Influence of phytohormones on polar and hydrophobic parts of mixed phospholipid monolayers at water/air interface

Surface parameters--the limiting area, collapse pressure, and compressibility modulus for monolayers of phospholipids containing a determined hydrophobic part (16:0) but different polar parts (PPL) and a determined polar part (PC) but different fatty acids (HPL), characteristic of nonembryogenic (NE) and embryogenic (E) winter wheat calli--were evaluated at 15 degrees C. These parameters were dependent on the kind of hydrophilic group and the size of the hydrophobic part of phospholipids. In the case of PPL, higher values of Alim and picoll were noticed for NE phospholipids. In the case of HPL, lower Alim and higher picoll were detected for NE than for E monolayers. All investigated phospholipid systems stimulated the adsorption of phytohormones from the water subphase. The influence of phytohormones of anionic (IAA, 2-4-D), cationic (kinetin, zeatin), and nonionic character (zearalenone) was examined. It appeared that the surface activity of phytohormones depended strongly on the kind of tissue from which the phospholipid mixture was extracted and, in a lesser degree, on their charge. In PPL systems with a determined hydrophobic part (16:0), no great differences in phytohormone influence on NE and E monolayers were observed (except of IAA). The greatest phytohormone influence on NE monolayers in HPL systems was related to the structure of the hydrophobic part of phospholipids. IAA, the most active (with the highest Alim values) among the phytohormones examined, influenced both HPL and PPL monolayers. This indicated the interactions of IAA with polar groups of phospholipids. Phytohormones also changed the monolayer stability against collapse process and the direction of changes depended on the kind of tissue (embryogenic or nonembryogenic).     

Regiospecific synthesis of mono-N-substituted indolopyrrolocarbazoles

[reactions: see text] Two complementary and efficient strategies have been developed for the regiospecific synthesis of unsymmetrical indolopyrrolocarbazoles (IPCs) mono-N-substituted with a pentacycle. A halogen in position 2 of the intermediate bisindolylmaleimides 3a-e allows a selective Mitsunobu coupling by exploiting the increased acidity of the 2-chloro-substituted indole nitrogen. It also promotes an easier cyclization of bisindolylmaleimides 4a-e and 7b-e to IPCs. Alkylation of the 2-unsubstituted indole-3-carboxamides 2a,b and further processing to the corresponding IPCs gives access to the opposite regioisomers.     

Analyse von Rutil-Anatas-Gemischen mittels diffuser Reflexionsmessungen

Zusammenfassung Pulvergemische von zwei verschiedenen Modifikationen eines Stoffes oder von zwei Pigmenten lassen sich mit Hilfe diffuser Reflexionsmessungen quantitativ analysieren, wenn die Reflexionsspektren sich in einem zugänglichen Spektralgebiet genügend stark unterscheiden. Die Methode wird am Beispiel der Titandioxyde Rutil und Anatas im einzelnen beschrieben.

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Summary Mixtures of two modifications of solid powdered material can be quantitatively analyzed by diffuse reflectance measurements, if the reflectance spectra are sufficiently different in some wavelength range. The method is described with the example of the titanium dioxides rutile and anatase.

     

Phlogophites intercalated with Al2O3 pillars and modified with transition metals as catalysts of the DeNOx process

Natural phlogophite, pre-treated with acids and intercalated with alumina pillars, was used as catalytic support. Transition metals (Fe, Cu) were deposited on the surface of the modified clay materials by an ion-exchange method. The obtained samples were characterized with respect to structure (XRD), texture (BET), composition (EPMA) and chemical nature of the deposited transition metals species (UV-vis-DRS). The phlogophite based materials have been found to be active and selective catalysts of the DeNOx process. The Fe-containing samples were catalytically active at lower temperatures than the clays modified with copper. A competitive ammonia oxidation by oxygen decreased the effectiveness of the DeNOx process in the high temperature range.     

SITES OF PHOTODAMAGE in vivo and in vitro BY A CATIONIC PORPHYRIN

Abstract— Localization and photodynamic efficacy of a monocationic porphyrin (MCP) were assessed using murine leukemia cells in culture. This sensitizer localized at surface membrane loci and catalyzed selective photodamage to membrane structures. Although both cationic and hydrophobic, this porphyrin was not recognized by the multidrug transporter, which excludes many cationic agents from cells that express multidrug resistance. Photodynamic studies with the murine radiation-induced fibrosarcoma tumor model indicated moderate photosensitization of neoplastic lesions in vivo at 3 h, but not at 24 h after sensitizer administration. Pharmacokinetic studies indicate that plasma levels, not tissue levels were the major determinant of photodynamic therapy (PDT) response. Consistent with this observation, vascular damage and disturbances of tissue perfusion followed PDT. These effects were more pronounced in tumor-bearing skin than in normal skin. The therapeutic response to MCP appeared to be related mainly to secondary, probably vascular, effects.     

Fundamental and applied investigations in plasma-source mass spectrometry for elemental analysis

The current status of plasma source-mass spectrometry (PS-MS) is reviewed. An overview of interference effects that exist, alternative plasma sources available, and mass spectrometer interface studies is provided. A discussion of current and future development areas in plasma source mass spectrometry is also included.     

