Raman spectroscopy of topotecan, an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase I

Topotecan (TPT), a water-soluble derivative of camptothecin (inhibitor of human DNA topoiomerase I), has found wide application in cancer chemotherapy. The central problem in using topotecan is the presence of lactone rings in its molecules, which undergo hydrolysis at a physiological pH yielding an inactive and even toxic form of the drug. The analysis of Raman spectra of TPT in H₂O and D₂O solutions made it possible to assign the spectral bands to the vibrations of particular molecular groups. Spectral features indicative of the opening of the lactone rings of the TPT molecules, deprotonation of the hydroxyl groups in their quinoline fragments, and of possible participation of the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups in H bonding are found. The data obtained are necessary to study the molecular mechanisms of TPT-DNA interaction and the formation of ternary complexes between TPT, DNA, and DNA topoisomerase I.     

Interaction of CdSe/ZnS core-shell semiconductor nanocrystals in solid thin films

The optical properties of CdSe/ZnS semiconductor nanocrystals with the core-shell structure are studied upon visible-laser excitation in a wide range of flux densities. It is demonstrated that the dimensional quantization effect is preserved in the films with a limiting high concentration of nanocrystals. A strong bathochromic shift of the absorption and luminescence peaks relative to the peak positions in the corresponding spectra of nanocrystals in films with a relatively low concentration of nanocrystals and solutions is caused by a high concentration of nanocrystals and the dipole moment related to the asymmetry of the nanoparticles. The shift is varied from 35 to 50 nm depending on the film thickness. The luminescence spectra of the films remain unchanged upon an increase in the laser intensity to 1 × 10⁶ W/cm². The laser action on the nanoparticle films is studied at intensities (5 × 10⁶?1 × 10⁹ W/cm²) higher than the damage threshold.     

Inspection methods for spacecrafts with nuclear power plants

Inspection methods for space objects (SOs) using an active apparatus with onboard detecting equipment are considered. A method based on sequential maneuvering of a spacecraft inspector in the equatorial plane to the points of convergence with various inspected objects in crossed orbits is proposed.     

Kinetics of Reactions of 1- and 2‑Naphthyl with Propyne and Allene

Bulletin of the Lebedev Physics Institute - Abstract—Quantum-mechanical ab initio calculations are applied to study the growth mechanism of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons via reactions of...     

Infrared spectroscopic characterization of the properties of oxide films grown on Zr surfaces doped under ion-beam irradiation in a vapor-water medium

Infrared spectroscopy is shown to be applicable to the nondestructive check of the state of oxide films on metal substrates doped under irradiation by an ion beam. The reflection spectra of oxide films on zirconium surfaces doped under ion-beam irradiation are obtained. Oxide films were grown by means of oxidation in a vapor-water medium. The analysis of the fine structure of IR spectra has revealed that, at wavelengths of 1–10 μm, the spectra contain resonance lines corresponding to ZrH-and ZrOH-type molecular compounds, OH groups, and other components of oxide.     

Laser-induced photoprocesses in solutions and films of the CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles

The photophysical properties of solutions and films with relatively high concentrations of CdSe/ZnS nanoparticles are studied in the presence of the visible laser irradiation in a wide range of power densities. The short-wavelength wing detected in the photoluminescence spectra of the solutions of quantum dots is due to the selective laser excitation of small-size nanoparticles. A comprehensive analysis of the anti-Stokes photoluminescence of the nanoparticles in solutions and films indicates the thermal mechanism of this phenomenon. The dimensional quantization effect, narrow spectra, and a relatively high luminescence yield are retained in the films with a high nanoparticle concentration. The luminescence spectra of the films remain unchanged when the laser flux density increases to 1 × 10⁶ W/cm². The effect of the laser radiation on the nanoparticle films is studied at the flux densities exceeding the damage threshold (5 × 10⁶–1 × 10⁹ W/cm²).     

Irregular trajectories in vakonomic mechanical systems

In his works, V.V. Kozlov proposed a mathematical model for the dynamics of a mechanical system with nonintegrable constraints, which was called vakonomic. In contrast to the then conventional nonholonomic model, trajectories in the vakonomic model satisfy necessary conditions for a minimum in a variational problem with equality constraints. We consider the so-called irregular case of this variational problem, which was not covered by Kozlov, when the trajectory is a singular point of the constraints and the necessary minimum conditions based on the Lagrange principle make no sense. This situation is studied using the theory of abnormal problems developed by the first author. As a result, the classical necessary minimum conditions are strengthened and developed to this class of problems.     

Synthetic transformations of higher terpenoids: XVIII. Synthesis of optically active 9,10-anthraquinone derivatives

Retro-Diels-Alder decomposition of dodecahydro-endo-4b,12-ethenochrysene-1,4-diones obtained from a tricyclic diterpenoid, levopimaric acid, gave optically active 5-[2-(6-vinyl-2,6-dimethyl-2-carboxycyclohexyl) ethyl]-7-isopropyl-1,4-naphthoquinones which reacted with silyloxybutadienes to produce the corresponding 6- and 7-hydroxyanthraquinones, 5-furyl-7-hydroxytetrahydroanthraquinones, or 5-furyl-7-oxohexahydroanthraquinones. Condensation of the naphthoquinone derivatives with 5-isopropenyl-2,3-dihydrothiophene 1,1-dioxide resulted in the formation of 6,11-dioxodihydro- and 6,11-dioxohexahydroanthra[2,1-b]thiophene 3,3-dioxides. 6- and 7-Hydroxyanthraquinones were also obtained by reaction of dodecahydro-endo-4b,12-ethenochrysene-1,4-diones with Danishevsky diene, followed by cleavage of the polycyclic adducts. The cycloaddition of 5-[2-(-2-carboxy-2,6-dimethyl-6-vinylcyclohexyl)ethyl]-7-isopropyl-1,4-naphthoquinones in the presence of Lewis acids was characterized by increased regioselectivity.