Recent radiochemical studies of the fission process

This article summarizes the recent radiochemical investigations on mass, charge kinetic energy and fragment angular distributions in low energy fission of actinides.     

Charge distribution study in the alpha-particle induced fission of232Th+ effect of excitation energy

The fractional cumulative yields of¹³⁵I,¹³⁸Xe and¹⁴⁰Ba in the particle (30 MeV) induced fission of²³²Th have been determined following the growth and decay of^135gXe,^138gCs and¹⁴⁰La, respectively, employing high resolution gamma ray spectroscopy. The fractional cumulative yield values are 0.766±0.02, 0.813±0.03 and 0.991±0.004, respectively. The analysis of the data indicates a broader width of charge distribution () compared to the normally observed =0.56±0.06 for thermal neutron fission of²³⁵U.     

Reactions of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with aliphatic and aromatic hydroxy esters,part I. 5-, 6-, 7- and 8-coordinate titanium(IV) complexes

Summary Reactions of titanium(IV) isopropoxide with ethyl 1-hydroxycyclohexylacetate, ethyl 2-hydroxy-2-arylpropionate, ethyl 2-hydroxy-2-arylbutyrate and ethyl 2-hydroxy-2-arylhydrocinnamate have been studied in dry benzene in different molar ratios under strictly anhydrous conditions. The Ti(OPr-i)₄-_nL_n type compounds, where L = hydroxy ester and n = 1 to 4, have been isolated and characterised by elemental analysis, molecular weight, i.r. and n.m.r. spectral studies. These products may be distilled unchanged under reduced pressure.Reprints of this are not available.     

Complexes of poly(ethylene glycol)-based cationic random copolymer and calf thymus DNA: a complete biophysical characterization

Complete biophysical characterization of complexes (polyplexes) of cationic polymers and DNA is needed to understand the mechanism underlying nonviral therapeutic gene transfer. In this article, we propose a new series of synthesized random cationic polymers (RCPs) from methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) monomethacrylate (MePEGMA) and (3-(methacryloylamino)propyl)trimethylammonium chloride with different mole ratios (32:68, 11:89, and 6:94) which could be used as a model system to address and answer the basic questions relating to the mechanism of the interaction of calf thymus DNA (CT-DNA) and cationic polymers. The solubility of the complexes of CT-DNA and RCP was followed by turbidity measurements. It has been observed that complexes of RCP with 68 mol % MePEGMA precipitate near the charge neutralization point, whereas complexes of the other two polymers are water-soluble and stable at all compositions. Dnase 1 digestion experiments show that DNA is inaccessible when it forms complexes with RCP. Ethidium bromide exclusion and gel electrophoretic mobility show that both polymers are capable of binding with CT-DNA. Atomic force microscopy images in conjunction with light scattering experiments showed that the complexes are spherical in nature and 75-100 nm in diameter. Circular dichroism spectroscopy studies indicated that the secondary structure of DNA in the complexes is not perturbed due to the presence of poly(ethylene glycol) segments in the polymer. Furthermore, we used a combination of spectroscopic and calorimetric techniques to determine complete thermodynamic profiles accompanying the helix-coil transition of CT-DNA in the complexes. UV and differential scanning calorimetry melting experiments revealed that DNA in the complexes is more stable than in the free state and the extent of stability depends on the polymer composition. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments showed that the binding of these RCPs to CT-DNA is associated with small exothermic enthalpy changes. A complete thermodynamic profile showed that the RCP/DNA complex formation is entropically favorable. Much broader opportunities to vary the architecture of the polymers studied here make these systems promising in addressing various basic and practical problems in gene delivery systems.     

Cumulative yields of short-lived isotopes of barium in the spontaneous fission of252Cf

Cumulative yields of short-lived/barium isotopes^{139, 141, 142}Ba have been determined in the spontaneous fission of²⁵²Cf, using fast radiochemical separation and gamma-ray spectrometry.¹⁴²Ba yield is reported for the first time. The measured cumulative yields are converted to chain yields, assuming normal charge distribution systematics for comparision with the literature data.     

