Synthesis of 6-methyl-8<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-dibenzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">a</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">g</Emphasis>]quinolizin-8-imines <Emphasis Type="Italic">via Reissert</Emphasis> compounds

Alkylation of Reissert compounds derived from 3-methylisoquinolines with several 2-cyanobenzylbromides followed by hydrolytic cleavage provided the corresponding 1-benzyl-3-methylisoquinolines. Treatment of the latter with methylmagnesiumiodide caused cyclization to the title compounds rather than formation of 2-acetylbenzylisoquinolines.     

Lipids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halostachys caspica</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Halocharis hispida</Emphasis>

The composition of lipids from the aerial parts of two species of halophytes from the family Chenopodiaceae, Halostachys caspica C. A. Mey. and Halocharis hispida Bge. was determined. Neutral lipids (NL, 62.1 and 54.2%, respectively) dominated the total lipids (TL) of these plants. More than a third of the NL were esters of aliphatic alcohols and phytosterols (FAE). Fatty acids 16:0, 18:1, and 18:2 dominated the acids of FAE; 16:0, 18:1, and 18:3, the phospholipids. The principal fatty acids of glycolipids were unsaturated acids (68.3 and 75.1%) with linolenic acid dominating (44.9 and 43.5%). Presented at the 7th International Symposium on the Chemistry of Natural Compounds, Tashkent, October 16–18, 2007. Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 276–278, May–June, 2009.     

Antioxidant flavonoids from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tamus communis</Emphasis> ssp. <Emphasis Type="Italic">cretica</Emphasis>

A new flavonoid, kaempferol-3,4′-di-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside (1), and three known flavonoids (2–4) were isolated from the aerial parts of T. communis L. The structure of the new compound was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 2 showed significant antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ 187.151 ± 0.821 μM, and 92.079±0.513 μM, respectively), whereas compounds 3 and 4 showed moderate activity in DPPH free radical scavenging assays. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 295–297, May–June, 2009.     

Rapid molecular typing of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tuber melanosporum</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. brumale</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">T. indicum</Emphasis> from tree seedlings and canned truffles

We have developed new DNA extraction and purification procedures for investigation of mycorrhized seedlings and canned truffles. Use of these procedures on approximately 100 mg initial material enabled good sample representation. For mycorrhized seedlings, Taq polymerase inhibitors were discarded irrespective of tree species. In routine analysis we systematically used consensus primers ITS1/ITS4 to check the absence of Taq polymerase inhibitors and the presence of fungus DNA. Positive response with ITS validates other positive or negative PCR results. Absence of amplification with ITS prevents validation of other results. For canned truffles, DNA harvested from ascocarps sterilized for one and a half hours at 115°C was amplified with specific primers. We have developed consensus primers, named R12/F12, to check for the presence of amplifiable fungus DNA and the absence of Taq polymerase inhibitors. Here also, positive response with consensus R12/F12 validates other positive or negative PCR results. We have developed one primer pair specific for T. brumale and another specific for T. melanosporum. We can then characterize these two taxa, which enables the use of truffle or truffled French designations. We can also characterize T. indicum, the Asiatic black truffle that might fraudulently be sold as T. melanosporum and T. brumale. These three specific primer pairs were used independently of DNA extraction from tree seedlings or canned truffles. Our process is specific, sensitive, convenient, and quick.J.P. Douet and D. Mabru have contributed equally to this work     

Splitting of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis></Superscript> atomic states in icosahedral 3<Emphasis Type="Italic">d</Emphasis> metal endofullerenes M@C<Subscript>60</Subscript>

Group-theoretical and quantum-chemical investigations of the spectrum of low-lying excited states have been performed by the ROHF and FCI-RAS (Full CI in Restricted Active Space) methods for 3d metal endofullerenes (MEFs) M@C₆₀ (M =Mn, Cr, and Fe) in different charged states. The major purpose of this study is quantum-chemical verification of the anomalous (“non-Bethe’s”) character of splitting of the d ^N atomic states in an electrostatic field with icosahedral symmetry, predicted previously within the theory of integral invariants theory. The interrelation between the integral invariants theory and the quantumchemical methods applied in this work is considered in detail. Our calculations suggest that the d ^N atomic states in the icosahedral field generated by fullerene C60 (I _h ) on a metal atom (ion) remain non-split for different charged states of the metal and C₆₀. Reasons for this phenomenon and other possible approaches to verification of the prediction are discussed. It is demonstrated that the d ^N states of the encapsulated metal are split in icosahedral 3d MEFs only under very strong compression of these structures.     

