A quantitative description of the ground-state wave function of Cu(A) by X-ray absorption spectroscopy: comparison to plastocyanin and relevance to electron transfer.

To evaluate the importance of the electronic structure of Cu(A) to its electron-transfer (ET) function, a quantitative description of the ground-state wave function of the mixed-valence (MV) binuclear Cu(A) center engineered into Pseudomonas aeruginosa azurin has been developed, using a combination of S K-edge and Cu L-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopies (XAS). Parallel descriptions have been developed for a binuclear thiolate-bridged MV reference model complex ([(L(i)(PrdacoS)Cu)(2)](+)) and a homovalent (II,II) analogue ([L(i)(Pr2tacnS)Cu)(2)](2+), where L(i)(PrdacoS) and L(i)(Pr2tacnS) are macrocyclic ligands with attached thiolates that bridge the Cu ions. Previous studies have qualitatively defined the ground-state wave function of Cu(A) in terms of ligand field effects on the orbital orientation and the presence of a metal--metal bond. The studies presented here provide further evidence for a direct Cu--Cu interaction and, importantly, experimentally quantify the covalency of the ground-state wave function. The experimental results are further supported by DFT calculations. The nature of the ground-state wave function of Cu(A) is compared to that of the well-defined blue copper site in plastocyanin, and the importance of this wave function to the lower reorganization energy and ET function of Cu(A) is discussed. This wave function incorporates anisotropic covalency into the intra- and intermolecular ET pathways in cytochrome c oxidase. Thus, the high covalency of the Cys--Cu bond allows a path through this ligand to become competitive with a shorter His path in the intramolecular ET from Cu(A) to heme a and is particularly important for activating the intermolecular ET path from heme c to Cu(A).

Theoretical studies of biological nitrogen fixation. I. Density functional modeling of the Mo-site of the FeMo-cofactor.

The Mo-site and its ligand environment of the FeMo-cofactor (FeMo-co) were studied using the hybrid density functional method B3LYP. The structure and stability of the model complex (S-ligand)3(N-ligand)Mo[(S)-OCH(CH3)C(O)O-] along with its various protonated and reduced/oxidized forms were calculated. Several hypotheses were tested: (i) ligand environment of the Mo-site, (ii) monodentate vs bidentate coordination of the Mo-bound homocitrate ligand, (iii) substrate coordination to the Mo center, and (iv) Mo-His interaction. It was found that the decoordination of one of the homocitrate (lactate in the model) "legs", the bidentate-->monodentate rearrangement, does not occur spontaneously upon either single/double protonation or one-electron reduction. However, it could occur only upon substrate coordination to the Mo-center of the single-protonated forms of the complex. It was shown that one-electron reduction, single-protonation, and substrate coordination facilitate the bidentate<-->monodentate rearrangement of the homocitrate (lactate) ligand of FeMo-co. It was demonstrated that the smallest acceptable model of His ligand in FeMo-co is methylimidazolate (MeIm-). Our studies suggest that the epsilon-N of the FeMo-co-bound His residue is not protonated, and as a consequence the cluster is tightly bound to the protein matrix via a strong Mo-N delta bond.

Diastereoselection through chiral conformations.

Chiral conformations of flexible molecules may develop in a concerted manner if the molecule is crowded enough to assure sufficient level of through-the-space contacts. Higher number (> 4) of groups connected to the same atom, as in many coordination compounds, can be advantageous in this respect. The case study of R,S-[(sec-butoxycarbonyl)methyl]cobalt tricarbonyl triphenylphosphine is presented here. X-ray diffraction shows that the possible number of enantiomeric and diastereomeric conformations is reduced by 75% (from 8 to 2) by concerted development of the molecular conformations in crystalline phase.

Comparative clinical examination of Loderix (setastinum) and astemizole in pollenosis.

The action and side-effects of Loderix (EGIS) were examined in comparison with Hismanal (Janssen) containing the non-sedative H1-receptor antagonist astemizole, by double-blind, cross-over, self-controlled method. On the basis of the changes observed in response to the two drugs in the symptoms of rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma of 21 patients suffering from pollenosis Loderix proved to be of the same value as Hismanal considering both clinical effectivity and side-effects.

A mini-residency program in orthognathic surgery.

A method of teaching major orthognathic surgical techniques is presented. One hundred hours of instruction in laboratory, practical, clinical, and operating room experiences were presented over two months, on alternate weekends. These intervals allowed for assimilation of new didactic material, readings, and study and laboratory exercises at home. Four teams of three oral and maxillofacial surgeons rotated to the operating rooms during each weekend session to experience hands-on training. The protracted period of follow-up observations enabled participants to witness most cases from start to finish and learn to anticipate and manage sequellae. Experienced oral and maxillofacial surgeons demonstrated a quick grasp of newer techniques of orthognathic surgery, and most translated the mini-residency experience into their practices.