Transport properties of a side-chain liquid-crystalline polymer. Poly(4-acryloyloxy biphenyl)

The transport properties of a side-chain liquid-crystalline polymer forming a smectic A phase have been investigated using dichloromethane as a permeant. Samples differing in the isotropization enthaoly were analyzed. A. Correlation between this thermal parameter and sorption has been found, while the diffusion coefficient is substantially the same in all samples. The results obtained can be explained in terms of a biphasis model in which a disordered permeable phase is present within the liquid-crystalline phase, which is impermeable to the diffusant molecules.     

Primate beta-defensins--structure, function and evolution

Host defense peptides (HDPs) are endogenous antibiotics that play a multifunctional role in the innate immunity of mammals. Among these, beta-defensins contribute to mucosal and epithelial defense, also acting as signal molecules for cellular components of innate and adaptive immunity. Numerous members of this family have been identified in mammalian and avian species, and genomic studies in human and mouse indicate a considerable complexity in their gene organization. Recent reports on the evolution of primate and rodent members of this family indicate quite a complex pattern of variation. In this review we briefly discuss the evolution of mammalian beta-defensins in relation to other types of defensins, and then concentrate on the evolution of beta-defensins 1 to 4 in primates. In particular, the surprisingly varied patterns of evolution, which range from neutral or weakly purifying, to positive selection to a high level of conservation are analyzed in terms of possible genetics, structural or functional implications, as well as to observed variations on the antimicrobial activity in vitro. The role of polymorphisms in the genes encoding for these host defense peptides in determining susceptibility to human diseases are also briefly considered.     

Determination of manganese in brain samples by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple procedure for the determination of manganese in different sections of human brain samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry has been developed. Brain sections included cerebellum, hypothalamus, frontal cortex, vermix and encephalic trunk. Two sample preparation procedures were evaluated, namely, slurry sampling and microwave-assisted acid digestion. Brain slurries (2% w/v) could be prepared in distilled, de-ionized water, with good stability for up to 30 min. Brain samples were also digested in a domestic microwave oven using 5 ml of concentrated HNO₃. A mixed palladium+magnesium nitrate chemical modifier was used for thermal stabilization of the analyte in the electrothermal atomizer up to pyrolysis temperatures of 1300 °C, irrespective of the matrix. Quantitation of manganese was conducted in both cases by means of aqueous standards calibration. The detection limits were 0.3 and 0.4 ng ml⁻¹ for the slurry and the digested samples, respectively. The accuracy of the procedure was checked by comparing the results obtained in the analysis of slurries and digested brain samples, and by analysis of the NIST Bovine Liver standard reference material (SRM 1577a). The ease of slurry preparation, together with the conventional set of analytical and instrumental conditions selected for the determination of manganese make such methodology suitable for routine clinical applications.     

Asymmetric synthesis of 4,4-disubstituted-2-imidazoli-dinones: potent NK1 antagonists

[structure: see text] A highly efficient and practical synthesis of 4,4-Disubstituted-2-Imidazolidinones utilizing a "self-reproduction of the center of chirality" strategy is described.     

Glycidol syntheses and valorizations: Boosting the glycerol biorefinery

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Conformational studies by dynamic NMR. 94.1 cogwheel pathway for the stereomutations of durene derivatives containing the mesityl ring

The low-temperature NMR spectra of 1,4-bis(mesitoyl)durene, 1, and of 1,4-bis(mesitylethenyl)durene, 2, reveal the presence of syn and anti rotamers at the equilibrium, their relative proportions depending on the dielectric constant of the solvent. In solution the more stable rotamer of 1 is the anti whereas, in the case of 2, the more stable is the syn. Depending on the crystallization solvent employed the more (anti) and the less stable (syn) rotamers were both observed (X-ray diffraction) in the solid state of 1. On the other hand, only the less stable rotamer (anti) was found to be present in the solid state of 2. As shown by MM calculations, the syn-to-anti interconversion occurs via a correlated process (cogwheel pathway) involving the mesityl-C and durene-C bond rotations: the dynamic NMR technique yields an experimental barrier of 8.2 kcal mol(-)(1) for 1 and 13.1 kcal mol(-)(1) for 2. In the case of derivative 2 a second barrier, due to a second type of correlated rotation process (torsion), was also determined (8.6 kcal mol(-)(1)). As a consequence of the restriction of this second torsional motion the anti rotamer of 2 displays two distinguishable NMR spectra at -133 degrees C, corresponding to a pair of conformers with different symmetry (anti C(i)() and anti C(2)).     

Quantum mechanical calculations of conformationally relevant 1H and 13C NMR chemical shifts of calixarene systems

[graphs: see text] QM GIAO calculations of 13C and 1H chemical shift values of the ArCH2Ar group have been performed, using the hybrid DFT functional MPW1PW91 and the 6-31G(d,p) basis set, on some representative calixarenes and on a series of simplified calixarene models allowing derivation of chemical shift surfaces versus phi and chi dihedral angles. A good reproduction of experimental data was obtained. The applicability of chemical shift surfaces in the study of calixarene conformational features is illustrated.     

Dynamic-mechanical properties and melting points of some aliphatic and partially aromatic polyamides

Some aliphatic and partially aromatic polyamides have been prepared from hexamethylene diamine and the following dicarboxylic acids: deca-, octa-, hexa-methylenedicarboxylic, p-carboxymethylphenoxyacetic, p-carboxyethylphenoxyacetic, p-phenylenedipropionic, p-phenylenediacetic, p-carboxymethoxyphenoxyacetic, β(p-carboxymethyl)phenylpropionic.The dynamic-mechanical properties at 110 Hz have been measured between ?140° and about 200. Three relaxation processes α β and γ have been found: only the main transition α appreciably depends on chemical structure.The influences of the length of repeating unit and of in-chain substitution on melting points, crystallinity and the dynamic-mechanical α transition have been investigated. The results have been discussed in terms of chain flexibility, chain packing and intermolecular forces.     

Mass fragmentation pattern of N- and O-substituted 2-morpholinols

The mass spectra of a series of N- and O-substituted 2-morpholinols were considered and the complex fragmentation pattern explained on the basis of evidences reported in the literature and of experimental data (high resolution, metastable ions). The primary fragmentations are given by inductive cleavage due to the heteroatoms, while ring contractions, through retro Diels-Alder reactions, form most of the secondary pattern with different ions related to N- and O-substituents. Moreover, hemiacetals in the tautomeric hydroxyaldehyde form undergo an α-cleavage.