H/D isotopic recognition in hydrogen bonded systems: H/D isotopic self-organization effects in the IR spectra of the hydrogen bond in 2-methylimidazole crystals

Polarized IR spectra of H12(3)45 2-methylimidazole and of its H1D2(3)45, D1H2(3)45 and D12(3)45 deuterium derivative crystals are reported and interpreted within the limits of the "strong-coupling" theory. The spectra interpretation facilitated the recognition of the H/D isotopic "self-organization" phenomenon, which depends on a non-random distribution of protons and deuterons in the lattices of isotopically diluted crystal samples. The H/D isotopic "self-organization" mechanism engaged all four hydrogen bonds from each unit cell. These effects basically resulted from the dynamical co-operative interactions involving adjacent hydrogen bonds in each hydrogen bond chain. A weaker exciton coupling involved the closely spaced hydrogen bonds; each belonging to a different chain of associated 2-methylimidazole molecules. The high intensity of the narrow band at ca. 1880cm(-1) was interpreted as the result of coupling between the γ(N-H?N) proton bending "out of plane" vibration overtone and the ν(N-H) proton stretching vibration.     

The effects of different dietary fiber pectin structures on the gastrointestinal immune barrier: impact via gut microbiota and direct effects on immune cells

Pectins are dietary fibers with different structural characteristics. Specific pectin structures can influence the gastrointestinal immune barrier by directly interacting with immune cells or by impacting the intestinal microbiota. The impact of pectin strongly depends on the specific structural characteristics of pectin; for example, the degree of methyl-esterification, acetylation and rhamnogalacturonan I or rhamnogalacturonan II neutral side chains. Here, we review the interactions of specific pectin structures with the gastrointestinal immune barrier. The effects of pectin include strengthening the mucus layer, enhancing epithelial integrity, and activating or inhibiting dendritic cell and macrophage responses. The direct interaction of pectins with the gastrointestinal immune barrier may be governed through pattern recognition receptors, such as Toll-like receptors 2 and 4 or Galectin-3. In addition, specific pectins can stimulate the diversity and abundance of beneficial microbial communities. Furthermore, the gastrointestinal immune barrier may be enhanced by short-chain fatty acids. Moreover, pectins can enhance the intestinal immune barrier by favoring the adhesion of commensal bacteria and inhibiting the adhesion of pathogens to epithelial cells. Current data illustrate that pectin may be a powerful dietary fiber to manage and prevent several inflammatory conditions, but additional human studies with pectin molecules with well-defined structures are urgently needed.Subject terms: Mucosal immunology, Translational immunology     

Amino-Modified Silicate Xerogels Complexed with Cu(II) as Catalyst Precursors. Coordination State and Thermal Decomposition

The sol-gel process is a useful method for preparing two series of organically and co-ordinately modified xerogels of the types [CuN _n ]·N _5–n ·5xSiO_4/2 (n < 4) and [Cu(N–N)_n]·(N–N)_2–n ·2x SiO_4/2(n 2), where N = NH₂(CH₂)₃ SiO_3/2, N–N = NH₂(CH₂)₂NH·(CH₂)₃SiO_3/2 and x = [SiO_4/2]/[N] or [SiO_4/2]/[N–N]. The amino groups in the materials are coordinately active and participate partly in the coordination sphere of Cu(II) ions. The composition of the coordination sphere can be varied with the SiO_4/2 content and also as a result of the thermal decomposition of the organic residues at higher temperatures.Because the xerogel materials are considered to be catalyst precursors, this study is focused on their coordination and thermal properties. The prepared xerogels, such as silica, aminated silicates with N and N–N, as well as those entities complexed with Cu(II), were characterised by FT-IR spectroscopy. During gelation and thermal decomposition the materials were analysed by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The xerogels were additionally studied by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy. The gaseous products of the thermal decomposition of these materials in an Ar atmosphere were investigated by the use of FT-IR spectroscopy coupled with TG and DTG thermal analysis. These data were complemented by temperature-programmed decomposition (TPDec) in a 2% O₂ + 98% Ar stream coupled with quadrupole mass spectroscopy.     

Competition between the albumin and three histidine fragment of amyloid precursor protein sites to bind Cu(II)

The aim of this work was to check experimentally the relationship between the five-nitrogen donor system {3 × N_imid, 2 × N⁻} seen e.g. in the peptide fragments of the cysteine-rich amyloid precursor protein (APP) region and the albumin-like {NH₂, 2 × N⁻, N_imid} coordination site. The protected and unprotected octadecapeptides DAHQERMDVSETHLHWHT and Ac-DAHQERMDVSETHLHWHT-NH₂ were synthesized and potentiometric and spectroscopic studies were performed. A comparison of both metal-binding sites that occur in both peptides clearly shows that in the unprotected ligand albumin-like binding is much more efficient than the three His site, although around pH 5 both sites have a comparable ability to bind the Cu(II) ion. However, a comparison of the protected and unprotected peptides with their metal binding sites clearly shows that the three His site is very efficient in binding Cu(II) although less effective than the albumin-like motif.     

Comparison of the differential isosteric adsorption enthalpies and entropies calculated from chromatographic data

The differential isosteric enthalpies, -deltaH(ads), and entropies, -deltaS(ads), of adsorption were calculated taking the retention times of the peak maxima and the centres of gravity of peaks into account and compared with the results obtained from the adsorption second virial coefficients. A mathematical link between the -deltaH(ads) and -deltaS(ads) magnitudes and experimental data was derived through the Antoine-type equation which enables the -deltaH(ads) and -deltaS(ads) magnitudes to be found from adsorption second virial coefficients, B2S, calculated on the basis of chromatographically determined adsorption isotherm data. The virial coefficients were calculated employing the values of the Tóth and Unilan equation parameters. There are no significant differences to be found between the isosteric enthalpies obtained, whereas the values of the adsorption entropies were the highest for the centre of peak gravity data.     

Comparison of silica gel modified with three different functional groups with C-18 and styrene-divinylbenzene adsorbents for the analysis of selected volatile flavor compounds

A comparison of SPE cartridges produced in authors laboratory containing silica modified by addition of three functional moieties with standard C-18 and SDVB cartridges was made in terms of their applicability for the isolation of flavor compounds. Compounds found in wine and grapes were used for model mixture, which was spiked into a grape juice. Functionalized phases for SPE were prepared modifying silica gel with alkoxysilanes with different functional groups: (3-(phenylamino)-propyltrimethoxysilane, octyltriethoxysilane and octadecyl-silane. The functionalization was carried out by the dry method, which resulted 5, 10 and 20 weight parts of initial support. Functionalized phases were characterized using FT-IR, elemental analysis and NMR.Performance for new phases compared to “standard” ones (C-18 and SDVB (styrene–divinylbenzene) varied, depending on the group or type of analyzed compound. They were more efficient in extraction of methyl anthranilate and vanilins. For extraction of terpenes, C-6 alcohols, isoprenoids, benzene derivatives and phenols their efficiency was comparable to that of C-18.Functionalized laboratory-made mixed phases are suitable for extraction of flavor compounds from grape juice. They are suitable for extraction of compounds belonging to different chemical classes with the efficiency comparable to C-18 and SDVB phases. The production of such functionalized phases can be easily performed in the laboratory, at a very low cost, comparing to C-18 or SDVB cartridges. This makes the proposed functionalized phases an interesting alternative, in sample preparation for analysis and particularly in preparative/flash chromatography.     

Effects of dynamical couplings in hydrogen bond systems in the polarized IR spectra of 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde crystals

This paper presents the investigation results of the polarized IR spectra of 3-hydroxybenzaldehyde and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde crystals measured at 293 and 77 K. Analysis of the results concerned the linear dichroic, H/D isotopic and temperature effects observed in the spectra of the hydrogen and deuterium bond at the frequency ranges of the ν_O–H and the ν_O–D bands, respectively. The main spectral properties of the crystals were interpreted in terms of the “strong-coupling” theory on the basis of the hydrogen bond dimer model. The spectra revealed that the strongest vibrational exciton coupling involved the closely-spaced hydrogen bonds, each belonging to a different chain of associated molecules. The reason for two different crystalline systems, are characterized by almost identical ν_O–H and ν_O–D band shapes, is explained. It was proved that a random distribution of the protons and deuterons took place in the lattices of the isotopically diluted crystals.     

The dimeric and tetrameric octarepeat fragments of prion protein behave differently to its monomeric unit

Potentiometric and spectroscopic data have shown that octarepeat dimer and tetramer are much more effective ligands for Cu(II) ions than simple octapeptide. Thus, the whole N-terminal segment of prion protein due to cooperative effects, could be more effective in binding of Cu(II) than simple peptides containing a His residue. The gain of the Cu(II) binding by longer octarepeat peptides derives from the involvement of up to four imidazoles in the coordination of the first Cu(II) ion. This type of binding increases the order of the peptide structure, which allows successive metal ions for easier coordination.     

Gas-Phase Hydration Thermochemistry of Sodiated and Potassiated Nucleic Acid Bases

Hydration reactions of sodiated and potassiated nucleic acid bases (uracil, thymine, cytosine, and adenine) produced by electrospray have been studied in a gas phase using the pulsed ion-beam high-pressure mass spectrometer. The thermochemical properties, ΔH ( o ) ( n ), ΔS ( o ) ( n ), and ΔG ( o ) ( n ), for the hydrated systems were obtained from hydration equilibrium measurement. The structural aspects of the hydrated complexes are discussed in conjunction with available literature data. The correlation between water binding energies in the hydrated complexes and the corresponding metal ion affinities of nucleobases suggests that a significant (if not dominant) amount of the canonical structure of cytosine undergoes tautomerization during electrospray ionization, and the thermochemical values for cationized cytosine probably correspond to a mixture of tautomeric complexes.