Crystal structure of hexacarbonyl bis(μ2-2-methoxybenzenethiolato-κ2S)pyridine(triphenylphosphane)dirhenium(I), C43H34NO8PS2Re2

C43H34NO8PS2Re2, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 12.165(8) Å, b = 19.027(11) Å, c = 18.848(14) Å, β = 108.735(2)°, V = 4131(5) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0308, wRref(F2) = 0.0683, T = 100(2) K.

Crystal structure of bis(μ2-2-((3-methylphenyl)imino)methylphenolato-κ2 N,O:O)hexacarbonyldimanganese(I), C34H24Mn2N2O8

C34H24Mn2N2O8, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2) a = 7.737(5) Å, b = 9.483(5) Å, c = 11.309(5) Å, β = 102.514(5)°, V = 766.6(7) Å3, Z = 1, R gt (F) = 0.0478, wR ref (F 2 ) = 0.1297, T = 100(2) K

Crystal structure of (E)-2-(((1,10-phenanthrolin-5-yl)imino)methyl)-5-methylphenol monohydrate, C20H15N3O·H2O

C20H15N3O·H2O, triclinic, P1̅ (No. 2), a = 7.066(3) Å, b = 9.996(4) Å, c = 12.873(5) Å, α = 86.007(14)°, β = 74.861(14)°, γ = 69.596(13)°, V = 822.4(6) Å3, Z = 2, R gt (F) = 0.0424, wR ref (F 2 ) = 0.1241, T = 100 K.

Crystal structure of fac-tricarbonyl(2-(isopropylimino)methyl-5-methylphenolatido-κ2 N,O)(pyridine-κN)rhenium(I), C19H19N2O4Re

C19H19N2O4Re, Monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 8.2805(3) Å, b = 13.7325(5) Å, c = 16.3560(6) Å, β = 92.431(2)°, V = 1858.2(2) Å3, Z = 4, R gt (F) = 0.0347, wR ref (F 2 ) = 0.0930, T = 100 K.

Structural comparison of group 7 tricarbonyl complexes of 2-{[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]iminomethyl}-5-methylphenolate

Two tricarbonyl complexes of rhenium(I) and manganese(I) coordinated by the ligand 2-{[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]iminomethyl}-5-methylphenolate are reported, viz. fac-tricarbonyl(2-{[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl-κN(3))ethyl]iminomethyl-κN}-5-methylphenolato-κO)rhenium(I) methanol monosolvate, [Re(C16H14N3O4)(CO)3]·CH3OH, (I), and fac-tricarbonyl(2-{[2-(1H-imidazol-4-yl-κN(3))ethyl]iminomethyl-κN}-5-methylphenolato-κO)manganese(I), fac-[Mn(C16H14N3O4)(CO)3], (II), display facial coordination in a distorted octahedral environment. The crystal structure of (I) is stabilized by O-H···O, N-H···O and C-H···O hydrogen-bond interactions, while that of (II) is stabilized by N-H...O hydrogen-bond interactions only. These interactions result in two-dimensional networks and π-π stacking for both structures.

Crystal structure of dichloro-N,N-bis(pyridine-2-ylmethyl)cyclohexamino copper(II), C18H23Cl2CuN3

C18H23Cl2CuN3, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 8.291(2) Å, b = 13.970(3) Å, c = 15.330(3) Å, β = 90.328(5)°, V = 1775.6 Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0272, wRref(F2) = 0.0736, T = 101 K.

X-ray diffraction in temporally and spatially resolved biomolecular science

Time-resolved Laue protein crystallography at the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility (ESRF) opened up the field of sub-nanosecond protein crystal structure analyses. There are a limited number of such time-resolved studies in the literature. Why is this? The X-ray laser now gives us femtosecond (fs) duration pulses, typically 10 fs up to ∼50 fs. Their use is attractive for the fastest time-resolved protein crystallography studies. It has been proposed that single molecules could even be studied with the advantage of being able to measure X-ray diffraction from a 'crystal lattice free' single molecule, with or without temporal resolved structural changes. This is altogether very challenging R&D. So as to assist this effort we have undertaken studies of metal clusters that bind to proteins, both 'fresh' and after repeated X-ray irradiation to assess their X-ray-photo-dynamics, namely Ta6Br12, K2PtI6 and K2PtBr6 bound to a test protein, hen egg white lysozyme. These metal complexes have the major advantage of being very recognisable shapes (pseudo spherical or octahedral) and thereby offer a start to (probably very difficult) single molecule electron density map interpretations, both static and dynamic. A further approach is to investigate the X-ray laser beam diffraction strength of a well scattering nano-cluster; an example from nature being the iron containing ferritin. Electron crystallography and single particle electron microscopy imaging offers alternatives to X-ray structural studies; our structural studies of crustacyanin, a 320 kDa protein carotenoid complex, can be extended either by electron based techniques or with the X-ray laser representing a fascinating range of options. General outlook remarks concerning X-ray, electron and neutron macromolecular crystallography as well as 'NMR crystallography' conclude the article.

