DMC: A multifunctional hybrid dynamics/Monte Carlo simulation algorithm for the evaluation of conformational space

A hybrid conformational search algorithm (DMC) is described that combines a modified form of molecular dynamics with Metropolis Monte Carlo sampling, using the COSMIC(90) force field. Trial configurations are generated by short bursts of high-temperature dynamics in which the initial kinetic energy is focused into single bond rotations or alternatively into “corner-flapping” motions in ring systems. Constant temperature and simulated annealing search protocols have been applied to the conformational analysis of several model hydrocarbons (cyclopentane, cyclohexane, cycloheptane, cyclooctane, cycloheptadecane, decane, and tetradecane), and the performance compared with conventional molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo sampling methods. Optimum Metropolis sampling temperatures have been determined and range from 1000–2000 K for acyclic molecules to 3000 K for cyclic systems. Simulated annealing runs are most successful at locating the global minimum when cooling slowing from these optimum temperatures.     

Molecular determinants in the bioactivation of the dopaminergic neurotoxin N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)

Summary Nineteen analogs of the dopaminergic neurotoxin N-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) have been used as probes to study the structural parameters that influence MAO-catalyzed oxidation. In this study, the efficiency of enzyme-catalyzed substrate oxidation was found to be unrelated to parameters such as the ionization potential, dipole moment, net atomic charge at C5 and the dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and the tetrahydropyridine moiety. Conformational analysis revealed that substitution at the C2 position of MPTP yields atropisomers. It is suggested that one of these atropisomers would be either inactive or substantially less active than the other. Therefore, the relative oxidative efficiency and toxicity of these compounds reported earlier may have been significantly underestimated. Based on the conformational analysis and other data, a rudimentary model of the MAO substrate site has been developed which partially explains the substrate specificities of MAO A and MAO B.Each substrate binding site can be divided into two regions, (a) an amine-binding pocket (for the tetrahydropyridine moiety), and (b) a bulky substituent region (for the phenyl group and its substituents). The length of the substrate binding site (measured along the long axis of MPTP) is approximately 8.5 Å, and the width of the amine-binding pocket is approximately 2.5 Å (from C3 to C5). The bulky substituent region contains a central area for binding the phenyl group of MPTP. This central area is flanked by two hydrophobic pockets, P2 and P3. In MAO A, the pocket P2-A is oriented 45–135° relative to the plane of the tetrahydropyridine moiety, with a radius of 3.1 Å from C2 of the phenyl ring. The radius of a similar but smaller pocket, P2-B, in MAO B, is approximately 2.7 Å. In MAO B, the pocket P3-B (radius 2.36 Å from C3) is larger than a similar pocket P3-A (radius 1.70 Å from C3) in MAO A. The foregoing characterization suggests that differences in the size and topography of both of the substituent pockets play an important role in determining the substrate specificities of these two isozymes.     

Determination of cisplatin and related platinum complexes in plasma ultrafiltrate and urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with on-line radioactivity detection

A reversed-phase ion-pair chromatographic method with on-line radioactivity detection for the simultaneous determination of 195mPt-labelled cisplatin and related platinum complexes has been developed. With this system a good resolution of various radiolabelled platinum complexes can be achieved. The detection limit of the radioactivity detector is 10 ng of cisplatin (specific activity of 15 MBq/mg cisplatin) per millilitre of urine or plasma ultrafiltrate. The detector response is independent of both the chemical structure of the platinum complexes and the matrix composition of the samples. This method may serve as a reference system for other high-performance liquid chromatographic systems with less specific and sensitive detectors.     

Preparation de membranes echangeuses de cations par photogreffage d'ethers allyliques du poly (alcool vinylique). Etude de certaines de leurs proprietes—II: Photogreffage des poly (alcools vinyliques) allyles

Poly(vinyl alcohols) partially allylated have been grafted with sulphonic acid. The influence of experimental parameters (vinyl sulphonic acid concentration, swelling before grafting, photoinitiator concentration, grafting temperature and duration of the irradiation) have been studied in detail.     

