Polymer characterization using thermomechanical analysis

The purpose of the work was to characterize the thermomechanical behaviour of two well-known and widely-used thermoplastic polymers. Both dynamic and constant load measurements were made for high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and amorphous polystyrene (PS). The results of these measurements yield valuable information which can aid in both design applications and material processing.

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Zusammenfassung Die Thermomechanische Analyse (TMA) wurde zur Untersuchung der thermoplastischen Polymere HDPE, LDPE und PS angewandt. Die Messungen an HDPE und LDPE wurden dynamisch im Temperaturbereich von –90C bis ca. +140C durchgeführt. PS wurde von –190C bis ca. + 130C statisch gemessen. Die Ergebnisse dieser Messungen zeigen deutlich die hervorragende Eignung der TMA bei der Bestimmung von Glasübergangs- und Schmelztemperaturen, der Charakterisierung der elastischen Eigenschaften sowie der Ausdehnungskoeffizienten. Zur Charakterisierung können weitere thermoanalytische Methoden (z. B. TG, DSC) herangezogen werden, wodurch zusÄtzliche Informationen erhalten und die TMA-Ergebnisse erhÄrtet werden können.

     

Impact noise and the equal energy hypothesis

The equal energy hypothesis (EEH) was evaluated over a limited range of conditions by exposing four groups of chinchillas to impact noise (200-ms B duration) presented at a fixed rate of four impacts per second. The intensity of the impacts (107-125 dB peak SPL) and the duration (120-1.87 h) of the four exposure conditions were counterbalanced so that the four groups received the same total energy. The traumatic power of the exposures was assessed by measuring the threshold shift of the auditory evoked response and the amount of hair cell loss. Exposure between 107 and 119 dB were consistent with the EEH in that they produced roughly the same amount of permanent threshold shift (less than 20 dB) and hair cell loss (less than 20%). However, the 125-dB exposure produced substantially more threshold shift and hair cell loss than the three lower intensities. Thus, the EEH may be applicable only at lower impact intensities; above a "critical intensity" the amount of damage increases significantly.     

Organogold(III) metallacyclic chemistry. Part 4. Synthesis, characterisation, and biological activity of gold(III)-thiosalicylate and -salicylate complexes

The silver(I) oxide mediated reactions of the gold(III) dichloride complex [{C₆H₃(CH₂

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uCl₂] 2a with thiosalicylic or salicylic acid gives the respective complexes [{C₆H₃(CH₂

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)-2}] 3a (X=S) or 6b (X=O), containing chelating thiosalicylate or salicylate dianion ligands. X-ray studies show that for the thiosalicylate system, the thiosalicylate sulfur atom is trans to the N,N-dimethylamino group, whereas in the structure of the salicylate complex, it is the carboxylate group that is trans to NMe₂. Both complexes show puckered metallacycles in the solid state. Electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS) shows strong [M+H]⁺ and [2M+H]⁺ ions for both the gold-thiosalicylate and -salicylate complexes, and these ions possess a high stability towards cone voltage-induced fragmentation. ESMS was also used to identify a minor impurity, the bis(cyclo-aurated) cationic complex [A

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Me₂)-2-(OMe)-5}2]⁺ in the starting dihalide complex 2a and in the product 3a. This complex can be formed by reaction of Me₄N[AuCl₄] with 2 equivalents of the organomercury precursor [Hg{C₆H₃(CH₂NMe₂)-2-(OMe)-5}Cl]. The biological (antitumour, antimicrobial and antiviral) activities are also reported, and these reveal the complexes have moderate to high anti-tumour, antibacterial and antifungal activity.     

The Role of Carnitine Acyltransferases in the Maintenance of Cell Function

Summary. Carnitine acyltransferases catalyse equilibria between acyl-CoA esters and the respective acylcarnitines. Therefore, they act not only as pathway enzymes, but also as modulators of acyl-CoA concentrations within individual sub-cellular compartments. Because acyl-CoA esters are potent biologically active metabolites, carnitine acyltransferase activities are potentially able to affect a diverse range of physiological processes, ranging from insulin secretion, to appetite control, and insulin sensitivity of tissues. The distinctive subcellular distributions of the different types of carnitine acyltransferases also enables them to participate in the transfer of acyl moieties across intracellular membranes, and of particular acylcarnitine esters across the plasma membrane and into the plasma. Pharmacological strategies that make use of these properties to improve cell function are discussed.     

