Assembling an isomer grid: the isomorphous 4-, 3- and 2-fluoro-N'-(4-pyridyl)benzamides

The three title isomers, 4-, (I), 3-, (II), and 2-fluoro-N'-(4-pyridyl)benzamide, (III), all C₁₂H₉FN₂O, crystallize in the P21/c space group (No. 14) with similar unit-cell parameters and are isomorphous and isostructural at the primary hydrogen-bonding level. An intramolecular C-H...O=C interaction is present in all three isomers [C...O = 2.8681 (17)-2.884 (2) Å and C-H...O117-118°], with an additional N-H...F [N...F = 2.7544 (15) Å] interaction in (III). Intermolecular amide-pyridine N-H...N hydrogen bonds link molecules into one-dimensional zigzag chains [graph set C(6)] along the [010] direction as the primary hydrogen bond [N...N = 3.022 (2), 3.049 (2) and 3.0213 (17) Å]. These are augmented in (I) by C-H...π(arene) and cyclic C-F...π(arene) contacts about inversion centres, in (II) by C-F...F-C interactions [C...F = 3.037 (2) Å] and weaker C-H...π(arene)/C-H...F contacts, and in (III) by C-H...π(arene) and C=O...O=C interactions, linking the alternating chains into two-dimensional sheets. Typical amide N-H...O=C hydrogen bonds [as C(4) chains] are not present [N...O = 3.438 (2) Å in (I), 3.562 (2) Å in (II) and 3.7854 (16) Å in (III)]; the C=O group is effectively shielded and only participates in weaker interactions/contacts. This series is unusual as the three isomers are isomorphous (having similar unit-cell parameters, packing and alignment), but they differ in their interactions and contacts at the secondary level

Accurate Mental Maps as an Aspect of Local Ecological Knowledge (LEK): A Case Study from Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland

A mental map of the substrate of Lough Neagh, Northern Ireland, compiled from interviews with local fishermen, is compared with maps produced by science-based techniques. The comparison reveals that the mental map is highly accurate. This finding contrasts with the spatial distortion characteristic of the classic mental map. The accuracy of the Lough Neagh map is attributed to the fact that it is a compendium of the knowledge of several generations, rather than an individual perception. Individual distortions are filtered out, and accuracy is promoted by economic self-interest. High accuracy may be characteristic of the mental maps held by artisanal exploiters of natural resources

3-Fluoro-N-(3-fluoro­benzo­yl)-N-(2-pyrid­yl)benzamide

The title compound, C19H12F2N2O2, a 2:1 product of the reaction of 3-fluoro­benzoyl­chloride and 2-amino­pyridine crystallizes with a disordered 3-fluoro­benzene ring adopting two conformations [ratio of occupancies 0.959 (4):0.041 (4)]. In the crystal structure, there are no classical hydrogen bonds and inter­actions comprise C—H⋯O in the form 2(C—H)⋯O=C [with motif R 2 1(5)]; C—H⋯π(arene) inter­actions are also present

2-Fluoro-N-(2-fluoro­benzo­yl)-N-(2-pyrid­yl)benzamide

The title compound, C19H12F2N2O2, a 2:1 product of the reaction of 2-fluoro­benzoyl chloride and 2-amino­pyridine, crystallizes with a disordered 2-fluoro­benzene ring adopting two conformations [ratio of occupancies = 0.930 (4):0.070 (4)] in one of the two independent mol­ecules (differing slightly in conformation) comprising the asymmetric unit. In the crystal structure, C—H⋯O and C—H⋯π(arene) inter­actions are present

The Vector Population Monitoring Tool (VPMT): High-Throughput DNA-Based Diagnostics for the Monitoring of Mosquito Vector Populations

Regular monitoring of mosquito vector populations is an integral component of most vector control programmes. Contemporary data on mosquito species composition, infection status, and resistance to insecticides are a prerequisite for effective intervention. For this purpose we, with funding from the Innovative Vector Control Consortium (IVCC), have developed a suite of high-throughput assays based on a single “closed-tube” platform that collectively comprise the “Vector Population Monitoring Tool” (VPMT). The VPMT can be used to screen mosquito disease vector populations for a number of traits including Anopheles gambiae s.l. and Anopheles funestus species identification, detection of infection with Plasmodium parasites, and identification of insecticide resistance mechanisms. In this paper we focus on the Anopheles-specific assays that comprise the VPMT and include details of a new assay for resistance todieldrin Rdl detection. The application of these tools, general and specific guidelines on their use based on field testing in Africa, and plans for further development are discussed

2-Ferrocenyl-N-(6-methyl-2-pyrid­yl)benzamide

The title compound, [Fe(C5H5)(C18H15N2O)], a product of the reaction of 2-ferrocenylbenzoic acid and 2-amino-6-methyl­pyridine, crystallizes with two dissimilar mol­ecules in the asymmetric unit. In one mol­ecule, the picoline amide group is directed away from the 2-ferrocenylbenzene moiety (anti) whereas in the other, these are proximate (syn). In the crystal structure, mol­ecules aggregate into dimers via cyclic, asymmetric N—H⋯N inter­actions with graph set R 2 2(8), and are further augmented via intra­molecular C—H⋯O=C and inter­dimer C—H⋯π(arene) inter­actions. Dimers are linked into chains along the [102] direction via weak C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds

FMDV replicons encoding green fluorescent protein are replication competent

The study of replication of viruses that require high bio-secure facilities can be accomplished with less stringent containment using non-infectious 'replicon' systems. The FMDV replicon system (pT7rep) reported by Mclnerney et al. (2000) was modified by the replacement of sequences encoding chloramphenicol acetyl-transferase (CAT) with those encoding a functional L proteinase (Lpro) linked to a bi-functional fluorescent/antibiotic resistance fusion protein (green fluorescent protein/puromycin resistance, [GFP-PAC]). Cells were transfected with replicon-derived transcript RNA and GFP fluorescence quantified. Replication of transcript RNAs was readily detected by fluorescence, whilst the signal from replication-incompetent forms of the genome was >2-fold lower. Surprisingly, a form of the replicon lacking the Lpro showed a significantly stronger fluorescence signal, but appeared with slightly delayed kinetics. Replication can, therefore, be quantified simply by live-cell imaging and image analyses, providing a rapid and facile alternative to RT-qPCR or CAT assays

Cellulose Nanofibers and Other Biopolymers for Biomedical Applications. A Review

Biopolymers are materials synthesised or derived from natural sources, such as plants, animals, microorganisms or any other living organism. The use of these polymers has grown significantly in recent years as industry shifts away from unsustainable fossil fuel resources and looks towards a softer and more sustainable environmental approach. This review article covers the main classes of biopolymers: Polysaccharides, proteins, microbial-derived and lignin. In addition, an overview of the leading biomedical applications of biopolymers is also provided, which includes tissue engineering, medical implants, wound dressings, and the delivery of bioactive molecules. The future clinical applications of biopolymers are vast, due to their inherent biocompatibility, biodegradability and low immunogenicity. All properties which their synthetic counterparts do not share

Association Mapping of Insecticide Resistance in Wild Anopheles gambiae Populations: Major Variants Identified in a Low-Linkage Disequilbrium Genome

Background: Association studies are a promising way to uncover the genetic basis of complex traits in wild populations. Data on population stratification, linkage disequilibrium and distribution of variant effect-sizes for different trait-types are required to predict study success but are lacking for most taxa. We quantified and investigated the impacts of these key variables in a large-scale association study of a strongly selected trait of medical importance: pyrethroid resistance in the African malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Methodology/Principal Findings: We genotyped <1500 resistance-phenotyped wild mosquitoes from Ghana and Cameroon using a 1536-SNP array enriched for candidate insecticide resistance gene SNPs. Three factors greatly impacted study power. (1) Population stratification, which was attributable to co-occurrence of molecular forms (M and S), and cryptic within-form stratification necessitating both a partitioned analysis and genomic control. (2) All SNPs of substantial effect (odds ratio, OR.2) were rare (minor allele frequency, MAF,0.05). (3) Linkage disequilibrium (LD) was very low throughout most of the genome. Nevertheless, locally high LD, consistent with a recent selective sweep, and uniformly high ORs in each subsample facilitated significant direct and indirect detection of the known insecticide target site mutation kdr L1014F (OR<6; P,1026), but with resistance level modified by local haplotypic background. Conclusion: Primarily as a result of very low LD in wild A. Gambiae, LD-based association mapping is challenging, but is feasible at least for major effect variants, especially where LD is enhanced by selective sweeps. Such variants will be of greatest importance for predictive diagnostic screening

Different plant viruses induce changes in feeding behavior of specialist and generalist aphids on common bean that are likely to enhance virus transmission

Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV), bean common mosaic necrosis virus (BCMNV), and cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) cause serious epidemics in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris), a vital food security crop in many low-to-medium income countries, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Aphids transmit these viruses “non-persistently,” i.e., virions attach loosely to the insects' stylets. Viruses may manipulate aphid-host interactions to enhance transmission. We used direct observation and electrical penetration graph measurements to see if the three viruses induced similar or distinct changes in feeding behaviors of two aphid species, Aphis fabae and Myzus persicae. Both aphids vector BCMV, BCMNV, and CMV but A. fabae is a legume specialist (the dominant species in bean fields) while M. persicae is a generalist that feeds on and transmits viruses to diverse plant hosts. Aphids of both species commenced probing epidermal cells (behavior optimal for virus acquisition and inoculation) sooner on virus-infected plants than on mock-inoculated plants. Infection with CMV was especially disruptive of phloem feeding by the bean specialist aphid A. fabae. A. fabae also experienced mechanical stylet difficulty when feeding on virus-infected plants, and this was also exacerbated for M. persicae. Overall, feeding on virus-infected host plants by specialist and generalist aphids was affected in different ways but all three viruses induced similar effects on each aphid type. Specifically, non-specialist (M. persicae) aphids encountered increased stylet difficulties on plants infected with BCMV, BCMNV, or CMV, whereas specialist aphids (A. fabae) showed decreased phloem ingestion on infected plants. Probing and stylet pathway activity (which facilitate virus transmission) were not decreased by any of the viruses for either of the aphid species, except in the case of A. fabae on CMV-infected bean, where these activities were increased. Overall, these virus-induced changes in host-aphid interactions are likely to enhance non-persistent virus transmission, and data from this work will be useful in epidemiological modeling of non-persistent vectoring of viruses by aphids