Correlating geminal 2JSi-O-Si couplings to structure in framework silicates.

The dependence of a 29Si geminal J coupling across the inter-tetrahedral linkage on local structure was examined using first-principles DFT calculations. The two main influences on 2JSi-O-Si were found to be a primary dependence on the linkage Si-O-Si angle and a secondary dependence on mean Si-O-Si linkage of the two coupled 29Si nuclei. An analytical expression describing these dependences was proposed and used to develop an approach for relating the correlated pair of 2JSi-O-Si coupling and mean 29Si isotropic chemical shift to the linkage Si-O-Si angle and the mean Si-O-Si angle of the two coupled 29Si nuclei. An example of this analysis is given using 29Si NMR results from the siliceous zeolite Sigma-2.

High resolution 1H NMR of a lipid cubic phase using a solution NMR probe.

The cubic mesophase formed by monoacylglycerols and water is an important medium for the in meso crystallogenesis of membrane proteins. To investigate molecular level lipid and additive interactions within the cubic phase, a method was developed for improving the resolution of (1)H NMR spectra when using a conventional solution state NMR probe. Using this approach we obtained well-resolved J-coupling multiplets in the one-dimensional NMR spectrum of the cubic-Ia3d phase prepared with hydrated monoolein. A high resolution t-ROESY two-dimensional (1)H NMR spectrum of the cubic-Ia3d phase is also reported. Using this new methodology, we have investigated the interaction of two additive molecules, L-tryptophan and ruthenium-tris(2,2-bipyridyl) dichloride (rubipy), with the cubic mesophase. Based on the measured chemical shift differences when changing from an aqueous solution to the cubic phase, we conclude that L-tryptophan experiences specific interactions with the bilayer interface, whereas rubipy remains in the aqueous channels and does not associate with the lipid bilayer.

Pure absorption-mode spectra using a modulated RF mixing period in MQMAS experiments.

Different approaches to obtain pure absorption-mode lineshapes in MQMAS experiments employing a train of 180 degrees phase-alternating pulses for the multiple-quantum to single-quantum mixing period are investigated. Four pulse sequences, which achieve this by using either the shifted-echo approach or the hypercomplex approach with symmetric coherence transfer pathways, are presented and their improved lineshape- and sensitivity-performance is experimentally demonstrated by (87)Rb MQMAS of RbNO(3). Compared to the original modulated-rf mixing sequence, sensitivity enhancements by factors up to 1.3 are obtained with the sequences described here.

Enhanced sensitivity in RIACT/MQ-MAS NMR experiments using rotor assisted population transfer.

The rotor assisted population transfer (RAPT) sequence is used to enhance the sensitivity of the RIACT(II) experiment for spin-3/2 quadrupolar nuclei. A detailed theoretical analysis of the polarizations that contribute to different types of MQ-MAS experiments is provided. In particular, two polarization pathways are distinguished for the creation of triple-quantum coherence. The existence of these pathways is experimentally demonstrated by comparing the sensitivities of different sequences with and without RAPT preparation.

Factors influencing the 17O quadrupole coupling constant in bridging oxygen environments.

Ab initio calculations were performed on the series of clusters [(OH)3M-O-M(OH)3](-2) where M = B, Al, and Ga, (OH)3M-O-M(OH)3 where M = C, Si, and Ge, (OH)2OM-O-MO(OH)2 where M = P and As, and (OH)O2M-O-MO2(OH) where M = S and Se. These clusters were constructed to model the effect of changing the coordinating cation and coordinating cation-oxygen distances on the bridging oxygen 17O quadrupole coupling constant. For all clusters studied, we observed a general trend that the magnitude of Cq increases linearly with increasing cation-oxygen bond distance and cation group number, suggesting that group number and cation-bridging oxygen distance can serve as a better predictor of the bridging oxygen quadrupole coupling constant than electronegativity differences.

Simultaneous contact allergy to neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin.

Simultaneous contact allergy to neomycin, bacitracin, and polymyxin was seen in two patients. Although neomycin sensitivity is common, bacitracin and polymyxin are less frequently considered as causes of allergic contact dermatitis. Allergy to all three items simultaneously has not been previously reported.

High-resolution 13C NMR study of pressure effects on the main phase transition in L-alpha-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles.

The effects of pressure on the liquid-crystalline to gel transition in vesicles of L-alpha-dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine were investigated by high-resolution proton-decoupled natural-abundance 13C NMR spectroscopy. The linewidths of several 13C resonances, including the choline methyl groups, carbonyl carbons, and choline methylene groups and the palmitoyl methyl groups are reported as a function of pressure at 52.7 degrees C. These preliminary NMR experiments clearly demonstrate that high-pressure, high-resolution proton-decoupled natural-abundance 13C NMR spectra are a promising tool to study the phase-transition behavior and the dynamics of model membrane systems.

Solid-state 13C NMR investigations of the glycosidic linkage in alpha-alpha' trehalose.

The sugar trehalose is known to play a central role in the desiccation tolerance of many organisms. Essential to trehalose's role are its glass forming abilities and ability to directly interact with lipid molecules. Detailed information on the structure and dynamics of glassy trehalose and its interactions with lipids, however, have been elusive. We have used solid-state NMR and ab initio quantum mechanical methods (Gaussian 94) in order to characterize the possible molecular conformations of trehalose. Using a simplified structure (2-(tetrahydropyran-2-yloxy) tetrahydropyran) as a model we have calculated the energy and 13C magnetic shielding parameters as a function of the two glycosidic torsion angles. Combining ab initio derived maps and using the 13C lineshape as constraints we were able to construct the torsion angle distribution map for alpha-alpha' trehalose. We believe measurements of 13C isotropic chemical shift and other solid-state NMR tensor parameter distributions in combination with ab initio methods can prove useful in identifying sources of structural disorder in glassy trehalose. By monitoring these structural distributions new information about the membrane surface associative properties of trehalose and other sugars should be accessible.

Quantification of the disorder in network-modified silicate glasses.

Local order in silicate glasses has been observed by many experimental techniques to be similar to that in crystalline materials. Details of the intermediate-range order are more elusive, but essential for understanding the lack of long-range symmetry in glasses and the effect of composition on glass structure. Two-dimensional 17O dynamic-angle-spinning nuclear magnetic resonance experiments reveal intermediate-range order in the distribution of inter-tetrahedral (Si-O-Si) bond angles and a high degree of order in the disposition of oxygen atoms around the network-modifying cations.

Two-dimensional magic-angle spinning isotropic reconstruction sequences for quadrupolar nuclei.

Two-dimensional magic-angle spinning (triple quantum, single quantum) correlation pulse sequences and phase cycles based on the technique of Frydman and Harwood for the reconstruction of the isotropic spectrum of half-integer spin quadrupolar nuclei broadened to second-order are described. These sequences provide pure absorption mode two-dimensional lineshapes and increased sensitivity. Experimental examples on spin I = 3/2 (87Rb in RbNO3) and I = 5/2 (27Al in NaSi3AlO8) are presented. The isotropic chemical shift and quadrupolar coupling parameters could be obtained from a simple analysis of the triple quantum filtered single quantum magic-angle spinning cross-sections.