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RubisCO (D-ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) is Earth's main enzyme responsible for CO2 fixation via carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) into organic matter. Besides the carboxylation reaction, RubisCO also catalyzes the oxygenation of RuBP by O2, which is probably as old as its carboxylation properties. Based on molecular phylogeny, the occurrence of the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-removing system and kinetic properties of different RubisCO forms, we postulated that RubisCO oxygenase activity appeared in local microoxic areas, yet before the appearance of oxygenic photosynthesis. Here, in reviewing the literature, we present a novel hypothesis: the RubisCO early oxygenase activity hypothesis. This hypothesis may be compared with the exaptation hypothesis, according to which latent RubisCO oxygenase properties emerged later during the oxygenation of the Earth's atmosphere. The reconstruction of ancestral RubisCO forms using ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) techniques, as a promising way for testing of RubisCO early oxygenase activity hypothesis, is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A copper-catalyzed aerobic oxidation of benzylpyridine N-oxides is reported. The N-oxide moiety acts as a built-in activator for the benzylic methylene oxidation, without requirement of additives. Reaction conditions were identified which suppress undesired benzoylpyridine formation via N-deoxygenation involving intermolecular oxygen transfer. The versatility of the N-oxide group of the benzoylpyridine N-oxide reaction products for post-functionalization of the pyridine ring is demonstrated through efficient C-C, C-N, C-O and C-Cl bond forming procedures, with both nucleophiles and electrophiles. Finally, the applicability of the new synthetic methodology is demonstrated in an alternative route towards the antihistaminic drug Acrivastine via three consecutive N-oxide activated C-H functionalization processes, starting from picoline N-oxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study offers a novel coiled flow inverter (CFI) membrane module for higher permeate flux without consuming extra material or energy compared to helical coil membrane module. The proposed CFI membrane module is fabricated by bending of helical coil at 90° with equal arm lengths before and after the bend. The mass transfer and shear stress in CFI membrane module are also compared with straight tube module in addition to the helical coiled membrane module for two different gas-liquid contact systems, viz., oxygenation and carbonation. The Sherwood number increases by 10-20% for oxygenation and up to 26% for carbonation process in CFI membrane module as compared to helical coil membrane module, under identical process conditions. The mass transfer in CFI membrane module is augmented because of the reduced radial gradient caused by intensified radial flow due to the complete flow inversion. The CFI membrane module offers 3.5- to 5.5-fold enhancement in Sherwood number. The number of merits of CFI module has been observed up to 2.5 for oxygenation and 2.7 for carbonation process, as compared to that of the straight tube module. The literature data on different helical coil membrane modules have been revisited over a wide range of design parameters, and an empirical correlation is proposed for Sherwood number. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intravascular hemolysis occurs in patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. High levels of free acellular adult hemoglobin (free HbA) are associated with clotting in this mechanical device that can result in thrombotic complications. Adsorption of fibrinogen onto the surface of biomaterial correlates with platelet adhesion, which is mediated by von Willebrand factor (VWF). Because free Hb interacts with VWF, we studied the effect of hemoglobin (Hb) on platelet adhesion to fibrin(ogen) under conditions of different hydrodynamic forces. This effect was investigated using purified human HbA and fibrinogen, extracellular matrix, collagen, or purified plasma VWF as surface-coated substrates to examine flow-dependent platelet adhesion. Antibodies and VWF-deficient plasma were also used. Free Hb (≥50 mg/dL) effectively augmented platelet adhesion, and microthrombi formation on fibrin(ogen), extracellular matrix, and collagen at high shear stress. The effect of free Hb was effectively blocked by anti-glycoprotein Ibα (GPIbα) antibodies or depletion of VWF. Unexpectedly, free Hb also promoted firm platelet adhesion and stable microthrombi on VWF. Lastly, we determined that Hb interacts directly with the A1 domain. This study is the first to demonstrate that extracellular Hb directly affects the GPIbα-VWF interaction in thrombosis, and describes another mechanism by which hemolysis is connected to thrombotic events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Ni2P/SiO2 catalyzed the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (2-MTHF). [•] Ni2P/SiO2 had higher selectivity to n-pentane than Pd/Al2O3 and Ru/C. [•] Contact time analysis was applied for the reaction network of HDO of 2-MTHF. [•] Ring-opening of the furanic ring by cleavage of a C O bond was