Kinetic measurements as well as B3LYP/ and MP2/6-31G(d,p) calculations provide evidence that carbonyl oxides formed in the gas-phase ozonolysis of alkylated alkenes are an important source of OH radicals. In the gas-phase ozonolysis of propene, cis-2-butene, trans-2-butene, tetramethylethene, and isoprene, 18, 17, 24, 36, and 19% OH radicals (relative to reacted ozone, error margin ≤4%) are measured using CO as a scavenger for OH. The quantum chemical calculations show that OH radical production depends on syn positioned methyl (alkyl) groups and their interaction with the terminal O atom of a carbonyl oxide. For example, in the gas-phase ozonolysis of ethene only 5% OH radicals are measured while for a carbonyl oxide with syn-positioned methyl (alkyl) group, a much larger amount of OH radicals is formed. This is due to the fact that 1,4 H migration and the formation of an intermediate hydroperoxy alkene, that is prone to undergo OO bond cleavage, is energetically more favorable than isomerization to dioxirane. In the case of syn-methyl, dimethyl, and isopropenyl carbonyl oxide calculated activation enthalpies at 298 K are 14.8, 14.4, and 15.5 kcal/mol compared to the corresponding dioxirane isomerization barriers of 23.8, 21.4, and 23.0 kcal/mol, respectively. The OO cleavage reactions of the hydroperoxy alkenes formed in these cases are just 11, 12.8, and 10.3 kcal/mol.

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Neoangiogenesis is required for tumor development and progression. Many solid tumors induce vascular proliferation by production of angiogenic factors, prominently vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Because nutrition is a causative factor for tumor prevention and promotion, we determined whether secondary plant constituents, i.e., flavonoids, tocopherols, curcumin, and other substances regulate VEGF in human tumor cells in vitro. VEGF release (concurrent with synthesis) from MDA human breast cancer cells and, for comparison, U-343 and U-118 glioma cells was measured by ELISA. Of 21 compounds tested, 9 showed significant inhibitory activity at 0.1 micromol/L in MDA human breast cancer cells. The rank order of inhibitory potency was naringin > rutin > alpha-tocopheryl succinate (alpha-TOS) > lovastatin > apigenin > genistein > alpha-tocopherol >or= kaempferol > gamma-tocopherol; chrysin and curcumin were inactive except at a concentration of 100 micromol/L. Glioma cells were similarly sensitive, with U343 more than U118, especially for alpha-TOS and tocopherols. Among the tocopherol derivatives, alpha-TOS (0.1 micromol/L) was the most effective in reducing VEGF release. Overall, the glycosylated flavonoids (i.e., naringin, a constituent of citrus fruits, and rutin, a constituent of cranberries) induced the greatest response to treatment at the lowest concentration in MDA human breast cancer cells. Inhibition of VEGF release by flavonoids, tocopherols, and lovastatin in these models of neoplastic cells suggests a novel mechanism for mammary cancer prevention.

The development of a computer-controlled electrochemical impedance spectrometer, based on a Fourier transform algorithm is described. Together with a fast potentiostat the system can be used in the frequency range 1 mHz to 100 kHz. The perturbation signal is a superposition of sine waves with properly chosen frequencies. The overall measurement time is limited only by the lowest frequency in the spectrum and by the data transfer to the computer, thus, time-resolved impedance spectra measurements can be performed. The principle of operation and technical details are presented and discussed.