Stress Buffering and Longevity Effects of Amber Extract on Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans)

Amber is a fossilized tree resin historically used in wound healing and stress relief. Unfortunately, there is no concrete scientific evidence supporting such efficacy. Here, the stress buffering and longevity effect of Amber extract (AE) in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was investigated. Survival assays, health span assays, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Stress biomarker detection assays, Green Fluorescence Proteins (GFP), Real Time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and C. elegans mutants were employed to investigate the stress buffering and longevity effect of AE. In the study, it was observed that AE supplementation improved health span and survival in both normal and stressed worms. Additionally, AE positively regulated stress hormones (cortisol, oxytocin, and dopamine) and decreased fat and reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. Through the Insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) pathway, AE enhanced the nuclear localization of DAF-16 and the expression of heat shock proteins and antioxidant genes in GFP-tagged worms and at messenger RNA levels. Finally, AE failed to increase the survival of daf-16, daf-2, skn-1 and hsf-1 loss-of-function mutants, confirming the involvement of the IIS pathway. Evidently, AE supplementation relieves stress and enhances longevity. Thus, amber may be a potent nutraceutical for stress relief.     

An integrated microfluidics for assessing the anti-aging effect of caffeic acid phenethylester in Caenorhabditis elegans

Aging is a fundamental and fascinating process. Anti-aging research tried to find the mysteries about the human lifespan. To investigate the longevity-extending role of caffeic acid phenethylester (CAPE) and reveal the possible regulation mechanism, the long-term cultivation under well-defined environments, real-time monitoring, and live imaging is highly desired. In this paper, a well-designed microfluidic device was proposed to analyze the anti-aging effect of CAPE in Caenorhabditis elegans. With the combined use of multiple functional units, including micro-pillar, worm responder, a branching network of distribution channels, and microchambers, the longitudinal measurements of the exact number of worms throughout the whole lifespans is possible. Meanwhile, the brief cooling function of temperature-controllable system can achieve temporary and repeated immobilization of nematodes for fluorescence imaging. Our research data showed that CAPE can increase the survival of worms under normal and stress condition, including heat stress and paraquat-induced oxidative stress. The further studies revealed the anti-aging mechanism of CAPE. This proposed strategy and device would be a useful platform to facilitate future anti-aging studies and the finding of new lead compounds.     

The effect of free radical reactions on structure and properties of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) based blends

The blending of PLA with poly(butylene-adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) is a promising strategy to achieve a toughened multiphase material. The blends ductility could be further improved through reactive compatibilization, i.e. inducing the formation of comb PLA-PBAT copolymers during the melt blending. In the present work a non-selective strategy was adopted which consisted in the use of a peroxide, 2,5-Dimethyl-2,5-di(tert-butylperoxy)hexane. The phase morphology development and the final properties (torque, fluidity in the melt, tensile behaviour, thermal and dynamical-mechanical features) of the blends were studied as a function of the peroxide concentration. The elongation at break was improved up to a maximum value thanks to this approach and a corresponding minimum was observed in the value of the dispersed phase diameter. A structural characterization of the macromolecules formed during the reactive process was attempted by using size exclusion chromatography of the blends and comparison with the pure polymers obtained by processing in the presence of the peroxide.     

The effect of solvent composition on swelling and shrinking properties of poly(acrylamide-co-itaconic acid) hydrogels

The peculiarities of the equilibrium swelling ratio and swelling-shrinking kinetics of polyelectrolyte copolymeric hydrogels consisting of acrylamide and itaconic acid (AAm/IA) have been studied in water/nonsolvent (acetone, methanol, ethanol and 1-butanol) mixtures as a function of solvent composition and IA content in the hydrogel. The phase transition of these hydrogels was generated by changing the solvent composition by progressive substitution of water by the nonsolvent. For all P(AAm/IA) hydrogels, the form of the shrinking curves was determined to be strongly dependent on the type of the nonsolvent used. The rate of shrinking of these hydrogels increased in the order 1-butanol < ethanol < methanol < acetone.     

Synthesis and properties of lanthanide(III) complexes with 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic acid

Complexes of yttrium(III) and lanthanides(III) with 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoic (syringic) acid were obtained as solids with metal to ligand mole ratio of 1: 3. The compounds were characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction patterns, solubility, and thermal studies. The complexes are sparingly soluble in water and stable at room temperature. Compounds of light lanthanides (from La to Nd) are hydrated and they crystallize in a triclinic system. When heated, they lose water molecules in one step and in the next step they decompose to oxides. Complexes of yttrium and other lanthanides are anhydrous and crystallize in a monoclinic system. They are stable up to 300°C and then decompose to oxides. As the coordination number of lanthanide ions is usually equal to 9 or 8, one can suppose that hydroxy or methoxy groups take part in the coordination of these metal ions.     

