Humic acid as a colloidal surfactant

The Na⁺-humate sol is studied as a surface active substance (surfactant) capable of lowering the surface tension of water, and of spreading on the water surface with observable velocity to form a thin film. Based on these properties, it is concluded that sol should contain molecules of intermediate molecular weight as well as their associates (micelles) whose weight depends on the number of molecules in the micelles.     

Effect of PVA on the gel temperature of MC and release kinetics of KT from MC based ophthalmic formulations

The effect of molecular weight of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and sodium chloride on the gelation temperature of methylcellulose (MC) was studied with the objective to develop a MC based formulation for sustained delivery of ketorolac tromethamine a model ophthalmic drug. Pure MC showed sol-gel transition at 61.2 °C. In order to reduce the gelation temperature of MC and to increase the drug release time, PVA was used. Different techniques such as test tube tilting method, UV-vis spectroscopy, viscometry and rheometry were used to measure gelation temperature of all the binary combinations of MC and PVA. It was observed that the gelation temperature of MC was reduced with the addition of 4% PVA and also the extent of reduction of the gelation temperature of MC was dependent on the molecular weight of PVA. The strong interactions between MC and PVA molecules were established using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. To study the in vitro drug release properties of the MC-PVA binary combinations, 6% sodium chloride was used to reduce the gelation temperature further up to physiological temperature. It was observed that the drug release time increased from 5 to 8h with the increase of molecular weight of PVA from 9×10(3) to 1.3×10(5) and this was due to the higher viscosity, better gel strength and greater interactions between the drug and PVA molecules in case of PVA (1.3×10(5)) compared to PVA (9×10(3)). In order to have an idea about the nature of interactions between the functional moieties of the drug and the polymer unit of PVA, a theoretical study was carried out.     

The strand-separation transition of T7 DNA

The strand-separation transition of T7 DNA has been investigated by temperature shift and viscosity measurements in two formamide–water solvents. The strand-separation region is quite narrow, and follows directly at the end of the denaturation transition observed by absorbance. The kinetics of strand separation of T7 DNA are slow and complex in the strand-separation transition. Similarities and differences in the behavior of T2 and T7 DNA in strand separation are indicated and discussed. Briefly, the time course of strand separation and the conformational changes observed in the population undergoing strand separation are similar for the two molecules. However, the transition breadths and the interval between the helix–coil transition and the strand-separation transition differ markedly. Both DNA molecules exhibit hysteresis in the strand-separation region. For both molecules, it appears that strand separation involves the coupled denaturation and disentanglement of the two-stranded form found at the end of the helix–coil transition.     

The binary phase diagram of lecithin and cholesteryl linolenate

The condensed binary phase diagram of cholesteryl linolenate-egg yolk lecithin has been determined by polarizing light microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray diffraction. On increasing the temperature lecithin forms rectangular, cubic and hexagonal liquid-crystalline structures into which varying amounts of cholesteryl linolenate are incorporated. As more cholesteryl linolenate is incorporated, the transition temperatures between different phases are lowered. The rectangular and cubic structures incorporate only small amounts of cholesteryl linolenate; the molar ratios, lecithin to cholesteryl linolenate, being 11:1 and 16:1, respectively. However, the hexagonal phase, in which the phosphorylcholine groups of the lecithin molecules form the core of the rod-like assembly of molecules, incorporates up to approximately 25% cholesteryl linolenate by weight, corresponding to a molar ratio 3:1. At higher concentrations, cholesteryl linolenate forms an excess phase and may be present as crystals, smectic or cholesteric liquid crystals, or as liquid oil, depending on the temperature. At higher temperatures, a large zone of a single isotropic liquid phase exists in which large amounts of lecithin are solubilized by the cholesterol ester. Up to 40% cholesteryl linolenate by weight, the transition temperatures between different phases are influenced by approximately 1% water (by weight) associated with egg lecithin.It is probable that the incorporated apolar cholesterol ester molecules are associated primarily with the apolar hydrocarbon chain region of the different lecithin structures. The resultant decrease in the observed transition temperatures would suggest an overall chain-disordering role for the incorporated cholesteryl linolenate molecules. The influence of cholesteryl linolenate on the thermodynamic stability of the different lecithin structures, together with the models suggested for the molecular orientations of cholesterol esters in the different liquid crystalline structures, may be relevant to the role of these lipids in more complex biological systems, particularly serum lipoproteins.     

