Transient IR spectroscopy and ab initio calculations on ESIPT in 3-hydroxyflavone solvated in acetonitrile.

Femtosecond polarization resolved UV/Vis and mid-infrared spectroscopy was used to thoroughly identify and characterize the relevant elementary chemical and physical processes in the photocycle of 3-hydroxyflavone (3-HF) in solution. In one set of experiments with the polar aprotic solvent acetonitrile-d(3), for the first time excited state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), vibrational cooling/relaxation and rotational diffusion could be separated, and furthermore mid IR vibrational spectra of 3-HF excited states in solution phase were obtained. UV/Vis transient absorption data yield the time constant τ(Rot) = 22 ps for rotational diffusion and the time constant τ(VR) = 8.5 ps for vibrational cooling/relaxation in the tautomer excited state (S(1)'). Biphasic ESIPT with τ < 120 fs and τ = 2.4 ps as well as slow ground state recovery with τ > 500 ps was found. The time resolved mid IR data yield a time constant of ≈3.4 ps for the slow ESIPT step as well as the vibrational frequencies of S(0,) S(1)' and, in particular those of the short lived excited state S(1). Via quantum chemical calculations, structural parameters of these states are obtained. Various models were used, namely for the isolated molecule, aggregates with solvent as well as a polarizable continuum, that allow us to correlate the two ESIPT components with two mechanisms. Results are compared to those from previously published gas-phase experiments and indicate that the observed slow ESIPT is mediated by solute-solvent interaction via a hydrogen bond with the hydroxyl group of 3-HF.

Infection after acute ischemic stroke: risk factors, biomarkers, and outcome.

Background. The activation of inflammatory cascades triggered by ischemic stroke may play a key role in the development of infections. Methods. Patients admitted with ischemic stroke within 24 hours were prospectively enrolled. Biomarkers of infection were measured on days 1, 3, and 5. The patients were continuously monitored for predefined infections. Results. Patients with infection were older (OR 1.06 per year, 95% CI 1.01-1.11) and had a higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale Score (NIHSS, OR 1.21, 95% CI 1.10-1.34), localization in the insula, and higher stroke volumes on diffusion-weighted imaging. The maximum temperature on days 1 and 3, leukocytes, interleukin-6, lipopolysaccharide-binding protein on days 1, 3, and 5, C-reactive protein on days 3 and 5, and procalcitonin on day 5 were higher and HLA-DR-expression on monocytes on days 1, 3, and 5 lower in patients with infection. Age and NIHSS predicted the development of infections. Infection was an independent predictor of poor functional outcome. Conclusions. Severe stroke and increasing age were shown to be early predictors for infections after stroke.

Interannual atmospheric variability forced by the deep equatorial Atlantic Ocean.

Climate variability in the tropical Atlantic Ocean is determined by large-scale ocean-atmosphere interactions, which particularly affect deep atmospheric convection over the ocean and surrounding continents. Apart from influences from the Pacific El Niño/Southern Oscillation and the North Atlantic Oscillation, the tropical Atlantic variability is thought to be dominated by two distinct ocean-atmosphere coupled modes of variability that are characterized by meridional and zonal sea-surface-temperature gradients and are mainly active on decadal and interannual timescales, respectively. Here we report evidence that the intrinsic ocean dynamics of the deep equatorial Atlantic can also affect sea surface temperature, wind and rainfall in the tropical Atlantic region and constitutes a 4.5-yr climate cycle. Specifically, vertically alternating deep zonal jets of short vertical wavelength with a period of about 4.5 yr and amplitudes of more than 10 cm s(-1) are observed, in the deep Atlantic, to propagate their energy upwards, towards the surface. They are linked, at the sea surface, to equatorial zonal current anomalies and eastern Atlantic temperature anomalies that have amplitudes of about 6 cm s(-1) and 0.4 °C, respectively, and are associated with distinct wind and rainfall patterns. Although deep jets are also observed in the Pacific and Indian oceans, only the Atlantic deep jets seem to oscillate on interannual timescales. Our knowledge of the persistence and regularity of these jets is limited by the availability of high-quality data. Despite this caveat, the oscillatory behaviour can still be used to improve predictions of sea surface temperature in the tropical Atlantic. Deep-jet generation and upward energy transmission through the Equatorial Undercurrent warrant further theoretical study.

Structure of isolated xanthone in the T1 state obtained via combined UV/IR spectroscopy.

