Elucidation of the mechanism of interaction of sheep spleen galectin-1 with splenocytes and its role in cell-matrix adhesion

The binding of a 14 kDa beta-galactoside animal lectin to splenocytes has been studied in detail. The binding data show that there are two classes of binding sites on the cells for the lectin: a high-affinity site with a K-a ranging from 1.1 x 10(6) to 5.1 x 10(5) M-1 and a low affinity binding site with a K-a ranging from 7.7 x 10(4) to 3.4 x 10(4) M-1 The number of receptors per cell for the high- and low-affinity sites is 9 +/- 3 x 10(6) and 2.5 +/- 0.5 x 10(6) respectively. The temperature dependence of the K value yielded the thermodynamic parameters. The energetics of this interaction shows that, although this interaction is essentially enthalpically driven (Delta H - 21 kJ lambda mol(-1)) for the high-affinity sites, there is a very favorable entropy contribution to the free energy of this interaction (-T Delta S - 17.5 Jmol(-1)), suggesting that hydrophobic interaction may also be playing a role in this interaction. Lactose brought about a 20% inhibition of this interaction, whereas the glycoprotein asialofetuin brought about a 75 % inhibition, suggesting that complex carbohydrate structures are involved in the binding of galectin-1 to splenocytes, Galectin-1 also mediated the binding and adhesion of splenocytes to the extracellular matrix glycoprotein laminin, suggesting a role for it in cell-matrix interactions. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Refinement of the thermodynamic properties of ruthenium dioxide and osmium dioxide

The standard Gibbs energies of formation of RuO2 and OsO2 at high temperature have been determined with high precision, using a novel apparatus that incorporates a buffer electrode between the reference and working electrodes, The buffer electrode absorbs the electrochemical flux of oxygen through the solid electrolyte from the electrode with higher oxygen chemical potential to the electrode with lower oxygen potential, The buffer electrode prevents polarization of the measuring electrode and ensures accurate data, The standard Gibbs energies of formation (Delta(f)G degrees) of RuO2, in the temperature range of 900-1500 K, and OsO2, in the range of 900-1200 K, can be represented by the equations Delta(f)G degrees(RuO2)(J/mol) = -324 720 + 354.21T - 23.490T In T Delta(f)G degrees(OsO2)(J/mol) = -304 740 + 318.80T - 18.444T In T where the temperature T is given in Kelvin and the deviation of the measurement is +/- 80 J/mol, The high-temperature heat ;capacities of RuO2 and OsO2 are measured using differential scanning calorimetry. The information for both the low- and high-temperature heat rapacity of RuO2 is coupled with the Delta(f)G degrees data obtained in this study to evaluate the standard enthalpy of formation of RuO2 at 298.15 K (Delta(f)H degrees(298.15K)). The low-temperature heat capacity of OsO2 has not been measured: therefore, the standard enthalpy and entropy of formation of OsO2 at 298.15 K (Delta(f)H degrees(298.15K) and S degrees(298.15K), respectively) are derived simultaneously through an optimization procedure from the high-temperature heat capacity and the Gibbs energy of formation. Both Delta fH degrees(298.15K) and S degrees(298.15K) are treated as variables in the optimization routine, For RuO2, the standard enthalpy of formation at 298.15 K is Delta fH degrees(298.15K) (RuO2) -313.52 +/- 0.08 kJ/mol, and that for OsO2 is Delta(f)H degrees(298.15K) (OSO2) = -295.96 +/- 0.08 kJ/mol. The standard entropy of OsO2 at 298.15 K that has been obtained from the optimization is given as S degrees(298.15K) (OsO2) = 49.8 +/- 0.2 J (mol K)(-1).

