2a 2c Research Articles

Identification of Grass-specific Enzyme That Acylates Monolignols with p-Coumarate

Lignin is a major component of plant cell walls that is essential to their function. However, the strong bonds that bind the various subunits of lignin, and its cross-linking with other plant cell wall polymers, make it one of the most important factors in the recalcitrance of plant cell walls against polysaccharide utilization. Plants make lignin from a variety of monolignols including p-coumaryl, coniferyl, and sinapyl alcohols to produce the three primary lignin units: p-hydroxyphenyl, guaiacyl, and syringyl, respectively, when incorporated into the lignin polymer. In grasses, these monolignols can be enzymatically preacylated by p-coumarates prior to their incorporation into lignin, and these monolignol conjugates can also be "monomer" precursors of lignin. Although monolignol p-coumarate-derived units may comprise up to 40% of the lignin in some grass tissues, the p-coumarate moiety from such conjugates does not enter into the radical coupling (polymerization) reactions of lignification. With a greater understanding of monolignol p-coumarate conjugates, grass lignins could be engineered to contain fewer pendent p-coumarate groups and more monolignol conjugates that improve lignin cleavage. We have cloned and expressed an enzyme from rice that has p-coumarate monolignol transferase activity and determined its kinetic parameters.

Self-assembly of Ru4 and Ru8 assemblies by coordination using organometallic Ru(II)2 precursors: Synthesis, characterization and properties

Coordination-driven self-assembly of binuclear half-sandwich p-cymene ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru2(μ-η4-C2O4)(MeOH)2(η6-p-cymene)2](O3SCF3)2 (1a) or [Ru2(μ-η4-N,N'-diphenyloxamidato)(MeOH)2(η6-p-cymene)2](O3SCF3)2 (1b) separately with an imidazole-based tetratopic donor L in methanol affords two tetranuclear metallamacrocycles 2a and 2b, respectively. Conversely, the similar combination of L with 2,5-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoquinonato (dhbq) bridged binuclear complex [Ru2(μ-η4-C6H2O4)(MeOH)2(η6-p-cymene)2](O3SCF3)2 (1c) in 1:2 molar ratio resulted in an octanuclear macrocyclic cage 2c. All the self-assembled macrocycles 2a–2c were isolated as their triflate salts in high yields and were characterized fully by multinuclear (1H, 13C and 19F) NMR, infrared (IR) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESIMS). In addition, the molecular structure of macrocycle 2a was established unequivocally by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and adopts a tetranuclear rectangular geometry with the dimensions of 5.53 Å × 12.39 Å. Furthermore, the photo- and electrochemical properties of these newly synthesized assemblies have been studied by using UV–vis absorption and cyclic voltammetry analysis.

Synthesis and characterization of ruthenium complexes with 1-aryl-2-mercaptoimidazole ligands

Reactions of the vinyl ruthenium starting material Ru(CHCHPh)Cl(CO)(PPh3)2 (1) with 1-aryl-2-mercaptoimidazole (HLa, aryl = 4-chloro-phenyl; HLb, aryl = 4-methyl-phenyl; HLc, aryl = 4-nitro-phenyl) in the presence of sodium methoxide in dichloromethane and methanol afforded [Ru(CHCHPh)(κ2-L)(CO)(PPh3)2] (2a–2c). Treatment of 1 with HL in THF gave [RuCl(κ2-L)(CO)(PPh3)2] (3a–3c) contaminant with formation of styrene as byproduct. Interactions of 1 with HLa in dichloromethane led to isolation of a novel dinuclear ruthenium complex [(CO)(PPh3)(CHNCH2Ph)Ru(μ-Cl)2(μ-S)RuCl(CO)(PPh3)] (4a) via N–H bond addition to styryl ligand. Complexes 2a–2c, 3a–3c, and 4a were characterized by microanalyses, IR, and (1H, 13C, 31P) NMR spectroscopies. The molecular structures of 3a–3c and 4a have been determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Laterally substituted ionic liquid crystals and the resulting rheological behavior