Leontopodic acid—a novel highly substituted glucaric acid derivative from Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) and its antioxidative and DNA protecting properties

Leontopodic acid—a novel full substituted hexaric acid derivative, was isolated from the aerial parts of Edelweiss (Leontopodium alpinum Cass.) as one of the major compounds. The complex structure of leontopodic acid-2-[(3S)-3-hydroxybutanoate]-3,4,5-tris-[(2E)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-2-propenoate]-d-glucaric acid—was elucidated by mass spectrometry, 1D- and 2D NMR spectroscopy and HPLC monitored transesterification. Leontopodic acid exhibited pronounced antioxidative effects in the Briggs-Rauscher (BR) model [(r.a.c.)_m 3.4±0.5] and the trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) method (TEAC value of 1.53±0.11). The antioxidative properties of this compound were confirmed by the 3D method, an in vitro assay evaluating DNA protection against oxidative damage (IC₅₀: 1.89 μM).     

Lead(II) and cadmium(II) compounds with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D) and 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid (2,4DP): Synthesis and properties

The paper presents the conditions under which compounds of the commercial herbicides, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4D; C₈H₆O₃Cl₂) and 2-(2,4-dichlorophenoxy)-propionic acid (2,4DP; C₉H₈O₃Cl₂), with lead(II) and cadmium(II) are formed and the results of the examination of their properties.On the basis of the elemental analysis and Pb and Cd determination, the following molecular formulae for the obtained compounds were proposed: Pb(C₈H₅O₃Cl₂)₂.H₂O, Cd(C₈H₅O₃Cl₂)₂.₂H₂O, Pb(C₉H₇O₃Cl₂)2·H₂O and Cd(C₉H₇O₃Cl₂)₂·H₂O. Water solubility of the synthesized complexes at room temperature was examined. X-ray powder analysis was carried out. The discussion of IR spectra and conductivity data is presented. Thermal decomposition of these compounds in air was studied by TG/MS methods.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Calcium complex of 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (gentisic acid): synthesis,crystal structure,and spectroscopic properties

The synthesis, crystal structure, and spectral characteristics (IR, Raman, and ¹H and ¹³C NMR) of a monomeric hexa(aqua)calcium compound, viz. [Ca(C₇H₅O₄)₂(H₂O)₆]·H₂O (C₇H₅O₄ = 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate), are reported. The central Ca(II) located on a twofold axis is eight coordinate in an approximate square antiprismatic environment, bonded to two monodentate 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate ligands via the carboxylate oxygen, and six waters. The adjacent monomeric units are linked with the aid of several O–H?O hydrogen bonds.     

Conformational and electronic properties of N-methacryloyl-(L)-glutamic acid

Conformers of N-methacryloyl-(L)-glutamic acid (MAGA, C₉H₁₃NO₅) in the gas phase, benzene or methanol environment were searched by the density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT. Selected conformational isomers based on potential energy surface analysis were studied by considering the structural and electronic properties. B3LYP functional, and HF and MP2 levels were used with the 6-31+G(d,p), 6-311+G(3df,p) and aug-cc-pVDZ basis sets. We explored the effect of medium on the conformational preferences, UV spectra and frontier molecular orbitals of the conformers. The outcomes of this research will be useful for future studies including moieties analogous to MAGA.     

Structures and luminescent properties of Sm(III) and Dy(III) coordination polymers with 2,4,6-pyridinetricarboxylic acid

Two rare earth coordination compounds with 2,4,6-pyridinetricarboxylic acid (H₃pta) have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method; the formula is {[RE(pta)(H₂O)₃]?·?H₂O} _n [RE?=?Sm (1) and Dy (2)]. Complexes 1 and 2 are crystallized in the monoclinic crystal system with P2₁/c space group. X-ray structure analyses show the two complexes have the same structure. Each pta^3? connects three rare earth ions. Both the Sm(III) and Dy(III) complexes exhibit characteristic luminescence in the visible region upon excitation with UV-rays.     

A novel extractant-impregnated resin containing carminic acid for selective separation and pre-concentration of uranium(VI) and thorium(IV)

The present work proposes the use of a novel extractant-impregnated resin (EIR) as an adsorbent in trace separation and pre-concentration of U(VI) and Th(IV) ions. The new EIR was prepared by impregnating carminic acid onto Amberlite XAD-16 resin beads. The morphology of new EIR was studied by BET surface area measurements and SEM micrographs. A column packed with CA/XAD-16 was used for selective separation and pre-concentration of the metal ions. Maximum adsorption of Th(IV) and U(VI) ions occurred at pHs of 3.50–5.75 and 3.75–6.50, respectively. The adsorbed metals could be eluted sequentially using 0.55?mol?L^?1 HCl for U(VI) and 2.25?mol?L^?1 HCl for Th(IV). The dynamic capacity of EIR was found to be 0.832 and 0.814?mmol?g^?1 for Th(IV) and U(VI), respectively. The tolerance limit of some foreign ions was also studied. The proposed method showed a good performance in analyzing geological reference materials and a synthetic seawater sample. Furthermore, the above procedure was successfully employed for the analysis of natural water samples.     