In order to extend combined UV/IR spectroscopy to triplet states, xanthone has been chosen as a model system due to its efficient intersystem crossing (ISC). The IR/R2PI (resonant two-photon ionisation) spectrum of the electronic ground state (S(0)) as well as the IR spectrum of the T(1) state have been recorded in a supersonic jet. We show that the IR spectrum of a triplet state can be recorded subsequent to an ISC. In combination with DFT and TDDFT calculations, structural assignments are performed and geometrical changes are identified.

Proton/hydrogen-transfer coordinate of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid investigated in a supersonic beam: combined IR/UV spectroscopy in the S0, S1, and D0 states.

As a model system for intramolecular proton/hydrogen-transfer coordinates, the structure of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid is investigated for the ground, first electronically excited and also the ionic state. Combined IR/UV spectroscopy in molecular-beam experiments is applied and the experimental results are interpreted by the application of DFT and CASPT2 methods. No proton or hydrogen transfer is observed, but evidence is given for a hydrogen dislocation of the intramolecular hydrogen bond in the S(1) state and to lesser extent in the D(0) state. To obtain direct information on the proton/hydrogen-transfer coordinate, IR spectra are recorded both in the region of the OH and especially the CO stretching vibrations by also applying two new variants of combined IR/UV spectroscopy for the S(1) and D(0) states. The CO groups are directly involved in the hydrogen bond and, in contrast to the hydrogen-bonded OH groups, the CO stretching frequencies can be observed in all electronic states.

Investigation of secondary structure elements by IR/UV double resonance spectroscopy: analysis of an isolated beta-sheet model system.

An isolated beta-sheet model system is investigated in a molecular beam experiment by means of mass- and isomer-selective IR/R2PI double resonance spectroscopy as well as ab initio and DFT calculations. As the exclusive intermolecular assembly, a beta-sheet motif is formed by spontaneous dimerization of two isolated peptide molecules. This secondary structure is produced from the tripeptide model Ac-Val-Tyr(Me)-NHMe without any further environment to form the binding motif which is analyzed by both the characteristic amide A and I vibrations. The experimental and theoretical investigations yield the assignment to an antiparallel beta-sheet model. The result of this detailed spectroscopic analysis on an isolated beta-sheet model indicates that there are intrinsic properties of a beta-sheet structure which can be formed without a solvent or a peptidic environment.

Vascularization and gene regulation of human endothelial cells growing on porous polyethersulfone (PES) hollow fiber membranes.

Open-cell hollow fibers made of polyethersulfone (PES) manufactured in the absence of solvents with pore diameters smaller than 100 microm were examined for vascularization by human endothelial cells. The goal of this study was to determine whether the 3-D porous character of the PES surface affected human endothelial cell morphology and functions. Freshly isolated human endothelial cells from the skin (HDMEC), from the lung (HPMEC) and from umbilical cords (HUVEC) and two human endothelial cell lines, HPMEC-ST1.6R and ISO-HAS.c1 were added to PES fibers and cell adherence and growth was followed by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Prior coating of PES with gelatin or fibronectin was necessary for adhesion and spreading of cells over the uneven porous surface with time. Confluent cells exhibited typical strong PECAM-1 expression at cell-cell borders. Little expression of the activation markers E-selectin, ICAM-1, and VCAM-1 was observed by RT-PCR of endothelial cells growing on PES. However, after stimulation for 4h by LPS, activation of these markers was observed and it was shown by immunofluorescent staining that induction occurred in most of the cells, thus confirming an intact functionality. Finally, cells growing as a monolayer on PES migrated to form microvessel-like structures when placed under conditions that stimulated angiogenesis. Thus, human endothelial cells grown on fibronectin-coated PES fibers retain important endothelial-cell specific morphological and functional properties and PES may serve as a useful biomaterial in tissue engineering and biotechnology applications.

Two sibs with fibrochondrogenesis.

Fibrochondrogenesis is one of the rare lethal osteochondrodysplasias, which show abnormal maturation, and disturbed growth of cartilage and bones. These disorders are a heterogenous group of genetic disorders with a total incidence of 1-3 in 10,000 births. Only 13 cases of fibrochondrogenesis have been published since Lazzaroni-Fossati et al. [1978] first described the disorder. We report on two sibs that occurred in a consanguineous couple and discuss the ultrasonographic, clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics of this disorder. This occurrence confirms autosomal recessive inheritance of fibrochondrogenesis.