Soleus muscle stability in wild hibernating black bears.

Based on studies of fast skeletal muscles, hibernating black and brown bears resist skeletal muscle atrophy during months of reduced physical activity and not feeding. The present study examined atrophy sparing in the slow soleus muscle, known to be highly prone to disuse atrophy in humans and other mammals. We demonstrated histochemically that the black bear soleus is rich in slow fibers, averaging 84.0 ± 6.6%. The percentages of slow fibers in fall (87.3 ± 4.9%) and during hibernation (87.1 ± 5.6%) did not differ ( P = 0.3152) from summer. The average fiber cross-sectional area to body mass ratio (48.6 ± 11.7 µm2/kg) in winter hibernating bears was not significantly different from that of summer (54.1 ± 11.8 µm2/kg, P = 0.4186) and fall (47.0 ± 9.7 µm2/kg, P = 0.9410) animals. The percentage of single hybrid fibers containing both slow and fast myosin heavy chains, detected biochemically, increased from 2.6 ± 3.8% in summer to 24.4 ± 24.4% ( P = 0.0244) during hibernation. The shortening velocities of individual hybrid fibers remained unchanged from that of pure slow and fast fibers, indicating low content of the minority myosins. Slow and fast fibers in winter bears exhibited elevated specific tension (kN/m2; 22%, P = 0.0161 and 11%, P = 0.0404, respectively) and maintained normalized power. The relative stability of fiber type percentage and size, fiber size-to-body mass ratio, myosin heavy chain isoform content, shortening velocity, power output, and elevated specific tension during hibernation validates the ability of the black bear to preserve the biochemical and performance characteristics of the soleus muscle during prolonged hibernation.

Determination of the photolysis rate coefficient of monochlorodimethyl sulfide (MClDMS) in the atmosphere and its implications for the enhancement of SO2 production from the DMS + Cl2 reaction.

In this work, the photolysis rate coefficient of CH3SCH2Cl (MClDMS) in the lower atmosphere has been determined and has been used in a marine boundary layer (MBL) box model to determine the enhancement of SO2 production arising from the reaction DMS + Cl2. Absorption cross sections measured in the 28000-34000 cm(-1) region have been used to determine photolysis rate coefficients of MClDMS in the troposphere at 10 solar zenith angles (SZAs). These have been used to determine the lifetimes of MClDMS in the troposphere. At 0° SZA, a photolysis lifetime of 3-4 h has been obtained. The results show that the photolysis lifetime of MClDMS is significantly smaller than the lifetimes with respect to reaction with OH (≈ 4.6 days) and with Cl atoms (≈ 1.2 days). It has also been shown, using experimentally derived dissociation energies with supporting quantum-chemical calculations, that the dominant photodissocation route of MClDMS is dissociation of the C-S bond to give CH3S and CH2Cl. MBL box modeling calculations show that buildup of MClDMS at night from the Cl2 + DMS reaction leads to enhanced SO2 production during the day. The extra SO2 arises from photolysis of MClDMS to give CH3S and CH2Cl, followed by subsequent oxidation of CH3S.

Thermal decomposition of methyl 2-azidopropionate studied by UV photoelectron spectroscopy and matrix isolation IR spectroscopy: heterocyclic intermediate vs imine formation.

Methyl 2-azidopropionate (N(3)CH(3)CHCOOCH(3), M2AP) has been synthesized and characterized by different spectroscopic methods, and the thermal decomposition of this molecule has been investigated by matrix isolation infrared (IR) spectroscopy and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UVPES). Computational methods have been employed in the spectral simulation of both UVPES and matrix IR spectra and in the rationalization of the thermal decomposition results. M2AP presents a HOMO vertical ionization energy (VIE) of 9.60 ± 0.03 eV and contributions from all four lowest-energy conformations of this molecule are detected in the gas phase. Its thermal decomposition starts at ca. 400 °C and is complete at ca. 650 °C, yielding N(2), CO, CO(2), CH(3)CN, and CH(3)OH as the final decomposition products. Methyl formate (MF) and CH(4) are also found during the pyrolysis process. Analysis of the potential energy surface of the decomposition of M2AP indicates that M2AP decomposes preferentially into the corresponding imine (M2IP), through a 1,2-H shift synchronous with the N(2) elimination (Type 1 mechanism), requiring an activation energy of 160.8 kJ/mol. The imine further decomposes via two competitive routes: one accounting for CO, CH(3)OH, and CH(3)CN (ΔE(G3) = 260.2 kJ/mol) and another leading to CO(2), CH(4), and CH(3)CN (ΔE(G3) = 268.6 kJ/mol). A heterocyclic intermediate (Type 2 mechanism)-4-Me-5-oxazolidone-can also be formed from M2AP via H transfer from the remote O-CH(3) group, together with the N(2) elimination (ΔE(G3) = 260.2 kJ/mol). Finally, a third pathway which accounts for the formation of MF through an M2AP isomer is envisioned.

