Interaction of proteins with polymeric latexes

Syntheses, modifications and properties of latexes containing polyacrolein, suitable for the covalent immobilization of proteins, are described. Results of the studies of physical adsorption and covalent attachment of human serum albumin and gamma globulins are discussed. Procedures allowing immobilization of the enzyme, horseradish peroxidase, are described. Changes in protein molecules, owing to their contact with latex particles, are analyzed. Applicability of polyacrolein containing latexes for diagnostic purposes is discussed.     

Use and abuse of chemometrics in chromatography

This article presents a selection of the relevant issues that emerge at the interface between chromatography and chemometrics. In the first part, we present advantages and drawbacks of applying signal-enhancement, warping and mixture-analysis methods. In the second part, we discuss typical examples of misuse and abuse of chemometrics that can occur with those less familiar with the data-processing approaches. Finally, we conclude that close collaboration between the communities of chromatographers and chemometricians will allow a deeper insight into the chromatographic systems being analyzed and permit new chromatographic problems to be solved in an efficient, elegant manner.     

The Photophysics of β-Tyrosine and Its Simple Derivatives

Synthesis and photophysical studies of (O-methyl)--tyrosine (-tyrosine; an analogue of tyrosine, in which the amino group is moved from the - to the -carbon, closer to the phenol ring) and its derivatives with a blocked amino and/or carboxyl group were performed to explain the nature of the fluorescence of tyrosine derived analogues. All -tyrosine derivatives, except Ac-Tyr(Me), displayed the monoexponential fluorescence decay. The biexponential fluorescence decay observed for Ac-Tyr(Me) is assumed to be the result of the presence of two low-energy conformations (extended and with an intramolecular hydrogen bond). Higher quenching of the fluorescence of -tyrosine derivatives by the N-acetyl group than by the N-methylamide group moved farther was found, contrary to the data found for the respective derivatives of natural tyrosine. The obtained photophysical data are discussed with theoretical calculations (AMBER, AM1) on the basis of the rotamer model.     

Oxo-tricyano complexes of molybdenum(IV) and tungsten(IV) with bidentate Schiff bases

Summary The reaction of [M(CN)₄O(OH₂)]^2– (M = Mo or W) with 2-acetylpyridine and methyl-or butyl-amine in a water-MeOH mixture gave [M(CN)₃O(L-L)]^- (L-L= Schiff base ligand), isolated as [AsPh₄]⁺ salts. The complexes have been characterized by elemental analysis, and electronic, i.r. and¹H-n.m.r. spectroscopy. The Schiff base ligands complex in a bidentate manner through the two nitrogen atoms giving mixed-ligand compounds similarly to 2,2-bipyridyl or 1,10-phenanthroline.On leave from the Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University, Kraków.     

On molecular dynamics of the diamond D<Subscript>5</Subscript> seeds

Diamond D₅ is a hyperdiamond with the rings being mostly pentagonal and built up on the frame of mtn structure, appearing in clathrate hydrates of type II. As the seed of D₅, the centrohexaquinane C₁₇ was proposed (Diudea, Stud Univ Babes-Bolyai Chem 55(4):11–17, 2010). In this article, we study the molecular dynamics MD of four structures based on C₁₇ skeleton, as all carbon or partly oxygenated derivatives. The results are discussed in terms of structural stability as given by DFT calculations as well as by the stable fluctuations of root mean square deviations and total, potential and kinetic energies provided by MD calculations.     

One-pot synthesis of meso-tris-aryl-substituted N-21-methyl- and N-21-benzyl-corroles

A simple and versatile synthesis of meso-substituted N-21-alkylcorroles was achieved directly from aldehydes, pyrrole and N-alkylpyrroles via mix-condensation. Compounds inaccessible via previous routes have been obtained in acceptable yields. It was proved that meso-substituted N-21-alkylcorroles differ from N-unsubstituted corroles in absorption spectra, stability and solubility.     

Energy transfer and surface plasmon resonance in luminescent materials based on Tb(III) and Ag or Au nanoparticles in silica xerogel

Two-component material consisting of terbium(III) ions doping silica xerogel prepared by sol–gel procedure shows enhanced Tb(III) photoluminescence. We postulate that in this material the enhancement is owing to energy transfer from one of the defect states in silica to emitting states ³D₃ and ⁵D₄ of Tb(III).Surface plasmon resonance effect causes two contrary phenomena. Thus, if in the vicinity of the Tb(III) emission centers are present nanoparticles of Ag, observed is additional improvement of the Tb(III) emission. While, presence of Au nanostructures in the silica doped with Tb(III) causes quenching of the luminescence. In general, both the three-component materials exhibit enhancement of the component silica emission band in the resultant 380 nm band and relatively high thermal stability, especially above 600 °C.