Screening and Immobilization <Emphasis Type="Italic">Burkholderia</Emphasis> sp. GXU56 Lipase for Enantioselective Resolution of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">S</Emphasis>)-Methyl Mandelate

Microorganisms producing lipase were isolated from soil and sewage samples and screened for enantioselective resolution of (R,S)-methyl mandelate to (R)-mandelic acid. A strain designated as GXU56 was obtained and identified as Burkholderia sp. Preparing immobilized GXU56 lipase by simple adsorption on octyl sepharose CL-4B, the optimum temperature was shifted from 40 °C (free lipase) to 50 °C (immobilized lipase), and the optimum pH was shifted from 8.0 (free lipase) to 7.2 (immobilized lipase). The immobilized enzyme displayed excellent stability in the pH range of 5.0–8.0, at the temperatures below 50 °C and in organic solvents compared with free enzyme. Enantioselectivity ratio for (R)-mandelic acid (E) was dramatically improved from 29.2 to more than 300 by applying immobilized lipase in the resolution of (R,S)-methyl mandelate. After five cycles of use of immobilized lipase, conversion and enantiomeric excess of (R)-mandelic acid were 34.5% and 98.5%, respectively, with enantioselectivity ratio for (R)-mandelic acid (E) of 230. Thus, octyl-sepharose-immobilized GXU56 lipase can be used as a bio-resolution reagent for producing (R)-mandelic acid.     

Crystal and molecular structure of <Emphasis Type="Italic">tris</Emphasis>(<Emphasis Type="Italic">m</Emphasis>-chlorophenyl)phosphine selenide

The crystal and molecular structure of tris(m-chlorophenyl)phosphine selenide, C₁₈H₁₂Cl₃PSe (I), was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The trigonal rhombohedral structure of I (space group \(R\overline 3 c\), a = 14.110(2) Å, c = 32.360(4) Å, Z = 12) was solved by direct methods and refined by least squares in an anisotropic approximation (R = 0.029) for 1319 averaged measured reflections (CAD-4 automatic diffractometer, λCuK_α).     

Investigation of kernel oils of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus robur</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Quercus cerris</Emphasis>

The kernel oils of Quercus robur and Quercus cerris were obtained by Soxhlet extraction using petroleum ether. Oil yields were found to be 5.2–5.6% and 4.3–4.8% for Q. robur and Q. cerris kernel, respectively (expressed in g per 100 g of dried plant material). The physical and chemical constants, unsaponifiable matter and total fatty acids were determined. The total fatty acid composition of oils was determined by GC in the methyl ester form. Considering the composition and content of fatty acids, the examined kernel oils were very similar. Seven fatty acid components were identified in both oils: palmitic, stearic, arachidic, palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, and -linolenic. In Q. robur and Q. cerris kernel oils the principal acids were oleic (44.3% and 43.0%, respectively) and linoleic (37.2% and 32.6%, respectively), followed by a significant amount of palmitic acid.Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 5, pp. 347–348, September–October, 2004.     

The smallest Hosoya index in (<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis> + 1)-graphs

A (n, n + 1)-graph G is a connected simple graph with n vertices and n + 1 edges. In this paper, we determine the lower bound for the Hosoya index in (n, n + 1)-graphs in terms of the order n, and characterize the (n, n + 1)-graph with the smallest Hosoya index.     

A new stilbene glycoside from the <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-butanol fraction of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Veratrum dahuricum</Emphasis>

A new stilbene glycoside, 5-methylresveratrol-3,4′-O-β-D-diglucopyranoside (1), was isolated from the n-butanol fraction of the rhizomes of Veratrum dahuricum, together with five known stilbenoids: resveratrol-3-O-β-D-glycoside (2), 4′-methylresveratrol-3-O-β-D-glycoside (3), oxyresveratrol-4′-O-β-D-glycoside (4), oxyresveratrol-3-O-β-D-glycoside (5), and oxyresveratrol-3,4′-O-β-D-diglycoside (6), and found for the first time in the investigated plant. The structures of six isolates were identified on the basis of 1D and 2D NMR data. Compounds 1–6 showed platelet aggregation inhibition, and compound 1 had an IC₅₀ value of 383.6 μM against platelet aggregation induced by AA. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 3, pp. 279–282, May–June, 2009.     