Thermodynamic analysis of sol–gel transition of gelatin in terms of water activity in various solutions

Sol–gel transition of gelatin was analyzed as a multisite stoichiometric reaction of a gelatin molecule with water and solute molecules. The equilibrium sol–gel transition temperature, T_t, was estimated from the average of gelation and melting temperature measured by differential scanning calorimetry. From T_t and the melting enthalpy, ΔH_sol, the equilibrium sol‐to‐gel ratio was estimated by the van't Hoff equation. The reciprocal form of the Wyman–Tanford equation, which describes the sol‐to‐gel ratio as a function of water activity, was successfully applied to obtain a good linear relationship. From this analysis, the role of water activity on the sol–gel transition of gelatin was clearly explained and the contributions of hydration and solute binding to gelatin molecules were separately discussed in sol–gel transition. The general solution for the free energy for gel‐stabilization in various solutions was obtained as a simple function of solute concentration. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 103: 685–691, 2015.     

Sol-gel transition temperature of PLGA-g-PEG aqueous solutions

Aqueous solutions of poly(DL-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid)-g-poly(ethylene glycol) copolymers exhibited sol-to-gel transition with increasing temperature. Further increase in temperature makes the system flow and form a sol phase again. Subcutaneous injection of a copolymer aqueous solution (0.5 mL) resulted in a formation of a hydrogel depot by temperature-sensitive sol-to-gel transition in a rat model. The reliable determination and control of sol-to-gel transition temperatures are the most important issues for this kind of sol-gel reversible hydrogel. The sol-to-gel transition temperature determined by the test tube inverting method, falling ball method, and dynamic mechanical analysis coincided within 1-2 degrees C. Fine tuning of the sol-to-gel transition temperature was achieved by varying the ionic strength of the polymer solutions and by mixing two polymer aqueous solutions with different sol-to-gel transition temperatures. The sol-to-gel transition temperature of polymer mixture aqueous solutions was well described by an empirical equation of miscible blends, indicating miscibility of the two polymer systems in water on the molecular level.     

Evidence for the formation of a functional complex between vasoactive intestinal peptide, its receptor, and Gs in lung membranes.

The molecular weight of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) receptor in rat lung and its interaction with the stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs) were assessed by covalent cross-linking, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and immunological techniques. Studies with two cross-linking agents indicated that the VIP receptor in this tissue is a single polypeptide of Mr = 54,000. The VIP-occupied receptor could be cross-linked to neighboring proteins after detergent solubilization; higher molecular weight complexes of Mr = 114,000 and 184,000 were formed. Immunoblotting with antisera against G-protein subunits demonstrated that both complexes contained the alpha-subunit of Gs as well as the 125I-VIP cross-linked receptor whereas only the Mr = 184,000 complex contained the beta-subunit. Pretreatment with GTP reduced the prominence of these complexes, verifying the functional nature of this receptor-Gs association. Studies with a third cross-linking agent, ethylene glycol bis(succinimidyl succinate), provided direct evidence of physically associated, ternary VIP-receptor-Gs complexes actually in the membrane milieu. That these complexes were functionally associated with shown by their inhibition by anti-Gs alpha anti-serum. Since treatment of membranes with guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) resulted in the separation of the VIP-cross-linked receptor from Gs such that no cross-linking could occur, we conclude that the binding of GTP analogs induces a conformational change in Gs in the membrane milieu.     

