Spectroscopic studies on the effect of temperature on pH-induced folded states of human serum albumin

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a very important multi-domain transporter protein in the circulatory system responsible for carriage of various kinds of ligands within the physiological system. HSA is also known to undergo conformational transformation at different pH(s) and temperatures. In this report we have studied the binding interactions of a photosensitizing drug, protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) with various conformers of HSA at different temperatures using picosecond time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. Also, using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy we have followed the structural transition of various conformers of HSA at different temperatures. Ensuring the intact binding of PPIX to various conformers of HSA at different temperatures as revealed through time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy decay and significant spectral overlap of emission of Trp214 residue (donor) in domain-IIA and absorption of PPIX (acceptor) bound to domain-IB of HSA, we have applied F?rster's resonance energy transfer (FRET) technique to determine the interdomain separation under various environmental conditions. The alkali-induced conformer of HSA shows almost no change in donor-acceptor distance in contrast to the native and acid-induced conformers of HSA, which show a decrease in distance with increase in temperature. Through this study the non-covalently bound PPIX is shown to be an efficient FRET probe in reporting the different temperature-induced folded states of HSA in buffer solutions of widely differing pH values.     

LC–MS Simultaneous Determination of Itopride Hydrochloride and Domperidone in Human Plasma

A rapid, simple, sensitive and specific liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry method was developed and validated for simultaneous quantification of itopride hydrochloride and domperidone in human plasma. Both drugs were extracted by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and saturated borax solution. The chromatographic separation was performed on a reversed-phase C18 column with a mobile phase of water–methanol (2:98, v/v) containing 0.5% formic acid. The protonated analyte was quantitated in positive ionization by multiple reaction monitoring with a mass spectrometer. The assay exhibited linearity over the concentration range of 3.33–500 ng mL^?1 for itopride hydrochloride and 3.33–100 ng mL^?1 for domperidone in human plasma. The precursor to product ion transitions of m/z 359.1–72.3 and 426.0–147.2 were used to measure itopride hydrochloride and domperidone respectively. The method was found suitable for the analysis of plasma samples collected during phase 1 pharmacokinetics study of itopride HCl 50 mg and domperidone 20 mg in 12 healthy volunteers after single oral doses of the combination drug.     

Dioxomolybdenum(VI) and dioxotungsten(VI) complexes supported by an amido ligand

Stepwise addition of one equivalent of n-butyllithium and trimethylsilyl chloride to 2-tert-butylmercaptoaniline affords the new ligand 1-(Me3SiNH)-2-(t-BuS)C6H4 (LH), that reacts with one equivalent of butyllithium to its lithium salt LLi. Dioxodichloromolybdenum [MoO2Cl2] and dioxodichlorotungsten dimethoxyethane [WO2Cl2(dme)] react in tetrahydrofuran solution at low temperature with two equivalents LLi to monomeric dioxomolybdenum(VI) [MoO2L2] (1) and dioxotungsten(VI) complex [WO2L2] (2) employing two bidentate amido thioether ligands. The crystallographic determination of the molecular structures of 1 and 2 show evidence for M...S contacts. The reaction of [MoO2Cl2] with LLi in tetrahydrofuran solution at room temperature leads next to 1 to two compounds where silyl group migration from nitrogen to oxygen atoms occurs forming [Mo(=NL')2(OSiMe)2] (3) and [Mo(=NL')2(OSiMe3)L] (4, L' = N-2-t-BuSC6H4) as determined by NMR spectroscopy. Compound 4 was isolated in low yield and its molecular structure determined by X-ray crystallography. Higher yields of a bisimido complex can be obtained by the direct reaction of one equivalent of LLi with [Mo(NAr)2Cl2(dme)] (Ar = 2,6-Me2C6H4) forming [Mo(NAr)2LCl] (5).     

The unambiguous synthesis and NMR assignment of 4-alkoxy and 3-alkylquinazolines

Contrary to a number of reports, alkylations of the privileged 3,4-dihydroquinazoline scaffold provide N3-alkylated products, and not 4-alkoxyquinazolines. To correctly assign the structure, ¹³C NMR shifts of the –Z–CH_n– (Z=O, N) fragment are necessary; resonances in the 45–55 ppm range are indicative of N3-alkylation. Treatment of 3,4-dihydroquinazoline-4-one with p-TsCl afforded the N3-tosylated compound, whose reaction with an amine yielded the corresponding N3-alkyl derivative. A mechanism corroborated by ¹⁵N-labeling involving pyrimidine ring opening and recyclisation is proposed. Finally, the unambiguous preparation of 4-alkoxyquinazolines is described via treatment of 3,4-dihydroquinazoline-4-ones with PCl₅ followed by an alkoxide.     

