Prenylated Flavonoid Glycosides with PCSK9 mRNA Expression Inhibitory Activity from the Aerial Parts of Epimedium koreanum

Phytochemical investigation on the n-BuOH-soluble fraction of the aerial parts of Epimedium koreanum using the PCSK9 mRNA monitoring assay led to the identification of four previously undescribed acylated flavonoid glycosides and 18 known compounds. The structures of new compounds were elucidated by NMR, MS, and other chemical methods. All isolated compounds were tested for their inhibitory activity against PCSK9 mRNA expression in HepG2 cells. Of the isolates, compounds 6, 7, 10, 15, and 17–22 were found to significantly inhibit PCSK9 mRNA expression. In particular, compound 7 was shown to increase LDLR mRNA expression. Thus, compound 7 may potentially increase LDL uptake and lower cholesterol levels in the blood.     

Chemical Composition of a Novel Distillate from Fermented Mixture of Nine Anti-Inflammatory Herbs and Its UVB-Protective Efficacy in Mouse Dorsal Skin via Attenuating Collagen Disruption and Inflammation

Since ancient times, various herbs have been used in Asia, including Korea, China, and Japan, for wound healing and antiaging of the skin. In this study, we manufactured and chemically analyzed a novel distillate obtained from a fermented mixture of nine anti-inflammatory herbs (Angelica gigas, Lonicera japonica, Dictamnus dasycarpus Turcz., D. opposita Thunb., Ulmus davidiana var. japonica, Hordeum vulgare var. hexastichon Aschers., Xanthium strumarium L., Cnidium officinale, and Houttuynia cordata Thunb.). The fermentation of natural plants possesses beneficial effects in living systems. These activities are attributed to the chemical conversion of the parent plants to functional constituents which show more potent biological activities. In our current study, the distillate has been manufactured after fermenting the nine oriental medical plants with Lactobacillus fermentum, followed by distilling. We analyzed the chemical ingredients involved in the distillate and evaluated the effects of topical application of the distillate on ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced skin damage in Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. Topical application of the distillate significantly ameliorated the macroscopic and microscopic morphology of the dorsal skin against photodamage induced by UVB radiation. Additionally, our current results showed that topical application of the distillate alleviated collagen disruption and reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin 1 β expressions) in the dorsal skin against UVB radiation. Taken together, our current findings suggest that the distillate has a potential to be used as a material to develop a photoprotective adjuvant.     

Highly stable,frequency-controlled mode-locked erbium fiber laser comb

A mode-locked Er:fiber laser-based optical frequency comb with high stability in the repetition frequency and carrier-envelope offset (CEO) frequency is realized. The CEO beat signal was detected right after the supercontinuum generation by a compact single-beam f–2f self-referencing interferometer, which does not require further delay compensation. The stabilized repetition frequency has an out-of-loop tracking stability of 1.3×10^-13/ for an integration time τ less than 1000 s, which is limited by the stability of the frequency measurement system. The stabilized CEO frequency has a residual fluctuation of 0.52 mHz measured with a 1 s gate time. This is, to our knowledge, the highest tracking stability realized for fiber laser-based optical frequency comb. PACS 06.30.Ft; 42.60.Lh; 42.55.Wd     

A rapid polyol combustion strategy towards scalable synthesis of nanostructured LiFePO4/C cathodes for Li-ion batteries

In the present study, carbon-coated lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO₄/C) is prepared directly by a polyol-assisted pyro-synthesis performed under reaction times of a few seconds in open-air conditions. The polyol solvent, tetraethylene glycol (TTEG), acts as a low-cost fuel to facilitate combustion and the released exothermic energy promotes the nucleation and growth processes of the olivine nanoparticles. In addition, phosphoric acid (used as the phosphorous source) acts as a catalyst to accelerate polyol carbonization. The structure analysis of the as-prepared LiFePO₄/C using X-ray, neutron diffraction and ⁷Li NMR studies suggested the efficacy of the rapid technique to produce highly crystalline phase-pure olivine nanocrystals. The electron microscopy and particle-size distribution studies revealed that the average particle diameters lie below 100 nm and confirmed the presence of a surface carbon layer of 2–3 nm thickness. The thermal and elemental studies indicated that the carbon content in the sample was approximately 5 %. The prepared LiFePO₄/C cathode delivered capacities of 162 mA h g^-1 at 0.1 °C rates with impressive capacity retention for extended cycling. The polyol-assisted pyro-synthesis, which evades the use of external energy sources, is not only a straightforward, simple and timely approach but also offers opportunities for large-scale LiFePO₄/C production.     

