Selective adhesion of endothelial cells to artificial membranes with a synthetic RGD-lipopeptide

A constrained cyclic ArgGly-Asp-D-Phe-Lys, abbreviated as cyclo(-RGDfK-), lipopeptide has been synthesized and incorporated into artificial membranes such as giant vesicles with DOPC and solid-supported lipid bilayers. The selective adhesion and spreading of endothelial cells of the human umbilical cord on solids functionalized by membranes with this RGD-lipopeptide have been observed. Furthermore, we have demonstrated strong selective adhesion of giant vesicles to endothelial cells through local adhesion domains by combined application of hydrodynamic flow field and reflection interference contrast microscopy (RICM). The adhesion can be inhibited by competition with a water-soluble RGD peptide. We suggest that this strategy could improve the efficiency of liposomes targeting used as vectors or as drug carriers to cells.     

Determination of testosterone in human hair by gas chromatography-selected ion monitoring mass spectrometry.

A method for the determination of testosterone in human hair by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using d3-testosterone as internal standard is described. Our method consisted of alkaline digestion, fast liquid-liquid extraction, LH-20 chromatography and derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride. Quantification was achieved by selected ion monitoring of m/z 680 (testosterone) and m/z 683 (d3-testosterone). Our method needed no complex corrections for isotope contributions. The procedure provided a sensitive and specific technique with good accuracy and precision. For the first time, testosterone has been quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in human hair. The concentrations (median, range, ng g-1 hair) reflected a significant (p = 0.05; t-test) sex difference with 2.7 ng g-1 (2.5-4.2) in male and 1.7 ng g-1 (1.0-3.4) in female hair.     

Die Kristall- und MolekülStruktur von N,N′-Bis-(trimethylsilyl)-oximidsäure-bis(trimethylsilyl)-ester

The Crystal and Molecular Structure of N,N′-Bis(trimethylsilyl) Oximidic Acid Bis (trimethylsilyl) Ester The X-ray structure analysis of the reaction product of oxalyl chloride with sodium bis(trimethylsilyl) amide formulated by PUMP and ROCHOW as N,N′-bis(trimethylsilyl) oximidic Acid bis (trimethylsilyl) ester shows that the suggested structure is correct for the solid state. The compound crystallizes in the space group P1 with a = 9.948(4), b = 6.612(3), c = 10.370(4) Å, α = 88.87(6), β = 116.95(4), γ = 98.23(6)°, and Z = 1. The molecule manifests symmetry 1 .     

Koexistenzbeziehungen,Darstellung und Eigenschaften ternärer Phasen im System Cu/Mo/O

Coexistence Relations, Preparation and Properties of Ternary Compounds in the System Cu/Mo/O The phase diagram of the ternary system Cu/Mo/O is presented at 773 K. The compounds CuMoO₄, Cu₃Mo₂O₉, Cu₄Mo₅O₁₇, Cu₆Mo₅O₁₈, Cu_4–xMo₃O₁₂, and Cu_xMoO₃ are found to be thermodynamical stable. The homogeneity range of Cu_4–xMo₃O₁₂ runs to x = 0.1–0.2. Single crystals of CuMoO₄ and Cu₃Mo₂O₉ were grown by chemical transport reactions with TeCl₄, Cl₂, HCl, and Br₂ as transport agent. The results were compared with thermochemical calculations. The decomposition of CuMoO₄ and Cu₃Mo₂O₉ was investigated with thermal analysis and decompositon pressure measurements.     

Enantiopure 4- and 5-aminopiperidin-2-ones: regiocontrolled synthesis and conformational characterization as bioactive beta-turn mimetics

Starting from aspartic acid, we synthesized lactam-bridged beta- and gamma-amino acid equivalents. Using the 1,4-bis-electrophile 1b as a central intermediate, the 4- and 5-aminopiperidin-2-ones 4 and 8, respectively, were approached by regioselective functionalization and subsequent lactamization. Diastereoselective C-alkylation was performed after N-protection of the lactam functionality when exclusive trans configuration resulting in the formation of 5a-f was observed in the 4-amino series. On the other hand, cis selectivity was typical for the alkylations of the 5-amino lactams 5a,b. To investigate the ability of the lactam building blocks to induce reverse-turn structures by intramolecular hydrogen bonding, the model peptidomimetics 12 and 14 representing Homo-Freidinger lactams of type II and III were prepared from 4a and 8a, respectively. Conformational analyses in dilute solution (1 mM) by IR and NMR spectroscopy at room temperature clearly indicated that the 4-aminopiperidin-2-one derivative 12 predominantly adopts a reverse-turn structure stabilized by a CO-HN hydrogen bond in an 11-membered ring. VT NMR experiments showed a substantial temperature dependency of the terminal NH when Deltadelta(NH)/DeltaT = -6.5 indicated that the amount of intramolecular hydrogen bonding is higher at low temperature. An application in the field of medicinal chemistry was demonstrated. Thus, starting from the Homo-Freidinger lactam 11c and the enantiomer ent-11c, we synthesized the peptidomimetics 15c and 16c and investigated them as lactam-bridged analogues of the dopamine receptor modulating peptide Pro-Leu-Gly-NH(2) (PLG). Both test compounds turned out to enhance significantly the agonist binding of dopamine D2 receptors, when the isomer 15c revealed a potency comparable to the genuine ligand PLG.     