The strand-separation transition of T2 bacteriophage DNA

Strand separation of T2 DNA has been investigated in a helix-destabilizing solvent. Temperature-shift experiments in which the conformation of the DNA is monitored by its viscosity, sedimentation behavior, and kinetics of helix formation show that a well-defined strand-separation transition follows the helix–coil transition usually observed by changes in absorbance. For T2 DNA, this strand-separation transition is 70% as broad as the helix–coil transition, and is characterized by extremely slow kinetics of conformational change in the population. Strand separation requires the expansion of the two-stranded coil observed at the end of the helix–coil transition. This expansion is apparently coupled with the disurption of the last remaining base pairs in the molecule. The expansion process increases the viscosity, and can be readily followed as a function of time and/or temperature. Subsequent separation of the expanded form into complementary strands results in a viscosity decrease, the net result of a reduction in hydrodynamic volume and the halving of the molecular weight. Only under conditions where the driving force for strand separation is large are these events at all synchronous in the population. When the kinetics of conformational change are complete in the strand-separation transition, a mixture of expanded forms and separate strands is observed; the breadth of the transition reflects differences in stability with respect to strand separation among the molecules in the population. The transition exhibits hysteresis and is not a reversible equilibrium between double-stranded and single-stranded forms. It appears that renucleation is kinetically forbidden within the strand-separation region.     

Thermal denaturation of UV-irradiated wet rat tail tendon collagen

The thermal helix-coil transition of UV irradiated collagen in rat tail tendon has been investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. During UVB irradiation the tendons were immersed in water to keep the collagen fibers in a fully hydrated condition at all times. UV irradiation induced changes in collagen which caused both stabilization and destabilization of the triple helix in fibers. The helix-coil transition for non-irradiated collagen occurred near 64 degrees C, for irradiated 1 and 3 h at 66 and 67 degrees C, respectively. After irradiating for longer times (20-66 h) the helix-coil transition peak occurred at much lower temperatures. The peak was very broad and suggested that collagen was reduced by UV to different polypeptides of different molecular weight and different lower thermal stabilities. It was caused by the disruption of a network of hydrogen-bonded water molecules surrounding the collagen macromolecule.     

Caprolactonic poloxamer analog: PEG-PCL-PEG

The aqueous solution of poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(caprolactone)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PCL-PEG) triblock copolymers (> 15. wt. %) undergoing "clear sol-gel-turbid sol" transition as the temperature increases from 20 to 60 degrees C has been developed. Light scattering and 13C NMR study suggested that the transition mechanisms are the micellar aggregation for the clear sol to gel transition (lower transition), whereas the increase in PCL molecular motion for gel to turbid sol transition (upper transition). In contrast to the previous thermogelling biodegradable polymers with a sticky paste morphology, the powder form of the PEG-PCL-PEG triblock copolymers makes it easy to handle and allows fast dissolution in water. Therefore, the lyophilization into a powder form followed by facile reconstitution was possible. This system is believed to be promising for drug delivery, cell therapy, and tissue engineering.     