Zinc-catalyzed Williamson ether synthesis in the absence of base

Zinc powder was found to be a highly efficient catalyst for the synthesis of aromatic ethers using microwave heating in the presence of N,N-dimethylformamide as well as under stirring in an oil-bath using tetrahydrofuran as solvent without any inorganic base. This method can be used for selective mono-, di- or tri-O-alkylations.     

Bis-salicylaldehyde-ethylenediamine as an analytical reagent

Summary Copper has been determined gravimetrically as its bis-salicylaldehyde-ethylenediamine complex of the composition C₁₆H₁₄O₂N₂ · Cu, dried at 100–120° C. The complex is completely precipitated in theph range of 10.5–13.5, adjusted with ammonia or caustic alkali. It is stable in presence of excess ammonia, 0.1 N alkali, ammonium salts and complexing agents as tartrate, citrate, sodium-thiosulphate, fluoride, thiourea, triethanolamine and EDTA. In presence of tartrate and ammonia the ions of alkali metals, alkaline earths, Ag⁺, Tl⁺, Tl³⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pd²⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Au³⁺, Pt⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zr⁴⁺, Th⁴⁺, UO₂ ²⁺ and anions as VO₃ ^–, MoO₄ ^2–, WO₄ ^2–, CrO₄ ^2–, PO₄ ^3–, AsO₄ ^3– do not interfere. Ni²⁺ and Hg²⁺ are masked by tartrate, EDTA and ammonia; As³⁺, Sb³⁺ and Sn²⁺ are separated using fluoride as the complexing agent; at an alkalinity of 0.1 N caustic alkali in presence of tartrate As³⁺, Sb³⁺, Sn²⁺, Bi³⁺, Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ are separated. Fe³⁺ can also be separated using triethanolamine as the masking agent at aph of about 13.0. Copper can be separated from almost all the ions, thus affording a highly selective method for the determination of copper.

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Zusammenfassung Es wird eine gravimetrische Methode zur Bestimmung von Kupfer beschrieben, die auf der Bildung des Bis-salicylaldehyd-äthylendiaminkomplexes beruht. Dieser hat die Zusammensetzung C₁₆H₁₄O₂N₂ · Cu. Die Fällung wird imph-Bereich 10,5–13,5 (mit Ammoniak oder Alkalilauge eingestellt) vorgenommen und der Niederschlag bei 100°–120° C getrocknet. Der Komplex ist beständig in Gegenwart von überschüssigem Ammoniak, 0,1 n Alkali, Ammoniumsalzen sowie Tartrat, Citrat, Natriumthiosulfat, Fluorid, Thioharnstoff, Triäthanolamin und ÄDTA. In Gegenwart von Tartrat und Ammoniak stören nicht: Alkalien, Erdalkalien, Ag⁺, Tl⁺, Tl³⁺, Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Mn²⁺, Pd²⁺, Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, La³⁺, Ce³⁺, Au³⁺, Pt⁴⁺, Ti⁴⁺, Zr⁴⁺, Th⁴⁺, UO₂ ²⁺ sowie VO₃ ^–, MoO₄ ^2–, WO₄ ^2–, CrO₄ ^2–, PO₄ ^3– und AsO₄ ³⁺. Ni²⁺ und Hg²⁺ können mit Tartrat, ÄDTA und Ammoniak maskiert werden, As³⁺, Sb³⁺ und Sn²⁺ mit Fluorid. In 0,1 n ätzalkalischer Lösung in Gegenwart von Tartrat können As³⁺, Sb³⁺, Sn²⁺, Bi³⁺, Zn²⁺ und Fe³⁺ abgetrennt werden. Fe³⁺ kann ebenfalls mit Triäthanolamin beiph 13,0 maskiert werden. Das beschriebene Verfahren erlaubt somit eine Abtrennung des Kupfers von fast allen anderen Ionen.

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Part I: Singh, B. R., and S. Kumar: Z. analyt. Chem. 185, 211 (1962).     

