Flexible synthesis of polyfunctionalised 3-fluoropyrroles

An efficient and selective approach for the synthesis of polyfunctionalised 3-fluoropyrroles has been developed starting from commercial aldehydes. The methodology is concise, efficient and allows for the modular and systematic assembly of polysubstituted 3-fluoropyrroles. This synthesis provides an alternative and highly convergent strategy for the generation of these chemically and biologically important units

Short and efficient synthesis of fluorinated δ-lactams

The diastereoselective synthesis of fluorinated δ-lactams has been achieved through an efficient five step process. The route can tolerate a range of functionalities, and provides a quick route for the generation of new fluorinated medicinal building blocks

Magnetic Properties of MBE Grown La1-xSrxMnO3 Thin Films versus Bulk Crystal Data

We have studied how the ferromagnetic transition and other magnetic properties vary with concentration. Data collected has been analyzed, using SigmaPlot software, to better evaluate reduced dimensionality effects on the magnetic behavior of lanthanum strontium manganite (La1-xSrxMnO3 or LSMO). Measurements using reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) were incorporated to verify that the crystals are high quality. We then measured the magnetic properties using our Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer. These magnetic properties have been analyzed to determine the characteristics of the superlattice. The primary goal has involved the magnetic data collection and analysis. Our analysis has investigated the major ferromagnetic properties and other qualities of the samples. Critical temperature, saturated magnetic moment, remnant moment, and Bohr magneton versus temperature as well as the ferromagnetic to paramagnetic transition temperature have been studied in detail over a sample range of Sr concentration values from x = 0.04 to 0.20. This has provided a better insight into the interesting behavior exhibited at concentration x = 0.04, where the canted anti-ferromagnetic properties begin to become apparent in this doping range but aren’t apparent at higher doping (higher concentrations). Thanks to the research grant provided by The Office of Undergraduate Research we have the helium gas that is essential for producing the liquid helium needed for more measurements that will be required to fine tune and verify our data for scientific publication

Track My Ride

Cycling has become more and more popular as a healthy activity and a transport option across many countries. This is not different in Ireland, a country where in April 2016, 56,837 people cycled to work; an increase of 43% since 2011 (Central statistics office, 2017). Irish Government “committed to developing cycling as one of the most desirable modes of travel by 2020” as it plays an indispensable role in people’s lives (Sustainable transport division - department of transport, tourism and sport, 2009). The “Balance” team managed to visualize that a strong cycling culture was becoming important in Ireland. Hence our team was seeking to develop a mobile application called “Track my Ride” to contribute to the cycling community whilst by answering a crucial question: How can a cyclist manage and store its bike details? Answering that question, we have intended provide tools where the cyclists could discard common concerns such as: ● Is this second-hand bike reported as missing? ● Is there any bike parking space near a specific location? ● How can I warn people if my bike goes missing? Track My Ride is a bike management tool for bike-users, previous and/or future bike owners. Our main objective is to facilitate the way people manage and use their bikes, enhancing the cyclists experience while building an active online and collaborative cycling community

Análisis bibliométrico sobre energía solar fotovoltaica aplicada en el sector agrícola como alternativa socioambiental

La investigación analiza mediante la bibliometría, publicaciones relativas a la energía solar fotovoltaica aplicada en el sector agrícola mundial durante el quinquenio 2017- 2021. La metodología utilizada se ajustó a un proceso de búsqueda y revisión literaria en las principales bases de datos: Redalyc, Science Direct, SciELO y Science.gov; con 30 artículos que tratan sobre el tema, y como resultado se concluye que el mayor número de publicaciones se han realizado en China, con incremento de las publicaciones en el 2021 en Science Direct.   The research analyzes through bibliometrics, publications related to solar photovoltaic energy applied in the global agricultural sector during the five-year period 2017-2021. The methodology used was adjusted to a process of search and literature review in the main databases: Redalyc, Science Direct, SciELO and Science.gov; with 30 articles dealing with the topic, and as a result it is concluded that the highest number of publications have been made in China, with increased publications in 2021 in Science Direct

Dysregulated Network of Immune, Endocrine and Metabolic Markers is Associated to More Severe Human Chronic Chagas Cardiomyopathy