A series of quaternary ammonium salts (1a–1e) with different lateral substitution groups in the middle part of the hydrophobic chains were designed and synthesized. Differential scanning calorimetry, polarized optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction showed that compound 1a formed the smectic T phase at high temperature. Upon increasing the volume of the lateral groups in 1b, 1c and 1d, low melting point ILCs with smectic A phases were observed. However, the liquid crystalline structure was broken in compound 1e with large lateral groups. FT-IR measurements showed that the lateral groups resulted in an increase of the gauche conformation, which implies that the bulky effect of the lateral groups reduced the hydrophobic interactions and prevented close stacking. The phase behavior of compounds 2a–2c carrying an ethyl formate lateral group with various main chain lengths was also studied, and it was found that the clearing-point temperature is strongly dependent on the length of the hydrophobic chains. The rheological properties of the laterally substituted ILCs were further investigated. Typical shear thinning behavior was observed for all the ILCs, based on the shear rate-dependent viscosity curves. However, the viscosity vs. temperature curves showed that the laterally substituted ILCs exhibited biphasic interval behavior, which is different from the conventional ILCs, such as compounds 3a and 3b, where a drastic decrease was observed. The rheological behavior observed in this system is attributed to the slow kinetics caused by the laterally substituted molecular structure.

Syntheses and structural diversity of salicylideneaniline derivatives with cobaltadithiolene backbone

► Salicylideneaniline (SA) derivatives of [CpCo(dithiolene)] complexes were prepared. ► Modification of the SA moieties tuned the dihedral angle between two benzene rings. ► Intramolecular OH⋯N hydrogen bonding distance can be modified. Salicylideneaniline (SA) or benzylideneaniline (BA) derivatives with [CpCo(dithiolene)] backbone, which are formulated as [CpCo(S 2 C 2 (H)(R))] (R = 5-chlorosalicylideneaniline ( 2a ), salicylideneaniline ( 2b ), benzylideneaniline ( 2c ) and 3,5-di- t -butylsalicylideneaniline ( 2d )), were prepared from the aniline precursor [CpCo(S 2 C 2 (H)(C 6 H 4 -NH 2 ))] ( 1 ) and the corresponding aldehydes. 1 and 2a–2d were identified with spectral data and electrochemical redox potentials. 1 and 2a–2c were structurally determined by X-ray diffraction studies. 1 and 2a showed dithiolene-H⋯X hydrogen bondings (X = N ( 1 ), O ( 2a )), because the dithiolene proton is usually acidic (ca. 9 ppm by 1 H NMR). In 2a–2c , the dihedral angles between two benzene rings ( θ 1 ) in the SA (or BA) moieties were depending on the substituents on these benzene rings. 2a has small θ 1 angle (7.321°) and the result indicates a short intramolecular OH···N hydrogen bonding distance (1.743 Å). In the crystal of 2b (or 2c ), there are two (or four) crystallographically independent molecules, and their θ 1 angles are different by the flexible SA (or BA) unit. The crystal 2b contains a non-planar molecule ( θ 1 = 37.043°) and a relatively planar molecule ( θ 1 = 22.822°) as well.

Shape-persistent macrocycles — Self-assembly reactions and characterization by hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR spectroscopy**In memory of Professor Michael M. Pollard.

The use of three shape-persistent, conjugated macrocycles 2a–2c as ligands for self-assembly reactions is described. The macrocycles have been characterized through a combination of spectroscopic analyses and, for compounds 2b and 2c, X-ray crystallographic analysis. Whereas the reaction of 2a with the cis-Pt(II) species 3 successfully provides the porous solid 4a, the analogous reaction of 2b and 2c with 3 leads only to mixtures of products. The application of continuous-flow hyperpolarized 129Xe NMR spectroscopy to investigate the solid-state pores of macrocycles 2b and 2c and the supramolecular complex 4a as a function of temperature is described. All three species show permanent porosity upon removal of co-crystallized solvent molecules. Using trends in the 129Xe chemical shifts and temperature-dependent dynamics of Xe atoms in the solids, information is obtained on the nature of the pores in these systems. Using the 129Xe NMR data for complex 4a, the effective heat of adsorption (ΔHads) was calculated to be ~29 kJ mol–1.

