Electrospray collision-induced dissociation of testosterone and testosterone hydroxy analogs

Complications with the gas chromatographic analysis of steroids prompted the use of alternative techniques for their identification. High-performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry with atmospheric pressure ionization allowed the collection of data for structural identification of these compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the up-front collision-induced dissociation (UFCID) electrospray ionization (ESI) mass spectra of testosterone and monohydroxylated testosterones. The positive ion UFCID ESI mass spectrum of testosterone showed three significant ions at m/z 97, 109 and 123. The relative abundance of these ions in the UFCID ESI mass spectra of monohydroxylated testosterones varied with the position of the hydroxy group. Statistical data allowed the prediction of hydroxy group position on testosterone by evaluation of the relative abundance of the m/z 97, 109, 121 and 123 ions. Data from the ESI mass spectral analysis of testosterone in a deuterated solvent and from the analysis of cholestenone and 4-androstene-3 beta, 17 beta-diol indicated that the initial ionization of testosterone occurred at the 3-one position. CID parent ion monitoring analyses of the m/z 97, 109 and 123 ions indicated that each resulted from different fragmentation mechanisms and originated directly from the [M + H]+ parent ion. The elemental composition of these fragment ions is proposed based on evidence gathered from the CID analysis of the pseudo-molecular ions of [1,2-2H2]-, [2,2,4,6,6-2H5]-, [6,7-2H2]-, [7-2H]-, [19,19,19-2H3]- and [3,4-13C2]testosterone. The structure and a possible mechanism of formation of the m/z 109 and 123 ions is presented. The results of this study advance the understanding of the mechanisms of collision-induced fragmentation of ions.     

Simultaneous measurements of endogenous and deuterium-labelled tracer variants of androstenedione and testosterone by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A capillary gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the simultaneous determination of androstenedione and testosterone in human plasma using [19,19,19-2H3]androstenedione and [19,19,19-2H3]testosterone as internal standards is described. For calculation of plasma androstenedione and testosterone, peak heights were measured by selected-ion monitoring of the molecular ions of the heptafluorobutyryl derivatives of androstenedione and [2H3]androstenedione (m/z 482 and 485) and of testosterone and [2H3]testosterone (m/z 680 and 683). The isotope dilution method needed no complex corrections for contributions and provides a sensitive and reliable technique with good accuracy, precision and reproducibility.     

Effects of alkyl substitution on the energetics of enolate anions and radicals.

The photoelectron spectra of the structural isomers of the three- and four-carbon enolate anions, n-C3H5O(-), i-C3H5O(-), n-C4H7O(-), s-C4H7O(-), and i-C4H7O(-) have been measured at 355 nm. Both the X(2A' ') ground and A(2A') first excited states of the corresponding radicals were accessed from the X(1A') ground state of the enolate anions. The separation energies of the ground and first excited states (T0) were determined: T0[(E)-n-C3H5O] = 1.19 +/- 0.02 eV, T0[(Z)-n-C3H5O] = 0.99 +/- 0.02 eV, T0[i-C3H5O] = 1.01 +/- 0.02 eV, T0[n-C4H7O] = 1.19 +/- 0.02 eV, T0[(2,3)-s-C4H7O] = 1.25 +/- 0.02 eV, T0[(1,2)-s-C4H7O] = 0.98 +/- 0.02 eV, and T0[i-C4H7O] = 1.36 +/- 0.02 eV. The effects of alkyl substitution on the vibronic structure and energetics previously observed in the vinoxy radical are discussed. The X(1A')-X(2A' ') relative stability is strongly influenced by substitution whereas the X(1A')-A(2A') relative stability remains nearly constant for all of the observed structural isomers. Alkyl substitution at the carbonyl carbon affects vibronic structure more profoundly than the energetics, while the converse is observed upon alkyl substitution at the alpha carbon.     

Isotope effect-mapping of the ionization of glucose demonstrates unusual charge sharing

Isotopic substitution is known to affect kinetic rate constants and equilibrium constants in chemistry. In this study, we have used tritium substitution and high pH to probe the glucose left harpoon over right harpoon glucose(-) + H(+) equilibrium. Passing partially ionized mixtures of [(3)H]- and [(14)C]glucose over anionic exchange resin has permitted the detection of subtle differences in pK(a). We have found that, at pH 11.7 in an anionic exchange system, [(3)H]glucose always elutes ahead of the [(14)C]glucose, and we report isotope effects of 1.051 +/- 0.0007, 1.012 +/- 1.0005, 1.014 +/- 0.0004, 1.024 +/- 0.0003, 1.014 +/- 0.0004, and 1.015 +/- 0.0014 for [1-(3)H]-, [2-(3)H]-, [3-(3)H]-, [4-(3)H]-, [5-(3)H]-, and [6,6-(3)H(2)]glucose, respectively, as compared to either [2-(14)C]-or [6-(14)C]glucose. The elevated isotope effects at H1 and H4 imply unusual charge sharing in anionic aqueous glucose. Base titration of (13)C-chemical shift changes demonstrates the dominance of pyranose forms at elevated pH, and ab initio isotope effect computations on gas-phase glucose anions are presented.     

