Single crystal EPR studies on Mn(II)-doped sarcosine cadmium chloride and sarcosine cadmium bromide: study of zero-field splitting tensor in iso-structural complexes

EPR spectra of single crystals of Mn(II)-doped sarcosine cadmium chloride and sarcosine cadmium bromide are studied in Q-band and in X-band at room temperature. Two magnetically inequivalent sites are observed in both the lattices in a distorted octahedral environment. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters are extracted and are found to have a rhombic symmetry. The angular variation of the zero-field transitions is simulated for one of the sites with an asymmetric zero-field tensor D = 480 x 10(-4) cm(-1), E = -115 x 10(-4) cm(-1) and a = 10 x 10(-4) cm(-1) for Mn(II) in sarcosine cadmium chloride and with D = 460 x 10(-4) cm(-1) E = -98 x 10(-4) cm(-1) and a = 10 x 10(-4) cm(-1) for Mn(II) in sarcosine cadmium bromide. The observed large value of zero-field tensor is due to the steric effects of the crystal packing caused by the ligands. Matumura's plot predicts an average covalency of 8.8 and 7.7% for the manganese-ligand bond in SCC and SCB lattices respectively.

Vibrational studies of [Ni(II)(DIARS)2X]X, (DIARS=o-C6H4(As(CH3)2)2 and X=Cl, Br, I)

Infrared and laser Raman spectra of [Ni(II)(diars)2X]X, (X=Cl, Br and I) have been used as probes to determine the structures of chelated diarsine molecules. It has been observed that the effects of metal chelation and coordination geometry give rise to frequency shifts in these complexes. The variation in vibrational spectroscopic features indicates reduction in the symmetry of the complexes in the crystalline environment. The effect of halogen on the Ni-halogen stretching frequency of these square pyramidal complexes is not as significant as observed in the case of octahedral complexes.

Predicting the composition of gallstones by infrared spectroscopy

AIM

To determine the composition of gallstones in South India by comparing visual assessment with graphic interpretation of infrared spectra.

METHODS

Infrared spectroscopy (IRS) was used in qualitative analysis of 168 gallstones from Tamilnadu, Kerala and Karnataka and compared with visual interpretation. The spectrum of cholesterol, calcium bilirubinate and calcium carbonate for each stone was correlated with visual inspection.

RESULTS

Fifty four percent of gallstones were of pigment variety, 43% were of mixed and the remaining 3% were cholesterol gallstones as categorised by visual interpretation. Based on infrared spectrocopic interpretation the percentages were 58%, 39% and 2% respectively. There was a good agreement between the visual inspection and IRS in classification of gallstones (Kappa value 85%; 95% CI 77-93%).

CONCLUSION

Visual inspection of gallstones can predict the composition of gallstone with good accuracy and was comparable to infrared spectroscopic interpretation.

EPR of Cu(II)-doped seven-coordinate inclusion compounds, M(stpy)3(NO3)2 x 1/2stpy (M = Cd(II) and Zn(II), stpy = trans-4-styrylpyridine): low symmetry effects in admixture of ground states

Single crystal EPR of Cu(II)-doped low symmetry pentagonal bipyramidal Werner-type clathrate inclusion complexes of Cd(stpy)3(NO3)2 x 1/2stpy(1) and Zn(stpy)3(NO3)2 x 1/2stpy(2) (stpy = trans-4-styrylpyridine) is reported. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are found to be orthorhombic with g33 = 2.298, g22 = 2.108, g11 = 2.066, A33 = 107.3, A22 = 54.4 and A11 = 23.1 x 10(-4) cm(-1) for 1 and g33 = 2.292, g22 = 2.111, g11 = 2.067, A33 = 107.5, A22 = 54.7 and A11 = 22.9 x 10(-4) cm(-1) for 2. Angular variation studies for both 1 and 2 suggest that the Cu(II) ions are substitutionally incorporated in the host lattices. The magnitude of Cu(II) hyperfine coupling constant (A33) in both 1 and 2 are found to be low, in comparison to those of the pure Cu(II) complex, indicative of low symmetry for the substitutional sites in accordance with the crystal data. Such large reductions in Cu(II) hyperfine coupling are explicable in terms of a mixed d(x2 - y2)/dz2 ground state and delocalization of unpaired spin density onto the ligands.