rate-determining. [•] Kinetics indicates that 2-MTHF and H2 are competitively adsorbed on surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estuaries are crucial biogeochemical filters at the land-ocean interface that are strongly impacted by anthropogenic nutrient inputs. Here, we investigate benthic nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) dynamics in relation to physicochemical surface sediment properties and bottom water mixing in the shallow, eutrophic Peel-Harvey Estuary. Our results show the strong dependence of sedimentary P release on Fe and S redox cycling. The estuary contains surface sediments that are strongly reducing and act as net P source, despite physical sediment mixing under an oxygenated water column. This decoupling between water column oxygenation and benthic P dynamics is of great importance to understand the evolution of nutrient dynamics in marine systems in response to increasing nutrient loadings. In addition, the findings show that the relationship between P burial efficiency and bottom water oxygenation depends on local conditions; sediment properties rather than oxygen availability may control benthic P recycling. Overall, our results illustrate the complex response of an estuary to environmental change because of interacting physical and biogeochemical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The capacity of cytochrome b5 (b5) to influence cytochrome P450 activities has been extensively studied and physiologically validated. Apo-b5 enhances the activities of CYP3A4, CYP2A6, CYP2C19, and CYP17A1 but not that of CYP2E1 or CYP2D6, suggesting that the b5 interaction varies among P450s. We previously showed that b5 residues E48 and E49 are required to stimulate the 17,20-lyase activity of CYP17A1, but these same residues might not mediate b5 activation of other P450 reactions, such as CYP2E1-catalyzed oxygenations, which are insensitive to apo-b5. Using purified P450, b5, and reductase (POR) in reconstituted assays, the D58G/D65G double mutation, of residues located in a hydrophilic a-helix of b5, totally abolished the ability to stimulate CYP2E1-catalyzed chlorzoxazone 6-hydroxylation. In sharp contrast, the D58G/D65G double mutation retained the full ability to stimulate the 17,20-lyase activity of CYP17A1. The D58G/D65G double mutation competes poorly with wild-type b5 for binding to the CYP2E1-POR complex yet accepts electrons from POR at a similar rate. Furthermore, the phospholipid composition markedly influences P450 turnover and b5 stimulation and specificity, particularly for CYP17A1, in the following order: phosphatidylserine > phosphatidylethanolamine > phosphatidylcholine. The D58G/D65G double mutation also failed to stimulate CYP2C19-catalyzed (S)-mephenytoin 4-hydroxylation, whereas the E48G/E49G double mutation stimulated these activities of CYP2C19 and CYP2E1 equivalent to wild-type b5. We conclude that b5 residues D58 and D65 are essential for the stimulation of CYP2E1 and CYP2C19 activities and that the phospholipid composition significantly influences the b5-P450 interaction. At least two surfaces of b5 differentially influence P450 activities, and the critical residues for individual P450 reactions cannot be predicted from sensitivity to apo-b5 alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Certain side-on peroxo-dicopper(II) species with particularly low νO-O (710-730 cm-1) have been found in equilibrium with their bis-μ-oxo-dicopper(III) isomer. An issue is whether such side-on peroxo bridges are further activated for O-O cleavage. In a previous study (Liang, H.-C., et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc.2002, 124, 4170), we showed that oxygenation of the three-coordinate complex [CuI(MeAN)]+ (MeAN = N-methyl-N,N-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]amine) leads to a low-temperature stable [{CuII(MeAN)}2(μ-η2:η2-O22-)]2+ peroxo species with low νO-O (721 cm-1), as characterized by UV-vis absorption and resonance Raman (rR) spectroscopies. Here, this complex has been crystallized as its SbF6- salt, and an X-ray structure indicates the presence of an unusually long O-O bond (1.540(5) Å) consistent with the low νO-O. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure and rR spectroscopic and reactivity studies indicate the exclusive formation of [{CuII(MeAN)}2(μ-η2:η2-O22-)]2+ without any bis-μ-oxo-dicopper(III) isomer present. This is the first structure of a side-on peroxo-dicopper(II) species with a significantly long and weak O-O bond. DFT calculations show that the weak O-O bond results from strong σ donation from the MeAN ligand to Cu that is compensated by a decrease in the extent of peroxo to Cu charge transfer. Importantly, the weak O-O bond does not reflect an increase in backbonding into the σ* orbital of the peroxide. Thus, although the O-O bond is unusually weak, this structure is not further activated for reductive cleavage to form a reactive bis-μ-oxo dicopper(III) species. These results highlight the necessity of understanding electronic structure changes associated with spectral changes for correlations to reactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ru-catalyzed site-selective C-H oxygenation directed by a weakly-coordinating aldehyde function is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]