Analysis of polyunsaturated fatty acids in blood serum after fish oil administration.

Free and total fatty acids in the blood serum of patients with hyperlipoproteinemia have been analysed as their methyl esters by capillary gas chromatography using an FFAP column. In one-step reactions the free fatty acids in serum react with methanol-acetyl chloride (50:1, v/v) at 25 degrees C, the total fatty acids (free plus esterified) are transesterified with methanol-toluene-acetyl chloride (8:2:1, v/v) at 100 degrees C. The quantification of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is based on an internal standard (13,16,19-docosatrienoic acid) and on calibration standards. Under normal diet the concentrations of EPA and DHA are as follows (mean +/- S.D., n = 27): free EPA, 0.2 +/- 0.1 mg/dl; free DHA, 0.6 +/- 0.2 mg/dl; total EPA, 3.6 +/- 2.1 mg/dl; total DHA 11.4 +/- 3.1 mg/dl. Under a fish oil intake of 9 g per day, free and total EPA concentrations rise by ca. five- to six-fold, and free and total DHA concentrations by ca. two-fold.     

The study in the relationship between serum calcium and serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) by employing the various kits of PTH assay

In order to evaluate the influences of serum PTH assay in the various concentrations of serum calcium, we divided into three groups which serum calcium had below 8.0 mg/dl, 8.2 mg/dl to 9.8 mg/dl and above 10.0 mg/dl at random samples and assayed PTH in serum sample, using various kits of PTH assay obtained from commercial sources. Our results suggested that the measurement of serum PTH influenced by the concentration of serum calcium and therefore, should be taken an attention of serum calcium in each sample.     

Determination of interconversion barriers by dynamic gas chromatography: epimerization of chalcogran

The four stereoisomers of chalcogran 1 ((2RS,SRS)-2-ethyl-1,6-di-oxaspiro[4.4]nonane), the principal component of the aggregation pheromone of the bark beetle pityogenes chalcographus, are prone to interconversion at the spiro center (C5). During diastereo- and enantioselective dynamic gas chromatography (DGC), epimerization of 1 gives rise to two independent interconversion peak profiles, each featuring a plateau between the peaks of the interconverting epimers. To determine the rate constants of epimerization by dynamic gas chromatography (DGC), equations to simulate the complex elution profiles were derived, using the theoretical plate model and the stochastic model of the chromatographic process. The Eyring activation parameters of the experimental interconversion profiles, between 70 and 120 C in the presence of the chiral stationary phase (CSP) Chirasil-beta-Dex, were then determined by computer-aided simulation with the aid of the new program Chrom-Win: (2R,5R)-1: deltaG(++) (298.15 K) = 108.0 +/-0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(++) = 47.1+/-0.2 kJ mol(-1), deltaS(++) = -204+/-6 JK(-1) mol(-1): (2R,5S)-1: deltaG(++) (298.15 K) = 108.5+/-0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(++) = 45.8+/-0.2 kJ mol(-1), deltaS(++) = -210 +/-6 J K mol(-1); (2S,5S)-1: deltaG(++) (298.15 K)= 108.1+/-0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(++) = 49.3+/-0.3 kJ mol(-1), deltaS(++) = -197+/-8 J K(-1) mol(-1); (2S,5R)-1: deltaG(++) (298.15 K)=108.6+/-0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(++) = 48.0+/-0.3 kJ mol(-1), deltaS(++) = -203+/-8 J K(-1) mol(-1). The thermodynamic Gibbs free energy of the E/Z equilibrium of the epimers was determined by the stopped-flow multidimensional gas chromatographic technique: deltaG(E/Z) (298.15 K)= -0.5 kJ mol(-1), deltaH(E/Z) = 1.4 kJ mol(-1) and deltaS(E/Z) = 6.3 J K(-1) mol(-1). An interconversion pathway proceeding through ring-opening and formation of a zwitterion and an enol ether/alcohol intermediate of 1 is proposed.     