Single crystal EPR of Cu(C5H5NO)6(BF4)2: an example of admixed ground state

Single crystal electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of Cu(C5H5NO)6(BF4)2 is studied at 300 K. The spin Hamiltonian parameters obtained at 300 K are A11 = -149.8, A22 = -50.7 and A33 = -37.7 (all in units of 10(-4) cm(-1)), g11 = 2.3452, g22 = 2.0679 and g33 = 2.0695. Angular variation of hyperfine structure lines shows the presence of a single magnetic site. The low magnitude of the A11 value for Cu(C5H5NO)6(BF4)2 is rationalized in terms of a mixed d(x2-y2)/d(z2) ground state.

Effect of selected yogic practices on the management of hypertension

On the basis of medical officers diagnosis, thirty three (N = 33) hypertensives, aged 35-65 years, from Govt. General Hospital, Pondicherry, were examined with four variables viz, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate and body weight. The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups. The exp. group-I underwent selected yoga practices, exp. group-II received medical treatment by the physician of the said hospital and the control group did not participate in any of the treatment stimuli. Yoga imparted in the morning and in the evening with 1 hr/session. day-1 for a total period of 11-weeks. Medical treatment comprised drug intake every day for the whole experimental period. The result of pre-post test with ANCOVA revealed that both the treatment stimuli (i.e., yoga and drug) were effective in controlling the variables of hypertension.

Three-dimensional whole body imaging of spin probes in mice by time-domain radiofrequency electron paramagnetic resonance

Imaging of stable paramagnetic spin probes in phantom objects and in vivo was evaluated using a RF time domain EPR spectrometer/imager operating at 300 MHz. Projections were collected using static magnetic field gradients and images were reconstructed using filtered back-projection techniques. Results from phantom objects containing approximately 10(17) spins of stable paramagnetic probes with single narrow EPR spectra provide three-dimensional spatial images with resolution better than 2 mm. When the spin probe was administered to mice, the spin probe accumulation was temporally observed in the thoracic, abdominal, and pelvic regions. A three-dimensional image (from 144 projections) from a live mouse was collected in 5 min. Using fiducial markers, the spin probe accumulation in organs such as liver, kidney, and bladder could be observed. Differences in the oxygen status between liver and kidney were observed from the EPR images from mice administered with spin probe, by treating the time-domain responses with convolution difference approach, prior to image reconstruction. The results from these studies suggest that, with the use of stable paramagnetic spin probes and time-domain RF EPR, it is possible to perform in vivo imaging on animals and also obtain important spatially resolved physiologic information.

Parallel coil resonators for time-domain radiofrequency electron paramagnetic resonance imaging of biological objects

Resonators suitable for time-domain electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging at a radiofrequency capable of accommodating experimental animals such as mice are described. Design considerations included B(1) field homogeneity, optimal Q, spectral bandwidth, resonator ring-down, and sensitivity. Typically, a resonator with 25-mm diameter and 25-mm length was constructed by coupling 11 single loops in parallel with a separation of 2.5 mm. To minimize the resonator ring-down time and provide the necessary spectral bandwidth for in vivo imaging experiments, the Q was reduced predominantly by overcoupling. Capacitative coupling was utilized to minimize microphonic effects. The B(1) field in the resonator was mapped both radially and axially and found to be uniform and adequate for imaging studies. Imaging studies with phantom objects containing a narrow-line spin probe as well as in vivo objects administered with the spin probe show the suitability of these resonators for valid reproduction of the spin probe distribution in three dimensions. The fabrication of such resonators is simple and can be scaled up with relative ease to accommodate larger objects as well.

Cytotoxicity, redox cycling and photodynamic action of two naturally occurring quinones

Two naturally occurring anthraquinones, barleriaquinone-I (BQ-I) and barleriaquinone-II (BQ-II), extracted from Barleria buxifolia, are tested for their cytotoxic action by aerobic incubation with human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF7). Cytotoxicities, measured as LD(50) (50% inhibition of colony formation) values, show BQ-II to be more active than BQ-I. Electron paramagnetic resonance studies confirm that BQ-II is reductively activated by NADH:cytochrome c reductase to superoxide anion radical. Cyclic voltammetric studies show one quasi-reversible redox couple for both BQ-I and BQ-II. Also, aerobic solutions of both BQ-I and BQ-II on visible illumination generate reactive oxygen species. Formation of O*-2 is studied by both EPR spin trapping and SOD-inhibitable cytochrome c reduction techniques. BQ-I generates more singlet oxygen as evidenced from the photobleaching of N,N-dimethyl-4-nitrosoaniline.