195Pt NMR study of the speciation and preferential extraction of Pt(IV)-mixed halide complexes by diethylenetriamine-modified silica-based anion exchangers

A detailed 195Pt NMR study of the distribution of Pt(IV) complex species resulting from the aquation of H2PtCl6, H2PtBr6, and mixtures of H2PtCl6/H2PtBr6 in water/dilute HClO4 has been carried out to obtain an understanding of the speciation in these solutions as relevant to the recovery of Pt(IV) complexes from process solutions. A species distribution plot of the [PtCl6]2-, [PtCl5(H2O)]-, and [PtCl4(H2O)2] shows that in equilibrated, relatively concentrated H2PtCl6 solutions ([Pt]t > 0.12 M), the [PtCl4(H2O)2] species is below the 195Pt NMR detection limit; for [Pt]t concentrations < 0.1 M, the relative concentrations of the [PtCl5(H2O)]- and [PtCl4(H2O)2] species increase significantly, as a result of relatively rapid aquation of the [PtCl6]2- and [PtCl5(H2O)]- complexes under these conditions. From this (195)Pt NMR data the aquation constants of [PtCl6]2- and [PtBr6]2- of log K6 approximately 1.75 +/- 0.05 and log K6 approximately 2.71 +/- 0.15, respectively, have been determined at 30 degrees C. In mixtures of H2PtCl6/H2PtBr6 in water, a number of previously unidentified aquated complexes of the general formula [PtCl(5-n)Br(n)(H2O)]- (n = 0-5) could be identified, including the possible geometrical isomers of these complexes. These 195Pt NMR assignments were confirmed by remarkably systematic, linear relationships between the 195Pt chemical shift increments induced by substitution of Cl- ions by n Br- ions in [PtCl(6-n)Br(n)]2- and [PtCl(5-n)Br(n)(H2O)]- complexes. Preferential extraction of the [PtX6]2- (X = Cl, Br, or a mixture of the two halides) species over their corresponding aquated [PtX5(H2O)]- counterparts by silica-based diethylenetriamine anion exchangers could be demonstrated by means of 195Pt NMR spectroscopy.     

Influence of ligand polarizability on the reversible binding of O2 by trans-[Rh(X)(XNC)(PPh3)2] (X = Cl, Br, SC6F5, C2Ph; XNC = xylyl isocyanide). Structures and a kinetic study

The complexes trans-[Rh(X)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] (X = Cl, 1; Br, 2; SC 6F 5, 3; C 2Ph, 4; XNC = xylyl isocyanide) combine reversibly with molecular oxygen to give [Rh(X)(O 2)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] of which [Rh(SC 6F 5)(O 2)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] ( 7) and [Rh(C 2Ph)(O 2)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] ( 8) are sufficiently stable to be isolated in crystalline form. Complexes 2, 3, 4, and 7 have been structurally characterized. Kinetic data for the dissociation of O 2 from the dioxygen adducts of 1- 4 were obtained using (31)P NMR to monitor changes in the concentration of [Rh(X)(O 2)(XNC)(PPh 3) 2] (X = Cl, Br, SC 6F 5, C 2Ph) resulting from the bubbling of argon through the respective warmed solutions (solvent chlorobenzene). From data recorded at temperatures in the range 30-70 degrees C, activation parameters were obtained as follows: Delta H (++) (kJ mol (-1)): 31.7 +/- 1.6 (X = Cl), 52.1 +/- 4.3 (X = Br), 66.0 +/- 5.8 (X = SC 6F 5), 101.3 +/- 1.8 (X = C 2Ph); Delta S (++) (J K (-1) mol (-1)): -170.3 +/- 5.0 (X = Cl), -120 +/- 13.6 (X = Br), -89 +/- 18.2 (X = SC 6F 5), -6.4 +/- 5.4 (X = C 2Ph). The values of Delta H (++) and Delta S (++) are closely correlated (R (2) = 0.9997), consistent with a common dissociation pathway along which the rate-determining step occurs at a different position for each X. Relative magnitudes of Delta H (++) are interpreted in terms of differing polarizabilities of ligands X.     

