Spectroscopic characterization and molecular structure of 3,14-dimethyl-2,6,13,17-tetraazapentacyclo[16.4.0.1(2,17).1(6,13).0(7,12)]tetracosane.

Constrained cyclam derivatives have been found to exhibit anti-HIV effects. The strength of binding to the CXCR4 receptor correlates with anti-HIV activity. The conformation of the macrocyclic compound is very important for co-receptor recognition. Therefore, knowledge of the conformation and crystal packing of macrocycles has become important in developing new highly effective anti-HIV drugs. Structural modifications of N-functionalized polyaza macrocyclic compounds have been achieved using various methods. A new synthesis affording single crystals of the title tetraazapentacyclo[16.4.0.1(2,17).1(6,13).0(7,12)]tetracosane macrocycle, C22H40N4, is reported. Formaldehyde reacts readily at room temperature with the tetraazatricyclo[16.4.0.0(2,17)]docosane precursor to yield a macropolycycle containing two five-membered rings. Characterization by elemental, spectroscopic and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analyses shows that the asymmetric unit contains half of a centrosymmetric molecule. The molecular structure shows a trans conformation for the two methylene bridges owing to molecular symmetry. The crystal structure is stabilized by intramolecular C-H...N hydrogen bonds. NMR and IR spectroscopic properties support the methylene-bridged macrocyclic structure.

Improvement of somatic embryogenesis and plantlet conversion in Oplopanax elatus, an endangered medicinal woody plant.

Oplopanax elatus is a medicinal plant on the verge of extinction because of overexploitation. In the present study, the effects of various factors on enhancing somatic embryogenesis and plantlet conversion were studied. Mature seeds were collected from a total of 13 plants from 4 mountains in South Korea, and the genetic distances were calculated to analyze the effect of genotype on somatic embryogenesis. Results of cluster analysis and the unweighted-pair-group method with arithmetic mean of 13 genotypes indicated the presence of 3 main groups. Both genotype and explant type affected the induction of somatic embryos (SEs). Sorak 2 and root were found to be the most suitable genotype and explant type, respectively, for SE induction in O. elatus. Among the different types of carbon sources tested, 5% sucrose induced the maximum number of SEs. The formation and development of SEs were significantly influenced by culture density; thus, 10 mg embryonic callus was found to be the most suitable for SE induction. The highest rates of germination and SE conversion were obtained in a germination medium containing 1.8 gelrite and 3.2 g·l(-1) agar. In addition, 80% of the plantlets that were transplanted into artificial soil acclimatized successfully. Thus, our results showed that the percentage survival of O. elatus during in vitro proliferation could be increased by optimizing to the somatic embryogenesis system.

cis-(1,4,8,11-Tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-decane-κN (4))bis(-thio-cyanato-κN)chromium(III) thio-cyanate.

The crystal structure of [Cr(NCS)2(cyclam)]NCS (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-deca-ne, C10H24N4) has been determined by using synchrotron radiation at 98 K. The Cr(III) atom is in a slightly distorted octa-hedral environment with four N atoms of the macrocyclic ligand and two N-coordinated NCS(-) anions in cis positions. The average Cr-N(cyclam) and Cr-NCS bond lengths are 2.085 (5) and 1.996 (15) Å, respectively. In the crystal, the uncoordinating SCN(-) anion is hydrogen bonded through N-H⋯S and N-H⋯N inter-actions to neighbouring complex cations.

Minimum 2-year follow-up result of degenerative spinal stenosis treated with interspinous u (coflex).

