Ligands with affinity to specific sequences of DNA base pairs. X. Synthesis and binding of netropsin analogs, containing a chelating copper ion peptide, with DNA

An analogue of netropsin has been synthesized consisting of two N-propylpyrrolcarboxamide units linked covalently to a copper-chelating tripeptide Gly-Gly-L-His by means of two and three glycine residues. Binding to DNA and synthetic polynucleotides of netropsin analogue containing three glycine residues between Gly-Gly-L-His tripeptide and the N-end of netropsin analogue (His-Nt) has been studied. It is shown that this netropsin analogue chelates a copper ion with 1:1 stoichiometry, similar to a free Gly-Gly-L-His peptide. It is found that this netropsin analogue occupies 3 to 4 base pairs upon binding to poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly[d(AT)].poly[d(AT)] polymers, irrespective of whether it binds in Cu(2+)-ligated or unligated forms. Binding constants and binding site sizes have been calculated for netropsin analogue complexes with DNA, poly(dA).poly(dT) and poly[d(AT)].poly[d(AT)] polymers at the [Cu2+]/[His-Nt] ratio equal to 0 and 1.0. In the three-component system including His-Nt and Cu(2+)-His-Nt, cooperative effects are recognized which can be explained by heterodimer generation on interaction of His-Nt and Cu(2+)-His-Nt at adjacent binding sites.     

Hyperbaric oxygenation and current methods of detoxication in multimodal intensive therapy of diffuse peritonitis

The course of diffuse peritonitis has been followed up in 219 patients, 20 of these with the reactive, 165 with toxic, and 34 with the terminal stages of the condition. Multiple-modality intensive care included, besides routine therapy, local abdominal hypothermia, UV irradiation of autoblood (UVIAB), and, if indicated, hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) and hemoperfusion. In addition to clinical tests, immunobiochemical monitoring of medium-molecular peptide fractions MM1 and MM2 and index of their distribution, as well as of circulating immune complexes CIC1 and CIC2 and the levels of immunoglobulins IgA, IgM, and IgG were the criteria for assessing the severity of intoxication and efficacy of intensive care and for predicting the course and outcome of the disease. The results indicate that HBO in combination with hemoperfusion, local abdominal hypothermia, and UVIAB have a positive impact on the clinical picture of the disease and on the time course of markers of endogenous intoxication and humoral immunity in patients with the terminal and toxic phases of diffuse peritonitis.     

Mechanochemical and Ceramic Synthesis of Cobalt Ferrite

Glass and Ceramics - The effect of mechanochemical activation on the formation of a cobalt ferrite phase from iron and cobalt oxalates was studied. X-ray phase, x-ray diffraction, and simultaneous...     

Clinical computed tomographic correlations in children from a group at high risk for schizophrenia

Computed tomography (CT) was performed in 189 individuals: in 44 children of schizophrenic parents (high risk group, HRG), in 39 parents with schizophrenia or with schizophrenic disturbance, in 56 children with schizophrenia, in 50 children with consequences of early organic damages of central nervous system (mental retardation syndrome and generalized tic syndrome). The frequency of CT changes was equal in the mentioned groups but their character was quite different. The widening of brain's liquor system (89.7%), the signs of frontal and temporal atrophia (31%), foci of decreased density of cerebral brain's matter, closer in subcortical ganglia and periventricular zone, and different anomalies of brain were observed in HRG children.     

Ethylbenzene synthesis and benzene transalkylation with diethylbenzenes on zeolite catalysts

Processes for the manufacturing of ethylbenzene (EB), one of the most important high-volume petrochemicals, have been surveyed. Trends concerning the use of catalysts and technologies for this purpose have been discussed. It has been shown that the transalkylation of benzene with diethylbenzenes is an integral part of modern EB production units. Catalysts based on beta, Y, and mordenite zeolites have been subjected to comparative testing in the transalkylation process. Data on the correlation of the physicochemical and catalytic properties of the test catalysts are presented, and a rapid procedure for evaluating the catalyst stability under laboratory conditions is described. Catalyst samples based on zeolite Y, which turned out to be the most active in the transalkylation reaction, have been tested for a life time on a pilot unit. Data on the effect of the process parameters on the output characteristics are presented, and basic guidelines for selection of the optimal process conditions are given. The numerical values of the kinetic parameters describing experimental data for the transalkylation reaction have been determined.     

The role of plastic strain in the mechanism of fracture of metals

Strength of Materials -     

Simulation of the dependence of gas composition on the conditions of the thermal treatment of oil shale

Empirical formulas for calculating the concentrations of substances such as hydrogen and carbon(II) oxide and also the smallest possible concentration of carbon(IV) oxide in gas prepared by the steam treatment of oil shale were obtained. It was found that, as the temperature was increased above 600°C, the gasification of shale occurred under thermodynamic equilibrium conditions, and catalysts based on NiO made it possible to reach maximum yields of hydrogen at lower temperatures.     

Evaluation of the adequacy of oxygen consumption by tissues using the "anionic burst" parameter

A cDNA encoding farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase (FPPS) has been cloned from a cDNA library of Artemisia annua. The sequence analysis showed that the cDNA encoded a protein of 343 amino acid (aa) residues with a calculated molecular weight of 39420 kDa. The deduced aa sequence of the cDNA was highly similar to FPPS from other plants, yeast and mammals, and contained the two conserved domains found in polyprenyl synthases including FPPS, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthases and hexaprenyl diphosphate synthases. The expression of the cDNA in Escherichia coli showed enzyme activity for FPPS in vitro.