Convenient synthesis and NMR spectral studies of variously substituted <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-methylpiperidin-4-one-<Emphasis Type="Italic">O</Emphasis>-benzyloximes

Abstract  A series of variously substituted N-methylpiperidin-4-one-O-benzyloximes were synthesized by three different methods. Among them, the direct conversion of 2,6-diarylpiperidin-4-ones into the corresponding oxime ethers (method A) was proved to be better than the other two methods in the sense of good yield, convenience, easy work-up and quick reaction time. All the synthesized compounds are characterized by IR, Mass and NMR (¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ¹H-¹H COSY, ¹H-¹³C COSY and HMBC) spectral studies. The conformational preference of the synthesized oxime ethers with/without alkyl and aryl substituents at C-3/C-5 and C-2/C-6 is discussed using the spectral data. The observed chemical shifts and coupling constants suggest that the synthesized oxime ethers adopt chair conformation with equatorial orientation of all the substituents, whereas 1-methyl-3-isopropyl-2,6-diphenylpiperidin-4-one-O-benzyloxime also exists in boat conformation. Based on the NMR data, the effects of oximination on ring carbons and their associated protons and alkyl substituents are discussed. In addition, the effect of NMe group on the 2,6-diarylpiperidin-4-one-O-benzyloximes was also studied. Graphical abstract        

Syntheses of (<Emphasis Type="Italic">E</Emphasis>)- and (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Z</Emphasis>)-3-styrylchromones

Several (E)- and (Z)-3-styrylchromones were prepared by two different methodologies, the Wittig reaction of chromone-3-carboxaldehyde with benzylic ylides and the Knoevenagel condensation of chromone-3-carboxaldehyde with phenylacetic acids in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide under microwave irradiation. The Knoevenagel reaction followed by a decarboxylation offered an efficient and diastereoselective method for preparing (E)-3-styrylchromones in a shorter reaction time. It was also demonstrated that phenylacetic acid can also be substituted with success by phenylmalonic acid. The stereochemistry of all products was assigned by NMR experiments. Correspondence: Artur M. S. Silva, Chemistry Department, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal.     

Effects of ionization on the phase behavior of poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) and poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) in water

Phase transitions of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PiPA-AA) and poly(N,N- diethylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (PdEA-AA) in water have been investigated by means of turbidimetry, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The phase transition temperatures (T_p) of these copolymers increase with the degree of ionization () of the acrylic acid (AA) units, which in turn is dependent on the pH of the solutions. Apparent values of pK_a for the AA units, determined from the pH dependencies of T_p, are 4.7 and 5.4 for PiPA-AA and PdEA-AA, respectively. Differences between T_p for PiPA-AA and T_p for PiPA homopolymer (T_p) are +1.5 and –0.2 °C/mol% of AA at =1 and 0, respectively. The values of T_p for PdEA-AA are +2.6 (ionic) and –0.5 (nonionic)°C/mol%, indicating that the incorporated AA units have a larger effect on PdEA than on PiPA. DSC measurements performed with each of these copolymers at different pH values show a linear relationship between T_p and the enthalpy of transition (H). IR measurements of PiPA-AA show that the profiles of IR bands from both iPA and AA units exhibit critical changes at T_p of the copolymer. Heating the solution above T_p leads to shifts of the amide II, C–H stretch, and C–H bend bands from the iPA units toward lower wavenumbers, as well as a shift of the amide I band from the iPA units toward higher wavenumbers. A decrease in the intensity of the symmetric C=O stretch IR band from carboxylate anions (1560 cm^–1), and an increase in the intensity of the C=O stretch band from COOH groups (1705 cm^–1) suggest that a partial protonation of the carboxylate groups (COO^–+H⁺COOH) takes place upon the phase transition.     

New flavonoid-<Emphasis Type="Italic">C</Emphasis>-glycosides from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Triticum aestivum</Emphasis>

Two new flavonoid-C-glycosides named triticuside A (1a) and triticuside B (1b) were isolated from bran of Triticum aestivum L. The structures of the two new compounds were elucidated by spectral techniques including ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR as well as HSQC, HMBC, and COSY. Published in Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 2, pp. 135–137, March–April, 2008.     

Synthesis and characterization of thermoresponsive poly(<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-isopropylacrylamide-co-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-hydroxymethylacrylamide-co-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) hydrogels

Thermoresponsive hydrogels based on N-isopropylacrylamide, N-hydroxymethylacrylamide, and 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, poly(NIPAM–co-NHMAAm–co-HEMA), have been synthesized and their swelling—deswelling behavior studied as a function of NIPAM concentration, NIPAM/NHMAAm and NIPAM/HEMA mole ratio, and total monomer concentration. Copolymers varying in composition have been obtained by redox copolymerization of these three monomers. Temperature has been changed in the ranges from 4 to 70 °C at fixed pH and total ionic strength. Equilibrium swelling ratio, dynamic swelling ratio, and dynamic deswelling ratio were evaluated for all hydrogel systems. The equilibrium swelling ratios of the copolymeric gels decrease with increasing NHMAAm and HEMA content. The formation of the intermolecular hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl and amido groups decreases the hydrophilic group numbers of the gel and the affinity of the gel towards water decreases. The copolymer gels also showed rapid volume transitions with time. The time required for equilibrium shrinking increased with increasing NHMAAm and HEMA content in the gel.     