Processing of No-release Variants in Connected Speech

The cross modal repetition priming paradigm was used to investigate how potential lexically ambiguous no-release variants are processed. In particular we focus on segmental regularities that affect the variant's frequency of occurrence (voicing of the critical segment) and phonological context in which the variant occurs (status of the following word-initial segment). Primes consisted of carrier words ending in a segment likely (voiced; e.g., BAND) or unlikely (voiceless; PLANT) to be produced in no-release form followed by a consonant or vowel onset context word. Each carrier word had an embedded lexical competitor (embedded word) formed by the segments prior to its final consonant (e.g., plan in plant). Productions of these embedded words (true embedded word) were also used as primes. Both true embedded words (Experiments Ia-Ic) and carrier words (Experiments 2a-2c) were used as visual targets.The results are discussed in terms of the contribution of probabilistic speech events to theories of spoken word recognition and lexical competition.

Intermolecular Hydrogen–Fluorine Interaction in Dimolybdenum Triply Bonded Complexes Modified by Fluorinated Formamidine Ligands for the Construction of 2D‐ and 3D‐Networks

AbstractThe formamidines ArNHC(H)=N–Ar [Ar = Ph (2a), 4‐F‐Ph (2b), 3,5‐F2Ph (2c) and 2,6‐F2Ph (2d) and R = 2,3,5‐F3Ph (2e), 3,4,5‐F3Ph (2f), F5Ph (2g) and 4‐CF3Ph (2h)] were synthesized and the influence of the introduction of a fluorine or a trifluoromethyl group into the aryl unit on the solid‐state structures was investigated. On comparing the experimental data, only marginal differences in the geometrical and electronic features of the diverse substituted species were detected. DFT calculations and X‐ray crystallography of 2d–2g revealed that the E‐syn‐configuration corresponded to the thermodynamically most stable motif of all of the examined formamidines. However, in their solid‐state, these ligands showed a range of H···F interactions, which varied depending on the number and position of the fluorine atoms on the aryl group and thus led to interesting solid‐state structures. Moreover, compounds 2 were used for the synthesis of the new heteroleptic dimolybdenum triply‐bonded complexes, Mo2[(2a–2c; 2e–f)–H]2(OtBu)4 (3a–3c; 3e–3f). X‐ray crystallography of complexes 3c and 3f revealed two different isomers in the solid state: in trans‐3c the two formamidines are in one plane, while in cis‐3c and cis‐3f they are next to each other. The DFT calculations showed only a small distinction in energy between the configurations, which led us to assume that the different configurations were induced by the crystal packing. The specific H···F interactions provided by the different formamidines led to a two‐dimensional arrangement for trans‐3c and a three‐dimensional network for cis‐3c and cis‐3f.

Natural Killer Group 2A (NKG2A) and Natural Killer Group 2C (NKG2C) Bind to Sulfated Glycans and .ALPHA.2,3-NeuAc-containing Glycoproteins

