Conformational studies of 3,4-dideoxy furanoid sugar amino acid containing analogs of the receptor binding inhibitor of vasoactive intestinal peptide

Conformational analysis of vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor binding inhibitor Leu¹-Met²-Tyr³-Pro⁴-Thr⁵-Tyr⁶-Leu⁷-Lys⁸1 by various NMR techniques and constrained molecular dynamics (MD) simulation studies revealed that the molecule had a turn structure involving its Tyr³-Pro⁴-Thr⁵-Tyr⁶ moiety with intramolecular hydrogen bond between Tyr⁶NH→Tyr³CO. In order to mimic the structure of 1, peptidomimetic analogs 2-4 were synthesized using conformationally constrained scaffolds of 3,4-dideoxy furanoid sugar amino acids (2S,5R)-ddSaa1 5 and its enantiomer (2R,5S)-ddSaa2 6. All these analogs displayed well defined three-dimensional structures akin to that found in 1. Peptides 2 and 3, which differed only in the sugar amino acid stereochemistry, show propensity of structures with identical intramolecular hydrogen bonds between ThrNH→MetCO. A similar structure with a hydrogen bond between TyrNH→MetCO was observed in 4.     

Spectroscopic, cyclic voltammetric and biological studies of transition metal complexes with mixed nitrogen-sulphur (NS) donor macrocyclic ligand derived from thiosemicarbazide

The complexation of new mixed thia-aza-oxa macrocycle viz., 2,12-dithio-5,9,14,18-tetraoxo-7,16-dithia-1,3,4,10,11,13-hexaazacyclooctadecane containing thiosemicarba-zone unit with a series of transition metals Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) has been investigated, by different spectroscopic techniques. The structural features of the ligand have been studied by EI-mass, (1)H NMR and IR spectral techniques. Elemental analyses, magnetic moment susceptibility, molar conductance, IR, electronic, and EPR spectral studies characterized the complexes. Electronic absorption and IR spectra of the complexes indicate octahedral geometry for chloro, nitrato, thiocyanato or acetato complexes. The dimeric and neutral nature of the sulphato complexes are confirmed from magnetic susceptibility and low conductance values. Electronic spectra suggests square-planar geometry for all sulphato complexes. The redox behaviour was studied by cyclic voltammetry, show metal-centered reduction processes for all complexes. The complexes of copper show both oxidation and reduction process. The redox potentials depend on the conformation of central atom in the macrocyclic complexes. Newly synthesized macrocyclic ligand and its transition metal complexes show markedly growth inhibitory activity against pathogenic bacterias and plant pathogenic fungi under study. Most of the complexes have higher activity than that of the metal free ligand.     

Spectrophotometric determination of ruthenium(III) and iridium(TV) with 8-hydroxyquinoIine N-oxide

The spectrophotometric characteristics and the stability constants of the yellow to brown 1:1 and 1:2 complexes of platinum metals with oxine N-oxide (existing as chloro mixed-ligand complexes) have been investigated. Oxine N-oxide can be used as a spectrophotometric reagent for ruthenium(III) and iridium(IV).     

Line strengths and transition probabilities for allowed transitions in Fe XXI

Configuration interaction wavefunctions, transition energies, line strengths and transition probabilities for allowed transitions within then=2 complex of C-like Fe XXI have been calculated in the LS coupling scheme. We included internal, semi-internal, and all-external types of correlations. We compare our non-relativistic line strengths values with those of relativistic calculations in the Breit-Pauli approximation. The relativistic effects on line strengths are negligible for all transitions except for the transition¹ D ^e →¹ D ⁰. Experimental wavelengths are used in the calculation of transition probabilities.     

Protonated (protosolvated) onium ions (onlum dications)

In this short review we have shown the importance of protosolvation of onium ions (containing non-bonded pairs of electrons) in superacid catalyzed reactions. Such activation can result in unusual reactions such as aromatic alkylation with Meerwein’s salts, aliphatic nitration with nitronium ion, alkylation of saturated hydrocarbons, greatly enhanced activity of acyl cations, etc. Possibly such phenomena may be operative in hydroxylation reactions using protonated hydrogen peroxide in strong acid solutions. Even the reactivity of halonium ions could be enhanced by protosolvation. Consequently, electrophilic protosolvation may play a significant role in strogg acid catalyzed reactions.     

Extractive spectrophotometric determination of nitrite in polluted waters

Nitrite is diazotised with p-nitroaniline in hydrochloric acid and coupled with 8-quinolinol in alkaline medium to give a purple azo dye (λ_max = 550 nm, ? = 3.88 × 10⁴ l mol^-1 cm^-1). Extraction of the dye into 3-methyl-1-butanol shifts the absorption maximum to 570 nm and improves the apparent molar absorptivity to 5.852 × 10⁴ l mol^-1 cm^-1. Beer's law is obeyed for 0.01–0.06 ppm nitrite. The Sandell sensitivity is 0.00078 μg cm^-2. The method is applicable to polluted waters.     

Synthesis of 2- and 4-substituted 5,12-dihydroxy-6,11-dioxo-1-azanaphthacenes from 2-aminoquinizarine

The reaction of 2-aminoquinizarine with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds in presence of 10N-hydrochloric acid gives 2- and 4-substituted 5,12-dihydroxy-6,11-dioxo-1-azanaphthacenes.     

Toward a new generation of therapeutics

Scientific evidence in the prevention and treatment of various disorders is accumulating regarding probiotics. The health benefits supported by adequate clinical data include increased resistance to infectious disease, decreased duration of diarrhea, management of inflammatory bowel disease, reduction of serum cholesterol, prevention of allergy, modulation of cytokine gene expression, and suppression of carcinogen production. Recent ventures in metabolic engineering and heterologous protein expression have enhanced the enzymatic and immunomodulatory effects of probiotics and, with time, may allow more active intervention among critical care patients. In addition, a number of approaches are currently being explored, including the physical and chemical protection of cells, to increase probiotic viability and its health benefits. Traditional immobilization of probiotics in gel matrices, most notably calcium alginate and κ-carrageenan, has frequently been employed, with noted improvements in viability during freezing and storage. Conflicting reports exist, however, on the protection offered by immobilization from harsh physiologic environments. An alternative approach, microencapsulation in “artificial cells,” builds on immobilization technologies by combining enhanced mechanical stability of the capsule membrane with improved mass transport, increased cell loading, and greater control of parameters. This review summarizes the current clinical status of probiotics, examines the promises and challenges of current immobilization technologies, and presents the concept of artificial cells for effective delivery of therapeutic bacterial cells.