Chaetopterus variopedatus Bioluminescence: A Review of Light Emission within a Species Complex

Chaetopterus variopedatus has been studied for over a century in terms of its physiology, ecology and life history. One focus of research is on its intrinsic bioluminescent emissions, which can be observed as a blue light emitted from the extremities of individual body segments, or as a secreted mucus. Even though research shows that C. variopedatus is a species complex miscategorized as a single species, all of the variants of this polychaete produce light, which has been investigated in terms of both physiology and biochemistry. Despite decades of study, there are still many questions about the luminescence reaction, and, as of yet, no clear function for light emission exists. This review summarizes the current knowledge on C. variopedatus luminescence in addition to briefly describing its morphology, life cycle and ecology. Possible functions for luminescence were discussed using observations of specimens found in Brazil, along with a comparison of previous studies of other luminescent organisms. Further study will provide a better understanding of how and why C. variopedatus produces luminescence, and purifying the protein and luciferin involved could lead to new bioanalytical applications, as this reaction is unique among all known luminescent systems.     

Influence of solvent and counter ion on copper complexes with N-alkyl-pyridine-2-carboxamides as studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

The interactions of copper(II) with N-alkyl-pyridine-2-carboxamides (M) were studied by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The influence of solvent and counter ion (Cl-, ClO4-) on the type of ions (complexes) observed was discussed. By cone voltage increase, the fragmentation "in source" of the ions discussed was achieved. In methanol solution containing N-alkyl-pyridine-2-carboxamide (M) and CuCl2 the singly- and doubly charged-ions [M+CuCl]+ and [M2+Cu]+2 were detected. In acetonitrile solution containing N-alkyl-pyridine-2-carboxamide and CuCl2, the copper(I)-containing ions [M+CH3CN+Cu]+ were formed. The use of Cu(ClO4)2 instead of CuCl2 resulted in more abundant doubly-charged ions in both methanol and acetonitrlile solutions and, for the former solution, the ions containing methoxyl anion, namely [M+CuOCH3]+, were observed. When water was used as a solvent, the abundant ions corresponding to the protonated ligands were formed, while the ions corresponding to copper complexes were characterised by low abundances.     

Synthesis, characterization and structural analysis of new copper(II) complexes incorporating a pyridoxal-semicarbazone ligand

The reaction between 3-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl-4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde semicarbazone (pyridoxal-semicarbazone or PLSC) and appropriate chloride, sulfate, nitrate or thiocyanate Cu(II) salts in water/alcohol mixtures resulted in the formation of new copper(II) complexes: [Cu(PLSC)Cl₂] (1), [Cu(PLSC)(H₂O)(SO₄)]₂·3H₂O (2), [Cu₂(PLSC)₂(NCS)₂](NCS)₂ (3), [Cu(PLSC)(NO₃)₂(CH₃OH)] (4) and [Cu(PLSC-2H]NH₃·H₂O (5). The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, conductometric measurements and IR spectroscopy, while complexes 1, 2, 3 and 4 were further characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction.     

Synthesis and structural, spectroscopic, and electrochemical characterization of benzo[c]quinolizinium and its 5-aza-, 6-aza, and 5,6-diaza analogues

Four heterocyclic salts 1a-d were prepared by Ca²⁺-assisted cyclization of fluoro derivatives 3, and investigated by spectroscopic (NMR and UV), electrochemical, and computational (DFT and MP2) methods. The mechanism for the formation of the cations was investigated at the DFT level of theory. 2-D NMR spectroscopy for 1[ClO₄] in DMSO­d₆ aided with DFT results permitted the assignment of ¹H and ¹³C NMR signals in cations 1. The molecular and crystal structures for 1a[ClO₄] [C₁₃H₁₀ClNO₄ triclinic, P−1, a=9.6517(12) Å, b=11.0470(13) Å, c=12.2373(15) Å, α=67.615(1)°, β=78.845(2)°, γ=87.559(2)°; V=1183.0(2) Å³, Z=4] and 1d[ClO₄] [C₁₂H₉ClN₂O₄ triclinic, P−1, a=5.9525(6) Å, b=8.3141(9) Å, c=12.2591(13) Å, α=73.487(1)°, β=83.814(1)°, γ=83.456(1)°; V=576.07(10) Å³, Z=2] were determined by X-ray crystallography and compared with results of DFT and MP2 calculations. Electrochemical analysis gave the reduction potential order (1b>1c∼1d>1a), which is consistent with computational results.     

Stopped-flow spectrophotometric study of the kinetics and mechanism of CO₂ uptake by cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(BaraNH₂)(OH₂)₂]+ cation and the acid-catalyzed decomposition of cis-[Cr(C₂O₄)(BaraNH₂)OCO₂]- anion in aqueous solution

The kinetics of CO(2) uptake by the cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))(OH(2))(2)]+ complex cation and the acid hydrolysis of the cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))OCO(2)]- complex anion (where BaraNH(2) denotes methyl 3-amino-2,3-dideoxy-b-D-arabino-hexopyranoside) were studied using the stopped-flow technique. The reactions under study were investigated in aqueous solution in the 288-308 K temperature range. In the case of the reaction between CO(2) and cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))(OH(2))(2)]+ cation variable pH values (6.82-8.91) and the constant ionic strength of solution (H+, Na+, ClO(4)- = 1.0) were used. Carbon dioxide was generated by the reaction between sodium pyruvate and hydrogen peroxide. The acid hydrolysis of cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))OCO(2)]- was investigated for varying concentrations of H+ ions (0.01-2.7 M). The obtained results enabled the determination of the number of steps of the studied reactions. Based on the kinetic equations, rate constants were determined for each step. Finally, mechanisms for both reactions were proposed and discussed. Based on the obtained results it was concluded that the carboxylation (CO(2) uptake) reactions of cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))(OH(2))(2)]+ and the decarboxylation (acid hydrolysis) of the cis-[Cr(C(2)O(4))(BaraNH(2))OCO(2)]- are the opposite of each other.     

Modified interfacial statistical associating fluid theory: a perturbation density functional theory for inhomogeneous complex fluids

A density functional theory based on Wertheim's first order perturbation theory is developed for inhomogeneous complex fluids. The theory is derived along similar lines as interfacial statistical associating fluid theory [S. Tripathi and W. G. Chapman, J. Chem. Phys. 122, 094506 (2005)]. However, the derivation is more general and applies broadly to a range of systems, retaining the simplicity of a segment density based theory. Furthermore, the theory gives the exact density profile for ideal chains in an external field. The general avail of the theory has been demonstrated by applying the theory to lipids near surfaces, lipid bilayers, and copolymer thin films. The theoretical results show excellent agreement with the results from molecular simulations.     

Poly[[pentaaquasulfato‐μ4‐(R,R)‐tartrato‐dicadmium(II)] trihydrate]

The asymmetric unit in the title compound, {[Cd₂(C₄H₄O₆)(SO₄)(H₂O)₅]·3H₂O}_n, is composed of two cadmium cations, one (R,R)‐tartrate and one sulfate anion, five aqua ligands and three solvent water molecules. One of the cadmium ions is coordinated in an octahedral environment, whereas the second is surrounded by seven O atoms in a pentagonal–bipyramidal geometry. Both types of coordination polyhedra form two sets of perpendicular non‐intersecting polymeric chains. CdO₆ octahedra share two corners, while CdO₇ units are joined by a bridging carboxylate group. An extensive hydrogen‐bond pattern involving all of the OH groups contributes to the stabilization of the structure.     

Preparation and characterisation of gelatine hydrogels predisposed to use as matrices for effective immobilisation of biocatalysts

Physical, enzymatic and chemical methods were used to develop an efficient procedure for preparing gelatine hydrogels of appropriate strength and elastic properties for applications as enzyme carriers. The concentrations of the crosslinking enzyme (transglutaminase), the initial amount of gelatine, the production time and the effect of additional crosslinking with glutaraldehyde were examined. As a result, the following conditions were selected: 0.1 g cm^?3 solution of gelatine, 0.01 g cm^?3 of transglutaminase (mTGase), a minimum of 2 h incubation at 4°C and an additional step of crosslinking with 1.0 vol. % of glutaraldehyde. Next, the absorption properties and storage stability of hydrogels so obtained were determined. From these results, it was observed that, with the exception of the physical gel, the remaining materials presented a relatively high resistance to hydrolytic degradation and retained their original spatial structure without any visible damages. The immobilisation experiments indicated gelatine-based hydrogels crosslinked with transglutaminase as suitable for use as matrices for the entrapment of enzymes, which catalyse the conversion of low-molecular mass compounds. In addition to the potential for effective re-use in subsequent batch processes, the essential advantage of the immobilised β-galactosidase obtained in the current study is a marked reduction in its volume under storage conditions of long duration, without any significant decline in catalytic activity.