Comparative solution and solid-phase glycosylations toward a disaccharide library

A comparative study on solution-phase and solid-phase oligosaccharide synthesis was performed. A 16-member library containing all regioisomers of Glc–Glc, Glc–Gal, Gal–Glc, and Gal–Gal disaccharides was synthesized both in solution and on solid phase. The various reaction conditions for different approaches and corresponding yields are analyzed and discussed.     

One year follow-up of patients after successful helicobacter pylori eradication therapy

The aim of this study was to investigate the Helicobacter pylori (Hp) status of patients who underwent successful eradication therapy 1 year prior to the study and to evaluate their current symptoms. Methods: all of the patients were initially evaluated by oesophago-gastro-bulboscopy and the Hp status was determined by at least two different methods [rapid urease test, histology or urea breath test (UBT)]. The Hp infection was treated with a 1-week triple therapy protocol, and the UBT was repeated 4–6 weeks later. We invited back 110 patients who had negative post-eradication UBT results 12±3 months prior to the study period. UBT was repeated and a questionnaire was completed about the previous and present complaints and medication. Results: 80 of the 110 patients (73%) came back for the follow-up. Twenty five patients had peptic ulcer disease, 36 patients had gastritis or duodenitis without erosive lesions, and 19 patients had erosive form of gastritis or duodenitis initially. All of the patients except one in the erosive gastritis group had negative control UBT 1 year after the eradication, which means 1.25% recurrence rate within 1 year. The eradication therapy completely revealed the symptoms of 16 patients in the ulcer group (64%), 13 patients in the gastroduodenitis group (36%, P=0.03 vs. ulcer patients), 10 patients with erosive gastroduodenitis (52%), but this was only temporary. One year after the eradication therapy seven of the ulcer patients (28%), 11 patients with gastroduodenitis (31%) and seven patients with erosive gastroduodenitis (37%) were symptom-free. Most of the patients had epigastric pain (44%), heartburn (43%) and/or abdominal distension (33%). Nine ulcer patients (36%), 10 patients with gastroduodenitis (28%) and five patients with erosive gastroduodenitis (26%) were taking H₂-blockers regularly. Conclusion: the 1-month post-eradication UBT was probable true negative in all of the evaluated cases, since 79 patients (98.75%) were also negative after 1 year. The Hp recurrence rate is very low (1.25%) in a 1-year period. The symptoms were relieved shortly after eradication therapy in the majority of patients with ulcer disease or erosive lesions. However, significantly smaller portion of the patients with gastroduodenitis became symptom-free. Only about one third of the treated patients remained symptom-free 1 year after the eradication.     

A tightly bound chromosome antigen is detected by monoclonal antibodies in a ring-like structure on human centromeres

Monoclonal antibodies (Mabs) were raised against isolated Chinese hamster protein-depleted chromosomes Chromosome scaffolds) in order to probe for components involved in the higher-order structure of mammalian chromosomes. One of the Mabs detected a ring-like structure in metaphase at the centromere, which is conserved between Chinese hamster and human cells. Additionally, the Mab stained the centrioles in interphase cells in these two species. The antigen was enriched in chromosomal protein preparations by comparison with nuclear protein samples, and has an apparent Mr=170,000. The centromere antigen remained present in chromosome scaffold preparations, indicating that it was tightly associated with DNA. The antigen was distinct in its centromeric localisation from any of the centromere antigens reported to date. A possible role of the antigen in stabilising the centromere, by holding the sister chromatids together until their separation at the metaphase-anaphase transition is presented.     

A simple method for synthesizing [γ-32P]nucleoside triphosphates using [32P]acetylphosphate and acetate kinase

A simple, rapid, and inexpensive method is described for the synthesis of γ-³²P-labeled ribo- or deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates. The procedure involves chemical synthesis of [³²P]acetylphosphate and subsequent phosphorylation of nucleoside diphosphates using acetate kinase (EC 2.7.2.1) and a final purification step. The entire procedure is performed 8 h or less.     

Albumin-binding PARACEST agents

Lanthanide complexes (Eu³⁺, Gd³⁺ and Yb³⁺) of two different 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid tetraamide derivatives containing two (2) and four (3) O-benzyl-l-serine amide substituents were synthesized and their chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) and relaxometric properties were examined in the presence and absence of human serum albumin (HSA). Both Eu2 and Eu3 display a significant CEST effect from a single slowly exchanging Eu³⁺-bound water molecule, making these PARACEST complexes potentially useful as vascular MRI agents. Yb2 also showed a detectable CEST effect from both the Yb³⁺-bound water protons and the exchangeable NH amide protons, making it potentially useful as a vascular pH sensor. Fluorescence displacement studies using reporter molecules indicate that both Gd2 and Gd3 displace dansylsarcosine from site II of HSA with inhibition constants of 32 and 96 μM, respectively, but neither complex significantly displaces warfarin from site I. Water proton relaxation enhancements of 135 and 171% were observed upon binding of Gd2 and Gd3 to HSA, respectively, at 298 K and pH 7.4.     

Effects of Dichloroacetate on Brain Pyruvate Dehydrogenase

The action of dichloroacetate (DCA) on pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) activity of rat brain has been studied in vitro and in vivo. In a crude brain mitochondrial fraction, DCA inhibits PDH kinase and in rat brain slices this compound increases PDH activity and stimulates glucose oxidation. In the whole animal, intraperitoneal injection of DCA causes activation of brain PDH, indicating that this inhibitor crosses the blood-brain barrier. The same treatment with DCA also produced a large increase in heart PDH activity. Further studies of the effects of DCA on the CNS should lead to results of considerable importance.     

XYY chromosomal complement,proven by fluorescence,in a child with trisomy 21: 48,XYY,21+

Summary Clinical, cytogenetic, autoradiographic, fluorescence microscopic and dermatoglyphic data of a boy with 48,XYY,21+ karyotype are reported. The child had some clinical anomalies common in Down's syndrome. DNA replication of the 2 Y chromosomes was synchronous in all labelled metaphases. It was possible to distinguish the two Y's from the pairs No. 21-22 under the fluorescence microscope and single as well as double Y bodies were demonstrated in buccal mucosa cells. Dermatoglyphic investigation revealed some features typical for mongolism.     

Acetalation of 1,6-anhydro-1(6)-thio-D-glucitol

Acetalation of 1,6-anhydro-1(6)-thio-D-glucitol (1a) with acetone, formaldehyde, or benzaldehyde afforded 2,3:4,5-diacetals (2a, 2b, and 2c) whose structure, after desulfurization, was proved by mass spectrometry. Upon partial hydrolysis of 2a, one of the isopropylidene groups was split off, and the other migrated to O-3,O-4 to give 4b. In 4b, in the stable conformation, OH-2 occupies an equatorial position, whereas OH-5 is axially oriented. Accordingly, OH-2 reacts faster than OH-5 on methylation of 4b, giving 4e. Hydrolysis of the isopropylidene group of the 2,5-di-O-methyl derivative 4d and subsequent mesylation afforded the corresponding 3,4-di-O-mesyl compound 1c, which showed significant ulcerostatic activity.