Nucleophilic participation in the transition state for human thymidine phosphorylase

Recombinant human thymidine phosphorylase catalyzes the reaction of arsenate with thymidine to form thymine and 2-deoxyribose 1-arsenate, which rapidly decomposes to 2-deoxyribose and inorganic arsenate. The transition-state structure of this reaction was determined using kinetic isotope effect analysis followed by computer modeling. Experimental kinetic isotope effects were determined at physiological pH and 37 degrees C. The extent of forward commitment to catalysis was determined by pulse-chase experiments to be 0.70%. The intrinsic kinetic isotope effects for [1'-(3)H]-, [2'R-(3)H]-, [2'S-(3)H]-, [4'-(3)H]-, [5'-(3)H]-, [1'-(14)C]-, and [1-(15)N]-thymidines were determined to be 0.989 +/- 0.002, 0.974 +/- 0.002, 1.036 +/- 0.002, 1.020 +/- 0.003, 1.061 +/- 0.003, 1.139 +/- 0.005, and 1.022 +/- 0.005, respectively. A computer-generated model, based on density functional electronic structure calculations, was fit to the experimental isotope effect. The structure of the transition state confirms that human thymidine phosphorylase proceeds through an S(N)2-like transition state with bond orders of 0.50 to the thymine leaving group and 0.33 to the attacking oxygen nucleophile. The reaction differs from the dissociative transition states previously reported for N-ribosyl transferases and is the first demonstration of a nucleophilic transition state for an N-ribosyl transferase. The large primary (14)C isotope effect of 1.139 can occur only in nucleophilic displacements and is the largest (14)C primary isotope effect reported for an enzymatic reaction. A transition state structure with substantial bond order to the attacking nucleophile and leaving group is confirmed by the slightly inverse 1'-(3)H isotope effect, demonstrating that the transition state is compressed by the impinging steric bulk of the nucleophile and leaving group.     

Conformational equilibrium isotope effects in glucose by (13)C NMR spectroscopy and computational studies.

Anomeric equilibrium isotope effects for dissolved sugars are required preludes to understanding isotope effects for these molecules bound to enzymes. This paper presents a full molecule study of the alpha- and beta-anomeric forms of D-glucopyranose in water using deuterium conformational equilibrium isotope effects (CEIE). Using 1D (13)C NMR, we have found deuterium isotope effects of 1.043 +/- 0.004, 1.027 +/- 0.005, 1.027 +/- 0.004, 1.001 +/- 0.003, 1.036 +/- 0.004, and 0.998 +/- 0.004 on the equilibrium constant, (H/D)K(beta/alpha), in [1-(2)H]-, [2-(2)H]-, [3-(2)H]-, [4-(2)H]-, [5-(2)H]-, and [6,6'-(2)H(2)]-labeled sugars, respectively. A computational study of the anomeric equilibrium in glucose using semiempirical and ab initio methods yields values that correlate well with experiment. Natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis of glucose and dihedral rotational equilibrium isotope effects in 2-propanol strongly imply a hyperconjugative mechanism for the isotope effects at H1 and H2. We conclude that the isotope effect at H1 is due to n(p) --> sigma* hyperconjugative transfer from O5 to the axial C1--H1 bond in beta-glucose, while this transfer makes no contribution to the isotope effect at H5. The isotope effect at H2 is due to rotational restriction of OH2 at 160 degrees in the alpha form and 60 degrees in the beta-sugar, with concomitant differences in n --> sigma* hyperconjugative transfer from O2 to CH2. The isotope effects on H3 and H5 result primarily from syn-diaxial steric repulsion between these and the axial anomeric hydroxyl oxygen in alpha-glucose. Therefore, intramolecular effects play an important role in isotopic perturbation of the anomeric equilibrium. The possible role of intermolecular effects is discussed in the context of recent molecular dynamics studies on aqueous glucose.     

Residues and metabolism of 19-nortestosterone laurate in steers.

The illegal use of 19-nortestosterone (19NT; 4-estren-17 beta-ol-3-one; nandrolone) and its esters in livestock, for growth promotion purposes, has been widely reported in the European Union. The target residues for surveillance of abuse in bovine urine and bile samples are 17 alpha- and 17 beta-19NT, although this choice of target residues is not based on in vivo radiotracer biotransformation data. In this study, four steers were administered [3H2]- and [2H3] 17 beta-19NT laurate (2 mg kg-1 body mass) by intramuscular injection and blood, urine, faeces and bile samples were taken for 30 d until slaughter, after which tissues were sampled for total residue analysis. Total plasma radiolabelled residues reached a maximum of 56.3 +/- 15.9 pmol ml-1 at 36 h and were still appreciable (13.3 +/- 1.6 pmol ml-1) 30 d after treatment. Throughout the study period, total residue concentrations in bile (about 2-16 nmol ml-1), urine and faeces (0.5-3 nmol ml-1 or g-1) were higher than in other tissues sampled at slaughter. At slaughter there was evidence of residue accumulation in pigmented eye tissue (33.1 +/- 6.1 pmol g-1) and in white (13.4 +/- 3.4 pmol g-1) and black hair (28.9 +/- 8.9 pmol g-1). Evaluation of radio-HPLC profiles of urine and bile extracts generally indicated that 19NT and 19NT laurate residues were present in relatively small amounts among a complex mixture of metabolites. GC-MS analysis of glucuronidase-hydrolysed bile extracts indicated that the major metabolites were 5 beta-estrane-3 alpha, 17 alpha-diol, 5 alpha-estrane-3 beta, 17 alpha-diol. 5 alpha-estran-3 alpha-ol-17-one (norandrosterone) and estra-1,3,5(10)-triene-3,17 alpha-diol (17 alpha-estradiol).     

Physicochemical characterization of the dimeric lanthanide complexes [en{Ln(DO3A)(H2O)}2] and [pi{Ln(DTTA)(H2O)}2]2-: a variable-temperature 17O NMR study

The Gd(III) complexes of the two dimeric ligands [en(DO3A)2] {N,N'-bis[1,4,7-tris(carboxymethyl)-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecan-10-yl-methylcarbonyl]-N,N'-ethylenediamine} and [pi(DTTA)2]8- [bisdiethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (trans-1,2-cyclohexanediamine)] were synthesized and characterized. The 17O NMR chemical shift of H2O induced by [en{Dy(DO3A)}2] and [pi{Dy(DTTA)}2]2- at pH 6.80 proved the presence of 2.1 and 2.2 inner-sphere water molecules, respectively. Water proton spin-lattice relaxation rates for [en{Gd(DO3A)(H2O)}2] and [pi{Gd(DTTA)(H2O)}2]2- at 37.0 +/- 0.1 degrees C and 20 MHz are 3.60 +/- 0.05 and 5.25 +/- 0.05 mM(-1) s(-1) per Gd, respectively. The EPR transverse electronic relaxation rate and 17O NMR transverse relaxation time for the exchange lifetime of the coordinated H2O molecule and the 2H NMR longitudinal relaxation rate of the deuterated diamagnetic lanthanum complex for the rotational correlation time were thoroughly investigated, and the results were compared with those reported previously for other lanthanide(III) complexes. The exchange lifetimes for [en{Gd(DO3A)(H2O)}2] (769 +/- 10 ns) and [pi{Gd(DTTA)(H2O)}2]2- (910 +/- 10 ns) are significantly higher than those of [Gd(DOTA)(H2O)]- (243 ns) and [Gd(DTPA)(H2O)]2- (303 ns) complexes. The rotational correlation times for [en{Gd(DO3A)(H2O)}2] (150 +/- 11 ps) and [pi{Gd(DTTA)(H2O)}2]2- (130 +/- 12 ps) are slightly greater than those of [Gd(DOTA)(H2O)]- (77 ps) and [Gd(DTPA)(H2O)]2- (58 ps) complexes. The marked increase in relaxivity (r1) of [en{Gd(DO3A)(H2O)}2] and [pi{Gd(DTTA)(H2O)}2]2- result mainly from their longer rotational correlation time and higher molecular weight.     

Speciation and kinetics related to catalytic carbonylation in the presence of cis-[Ir(CO)2I2]P(C6H5)4 under CO and H2 pressures