Phase diagram and dielectric studies of binary organic materials

The phase equilibrium studies of organic system, involving resorcinol (R) and p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde (DMAB), reveal the formation of a 1:1 molecular complex with two eutectics. The heat of mixing, entropy of fusion, roughness parameter, interfacial energy, and the excess thermodynamic functions were calculated based on enthalpy of fusion data determined via differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) method. X-ray powder diffraction studies confirm that the eutectics are not simple mechanical mixture of the components under investigation. The spectroscopic investigations (IR and NMR) suggest the occurrence of hydrogen bonding between the components forming the molecular complex. The dielectric measurements, carried out on hot-pressed addition compound (molecular complex), show higher dielectric constant at 320 K than that of individual components. The microstructural investigations of eutectic and addition compound indicate dendritic and faceted morphological features. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

A modified least squares algorithm to treat associations in liquid alloys

The associated model for binary systems has been modified to include volume effects and excess entropy arising from preferential interactions between the associate and the free atoms or between the free atoms. Equations for thermodynamic mixing functions have been derived. An optimization procedure using a modified conjugate gradient method has been used to evaluate the enthalpy and entropy interaction energies, the free energy of dissociation of the complex, its temperature dependance and the size of the associate. An expression for the concentration—concentration structure factor [Scc (0)] has been deduced from the modified associated solution model. The analysis has been applied to the thermodynamic mixing functions of liquid Ga-Te alloys at 1120 K, believed to contain Ga2Te3 associates. It is observed that the modified associated solution model incorporating volume effects and terms for the temperature dependance of interaction energies, describes the thermodynamic properties of Ga-Te system satisfactorily.

Design of temperature-compensated reference electrodes for non-isothermal galvanic sensors

The criterion for the design of a temperature-compensated reference electrode for non-isothermal galvanic sensors is deduced from the basic flux equations of irreversible thermodynamics. It is shown that when the Seebeck coefficient of the non-isothermal cell using a solid oxygen ion-conducting electrolyte under pure oxygen is equal to the relative partial molar entropy of oxygen in the reference electrode divided by 4F, then the EMF of the non-isothermal cell is the same as that of an isothermal cell with the same electrodes operating at the higher temperature. By measuring the temperature of the melt alone and the EMF of the non-isothermal galvanic sensor, one can derive the chemical potential or the concentration of oxygen in a corrosive medium. The theory is experimentally checked using sensors for oxygen in liquid copper constructed with various metal+oxide electrodes and fully stabilised (CaO)ZrO2 as the electrolyte. To satisfy the exact condition for temperature compensation it is often necessary to have the metal or oxide as a solid solution in the reference electrode.

Plasticity in the primary binding site of galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectins - Implication of the C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bond at the specificity-determining C-4 locus of the saccharide in 4-methoxygalactose recognition by jacalin and winged bean (basic) agglutinin I

It is currently believed that an unsubstituted axial hydroxyl at the specificity-determining C-4 locus of galactose is indispensable for recognition by galactose/N-acetylgalactosamine-specific lectins. Titration calorimetry demonstrates that 4-methoxygalactose retains binding allegiance to the Moraceae lectin jacalin and the Leguminosae lectin, winged bean (basic) agglutinin (WBA I). The binding reactions were driven by dominant favorable enthalpic contributions and exhibited significant enthalpy-entropy compensation. Proton NMR titration of C-methoxygalactose with jacalin and WBA I resulted in broadening of the sugar resonances without any change in chemical shift. The alpha-and beta-anomers of 4-methoxygalactose were found to be in slow exchange with free and lectin-bound states. Both the anomers experience magnetically equivalent environments at the respective binding sites. The binding constants derived from the dependence of NMR line widths on 4-methoxygalactose concentration agreed well with those obtained from titration calorimetry. The results unequivocally demonstrate that the loci corresponding to the axially oriented C-4 hydroxyl group of galactose within the primary binding site of these lectins exhibit plasticity. These analyses suggest, for the first time, the existence of C-H ... O-type hydrogen-bond(s) in protein-carbohydrate interactions in general and between the C-4 locus of galactose derivative and the lectins jacalin and WBA I in particular.

