Phasenumwandlungserscheinungen in Lecithin/Wasser-Systemen

1. By means of differential-scanning-calorimetry the phase transition temperatures and -enthalpies were determined and evaluated for the three following lecithin/water systems: 1,2-dimyristoyl-lecithin/water; 1,2-dipalmitoyl-lecithin/water; 1,2-distearoyllecithin/water.
2. The preparation of the lecithin/water mixtures was made by adsorption of water from the gaseous phase. The adsorption isotherms were evaluated by the BET equation.
3. Four phase transitions were found for the monohydrates of the lecithins. The parameters depend systematically on the length of the alkyl residues.
4. In the heterogeneous two phase region the main-transition and the pre-transition occurred. The thermodynamical parameters of both transitions depend on the alkyl chain length.
5. Whole the results refer to the conclusion that the lecithin head group hydration is a stepwise process. The hydration of the first shell is finished if 5 to 6 molecules water per molecule lecithin are present, while the second hydration shell is complete when about 13 water molecules are adsorbed

     

Charakterisierung der Mischbarkeitseigenschaften binärer Monoschichten durch Messung der Gleichgewichtsspreitungsdrucke

1. The equilibrium spreading pressures were studied as a function of composition of the following binary systems by use of the Wilhelmy-method atT=295 K on aqueous substrate:

octadecyldiethylphosphine oxide/1-hexadecanol (I)

octadecyldiethylphosphine oxide/1-eicosanol (II)

octadecyldiethylphosphine oxide/stearic acid (III)

1. The equilibrium spreading pressures of the pure components of the systems I und II, respectively, decrease due to addition of the corresponding components of mixture. A minimum occurs at the mole fractionx=0,50. The equilibrium spreading pressures of mixtures of system III rise with increasing mole fraction of octadecyldiethylphosphine oxide.
2. The three spreading diagrams are based on one general type. The phase rule is applied and shows that the components of the 3 systems must be immiscible in the monolayer but miscible in the bulk phase.

     

Thermisches Phasenverhalten homologer α- und β-methylverzweigtkettiger Lecithine im wassergesättigten Zweiphasengebiet

1. By means of differential scanning calorimetry the phase transition temperatures (T _u) and phase transition enthalpies (ΔH _u) ofα- andβ-branched lecithins were determined. The lecithin samples contained 50% water per weight.
2. The occurrence of the pre-transition was dependent on the position of the methyl group in the acid residue as well as on the length of the carbon chains. TheΔH _u values of the pre-transition were about 2.5 kJ·mol^?1.
3. The hydration number (HZ) (number of water molecules per lecithin headgroup) was independent on the position of the methyl group and the length of the acyl group. The average HZ-values for all the lecithins studied is about HZ=14+-1.
4. The influence of the chain length of theα- andβ- branched acyl groups affects the thermodynamical parameters of the main transitions (gel→L _α). TheΔH _m andT _m-values increased as the chain length increases.

     

Direct determination of pair natural orbitals

A method is proposed to solve the two-electron Schrödinger equation by a rapidly converging iterative procedure. The wavefunction is obtained in terms of its NO's. The special features of the present method are:

1. Each iteration requires only the computational equivalent of a conventional Hartree-Fock iteration.
2. Within each iteration we improve simultaneously the NO's, the CI expansion coefficients and the total energy.
3. The construction of a CI matrix is never required.

We further propose simplified NO-equations the solution of which requires a small fraction of computertime only. As examples of the efficiency of these methods we report applications to the 1¹ Sstate of He, the 1¹∑ _g ⁺ , 1³∑ _u ⁺ states of H₂, and IEPA,PNO-CI, and CEPA type computations on CH₄.     

Limits of cyclodextrin application in oral drug preparations

Cyclodextrins are applied to facilitate formulation problems, to improve stability and bioavailability. Following factors are determining whether or not cyclodextrins can be applied in oral pharmaceutical preparations:

- properties of the selected CD: solubility, price, specific catalytic properties,

- the drug to be complexed: molecular weight, polarity, solubility,

- drug dose

- solubility properties of the complex and the “super solubility” /temporary over-saturation/

- complex stability and possibility to shift the dissociation equilibrium toward the appropriate direction

- legislative procedures

     

Drug targeting by drug entrapment into ultrafine compartments as carriers

The incorporation of drugs into vesicles is one of several technological methods for the optimization of targeted drug delivery and controlled drug targeting. The main problems will always remain

? To design inert auxiliary accompanying materials in order to overcome side reactions

? To use body-friendly and biodegradable macromolecular carrier materials for the therapeutic system

? To miniaturize the dosage form dramatically in the submicroscopic size range in order to eliminate foreign body irritations

? To develop ultrafine solid and amorphous vesicular compartments (nanocapsules, nanopellets, nanoparticles) to get stable systems with good tissue transfer and organ targeting properties

The actual stand of the incorporation of drugs and biologic active material into ultrafine colloidal solid capsules is reviewed here as for instance:

? Immunoactive material

? Fluorescent indicators in body fluids

? Controlled and sustained release systems

? Nonspecific drug targeting of the first-order (passage through endothelial tissues)

? Second-order targeting (a specific transparenchymal migration), and a highly specific targeting of the third-order (transcellular passage, especially lysosomal transports)

Examples for some of these applications are given. It can be shown that such ultrafine vesiculated capsules offer some advantages when applied parenterally, but also partly for oral application. In the future, still more studies are necessary finally to clarify the importance and practical use of such ultrafine targeting carriers.     

Kompressionsverhalten und Gleichgewichtsspreitungsdrucke binärer monomolekularer Dipalmitoylkephalin/Dimyristoylkephalin-Mischungen

1. The concentration dependence of theF/A-isotherms (premixed spreading, separate spreading) and the equilibrium spreading pressuresF ^e of the system dipalmitoylcephaline/dimyristoyl-cephaline were studied atT=298 K. The results were analysed and compared by means of thermodynamics with respect to miscibility of the components.
2. The spreading technique (pre-mixed spreading, separate spreading (with and without barrier), does not essentially influence the run of theF/A-isotherm. Alone, the collaps pressuresF _K differ.
3. The concentration dependence of theF/A-isotherms of premixed spread monolayers is analysed in terms of theA-x ^σ-diagram. The additivity of molecular areas at all surface pressures are assumed to indicate complete miscibility of the cephalins.
4. The phase rule according to Crisp was applied to analyse the spreading diagram in connection with the phase diagram of the mixtures in bulk. The results show that the cephalins are completely miscible in the monolayer.
5. The experimental collaps pressuresF _K of pre-mixed spread monolayers are very much larger than the equilibrium collapse presuresF _K calculated according to Garrett. The difference indicate the strong supercompression of mixed film during the compression.

     

Eine verbesserte fluorimetrische Serumcortisolbestimmung

The fluorometric determination of cortisol in serum was improved by the following measures:

1. Daily preparation of the fluorescence reagent (ethanol abs.: conc. H₂SO₄= 3∶7, v/v) at 0°C.
2. Fluorometry 80 min after the addition of the fluorescence reagent to dichloromethane extracted cortisol.
3. Filling of a special micro-cuvette by a pump system avoiding bubble formation in the cuvette.
4. Spectrofluorometer with optimal absorption (464 nm) and emission (522 nm) for cortisol. The method is of satisfactory sensitivity for cortisol (< 1 μg/100 ml), precision (10 μg/100 ml ∶ S.D. = 0.5 μg/ 100 ml) and reproducibility from day to day (variation coefficient = 6–7%). The specificity of the method is demonstrated by the low values (< 2 μg/100 ml) of total-adrenalectomized patients under dexamethasone maintainance (2 × 0.25 mg/day). The normal range (mean ± 2 S.D., logarithmic distribution) of 9⁰⁰ a.m. serum cortisol values of control persons is 9.7–32.0 μg/100 ml. Examples of the application of the method for diagnostic and therapeutic questions are reported.

     

Hippurathydrolase,ein neues Enzym aus Mikroorganismen, 2. Mitt.: Enzymeigenschaften

Characteristic properties of the new enzymehippurate hydrolase are reported:

1. The Michaelis constant for hippurate hydrolysis is 5.5·10^?4 mole/l at 5° and pH 7.5. The specific activity of the purified enzyme preparation is 7.5 μmole/minute · mg enzyme protein at 37° and pH 7.5. The pH optimum is 7.5.
2. The effects of temperature on the reaction rate and on the stability of the enzyme were determined.
3. The effects of various inhibitors (HgCl₂, pCMB, EDTA, 8-hydroxyquinoline) and cations were studied. Participation of metal ions in the catalytic function ofhippurate hydrolase was not detectable.

     

Thermal decomposition of algae bloom biomass

The algae bloom biomass in the water reservoir ‘Rybnik’ is an important problem, and not only in Poland [1,2]. The algae growth in the water affects its odour, colour, taste and quality [3]. Algae bloom biomass removed from water can be treated in the following ways:

disposal in sanitary landfills

storage on special dumping grounds

fermentation

dewatering and incineration

In this paper the physicochemical composition and thermal analysis of the biomass of algae bloom dried at 378 K or in the open air are described. Thermal analytical measurements were made in an air atmosphere.     