The differences in the reactivities of the square-planar complexes cis-[Rh(CO)2I2]- (1) and cis-[Ir(CO)2I2]- (2), involved in the catalytic carbonylation of olefins, are investigated, with P(C6H5)4+ as the counterion, by ambient- and high-pressure NMR and IR spectroscopy. Under an elevated pressure of CO, 1 and 2 form the [M(CO)3I] complexes with the equilibrium constants KIr approximately 1.8 x 10(-3) and KRh approximately 4 x 10(-5). The ratio KIr/KRh close to 50 shows that, under catalytic conditions (a few megapascals), only complex 1 remains in the anionic form, while a major amount of the iridium analogue 2 is converted to a neutral species. The oxidative addition reactions of HI with 1 and 2 give two monohydrides of different geometries, mer,trans-[HRh(CO)2I3]- (3) and fac,cis-[HIr(CO)2I3]- (4), respectively. Both hydrides are unstable at ambient temperature and form, within minutes for Rh and within hours for Ir, the corresponding cis-[M(CO)2I2]- (1 or 2) and [M(CO)2I4]- (5 or 6) species and H2. When an H2 pressure of 5.5 MPa is applied to a nitromethane solution of complex 2, ca. 50% of 2 is transformed to cis-dihydride complexes. The formation of cis,cis,cis-[IrH2(CO)2I2]- (8a) is followed by intermolecular rearrangements to form cis,trans,cis-[IrH2(CO)2I2]- (8b) and cis,cis,trans-[IrH2(CO)2I2]- (8c). A small amount of a dinuclear species, [Ir2H(CO)4I4]x- (9), is also observed. The formation rate constants for 8a and 8b at 262 K are k1(262) = (4.42 +/- 0.18) x 10(-4) M-1 s-1, k-1(262) = (1.49 +/- 0.07) x 10(-4) s-1, k2(262) = (2.81 +/- 0.04) x 10(-5) s-1, and k-2(262) = (5.47 +/- 0.16) x 10(-6) s-1. The two equilibrium constants K1(262) = [8a]/([2][H2]) = 2.97 +/- 0.03 M-1 and K2(262) = [8b]/[8a] = 5.13 +/- 0.10 show that complex 8b is the thermodynamically stable addition product. However, no similar H2 addition products of the rhodium analogue 1 are observed. The pressurization with H2 of a solution containing 2 and 6 give the monohydride 4, the dihydrides 8a and 8b, the dinuclear complex 9, and the two new complexes [Ir(CO)2I3] (10) and [HIr(CO)2I2] (11). The reactions of the iridium complexes with H2 and HI are summarized in a single scheme.     

Highly stable neutral and positively charged dicarbollide sandwich complexes

Novel sandwich metallacarboranes commo-[3,3'-Ni(8-SMe2-1,2-C2B9H10)2] (1), commo-[3,3'-Co(8-SMe2-1,2-C2B9H10)2]+ (2+), commo-[3,3'-Ru(8-SMe2-1,2-C2B9H10)2] (4) and commo-[3,3'-Fe(8-SMe2-1,2-C2B9H10)2] (5) have been prepared by reaction of [10-SMe2-7,8-nido-C2B9H10]- with NiCl2 x 6 H2O, CoCl2, [RuCl2(dmso)4] and [FeCl2(dppe)], respectively. Reduction of 2+ with metallic Zn leads to the neutral and isolable complex commo-[3,3'-Co(8-SMe2-1,2-C2B9H10)2] (3). Theoretical calculations using the ZINDO/1 semiempirical method show three energy minima for complexes 1-3 and 5 that agree with the presence of three different rotamers in solution at low temperature, while four relative energy minima have been found for 4. The calculated rotational energy barriers for complexes 1-5 have been found in the range 5.2+/-0.2 and 11.5+/-0.2 kcal mol(-1). These values are in agreement with the experimental data calculated for complexes 2+ and 5. Only one rotamer is found in the X-ray crystal structure of complexes 1-3, while two are observed for 4. Neutral complexes 1, 3 and 4 exhibit a gauche conformation, whereas a cisoid conformation is found for the 2+ ion. Rotamers evident from X-ray diffraction studies are in agreement with the global energy minimum calculated by the ZINDO/1 method. The electrochemical studies conducted on 1, 3, 4 and 5 support the proposal that the charge-compensated ligand [10-SMe2-7,8-nido-C2B9H10]- stabilises lower oxidation states in metals than the dianionic [7,8-nido-C2B9H11]2- and even the [C5H5]- ligands.     

Seven-coordinate iron and manganese complexes with acyclic and rigid pentadentate chelates and their superoxide dismutase activity