Non-linearity with metal-metal indicator complex reactions in flow-injection analysis

The linearity of the standard calibration curve in a flow-injection system involving a calcium-cresolphthalein complexone reaction was improved by replacing the organic base, 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol, with the weak inorganic acid-conjugate base, boric acid-borate system as buffer. This was done after a theoretical study done on the relationship between the amount of coloured complex, Ca(2)(CPC)(2-), as major chromophore formed and the total amount of calcium added at different pH values, and employing the knowledge obtained via proton side-reactions. It was shown that a linear calibration curve between 150 and 1000 mg l(-1) of standard Ca(2-) solutions was obtained with a buffer solution containing 0.05 mol l(-1) boric acid, 0.05 mol l(-1) KCl and 35 g l(-1) sodium acetate at a pH of 8.5.     

THE EFFECTS OF PERFUSION OF LATERAL VENTRICLE WITH CaCl_2 ON THE FEBRILE RESPONSE AND cAMP CONTENT IN PLASMA AND CEREBROSPINAL FLUID DURING LP-INDUCED FEVER

Artificial cerebrospinal fluid (c.s.f.) containing 40 mmol/L excess calcium was perfus-ed through the lateral ventricles of New Zealand white rabbits in order to reduce the Na~+/Ca~(++) ratio in the brain and the effects on both the febrile response and adenosine cyclic mo-nophosphate (cAMP) concentration in plasma and c.s.f, during leucocytic pyrogen (LP)-induced fever were observed. The results showed that cAMP concentration in c.s.f, increas-ed significantly during LP-induced fever while the cAMP level in Plasma remained unchang-ed, and the perfusion of artificial c.s,f, containing 40 mmol/L excess calcium can signif-icantly inhibit not only the febrile response but also the increase in c.s.f, cAMP level,while there appears no effect on plasma cAMP concentration, thus demonstrating that theincrease of Na~+/Ca~(++) ratio causing the increase of cAMP content in the brain may be anessential link in the pathogenesis of LP-induced fever.     

Influence of terpyridine as pi-acceptor ligand on the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction of NO with ruthenium(III) complexes

The kinetics of the unusually fast reaction of cis- and trans-[Ru(terpy)(NH3)2Cl]2+ (with respect to NH3; terpy=2,2':6',2"-terpyridine) with NO was studied in acidic aqueous solution. The multistep reaction pathway observed for both isomers includes a rapid and reversible formation of an intermediate Ru(III)-NO complex in the first reaction step, for which the rate and activation parameters are in good agreement with an associative substitution behavior of the Ru(III) center (cis isomer, k1=618 +/- 2 M(-1) s(-1), DeltaH(++) = 38 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -63 +/- 8 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -17.5 +/- 0.8 cm3 mol(-1); k -1 = 0.097 +/- 0.001 s(-1), DeltaH(++) = 27 +/- 8 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -173 +/- 28 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -17.6 +/- 0.5 cm3 mol(-1); trans isomer, k1 = 1637 +/- 11 M(-1) s(-1), DeltaH(++) = 34 +/- 3 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -69 +/-11 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -20 +/- 2 cm3 mol(-1); k(-1)=0.47 +/- 0.08 s(-1), DeltaH(++)=39 +/- 5 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -121 +/-18 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -18.5 +/- 0.4 cm3 mol(-1) at 25 degrees C). The subsequent electron transfer step to form Ru(II)-NO+ occurs spontaneously for the trans isomer, followed by a slow nitrosyl to nitrite conversion, whereas for the cis isomer the reduction of the Ru(III) center is induced by the coordination of an additional NO molecule (cis isomer, k2=51.3 +/- 0.3 M(-1) s(-1), DeltaH(++) = 46 +/- 2 kJ mol(-1), DeltaS(++) = -69 +/- 5 J K(-1) mol(-1), DeltaV(++) = -22.6 +/- 0.2 cm3 mol(-1) at 45 degrees C). The final reaction step involves a slow aquation process for both isomers, which is interpreted in terms of a dissociative substitution mechanism (cis isomer, DeltaV(++) = +23.5 +/- 1.2 cm3 mol(-1); trans isomer, DeltaV(++) = +20.9 +/- 0.4 cm3 mol(-1) at 55 degrees C) that produces two different reaction products, viz. [Ru(terpy)(NH3)(H2O)NO]3+ (product of the cis isomer) and trans-[Ru(terpy)(NH3)2(H2O)]2+. The pi-acceptor properties of the tridentate N-donor chelate (terpy) predominantly control the overall reaction pattern.     