properties of Na2O in Nasicon solid solution, Na1+xZr2SixP3-xO12

The thermodynamic activity of sodium oxide (Na2O) in the Nasicon solid solution series, Na1+xZr2SixO12, has been measured in the temperature range 700–1100 K using solid state galvanic cells: Pt|CO2 + O2|Na2CO3?Na1+xZr2SixP3-xO12?(Y2O3)ZrO2?In + In2O3|Ta, Pt for 1 = ? = 2.5, and Pt?CO2 + O2?Na2CO3?ß-alumina?Na1+xZr2SixP3-xO12?Ar + O2?Pt for x = 0, 0.5, 2.5, and 3. The former cell, where the Nasicon solid solution is used as an electrolyte along with yttria-stabilized zirconia, is well suited for Nasicon compositions with high ionic conductivity. In the latter cell, ß-alumina is used as an electrolyte and the Nasicon solid solution forms an electrode. The chemical potential of Na2O is found to increase monotonically with x at constant temperature. The partial entropy of Na2O decreases continuously with x. However, the partial enthalpy exhibits a maximum at x = 2. This suggests that the binding energy is minimum at the composition where ionic conductivity and cell volume have maximum values.

A spectroscopic study of the interaction of isoflavones with human serum albumin

Genistein and daidzein, the major isoflavones present in soybeans, possess a wide spectrum of physiological and pharmacological functions. The binding of genistein to human serum albumin (HSA) has been investigated by equilibrium dialysis, fluorescence measurements, CD and molecular visualization. One mole of genistein is bound per mole of HSA with a binding constant of 1.5 +/- 0.2 X 10(5) m(-1). Binding of genistein to HSA precludes the attachment of daidzein. The ability of HSA to bind genistein is found to be lost when the tryptophan residue of albumin is modified with N-bromosuccinimide. At 27 degrees C (pH 7.4), van't Hoff's enthalpy, entropy and free energy changes that accompany the binding are found to be -13.16 kcal.mol(-1), -21 cal.mol(-1)K(-1) and -6.86 kcal.mol(-1), respectively. Temperature and ionic strength dependence and competitive binding measurements of genistein with HSA in the presence of fatty acids and 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonic acid have suggested the involvement of both hydrophobic and ionic interactions in the genistein-HSA binding. Binding measurements of genistein with BSA and HSA, and those in the presence of warfarin and 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid and Forster energy transfer measurements have been used for deducing the binding pocket on HSA. Fluorescence anisotropy measurements of daidzein bound and then displaced with warfarin, 2,3,5-tri-iodobenzoic acid or diazepam confirm the binding of daidzein and genistein to subdomain IIA of HSA. The ability of HSA to form ternery complexes with other neutral molecules such as warfarin, which also binds within the subdomain IIA pocket, increases our understanding of the binding dynamics of exogenous drugs to HSA.

Macroscopic approach to multichannel disordered conductors

We present a theory of multichannel disordered conductors by directly studying the statistical distribution of the transfer matrix for the full system. The theory is based on the general properties of the scattering system: flux conservation, time-reversal invariance, and the appropriate combination requirement when two wires are put together. The distribution associated with systems of very small length is then selected on the basis of a maximum-entropy criterion; a fixed value is assumed for the diffusion coefficient that characterizes the evolution of the distribution as the length increases. We obtain a diffusion equation for the probability distribution and compute the average of a few relevant quantities.

Chemical approaches to penicillin allergy—V. Nature of reaction between rabbit antigen (CRP-penicillin conjugate) and rabbit antipenicillin antibody