The reactions of seven-coordinate [Fe(III)(dapsox)(H(2)O)(2)]ClO(4).H(2)O (1), [Fe(II)(H(2)dapsox)(H(2)O)(2)](NO(3))(2).H(2)O (2), and [Mn(II)(H(2)dapsox)(CH(3)OH)(H(2)O)](ClO4)2(H2O) (3) complexes of the acyclic and rigid pentadentate H(2)dapsox ligand [H2dapsox = 2,6-diacetylpyridinebis(semioxamazide)] with superoxide have been studied spectrophotometrically, electrochemically, and by a submillisecond mixing UV/vis stopped-flow in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The same studies were performed on the seven-coordinate [Mn(II)(Me(2)[15]pyridinaneN(5))(H(2)O)(2)]Cl(2).H(2)O (4) complex with the flexible macrocyclic Me(2)[15]pyridinaneN(5) ligand (Me(2)[15]pyridinaneN(5) = trans-2,13-dimethyl-3,6,9,12,18-pentaazabicyclo[12.3.1]octadeca-1(18),14,16-triene), which belongs to the class of proven superoxide dismutase (SOD) mimetics. The X-ray crystal structures of 2-4 were determined. All complexes possess pentagonal-bipyramidal geometry with the pentadentate ligand in the equatorial plane and solvent molecules in the axial positions. The stopped-flow experiments in DMSO (0.06% of water) reveal that all four metal complexes catalyze the fast disproportionation of superoxide under the applied experimental conditions, and the catalytic rate constants are found to be (3.7 +/- 0.5) x 10(6), (3.9 +/- 0.5) x 10(6), (1.2 +/- 0.3) x 10(7), and (5.3 +/- 0.8) x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1) for 1-4, respectively. The cytochrome c McCord-Fridovich (McCF) assay in an aqueous solution at pH = 7.8 resulted in the IC(50) values (and corresponding kMcCF constants) for 3 and 4, 0.013 +/- 0.001 microM (1.9 +/- 0.2 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)) and 0.024 +/- 0.001 microM (1.1 +/- 0.3 x 10(8) M(-1) s(-1)), respectively. IC(50) values from a nitroblue tetrazolium assay are found to be 6.45 +/- 0.02 and 1.36 +/- 0.03 microM for 1 and 4, respectively. The data have been compared with those obtained by direct stopped-flow measurements and discussed in terms of the side reactions that occur under the conditions of indirect assays.     

Determination of oestrogen concentrations in bovine plasma by a recombinant oestrogen receptor-reporter gene yeast bioassay.

A recombinant cell yeast bioassay (RCBA) was applied to the generic measurement of bovine plasma oestrogen concentration. Samples were prepared by diethyl ether extraction of plasma following addition of [3H]17 beta-oestradiol as internal standard; organic and aqueous phases were separated by freezing (recovery 97.1 +/- 0.7%) and dried extract reconstituted in culture medium (recovery 31.4 +/- 4.5%). Plasma oestrogen concentrations were measured by incubation of extracts with yeast containing a stable human oestrogen receptor (hER) and a reporter construct comprising an hER response element regulating beta-galactosidase expression. The linearity of response for the analysis of spiked plasma samples using the RCBA, following corrections, is described by y = 0.8994x - 0.111 (r2 = 0.9776, P < 0.0001). Inter-assay variation for endogenous oestrogen was 11.5% for > 1 pg ml-1. Plasma oestrogen concentrations for intact (n = 5) and castrated (n = 3) males were < 0.5 pg ml-1, and 3.7 +/- 2.6 pg ml-1 for luteal phase females (n = 10). Analysis by RCBA of sequential samples from heifers during the reproductive cycle failed to detect the pre-ovulatory increase in plasma 17 beta-oestradiol as determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA) (maximal concentrations 2.09 +/- 2.1 pg ml-1 and 32.6 +/- 14.6 pg ml-1, respectively). Interestingly, when samples were hydrolysed using Helix pomatia glucuronidase the RCBA gave concentrations (29.5 +/- 8.9 pg ml-1) not significantly different to those obtained by RIA. These preliminary findings suggest that a substantial proportion of plasma oestrogen during the pre-ovulatory period may be conjugated. These data indicate the potential of the RCBA to measure biologically active and physiological levels of plasma oestrogens in cattle. One potentially valuable application of this generic oestrogen assay could be in surveillance programmes to detect illegal use of anabolic oestrogens in live-stock where the identity of the analyte may be unknown.     

Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of H atom transfer from HMo(CO)3(eta(5)-C5H5) to Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 and (PhCN)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3: direct insertion of benzonitrile into the Mo-H bond of HMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 forming (Ph(H)C=N)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3