Killer lectin-like receptors on natural killer (NK) cells mediate cytotoxicity through glycans on target cells. We prepared recombinant glutathione S-transferase-fused extracellular lectin-like domains (AA 94-231) of natural killer group 2A (NKG2A) (rGST-NKG2A) and NKG2C (rGST-NKG2C) and determined the binding of these receptors to plates coated with heparin-conjugated bovine serum albumin (heparin-BSA) and glycoproteins. rGST-NKG2A and rGST-NKG2C directly bound to heparin-BSA with K(d) values of 20 and 40 nM, respectively. Binding of rGST-NKG2A and rGST-NKG2C to heparin-BSA was suppressed in the presence of soluble heparin, heparan sulfate, fucoidan, λ-carrageenan, and dextran sulfate. 2-O-Sulfate residues in heparin were essential for the binding of rGST-NKG2A and rGST-NKG2C. Moreover, rGST-NKG2A and rGST-NKG2C bound to multimeric sialyl Lewis X expressing transferrin secreted by HepG2 cells with K(d) values of 80 and 114 nM, respectively. This is the first report showing that NKG2A and NKG2C bind to heparin and α2,3-NeuAc-containing glycoproteins.

The “Right” Consumers for Better Concepts: Identifying Consumers High in Emergent Nature to Develop New Product Concepts

While much research has emphasized improving current new product concept techniques, little work has focused on trait-based approaches that specify which consumers are the “right” ones to use in the new product development process, particularly in the consumer goods industry. The authors propose that the right consumers to use possess what they call an “emergent nature,” defined as the unique capability to imagine or envision how concepts might be developed so that they will be successful in the mainstream marketplace. The authors draw on research on personality theory and information-processing styles to support their conceptualization and develop and validate a highly reliable scale to measure emergent nature (Study 1). In subsequent multipart studies, they show in both group (Studies 2a–2c) and individual (Studies 3a and 3b) settings across two distinct product categories that consumers high in emergent nature are able to develop product concepts that mainstream consumers find significantly more appealing and useful than concepts developed by typical, lead user, or even innovative consumers.

Distribution patterns of benthic foraminifera across the Ypresian–Lutetian Gorrondatxe section, Northern Spain: Response to sedimentary disturbance

article We present a study of benthic foraminiferal assemblages from an Ypresian-Lutetian distal submarine fan system in the lower bathyal Gorrondatxe section (Basque-Cantabrian Basin, northern Spain). The objective of our study is to analyze the benthic foraminiferal distribution patterns and their response to sedimentary disturbance and related factors. Assemblages contain a high percentage of allochthonous taxa, such as asterigerinids and other shallow water taxa, which were transported downslope by turbidity currents. Detailed quantitative analyses, supported by R-mode cluster and Detrended Correspondence Analyses (after removing allochthonous taxa from the foraminiferal counts) allowed us to identify 6 assemblages that are divided into two groups related to the turbidite content in the Gorrondatxe section. Assemblages 1, characteristic of the turbidite-poor intervals with low sedimentary disturbance, include assemblage 1a (with highly diverse common middle-lower bathyal calcareous taxa) assemblage 1b (with common agglutinated taxa, mainly trochamminids), and assemblage 1c (characterized by calcareous taxa that are also common in the turbidite-rich interval). Assemblages 2, characterized by a high dominance, prevail in the turbidite-rich interval, and include assemblage 2a (characterized by the dominance of infaunal bolivinids and epifaunal cibicids), assemblage 2b (typified by moderate to low diversity and dominated by deep-infaunal Globobulimina species), and assemblage 2c (typified by very abundant suspension-feeding astrorhizids). The high abundance of bolivinids and Globobulimina species may be related to an enhanced input of low-quality organic matter transported by turbidity currents to the seafloor, representing different stages of recolonisation after disturbance and different energy regimes. High current activity was probably responsible for the abundance of cibicids, while moderate to low diverse and high dominance assemblages characterize the recolonisation of the substrate after disturbance. We conclude that sedimentary disturbance and other related factors such as current activity, resuspension of sediments at the seafloor, and supply of organic matter (and its quality) played an important role in the distribution of benthic foraminifera inthe Gorrondatxesection. The identification of allochthonous taxa emerges as an essential aspect of the study of environments with sedimentary disturbance.

