Bactericidal effects of photoactivated porphyrins--an alternative approach to antimicrobial drugs

Photoactivated porphyrins display a potent cytotoxic activity towards a variety of Gram positive bacteria, mycoplasma and yeasts, but not Gram negative cells. The prerequisite for photosensitization of a microbial cell is the binding of porphyrin to the cytoplasmic membrane in a pH-dependent manner. On illumination, the membrane bound, and possibly, cytoplasmic porphyrin molecules generate singlet oxygen and radicals which sensitize biomolecules and lead to cell death. The immediate inhibition of cell growth on photodynamic treatment is accompanied by alterations in cell wall and membrane synthesis, leading to the formation of large mesosomes adjacent to the unaccomplished septa. Hemin bound to microbial cells exerts cytotoxic activity by peroxidative and oxidative reactions independent of light. Future research in the field may enhance the possibility of using porphyrin photosensitization for treatment of microbial infections. Such clinical use will be unrelated to the antibiotic resistance of the pathogen. Resistance of Gram negative bacteria to porphyrin photosensitization is the main impediment to its use as a broad spectrum antibacterial method.     

Column preconcentration of trace manganese with the ion pair of 2-nitroso-1-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid tetradecyldimethylbenzyl-ammonium chloride supported on naphthalene and determination by derivative spectrophotometry

A column preconcentration method has been developed for the determination of trace amounts of manganese by preconcentration on 2-nitroso-1-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid (nitroso-S)-tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium (TDBA) naphthalene as an adsorbent using a simple funnel tipped glass tube. Manganese reacts with nitroso-S to form a water soluble brown colored chelate anion. The chelate anion forms a water insoluble Mn-Nitroso-S-TDBA ion pair on naphthalene packed in a column in the pH range 9.6-10.5 at a flow rate of 1-2 ml/min. The solid mass consisting of manganese complex and naphthalene is dissolved in 5 ml of dimethylformamide (DMF) and the metal determined by second derivative spectrophotometry. The calibration curve is linear in the concentration range 0.25-35.0 micrograms of Mn in 5 ml of the final DMF solution. Eight replicate determinations of 25 micrograms of standard manganese solution give a mean peak height of 4.0 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995 and relative standard deviation of +/- 1.1%. The sensitivity was calculated to be 0.502(d2 A/d lambda 2)/microgram ml-1 from the slope of the calibration curve. The detection limit was 0.020 microgram ml-1 for manganese at the minimum instrumental settings (signal to noise ratio = 2). Various parameters effecting the method such as the effect of pH, volume of aqueous phase and interference of a number of metal ions on the determination of manganese have been evaluated to optimize the conditions for its determination in standard alloys and biological samples.     

PHTHALOCYANINE-INDUCED PHOTOHEMOLYSIS: STRUCTURE-ACTIVITY RELATIONSHIP AND THE EFFECT OF FLUORIDE

Abstract— Phthalocyanine (Pc) containing AI, Ga or Zn as central metal ligand and substituted with a varying number of sulfonic acid residues as well as additional benzene rings were synthesized and their photodynamic activity was assayed using photohemolysis of human erythrocytes as an endpoint. The Pc derivatives vaned > 300-fold in their photodynamic activity. Activity corrclated with binding of the dye to the cell, with the exception of some of the amphiphilic dyes where cell uptake was an order of magnitude higher than expected from the observed activity. Fluoride was shown to inhibit AIPcS_n-induccd photohemolysis. This effect occurred also with other AlPc and GaPc derivatives, but the concentration of F required to slow photohemolysis by a factor of two (K_i) varied between 4 μ M and 10 mM. Fluorescence spectral studies indicated complex formation between F⁻ and the dye, which was stronger for AlPc than GaPc derivatives. Ultrastructural studies using scanning electron microscopy showed that the photosensitized cells were converted to spherocytes and that F⁻ prevented this to a large extent.     

Fused silica capillary micro-packed columns in gas chromatography

Summary Flexibility, strength and adsorption inertness of fused-silica capillaries permits their extensive application for the preparation of micro-packed columns in gas chromatography. Decreasing the column diameter (from 0.5 to 0.15 mm) and the diameter of the sorbent particles (from 100 to 5 μm) results in a marked reduction of the height equivalent to a theoretical plate (HETP), as well as in diminishing the dependence of the HETP on the carrier gas flow rate. The chromatographic characteristics of fused-silica capillary micro-packed columns and open-tubular columns are compared. The fused-silica capillary micro-packed column can be used to advantage for performing rapid and trace analyses and have been shown to be adapted for application in gas-solid chromatography. Separation of organic and inorganic compounds on fused-silica capillary micro-packed columns is illustrated by practical examples. Presented at the 15th International Symposium on Chromatography, Nürnberg, October 1984     

Chemometric data analysis of pollutants in wastewater—a case study

In this study, chemometric techniques such as cluster analysis (CA), discriminant analysis (DA), principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) were used to analyse the wastewater dataset to identify the factors which affect the composition of sewage of domestic origin, spatial and temporal variations, similarity/dissimilarity among the wastewater characteristics of cis- and trans-drains and discriminating variables. Samples collected from 24 wastewater drains in Lucknow city and from three sites on Gomti river in the month of January/February, May, August and November during the period of 5 years (1994-1999) were characterized for 32 parameters. The multivariate techniques successfully described the similarities/dissimilarities among the sewage drains on the basis of their wastewater characteristics and sources signifying the effect of routine domestic/commercial activities in respective drainage areas. Spatial and seasonal variations in wastewater composition were also determined successfully. CA generated six groups of drains on the basis of similar wastewater characteristic. PCA provided information on seasonal influence and compositional differences in sewage generated by domestic and industrial waste dominated drains and showed that drains influenced by mixed industrial effluents have high organic pollution load. DA rendered six variables (TDS, alkalinity, F, TKN, Cd and Cr) discriminating between cis- and trans-drains. PLS-DA showed dominance of Cd, Cr, NO₃, PO₄ and F in cis-drains wastewater. The results suggest that biological-process based STPs could treat wastewater both from the cis- as well as trans-drains, however, prior removal of toxic metals will be required from the cis-drains sewage. Further, seasonal variations in wastewater composition and pollution load could be the guiding factor for determining the STPs design parameters. The information generated would be useful in selection of process type and in designing of the proposed sewage treatment plants (STPs) for safe disposal of wastewater.     

Preparation,and infrared and thermal properties of six adducts of tetrakis-(8-hydroxyquinolinato)thorium(IV)

Six adducts of the tctrakis(8-hydroxyquinolinato) complex of thorium(IV) with 8-hydroxyquinoline, pyridine, urea, dimethylsulphoxide, dimethylformamide and 1,10-phenanthroline were prepared and characterized, the infrared bands for the room-temperature forms are given and their particular thermal properties are reported. The thermal analyses were performed mostly in the presence of air, but in some cases an argon atmosphere was used for comparison. The adducts were lost from the principal complex at temperatures varying between 110 and 290°. Intermediate oxygenated complexes were formed in each case at about 400°. The thermal data suggest the standardization of a procedure for the formation of Th(C₉H₆NO)₄.

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Zusammenfassung Sechs Addukte des Tetrakis(8-hydroxyquinolinato)-Komplexes von Thorium(IV) mit 8-Hydroxyquinolin, Pyridin, Harnstoff, Dimethylsulphoxid, Dimethylformamid und 1,10-Phenanthrolin wurden dargestellt und charakterisiert. Infrarotbanden und spezielle thermische Eigenschaften der Raumtemperatur-Formen sind angegeben. Die thermischen Analysen wurden meist in Luft ausgeführt, in einigen Fällen zu Vergleichszwecken aber auch in Argonatmosphäre. Die Addukte wurden vom Komplex bei Temperaturen zwischen 110 und 290 °C abgegeben. Intermediäre oxydierte Komplexe wurden in jedem Fall bei etwa 400 °C gebildet. Die thermischen Daten ermöglichen die Standardisierung eines Verfahrens zur Darstellung von Th(C₉H₆NO)₄.

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-(8- ) (IV) 8- , , , - , 1,10-. - , . , , . 110–290°. 400° . Th(C₉H₆NO)₄.

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We are grateful to the Bangladesh University Grants Commission for a Fellowship Grant to AR.     

Chemometric analysis of groundwater quality data of alluvial aquifer of Gangetic plain, North India

Water quality data set from the alluvial region in the Gangetic plain in northern India, which is known for high fluoride levels in soil and groundwater, has been analysed by chemometric techniques, such as principal component analysis (PCA), discriminant analysis (DA) and partial least squares (PLS) in order to investigate the compositional differences between surface and groundwater samples, spatial variations in groundwater composition and influence of natural and anthropogenic factors. Trilinear plots of major ions showed that the groundwater in this region is mainly of Na/K-bicarbonate type. PCA performed on complete data matrix yielded six significant PCs explaining 65% of the data variance. Although, PCA rendered considerable data reduction, it could not clearly group and distinguish the sample types (dug well, hand-pump and surface water). However, a visible differentiation between the water samples pertaining to two watersheds (Khar and Loni) was obtained. DA identified six discriminating variables between surface and groundwater and also between different types of samples (dug well, hand pump and surface water). Distinct grouping of the surface and groundwater samples was achieved using the PLS technique. It further showed that the groundwater samples are dominated by variables having origin both in natural and anthropogenic sources in the region, whereas, variables of industrial origin dominate the surface water samples. It also suggested that the groundwater sources are contaminated with various industrial contaminants in the region.     

Antimicrobial triterpenes from Debregeasia salicifolia

New triterpene, 3beta-(trans-cinnamoyloxy)-19alpha-hydroxy-urs-12-ene (1) has been isolated from the methanolic fraction of Debregeasia salicifolia, along with uvaol (2), 3beta,19alpha-dihydroxy-urs-12-ene (3), ursolic acid (4), pomolic acid (5), pomolic acid methyl ester (6) and tormentic acid (7) reported for the first time from this species. The compounds (1), (3) and (6) showed significant antimicrobial activity. The structure elucidation was made with the help of extensive 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques.