Surface complexation of DNA with insoluble monolayers. Influence of divalent counterions

DNA interacts with insoluble monolayers made of cationic amphiphiles as well as with monolayers of zwitterionic lipids in the presence of divalent ions. Binding to dioctadecyldimethylammonium bromide (DODAB) or distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DSPC) monolayers in the presence of calcium is accompanied by monolayer expansion. For the positively charged DODAB monolayer, this causes a decrease of surface potential, while an increase is observed for the DSPC monolayers. Binding to dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine preserves most of the liquid expanded-liquid condensed coexistence region. The liquid condensed domains adopt an elongated morphology in the presence of DNA, especially in the presence of calcium. The interaction of DNA with phospholipid monolayers is ion specific: the presence of calcium leads to a stronger interaction than magnesium and barium. These results were confirmed by bulk complexation studies.     

Investigation of thermal degradation characteristics of polyamide-6 containing melamine or melamine cyanurate via direct pyrolysis mass spectrometry

In this work the changes in thermal degradation characteristics of polyamide 6 (PA6) in the presence of melamine (Me) or melamine cyanurate (MC) were investigated systematically via direct pyrolysis mass spectrometry. Though thermal stability of PA6 was not affected by the presence of flame retardants, the changes in the products and in their distributions were detected. The reaction of carbonyl groups of PA6 with amine groups of melamine was the main cause for the changes in the product distribution. In the presence of melamine cyanurate, new products due to the reaction of cyanic acid generated by the decomposition of cyanurate, with the amine groups of PA6 were detected. Significant increases in the evolution temperatures of melamine and melamine cyanurate in the presence of PA6 were attributed to intermolecular interactions, most probably by H-bonding, with PA6.     

Effects of photo-activated bleomycin on deoxyribonuclease I, exonuclease III and deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase I reactions

The activity of bleomycin to break the strand of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) in the presence of 2-hydroxy-1-ethanethiol (2-mercaptoethanol) was enhanced by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. Photo-activated bleomycin stimulated the action of deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) to degrade DNA and the DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase I with DNase I. On the other hand, although UV-irradiated bleomycin scarcely broke the DNA strand in the presence of 1,2-benzenediol (catechol), it stimulated the action of DNase I to degrade DNA in the presence of catechol. In accordance with the inhibition by catechol, when DNA treated with UV-irradiated bleomycin in the presence of catechol was employed as a primer for the DNA synthesis, the incorporation of precursor into the acid-insoluble fraction by DNA polymerase I with exonuclease III was reduced to about one-half of the incorporation into DNA treated with unirradiated bleomycin. These findings suggest that the ability of bleomycin to bind to double-helical DNA forming regions sensitive to DNase I was increased by an appropriate dose of UV irradiation and that catechol inhibited the activity of the UV-irradiated bleomycin to break the DNA strand rather than to bind to DNA.     

Palladium-catalyzed reactions of arylindium reagents prepared directly from aryl iodides and indium metal

Treatment of aryl iodides with indium metal in the presence of lithium chloride leads to the formation of an organoindium reagent capable of participating in cross-coupling reactions under transition-metal catalysis. Combination with aryl halides in the presence of 5 mol % Cl2Pd(dppf) furnishes biaryl compounds in good yields; similarly, reaction with acyl halides or allylic acetates/carbonates in the presence of 5-10 mol % palladium catalyst leads to arylketones and allylic substitution products, respectively, in moderate yields. The reactions are tolerant of the presence of protic solvents, and approximately 85% of the indium metal employed can be recovered by reduction of the residual indium salts with zinc(0).     

Charge transfer polycondensation of diethyl chelidonate with diamines in the presence of polyvinylcarbazole

Polycondensation of diethyl chelidonate (DEC), which contains an electron-accepting γ-pyrone nucleus, with hexamethylenediamine (HMD) takes place easily even at room temperature to form a corresponding polyamide. Since DEC was expected to form a charge transfer complex with an electron-donating compound such as polyvinylcarbazole (PVK), the polycondensation of DEC with diamines was carried out in the presence of PVK as a matrix. It was found that the rate of the polycondensation of DEC with diamines in dioxane was enhanced either by the presence of PVK or by the irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light. Moreover, the polycondensation of DEC with HMD in the presence of PVK was accelerated by the UV irradiation, probably owing to the transfer of light energy.     

