Molecular dynamics and information on possible sites of interaction of intramyocellular metabolites in vivo from resolved dipolar couplings in localized H NMR spectra

Proton NMR resonances of the endogenous metabolites creatine and phosphocreatine ((P)Cr), taurine (Tau), and carnosine (Cs, β-alanyl-l-histidine) were studied with regard to residual dipolar couplings and molecular mobility. We present an analysis of the direct ¹H–¹H interaction that provides information on motional reorientation of subgroups in these molecules in vivo. For this purpose, localized ¹H NMR experiments were performed on m. gastrocnemius of healthy volunteers using a 1.5-T clinical whole-body MR scanner. We evaluated the observable dipolar coupling strength SD₀ (S = order parameter) of the (P)Cr-methyl triplet and the Tau-methylene doublet by means of the apparent line splitting. These were compared to the dipolar coupling strength of the (P)Cr-methylene doublet. In contrast to the aliphatic protons of (P)Cr and Tau, the aromatic H2 (δ = 8 ppm) and H4 (δ = 7 ppm) protons of the imidazole ring of Cs exhibit second-order spectra at 1.5 T. This effect is the consequence of incomplete transition from Zeeman to Paschen-Back regime and allows a determination of SD₀ from H2 and H4 of Cs as an alternative to evaluating the multiplet splitting which can be measured directly in high-resolution ¹H NMR spectra. Experimental data showed striking differences in the mobility of the metabolites when the dipolar coupling constant D₀ (calculated with the internuclear distance known from molecular geometry in the case of complete absence of molecular dynamics and motion) is used for comparison. The aliphatic signals involve very small order parameters S ≈ (1.4 − 3) × 10⁻⁴ indicating rapid reorientation of the corresponding subgroups in these metabolites. In contrast, analysis of the Cs resonances yielded S ≈ (113 − 137) × 10⁻⁴. Thus, the immobilization of the Cs imidazole ring owing to an anisotropic cellular substructure in human m. gastrocnemius is much more effective than for (P)Cr and Tau subgroups. Furthermore, ¹H NMR experiments on aqueous model solutions of histidine and N-acetyl-l-aspartate (NAA) enabled the assignment of an additional signal component at δ = 8 ppm of Cs in vivo to the amide group at the peptide bond. The visibility of this proton could result from hydrogen bonding which would agree with the anticipated stronger motional restriction of Cs. Referring to the observation that all dipolar-coupled multiplets resolved in localized in vivo ¹H NMR spectra of human m. gastrocnemius collapse simultaneously when the fibre structure is tilted towards the magic angle (θ ≈ 55°), a common model for molecular confinement in muscle tissue is proposed on the basis of an interaction of the studied metabolites with myocellular membrane phospholipids.     

Some probabilistic and extremal results on subdivisions and odd subdivisions of graphs

A probabilistic result of Bollobás and Catlin concerning the largest integer p so that a subdivision of K_p is contained in a random graph is generalized to a result concerning the largest integer p so that a subdivision of A_p is contained in a random graph for some sequence A₁, A₂,… of graphs such that A_i+1 contains a subdivision of A_i. A similar result is proved for subdivisions with odd paths or cycles. The result is applied to disprove a conjecture of Chartrand, Geller, and Hedetniemi. The maximum number of edges in a graph without a subdivision of K_p, p = 4, 5, with odd paths or cycles is determined.     

Vibrational and lifetime line broadenings in ESCA

The line profile of the narrow, symmetric 1s line from neon, recorded with the new ESCA instrument with X-ray monochromatization, is analyzed. The natural linewidth of this line is found to be 0.23 ± 0.02 eV, in good agreement with theoretical calculations of the oscillator strengths for Auger transitions and X-ray emission. Spectra from molecules show frequently asymmetric core electron lines under high resolution. This rules out previous explanations based on a chemical influence on the natural lifetime. Contrary to earlier assumptions, vibrational excitations are shown to be important in core electron spectra. For methane, the vibrational energy spacing is large enough to allow the vibrational lines to be partly resolved. Recent results from accurate PNO CI calculations on methane agree well with the experimental findings. The Franck-Condon transitions in the C1s and N1s lines from CO and N₂ are shown to be well described in the harmonic approximation and approximating the potential curves of the highly excited core hole states with the potential curve for the ground state of NO⁺, X¹ Σ⁺. Knowledge of vibrational excitations in core electron spectra is shown to be valuable in the analysis of high resolution X-ray emission spectra of free molecules.     

New derivatization method for determination of 3-chloro-4(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone in water

An extremely potent mutagen, 3-chloro-4(dichloromethyl)-5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanone (MX) is commonly present in chlorinated drinking water. Due to its high mutagenic activity and according to World Health Organization guidelines its concentration should be controlled in drinking waters. Determination of MX is difficult due to ppt levels at which the compound usually exists in drinking waters. Derivatization of MX with 2-propanol is presented as a method which significantly lowers the GC–MS detection level compared to other alcohol derivatization agents.     

Oxoniobates Containing Metal Clusters

Metal clusters, discrete or condensed, are characteristic of the structures of many compounds which contain transition metals in low oxidation states. The highly reduced oxoniobates support the concept of condensed clusters. They contain Nb₆O₁₂ clusters which are either isolated or linked at the apices of the Nb₆ octahedra to form oligomeric chains or networks. The analysis of the bonding relationships allows the identification of different types of Nb atoms and thus the quantitative prediction of valence electron concentrations for finite or infinite structures composed of these condensed M₆X₁₂ clusters.