Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Enrique J Baran.
The infrared and Raman spectra of the copper(II) complexes [Cu(L-asn)2] and [Cu(L-gln)2] (L-asn=L-asparagine; L-gln=L-glutamine), were recorded and analyzed in relation to its structural peculiarities. Some comparisons between the spectra of these complexes and with those of related systems are made. The characteristics of the carboxylate and amide groups of the bonded ligands are discussed in detail.
Oxovanadium(IV) complexes of the polyalcohols sorbitol, galactitol, and mannitol, of stoichiometry Na(2)[VO(L)(2)].H(2)O, were obtained from aqueous alkaline solutions. They were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared and UV-vis spectroscopies, thermoanalytical (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis) data, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The biological activities of the complexes on the proliferation, differentiation, and glucose consumption were tested on osteoblast-like cells (MC3T3E1 osteoblastic mouse calvaria-derived cells and UMR106 rat osteosarcoma-derived cells) in culture. The three complexes exerted a biphasic effect on cell proliferation, being slight stimulating agents at low concentrations and inhibitory in the range of 25-100 microM. All the complexes inhibited cell differentiation in tumor osteoblasts. Their effects on glucose consumption were also discussed. The free ligands did not show any effect on the studied biological parameters.
Oxovanadium (IV) complexes of the cyclic polyols conduritol C (cond) and myo-inositol (inos) of stoichiometry Na(2)[VO(cond)(2)].2H(2)O and Na(2)[VO(inos)(2)].H(2)O were obtained in aqueous alkaline solutions. They were characterized by infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopies, thermoanalytical (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis) data and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The biological activities of the complexes on the proliferation, differentiation and glucose consumption were tested on osteoblast-like cells in culture. Conduritol C and myo-inositol did not produce any effect on these parameters. Normal and tumoral cell proliferation was inhibited about (ca.40-60%) by the two oxovanadium (IV) complexes in concentrations as low as 100microM. The complexes were also inhibitory on cell differentiation (ca. 70-80%) while they stimulate glucose consumption. Comparisons of these effects with those of the oxovanadium (IV) cation, under the same experimental conditions, were also performed.
As a contribution to the development of novel vanadium complexes with pharmacologically interesting moieties, new dioxovanadium(V) semicarbazone complexes with the formula cis-VO(2)L, where L=5-bromosalicylaldehyde semicarbazone and 2-hydroxynaphtalen-1-carboxaldehyde semicarbazone have been synthesized and characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR, Raman and FTIR spectroscopies. Results were compared with those previously reported for other three analogous complexes of this series. The five complexes were tested in three different human tumor cell lines for bioactivity as potential anti-tumor agents, showing selective cytotoxicity on TK-10 cell line. Results showed that structural modifications on the semicarbazone moiety could have a significant effect on the anti-tumor activity of the vanadium complexes. In addition, the electrochemical behavior of all the complexes was studied. No apparent correlation could be demonstrated between reduction potentials of the complexes and their anti-tumor activities. The molecular structure of the novel [V(V)O(2)(5-bromosalicylaldehyde semicarbazone)] complex was solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The vanadium atom shows a distorted square pyramidal coordination sphere. The (VO(2))(+) cation is coordinated to a nearly planar (L)(-) anion acting as a tridentate ligand through both oxygen and one nitrogen atoms.
The molecular structure of the title complex, [Cu(C6H14N4O2)2(H2O)]CO3.H(2)O, was determined by single crystal X-ray diffractometry. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1), with Z = 2. The Cu(II) ion is in a square pyramidal environment, trans coordinated at the basis by two argininate groups acting as bidentate ligands through their amino nitrogen and carboxylate oxygen atoms. The coordination around copper is completed by a water molecule at the pyramid apex. The infrared, Raman and electronic spectra are briefly discussed on the basis of the structural peculiarities of the complex.