OBJECTIVE: Clinical and radiological results of posterior dynamic stabilization using interspinous U (ISU, Coflex, Paradigm Spine Inc.(R), NY, USA) were analyzed in comparison with posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted for a consecutive series of 61 patients with degenerative LSS between May 2003 and December 2005. We included only the patients completed minimum 24 months follow up evaluation. Among them, 30 patients were treated with implantation of ISU after decompressive laminectomy (Group ISU) and 31 patients were treated with wide decompressive laminectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF; Group PLIF). We evaluated visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) for clinical outcomes (VAS, ODI), disc height ratio disc height (DH), disc height/vertebral body length x100), static vertebral slip (VS) and depth of maximal radiolucent gap between ISU and spinous process) in preoperative, immediate postoperative and last follow up. RESULTS: The mean age of group ISU (66.2 +/- 6.7 years) was 6.2 years older than the mean age of group PLIF (60.4 +/- 8.1 years; p = 0.003 ). In both groups, clinical measures improved significantly than preoperative values (p < 0.001). Operation time and blood loss was significantly shorter and lower in group ISU than group PLIF (p < 0.001). In group ISU, the DH increased transiently in immediate postoperative period (15.7 +/- 4.5% --> 18.6 +/- 5.9%), however decreased significantly in last follow up (13.8 +/- 6.6%, p = 0.027). Vertebral slip (VS) of spondylolisthesis in group ISU increased during postoperative follow-up (2.3 +/- 3.3 --> 8.7 +/- 6.2, p = 0.040). Meanwhile, the postoperatively improved DH and VS was maintained in group PLIF in last follow up. CONCLUSION: According to our result, implantation of ISU after decompressive laminectomy in degenerative LSS is less invasive and provides similar clinical outcome in comparison with the instrumented fusion. However, the device has only transient effect on the postoperative restoration of disc height and reduction of slip in spondylolisthesis. Therefore, in the biomechanical standpoint, it is hard to expect that use of Interspinous U in decompressive laminectomy for degenerative LSS had long term beneficial effect.

Electronic and vibrational spectroscopy of cis-beta-[CrCl(2)(1,4,7,11-tetrazaundecane)chromium(III) perchlorate.

The sharp-line absorption spectrum of cis-beta-[CrCl(2)(2,2,3-tet)]ClO(4) (2,2,3-tet: 1,4,7,11-tetraazaundecane) has been measured between 13,000 and 16,000 cm(-1) at 5K. The 77K emission, 298 K infrared and visible spectra have also been measured. The zero-phonon band in the highly resolved absorption spectrum splits into four components. The vibrational intervals of the electronic ground state were determined from the far-infrared and emission spectra. The 10 electronic bands due to spin-allowed and spin-forbidden transitions were assigned. Using the observed transitions, a ligand field analysis has been performed to probe the ligand field properties of coordinated atoms in the title chromium(III) complex. The X-ray crystal structure at low-temperature was determined to help in assigning the sharp-line electronic transitions.

Levels of PCDDs and PCDFs in Korean river sediments and their detection by biomarkers.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) are a group of toxic halogenated aryl hydrocarbons inducing various physiological disorders against biological organisms. Here, we investigated their levels in sediment samples taken from 12 different rivers in Korea. The levels of PCDD/PCDFs in sediment samples were expressed as concentrations and international TEQ values. Among 17 PCDD/PCDFs selected as target compounds in this study, the 1,2,3,4,7,8-HxCDD and OCDD were found in all river sediments with significant variation in various congener profiles of PCDD/PCDFs in sediments. PCDD/PCDFs could be monitored by sensitive biomarkers using insect immune system. Out of 12 river sediment samples, the biomarkers reported four spots (up, middle, and down Singil sites and Ansan) as putative contamination areas. When comparing both chemical and biological monitoring results, two methods agreed three spots of Singil as contamination areas (above 10ppt levels) as well as six river sediment samples as relatively less-contaminated areas, but differed in the results in Ansan and Miho, probably due to relative non-specificity of biomarkers. Despite some disparity between bio- and chemical monitoring results, the biomarkers can be recommended as a device warning the contamination of dioxins in the environment because of a fast and inexpensive detection method.

Spectroscopic and ligand-field properties of [L-prolylglycinato][di(3-aminopropyl)amine]chromium(III) perchlorate.

The mixed ligand complex [Cr(L-progly)(dpt)]ClO4 [H2progly = prolylglycine, dpt = di(3-aminopropyl)amine] has been prepared, and its geometric structure was discussed on the basis of electronic absorption and IR spectral data. The emission and excitation spectra taken at 77 K were also reported. The 12 electronic bands due to spin-allowed and spin-forbidden transitions were assigned. Using the electronic transitions, a ligand-field optimization has been performed to determine the metal-ligand bonding properties for the coordinated atoms. We confirmed that the peptide nitrogen of prolylglycinate has moderate strong sigma- and weak pi-donor properties toward chromium(III) ion.