Ultraviolet difference spectroscopic study on the interactions of cellulase fromTrichoderma reesei with cellodextrins

The formation of cellodextrin-cellobiohydrolase complex was studied by ultraviolet difference spectroscopy. Upon the binding of cellodextrins (G₇‐G₃), cellobiohydrolase (EC 3.2.1.91) purified fromTrichoderma reesei produced difference spectra having maxima at 289‐293 nm and 283‐286 nm. These spectra are consistent with prior observations reported for lysozyme and amylase. In this case, water soluble cellulose oligomers (i.e., cellodextrins) are shown to interact with tryptophan residue(s) on cellobiohydrolase. The difference spectral maxima observed at acidic or alkaline pH were shifted. This was accompanied by a marked decrease of binding ability of cellobiohydrolase for cellodextrins. The standard free energy change for the association of cellodextrins to the cellobiohydrolase was an order of 4 kcal/gmol. The association constant of enzyme for substrate decreases by 15‐20% as temperature increases from 20 to 48°C. At 25°C, the dissociation constants for the enzyme with respect to cellohexose and cellotriose were estimated to be 1.19 and 1.37 mM, respectively. A decrease in dissociation constants was observed with an increase in the number of glucosyl units from 3 to 6. This suggests that there may be six or more subsites in the active center of cellobiohydrolase.     

High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance studies of urine from asphyxiated newborn infants

High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to study human urine obtained from 10 normal babies and twenty babies with various degrees of neonatal asphyxia, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), and meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). All sick babies showed different degrees of oxygen deficiency, indicated by an obvious increase of the lactate signal level in the urine spectra. Changes in the concentration of other urinary metabolites produced from the citric acid cycle were also observed. In extremely serious cases, the signals of some of the major components, including citrate, α-ketoglutarate, and succinate, simply disappeared. The spectra of urine, serum, and CSF of an infant suffering from SIDS showed common characteristics of the metabolites.     

Effects of Ligand Chain Length and Terminal N-Alkylation on the Protonation Constants and Stability Constants of Some Transition Metal Complexes of Linear Tetraaza and Pentaaza Ligands

A number of terminal N-alkylated linear tetraaza and pentaaza ligands were prepared. Their ligand protonation constants and some transition and post-transition metal (Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cd²⁺) complex stability constants were determined by potentiometric titration methods. In general, methylation and ethylation at the terminal nitrogen atoms caused the corresponding ligand nitrogen basicity to increase; however, the corresponding metal complex stabilities were decreased compared to the non-alkylated structural analogs, presumably due to a steric effect.     

Effect of the organophosphate structure on the physical and flame‐retardant properties of an epoxy resin

2‐(6‐Oxido‐6H‐dibenzo〈c,e〉〈1,2〉oxa‐phosphorin‐6‐yl)1,4‐benzenediol (ODOPB) and bis(3‐dihydroxyphenyl) phenyl phosphate (BHPP) were successfully synthesized and used as reactive flame retardants in o‐cresol formaldehyde novolac epoxy resin. Because of the rigid, cyclic, side‐chain structure of ODOPB, the resultant phosphorus‐containing epoxy resin exhibited a higher glass‐transition temperature, better flame retardancy, higher modulus, and greater thermal stability than the regular bromine‐containing tetrabromobisphenol A epoxy resin and the linear, main‐chain, phosphorus‐containing BHPP epoxy resin. A UL‐94VO rating was achieved with a phosphorus content as low as 1.1% with ODOPB (comparable to a bromine content of 12% and a phosphorus content of 2.2% with BHPP) in the cured resins, and no fumes or toxic gas emissions were observed. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 369–378, 2002     

Theoretical Studies of Distyrylbenzene and its Optical Properties

The electronic and geometrical properties of distyrylbenzene (DSB) are investigated by using chemistry theoretical calculation methods. Specifically, the excited state properties are studied by performing ab initio correlation interaction singlet (CIS) and time‐dependent density functional theory; the ground state and Raman activities are computed by density functional theory with the B3LYP method. Eight conformers of distyrylbenzene are found and they are derived from three isomers which are cis, cis‐, cis, trans‐, and trans, trans‐, respectively. The relative energy shows that each isomer of three types is separated with a large energy barrier, but a small energy difference of each conformer is found if they are in the same type. The transition state also shows the barrier between conformers is lower than isomers. The computed excited transition energies using ZINDO/S based on the optimized geometries at a DFT/B3LYP level with 6–31+G show an excellent agreement with experimental absorption spectra.     

Reactivity of [Te6Fe8(CO)24]2− and Its Conversion to [Te4Fe5(CO)14]2−

Whereas reaction of [PhCH₂NMe₃]₂|Te₆Fe₈(CO)₂₄] (1) in refluxing CH₂CI₂ forms Fe₂(CO)₆(μ0-) TeCH₂Te), treatment of 1 with Ph₂SnCl ₂ or Mel gave the oxidation product Te₂Fe₃(CO)₉. Oxidation of 1 with [Cu(CH₃CN)₄]BF₄ afforded Te₂Fe₃(CO)₉ in good yield. Cluster 1 was converted to [PhCH₂NMe₃][Te₄Fe₅(CO)₁₄] (2) in MeOH/CH₂Cl₂ solution. Cluster 2 was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and spectral methods. Complex 2 is composed of two Te₂Fe₂(CO)₆ fragments linked by one Fe(CO)₂ group. 2 crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn with a = 13.351 (4) Å, b = 13.417 (4) Å, c = 26.077 (3) Å, V = 4671 (2) Å ₃, Z = 4.     

Simultaneous determination of arsenic and antimony species in environmental samples using bis(trifluoroethyl)dithiocarbamate chelation and supercritical fluid chromatography.

Simultaneous separation and quantitation of arsenic(III) and antimony(III) can be achieved by extraction with lithium bis(trifluoroethyl)dithiocarbamate followed by supercritical fluid chromatographic (SFC) analysis. Arsenic(V) and antimony(V) are extracted after reduction with potassium iodide and sodium thiosulfate. Detection limits of 7 pg As and 11 pg Sb are achieved using this extraction method and SFC. Application to natural water and biological sample analysis is discussed.     

Syntheses of oxazabicycle library via one-pot tandem reactions

A practical protocol for the preparation of a parallel solution-phase library of oxazabicycle is reported. Target compounds were obtained in moderate to good yields by a Yb(OTf)3-catalyzed one-pot tandem reaction from various anisidines, aromatic aldehydes, isobutyraldehyde, and 4-hydroxycoumarins/dimedone. Purification of the final products by either recrystallization in ethyl acetate/methylene chloride or column chromatography allowed easy isolation of the 18 components of the array.     

Mixed-valence tetra- and hexanuclear manganese complexes from the flexibility of pyridine-containing beta-diketone ligands

The reactions of [Mn3O(O2CCCl3)6(H2O)3] with 1-phenyl-3-(2-pyridyl)propane-1,3-dione (HL(1)) and 1-(2-pyridly)-3-(p-tolyl)propane-1,3-dione (HL(2)) in CH2Cl2 afford the mixed-valence Mn(II)2Mn(III)2 tetranuclear complexes [Mn4O(O2CCCl3)6(L(1))2] (1) and [Mn4O(O2CCCl3)6L2(2)] (2), respectively. Similar reactions employing [Mn3O(O2CPh)6(H2O)(py)2] with HL(1) and HL(2) give the Mn(II)3Mn(III)3 hexanuclear complexes [Mn6O2(O2CPh)8(L(1))3] (3) and [Mn6O2(O2CPh)8L3(2)] (4), respectively. Complexes 1.2CH2Cl2, 2.2CH2Cl2.H2O, 3.1.5CH2Cl2.Et2O.H2O, and 4.2CH2Cl2 crystallize in the triclinic space group P1, monoclinic space group P2(1)/c, monoclinic space group P2 1/ n, and monoclinic space group P2(1)/n, respectively. Complexes 1 and 2 consist of a trapped-valence tetranuclear core of [Mn(II)2Mn(III)2(mu4-O)](8+), and complexes 3 and 4 represent a new structural type, possessing a [Mn(II)3Mn(III)3(mu4-O)2](11+) core. The magnetic data indicate that complexes 3 and 4 have a ground-state spin value of S = 7/2 with significant magnetoanisotropy as gauged by the D values of -0.51 cm (-1) and -0.46 cm (-1), respectively, and frequency-dependent out-of-phase signals in alternating current magnetic susceptibility studies indicate their superparamagnetic behavior. In contrast, complexes 1 and 2 are low-spin molecules with an S = 1 ground state. Single-molecule magnetism behavior confirmed for 3 the presence of sweep-rate and temperature-dependent hysteresis loops in single-crystal M versus H studies at temperatures down to 40 mK.     

Challenges in quantum dot-neuron active interfacing

Semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (qdots) are now being explored in applications requiring active cellular interfaces, such as biosensing and therapeutics in which information is passed from the qdot to the biological system, or vice versa, to perform a function. These applications may require surface coating chemistry that is different from what is commonly employed for passive interface applications like labeling (i.e., thick polymer coatings such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)), in which the only concern is nonspecific sticking to cells and biocompatibility. The thick insulating coatings that are generally needed for labeling are generally not suitable for active qdot-cell interface applications. There is currently little data regarding the interactions between viable cells and qdots under physiological conditions. Our initial investigations using mercaptoacetic acid-coated CdS and CdTe qdots as a simple model to interface with neuron cell surface receptors under physiological conditions uncovered two significant technological hurdles: nonspecific binding and endocytosis. Nonspecific binding can be extensive and in general there appears to be greater nonspecific binding for larger particle sizes, but this also depends sensitively on the particle surface characteristics and the type of neuron, possibly indicating a detailed relationship between particle-cell affinity and cell membrane chemistry. More importantly, qdot endocytosis occurs rapidly at physiological temperature for the different nerve cell types studied, within the first five minutes of exposure to both CdS and CdTe qdots, regardless of whether the molecular coatings specifically recognize cell surface receptors or not. As a consequence, new strategies for tagging cell surface recognition groups for long-term active interfacing with cells under physiological conditions are needed, which requires more sophisticated ligands than MAA but also the absence of thick insulating coatings.