Comparison of radionuclides levels from the Chernobyl reactor accident and from global fallout

Studies on radioactive fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests have been carried out at this laboratory since the mid-fifties. The data thus generated on the levels and composition of radioactive fallout in India has been published periodically. Consequent to the Chernobyl reactor accident in the USSR in April 1986, similar studies were carried out. A number of fairly active samples were collected from commercial aircraft which had flown over the USSR soon after the accident. Even though the levels of fallout from the Chernobyl reactor accident observed in India were not significant from a health hazard view point, the studies provided detailed information on differences in the composition of fallout from the accident and long term radiation exposures likely to accrue from the Chernobyl fallout as opposed to global fallout from atmospheric nuclear weapons tests. This paper presents the results and their interpretation on the above aspects.     

Polymers from intermediates obtained from hydrogen cyanide

The recent demonstration of an easy synthesis of diiminosuccinonitrile (DISN) from hydrogen cyanide and cyanogen, the reduction of DISN to diaminomaleonitrile (DAMN), and the use of these compounds to form difunctional heterocycles has made several new polyamide intermediates accessible. The 1- and 2-methyl-1,2,3-triazole-4,5-dicarbonyl chlorides have been polymerized interfacially to form high-melting polyamides of good heat stability. Interfacial polymerization of 1-methylimidazole-4,5-dicarbonyl chloride and trans-2,5-dimethylpiperazine has given a polyamide that is water-soluble. The 2,6- and 2,3-pyrazinedicarbonyl chlorides have been similarly converted to high-melting polyamides. 2,6-Dicyano-3,5-dipiperazinylpyrazine has been prepared from tetracyanopyrazine and piperazine and reacted with toluene diisocyanate to form a strong, stiff polyurea. Polyamides were also made from 2,3-diaminoquinoxaline, 1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-5,6-dioxo-2,3-pyrazinedicarbonitrile, and DAMN.     

Diterpenoids from Rabdosia nervosa

Six ent-kaurene type diterpenoids have been isolated from the leaves of Rabdosia nervosa. Among them, ganervosin A and B were new compounds, the structures of which were elucidated as 1 and 2 respectively by spectral and chemical methods. The other four were identified as odonicin (3), novelrabdosin (4), nodosin (5) and shikokianal acetate (6), Compounds 5 and 6 were for the first time isolated from this herb.     

Electrochemical deposition of platinoids from ammonia-nitrate eluates from silver refining

The differences in the electrochemical behavior of palladium and platinum in the individual and mixed ammonia-nitrate eluates from silver refining, insufficient for selective electrowinning of palladium, were revealed and studied. The possibility of obtaining the binary alloys of metals from the platinum group was shown. A method for the preparation of platinized titanium anodes by platinum electrodeposition on the titanium cathodes from palladium-depleted electrolytes of refining at OAO Uralelektromed’ was suggested.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Vernonia cinerea

A new sesquiterpenoid, namely vernocinolide A, as well as ten known ones, were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of the Vernoniacinerea. The structure of vernocinolide A was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Among the known sesquiterpenoids, nine of them were isolated from this plant for the first time.     

Comparison of test pieces cut from products and from laboratory prepared sheets

Commonly specified physical properties were measured using test pieces cut both from a rubber product and from laboratory moulded samples to establish the differences in results which may occur. Nine products and the equivalent laboratory samples were tested and the causes of the observed differences discussed.     

Antimicrobial flavonoids from Tridax procumbens

Callus culture of Tridax procumbens has been established on Murashige and Skoog's medium supplemented with NAA and BAP from nodal segments. Free and bound flavonoids were extracted from 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks old calli by a well-established method. These free flavonoids were then screened against Staphylococcus aureus (bacteria) and Candida albicans (yeast) for their antimicrobial potential. Minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal/fungicidal concentrations and total activity were also evaluated. Apigenin, quercetin and kaempferol were identified from free flavonoids of 4 weeks old callus (most active) through, thin layer chromatography, (TLC) preparative TLC, MP and IR spectral studies.     

Neoclerodanes from Teucrium orientale

Two new neoclerodane diterpenoids, 6-deacetyl-teucrolivin A (5) and 8beta-hydroxy-teucrolivin B (6), were isolated from the aerial parts of Teucrium orientale, along with four already known neoclerodane diterpenoids, teucrolivin A (1), teucrolivin B (2), teucrolivin C (3) and teucrolivin H (4), previously isolated from Teucrium oliverianum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence and chemical transformations. Compounds 1-3 were assayed for antifeedant activity against Spodoptera littoralis, S. frugiperda and Heliocoverpa armigera. Teucrolivin A was the most potent of the three compounds tested.     

Pyrolytic hydrocarbon growth from cyclopentadiene

Aromatic hydrocarbon growth from cyclopentadiene (CPD) was studied using a laminar flow reactor operating in the temperature range 550-950 °C without oxygen. Benzene, indene, and naphthalene were the major products, which is in agreement with the previous computational studies on the reaction pathways from CPD. A crossover of indene and naphthalene yields around 775 °C was also observed, which further supports the results of the computational studies. Although the specific intermediates in the proposed pathways from CPD were not detected, the high selectivity of products and the observation of other methylindene and dihydronaphthalene intermediates suggest that the recombination of two CPDs via radical-molecule and/or radical-radical pathways to form indene and naphthalene is the dominant formation pathway. In addition to the products from the CPD-CPD reactions, the products from the reactions of CPD with indene, naphthalene, and acenaphthylene were also observed, which demonstrate the importance of CPD in carbon growth.     