Age-dependent dichotomous effect of superoxide dismutase Ala16Val polymorphism on oxidized LDL levels

We investigated the association between superoxide dismutase (SOD) Ala16Val polymorphism and the levels of oxidized LDL lipoprotein-C (ox-LDL-C) in two age-different Greek cohorts. Four hundred fifteen middle-aged (n=147 females: 43.2+/-13 years, n=268 males: 43.3+/-14 years) Caucasian Greek subjects consisted the middle aged cohort. One hundred seventy five elderly (n=88 females: 79.9+/-4 years; n=87 males: 80.6+/-4 years) were selected from the elderly cohort. Genotype data were obtained for all of them. Multiple linear regression analysis, stratified by gender and adjusted for age, smoking habits and body mass index as covariates, showed higher ox-LDL-C levels for the middle aged men with the Val/Val genotype, compared to the other allele (Ala/Ala and Ala/Val) carriers (65.9+/-25.7 vs. 55.7+/-20.5 mg/dl; standardized beta coefficient=0.192, P=0.012). On the contrary, elderly women with the Val/Val genotype occurred with lower ox-LDL-C levels compared to the Ala/Ala or Ala/Val genotype (74.2+/-22.1 vs. 86.5+/-26.6 mg/dl; standardized beta coefficient= -0.269, P=0.015). The same trend was also recorded in elderly men, however without reaching statistical significance (standardized beta coefficient= -0.187, P=0.077). Moreover, elderly men and women with the Ala/Ala or Ala/Val genotype presented higher triglycerides levels compared to Val/Val (women: 145.2+/-68.7 vs. 114.3+/- 34.3 mg/dl, P= 0.027; men: 147.8+/-72.4 vs. 103.7 +/-38.0 mg/dl, P=0.002). Additionally, middle aged men with the Val/Val genotype had higher HDL-C levels compared to the Ala allele carriers. The results suggest that SOD Ala16Val polymorphism is an age-dependent modulator of ox-LDL-C levels in middle-aged men and elderly women.     

Effect of hemodialysis on left and right ventricular function--evaluation using electrocardiogram gated radionuclide ventriculography

Eighteen outpatients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis (HD) were studied. Immediately before and after HD, the left and right ventricular function measured by electrocardiogram gated radionuclide ventriculography (RNV). By HD, body weight changed 58.6 +/- 7.50 kg to 57.2 +/- 6.80 kg and BUN level changed 67.9 +/- 29.00 mg/dl to 37.1 +/- 18.96 mg/dl and creatinine level changed 11.3 +/- 3.90 mg/dl to 6.8 +/- 2.48 mg/dl. Before HD, cardiac output was 8.08 +/- 1.50 l/min and cardiac index was 5.00 +/- 0.87 l/(min m2). Left ventricular function improved (LVEF changed 60.4 +/- 6.85% to 64.2 +/- 8.7%, LVEF/LVET changed 0.237 +/- 0.048%/ms to 0.254 +/- 0.021%/ms) between before and after HD, but there was not significant difference. Right ventricular function improved (RVEF changed 41.2 +/- 8.00% to 50.0 +/- 11.96, RVEF/RVET changed 0.167 +/- 0.028%/ms to 0.209 +/- 0.059%/ms) between before and after HD, and there was significant difference (p less than 0.05).     