Nucleotides. Part XLIV. Synthesis,characterization, and biological activity of monomeric and trimeric cordycepin-cholesterol conjugates and inhibition of HIV-1 replication

The antivirally active 3′-deoxyadenylyl-(2′–5′)-3′-deoxyadenylyl-(2′–5′)-3′-deoxyadenosine (cordycepin trimer core) was modified at the 2′- or 5′-terminus, by attachment of cholesterol via a carbonate bond (→ 15 ) or a succinate linker (→ 16 and 27 ) to improve cell permeability. The corresponding monomeric conjugates 4 , 7 , and 21 of cordycepin were prepared as model substances to study the applicability of the anticipated protecting groups – the monomethoxytrityl (MeOTr), the (tert-butyl)dimethylsilyl (tbds), and the β -eliminating 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl (npe) and 2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethoxycarbonyl (npeoc) groups – for the final deblocking steps without harming the ester bonds of the conjugate trimers. The syntheses were performed in solution using phosphoramidite chemistry. The fully protected trimer conjugates 13 , 14 , and 26 as well as all intermediates were characterized by elemental analyses, UV and ¹H-NMR spectra. The deblocked conjugates 15 , 16 , and 27 were pure according to HPLC and showed the correct compositions by mass spectra. Comparative biological studies indicated that cordycepincholesterol conjugate trimers 16 and 27 were 333- and 1000-fold, respectively, more potent inhibitors of HIV-1-induced syncytia formation than cordycepin trimer core.     

SITES OF PHOTODAMAGE in vivo and in vitro BY A CATIONIC PORPHYRIN

Abstract— Localization and photodynamic efficacy of a monocationic porphyrin (MCP) were assessed using murine leukemia cells in culture. This sensitizer localized at surface membrane loci and catalyzed selective photodamage to membrane structures. Although both cationic and hydrophobic, this porphyrin was not recognized by the multidrug transporter, which excludes many cationic agents from cells that express multidrug resistance. Photodynamic studies with the murine radiation-induced fibrosarcoma tumor model indicated moderate photosensitization of neoplastic lesions in vivo at 3 h, but not at 24 h after sensitizer administration. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that plasma levels, not tissue levels were the major determinant of photodynamic therapy (PDT) response. Consistent with this observation, vascular damage and disturbances of tissue perfusion followed PDT. These effects were more pronounced in tumor-bearing skin than in normal skin. The therapeutic response to MCP appeared to be related mainly to secondary, probably vascular, effects.     

PHOTOSENSITIZATION OF MURINE TUMOR, VASCULATURE and SKIN BY 5-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID-INDUCED PORPHYRIN

Abstract— The effects of topical and systemic administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were examined in several murine tumor systems with regard to porphyrin accumulation kinetics in tumor, skin and blood, vascular and tumor cell photosensitization and tumor response after light exposure. Marked, transient increases in porphyrin levels were observed in tumor and skin after systemic and topical ALA. Rapid, transient, dose-dependent porphyrin increases were also observed in blood; these were pronounced after systemic ALA injection and mild after topical application. They were highest within 1 h after ALA injection, thereafter declining rapidly. This matched the clearing kinetics of injected exogenous protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). Initially, vascular photosensitivity changed inversely to blood porphyrin levels, increasing gradually up to 5 h post-ALA, as porphyrin was clearing from the bloodstream. This pattern was again matched by injected, exogenous PpIX. After therapeutic tumor treatment vascular disruption of the tumor bed, while observed, was incomplete, especially at the tumor base. Minimal direct tumor cell kill was found at low photodynamic therapy (PDT) doses (250 mg/kg ALA, 135 J/cm² light). Significant, but limited (<1 log) direct photodynamic tumor cell kill was obtained when the PDT dose was raised to 500 mg/kg systemic ALA, followed 3 h later by 270 J/cm², a dose that was however toxic to the animals. The further reduction of clonogenic tumor cells over 24 h following treatment was moderate and probably limited by the incomplete disruption of the vasculature. Tumor responses were highest when light treatment was carried out at the time of highest tumor porphyrin content rather than at the time of highest vascular photosensitivity. Tumor destruction did not reach the tumor base, regardless of treatment conditions.