Cytotoxicity and superoxide anion generation by some naturally occurring quinones

Four naturally occurring quinones, mansonone-D (MD), mansonone-H (MH), thespone (TP) and thespesone (TPE), extracted from the heartwood of Thespesia populnea have been tested for their cytotoxic action by aerobic incubation with human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cells. Toxicity of the quinones follows the order MD > TP > MH approximately TPE. EPR spectrometric and Clark electrode oximetric studies indicate that redox cycling of these quinones produce superoxide anion radical (O2*-) and H2O2 on aerobic incubation with NADH:cytochrome c reductase. Generation of superoxide radical during enzymatic reduction of quinones, was confirmed by EPR spin trapping experiment using 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO) as a spin trap. Cyclic voltammetric studies show reversible redox couples for MD and TP whereas TPE and MH show irreversible redox couple. The electrochemical results indicate that MH and TPE are more difficult to reduce than TP and MD.

High-speed data acquisition system and receiver configurations for time-domain radiofrequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging

Design strategies, system configuration, and operation of a dual-channel data acquisition system for a radiofrequency (RF) time-domain electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometer/imager operating at 300 MHz are described. This system wasconfigured to incorporate high-speed analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) and summation capabilities with both internal and external triggering via GPIB interface. The sampling rate of the ADC is programmable up to a maximum of 1 GS/s when operating in a dual-channel mode or 2 GS/s when the EPR data are collected in a single-channel mode. By using high-speed flash ADCs, a pipelined 8-bit adder, and a 24-bit accumulator, a repetition rate of 230 kHz is realized to sum FIDs of 4096 points. The record length is programmable up to a maximum of 8K points and a large number of FIDs (2(24)) can be summed without overflow before the data can be transferred to a host computer via GPIB interface for further processing. The data acquisition system can operate in a two-channel (quadrature) receiver mode for the conventional mixing to baseband. For detection using the single-channel mode, the resonance signals around the center frequency of 300 MHz were mixed with a synchronized local oscillator of appropriate frequency leading to an intermediate frequency (IF) which is sampled at a rate of 2 GS/s. Comparison of quadrature-mode and an IF-mode operation for EPR detection is presented by studying the FID signal intensity across a bandwidth of 10 MHz and as a function of transmit RF power. Imaging of large-sized phantoms accommodated in appropriately sized resonators indicates that IF-mode operation can be used to obtain distortion-free images in resonators of size 50 mm diameter and 50 mm length.

Inhibition of the cytotoxicity of protein toxins by a novel plant metabolite, mansonone-D

We have studied the effect of several structurally related mansonones on the cytotoxicity of plant and bacterial toxins in Vero and BER-40, a brefeldin A-resistant mutant of Vero cells. Mansonone-D (MD), a sesquiterpenoid ortho-naphthoquinone, inhibited the cytotoxicity of ricin, modeccin, Pseudomonas toxin, and diphtheria toxin in Vero cells to different extents. The inhibition of ricin cytotoxicity was dose dependent and reversed upon removal of the drug. Protection of ricin cytotoxicity was also observed in the presence of cycloheximide, indicating that de novo protein synthesis is not required for the protective effect. Although MD inhibited the degradation and excretion of ricin, the binding and internalization of ricin was not affected. In contrast, MD strongly reduced the specific binding of diphtheria toxin in Vero cells. Fluorescence microscopic studies show that MD treatment dramatically alters the morphology of the Golgi apparatus in Vero cells. The kinetic studies reveal that the protection of ricin cytotoxicity is the consequence of decreased toxin translocation to the cytosol in MD-treated cells. The reactive ortho-quinone moiety of MD is important for the protective effect as thespesone, a para-naphthoquinone with a heterocyclic ring structure identical to that of MD, did not inhibit the cytotoxicity of toxins. Thespone, a dehydromansonone-D, lacking two hydrogens from the heterocyclic dihydrofuran ring of MD, inhibited the cytotoxicity of ricin, but was albeit less potent than MD. Neither mansonone-E nor mansonone-H with reactive ortho-quinone moiety, but with a different heterocyclic structure, had any effect on the cytotoxicity of ricin indicating that the protective effect of MD is specifically related to the overall structure of the metabolite.

