31P NMR characterisation of phosphate fragments during dissolution of calcium sodium phosphate glasses.

Phosphate glasses in the system P2O5-CaO-Na2O dissolve in aqueous solutions, and their solubility can be varied by changing the glass composition. This makes them of interest for use as controlled release materials, e.g. as degradable implants, devices for the release of trace elements or as fertilizers, but in order to tailor glass solubility to meet specific requirements, we need to further our understanding of their dissolution behaviour and mechanism. The structure of P2O5-CaO-Na2O glasses (P2O5 between 55 and 35 mol%; glass structure analysed by 31P MAS NMR) changed from a network (55 mol% P2O5) to short chains (35 mol%) with decreasing phosphate content. Solubility in Tris buffer showed significant differences with phosphate content and glass structure; dissolution varied between 90% (50 mol% P2O5) and 15% (35 mol%) at 24 h. Glasses with high phosphate contents significantly lowered the pH of the solution, while glasses with low phosphate contents did not. Glasses consisting of a phosphate network dissolved by a mechanism involving P-O-P bond hydrolysis, as no Q3 groups but increasing concentrations of Q0 (orthophosphate) were found in solution by solution 31P NMR. Glasses consisting of chains, by contrast, can dissolve by hydration of entire chains, but hydrolysis also occurred, resulting in formation of Q0 and small ring structures. This occurrence of hydrolysis (and thus formation of P-OH groups, which can be deprotonated) caused the pH decrease and explains the variation in solution pH with structure.

Heme impairs the ball-and-chain inactivation of potassium channels.

Fine-tuned regulation of K(+) channel inactivation enables excitable cells to adjust action potential firing. Fast inactivation present in some K(+) channels is mediated by the distal N-terminal structure (ball) occluding the ion permeation pathway. Here we show that Kv1.4 K(+) channels are potently regulated by intracellular free heme; heme binds to the N-terminal inactivation domain and thereby impairs the inactivation process, thus enhancing the K(+) current with an apparent EC50 value of ∼20 nM. Functional studies on channel mutants and structural investigations on recombinant inactivation ball domain peptides encompassing the first 61 residues of Kv1.4 revealed a heme-responsive binding motif involving Cys13:His16 and a secondary histidine at position 35. Heme binding to the N-terminal inactivation domain induces a conformational constraint that prevents it from reaching its receptor site at the vestibule of the channel pore.

Assessment of fluidity of different invasomes by electron spin resonance and differential scanning calorimetry.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of membrane-softening components (terpenes/terpene mixtures, ethanol) on fluidity of phospholipid membranes in invasomes, which contain besides phosphatidylcholine and water, also ethanol and terpenes. Also mTHPC was incorporated into invasomes in order to study its molecular interaction with phospholipids in vesicular membranes. Fluidity of bilayers was investigated by electron spin resonance (ESR) using spin labels 5- and 16-doxyl stearic acid and by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Addition of 1% of a single terpene/terpene mixture led to significant fluidity increase around the C16 atom of phospholipid acyl chains comprising the vesicles. However, it was not possible to differentiate between the influences of single terpenes or terpene mixtures. Incorporation of mTHPC into the bilayer of vesicles decreased fluidity near the C16 atom of acyl chains, indicating its localization in the inner hydrophobic zone of bilayers. These results are in agreement with DSC measurements, which showed that terpenes increased fluidity of bilayers, while mTHPC decreased fluidity. Thus, invasomes represent vesicles with very high membrane fluidity. However, no direct correlation between fluidity of invasomes and their penetration enhancing ability was found, indicating that besides fluidity also other phenomena might be responsible for improved skin delivery of mTHPC.

BTA copper complexes.

Cupric oxide is one of the most important additives used (a) to catalyze decomposition reactions in gas generators to obtain cooler reaction gases, (b) as burning enhancer for ammonium perchlorate-based composite propellants, and (c) as coloring agent in pyrotechnics. In this context, the reaction of Cu(2+) ions in aqueous ammonia solution with bis(tetrazolyl)amine (H(2)bta) was investigated. Depending on the reaction conditions three complexes were obtained: Cu(bta)(NH(3))(2) (1), Cu(bta)(NH(3))(2).H(2)O (2), and (NH(4))(2)Cu(bta)(2).2.5H(2)O (3). The crystal structures of 1 and 2 are discussed with respect to the coordination mode of the dianion of N,N-bis(1(2)H-tetrazol-5-yl)-amine (bta), which mediates in the case of 1 and 2 weak superexchange interactions between the adjacent magnetic transition-metal Cu(II) cations. These antiferromagnetic interactions result from 1D copper chains over an hidden azide end-to-end bridge. Interestingly, the structural arrangement of 1 completely changes in the presence of crystal-bound water. Moreover, some physicochemical properties (e.g., heat of formation, friction, and impact sensitivity, DSC) of these complexes with respect to high-energetic materials are discussed.

Selective Ion Pair Adsorption of Cobalt and Copper Salts on Cationically Produced Poly(1,3-divinylimidazolid-2-one)/Silica Hybrid Particles.

For quantitative metal salt adsorption, poly(1,3-divinylimidazolid-2-one)/silica [poly BVU(cat.)/silica] particles with different polymer contents have been synthesized by a cationic surface polymerization of 1,3-divinylimidazolid-2-one onto silica. Preliminary experiments with the metal ion salts CoCl(2), CoI(2), CuCl(2), and FeCl(3) on poly-BVU(cat.)/silica particles, a radically produced poly-BVU(rad.) resin, and a cationically produced poly-BVU(cat.) resin have been carried in acetone solution to check the suitability of the adsorbents. The adsorption mechanism for Co(2+) and Cu(2+) on poly-BVU(cat.)/silica is in accordance with the Langmuir model for monolayer adsorption as shown by quantitative adsorption measurements by means of UV/vis spectroscopy. An ion pair adsorption mechanism is suggested for CoCl(2), CoI(2), and CuCl(2) on poly-BVU(cat.)/silica because both environments cationically produced poly-BVU and residual silanol groups are required for linking the cation and anion. ESR spectroscopic results of CoCl(2)-, CuCl(2)-, and FeCl(3)-poly-BVU(cat.)/silica hybrid adsorbates show selective adsorption for Co(2+) and Cu(2+). However, two different adsorption sites are indicated for Fe(3+) on poly-BVU(cat.)/silica. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.