Evolution of star clusters with a mass distribution of binaries

Summary The dynamical evolution of star clusters with a initial population of binaries strongly depends on the parameters of the bounded pairs. We performed computational simulation with directN-body codes, on models withN=300 objects, with initial fraction of 20% of binaries with the same orbital semi-axis and with a Salpeter mass spectrum. The results are compared with previous analysis on similar equal-mass star models. The calculation points out that binaries with different mass companions determine an enhanced and sudden expansion of the system with neither core collapse nor central mass segregation. Paper presented at the 2° Convegno Nazionale di Fisica Cosmica, held at L'Aquila, 29 May – 2 June 1984.     

Amperometric monitoring of lactate accumulation in rabbit ischemic myocardium

Fabrication and characterization of miniature, flexible, planar biosensors for monitoring l-lactate accumulation in an ischemic myocardium are described. Three configurations of Au-based electrodes were fabricated by a photolithographic technique on flexible polyimide Kapton((R)) foil. All sensors are based on an immobilized lactate oxidase with amperometric detection of the enzymatically produced hydrogen peroxide at a platinum-electroplated-gold base electrode polarized at 0.5 V versus Ag/AgCl. An inner electropolymeric layer is used to prevent electrode fouling and to reject the interference effects of easily oxidizable molecules. In addition, a diffusion controlling outer layer that greatly enhances the linear dynamic range of the sensor, is obtained by casting a polyurethane external film. The developed sensor was evaluated in vitro and proved to have high selectivity, good operational stability, good accuracy and precision (average recovery = 102.3 +/- 0.4% for control sera), fast response time (t(95) = 20 s) and high upper limit of the linear dynamic range (25-80 mM, with sensitivity of 1.7-0.4 nA mM(-1) respectively at PO(2) = 15 mmHg). Subsequently, the sensor was brought into direct contact with the surface of the rabbit papillary muscle and used for continuous quantitative monitoring of extracellular lactate accumulation during no-flow ischemia.     

The Mode of Incorporation of Farnesyl Pyrophosphate into Verrucarol. Preliminary communication

In the course of the biosynthesis of verrucarol ( 3 ) from farnesyl pyrophosphate in Myrothecium roridum, strain S 1135, a hydride shift occurs from the central double bond of the precursor to C(2) of the product.     

Computational studies of Cu(II)/Met and Cu(I)/Met binding motifs relevant for the chemistry of Alzheimer's disease

A systematic study of the binding motifs of Cu(II) and Cu(I) to a methionine model peptide, namely, N-formylmethioninamide 1, has been carried out by quantum chemical computations. Geometries of the coordination modes obtained at the B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory are discussed in the context of copper coordination by the peptide backbone and the S atom of a methionine residue in peptides with special emphasis on Met35 of the amyloid-beta peptide (Abeta) of Alzheimer's disease. The relative binding free energies in the gas phase, DeltaG(g), are calculated at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2df,2p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) level of theory, and the solvation affects are included by means of the COSMO model to obtain the relative binding energies in solution, DeltaG(aq). A free energy of binding, DeltaG(aq) = -19.4 kJ mol(-1), relative to aqueous Cu(II) and the free peptide is found for the most stable Cu(II)/Met complex, 12. The most stable Cu(I)/Met complex, 23, is bound by -15.6 kJ mol(-1) relative to the separated species. The reduction potential relative to the standard hydrogen electrode is estimated to be E degrees (12/23) = 0.41 V. On the basis of these results, the participation of Met35 as a low affinity binding site of Cu(II) in Abeta, and its role in the redox chemistry underlying Alzheimer's disease is discussed.     

Computational prediction of ion permeation characteristics in the glycine receptor modified by photo-sensitive compounds

We conduct computational analyses of ion permeation characteristics in a model glycine receptor (GlyR) modified by photo-sensitive compounds. In particular, we consider hypothetical attachment to the channel of charge-neutral chemical groups which can be photo-activated by shining light of an appropriate wavelength on the system. After illumination, the attached molecules become charged via a photodissociation process or excited into a charge-separated state (thus generating a significant electric dipole). We carry out Brownian Dynamics simulations of ion flow through the channel in the presence of the additional charges generated in this fashion. Based on these calculations, we predict that photo-activation of appropriately positioned photo-sensitive compounds near the channel mouth can significantly modify the rate of ion permeation and the current rectification ratio. Possible implications for GlyR-based device designs are briefly discussed.     

Fatty acids determination in Bronte pistachios by gas chromatographic method

A gas chromatographic with flame ionization detector (GC-MS FID) method for the identification and quantification of fatty acids based on the extraction of lipids and derivatisation of free acids to form methyl esters was developed and validated. The proposed method was evaluated to a number of standard FAs, and Bronte pistachios samples were used for that purpose and to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed method. In this regard, repeatability, mean and standard deviation of the analytical procedure were calculated. The results obtained have demonstrated oleic acid as the main component of Bronte pistachios (72.2%) followed by linoleic acid (13.4%) and showed some differences in composition with respect to Tunisian, Turkish and Iranian pistachios.     

Zur Kenntnis der β-Lysin-Mutase-Reaktion: Mechanismus und sterischer Verlauf

Investigations on the β-lysine mutase reaction: Mechanism and steric course The steric course and some mechanistic aspects of the coenzyme-B₁₂-dependent β-lysine-mutase reaction, in which (3 S)-β-lysine is converted to (3 S, 5 S)-3, 5-diaminohexanoate, have been investigated by means of tritium labelling. The reaction involves migration of an hydrogen atom from C(5) of the substrate to C(5′) of coenzyme B₁₂ and back-transfer to C(6) of the product. In the presence of [5′-³H]-coenzyme B₁₂ the enzyme catalyzes the exchange of label between the cofactor and one of the diastereotopic H-atoms at C(5) of the substrate. The exchangeable hydrogen atom is identical with the one specifically involved in the migration reaction. Degradation of the tritiated β-lysine obtained in such experiments yielded a sample of tritiated succinic acid which was shown in an enzymic assay involving partial oxidation with succinate dehydrogenase, to possess the (S)-configuration. Thus, the overall substitution at C(5) occurs with inversion of configuration.