Comparing the catalytic efficiency of ring substituted 1-hydroxybenzotriazoles as laccase mediators

A series of ring substituted 1-hydroxybenzotriazoles (6-X-HBTs) have been tested as mediators in the laccase-promoted oxidation of 4-methoxybenzyl alcohol, 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol, and the dimeric lignin model 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-phenoxyethanol. The effect of the aryl substituents on the yields of oxidation products is remarkable. The catalytic mediation efficiency increases as the electron releasing (ER) properties of the substituent increases up to a maximum value for 6-CH₃-HBT, which resulted a very efficient mediator. Both the oxidation of the 6-X-HBTs to the N-oxyl radicals (6-X-BTNO) by laccase and the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) process from the benzylic C–H to the 6-X-BTNO contribute to the overall reactivity. The former process is favored by ER substituents that lower the mediator redox potentials. On the other hand, ER substituents decrease the 6-X-BTNO reactivity in the HAT process due to a decrease in the NO–H BDE value, as assessed in this study through a radical equilibration technique.     

Sterol oxidation in meat- and fish-based homogenized baby foods containing vegetable oils

Sterol oxidation was evaluated in commercial meat- and fish-based homogenized baby foods containing vegetable oil. Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) was used for the analytical determination of 7-ketocholesterol and 7-ketositosterol, which were chosen as markers of sterol oxidation in lipids of animal origin and vegetable origin, respectively. Cholestanetriol was also quantified, because its negative effects on atherogenesis and other biological processes are well known. In meat-based samples, the levels of 7-ketocholesterol and 7-ketositosterol were 22-89 and 11-40 microg/serving, respectively, whereas the cholestanetriol levels were 7-38 microg/serving. The 7-ketocholesterol/cholesterol percent ratio was characteristic of each kind of meat and related to the levels of unsaturated fatty acids of animal lipids. In fish-based samples, the cholestanetriol and 7-ketocholesterol levels per serving were significantly lower than in meat samples, but in fish fillets they were about 20-25%, instead of 40%, of the ingredients. The values of the 7-ketocholesterol/cholesterol percent ratio in fish-based products were close to the values computed for chicken or turkey-based products. The detected values of cholestanetriol showed that the addition of vegetable oil enhances the development of the indirect bimolecular pathway of cholesterol oxidation, which was even more favorable in fish-based products.     

One- and two-photon absorption and emission properties of a Zn(II) chemosensor

This paper presents the synthesis and two photon-induced absorption (TPA) properties of a functionalized distyrylbenzene (DSB) 1 containing a tetra-azacyclododecane (cyclen) receptor for Zn(II). The influence of Zn(II) on one- and two-photon absorption characteristics of 1 has been investigated in dimethyl sulfoxide. The experiments show that the TPA action spectrum of uncomplexed 1, at 750 nm employing nanosecond-long excitation pulses, is 5 times more intense than that of the complexed form. This moderate contrast between the bound and unbound species confirms, however, the potential of this design scheme for the development of molecular structures with enhanced sensitivity and contrast to be used as Zn(II) sensors through TPA-induced fluorescence microscopy.     

Sequential unsymmetrical aryl coupling of o-substituted aryl iodides with o-bromophenols and reaction with olefins: palladium-catalyzed synthesis of 6H-dibenzopyran derivatives

Dibenzopyran derivatives are prepared by palladium- and norbornene-catalyzed reaction of aryl iodides, o-substituted with electron-releasing substituents, o-bromophenols, and activated alkenes.     

Measuring bank contagion in Europe using binary spatial regression models

The recent European sovereign debt crisis clearly illustrates the importance of measuring the contagion effects of bank failures. Indeed, to better understand and monitor contagion risk, the European Central Bank has assumed the supervision of the largest banks in each of the member states. We propose a measure of contagion risk based on the spatial autocorrelation parameter of a binary spatial autoregressive model. Using different specifications of the interbank connectivity matrix, we estimate the contagion parameter for banks within the Eurozone, between 1996 and 2012. We provide evidence of high levels of systemic risk due to contagion during the European sovereign debt crisis.     

The Problem of Generalized D-Stability in Unbounded LMI Regions and Its Computational Aspects

Journal of Dynamics and Differential Equations - We generalize the concepts of D-stability and additive D-stability of matrices. For this, we consider a family of unbounded regions defined in terms...     

Novel Chitosan-Based Schiff Base Compounds: Chemical Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity

Chitosan (CS) and its derivatives are receiving considerable attention for their great biocompatibility and broad-spectrum activities in many fields. In this work, we aimed to characterize the antimicrobial activity of novel chitosan Schiff bases (CSSB). CS was synthesized by double deacetylation of chitin (Cn) after its extraction from the armors of crustaceans Astacus leptodactylus, and CSSB-1 and CSSB-2 were synthesized by interaction of CS with 4-(2-chloroethyl) benzaldehyde (aldehyde-1) and 4-(bromoethyl) benzaldehyde (aldehyde-2), respectively, at room temperature. The synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) bacteria and against yeasts (Candida albicans) was significantly increased due to their higher solubility as compared to unmodified CS opening perspectives for the use of these compounds for antimicrobial prevention in different fields as, for example, food industry, cosmetics, or restoration.     

Protolytic equilibria in aqueous sodium deoxycholate solutions

Protolytic equilibria taking place in aqueous solutions of sodium deoxycholate (DCNa) have been studied at 25°C using 0.5M NaCl as ionic medium. Electromotive force measurements of a galvanic cell were carried out by means of a glass electrode.The reagent necessary to change the acidity of the solutions was produced in situ by supplying a constant small current.Solubility and acid constant of deoxycholic acid (HDC) have been determined for the chosen experimental conditions. Experimental data obtained in less acid solutions have been explained by assuming the presence of the species H(DC)₂. The relative stability constant has been determined. At higher deoxycholate concentration the presence of a polymeric micellar species has been assumed.

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Protolytische Gleichgewichte in wäßrigen Natriumdesoxycholat-Lösungen

Zusammenfassung Die Protonierung von Natrium-Desoxycholat (DCNa) in wäßrigen Lösungen mit 0.5M NaCl wurde bei 25°C mit Hilfe von E.M.K. Messungen mit einer Glaselektrode untersucht.Das notwendige Reagens für die Umwandlung der Säure in den untersuchten Lösungen wurde in situ durch einen konstanten schwachen Strom erzeugt.Löslichkeit und Dissoziationkonstante von Desoxycholsäure (HDC) wurden unter den gewählten experimentellen Bedingungen bestimmt. Die experimentellen Daten in schwach sauren Lösungen konnten mit der Annahme der Existenz von H(DC)₂ erklärt werden. Die entsprechende Konstante wurde bestimmt. Zur Erklärung der Daten in stärker konzentrierten Lösungen von Desoxycholat ist die Annahme einer polynuklearen Spezies nötig.

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Symbols H analytical excess of hydrogenions, if negative it corresponds to OH^–; - h free concentration of hydrogen ions; - A total concentration of deoxycholate; - a free concentration of deoxycholate; - K _a acid constant of deoxycholic acid (HDC) defined as follows: [HDC]K _a =ha; - _q,p stability constant of a speciesH _p (DC) _q defined as follows: [H _p (DC) _q ]= _q,p h ^p a ^q ; - C ⁰ solubility of HDC; - formation function representing the average number of H⁺ bonded to deoxycholate.