Genotoxic properties of 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, a compound formed on irradiation of food containing fat

When food containing fat is treated by ionizing radiation, a group of 2-alkylcyclobutanones is formed. These components contain the same number of carbon atoms as their precursor fatty acids and the alkyl group is located in ring position 2. Thus, from palmitic acid 2-dodecylcyclobutanone is derived. To date, there is no evidence that the cyclobutanones occur in unirradiated food. Therefore, these components cannot be considered inherent to food, and for questions pertaining to risk assessment of irradiated food it would be advisable to determine the genotoxic and toxic potentials of cyclobutanones. Measurements of DNA damage in cells exposed to 2-dodecylcyclobutanone, employing the single cell microgel electrophoresis technique, have been carried out. In vitro experiments using rat and human colon cells indicate that 2-docylcyclobutanone in the concentration range of about 0.30 – 1.25 mg/ml induces DNA strand breaks in the cells. Simultaneously, a concentration related cytotoxic effect is observed as was determined by trypan blue exclusion. To which extent these in vitro findings are of relevancy for the in vivo human exposure situation needs to be investigated in further studies. In vivo tests in rats are in progress.     

Synthesis of trans-1,2-diphenyl-3,4-bis[4-(2,6-diphenyl-4H- pyranylidenyl)]cyclobutane: correction and structure proof

The reaction of phenyl lithium acetylide ($\text{2}$) with 2,6-diphenylpyrylium perchlorate ($\text{1}$) is solvent dependent. With diethyl ether as solvent, the isolated product differed from that previously reported and is reassingned as 2,6-diphenyl-4-phenylacetylenyl-4$\text{H}$-pyran ($\text{5}$). On the other hand, in THF the title compound ($\text{6}$) was obtained; its structure confirmed by single-crystal x-ray crystallography.     

Salvinicins A and B, new neoclerodane diterpenes from Salvia divinorum

[reaction: see text] Two new neoclerodane diterpenes, salvinicins A (4) and B (5), were isolated from the dried leaves of Salvia divinorum. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques, including (1)H and (13)C NMR, NOESY, HMQC, and HMBC. The absolute stereochemistry of these compounds was assigned on the basis of single-crystal X-ray crystallographic analysis of salvinicin A (4) and a 3,4-dichlorobenzoate derivative of salvinorin B.     

Unraveling Water Structure Inside and Between Nanocapsules

Among Achim Müller's prolific crystal structure database, we have selected two crystalline phases in order to perform a whole and complete characterization of water structure at the nanometer scale. The first chosen example involves the Na₃(NH₄)₁₂[Mo₅₇Fe₆(NO)₆O₁₇₄(OH)₃(H₂O)₂₄] 76H₂O compound synthesized and characterized in 1994. Some very interesting yet unnoticed water clusters may be evidenced in the voids generated by the stacking of the polyanionic units. Among them, we have been able to characterized a pure water crown (H₂O)₁₈, a loose association of three strongly solvated ammonium ions [H₃N–HOH₂]⁺ mediated by two water dimers and one water molecule, a perfectly planar alternating six-member ring [(NH₄)₃(H₂O)₃]³⁺, a puckered chair-shaped hexagonal ring [(NH₄)₂(H₂O)₄]³⁺ and two triangular pyramidal water tetramers (H₂O)₄. It was also shown that the crown and the chair ring was involved through further hydrogen bonding into the formation of a quite novel supramolecular layer modeling the structure of water in contact with a polyelectrolyte. The second example involves the (gua)₃₂[Mo₁₃₂O₃₇₂(H₂O)₇₂(SO₄)₁₀(H₂PO₂)₂₀(gua)₂₀]nH₂O compound synthesized and characterized in 2002. Here, we provide for the first time a complete structural analysis of all the various hydrogen bond patterns encountered in this system. Among them we may cite, an intramolecular web covering the internal cavity, an intramolecular finite system involving the guanidinium cations and the nine-member ring pores of the Mo₁₃₂ shell and a central pure water cluster of one hundred water molecules. In this last case, the evolution of the hydrogen bond strengths on a per H-bond basis or within supramolecular aggregates ([H₂O]₂₀, [H₂O]₄₀, and [H₂O]₁₀₀) is quantitatively studied from standpoints involving both geometry (H–OO bond angles distribution) and energy (partition functions). A survey of other crystalline phases involving water clusters is also presented. It is hoped that the study of these new clusters in a very next future will allow us to solve the well-known water puzzling behaviors.     

THE REACTION OF METHYLENE WITH HYDROGEN

Abstract— An investigation has been made of the reaction between methylene, formed by the photolysis of ketene, and hydrogen. Ethane, ethylene and methane are the major hydrocarbon products, and it has been shown that the formation of these products may be adequately described by the sequence of processes
CH₂CO + hv → CH₂+ CO (1)
CH₂+ H₂→ CH₃+H (2)
2CH₃→ C₂H₆ (3)
CH₃+ H₂+ CH₄+ H (4)
CH₂+ CH₂CO → C₂H₄+ CO (7)
In particular, the relative rates of ethane and methane formation are consistent with the known rate constants for reactions (3) and (4), and it is not therefore necessary to postulate the participation of an 'insertion' process
CH₂+ H₂→ CH₄ (6) to account for the formation of methane.
Decrease of the energy possessed by the methylene, either by increase of the wavelength of ketene photolysis, or by increase of gas pressure, is shown to result in an increase in the reactivity of the methylene towards ketene relative to its reactivity towards hydrogen (i.e. the ratio k₂/k₂ increases).     

Adhesion between graphite and modified polyester surfaces: a theoretical study

This study examines the adhesion of graphite to functionalized polyester surfaces using a range of qualitative and quantitative measures of theoretical adhesion. Modifications to the polyester surfaces include the addition of hydroxyl, carboxyl, or fluorine substituents with coverages of 0.4 and 0.9 groups per nm(2). In each case, the introduction of substituents to the surface of the polyester was calculated to lead to reduced adhesion to graphite. Effects of surface relaxation on adhesion are studied by employing different simulation protocols. The theoretical results suggest one mechanism to reduce adhesion to carbonaceous solids is to increase atomic roughness using strongly hydrophilic or alternatively strongly hydrophobic substituents.     

The diazocarbene (CNN) molecule: characterization of the X 3Sigma- and A 3Pi electronic states

The ground (X (3)Sigma(-)) and first excited triplet (A (3)Pi) electronic states of diazocarbene (CNN) have been investigated systematically starting from the self-consistent-field theory and proceeding to the coupled cluster with single, double, and full triple excitations (CCSDT) method with a wide range of basis sets. While the linear X (3)Sigma(-) ground state of CNN has a real degenerate bending vibrational frequency, the A (3)Pi state of CNN is subject to the Renner-Teller effect and presents two distinct real vibrational frequencies along the bending coordinate. The bending vibrational frequencies of the A (3)Pi state were evaluated via the equation-of-motion coupled cluster (EOM-CC) techniques. The significant sensitivity to level of theory in predicting the ground-state geometry, harmonic vibrational frequencies, and associated infrared intensities has been attributed to the fact that the reference wave function is strongly perturbed by the excitations of 1pi-->3pi followed by a spin flip. At the highest level of theory with the largest basis set, correlation-consistent polarized valence quadruple zeta (cc-pVQZ) CCSDT, the classical X-A splitting (T(e) value) was predicted to be 68.5 kcal/mol (2.97 eV, 24 000 cm(-1)) and the quantum mechanical splitting (T(0) value) to be 69.7 kcal/mol (3.02 eV, 24 400 cm(-1)), which are in excellent agreement with the experimental T(0) values, 67.5-68.2 kcal/mol (2.93-2.96 eV, 23 600-23 900 cm(-1)). With the EOM-CCSD method the Renner parameter (epsilon) and averaged bending vibrational frequency (omega(2)) for the A (3)Pi state were evaluated to be epsilon=-0.118 and omega(2)=615 cm(-1), respectively. They are in fair agreement with the experimental values of epsilon=-0.07 and nu(2)=525 cm(-1).     

Studies on the solvent extraction of yttrium thenoyltrifluoroacetonate

Studies of extractions of yttrium from aqueous solution into chloroform, benzene, methyl isobutyl ketone, and mixtures of these solvents, containing thenoyltrifluoroacetone are described. The effects of reagent concentration, added n-butylamine, and added fluoride were investigated. Values of pH$\text{1}\text{2}$ and P_e were determined, and identifications of the involved species are suggested.     

Some difficulties in the application of the concept of density of states

The problem of defining N(E), the density of states, for molecular systems is discussed. It is shown that a numeric evaluation of N(E) is often only approximate, even for continuous data, and is not well defined for quantized systems. The application of the concept of density of states is discussed, particularly with regard to the RRKM theory of unimolecular reactions. The sum of states, W(E), and density of states curves are evaluated for several harmonic and anharmonic model systems and the results discussed in order to illustrate the foregoing considerations.     

Global activities in the world of reference materials including the needs of developing countries

Proceedings of previous BERM meetings have been used to assess emerging trends in the development of RMs to meet AQC requirements of clinical, food, nutrition, and environmental health areas. BRM-1 reflected a strong need to initiate and expand RM activities for certifying organic nutrients in foods. BRM-2 highlighted the distinction between primary (certified) and secondary (e.g. check samples for proficiency testing) RMs¹. BRM-3 identified the need for producing different levels of an analyte in a given matrix (spiked standards) to address matrix related measurement problems in foods. BERM-4 highlighted the need for a global vision in dealing with standards, illustrated by the activities of GESREM. Also, the logistics required for setting up intercomparison programs related to food safety monitoring programs were outlined. BERM-5 presented the changing outlook of the AOAC International in recognizing the usefulness of incorporating RMs for use in conjunction with their methods validation protocol. BERM-6 brought to the forefront the concern for traceability of chemical measurements to internationally recognized standards. BERM-7 recognized the need for multidisciplinary approaches for preparing certain types of CRMs, partly in response to the measurement needs arising from governmental regulations dealing with food safety and environmental health criteria. Finally, BERM symposia have promoted a meaningful dialogue on the RM needs of African, Asian and South American countries and provided the developing countries opportunities to discuss their problems with the international analytical community. The issue of health safety is involved in movement of foodstuffs between countries, and therefore, international efforts as voiced by the World Health Organization to provide guidance and assistance in AQC matters to the needy countries deserve consideration.