythose-4-phosphate by the sequential reactions of DAHP synthase, dehydroquinate synthase, dehydroquinase, shikimate dehydrogenase, EPSP synthase, and chorismate synthase. Inhibition studies on ADCS showed that it was inhibited rapidly and irreversibly by 2-fluorochorismate. Electrospray mass spectrometry of the inactivated enzyme showed an additional mass of 198 +/- 10 Da. A novel peptide of 1087.6 Da was identified in the HPLC trace for the tryptic digest of 2-fluorochorismate-inactivated ADCS. Sequencing of this peptide by MS/MS showed that the peptide corresponded to residues 272-279 with a modification of 206.1 Da on Lys-274. This observation is particularly exciting in the context of a recent proposal for the catalytic mechanism of ADCS.     

Improved method for the determination of the major neutral steroids and unconjugated bile acids in human faeces using capillary gas chromatography

An improved method has been developed for the determination of the major neutral steroids (cholesterol and 5 beta-cholestan-3 beta-ol) and unconjugated bile acids (deoxycholic acid and lithocholic acid) in human faeces, using capillary gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. The freeze-dried faecal sample was subjected to a two-stage Soxhlet extraction followed by an aqueous alkali-organic solvent partition step to separate neutral steroids from bile acids. The neutral steroids were analysed as their trimethylsilyl ether derivatives on an OV-1 capillary column. The bile acids were further purified on a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge and then fractionated on a Sep-Pak SIL cartridge. Unconjugated bile acids were analysed as their methyl ester-trimethylsilyl ether derivatives also on an OV-1 capillary column. Quantitation of neutral steroids and unconjugated bile acids was achieved by reference to appropriate internal standards, added to the faecal extract immediately after the Soxhlet extraction stage. The method is being used in a study of the effect of diet on the metabolic activity of human gut flora.     

Heterocycles by PtCl2-catalyzed intramolecular carboalkoxylation or carboamination of alkynes

PtCl2 constitutes a convenient catalyst for intramolecular hydroalkoxylation, carboalkoxylation, hydroamination, and carboamination reactions of alkynes, effecting the formation of substituted benzo[b]furan, indole-, and isochromene-1-one derivatives, respectively. This procedure allows for the transfer of (substituted) allyl, methoxymethyl (MOM), benzyloxymethyl (BOM), and (trimethylsilyl)ethoxymethyl (SEM) groups from oxygen to carbon and is compatible with functional groups that are susceptible to oxidative insertion of low valent metal species previously used for similar purposes. Although some of the reactions can even be carried out in air, the rates are significantly increased when conducted under an atmosphere of CO. A mechanistic rationale is proposed, implying activation of the alkyne by the carbophilic Pt(2+) template as the primary step of the catalytic cycle.     

Stereoselective synthesis of erythro-β-hydroxy carboxylic acids via iron acyl complexes

β-Hydroxy acyl ligands bound to (η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(PPh₃) are stereoselectively alkylated on the α-carbon to give after decomplexation erythro-β-hydroxy carboxylic acids.     

The asymmetric synthesis of trans-substituted cyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives

The asymmetric synthesis of trans-substituted cyclopropanecarboxylic acid derivatives is achieved via stereoselective nucleophilic methylene transfer to E-,β-unsaturated acyl ligands bound to the iron chiral auxiliary [(η⁵-C₅H₅)Fe(CO)(PPh₃)].