Detection and quantitation of a pheomelanin component in melanin pigments using pyrolysis–gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry system with multiple reaction monitoring mode

Here, we describe the reliable method for the detection and quantitation of a pheomelanin component in melanin pigments. Synthetic melanins with various contents of pheomelanin‐type structural units were thermally degraded, and the multiple reaction monitoring mode was applied to detect the pheomelanin markers in the pyrolysates by GC/MS/MS. The method allowed the specific detection and quantitation of a pheomelanin component in melanin with the incorporation of pheomelanin‐type units as low as 0.05%. Considering highly universal character of the pheomelanin markers, the method could be applied for structural studies of natural melanin pigments being mixtures of eumelanin and pheomelanin. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structural and Adsorptive Characteristics of Pyrocarbon/Silica Gel Si-60

Pyrocarbon/silica gel adsorbents (carbosils, CS) with mesoporous Si-60 (Merck, granule size 0.2–0.5 mm) modified by pyrolysis of CH₂Cl₂ at 823 K and reaction time from 0.5 to 6 h and then hydrothermally treated at 473 K for 6 h were studied by means of TEM, adsorption and ¹H NMR methods. Changes in the structural and adsorptive characteristics of hybrid adsorbents before and after hydrothermal treatment, which depend on pyrocarbon content (C _C), were analyzed on the basis of TEM micrographs and p-nitrophenol and nitrogen adsorption isotherms treated using a constrained regularization method. Interfacial water layers in aqueous suspension of CS were investigated by means of ¹H NMR with freezing-out of bulk water at T < 273 K showing nonlinear changes in the Gibbs free energy of interfacial water with increasing C _C because of nonlinear dependence of the structural characteristics of pyrocarbon deposits and CS as a whole on C _C.     

L-argininato copper(II) complexes in solution exert significant selective anticancer and antimicrobial activities

A search for new drugs that overcome the multidrug resistance of microorganisms or are effective against cancer cells prompted us to investigate the binary and ternary Cu(II) complexes containing L-arginine, [CuCl(L-Arg)(phen)]Cl·2H₂O (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) ( 1 ) and [Cu(L-Arg)₂(H₂O)]C₂O₄·6H₂O ( 2 ), for which crystal and molecular structures were characterized previously. In order to discuss the biological function, the complexes have been screened for their antitumor activity against A549 (human lung cancer cells), HepG2 (human liver hepatocellular carcinoma cells) and antimicrobial activity. To identify the complexes forms existing in the solutions of 1 and 2 crystals, the results obtained from EPR, NIR–Vis–UV and MS (mass spectrometry) measurements were correlated with those from analysis of potentiometric titration of Cu(II)―L-Arg and Cu(II)―L-Arg―phen systems. This comprehensive study indicated that the [Cu(L-Arg)(phen)]²⁺ and [Cu(L-Arg)₂]²⁺ species are dominant in the solution. Complexes 1 and 2 were found to present specific ligand-dependent cytotoxic and antiproliferative potential against cancer cells. They also show antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as display antifungal properties.     

In a Quest for Selectivity Paired with Activity: A Ruthenium Olefin Metathesis Catalyst Bearing an Unsymmetrical Phenanthrene-Based N-Heterocyclic Carbene

Robust, selective, and stable in the presence of ethylene, ruthenium olefin metathesis pre-catalyst, {[3-benzyl-1-(10-phenyl-9-phenanthryl)]-2-imidazolidinylidene}dichloro(o-isopropoxyphenylmethylene)ruthenium(II), Ru-3 , bearing an unsymetrical N-heterocyclic carbene (uNHC) ligand, has been synthesized. The initiation rate of Ru-3 was examined by ring-closing metathesis and cross-metathesis reactions with a broad spectrum of olefins, showing an unprecendented selectivity. It was also tested in industrially relevant ethenolysis reactions of olefinic substrates from renewable feedstock with very good yields and selectivities.     

Some thermodynamic aspects of nitrides in materials science

The energies of combustion in fluorine of gallium nitride and indium nitride in wurzite crystalline structure have been measured in a two-compartment calorimetric bomb, and new standard molar enthalpies of formation have been calculated: Δ_fH_m⁰(GaN(cr) 298.15 K)= –(163.7±4.2) kJ mol^–1 and Δ_fH_m⁰(InN(cr) 298.15 K)= –(146.5±4.6) kJ mol^–1 . Comparison with the recommended values of the Δ_fH_m⁰ nitrides from the literature is also presented.     

Photosensitized Damage Inflicted on Plasma Membranes of Live Cells by An Extracellular Generator of Singlet Oxygen—A Linear Dependence of A Lethal Dose on Light Intensity

We describe a study of the influence of a dose rate, i.e. light intensity or photon flux, on the efficiency of induction of a loss of integrity of plasma membranes of live cells in culture. The influence of a photon flux on the size of the light dose, which was capable of causing lethal effects, was measured in an experimental system where singlet oxygen was generated exclusively outside of live cells by ruthenium(II) phenantroline complex. Instantaneous, sensitive detection of a loss of integrity of a plasma membrane was achieved by fluorescence confocal imaging of the entry of this complex into a cell interior. We demonstrate that the size of the lethal dose of light is directly proportional to the intensity of the exciting light. Thus, the probability of a photon of the exciting light inflicting photosensitized damage on plasma membranes diminishes with increasing density of the incident photons.     

Photophysics,Excited‐state Double‐Proton Transfer and Hydrogen‐bonding Properties of 5‐Deazaalloxazines

The photophysical properties of 5‐deazaalloxazine and 1,3‐dimethyl‐5‐deazaalloxazine were studied in different solvents. These compounds have higher values of fluorescence quantum yields and longer fluorescence lifetimes, compared to those obtained for their alloxazine analogs. Electronic structure and S₀–S_i transitions were investigated using the ab initio methods [MP2, CIS(D), EOM‐CCSD] with the correlation‐consistent basis sets. Also the time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) has been employed. The lowest singlet excited states of 5‐deazaalloxazine and 1,3‐dimethyl‐5‐deazaalloxazine are predicted to have the π, π* character, whereas similar alloxazines have two close‐lying π, π* and n, π* transitions. Experimental steady‐state and time‐resolved spectral studies indicate formation of an isoalloxazinic excited state via excited‐state double‐proton transfer (ESDPT) catalyzed by an acetic acid molecule that forms a hydrogen bond complex with the 5‐deazaalloxazine molecule. Solvatochromism of both 5‐deazaalloxazine and its 1,3‐dimethyl substituted derivative was analyzed using the Kamlet–Taft scale and four‐parameter Catalán solvent scale. The most significant result of our studies is that the both scales show a strong influence of solvent acidity (hydrogen bond donating ability) on the emission properties of these compounds, indicating the importance of intermolecular solute–solvent hydrogen‐bonding interactions in their excited state.     

Effects of a Constant Magnetic Field on the Electrochemical Reactions of Quercetin

The paper presents a study of the effect of a constant magnetic field (CMF) on the basic processes of quercetin electrochemical reactions. According to the observation made in previous studies, the presence of a double bond in the C-ring of quercetin enhances the antioxidant properties of that compound, whereas the presence of −OH groups also affects the antioxidant properties. Using cyclic voltammetry it was found that the constant magnetic field improves the efficiency of quercetin electrooxidation, especially of the third stage of the process, i. e. the stage in which the oxidation of the OH groups in the A-ring is the most difficult. The use of HPLC confirmed the electrochemical measurements and the results of cyclic voltammetry studies. The beneficial effect of the magnetic field on the efficiency of quercetin oxidation was confirmed by the results of impedance spectroscopy measurements.     

The properties of gold catalysts precursors adsorbed on the MCM-41 materials modified with Mn and Fe oxides

Silica mesoporous materials modified with manganese and iron were obtained by the hydrothermal method. Gold was introduced to pure and modified silica materials by the direct hydrothermal and impregnation methods. Nitrogen adsorption/desorption studies evidenced formation of the materials with large total surface area and mesoporous structure. Unmodified silica materials showed regular pore arrangement. The uniform porous structure was distorted in the iron or manganese containing samples. XRD, UV-Vis/DRS spectroscopy and temperature programmed reduction studies revealed changes of the nature of transition metal oxide and gold species on the different preparation stages. The oxide species after drying were strongly dispersed and partially incorporated to the silica framework. High temperature treatment led to the formation of extraframework Mn and Fe oxide species. Complex processes of gold deposition were observed during hydrothermal synthesis and impregnation of modified silica materials. The increase of the size of gold species was observed during calcination. The presence of transition metal oxides decreased sintering of gold crystallites.