Determination of total arsenic in serum and packed cellsof patients with renal insufficiency

In order to investigate the arsenic level in serum and packed cells of patients with renal insufficiency, total arsenic (As) concentrations were determined with hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) in serum (S) and packed cells (PC) of 31 non-dialyzed patients. The accuracy of the method was tested by the analysis of arsenic in 3 certified reference materials. Patients showed a three-fold increase of arsenic concentrations in serum and a two-fold increase of arsenic in packed cells compared with controls. Patients (n=10) with higher serum creatinine (>2.0 mg/dL), urea (>0.70 g/L) and urinary protein (mean+/-SD: 1.12+/-0.82 g/L) showed higher arsenic concentrations (5.8+/-3.3 microg/L in serum and 18.0+/-16.7 microg/kg in packed cells) compared with those with lower creatinine (<1.6 mg/dL), urea (<0.6 g/L) and urinary protein (mean+/-SD: 0.27+/-0.82 g/L) (n=16, serum arsenic 1.2+/-1.2 microg/L, packed cells arsenic 2.6+/-1.9 microg/kg). The significant differences (both p < 0.001) in S and PC-arsenic levels of patients in group I and II implies a relationship between the arsenic level and the degree of chronic renal insufficiency.     

Fluorescence immunological determination of immunoglobulin G in human serum by high-performance liquid gel-permeation chromatography

Summary A high-performance liquid gel-permeation chromatographic method is described for the determination of human serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) by separating the fluorescent immuno complex from the free fluorescence-labeled antibody. Fluorescence-labeled antibody used in this study was fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled Fab fragment goat anti-human IgG (anti-IgG Fab). Immuno complexes and antibody of different molecular sizes can be separated. FITC-labeled anti-IgG Fab was added to the serum and the mixture is passed through the column. An immuno complex separates as well-delineated peak in the column void volume, and was measured by the fluorescence of the column eluate (Ex=490nm, Em=520nm). The total analysis time for a serum sample was approximately 15min. The minimum detection limit was 25 mg/dl. The relative standard deviation was below 2% (peak area). The results of the HPL-GPC analysis correlate well with those obtained by laser nephelometric assay (r=0.992).     

Quantitation of free sulfate and total sulfoesters in human breast milk by ion chromatography

A method for the assay of free sulfate and total sulfoesters in human breast milk by ion chromatography is described. After incubation in 1 M hydrochloric acid at 95 degrees C for 90 min, hydrolytic cleavage of sulfoester standards was essentially complete. The increase in free sulfate after hydrolysis was used as a measure of total acid-labile sulfoesters. We found that this fraction [222 +/- 16 mumol/l (mean +/- standard error), n = 29] comprised 87% of the total sulfate in mature milk. Free sulfate (35 +/- 3 mumol/l) therefore makes only a small contribution to the total sulfate pool available to human infants.     

Synthesis, basicity, and dynamics of a perfluorocyclohexenyl anion

Electron transfer to perfluoro-1,3-dimethylcyclohexane in moist THF has yielded two quite different products. Tetrabutylammonium iodide irradiated with ultraviolet light gives a tetrabutylammonium enolate, but potassium fluorenone ketyl affords a cyclohexenyl anion. This allylic anion was isolated as its conjugate acid, a rather strong carbon acid. Ring inversion in the anion, measured by (19)F NMR line shape analysis, is characterized by these activation parameter values: DeltaH(++) = 8.84 +/-0.14 kcal/mol and DeltaS(++) = 0.81 +/- 0.6 cal mol(-1) K(-1).     

钙磷物质的量比对磷酸钙骨水泥性能的影响

本研究通过在磷酸钙骨水泥(calcium phosphate cement,CPC)固相配方中添加不同量的氯化钙(CaCl2),制备不同钙磷物质的量比的CPC,研究不同钙磷物质的量比对CPC性能的影响。测试CPC的初、终凝时间。将CPC体外模拟浸泡3d和7d,研究模拟生理条件下CPC的性能,分别利用X-射线衍射(XRD)、力学性能实验机、扫描电镜(SEM)等研究CPC相成分、抗压强度和断面微观形貌。通过化学滴定测定浸泡液中氯离子浓度。结果表明:提高钙磷物质的量比不会显著延长CPC凝结时间;模拟浸泡液中的氯离子浓度处于正常生理条件的范围内;随钙磷物质的量比的增加,水化后CPC的抗压强度显著提高,而经过体外模拟浸泡后,钙磷物质的量比为1.67和1.80的CPC的抗压强度明显下降;具有较高钙磷物质的量比的CPC体外模拟浸泡后,形成多孔结构、弱结晶类骨磷灰石的终产物。     

