Macrocycle synthesis strategy based on step-wise “adding and reacting” three components enables screening of large combinatorial libraries

Macrocycles provide an attractive modality for drug development, but generating ligands for new targets is hampered by the limited availability of large macrocycle libraries. We have established a solution-phase macrocycle synthesis strategy in which three building blocks are coupled sequentially in efficient alkylation reactions that eliminate the need for product purification. We demonstrate the power of the approach by combinatorially reacting 15 bromoacetamide-activated tripeptides, 42 amines, and 6 bis-electrophile cyclization linkers to generate a 3780-compound library with minimal effort. Screening against thrombin yielded a potent and selective inhibitor (K_i = 4.2 ± 0.8 nM) that efficiently blocked blood coagulation in human plasma. Structure–activity relationship and X-ray crystallography analysis revealed that two of the three building blocks acted synergistically and underscored the importance of combinatorial screening in macrocycle development. The three-component library synthesis approach is general and offers a promising avenue to generate macrocycle ligands to other targets.

Combination of three efficient chemical reactions allows for solution-phase synthesis of 3780 macrocycles and identification of potent thrombin inhibitor.     

Rapid identification of environmental bacterial strains by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry

In recent years, various mass spectrometry procedures have been developed for bacterial identification. The accuracy and speed with which data can be obtained by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) could make this a powerful tool for environmental monitoring. However, minor variations in the sample preparation can influence the mass spectra significantly. Therefore, the first objectives of this study were the adjustment and the optimization of experimental parameters allowing a rapid identification of whole bacterial cells without laborious sample preparation. The tested experimental parameters were matrix, extraction solvent, salt content, deposition method, culture medium and incubation time. This standardized protocol was applied to identify reference and environmental bacterial strains of Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Acinetobacter. The environmental bacterial strains were isolated from sewage sludge using an original microextraction procedure based on repeated sonications and enzymatic treatments. The bacterial identification was realized by the observation of the respective genus-, species- and strain-specific biomarkers. This bacterial taxonomy could be completed within one hour, with minimal sample preparation, provided that sufficient bacteria had been collected prior to MALDI-TOF analysis.     

Host-guest-driven copolymerization of tetraphosphonate cavitands

The outstanding complexing properties of tetraphosphonate cavitands towards N‐methylpyridinium salts were exploited to realise a new class of linear and cyclic AABB supramolecular polymers through host–guest interactions. The effectiveness of the selected self‐association processes was tested by ¹H NMR studies, whereas microcalorimetric analyses clarified the binding thermodynamics and revealed the possibility of tuning entropic contributions by acting on the flexibility of the guest linker. Although the formation of linear polymeric chains for a rigid system was demonstrated by X‐ray analysis, the presence of a concentration‐dependent ring–chain equilibrium was indicated by solution viscosity measurements in the case of a very flexible ditopic BB guest co‐monomer.     

Hybrid nanoparticle design based on cationized gelatin and the polyanions dextran sulfate and chondroitin sulfate for ocular gene therapy

We describe the development of hybrid nanoparticles composed of cationized gelatin and the polyanions CS and DS for gene therapy in the ocular surface. The physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles that impact their bioperformance, such as average size and zeta potential, can be conveniently modulated by changing the ratio of polymers and the crosslinker. These systems associate plasmid DNA and are able to protect it from DNase I degradation. We corroborate that the introduction of CS or DS in the formulation decreases the in vitro toxicity of the nanoparticles to human corneal cells without compromising the transfection efficiency. These nanoparticles are potential candidates for the development of safer and more effective nanomedicines for ocular therapy.     

Molar extinction coefficients of some carbohydrates in aqueous solutions

Molar extinction coefficients of some carbohydrates viz. l-arabinose (C₅H₁₀O₅), d-glucose (C₆H₁₂O₆), d-mannose (C₆H₁₂O₆), d-galactose (C₆H₁₂O₆), d(-) fructose (C₆H₁₂O₆) and maltose (C₁₂H₂₄O₁₂) in aqueous solutions have been determined at 81, 356, 511, 662, 1173 and 1332 keV by gamma ray transmission method in a narrow beam good geometry set-up. These coefficients have been found to depend upon the photon energy following a 4-parameter polynomial. These extinction coefficients for different sugars having the same molecular formula have same values varying within experimental uncertainty. Within concentration ranges studied, Beer-Lambert law is obeyed very well.     

The role of different soil sample digestion methods on trace elements analysis: a comparison of ICP-MS and INAA measurement results

The measurement of trace-element concentration in soil, sediment and waste, is generally a combination of a digestion procedure for dissolution of elements and a subsequent measurement of the dissolved elements. “Partial” and “total” digestion methods can be used in environmental monitoring activities. To compare measurement results obtained by different methods, it is crucial to determine and to maintain control of the bias of the results obtained by these methods. In this paper, ICP-MS results obtained after matrix digestion with modified aqua regia (HCl+HNO₃+H₂O₂) method and two “total” digestion methods (microwave aqua regia+HF and HNO₃+HF) are compared with those obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis, a non-destructive analytical method for the determination of the total mass concentrations of inorganic components in environmental matrices. The comparison was carried out on eight agricultural soil samples collected in one test area and measured by k₀-INAA and ICP-MS to determine As, Co, Cr, Sb and Zn mass concentration. The bias of results for As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Sb and Zn of the three digestion methods were assessed using selected measurement standards. This paper highlights that the digestion procedure is an integral part of the measurement and can affect the measurement result in environmental analysis.     

Structure of a 4:1:4 supramolecular assembly of neutral TiiiiPO cavitands and tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium)porphyrin iodide

Four tetraphosphorylated TiiiiPO cavitands 1 encapsulate the pyridinium heads of a tetrakis(N-methylpyridinium)porphyrin iodide to form a 4:1:4 (host)4/guest4+/4I- complex. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis shows the arrangement of the four cavities bound to the CH3N+ groups of the porphyrin moiety and the four iodide anions nested between the phenethyl substituents of the hosts. 1H NMR investigations show that the structure is preserved in chloroform solution and underscore the effect of the counteranions.