Synthesis and characterization of poly(phthalazinone ether ketone ketone) copolymers with 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls

Meta-poly(phthalazinone ether ketone ketone) copolymers with 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls (meta-PPBEKK) was synthesized with 4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyls (BP), 1,3-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene (meta-DFKK) and 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-diazaphthalene-1-one (DHPZ). The copolymers are high-temperature resistant and have good solubility in many solvents. With increasing molar ratio of BP to meta-DFKK from 0 to 0.2, the addition of BP improves number-average molecular masses, intrinsic viscosity, mechanical properties and fluidity of meta-PPBEKKs. When the molar ratio of BP to meta-DFKK is 0.2, the intrinsic viscosity reaches 1.14 dL g−1, the number-average molecular mass reaches 44700 g mol−1, the maximum thermal elongation ratio reaches 14 with strength of 127.1 MPa and Young’s modulus of 2.4 GPa. With increasing molar ratio of BP to meta-DFKK from 0 to 0.2, meta-PPBEKKs have improved comprehensive properties, and make sense in many fields.

Structural Features and Rheological Properties of a Sulfated Xylogalactan-Rich Fraction Isolated from Tunisian Red Seaweed Jania adhaerens

A novel sulfated xylogalactan-rich fraction (JSP for J. adhaerens Sulfated Polysaccharide) was extracted from the red Tunisian seaweed Jania adhaerens. JSP was purified using an alcoholic precipitation process and characterized by Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), high-pressure size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) with a multi-angle laser light scattering (MALLS), gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR, 1D and 2D). JSP was then evaluated regarding its physicochemical and rheological properties. Results showed that JSP was mainly composed of an agar-like xylogalactan sharing the general characteristics of corallinans. The structure of JSP was mainly composed of agaran disaccharidic repeating units (→3)-β-d-Galp-(1,4)-α-l-Galp-(1→)n and (→3)-β-d-Galp-(1,4)-3,6-α-l-AnGalp-(1→)n, mainly substituted on O-6 of (1,3)-β-d-Galp residues by β-xylosyl side chains, and less with sulfate or methoxy groups. (1,4)-α-l-Galp residues were also substituted by methoxy and/or sulfate groups in the O-2 and O-3 positions. Mass-average and number-average molecular masses (Mw) and (Mn), intrinsic viscosity ([η]) and hydrodynamic radius (Rh) for JSP were, respectively, 8.0 × 105 g/mol, 1.0 × 105 g/mol, 76 mL/g and 16.8 nm, showing a flexible random coil conformation in solution. The critical overlap concentration C* of JSP was evaluated at 7.5 g/L using the Williamson model. In the semi-diluted regime, JSP solutions displayed a shear-thinning behavior with a great viscoelasticity character influenced by temperature and monovalent salts. The flow characteristics of JSP were described by the Ostwald model.

The analysis of participation of individual proteins in the protein interactome formation

It becomes increasingly clear that most proteins of living systems exist as components of various protein complexes rather than individual molecules. The use of various proteomic techniques significantly extended our knowledge not only about functioning of individual complexes but also formed a basis for systemic analysis of protein-protein interactions. In this study gel-filtration chromatography accompanied by mass-spectrometry was used for the interactome analysis of human liver proteins. In six fractions (with average molecular masses of 45 kDa, 60 kDa, 85 kDa, 150 kDa, 250 kDa, and 440 kDa) 797 proteins were identified. In dependence of their distribution profiles in the fractions, these proteins could be subdivided into four groups: (1) single monomeric proteins that are not involved in formation of stable protein complexes; (2) proteins existing as homodimers or heterodimers with comparable partners; (3) proteins that are partially exist as monomers and partially as components of protein complexes; (4) proteins that do not exist in the monomolecular state, but also exist within protein complexes containing three or more subunits. Application of this approach to known isatin-binding proteins resulted in identification of proteins involved in formation of the homo- and heterodimers and mixed protein complexes.

