Two-state irreversible thermal denaturation of anionic peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) peroxidase

Detailed differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), steady-state tryptophan fluorescence and far-UV circular dichroism (CD) studies, together with enzymatic assays, were carried out to monitor the thermal stability of anionic peanut peroxidase (aPrx) at pH 3.0. The spectral parameters were seen to be good complements to the highly sensitive but integral method of DSC. Thus, changes in far-UV CD corresponded to changes in the overall secondary structure of the enzyme, while changes in intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence emission corresponded to changes in the tertiary structure of the enzyme. The results, supported with data concerning changes in enzymatic activity with temperature, show that thermally induced transitions for aPrx are irreversible and strongly dependent upon the scan rate, suggesting that denaturation is under kinetic control. It is shown that the process of aPrx denaturation can be interpreted with sufficient accuracy in terms of the simple kinetic scheme, , where k is a first-order kinetic constant that changes with temperature, as given by the Arrhenius equation; N is the native state, and D is the denatured state. On the basis of this model, the parameters of the Arrhenius equation were calculated.     

Observation of multiple phase transitions in some even n-alkanes using a high resolution and super-sensitive DSC

The phase transitions of even n-alkanes, n-C₃₄H₇₀, n-C₃₆H₇₄, n-C₄₀H₈₂ and n-C₄₂H₈₆ with high purity have been measured using a high resolution and super-sensitive DSC. A new transition in the low temperature phase was observed in all the samples in the heating run. The surface freezing phenomenon was observed by thermal measurement for the first time in all the samples both in the heating and in the cooling run. The difference of the thermal behaviors between the heating and cooling run was also observed in all the samples.     

Differential scanning calorimetric study of the molten globule state of cytochrome c induced by sodium n-dodecyl sulfate

The molten globule (MG) state, a compact denatured state with a significantly native-like secondary structure but a largely flexible and disordered tertiary structure, has been proposed to be a major intermediate of protein folding. To explore another approach for characterizing the MG state, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) induced formation of the MG state of horse cytochrome c at pH 2 was studied by circular dichroism, visible spectroscopy, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). These techniques confirmed that the addition of SDS to acid-unfolded state of cytochrome c induced the MG state. Although, the DSC thermal denaturation of cytochrome c was always calorimetrically irreversible, the MG state induced by SDS at low concentrations showed a reversible profile. The spectroscopic properties demonstrated that the hydrophobic tail of SDS utilized the hydrophobic contribution to stabilizing the heme conformation at MG state in cytochrome c. This would be the main reason of thermal profile reversibility of MG state in cytochrome c. The reversibility of DSC thermogram would allow its deconvolution and analysis of the energetic domains for this protein.     

Synthesis and characterization of n=5, 6 members of the La4Srn−4TinO3n+2 series with layered structure based upon perovskite

Layered compounds have been synthesized and structurally characterized for the n=5 and 6 members of the perovskite-related family La₄Sr_n−4Ti_nO_3n+2 by combining X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Their structure can be regarded as comprising [(La,Sr)₅Ti₅O₁₇] and [(La,Sr)₆Ti₆O₂₀] perovskite blocks joined by crystallographic shears along the a-axis, with consecutive blocks shifted by 1/2 [100]_p. The n=5 member is similar to the previously reported n=5 member of other A_nB_nO_3n+2-related series. The n=6 member, which has only been briefly reported in other systems previously, is also a well-behaved member of this A_nB_nO_3n+2 series.     

Preparation of α,n-dilithiotoluene equivalents. Synthesis of tamoxifen

The successive reaction of chlorobenzyl alcohols with n-butyllithium and lithium powder in the presence of a substoichiometric amount of 4,4′-di-tert-butylbiphenyl (DTBB) at −78°C yields the expected (lithiooxymethyl)phenyllithium derivative, which is trapped by reaction with different ketones. The subsequent arene-catalysed lithiation at 25°C permits the one-pot chemoselective lithiation of the primary benzyl alcoholate in the presence of a tertiary one. These new functionalised benzyllithium derivatives react with different electrophilic compounds, such as aldehydes, ketones and chlorotrimethylsilane, to give after hydrolysis the expected functionalised benzyl alcohols. Some of these alcohols are successfully transformed into mono- or di-olefins by acidic treatment. This whole strategy is applied to the preparation of anti-cancer drug tamoxifen.     