FT-EPR with a Nonresonant Probe: Use of a Truncated Coaxial Line

A truncated transmission line probe (TLP) has been utilized to excite and detect time domain responses after pulsed excitation in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopic experiments in the frequency range 200-400 MHz. The TLP device is a modified short-circuited coaxial line, which allows the irradiation of the sample by the traveling wave B1 fields in the frequency range of kilohertz to 30 GHz. In EPR studies at 300 MHz carrier frequency, with 10 W incident power, a 45 degrees pulse is 45 ns in duration. This corresponds to a 0.9-G B1 field. Using the TLP, time-domain responses from the solid N-methyl pyridinium tetra-cyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) were collected at 200, 250, 300, and 350 MHz, with the range limited by the amplifiers. In addition two tubes containing TCNQ placed side-by-side vertically along the axis of the probe were used to collect time domain responses in the presence of magnetic field gradients to test the feasibility of two-dimensional imaging using a TLP. The magnetic field gradient was steered in the xz plane and 36 projections were collected at 5 degrees intervals. Using filtered back-projection image reconstruction, the two-dimensional spatial image in the xz plane was obtained at good resolution. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

In vivo imaging of a stable paramagnetic probe by pulsed-radiofrequency electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy

Imaging of free radicals by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy using time domain acquisition as in nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) has not been attempted because of the short spin-spin relaxation times, typically under 1 microsecond, of most biologically relevant paramagnetic species. Recent advances in radiofrequency (RF) electronics have enabled the generation of pulses of the order of 10-50 ns. Such short pulses provide adequate spectral coverage for EPR studies at 300 MHz resonant frequency. Acquisition of free induction decays (FID) of paramagnetic species possessing inhomogenously broadened narrow lines after pulsed excitation is feasible with an appropriate digitizer/averager. This report describes the use of time-domain RF EPR spectrometry and imaging for in vivo applications. FID responses were collected from a water-soluble, narrow line width spin probe within phantom samples in solution and also when infused intravenously in an anesthetized mouse. Using static magnetic field gradients and back-projection methods of image reconstruction, two-dimensional images of the spin-probe distribution were obtained in phantom samples as well as in a mouse. The resolution in the images was better than 0.7 mm and devoid of motional artifacts in the in vivo study. Results from this study suggest a potential use for pulsed RF EPR imaging (EPRI) for three-dimensional spatial and spectral-spatial imaging applications. In particular, pulsed EPRI may find use in vivo studies to minimize motional artifacts from cardiac and lung motion that cause significant problems in frequency-domain spectral acquisition, such as in continuous wave (cw) EPR techniques.

Effect of flurbiprofen sodium on pupillary dilatation during scleral buckling surgery

Maintenance of pupillary dilatation is necessary for success of scleral buckling procedures. The efficacy of 0.03% flurbiprofen in preventing intraoperative miosis was evaluated by a prospective randomized, double-masked controlled trial of 60 patients. Thirty patients received 0.03% flurbiprofen 6 times at 15 minute intervals 90 minutes preoperatively in addition to the routine dilation regimen. The treated group had a mean pupillary decrease of 1.88 mm and the control group had a decrease of 1.57 mm (p > 0.05). Flurbiprofen did not affect the pupillary size at any step of the surgery. Factors such as age of the patient, lens status, number of cryo applications, duration of surgery, and the size and extent of buckle were assessed. The use of flurbiprofen did not affect the mean pupillary change for any of these groups. Preoperative use of flurbiprofen does not significantly decrease intraoperative miosis during scleral buckling procedures.

Effect of two anterior capsulotomy techniques on the corneal endothelium

We performed a prospective, randomized, clinical study to assess the effect of two anterior capsulotomy techniques on the corneal endothelium. Specular microscopy was done preoperatively and postoperatively in 57 patients having manual extracapsular cataract surgery with a can-opener capsulotomy or with a retained anterior capsule flap. The mean percentage of cell loss following the can-opener capsulotomy was 0.43 (P = .22). There was no statistically significant alteration in endothelial morphology after surgery. The cell loss with a retained anterior capsule flap was zero. However, there was a statistically significant difference in polymegathism (P = .024) and pleomorphism (P = .045) after surgery. A comparison of the two techniques showed no statistically significant difference in cell loss or in pleomorphism. The statistically significant difference in polymegathism (P = .01) was not clinically significant. Our findings indicate that, when carefully performed, both methods of anterior capsulotomy for manual extracapsular cataract surgery are safe for the corneal endothelium.

