Reinvestigation of the Conformation of Cyclosporin A in Chloroform

New investigations of cyclosporin A in CDCl₃ have been performed to obtain additional and more accurate distance restraints than utilized in our previous studies of cyclosporin A. Build-up rates at 600 MHz using 6 different mixing times at low temperatures (252.5 K) were determined and transformed into distances using the two-spin approximation. With the new distance restraints in the MD simulations using the GROMOS package, we can unambiguously conclude the presence of a βII′-turn. The new structure resembles the X-ray structure more than the structure previously determined, especially regarding the orientation of the MeBmt side chain. In the new structure and in the solid state, the side chain is folded over the backbone (although there are substantial differences in the χ₁ torsion), in contrast to the old structure, where the side chain is extended away from the backbone.     

Rheological behavior and structural interpretation of waxy crude oil gels

A waxy crude oil which gels below a threshold temperature has been investigated under static and dynamic conditions, using a combination of rheological methods, optical microscopy, and DSC. Particular attention is given in this work to the influence of the mechanical history on gel strength and to describing the time-dependent rheological behavior. The gels display a strong dependence of the yield stress and moduli on the shear history, cooling rate, and stress loading rate. Of particular interest is the partial recovery of the gel structure after application of small stress or strain (much smaller than the critical values needed for flow onset) during cooling, which can be used to reduce the ultimate strength of the crude oil gel formed below the pour point. A second focus of this study is to further develop the physical interpretation of the mechanism by which wax crystallization produces gelation. Gelation of the waxy crude oil studied is suggested to be the result of the association between wax crystals, which produces an extended network structure, and it is shown that the system displays features common to attractive colloidal gels, for one of which, fumed silica (Aerosil 200) in paraffin oil, rheological data are reported. The colloidal gel model provides a simple and economical basis for explaining the response of the gelled oil to various mechanical perturbations and constitutes a fruitful basis from which to develop technologies for controlling the gelation phenomenon, as suggested by the rheological results reported.     

Novel binding of beryllium to dicarboxyimidazole-based model compounds and polymers

The ligand 4,5-dicarboxyimidazole (H(2)DCI) and its methyl derivative 1-methyl-4,5-dicarboxyimidazole (H(2)MDCI) have been shown to bind to Be(II) forming a zwitterionic species that has been structurally characterized. A new dicarboxyimidazole-based polymer has been prepared and its Be-binding properties have been studied using NMR ((1)H and (9)Be) and fluorescence spectroscopy; it represents a rare example of beryllium binding to a polymer. Models of the mononuclear and polymeric Be(II)-binding sites have been studied using density functional theory (DFT), and the (9)Be NMR chemical shifts of these model materials have been calculated for the purpose of direct comparison to experimentally observed values. Differences in the binding modes of the mononuclear and polymeric species are discussed.     

The assembly of organic radical anions between metal-borate scaffolds

Metal-organic frameworks based on the Pb[B(Im)(4)](+) unit form layered structures analogous to those observed in clays and double layered hydroxide minerals. These layers can act as scaffolds for the organization of anionic organic guests. In this report, we use this scaffold to assemble TEMPO and PROXYL carboxylates in the interlayer spacings of Pb[B(Im)(4)](4-carboxy-TEMPO) 1 and Pb[B(Im)(4)](3-carboxy-PROXYL)(H(2)O)2, respectively. The resultant materials are paramagnetic, and the organization of the radical units differs between the two compounds. This results in changes in electronic structure of the radical unit, as observed by EPR spectroscopy.     

Pressure-induced hydration at 0.6 GPa in a synthetic gallosilicate zeolite

The onset of pressure-induced hydration and volume expansion is lowered to 0.6 GPa via the increased flexibility of the host lattice using isomorphous substitution of Al by larger Ga in a sodium aluminosilicate natrolite.     

Synthesis and NMR studies of (13)C-labeled vitamin D metabolites

Isotope-labeled drug molecules may be useful for probing by NMR spectroscopy the conformation of ligand associated with biological hosts such as membranes and proteins. Triple-labeled [7,9,19-(13)C(3)]-vitamin D(3) (56), its 25-hydroxylated and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxylated metabolites (58 and 68, respectively), and other labeled materials have been synthesized via coupling of [9-(13)C]-Grundmann's ketone 39 or its protected 25-hydroxy derivative 43 with labeled A ring enyne fragments 25 or 26. The labeled CD-ring fragment 39 was prepared by a sequence involving Grignard addition of [(13)C]-methylmagnesium iodide to Grundmann's enone 28, oxidative cleavage, functional group modifications leading to seco-iodide 38, and finally a kinetic enolate S(N)2 cycloalkylation. The C-7,19 double labeling of the A-ring enyne was achieved by the Corey-Fuchs/Wittig processes on keto aldehyde 11. By employing these labeled fragments in the Wilson-Mazur route, the C-7,9,19 triple-(13)C-labeled metabolites 56, 58, and 68 as well as other (13)C-labeled metabolites have been prepared. In an initial NMR investigation of one of the labeled metabolites prepared in this study, namely [7,9,19-(13)C(3)]-25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) (58), the three (13)C-labeled carbons of the otherwise water insoluble steroid could be clearly detected by (13)C NMR analysis at 0.1 mM in a mixture of CD(3)OD/D(2)O (60/40) or in aqueous dimethylcyclodextrin solution and at 2 mM in 20 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) aqueous micellar solution. In the SDS micellar solution, a double half-filter NOESY experiment revealed that the distance between the H(19Z) and H(7) protons is significantly shorter than that of the corresponding distance calculated from the solid state (X-ray) structure of the free ligand. The NMR data in micelles reveals that 58 exists essentially completely in the alpha-conformer with the 3 beta-hydroxyl equatorially oriented, just as in the solid state. The shortened distance (H(19Z))-H(7)) in micellar solutions as compared to that in the solid state is most easily rationalized on the basis that the 5(10)-torsion angle in 58 is decreased in micellar solutions as compared to that in the solid state.     

Carbocyclic analogs of nucleosides. Part 2.. Synthesis of 2′,3′-dideoxy-5′-homonucleoside analogs

A set of derivatives of cyclopentaneacetic acid cis-substituted at position 3 by nucleoside bases (both purines and pyrimidines) were prepared and characterized (see 11, 14 , and 23a, b; Schemes 2–4). These molecules are carbocyclic analogs of 2′,3′-dideoxy-5′-homonucleosides. In this synthesis, the skeleton was constructed from norbornanone and a novel method based on Mitsunobu chemistry used for the introduction of nucleoside-base substituents. The scope of this method was further explored via the preparation of a cyclobutyl analog of dideoxyguanosine (see 17 , Scheme 3).     

The influence of different InsP(3) receptor isoforms on Ca(2+) signaling in tracheal smooth muscle cells

In airway myocytes, like in many cells, Ca(2+) signaling is controlled by inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (InsP(3)) via InsP(3) receptors (InsP(3)R) located in the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum. Three types of InsP(3)R exist, labeled Types 1, 2, and 3, which differ in their gating kinetics. We analyze a possible impact of the different gating kinetics of Type 1 and Type 3 InsP(3)R on the time course of cytosolic Ca(2+) concentration in tracheal smooth muscle cells upon agonist stimulation. Previous experimental data in rat tracheal myocytes showed that upon gradually increased stimulation with acetylcholine (ACh), a contractile agonist that acts via InsP(3) production, signal spikes, several spikes with declining maxima, and sustained oscillations appear. Our model reproduces the time courses of cytosolic Ca(2+) measured in tracheal myocytes. Moreover, by postulating slight variations in the model parameters which determine the total number of receptors expressed and the ratio between Type 1 and Type 3 InsP(3)R, it offers an explanation to the experimental observation of qualitatively different responses of cells within a presumably homogeneous tissue.     

4,10‐Dinitro‐2,6,8,12‐tetraoxa‐4,10‐diazaisowurtzitane (TEX): a nitramine with an exceptionally high density

The title compound (systematic name: 4,10‐di­nitro‐2,6,8,12‐tetraoxa‐4,10‐di­aza­tetra­cyclo­[5.5.0.0^3,11.0^5,9]­do­decane), C₆H₆N₄O₈, exhibits the highest density among known N‐nitramines, due to its close‐packed crystal structure. It may be regarded as consisting of a distorted hexagonal close‐packed lattice formed by the isowurtzitane cages, with the nitro groups occupying the free space between the cages.     

Monitoring degradation processes of explosives by HPLC analysis with UV- and amperometric detection

 The impact of spilled explosives, their by-products and degradation products on human beings and the environment has been recognised as a serious problem at areas of existing and former ammunition plants. In nature, aerobic and anaerobic degradation processes of explosives and their accompanying compounds yield polar contaminants with relatively high water solubilities. Most are potentially carcinogenic and mutagenic. An HPLC method applying UV-detection for nitroaromatic compounds and amperometric detection for aminoaromatic and phenolic compounds was used for monitoring the degradation of explosives in a polluted groundwater sample under natural conditions. Analysis was performed by direct injection of aliquots of the sample after exposition to daylight for different periods of time. Received: 6 January 1996/Revised: 7 March 1996/Accepted: 13 March 1996