Structure sensitivity of vibrational spectra of mesoporous silica SBA-15 and Pt/SBA-15

The vibrational properties of mesoporous silica (SBA-15) were investigated by deep ultraviolet (UV) Raman and infrared spectroscopies with and without the presence of platinum nanoparticles in the mesopores that were incorporated by sonication. Raman and IR spectral line assignments were made by comparison to amorphous silicas. This procedure permitted identification of vibrations of longitudinal (LO) and transverse (TO) optical lattice modes, the presence of Si-OH, and vibrational modes associated with the presence of three-, four-, and six-membered siloxane rings. Hydraulic pressing of the mesoporous silica with pressure in the range 3-7 tons cm(-2) destroys the X-ray diffraction pattern and strongly decreases the Raman peak (D2) associated with three-membered rings at the surface. In the presence of platinum nanoparticles in the silica mesopores, a peak attributed to a Pt-O stretching vibration appears at between 530 and 580 cm(-1) in the UV-Raman spectrum, which can be used to monitor the presence of the platinum particles and their interaction with the support. The D2 feature in the UV-Raman spectra also decreases with increasing Pt loading, which is attributed to interactions of the Pt nanoparticles with the silica surface.     

On the role of samarium/HMPA in the post electron-transfer steps in SmI2 reductions

The reaction of p,p'-dichlorobenzophenone with SmI2 was studied in the presence of variable amounts of HMPA. The electron-transfer step takes place instantaneously. In the presence of excess substrate, the addition of HMPA retarded the rate of coupling to pinacol by a factor of 250. In the presence of an excess of SmI2, the initial rate retardation is followed by a dramatic increase in rate.     

Photolysis of organopolysilanes. The reaction of photochemically generated methylphenylsilylene with conjugated dienes

Photolysis of 2-phenylheptamethyltrisilane (I) in the presence of acyclic and cyclic conjugated dienes has been investigated using both a high-pressure mercury lamp with a quartz filter and a low-pressure mercury lamp with a Vycor filter. Irradiation of I in the presence of 1,3-butadiene, isoprene or 2,3-dimethylbutadiene with a high-pressure mercury lamp gave a product arising from photochemical isomerization of a silacyclopropane derivative and a compound apparently formed by 1,4-silylene addition, along with a 1/1 “ene” adduct of the diene to a photo-rearranged intermediate containing the silicon—carbon double bond. Irradiation of I in the presence of the conjugated diene with a low-pressure mercury lamp, followed by treatment of the product with methanol, afforded a methoxysilane arising from methanolysis of the corresponding silacyclopropane, together with the isomerization product, silacyclopentene and rearranged addition product. Irradiation of I in the presence of cyclopentadiene with a high-pressure mercury lamp produced methylphenylsilylcyclopentadiene, while irradiation of a similar mixture with a low-pressure mercury lamp followed by treatment with methanol gave 4-(methoxymethylphenylsilyl)-1-cyclopentene. With 1,3-cyclooctadiene, the photochemically generated methylphenylsilylene afforded many types of addition product. Photolysis of I in the presence of 1,3-cyclohexadiene, however, afforded none of the silylene addition products.     

核糖核苷酸和核糖核苷的N-羧酰咪唑选样性酰化

应用N-羧酰咪唑在合适的条件下可按制备性规模进行选择性地酰化核糖核苷酸和核糖核苷, 得率为50-80%. 对反应机制作了初步探讨.     

Luminescence properties of silver(I)-exchanged zeolite Y and its use as a catalyst to photodecompose carbaryl in the presence of natural organic matter

Silver-doped Y-type zeolites with different silver loadings were prepared and analyzed spectroscopically at various temperatures. Several emission bands were observed for each AgY sample. Each emission band becomes dominant over the others by selecting a suitable excitation wavelength, indicating the presence of different silver clusters in zeolite Y. The study shows that the presence of AgY catalysts increases the photodecomposition rate of carbaryl by 4–42 times in comparison to the catalyst-free system, with the rate dependent on the amount of silver that was loaded on the Y-type zeolites. The presence of different concentrations of Suwannee River natural organic matter (NOM) affected the photodegradation reaction of carbaryl by allowing it to proceed via two different pseudo-first-order pathways. However, the presence of the silver-doped zeolite catalysts makes the photodecomposition of carbaryl proceed via first-order kinetics.     