Molecular packing tunes the activity of Kluyveromyces lactis beta-galactosidase incorporated in Langmuir-Blodgett films

Functional consequences of constraining beta-Gal in bidimensional space were studied at defined molecular packing densities and constant topology. Langmuir-Blodgett films, LB15 and LB35 composed of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine and K. lactis beta-Gal, were obtained by transferring Langmuir films (L) initially packed at 15 and 35 mN/m, respectively, to alkylated glasses. The beta-Gal-monolayer binding equilibrium, mainly the adsorption rate and affinity, depended on the initial monolayer's surface pressure (lower for higher pi i). At pi i = 15 and 35 mN/m, the surface excess (Gamma) followed downward parabolic and power-law tendencies, respectively, as a function of subphase protein concentration. Gamma values in L roughly reflected the protein surface density chemically determined in LBs (0-7.5 ng/mm2 at pi i = 0-35 mN/m and [beta-Gal] subphase = 0-100 microg/mL). The beta-Gal-catalyzed hydrolysis of o-nitrophenyl-galactopyranoside showed a Michaelian kinetics in solution as well as in LB15. KM, KM,LB15, Vmax, and Vmax,LB15 were 5.15 +/- 2.2 and 9.25 +/- 6 mM and 39.63 and 0.0096 +/- 0.0027 micromol/min/mg protein, respectively. The sigmoidal kinetics observed with LB35 was evaluated by Hill's model (K0.5 = 9.55 +/- 0.4 mM, Vmax,35 = 0.0021 micromol/min/mg protein, Hill coefficient n = 9) and Savageau's fractal model (fractal constant K f = 9.84 mM; reaction order for the substrate gs = 9.06 and for the enzyme ge = 0.62). Fractal reaction orders would reflect the fractal organization of the environment, demonstrated by AFM images, more than the molecularity of the reaction. Particular dynamics of the protein-lipid structural coupling in each molecular packing condition would have led to the different kinetic responses.     

Hypohalite ion catalysis of the disproportionation of chlorine dioxide

The disproportionation of chlorine dioxide in basic solution to give ClO2- and ClO3- is catalyzed by OBr- and OCl-. The reactions have a first-order dependence in both [ClO2] and [OX-] (X = Br, Cl) when the ClO2- concentrations are low. However, the reactions become second-order in [ClO2] with the addition of excess ClO2-, and the observed rates become inversely proportional to [ClO2-]. In the proposed mechanisms, electron transfer from OX- to ClO2(k1OBr- = 2.05 +/- 0.03 M(-1) x s(-1) for OBr(-)/ClO2 and k1OCl-= 0.91 +/- 0.04 M(-1) x s(-1) for OCl-/ClO2) occurs in the first step to give OX and ClO2-. This reversible step (k1OBr-/k(-1)OBr = 1.3 x 10(-7) for OBr-/ClO2, / = 5.1 x 10(-10) for OCl-/ClO2) accounts for the observed suppression by ClO2-. The second step is the reaction between two free radicals (XO and ClO2) to form XOClO2. These rate constants are = 1.0 x 10(8) M(-1) x s(-1) for OBr/ClO2 and = 7 x 10(9) M(-1) x s(-1) for OCl/ClO2. The XOClO2 adduct hydrolyzes rapidly in the basic solution to give ClO3- and to regenerate OX-. The activation parameters for the first step are DeltaH1(++) = 55 +/- 1 kJ x mol(-1), DeltaS1(++) = - 49 +/- 2 J x mol(-1) x K(-1) for the OBr-/ClO2 reaction and DeltaH1(++) = 61 +/- 3 kJ x mol(-1), DeltaS1(++) = - 43 +/- 2 J x mol(-1) x K(-1) for the OCl-/ClO2 reaction.     

