A pillared-bilayer porous coordination polymer with a 1D channel and a 2D interlayer space, showing unique gas and vapor sorption.

A new 2D pillared-bilayer porous coordination polymer (PCP) has been synthesized and structurally characterized that shows selective adsorption of CO(2) over other gases (N(2), O(2), Ar, H(2), CH(4)) and guest selective single/double-step adsorption of vapor correlated to the successive confinement of adsorbates in a 1D channel and a 2D interlayer space.

Local peritoneal irrigation with intestinal alkaline phosphatase is protective against peritonitis in mice.

BACKGROUND: The brush-border enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) functions as a gut mucosal defense factor and detoxifies different toll-like receptor ligands. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effects of locally administered calf IAP (cIAP) in a cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model of polymicrobial sepsis. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice underwent CLP followed by intraperitoneal injection of cIAP or normal saline. Blood leukocyte counts, levels of cytokines and liver enzymes, and lung myeloperoxidase activity were determined. Peritoneal lavage fluid (PLF) was assayed for neutrophil infiltration and both aerobic and anaerobic bacterial counts. RESULTS: After intraperitoneal injection, cIAP activity in PLF decreased 50% within 15 min with minimal activity evident at 4 h. Compared with irrigation with normal saline, cIAP irrigation increased the 7-day survival rate in mice undergoing CLP, with maximal effects seen at 25 units of cIAP (0% vs. 46% survival rate, respectively; p < 0.001). cIAP treatment reduced lung inflammation, liver damage and levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-6. CONCLUSIONS: Peritoneal irrigation with cIAP significantly enhances survival in a mouse model of peritonitis, likely through reduction of local inflammation and remote organ damage. We suggest that intraperitoneal cIAP irrigation could be a novel therapy for intra-abdominal sepsis.

A supramolecular spin crossover Fe(III) complex and its Cr(III) isomer: stabilization of water-chloride cluster within supramolecular host.

The metal complexes, [M(Hdammthiol)(2)]Cl·3H(2)O [M = Cr(III) (1), Fe(III) (2)] [where H(2)dammthiol is the thiol form of the ligand, diacetylmonoxime morpholine N-thiohydrazone] were synthesized by metal template reactions of diacetylemonoxime with morpholine N-thiohydrazide in the presence of CrCl(3)·6H(2)O and FeCl(3)·6H(2)O. Both the complexes (1 and 2) were characterized by single crystal X-ray crystallography, spectroscopic (IR and UV-vis), Mössbauer and TGA analyses. The single crystal X-ray studies of both complexes show that the supramolecular hosts, constructed by the discrete mononuclear complexes, form supramolecular channels along the c-axis which are filled up by water-chloride clusters. In both complexes, the 1D water-chloride chain with chair-like architecture within the supramolecular hosts presents novelty. The magnetic measurement study of Fe(III) complex shows a spin crossover from S = 1/2 at 2.5 K to S = 5/2 at 300 K. At very low temperature, the presence of strong cooperative hydrogen bonding interactions stabilizes the S = 1/2 state.

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase has beneficial effects in mouse models of chronic colitis.

BACKGROUND: The brush border enzyme intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) functions as a gut mucosal defense factor and is protective against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced acute injury in rats. The present study evaluated the potential therapeutic role for orally administered calf IAP (cIAP) in two independent mouse models of chronic colitis: 1) DSS-induced chronic colitis, and 2) chronic spontaneous colitis in Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome protein (WASP)-deficient (knockout) mice that is accelerated by irradiation. METHODS: The wildtype (WT) and IAP knockout (IAP-KO) mice received four cycles of 2% DSS ad libitum for 7 days. Each cycle was followed by a 7-day DSS-free interval during which mice received either cIAP or vehicle in the drinking water. The WASP-KO mice received either vehicle or cIAP for 6 weeks beginning on the day of irradiation. RESULTS: Microscopic colitis scores of DSS-treated IAP-KO mice were higher than DSS-treated WT mice (52±3.8 versus 28.8±6.6, respectively, P<0.0001). cIAP treatment attenuated the disease in both groups (KO=30.7±6.01, WT=18.7±5.0, P<0.05). In irradiated WASP-KO mice cIAP also attenuated colitis compared to control groups (3.3±0.52 versus 6.2±0.34, respectively, P<0.001). Tissue myeloperoxidase activity and proinflammatory cytokines were significantly decreased by cIAP treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Endogenous IAP appears to play a role in protecting the host against chronic colitis. Orally administered cIAP exerts a protective effect in two independent mouse models of chronic colitis and may represent a novel therapy for human IBD.