Effect of sol-gel derived nano-silica and organic peroxide on the thermal and mechanical properties of low-density polyethylene/wood flour composites

The influence of nano-silica, synthesized and mixed with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) through a sol-gel process, on the thermal and mechanical properties of LDPE and LDPE/wood flour (WF) composites, prepared in the absence and presence of dicumyl peroxide, was investigated. Scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analyses show a uniform dispersion of silica nano-particles of size 10-50 nm in the matrix, and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic results indicated interaction between the nano-silica and the LDPE matrix, which seems to improve for samples prepared in the presence of dicumyl peroxide (DCP). WF and nano-silica, as well as the presence of DCP during sample preparation, substantially improve the thermal stability of the LDPE matrix. The tensile strength of the samples decreased with increasing wood flour content, while the tensile modulus substantially increased. The presence of nano-silica gave rise to lower values for both tensile strength and tensile modulus, while higher tensile strength (and an increase in tensile strength with WF content) is observed for samples prepared in the presence of DCP. The tensile modulus increases with increasing WF content, but is not substantially influenced by the presence of nano-silica or by sample preparation in the presence of DCP. The DMA results were in line with the tensile results.     

Role of the morphology and polyphosphate in Trichoderma harzianum related to cadmium removal

This study concerns the metabolism of polyphosphate in Trichoderma harzianum, a biocontrol agent with innate resistance against most chemicals used in agriculture, including metals, when grown in the presence of different concentrations of cadmium. The biomass production was affected by the concentration of metal used. Control cultures were able to accumulate polyphosphate under the conditions used. Moreover, the presence of cadmium induced a reduction in polyphosphate content related to the concentration used. The morphological/ultrastructural aspects were characterized by using optical and scanning electron microscopy, and were affected by the heavy metal presence and concentration. The efficiency of cadmium removal revealed the potential of the microorganism for use in remediation. The data indicate the potential for polyphosphate accumulation by the fungus, as well as its degradation related to tolerance/survival in the presence of cadmium ions.     

Comparison of aspen wood hydrolysates produced by pretreatment with liquid hot water and carbonic acid

Hydrolysates produced by the pretreatment of aspen wood with liquid hot water were compared with hydrolysates produced using carbonic acid pretreatment. Pretreatment temperatures tested ranged from 180° to 220°C; reaction times were varied between 2.5 and 30.5 min. Under most conditions tested, it was found that the presence of carbonic acid had no discernible effect on the amount of xylose released or concentration of furan compounds, as indicated by ultraviolet-visual absorbance between 270 and 280 nm. Thus, there appears to be little difference in the severity of the pretreatment conditions with or without the presence of carbonic acid. The presence of carbonic acid did, however, result in a hydrolysate with a higher final pH. It is hypothesized that the presence of the carbonic acid during the reaction may have the effect of reducing the accumulation of organic acids in the hydrolysate.     

Riboflavin and UV-Light Based Pathogen Reduction: Extent and Consequence of DNA Damage at the Molecular Level

We are developing a technology based on the combined application of riboflavin (RB) and light for inactivating pathogens in blood products while retaining the biological functions of the treated cells and proteins. Virus and bacteria reduction measured by tissue culture infectivity or colony formation with UV light alone and in combination with RB yield equivalent results. The effects of RB as a sensitizing agent on DNA in white cells, bacteria and viruses in combination with UV light exposure have been evaluated. UV-mediated DNA degradation in Jurkat T cells and leukocytes in plasma as measured by the FlowTACS assay was significantly increased in the presence of RB. Agarose gel electrophoretic analysis of DNA in Escherichia coli and leukocytes in plasma demonstrated enhanced DNA degradation in the presence of RB. UV light in combination with RB prevented the reactivation of lambda phage compared with samples irradiated in the absence of RB. UV-mediated oxidative damage in calf thymus DNA was also enhanced in the presence of RB. These observations clearly demonstrate that the presence of RB and UV light selectively enhances damage to the guanine bases in DNA. These data also suggest that the type and extent of damage to DNA for virus in the presence of RB and light make it less likely to be repaired by normal repair pathways available in host cells.     