Study of pentafluoroethane and its thermal decomposition using UV photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio molecular orbital calculations.

The UV photoelectron spectrum of CF(3)CHF(2) has been recorded and assigned using EOM-CCSD calculations. For the first band, the adiabatic ionization energy (AIE) and vertical ionization energy (VIE) have been measured as (12.71 +/- 0.05) and (13.76 +/- 0.02) eV, respectively. The measured AIE is higher than the recommended value from state-of-the-art ab initio calculations of (12.26 +/- 0.02) eV because of a large geometry change on ionization, mainly arising from a significant increase in the C-C bond length, which results in poor Franck-Condon factors in the adiabatic region. The experimental VIE also shows poor agreement with the computed value of 14.05 +/- 0.06 eV because, in the higher energy region of the first photoelectron band, dissociation of CF(3)CHF(2)(+) to CHF(2)(+) + CF(3) occurs. This has a calculated thermodynamic onset of (12.89 +/- 0.20) eV. Recommendations are made for the heats of formation, DeltaH(f,298)(slashed circle), of CF(3)CHF(2) and CF(3)CHF(2)(+), based on the results of the ab initio calculations. Pyrolysis of flowing CF(3)CHF(2) diluted in argon shows evidence of production of C(2)F(4) and HF at lower temperatures and CF(2) and CF(3)H at higher temperatures. The relative temperature dependence of the observed photoelectron bands associated with these molecules is interpreted in terms of two decomposition reactions of CF(3)CHF(2) as well as the reaction C(2)F(4) --> 2CF(2).

Study of 2-H-heptafluoropropane and its thermal decomposition using UV photoelectron spectroscopy and ab initio molecular orbital calculations.

The thermal decomposition of 2-H-heptafluoropropane, CF(3)CHFCF(3), at low pressure, heavily diluted in argon, has been studied over the temperature range 600-2000 degrees C using photoelectron spectroscopy. Comparison of the results obtained has been made with results of recent electronic structure calculations of possible decomposition pathways and results of a shock tube study. The most favored reaction thermodynamically, to produce CF(3)CF=CF(2) + HF, is found to be the main decomposition reaction at lower temperatures, 600-900 degrees C. At higher temperatures, 900-1200 degrees C, the decomposition reaction to give C(2)F(4) + CF(3)H was found to become important. No evidence for CF(3)CHFCF(3) --> CF(3)CHF + CF(3), a reaction expected to be important from a shock tube study, performed at much higher pressures, or for CF(3)CHFCF(3) --> CF(3)CF + CF(3)H was obtained, although for the latter reaction it is likely that CF(3)CF converts into C(2)F(4) under the conditions used before photoionization, in the ionization region of the photoelectron spectrometer. At higher temperatures C(3)F(6) decomposes to C(2)F(4) + CF(2), and C(2)F(4) decomposes to CF(2). Ab initio calculations have been performed of the adiabatic and vertical ionization energies of possible primary pyrolysis products to assist assignment of the photoelectron spectra recorded for heated flowing gas samples. A comparison is made between the threshold photoelectron spectrum and the photoelectron spectrum of CF(3)CF=CF(2).

Double and Triple Ionisation of Isocyanic Acid.

Double and triple ionisation spectra of the reactive molecule isocyanic acid (HNCO) have been measured using multi-electron and ion coincidence techniques combined with synchrotron radiation and compared with high-level theoretical calculations. Vertical double ionisation at an energy of 32.8 ± 0.3 eV forms the 3A" ground state in which the HNCO2+ ion is long lived. The vertical triple ionisation energy is determined as 65 ± 1 eV. The core-valence double ionisation spectra resemble the valence photoelectron spectrum in form, and their main features can be understood on the basis of a simple and rather widely applicable Coulomb model based on the characteristics of the molecular orbitals from which electrons are removed. Characteristics of the most important dissociation channels are examined and discussed.

Altered myogenesis and premature senescence underlie human TRIM32-related myopathy.

TRIM32 is a E3 ubiquitin -ligase containing RING, B-box, coiled-coil and six C-terminal NHL domains. Mutations involving NHL and coiled-coil domains result in a pure myopathy (LGMD2H/STM) while the only described mutation in the B-box domain is associated with a multisystemic disorder without myopathy (Bardet-Biedl syndrome type11), suggesting that these domains are involved in distinct processes. Knock-out (T32KO) and knock-in mice carrying the c.1465G > A (p.D489N) involving the NHL domain (T32KI) show alterations in muscle regrowth after atrophy and satellite cells senescence. Here, we present phenotypical description and functional characterization of mutations in the RING, coiled-coil and NHL domains of TRIM32 causing a muscle dystrophy. Reduced levels of TRIM32 protein was observed in all patient muscle studied, regardless of the type of mutation (missense, single amino acid deletion, and frameshift) or the mutated domain. The affected patients presented with variable phenotypes but predominantly proximal weakness. Two patients had symptoms of both muscular dystrophy and Bardet-Biedl syndrome. The muscle magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) pattern is highly variable among patients and families. Primary myoblast culture from these patients demonstrated common findings consistent with reduced proliferation and differentiation, diminished satellite cell pool, accelerated senescence of muscle, and signs of autophagy activation.