A role for intestinal alkaline phosphatase in the maintenance of local gut immunity.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) is a gut mucosal defense factor known to dephosphorylate lipopolysaccharide (LPS); however, the role of IAP in the gut response to luminal bacteria remains poorly defined. We investigated immune responses of wild-type (WT) and IAP-knockout (IAP-KO) mice to LPS and Salmonella typhimurium challenges. METHODS: Cryostat sectioning and standard indirect immunohistochemical staining for major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules were performed on liver tissue from WT and IAP-KO mice. WT and IAP-KO mice were orally gavaged with S. typhimurium; bacterial translocation to mesenteric nodes, liver, and spleen was determined by tissue homogenization and plating. In other experiments, WT and IAP-KO mice received intraperitoneal injections of LPS, with subsequent quantification of complete blood counts and serum interleukin (IL)-6 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). WT and IAP-KO whole blood were plated and stimulated with LPS and Pam-3-Cys, followed by cytokine assays. RESULTS: Immunohistologic liver examinations showed increased expression of MHC class II molecules in IAP-KO mice. Following S. typhimurium challenge, WT mice appeared moribund compared with IAP-KO mice, with increased bacterial translocation. WT mice had >50% decrease (P<.005) in platelets and 1.8-fold (P<.05) increased serum IL-6 compared with IAP-KO mice in response to LPS injections. IAP-KO whole-blood stimulation with LPS and Pam-3-Cys resulted in increased IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha secretion compared with WT. CONCLUSIONS: IAP-KO mice exhibit characteristics consistent with local LPS tolerance. Whole-blood response of IAP-KO mice did not reflect systemic tolerance. These data suggest that IAP is a local immunomodulating factor, perhaps regulating LPS-toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) interaction between commensal microflora and intestinal epithelium.

A Pd6 molecular cage via multicomponent self-assembly incorporating both neutral and anionic linkers.

A Pd(6) molecular cage [{(tmen)Pd}(6)(bpy)(3)(tma)(2)](NO(3))(6) [1; where tmen = N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylene diamine, bpy = 4,4'-bipyridyl, and H(3)tma = trimesic acid] was prepared via the template-free three-component self-assembly of a cis-blocked palladium(II) acceptor in combination with a tricarboxylate and a dipyridyl donor. Complex 1 represents the first example of a 3D palladium(II) cage of defined shape incorporating anionic and neutral linkers. Guest-induced exclusive formation of this cage was also monitored by an NMR study.

Identification of specific targets for the gut mucosal defense factor intestinal alkaline phosphatase.

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) is a small intestinal brush border enzyme that has been shown to function as a gut mucosal defense factor, but its precise mechanism of action remains unclear. We investigated the effects of IAP on specific bacteria and bacterial components to determine its molecular targets. Purulent fluid from a cecal ligation and puncture model, specific live and heat-killed bacteria (Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhimurium, and Listeria monocytogenes), and a variety of proinflammatory ligands (LPS, CpG DNA, Pam-3-Cys, flagellin, and TNF) were incubated with or without calf IAP (cIAP). Phosphate release was determined by using a malachite green assay. The various fluids were applied to target cells (THP-1, parent HT-29, and IAP-expressing HT-29 cells) and IL-8 secretion measured by ELISA. cIAP inhibited IL-8 induction by purulent fluid in THP-1 cells by >35% (P < 0.005). HT29-IAP cells had a reduced IL-8 response specifically to gram-negative bacteria; >90% reduction compared with parent cells (P < 0.005). cIAP had no effect on live bacteria but attenuated IL-8 induction by heat-killed bacteria by >40% (P < 0.005). cIAP exposure to LPS and CpG DNA caused phosphate release and reduced IL-8 in cell culture by >50% (P < 0.005). Flagellin exposure to cIAP also resulted in reduced IL-8 secretion by >40% (P < 0.005). In contrast, cIAP had no effect on TNF or Pam-3-Cys. The mechanism of IAP action appears to be through dephosphorylation of specific bacterial components, including LPS, CpG DNA, and flagellin, and not on live bacteria themselves. IAP likely targets these bacterially derived molecules in its role as a gut mucosal defense factor.

A planar Cu2+ (S=1/2) kagomé network pillared by 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl) ethane with interesting magnetic properties.

The reaction of Cu(ClO4)(2).6H2O and 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane (bpe) in basic aqueous solution yields a 3D compound, {[Cu3(CO3)2(bpe)3].2ClO4}n (1) through the atmospheric fixation of CO2 composing Cu(CO3) kagomé layers pillared by the bpe linker that exhibit weak antiferromagnetic interaction in the kagomé layer and interlayer ferromagnetic coupling at low temperature.

Towards the design of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors based on 4',5 di-substituted biphenyl acetic acid molecules: a QSAR study with a new DFT based descriptor - nucleus independent chemical shift.

Cyclooxygenase (COX) is a well-known enzyme, which converts arachidonic acid to prostaglandins H(2) (PGH(2)), which are the effective mediators of inflammation. 4', 5 di-substituted 3-biphenyl acetic acids (BPA) and several alpha-methyl derivatives (MBPA) of it are widely used as powerful nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents. We have chosen these activity data because the relation between the substituents and activity is not obvious and is hard to explain and also to show the superiority of DFT method. From the DFT results, various quantum chemical based descriptors were computed but the QSAR results showed that the descriptors based on frontier electron density and a new DFT based quantum chemical descriptor, nucleus independent chemical shift (NICS) are likely to be responsible for the in vitro inhibiting activity of BPA and MPBA. It has been proposed that NICS accounts for pi...pi interaction and indeed leads to a better result. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first use of NICS as a descriptor to get a better relationship to facilitate the design of COX inhibitors with potentially higher biological activity.

Oxidative ortho-C-N fusion of aniline by OsO4. Isolation, characterization of oxo-amido Osmium(VI) complexes, and their catalytic activities for oxidative C-C bond cleavage of unsaturated hydrocarbons.

In an unusual reaction of osmium(VIII) oxide with p-substituted aromatic amines (X-C(6)H(4)-NH(2), where X = Me, H, Cl) in heptane afforded the brown osmium(VI)-oxo complexes [OsO(L)(2)] (1a-c, L = N-aryl-1,2-arylenediamide) in moderate yields. The ligand L is formed in situ via oxidative ortho-C-N fusion of arylamines. The reaction occurs in an inert atmosphere, and a part of Os(VIII) is used up for the oxidation of aromatic amine. Single crystal X-ray structure of a representative complex 1a is solved. The structural analysis has authenticated the ortho-C-N fusion of ArNH(2) resulting in formation of the diamide ligand, L. The complex as a whole is penta-coordinated, and the coordination sphere has a distorted square pyramidal geometry (tau = 0.26). A similar reaction of osmium(VIII) oxide with the preformed N-phenyl-1,2-phenelene diamine produced the complex 1a in nearly quantitative yield. The substituted phenazine, 5-phenyl-3-phenylimino-3,5-dihydro-phenazine-2-ylamine, is obtained as a byproduct of the latter reaction. The complexes, 1a-c, can be reduced in a reversible one-electron step, as probed by cyclic voltammetry. The one electron reduced paramagnetic Os(V) intermediate is, however, Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) silent. Solution spectra of the osmium complexes show several multiple transitions in the UV-vis region. Density functional theory calculations were employed to confirm the structural features and to support the spectroscopic assignments. The complex 1a catalyzes oxidation of a wide variety of unsaturated hydrocarbons like alkenes, alkynes, and aldehydes to the corresponding carboxylic acids in the presence of tert-butylhydroperoxide (TBHP) efficiently at room temperature.

Intestinal alkaline phosphatase is a gut mucosal defense factor maintained by enteral nutrition.

Under conditions of starvation and disease, the gut barrier becomes impaired, and trophic feeding to prevent gut mucosal atrophy has become a standard treatment of critically ill patients. However, the mechanisms responsible for the beneficial effects of enteral nutrition have remained a mystery. Using in vitro and in vivo models, we demonstrate that the brush-border enzyme, intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), has the ability to detoxify lipopolysaccharide and prevent bacterial invasion across the gut mucosal barrier. IAP expression and function are lost with starvation and maintained by enteral feeding. It is likely that the IAP silencing that occurs during starvation is a key component of the gut mucosal barrier dysfunction seen in critically ill patients.

Guest-induced asymmetry in a metal-organic porous solid with reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal structural transformation.

A metal-organic honeycomb-like 2D pillared-bilayer open framework has been constructed which shows dynamic sponge-like single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation upon dehydration and rehydration. The dehydrated acentric nonporous phase transformed to the porous centric phase with the selective adsorbate concomitant with the structural transformation correlated with the single-crystal structure determination.

Refractory periods and climate forcing in cholera dynamics.

Outbreaks of many infectious diseases, including cholera, malaria and dengue, vary over characteristic periods longer than 1 year. Evidence that climate variability drives these interannual cycles has been highly controversial, chiefly because it is difficult to isolate the contribution of environmental forcing while taking into account nonlinear epidemiological dynamics generated by mechanisms such as host immunity. Here we show that a critical interplay of environmental forcing, specifically climate variability, and temporary immunity explains the interannual disease cycles present in a four-decade cholera time series from Matlab, Bangladesh. We reconstruct the transmission rate, the key epidemiological parameter affected by extrinsic forcing, over time for the predominant strain (El Tor) with a nonlinear population model that permits a contributing effect of intrinsic immunity. Transmission shows clear interannual variability with a strong correspondence to climate patterns at long periods (over 7 years, for monsoon rains and Brahmaputra river discharge) and at shorter periods (under 7 years, for flood extent in Bangladesh, sea surface temperatures in the Bay of Bengal and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation). The importance of the interplay between extrinsic and intrinsic factors in determining disease dynamics is illustrated during refractory periods, when population susceptibility levels are low as the result of immunity and the size of cholera outbreaks only weakly reflects climate forcing.

Porous lanthanide-organic framework with zeolite-like topology.

Two novel isomorphous porous frameworks of Ln(III), {[Ln2(imidc)2(H2O)3](H2O)}n, [Ln = Gd(III) (1) and Er(III) (2)] have been synthesized hydrothermally using multifunctional 4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid (imidc) as a connector; they have a zeolite-like network topology which can provide another form upon dehydration, and exhibit selective adsorption properties for H2O over N2, CO2 and MeOH.

Differential regulation of intestinal alkaline phosphatase gene expression by Cdx1 and Cdx2.

We have examined the role that the caudal-related homeobox transcription factors Cdx1 and Cdx2 play in activating the enterocyte differentiation marker gene intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP). Human colon cancer Caco-2 cells were transiently transfected with Cdx1 and/or Cdx2, and semiquantitative RT-PCR was used to study the effects on IAP mRNA expression. Transfections with a variety of IAP-luciferase reporter constructs were used to identify a Cdx response element located within the human IAP gene promoter. Protein-DNA interactions were examined by EMSA. Results showed that Cdx1 markedly induced IAP mRNA expression, whereas Cdx2 did not, and, in fact, inhibited the Cdx1 effects. Functional analysis revealed that Cdx1 transactivates (fourfold, P < 0.05) the IAP promoter through a novel Cdx response element (GTTTAGA) located between -2369 and -2375 upstream of the translational start site. EMSA showed that both Cdx1 and Cdx2 could bind to the cis element, but in cotransfection experiments, Cdx2 inhibited the Cdx1 effects by approximately 50%. Thus we have identified a previously unrecognized interaction between two important gut transcription factors, Cdx1 and Cdx2, in the context of IAP gene regulation. Cdx1 activates the IAP gene via a novel cis element, whereas Cdx2 inhibits the Cdx1 effects.

Platinum complexes of diazo ligands. Studies of regioselective aromatic ring amination, oxidative halogen addition and reductive halogen elimination reactions.

2-(Arylazo)pyridine ligands, L1a-1c react with the salt K2[PtCl4] to give the mononuclear complexes [PtCl2(L1)](1), which readily react with ArNH2 to yield the monochloro complexes of type [PtCl(L2)](HL2= 2-[(2-(arylamino)phenyl)azo]pyridine)(2) via regioselective ortho-amine fusion at the pendent aryl ring of coordinated L1. Oxidative addition of the electrophiles Y2(Y = Cl, Br, I) to the square-planar platinum(II) complex, has led to syntheses of the corresponding octahedral platinum(IV) complexes, [PtY3(L2)](3) in high yields. Ascorbate ion reductions of the platinum(IV) complexes, , resulted in reductive halogen elimination to revert to the platinum(II) complexes almost quantitatively. Isolation of products and X-ray structure determination of the representative complexes followed all these chemical reactions. In crystal packing, the compound [PtCl2(L1c)](1c) forms dimeric units with a Pt...Pt distance of 3.699(1) A. In contrast, the crystal packing of 2b revealed that the molecules are arranged in an antiparallel fashion to form a noncovalent 1D chain to accommodate pi(aryl)-pi(pyridyl) and Pt-pi(aryl) interactions. Notably, the oxidation of [Pt(II)Cl(L2a)](2a) by I2 produced a mixed halide complex [Pt(IV)ClI2(L2a)](5), which, in turn, is reduced by ascorbate ion to produce [Pt(II)I(L2a)] with the elimination of ClI. All the platinum(II) complexes are brown, the platinum(IV) complexes, on the other hand, are green. Low-energy visible range transitions in the complexes of the extended ligand [L2]- are ascribed to ligand basedpi-pi* transitions. Cyclic voltammetric behaviour of the complexes is reported.