An efficient <Emphasis Type="Italic">Mannich</Emphasis>-type synthesis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">bis</Emphasis>(pyrido[2,1-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>][1,3,5]thiadiazin-7-yl)-methanes

Morpholinium 3-cyano-4-methyl-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyridine-2-thiolate upon treatment with primary amines and a formaldehyde excess under mild conditions produces bis(pyrido[2,1-b][1,3,5]thiadiazin-7-yl)methane derivatives in good yields (67–87%). Correspondence: Victor V. Dotsenko, State Enterprise “Luganskstandartmetrology”, 91021 Lugansk, Ukraine.     

Substrate specificity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Streptomyces</Emphasis> transglutaminases

Transglutaminase (TGase) is a multifunctional enzyme vital for many physiologic processes, such as cell differentiation, tissue regeneration, and plant pathogenicity. The acyl transfer function of the enzyme can activate primary amines and, consequently, attach them onto a peptidyl glutamine, a reaction important for various in vivo and in vitro protein crosslinking and modification processes. To understand better the structure-function relationship of the enzyme and to develop it further as an industrial biocatalyst, we studied TGase secreted by several Streptomyces species and Phytophthora cactorum. We purified the enzyme from S. lydicus, S. platensis, S. nigrescens, S. cinnamoneus, and S. hachijoensis. The pH and temperature profiles of S. lydicus, S. platensis, and S. nigrescens TGases were determined. The specificity of S. lydicus TGase toward its acyl-accepting amine substrates was characterized. Correlation of the electronic and steric features of the substrates with their reactivity supported the mechanism previously proposed for Streptomyces mobaraensis TGase.     

Silica structure in the spicules of the sponge <Emphasis Type="Italic">Suberites domuncula</Emphasis>

Accumulation of silica in marine organisms such as diatoms and sponges has been widely reported. The proteins depositing silica in these organisms have been identified and its structure has also been described. The ultrastructure of silica has not been studied in detail, however. Herein we describe the structure of silica in the spicules of the sponge Suberites domuncula. Peroxide treatment was performed to remove the organic compounds, thereby enabling a better study of the silica. Methods used for the study included scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Electron diffraction enabled structural comparison with silica glass at the atomic level. Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) of the spicules was also conducted and structure correlation between these methods attempted. At a lower magnification, spicule needles with a smooth outer surface were visible. Diffraction results suggested a network-like structure in the spicules. Silica particles of 3 nm diameter could be measured by SAXS.     

Glutaraldehyde-modified electrode for nonlabeling voltammetric detection of <Emphasis Type="Italic">p16</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">INK4A</Emphasis></Superscript> gene

A nonlabeling electrochemical detection method for analyzing the polymerase-chain-reaction-amplified sequence-specific p16 ^INK4A gene, in which the basis for the covalent immobilization of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) probe is described, has been developed. The self-assembly process was based on the covalent coupling of glutaraldehyde (GA) as an arm molecule onto an amino-functional surface. The p16 ^INK4A gene was used as the model target for the methylation detection of early cancer diagnosis. An amino-modified DNA probe was successfully assembled on the GA-coupling surface through the formation of Schiff base under potential control. The hybridization of amino-modified DNA probes with the target was investigated by means of electrochemical measurements, including cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. Furthermore, the functions of GA coupling for sequence-specific detection were compared with those obtained based on mercaptopropionic acid. Hybridization experiments indicated that the covalent coupling of GA was suitable for the immobilization of DNA probe and was sensitive to the electrochemical detection of single-base mismatches of label-free DNA targets in hybridization. Moreover, reported probe-modified surfaces exhibited excellent stability, and the hybridization reactions were found to be completely reversible and highly specific for recognition in subsequent hybridization processes. The strategy provided the potential for taking full advantage of existing modified electrode technologies and was verified in microarray technology, which could be applied as a useful and powerful tool in electrochemical biosensor and microarray technology.     

Synthesis and characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-tolyglycosylamines

N-Tolylglycosylamines were synthesized from o-, m-, and p-toluidines and aldoses (D-glucose, D-galactose, D-mannose, L-rhamnose, D-xylose, and L-arabinose). The anomeric and isomeric compositions of the synthesized products were established using ¹³C NMR methods. __________ Translated from Khimiya Prirodnykh Soedinenii, No. 4, pp. 333–335, July–August, 2008.