Chemical and heating treatments of ionic monolayer-protected clusters (IMPCs) with different surface counter anions.

This paper shows an in-depth study on the chemical and thermal responses of two ionic monolayer-protected gold clusters (Oct(4)N(+-)Br- and Oct(4)N(+-)O(3)SS-IMPCs). Two IMPCs displayed completely different phase-transfer behaviors when the solutions were in contact with the aqueous solution containing N-(2-mercaptopropionyl)glycine (tiopronin). Not Oct(4)N(+-)O(3)SS-IMPCs but Oct(4)N(+-)Br-IMPCs experienced a facile phase transfer from the organic layer to the aqueous layer, which was resulted from the displacement of ionic ligands by tiopronin monolayers on the gold nanoparticle surface.

Nitrated indenoisoquinolines as topoisomerase I inhibitors: a systematic study and optimization.

The biological activity of indenoisoquinoline topoisomerase I (Top1) inhibitors can be greatly enhanced depending on the choice of substituents on the aromatic rings and lactam side chain. Previously, it was discovered that a 3-nitro group and a 9-methoxy group afforded enhanced biological activity. In the present investigation, indenoisoquinoline analogues were systematically prepared using combinations of nitro groups, methoxy groups, and hydrogen atoms in an effort to understand the contribution of each group toward cytotoxicity and Top1 inhibition.

Optimization of the indenone ring of indenoisoquinoline topoisomerase I inhibitors.

Two series of indenoisoquinoline topoisomerase I inhibitors have been prepared to investigate optimal substituents on the indenone ring at the 9-position. The more exhaustive series was prepared using a nitrated isoquinoline ring that has been previously demonstrated to enhance biological activity. After preliminary biological evaluation, a more focused series of inhibitors was prepared utilizing a 2,3-dimethoxy-substituted isoquinoline ring.

Hypoallergens for allergen-specific immunotherapy by directed molecular evolution of mite group 2 allergens.

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment that provides long lasting relief of allergic symptoms. Currently, it is based on repeated administration of allergen extracts. To improve the safety and efficacy of allergen extract-based immunotherapy, application of hypoallergens, i.

The expression of lactate dehydrogenase is important for the cell cycle of Toxoplasma gondii.

In Toxoplasma gondii, lactate dehydrogenase is encoded by two independent and developmentally regulated genes LDH1 and LDH2. These genes and their products have been implicated in the control of a metabolic flux during parasite differentiation. To investigate the significance of LDH1 and LDH2 in this process, we generated stable transgenic parasite lines in which the expression of these two expressed isoforms of lactate dehydrogenase was knocked down in a stage-specific manner.