CO2 adsorption-induced structural changes in coordination polymer ligands elucidated via molecular simulations and experiments.

Aiming to elucidate guest-induced structural changes in the coordination polymer CPL-2, grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations were used to predict CO2 loadings in this material, and the results were compared with experimental isotherms. Our calculations suggest that CPL-2 exhibits more pronounced CO2-induced structural changes than previously reported. As the initial evidence, the isotherm simulated in the previously reported CPL-2 structure (experimentally resolved from X-ray diffraction in the "as-synthesized" CPL-2) underestimated the measured CO2 loadings at high pressure, indicating that CPL-2 might undergo structural changes that enable higher pore volumes at high pressure. GCMC simulations in CPL-2 structures considering moderate unit cell expansions reported in the literature still underestimated high-pressure experimental loadings. However, considering an incremental rotation of the CPL-2 bipyridyl pillars with increasing CO2 pressure, we were able to trace the measured isotherm with the simulation data. Computational analysis shows that ligand rotation in CPL-2 enables higher pore volumes, which, in turn, accommodate more CO2 as the gas pressure increases. Desorption measurements suggest that hysteresis in the CO2 isotherm of CPL-2 may also be linked to ligand rotation, and the measured adsorption/desorption cycles show that the rotation is reversible. Based on our simulations for CPL-4 and CPL-5 and previously reported experimental data, it is likely that these materials, which differ from CPL-2 in the bipyridyl ligand, behave similarly in the presence of CO2. Our results help understand the behavior of these materials, which present the kind of structural changes that could be potentially exploited to enhance the CO2 working capacity of ultra-microporous materials for carbon capture applications.

Economic cycles and child mortality: A cross-national study of the least developed countries.

This paper examines the effects of growth and recession periods on child mortality in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) during the period 1990-2010. We provide empirical evidence of uneven effects of variations in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita on the evolution of child mortality rate in periods of economic recession and expansion. A decrease in GDP per capita entails a significant rise in child mortality rates, whereas an increase does not affect child mortality significantly. In this context, official development assistance seems to play a crucial role in counteracting the increment in child mortality rates in recession periods, at least in those LDCs receiving greater aid.

Induction of rat intestinal P-glycoprotein by spironolactone and its effect on absorption of orally administered digoxin.

The effect of the diuretic spironolactone (SL) on expression and function of intestinal P-glycoprotein (P-gp), as well as its impact on intestinal absorption of digoxin, was explored. Rats were treated with daily doses of 200 micromol/kg b.wt. of SL intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days. The small intestine was divided into four equal segments of approximately 25 cm, with segment I being the most proximal. Brush-border membranes were isolated and used in analysis of P-gp expression by Western blot analysis. P-gp content increased in the SL group by 526, 292, 210, and 622% over controls for segments I, II, III, and IV, respectively. Up-regulation of apical P-gp was confirmed by immunofluorescence microscopy. P-gp transport activity was explored in intestinal sacs prepared from segment IV using two different model substrates. Serosal to mucosal transport (efflux) of rhodamine 123 was 140% higher, and mucosal to serosal transport (absorption) of digoxin was 40% lower in the SL group, both indicating increased P-gp function. In vivo experiments showed that intestinal absorption of a single dose of digoxin administered p.o. was attenuated by SL pretreatment. Thus, concentration of digoxin in portal and peripheral blood was lower in SL versus control groups, as well as its accumulation in kidney and liver. Urinary excretion of digoxin was significantly decreased in the SL group, probably reflecting decreased systemic availability of digoxin for subsequent urinary elimination. We conclude that SL induces P-gp expression with potential impact on intestinal absorption of substrates with therapeutic application.

Effect of acetaminophen on expression and activity of rat liver multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 and P-glycoprotein.

We evaluated the effect of acetaminophen (APAP), given as a single, 1g/kg body weight dose, on expression and activity of rat liver multidrug resistance-associated protein 2 (Mrp2) and P-glycoprotein (P-gp), two major canalicular drug transporters. The studies were performed 24h after administration of the drug. APAP induced an increase in plasma membrane content of Mrp2 detected by western blotting, consistent with increased detection of the protein at the canalicular level by immunoflourescence microscopy. In vivo biliary excretion of dinitrophenyl-S-glutathione, a well known Mrp2 substrate, was slightly but significantly increased by APAP, agreeing well with upregulation of the transporter. Basal biliary excretion of oxidized glutathione, an endogenous Mrp2 substrate, was also increased by APAP, likely indicating increased hepatic synthesis as a result of APAP-induced oxidative stress followed by accelerated canalicular secretion mediated by Mrp2. APAP also increased the expression of P-gp detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence microscopy as well as the in vivo biliary secretory rate of digoxin, a model P-gp substrate. Because specific APAP-conjugated metabolites are Mrp2 substrates, we postulate that induction of Mrp2 by APAP may represent an adaptive mechanism to accelerate liver disposition of the drug. In addition, increased Mrp2-mediated elimination of oxidized glutathione may be essential in maintaining the redox equilibrium in the hepatocyte under conditions of APAP-induced oxidative stress.