Synthetic studies are reported that show that the reaction of either H2SnR2 (R = Ph, n-Bu) or HMo(CO)3(Cp) (1-H, Cp = eta(5)-C5H5) with Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (2, Ar = 3,5-C6H3Me2) produce HMo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (2-H). The benzonitrile adduct (PhCN)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (2-NCPh) reacts rapidly with H2SnR2 or 1-H to produce the ketimide complex (Ph(H)C=N)Mo(N[t-Bu]Ar)3 (2-NC(H)Ph). The X-ray crystal structures of both 2-H and 2-NC(H)Ph are reported. The enthalpy of reaction of 1-H and 2 in toluene solution has been measured by solution calorimetry (DeltaH = -13.1 +/- 0.7 kcal mol(-1)) and used to estimate the Mo-H bond dissociation enthalpy (BDE) in 2-H as 62 kcal mol(-1). The enthalpy of reaction of 1-H and 2-NCPh in toluene solution was determined calorimetrically as DeltaH = -35.1 +/- 2.1 kcal mol(-1). This value combined with the enthalpy of hydrogenation of [Mo(CO)3(Cp)]2 (1(2)) gives an estimated value of 90 kcal mol(-1) for the BDE of the ketimide C-H of 2-NC(H)Ph. These data led to the prediction that formation of 2-NC(H)Ph via nitrile insertion into 2-H would be exothermic by approximately 36 kcal mol(-1), and this reaction was observed experimentally. Stopped flow kinetic studies of the rapid reaction of 1-H with 2-NCPh yielded DeltaH(double dagger) = 11.9 +/- 0.4 kcal mol(-1), DeltaS(double dagger) = -2.7 +/- 1.2 cal K(-1) mol(-1). Corresponding studies with DMo(CO)3(Cp) (1-D) showed a normal kinetic isotope effect with kH/kD approximately 1.6, DeltaH(double dagger) = 13.1 +/- 0.4 kcal mol(-1) and DeltaS(double dagger) = 1.1 +/- 1.6 cal K(-1) mol(-1). Spectroscopic studies of the much slower reaction of 1-H and 2 yielding 2-H and 1/2 1(2) showed generation of variable amounts of a complex proposed to be (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo-Mo(CO)3(Cp) (1-2). Complex 1-2 can also be formed in small equilibrium amounts by direct reaction of excess 2 and 1(2). The presence of 1-2 complicates the kinetic picture; however, in the presence of excess 2, the second-order rate constant for H atom transfer from 1-H has been measured: 0.09 +/- 0.01 M(-1) s(-1) at 1.3 degrees C and 0.26 +/- 0.04 M(-1) s(-1) at 17 degrees C. Study of the rate of reaction of 1-D yielded kH/kD = 1.00 +/- 0.05 consistent with an early transition state in which formation of the adduct (Ar[t-Bu]N)3Mo...HMo(CO)3(Cp) is rate limiting.     

Method for measuring endogenous 3-O-methyldopa in urine and plasma.

The present report describes a method using column liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection for assaying concentrations of 3-O-methyldopa in urine and plasma. The technique combines a one-step sample preparation scheme with post-column flow-through electrodes in series, allowing adequate chromatographic separation of 3-O-methyldopa from other endogenous substances in urine. The validity of the method was confirmed by markedly decreased urinary 3-O-methyldopa levels after administration of an inhibitor of catechol-O-methyltransferase to rats, radioactivity in chromatographic fractions corresponding to 3-O-methyldopa in urine of rats undergoing infusion of [3H]-L-DOPA, and correlations between excretion rates of 3-O-methyldopa and catechols in humans. In healthy humans, urinary excretion of 3-O-methyldopa averaged 974 +/- 707 (S.D.) nmol per day, and plasma levels of 3-O-methyldopa averaged 89 +/- 32 nmol/l. The method should be useful in studies about the metabolism of endogenous and exogenous DOPA.     

Kinetics and mechanism for reversible chloride transfer between mercury(II) and square-planar platinum(II) chloro ammine, aqua, and sulfoxide complexes. Stabilities, spectra, and reactivities of transient metal-metal bonded platinum-mercury adducts

The Hg2+aq- and HgCl+aq-assisted aquations of [PtCl4]2- (1), [PtCl3(H2O)]- (2), cis-[PtCl2(H2O)2] (3), trans-[PtCl2(H2O)2] (4), [PtCl(H2O)3]+ (5), [PtCl3Me2SO]- (6), trans-[PtCl2(H2O)Me2SO] (7), cis-[PtCl(H2O)2Me2SO]+ (8), trans-[PtCl(H2O)2M32SO]+ (9), trans-[PtCl2(NH3)2] (10), and cis-[PtCl2(NH3)2] (11) have been studied at 25.0 degrees C in a 1.00 M HClO4 medium buffered with chloride, using stopped-flow and conventional spectrophotometry. Saturation kinetics and instantaneous, large UV/vis spectral changes on mixing solutions of platinum complex and mercury are ascribed to formation of transient adducts between Hg2+ and several of the platinum complexes. Depending on the limiting rate constants, these adducts are observed for a few milliseconds to a few minutes. Thermodynamic and kinetics data together with the UV/vis spectral changes and DFT calculations indicate that their structures are characterized by axial coordination of Hg to Pt with remarkably short metal-metal bonds. Stability constants for the Hg2+ adducts with complexes 1-6, 10, and 11 are (2.1 +/- 0.4) x 10(4), (8 +/- 1) x 10(2), 94 +/- 6, 13 +/- 2, 5 +/- 2, 60 +/- 6, 387 +/- 2, and 190 +/- 3 M-1, respectively, whereas adduct formation with the sulfoxide complexes 7-9 is too weak to be observed. For analogous platinum(II) complexes, the stabilities of the Pt-Hg adducts increase in the order sulfoxide < aqua < ammine complex, reflecting a sensitivity to the pi-acid strength of the Pt ligands. Rate constants for chloride transfer from HgCl+ and HgCl2 to complexes 1-11 have been determined. Second-order rate constants for activation by Hg2+ are practically the same as those for activation by HgCl+ for each of the platinum complexes studied, yet resolved contributions for Hg2+ and HgCl+ reveal that the latter does not form dinuclear adducts of any significant stability. The overall experimental evidence is consistent with a mechanism in which the accumulated Pt(II)-Hg2+ adducts are not reactive intermediates along the reaction coordinate. The aquation process occurs via weaker Pt-Cl-Hg or Pt-Cl-HgCl bridged complexes.     

