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A new series of O-glycosyl enkephalins has been prepared, following a convergent strategy, with high chemical yields. The galactosyl analogue, O-(β-D-galactopyranosyl) [DMet, Hyp] enkephalin amide proved to be one of the most potent in vivo opioid agonists synthesized up to now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Drought monitoring is essential to determine, at short time intervals, the main characteristics of drought events, such as their duration, severity, and spatial distribution. To ensure that drought monitoring represents a useful tool for governmental plans aimed at preventing or minimizing drought impacts, up-to-date information must be instantaneously accessible and it must provide high spatial and temporal resolution. This study presents a system that allows the automatic tracking of meteorological droughts in the Spanish territory, based on an open and easy-to-use online platform (https://monitordesequia.csic.es/monitor). This drought monitoring system provides two drought synthetic indices: the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardised Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI). Information is provided on a quasi-weekly basis, in a grid format, with a spatial resolution of 1.1*1.1 km, and with data from 1961 to the present time. This drought monitor is updated based on the real-time information gathered from automatic stations, which in turn requires historic information to identify and track drought events. The drought indices are obtained from data processing (quality control, temporal series reconstruction, homogenisation, interpolation, and validation) using climatic variables (maximum and minimum temperatures, solar radiation, rainfall, dew point, and wind speed) which are provided by the Spanish Meteorology Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Spanish Government. We performed a validation of the drought indices for the whole historical period (1961–2020). This allowed us to observe a strong spatial agreement between the indices obtained with the historical dataset and the indices from the monitoring dataset, especially for mainland Spain and the Balearic Islands (Pearson's r, SPI and SPEI >0.99). The presented real-time drought monitoring system represents a relevant and useful tool that allows for quick and effective actions to prevent and mitigate the effects of drought on society and ecosystems. • Automatic tracking of meteorological droughts • Relevant and useful tool to prevent and mitigate the effects of drought. • The procedure described could be easily implemented in other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Three hydrophobic derivatives of GHK peptide containing either N-terminal hexanoyl, decanoyl or myristoyl acyl moieties were synthesized. The binding of these peptidolipids to phospholipid bilayers as well as their hemolytic activity were determined. Moreover, the influence of these peptidolipids on several physicochemical properties of liposomes was studied. Binding experiments indicate a high affinity of these peptidolipids for lipids ordered in liposomes. Nevertheless, this interaction does not promote the release of entrapped carboxyfluorescein. Experiments carried out by the asymmetric membrane method (NBD-PE/dithionite) and quenching studies (PC-pyrene/KI) indicate that this association has a protective effect suggesting that the hydrophobic moiety inserts in the external part of the bilayer and the peptide chain remains protruding from the surface hindering the entrance or the approach of reactants to it. The microviscosity of DPPC bilayers determined using TMA-DPH as fluorescent marker was not affected by the presence of peptidolipids. Besides, results indicate that myristoyl-GHK produces total hemolysis at 2.5×10−4 M but decanoyl and hexanoyl derivatives at 5×10−4 M induce only 10% of hemolysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The influence of four laminin-derived peptides on bilayer organization is studied. Spectroscopic methods applied were based on pyrene fluorescence properties (quenching, I1/I3, and monomer/excimer equilibrium), asymmetric membrane fluorescence (NBD-PE/dithionite), and polarization fluorescence (TMA-DPH). Also, the ability of these peptides to release carboxyfluorescein entrapped in vesicles was determined. Results suggest that these peptides do not noticeably modify the packing and motion of lipids (in the gel state), but coat its surface, preventing penetration of quenchers and chemical reactants. Nevertheless, their presence promotes a soft release of entrapped CF after incubation at 37 °C. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We sought to describe the clinico-epidemiological and histological characteristics and long-term follow-up of a series of patients with SJS/TEN-like CLE. Palm and sole involvement was seen in 50% of patients in a recently reported case series.4 As we found similar results, this finding could help to differentiate this CLE subtype from drug-induced SJS/TEN. Three patients were diagnosed with TEN-like CLE, three with SJS/TEN-like overlap and three with SJS-like CLE. [Extracted from the article]