Determination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) in food and beverages

The determination of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) in food and beverages sold in Turkey was carried out using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). A total of 123 samples of selected food and beverages such as fish, meat, offal, egg, cracker, chips, cake, chocolate, vegetable, milk and juice were examined. The highest PFOA concentrations were determined in cow meat (5.15 ng g^?1), cow kidney (5.65 ng g^?1), cow spleen (5.06 ng g^?1) and chicken liver (5.02 ng g^?1). The highest PFOS levels were found in horse mackerel (52.43 ng g^?1), pike-perch (45.87 ng g^?1), sardine (42.83 ng g^?1) and black cod (41.33 ng g^?1). Fish was found to be major source of the PFOS intake, while meat and offal were found to be major sources of the PFOA intake.     

A study of complexation thermodynamic of humic acid with cadmium (II) and zinc (II) by Schubert's ion-exchange method

The complexation of humic acid from Azraq Oasis with two heavy metal ions Cd(II) and Zn(II) was investigated at pH 4 and 5 under constant ionic strength of 0.1 and at different temperatures (25, 35, 45, 55 and 65 °C). This investigation was done by using Schubert's ion-exchange equilibrium method, and its modified version.The derived conditional stability constants (log β_n) for these two metal-humate complexes were determined; they formed 1:1 and 1:2 complexes. It was found that the conditional stability constants (log β_n) increased by increasing pH and temperatures for all metal-humate complexes. It was found that the conditional stability constant log β₁ for Cd-humate is bigger than Zn-humate at all the desired temperatures and at pH 4 and 5.The derived constants and their temperature dependences have been used to calculate the corresponding thermodynamic parameters ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS, the results indicate that the stability of these complexes derives from very favorable entropy.     

Synthesis of associating poly(acrylic acid) in supercritical carbon dioxide and its solution properties

Hydrophobically associating polymers have been synthesized in supercritical carbon dioxide by copolymerization of acrylic acid with different amounts of acrylate with hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon groups. It was found that conversion of hydrocarbon comonomers was above 95% whereas that for fluorocarbon comonomers was only about 50%. In addition, large amounts of hydrophobic groups could be easily introduced to poly(acrylic acid) by reaction in supercritical carbon dioxide. The solution properties were investigated by rheology. The results indicated that intermolecular association of the copolymer was strong and viscosity was maximum under acidic conditions. In aqueous solutions fluorocarbon hydrophobes associated much more strongly than the hydrocarbon variety, but the viscosifying effect of PAAC-18 series copolymers in 2% (w/w) solution was more pronounced than that of the PAAF series, results which did not agree with the conclusions of Ravey and Stébé. It was also found that the thixotropy behavior of copolymer solution at pH 3.2 was more complex than that at pH 5.0, at which pseudoplasticity only was observed for solutions of all copolymers. Contact angles of copolymer solutions on a glass sheet were measured. The data indicated that contact angles of hydrocarbon-modified polymers were smaller than those of fluorocarbon analogues. As time passed the contact angle became smaller and smaller. Fluorocarbon analogues were better than hydrocarbon analogues, and longer hydrophobic chains were better than shorter chains, at maintaining the hydrophobic character of the surface.     

Thermal properties of poly(anthranilic acid) (PANA) and humidity-sensitive composites derived from heat-treated PANA and poly(vinyl alcohol)

Thermal conversion of poly(anthranilic acid) (PANA) to polyaniline (PAn) has been studied by means of thermogravimetric/mass (TG/MS) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity of the chemically prepared PANA was 3.5 × 10⁻² S/cm, which is caused by the self-doping of the polaronic nitrogen atom interacting with the ionized carboxyl group ( COO⁻). The heat-treated PANA can be assumed to be identical to an emeraldine base of PAn. The pyrolysis of PANA proceeded through the decarboxylation at two stages from carboxyl ( COOH) and ionized carboxyl groups, which occurred at about 170 and 230 °C, respectively. PANA–SA, which was prepared by treating PANA at 250 °C and then doping with an external protonic acid at room temperature, showed a considerably high conductivity (6.2 S/cm). The composite consisting of PANA–SA and poly(vinyl alcohol) was very sensitive to the environmental humidity. The logarithm of electrical conductivity of this composite was proportional to the relative humidity covering more than five orders of magnitude, and the change in conductivity extended from 4.2 × 10⁻⁵ to 10 S/cm upon the humidity variation from 14 to 91%. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 4458–4465, 1999     

