An insight into the beginning stage of the aqueous ring opening metathesis polymerization of exo,exo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid with Ru(III) compounds: the consumption of Ru(III) species in the presence of carboxylic acids monitored by ESR spectroscopy

The presence of paramagnetic species in the aqueous ring opening metathesis polymerizations of the exo,exo-7-oxabicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid monomer with RuCl(3) and K(2)[RuCl(5)H(2)O] compounds was studied using ESR techniques. It was observed that the intensities of the Ru(III) signals in the ESR spectra decrease on the time scale of the induction period so that the ROMP can take place. The intensity of the Ru(III) signal almost disappeared 50 min after reacting with K(2)[RuCl(5)H(2)O] and after 100 mm in the case of RuCl(3). Reactions of the cis-[Ru(NH(3))(4)(H(2)O)(2)](tfms)(3) and [Ru(NH(3))(5)H(2)O](tfms)(3) complexes with the monomer and different organic compounds representing the organic functions in the monomer (furan, norbornene, but-2-ene-1,4-diol and formic, acetic, oxalic and maleic acids) were also monitored by ESR and UV/vis spectra. It was deduced that the organic acids provide the disappearance of the Ru(III) signal. The proton NMR relaxation times of the residual water in D(2)O for reactions with oxalic acid suggested that the presence of paramagnetic ions in the solution decreases along with

Probing the fibrate binding specificity of rat liver fatty acid binding protein

Liver-fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) is found in high levels in enterocytes and is involved in cytosolic solubilization of fatty acids. In addition, L-FABP has been shown to bind endogenous and exogenous lipophilic compounds, suggesting that it may also play a role in modulating their absorption and disposition within enterocytes. Previously, we have described binding of L-FABP to a range of drugs, including a series of fibrates. In the present study, we have generated structural models of L-FABP-fibrate complexes and undertaken thermodynamic analysis of the binding of fibrates containing either a carboxylic acid or ester functionality. Analysis of the current data reveals that both the location and the energetics of binding are different for fibrates that contain a carboxylate compared to those that do not. As such, the data presented in this study suggest potential mechanisms that underpin molecular recognition and dictate specificity in the interaction between fibrates and L-FABP.

Dimerisation of N-acetyl-L-tyrosine ethyl ester and Aß peptides via formation of dityrosine

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterised by the formation of amyloid deposits composed primarily of the amyloid β-peptide (Aβ). This peptide has been shown to bind redox active metals ions such as copper and iron, leading to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and formation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The generation of H2O2 has been linked with Aβ neurotoxicity and neurodegeneration in AD. Because of the relative stability of a tyrosyl radical, the tyrosine residue (Tyr-10) is believed to be critical to the neurotoxicity of Aβ. This residue has also been shown to be important to Aβ aggregation and amyloid formation. It is possible that the formation of an Aβ tyrosyl radical leads to increased aggregation via the formation of dityrosine as an early aggregation step, which is supported by the identification of dityrosine in amyloid plaque. The role of dityrosine formation in Aβ aggregation and neurotoxicity is as yet undetermined, partly because there are no facile methods for the synthesis of Aβ dimers containing dityrosine. Here we report the use of horseradish peroxidase and H2O2 to dimerise N-acetyl-l-tyrosine ethyl ester and apply the optimised conditions for dityrosine formation to fully unprotected Aβ peptides. We also report a simple fluorescent plate reader method for monitoring Aβ dimerisation via dityrosine formation.

Approaches to the synthesis of peptide substituted frameworks

The 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition between carbonyl ylids (generated from cyclobutene epoxides flanked by esters) and norbornyl alkenes – the ACE reaction – offers a facile method for the construction of polynorbornyl molecular frameworks. This reaction has, as described in this dissertation, underpinned the construction of molecular frameworks that have peptides and amino acids attached. Such highly rigid peptide-frameworks are of use in the field of peptidomimetics; the template molecule governs the final positioning of any attached groups such that a precise arrangement of amino acids can be achieved without the need to construct entire proteins. In the course of any ACE reaction the ester flanked cyclobutene epoxide is transformed to a 1,3 dipole, the esters serve to stablise this reactive intermediate and are as a consequence incorporated in the reaction product. Modification of these esters provides pseudo-equatorial points for peptide attachment. These methyl esters were replaced with tert-butyl esters to provide pseudo-axial attachment points that could be selectively addressed. The optimal strategy for peptide-framework construction involved direct condensation of carboxyl protected amino acids to bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-endo-carboxylic acid as well as condensation of amino acids to cyclobutene epoxides derived from this acid. The ACE reaction of (±) bicycloheptene-2-endo-carboxylic acid derivatives with cyclobutene epoxides synthesised from such racemic acid derivatives provided a mixture of enantiomers and meso compounds. In order to control the position of the attachment points – and hence the final location of the attached peptides – the ACE reaction required chiral starting materials. Accordingly, all peptidoframeworks were derived from the chiral (2S)-(-)-bicycloheptene carboxylic acid. The ACE reaction of this (S)-norbornene with the (S)-epoxide provided a peptide framework in which the attached amino acids were positioned pseudo-axially. Deprotection of the amino acid allowed peptide chain building in the pseudo-axial direction. Using this strategy a framework with an alanine residue and a triglycine peptide was synthesised. By combining this strategy with the ter-butyl ester variant a framework with pseudo-axial alanine and pseudo-equatorial glycine residues was manufactured.

Synthesis and structure of an intramolecularly coordinated diaryltelluronic acid and its dimethyl ester

The oxidation of the telluroxane cluster (8Me₂NC₁₀H₆Te)₆O₈(OH)₂ (4) or the diaryl ditelluride (8-Me₂NC₁₀H₆Te)(₂) (7) using H₂O₂ provided the diarylditelluronic acid [8-Me₂NC₁₀H₆Te(O)(OH)₂]₂(O) (6), which is the second member of this compound class and the first one to contain an intramolecularly coordinated substituent. Attempts at recrystallizing 6 from Methanol provided the partial ester [8-Me₂NC₁₀H₆Te(O)(OH)(OMe)]₂(O) (8). In addition structural motifs of known diaryltelluronic acids were compared using DFT calculations.

Synthesis and physical properties of lipid-based poly(ester-urethane)s, I: Effect of varying polyester segment length

Four aliphatic thermoplastic poly(ester-urethane)s (PEUs) with similar molecular weights but varying polyesters molecular weight (534-1488 g/mol) were prepared from polyester diols, obtained by melt condensation of Azelaic acid and 1,9-Nonanediol, and 1,7-heptamethylene di-isocyanate (HPMDI) all sourced from vegetable oil feedstock. The thermal, and mechanical properties, and crystal structure of PEUs were investigated using DSC, TGA, DMA, tensile analysis and WAXD. For sufficiently long polyester chain, WAXD data indicated no hydrogen bonds polyethylene (PE)-like crystalline packing and for short polyester chains, small crystal domains with significant H-bonded polyamide (PA)-like packing. Crystallinity decreased with decreasing polyester molecular weights. The polymorphism of PEUs and consequently their melting characteristics were found to be largely controlled by polyester segment length. TGA of the PEUs indicated improved thermal stability with decreasing polyester chain length, suggesting a stabilization effect by urethane groups. Mechanical properties investigated by DMA and tensile analysis were found to scale predictably with the overall crystallinity of PEUs. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Mathematical modeling of the ester oil-refrigerant R134A mixture two-phase flow with foam formation through a small diameter tube

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Effects in the Kidney During Ischemia and Reperfusion in Rats Anesthetized with Isoflurane

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Analysis in vitro of direct bonding system with cyanoacrylate ester and orthodontic wires

The aim of this study was to evaluate the tensile strength of orthodontic wires bonded onto the enamel with cyanoacrylate ester. To obtain the specimens, 120 human premolars (extracted for orthodontic or periodontal reasons) were included in acrylic blocks of rapid polymerization with three teeth each. Four groups were formed with ten specimens each. In the specimens, a dental splint model was made with cyanoacrylate ester and round stainless steel wire. In groups I, II and III, cyanoacrylate ester was used with round steel wires, with variation in diameter: 0.014 inches; 0.016 inches and 0.018 inches, respectively. In group IV, round steel wire 0.018 inches was used with photo polymerizing resin composite with previous acid etching. The adhesive force of the materials was measured in two points under the action of the tensiometer (ETM-USA). The number of loose wires was counted along with those that remained fixed according to the different levels of force applied because of the direction of the tensile force (vertical or horizontal) and the diameter of the wire used. The data obtained were first submitted to a descriptive analysis and then submitted to a statistical analysis (Friedman's Test and Dunn's Test of Multiple Comparison - Epi-info 3.2). Within the limitations of the experimental conditions presented, the cyanoacrylate ester or 'Super Bonder (R)' maintained bonded to enamel and steel wires (0.016 and 0.018 inches) during the tensile strength tests under different levels of applied forces.

Use of a cyanoacrylate ester adhesive for splinting of replanted teeth

This paper reports a case of tooth replantation in which the splinting was performed with stainless steel orthodontic wire and a widely marketed brand of quick-setting cyanoacrylate ester adhesive (Super Bonder((R))). The long-term clinical and radiographic success of the case reported in this paper indicates that the splinting technique using a quick-setting cyanoacrylate ester adhesive may be a feasible option for making a rapid, simple and efficient contention of replanted teeth in situations where the routinely used materials are not readily available.