Surfactant-induced aggregation patterns of thiazole orange: a photophysical study

The aggregation behavior of the DNA marker dye thiazole orange (TO), has been investigated in two types of surfactant assemblies, namely, premicelles/micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and pre reverse micelles/reverse micelles of sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulfosuccinate (AOT). In the case of an SDS/water system, absorption spectral changes of TO signify the formation of H-aggregates and H-dimers of the dye at premicellar concentrations, which subsequently convert to the monomeric form beyond the critical micellar concentration (cmc). Interestingly, the observed changes in the absorption and emission characteristics due to the surfactant-induced formation of H-aggregates/dimers of TO are found to be useful to estimate the surfactant concentration parameters for premicellar aggregation of SDS. In the case of an AOT/n-heptane system, similarly, H-aggregates/dimers are observed at low AOT concentrations, below the cmc. However, in this case, the H-dimers persist even beyond the cmc. This is attributed to the strong tendency of TO for self-aggregation and its favorable electrostatic interactions with the AOT head groups. With increasing water content in the AOT reverse micelles, the hydration of the dye leads to the conversion of H-dimers to the monomeric form. The steady-state fluorescence results are nicely corroborated with those from time-resolved fluorescence studies and demonstrate the interesting behavior of the surfactant-induced aggregation of TO dye.     

Solvent effects on the rate of thermolysis of lauroyl peroxide

Thermolysis of lauroyl peroxide in various organic solvents was studied. It was shown that the primary homolytic dissociation of the peroxide group is accompanied by secondary reactions of chain-induced decomposition. The reaction medium affects the rate of both the primary homolytic dissociation and secondary induced decomposition processes. Correlation equations between the rate constants of the reactions in study and the physicochemical parameters of the solvents were proposed.     

Intriguing H-aggregate and H-dimer formation of coumarin-481 dye in aqueous solution as evidenced from photophysical studies

Photophysical properties of coumarin-481 (C481) dye in aqueous solution show intriguing presence of multiple emitting species. Concentration and wavelength dependent fluorescence decays and time-resolved emission spectra and area-normalized emission spectra suggest the coexistence of dye monomers, dimers, and higher aggregates (mostly trimers) in the solution. Because of the efficient intramolecular charge transfer (ICT) state to twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) state conversion, the dye monomers show very short fluorescence lifetime of ~0.2 ns. Fluorescence lifetimes of dimers (~4.1 ns) and higher aggregates (~1.4 ns) are relatively longer due to steric constrain toward ICT to TICT conversion. Observed results indicate that the emission spectra of the aggregates are substantially blue-shifted compared to monomers, suggesting H-aggregation of the dye in the solution. Temperature-dependent fluorescence decays in water and time-resolved fluorescence results in water-acetonitrile solvent mixtures are also in support of the dye aggregation in the solution. Though dynamic light scattering studies could not recognize the dye aggregates in the solution due to their small size and low concentration, fluorescence up-conversion measurements show a relatively higher decay tail in water than in water-acetonitrile solvent mixture, in agreement with higher dye aggregation in aqueous solution. Time-resolved fluorescence results with structurally related non-TICT dyes, especially those of coumarin-153 dye, are also in accordance with the aggregation behavior of these dyes in aqueous solution. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the aggregation of coumarin dyes in aqueous solution. Present results are important because coumarin dyes are widely used as fluorescent probes in various microheterogeneous systems where water is always a solvent component, and the dye aggregation in these systems, if overlooked, can easily lead to a misinterpretation of the observed results.     

Fisetin Inhibits UVB‐induced Cutaneous Inflammation and Activation of PI3K/AKT/NFκB Signaling Pathways in SKH‐1 Hairless Mice

Solar ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation has been shown to induce inflammation, DNA damage, p53 mutations and alterations in signaling pathways eventually leading to skin cancer. In this study, we investigated whether fisetin reduces inflammatory responses and modulates PI3K/AKT/NFκB cell survival signaling pathways in UVB‐exposed SKH‐1 hairless mouse skin. Mice were exposed to 180 mJ cm^?2 of UVB radiation on alternate days for a total of seven exposures, and fisetin (250 and 500 nmol) was applied topically after 15 min of each UVB exposure. Fisetin treatment to UVB‐exposed mice resulted in decreased hyperplasia and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells. Fisetin treatment also reduced inflammatory mediators such as COX‐2, PGE₂ as well as its receptors (EP1–EP4) and MPO activity. Furthermore, fisetin reduced the level of inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL‐1β and IL‐6 in UVB‐exposed skin. Fisetin treatment also reduced cell proliferation markers as well as DNA damage as evidenced by increased expression of p53 and p21 proteins. Further studies revealed that fisetin inhibited UVB‐induced expression of PI3K, phosphorylation of AKT and activation of the NFκB signaling pathway in mouse skin. Overall, these data suggest that fisetin may be useful against UVB‐induced cutaneous inflammation and DNA damage.     

Use of Uracil Thin Layer for Measuring Biologically Effective UV Dose

Abstract— Dimerization of uracil monomers in a polycrystalline state by UV radiation changes the absorption characteristics of a thin layer of the material. The change in optical density, measured by spectrophotometry in the250–400 nm range, as a function of the exposure time is evaluated in terms of the biologically effective UV dose. A statistical evaluation of a great number of uracil dosimeters irradiated with a TL01 lamp from Philips establishes the possibility of evaluating the biologically effective UV dose using a uracil dosimeter. Nonlinear regression procedures were introduced to correct the absorption spectra for contributions due to light scattering and to determine the optical density values required to calculate the UV dose expressed in H^Uunits. Comparison of cumulative daily doses and long-term monitoring measured by the uracil thin-layer dosimeter and a phage T7 dosimeter are given, which allow the determination of conversion factors between various biological dosimeters under different irradiation conditions.     

Application of nanosized zeolites in methanol conversion processes: A short review

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