NAD(P)H- and superoxide-dependent nitric oxide degradation by rat liver mitochondria

Mitochondria consume nitric oxide (NO) mainly through reaction with superoxide anion (). Here, we analyzed the sources for NO degradation by isolated rat liver mitochondria. Electron leakage from complex III and reverse electron transport to complex I accounted for -dependent NO degradation by mitochondria in the presence of a protonmotive force. Mitochondria incubated with NAD(P)H also presented intense generation and NO degradation rates that were insensitive to respiratory inhibitors and abolished after proteinase treatment. These results suggest that an outer membrane-localized NAD(P)H oxidase activity, in addition to the electron leakage from the respiratory chain, promotes -dependent NO degradation in rat liver mitochondria.     

Alkyl dehydrogenation in iridium tri-cyclopentyl phosphines

The iridium cyclooctadiene complex incorporating a tricyclopentyl phosphine ligand (PCyp₃), Ir(η²:η²-C₈H₁₂)(PCyp₃)Cl, has been prepared. Removal of the chloride from this complex using in CH₂Cl₂/arene solvent results in dehydrogenation (C-H activation followed by β-H transfer) of one of the alkyl phosphine rings and formation of the complexes (X = H, F) which contain a hybrid phosphine-alkene ligand. These complexes are formed alongside another product (5-20% yield) that has been identified as , which can be prepared in high yield by an alternative, and slightly modified, route. This complex is with a minor isomer that has been tentatively identified as , which results from allylic C-H activation of cyclooctadiene. Addition of H₂ to and its isomer in arene solvent (C₆H₅X, X = F, H) forms the dihydrido η⁶-arene Ir(III) complexes . In contrast, hydrogenation in CH₂Cl₂ alone results in the formation of in which the anion is now acting as a ligand through one of its aryl rings. The fluorobenzene complex can be cleanly converted to by addition of the hydrogen acceptor tert-butylethene (tbe).     

Light and nutrient availability affect the size-scaling of growth in phytoplankton

Communities of marine phytoplankton consist of cells of many different sizes. The size-structure of these communities often varies predictably with environmental conditions in aquatic systems. It has been hypothesized that physiological differences in nutrient and light requirements and acquisition efficiencies contribute to commonly observed correlations between phytoplankton community size structure and resource availability. Using physiological models we assess how light and nutrient availability can alter the relative growth rates of phytoplankton species of different cell sizes. Our models predict a change in the size dependence of growth rate depending on the severity of limitation by light and nutrient availability. Under conditions of growth-saturated resource supply, phytoplankton growth rate (mol C ) scales with cell volume with a size-scaling exponent of ; light limitation reduces the size-scaling exponent to approximately , and nutrient limitation decreases the exponent to as a consequence of the size-scaling of resource acquisition. Exponents intermediate between and occur under intermediate availability of light and nutrients and depend on the size-scaling of pigment photoacclimation and the size range examined.     

Dinuclear gold(III) pyrazolato complexes - Synthesis, structural characterization and transformation to their trinuclear gold(I) and gold(I/III) analogues

The reaction of AuCl₃py with Na(pz∗) (pz∗ = pyrazolato, or substituted pyrazolato anion) yields stable dinuclear [cis-Au^IIICl₂(μ-pz∗)]₂ complexes. In the presence of a base, the latter undergo reduction with concomitant transformation of the dinuclear -structure to trinuclear Au^I, Au^III (containing trans Au^IIICl₂-centres) and species.     

Binuclear diorganotin(IV) complexes with bis(O,O′-4-acyl-5-pyrazolonato) bis(bidentate) ligands

Syntheses, spectroscopic and thermal characterization are reported for the potentially tetradentate bis(O,O′-4-acyl-5-pyrazolone) pro-ligands HQ3QH and HQ4QH (in detail HQ3QH: 1,5-bis(5-hydroxy-1-phenyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)pentane-1,5-dione, HQ4QH: 1,6-bis(5-hydroxy-1-phenyl-3-methyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)hexane-1,6-dione) and their di-n-butyltin(IV) derivatives and . Single crystal X-ray structural characterizations of the proligand HQ4QH and of the binuclear tin(IV) complex are also reported; both the ligand and complex molecules are centrosymmetric, the latter having two independent molecules in the structure. Sn-C, O(acyl), O(pz) distances (〈 〉) are 2.121(3), 2.119(6) and 2.37(4) Å.     

A trade-off relationship between energetic cost and entropic cost for in vitro evolution

In this paper, we consider two complementary cost functions for the landscape exploring processes to obtain the global optimum sequence through in vitro evolution protocol: one is the entropic cost C_etp, which is based on the deviation from the uniformity of a mutant distribution in sequence space, and the other is the energetic cost C_eng, which is based on the total number of sequences to be generated and evaluated. Based on a prior knowledge about the structure of a given fitness landscapes, the conductor of the experiment can think up the efficient search algorithm (ESA), which requires the minimum number of points (=sequences) to be searched up to the global optimum. For five typical fitness landscapes, we considered their respective (putative) ESA, and based on the ESA. As a result, we found a trade-off relationship between and for every case, that is, is approximately equal to the logarithm of the volume of the sequence space. and are interpreted in terms of the information-theoretic concepts.     

Synthesis, crystal structure, magnetic and redox properties of copper(II) complexes of N-alkyl(aryl) tBu-salicylaldimines

A series of novel copper(II) complexes, L₂Cu with newly synthesized 3,5--salicylaldimine (or 5--salicylaldimine) ligands derived from 2,4-di-tert-butyl phenol (or 4-tert-butyl phenol) and alkyl (aryl) amines have been prepared and their spectroscopic (IR, UV-Vis, ESI-MS), X-ray, magnetic and redox properties have been investigated. The X-ray crystallography analysis shows that all complexes are monomeric and their copper(II) centers are surrounded by phenolate oxygens and imine nitrogen atoms. Therefore, the coordination sphere around the copper atoms is N₂O₂ as seen in galactose oxidase active site. In addition, the geometric configurations of all complexes are square planar or slightly distorted square planar. The crystal system for all complexes is monoclinic, except for which is orthorhombic. The temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility of complexes confirms the mononuclear structure of complexes. Oxidation of the Cu(II) complexes yielded the corresponding Cu(II)-phenoxyl radical species during the cyclic voltammetry experiments.     

Protozoan predation on nitrification performance and microbial community during bioaugmentation

The effects of predation on nitrification performance and microbial community during bioaugmentation were investigated. Although most of the nitrification ability of the seed source was lost in the seeded reactors, bioaugmentation significantly enhanced the activity and community of the nitrifiers. The ammonium uptake rate (AUR) increased from 2.59 to 15.25 mg -N/L h and 2.88 to 13.36 mg -N/L h, and the nitrite uptake rate (NUR) increased from 0.80 to 4.02 mg -N/L h and 0.76 to 4.34 mg -N/L h for the reactors with and without protozoa inhibition, respectively. The population of nitrifiers increased, and the dominant nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) transferred from Nitrospira to Nitrobacter. Predation had an evident influence on the microbial community of nitrifiers, especially the K-strategist, which was more vulnerable to predation than r-strategist during bioaugmentation due to its low growth rate. However, predation did not have a significant effect on the nitrification performance.     

Physicochemical effects enhance surfactant transport in pulsatile motion of a semi-infinite bubble

In this study, we investigate the sorption of pulmonary surfactant (Infasurf, Ony, Buffalo, NY) occurring at the air-liquid interface of a semi-infinite finger of air as it oscillates and progresses along a small rigid tube () occluded with a surfactant-doped solution of concentrations . This simple experimental model of pulmonary airway reopening is designed to examine how altering the fluid flow field may lower reopening pressures and lead to a reduction in airway wall damage that is associated with the mechanical ventilation of an obstructed pulmonary system in airways of the deep lung with depleted endogenous and little exogenous surfactant. We analyzed a range of pulsatile flow scenarios by varying the oscillation frequency (), the oscillation flow waveform, and the steady flow rate (). These experimental studies indicate that a high frequency (1 Hz, amplitude = 5 mm), fast-forward oscillation waveform superimposed onto a fast steady flow () substantially reduces mean reopening pressures (31%) as a consequence of the modified flow field and the commensurate increase in surfactant transport and adsorption. This result suggests that imposing high frequency, low amplitude oscillations during airway reopening will help to diminish ventilator-induced lung injury.     

Inhibition by purine nucleotides of the release of reactive oxygen species from muscle mitochondria: indication for a function of uncoupling proteins as superoxide anion transporters

Release of reactive oxygen species (ROS), measured as the sum of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and superoxide anion radical (), from respiring rat heart and skeletal muscle mitochondria was significantly decreased by millimolar concentrations of GTP or GDP. Attempts to differentiate between the two forms of ROS showed that the release of rather than that of H₂O₂ was affected. Meanwhile, intramitochondrial ROS accumulation, measured by inactivation of aconitase, increased. These results suggest that guanine nucleotides inhibit the release of from mitochondria. As these nucleotides are known inhibitors of uncoupling proteins (UCPs), it is proposed that UCPs may function as carriers of , thus enabling its removal from the matrix compartment.     

Comprehensive inhibitor profiling of the Proteus mirabilis metalloprotease virulence factor ZapA (mirabilysin)

In this study we report for the first time the comprehensive inhibitor profiling of the Proteus mirabilis metalloprotease virulence factor ZapA (mirabilysin) using a 160 compound focused library of N-alpha mercaptoamide dipeptides, in order to map the and binding site preferences of this important enzyme. This study has revealed a preference for the aromatic residues tyrosine and tryptophan in and aliphatic residues in . From this library, six compounds were identified which exhibited sub- to low-micromolar K_i values. The most potent inactivator, SH–CO₂–Y–V–NH₂ was capable of preventing ZapA-mediated hydrolysis of heat-denatured IgA, indicating that these inhibitors may be capable of protecting host proteins against ZapA during colonisation and infection.     