Viscoelastic properties of human tracheobronchial mucin in aqueous solution

Human tracheobronchial mucin isolated from cystic fibrosis patients (CF HTBM) was purified using a combination of gel filtration and density gradient centrifugation. The resulting mucin was fractionated to reduce polydispersity and to facilitate studies of the molecular weight dependence of mucin viscoelasticity in concentrated solution. The viscoelastic properties of CF HTBM were examined in distilled water, 0.1M salt solutions and chaotropic solvents. In controlled strain experiments (strain ≥ 5%) with increasing mucin concentration, a crossover from sol to gel behavior is observed. The gel strength, as measured by the magnitude of the storage modulus at comparable mucin concentrations, is greatest for distilled water, intermediate for 0.1M NaCl, and lowest far 6M GdnHCl. In distilled water, high molecular weight mucin undergoes a sol-gel transition at ～ 12 mg/mL, and shows evidence of a plateau modulus at higher concentrations. The storage and loss moduli of concentrated high molecular weight fractions in 6M GdnHCl exhibit a power law dependence on frequency typical of weak gels near the sol–gel transition at 20 mg/mL. Similar rheology is observed in 0.1M NaCl and 0.091M NaCl/3 mM CaCl₂, but with evidence for additional weak associations at low frequency. The power law exponent in these systems is 0.70 ± 0.02, in good agreement with prediction for networks formed by a percolation mechanism. Low molecular weight fractions in these solvents exhibit a fluid-like viscoelastic response. However, low molecular weight mucin in distilled water shows a strain-dependent increase in elasticity at low frequency indicative of weak intermolecular associations. Comparison of the rheological behavior of CF HTBM with our earlier studies of ovine submaxillary mucin lends support to the idea that carbohydrate side-chain interactions are important in the gelation mechanism of mucins. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Relationship between the molecular structure of aqueous solutions of polyethylene glycol and the compactness of double-stranded DNA molecules

The dependence of viscosity of the water solutions of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) on the molecular weight has been studied. It has been shown that there is a "transitional" region in PEG properties which accounts for the formation of fluctuation polymer network of the PEG molecules. It has been shown that the "transitional" region in properties of PEG which appears at a certain concentration of PEG (CtrPEG) is characteristic of the PEG preparations with molecular weights exceeding 600 and dependence of the value of CtrPEG on the molecular weight of PEG was obtained. Compactization of double-stranded DNA molecules in PEG-containing water-salt solutions has been studied and the dependence of the value of CcrPEG, . i.e. the concentration of PEG at which the compact particles of DNA appear in the solution, on the molecular weight of PEG was obtained. The correlation between these two dependences reflecting quite different physico-chemical processes shows that the double-stranded DNA molecules are constrained within the polymer network of the PEG molecules. The influence of ionic strength and ionic composition of the solution on the formation of a compact form was investigated. The transition of the DNA molecules from a linear to a compact state may occur only at a definite value of ionic strength of the solution. This transition may occur at the change of K+ for Na+ cations (at a constant value of CPEG). The extent of compactization of the DNA molecules in PEG-containing water-salt solutions is monitored by the molecular structure and by the ionic strength of the solvent. It is supposed that the peculiarities of compactization of the DNA molecules in PEG-containing water-salt solutions reflect some characteristics of conformational transitions of the DNA molecules which occur in vivo.     

Sol–sol structural transition of aqueous agarose systems

A structural transition is reported to occur in aqueous sols of agarose, an electrically uncharged biostructural polysaccharide. The transition has no measurable effect on size dispersity on the shape of the solute polysaccharide as observed by precision photon correlation spectroscopy. It originates a low-angle pattern of scattered light similar to that which monitors phase separations in polymer blends. Thus, it must be due to some extent to spatially modulated polymer clustering, typical of spinodal decomposition. In the interval of temperatures studied, it precedes very distinctly in time the thermoreversible sol–gel transition, which is known to be promoted at higher concentrations. It also anticipates to an appreciable extent the spatial density modulation observed in the gel. Although reported here for the first time, a spinodal decomposition of the sol that precedes and possibly triggers the processes leading to gelation does not come unexpectedly in terms of site-bond correlated-percolation theory. In general, this occurrence raises the question as to whether the spontaneous onset of regions of higher and lower polymer concentration (spinodal separation) may be regarded as a novel path for biomolecular interactions and the self-assembly of order in biomolecular systems.     

