Polarized light based scheme to monitor column performance in a continuous foam fractionation column

Background  

A polarized light scattering technique was used to monitor the performance of a continuously operated foam fractionation process. The S ₁₁ and S ₁₂ parameters, elements of the light scattering matrix, combined together (S ₁₁ +S ₁₂) have been correlated with the bubble size and liquid content for the case of a freely draining foam. The performance of a foam fractionation column is known to have a strong dependence on the bubble size distribution and liquid hold up in foam. In this study the enrichment is used as a metric, representative of foam properties and column performance, and correlated to the S ₁₁ +S ₁₂ parameter.     

Inhibition of beta(S)-chain dependent polymerization by synergistic complementation of contact site perturbations of alpha-chain: application of semisynthetic chimeric alpha-chains

Mouse alpha(1-30)-horse alpha(31-141) chimeric alpha-chain, a semisynthetic super-inhibitory alpha-chain, inhibits beta(S)-chain dependent polymerization better than both parent alpha-chains. Although contact site sequence differences are absent in the alpha(1-30) region of the chimeric chain, the four sequence differences of the region alpha(17-22) could induce perturbations of the side chains at alpha(16), alpha(20) and alpha(23), the three contact sites of the region. A synergistic complementation of such contact site perturbation with that of horse alpha(31-141) probably results in the super-inhibitory activity of the chimeric alpha-chain. The inhibitory contact site sequence differences, by themselves, could also exhibit similar synergistic complementation. Accordingly, the polymerization inhibitory activity of Hb Le-Lamentin (LM) mutation [His20(alpha)-->Gln], a contact site sequence difference, engineered into human-horse chimeric alpha-chain has been investigated to map such a synergistic complementation. Gln20(alpha) has little effect on the O(2) affinity of HbS, but in human-horse chimeric alpha-chain it reduces the O(2) affinity slightly. In the chimeric alpha-chain, Gln20(alpha) increased sensitivity of the betabeta cleft for the DPG influence, reflecting a cross-talk between the alpha(1)beta(1) interface and betabeta cleft in this semisynthetic chimeric HbS. In the human alpha-chain frame, the polymerization inhibitory activity of Gln20(alpha) is higher compared with horse alpha(1-30), but lower than mouse alpha(1-30). Gln20(alpha) synergistically complements the inhibitory propensity of horse alpha(31-141). However, the inhibitory activity of LM-horse chimeric alpha-chain is still lower than that of mouse-horse chimeric alpha-chain. Therefore, perturbation of multiple contact sites in the alpha(1-30) region of the mouse-horse chimeric alpha-chain and its linkage with the inhibitory propensity of horse alpha(31-141) has been now invoked to explain the super-inhibitory activity of the chimeric alpha-chain. The 'linkage-map' of contact sites can serve as a blueprint for designing synergistic complementation of multiple contact sites into alpha-chains as a strategy for generating super-inhibitory antisickling hemoglobins for gene therapy of sickle cell disease.     

Chiral synthesis of (2S,3S)-2-(2-morpholin-2-yl-2-phenylmethoxy)phenol

Resolution of (2RS,3RS)-2-[alpha-(2-methoxymethoxyphenoxy)phenylmethyl]morpholine, 11, with (+) mandelic acid led to the formation of (+)-(2S,3S)-2-[alpha-(2-methoxymethoxyphenoxy)phenyl methyl] morpholine (11a). Compound 11 was synthesized in seven steps from (2RS,3RS)-cinnamyl alcohol-2,3-epoxide (4), with an overall yield of 17%. Cleavage of the methoxymethyl group of the Fmoc derivative 12 with catalytic amounts of p-toluenesulfonic acid in methanol afforded (+)-(2S,3S)-2-(2-morpholin-2-yl-2-phenylmethoxy)phenol 2. The synthetic utility as well as the configuration of compound 2 has been demonstrated by converting (S,S)-2-(2-morpholin-2-yl-2-phenylmethoxy)phenol 2 to (2S,3S)-2-[alpha-(2-ethoxyphenoxy)phenylmethyl]morpholine (1) and (2S,3S)-2-(2-methoxyphenoxy) benzyl)morpholine (16), two potential norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors under clinical evaluation.     

Hemoglobin Einstein: semisynthetic deletion in the B-helix of the alpha-chain

The influence of the deletion of the tetra peptide segment alpha(23-26) of the B-helix of the alpha-chain of hemoglobin-A on its assembly, structure, and functional properties has been investigated. The hemoglobin with the deletion, ss-Hemoglobin-Einstein, is readily assembled from semisynthetic alpha(1-141) des(23-26) globin and human betaA-chain. The deletion of alpha(23-26) modulates the O2 affinity of hemoglobin in a buffer/allosteric effector specific fashion, but has little influence on the Bohr effect. The deletion has no influence on the thermodynamic stability of the alpha1beta1 and the alpha1beta2 interface. The semisynthetic hemoglobin exhibits normal intersubunit interactions at the alpha1beta1 and alpha1beta2 interfaces as reflected by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. Molecular modeling studies of ss-Hemoglobin-Einstein suggest that the segment alpha(28-35) is in a helical conformation, while the segment alpha(19-22) is the nonhelical AB region. The shortened B-helix conserves the interactions of alpha1beta1 interface. The results demonstrate a high degree of plasticity in the hemoglobin structure that accommodates the deletion of alpha(23-26) without perturbing its overall global conformation.     

Elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in pulmonary edema fluid are associated with mortality in acute lung injury

The alveolar fibrinolytic system is altered in acute lung injury (ALI). Levels of the fibrinolytic protease inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), are too low in bronchoalveolar lavage to address its prognostic significance. This study was performed to assess whether PAI-1 antigen in undiluted pulmonary edema fluid levels can identify patients with ALI and predict their outcome. PAI-1 antigen levels in both plasma and edema fluid were higher in ALI compared with hydrostatic edema, and edema fluid PAI-1 values identified those with ALI with high sensitivity and specificity. Both the high plasma and edema fluid PAI-1 antigen values were associated with a higher mortality rate and fewer days of unassisted ventilation in patients with ALI. Differences in PAI-1 activity were concordant with levels of PAI-1 antigen. Although the fibrin-derived alveolar D-dimer levels were strikingly similar in both groups, ALI patients had a higher relative proportion of D-monomer. In conclusion, PAI-1 levels in edema fluid and plasma identify those with ALI that have a poor prognosis. The data indicate that fibrin turnover in early ALI is a consequence of a rapid fibrinogen influx and fractional fibrinolytic inhibition.     

Differential response of tropical maize genotypes to zinc and manganese nutrition

Summary In order to examine the differential response of tropical maize genotypes to Zn and Mn nutrition, a pot experiment was conducted and the results subsequently evaluated in a field trial. Zn was rendered ‘physiologically immobile’ in the root tissue as revealed by a substantial reduction in shoot concentration as compared to root concentration. This effect was most pronounced in the inbred line CM-111. Quite contrasting to Zn, the root concentration of Mn was substantially lower while the shoot concentration was comparable with that of Zn indicating that under identical supply of Zn and Mn to substrate, more of Zn is root absorbed and also ‘root immobilized’, while, of the quantities absorbed by root, relatively more of Mn is translocated to shoot. Maximum root and shoot dry matter yields were obtained at specific Zn/Mn ratio in each of the genotype studied. Available Mn estimated at periodic interval (15 days) during plant growth showed consistent increase corresponding to higher rates applied while available Zn showed an initial (on 15th day of sampling) decrease corresponding to higher rates (possibly initial reversion?) and subsequent (on 45th day of sampling) increase (possibly later release through plant root activity in rhizosphere?). Significant and positive correlation coefficients were obtained between available Zn and root Zn while in the case of available Mn it was so only with shoot Mn. In field experiment Ganga-5 outyielded all the other genotypes and showed a positive response to Mn application. Publication No. 899 under journal series of the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India. Publication No. 899 under journal series of the G. B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar, India.     

Assessment of post extraction complications in Indians

Extraction is one of the commonest procedures in dentistry. Therefore, it is of interest to evaluate the post extraction complications in patients undergoing extractions of permanent teeth. A total of 70 adult patients who had undergone dental extractions and presented with post -operative complications were included in the study and evaluated. Data collected was statistically analyzed using SPSS software and results obtained. Most of the patients with post extraction complications were in the age group of 31-40 years (21.6%), followed by 21-30 (20.2%) and 61-70 years (20.2%). Dry socket (39.19%) was the common post extraction complication in our study especially in the age group of 31-40 years. There was a statistically significant association between age of the patients and the post extraction complications (p<0.001). In our study, post extraction complications were commonly observed in age group of 31-40 years with a predilection for males. Dry socket was the most common post extraction complication. Age of the patient has a significant effect on post extraction complications. However, gender, smoking habits and systemic diseases have no influence on post extraction complications.     

Synthesis of [O-methyl-11C]1-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid piperidin-1-ylamide: a potential PET ligand for CB1 receptors

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of [O-methyl-(11)C]1-(2-chlorophenyl)-5-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid piperidin-1-ylamide ([(11)C]-1), a potential imaging agent for CB(1) receptors using PET is described. 1-(2-Chlorophenyl)-5-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methyl-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxylic acid piperidin-1-ylamide (5), the precursor for radiolabeling, was synthesized from 4-OTBDPS-propiophenone (2) in five steps with 30% overall yield. The reaction of alcohol 5 with [(11)C]MeOTf at 60 degrees C afforded [(11)C]-1 with an average radiochemical yield of 14.5% (EOS) and >2000 Ci/mmol specific activity. The radiotracer was found to selectively label CB(1) receptors in slide-mounted sections of postmortem human brain containing prefrontal cortex as demonstrated by in vitro autoradiography using phosphor imaging.     

A general method for the synthesis of aryl [11C]methylsulfones: potential PET probes for imaging cyclooxygenase-2 expression

A general one-pot method has been developed for the conversion of an aryl thiol moiety masked as the butyrate ester to the corresponding 11C-labeled methylsulfone group. The potential of this methodology has been demonstrated by the successful radiosynthesis of carbon-11 analogues of several highly selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors such as Rofecoxib, Etoricoxib, and 3-(4-methylsulfonylphenyl)-4-phenyl-5-trifluoromethyl isoxazole in high yield. The chemical and radiochemical purities obtained for the 11C-labeled COX-2 inhibitors are >99% with a specific activity >1000 Ci/mmol.