Presynaptic dopaminergic agonists increased gripping-generated immobility episodes in the myelin-mutant taiep rat

The taiep rat is a myelin mutant whose immobility episodes (IEs) can be caused by gripping them by the tail. Electroencephalographic recordings during IEs show a rapid-eye movement sleep-like pattern, similar to narcolepsy-cataplexy in canines. Systemic administration of α 2-adrenoceptor agonists and the α 1 antagonist increase gripping-generated IEs. Furthermore, adrenergic α 2 antagonists decrease them. Serotonin receptors are also involved in the regulation of IEs, because the 5-HT 1A-5-HT 1B serotonin-receptor agonists decrease the IE frequency, as do the postsynaptic-serotonergic 5-HT 2A–2C agonists. The rats were maintained under standard conditions with a 12:12 h light:dark cycle, lights on at 0700, with free access to rodent pellets and tap water. Drugs were freshly prepared using sterile water and administered intraperitoneally at 0800 with the observation lasting 90 min. The IEs were caused by gripping the rat's tail every 5 min. Systemic injection of (−)-quinpirole, R(+)-7-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin (7-OH-DPAT), or trans-(±)-3,4,4a,10b-Tetrahydro-4-propyl-2H,5H-[1]benzopyrano[4,3-b]-1,4-oxazin-9-ol ((±) PD 128,907) increased both the frequency and mean duration of the IEs. The IEs produced by (−)-quinpirole were blocked by the previous administration of (−)-sulpiride and those by 7-OH-DPAT were blocked by tiapride. Systemic injection of sulpiride reduced gripping-generated IEs, but not the changes with either tiapride or U-99194, two other antagonists. In canine narcolepsy, systemic administration of D 2-dopaminergic agonists increases the frequency of cataplexies and decreased them by using (−)-sulpiride similar to the pharmacological profile in taiep cataplexies. Because of this evidence, we proposed taiep rats as an adequate model of this sleep illness and for the evaluation of anticataplexic drugs.

Synthesis and characterization of chalcone-substituted phosphazenes

A series of mono[(E)-1-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one]cyclotriphosphazenes and hexakis[(E)-1-(4-alkyloxy-phenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-phenyl) prop-2-en-1-one]cylotriphosphazenes have been synthesized. A convenient synthetic method was performed from the reaction of hexachlorocyclotriphosphazenes with 1 and 6 equiv. of (E)-1-(4-alkyloxyphenyl)-3-(4-hydroxy-phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one (2a–2c) to afford (3a–3c) in 17%–19% and (4a–4c) in 70%–82%, respectively. The compounds differ in the length of alkyl groups, CnH2n+1, where n = 10, 12, and 14.

Trans–cis isomerization of arylether dendrimers with azobenzene core and terminal hydroxy groups

Azobenzene-cored arylether dendrimers 2a–2c with polar hydroxy groups at the periphery have been prepared from hydroboration–oxidation reaction of azobenzene-cored arylether dendrimers 1a–1c with nonpolar vinyl groups at the periphery. Trans → cis photoisomerization of central azo group has been investigated by UV–vis spectral changes after photolysis. The results show that dendrimers 1a–1c and 2a–2c in methanol/dichloromethane (1/1, v/v) have carried out trans–cis isomerization. Reaction rate for trans → cis photoisomerization of 2a–2c with polar hydroxy groups increases with increasing generation upon irradiation of 350 nm. On the other hand, the reaction rate of cis → trans thermal back isomerization for 2a–2c decreases with increasing the generation. This result is somewhat different from that for 1a–1c with nonpolar vinyl groups. Both the reaction rates of trans → cis photoisomerization and cis → trans thermal back isomerization for 1a–1c decrease in higher generation.