Rotating samples in FT-RAMAN spectrometers.

It is customary to rotate samples in Raman spectroscopy to avoid absorption or sample heating. In FT-Raman experiments the rotation is always shown (typically 30-60 rpm) because higher speeds are thought to generate noise in the spectra. In this article we show that more rapid rotation is possible. A tablet containing maleic acid and one made up of sub-millimetre silica particles with metoprolol succinate as active ingredient were rotated at different speeds, up to 6760 rpm. The FT-Raman spectra were recorded and studied. We conclude that it is perfectly acceptable to rotate samples up to 1500 rpm.

The use of reference materials in quantitative analyses based on FT-Raman spectroscopy.

The reliability with which an external reference sample can be used to standardise the intensities of Raman scattering spectra is assessed. By comparing the ratios of single band intensities of Raman scatter in a two component liquid mixture with those between the mixture and an external standard it is shown that the latter is more than adequate for most quantitative Raman analysis. Coefficients of variance in repeated experiments on the same sample are approximately 1%, when comparing single band heights on spectra recorded with modest laser powers over 2 min. When using the whole spectrum, these coefficients are significantly lower.

The effects of active and passive stretching on muscle length.

Active stretch is necessary for regulating muscle fiber length (ie, the number of series sarcomeres). Elevated cytoplasmic calcium is the proposed component of contractile activity required to activate signaling pathways for sarcomere number regulation. Passive stretch reduces muscle tissue stiffness, most likely by signaling connective tissue remodeling via fibroblasts. Passive stretch may induce sarcomere addition if the muscle fibers are lengthened sufficiently to raise cytoplasmic calcium through stretch-activated calcium channels. The magnitude of stretch in vivo is limited by the physiologic range of movement and stretch pain tolerance. The greatest effect of stretching muscle fibers is expected when the lengthening exceeds the optimum fiber length (Lo).

High-resolution pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy photoelectron spectroscopic study of the two lowest electronic states of the ozone cation O3+.

The pulsed-field-ionization zero-kinetic-energy (PFI-ZEKE) photoelectron spectrum of jet-cooled O3 has been recorded in the range 101,000-104,000 cm(-1). The origins of the X 1A1-->X+ 2A1 and X 1A1-->A+ 2B2 transitions could be determined from the rotational structure of the bands, the photoionization selection rules, the photoionization efficiency curve, and comparison with ab initio calculations. The first adiabatic ionization energy of O3 was measured to be 101,020.5(5) cm(-1) [12.524 95(6) eV] and the energy difference between the X+ 2A1 (0,0,0) and A+ 2B2 (0,0,0) states was determined to be DeltaT0=1089.7(4) cm(-1). Whereas the X-->X+ band consists of an intense and regular progression in the bending (nu2) mode observed up to v2+=4, only the origin of the X-->A+ band was observed. The analysis of the rotational structure in each band led to the derivation of the r0 structure of O3+ in the X+ [C2v,r0=1.25(2) A,alpha0=131.5(9) degrees ] and A+[C2v,r0=1.37(5) A,alpha0=111.3(38) degrees ] states. The appearance of the spectrum, which is regular up to 102,300 cm(-1), changes abruptly at approximately 102,500 cm(-1), a position above which the spectral density increases markedly and the rotational structure of the bands collapses. On the basis of ab initio calculations, this behavior is attributed to the onset of large-amplitude motions spreading through several local minima all the way to large internuclear distances. The ab initio calculations are consistent with earlier results in predicting a seam of conical intersections between the X+ and A+ states approximately 2600 cm(-1) above the cationic ground state and demonstrate the existence of potential minima at large internuclear distances that are connected to the main minima of the X+ and A+ states through low-lying barriers.

A kinetics and mechanistic study of the atmospherically relevant reaction between molecular chlorine and dimethyl sulfide (DMS).

A gas-phase kinetics study of the atmospherically important reaction between Cl2 and dimethyl sulfide (DMS) Cl2 + CH3SCH3 --> products (1) has been made using a flow-tube interfaced to a photoelectron spectrometer. The rate constant for this reaction has been measured at 1.6 and 3.0 torr at T = (294 +/- 2) K as (3.4 +/- 0.7) x 10(-14) cm3 molecule(-1) s(-1). Reaction (1) has been found to proceed via an intermediate, (CH3)2SCl2, to give CH3SCH2Cl and HCl as the products. The mechanism of this reaction and the structure of the intermediate were investigated using electronic structure calculations. A comparison of the mechanisms of the reactions between Cl atoms and DMS, and Cl2 and DMS has been made and the relevance of the results to atmospheric chemistry is discussed.