Publications

Abstract The standard (p degrees = 0.1 MPa) molar enthalpies of formation of 2-, 3-, and 4-bromoaniline, 2,4-, 2,5-, and 2,6-di-bromoaniline, and 2,4,6-tribromoaniline were derived from the standard molar enthalpies of combustion, in oxygen, which yields CO2(g), N-2(g), and HBr center dot 600H(2)O(1), at T = 298.15 K, measured by using rotating-bomb calorimetry. The standard molar enthalpies of sublimation, or vaporization, of these compounds at 1 298.15 K were measured by using Calvet microcalorimetry, and so their standard molar enthalpies of formation in the gaseous state were derived. The enthalpies of fusion of the solid compounds were determined by DSC. The gas-phase enthalpies of formation were also estimated by density functional theory calculations performed at the BP86/6-31 +G* level. As a result it is confirmed that thermodynamic data is consistent with intramolecular N-(HBr)-Br-... hydrogen bonding.

Abstract Drug abuse is associated with brain dysfunction and neurodegeneration, and various recreational drugs induce apoptotic cell death. This study examined the role of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in psychostimulant-induced neuronal dysfunction. Using primary neuronal cultures, we observed that amphetamine (IC50 = 1.40 mM) was more potent than cocaine (IC50 = 4.30 mM) in inducing cell toxicity. Apoptotic cell death was further evaluated using cocaine and amphetamine concentrations that moderately decreased cell reduction capacity but did not affect plasma membrane integrity. Compared to cocaine, amphetamine highly decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential, as determined using the fluorescent probe rhodamine-123, whereas both drugs decreased mitochondrial cytochrome c. In contrast to amphetamine, cocaine cytotoxicity was partly mediated through effects on the electron transport chain, since cocaine toxicity was ameliorated in mitochondrial DNA-depleted cells lacking mitochondrially encoded electron transport chain subunits. Cocaine and amphetamine induced activation of caspases-2, -3 and -9 but did not affect activity of caspases-6 or -8. In addition, amphetamine, but not cocaine, was associated with the appearance of evident nuclear apoptotic morphology. These events were not accompanied by differences in the release of the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) from mitochondria. Our results demonstrate that although both amphetamine and cocaine activate the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in cortical neurons, amphetamine is more likely to promote apoptosis.

Abstract An extensive monitoring programme of pesticides was carried out in soil samples from an intensive horticulture area in north of Portugal, putting into practice the needs for increased control of soil quality as far as organic pollution is concerned. The area under investigation was additionally defined as vulnerable to nitrates due to local soil and aquifer characteristics, which might be extended to pesticides contamination. Five sampling sites were selected and soils analysed at three depths in eight sampling campaigns, for the period of 2 years. A stepwise multivariate statistical approach was selected to uncover most relevant patterns inside a complex environmental data matrix. Cluster analysis was applied both to group pesticides and samples, giving a primary and unsupervised overlook of privileged relationships. Clusters of persistent pesticides and selected herbicides were identified, whereas sample classes were also formed and disposed geographically. Thirty eight percent of analysed soils samples fell into one class characterized by low contamination (class 1 in cluster analysis), which is entirely representative of the sampling site no. 1. Afterwards, linear discriminant analysis was applied to identify those pesticides, which had a higher impact in the definition of classes. Finally, factor analysis using a five component model was implemented in order to bring to light the constitution and data variance explained by each of the five main principal components, as well as, their relation to pest management practices. A factor was identified (PC1- 22% variance) composed of chlorinated pesticides, which was representative of one of the investigated sites indicating its high contamination status. Qualitative main findings and class average concentration values were obtained through this multivariate statistical approach.

Abstract MARCH-INSIDE methodology and a statistical classification method-linear discriminant analysis (LDA)-is proposed as an alternative method to the Draize eye irritation test. This methodology has been successfully applied to a set of 46 neutral organic chemicals, which have been defined as ocular irritant or nonirritant. The model allow to categorize correctly 37 out of 46 compounds, showing an accuracy of 80.46%. Specifically, this model demonstrates the existence of a good categorization average of 91.67 and 76.47% for irritant and nonirritant compounds, respectively. Validation of the model was carried out using two cross-validation tools: Leave-one-out (LOO) and leave-group-out (LGO), showing a global predictability of the model of 71.7 and 70%, respectively. The average of coincidence of the predictions between leave-one-out/leave-group-out studies and train set were 91.3% (42 out of 46 cases)/89.1% (41 out of 46 cases) proving the robustness of the model obtained. Ocular irritancy distribution diagram is carried out in order to determine the intervals of the property where the probability of finding an irritant compound is maximal relating to the choice of find a false nonirritant one. It seems that, until today, the present model may be the first predictive linear discriminant equation able to discriminate between eye irritant and nonirritant chemicals.

Abstract A new static apparatus, capable of measuring vapor pressures in the range (0.4 to 133) Pa and in the temperature range (243 to 413) K, is fully described. The performance of the new apparatus was checked by measuring the vapor pressures of four compounds recommended as reference materials for the measurement of vapor pressure-naphthalene, benzoic acid, benzophenone, and ferrocene. A recommended value for the enthalpy of sublimation of benzophenone, Delta(g)(cr)(298.15 K) = (95.1 +/- 1.9) kJ center dot mol(-1), is suggested.

Abstract A novel, highly stereocontrotled formal [3 + 3] annulation of beta-aryl-alpha-nitro-alpha,beta-enals with the enamine derived from 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-one and pyrrolidine afforded protected nitrocyclitols with five newly created stereocentres and constituted the key step in a short, gram-scale synthesis of a pancratistatin analogue.

Abstract The interactions between water and n-perfluoroalkanes or substituted alpha-(omega-) fluoroalkanes used in blood substitute formulations were investigated experimentally and using ab initio calculations. The solubility of water in C(6)-C(9) perfluoroalkanes and five C(8) analogues of substituted fluoroalkanes was measured in the temperature range between 288 and 318 K at atmospheric pressure, using a Karl Fischer coulometer. From these data, the thermodynamic functions and partial molar solvation quantities such as Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and entropy were determined and compared with the interaction energies in 1:1 water-fluoroalkane complexes in vacuum, obtained using B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p). The experimental solubility data indicates a significant specific interaction between the water and the alpha-(omega-)substitute atom (H, I, Br, or Cl) in the fluoroalkanes.

Abstract Neutron time-of-flight spectra were measured for an HO-hydrated and a nominally dry sample of a 15-residue antibacterial oligopeptide from 99 to 271 K. Proton mobilities, quasielastic broadenings, and changes in low-frequency inelastic intensities characterise the evolution of the peptide energy landscape as a function of momentum transfer and temperature.