Genetic structure and molecular variability of Grapevine fanleaf virus populations

To gain insights into the evolutionary mechanisms of Grapevine fanleaf virus (GFLV) from the genus Nepovirus, family Secoviridae, the sequences of the complete coding region of RNA2, including genes 2A HP, 2B MP and 2C CP, and partial sequence from the RNA1-encoded gene 1E Pol of 14 GFLV isolates from three naturally infected California vineyards were characterized. Phylogenetic analyses suggested two to three evolutionarily divergent lineages that did not reflect the vineyard origin of the isolates or an association with rootstock genotype or scion cultivar. Examination of the genetic variability of the California isolates alongside isolates worldwide, for which three RNA1 and 44 RNA2 coding sequences are available, revealed similar patterns of molecular evolution for the different regions within the GFLV genome but distinct selection constraints with the strongest pressure exerted on genes 2C CP and 2B MP, an intermediate level of pressure exerted on gene 1E Pol, and the weakest pressure exerted on gene 2A HP. Some of the California isolates resulted from interspecies recombination events between GFLV and Arabis mosaic virus with crossover sites suspected in gene 1E Pol and identified in genes 2A HP and 2B MP; and intraspecies recombination events inferred in the four target genes but most frequently observed within gene 2C CP. This study suggested that purifying selection and recombination are important evolutionary mechanisms in the genetic diversification of GFLV.

Design, synthesis and anti-ulcerogenic effect of some of furo-salicylic acid derivatives on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronically recurrent inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. The present work describes design and synthesis of 3-aminofurosalicylic acid 4, azo-conjugates with aniline 2a, 4-ASA 2b or sulphapyridine 2c as well as N-arylsulphonamido 5, chlorosulphonyl 6, aminosulphonyl 7 and N-arylaminosulphonyl derivatives 8 (positional isosters of 5). All the synthesized compounds were evaluated for their anti-ulcerogenic effect on acetic acid-induced ulcerative colitis in rats. It was noticed that oral treatment with sulphasalazine (a reference drug) and the tested compounds 2a, 2c, 4 and 5c in equimolar doses significantly reduced the intensity of lesion score, ulcer area, ulcer index and wet weight/length ratio compared to the control group. On the other hand, compounds 2b, 5a, 5b and 7 had a lower anti-ulcerogenic efficacy. Also, the antimicrobial activity of the synthesized compounds was screened in vitro using the agar diffusion assay technique. In addition, docking of the tested compounds into cycloxygenase II using molecular operating environment (MOE) was performed in order to rationalize the obtained biological results and their mechanism of action.

