Temperature dependence of chlorine NQR in 2-chloro 5-nitrobenzoic acid and 4-chloro 3-nitrobenzoic acid

Temperature dependence of chlorine nuclear quadrupole resonance in 2-chloro 5-nitrobenzoic acid and 4-chloro 3-nitrobenzoic acid has been investigated in the region 77° K to room temperature. No phase transition has been observed. The results are analysed to obtain the torsional frequencies and their temperature dependence. A nonlinear temperature dependence is obtained for the torsional frequencies.

Inhibitory action of norepinephrine on the induction of tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase by cortisol: Mediation by the I-receptor

Induction of hepatic tryptophan-2,3-dioxygenase in rats by cortisol or corticosterone was inhibited on treatment with norepinephrine. The I-adrenergic blockers showed a small potentiating effect of the norepinephrine-mediated inhibition. The I-adrenergic blockers significantly reversed this inhibition, suggesting that norepinephrine acts Image the I-receptor in inhibition of the cortisol-mediated induction of this enzyme.

Application of ab initio molecular orbital calculations to the structural moieties of carbohydrates. 3

Ab initio RHF/4-31G level molecular orbital calculations have been carried out on dimethoxymethane as a model compound for the acetal moiety in methyl pyranosides. The calculations are consistent with the predictions of the anomeric effect and the exo-anomeric effect. They reproduce very successfully the differences in molecular geometry observed by x-ray and neutron diffraction of single crystals of the methyl cy-D- and methyl 0-D-pyranosides. Calculations carried out at the 6-3 1G* level for methanediol confirm the earlier calculations at the 4-31G level, with smaller energy differences between the four staggered conformations.

Preparation, IR and nuclear magnetic resonance studies on the rare-earth perchlorate complexes of 3-methylpyridine-1-oxide

THE COMPLEXES of pyridine-l-oxide and 2- and 4-substituted pyridine-l-oxides have been investigated previously[l]. The complexes of 3-substituted pyfidine-l-oxides, however, have received little attention. The rare-earth complexes of pyridine-Ioxide[l, 2], 4-methylpyridine- l-oxide [1] and 2,6- dimethylpyfidine-l-oxide[3,4] have been reported earlier. The present paper deals with the isolation and characterisation of 3-methylpyridine-l-oxide (3-Picoline-N-oxide, 3-PicNO) complexes with rare-earth perchlorates.

Knoevenagel condensation of 2-carbethoxycyclohexanone and malononitrile: Synthesis of 4-cyano-3-ethoxy-1-hydroxy-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroisoquinoline, an isomer of the abnormal product

The structure of the abnormal product 1a formed in the Knoevenagel condensation of 2-carbethoxycyclohexanone and malononitrile has been further confirmed. Oxidation of the tetrahydroisoquinoline 3b using Na2Cr2O-AcOH-H2SO4 gave the keto isoquinoline 3d and the isoquinoline-1-carboxylic acid 5a. The acid chloride of 5a was condensed with diethyl ethoxymagnesiomalonate to afford after decarbethoxylation the methyl ketone 5d which on Baeyer-Villiger oxidation gave a mixture of the acetate 1g and the title compound 1b. The unambiguous synthesis of 1b confirms the structure assigned earlier to the title compound also formed during the partial hydrolysis of the diethoxy compound 1c. Condensation of 2-acetylcyclohexane-1,3-dione with malononitrile gave the quinoline derivative 4c which on ethylation yielded the ketoquinoline 4d. The present studies have confirmed that the quinoline compound 4a is also formed in the condensation of 2-acetylcyclohexanone and cyanoacetamide.

Vibration-rotation pattern in acetylene. II. Introduction of Coriolis coupling in the global model and analysis of emission spectra of hot acetylene around 3 mu m

A high temperature source has been developed and coupled to a high resolution Fourier transform spectrometer to record emission spectra of acetylene around 3 mu m up to 1455 K under Doppler limited resolution (0.015 cm(-1)). The nu(3)-ground state (GS) and nu(2)+nu(4)+nu(5)(Sigma(+)(u) and Delta(u))-GS bands and 76 related hot bands, counting e and f parities separately, are assigned using semiautomatic methods based on a global model to reproduce all related vibration-rotation states. Significantly higher J-values than previously reported are observed for 40 known substates while 37 new e or f vibrational substates, up to about 6000 cm(-1), are identified and characterized by vibration-rotation parameters. The 3 811 new or improved data resulting from the analysis are merged into the database presented by Robert et al. [Mol. Phys. 106, 2581 (2008)], now including 15 562 lines accessing vibrational states up to 8600 cm(-1). A global model, updated as compared to the one in the previous paper, allows all lines in the database to be simultaneously fitted, successfully. The updates are discussed taking into account, in particular, the systematic inclusion of Coriolis interaction.