The X-ray diffractometric and infrared spectroscopic investigation of crystalline material isolated from the Cactaceae species Opuntia ellisiana shows the presence of a very complex mineral composition, including whewellite (monohydrated calcium oxalate), opal (SiO2), calcite (CaCO3) and glushinskite (dihydrated magnesium oxalate). This is the first report of the presence of magnesium oxalate in plants.
The infrared and Raman spectra of the crystalline hexaoxotellurates Hg3TeO6 and Hg2TeO5 were recorded and discussed on the basis of a site symmetry analysis derived from known structural data. Approximate values for the Te-O bond force constants are reported and some comparisons with related species are made.
Single crystals of anhydrous dimercury(I) monofluorophosphate(V), Hg(2)PO(3)F (1), were obtained by cooling diluted aqueous Hg(2)(NO(3))(2) and (NH(4))(2)PO(3)F solutions from 85 degrees C to room temperature. Compound 1 crystallizes with eight formula units in the orthorhombic space group Ibam (No. 72) and lattice parameters a = 9.406(2) A, b = 12.145(3) A, c = 8.567(2) A. It adopts a new structure type even though a topological relation with dimercury(I) sulfate, Hg(2)SO(4), is established. The crystal structure of 1 (R(F(2) > 2sigma(F(2)) = 0.0353) exhibits Hg(2)(2+) dumbbells and discrete PO(3)F(2)(-) anions as single building units which are organized in a layered assembly parallel to (100). The symmetric Hg(2)(2+) dumbbell shows a typical Hg-Hg distance of 2.5051(9) A, and for each Hg atom, three Hg-O distances are found, ranging from 2.327(6) to 2.476(5) A. No interactions between Hg and F atoms are realized. The latter is exclusively bonded to the phosphorus atom at a distance d(P-F) = 1.568(8) A which is considerably longer than the P-O distances with a mean of 1.515 A. Compound 1 was further characterized by vibrational spectroscopy (Raman and IR) in the spectral range between 4000 and 50 cm(-)(1), thermal analysis (TG, DSC) up to 650 degrees C which revealed Hg(2)(P(2)O(7)) and Hg(3)(PO(4))(2) as thermal decomposition products, and (19)F and (31)P solid-state NMR spectroscopy. The value for the P-F coupling constant in 1 is J(PF) = -1072 Hz at 20 degrees C. The absolute sign of J(PF) is negative.
Oxovanadium (IV) complexes of the alpha-hydroxycarboxylic ligands D-gluconic and D-saccharic acids of stoichiometry Na(2)[VO(gluconate)(2)].H(2)O, K(2)[VO(saccharate)(2)].4H(2)O, Na(4)[VO(gluconate)(2)].2H(2)O and K(5)[VO(saccharate)(2)].4H(2)O were obtained in aqueous solutions; the first two in acid, the other two in alkaline media. They were characterized by infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopies, thermoanalytical (thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis) data and magnetic susceptibility measurements. The complexes were found to be mononuclear, possessing the VO(2+) moiety, and the thorough analysis of the spectral data allowed the determination of the characteristics of the metal-to-ligand interactions. The biological activities of these complexes on the proliferation, differentiation and glucose consumption were tested on osteoblast-like cells in culture. Comparisons of these effects and those of the oxovanadium (IV) cation and the free ligands were performed. Different behaviors could be observed for the complexes obtained at acidic or alkaline pH-values, as well as for the different cellular types. The free ligands did not show any biological effect.
The infrared (IR), Raman and 57Fe-Mössbauer spectra of SrFe2(P2O7)2, BaFe2(P2O7)2 and PbFe2(P2O7)2 were recorded and discussed on the basis of the structural peculiarities of the compounds.
The infrared spectroscopic investigation of biominerals isolated from different Cactaceae species belonging to the Opuntioideae subfamily shows the presence of a very complex mineral composition, including whewellite (monohydrated calcium oxalate), opal (SiO2) and calcite (CaCO3). This is the first report on the presence of a calcium carbonate in these types of plants.