Kobuvirus in Domestic Sheep, Hungary

To the Editor: Picornaviruses (family Picornaviridae) are small, nonenveloped viruses with single-stranded, positive-sense genomic RNA. They are divided into 12 genera: Enterovirus, Aphthovirus, Cardiovirus, Hepatovirus, Parechovirus, Erbovirus, Teschovirus, Sapelovirus, Senecavirus, Tremovirus, Avihepatovirus, and Kobuvirus. The genus Kobuvirus consists of 2 officially recognized species, Aichi virus (1) and Bovine kobuvirus (2), and 1 candidate species, porcine kobuvirus (3). The kobuvirus genome is ≈8.2–8.4 kb long and has the typical picornavirus genome organization of leader (L) protein following the structural (viral protein [VP] 0, VP3, and VP1) and nonstructural (2A–2C and 3A–3D) regions (2,4). The genetic identity on the coding region between Aichi (strain A846/88), bovine (U-1), and porcine (S-1-HUN) viruses is between 35% (L protein) and 74% (3D region) (2,4). Aichi virus and bovine kobuvirus were first detected in fecal samples from humans and cattle in Japan, in 1991 and 2003, respectively (1,2). Porcine kobuvirus was identified from domestic pigs in Hungary in 2008 (3,4). Recent studies demonstrated that Aichi virus circulates in Asia (5), Europe (6,7) including Hungary (4), South America (6), and North Africa (8) and can cause gastroenteritis in humans. In addition, bovine and porcine kobuviruses are detected among these farm animals in Europe (4) and Asia (2,9). These data indicate that kobuviruses are widely distributed geographically and raise the possibility of additional animal host species. We detected kobuvirus in sheep. On March 17, 2009, a total of 8 fecal samples were collected from young, healthy, domestic sheep (Ovis aries) <3 weeks of age in a herd of 400 animals in central Hungary. At this farm, merino ewes from Hungary were mated with blackhead meat rams from Germany. At the time of sampling, no clinical signs of diarrhea were reported. Reverse transcription–PCR was performed by using generic kobuvirus screening primers (UNIV-kobu-R/F) reported previously (4). These primers were designed for Aichi virus (GenBank accession no. {type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:AB040749,term_id:15186718,term_text:AB040749}}AB040749), bovine ({type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:AB084788,term_id:24817742,term_text:AB084788}}AB084788), and porcine kobuvirus ({type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:EU787450,term_id:219524015,term_text:EU787450}}EU787450) sequences and amplify a 216-nt region of 3D (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region). The continuous 3D and 3′ untranslated regions (UTRs) of the kobuvirus genome in sheep were determined by using the 5′/3′ RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) kit, 2nd generation (Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Mannheim, Germany) and primers UNIV-kobu-F and S-1-F-7518/7540 (5′-CACTTCCATCATCAACACCATCA-3′ corresponding to nt 7518–7540 of bovine kobuvirus) (4). PCR products were sequenced directly in both directions by using the BigDye Reaction Kit (Applied Biosystems, Warrington, UK) with the PCR primers and sequenced by an ABI PRISM 310 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Stafford, TX, USA). Phylogenetic analysis was conducted by using MEGA version 4.1 (www.megasoftware.net). The sequence for kobuvirus/sheep/TB3-HUN/2009/Hungary was submitted to GenBank under accession no. {type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:GU245693,term_id:342240198,term_text:GU245693}}GU245693. Of the 8 sheep fecal samples, 5 (62.5%) were positive for kobuvirus. The partial 3D region (216 nt) was genetically identical for all 5 strains. The 3′ continuous nucleotide sequence of the partial 3D (688 nt) and 3′ UTR (174 nt) regions of strain kobuvirus/sheep/TB3-HUN/2009/Hungary (TB3-HUN; {type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:GU245693,term_id:342240198,term_text:GU245693}}GU245693) was determined. TB3-HUN had 59%–66% (862) nt and 77%–84% aa identities to Aichi and porcine kobuviruses, respectively. Strain TB3-HUN had 89/97% nt/aa and 86% nt identities to bovine kobuvirus in the 3D/3′ UTR (862 nt) and 3′ UTR (174 nt) regions, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of the overlapping partial 3D/3′ UTR nucleotide sequence of TB3-HUN from sheep and of reference bovine, porcine, and human kobuviruses confirmed that ovine kobuvirus strain TB3-HUN is related to bovine kobuviruses (Figure). Figure Phylogenetic analysis of kobuvirus in sheep (kobuvirus/sheep/TB3-HUN/2009/Hungary, {type:entrez-nucleotide,attrs:{text:GU245693,term_id:342240198,term_text:GU245693}}GU245693) and kobuvirus lineages in humans, cattle, and swine, according ... The nucleotide sequence of the partial 3D/3′ UTR region of kobuvirus in sheep has high nucleotide identity to bovine kobuviruses and forms the same lineage (but a different sublineage) with the kobuvirus strains in cattle. This result raised the following questions: can a highly similar kobuvirus be present in (and pathogenic for) 2 animal species (cattle and sheep), or is this result a consequence of natural contamination? The concept of sheep as host is supported by the high prevalence of kobuvirus in young healthy sheep; by the sublineage position of the sheep strain on the phylogenetic tree according to the most conserved genetic region; and by the genetic relation between the 2 potential ruminant hosts, cattle and sheep. The existence of 1 pathogen in 2 host species (cattle and sheep) is well known, e.g., for bluetongue virus, adenoviruses, ovine herpesvirus type 2, and foot-and-mouth disease picornaviruses (10). Alternatively, the possibility of natural contamination cannot be excluded. The possibility of passive virus shedding in sheep exists because a cattle farm was located next to the tested sheep herd and would enable fecal–oral transmission of kobuvirus between these farm animals. Both possibilities (host and passive virus reservoir) are preliminary perceptions, regardless which is true. Further molecular and epidemiologic studies are required to determine the relevance, distribution, and diversity of kobuvirus or kobuviruses in sheep.