Studies on the binding of paeonol and two of its isomers to human serum albumin by using microcalorimetry and circular dichroism

Interactions of paeonol and two of its isomers with human serum albumin (HSA) in buffer solutions (pH 7.0) have been investigated by calorimetry and circular dichroism. Heats of the interactions have been determined with isothermal titration microcalorimetry at 298.15 K. Data process has been based on the supposition that there are several independent classes of binding sites on each HSA molecule for molecules of each one of the drugs. The results obtained by using this supposition combined with Langmuir adsorption model show that there are two classes of such binding sites. The binding constant, changes of enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy are obtained, which show that the two classes of binding are mainly driven by enthalpy except that the first-class binding of Ace is predominantly driven by entropy. On the same class of binding site, the negative value of binding enthalpy decreases in the order of Pae, Hma, and Ace. The difference of thermodynamic data is caused by the different locations of substituent groups on aromatic benzene ring of guest molecules. Circular dichroism (CD) spectra show that the three isomers change the secondary structure of HSA. These results indicate that the interaction includes contributions of the binding and the partial change of molecular structure of HSA induced by the three isomers.     

Prediction of molecular weight and density of n-alkanes (C6-C44)

Heavy n-alkanes and their mixtures were characterized by high temperature-simulated distillation using gas chromatography with a capillary column. In this work, the atmospheric boiling point is determined by the HT-SimDis GC method. In this study, molecular weights and density of n-alkanes were evaluated with this method by using retention times and normal boiling points as input data. ASTM D2887 calibration mixture containing 17 n-alkanes in the C₆-C₄₄ range were used for qualitative analyses. Retention times (t_R) of n-alkanes were measured with this method. The other input data that normal boiling points (T_b) and molecular weight (M) had been taken in the literature. Experimental densities (at 20 °C) of n-alkanes were obtained from API Research Projects. Empirical molecular weight and density correlations were developed by using the nonlinear and multiple regressions with correlation coefficients. The results of calculations were compared with experimental data. Normal boiling point predictions were obtained as an average absolute deviation of 1.07%. Molecular weight and density results were evaluated as average absolute deviations of 0.68% and 0.21%, respectively.     

Excess enthalpies of alkane-1-amines {CnH2n+1NH2, n = 3-8} + methyl methylthiomethyl sulfoxide and +dimethyl sulfoxide at 298.15 K

Excess enthalpies of binary mixtures between each of alkane-1-amines {C_nH_2n+1NH₂, n=3-8} and methyl methylthiomethyl sulfoxide (MMTSO) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) have been determined at 298.15 K. All mixtures showed positive enthalpy changes over the whole range of mole fractions.The limiting excess partial molar enthalpies of the aliphatic amines, H₁^E,∞, of all the mixtures with MMTSO or DMSO studied were smaller than those of MMTSO or DMSO, H₂^E,∞, respectively. Linear relations are obtained between limiting excess partial molar enthalpies and number of methylene groups.     

Reactivities of mixed organozinc and mixed organocopper reagents, 2. Selective n-alkyl transfer in tri-n-butylphosphine-catalyzed acylation of n-alkyl phenylzincs; an atom economic synthesis of n-alkyl aryl ketones

Tri-n-butylphosphine-catalyzed acylation of mixed n-alkyl phenylzincs with aromatic acyl halides in THF is efficient in selective transfer of n-alkyl groups to produce n-alkyl aryl ketones in good yields. This route provides an atom economic organocatalyzed alternative to transition metal-catalyzed acylation of di-n-alkylzincs.     

Infrared optical properties and Raman spectra of n-pentane and n-pentane-d12

Infrared and Raman spectra have been collected and analyzed for n-pentane and n-pentane-d₁₂. The real (n) and imaginary (k) refractive index spectra for each compound have been calculated from the experimental infrared spectra after determining the refractive indices of n-pentane across the visible region of the electromagnetic spectrum. To further aid in the study, the imaginary polarizability (IP) spectrum for each compound was calculated from the n and k spectra, then curvefit to separate intensities. Computational DFT calculations were performed to create theoretical spectra of each compound, which in turn aid in assigning vibrations in the experimental spectrum. Barriers to rotation for n-pentane were explored to determine the dominant conformations.     

Influence of size and shape effects on the high-pressure solubility of n-alkanes: Experimental data, correlation and prediction

(Solid + liquid) phase equilibria (SLE) of (n-hexadecane, or n-octadecane + 3-methylpentane, or 2,2-dimethylbutane, or benzene) at very high pressures up to about 1.0 GPa have been investigated at the temperature range from T = (293 to 353) K. The thermostated apparatus for the measurements of transition pressures from the liquid to the solid state in two component isothermal solutions was used. The pressure-temperature-composition relation of the high pressure (solid + liquid) phase equilibria, polynomial based on the general solubility equation at atmospheric pressure was satisfactorily used. Additionally, the SLE of binary systems (n-hexadecane, or n-octadecane + 3-methylpentane, or 2,2-dimethylbutane, or benzene, or n-hexane or cyclohexane) at normal pressure was discussed. The results at high pressures were compared for every system to these at normal pressure. The influence of the size and shape effects on the solubility at 0.1 MPa and high pressure up to 600 MPa was discussed.The main aim of this work was to predict the mixture behaviour using only pure components data and cubic equation of state in the wide range of pressures, far above the pressure range which cubic equations of state are normally applied to. The fluid phase behaviour is described by the corrected SRK-EOS and the van der Waals one fluid mixing rules.     

The interaction of a peptide with a scrambled hydrophobic/hydrophilic sequence (Pro-Asp-Ala-Asp-Ala-His-Ala-His-Ala-His-Ala-Ala-Ala-His-Gly) (PADH) with DPPC model membranes: a DSC study

Depending on their hydrophobicity, peptides can interact differently with lipid membranes inducing dramatic modifications into their host systems. In the present paper, the interaction of a synthetic peptide with a scrambled hydrophobic/hydrophilic sequence (Pro-Asp-Ala-Asp-Ala-His-Ala-His-Ala-His-Ala-Ala-Ala-His-Gly) (PADH) with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) model membranes has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), adopting three different experimental approaches. In the first, the peptide is forced to be included into the hydrocarbon region of the lipid bilayer, by codissolving it with the lipid giving rise to mixed multilamellar vesicles–peptide systems; in the second, this system is passed through an extruder, thus producing large unilamellar vesicles–peptide systems; in the third, it is allowed to interact with the external surface of the membrane.

The whole of the DSC results obtained have shown that the incorporation of the peptide into the lipid bilayer by means of the first method induces a decrease in the enthalpy of the gel–liquid crystal transition of the membrane and a shift of the transition to the lower temperatures, thus resembling, in spite of its prevalently hydrophilic nature, the behavior of transbilayer hydrophobic peptides. The extrusion of these systems creates unilamellar vesicles free of peptides but of smaller size as evidenced by the decreased cooperativity of the transition. The peptide, added externally to the DPPC model membrane, has no effect on the phase behavior of the bilayer.

These findings suggest that the effect of the interaction of scrambled hydrophobic/hydrophilic peptides into lipid bilayers strongly affects the thermotropic behavior of the host membrane depending on the preparation method of the lipid/peptide systems. The whole of the results obtained in the present paper can be useful in approaching studies of bioactive peptides/lipids systems.     

Polymerization effects on molecular dynamics of n-ethylene glycol dimethacrylates followed by dielectric relaxation spectroscopy

A detailed dielectric characterization of n-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate monomers with n = 2 and 4 is provided. Besides the α relaxation associated to the glass transition, two secondary relaxation processes were detected: the γ process assigned to the twisting motions within the ethylene glycol moiety, and the β process related with hindered rotations of carboxylic groups. While the relaxation time of the γ process is independent of the size of the ethylene glycol group, the β process deviates to higher times with increasing n. Upon polymerization the α process goes to extinction, faster in the 4-ethylene monomer, with a concomitant depletion of the β process that remains at higher polymerization degrees relatively to the α process, thus acting as a more sensitive probe to evaluate conversion. The height decrease of α and β processes of monomers with the polymerization progress, occurs without significant changes of position. At intermediate states of polymerization, a new relaxation process evolves being only detectable in a narrow temperature range. In the end, the polymer networks show, in addition to the γ_pol relaxation identical to the γ relaxation of the monomer, a β_pol relaxation with similar features to the β relaxation found in poly n-alkyl methacrylates originated by a π flip of the ester unit accompanied by a restricted main chain rearrangement. The main dielectric relaxation corresponding to the swollen polymer network should appear at quite high temperatures already in early stages of the polymerization process because phase segregation occurs and only a limited amount of liquid monomer plasticizes the newly formed material.     

Microwave and vibrational spectra, ab initio calculations, conformational stabilities and assignments of the fundamentals of the Cs conformer of n-butylgermane

The FT-microwave spectrum of n-butylgermane, CH₃CH₂CH₂CH₂GeH₃ has been investigated from 4000 to 18,000 MHz and the microwave spectra have been observed for all of the five naturally occurring germanium isotopologues for the anti-anti (aa) conformer. The dipole moment for the ⁷⁴Ge containing species has been measured, giving a total dipole moment of 0.881 (26) D. In addition, the vibrational spectrum of n-butylgermane is described. Modestly complete assignments are made for the aa conformer. The relative stabilities of the five conformers are calculated, and the anti-anti (aa) conformer is found to be the most stable in all calculations done. This conclusion is confirmed by the infrared and Raman spectrum of the annealed crystal. The dipole moments of all conformers are calculated to be approximately equal and less than 1 D, ranging from approximately 0.8 to 0.9 D.     

Crystallisation, melting, recrystallisation and polymorphism of n-eicosane for application as a phase change material

Phase change materials (PCM) provide thermoregulation originating from the latent heat exchanged during melting or crystallisation. Linear hydrocarbons have weak interactions, but high symmetry, providing an effective quantity of latent heat over the most acceptable temperature range for applications. The ability to both melt and crystallise over a narrow range is made complex by nucleation, polymorphism and the kinetic nature of these changes. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical microscopy and temperature modulated DSC (TMDSC) was used to study the melting of n-eicosane. This PCM has a low degree of supercooling and conversion to the most stable crystalline state (triclinic) that occurs rapidly from a metastable phase (rotator) state on cooling. TMDSC revealed a small, yet similar degree of thermodynamic reversibility in the melting of each of the crystalline phases.     

Thermodynamic properties of n-alkoxyethanols + organic solvent mixtures: XVI. Excess molar volumes at 298.15 K for 2-alkoxyethanol + n-polyether systems

Excess molar volumes (V_m^E) at 298.15 K and atmospheric pressure for 2-methoxyethanol or 2-butoxyethanol + 2,5-dioxahexane, +2,5,8-trioxanonane, +3,6,9-trioxaundecane, +5,8,11-trioxapentadecane, or +2,5,8,11,14-pentaoxapentadecane, or for 2-ethoxyethanol + 2,5,8-trioxanonane, +3,6,9-trioxaundecane, or +5,8,11-pentaoxapentadecane have been obtained from densities measured with and Anton-Paar DMA 602 vibrating-tube densimeter.They are usually small in absolute value. It is due to a compensation between positive and negative contributions to the excess molar volume. For example, free volume effects present in solutions with the pentaether are compensated by the positive contribution to V_m^E from the rupture of dipole-dipole interactions between ether molecules.     

The effect of sample mass and heating rate on DSC results when studying the fractional composition and oxidative stability of lube base oils

The method of dynamic microdistillation instrumented through DSC has been further elaborated and validated using distillate and residual base oils as model systems. The two major experimental factors of the method—sample mass and heating rate were varied to determine the optimal (standard) experimental conditions for better fraction resolution and thus more reliable quality assessment of petroleum products (lube oils). If these are increased, the fraction resolution ability of the method is reduced—the lighter fractions evaporate at temperatures close to those of the heavier ones, and generally all the fractions evaporate/oxidize at higher temperatures. Two major types of reactions in the heated sample were identified—the one occurring on the metal surface of the crucible leading to a polymer (lacquer) film formation and the other the oxidative cracking in the bulk of the sample leading to the formation of gaseous products. The extent of the lacquer film formation on the crucible metal surface can be reduced by increasing the heating rate and/or the sample mass, while their reduction results in better fraction resolution.     

H-bonding in entrapped water in poly(o-methoxyaniline): Results from a differential scanning calorimetry study

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to investigate entrapped water in poly(o-methoxyaniline) (POMA) in powder form. Two endothermic peaks were attributed to removal of water molecules that were adsorbed with distinct energies. By obtaining thermograms at various heating rates, we succeeded in applying Kissinger's approaches to estimate activation energies for the water adsorbed. The values obtained were ca. 25 and 53 kJ/mol, which correspond to H-bonding interactions, probably at the amine and imine centers of POMA, respectively.