Characterization of a complex dispersion of multilamellar vesicles

Spherulites ^® are multilamellar vesicles made up of surfactant bilayers. These vesicles would potentially be very useful for the encapsulation and protection of molecules; however, traditional formulations of these vesicles are poor at retaining small hydrophilic molecules (below 1000 g/mol). In this study, we present new systems of Spherulites called complex dispersions. These are prepared by dispersing Spherulites in an oil medium, and then emulsifying this oily dispersion of Spherulites within an aqueous solvent. These new systems provide an additional oil barrier between encapsulated molecules and an external aqueous phase. We have used polarized light optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and freeze–fracture electron microscopy to study a complex dispersion of Spherulites at all stages of its preparation. We first studied the sheared lamellar phase, followed by the dispersion of the multilamellar vesicles in the oily medium and finally the emulsification of the oily dispersion within the aqueous solvent. We compared our results on lamellar phases with previous results obtained with Spherulites directly dispersible in an aqueous medium. Since the formulation of our lamellar phase included a large percentage of oil as a component, we studied the localization of the oil in the lamellar structure. We also studied the influence of osmotic pressure on complex dispersions, because complex dispersions possess a double structure similar to that of water-in-oil-in-water emulsions and multiple emulsions are known to be sensitive to osmotic pressure. In conclusion, complex dispersions proved to be new potential carriers exhibiting some unique physical properties.     

Functional dynamics of ion channels: modulation of proton movement by conformational switches

Detailed comparative studies of proton relay in native and chemically modified gramicidin channels provide a unique opportunity to uncover the structural basis of biological proton transport. The function of ion channels hinges on their ability to provide surrogate solvation in narrow pore filters so as to overcome the dielectric barrier presented by biological membranes. In the potassium channel KcsA and in the cation channel gramicidin, permeant selectivity and mobility are determined by the proteinaceous matrix via hydrogen bonding, charge-dipole, and dipole-dipole interactions. In particular, main-chain carbonyl groups in these pore interiors play an essential role in the solvation of alkali ions and of protons. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations reveal how the translocation of H(+) is controlled by nanosecond conformational transitions exchanging distorted states of the peptidic backbone in the single-file region of a dioxolane-linked analogue of the gramicidin dimer. These results underline the functional role of channel dynamics and provide a mechanism for the modulation of proton currents by fluctuating dipoles.     

Untersuchungen zur Kinetik der thermischen Dissoziation von Nickel-, Kupfer- und Zinksulfat

The rates of decomposition and the energies of activation were determined for the thermal dissociation of NiSO₄, CuSO₄, Cu₂(SO₄)O, ZnSO₄and Zn₃(SO₄)₂O. Linear, parabolic and logarithmic rate laws were found. Kinetics are largely determined by the rate of energy transfer. The reasons for the formation of basic sulfate intermediates are discussed.     

Bestimmung des Oxydationszustandes in Vanadiumkomplexen mit Hilfe von V—K-Röntgenabsorptionsspektren

Determination of the Oxydation State in Vanadium Complexes using V—K-Absorption Spectra The compounds resulting from the reaction of oxovanadium(IV) sulfate with 8-quinolinols in air were characterized by magnetic moments and V—K-absorption spectra. 8-quinolinol and its Mannich derivates (“CMAB-oxine”, “CMAP-oxine”) form vanadium(V) complexes. The oxovanadium(IV) compound of 7-methyl-8-quinolinol initially formed is not very stable in solution and tends to oxydation. Only the oxovanadium(IV) complex of 2-methyl-8-quinolinol has a good stability corresponding to that of β-diketone compounds.     

Adsorption of neodymium ions on activated charcoal from aqeous solutions

Summary A commercial activated charcoal has been tested as an adsorbent for the removal of neodymium ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption behavior of neodymium ions on activated charcoal from aqueous solutions has been studied as a function of shaking time, neodymium ions concentration and concentration of different acids. Results reveal that the adsorption equilibrium is attained within 30 minutes, and diffusion of neodymium ions into the pores of activated charcoal controls the adsorption process. The adsorption process follows the first order kinetics. The Langmuir isotherm equation was obeyed well in the whole range of concentration studied. The influence of different cations and anions on the adsorption of neodymium ion from aqueous solutions have also been investigated. Approximately 98% of neodymium ions adsorbed onto activated charcoal could be recovered with 40 ml of 3M HNO₃ solutions.     

Free radicals in electrochemical reduction of 3,5-dicarbethoxy-1,4-dihydropyridines with nitrophenyl groups in positions 2, 4, and 6

In the electrochemical reduction of 2,6-bis- and 2,4,6-tris(nitrophenyl) derivatives of 3,5-dicarbethoxy-1,4-dihydropyridine, in the first stage, one of the para-nitrophenyl groups in position 2 or 6 of the heterocycle is reduced. Free radicals have been obtained and identified, the primary species being ion radicals of the nitrophenyl type. The presence of the heterocycle in the molecule of the 1,4-dihydropyridine derivative stabilizes secondary free radicals of the nitrosophenyl type. In the process of electrochemical reduction, no evidence has been found of any intramolecular transfer of electrons or protons from the dihydropyridine part of the molecule to the nitrophenyl groups. Derivatives of 2,6-bis(p-nitrophenyl)-3,5-dicarbethoxy-1,4-dihydropyridine have been synthesized, and the oxidation and methylation of these derivatives have been studied.Translated from Khimiya Geterotsiklicheskikh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 481–487, April, 1991.     

Inclusion of Nonopiate Analgesic Drugs in Cyclodextrins. I. X-Ray Structure of a 1 : 1 β-Cyclodextrin-p-bromoacetanilide Complex

The preparation and X-ray crystal structure of a 1 : 1 complex between -cyclodextrin (-CD) and the analgesic p-bromoacetanilide are reported. Thermogravimetric and UV spectrophotometric analyses of single crystals grown from an aqueous solution containing host and guest in 1 : 1 molar ratio yielded the composition -CD p-bromoacetanilide $ 13.5H2O. Crystals of the complex are triclinic, space group P1, with a = 15.197(3), b = 15.613(2), c = 15.743(4) Å, = 87.16(2), = 98.29(2), = 103.39(1)° and Z = 2 crystallographically independent complex units per unit cell. The -CD molecules form head-to-head dimers which pack in the channel-mode. Each dimer contains two guest molecules whose acetylamino substituents are located at the dimer interface while the bromine atoms protrude from the -CD primary faces. The acetyl residues of both guest molecules were found to be disordered but the X-ray data permitted