Synthesis of gramicidin S and its analogues via an on-resin macrolactamization assisted by a predisposed conformation of the linear precursors

A simple and efficient preparation of gramicidin S and its analogues is described. It involves solid-phase peptide synthesis and on-resin macrolactamization without side chain protection, affording cyclic products in high yield and high purity. The high specificity of the cyclization reaction was shown to originate in the formation of a pre-organized conformation of the linear biosynthetic precursor of gramicidin S. This facile method will provide convenient access to the analogues of the natural product for functional optimization to counter microbial resistance.     

SUPERCRITICAL-PHASE PROCESS FOR SELECTIVE SYNTHESIS OF HEAVIER HYDROCARBONS FROM SYNGAS OVER ARu/Al_2O_3 CATALYST

在Ｒｕ／Ａｌ２Ｏ３催化剂上进行了超临界条件下的固定床费托合成。研究了催化剂孔尺寸、α－Ｃ１４烯共进料和反应温度对费托合成产物分布的影响     

Study on Arc Movement in Hollow Electrode Plasma Generators with Impressed Double Magnetic Fields

In order to prolong cathode lifetime of hollow electrode plasma generators, a method of impressed double magnetic fields with an alternating frequency is presented in this paper. The alternating frequency of the double magnetic fields is an important factor that influences the erosion rate on the area between the two coils' central planes. By analyzing the arc movement in the hollow cathode with a simplified theoretical model, the spiral curve shape of the radial arc and the relationship between the optimal alternating frequency and the intensity of magnetic fields are obtained. A photoelectric method is employed to measure the arc root rotation speed in the hollow cathode, and then the optimal alternating frequency is calculated as 319 Hz for the experimental conditions. The life testing with this alternating frequency showed that the cathode lifetime could be prolonged significantly.     

Study of the interaction of Zn^2＋ with Aβ（10-21） by fluorescamine assay

Zinc may play a role as a co-factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease(AD)through influencing the conformation and neurotoxicity of amyloidβ-protein(Aβ).Using the fluorescamine assay,we show for the first time that Zn~(2 )induced Aβ(10-21) aggregate in a concentration-dependent manner.These results indicate that Aβ(10-21)can be used as an in vitro model in Zn~(2 )- induced Aβaggregation and that the region 10-21 to be the minimal fragment of zinc-binding domain of full length Aβ(1-42).     

Preparation of ZnO colloids by aggregation of the nanocrystal subunits

Colloidal ZnO particles with narrow size distribution were prepared via a sol-gel process by base-catalyzed hydrolysis of zinc acetate. The morphology of ordered arrays of the particles was recorded by SEM. SEM also reveals that these uniform particles were composed of tiny ZnO subunits (singlets) sized of several nanometers. The size of the singlets, which is confirmed by X-ray diffraction and UV-vis absorption spectra, increases as the aging time is prolonged. The size-selective formation of colloids by aggregation of nanosized subunits is proposed to consist of two-stage growth by nucleation of nanosized crystalline primary particles and their subsequent aggregation into polycrystalline secondary colloids. The aggregates are all spherical because the internal rearrangement processes are fast enough. The ZnO colloids, i.e., the aggregates, tend to self-assemble into well-ordered hexagonal close-packed structures. Room-temperature photoluminescence was characterized for green and aged ZnO.     

Surface modification of surface sol-gel derived titanium oxide films by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and non-specific protein adsorption studies

Biological events occurring at the implant-host interface, including protein adsorption are mainly influenced by surface properties of the implant. Titanium alloys, one of the most widely used implants, has shown good biocompatibility primarily through its surface oxide. In this study, a surface sol-gel process based on the surface reaction of metal alkoxides with a hydroxylated surface was used to prepare ultrathin titanium oxide (TiOx) coatings on silicon wafers. The oxide deposited on the surface was then modified by self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of silanes with different functional groups. Interesting surface morphology trends and protein adhesion properties of the modified titanium oxide surfaces were observed as studied by non-specific protein binding of serum albumin. The surface properties were investigated systematically using water contact angle, ellipsometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) measurements. Results showed that the surface sol-gel process predominantly formed homogeneous, but rough and porous titanium oxide layers. The protein adsorption was dependent primarily on the silane chemistry, packing of the alkyl chains (extent of van der Waals interaction), morphology (porosity and roughness), and wettability of the sol-gel oxide. Comparison was made with a thermally evaporated TiOx-Ti/Si-wafer substrate (control). This method further extends the functionalization of surface sol-gel derived TiOx layers for possible titanium alloy bioimplant surface modification.     

