Occurrence of chain folding in micelles : A C NMR relaxation and photophysical study

¹³CT₁ relaxation times for the different carbons of the sodium dodecyl sulphate chain in micellar systems have been measured, using Gd³⁺ as a paramagnetic relaxation reagent. The fluorescence decay of ω-(-naphthyl) dodecanoic acid, solubflized in the sodium dodecyl sulphate micelles was obtained in the presence of various amounts of counterion quencher Both series of experiments point to the occurrence of chain folding and to the fact that the terminal group can approach the Stern region of the micelle.     

The molecular structure of gaseous methyl vinyl ether at room temperature, studied by molecular orbital constrained electron diffraction and microwave spectroscopy

The gas phase molecular structure of methyl vinyl ether at room temperature has been studied by joint analysis of electron diffraction and microwave data. Constraints on geometrical and thermal parameters were derived from the geometry and force field of the s-cis form, obtained by ab-initio calculations (4–21 G basis set) after complete geometry relaxation. A range of models was investigated that fits all available data (infrared, microwave and electron diffraction). The following r_g/r-parameters were obtained: C=C: 1.337 Å, C(sp²)---O: 1.359 Å, C(sp³)---O: 1.427 Å, : 1.102 Å C=C---O : 127.3° and COC: 116.8°. Experimental r_g---r_e (ab initio) corrections are given for C=C, C(sp²)---O and Csp³)---O.

This investigation demonstrates that molecular orbital constrained electron diffraction is sufficiently reliable and in such a manner that it can be applied to more complicated problems.     

Mass spectrometric analysis of ceramide perturbations in brain and fibroblasts of mice and human patients with peroxisomal disorders

In this study, the levels and composition of ceramides in brains of newborn mice lacking peroxisomes (Pex5-/-, Zellweger mice) were analyzed using normal-phase high-performance liquid chromatography/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/APCI-MS). Total ceramide compositions were found to be comparable to that of control animals. However, a minor ceramide species, containing hexacosanoic/hexacosenoic acid as the amide fatty acid, was 9-fold increased. Also, in the sphingomyelin-derived ceramides this species was elevated. Subsequent analysis of extracts from fibroblasts of Pex5-/- mice and mice with a defective peroxisomal beta-oxidation (lacking D-specific multifunctional protein 2 (MFP2)), revealed, again, a similar rise in this particular ceramide. Further, this ceramide was elevated in human X-ALD fibroblasts as well. Whether C26:1/0-ceramide is linked to some of the pathology seen in Zellweger syndrome remains to be investigated. However, an increase in this sphingolipid can be considered as a diagnostic criterion for diseases caused by defects in peroxisome biogenesis or peroxisomal beta-oxidation.     

Novel analogues of 3-substituted-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-b]pyridines: modifications in the dioxane ring

The synthesis of a series of novel analogues of the 3-substituted-2,3-dihydro-1,4-dioxino[2,3-b]pyridine core, modified in the non-aromatic ring, is described. Due to the presence of a versatile hydroxymethyl group in their structure, these novel scaffolds are attractive intermediates for the preparation of potential new therapeutic agents.     

Perfluormethyl-Element-Liganden. XXIX. Darstellung und spektroskopische Untersuchungen von M(CO)4L2-Komplexen (M = Cr,Mo, W; L = Me2PSMe,Me2PSeMe, (CF3)2PSMe, (CF3)2PSeMe)

Perfluoromethyl Element Ligands. XXIX. Preparation and Spectroscopic Investigation of M(CO)₄L₂ Complexes (M ? Cr, Mo, W; L ? Me₂PSMe, Me₂PSeMe, (CF₃)₂PSMe, (CF₃)₂PSMe) The complexes M(CO)₄L₂ (see Inhaltsübersicht) have been prepared by the reaction of tetracarbonyl norbornadiene metal compounds M(CO)₄NBD with L at room temperature or 35°C, respectively. The cis-complexes formed in the first step undergo rearrangement to trans-isomers at higher temperatures. New compounds have been characterized by analytical and spectroscopic (IR, NMR, MS) methods.     

In viva PHOTODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF PHTHALOCYANINES IN A SKIN-FOLD OBSERVATION CHAMBER MODEL: ROLE OF CENTRAL METAL ION AND DEGREE OF SULFONATION

Six sulfonated metallophthalocyanines, chelated with either aluminum or zinc and sulfonated to different degrees, were studied in vivo for their photodynamic activity in a rat skin-fold chamber model. The chamber, located on the back of female WAG/Rij rats, contained a syngeneic mammary carcinoma implanted into a layer of subcutaneous tissue. Twenty-four hours after intravenous administration of 2.5 μmol/kg of one of the dyes, the chambers received a treatment light dose of 600 J/cm² with monochromatic light of 675 nm at a power density of 100 mW/ cm². During light delivery and up to a period of 7 days after treatment, vascular effects of tumor and normal tissue were scored. Tumor cell viability was determined by histology and by reimplantation of the chamber contents into the skin of the same animal, either 2 h after treatment or after the 7 day observation period. Vascular effects of both tumor and subcutaneous tissue were strongest with dyes with the lowest degree of sulfonation and decreased with increasing degree of sulfonation. Tumor regrowth did not occur with aluminum phthalocyanine mono- and disulfonate and with zinc phthalocyanine monosulfonate. With the protocol that was used, complete necrosis without recovery was only observed when reimplantation took place at the end of the 7 day follow-up period. Reimplantation 2 h after treatment always resulted in tumor regrowth. At this interval, the presence of viable tumor cells was confirmed histologically. In general tumor tissue vasculature was more susceptible to photodynamic damage than vasculature of the normal tissue. The effect on the circulation of both tumor and normal tissue increased with decreasing degree of sulfonation. Based on this study, the photodynamic effects using the six sulfonated metallophthalocyanines on the vasculature can be ranked from high to low as: AlPcS₂= ZnPcS₁ > AIPcS₁ > AIPcS₄ > ZnPcS₂ > ZnPcS₄.     

Ionization of aqueous toluic acids: Conductance and thermodynamics

Conductivities of aqueous solutions ofortho-, meta-, andpara-toluic acids have been measured for the concentration range 0.1–2 millimolar and at 5° intervals from 5 to 100°C. At each temperature pK _a(m) andA ₀ have been calculated using the paired ion model recently described by Fuoss. Thermodynamic parameters have been calculated for the ionization of each acid, and Walden products for the anions. Results are discussed in terms of contributions to acidity by enthalpy and entropy changes as well as by hydration of the various solute species.     

Tacamine,the first example of a new class of indole alkaloids

From the leaves of Tabernaemontana eglandulosa a new alkaloid was isolated, which was assigned structure $\text{1}$ on the basis of speetroscopic evidence.     

Ethylene polymerization over supported MAO/(nBuCp)2ZrCl2 catalysts: Influence of support properties

The catalytic system methylaluminoxane (MAO) and bis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride ((nBuCp)₂ZrCl₂) was immobilized on commercial silica, silica-alumina and aluminophosphate calcined at different temperatures. The properties of the supports were determined by using N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms at 77 K, FT-IR spectroscopy and SEM. After aluminium and zirconium impregnation, the catalysts were analyzed by ICP-AES, FT-IR and UV-vis spectroscopy. Ethylene polymerizations were carried out in a Schlenk tube at 70 °C and 1.2 bar of ethylene pressure. The polyethylene obtained was characterized by GPC, DSC and SEM.Catalysts supported on silica-alumina exhibited higher polymerization activity than those supported on silica and aluminophosphate. Besides, the activity of MAO/(nBuCp)₂ZrCl₂ catalytic system supported on silica-alumina and aluminophosphate decreased strongly with support calcination temperature, while remained almost constant when silica was employed as support. All these experimental features suggest a role of the support acid properties and hydroxyl group population in the generation of active polymerization species.     

Single electron transfer events and dynamical heterogeneity in the small protein azurin from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Monitoring the fluorescence of single-dye-labeled azurin molecules, we observed the reaction of azurin with hexacyanoferrate under controlled redox potential yielding data on the timing of individual (forward and backward) electron transfer (ET) events. Change-point analysis of the time traces demonstrates significant fluctuations of ET rates and of mid-point potential E₀. These fluctuations are a signature of dynamical heterogeneity, here observed on a 14 kDa protein, the smallest to date. By correlating changes in forward and backward reaction rates we found that 6% of the observed change events could be explained by a change in midpoint potential, while for 25% a change of the donor–acceptor coupling could explain the data. The remaining 69% are driven by variations in complex association constants or structural changes that cause forward and back ET rates to vary independently. Thus, the observed spread in individual ET rates could be related in a unique way to variations in molecular parameters. The relevance for the understanding of metabolic processes is briefly discussed.

Observing electron transfer events in individual azurin molecules, we relate the spread in transfer rates in a unique way to variations in molecular parameters.