On the Use of Pulsed Field Gradients in a High-Field NMR Spectrometer to Study Restricted Diffusion in Zeolites

A probe system is described which allows the application of magnetic field gradient pulses with amplitudes up to 24 T/m for self-diffusion measurements by means of a PFG NMR spectrometer operating at a proton resonance frequency of 400 MHz. It is demonstrated that PFG NMR measurements in the high field of a superconducting magnet necessitate precautions which are of minor relevance for measurements with iron magnets. Taking advantage of the large gradient intensity and the high sensitivity in signal detection of the described system, attenuation patterns of the NMR spin echo are observed for the first time that represent the PFG NMR analogue of the diffraction pattern of a sphere.

Spectroscopic properties of rubber oxygenase RoxA from Xanthomonas sp., a new type of dihaem dioxygenase

Natural rubber [poly-(cis-1,4-isoprene)] is cleaved to 12-oxo-4,8-dimethyltrideca-4,8-diene-1-al (ODTD) by rubber oxygenase A (RoxA) isolated from Xanthomonas sp. RoxA has two c-type haem centres that show two distinct alpha-bands at 549 and 553 nm in the dithionite-reduced state. A well-resolved midpoint potential (E(0)') of -65 mV was determined for one haem by spectrophotometric titrations in the absence of dioxygen with dithionite and ferricyanide as reductant and oxidant, respectively. The midpoint potential of the second haem was not resolvable (E(0)' about -130 to -160 mV). One of the two haems was reduced by NADH (549 nm alpha-band), similar to bacterial dihaem peroxidases. Evidence for an electron transfer between the two haems was provided by slow reduction of the second haem (553 nm alpha-band) upon incubation of the partially reduced enzyme at room temperature. Addition of imidazole or related compounds to RoxA led to UV/vis spectral features similar to those observed for partially reduced RoxA. Notably, reduction of RoxA with dithionite or NADH, or binding of compounds such as imidazole, resulted in a reversible inactivation of the enzyme, unlike dihaem peroxidases. In line with this result, RoxA did not show any peroxidase activity. EPR spectra of RoxA as isolated showed two low-spin Fe(III) haem centres, with apparent g-values of 3.39, 3.09, 2.23, 1.92 and 1.50. A weak signal in the g=6 region resulting from a high-spin Fe(III) haem was also observed with a preparation-dependent intensity that disappeared in the presence of imidazole. Attempts to provide spectroscopic evidence for binding of the natural substrate (polyisoprene latex) to RoxA failed. However, experimental data are presented that RoxA is able to subtract redox equivalents from its substrate or from model compounds. In conclusion, RoxA is a novel type of dihaem dioxygenase with features clearly different from classical cytochrome c peroxidases.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray analysis of the tungsten-dependent acetylene hydratase from Pelobacter acetylenicus

Acetylene hydratase is a tungsten-containing hydroxylase that converts acetylene to acetaldehyde in a unique reaction that requires a strong reductant. The subsequent disproportionation of acetaldehyde yields acetate and ethanol. Crystals of the tungsten/iron-sulfur protein acetylene hydratase from Pelobacter acetylenicus strain WoAcy 1 (DSM 3246) were grown by the vapour-diffusion method in an N2/H2 atmosphere using polyethylene glycol as precipitant. Growth of crystals suitable for X-ray analysis strictly depended on the presence of Ti(III) citrate or dithionite as reducing agents.

Quantitative assessment of temporal and spatial ventricular wall motion in normal and infarcted human left ventricles

A new integrated method for quantitating temporal and spatial systolic wall motion heterogeneity was developed and applied in 15 normal subjects and 26 patients with previous myocardial infarction (MI). After frame by frame digitizing, right anterior oblique left cineventriculograms (LV) were analyzed with 90 spaced radii. For each radius shortening fractions at sequential systolic time points relative to end diastole were correlated with corresponding normalized time points using linear regression method, yielding the radial correlation coefficient (r) and the radial regression slope (b) for temporal and spatial information. High radial r values with small standard deviations were observed in normal LV (0.972 +/- 0.016) and in non-MI regions (0.964 +/- 0.018), indicating temporally homogeneous radial shortening. A significant temporal heterogeneity in wall motion was demonstrated in MI regions (0.480 +/- 0.304) (p less than 0.001). In comparison with normal b values (0.449 +/- 0.106), there were decreased b values in MI regions (0.203 +/- 0.211) (p less than 0.001) and increased b values in non-MI regions (0.695 +/- 0.213) (p less than 0.001), suggesting hypokinetic and compensative hyperkinetic contraction in corresponding regions. Thus, temporal and spatial wall motion throughout systole could be assessed quantitatively by the present computer-assisted method with two simple integrated parameters.

Development of an infection-resistant vascular prosthesis

To develop an infection-resistant arterial prosthesis, amikacin was bonded to 6-mm, uncrimped, filamentous velour prostheses using a collagen-release system. Infrarenal abdominal aortas were resected in 26 mongrel dogs. Thirteen dogs had their aortas replaced with the antibiotic-bonded grafts and 13 dogs had their aortas replaced with a graft containing collagen without antibiotics. Following closure of the abdominal incision, each dog received an intravenous infusion of 10(8) organisms of Staphylococcus aureus administered over a 30-minute interval. Three weeks after recovery from operation, the grafts were removed under aseptic conditions; all 13 (100%) of the control grafts were infected, but only one of 12 experimental grafts (8%) was infected. There were no adverse healing effects; to the contrary, there appeared to be accelerated development of a cellular neointima and fibroblastic infiltration to the interstices. Antibiotic bonding with a collagen-release system is a promising method for imparting infection resistance to a vascular prosthesis.