The availability of an electrophoretically homogeneous rabbit penicillin carrier receptor protein (CRP) and rabbit antipenicillin antibody afforded an idealin vitro system to calculate the thermodynamic parameters of the binding of14C benzyl penicillin CRP conjugate (antigen) to the purified rabbit antipenicillin antibody. The thermodynamic parameters of this antigen-antibody reaction has been studied by radio-active assay method by using millipore filter. Equilibrium constant (K) of this reaction has been found to be 2·853×109M−2 and corresponding free energy (ΔG) at 4°C and 37°C has been calculated to be −12·02 and −13·5 kcal/mole, enthalpy (ΔH) and entropy (ΔS) has been found to be 361 kcal/mole and +30 eu/mole respectively. Competitive binding studies of CRP-analogue conjugates with the divalent rabbit antibody has been carried out in the presence of14C-penicilloyl CRP. It was found that 7-deoxy penicillin-CRP complex and 6-amino penicilloyl CRP conjugate binds to the antibody with energies stronger than that with the14C-penicilloyl CRP. All the other analogue conjugates are much weaker in interfering with the binding of the penicilloyl CRP with the antibody. The conjugate of methicillin,o-nitro benzyl penicillin and ticarcillin with CRP do not materially interfere in the process.

Thermodynamic measurements of b.c.c. Cr-Mn solid solutions at 1373 K

Thermodynamics of Cr-Mn alloys have been studied by Eremenko et al (l) using a fused salt e.m.f.technique. Their results indicate positive deviations from ideality at 1023 K. Kaufman (2) has independently estimated negative enthaipy and excess entropy for the b.c.c. Cr-Mn alloys, such that at high temperatures, the entropy term predominates over the enthalpy term giving positive deviations from ideality. Recently the thermodynamic properties of the alloys have been measured by 3acob (3) using a Knudsen cell technique in the temperature range of 1200 to 1500 K. The results indicate mild negative deviations from ideality over the entire composition range. Because of the differences in the reported results and Mn being a volatile component in the alloys which leads to surface depletion under a dynamic set up, an isopiestic technique is used to measure the properties of the alloys.

Thermodynamics of Cobalt (II, III) Oxide (Co3O4): Evidence of Phase Transition

The Gibbs' energy change for the reaction, 3CoO (r.s.)+1/2O2(g)→Co3O4(sp), has been measured between 730 and 1250 K using a solid state galvanic cell: Pt, CuO+Cu2O|(CaO)ZrO2|CoO+Co3O4,Pt. The emf of this cell varies nonlinearly with temperature between 1075 and 1150 K, indicating a second or higher order phase transition in Co3O4around 1120 (±20) K, associated with an entropy change of ∼43 Jmol-1K-1. The phase transition is accompanied by an anomalous increase in lattice parameter and electrical conductivity. The cubic spinel structure is retained during the transition, which is caused by the change in CO+3 ions from low spin to high spin state. The octahedral site preference energy of CO+3 ion in the high spin state has been evaluated as -24.8 kJ mol-1. This is more positive than the value for CO+2 ion (-32.9 kJ mol-1). The cation distribution therefore changes from normal to inverse side during the phase transition. The transformation is unique, coupling spin unpairing in CO+3 ion with cation rearrangement on the spinel lattice, DTA in pure oxygen revealed a small peak corresponding to the transition, which could be differentiated from the large peak due to decomposition. TGA showed that the stoichiometry of oxide is not significantly altered during the transition. The Gibbs' energy of formation of Co3O4 from CoO and O2 below and above phase transition can be represented by the equations:ΔG0=-205,685+170.79T(±200) J mol-1(730-1080 K) and ΔG0=-157,235+127.53T(±200) J mol-1(1150-1250 K).

Thermodynamic partial properties of Na2O in Nasicon solid solution, Na1+xZr2SixP3-xO12

The thermodynamic activity of sodium oxide (Na2O) in the Nasicon solid solution series, Na1+xZr2SixO12, has been measured in the temperature range 700�1100 K using solid state galvanic cells: Pt|CO2 + O2|Na2CO3?Na1+xZr2SixP3-xO12?(Y2O3)ZrO2?In + In2O3|Ta, Pt for 1 = ? = 2.5, and Pt?CO2 + O2?Na2CO3?ß-alumina?Na1+xZr2SixP3-xO12?Ar + O2?Pt for x = 0, 0.5, 2.5, and 3. The former cell, where the Nasicon solid solution is used as an electrolyte along with yttria-stabilized zirconia, is well suited for Nasicon compositions with high ionic conductivity. In the latter cell, ß-alumina is used as an electrolyte and the Nasicon solid solution forms an electrode. The chemical potential of Na2O is found to increase monotonically with x at constant temperature. The partial entropy of Na2O decreases continuously with x. However, the partial enthalpy exhibits a maximum at x = 2. This suggests that the binding energy is minimum at the composition where ionic conductivity and cell volume have maximum values.

