Glyceryl Trinitrate: History, Mystery, and Alcohol Intolerance

Glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) is one of the earliest known treatments for angina with a fascinating history that bridges three centuries. However, despite its central role in the nitric oxide (NO) story as a NO-donating compound, establishing the precise mechanism of how GTN exerts its medicinal benefit has proven to be far more difficult. This review brings together the explosive and vasodilatory nature of this three-carbon molecule while providing an update on the likely in vivo pathways through which GTN, and the rest of the organic nitrate family, release NO, nitrite, or a combination of both, while also trying to explain nitrate tolerance. Over the last 20 years the alcohol detoxification enzyme, aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), has undoubtedly emerged as the front runner to explaining GTN’s bioactivation. This is best illustrated by reduced GTN efficacy in subjects carrying the single point mutation (Glu504Lys) in ALDH, which is also responsible for alcohol intolerance, as characterized by flushing. While these findings are significant for anyone following the GTN story, they appear particularly relevant for healthcare professionals, and especially so, if administering GTN to patients as an emergency treatment. In short, although the GTN puzzle has not been fully solved, clinical study data continue to cement the importance of ALDH, as uncovered in 2002, as a key GTN activator.

Investigation of Optical Properties for N and F Doped Triangular Shaped Carbon Molecules

Optical properties of N and F doping triangular shaped carbon molecules have been investigated in theory and experiment. The theoretical results showed that carbon molecules with impurity F and Cl have the same characters with pure carbon. Doping N into pure carbon molecule would change the optical rotation at 589nm. For doping N replacing hydrogen atom structures (N-doping 1 and N-doping 2 molecules), the absorption spectra of them are similar to pure carbon molecule. However, for molecules with impurity N atom in benzene ring (N-doping 3 and N-doping 4 molecules), the peaks of wavelength of absorption spectra shift to long wavelength compared to that of pure carbon molecule. Moreover, the delocalization of molecular orbital (MO) is different from pure carbon molecule, which is caused by the impurity N changing the electrons distribution of benzene ring. We have calculated 3 without H and 4 without H molecules which are removing hydrogen atom in nitrogen atom from N-doping 3 and 4. 3 without H and 4 without H molecules have similar optical properties with pure carbon molecule. The results testified that the impurity N and F would not change the optical properties of carbon molecule if impurity did not change the delocalization of all benzene rings.

A hydrophobic FeMn@Si catalyst increases olefins from syngas by suppressing C1 by-products

Although considerable efforts have been made in the selective conversion of syngas [carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen] to olefins through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS), ~50% of the converted CO is transformed into the undesired one-carbon molecule (C1) by-products [carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4)]. In this study, a core-shell FeMn@Si catalyst with excellent hydrophobicity was designed to hinder the formation of CO2 and CH4. The hydrophobic shell protected the iron carbide core from oxidation by water generated during FTS and shortened the retention of water on the catalyst surface, restraining the side reactions related to water. Furthermore, the electron transfer from manganese to iron atoms boosted olefin production and inhibited CH4 formation. The multifunctional catalyst could suppress the total selectivity of CO2 and CH4 to less than 22.5% with an olefin yield of up to 36.6% at a CO conversion of 56.1%.

Reaction Mechanisms of Cylco[18]carbon and Triplet Oxygen

Recently, a new carbon allotrope, cyclo[18]carbon molecule of alternating short and long carbon-carbon bonds has been synthesized and characterized in the condensed phase. Inspired by experiments, a lot of theoretical...

Diffusion of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes into Industrial Polymers

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are made out of carbon atoms connected in hexagonal shapes, with every carbon molecule covalently attached to three other carbon particles. The properties of nanotubes have made scientists and organizations think about utilizing them in many fields. For instance, since carbon nanotubes have the most noteworthy quality to-weight proportion of any known material. Nanocomposites of adjusted multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) installed in a polymer matrix yield a one of a kind mix of warm and electrical properties and mechanical quality. The composites combine the vast pseudo capacitance of the directing polymers with the quick charging/releasing two-fold film impedance and incredible machine-driven possessions of the carbon nanotubes. The electrochemically co-stored composites are the most homogeneous and demonstrate an unordinary communication between the polymer and nanotubes, offering ascend to a reinforced electron delocalisation and conjugation along the polymer chains

Structure and function of aconitase enzyme in TCA by estimating optical rotation of glucose and determining the relationship between cell density and absorbance

Enzyme aconitase have a great value in TCA path, this enzyme use to convert pyruvate and acetyl co A in to citrate and cis aconitase ( a six carbon molecule). This study was designed to find the tertiary structure of aconitase with and without ligand by using RSBC. The TCA cycle start with the pyruvate that is end product of glycolysis cycle. This study also focused on the optical rotation of glucose molecule before its breakdown start naturally through glycolysis and absorbance / transmittance of viable cells would be estimated.

A Brief 100 Year History of Carbon

Elemental carbon has been known from time immemorial in its forms of diamond and graphite, while the Industrial Revolution was powered by coal. The molecular structures of diamond and graphite were established following the inception of X-ray crystallography while the complex natures of charcoal and coal have been investigated for 100 years. Recent developments in activated charcoal are described in an article in this issue of Science Progress. However, no-one could have guessed that carbon would have presented such structural surprises as those of C60 fullerene, carbon nanotubes, and graphene. Materials science has benefited from the discovery of carbon fibres, and our understanding of the spectroscopy and bonding in the simplest carbon molecule, C2, has reached new depths.

EYE ON CHINA

Difference in rainfall between wet and dry seasons is increasing worldwide. Rare carbon molecule detected in dying star gives glimpse of stellar evolution. Whole genome sequencing of wild rice reveals the mechanisms underlying Oryza genome evolution. BGI and TGAC join efforts to tackle global challenges in food security, energy and health. A regeneration system for tartary buckwheat invented by CIB. A new approach for the reduction of carbon dioxide to methane and acetic acid. Launch of the Chinese-German Center for Bio-Inspired Materials at the Mainz University Medical Center. Science: The early bird loses an ovary. Disruptions of functional brain connectomes in individuals at risk for Alzheimer's disease. A breakthrough in carbohydrate-based vaccine: One vaccine targets three unique glycan epitopes on cancer cells and cancer stem cells. BSD Medical signs exclusive agreement for distribution of BSD's cancer treatment hyperthermia system in Taiwan. Catalent announces major China expansion with two new facilities.