On finite {1,2,3}-semiaffine planes

In this paper, we investigate {1,2,3}-semiaffine planes. All such planes of order n >51 shall be classified. It turns out that they are embeddable into projective planes of the same order n in the most natural way.Work supported by National Research Project on Strutture Geometriche Combinatoria, loro applicazioni of Italian M.P.I. and G.N.S.A.G.A. of C.N.R.     

Ruthenium complexes of analogues of the antitumor antibiotic streptonigrin

The complexes Ru(L1-CH3)(CO)3Cl, RuL2(CO)2Cl2, and RuL3(CO)2Cl2 (L1= 6-methoxy-5,8-quinolinedione, L2 = 7-amino-6-methoxy-5,8-quinolinedione, L3 = 6,6'-dimethoxycarbonyl-2,2'-bipyridine) were prepared by reaction of L1-L3 with the tricarbonyldichlororuthenium(II) dimer. L1-L3 act as bidentates through the ortho oxygen atoms, the pyridyl nitrogen and the adjacent quinone oxygen, and the bipyridyl nitrogens, respectively. RuL3(CO)2Cl2 is characterized by X-ray crystallography. 15N NMR correlation spectra give upfield shifts of around 60 ppm for the pyridyl nitrogens that are coordinated to the metal, while 13C NMR correlation spectra give a downfield shift of 10 ppm for the quinone carbonyl group that is coordinated to the metal. The electrochemistry of RuL2(CO)2Cl2 is examined, and the implications for the formation of metal complexes of the antitumor antibiotic streptonigrin, which cleaves DNA in the presence of metal ions, are discussed.     

Formation of dimers that contain unbridged W(IV)/W(IV) double bonds

A tungsten neopentylidene complex has been found to decompose to yield a heterochiral dimer that contains a W=W double bond and no bridging ligands. Decompositions of related bisalkoxide complexes also yield compounds that contain an "unsupported" W=W double bond, while a sample of [Mo(NAr)(CH2-t-Bu)(OC6F5)]2 has been found to be a homochiral species related to [W(NAr)(CH2-t-Bu)(OC6F5)]2.     

Red blood cell ghosts and intact red blood cells as complementary models in photodynamic cell research

Recent research on erythrocytes as model cells for photodynamic therapy showed differing behaviour of certain photosensitisers in erythrocytes compared to other cells. Differences of dye accumulation in the cell membrane were proposed to be the reason for the distinct photodynamic effects. Using pheophorbide a as an example, the combination of erythrocyte ghosts as models to follow the dye accumulation in the cell membrane and intact erythrocytes as model cells to show the photodynamic damage is provided. Evidence for the correctness of the combination of erythrocyte ghosts and intact erythrocytes as a functioning model system in photodynamic cell research is provided using the confocal laser scanning microscopy on intact, pheophorbide a loaded erythrocytes.     

The non-selective voltage-activated cation channel in the human red blood cell membrane: reconciliation between two conflicting reports and further characterisation

Using the patch-clamp technique, the non-selective, voltage-activated cation channel in the human red blood cell (RBC) membrane was further characterised. Activity of the cation channel could be demonstrated at a range of salt concentrations with the current-voltage characteristics for monovalent cations going from linear to superlinear functions, depending on the cation concentration in the range of 100-500 mM. The non-selective voltage-activated cation channel was demonstrated to be permeable to the divalent cations Ca2+ and Ba2+, and even Mg2+. The current-voltage relations for the divalent cations were superlinear even at 75 mM salt concentration, but indicated outward rectification in contrast to the I-V curve for monovalent cations. The degree of activation at a given membrane potential depended strongly on the prehistory of the channel. The gating exhibited hysteretic-like behaviour, since the quasi steady-state deactivation and activation curves were displaced by approximately 25 mV. This result fully explains apparent discrepancies between V0.5-values previously obtained by slightly different experimental protocols. The possible physiological/pathophysiological role of the channel is discussed in the context of the demonstrated permeability for divalent cations.     

Eptastigmine,nicotinamide and nicotinic acid determination using an inhibition enzyme sensor; application to pharmaceutical analysis

An enzyme inhibition biosensor, developed in our laboratory and previously used for the analysis of compounds with anticholinesterase activity (e.g. physostigmine, neostigmine, pyridostigmine nicotine and organophosphorus compounds) has now been tested for the analysis of another recently synthesized cholinesterase inhibitor, i.e. eptastigmine. In addition nicotinic acid and nicotinamide, although displaying weaker inhibition properties, were also tested in pharmaceutical products using the same inhibition enzyme sensor. The biosensor consisted of a hydrogen peroxide amperometric electrode coupled to a functionalised nylon membrane chemically bonding both the enzymes butyrylcholinesterase and choline oxidase; a butyrylcholine standard solution in glycine buffer acted as substrate. The response of the system to all the inhibitors considered was characterised completely and the analysis of several pharmaceutical formulations containing nicotinamide or nicotinic acid was also performed.