Complexation of siRNA with Dendrimer: A Molecular Modeling Approach

This paper reports the structural behavior and thermodynamics of the complexation of siRNA with poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers of generation 3 (G3) and 4 (G4) through fully atomistic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations accompanied by free energy calculations and inherent structure determination. We have also done simulation with one siRNA and two dendrimers (2 x G3 or 2xG4) to get the microscopic picture of various binding modes. Our simulation results reveal the formation of stable siRNA-dendrimer complex over nanosecond time scale. With the increase in dendrimcr generation, the charge ratio increases and hence the binding energy between siRNA and dendrimer also increases in accordance with available experimental measurements. Calculated radial distribution functions of amines groups of various subgenerations in a given generation of dendrimer and phosphate in backbone of siRNA reveals that one dendrimer of generation 4 shows better binding with siRNA almost wrapping the dendrimer when compared to the binding with lower generation dendrimer like G3. In contrast, two dendrimers of generation 4 show binding without siRNA wrapping the den-rimer because of repulsion between two dendrimers. The counterion distribution around the complex and the water molecules in the hydration shell of siRNA give microscopic picture of the binding dynamics. We see a clear correlation between water. counterions motions and the complexation i.e. the water molecules and counterions which condensed around siRNA are moved away from the siRNA backbone when dendrimer start binding to the siRNA back hone. As siRNA wraps/bind to the dendrimer counterions originally condensed onto siRNA (Na-1) and dendrimer (Cl-) get released. We give a quantitative estimate of the entropy of counterions and show that there is gain in entropy due to counterions release during the complexation. Furthermore, the free energy of complexation of IG3 and IG4 at two different salt concentrations shows that increase in salt concentration leads to the weakening of the binding affinity of siRNA and dendrimer.

On the fundamentals of coherence theory

In the thesis I study various quantum coherence phenomena and create some of the foundations for a systematic coherence theory. So far, the approach to quantum coherence in science has been purely phenomenological. In my thesis I try to answer the question what quantum coherence is and how it should be approached within the framework of physics, the metatheory of physics and the terminology related to them. It is worth noticing that quantum coherence is a conserved quantity that can be exactly defined. I propose a way to define quantum coherence mathematically from the density matrix of the system. Degenerate quantum gases, i.e., Bose condensates and ultracold Fermi systems, form a good laboratory to study coherence, since their entropy is small and coherence is large, and thus they possess strong coherence phenomena. Concerning coherence phenomena in degenerate quantum gases, I concentrate in my thesis mainly on collective association from atoms to molecules, Rabi oscillations and decoherence. It appears that collective association and oscillations do not depend on the spin-statistics of particles. Moreover, I study the logical features of decoherence in closed systems via a simple spin-model. I argue that decoherence is a valid concept also in systems with a possibility to experience recoherence, i.e., Poincaré recurrences. Metatheoretically this is a remarkable result, since it justifies quantum cosmology: to study the whole universe (i.e., physical reality) purely quantum physically is meaningful and valid science, in which decoherence explains why the quantum physical universe appears to cosmologists and other scientists very classical-like. The study of the logical structure of closed systems also reveals that complex enough closed (physical) systems obey a principle that is similar to Gödel's incompleteness theorem of logic. According to the theorem it is impossible to describe completely a closed system within the system, and the inside and outside descriptions of the system can be remarkably different. Via understanding this feature it may be possible to comprehend coarse-graining better and to define uniquely the mutual entanglement of quantum systems.