Effect of cupric-isonicotinic acid hydrazide complex on avian myeloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase and its associated enzyme activities

Cupric complex of isonicotinic acid hydrazide inhibits DNA synthesis by avian myloblastosis virus reverse transcriptase. This inhibition occurs in the presence of either ribonucleotide or deoxyribonucleotide templates. The inhibition of reverse transcriptase by cupric-INH complex is considerably reduced when stored or proteolytically cleaved enzyme was used in the reaction. The complex also inhibits the reverse transciptase-associated RNase H activity. The cupric-isonicotinic acid hydrazide complex cleaves pBR 322 from I DNA into smaller molecules in the presence or absence of reverse transcriptase-associated endonuclease. However, in the presence of the enzyme the DNA is cleaved to a greater extent.

X-Ray Studies On Crystalline Complexes Involving Amino-Acids And Peptides .11. Peptide Aggregation And Water-Structure In The Crystals Of A Hydrated 1-1 Complex Between L-Histidyl-L-Serine And Glycyl-L-Glutamic Acid

The hexahydrate of a 1:1 complex between L-histidyl-L-serine and glycyl-L-glutamic acid crystallizes in space group P1 with a = 4.706(1), b= 8.578(2), c= 16.521(3) ÅA; α= 85.9(1), β= 89.7(1)°, = 77.4(1). The crystal structure, solved by direct methods, has been refined to an R value of 0.046 for 2150 observed reflections. The two peptide molecules in the structure have somewhat extended conformations. The unlike molecules aggregate into separate alternating layers. Each layer is stabilized by hydrogen bonded head-to-tail sequences as well as sequences of hydrogen bonds involving peptide groups. The arrangement of molecules in each layer is similar to one of the plausible idealized arrangements of L-alanyl-L-alanine worked out from simple geometrical considerations. Adjacent layers in the structure are held together by interactions involving side chains as well as water molecules. The water structure observed in the complex provides a good model, at atomic resolution, for that in protein crystals. An interesting feature of the crystal structure is the existence of two water channels in the interfaces between adjacent peptide layers.

Is Mycoplasma bovis a missing component of the bovine respiratory disease complex in Australia?

Background: Bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC) is a multi-factorial disease in which numerous factors, such as animal management, pathogen exposure and environmental conditions, contribute to the development of acute respiratory illness in feedlot cattle. The role of specific pathogens in the development of BRDC has been difficult to define because of the complex nature of the disease and the presence of implicated bacterial pathogens in the upper respiratory tract of healthy animals. Mycoplasma bovis is an important pathogen of cattle and recognised as a major contributor to cases of mastitis, caseonecrotic bronchopneumonia, arthritis and otitis media. To date, the role of M.bovis in the development of BRDC of Australian feeder cattle has not been investigated. Methods: In this review, the current literature pertaining to the role of M.bovis in BRDC is evaluated. In addition, preliminary data are presented that identify M.bovis as a potential contributor to BRDC in Australian feedlots, which has not been considered previously. Results and Conclusion: The preliminary results demonstrate detection of M.bovis in samples from all feedlots studied. When considered in the context of the reviewed literature, they support the inclusion of M.bovis on the list of pathogens to be considered during investigations into BRDC in Australia. © 2014 Australian Veterinary Association.

Sodium santalbate-dimethyl sulfate inclusion complex

A molecular inclusion complex has been obtained from the major acetylenic acid, santalbic acid (octadec-11-en-9-ynoic acid ortrans-11-octadecen-9-ynoic acid) of the seed oil ofSantalum album L. by a simple treatment of its sodium salt with dimethyl sulfate. Aqueous solutions (0.5–1%) of the complex produce good lather and have efficient cleansing (detergent) action on grease and dirt particles.

Crystal and molecular structure of a dimethyl sulphoxide complex with lanthanum nitrate, La(NO3)3.4(CH3)2SO

Abstract is not available.

Social work and complex care systems: The case of people hospitalised with a disability

Health and hospital system reforms prioritise efficiency. However, initiatives can impact on people with new or existing disabilities who require time to maximise functional independence. With greater demands for shorter hospital stays social workers face increasing pressure to facilitate discharge. This paper reports findings from research identifying factors contributing to extended stays for adults with disabilities. We sought to better understand patient characteristics and discharge planning challenges by analysing a clinical data set of 80 patients and qualitative interviews with five experienced hospital social workers. Three key factors are identified: issues around rehabilitation services; assessment and planning for community care; and availability of and access to discharge options. Strategies to reduce length of stay are reported. We argue that building collaborative partnerships and working across multiple, complex systems and disciplines are vital to ensure these patients access appropriate community-based resources within the current health reform environment.

Synthesis, Reactivity and Biological Activity of 17β-HSD1 Inhibitors Based on a Thieno[2,3-d]pryrimidin-4(3H)-one Core

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in Western countries. In the early stages of development most breast cancers are hormone-dependent, and estrogens, especially estradiol, have a pivotal role in their development and progression. One approach to the treatment of hormone-dependent breast cancers is to block the formation of the active estrogens by inhibiting the action of the steroid metabolising enzymes. 17beta-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (17beta-HSD1) is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of estradiol, the most potent female sex hormone. The 17beta-HSD1 enzyme catalyses the final step and converts estrone into the biologically active estradiol. Blocking 17beta-HSD1 activity with a specific enzyme inhibitor could provide a means to reduce circulating and tumour estradiol levels and thus promote tumour regression. In recent years 17beta-HSD1 has been recognised as an important drug target. Some inhibitors of 17beta-HSD1 have been reported, however, there are no inhibitors on the market nor have clinical trials been announced. The majority of known 17beta-HSD1 inhibitors are based on steroidal structures, while relatively little has been reported on non-steroidal inhibitors. As compared with 17beta-HSD1 inhibitors based on steroidal structures, non-steroidal compounds could have advantages of synthetic accessibility, drug-likeness, selectivity and non-estrogenicity. This study describes the synthesis of large group of novel 17beta-HSD1 inhibitors based on a non-steroidal thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one core. An efficient synthesis route was developed for the lead compound and subsequently employed in the synthesis of thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-one based molecule library. The biological activities and binding of these inhibitors to 17beta-HSD1 and, finally, the quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR) model are also reported. In this study, several potent and selective 17beta-HSD1 inhibitors without estrogenic activity were identified. This establishment of a novel class of inhibitors is a progressive achievement in 17beta-HSD1 inhibitor development. Furthermore, the 3D-QSAR model, constructed on the basis of this study, offers a powerful tool for future 17beta-HSD1 inhibitor development. As part of the fundamental science underpinning this research, the chemical reactivity of fused (di)cycloalkeno thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-4(3H)-ones with electrophilic reagents, i.e. Vilsmeier reagent and dimethylformamide dimethylacetal, was investigated. These findings resulted in a revision of the reaction mechanism of Vilsmeier haloformylation and further contributed to understanding the chemical reactivity of this compound class. This study revealed that the reactivity is dependent upon a stereoelectronic effect arising from different ring conformations.

Syntheses and Self-Assembling Characteristics of Amphiphilic Star Diblock Copolymers

Uusien polymeeripohjaisten teknologioiden ja materiaalien myötä räätälöityjen polymeerien tarve on kasvanut. Viime vuosituhannen lopussa kehitetyt kontrolloidut polymerointimenetelmät ovat avanneet uusia mahdollisuuksia paitsi monimutkaisten polymeerien synteesiin, myös itsejärjestyvyyteen perustuvien funktionaalisten nanorakenteiden suunnitteluun ja valmistukseen. Nämä voivat jäljitellä luonnossa esiintyviä rakenteita, joita muodostavat esimerkiksi lipidit ja proteiinit. Itsejärjestyvät molekyylit ovat usein amfifiilisiä eli ne koostuvat hydrofiilisistä ja hydrofobisista osista ja polymeereissä nämä osat voivat olla omina lohkoinaan, jolloin puhutaan amfifiilisistä lohko- tai blokkikopolymeereistä. Riippuen järjestyneiden rakenteiden koostumuksesta ja muodosta, amfifiilisiä blokkikopolymeerejä on tutkittu tai jo käytetty nanoteknologiassa, elastomeereissä, voiteluaineissa, pinta-aktiivisina aineina, lääkkeenannostelussa, maaleissa, sekä elektroniikka-, kosmetiikka- ja elintarviketeollisuudessa. Tavallisimmin käytetyt amfifiiliset blokkikopolymeerit ovat olleet lineaarisia, mutta viime aikoina tutkimus on suuntautunut kohti monimutkaisempia rakenteita. Tällaisia ovat esimerkiksi tähtipolymeerit. Tähtimäisissä polymeereissä miselleille tyypillinen ydin-kuori-rakenne säilyy hyvin alhaisissakin polymeerikonsentraatioissa, koska polymeeriketjut ovat kiinni toisissaan yhdessä pisteessä. Siten ne ovat erityisen kiinnostavia tutkimuskohteita erilaisten hydrofobisten orgaanisten yhdisteiden sitomiseksi ja vapauttamiseksi. Tässä työssä on tarkasteltu amfifiilisten tähtipolymeerien itsejärjestymistä vesiliuoksissa sekä kokeellisesti ja tietokonesimulaatioin. Työ koostuu kahdesta osasta: tähtipolymeerien synteesistä makrosyklisillä initiaattoreilla ja amfifiilisten tähtimäisten blokkikopolymeerien ominaisuuksien tutkimisesta.