Aspartimide formation is one of the most common secondary reactions on solid phase peptide synthesis. In the present work, we describe the optimization of the synthesis of two thrombospondin fragments containing an Asp-Gly sequence that show a strong tendency to form cyclic aspartimide derivatives in an unusual high percentage. Several different strategies were applied changing type of resin, Fmoc-deprotection reagents, coupling additives, resin cleavage cocktails and the use of Hmb-Gly derivative to minimize the extension of this byproduct. Best results were obtained with cross-linked ethoxylate acrylate (CLEAR®-cross-linked ethoxylate Acrylate Resin)-type resin and pip/dimethylformamide deprotection. Besides, as in biological assays the aspartimide containing sequence resulted to be more active than the linear one, the optimization of its synthesis was also carried out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of five poly[L-lysine]-derived branched chain polypeptides of poly[Lys(Xi)] (XiK) or poly[Lys(Xi-DL-Alam)] (XAK) with lipid bilayers (DPPC and DPPC/PG, 8:2) was studied by fluorescence polarization techniques. Two fluorescent probes, DPH and TMA-DPH, were utilized to monitor changes of motion in the internal and/or in the polar head regions, respectively. Results indicate that the interaction of polypeptides with neutral (DPPC) bilayers is mainly dependent on the polarity and electrical charge of side chains. The amphoteric EiK shows the highest level of interaction. Polycationic polypeptides (HiK, PiK, TAK) have a relatively small effect on the transition temperature of the lipids, while the polyanionic Succ-EAK has no effect at the alkyl chain region of the bilayer. Data with TMA-DPH indicate the lack of pronounced interaction between the polypeptides and the outer surface of the liposome. Similar tendency was documented for DPPC/PG vesicles. Polypeptides, HiK, and PiK induce significant changes in the transition temperature, thus indicating their insertion into the hydrophobic core of the bilayer without marked effect on the polar head region. Results suggest that these polypeptides (except EiK) have no destabilizing effect on liposomes studied. These properties are considered as beneficial for their use as safe carriers for bioactive molecules. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two stopped-flow manifolds have been proposed for individual or simultaneous determination of chromium and cobalt in water samples. Automated procedures based on multicommutation systems have emphasised the differences of their catalytic effect in luminol–hydrogen peroxide chemiluminescence reaction. A more rapid decay of signal was observed for Co for both configurations (flow injection or continuous injection). The influence of chemical and hydrodynamic variables has been studied in order to establish the robustness of method. The analysis rate was lower 1.5 min per replicate.Chemometric tools have been employed for the resolution of their contributions. Partial least squares (PLS) and H-point standard additions method (HPSAM) were used as multivariate calibration models. The percentages of explained variance were 97–99% (two factors). PLS and HPSAM obtained similar results. HPSAM provided a simple calibration model contributing to develop an analyser for chromium and/or cobalt.Standard mixtures, spiked samples and a certified reference material validated the proposed strategy. The applicability has been demonstrated by the determination of Cr and Co concentration in different water samples. The best results have been obtained for continuous injection providing more robust predictions. The achieved detection limit was 0.2 μg/l for both metals. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The generalised H-point standard addition method (GHPSAM) was applied to quantify phenol and o-cresol in waters and compared with other analytical approaches. The method is based on spectroscopic and kinetic measurement of the formation of derivatives with p-aminophenol and KIO4 in presence of NaOH. First, pseudo-first order kinetic behaviour of the reaction products was demonstrated. The unbiased formation rate constants of phenol and o-cresol derivatives were calculated. The analytical figures of merit were determined using the GHPSAM as calibration method. Detection limits achieved were 0.2 μg L-1 of phenol and 0.2 μg L-1 of o-cresol using a preconcentration factor of 10. Styrene–divinyl benzene cartridges were used in the preconcentration step. Repeatability values were 3.7% for phenol and 2.0% for o-cresol; reproducibility values were 6.9% and 3.5%, respectively. Accurate and precise results were obtained when the method was applied to real samples of natural water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]