Solid state isostructural behavior and quantified limiting substitution kinetics in Schiff-base bidentate ligand complexes fac-[Re(O,N-Bid)(CO)3(MeOH)](n)

A range of N,O-donor atom salicylidene complexes of the type fac-[M(O,N-Bid)(CO)3(L)](n) (O,N-Bid = anionic N,O-bidentate ligands; L = neutral coordinated ligand) have been studied. The unique feature of the complexes which crystallize in a monoclinic isostructural space group for complexes containing methanol in the sixth position (L = MeOH) is highlighted. The reactivity and stability of the complexes were evaluated by rapid stopped-flow techniques, and the methanol substitution by a range of pyridine type ligands indicates significant activation by the N,O-salicylidene type of bidentate ligands as observed from the variation in the second-order rate constants. In particular, following the introduction of the sterically demanding and electron rich cyclohexyl salicylidene moiety on the bidentate ligand, novel limiting kinetic behavior is displayed by all entering ligands, thus enabling a systematic probe and manipulation of the limiting kinetic constants. Clear evidence of an interchange type of intimate mechanism for the methanol substitution is produced. The equilibrium and rate constants (25 °C) for the two steps in the dissociative interchange mechanism for methanol substitution in fac-[Re(Sal-Cy)(CO)3(MeOH)] (5) by the pyridine type ligands 3-chloropyridine, pyridine, 4-picoline, and DMAP are k3 (s(-1)), 40 ± 4, 13 ± 2, 10.4 ± 0.7, and 2.11 ± 0.09, and K2 (M(-1)), 0.13 ± 0.01, 0.21 ± 0.03, 0.26 ± 0.02, and 1.8 ± 0.1, respectively.

Fast and reversible insertion of carbon dioxide into zirconocene-alkoxide bonds. A mechanistic study

In two consecutive equilibria the compound (Cp*)2Zr(OMe)2 undergoes insertion of CO2 to form the mono- and bis-hemicarbonates. Both equilibria are exothermic but entropically disfavoured. Magnetisation transfer experiments gave kinetic data for the first equilibrium showing that the rate of insertion is overall second order with a rate constant of 3.20 ± 0.12 M(-1) s(-1), which is substantially higher than those reported for other early transition metal alkoxides, which are currently the best homogeneous catalysts for dimethyl carbonate formation from methanol and CO2. Activation parameters for the insertion reaction point to a highly ordered transition state and we interpret that as there being a substantial interaction between the CO2 and the metal during the C-O bond formation. This is supported by DFT calculations showing the lateral attack by CO2 to have the lowest energy transition state.

The role of limb perfusion studies in the paediatric ischaemic limb

OBJECTIVES

To study the use of limb perfusion scans in children with limb-threatening ischaemia and determine whether such scans are helpful in making clinical decisions.

METHODS

This retrospective study compared the clinical, scan and surgical findings in children who had limb perfusion scans for critical limb ischaemia at Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, from July 2001 to December 2010. Records were reviewed and the data analysed for aetiology, clinical findings, limb perfusion results, operative findings and outcome.

RESULTS

There were complete clinical and scan records for 20/22 patients, aged 1 month to 12 years. The causes of limb ischaemia were meningococcal septicaemia (n = 9), septic shock (n = 6), hypovolaemic shock due to gastroenteritis (n = 4), and electrical burns (n = 1). The clinical, scan and surgical findings correlated in 40/48 imaged limbs. In one leg the findings did not correlate, but the perfusion scan results predicted the outcome. In the remaining seven cases the exact correlation was uncertain owing to technical difficulties or absent operative notes.

CONCLUSION

This study describes a method for performing limb perfusion studies in children. Limb perfusion studies correlated well with surgical findings. These studies were useful in treatment decisions, parent and patient counselling and surgical planning. They supplemented clinical examination in assessment of the children.

Activation of rhenium(I) toward substitution in fac-[Re(N,O'-Bid)(CO)3(HOCH3)] by Schiff-base bidentate ligands (N,O'-Bid)