Mechanistic investigations of the palladium-catalyzed aerobic oxidative kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols using (-)-sparteine

The mechanistic details of the Pd(II)/(-)-sparteine-catalyzed aerobic oxidative kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols were elucidated, and the origin of asymmetric induction was determined. Saturation kinetics were observed for rate dependence on [(-)-sparteine]. First-order rate dependencies were observed for both the Pd((-)-sparteine)Cl(2) concentration and the alcohol concentration at high and low [(-)-sparteine]. The oxidation rate was inhibited by addition of (-)-sparteine HCl. At low [(-)-sparteine], Pd-alkoxide formation is proposed to be rate limiting, while at high [(-)-sparteine], beta-hydride elimination is proposed to be rate determining. These conclusions are consistent with the measured kinetic isotope effect of k(H)/k(D) = 1.31 +/- 0.04 and a Hammett rho value of -1.41 +/- 0.15 at high [(-)-sparteine]. Calculated activation parameters agree with the change in the rate-limiting step by increasing [(-)-sparteine] with DeltaH(++) = 11.55 +/- 0.65 kcal/mol, DeltaS(++) = -24.5 +/- 2.0 eu at low [(-)-sparteine], and DeltaH(++) = 20.25 +/- 0.89 kcal/mol, DeltaS() = -5.4 +/- 2.7 eu at high [(-)-sparteine]. At high [(-)-sparteine], the selectivity is influenced by both a thermodynamic difference in the stability of the diastereomeric Pd-alkoxides formed and a kinetic beta-hydride elimination to maximize asymmetric induction. At low [(-)-sparteine], the selectivity is influenced by kinetic deprotonation, resulting in lower k(rel) values. A key, nonintuitive discovery is that (-)-sparteine plays a dual role in this oxidative kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols as a chiral ligand on palladium and as an exogenous chiral base.     

Experimental and theoretical studies on the thermal decomposition of heterocyclic nitrosimines

A series of substituted 2-nitrosiminobenzothiazolines (2) were synthesized by the nitrosation of the corresponding 2-iminobenzothiazolines (6). Thermal decomposition of 2a--f and of the seleno analogue 7 in methanol and of 3-methyl-2-nitrosobenzothiazoline (2a) in acetonitrile, 1,4-dioxane, and cyclohexane followed first-order kinetics. The activation parameters for thermal deazetization of 2a were measured in cyclohexane (Delta H(++) = 25.3 +/- 0.5 kcal/mol, Delta S(++) = 1.3 +/- 1.5 eu) and in methanol (Delta H(++) = 22.5 +/- 0.7 kcal/mol, Delta S(++) = -12.9 +/- 2.1 eu). These results indicate a unimolecular decomposition and are consistent with a proposed stepwise mechanism involving cyclization of the nitrosimine followed by loss of N(2). The ground-state conformations of the parent nitrosiminothiazoline (9a) and transition states for rotation around the exocyclic C==N bond, electrocyclic ring closure, and loss of N(2) were calculated using ab initio molecular orbital theory at the MP2/6-31G* level. The calculated gas-phase barrier height for the loss of N(2) from 9a (25.2 kcal/mol, MP4(SDQ, FC)/6-31G*//MP2/6-31G* + ZPE) compares favorably with the experimental barrier for 2a of 25.3 kcal/mol in cyclohexane. The potential energy surface is unusual; the rotational transition state 9a-rot-ts connects directly to the orthogonal transition state for ring-closure 9aTS. The decoupling of rotational and pseudopericyclic bond-forming transition states is contrasted with the single pericyclic transition state (15TS) for the electrocyclic ring-opening of oxetene (15) to acrolein (16). For comparison, the calculated homolytic strength of the N--NO bond is 40.0 kcal/mol (MP4(SDQ, FC)/6-31G*//MP2/6-31G* + ZPE).     