Self-assembly of a series of novel metal-organic compounds containing ferrocenecarboxylate components

Using FcCOONa (Fc = (eta(5)-C(5)H(5))Fe(eta(5)-C(5)H(4))) as starting material, we obtained an unprecedented metal-organic coordination polymer containing ferrocenecarboxylate components [[Pb(2)(FcCOO)(eta(2)-FcCOO)(mu(2)-eta(2)-FcCOO)(mu(3)-eta(2)-FcCOO)(CH(3)OH)].1.5CH(3)OH.H(2)O](n) (1), tetramer [Zn(4)(mu(2)-FcCOO)(6)(mu(4)-O)] (2), and coordination polymers [Pb(FcCOO)(mu(2)-FcCOO)(bpe)](n) (3) (bpe = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethene), [[Zn(FcCOO)(2)(bpt)].2.5H(2)O](n) (4) (bpt = N,N'-bis(3-pyridylmethyl)thiourea), and [Zn(FcCOO)(eta(2)-FcCOO)(bbp)](n) (5) (bbp = 4,4'-trimethylene-dipyridine). Compounds 1 and 2 are formed by ferrocenecarboxylate units coordinating with Pb(II) or Zn(II). In polymer 1, ferrocenecarboxylate units have four kinds of coordinate modes; just these novel coordinate modes lead to the unprecedented one-dimensional polymer where two kinds of rhomboids are arranged alternatively along the chain. Compound 2 is a tetramer, in which a distinct connectivity of the six ferrocene units is established through the four Zn atoms. Compounds 3-5 are obtained by organic ligands bridging Pb(II) or Zn(II), leading to a new type of metal-organic coordination polymer.     

Novel 99mTc labeled σ receptor ligand as a potential tumor imaging agent

A novel ^99mTc labeled complex, [N-[2-((2-oxo-2-(4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazin-1-yl)ethyl) (2-mercaptoethyl)amino)acetyl]-2-aminoethanethiolato]Technetium(V) oxide (PPPE-MAMA’-^99mTcO) ([ ^99m Tc]-2) has been designed and prepared based on the integrated approach. The corresponding rhenium complex (PPPE-MAMA’-ReO)(Re-2) has been prepared and characterized. In vitro competition binding assays show moderate affinity of Re-2 towards σ₁ and σ₂ receptors with K _i values of 8.67 ± 0.07 and 5.71 ± 1.88 μmol, respectively. Planar images obtained at 0.5 h, 4 h, 20 h after i.v. injection indicate the accumulation of [ ^99m Tc]-2 in MCF-7 human breast tumor bearing mice at 20 h. Furthermore, the accumulation of [ ^99m Tc]-2 has been inhibited at 20 h after co-injection of [ ^99m Tc]-2 plus haloperidol (1 mg/kg). Biodistribution studies of [ ^99m Tc]-2 display an in vivo tumor uptake of 0.14% ± 0.01% ID/g at 24 h post i.v. injection with a tumor/muscle ratio of 6.02 ± 0.87. The above results suggest that [ ^99m Tc]-2, derived from a previously published lead compound, retains certain tumor uptake and affinity for σ receptors. [ ^99m Tc]-2 may be used as a basis for further structural modifications to develop tumor imaging agents with high affinity for σ receptors.     

Phase relationships in the system Y2O3-ZrO2

Russian Chemical Bulletin -     

Sigma-aromaticity and sigma-antiaromaticity in saturated inorganic rings

The magnetic properties of a series of inorganic saturated rings, (SiH2)n, (GeH2)n, (NH)n, (PH)n, (AsH)n, On, Sn, and Sen (n = 3-6), exhibit zigzag behavior with ring size resembling that of aromatic and antiaromatic Hückel pi-systems and (CH2)n rings. Computed GIAO-SCF nucleus-independent chemical shifts (NICS) and localized (LMO) NICS analysis indicate that the sigma-ring electrons are chiefly responsible for this zigzag behavior. This evidence for sigma-aromaticity is further supported by theoretical strain energy (TSE). The Hückel 4n + 2/4n aromaticity/antiaromaticity rule for pi-electron systems applies well to the smaller saturated rings.