Characteristics of anti-testosterone antisera produced by bovine serum albumin conjugates of 15 alpha- and 15 beta-carboxymethyltestosterone: use of [125I]iodinated tracers

Each testosterone [125I]iodinated histamine derivative where [125I]iodinated histamines were linked to respective 15 alpha- and 15 beta-carboxymethyltestosterone (15 alpha- and 15 beta-CMT), testosterone-3-(O-carboxymethyl)oxime (T-3-CMO) and testosterone-17 beta-hemisuccinate (T-17-HS) were tested for their usefulness as radiotracers in testosterone immunoassay. In the use of anti-15 alpha- and 15 beta-CMT antisera produced in rabbits against 15 alpha- and 15 beta-CMT-bovine serum albumin (BSA) conjugates, the antisera with 15 alpha- and 15 beta-CMT-[125I]iodinated tracers showed low sensitivity and somewhat low specificity in comparison with those of the antisera with tritiated testosterone (T-3H). On the other hand, the antisera with T-3-CMO-[125I]iodinated tracer showed high sensitivity but low specificity for 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (5 alpha-DHT) in comparison with T-3H. The T-17-HS-[125I]iodinated tracer was not bound to the antisera. In the use of anti-15 alpha- and 15 beta-CMT antisera produced in rabbits by pretreatment with 15 alpha-carboxymethyl-5 alpha-DHT linked to a copolymer of D-glutamic acid and D-lysine followed by immunization with 15 alpha- and 15 beta-CMT-BSA, the antisera with homologous [125I]iodinated tracer showed high sensitivity and specificity.     

Products of the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with (C2H5O)2P(S)CH3 and (C2H5O)3PS

Products of the gas-phase reactions of OH radicals with O,O-diethyl methylphosphonothioate [(C2H5O)2P(S)CH3, DEMPT] and O,O,O-triethyl phosphorothioate [(C2H5O)3PS, TEPT] have been investigated at room temperature and atmospheric pressure of air using in situ atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS) and, for the TEPT reaction, gas chromatography and in situ Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Combined with products quantified previously by gas chromatography, the products observed were: from the DEMPT reaction, (C2H5O)2P(O)CH3 (21+/-4% yield) and C2H5OP(S)(CH3)OH or C2H5OP(O)(CH3)SH (presumed to be C2H5OP(O)(CH3)SH by analogy with the TEPT reaction); and from the TEPT reaction, (C2H5O)3PO (54-62% yield), SO2 (67+/-10% yield), CH3CHO (22-40% yield) and, tentatively, (C2H5O)2P(O)SH. The FT-IR analyses showed that the formation yields of HCHO, CO, CO2, peroxyacetyl nitrate [CH3C(O)OONO2], organic nitrates, and acetates from the TEPT reaction were <5%, 3+/-1%, <7%, <2%, 5+/-3%, and 3+/-2%, respectively. Possible reaction mechanisms are discussed.     

Simultaneous determination of cortisol and cortisone in human plasma by stable-isotope dilution mass spectrometry.

A method for the simultaneous determination of cortisol and cortisone in human plasma was developed using capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-selected ion monitoring. [2H5]Cortisol and [2H5]cortisone were used as internal standards. Cortisol and cortisone in plasma were determined from the peak-height ratios of the [M-31] fragment ions of the methoxime-trimethylsilyl derivatives of cortisol and [2H5]cortisol (m/z 605 and 610) and of cortisone and [2H5]cortisone (m/z 531 and 536). Sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy and reproducibility of the method were demonstrated to be satisfactory for measuring the circulating concentrations of cortisol and cortisone.