Synthesis of tetracontapeptide--a hypothetical evolutionary precursor of calcium-binding proteins. I. Synthesis of (1-9), (10-14), (15-20), (21-26), (29-33), (34-40) fragments

Fragments (1-9), (10-14), (15-20), (21-26), (29-33) and (34-40) of a tetracontapeptide hypothetical ancestor of calcium-binding proteins were synthesised with the use of pentafluorophenyl esters. Formation of a succinimide derivative was detected during synthesis of fragment (15-20) containing Asp(OBzl)-Gly sequence. To avoid this side process, tert-butylprotecting group was used instead of benzyl group. alpha-Carboxyls of C-terminal amino acids were protected by phenacyl group.     

Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of series ternary lanthanide (Eu(III), Sm(III), Nd(III), Er(III), Yb(III)) complexes containing 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedionate and carbazole-functionalized ligand

A series of new ternary lanthanide complexes Ln(TFNB)₃L (where Ln = Eu, Sm, Nd, Er, Yb, TFNB = 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-naphthyl)-1,3-butanedionate, L = 1-(4-carbazolylphenyl)-2-pyridinyl benzimidazole) have been synthesised. The photoluminescence properties and TGA of them are described in detail. The trifluorinated ligand TFNB displays excellent antenna effect to sensitize the Ln(III) ions to emit characteristic spectra. The carbazole-containing ligand L is testified to be an outstanding synergistic ligand. The luminescence properties investigated and the quantum efficiency measured in dichloromethane solution of Eu(TFNB)₃L and Sm(TFNB)₃L show that the carbazole moiety is good at absorbing energy to sensitize the metal-centered emitting states and can make the complexes more rigid, provide efficient shielding of the Ln(III) core towards external quenching compared with the reference complexes of Eu(TFNB)₃(Pybm) and Sm(TFNB)₃(Pybm) (Pybm = 2-(2-pyridine)-benzimidazole) which have no carbazole unit. The quantum efficiency of Eu(TFNB)₃L in air-equilibrated CH₂Cl₂ solution is calculated to be 14.8% by using air-equilibrated aqueous [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺·2Cl⁻ solution as reference sample (Φ_std = 2.8%).     

Investigation of inclusion complexation of paclitaxel by cyclohenicosakis-(1-->2)-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl), by cyclic-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucans (cyclosophoraoses), and by cyclomaltoheptaoses (beta-cyclodextrins)

Inclusion complexation of the poorly soluble drug, paclitaxel, was investigated with various host cyclooligosaccharides such as a family of isolated neutral cyclohenicosakis-(1-->2)-(beta-D-glucopyranosyl) (cyclic-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucans, cyclosophoraoses), dimethyl cyclomaltoheptaose (cyclodextrins, DM-beta-CD) and hydroxypropyl cyclomaltoheptaose (cyclodextrins, HP-beta-CD). Quantitative analysis with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) indicated that all three cyclic oligosaccharides could increase the solubility of paclitaxel, where DM-beta-CD gave the best results and a family of cyclosophoraoses and HP-beta-CD, both gave similar results. Complexation of host molecules with paclitaxel was studied by NMR and fluorescence spectroscopic analyses. NMR spectroscopic analysis showed that the aromatic regions of paclitaxel experienced noticeable changes of the chemical shifts or peak shapes upon interaction with host molecules. The relatively bulky cyclosophoraoses allowed favorable accessibility to either the B-ring or A-ring of paclitaxel, while DM-beta-CD and HP-beta-CD allowed accessibility to all the aromatic rings including the C ring. The interaction of DM-beta-CD with paclitaxel greatly increased the fluorescence intensity compared with other host molecules, suggesting the more effective partitioning of a moderate fluorophore into a hydrophobic cluster adjacent to the C-ring of paclitaxel.     

JOURNEY TO THE GUGHÉ HIGHLANDS (SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA), 1948-9; BIOGEOGRAPHICAL RESEARCH AT HIGH ALTITUDES

Many of the happiest days of my life have been spent in the uplands of Abyssinia, enjoying the ever varying scenery of mountain, valley and plain, looking at the lovely flowers, plants, and trees, the birds with their gorgeous plumage, the animals and the butterflies, moths and insects, many of them being unknown in other countries. No day ever seemed to be too long, and I know of no country that would repay the botanist, naturalist, geologist or artist better, than a year passed collecting and studying the vaned objects to     

Medicinal importance of fungal β-(1→3), (1→6)-glucans

Non-cellulosic β-glucans are now recognized as potent immunological activators, and some are used clinically in China and Japan. These β-glucans consist of a backbone of glucose residues linked by β-(1→3)-glycosidic bonds, often with attached side-chain glucose residues joined by β-(1→6) linkages. The frequency of branching varies. The literature suggests β-glucans are effective in treating diseases like cancer, a range of microbial infections, hypercholesterolaemia, and diabetes. Their mechanisms of action involve them being recognized as non-self molecules, so the immune system is stimulated by their presence. Several receptors have been identified, which include: dectin-1, located on macrophages, which mediates β-glucan activation of phagocytosis and production of cytokines, a response co-ordinated by the toll-like receptor-2. Activated complement receptors on natural killer cells, neutrophils, and lymphocytes, may also be associated with tumour cytotoxicity. Two other receptors, scavenger and lactosylceramide, bind β-glucans and mediate a series of signal pathways leading to immunological activation. Structurally different β-glucans appear to have different affinities toward these receptors and thus generate markedly different host responses. However, the published data are not always easy to interpret as many of the earlier studies used crude β-glucan preparations with, for the most part, unknown chemical structures. Careful choice of β-glucan products is essential if their benefits are to be optimized, and a better understanding of how β-glucans bind to receptors should enable more efficient use of their biological activities.