Mechanism of aromatic hydroxylation *1, , *2, , *3: Properties of a model for pyridine nucleotide-dependent flavoprotein hydroxylases

A model (NADH-phenazine methosulfate-O2) formally similar to pyridine nucleotide-dependent flavoprotein hydroxylases catalyzed the hydroxylation of several aromatic compounds. The hydroxylation was maximal at acid pH and was inhibited by ovine Superoxide dismutase, suggesting that perhydroxyl radicals might be intermediates in this process. The stoichiometry of the reaction indicated that a univalent reduction of oxygen was occurring. The correlation between the concentration of semiquinone and hydroxylation, and the inhibition of hydroxylation by ethanol which inhibited semiquinone oxidation, suggested the involvement of phenazine methosulfate-semiquinone. Activation of hydroxylation by Fe3+ and Cu2+ supported the contention that univalently reduced species of oxygen was involved in hydroxylation. Catalase was without effect on the hydroxylation by the model, ruling out H2O2 as an intermediate. A reaction sequence, involving a two-electron reduction of phenazine methosulfate to reduced phenazine methosulfate followed by disproportionation with phenazine methosulfate to generate the semiquinone, was proposed. The semiquinone could donate an electron to O2 to generate O2 which could be subsequently protonated to form the perhydroxyl radical.

3-Picoline-N-oxide complexes of rare-earth bromides

3-Picoline-N-oxide (3-PicNO) complexes of rare-earth bromides of the formulaMBr3(3-PicNO)8–n·nH2O wheren=0 forM=La, Pr, Nd, Sm Tb or Y andn=2 forM=Ho or Yb have been prepared. Infrared and proton NMR studies indicate that the coordination of the ligand is through oxygen. Conductance data in acetonitrile suggest that two bromide ions are coordinated to the metal ion. Proton NMR studies suggest a bicapped dodecahedral arrangement of the ligands around the metal ion in solution for Pr(III), Nd(III) and Tb(III) complexes.

Degradation of (+/-)-synephrine by Arthrobacter synephrinum. Oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate to 2-hydroxy-5-carboxymethyl-muconate semialdehyde.

1. Cell-free extracts of Arthrobacter synephrinum catalyse the oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxy-phenylacetate. 2. The product of oxidation was characterized as 2-hydroxy-5-carboxymethylmuconate semialdehyde from its chemical behaviour as well as from nuclear-magnetic-resonance spectra. 3. A 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate 2,3-dioxygenase (EC 1.13.11.15) was partially purified from A. synephrinum. 4. The enzyme had a Km of 25 micrometer towards its substrate and exhibited typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics. 5. The enzyme also catalysed the oxidation of 3,4-dihydroxymandelate and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylpropionate, at reaction rates of 0.5 and 0.04 respectively of that for 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetate. 6. The enzyme was sensitive to treatment with thiol-specific reagents. 7. The molecular weight of the enzyme as determined by Sephadex G-200 chromatography was approx. 282000.

Stimulation of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase on administration of ATP

The depressed activity of hepatic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase in starved or cholesterol fed rats was stimulated on intraperitoneally administering small quantities of ATP.

In-plane normal vibrations of 1,2,5-oxa-, thia- and selena-diazoles, 1,3,4-oxa- and thia-diazoles and 1,2,3,4-thiatriazoles

In-plane vibration modes of 1,2,5- and 1,3,4-oxa- and thia-diazoles, and 1,2,5-selenadiazole have been assigned on the basis of detailed normal coordinate analysis employing data on several deuterated species. In-plane vibration frequencies of two 1,2,3,4-thiatriazole derivatives have been calculated and compared with observed values.