Minibactenecins ChBac7.Nα and ChBac7. Nβ - Antimicrobial Peptides from Leukocytes of the Goat Capra hircus.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) of neutrophils play an important role in the animal and human host defenses. We have isolated two AMPs (average molecular masses of 2895.5 and 2739.3 Da), with potent antimicrobial activity from neutrophils of the domestic goat (Capra hircus). A structural analysis of the obtained peptides revealed that they encompass N-terminal fragments (1-21 and 1-22) of the proline-rich peptide bactenecin 7.5. The primary structure of caprine bactenecin 7.5 had been previously deduced from the nucleotide sequence, but the corresponding protein had not been isolated from leukocytes until now. The obtained caprine AMPs were designated as mini-batenecins (mini-ChBac7.5N and mini-ChBac7.5N), analogously to the reported C-terminal fragment of the ovine bactenecin 7.5 named Bac7.5mini [Anderson, Yu, 2003]. Caprine mini-ChBac7.5N and mini-ChBac7.5N exhibit significant antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria, including drug-resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella spp., Acinetobacter baumannii at a range of concentrations of 0.5-4 M, as well as against some species of Gram-positive bacteria (Listeria monocytogenes EGD, Micrococcus luteus). The eptides demonstrate lipopolysaccharide-binding activity. Similarly to most proline-rich AMPs, caprine peptides inactivate bacteria without appreciable damage of their membranes. Mini-ChBac7.5N and mini-ChBac7.5N have no hemolytic effect on human red blood cells and are nontoxic to various cultured human cells. Therefore, they might be considered as promising templates for the development of novel antibiotic pharmaceuticals. Isolation of highly active fragments of the antimicrobial peptide from goat neutrophils supports the hypothesis that fragmentation of cathelicidin-related AMPs is an important process that results in the generation of potent effector molecules, which are in some cases more active than full-size AMPs. These truncated AMPs may play a crucial role in host defense reactions.

Novel carbazole–pyridine copolymers by an economical method: synthesis, spectroscopic and thermochemical studies

The synthesis, as well as spectroscopic and thermochemical studies of a novel class of carbazole-4-phenylpyridine co-polymers are described. The synthesis was carried out by a simple and cheaper method compared to the lengthy methods usually adopted for the preparation of carbazole–pyridine copolymers which involve costly catalysts. Thus, two series of polymers were synthesized by a modified Chichibabin reaction, i.e., by the condensation of diacetylated N-alkylcarbazoles with 3-substituted benzaldehydes in the presence of ammonium acetate in refluxing acetic acid. All the polymers were characterized by FTIR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV–vis spectroscopy, fluorimetry, TGA and DSC. The weight average molecular masses (M w) of the polymers were estimated by the laser light scattering (LLS) technique.

Characterization of black liquors from kraft pulping of first-thinning Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.)

Formation of hydroxy acids and soluble lignin fragments was investigated during conventional kraft pulping of first-thinning Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stem wood and its long-fiber outer part and short-fiber inner part. The results indicate that there are characteristic differences in the formation of hydroxy acids in these specific tissues, due to the slightly different contents of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. Notable are the differences in the formation of xylan-derived acids (2-hydroxybutanoic and xyloisosaccharinic acids) and glucomannan- and cellulose-derived acids (3,4-dideoxy-pentonic and glucoisosaccharinic acids). In contrast, no significant differences were found in the average molecular masses of the dissolved lignins in these black liquors. Finally, the black liquor from the outer part of first-thinning pine was shown to have similar properties as the black liquor from the reference mature wood material.

Role of Maltogenic Amylase and Pullulanase in Maltodextrin and Glycogen Metabolism of Bacillus subtilis 168