Sesquiterpenoids from Vernonia cinerea

A new sesquiterpenoid, vernocinolide A (1), as well as ten known ones (2-11), were isolated from the ethyl acetate soluble fraction of Vernonia cinerea. The structure of vernocinolide A (1) was elucidated by spectroscopic methods. Among the known sesquiterpenoids, nine of them were isolated from this plant for the first time.     

Alkaloids from the Tunicate Polycarpa aurata from Chuuk Atoll

Two new alkaloids, polycarpine (1) and N,N-didesmethylgrossularine-1 (4), have been isolated from extracts of the ascidian Polycarpa aurata collected in Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. Three degradation products of 1 were also isolated. The structures of 1, 2, and 4 were determined by X-ray crystallography. The dimeric disulfide 1 inhibited the enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, but the inhibition could be reversed by addition of excess dithiothreitol suggesting that 1 reacts with sulfhydryl groups on the enzyme.     

New flavonoids from Oxytropis myriophylla

Eight compounds were isolated from Oxytropis myriophylla. On the basis of spectral analyses, their structures were elucidated to be (6R,9R)-roseoside (1), (6R,9S)-roseoside (2), adenosine (3), myriophylloside B (4), myriophylloside C (5), myriophylloside D (6), myriophylloside E (7), and myriophylloside F (8). Five flavonoids (4-8) were new compounds, and the three known compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time.     

Gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric analysis of essential oils from Pimpinella species gathered from Central and Northern Turkey

Essential oils from 15 Pimpinella species were analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. One species, Pimpinella anisum, in which only fruits were evaluated, was also included in the study. A total of 140 different compounds were identified and significant qualitative and quantitative differences were observed among the samples. Pimpinella essential oils were characterized as having mono-, sesqui- and trinorsesquiterpenoids, propenylphenols, and pseudoisoeugenols. Trinorsesquiterpenoids and phenylpropanoids appear to be chemical markers of Pimpinella species analyzed thus far. Essential oils obtained from Pimpinella roots share the same principal compound, epoxypseudoisoeugenyl-2-methylbutyrate at concentrations from 20 to 82.6%.     

Mannich bases derived from p-diethynylbenzene

Conclusions By the Mannich reaction with diacetylenic alcohols derived from p-diethynylbenzene a number of di~ acetylenic amino alcohols were prepared, and these were hydrogenated to the corresponding saturated compounds.Translated from Izvestiya Akademii Nauk SSSR, Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 2, pp. 397–404, February, 1967.     

Sterols isolated from Tubifex tubifex

Four 3beta-hydroxysterols isolated from chloroform extract from Tubifex tubifex were shown to have the structures stigmast-23-en-3-ol, stigmast-7,14-dien-3-ol, 22-dehydrocholesterol, and 24 methylenecholesterol based on spectroscopic methods. Stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol were also investigated on the basis of mass spectral analyses and compared with known compounds.     

Biosurfactants from potato process effluents

High-solids (HS) and low-solids (LS) potato process effluents were tested as substrates for surfactin production. Tests used effluents diluted 1∶10, unamended and amended with trace minerals or corn steep liquor. Heat pretreatment was necessary for surfactin production from effluents due to indigenous bacteria, whose spores remained after autoclaving. Surfactin production from LS surpassed HS in all cases. Surfactin yields from LS were 66% lower than from a pure culture in an optimized potatostarch medium. LS could potentially be used without sterilization for surfactin production for low-value applications such as environmental remediation or oil recovery.     

Isochromanes from Aspergillus fumigatus,an endophytic fungus from Cordyceps sinensis

Four previously undescribed isochromanes were isolated from the fermentation broth of an endophytic fungus Aspergillus fumigatus, which was obtained from the fruiting body of Cordyceps sinensis. Their structures were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses. One racemic isochromane was further purified by chiral HPLC to yield a pair of enantiomers and their absolute configurations were determined by quantum chemical ECD calculations. These isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against two cell lines (MV4-11 and MDA-ME-231) and the result showed that compounds 1a and 2 exhibited moderate growth inhibition against MV4-11 cell line.     

Eremophilane Glucosides from Petasites japonicus

Three new eremophilane glucosides, namely, petasitosides A–C, and seven known eremophilane‐type sesquiterpenoids were isolated from the roots of Petasites japonicus. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic techniques including 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. This is the first report on eremophilane glycosides from the genus Petasites.     

南中国海星骨海绵Stelletta sp.中的三萜化合物

最近,我们又从采自广西涠洲岛海域的星骨海绵Stelletta sp.中分离得到3个黄色三萜色素1,2和3(见下式).通过IR,UV,MS和1D NMR,2D NMR等方法测定了它们的结构,并对化合物1的所有C和H进行了指认.同时,通过X射线单晶衍射分析测定了化合物1的立体化学结构.初步的药理实验表明,这3个化合物对P388肿瘤细胞均有很强的抑制活性,ED₅₀值依次为0.01,0.5和1.0μg/mL,提示Stelletta属海绵中的这类三萜具有很好的药用开发前景.     

Diels-Alder adducts from flavonoid

A quinoflavonoid was synthesized from commercially available products over three steps. The quinoflavonoid turned out to be an excellent dienophile in Diels-Alder reaction. Reactions were easily performed in dichloromethane, and after evaporation of the solvent, expected products were obtained in good yields.