Mechanisms of selenium-mediated protection from photocarcinogenesis and cell death are not solely p53-dependent

Recent studies published in Oncogene and Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA ascribe a role for selenium, acting through wild type p53, in protecting skin cells in culture from ultraviolet radiation-induced death. While selenium clearly protects cells against ultraviolet radiation-induced death, data that we present and discuss in this letter shows that wild type p53 is not required for such protection. Moreover the non-physiologically high levels of selenium used in some studies leads us to question the relevance of such effects for selenium-induced photoprotection.     

Aggregation control by homologous tripodal tetradentate amino acid ligands in oxo-bridged diiron(III) aquo complexes

Isoelectronic oxo-bridged diiron(III) aquo complexes of the homologous tripodal tetradentate amino acid ligands, N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-3-aminoacetate (bpg(-)) and N,N'-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-3-aminopropionate (bpp(-)), containing [(H(2)O)Fe(III)-(mu-O)-Fe(III)(H(2)O)](4+) cores, oligomerise, respectively, by dehydration and deprotonation, or by dehydration only, in reversible reactions. In the solid state, [Fe(2)(O)(bpp)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (1(ClO(4))(2)) exhibits stereochemistry identical to that of [Fe(2)(O)(bpg)(2)(H(2)O)(2)](ClO(4))(2) (2(ClO(4))(2)), with the ligand carboxylate donor oxygen atoms and the water molecules located cis to the oxo bridge and the tertiary amine group trans to it. Despite their structural similarity, 1(2+) and 2(2+) display markedly different aggregation behaviour in solution. In the absence of significant water, 1(2+) dehydrates and dimerises to give the tetranuclear complex, [Fe(4)(O)(2)(bpp)(4)](ClO(4))(4) (3(ClO(4))(4)), in which the carboxylate groups of the four bpp(-) ligands act as bridging groups between two [Fe(2)(O)(bpp)(2)](2+) units. Under similar conditions, 2(2+) dehydrates and deprotonates to form dinuclear and trinuclear oligomers, [Fe(2)(O)(OH)(bpg)(2)](ClO(4)) (4ClO(4)) and [Fe(3)(O)(2)(OH)(bpg)(3)](ClO(4)) (5(ClO(4))), related by addition of 'Fe(O)(bpg)' units. The trinuclear 5(ClO(4)), characterised crystallographically as two solvates 5(ClO(4)).3H(2)O and 5(ClO(4)).2MeOH, is based on a hexagonal [Fe(3)(O)(2)(OH)(bpg)(3)](+) unit, formally containing one hydroxo and two oxo bridges. The different aggregation behaviour of 1(ClO(4))(2) and 2(ClO(4))(2) results from the difference of one methylene group in the pendant carboxylate arms of the amino acid ligands.     

Mechanisms for surface energy changes observed in plasma immersion ion implanted polyethylene: The roles of free radicals and oxygen-containing groups

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) was modified by plasma immersion ion implantation (PIII) with nitrogen ions of 20 keV. Surface energy and structural transformations were observed during storage of the modified LDPE in air after PIII, by wettability measurements and FTIR-ATR spectra respectively. The appearance of oxygen-containing groups has some kinetic stages with characteristic times from hours to days. The surface energy values attained and comparison with the kinetics of oxidation reveal that the initial changes in the surface energy of LDPE are caused mainly by free radicals and to a lesser extent by oxygen-containing groups. The final surface energies observed after the process known as hydrophobic recovery and the surface energies stabilize are attributable to oxygen-containing groups. The modified surface is “living” and an investigation of the wettability, surface energy, unsaturated and oxygen-containing groups in the surface layer of ion beam modified polymers is incomplete if the kinetics of structural transformations after modification is not taken into account.     

Syntheses, structures, and properties of copper(II) complexes of bis(2-pyridylmethyl) derivatives of o-, m-, and p-phenylenediamine and aniline

Copper(II) complexes of the ligand 1,n-bis[bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino]benzene with n = 2-4 (1,n-tpbd) and its mononuclear derivative bis(2-pyridylmethyl)aniline (phbpa) were synthesized and structurally characterized. Magnetic measurements and DFT calculations were performed on [CuCl2(phbpa)], [Cu2Cl4(1,3-tpbd)], [(Cu2Cl2(ClO4)(1,3-tpbd))Cl(Cu2Cl2(OH2)(1,3-tpbd))](ClO4)2, and [Cu2(OH2)2(S2O6)(1,3-tpbd)]S2O6, and the exchange-polarization mechanism was successfully demonstrated.     

1,2‐Bis[(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]ethane and its dimorphic hydrochloride salt

Although having been described as a liquid in the literature for 41 years, 1,2‐bis[(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]ethane, C₁₄H₁₆N₂S₂, (I), has now been obtained as monoclinic crystals via a new and convenient method of purification. Molecules of (I) are located on crystallographic inversion centres and are held together by C—H...N and C—H...S interactions, resulting in the formation of a three‐dimensional network structure. In addition, two polymorphs of the corresponding hydrochloride salt, 2‐[({2‐[(pyridin‐1‐ium‐2‐ylmethyl)sulfanyl]ethyl}sulfanyl)methyl]pyridin‐1‐ium dichloride, C₁₄H₁₈N₂S₂²⁺·2Cl⁻, (II) and (III), have been isolated. Molecules of (II) and (III) have similar conformations and are located on inversion centres. Both polymorphs form three‐dimensional networks through N—H...Cl, C—H...Cl and C—H...S interactions. The structure of (III) displays voids of 35 ų.     

Azo group-assisted nucleophilic aromatic substitutions in haloarene derivatives: preparation of substituted 1-iodo-2,6-bispropylthiobenzenes

Aryldiazo substituents were used in nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions of halogens. The Ph-N=N- group activates ortho fluorine atoms toward alkylthiolation under mild conditions. In contrast, the Me(2)N-C(6)H(4)-N=N- group has virtually no activation effect in nucleophilic aromatic substitution, and serves as a "neutral" mask for the amino group. The Ph-N=N- group was efficiently introduced by diazo coupling of aryllithium with dry PhN(2)(+)BF(4)(-) salt.     

Reversible Guest Binding in a Non‐Porous FeII Coordination Polymer Host Toggles Spin Crossover

Formation of either a dimetallic compound or a 1 D coordination polymer of adiponitrile adducts of [Fe(bpte)]²⁺ (bpte=[1,2‐bis(pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)thio]ethane) can be controlled by the choice of counteranion. The iron(II) atoms of the bis(adiponitrile)‐bridged dimeric complex [Fe₂(bpte)₂(μ₂‐(NC(CH₂)₄CN)₂](SbF₆)₄ ( 2 ) are low spin at room temperature, as are those in the polymeric adiponitrile‐linked acetone solvate polymer {[Fe(bpte)(μ₂‐NC(CH₂)₄CN)](BPh₄)₂ ? Me₂CO} ( 3? Me₂CO). On heating 3? Me₂CO to 80 °C, the acetone is abruptly removed with an accompanying purple to dull lavender colour change corresponding to a conversion to a high‐spin compound. Cooling reveals that the desolvate 3 shows hysteretic and abrupt spin crossover (SCO) S=0?S=2 behaviour centred at 205 K. Non‐porous 3 can reversibly absorb one equivalent of acetone per iron centre to regenerate the same crystalline phase of 3? Me₂CO concurrently reinstating a low‐spin state.     

Next‐Generation D2‐Symmetric Chiral Porphyrins for Cobalt(II)‐Based Metalloradical Catalysis: Catalyst Engineering by Distal Bridging

Novel D₂‐symmetric chiral amidoporphyrins with alkyl bridges across two chiral amide units on both sides of the porphyrin plane (designated “HuPhyrin”) have been effectively constructed in a modular fashion to permit variation of the bridge length. The Co^II complexes of HuPhyrin, [Co(HuPhyrin)], represent new‐generation metalloradical catalysts where the metal‐centered d‐radical is situated inside a cavity‐like ligand with a more rigid chiral environment and enhanced hydrogen‐bonding capability. As demonstrated with cyclopropanation and aziridination as model reactions, the bridged [Co(HuPhyrin)] functions notably different from the open catalysts, exhibiting significant enhancement in both reactivity and stereoselectivity. Furthermore, the length of the distal alkyl bridge can have a remarkable influence on the catalytic properties.     

A procedure for sampling and analysis of air for energetics and related compounds

A procedure for the sampling and analysis of energetics and related compounds in the atmosphere is described. The basic procedure consists of the collection of air samples using sampling cartridges containing XAD-2 resin, extraction of the resin with isoamyl acetate, and an analysis of the extract using gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Modifications and additions to this procedure are discussed, such as the use of a prefilter before the resin sampler to collect particulates and the use of a mass selective detector to analyze for some propellant compounds of interest or for quantitative confirmation purposes. Two differing sizes of samplers are evaluated according to the air volumes required for collection. The procedure is tested through the analysis of spiked resin samples, which had air pulled through them for periods of time corresponding with the required sampling volumes. This procedure has application toward the measurement of energetic residues in atmospheres resulting from weapons testing and operations during training exercises involving munitions.