Scar outcome of children with partial thickness burns: A 3 and 6 month follow up

INTRODUCTION There is a paucity of research investigating the scar outcome of children with partial thickness burns. The aim of this study was to assess the scar outcome of children with partial thickness burns who received a silver dressing acutely. METHOD Children aged 0-15 years with an acute partial thickness burn, ≤10% TBSA were included. Children were originally recruited for an RCT investigating three dressings for partial thickness burns. Children were assessed at 3 and 6 months after re-epithelialization. 3D photographs were taken of the burn site, POSAS was completed and skin thickness was measured using ultrasound imaging. RESULTS Forty-three children returned for 3 and 6 month follow-ups or returned a photo. Days to re-epithelialization was a significant predictor of skin/scar quality at 3 and 6 months (p<0.01). Patient-rated color and observer-rated vascularity and pigmentation POSAS scores were comparable at 3 months (color vs. vascularity 0.88, p<0.001; color vs. pigmentation 0.64, p<0.001), but patients scored higher than the observer at 6 months (color vs. vascularity 0.57, p<0.05; color vs. pigmentation 0.15, p=0.60). Burn depth was significantly correlated with skin thickness (r=0.51, p<0.01). Hypopigmentation of the burn site was present in 25.8% of children who re-epithelialized in ≤2 weeks. CONCLUSION This study has provided information on outcomes for children with partial thickness burns and highlighted a need for further education of this population.

Lymphatic vessels in health and disease: Role of the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 pathway and the transcription factor FOXC2

The circulatory system consists of two vessel types, which act in concert but significantly differ from each other in several structural and functional aspects as well as in mechanisms governing their development. The blood vasculature transports oxygen, nutrients and cells to tissues whereas the lymphatic vessels collect extravasated fluid, macromolecules and cells of the immune system and return them back to the blood circulation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the developmental and functional regulation of the lymphatic system long lagged behind that of the blood vasculature. Identification of several markers specific for the lymphatic endothelium, and the discovery of key factors controlling the development and function of the lymphatic vessels have greatly facilitated research in lymphatic biology over the past few years. Recognition of the crucial importance of lymphatic vessels in certain pathological conditions, most importantly in tumor metastasis, lymphedema and inflammation, has increased interest in this vessel type, for so long overshadowed by its blood vascular cousin. VEGF-C (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C) and its receptor VEGFR-3 are essential for the development and maintenance of embryonic lymphatic vasculature. Furthermore, VEGF-C has been shown to be upregulated in many tumors and its expression found to positively correlate with lymphatic metastasis. Mutations in the transcription factor FOXC2 result in lymphedema-distichiasis (LD), which suggests a role for FOXC2 in the regulation of lymphatic development or function. This study was undertaken to obtain more information about the role of the VEGF-C/VEGFR-3 pathway and FOXC2 in regulating lymphatic development, growth, function and survival in physiological as well as in pathological conditions. We found that the silk-like carboxyterminal propeptide is not necessary for the lymphangiogenic activity of VEGF-C, but enhances it, and that the aminoterminal propeptide mediates binding of VEGF-C to the neuropilin-2 coreceptor, which we suggest to be involved in VEGF-C signalling via VEGFR-3. Furthermore, we found that overexpression of VEGF-C increases tumor lymphangiogenesis and intralymphatic tumor growth, both of which could be inhibited by a soluble form of VEGFR-3. These results suggest that blocking VEGFR-3 signalling could be used for prevention of lymphatic tumor metastasis. This might prove to be a safe treatment method for human cancer patients, since inhibition of VEGFR-3 activity had no effect on the normal lymphatic vasculature in adult mice, though it did lead to regression of lymphatic vessels in the postnatal period. Interestingly, in contrast to VEGF-C, which induces lymphangiogenesis already during embryonic development, we found that the related VEGF-D promotes lymphatic vessel growth only after birth. These results suggest, that the lymphatic vasculature undergoes postnatal maturation, which renders it independent of ligand induced VEGFR-3 signalling for survival but responsive to VEGF-D for growth. Finally, we show that FOXC2 is necessary for the later stages of lymphatic development by regulating the morphogenesis of lymphatic valves, as well as interactions of the lymphatic endothelium with vascular mural cells, in which it cooperates with VEGFR-3. Furthermore, our study indicates that the absence of lymphatic valves, abnormal association of lymphatic capillaries with mural cells and an increased amount of basement membrane underlie the pathogenesis of LD. These findings have given new insight into the mechanisms of normal lymphatic development, as well as into the pathogenesis of diseases involving the lymphatic vasculature. They also reveal new therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of tumor metastasis and lymphatic vascular failure in certain forms of lymphedema. Several interesting questions were posed that still need to be addressed. Most importantly, the mechanism of VEGF-C promoted tumor metastasis and the molecular nature of the postnatal lymphatic vessel maturation remain to be elucidated.