ABSTRACT The physiological functions of two amylolytic enzymes, a maltogenic amylase (MAase) encoded by yvdF and a debranching enzyme (pullulanase) encoded by amyX, in the carbohydrate metabolism of Bacillus subtilis 168 were investigated using yvdF, amyX, and yvdF amyX mutant strains. An immunolocalization study revealed that YvdF was distributed on both sides of the cytoplasmic membrane and in the periplasm during vegetative growth but in the cytoplasm of prespores. Small carbohydrates such as maltoheptaose and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) taken up by wild-type B. subtilis cells via two distinct transporters, the Mdx and Cyc ABC transporters, respectively, were hydrolyzed immediately to form smaller or linear maltodextrins. On the other hand, the yvdF mutant exhibited limited degradation of the substrates, indicating that, in the wild type, maltodextrins and β-CD were hydrolyzed by MAase while being taken up by the bacterium. With glycogen and branched β-CDs as substrates, pullulanase showed high-level specificity for the hydrolysis of the outer side chains of glycogen with three to five glucosyl residues. To investigate the roles of MAase and pullulanase in glycogen utilization, the following glycogen-overproducing strains were constructed: a glg mutant with a wild-type background, yvdF glg and amyX glg mutants, and a glg mutant with a double mutant (DM) background. The amyX glg and glg DM strains accumulated significantly larger amounts of glycogen than the glg mutant, while the yvdF glg strain accumulated an intermediate amount. Glycogen samples from the amyX glg and glg DM strains exhibited average molecular masses two and three times larger, respectively, than that of glycogen from the glg mutant. The results suggested that glycogen breakdown may be a sequential process that involves pullulanase and MAase, whereby pullulanase hydrolyzes the α-1,6-glycosidic linkage at the branch point to release a linear maltooligosaccharide that is then hydrolyzed into maltose and maltotriose by MAase.

Immunochemical Properties of the Staphylococcal Poly-N-Acetylglucosamine Surface Polysaccharide

ABSTRACT Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis often elaborate adherent biofilms, which contain the capsular polysaccharide-adhesin (PS/A) that mediates the initial cell adherence to biomaterials. Biofilm cells produce another antigen, termed polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA), which is composed of a ∼28 kDa soluble linear β(1-6)-linked N-acetylglucosamine. We developed a new method to purify PS/A from S. aureus MN8m, a strain hyperproducing PS/A. Using multiple analytical techniques, we determined that the chemical structure of PS/A is also β(1-6)-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG). We were unable to find N-succinylglucosamine residues in any of our preparations in contrast to previously reported findings (D. McKenney, K. Pouliot, Y. Wang, V. Murthy, M. Ulrich, G. Doring, J. C. Lee, D. A Goldmann, and G. B. Pier, Science 284:1523-1527, 1999). PNAG was produced with a wide range of molecular masses that could be divided into three major fractions with average molecular masses of 460 kDa (PNAG-I), 100 kDa (PNAG-II), and 21 kDa (PNAG-III). The purified antigens were not soluble at neutral pH unless first dissolved in 5 M HCl and then neutralized with 5 M NaOH. PNAG-I was very immunogenic in rabbits, but the responses of individual animals were variable. Immunization of mice with various doses (100, 50, or 10 μg) of PNAG-I, -II, and -III demonstrated that only PNAG-I was able to elicit an immunoglobulin G (IgG) immune response with the highest titers obtained with 100-μg dose. When we purified a small fraction of PNAG with a molecular mass of ∼780 kDa (PNAG-780) from PNAG-I, significantly higher IgG titers than those in mice immunized with the same doses of PNAG-I were obtained, suggesting the importance of the molecular mass of PNAG in the antibody response. These results further clarify the chemical structure of PS/A and help to differentiate it from PIA on the basis of immunogenicity, molecular size, and solubility.

Characterization of Black Liquors from Soda-AQ Pulping of Reed Canary Grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.)

Summary Reed canary grass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) was delignified in a laboratory-scale digester by conventional soda-AQ pulping under varying conditions. The chemical composition of the corresponding black liquors was analyzed with respect to their main organic constituents. The results showed that the dry solids of the black liquors contained 33–34% lignin, 14–19% aliphatic carboxylic acids and 12–16% polysaccharides. No significant differences were found in the average molecular masses (M̄w 4700–5600 Da and M̄n 650–750 Da) of the dissolved lignins in these black liquors, although the polydispersity (M̄w /M̄n ) values (6.6–7.9) indicated that the molecular masses had a wide distribution. Lignin clearly degraded in the black liquors as delignification proceeded. Of the monosaccharide moieties detected in the polysaccharides, xylose was predominant, suggesting that xylan was a major hemicellulose constituent in the black liquors.