Adsorption of the lanthanum and thorium cryptates at mercury electrode

The adsorption behavior of cryptates of La³⁺ and Th⁴⁺ cations at the Hg/aqueous solution interface is studied by using the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method. It was shown that the studied complexes have high surface activity at the interface. The lanthanum cryptate adsorption parameters are found using the regression analysis based on the two parallel capacitor model supplemented by the Frumkin adsorption isotherm. The differential capacitance curves calculated by using these parameters agree satisfactorily with the experimental ones. The more complicated adsorption behavior of lanthanum cryptate, as compared with the complexes of lower valence cations, is interpreted with taking into consideration the strong interaction of the La³⁺ cation contained in the [2.2.2.] cryptand intramolecular cavity with the supporting electrolyte anions.     

Conformational stability, r 0 structural parameters, barriers to internal rotation, ab initio calculations, and vibrational assignment for 2,2-difluoroethanol

The infrared spectra (4,000–30 cm^?1) of the gas and solid and the Raman spectrum of liquid 2,2-difluoroethanol as well as variable temperature infrared spectra of krypton/xenon solutions have been recorded. From all these data, two (Gg and Tg) out of the five possible stable conformers have been confidently identified. The order of the stabilities has been predicted to be Gg > Tg > Gt > Gg′ > Tt by utilizing ab initio MP2 (full) and DFT (B3LYP method) calculations, where the first indicator (capital letter) is in reference to rotation around the C–C bond (G = gauche or T = trans) and the second one (small letter) refers to the orientation of the hydroxyl group. The percentage of the minor conformer Tg, at ambient temperature, is estimated to be (16 ± 3%). The optimized geometries, fundamental frequencies, infrared intensities, Raman activities, and depolarization values as well as centrifugal distortion constants have been obtained from ab initio and density functional theory calculations by utilizing a variety of basis sets as well as those with diffuse functions. By utilizing the previously reported microwave rotational constants for two isotopomers of the Gg conformer combined with ab initio MP2(full)/6-311+G(d,p) predicted structural values, adjusted r ₀ parameters have been obtained. The determined heavy atom distances (Å) for the Gg conformer are: C₁–C₂ = 1.510(3), C₂–F₄ = 1.371(3), C₂–F₅ = 1.362(3), C₁–O₃ = 1.412(3) Å and angles ∠O₃C₁C₂ = 111.0(5), ∠F₄C₂C₁ = 108.8(5), ∠F₅C₂C₁ = 109.8(5), τF₄C₂C₁O₃ = 63.5(5), τF₅C₂C₁O₃ = 179.1(5)°. Barriers of internal rotation have been obtained and vibrational assignments for the Gg and Tg conformers are given. The five predicted centrifugal distortion constants compared to the experimental values are in reasonable agreement except for ?_K, which appears to be in error. The results are discussed and the structural parameters compared to the corresponding ones for 2-fluoroethanol and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol where those for the latter molecule have been redetermined. The currently determined heavy atom parameters are quite different from the earlier assumed values, which led to poor values of the six adjusted parameters.     

Lysophosphatidylglycerol inhibits formyl peptide receptor like-1-stimulated chemotactic migration and IL-1�� production from human phagocytes

In this study, we observed that lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG) completely inhibited a formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL1) agonist (MMK-1)-stimulated chemotactic migration in human phagocytes, such as neutrophils and monocytes. LPG also dramatically inhibited IL-1β production by another FPRL1 agonist serum amyloid A (SAA) in human phagocytes. However, LPG itself induced intracellular calcium increase and superoxide anion production in human phagocytes. Keeping in mind that phagocytes migration and IL-1β production by FPRL1 are important for the induction of inflammatory response, our data suggest that LPG can be regarded as a useful material for the modulation of inflammatory response induced by FPRL1 activation.     

Activation of PPAR�� induces profound multilocularization of adipocytes in adult mouse white adipose tissues

We sought to determine the effects of activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) on multilocularization of adipocytes in adult white adipose tissue (WAT). Male C57BL/6 normal, db/db, and ob/ob mice were treated with agonists of PPAR-γ, PPAR-α, or β₃-adrenoceptor for 3 weeks. To distinguish multilocular adipocytes from unilocular adipocytes, whole-mounted adipose tissues were co-immunostained for perilipin and collagen IV. PPAR-γ activation with rosiglitazone or pioglitazone induced a profound change of unilocular adipocytes into smaller, multilocular adipocytes in adult WAT in a time-dependent, dose-dependent, and reversible manner. PPAR-α activation with fenofibrate did not affect the number of locules or remodeling. db/db and ob/ob obese mice exhibited less multilocularization in response to PPAR-γ activation compared to normal mice. Nevertheless, all adipocytes activated by PPAR-γ contained a single nucleus regardless of locule number. Multilocular adipocytes induced by PPAR-γ activation contained substantially increased mitochondrial content and enhanced expression of uncoupling protein-1, PPAR-γ coactivator-1-α , and perilipin. Taken together, PPAR-γ activation induces profound multilocularization and enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis in the adipocytes of adult WAT. These changes may affect the overall function of WAT.     