Individuals who are infected with Trypanosoma cruzi develop chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), which is a complication involving a series of immune pathogenetic mechanisms, although an association between immune and metabolic alterations was more recently proposed. Accordingly, we investigated the immuno-metabolic response in chagasic patients and their possible influence on CCC pathogenesis. To this end, T. cruzi-seropositive (asymptomatic or with CCC) and sero-negative individuals were studied. Serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, adipocytokines and the expression of their receptors in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) were evaluated, together with other factors influencing the immune response. CCC patients showed major metabolic and hormonal abnormalities, in parallel with increased IL-6 and leptin serum levels. TNF-α receptor s, leptin and adiponectin receptors (ObR and Adipo-Rs respectively), as well as PPAR-γ expression in PBMCs from CCC patients were compatible with a counteracting response leading to an unfavourable immune-metabolic profile. These results suggest that persistently increased levels of immune-metabolic pro-inflammatory mediators along with the adverse endocrine anti-inflammatory response of CCC individuals, may contribute to the underlying mechanisms dealing with myocardial tissue damage.Fil: González, Florencia Belén. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, CONICET-UNR; ArgentinaFil: Bottasso, Oscar. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Médicas. Instituto de Inmunología Clínica y Experimental de Rosario, CONICET-UNR; Argentin

BODIPY-labeled estrogens for fluorescence analysis of environmental microbial degradation

Biodegradation of estrogen hormone micropollutants is a well-established approach toward their remediation. Fluorescently labeled substrates are used extensively for rapid, near-real-time analysis of biological processes and are a potential tool for studying biodegradation processes faster and more efficiently than conventional approaches. However, it is important to understand how the fluorescently tagged surrogates compare with the natural substrate in terms of chemical analysis and the intended application. We derivatized three natural estrogens with BODIPY fluorophores by azide–alkyne cycloaddition click reaction and developed an analytical workflow based on simple liquid–liquid extraction and HPLC-PDA analysis. The developed methods allow for concurrent analysis of both fluorescent and natural estrogens with comparable recovery, accuracy, and precision. We then evaluated the use of BODIPY-labeled estrogens as surrogate substrates for studying biodegradation using a model bacterium for estrogen metabolism. The developed analytical methods were successfully employed to compare the biological transformation of 17β-estradiol (E2), with and without the BODIPY fluorescent tag. Through measuring the complete degradation of E2 and the transformation of BODIPY-estradiol to BODIPY-estrone in the presence of a co-substrate, we found that BODIPY-labeled estrogens are biologically viable surrogates for investigating biodegradation in environmental bacteria

Structure-activity analysis of CJ-15,801 analogues that interact with Plasmodium falciparum pantothenate kinase and inhibit parasite proliferation

Survival of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum is dependent on pantothenate (vitamin B5), a precursor of the fundamental enzyme cofactor coenzyme A. CJ-15,801, an enamide analogue of pantothenate isolated from the fungus Seimatosporium sp. CL28611, was previously shown to inhibit P. falciparum proliferation in vitro by targeting pantothenate utilization. To inform the design of next generation analogues, we set out to synthesize and test a series of synthetic enamide-bearing pantothenate analogues. We demonstrate that conservation of the R-pantoyl moiety and the trans-substituted double bond of CJ-15,801 is important for the selective, on-target antiplasmodial effect, while replacement of the carboxyl group is permitted, and, in one case, favored. Additionally, we show that the antiplasmodial potency of CJ-15,801 analogues that retain the R-pantoyl and trans-substituted enamide moieties correlates with inhibition of P. falciparum pantothenate kinase (PfPanK)-catalyzed pantothenate phosphorylation, implicating the interaction with PfPanK as a key determinant of antiplasmodial activity.C.S. was funded by an NHMRC Overseas Biomedical Fellowship (1016357). EPSRC and Syngenta provided postgraduate support (MJV) and a Leadership Fellowship (RM). Additional support was provided by Dr. Ian Sword, the EPSRC (grant EP/H005692/1) and the COST Action CM0801

Novel compounds targeting the enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli type three secretion system reveal insights into mechanisms of secretion inhibition

Anti-virulence (AV) compounds are a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics for fighting bacterial infections. The Type Three Secretion System (T3SS) is a well-studied and attractive AV target, given that it is widespread in more than 25 species of Gram-negative bacteria, including enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), and as it is essential for host colonization by many pathogens. In this work, we designed, synthesized and tested a new series of compounds that block the functionality of the T3SS of EHEC. Affinity chromatography experiments identified the primary target of the compounds as the T3SS needle pore protein EspD, which is essential for effector protein translocation into host cells. These data were supported by mechanistic studies that determined the coiled-coil domain 1 of EspD as a key compound-binding site, thereby preventing correct assembly of the T3SS complex on the cell surface. However, binding of inhibitors to EspD or deletion of EspD itself did not result in transcriptional down-regulation of effector proteins. Instead, we found the compounds to exhibit dual-functionality by also down-regulating transcription of the entire chromosomal locus encoding the T3SS, further demonstrating their desirability and effectiveness