On the Nonlocal Electron Kinetics in s- and p-Striations of DC Glow Discharge Plasmas: I. Electron Establishment in Striation-like Fields

The nonlocal behavior of the electrons in strongly modulated and period-averaged electric fields typical of s- and p-striations in neon glow discharge plasmas is investigated by numerically solving the axially inhomogeneous electron Boltzmann equation. A good agreement between the period lengths measured in the striations and those obtained from the spatially periodic electron relaxation in the period-averaged field of the striations is found confirming the close relation of both phenomena. The s- and p-striations represent the fundamental and first harmonics of the inherent periodic electron relaxation. Furthermore, starting from different boundary conditions the establishment of the velocity distribution function and of selected macroscopic quantities of the electrons into unique periodic states under the action of strongly modulated striation-like fields is investigated. It is shown that the same damping processes that cause in homogeneous fields a relaxation into homogeneous states lead to unique periodic states in strongly modulated fields.     

Renin inhibition by substituted piperidines: a novel paradigm for the inhibition of monomeric aspartic proteinases?

BACKGROUND: The aspartic proteinase renin catalyses the first and rate-limiting step in the conversion of angiotensinogen to the hormone angiotensin II, and therefore plays an important physiological role in the regulation of blood pressure. Numerous potent peptidomimetic inhibitors of this important drug target have been developed, but none of these compounds have progressed past clinical phase II trials. Limited oral bioavailability or excessive production costs have prevented these inhibitors from becoming new antihypertensive drugs. We were interested in developing new nonpeptidomimetic renin inhibitors. RESULTS: High-throughput screening of the Roche compound library identified a simple 3, 4-disubstituted piperidine lead compound. We determined the crystal structures of recombinant human renin complexed with two representatives of this new class. Binding of these substituted piperidine derivatives is accompanied by major induced-fit adaptations around the enzyme's active site. CONCLUSIONS: The efficient optimisation of the piperidine inhibitors was facilitated by structural analysis of the renin active site in two renin-inhibitor complexes (some of the piperidine derivatives have picomolar affinities for renin). These structural changes provide the basis for a novel paradigm for inhibition of monomeric aspartic proteinases.     

Novel proresolving aspirin-triggered DHA pathway

Endogenous mechanisms in the resolution of acute inflammation are of interest because excessive inflammation underlies many pathologic abnormalities. We report an aspirin-triggered DHA metabolome that biosynthesizes a potent product in inflammatory exudates and human leukocytes, namely aspirin-triggered Neuroprotectin D1/Protectin D1 [AT-(NPD1/PD1)]. The complete stereochemistry of AT-(NPD1/PD1) proved to be 10R,17R-dihydroxydocosa-4Z,7Z,11E,13E,15Z,19Z-hexaenoic acid. The chirality of hydroxyl groups and geometry of the conjugated triene system essential for bioactivity were established by matching biological materials with stereochemically pure isomers prepared by organic synthesis. AT-(NPD1/PD1) reduced neutrophil (PMN) recruitment in murine peritonitis in a dose-dependent fashion whereby neither a Δ(15)-trans-isomer nor DHA was effective. With human cells, AT-(NPD1/PD1) decreased transendothelial PMN migration as well as enhanced efferocytosis of apoptotic human PMN by macrophages. These results indicate that AT-(NPD1/PD1) is a potent anti-inflammatory proresolving molecule.     

Force-length relation for a short freely jointed chain: mass and volume dependence

We evaluate the force-length relation for short model chains. It is shown that this relation is markedly different when evaluated for static and dynamic model chains with rigid segments. The relation also differs for chains with rigid segments when they are isolated and coupled to a canonical heatbath, respectively. Furthermore, it is derived that the variation of the masses along the chain only has a small influence on the force-length relation. On the other hand, restricting the motion of the chain by walls perpendicular to the chain extension has a pronounced effect. We especially find that in this situation the chain has a finite equilibrium length.Dedicated to Professor W. Pechhold on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

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