Nucleophilic substitution reactions of monofunctional nucleophilic reagents with cyclotriphosphazenes containing 2,2-dioxybiphenyl units.

The nucleophilic substitution reactions of mono- and bis-spiro-2,2' -dioxybiphenyl cyclotriphosphazenes (3 and 4) with cyclopropanemethylamine (5) and aniline (6) were performed in the presence of trimethylamine in THF. Five novel cyclopropanemethylamino- and anilino-substituted spiro-2,2' -dioxybiphenyl cyclotriphosphazene derivatives (7-11) were obtained from these reactions. The molecular structures of the new cyclotriphosphazene derivatives (7-11) were characterized by elemental analysis, MALDI-TOF MS, FT-IR, and NMR ( 31 P and 1 H) spectroscopies. The structure of the spiro-(2,2' -dioxybiphenyl)-bis-(anilino)-cyclotriphosphazene (11) was also determined by single-crystal X-ray crystallography.

Novel ruthenium(ii) and iridium(iii) BODIPY dyes: insights into their application in photodynamic therapy in vitro.

Organic-metal complexes are promising molecules for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT). The aim of this study was to investigate in vitro effects of novel Ru(ii) and Ir(iii) BODIPY complexes for PDT. These hybrid organic-metal molecules (Ru-BD and Ir-BD) have been synthesized via reactions of a BODIPY precursor (BD) with a phenanthroline unit bearing Ru(ii) (3) and novel Ir(iii) (4) compounds. The crystal structures of the new distyryl BODIPY (BD) and Ru(ii) complex (3) are also reported. The photophysical and singlet oxygen generation properties of Ru-BD and Ir-BD were investigated in comparison with unsubstituted BODIPY (BD). Moreover, Ru-BD and Ir-BD have been biologically evaluated in vitro in chronic myeloid leukemia and cervical cancer cell lines in terms of photodynamic therapy efficacy in the presence of BD control. These complexes were not toxic in the dark but red light was needed to induce cell death. These data support the fact that Ru-BD could be accepted as a valuable photosensitizer-drug for further PDT treatment.

Effects of dam and seqA genes on biofilm and pellicle formation in Salmonella.

In this study, the effects of dam and seqA genes on the formation of pellicle and biofilm was determined using five different Salmonella serovars S. Group C1 (DMC2 encoded), S. Typhimurium (DMC4 encoded), S. Virchow (DMC11 encoded), S. Enteritidis (DMC22 encoded), and S. Montevideo (DMC89 encoded). dam and seqA mutants in Salmonella serovars were performed by the single step lambda red recombination method. The mutants obtained were examined according to the properties of biofilm on the polystyrene surfaces and the pellicle formation on the liquid medium. As a result of these investigations, it was determined that the biofilm formation properties on polystyrene surfaces decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in all tested dam and seqA mutants, while the pellicle formation properties were lost in the liquid medium. When pBAD24 vector, containing the dam and seqA genes cloned behind the inducible arabinose promoter, transduced into dam and seqA mutant strains, it was determined that the biofilm formation properties on the polystyrene surfaces reached to the natural strains' level in all mutant strains. Also, the pellicle formation ability was regained in the liquid media. All these data demonstrate that dam and seqA genes play an important role in the formation of biofilm and pellicle structures in Salmonella serovars.

Inhibition and eradication of Salmonella Typhimurium biofilm using P22 bacteriophage, EDTA and nisin.

P22 phage >105 PFU ml-1 could be used to inhibit Salmonella Typhimurium biofilm formation by 55-80%. Concentrations of EDTA >1.25 mM and concentrations of nisin >1,200 µg ml-1 were also highly effective in reducing S. Typhimurium biofilm formation (≥96% and ≥95% reductions were observed, respectively). A synergistic effect was observed when EDTA and nisin were combined whereas P22 phage in combination with nisin had no synergistic impact on biofilm formation. Triple combination of P22 phage, EDTA and nisin could be also used to inhibit biofilm formation (≥93.2%) at a low phage titer (102 PFU ml-1), and low EDTA (1.25 mM) and nisin (9.375 µg ml-1) concentrations. A reduction of 70% in the mature biofilm was possible when 107 PFU ml-1 of P22 phage, 20 mM of EDTA and 150 µg ml-1 of nisin were used in combination. This study revealed that it could be possible to reduce biofilm formation by S. Typhimurium by the use of P22 phage, EDTA and nisin, either alone or in combination. Although, removal of the mature biofilm was more difficult, the triple combination could be successfully used for mature biofilm of S. Typhimurium.

Does subinhibitory concentrations of clinically important antibiotic induce biofilm production of Enterococcus faecium strains?

