Protective effects of grape seed extract fractions with different degrees of polymerisation on blood glucose,lipids and hepatic oxidative stress in diabetic rats

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of grape seed procyanidin (GSPE) fractions with different degrees of polymerisation (DPs) on blood glucose, lipids and hepatic oxidative stress in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats received a daily oral supplement of GSPE with different DPs for 6 weeks. During this period, blood glucose, body weight and food intake were assessed weekly. At the end of the experiment, serum lipid and hepatic oxidative stress were assessed compared with those of rats that did not receive GSPE. GSPE significantly decreased blood glucose, serum lipids and hepatic oxidative stress. Moreover, these effects were significantly better in the groups administered the oligomeric rather than the polymeric forms. These results demonstrate that GSPE has a positive effect on diabetes in rats, and the oligomeric form of GSPE may be more protective than other forms.     

Near-infrared fluorescence spectroscopy of single-walled carbon nanotubes and its applications

Semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) emit fluorescence at near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths that are characteristic of the specific diameter and the chiral angle. While providing a convenient method for structural identification of semiconducting SWCNTs, NIR fluorescence of SWCNTs also offers a powerful approach for sensor development and in vivo or real-time imaging of biological systems.This article provides an introductory overview of the approaches to obtaining individually dispersed semiconducting SWCNTs with reasonably good purity, which is a critical step in acquiring NIR fluorescence spectra. It also summarizes the progress since 2002 in sensor design and applications in bioimaging in vitro and in vivo using NIR fluorescence of semiconducting SWCNTs.     

Purification and characterization of dioscin-alpha-L-rhamnosidase from pig liver

Dioscin-alpha-L-rhamnosidase was isolated, purified and partially characterized from pig liver. The maximum activity was reached at pH 7, 42 degrees C, 24 h, and 2% of substrate concentration. Fe3+ and Cu2+ inhibited the enzyme; the ion Ca2+ activated it. Mg2+ was an inhibitor at 100 mM, but it was an activator at 200 mM. Zn2+ could be a weak activator of the enzyme. The molecular weight of dioscin-alpha-L-rhamnosidase was about 47 kDa as determined by the method of SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.     

Physico-chemical characterization of biochars from vacuum pyrolysis of South African agricultural wastes for application as soil amendments

The physico-chemical properties of biochars from the vacuum pyrolysis of black wattle and vineyard annual prunings were investigated for their potential as soil amendments and compared to biochar from sugar cane bagasse. Biochar from sugar cane bagasse seems to be a promising sorbent and soil conditioner due to its high surface area, high surface acidity and microporous structure. This biochar can be applied to a wide pH range of soils for enhancing nutrient and water retention. On the other hand, the biochars from black wattle and vineyard possessing high concentrations of aromatic carbon, nutrients, and alkalinity are potential soil amendment agents. Black wattle biochar is more beneficial compared to biochar from vineyard due to its higher surface area, microporosity and cation exchange capacity. Therefore, this study recommends the utilization of biochars from black wattle as soil amendment agents especially in subtropical regions.     

苯胺衍生物式电位的QSAR研究

以AM1量子化学半经验分子轨道方法计算22个苯胺衍生物的分子结构参数,用多元线性回归的方法研究了13个式电位已知的苯胺衍生物的氧化式电位与其分子结构参数之间的关系.苯胺衍生物式电位与离子化电势(Ip),N原子上的净电荷(e(N),总的偶极矩(μt)和第四个碳上的净电荷(e(C4))有很好的相关性,回归方程为:E0′=-7.820 5 0.884 9(Ip-3.739(e(N)-0.093 56μt 0.925 1(e(C4)),(R=0.979,SD为0.023 6).依据回归方程合理地预测了其余9个苯胺衍生物的离子化电势和式电位,探讨了取代基性质和取代位置对离子化电势和式电位的影响.     

Determination of human urinary kanamycin in one step using urea-enhanced surface plasmon resonance light-scattering of gold nanoparticles

The purpose of this study was to establish a simple, sensitive analytical method for kanamycin (KANA) in human urine. Enhancement of the plasmon resonance light-scattering (PRLS) of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) by KANA provided the basis for this analytical method. At pH 6.7, KANA induced AuNPs aggregation with enhanced PRLS. The PRLS of the AuNPs–KANA system was further enhanced by addition of urea. The linear range and detection limit for KANA were from 20–800 nmol L⁻¹ and 2 nmol L⁻¹, respectively. Potential interfering substances present in urine had a negligible effect on the determination, thus preliminary sample separations were not necessary. Recovery of KANA from spiked human urine was 94–104%. This simple, sensitive method, using urea to enhance the PRLS of the AuNPs–KANA system, may provide a new approach for determination of compounds rich in OH groups.     

Triton X surfactants to form aqueous biphasic systems: Experiment and correlation

During the last years, the extraction of biomolecules and chemicals by means of Aqueous Biphasic Systems (ABS) has triggered a renewed interest, making it necessary to characterize fully the solubility data of this kind of system. In this study, two surfactants belonging to Triton X series (Triton X-100 and Triton X-102) are proposed as candidates to form ABS, by adding different potassium-based salts (K₃PO₄, K₂HPO₄, K₂CO₃, K₂S₂O₃ and K₂SO₃) at T = 298.15 K. Several equations were used to fit the solubility data which were previously obtained by means of the cloud point method. The different phase forming capacities were analyzed in the light of the Hofmeister series, the Effective Excluded Volume (EEV) theory and the molar Gibbs free energy of hydration (Δ_hydG). The Othmer–Tobias equation was proposed to correlate the tie-line data.     

An SIRS epidemic model with pulse vaccination and non-monotonic incidence rate

An SIRS epidemic model with pulse vaccination and non-monotonic incidence rate is introduced. Some sufficient conditions for the global attractivity of the infection-free periodic solution and permanence of this system are presented. Two numerical simulations are also given to illustrate our main results.     

A general three-step one-pot synthesis of novel (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)-6-chloro-2-(aryl/hetarylvinyl)quinoline-3-carboxylic acids

In this work, a facile and general three-step one-pot synthesis of structurally new (E)-6-chloro-2-(aryl/hetarylvinyl)quinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives has been achieved from easily available ethyl 6-chloro-2-(chloromethyl) quinoline-3-carboxylate and aromatic or heteroaromatic aldehydes. This strategy features simple one-pot operation, tolerance of a wide range of substituents, and good yields. Moreover, these newly synthesized compounds belong to a new class of quinoline derivatives and could be good candidates for the development of more complex quinoline compounds for use in medicinal chemistry.