Photocatalysis of chloroform degradation by μ-dichlorotetrachlorodipalladate(II)

Unlike other chlorometallate complexes that catalyze the photodecomposition of haloalkanes through photodissociation of a chlorine atom, both and catalyze chloroform decomposition through a process that appears to involve C-H bond breakage from an excited state association complex with chloroform. This would account for the greatly retarded rate of decomposition in CDCl₃ and for the generation of CCl₄ as a side product. In chloroform, and are in slow equilibrium with each other. The rate for the conversion of - in chloroform at 23 °C obeys the expression (0.03 M⁻¹ s⁻¹) [][Cl⁻]. The equilibrium constant, K = [][Cl⁻]²/[]², was estimated to be 3 × 10⁻³ M in CHCl₃.     

Intracellular anion fluorescence assay for sodium/iodide symporter substrates

The sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) is primarily responsible for iodide accumulation in the thyroid gland for the synthesis of thyroid hormones; however, it can also transport other lyotropic anions in the thyroid gland and nonthyroid tissues. Some NIS substrates have important physiological or clinical roles, and others are environmental contaminants with health-related consequences. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of a yellow fluorescent protein variant, YFP–H148Q/I152L, as a biosensor to monitor the cellular uptake of NIS substrates, including thiocyanate (SCN⁻), nitrate (), chlorate (), perchlorate (), and perrhenate (). The fluorescence of purified YFP–H148Q/I152L was suppressed by anions with an order of potency of > = I⁻ = SCN⁻ = > ? Cl⁻. Anions also suppressed the fluorescence of YFP–H148Q/I152L expressed in FRTL-5, a thyroid cell line with high NIS expression. Quantitation of intracellular concentrations revealed differences among anions in the affinity and maximal velocity of NIS-mediated uptake as well as in the rate constant for passive efflux. These results suggest that YFP–H148Q/I152L can serve as an intracellular biosensor of NIS-transported anions and may be useful to study the physiology of endogenous anions as well as the health-related consequences of environmental anions.     

Nitrite and nitroglycerin induce rapid release of the vasodilator ATP from erythrocytes: Relevance to the chemical physiology of local vasodilation

Extracellular ATP released from circulating erythrocytes induces vasodilation by stimulating receptor-mediated endothelium NO/EDRF (endothelium-derived relaxing factor) production. We report that pre-stimulation of freshly isolated human erythrocytes with physiological nitrite (100 nM ) or pharmacological nitroglycerin (10 μM) concentrations resulted in >200% spike in ATP release, which was detected on resuspending the cells in fresh medium. The observed response was instantaneous following pre-stimulation but a delay of ∼20 s followed nitroglycerin pre-stimulation, reflecting the time required for prodrug activation within the erythrocyte to its vasoactive metabolites, and NO. The data provided here are consistent with ATP being a conveyor of a NO-induced vasodilatory signal from the erythrocyte to the endothelium. Extended erythrocyte pre-stimulation with the NO donors resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in extracellular ATP, which would attenuate the signal in intact vessels to prevent excessive vasodilation. Importantly, our study constitutes the first report of enhanced vasodilator (ATP) release following human erythrocyte pre-stimulation by an endogenous or pharmacological (nitroglycerin) NO donor. The relevance of our findings to the therapeutic effects of nitroglycerin as well as to nitrate tolerance is discussed.     

The crystal and molecular structures of dichlorobis (5,7-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-α]pyrimidine)zinc(II) (1) and dichlorobis(5,7-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-α]pyrimidine)cobalt(II) (2)

The synthesis and structural studies of the new ligand 5,7-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-α]pyrimidine (dptp), which can be considered as an analog of purine, and its complexes are described. Complexes were characterised by spectral measurements (IR, NMR, UV-Vis). In addition X-ray structural analysis was performed. Crystals of [Zn(C₁₇H₁₂N₄)₂Cl₂] (1) revealed the following parameters: M_r = 680.9; monoclinic for 2188 observed reflections. [Co(C₁₇H₁₂N₄)₂Cl₂] (2); M_r = 674.4; monoclinic for 1630 observed reflections.     

Crystal structures and magnetic properties of Ni-bisdithiolene complexes with decamethylmetallocenium cations

Three new compounds of formula (1), (2), and (3) have been synthesised, and structurally and magnetically characterised (dmit²⁻ = 1,3-dithiol-2-thione-4,5-dithiolato; dmid²⁻ = 1,3-dithiol-2-one-4,5-dithiolato). Their structural features and magnetic behaviours are compared with those of and . The result of this is that the interactions between the Ni(dmit)₂ units in 1 are of ferromagnetic-type, as suggested previously for . The change from acetonitrile to acetone when going from to 2 results in stronger ferromagnetic intermolecular interactions. This better cooperativity is due to a significant increase of the number of contacts between the various moieties within the . On the contrary, the inclusion of larger solvents such as benzonitrile in this type of complexes results in a totally different structural arrangement, which leads to an antiferromagnetic behaviour for 3.