Polymorphisms of COTL1 gene identified by proteomic approach and their association with autoimmune disorders

To select candidate genes, we attempted to comparative analysis of protein levels between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and healthy controls by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). We identified 17 proteins that showed up- or down-regulated spots in RA patients. We found that coactosin-like1 (COTL1) were highly expressed in RA patients compared with healthy controls. We performed a case-control study to determine whether the COTL1 gene polymorphisms were associated with RA and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The genotype frequency of c.-1124G>T and the allelic frequency of c.484G>A in RA patients, and the genotype frequency of c.484G>A in SLE patients were significantly different from healthy controls (P = 0.009, 0.027, and 0.025, respectively). We also investigated the correlation with the levels of rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody in RA patients, and anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) in SLE patients. The c.484G>A polymorphism in RA patients has significant association with the levels of anti-CCP antibody (P = 0.03). Our findings demonstrated that c.-1124G>T and c.484G>A polymorphisms of the COTL1 gene might be associated with the genetic susceptibility of autoimmune disorders.     

Conductive diamond hollow fiber membranes

Boron-doped diamond hollow fiber membrane (BDD–HFM) was fabricated as a novel type of porous conductive diamond. BDD–HFM was obtained by deposition of BDD polycrystalline film onto a quartz filter substrate consisting of quartz fibers, followed by etching of the substrate in HF/HNO₃ aqueous solution. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation showed the inner diameter and wall thickness of the BDD hollow fibers were in the range of 0.4–2 and 0.2–2 μm, respectively. The BDD–HFM electrode exhibited a relatively large double-layer capacitance (ca. 13 F g⁻¹) in 0.1 M H₂SO₄. Electrochemical AC impedance properties were simulated using an equivalent circuit model containing a transmission line model, which indicated characteristics of a porous electrode material.     

Study of proteinous and micellar microenvironment using donor acceptor charge transfer fluorosensor N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile

Interaction of charge transfer fluorophore N,N-dimethylaminonaphthyl-(acrylo)-nitrile (DMANAN) with globular proteins Human Serum Albumin (HSA) and Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) brings forth a marked change in the position and intensity of band maxima both in case of absorption and fluorescence spectra. Spectroscopic approach has been elaborately implemented to explore the binding phenomena of the probe with HSA and BSA and it is found that the extent of binding of the probe to both serum albumins is similar in nature. Steady state fluorescence anisotropy values, fluorescence quenching study using acrylamide quencher and Red Edge Excitation Shift (REES) help in drawing reliable conclusions regarding the location of the probe molecule within the hydrophobic cavity of the proteins. An increase in fluorescence lifetime of the probe molecule solubilized in both the proteinous media also indicate that the probe is located at the motionally restricted environment inside the hydrophobic cavity of proteins and hence non-radiative channels are less operative than in the bulk water. Similarly, the variation of position and intensity of the emission maxima of DMANAN solubilized in micellar medium of Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate (SDS) also predicts well the critical micellar concentration (CMC) and polarity of micellar microenvironment.     

Enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arene derivatives containing quinolin-2-yl-methanol moiety:Synthesis and application in the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde

A series of novel N,O-type chiral ligands derived from enantiopure inherently chiral calix[4]arenes containing quinolin-2-yl-methanol moiety in the cone or partial-cone conformation have been synthesized and characterized. Moreover, they have been applied to the catalytic asymmetric addition of diethylzinc to benzaldehyde, which represents the first example that the inherently chiral calixarene can be used as the chiral ligands for the catalytic asymmetric synthesis. Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20625206 & 20372064), the National Basic Research Project (Grant Nos. 2007CB808000 & 2008CB617501), and the Chinese Academy of Sciences     

Fabrication of an ��-lipoic acid-eluting poly-(D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) cuff for the inhibition of neointimal formation

The purpose of this study was to develop a novel polymer cuff for the local delivery of α-lipoic acid (ALA) to inhibit neointimal formation in vivo. The polymer cuff was fabricated by incorporating the ALA into poly-(_D,L-lactide-co-caprolactone) 40:60 (PLC), with or without methoxy polyethylene glycol (MethoxyPEG). The release kinetics of ALA and in vitro degradation by hydrolysis were analyzed by HPLC and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), respectively. In vivo evaluation of the effect of the ALA-containing polymer cuff was carried out using a rat femoral artery cuff injury model. At 24 h, 48% or 87% of the ALA was released from PCL cuffs with or without MethoxyPEG. FE-SEM results indicated that ALA was blended homogenously in the PLC with MethoxyPEG, whereas ALA was distributed on the surface of the PLC cuff without MethoxyPEG. The PLC cuff with MethoxyPEG showed prolonged and controlled release of ALA in PBS, in contrast to the PLC cuff without MethoxyPEG. Both ALA-containing polymer cuffs had a significant effect on the inhibition of neointimal formation in rat femoral artery. Novel ALA-containing polymer cuffs made of PLC were found to be biocompatible and effective in inhibiting neointimal formation in vivo. Polymer cuffs containing MethoxyPEG allowed the release of ALA for one additional week, and the rate of drug release from the PLC could be controlled by changing the composition of the polymer. These findings demonstrate that polymer cuffs may be an easy tool for the evaluation of anti-restenotic agents in animal models.