Photoreactivation of cyclobutane dimers and (6-4) photoproducts in the epidermis of the marsupial, Monodelphis domestica

Radioimmunoassays were used to investigate the repair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers and pyrimidine (6-4)pyrimidone photoproducts ((6-4] photoproducts) in the epidermis of the South American opossum, Monodelphis domestica. In the absence of photoreactivating light, both types of photodamage were excised with similar kinetics, 50% of the damage remaining 8 h after UV irradiation in vivo. Exposure of UV-irradiated skin to photoreactivating light resulted in removal of most of the cyclobutane dimers and an enhanced rate of (6-4) photoproduct repair. Photoenhanced excision repair of non-dimer damage increases the range of biologically effective lesions removed by in vivo photoreactivation.     

The thermal decomposition of manganese(II) sulphite trihydrate

Thermal studies have shown that manganese(II) oxide and trimanganese tetroxide are the final decomposition products when manganese(II) sulphite trihydrate is heated in nitrogen and oxygen respectively. However, in each atmosphere, there are several decomposition routes involving the intermediate formation of manganese(II) sulphate and manganese(II) sulphide. The reactions can be summarized as follows:

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Zusammenfassung Thermische Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, da\ Mangan(II)oxid und Trimangan-Tetroxid die Endprodukte der Zersetzung sind, wenn Mangan(II)sulfit Trihydrat in Stickstoff bzw. Sauerstoff erhitzt wird. In jeder der AtmosphÄren gibt es jedoch erschiedene Zersetzungswege, wobei vorübergehend Mangan(II)sulfat und Mangan(II)sulfid gebildet werden. Die Reaktionen können, wie folgt, zusammengefa\t werden:

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Résumé Les études thermiques montrent que l'oxyde de manganèse(II) et le tétroxyde de trimanganèse constituent les produits finaux de la décomposition du sulfite de manganèse(II) chauffé respectivement dans l'azote et dans l'oxygène. Cependant dans chacune de ces atmosphères, plusieurs chemins de décomposition peuvent Être suivis. Ils font intervenir la formation intermédiaire de sulfate de manganèse(II) et de sulfure de manganèse(II). Les réactions peuvent Être résumées comme suit:

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, , , , MnO Mn₃O₄. , , - (II). :

     

New layered materials: syntheses, structures, and optical and magnetic properties of CsGdZnSe3, CsZrCuSe3, CsUCuSe3, and BaGdCuSe3

Four new quaternary selenides CsGdZnSe3, CsZrCuSe3, CsUCuSe3, and BaGdCuSe3 have been synthesized with the use of traditional high-temperature solid-state experimental methods. These compounds are isostructural with KZrCuS3, crystallizing with four formula units in the orthorhombic space group Cmcm. Cell constants (A) at 153 K are CsGdZnSe3 4.1684(7), 15.765(3), 11.0089(18); CsZrCuSe3 3.903(2), 15.841(10), 10.215(6); CsUCuSe3 4.1443(7), 15.786(3), 10.7188(18); and BaGdCuSe3 4.1839(6), 13.8935(19), 10.6692(15). The structure of these ALnMSe3 compounds (A = Cs, Ba; Ln = Zr, Gd, U; M = Cu, Zn) is composed of 2 to infinity [LnMSe3(n-)] (n = 1, 2) layers separated by A atoms. The Ln atom is octahedrally coordinated to six Se atoms, the M atom is tetrahedrally coordinated to four Se atoms, and the A atom is coordinated to a bicapped trigonal prism of eight Se atoms. Because there are no Se-Se bonds in the structure, the oxidation state of A is 1+ (Cs) or 2+ (Ba), that of Ln is 3+ (Gd) or 4+ (Zr, U), and that of M is 1+ (Cu) or 2+ (Zn). CsGdZnSe3 and BaGdCuSe3, which are paramagnetic, obey the Curie-Weiss law and have effective magnetic moments of 7.87(6) and 7.85(5) muB for Gd(3+), in good agreement with the theoretical value of 7.94 muB. Optical transitions at 1.88 and 2.92 eV for CsGdZnSe3 and 1.96 eV for BaGdCuSe3 were deduced from diffuse reflectance spectra.     

Effects of cytosine methylation on pyrimidine dimer formation in DNA

The relative induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD) and pyrimidine (6-4)pyrimidone photoproducts ([6-4]PD) was quantified in the duplex homopolymers polydeoxyadenosine:polydeoxythymidine, polydeoxyguanosine:polydeoxycytidine and polydeoxyguanosine:polydeoxy-5-methylcytidine irradiated with UVC or UVB radiation. Cytosine methylation significantly increased the yield of cytosine (6-4)PD after irradiation with UVC light and of cytosine CPD and (6-4)PD after irradiation with UVB light. The data suggest that CPD and (6-4)PD are preferentially induced at 5-methylcytosine bases in DNA of cells exposed to sunlight and comprise a major component of the mutation spectrum leading to the initiation of sunlight-induced skin cancer.     

Total syntheses of epothilones B and d

A convergent, total synthesis of epothilones B (2) and D (4) is described. The key steps are Normant coupling to establish the desired (Z)-stereochemistry at C12-C13, Wadsworth-Emmons olefination of methyl ketone 28 with the phosphonate ester 8, diastereoselective aldol condensation of aldehyde 5 with the enolate of keto acid derivatives to form the C6-C7 bond, selective deprotection of acid 52, and macrolactonization.     

Observation of the internal network structure of a polymer-stabilized liquid crystal via transmission electron microscopy

The internal structure of the network component of a polymer-stabilized liquid crystal has been observed for the first time. These are systems in which a small amount of a monomer is dissolved within a LC host and then polymerized in situ to produce a network. Studies performed on a system prepared using the diacrylate monomer RM60 and the nematic mixture BL087 are presented. The concentration of the monomer was 1 wt %. After formation of the network through photopolymerization of the monomer between Melinex layers within a glass cell, the LC host was removed by dissolving it in heptane. Subsequent observation of the internal network structure by transmission electron microscopy was made possible by bromine staining of the network, followed by embedding and ultramicrotomy. A collection of solid, near-circular objects was observed, of mean diameter 0.13 μm. These objects were found to be highly permeable to bromine vapour, suggesting an open, but homogeneous structure.     

An Improved Method for the Mono-Hydroxymethylation of Pyridines. A Modification of the Minisci Procedure

The reaction of N-methoxy-derivatives of pyridines in methanol with ammonium persulphate gives improved yields of mono-hydroxymethylated products. In contrast to the original Minisci procedure the reaction requires only catalytic amounts of ammonium persulphate. Evidence is presented which establishes that the reaction does not proceed via an intramolecular pathway.     

Thermal decomposition behavior of naphthalene-labeled polyethylene

Pyrolysis–GC/mass spectrometry experiments reveal that naphthalene groups attached to maleated polyethylene as the 1-naphthylethyl ester are stable for relatively long periods of time at 170°C. Decomposition can be detected for samples heated for 2.0 min at 200°C, but even at that temperature, the extent of decomposition is very small. At higher temperatures, two of the decomposition products from the labeled polymer are readily understood: 1-vinylnaphthalene and 1-naphthylethanol can form by reactions that are well-precedented in the organic chemistry literature. At 200°C, only naphthalene is formed, which requires scission of the bond between the naphthyl ring and the C₁ carbon of the ethyl group. We suggest two possible pathways for this reaction. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 34:2045–2049, 1996