Tröger's base scaffold in racemic and chiral fashion as a spacer for bisdistamycin formation. Synthesis and DNA binding study

‘Head-to-head’ oligo-N-methylpyrrole peptide dimers linked by a methano[1,5]diazocin scaffold are presented in racemic as well as chiral fashion. Their DNA binding activities were assayed on calf thymus DNA, poly(dA-dT)₂, and poly(dC-dG)₂ by NMR and ECD spectroscopies, and fluorescence probe displacement assay. The presented dimers prefer AT sequences, but show higher affinity to poly(dC-dG)₂ than distamycin A. The (4R,9R) configuration of methanodiazocin bridge was found to be better suited for interaction with ct-DNA and poly(dA-dT)₂ than (4S,9S) configuration.     

Crystal structures and voltammetric behavior of three copper(II) complexes derived from bulky Schiff bases

Three Schiff base copper(II) complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectra, i.r., electronic spectra, _eff and X-ray crystal structures. Cyclic voltammetry studies on the complexes indicate a dependence of the cathodic potentials upon electronic effects, but independence on the solid state structure.     

Correlation between hydrophobicity of amino acids and retention data in reversed-phase liquid chromatography with micellar eluents

Summary Hydrophobic character is usually expressed in terms of the partition coefficient in 1-octanol-water (log P_o/w). However, measurement of this coefficient is often problematic. Retention in micellar liquid chromatography is mainly due to hydrophobic interactions and can also be used as an index of hydrophobicity. A hydrophobicity scale was established with retention data foro-phthalaldehyde (OPA)-N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) amino acid derivatives, using the glycine derivative as reference. Since the OPA-NAC derivatives only differ in the nature of R₁ in the amino acid (R₁CH (COOH)NH₂), in the absence of electrostatic interactions the hydrophobic character of the substituent was responsible for retention. Linear relationships were obtained between log of the ratiok′ of amino acid derivatives:k′ of the glycine derivative for a given mobile phase, and logP _o/w for the R₁ substituent. Good correlations were also found for phenylthiohydantoin amino acid derivatives.     

Experiences and practical hints on using the DDRP method,illustrated by the example of the H2 + H reaction

By using the dynamically defined reaction path (DDRP) method and starting from various initial polygons, the intrinsic reaction coordinate (IRC) of the H₂ + H → H + H₂ reaction has been calculated. The numerical stability of the method is illustrated by the evolution phases of the reaction path. Techniques and experiences on the parameter choice and effects of the parameter values on the stability and computer time consumption are discussed. © John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

High-performance liquid radiochromatography: Its application for stability study of [3H] stobadin

An HPLC method was developed for studying the stability of [³H] stobadin stored in physiological saline or buffers at various pH. Optimum conditions for the separation of degradation products were elaborated. A high-performance liquid chromatograph equipped with a radioactivity detector was used.     

A vector-sum theorem in two-dimensional space

Given a finite setX of vectors from the unit ball of the max norm in the twodimensional space whose sum is zero, it is always possible to writeX = {x₁, , x_n} in such a way that the first coordinates of each partial sum lie in [–1, 1] and the second coordinates lie in [–C, C] whereC is a universal constant.     

FIA-fluorimetric determination of adrenaline in pharmaceutical formulations by oxidation with molecular oxygen

The fluorimetric determination of adrenaline is carried out in a continuous-flow assembly and by means of the molecular dissolved oxygen. The sample solution merges with an NaOH stream, then the resulting mixture is heated at 73 °C and led to the flow-cell of the fluorimeter. The flow-assembly is very simple and the procedure is quick (107 samples h^–1) reproducible (R.S.D. 0.6%), selective and suitable to be applied to determination of adrenaline in formulations. Calibrations graph are linear over the ranges 0.05–15 and 20–40 mgl^–1.     

Determination of Pt in urine of tram drivers by sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The Platinum Group Elements (PGEs) used in automotive catalytic converters are partly emitted into the air during use and can enter the human respiratory system. Due to the increasing use of automotive catalytic converters, the importance of this problem cannot be overlooked.The goal of this investigation was to determine the concentration of Pt in the urine of individuals occupationally exposed to urban air with heavy traffic. Sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (SF–ICP–MS) was used for determination of Pt in the urine of tram drivers. 38 and 34 subjects were investigated in Vienna and Budapest, respectively. Samples were taken from the tram drivers both before and after the shift.The results for Pt were compared to those from a previous study performed by our team. The comparison showed that the concentration medians were 4 times higher than the previous ones. Moreover, the values in Budapest were about twice as high as those from Vienna. A partly significant change could be observed between the two sets of data: before, and after the shift.     

Magnetic structures of R(Cu,Ni)2 compounds (R = heavy rare earth) studied by neutron diffraction

Magnetics structures of powdered orthorhombic R(Cu, Ni)₂ compounds (R = heavy rare earth) determined by neutron diffraction are described. The influence of magnetocrystalline anisotropy and exchange interactions on the type of magnetic ordering is discussed.Dedicated to Academician Vladimír Hajko on the occasion of his 65th brithday.We would like to express our thanks to Professor P. Luká for continual interest and encouragement and to . Zajac and V. Sechovský for many fruitfull discussions.     

Recovery and recrystallization in AISI 321 steel under static conditions

Static softening of AISI 321 steel after cold and hot deformation characterizing the industrial thermomechanical treatment was studied by means of tensile tests and TEM. The deformation temperature, the strain and the grain size were the main parameters determining the final softening. The results can be applied for optimization of the solution annealing.