Solvolysis of 1,1-dimethyl-4-alkenyl chlorides: evidence for pi-participation

Tertiary 1,1-dimethyl-4-alkenyl chloride (1) solvolyzes with significantly reduced secondary beta-deuterium kinetic isotope effect (substrate with two trideuteromethyl groups) and has a lower entropy and enthalpy of activation than the referent saturated analogue 4 (k(H)/k(D) = 1.30 +/- 0.03 vs k(H)/k(D) = 1.79 +/- 0.01; Delta Delta H(++) = -9 kJ mol(-1), Delta Delta S(++) = -36 J mol(-1) K(-1), in 80% v/v aqueous ethanol), indicating participation of the double bond in the rate-determining step. Transition structure 1-TS computed at the MP2(fc)/6-31G(d) level of theory revealed that the reaction proceeds through a late transition state with considerably pronounced double bond participation and a substantially cleaved C-Cl bond. The doubly unsaturated compound 3 (1,1-dimethyl-4,8-alkadienyl chloride) solvolyzes with further reduction of the isotope effect, and a drastically lower entropy of activation (k(H)/k(D) = 1.14 +/- 0.01; DeltaS(++) = -152 +/- 12 J mol(-1) K(-1), in 80% v/v aqueous ethanol), suggesting that the solvolysis of 3 proceeds by way of extended pi-participation, i.e., the assistance of both double bonds in the rate-determining step.     

Preparative high-yield electroelution of proteins after separation by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and its application to analysis of amino acid sequences and to raise antibodies.

A method for the preparative high-yield electroelution of proteins from sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel strips was established. The method consisted of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, detection of proteins with sodium acetate and electrophoretic elution at 200 V for 3 h by utilizing a horizontal flat-bed gel electrophoresis apparatus. Standard proteins with molecular masses of 14-66 kilodalton (cytochrome c, aldolase, ovalbumin and bovine serum albumin) were recovered with an average yield of 73.6 +/- 2.3%. A membrane-bound protein, rat skeletal muscle Ca(2+)-ATPase (100 kilodalton) was also well recovered (over 60%). This method was applicable to the purification of proteins required for N-terminal amino acid sequencing and to raise antibodies.     

Fabrication of dissolved O2 metric uric acid biosensor using uricase epoxy resin biocomposite membrane

Uricase purified from 20-day-old leaves of cowpea was immobilized on to epoxy resin membrane with 80% retention of initial activity of free enzyme and a conjugation yield of 0.056 mg/cm². The uricase epoxy resin bioconjugate membrane was mounted over the sensing part of the combined electrode of ‘Aqualytic’ dissolved O₂ (DO) meter to construct a uric acid biosensor. The biosensor measures the depletion of dissolved O₂ during the oxidation of uric acid by immobilized uricase, which is directly proportional to uric acid concentration. The biosensor showed optimum response within 10-12 s at a pH 8.5 and 35 °C. A linear relationship was found between uric acid concentration from 0.025 to 0.1 mM and O₂ (mg/l) consumed. The biosensor was employed for measurement of uric acid in serum. The mean value of uric acid in serum was 4.92 mg/dl in apparently healthy males and 3.11 mg/dl in apparently healthy females. The mean analytic recoveries of added uric acid in reaction mixture (8.9 and 9.8 mg/dl) were 93.6 ± 2.34 and 87.18 ± 3.17% respectively. The within and between batch CVs were <6.5 and <5.0%, respectively. The serum uric acid values obtained by present method and standard enzymic colorimetric method, showed a good correlation (r = 0.996) and regression equation being y = 0.984x + 0.0674. Among the various metabolites tested only, glucose (11%), urea (38%), NaCl (25%) and cholesterol (13%) and ascorbic acid (56%) caused decrease, while, MgSO₄ and CaCl₂ had no effect on immobilized enzyme. The enzyme electrode showed only 32% decrease during its use for 100 times over a period of 60 days at 4 °C.