Interaction and lipid-induced conformation of two cecropin-melittin hybrid peptides depend on peptide and membrane composition

The interaction of two hybrid peptides of cecropin A and melittin [CA(1-8)M(1-18) and CA(1-7)M(2-9)] with liposomes was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), circular dichroism (CD), and quasi-elastic light scattering (QELS). The study was carried out with large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) of three different lipid compositions: 1,2-dimyristoil-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-rac-(1-glycerol) (DMPG) and a binary mixture of DMPC/DMPG, in a wide range of peptide-to-lipid (P:L) molar ratios (0 to 1:7). DSC results indicate that, for both peptides, the interaction depends on membrane composition, with very different behavior for zwitterionic and anionic membranes. CD data show that, although the two peptides have different secondary structures in buffer (random coil for CA(1-7)M(2-9) and predominantly beta-sheet for CA(1-8)M(1-18)), they both adopt an alpha-helical structure in the presence of the membranes. Overall, results are compatible with a model involving a strong electrostatic surface interaction between the peptides and the negatively charged liposomes, which gives place to aggregation in the gel phase and precipitation after a threshold peptide concentration. In the case of zwitterionic membranes, a progressive surface coverage with peptide molecules destabilizes the membrane, eventually leading to membrane disruption. Moreover, delicate modulations in behavior were observed depending on the peptide.     

The Effects of a Third Generation Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill on the Classical Singing Voice

The success of professional operatic singers depends upon the quality of their vocal mechanism. This is known to be sensitive to changes in the endocrine environment. Despite a widespread belief among singers that vocal quality changes according to the stage of the menstrual cycle, this has received little attention. In particular, the possibility that use of the contraceptive pill might stabilize vocal quality by "dampening" hormonal fluctuations has not previously been studied systematically. Here, we show that drospirenone containing oral contraceptive pill (Yasmin, Schering AG, West Sussex, UK) with antiandrogenic and antimineralocorticoid properties demonstrates a significant reduction in the irregularity of the pattern of vibration of the vocal folds during the performance of highly trained classical singers. This study constitutes the first double blind, randomized placebo controlled trial to assess the effects of the contraceptive pill on the patterns of vibration of the vocal folds during the performance of Western classical singing repertoire.     

Mass spectrometric study of aliphatic alpha-carbonyl azides

A series of derivatives of 2-azidoacetic acid and 2-azidoacetone were synthesized and their behaviour under electron ionization conditions was investigated. This paper reports the electron ionization fragmentation mechanisms for five aliphatic alpha-carbonyl azides, which were clarified by accurate mass measurements and B/E linked scans. The substituent influences the abundance and the nature of the ions resulting from the molecular ion fragmentation.     

Thermochemistry of 2,2′-dipyridil N-oxide and 2,2′-dipyridil N,N′-dioxide. The dissociation enthalpies of the N−O bonds

In this paper, the first, second and mean (N?O) bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs) were derived from the standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation, in the gaseous phase, ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{\text{f}}{H}_{\text{m}}^{°}(\text{g})$, at T = 298.15 K, of 2,2′-dipyridil N-oxide and 2,2′-dipyridil N,N′-dioxide. These values were calculated from experimental thermodynamic parameters, namely from the standard (p° = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation, in the crystalline phase, ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{\text{f}}{H}_{\text{m}}^{°}(\text{cr})$, at T = 298.15 K, obtained from the standard molar enthalpies of combustion, ${\mathrm{\Delta }}_{\text{c}}{H}_{\text{m}}^{°}$, measured by static bomb combustion calorimetry, and from the standard molar enthalpies of sublimation, at T = 298.15 K, determined from Knudsen mass-loss effusion method.     

Short Total Synthesis of Ajoene

We describe a short total synthesis of ajoene, a major biologically active constituent of garlic. The instability of allicin as the only other known alternative starting material has led to the development of a reliable procedure for the synthesis of ajoene from simple building blocks that is also suitable for upscale operations.     

Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenation and Acid Reactions of Furfural and 5-(Hydroxymethyl)furfural over Hf-TUD-1 Type Catalysts

Heterogeneous catalysis, which has served well the petrochemical industry, may valuably contribute towards a bio-based economy by sustainably enabling selective reactions to renewable chemicals. Carbohydrate-containing matter may be obtained from various widespread sources and selectively converted to furanic platform chemicals: furfural (Fur) and 5-(hydroxymethyl)furfural (Hmf). Valuable bioproducts may be obtained from these aldehydes via catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) using alcohols as H-donors under relatively moderate reaction conditions. Hafnium-containing TUD-1 type catalysts were the first of ordered mesoporous silicates explored for the conversion of Fur and Hmf via CTH/alcohol strategies. The materials promoted CTH and acid reactions leading to the furanic ethers. The bioproducts spectrum was broader for the reaction of Fur than of Hmf. A Fur reaction mechanism based on literature data was discussed and supported by kinetic modelling. The influence of the Hf loading and reaction conditions (catalyst load, type of alcohol H-donor, temperature, initial substrate concentration) on the reaction kinetics was studied. The reaction conditions were optimized to maximize the yields of 2-(alkoxymethyl)furan ethers formed from Fur; up to 63% yield was reached at 88% Fur conversion, 4 h/150 °C, using Hf-TUD-1(75), which was a stable catalyst. The Hf-TUD-1(x) catalysts promoted the selective conversion of Hmf to bis(2-alkoxymethyl)furan; e.g., 96% selectivity at 98% Hmf conversion, 3 h/170 °C for Hf-TUD-1(50).     

A New Synthesis of Charge‐Neutral Tris‐Pyrazolyl and ‐Methimazolyl Borate Ligands

The dimethylamine in the adducts [(HNMe₂)B(azolyl)₃] (azolyl=methimazolyl, pyrazolyl), obtained by reaction of the azole with B(NMe₂)₃, can readily be substituted with a range of nitrogen donors to provide new charge‐neutral, tripodal ligands in high yield. This observation has led to a revision of an earlier interpretation of the mechanism of the formation of these species. The donor properties of the ligands [(nmi)B(azolyl)₃] (nmi=N‐methylimidazole) have been compared with their anionic analogues [HB(azolyl)₃]^? by synthesis of their manganese(I)–tricarbonyl complexes and comparison of their infrared ν_CO energies. This comparison indicates that the new neutral ligands are only marginally weaker donors than the corresponding anionic hydrotris(azolyl)borate ligands. This may be explained by the ability of the attached nmi ring to stabilize a positive charge remotely from the coordinated metal, which may also account for the fact that the [(nmi)B(pyrazolyl)₃] ligand is a substantially stronger donor than the similarly neutral tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand.