Synthesis and antitumor activities of mitomycin C (1----3)-beta-D-glucan conjugate.

The conjugate of mitomycin C (MMC) with linear (1----3)-beta-D-glucan from Alcaligenes faecalis var. myxogenes IFO 13140 was synthesized and its antitumor activities investigated. The conjugate (MMC-carboxymethylated linear (1----3)-beta-D-glucan (CMPS)) was obtained by treatment of CMPS with MMC in the presence of 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide. In vitro cytotoxicity of MMC-CMPS against L1210 leukemia cells was similar to that of MMC. In i.p.-i.p. system in vivo against P388 leukemia in mice, the maximum increase of MMC-CMPS conjugate in life span (ILSmax) was higher than that of MMC but the therapeutic index was reduced. However, the antitumor activity of MMC-CMPS conjugate against subcutaneously implanted sarcoma 180 solid tumor in mice by i.p. administration was similar to that of MMC at a dose of 1.5 mg eq MMC/kg/d x 7 and the reduction of the number of leukocytes caused by MMC was suppressed by attaching MMC to CMPS. In addition, on assay using serum of sarcoma 180 solid tumor-bearing mice with injection of MMC-CMPS conjugate, a drastic loss of tumor cells and an increase in polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were observed. This result suggested that MMC-CMPS conjugate induced tumor-regressing factor similar to CMPS.     

Application of solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterize intermediates in a joint solar-microbial process for total mineralization of Aroclor 1254

A combined solid-phase microextraction-GC-MS analytical technique was used to monitor the formation of metabolites in the biodegradation of biphenyl, which were originally obtained from the solar photodechlorination of Aroclor 1254 by Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes KF707 and Burkholderia sp LB400. In both cases, the following metabolites were detected: 2-hydroxybiphenyl (2-OH-BP), 2,3-dihydroxybiphenyl (2,3-di-OH-BP), and benzoic acid, which was detected as its benzoate derivative 1-methylethylbenzoate. A time course study for the formation and disappearance of these metabolites was used to construct a degradation pathway, which in both cases, involved the formation of 2-OH-BP and 2,3-di-OH-BP.     

Evaluation of parameters critical to observing proteins inside living Escherichia coli by in-cell NMR spectroscopy

Our recently developed in-cell NMR procedure now enables one to observe protein conformations inside living cells. Optimization of the technique demonstrates that distinguishing the signals produced by a single protein species depends critically on protein overexpression levels and the correlation time in the cytoplasm. Less relevant is the selective incorporation of (15)N. Poorly expressed proteins, insoluble proteins, and proteins that cannot tumble freely due to associations within the cell cannot yet be observed. We show in-cell NMR spectra of bacterial NmerA and human calmodulin and discuss limitations of the technique as well as prospects for future applications.     

Pulsed photothermal phase-shift spectroscopy for weak absorption measurement

A novel photothermal phase-shift spectroscopy configuration based on the retro-reflected beam interference has been developed and its operational principle is described. The weak absorption measurement ability of this technique is experimentally proven with a water/ethanol solution of standard Pyronine G dye and the limit of detection is found to be 1.8 x 10(-6) absorbance. Potential applications of the technique are discussed.     

Alpha-induced reactions on natural erbium

Stacks of natural erbium were bombared with -particles with energie of 85 MeV. Cumulative cross sections for the productions of different nuclei were measured using -ray spectroscopy. The data are compared with the theoretical predictions provided by the equilibrium and preequilibrium reaction model.     

Resolution of a paradox in the electrophoresis of DNA in agarose gels

A paradox was observed in a previous study of the electrophoresis of linear DNA fragments in agarose gels (D. L. Holmes and N. C. Stellwagen, Electrophoresis 1990, 11, 5-15). The pore size of the agarose matrix was more accurately determined if the root-mean-square radius of gyration was used to measure DNA macromolecular size. However, the Ogston equations were obeyed and other gel parameters such as the apparent fiber radius and fiber volume appeared to be better described if the geometric mean radius was used to measure DNA size. This paradox can be resolved if relative mobilities (with respect to the smallest DNA molecule in the data set) are used to construct the Ferguson plots, instead of absolute mobilities. Using relative mobilities and the root-mean-square radius of gyration, the Ogston equations are obeyed and the pore size of the matrix is consistent with values determined by other methods.     

Dehydrogenation of propane on aluminoplatinum catalysts modified with Re,Zr, Sc,and Sn

The effect of addition of Re, Zr, Sc, and Sn on an aluminoplatinum catalyst in the reaction of dehydrogenation of propane was investigated. It was shown that addition of 0.2–0.5% Zr, Sc, or Re virtually does not alter the catalytic properties of the aluminoplatinum catalyst (APC); addition of 0.2% Sn increases the activity, selectivity, and stability of Pt/Al₂O₃. The amount of coke deposited on the APC after the first 5 min of work decreases by three times in the presence of Sn. The coke is more enriched with hydrogen than the other systems formed on the surface of Pt-Sn/Al₂O₃.Deceased.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 765–771, April, 1991.