Supplementation of essential trace elements has become an increasingly important field of research in modern pharmacology. The present review presents general aspects related to the essentiality of inorganic systems in living organisms, followed by a detailed discussion of the supplementation of iron, copper, zinc, chromium, selenium, magnesium and some other minor trace elements. Some recent advances in this field as well as future challenges and perspectives are also discussed.
The molecular structure of [Cu(sulfadimet)(2)].SO(CH(3))(2) (sulfadimet=sulfadimethoxine=4-p-aminobenzenesulfonamido-2,6-dimethoxypyrimidine) was determined by single crystal X-ray diffractometry. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with Z=4. The Cu(II) cation is in a distorted CuN(5) square pyramidal coordination, involving four sulfadimethoxine molecules, one of them acting as a bidentate ligand. The infrared spectrum is briefly discussed on the basis of the structural peculiarities of the complex.
Three new copper(II) complexes of stoichiometry [Cu(L-dipeptide)].nH(2)O, containing as ligands the dipeptides L-alanine-L-isoleucine, L-alanine-L-threonine and L-alanine-L-tyrosine were prepared. They were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffractometry, and electronic and infrared spectroscopy. In all cases, the Cu(II) cation has essentially the same elongated square pyramidal coordination, being equatorially cis coordinated by a N(2)O(2) arrangement of ligand atoms and axially by a carbonyl oxygen atom. The compounds show rather similar polymeric structures which resemble those recently reported for the [Cu(ala-val)] and [Cu(ala-phe)] complexes. The electronic and infrared spectra are briefly discussed on the basis of the structural peculiarities of the complexes. Superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like activity was also tested for the compounds.
Complexes of the type [Re(III)L6]X3, with L = thiourea, N-methylthiourea, N-ethylthiourea or N,N'-dimethytlthiourea and X = Cl- or PF6-, were prepared as suitable precursors for the synthesis of new rhenium complexes potentially useful in nuclear medicine. The infrared (IR) spectra of these complexes were recorded and analyzed and a general vibrational pattern for Re(III) complexes with thiourea derivatives could be established. Approximate assignments for N-allylthiourea and N-ethylthiourea are also proposed for the first time. The synthesis of the new complex [Re(III)(N-allylthiourea)6](PF6)3 is also reported, and information about its structural characteristics was obtained comparing its IR spectrum with those of the other complexes of the investigated series.
The chemical composition and morphology of solid material isolated from various Cactaceae species have been analyzed. All of the tested specimens deposited high-purity calcium oxalate crystals in their succulent modified stems. These deposits occurred most frequently as round-shaped druses that sometimes coexist with abundant crystal sand in the tissue. The biominerals were identified either as CaC(2)O(4).2H(2)O (weddellite) or as CaC(2)O(4).H(2)O (whewellite). Seven different species from the Opuntioideae subfamily showed the presence of whewellite, and an equal number of species from the Cereoideae subfamily showed the deposition of weddellite. The chemical nature of these deposits was assessed by infrared spectroscopy. The crystal morphology of the crystals was visualized by both conventional light and scanning electron microscopy. Weddellite druses were made up of tetragonal crystallites, whereas those from whewellite were most often recognized by their acute points and general star-like shape. These studies clearly demonstrated that members from the main traditional subfamilies of the Cactaceae family could synthesize different chemical forms of calcium oxalate, suggesting a definite but different genetic control. The direct relationship established between a given Cactaceae species and a definite calcium oxalate biomineral seems to be a useful tool for plant identification and chemotaxonomy.
The molecular structure of diosgenone, a natural steroidal sapogenin, closely related to diosgenin and isolated from Solanum nudum, was solved by single crystal X-ray diffractometry at 120 K and refined by full-matrix least-squares to an agreement factor, R1 = 0.054. It crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1), with a = 15.1870(4) A, b = 7.2710(2) A, c = 21.2840(6) A, beta = 99.251(1) degrees, and four molecules in the unit cell (Z = 4). The results constitute the first structural report on a steroidal sapogenin from the diosgenin group.