Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry as a tool for fast identification of protein binders in color layers of paintings

Identification of materials in color layers of paintings is necessary for correct decisions concerning restoration procedures as well as proving the authenticity of the painting. The proteins are usually important components of the painting layers. In this paper it has been demonstrated that matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS) can be used for fast and reliable identification of proteins in color layers even in old, highly aged matrices. The digestion can be easily performed directly on silica wafers which are routinely used for infrared analysis. The amount of material necessary for such an analysis is extremely small. Peptide mass mapping using digestion with trypsin followed by MALDI-TOFMS and identification of the protein was successfully used for determination of the binder from a painting of the 19th century.     

Photodecarbonylation of dibenzyl ketones and trapping of radical intermediates by copper(II) chloride in frozen aqueous solutions

This paper presents a quantitative and qualitative study of the Norrish type I reaction of dibenzyl ketone (DBK) and 4-methyldibenzyl ketone (MeDBK), producing the benzyl radicals and consequently recombination products, in frozen aqueous solutions over a broad temperature range (-80 to 20 degrees C). This work extends previous research on the cage effects in various constrained media to provide information about the dynamics and reactivity of the photochemically generated intermediates at the grain boundaries of ice matrix. As the temperature of aqueous solutions decreases, the solute concentrations become high at layers covering ice crystals, causing efficient molecular segregation. The cage effect experiments have shown that diffusion of the benzyl radicals within such reaction aggregates is still remarkably efficient at temperatures below -50 degrees C, independently of the initial ketone concentration in the range of 10(-6)-10(-4) mol L(-1). In addition, the study of trapping the benzyl radicals formed in situ by CuCl2 was used as a qualitative probe of heterogeneous bimolecular reactions in the frozen aqueous matrix and on its surface. Molecules of both solutes were found to be segregated from the ice phase to the same location and underwent chemical reactions within diffusion and intermediates lifetimes limits. Understanding the fundamental physicochemical processes in ice is unquestionably important in related environmental or cosmochemical investigations.     

Spin crossover in a tetranuclear Cr(III)-Fe(III)(3) complex

A novel heteronuclear exchange-coupled complex [Cr(III)[(CN)Fe(III)((5)L)](3)(CN)(3)] containing a pentadentate blocking ligand (5)L was synthesized. The X-ray structure shows that a meridional isomer applies with inequivalent Fe(III) centers. The complex exhibits a thermally induced spin crossover along with the exchange coupling. M?ssbauer spectra indicate a spin transition between S = (1)/(2) and S = (5)/(2) states although a considerable amount of Fe(III) centers stays high-spin at T = 6 K. The magnetization, the magnetic susceptibility, and the M?ssbauer data were fitted in one run with a spin crossover model taking into account exchange interactions among all metal centers.     

Determination of Sodium Diethyldithiocarbamate in Water by Anodic Voltammetry Using a Boron‐Doped Diamond Electrode

An electrochemical study was made of the anodic behavior of sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (DEDTC) using a boron‐doped diamond electrode (BDDE) in sodium sulfate supporting electrolyte. This paper presents a new alternative for the electroanalytical determination of DEDTC in protic media, using cyclic voltammetry or chronoamperometry. Linear plots of current vs. concentration correlated with anodic stepwise oxidation were obtained in delimited potential ranges with very good correlation coefficients.     

Asymmetric Mannich reaction catalyzed by N-arylsulfonyl-l-proline amides

Proline-derived N-sulfonylcarboxamides efficiently catalyze the asymmetric Mannich reaction of cyclic ketones with N-(p-methoxyphenyl)-protected iminoglyoxylate. Both classical organic solvents and ionic liquids were used as the reaction media. With cyclohexanone, the reaction proceeded with high enantioselectivity (99% ee). Enamine intermediates were investigated by DFT calculations.     

