The effect of the hydration degree on the hydrothermal and thermo-oxidative stability of some collageneous matrices

The methods of the thermal analysis (TG, DTG and DTA) were used in order to investigate the effect of the hydration degree on the thermal behaviour of some collageneous matrices. It was pointed out that the degradation of hydrated collagen in the temperature range 20-400°C occurs through two successive processes accompanied by mass losses. The first process, consisting in the collagen dehydration, is endothermic and takes place in the temperature range ≈25 - ≈125°C. The second process is exothermic and consists in the decomposition and/or thermo-oxidation of dry collagen. The thermal parameters of both processes depend on the hydration degree of collagen. The observed dependencies show that the hydrothermal and thermo-oxidative stability of collagen are strongly correlated with its water content. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Conformational Study of Glycal-Type Neuraminidase Inhibitors

The conformational flexibility of two glycal-type neuraminidase inhibitors has been studied, using several molecular modeling techniques. In agreement with the experimental data available, an intramolecular hydrogen bond, representing a key structural feature that controls the conformer distribution in solution, has been identified. The contribution of each substituent to the overall equilibrium was evaluated using simplified derivatives. Additionally, four methods for estimating NMR coupling constants from dihedral angles were evaluated and the Haasnoot method was found to be appropriate for this class of sugars. These results should allow a better understanding of the structural parameters governing physico-chemical properties of glycal-like compounds. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry to view the free supplemental file.     

1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition reaction of bipyridinium ylides with the propynamido-β-cyclodextrin. A regiospecific synthesis of a new class of fluorescent β-cyclodextrins

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of bipyridinium ylides with the electron deficient propynamido-β-cyclodextrin was studied. This reaction resulted in the regiospecific formation of a new class of fluorescent β-cyclodextrins. The new fluorophore systems were characterized spectroscopically by their absorption and emission maxima and their quantum yields.     

On the electrochemical behavior of selanyl azulenes

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The electrochemical behavior of substituted 1-phenylselanyl azulenes has been established by cyclic, differential pulse, and rotating disk electrode...     

A detailed chemical kinetic model of high-temperature ethylene glycol gasification

In recent experimental investigations, ethylene glycol is used as a model substance for biomass-based pyrolysis oil in an entrained flow gasifier. In order to gain a deeper insight into process sequences and to conduct parametric analysis, this study describes the development and validation of a detailed chemical kinetic model of high-temperature ethylene glycol gasification. A detailed reaction mechanism based on elementary reactions has been developed considering 80 species and 1243 reactions for application in CFD software. In addition to mechanism validation based on ignition delay times, laminar flame speeds and concentration profiles, simulation results are compared to experimental data of ethylene glycol gasification under complex turbulent reactive flow conditions.     

Scanning tunneling microscopy investigation of an inclusion complex between the β-cyclodextrin and the sodium salt of the trisulfonated triphenylphosphine

Scanning tunneling microscopy has been used to image on a highly orientated pyrolytic graphite substrate an inclusion complex between the sodium salt of the trisulfonated triphenylphosphine (TPPTS) and the β-cyclodextrin (CyD). The images were in very good agreement with the structure that has been reported for this inclusion complex and it is postulated that β-CyD/TPPTS inclusion complex lies on the apolar graphite substrate by its primary face. A correlation of image contrast with the frontier orbitals of the inclusion complex is also clearly established for the first time in the case of CyD-based supramolecular assemblies. The self-assembly of the inclusion complexes on the graphic surface is also discussed.     

Cyclophanes or Cyclodextrins: What is the Best Host for Aromatic Volatile Organic Compounds?

The first results of the complexing ability of cyclobis-(paraquat-p-phenylene) as supramolecular host with different aromatic volatile organic compounds are presented. The formation constants of cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) with toluene and halogenobenzenes were determined in aqueous solution by static headspace associated with gas chromatography and compared with the ones obtained by cyclodextrins. The data indicated the formation of 1:1 inclusion compounds in both cases. The results underlined a greater complexation ability for cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene) which was confirmed by a theoretical study.     

Pain Management and Analgesics Used in Small Mammals during Post-Operative Period with an Emphasis on Metamizole (Dipyrone) as an Alternative Medication

Metamizole (dipyrone) is a widely used non-opioid analgesic in both human and animal medicine. Metamizole’s safety has been the topic of numerous opposing debates, given the fact that in certain countries metamizole is frequently used as an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, while in others it is banned due to the risk of agranulocytosis. Further, small mammals such as rabbits, ferrets, rodents, and hedgehogs have become some of the most common pets present in veterinary practice, and each of these species has specific analgesic needs due to their anatomy and physiology. The key to providing appropriate medical care is in finding a substance that has minimal negative effects. In small mammals, analgesia is an important factor and, it happens frequently that, pain in these patients is not well managed. Post-operative pain management is an important topic in the welfare of animals. The objectives of this review, thus, were to provide a concise overview of analgesics that are used in the treatment of postoperative pain in small mammals (e.g., rabbits and rodents) and to highlight the importance of this product, metamizole, in veterinary medicine, as well as the potential of this substance as an alternative analgesic for the treatment of postoperative pain in small mammals.     

Attempts to Access a Series of Pyrazoles Lead to New Hydrazones with Antifungal Potential against Candida species including Azole-Resistant Strains

The treatment of benzylidenemalononitriles with phenylhydrazines in refluxing ethanol did not provide pyrazole derivatives, but instead furnished hydrazones. The structure of hydrazones was secured by X-ray analysis. The chemical proof was also obtained by direct reaction of 3,4,5-trimethoxybenzaldehyde with 2,4-dichlorophenylhydrazine. Newly synthesized hydrazones were tested against eight Candida spp. strains in a dose response assay to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC₉₉). Five compounds were identified as promising antifungal agents against Candida spp. (C. albicans SC5314, C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata (R azoles)), with MIC₉₉ values ranging from 16 to 32 µg/mL and selective antifungal activity over cytotoxicity.     

Reevaluation of the structure and fundamental physical properties of dawsonites by DFT studies

Dawsonite-type compounds, with the general formula MAlCO(3)(OH)(2), where M = Na(+), K(+), or NH(4)(+), recently have become attractive materials because of their potential interest in geochemical CO(2) sequestration, CO(2) capture in power plants, and heterogeneous catalysis. However, the number of studies assessing the properties of these materials is limited. In the present paper, we report a theoretical reevaluation of the structural and essential physicochemical properties of Na-, K-, and NH(4)-dawsonites as determined by density functional theory (DFT) investigations. The calculated structure of Na- and K-dawsonites is in good agreement with previous data, while for NH(4)AlCO(3)(OH)(2), the calculations suggest orientation disorder of the ammonium ions in the structure. The normal-mode analysis, electronic and bonding properties, and elastic properties are reported for the three analogue dawsonites. The calculated formation enthalpy is -1714, -1699, and -1655 kJ/mol for K-, Na-, and NH(4)-dawsonite, respectively. This study comprises a first step toward a better understanding of the diversity of dawsonite intrinsic properties, which is required to tune their practical applications.