A series of fac-[Re(N,O'-Bid)(CO)3(L)] (N,O'-Bid = monoanionic bidentate Schiff-base ligands with N,O donor atoms; L = neutral monodentate ligand) has been synthesized, and the methanol substitution reactions have been investigated. The complexes were characterized by NMR, IR, and UV-vis spectroscopy. X-ray crystal structures of the compounds fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)], fac-[Re(Sal-pTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)], fac-[Re(Sal-Ph)(CO)3(HOCH3)], and fac-[Re(Sal-Ph)(CO)3(Py)] (Sal-mTol = 2-(m-tolyliminomethyl)phenolato; Sal-pTol = 2-(p-tolyliminomethyl)phenolato; Sal-Ph = 2-(phenyliminomethyl)phenolato; Py = pyridine) are reported. Significant activation for the methanol substitution is induced by the use of the N,O bidentate ligand as manifested by the second order rate constants, with limiting kinetics being observed for the first time. Rate constants (25 °C) (k1 or k3) and activation parameters (ΔHk‡, kJ mol(-1); ΔSk‡, J K(-1) mol(-1)) from Eyring plots for entering nucleophiles as indicated are as follows: fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)] 3-chloropyridine: (k1) 2.33 ± 0.01 M(-1) s(-1); 85.1 ± 0.6, 48 ± 2; fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)] pyridine: (k1) 1.29 ± 0.02 M(-1) s(-1); 92 ± 2, 66 ± 7; fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)] 4-picoline: (k1) 1.27 ± 0.05 M(-1) s(-1); 88 ± 2, 53 ± 6; (k3) 3.9 ± 0.03 s(-1); 78 ± 8, 30 ± 27; (kf) 1.7 ± 0.02 M(-1) s(-1); 86 ± 2, 49 ± 6; fac-[Re(Sal-mTol)(CO)3(HOCH3)] DMAP (k3) 1.15 ± 0.02 s(-1); 88 ± 2, 52 ± 7. An interchange dissociative mechanism is proposed.

4-(2-Chloro-phenyl-amino)-pent-3-en-2-one

In the title compound, C₁₁H₁₂ClNO, intra­molecular N—H⋯O hydrogen bonding is present. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the pentenone unit is 46.52 (5)°. In the crystal, C—H⋯O inter­actions between hydrogen atoms of the aryl moiety and two separate oxygen atoms occur, leading to a three-dimensional network.

Tetra-μ(3)-hydroxido-tetra-kis-[tricarbonyl-rhenium(I)] pyridine tetra-solvate

The title compound, [Re(4)(μ(3)-OH)(4)(CO)(12)]·4C(5)H(5)N, crystallizes with one tetranuclear rhenium(I) cubane-like molecule and four pyridine mol-ecules in the asymmetric unit. The coordination environment of each Re(I) atom is distorted octahedral. Four intra-molecular O-H⋯N and four inter-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen-bond inter-actions are observed. Relatively strong hydrogen bonds are found between the hydrogen-bond donor (μ(3)-OH) and acceptor (basic N atom of pyridine), with N⋯O distances between 2.586 (10) and 2.628 (10) Å. Inter-cube distances of 9.873 (2) and 12.376 (3) Å are observed.

4-Fluoro-2-[(3-methyl-phen-yl)imino-meth-yl]phenol

The title compound, C₁₄H₁₂FNO, crystallizes as the trans phenol–imine tautomer. The two benzene rings are essentially coplanar, being inclined to one another by 9.28 (7)°. This is at least in part due to the intra­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond between the hy­droxy O atom and the imine N atom. The crystal structure is stabilized by an array of weak C—H⋯O and C—H⋯F inter­actions, which link the mol­ecules into a stable three-dimensional network.

Tetraethylammonium dibromidotricarbonyl(o-toluidine)rhenate(I)

In the title compound, (C₈H₂₀N)[ReBr₂(C₇H₉N)(CO)₃], the Re^I atom is octa­hedrally surrounded by three carbonyl ligands orientated in a facial arrangement, two bromide ligands and an o-toluidine ligand. The amine lies trans to the carbonyl ligand and is substitutionally disordered over two positions in a 0.66 (1):0.34 (1) ratio. An array of C—H⋯O, C—H⋯Br and N—H⋯Br hydrogen-bonding inter­actions between the cations and the surrounding rhenate anions stabilize the crystal structure.

Tetra-ethyl-ammonium (acetyl-acetonato)bromidotricarbonyl-rhenate(I)

In the title compound, (C₈H₂₀N)[ReBr(C₅H₇O₂)(CO)₃], the Re^I atom in the rhenate anion is surrounded by three carbonyl ligands orientated in a facial arrangement, a bromide ligand and an acetyl­acetonate ligand, leading to a distorted octa­hedral ReC₃BrO₂ coordination with a O—Re—O bite angle of 85.66 (7)°. An array of C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Br hydrogen-bonding inter­actions between the cations and the surrounding rhenate anions stabilize the crystal structure.