The role of the alpha2 chain in the stabilization of the collagen type I heterotrimer: a study of the type I homotrimer in oim mouse tissues

We have previously reported that the fragility of skin, tendon and bone from the oim mouse is related to a significant reduction in the intermolecular cross-linking. The oim mutation is unlikely to affect the efficacy of the lysyl oxidase, suggesting that the defect is in the molecule and fibre. We have therefore investigated the integrity of both the oim collagen molecules and the fibre by differential scanning calorimetry.The denaturation temperature of the oim molecule in solution and the fibre from tail tendon were found to be higher than the wild-type by 2.6deg.C and 1.9deg.C, respectively. With the loss of the alpha2 chain, the hydroxyproline content of the homotrimer is higher than the heterotrimer, which may account for the increase.There is a small decrease in the enthalpy of the oim fibres but it is not significant, suggesting that the amount of disorder of the triple-helical molecules and of the fibres is small and involves only a small part of the total bond energy holding the helical structure together. The difference in denaturation temperature of the skin collagen molecules (t(m)) and fibres (t(d)) is significantly lower for the oim tissues, 19.9deg.C against 23.1deg.C, indicating reduced molecular interactions and hence packing of the molecules in the fibre. Computation of the volume fraction of the water revealed that the interaxial separation of the oim fibres was indeed greater, increasing from 19.6A to 21.0A. This difference of 1.4A, equivalent to a C-C bond, would certainly decrease the ability of the telopeptide aldehyde to interact with the epsilon -amino group from an adjacent molecule and form a cross-link. We suggest, therefore, that the reduction of the cross-linking is due to increased water content of the fibre rather than a distortion of the molecular structure.The higher hydrophobicity of the alpha2 chain appears to play a role in the stabilisation of heterotrimeric type I collagen, possibly by increasing the hydrophobic interactions between the heterotrimeric molecules, thereby reducing the water content and increasing the binding of the molecules in the fibre.     

Differential anion effects on thermal stability of collagen in the dispersed and aggregated states (Short Communication)

The effects of KCNS and KI on thermal transition temperatures of calf skin collagen molecules in dilute acid solution and precipitated collagen fibrils from the same source were compared as a function of salt concentration and pH. The two salts produced qualitatively similar effects on each collagen form, but the response shown by single collagen molecules in dilute solution differed from that observed for molecular aggregates present in native-type fibrils.     

Potentiometric titrations involving the beta-coil transition.

Potentiometric titrations of poly(S-carboxymethyl-L -cysteine) and poly(S-carboxy-ethyl-L -cysteine) were carried out in aqueous sodium chloride solutions and in water. For samples of both polymers of high molecular weight, a new pattern was observed concerning the change of titration curve with time; the β-coil transition became sharper and the transition free energy increased by about 100 cal mole^?1 as the equilibrium was approached. This suggests that equilibrium data were not obtained in most previous studies on the titration involving the β-coil transition. It also shows that the reversbility is not necessarily sufficient to confirm the equilibrium. Another pattern, which was previously observed, was also confirmed with a low molecular weight sample of poly(S-carboxymethytl-L -cysteine). The titration curves were shown to be insensitive to polymer concentration, even when aggregation or phase separation was present. The validity of the Gouy model to describe the titration curve of the β-structure was found to depend on molecular weight as well as on the nature of the side chain.     

Chromatography and electron microscopy of cross-linked fibrin polymers--a new model describing the cross-linking at the DD-trans contact of the fibrin molecules