Using Single-Channel Blind Deconvolution to Choose the Most Realistic Pharmacokinetic Model in Dynamic Contrast-Enhanced MR Imaging

In dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, there has been no consensus in the choice of the pharmacokinetic model. In this paper, a new approach for assessment of the most realistic model for a given tissue is presented. Non-blind and single-channel blind deconvolution algorithms were used in quantitative magnetic resonance dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging of the mouse masseter muscle to compare the realism of two different pharmacokinetic models for the tissue residue function. The first was the adiabatic approximation tissue homogeneity model (aaJW) and the second, the two-compartment exchange model (2CXM). Normals and mice treated with the substance C48/80 were studied. C48/80 increases both blood flow and contrast leakage in muscle substantially. The obtained approximation accuracy was evaluated for both pharmacokinetic models. In addition, the arterial input functions (aifs) estimated using blind deconvolution were compared to the corresponding observed aifs. The hypothesis is that the most realistic model of the tissue residue function leads to the best fits. The non-blind deconvolution did not result in any clear answer. For blind deconvolution, the aifs of the aaJW model were very similar to the corresponding observed aifs, and clearly more so than the aifs of the 2CXM model. Also, the approximation of the observed tracer time sequences was more accurate for the aaJW than the 2CXM model. The realism of different pharmacokinetic models in describing the passage of a tracer through a microvascular bed of a single tissue could be assessed using single-channel blind deconvolution.     

Carbon paste electrodes modified with Bi(2)O(3) as sensors for the determination of Cd and Pb

Carbon paste electrodes bulk-modified with Bi(2)O(3)were used for the determination of Cd(II) and Pb(II). The best composition was 1% (wt%) Bi(2)O(3) in the paste. The measurements were made by differential pulse voltammetry in the potential range from -1.2 V to -0.3 V. The peak potential of the reoxidation of Cd is -0.85 V, and of Pb -0.60 V vs. SCE. The lowest concentration that could be determined was 5 microg L(-1) of both metals (preconcentration time 240 s), the relative standard deviation was 3.5%-5.0% (four determinations). The correlation coefficient ( r(2)) of the calibration curves was 0.9966 (for Cd) and 0.9971 (for Pb). The Bi(2)O(3)-modified electrode could be used for the analysis of drinking water, mineral water and urine.     

Copper(II) and cobalt(II) hydroxypyridinecarboxylates: Synthesis, crystal structures, spectral and magnetic properties

Synthesis and characterization of six copper(II) and cobalt(II) octahedral complexes [M(6-OHpic)₂(H₂O)₂] (6-OHpic is 6-hydroxypicolinato), [M(2-OHnic)₂(H₂O)₂] (2-OHnic is 2-hydroxynicotinato), [Cu(6-OHnic)₂(H₂O)₂] (6-OHnic is 6-hydroxynicotinato) as well as [Co(H₂O)₆](6-OHnic)₂ are reported. Their characterization was carried out using elemental analysis, infrared, and magnetic measurements. Based on IR spectra, N,O-coordination of 6-OHpic (via the oxygen atom of the carboxyl group and the nitrogen atom of the pyridine ring), O,O-asymmetrically chelating coordination of the carboxyl groups as well as ionic coordination of 6-OHnic and chelating O,O-coordination (through the oxygen atom of the carboxyl group and the oxygen atom of the amide group) of keto(amide) tautomer of 2-OHnic were supposed. Moreover, crystal structures of 2-OHnicH and the complex [Co(2-OHnic)₂(H₂O)₂]) were determined by X-ray single crystal structure analysis. The system of hydrogen bonds predominantly stabilizes the keto(amide) tautomer of both 2-hydroxynicotinic acid and 2-OHnic anion in the cobalt(II) complex. Intermolecular hydrogen bonds (between the oxygen atom of the amide group and the hydrogen atom of the NH group) interconnect two neighbouring molecules of 2-OHnicH forming dimers. Cobalt(II) in complex [Co(2-OHnic)₂(H₂O)₂] has nearly a regular compressed tetragonal bipyramidal arrangement. Presented at the 1st International Conference “Applied Natural Sciences” on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Trnava, 7–9 November 2007.     

Dynamic exchange coupling in magnetic bilayers

A long-range dynamic interaction between ferromagnetic films separated by normal-metal spacers is reported, which is communicated by nonequilibrium spin currents. It is measured by ferromagnetic resonance and explained by an adiabatic spin-pump theory. In such a resonance the spin-pump mechanism of spatially separated magnetic moments leads to an appreciable increase in the resonant linewidth when the resonance fields are well apart, and results in a dramatic linewidth narrowing when the resonant fields approach each other.