Biofilm structures are the most resistant form of active microorganisms against sanitation, disinfection, and sterilization processes. One of the specific properties of biofilm is the development of antibiotic resistance that can be up to 1,000-fold greater than planktonic cells. Enterococcus faecium is a human pathogen that causes nosocomial bacteremia and at the present time, it is well known that most of the chronic infections are biofilm-based. Recent evidence suggested that subinhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics have an important role in the evolution of antibiotic resistance and induction on biofilm formation. Based on this information, we aimed to determine the effect of subinhibitory antibiotic concentrations on biofilm formation and the role of the antibiotic concentrations on the enterococcal surface protein gene (esp). To determine the impact of clinically important antibiotics on biofilm production, crystal violet assay was used. Then, the effect of sub-MICs of antibiotics on the expression of the esp gene was investigated by quantitative real-time PCR. Biofilm production assays show that MIC/2 of erythromycin (ERT; 512 µg/ml), MIC/32 of vancomycin (VAN; 16 µg/ml), MIC/64 of streptomycin (STR; 32 µg/ml), and MIC/128 of kanamycin (KAN; 4 µg/ml) values induce maximum biofilm production compared with the control. According to q-PCR results, sub-MIC values of ERT, VAN, and STR antibiotics were found to enhance esp gene expression. In addition, despite the increasing biofilm production after KAN treatment, the antibiotic was not effective on the esp expression.

Imidazole/benzimidazole-modified cyclotriphosphazenes as highly selective fluorescent probes for Cu2+: synthesis, configurational isomers, and crystal structures.

Configurational isomers (cis and trans) of imidazole- or benzimidazole-modified cyclotriphosphazenes (3a, 4a or 3b, 4b) were designed, synthesized and investigated as fluorescent probes for metal ions. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by 1H and 31P NMR, and MALDI MS spectrometry. The configurations of geometric isomers were analyzed by X-ray crystallography and 31P NMR spectroscopy on addition of CSA. The photophysical behaviour and metal ion selectivity of the compounds were investigated by UV/vis and fluorescence spectroscopy. Among the examined 20 metal ions, the fluorescence emissions of the isomer mixtures were quenched by Cu2+ together with Fe2+, Fe3+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions, but each individual isomer (3a,b and 4a,b) exhibited an on-off-type fluorescence response with high selectivity towards only Cu2+ with a low limit of detection ranging from 1.27 µM to 2.04 µM. The complex stoichiometries of 3a,b and 4a,b with Cu2+ were determined as 1 : 1 (L/M) using the method of continuous variation (Job's plot) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations; moreover the complex formation of 4a with Cu2+ was unambiguously determined by X-ray crystallographic analysis that is consistent with the results obtained by the Job's plots as well as DFT.

Unexpected Ring Expansion of a Four-Membered Cyclophosphazane.

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of the N(R),N(R)-spiro-bridged octachlorobis(cyclotriphosphazene), N3P3Cl4[N(CH2)5CH3]2N3P3Cl4 (1), with sodium salts of alcohols (1,3-propanediol, 2,2,3,3,4,4-hexafluoro-1,5-pentanediol, and phenol) give ansa products (2-4) via an unexpected rearrangement. These products were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, and (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy. The molecular structures of compounds 3 and 4 were also established by X-ray crystallography. This new class of phosphazene structures consists of three fused P3N3 rings that arise from expansion of the four-membered phosphazane ring in 1 to a six-membered N3P3 ring during alcoholysis reactions.

First paraben substituted cyclotetraphosphazene compounds and DNA interaction analysis with a new automated biosensor.

Cancer, as one of the leading causes of death in the world, is caused by malignant cell division and growth that depends on rapid DNA replication. To develop anti-cancer drugs this feature of cancer could be exploited by utilizing DNA-damaging molecules. To achieve this, the paraben substituted cyclotetraphosphazene compounds have been synthesized for the first time and their effect on DNA (genotoxicity) has been investigated. The conventional genotoxicity testing methods are laborious, take time and are expensive. Biosensor based assays provide an alternative to investigate this drug/compound DNA interactions. Here for the first time, a new, easy and rapid screening method has been used to investigate the DNA damage, which is based on an automated biosensor device that relies on the real-time electrochemical profiling (REP™) technology. Using both the biosensor based screening method and the in vitro biological assay, the compounds 9 and 11 (propyl and benzyl substituted cyclotetraphosphazene compounds, respectively), have resulted in higher DNA damage than the others with 65% and 80% activity reduction, respectively.

Synthesis of a new class of fused cyclotetraphosphazene ring systems.