Toward a new generation of therapeutics

Scientific evidence in the prevention and treatment of various disorders is accumulating regarding probiotics. The health benefits supported by adequate clinical data include increased resistance to infectious disease, decreased duration of diarrhea, management of inflammatory bowel disease, reduction of serum cholesterol, prevention of allergy, modulation of cytokine gene expression, and suppression of carcinogen production. Recent ventures in metabolic engineering and heterologous protein expression have enhanced the enzymatic and immunomodulatory effects of probiotics and, with time, may allow more active intervention among critical care patients. In addition, a number of approaches are currently being explored, including the physical and chemical protection of cells, to increase probiotic viability and its health benefits. Traditional immobilization of probiotics in gel matrices, most notably calcium alginate and κ-carrageenan, has frequently been employed, with noted improvements in viability during freezing and storage. Conflicting reports exist, however, on the protection offered by immobilization from harsh physiologic environments. An alternative approach, microencapsulation in “artificial cells,” builds on immobilization technologies by combining enhanced mechanical stability of the capsule membrane with improved mass transport, increased cell loading, and greater control of parameters. This review summarizes the current clinical status of probiotics, examines the promises and challenges of current immobilization technologies, and presents the concept of artificial cells for effective delivery of therapeutic bacterial cells.     

A gamma-spectrometric method for the determination of plutonium isotope ratios

A gamma-spectrometric method using an intrinsic high resolution germanium detector has been developed for the determination of isotope ratios of plutonium from samples in solution form. The method is based on the assay of low energy gamma-rays of²³⁸Pu,²³⁹Pu,²⁴⁰Pu and²⁴¹Pu and does not require the use of branching intensities or the knowledge of detection efficiencies for different gamma rays. Since low energy gamma-rays are used, the effect of²⁴¹Am has also been studied. It is found that results are not affected up to 0.5 wt% of²⁴¹Am in plutonium samples. An accuracy of 3% is achievable in the determination of²⁴⁰Pu/²³⁹Pu and²⁴¹Pu/²³⁹Pu atom ratios as demonstrated by carrying out measurements on isotopic standards of plutonium.     

Synthesis and bioactivity evaluation of eugenol hybrids obtained by Mannich and 1,3 dipolar cycloaddition reactions

Design, synthesis, and bioactivity evaluation of novel mannich bases ( 2a-2j ) and triazole-chalcone derivatives ( 7a-7k ) of Eugenol 1 were reported. Among all the derivatives tested for antiproliferative activity, di-amine manich derivative 2b (32.92 μM), and 4-methoxy chalcone triazole derivative 7d (33.05 μM) significantly inhibited HepG2 cell lines when compared to the standard doxorubicin (37.29 μM). Whereas most of the compounds such as diethylamine 2a (17.75 μM), (aminomethyl) methane diamine 2b (17.02 μM), and bis (chloromethyl) amine 2c (20.12 μM) showed moderate to better inhibition towards MCF-7 cell lines. The synthesized analogues were also tested for antidiabetic and antiobesity potentials. Compounds 2f (55.50%), 2c (54.34%), 7g (55.5%), and 2a (55.5%) have shown moderate inhibitory potentials toward intestinal α-glucosidase enzyme when compared to the standard Acarbose (72.86%). Likewise, compounds 7d (82.95%), 7f (76.19%), 7g (74.81%), 7e (74.81%), and 2g (72.50%) have shown significant to moderate inhibitory potentials toward Pancreatic lipase enzyme when compared to the standard orlistat (91.10%). ROS induces life-threatening diseases like diabetes, cancer, etc., and antioxidants play a major role in controlling their production. Compounds 2c (99.81%), 2i (99.80%), 2d (99.26%), 2g (98.79%), and 2f (98.42%) have shown significant antioxidant profiles in ABTS assay when compared to the standard Trolox (99.07%). Further, In silico Molecular docking and pharmacokinetic screening of the eugenol derivatives complemented the in vitro results indicating the drug likeness of the obtained active compounds.