Comparison of oncolytic adenoviruses for selective eradication of oral cancer and pre-cancerous lesions

Oncolytic adenoviruses are being investigated as potential anti-cancer agents. Selective lytic replication in cancer cells is essential for an effective and safe treatment. In this study, we compared 11 oncolytic adenoviruses in relevant cell cultures to assess their use for treating oral cancer and pre-cancerous lesions. We determined the cytotoxicity of oncolytic adenovirus infection and calculated selectivity indices for cytotoxicity to cancer cells compared with normal oral keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Keratinocytes were very sensitive to wild-type adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5); 1- to 3-log more than head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells. The potencies of oncolytic adenoviruses to kill HNSCC cells within 7 days after infection ranged from approximately 10 times less potent to approximately 10 times more potent than Ad5. The selectivity indices determined on fibroblasts and keratinocytes differed markedly. Two oncolytic adenoviruses were more selective than Ad5 for HNSCC cells compared with fibroblasts; and five viruses showed selective replication on HNSCC cells compared with keratinocytes. Overall, CRAd-S.RGD with E1A driven by the survivin promoter and an infectivity-enhancing capsid modification showed the most favourable cytotoxicity pattern; being very potent in killing HNSCC cells, only slightly less effective than Ad5 in killing pre-neoplastic keratinocytes and the least toxic to normal keratinocytes.

2-(m-Tolyl-imino-meth-yl)phenol

The title compound, C(14)H(13)NO, is non-planar with a dihedral angle of 47.00 (6)° between the planes of the two aromatic rings. Intra-molecular hydrogen bonding is observed between the O-H group and the N atom, resulting in a phenol-imine tautomeric form.

[N,N-Bis(diphenyl-phosphino)propyl-amine-κP,P]bromidotricarbonyl-rhenium(I)

In the title compound, [ReBr(C₂₇H₂₇NP₂)(CO)₃], the Re^I atom is octa­hedrally surrounded by three carbonyl ligands in a facial arrangement, a bromide ligand and the P,P′-bidentate ligand Bis(diphenyl­phosphino)propyl­amine. The compound exhibits substitutional disorder of the bromide ligand and the axial carbonyl ligand, with almost 50% occupancy for both Br amd CO [0.538 (4) and 0.462 (4), respectively]. In addition, the propyl chain on the N atom of the bidentate ligand exhibits a 0.648 (9):0.352 (9) disorder. C—H⋯O and C—H⋯Br hydrogen bonding consolidates the crystal packing.

Homocysteine exerts genotoxic and antioxidative effects in vitro

INTRODUCTION

Patients with end-stage renal disease suffer from increased genomic damage and cancer incidence. One possible reason is the accumulation of uremic toxins such as homocysteine (Hcy). Elevated Hcy levels--usually indicative of cardiovascular events--correlated with the genomic damage in cross-sectional studies. Therefore we investigated the genotoxic effects of Hcy in vitro.

METHODS

To analyse the genomic damage, micronucleus tests and the comet-assay were performed in L5178Y and HL60 cells. Additionally, the influence of Hcy on cell cycle progression, DNA-cytosine-methylation, oxidative stress levels and on the cellular glutathione content were determined.

RESULTS

Low millimolar concentrations of Hcy-induced micronuclei in both cell lines but did not enhance the DNA damage observed with the comet-assay. Cell cycle progression was inhibited in S-phase, while DNA-cytosine-methylation remained unchanged. Furthermore, Hcy protected cells challenged with H(2)O(2) from oxidative stress. This was accompanied by an increased cellular glutathione level.

CONCLUSION

Since the genotoxic effect was limited to high Hcy concentrations, a contribution of Hcy to the enhanced genomic damage in end-stage renal disease patients would only be conceivable upon local Hcy accumulation. Whether the detected antioxidant capacity of Hcy is relevant for any situation in patients remains to be elucidated.

Clarithromycin alone and in combination with ceftriaxone inhibits the production of pneumolysin by both macrolide-susceptible and macrolide-resistant strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the effects of clarithromycin (0.01-0.5 mg/L) alone or in combination with ceftriaxone (0.1 and 0.25 mg/L) on pneumolysin production by both macrolide-susceptible and -resistant [2 erm(B) positive and 2 mef(A) positive] strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

METHODS

The bacteria were cultured for 6 h at 37 degrees C/5% CO(2) in tryptone soy broth, washed, enumerated and resuspended to 0.5-3 x 10(8) cfu/mL in tissue culture medium, RPMI 1640. After 16 h of incubation at 37 degrees C / 5% CO(2), pneumolysin was assayed in the bacteria-free supernatants, as well as in lysates, using a functional assay based on the influx of calcium into human neutrophils.

RESULTS

Exposure of not only macrolide-susceptible strains, but also the macrolide-resistant strains, of S. pneumoniae to sub-MICs of clarithromycin resulted in dose-related inhibition of the pneumolysin production, whereas production of the toxin was unaffected by ceftriaxone.

CONCLUSIONS

These observations demonstrate that even in the setting of macrolide resistance the production of pneumolysin, a key virulence factor of the pneumococcus, is attenuated by exposure of this microbial pathogen to clarithromycin.