Diffusion mechanism of CO2 in 13X zeolite beads

A systematic study of the diffusion mechanism of CO₂ in commercial 13X zeolite beads is presented. In order to gain a complete understanding of the diffusion process of CO₂, kinetic measurements with a zero length column (ZLC) system and a volumetric apparatus have been carried out. The ZLC experiments were carried out on a single bead of zeolite 13X at 38 °C at a partial pressure of CO₂ of 0.1 bar, conditions representative of post-combustion capture. Experiments with different carrier gases clearly show that the diffusion process is controlled by the transport inside the macropores. Volumetric measurements using a Quantachrome Autosorb system were carried out at different concentrations. These experiments are without a carrier gas and the low pressure measurements show clearly Knudsen diffusion control in both the uptake cell and the bead macropores. At increasing CO₂ concentrations the transport mechanism shifts from Knudsen diffusion in the macropores to a completely heat limited process. Both sets of experiments are consistent with independent measurements of bead void fraction and tortuosity and confirm that under the range of conditions that are typical of a carbon capture process the system is controlled by macropore diffusion mechanisms.     

γ‐Glutamylcysteine‐ and Cysteinylglycine‐Directed Growth of Chiral Gold Nanoparticles and their Crystallographic Analysis

Chiral optical metamaterials with delicate structures are in high demand in various fields because of their strong light–matter interactions. Recently, a scalable strategy for the synthesis of chiral plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) using amino acids and peptides has been reported. Reported herein, 3D chiral gold NPs were synthesized using dipeptide γ‐Glu‐Cys and Cys‐Gly and analyzed crystallographically. The γ‐Glu‐Cys‐directed NPs present a cube‐like outline with a protruding chiral wing. In comparison, the NPs synthesized with Cys‐Gly exhibited a rhombic dodecahedron‐like outline with curved edges and elliptical cavities on each face. Morphology analysis of intermediates indicated that γ‐Glu‐Cys generated an intermediate concave hexoctahedron morphology, while Cys‐Gly formed a concave rhombic dodecahedron. NPs synthesized with Cys‐Gly are named 432 helicoid V because of their unique morphology and growth pathway.     

A MAP-modulated fluid flow model with multiple vacations

We consider a MAP-modulated fluid flow queueing model with multiple vacations. As soon as the fluid level reaches zero, the server leaves for repeated vacations of random length V until the server finds any fluid in the system. During the vacation period, fluid arrives from outside according to the MAP (Markovian Arrival Process) and the fluid level increases vertically at the arrival instance. We first derive the vector Laplace–Stieltjes transform (LST) of the fluid level at an arbitrary point of time in steady-state and show that the vector LST is decomposed into two parts, one of which the vector LST of the fluid level at an arbitrary point of time during the idle period. Then we present a recursive moments formula and numerical examples.     

1H and 13C NMR spectral assignments of novel chromenylchalcones

Several types of chalcones containing 2H‐chromen group were synthesized. Claisen–Schmidt condensation of 2H‐chromen‐3‐carbaldehydes (I) with methoxy substituted acetophenones afforded (E)‐3‐(2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)‐1‐(methoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones (chromenylchalcones, 1–7). Other types of chromenylchalcone, (E)‐1‐(6‐methoxy‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)‐3‐(methoxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones (8–13) were also obtained between reaction of methoxy substituted benzaldehydes and 1‐(6‐methoxy‐2H‐chromen‐3‐yl)ethanone (II). Dichromenylchalcones (14–16) were also synthesized through the same reaction between aldehydes (I) and ketone (II). Their complete ¹H‐NMR and ¹³C‐NMR assignments are reported here and more polysubstituted chromenylchalcones synthesized or isolated from the natural sources in the future can be identified on the basis of the NMR data reported here. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.