Octachlorocyclotetraphosphazene (1) was reacted with butylamines [n-butyl, i-butyl, sec-butyl, and t-butyl] in a 1:0.8 mol ratio in THF to obtain cyclotetraphosphazenes bearing a P-NH group, N4P4Cl7(NHR) [R = n-butyl (2a), i-butyl (2b), sec-butyl (2c), t-butyl (2d)](2a-d). The cyclotetraphosphazene derivatives 2a, 2b, and 2c were treated with sodium hydride giving rise to a new type of cyclophosphazene compounds (P8N8 ring) consisting of three fused tetramer rings (3a-c). Whereas reaction of sodium hydride with the t-butylaminocyclophosphazene derivative (2d) gave a P-O-P bridged compound (4) presumably as a result of hydrolysis reaction associated with moisture in the solvent. It is likely that the 16-membered cyclooctaphosphazene derivatives (3a-c) are formed by a proton abstraction/chloride ion elimination, intramolecular nucleophilic attack, ring opening and intermolecular condensation processes, respectively.

Prenatal distress in Turkish pregnant women and factors associated with maternal prenatal distress.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess: (1) the prenatal distress level in Turkish pregnant women and (2) to examine the association between prenatal maternal distress and personal and pregnancy-specific factors. BACKGROUND: Pregnant women experience stress originating from a variety of pregnancy-specific issues, including physical symptoms and changes, changes in body image, physiological, social and emotional changes, parenting concerns, changes in relationships with significant others, medical problems, anxiety about labour and delivery, concerns about birth and the baby's health. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study. METHODS: This study was conducted at a gynaecology clinic of a private hospital in Istanbul, Turkey within a 12-month period. The study sample comprised 522 pregnant women continuing their regular visits for prenatal care. Pregnancy Description Form and Turkish Version of Revised Version of Prenatal Distress Questionnaire [(NUPDQ)-17 Item Version] were used for data collection. RESULTS: Study sample was moderately distressed. Turkish pregnant women were mostly distressed and concerned about premature delivery, having an unhealthy baby, labour and delivery, feeling tired and having low energy during pregnancy. Prenatal distress in Turkish pregnant women was associated with personal and pregnancy-related characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that pregnant women need to be supported emotionally, physically and socially. A better understanding of prenatal maternal distress could assist in informing healthcare professionals about the provision of physically, emotionally, socially and behaviourally appropriate support for achieving a healthy pregnancy. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: It is crucial for pregnant women to be regularly assessed and educated for dealing successfully with concerns and fears about prenatal period, birth and postnatal period and about difficulties that women may encounter during their pregnancy.

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of 10- and 11-membered fluorodioxy ansa cyclotriphosphazene derivatives.

The reactions of cyclophosphazenes with 10-membered ansa-{N3P3Cl4[OCH2(CF2)3CH2O] (1a)} and 11-membered ansa-{N3P3Cl4[OCH2(CF2)4CH2O] (1b)} rings with the sodium salts of methanol in a THF solution at different molar ratios were used to investigate the reaction pathways and mechanism of nucleophilic substitution at the PCl2 and PCl(OR) phosphorus atoms. The reactions afforded eleven products, whose structures have been characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, (1)H, (19)F and (31)P NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography; mono-methoxy derivatives (2a, 3a, 3b), di-methoxy derivatives (5a-7a, 5b), tri-methoxy derivatives (8a, 8b) and the tetra-methoxy derivatives (9a, 9b). The X-ray crystallographic studies of four compounds (6a-8a and 8b) demonstrated unambiguously that nucleophilic substitution reactions at the ansa-ring PCl(OR) phosphorus atoms of the cyclotriphosphazene compounds N3P3Cl4[OCH2(CF2)nCH2O] n = 3 (1a) and 4 (1b) occurred with a retention of configuration for both the 10- and 11-membered fluorodioxy ansa rings, respectively. The results confirmed that the reactions with 1a containing the 10-membered ansa-ring occurred competitively at both the PCl2 and P(OR)Cl moieties with an approximate 8 : 1 preference at the PCl2 group, whereas reactions with 1b containing the 11-membered ansa-ring occurred exclusively at the PCl2 group before the P(OR)Cl moiety. The results were mainly rationalized in terms of the P-Cl bond lengths of the reactants and the cation-assisted mechanism of reaction.

Fluorenylidene bridged cyclotriphosphazenes: 'turn-off' fluorescence probe for Cu(2+) and Fe(3+) ions.

A first series of the 4,4'-(9-fluorenylidene)diphenol (), () and 4,4'-(9-fluorenylidene)dianiline (), () bridged cyclotriphosphazene derivatives (, ) were synthesized by nucleophilic SN2(P) and SN1(P) reactions, respectively. The structural investigations of the compounds were verified by elemental analyses, mass spectrometry, UV-vis, FT-IR, (1)H and (31)P NMR techniques, X-ray crystallography (for , , ) and fluorescence spectroscopy. The metal sensing properties of novel bridged cyclotriphosphazene derivatives were also examined by fluorescence spectroscopy. These complexes showed high selectivity for Cu(2+) and Fe(3+) ions in solution.

Conversion of a cyclotriphosphazene to a cyclohexaphosphazene by ring expansion.

Deprotonation of a cyclotriphosphazene with a tert-butylamino group in the side chain results in ring expansion to a very stable, planar cyclohexaphosphazene derivative that still contains eight P-Cl bonds suitable for forming macromolecular structures.

Stereo-selectivity in a cyclotriphosphazene derivative bearing an exocyclic P-O moiety.

Nucleophilic substitution reactions of N(3)P(3)Cl(4)[O(CH(2))(2)NCH(3)], (1) with the sodium salts of mono- and di-functional alcohols [methanol (2), phenol (3), tetraethyleneglycol (4) and 1,3-propanediol (5)] were carried out in order to investigate a possible directing effect of the spiro O-moiety on the formation of mono-substituted (2a, 3a), non-geminal di-substituted (2c, 3c) and ansa (4a, 5a) derivatives. Compounds isolated from the reactions were characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry, (1)H and (31)P NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallographic analysis showed that the substituent OR in compounds (2a, 3a and 2c, 3c) and the ansa-ring in compounds (4a, 5a) formed cis to the P-O moiety of the exocyclic [O(CH(2))(2)NCH(3)] spiro ring. The formation of products (2a-d, 3a-d, 4a, 5a and 5b) was quantified from the (31)P NMR spectra of the reaction mixtures, which showed an overwhelming preference for derivatives (2a, 3a, 2c, 3c, 4a, 5a) with the substituent cis to the P-O moiety of the exocyclic spiro ring (2a, 3a, 2c, 3c, 4a, 5a), except for reaction with 1,3-propanediol where the six-membered ring spiro derivative (5b) was about three times more abundant than the eight-membered ring ansa-derivative (5a). Overwhelming formation of products with the substituent cis to the exocyclic P-O moiety is proof that the cation-assisted mechanism is responsible for the stereo-selectivity in the reactions with alkoxides.

Tetra-aqua-bis(orotato-κO)cobalt(II) dihydrate.

In the title Co(II) complex, [Co(C(5)H(3)N(2)O(4))(2)(H(2)O)(4)]·2H(2)O, the Co(II) ion is located on an inversion center and is coordinated by two orotate (2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyrimidine-4-carboxylate) anions and four water mol-ecules in a slightly distorted octa-hedral geometry. The dihedral angle between the carboxyl-ate group and the attached orotate ring is 1.2 (3)°. In the crystal structure, inter-molecular O-H⋯O, N-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into a three-dimensional network. π-π contacts between the orotate rings [centroid-centroid distances = 3.439 (2) and 3.438 (2) Å] further stabilize the structure.

6,6-[Ethyl-enebis(sulfanediyl)]-2-(2-methoxy-ethyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexa-hydro-1,5-methano-1H-azocino[4,3-b]indol-3-one.

The title compound, C(19)H(22)N(2)O(2)S(2), consists of a tetra-cyclic ring system containing an azocine skeleton with methoxy-ethyl and dithiol-ane groups as substituents. The benzene and five-membered N-heterocyclic rings are nearly coplanar, making a dihedral angle of 0.81 (12)°. The dithiol-ane ring adopts an envelope conformation. Inter-molecular N-H⋯O hydrogen-bonding and weak C-H⋯π inter-actions are present in the crystal structure.

Channel architecture via self assembly of oxamide oximes complexes.

The nickel(II) and palladium(II) complexes of oxamide oximes substituted with alkyl chains of different length (C4-C8) were synthesized from the reaction of dichloroglyoxime with the corresponding amine derivatives. All compounds have been characterized by X-ray diffraction on single crystals and were found to be centrosymmetric at the metal center which is bound by the four oximic nitrogen atoms of two ligands in a square planar environment. Crystal structure analyses of Ni(II) and Pd(II) complexes showed that all of the Pd(II) complexes but only the hexyl-substituted oxamide oxime Ni(II) complex form infinite tubular channels. Their conformational analyses were carried out in order to understand the role of the chain length and of the metal center in the formation of the tubular channels and it was found that the formation of infinite tubular channels in crystals of Ni(II) and Pd(II) alkyl-substituted oxamide oxime complexes is related to the orientation of the alkyl chains relative to the central core.