Theoretical study of the visible photodissociation spectrum of Ar 3 +

The photodissociation of Ar ₃ ⁺ is studied following a consistent theoretical approach from the Potential Energy Surfaces to the dynamics. Six P.E.S. are computed according to a D.I.M.-like model Hamiltonian. Transition dipole moments are determined using a similar method. The 4-D dynamics of this system is obtained with the H.W.D. method (Hemiquantal dynamic with the Whole DIM basis). All the 4 nuclear degrees of freedom and all the 6 electronic states are involved in the dynamical calculations, allowing for very general investigations. The main theoretical results are:

1. the spectrum essentially results from a Σ → Σg transition to the second excited electronic state along with a symmetric stretching motion
2. excited Ar ₃ ⁺ molecules almost all dissociate in Ar⁺ + 2 Ar
3. dissociation in Ar ₂ ⁺ + Ar requires special conditions such as low laser excitation and is predicted to increase with a specific excitation of the bending mode
4. the dominant symmetric stretching motion induces a bimodal kinetic energy distribution of the fragments.

All these points are in close agreement with experimental results.     

Über die Synthese von substituierten 2-Amino-1-pyrrolinen, 1. Mitt.

Three methods for the synthesis of various substituted 2-amino-1-pyrrolines are described:

1. Cyclization of 2.2-disubstituted 4-bromobutyronitriles with ammonia to yield 3.3-disubstituted 2-amino-1-pyrrolines.
2. Reduction of 2-aminopyrrolin-5-ones or 2-iminosuccinimides with LiAlH₄, a route leading especially to 3.3.4-substituted 2-aminopyrrolines.
3. Chlorination of 4.4-disubstituted pyrrolidones with POCl₃ followed by treatment with NH₃ gives 4.4-disubstituted 2-amino-1-pyrrolines.

     

Röntgenkristallstrukturanalyse und Organische Chemie

An introduction into X-ray crystal structure analysis as method to determine the structure of organic compounds is given. In this connection two new methods for phase determination of X-ray reflections of macromolecules are reported. A few specially selected samples of structures are given to demonstrate the efficiency of X-ray crystal structure analysis with regard to the elucidation of stereochemical problems in the field of organic chemistry. The examples of application are heterocyclic organic compounds (cycloaddition products of nitrile-ylides, a stable azomethinimine, a cyanine dyestuff) and biologically relevant molecules (aminoacids of the amatoxins, the main poison of the green deathcup toadstool). The mentioned molecular structures determined by X-ray crystal structure analysis are discussed under the following aspects.

1. Elucidation of constitution, configuration and conformation.
2. Identification and verification of chemical pathways for new classes of compounds.
3. Bond relationships, influence of ring strain and other intramolecular interactions upon bond lengths and angles.
4. The attempt to find general stereochemical principles among related molecules or molecular parts points to the fundamental aspects of these experiments. Generally, the 1,4-diaza-s-trans-1,3-butadiene system, the steric influence of a free electron pair at a double bonded nitrogen and the CF₃-group are studied.
5. Obtaining of initial parameters for quantum mechanical calculations and comparison with theoretical results.
6. With regard to the structure analysis of two amino acid fragments of the amatoxins the configuration of the hydroxylated isoleucines of the amatoxins and the configuration at the chiral SO center of the natural amatoxins and of the synthetic phalloidin sulphoxides are fixed. The configuration at the SO center is decisive for the poisonous effect.

     

Kinetics of immobilized pig heart fumarase

The kinetics of immobilized pig heart fumarase are described and compared with the properties of the enzyme free in solution.

1. An analogous pH dependence of initial activity is found for free and immobilized enzyme.
2. Immobilized and free fumarase deviate from classical Michaelis-Menten kinetics in the same way. The apparent K_m values are three to eight times higher for the immobilized (2 mg/g gel) enzyme.
3. The specific activity of immobilized fumarase is dependent on the final enzyme concentration on the gel; normal specific activities are observed when 50 ?g fumarase is immobilized per gram of gel, whereas the specific activity decreases with increasing enzyme concentration.
4. The activation energies for free and immobilized fumarase (50 ?g/g gel) were found to be identical between 22 and 32?C and with L-malate as substrate (E_a = 12,290 cal/mol at pH 7.9). Upon increasing the concentration of fumarase on the gel, the activation energy decreases.

Our results indicate that the true catalytic properties of fumarase are not affected by immobilization of this enzyme. The slight differences observed when fumarase is immobilized at concentrations higher than 50 ?g/g gel must be attributed to diffusional limitation at the surface of the Sepharose matrix.     

Entmischungserscheinungen in binären Monoschichten des Systems Dimyristoylkephalin/Dipalmitoyl-N-methylkephalin,untersucht mittels verschiedener Spreitungs- und Oberflächentechniken

1. The F/A-isotherms of the binary system dimyristoylcephaline/dipalmitoyl-N-methyl-cephaline using premixed and separate spreading at 295 K and the concentration dependence of the equilibrium spreading pressureF ^e in the temperature range between 295 K and 308 K were measured and compared.
2. The thermodynamical analysis of the F/A-isotherms and of the equilibrium spreading pressure refers to the conclusion that in the binary monolayers under the equilibrium conditions both cephalines arefully immiscible.
3. It was shown that various spreading techniques lead to different experimental results. From the long-term investigations we found that the equilibrium state of the mixtures was reached immediately in the case of separate spreading. On the other hand with pre-mixed spreading this equilibrium state was obtained only after 20 h.
4. The shape of the F/A-isotherms of dimyristoyl-cephaline depends on the surface technique. From the flat parts in the F/A-isotherms of dimyristoyl-cephaline, obtained by discontinuous compression, and from the flat parts in theF ^e- x^b-curves of the mixtures it was shown that in the monolayers a phase transition offirst order takes place.

     

Einsatz der echten Integration in der Atomabsorptions-Spektroskopie

An improvement of the signal-to-noise ratio in atomic absorption spectroscopy may be obtained by each of the following three methods of signal averaging:

increase of the time constant

digital signal averaging

true integration of the signal

The most adequate of these methods appears to be true integration. Two examples are presented to demonstrate the improved signal-to-noise ratio due to the application of this method:

trace analysis of mercury in water by means of flameless AAS. The detection limit appears to be 0.2 ng which corresponds to a concentration of 2 · 10^?13 g/ml.

trace analysis of copper in human urine by means of flame AAS: 1,3 · 10^?8 g/ml copper could be detected without any solvent extraction process.

     

Theoretical discussion of methods of elimination of matrix effects in non-dispersive X-ray analysis

Theoretical consideration concerning some possibilities for the elimination of matrix effects in non-dispersive X-ray fluorescence and absorption analysis are discussed. The theoretical treatment is concerned with the following methods:

1. double-channel absorption edge analysis,
2. concentration increase and dilution method in fluorescence analysis,
3. fluorescence-absorption method,
4. emission-transmission method,
5. fluorescence-Compton scattering method,
6. method of multicomponent analysis.

On the basis of the derived formulas, nomographic methods of interpretation of the data are given. Using these methods it is possible to determine unambiguously the concentration of the relevant element. The formulas are also convenient for numerical interpretation. The introduction of the concept of “generalized sensitivity” allows the comparison of various radiometric methods.     

Einfluß des Wassers und der thermischen Vorgeschichte auf das Phasenverhalten homologer Kephalin/Wasser-Systeme

1. By means of differential scanning calorimetry the phase behaviour of the following cephaline/water systems was studied: 1,2-dilauroyl-cephaline/water; 1,2-dimyristoyl-cephaline/water; 1,2-dipalmitoyl-cephaline/water; 1,2-distearoyl-cephaline/water; 1,2-diarachinoyl-cephaline/water. The phase transition temperatures (T _u ), enthalpies (ΔH _u ) and specific heat capacities (c _sp ) were determined and compared as a function of the water content and the alkyl chain length of the cephalines.
2. TheΔH _u andT _u values of the monohydrates depend systematically on the chain length. Differences occurred for the first and the second heating run.
3. With increasing water content theT _u values decrease while theΔH _u values become larger if one system cephaline/water is considered.
4. In the heterogeneous two phase region the increase of the chain, length of the homologous cephalines leads to a systematical increase of theΔH _u as well as theT _u values.
5. Below the annealing temperature dehydration and recrystallization occur. The kinetics of the phase transitionL _α →C was studied in the heterogeneous two phase region.

     

Non-oral drug preparations containing cyclodextrin complexes

The application of cyclodextrin complexed drugs in non-oral dosage forms results in the following advantages:

- The stability of volatile, chemically unstable drugs is significantly improved by transforming them into cyclodextrin complexes.

- The transformation of oils, liquids into crystalline, solid state provides better physical, mechanical properties, easy to handle products.

- Complex formation/encapsulation on molecular scale/remarkably enhances the dissolution and absorption of lipophylic drugs.

- The formation of water soluble inclusion complexes makes possible the preparation of parenteral dosage forms without using organic solvents or detergents.