Synthesis of Eu(III) and Tb(III) complexes with novel pyridine dicarboxylic acid derivatives and their fluorescence properties

Starting from pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (DPA), a series of novel pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized. In these compounds, 4-(hydroxymethyl)pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylate (4-HMDPA) and 4-[(bis-carboxymethyl-amino)-methyl]-pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (4-BMDPA) were used as multifunctional ligands to coordinate with Tb(III) and Eu(III) and the complexes were prepared. The fluorescence properties of the solid complexes and their solutions were investigated in detail. The results indicated that the weak election-withdrawing group 4-hydroxymethyl in 4-position of pyridine in 4-HMDPA could weaken the fluorescence intensity of the lanthanide complexes. The contradistinctive experimental results showed that the fluorescence intensities of these complexes are related to pH values of the aqueous solutions and the dipole moments of solvent molecules: in the neutral aqueous solutions, the fluorescence intensities of these complexes were strongest, while the dipole moments were lower when the fluorescence intensities were stronger. 4-BMDPA is the better sensitizer and may be used as time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay. __________ Translated from Chemical Journal of Chinese Universities, 2006, 27(3) (in Chinese)     

Composition and plasticizing effect of poly(carboxylic acid) complexes with amino compounds

Poly(carboxylic acid)-dimethylalkylamine complexes were prepared and examined by various methods including infrared spectrometry and chemical titrations. FTIR measurements provided some of the most complete and detailed insights into the type and the stoichiometry of the acid-base complexes. A (1:1) stoichiometric complexation of the poly(carboxylic acid) with tertiary amines was involved in protic solvents. A threshold degree of complexation of 42% was obtained in such a macromolecular system. The equilibrium constant of the proton transfer reaction K was estimated to be independent on the alkyl chain length of the base reagent. Besides the formation of the acid-base complexes, a plasticizing effect of the amine derivatives was demonstrated by differential calorimetry. A T_g depression could be both attributed to the amine molecules linked to the polymer backbone via ionic bonds and to the free molecules dissolved within the free volume of the polymer.     

Enhanced stereocomplex formation of poly(L-lactic acid) and poly(D-lactic acid) in the presence of stereoblock poly(lactic acid)

Stereoblock poly(lactic acid) (sb-PLA) is incorporated into a 1:1 polymer blend system of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) and poly(D-lactic acid) (PDLA) that has a high molecular weight to study its addition effect on the stereocomplex (sc) formation of PLLA and PDLA. The ternary polymer blend films are first prepared by casting polymer solutions of sb-PLA, PLLA, and PDLA with different compositions. Upon increasing the content of sb-PLA in the blend films the sc crystallization is driven to a higher degree, while the formation of homo-chiral (hc) crystals is decreased. Lowering the molecular weight of the incorporated sb-PLA effectively increases the sc formation. Consequently, it is revealed that sb-PLA can work as a compatibilizer to improve the poor sc formation in the polymer blend of PLLA and PDLA.     

Organically modified rectorite toughened poly(lactic acid): Nanostructures, crystallization and mechanical properties

To improve the toughness of PLA, poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/organically modified rectorite (OREC) nanocomposites were prepared via the melt-extrusion method. A partially exfoliated and partially intercalated structure was confirmed by WAXD and TEM. The crystallization behaviors of neat PLA and nanocomposite were studied by POM and DSC, and it was found that OREC had a great effect on the overall crystallization rate and spherulitic texture of PLA. The presence of OREC could toughen PLA greatly. For example, when 1 wt.% OREC was added, the elongation at break of the nanocomposite was increased to 210%. The toughening mechanism was analyzed through the observation of the inner structure of the tensile test bar using SEM.     

Copolymers of 1-vinylimidazole and (meth)acrylic acid: Synthesis and polyelectrolyte properties

New hydrophilic polyampholytes have been synthesized by copolymerization of 1-vinylimidazole with sodium salts of acrylic and methacrylic acids. Copolymerization reactivity ratios of the monomers are equal to: 0.54 ± 0.06 and 1.3 ± 0.3 for 1-vinylimidazole-sodium acrylate, 0.23 ± 0.01 and 2.6 ± 0.2 for 1-vinylimidazole-sodium methacrylate systems, correspondingly. Isoelectric point of the copolymers changes continuously from 2.8 to 6.7 with increasing the 1-vinylimidazole content in contrast to polyampholytes with amino instead of imidazole side groups, whose isoelectric point changes discontinuously with changing composition. Static and dynamic light scattering data point to tendency of polyampholyte macromolecules to aggregation, even at pH values far from isoelectric point.