Polymerization of fibrin molecules results in the formation of a double-stranded protofibril. Although convincing data have not been presented, it is classically believed that γ-chain cross-linking of fibrin molecules occurs between the longitudinal end-to-end contacts (DD-long contacts) of the molecules within each of the two strands of a protofibril (intrastrand cross-linking). In this investigation the question addressed was whether γ-chain cross-linking takes place across the two strands (interstrand cross-linking) between the transversal half-staggered contacts of the molecules. Demonstration of double-stranded protofibrils in the presence of urea would indicate an interstrand cross-linking, whereas in the case of intrastrand cross-linking, the chaotropic agent urea would dissociate the double-stranded structure to form single-stranded fibrils. Protofibrils were obtained by generating soluble cross-linked fibrin polymers (sXLFbP): After incubation of souble fibrin polymers with Factor XIIIa at 37°C, the polymerization and cross-linking reaction was stopped by the addition of 6M urea and EDTA. Gel filtration of the reaction mixture in the presence of 3M urea was effect in separating sXLFbP from monomeric molecules. The sXLFbP-containing fractions were adsorbed onto mica in the presence of different concentrations of urea and investigated by electron microscopy after rotary shadowing. In the presence of 3M urea the sXLFbP appeared as double-stranded protofibrils. In the presence of 4M urea some parts of the double-stranded structure were found to be unfolded whereas in the presence of 6M urea multiple-bended single-stranded fibrils were observed. SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of the sXLFbP demonstrated no γ-chain cross-linking within the protofibrils. Ultracentrifugation of the sXLFbP showed that in the presence of 3M urea noncross-linked fibrin polymers dissociated to monomeric molecules. When sXLFbP was centrifuged into 6M urea on sucrose density gradients, no reduction of the polymer size could be observed. The data indicate that γ-chain cross-linking occurs between the transversal contacts of the fibrin molecules within a protofibril, thus generating interstrand cross-linking. A model of the cross-linking of polymerized fibrin molecules is developed and the term DD-trans contact is proposed for this specific alignment of the D-domains.     

Biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethanes incorporating polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane

A new hybrid thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) system that incorporates an organic, biodegradable poly(D, L-lactide) soft block with a hard block bearing the inorganic polyhedral oligosilsesquioxane (POSS) moiety is introduced and studied. Changes in the polyol composition made through variation of the hydrophilic initiator molecular weight show direct control of the final transition temperatures. Incorporating POSS into the hard segments allows for excellent elasticity above T(g), as evidenced with dynamic mechanical analysis, not seen in most other biodegradable materials. This elasticity is attributed to physical cross-links formed in the hard block through POSS crystallization, as revealed with wide-angle X-ray diffraction. Increasing the POSS incorporation level in the TPU hard block was observed to increase crystallinity and also the rigidity of the material. The highest incorporation, using a statistical average of three POSS units per hard block, demonstrated one-way shape memory with excellent shape fixing capabilities. In vitro degradation of this sample was also investigated during a two month period. Moderate water uptake and dramatic molecular weight decrease were immediately observed although large mass loss (approximately 20 wt %) was not observed until the two month time point.     

Identification of a gastrin binding protein in porcine gastric mucosal membranes by covalent cross-linking with iodinated gastrin

A gastrin binding protein (GBP) has been identified in detergent extracts of porcine gastric mucosal membranes by covalent cross-linking to 125I-[Nle15]gastrin with disuccinimidyl suberate. The apparent molecular weight of the cross-linked complex (80,000) is uneffected by reduction suggesting that the GBP is not composed of disulfide-bonded subunits. Subtraction of the molecular weight of 125I-gastrin indicates that the molecular weight of the GBP is 78,000. A similar molecular weight has been observed previously for the gastrin receptor (74,000) on intact canine parietal cells and plasma membranes therefrom, and for the receptor for the related hormone cholecystokinin (76,000-85,000) on pancreatic acinar membranes under reducing conditions. The similarity in molecular weight between the gastrin receptor and the solubilized GBP suggests that the latter protein is probably the gastrin receptor. However, the concentration (2 microM) of [Nle15]gastrin required for 50% inhibition of cross-linking of gastrin to the GBP solubilized in 0.1% Triton X-100 is 200-fold greater than the value (10 nM) observed for the gastrin receptor on isolated canine gastric parietal cells. A lower concentration (0.3 microM) of [Nle15]gastrin was required to inhibit cross-linking in a milder detergent (0.4% digitonin, 0.08% cholate). Thus, the reduced affinity for gastrin of the putative solubilized form of the gastrin receptor appears to be a result of detergent extraction.