Gas--liquid chromatographic determination of carbamazepine and phenylethylmalonamide in plasma after reaction with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal

A previously published procedure for the gas chromatographic analysis of carbamazepine has been modified and expanded to allow simultaneous determination of phenylethylmalonamide, a metabolite of primidone. Internal standards that closely resemble each compound are used, and derivatives are made by reaction with dimethylformamide dimethylacetal. This change of internal standard for carbamazepine and the use of a commercial, pretested column-packing material eliminate the major pitfalls of the original method.     

THE PHOTOMORPHOGENETIC CONTROL OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLASTID GLYCERALDEHYDE-PHOSPHATE DEHYDROGENASE AND PHOSPHORIBULOKINASE ACTIVITIES IN COTYLEDONS OF MUSTARD SEEDLINGS

The plastid glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoribulokinase of mustard cotyledon extracts were activated by preincubation with ATP and with ATP and dithiothreitol respectively. By in vitro activation prior to assay, it was possible to determine the potential activities, which appear to have been directly proportional to the amount of each enzyme protein present. In this way it was possible to deduce the net synthesis of these two enzymes. The induction of synthesis of glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase and phosphoribulokinase, by continuous far red or white light were similar hut net synthesis in continuous far red continued longer for glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase than for phosphoribulokinase. The kinetics of the development of the glyceraldehyde-phosphate dehydrogenase potential activity were very close to those reported by Bruning et al. (1975) for this enzyme. The data do not permit elimination of either the single switch or multiple switches hypotheses for the action of phytochrome. Continuous white illumination gave results similar to those for continous far red for the net synthesis of the two enzymes but it was more effective than far-red in bringing about enzyme activation in vivo.     

An evaluation of cellulose as a substrate for room-temperature phosphorescence

Cotton-linter pulps, wood pulps and several filter papers have been evaluated as substrates for room-temperature phosphorescence. A variety of chemical treatments of one filter paper is discussed in terms of reducing the background phosphorescence of the cellulose and in evaluating possible trace contaminants in cotton fibres. In order to account for uniformity of filter paper used in room temperature phosphorescence, a final evaluation of several different lots of one type of filter paper is presented.     

Effect of air change rate on rubber accelerated ageing tests in hot air. Part 2. Ageing of different compounds

Seven different compounds based on NR, SBR, NBR and EPDM were aged at 100 and 125°C, and 3, 6.5 and 10 changes of air per hour, and in a normal oven at much lower air change rate at 100 °C. Ageing was evaluated by tensile strength, elongation at break, stress at intermediate elongation and changes of IRHD after ageing. The statistical analysis of results shows that air change rate has a significant effect on ageing results.     

Imaging the activity of nitrate reductase by means of a scanning electrochemical microscope

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) was used to characterize immobilized nitrate reductase (NaR) from Pseudonomonas stutzeri (E.C. 1.7.99.4). Nitrate reductase with membrane fragment was embedded in a polyurethane hydrogel in a capillary and solubilized NaR without membrane fragment was covalently coupled to a diaminoethyl-cellulose-carbamitate film on glass. After systematic studies of possible mediators, SECM feedback imaging of both forms of immobilized NaR was accomplished with methylviologen as redox mediator.     

Analytical potential from ab initio calculations for the Fe+-H2O and Feo-H2O systems

Analytical intermolecular potentials for the Fe⁺?H₂O and Fe^o?H₂O systems have been determined from ab initio calculations. Interaction energies for a lot of points along the two potential energy surfaces were calculated using Huzinga's MINI ?2 basis set. The results obtained were fitted to an analytical function containing 11 adjustable parameters that we have already used with success for the Fe²⁺?H₂O system. The goodness of the generated intermolecular potentials is discussed.