Studies on metal complex formation of environmentally friendly aminopolycarboxylate chelating agents

Aminopolykarboksyylaatteja, kuten etyleenidiamiinitetraetikkahappoa (EDTA), on käytetty useiden vuosikymmenien ajan erinomaisen metalli-ionien sitomiskyvyn vuoksi kelatointiaineena lukuisissa sovelluksissa sekä analytiikassa että monilla teollisisuuden aloilla. Näiden yhdisteiden biohajoamattomuus on kuitenkin herättänyt huolta viime aikoina, sillä niiden on havaittu olevan hyvin pysyviä luonnossa. Tämä työ on osa laajempaa tutkimushanketta, jossa on tavoitteena löytää korvaavia kelatointiaineita EDTA:lle. Tutkimuksen aiheena on kuuden kelatointiaineen metalli-ionien sitomiskyvyn kartoitus. EDTA:a paremmin luonnossa hajoavina nämä ovat ympäristöystävällisiä ehdokkaita korvaaviksi kelatointiaineiksi useisiin sovelluksiin. Työssä tutkittiin niiden kompleksinmuodostusta useiden metalli-ionien kanssa potentiometrisella titrauksella. Metalli-ionivalikoima vaihteli hieman kelatointiaineesta riippuen sisältäen magnesium-, kalsium-, mangaani-, rauta-, kupari-, sinkki-, kadmium-, elohopea-, lyijy- ja lantaani-ionit. Tutkittavat metallit oli valittu tähtäimessä olevien sovellusten, synteesissä ilmenneiden ongelmien tai ympäristönäkökohtien perusteella. Tulokset osoittavat näiden yhdisteiden metallinsitomiskyvyn olevan jonkin verran heikompi kuin EDTA:lla, mutta kuitenkin riittävän useisiin sovelluksiin kuten sellunvalkaisuprosessiin. Myrkyllisten raskasmetallien, kadmiumin, elohopen ja lyijyn kohdalla EDTA:a heikompi sitoutuminen on eduksikin, koska se yhdistettynä parempaan biohajoavuuteen saattaa alentaa tutkittujen yhdisteiden kykyä mobilisoida kyseisiä metalleja sedimenteistä. Useimmilla tutkituista yhdisteistä on ympäristönäkökulmasta etuna myös EDTA:a pienempi typpipitoisuus.

Spot form of net blotch resistance in barley is under complex genetic control

Key message: Evaluation of resistance toPyrenophora teresf.maculatain barley breeding populations via association mapping revealed a complex genetic architecture comprising a mixture of major and minor effect genes. Abstract: In the search for stable resistance to spot form of net blotch (Pyrenophora teres f. maculata, SFNB), association mapping was conducted on four independent barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) breeding populations comprising a total of 898 unique elite breeding lines from the Northern Region Barley Breeding Program in Australia for discovery of quantitative trait loci (QTL) influencing resistance at seedling and adult plant growth stages. A total of 29 significant QTL were validated across multiple breeding populations, with 22 conferring resistance at both seedling and adult plant growth stages. The remaining 7 QTL conferred resistance at either seedling (2 QTL) or adult plant (5 QTL) growth stages only. These 29 QTL represented 24 unique genomic regions, of which five were found to co-locate with previously identified QTL for SFNB. The results indicated that SFNB resistance is controlled by a large number of QTL varying in effect size with large effects QTL on chromosome 7H. A large proportion of the QTL acted in the same direction for both seedling and adult responses, suggesting that phenotypic selection for SFNB resistance performed at either growth stage could achieve adequate levels of resistance. However, the accumulation of specific resistance alleles on several chromosomes must be considered in molecular breeding selection strategies.