Frequency domain imaging of absorbers obscured by scattering.

Multiple pixel, frequency domain measurements of phase shift, theta, and modulation, m, in a phantom containing an absorber obscured by a relatively non-absorbing scattering solution are presented in combination with a theory of photon migration imaging. Results employing a single point source show that two dimensional theta measurements made in the presence (theta presence) and in the absence (theta absence) of an absorber can be used to create delta theta images. delta theta (theta absence-theta presence) images can be used to detect as well as locate the three dimensional position of the absorber. Images of mpresence measured in the presence of the absorber normalized by mabsence also provided detection and two dimensional location of its position. Images of % mpresence/mabsence at higher modulation frequencies provided greater resolution as predicted by photon migration theory. Neither theta nor m images alone could be used to detect or locate the presence of the absorber.     

Studies of accelerated sulfur vulcanization of styrene–butadiene rubber by N-cyclohexylbenzothiazol-2-sulfenamide in the presence and absence of dicumyl peroxide

This study embodies the results and discussion of a comprehensive and systematic investigation of the mechanism of sulfuration of styrene–butadiene rubber accelerated by N-cyclohexylbenzothiazole-2-sulfenamide (CBS) with and without activators. Dicumyl peroxide (DCP) has been taken as a chemical aid to distinguish between free-radical and polar mechanisms of sulfuration. The rate constant for DCP decomposition in presence of CBS and the reduction in crosslink density by CBS have also been studied. With a constant amount of DCP and sulfur the crosslink density increases with increasing CBS concentration. In the presence of ZnO and stearic acid, crosslinking proceeds faster than in a similar system without these ingredients, and with DCP the crosslinks are found to be formed nearly additively as confirmed by methyl iodide treatment of the vulcanizates. In the absence of DCP, the crosslinking is characterized by an induction period, even in presence of ZnO and stearic acid. In the presence of sulfur, the 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MSH) or amine or amine salt form crosslinkins by ionic reaction.     

O—Maltosylation of Heterocyclic Ketene Aminals

The stereoselective synthesis of O-maltosides by reacting benzoyl-substituted heterocyclic ketene aminals 1 or 2 with acetylated maltosyl bromide 3 was investigated.Compounds 1 or 2 reacted with 3 in the presence of mercuric cyanide to give O-maltosides 4 or 5 with E-configuration.While 1 reacted with 3 in the presence of calcium hydride to give O-maltosides 6 with Zconfiguration.     

Migration of strontium and europium in quartz sand column in the presence of humic acid: Effect of ionic strength

Summary We investigated the influence of ionic strength on migration behaviors of Sr and Eu in the presence of humic acid (HA). The breakthrough curve of Sr through a quartz sand column in the presence of HA was identical to that in the absence of HA. Europium migration in quartz sand was enhanced by the presence of HA at low ionic strength. At high ionic strength, Eu migration in the presence of HA was hindered compared to that in the absence of HA. Adsorption of europium on quartz sand in the absence of HA decreases with increased ionic strength.     

2-perfluoroalkanoylcyclopentane-1,3-diones. Synthesis and some transformations

2-Perfluoroalkanoylcyclopentane-1,3-diones were synthesized for the first time by acylation of cyclopentane-1,3-dione with perfluorocarboxylic acids in the presence of 1,1??-carbonyldiimidazole or with perfluorocarboxylic anhydrides in the presence of imidazole. 2-Perfluoroalkanoylcyclopentane-1,3-diones were selectively reduced to 2-(1-hydroxyperfluoroalkyl)cyclopentane-1,3-diones by the action of triethylsilane in trifluoroacetic acid in the presence of a catalytic amount of lithium perchlorate. Treatment of the title compounds with oxalyl chloride and subsequent reaction with 2 equiv of primary amine (4-fluoroaniline, 4-fluorobenzylamine, 3,4-difluoroaniline, 3-trifluoromethylbenzylamine) gave the corresponding 3-arylamino-2-perfluoroalkanoylcyclopent-2-en-1-ones.