Solid-phase synthesis of isoxazoles using vinyl ethers as chameleon catches

[reaction: see text] Regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of supported vinyl ethers R(1)C(=CH(2))O-CH(2)-polymer, prepared by the Tebbe olefination of R(1)CO(2)-CH(2)-polymer, with ethyl cyanoformate N-oxide gave supported isoxazoline derivatives. Release from the support under mild acidic conditions gave the isoxazoles ethyl 5-R(1)-isoxazole-3-carboxylates. Alternatively, further on-resin functionalization of the R(1) substituent using Suzuki coupling reactions and release from the support under acidic conditions gave more structurally diverse isoxazoles.     

Molecular characteristics of the inhibition of human neutrophil elastase by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) are known as clinically effective agents for treatment of inflammatory diseases. Inhibition of cyclooxygenase has been thought to be a major facet of the pharmacological mechanism of NSAIDs. However, it is difficult to ascribe the antiinflammatory effects of NSAIDs solely to the inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis. Human neutrophil elastase (HNElastase; HNE, EC 3.4.21.37) has been known as a causative factor in inflammatory diseases. To investigate the specific relationship between HNElastase inhibition and specificity of molecular structure of several NSAIDs, HNElastase was purified by Ultrogel AcA54 gel filtration, CM-Sephadex ion exchange, and HPLC (with TSK 250 column) chromatography. HNElastase was inhibited by aspirin and salicylate in a competitive manner and by naproxen, ketoprofen, phenylbutazone, and oxyphenbutazone in a partial competative manner, but not by ibuprofen and tolmetin. HNElastase-phenylbutazone-complex showed strong Raman shifts at 200, 440, 1124, 1194, 1384, 1506, and 1768 cm(-1). The Raman bands 1194, 1384, and 1768 cm(-1) may represent evidences of the conformational change at -N=N-phi radical, pyrazol ring, and -C=O radical of the elastase-drug complex, respectively. Phenylbutazone might be bound to HNElastase by ionic and hydrophobic interaction, and masked the active site. Inhibition of HNElastase could be another mechanism of action of NSAIDs besides cyclooxygenase inhibition in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Different inhibition characteristics of HNE-lastase by NSAIDs such as aspirin, phenylbutazone-like drugs and ineffective drugs could be important points for drawing the criteria for appropriate drugs in clinical application.     

Backtracking of a sphere slowing down in a viscous compressible fluid

It is shown on the basis of the linearized Navier-Stokes equations that a sphere set in motion by a sudden impulse, and slowing down in a viscous compressible fluid, can temporarily reverse its velocity at a late stage of the motion before finally slowing down with a positive velocity. For the effect to occur, the fluid needs to be sufficiently compressible, and the bulk viscosity needs to be sufficiently small relative to the shear viscosity. More generally, the velocity decays nonmonotonically, without necessarily passing through zero. The results are derived from the frequency-dependent friction coefficient, and hold for general boundary condition on the surface of the sphere.     

Concentrated electrolyte solutions at high temperatures and pressures

A survey is given of recent experimental results obtained from high-temperature, high-pressure investigations with water, aqueous solutions, and ionic fluids. Data on the static dielectric constant of water to 550°C and 5 kbar are given and discussed with respect to their relation to water structure. Infrared and Raman spectra of HDO in pure water have been obtained to 400°C and 4 kbar, which give information on hydrogen bonding. Xe–H₂O and CO₂–H₂O mixtures were investigated in the infrared. Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes were investigated by absorption spectroscopy in aqueous solutions of high chloride content to 350°C and 2–6 kbar. The gas-liquid critical point of ammonium chloride was found at 880°C and 1635 bars. This fluid appears to be predominantly ionic even in the critical region. The possibility of converting pure polar fluids such as ammonia and water into concentrated ionic solutions by self-ionization at very high pressures is mentioned.This paper was presented at the symposium, The Physical Chemistry of Aqueous Systems, held at the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, June 12–14, 1972, in honor of the 70th birthday of Professor H. S. Frank.     

Determination of stainless steel constituents in plastics

Summary Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) were tested for the determination of the abrasion effect in plastics processing equipment. As optimal solution measurement of Fe by XRF in cylindrical samples was found.