Spectrochemical Properties of Noncubical Transition Metal Complexes in Solution. XII. Angular Overlap Studies of Salicylideneethylenediamine Cu(II) Complex in Various Solvents

As a part of our general interest in the UV-Vis spectroscopy of multidentate mixed-donor ligands, the (salicylideneethylenediamine)Cu(II) complex has been prepared and characterized by elemental analyses, solubility in common solvents, molar conductivities, and ultraviolet (UV), and visible (Vis) spectroscopy. The combined results of spectrophotometric measurements and EPR spectra, as well as known the X-ray structure for solids, were used to determine the structure of the investigated complex in solutions. The spectra of [Cu(salen)] (H₂salen = salicylideneethylenediamine), were measured in various solvents at room temperature, resolved by Gaussian analysis, and angular overlap model (AOM) treated in C _2v symmetry. Because of overparametrization problems, the bis(salicylaldehyde)Cu(II) complex has been characterized and AOM treated. The results of this have been used for AOM studies of [Cu(salen)]. The effect of the solvents upon the - and -bonding ligand abilities is discussed.     

XAS investigation of tantalum and niobium in nanostructured TiO2 anatase

Sol-gel routes were used to prepare Ta 10 at% and Nb 5 at% and 10 at% doped titania nanosized powders. When fired between 410°C and 850°C the doped titania powders are in the anatase phase; further heating up to 1050°C is required to obtain the rutile phase. The presence of dopant atoms delays the rate of transformation as compared with pure titania powders. Doping also affects the rate of grain growth and increases the conductance response to gas. To better understand the role played by dopant atoms in inhibiting both phase transformation to rutile and grain growth, X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy measurements were performed at the L_III-L_I absorption edges of Ta and Nb K absorption edge. Analysis was restricted to the anatase phase because the transformation to rutile phase, obtained by firing at 1050°C, is accompanied by the formation of undesired Ta and Nb oxides (Ta₂O₅ and Nb₂TiO₇, respectively). Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure and X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Spectroscopy analysis results indicate that in nanostructured anatase both tantalum and niobium atoms substitute Ti cations with +5 valence state.     

1,2‐Dithioquadratato‐ und 1,2‐Dithiooxalatoindate(III)

Indium(III) chloride forms in water with potassium 1,2‐dithiooxalate (dto) and potassium 1,2‐dithiosquarate (dtsq) stable coordination compounds. Due to the higher bridging ability of the 1,2‐dithiooxalate ligand in all cases only thiooxalate bridged binuclear complexes were found. From 1,2‐dithioquadratate with an identical donor atom set mononuclear trischelates could be isolated. Five crystalline complexes, (BzlMe₃N)₄[(dto)₂In(dto)In(dto)₂] ( 1 ), (BzlPh₃P)₄[(dto)₂In(dto)In(dto)₂] ( 2 ), (BzlMe₃N)₃[In(dtsq)₃] ( 3 ), (Bu₄N)₃[In(dtsq)₃] ( 4 ) and (Ph₄P)[In(dtsq)₂(DMF)₂] ( 5 ), have been isolated and characterized by X‐ray analyses. Due to the type of the complex and the cations involved these compounds crystallize in different space groups with the following parameters: 1 , monoclinic in P2₁/c with a = 14.4035(5) Å, b = 10.8141(5) Å, c = 23.3698(9) Å, β = 124.664(2)°, and Z = 2; 2 , triclinic in P with a = 11.3872(7) Å, b = 13.6669(9) Å, c = 17.4296(10) Å, α = 88.883(5)°, β = 96.763(1)°, γ = 74.587(5)°, and Z = 1; 3 , hexagonal in R3 with a = 20.6501(16) Å, b = 20.6501(16) Å, c = 19.0706(13) Å and Z = 6; 4 , monoclinic in P2₁/c with a = 22.7650(15) Å, b = 20.4656(10) Å, c = 14.4770(9) Å, β = 101.095(5)°, and Z = 4; 5 , triclinic in P with a = 9.2227(6) Å, b = 15.3876(9) Å, c = 15.5298(9) Å, α = 110.526(1)°, β = 100.138(1)°, γ = 101.003(1)°, and Z = 2.     

PHOTOSENSITIZATION OF MURINE TUMOR, VASCULATURE and SKIN BY 5-AMINOLEVULINIC ACID-INDUCED PORPHYRIN

Abstract— The effects of topical and systemic administration of 5-aminolevulinic acid (ALA) were examined in several murine tumor systems with regard to porphyrin accumulation kinetics in tumor, skin and blood, vascular and tumor cell photosensitization and tumor response after light exposure. Marked, transient increases in porphyrin levels were observed in tumor and skin after systemic and topical ALA. Rapid, transient, dose-dependent porphyrin increases were also observed in blood; these were pronounced after systemic ALA injection and mild after topical application. They were highest within 1 h after ALA injection, thereafter declining rapidly. This matched the clearing kinetics of injected exogenous protoporphyrin IX (PpIX). Initially, vascular photosensitivity changed inversely to blood porphyrin levels, increasing gradually up to 5 h post-ALA, as porphyrin was clearing from the bloodstream. This pattern was again matched by injected, exogenous PpIX. After therapeutic tumor treatment vascular disruption of the tumor bed, while observed, was incomplete, especially at the tumor base. Minimal direct tumor cell kill was found at low photodynamic therapy (PDT) doses (250 mg/kg ALA, 135 J/cm² light). Significant, but limited (<1 log) direct photodynamic tumor cell kill was obtained when the PDT dose was raised to 500 mg/kg systemic ALA, followed 3 h later by 270 J/cm², a dose that was however toxic to the animals. The further reduction of clonogenic tumor cells over 24 h following treatment was moderate and probably limited by the incomplete disruption of the vasculature. Tumor responses were highest when light treatment was carried out at the time of highest tumor porphyrin content rather than at the time of highest vascular photosensitivity. Tumor destruction did not reach the tumor base, regardless of treatment conditions.