Penetrating ocular trauma in children by "broomstick bows and arrows"

Ocular trauma by "broomstick bows and arrows" is a unique penetrating injury among Indian children. Hitting the eye with a great velocity, these highly contaminated missiles may cause severe damage. The results of surgical treatment of 100 children who suffered such trauma are presented. Anatomic success, ie, successful reconstruction of the globe with attached retina, was attained in 85 (85%) of these eyes. Functional success, ie, improvement in visual acuity of two Snellen lines in eyes with measurable preoperative acuity, or improvement to at least 2/60 in the eyes with preoperative acuities of light perception or hand movements, was attained in 62 (62%) of the eyes. Of the functionally successful eyes, an acuity of 6/9 or better was achieved in 28 (45.2%). Factors predictive of poor anatomical success were: injuries involving both anterior and posterior segment (P < .02), endophthalmitis (P < .05), and presence of retinal detachment with or without proliferative vitreoretinopathy (P < .05). Mean follow up was 4.5 +/- 3.59 months (range, 2 to 24 months).

Scleral buckling for retinal detachment. Predictors for anatomic failure

PURPOSE

The influence of various preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative factors on retinal reattachment after scleral buckling was examined.

METHODS

A study of 601 eyes of 577 consecutive patients who underwent conventional scleral buckling procedures was conducted. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influence of each variable on anatomic failure.

RESULTS

Anatomic reattachment of the retina was achieved in 86% of eyes after a single procedure, and in 90% of eyes after a second surgical procedure, with a mean follow-up period of 5.27 months (range, 2-29 months). Factors predictive of poor anatomic success (P < 0.05) included preoperative choroidal detachment and significant vitreous opacification; circumferential buckle extent of more than two quadrants and intravitreal injection of air or fluid intraoperatively; and postoperative occurrence of sterile vitritis.

CONCLUSION

Breakdown of the blood-retinal barrier leading to cellular migration and proliferation is considered to be predictive of anatomic failure after scleral buckling procedures.

Intraoperative measurement of intraocular pressure in vitrectomized aphakic air-filled eyes using the Tono-Pen XL

The Tono-Pen XL (Bio-Rad, Santa Ana, CA) was compared with manometer readings for intraoperative measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) in 40 eyes of 40 consecutive patients after vitrectomy, lensectomy, and fluid-air exchange. Tono-Pen readings corresponding to manometer readings of 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mmHg were obtained in a masked fashion with a randomized sequence of manometer readings. A correlation was obtained between the manometer and Tono-Pen readings (r = 0.96 in emmetropic eyes and r = 0.93 in myopic eyes). The regression curve that represents the calibration curve of Tono-Pen in terms of the manometer readings for air-filled vitrectomized eyes was obtained. Any Tono-Pen reading can be easily translated into the corresponding manometer reading by referring to the curve. The Tono-Pen can therefore be effectively used to accurately determine intraoperative IOP in eyes undergoing vitrectomy, lensectomy, and fluid-air exchange.

Peribulbar anesthesia for primary vitreoretinal surgery

We prospectively studied the efficacy of peribulbar anesthesia in 76 consecutive patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery. The mean duration of anesthesia was 124.74 +/- 50.17 minutes, and the mean duration of akinesia, 151.5 +/- 54.45 minutes. Adequate anesthesia and akinesia, independent of the duration of surgery, was obtained in 26 of 33 (78.8%) patients who underwent vitrectomy; 9 of 32 (28.1%) who underwent scleral buckling; and 2 of 11 (18.2%) who underwent vitrectomy combined with scleral buckling. In all, topical and systemic supplementation of drugs for inadequate anesthesia or akinesia allowed 32 of the 33 (97%) vitrectomies, 30 of the 32 (94%) scleral buckling procedures, and all 11 of the combined surgeries to be completed as planned. Three (4%) patients vomited, moved, or were restless, resulting in an operative complication or postponement of surgery. Fifty-eight (76%) said they would desire similar anesthesia if subsequent surgery was needed in the same or fellow eye. We conclude that peribulbar anesthesia should be considered primarily for patients requiring vitreous surgery alone, and as an alternative for patients requiring scleral buckling or combined surgery for whom general anesthesia is contraindicated.

Kinetics of peripheral blood T cell numbers and functions in patients with burns

Cell-mediated immunity (CMI) was assessed in 58 patients with burns involving 10% to 40% of the total body surface area (TBSA), and in 16 normal healthy individuals, by using two parameters, the total T-cell counts in peripheral circulation and T-cell function as indicated by the leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) test. Three recall antigens from Candida albicans, S. typhi, and E. histolytica were used to elicit the LMI. T-cell function was found to be significantly depressed in burns involving more than 25% TBSA. Depression of T-cell function started after the seventh postburn (PB) day and continued until the sixtieth PB day.