Discovery of bis-aromatic ring neonicotinoid analogues fixed as cis-configuration: Synthesis, insecticidal activities, and molecular docking studies

A novel series of bis-aromatic ring neonicotinoid analogues (1a–1l, 2a–2c), were designed and prepared by introducing a new substituted aromatic ring into nitenpyram and forming a tetrahydropyrimidine ring, with the cis-configuration confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Preliminary bioassays showed most analogues exhibited good insecticidal activities at 100mg/L, and compound 1d and 2a were highly potent even at 10mg/L. Modeling the ligand–receptor complexes by molecular docking study explained the structure–activity relationships observed in vitro, which may provide some useful information for future design of new insecticides.

Bimetallic Ru–Cu tellurido complexes: controlled synthesis and electrochemical studies of copper halide–TeRu5 and Te2Ru4clusters

When [TeRu(5)(CO)(14)](2-) () was treated with 1 equiv. of CuX (X = Cl, Br, I) in THF, mono-CuX-TeRu(5) clusters [TeRu(5)(CO)(14)CuX](2-) (X = Cl, ; Br, ; I, ) were obtained. Clusters consist of an octahedral TeRu(5) core, in which one triangular Ru(3) plane is capped by a mu(3)-CuX fragment. For CuX (X = Cl, Br), the reaction of complex with 2 equiv. of CuX in THF at room temperature formed Cu(4)X(2)-linked di-TeRu(5) clusters [{TeRu(5)(CO)(14)}(2)Cu(4)X(2)](2-) (X = Cl, ; Br, ), while the same reaction in MeCN at -35 degrees C produced bis-CuX-TeRu(5) complexes [TeRu(5)(CO)(14)(CuX)(2)](2-) (X = Cl, ; Br, ). X-Ray analysis showed that displays a TeRu(5) core with two adjacent Ru(3) triangles each capped by a mu(3)-CuBr ligand while has two TeRu(5) cores that are linked by a mu(6)-Cu(4)Br(2) moiety. Clusters and underwent coupling reactions in THF to yield clusters and , and easily transformed to bis-CuX-Te(2)Ru(4) clusters [Te(2)Ru(4)(CO)(10)(CuX)(2)](2-) (X = Cl, ; X = Br, ) in MeCN. On the other hand, the reaction of with 2 equiv. of CuI in THF directly produced the bis-CuI-Te(2)Ru(4) cluster [Te(2)Ru(4)(CO)(10)(CuI)(2)](2-) (). The nature, stability, stepwise cluster transformation, and electrochemistry of these CuX-incorporated TeRu(5)- and Te(2)Ru(4)-based complexes are discussed systematically. In particular, the effects of CuX and the metal cores (TeRu(5)vs. Te(2)Ru(4)) on the resultant Te-Ru-Cu clusters are further elucidated by molecular orbital calculations at the B3LYP level of the density functional theory.

Synthesis and Characterization of Soluble Poly(p‐phenylene) Derivatives for PLED Applications

AbstractPPP derivatives with high molecular weights were synthesized and characterized by FT‐IR, 1H, 13C NMR and GPC. The decomposition temperatures of 2a–2c were above 300–400 °C. DSC analysis indicated their nature to be crystalline as all of them exhibited a melt temperature on controlled heating. Optical and electrochemical band gaps was determined using UV/Vis spectroscopy and CV. Single‐layer PLEDs fabricated with 2a–2c displayed high threshold voltages due to high potential barrier for holes. Their EL spectra reveal a small shift in blue peak and the emission form higher wavelength shoulder peak is enhanced.magnified image