Preliminary studies on the transformation of nitrosugars into branched chain iminosugars: synthesis of 1,4-dideoxy-4-C-hydroxymethyl-1,4-imino-pentanols

A novel promising strategy for the transformation of nitrosugars into branched pyrrolidines, based on double Henry reaction with formaldehyde followed by reductive ring closure, allowed the first enantiospecific synthesis of a 4-C-hydroxymethyl branched derivative of the well-known glycosidase inhibitor 1,4-dideoxy-1,4-imino-pentanol. This strategy also afforded a new route to some other interesting derivatives, such as N-hydroxy, N-propyloxy, and imino derivatives, a new kind of compounds with promising biological properties. [reaction: see text].     

Ring-closing double reductive amination route to aza-heteroannulated sugars

1,4-Dicarbonyl derivatives of glycosides are produced by ozonolysis or Wacker oxidation. A stable ozonide is isolated and a carbonyl group reduced whilst maintaining the ozonide functionality. The 1,4-dicarbonyl compounds are converted to various N-substituted pyrrolidines by diastereoselective double reductive amination The resulting aza-heteroannulated sugars no significant inhibition of any glycosidase, with the exception of compound 12g, which is a weak inhibitor of β-galactosidase.     

Synthesis and photoluminescent properties of a Schiff-base ligand and its mononuclear Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes

Mononuclear Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II) metal complexes of Schiff-base ligand(HL₁) derived from 8-acetyl-7-hydroxycoumarin and P-phenylenediamine were prepared and characterized by microanalytical, mass, UV–Vis, IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESR, conductance and fluorescence studies. The measured low molar conductance values in DMSO indicate that the complexes are non-electrolytes. The structures of the solid complexes under study are established by using IR, electronic and ESR spectroscopy suggesting that Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes are octahedral, Cd(II) complex is tetrahedral, Cu(II) and Pd(II) complexes are square planar. The ESR spectrum of the Cu(II) complex in DMSO at 298 and 150 K was recorded and its salient features are reported, it supports the mononuclear structure. The Schiff base exhibited photoluminescence originating from intraligand (π–π*) transitions. Metal-mediated enhancement is observed on complexation of HL with Zn(II) and Cd(II), whereas metal-mediated fluorescence quenching occurs in Cu(II), Ni(II) and Pd(II).     

Novel Synthesis of Some Imidazolyl‐, Benzoxazinyl‐, and Quinazolinyl‐2,4‐dioxothiazolidine Derivatives

2‐(2,4‐Dioxothiazolidin‐5‐yl)acetic acid 1 and its chloride derivative 2 were allowed to react with different aromatic amines such as o‐phenylenediamine, o‐aminothiophenol, p‐aminoacetophenone, and anthranilic acid to give the biologically active nuclei such as imidazoles, thiazoles, benzoxazines, and quinazolines incorporated with the thiazolidindione nucleus. The antimicrobial activity of five of the synthesized compounds was examined against one gram positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus), one gram negative bacteria (Escherichia coli), and two fungi (Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans). Four compounds showed moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities.     

Spectroscopic and voltammetric studies of Pefloxacin bound to calf thymus double-stranded DNA

Spectral and electrochemical studies have been carried out on the interaction of pefloxacin with calf thymus double-stranded dsDNA. The voltammetric behavior of pefloxacin was investigated at glassy carbon, carbon paste and dsDNA-modified carbon paste electrodes using cyclic voltammetry. Pefloxacin was oxidized, yielding one irreversible oxidation peak. The modification of the carbon paste surface with dsDNA allowed an accumulation process to take place for pefloxacin such that higher sensitivity was achieved compared with the bare surface. The response was characterized with respect to ionic strength, accumulation time, pefloxacin concentration, and other variables. The stripping differential pulse voltammetric response showed a linear calibration curve in the range 1.0×10^–7–1.0×10^–5 mol l^–1 with a detection limit of 5.0×10^–8 mol l^–1 at the dsDNA modified electrode. The method was applied to the direct determination of pefloxacin in diluted urine samples.     

Lipoic Acid Combined with Melatonin Mitigates Oxidative Stress and Promotes Root Formation and Growth in Salt-Stressed Canola Seedlings (Brassica napus L.)

Lipoic acid (LA) and melatonin (MT) are pleiotropic molecules participating in plant stress resistance by modulating cellular biochemical changes, ion homeostasis, and antioxidant enzyme activities. However, the combined role of these two molecules in counteracting the detrimental impacts of salinity stress is still unknown. In the present study, we determined the effects of exogenous LA (0.5 µM), MT (1 µM) and their combination (LA + MT) on growth performance and biomass accumulation, photosynthetic pigments, enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant activities, and ions homeostatic in canola (Brassica napus L.) seedlings under salinity stress (0, 100 mM) for 40 days. The results indicate that exogenous application of LA + MT improved the phenotypic growth (by 25 to 45%), root thickness (by 68%), number of later lateral roots (by 52%), root viability (by 44%), and root length (by 50%) under salinity stress. Moreover, total soluble protein, chlorophyll pigments, the concentration of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase peroxidase (CAT), and ascorbic peroxidase (ASA) increased with the presence of salt concentration into the growth media and then decreased with the addition of LA + MT to saline solution. Leaf protein contents and the degradation of photosynthetic pigments were lower when LA + MT treatments were added into NaCl media. The proline and phenol contents decreased in the exogenous application of LA + MT treatments more than individual LA or MT treatments under the salinity stress. The incorporation of LA or MT or a combination of LA + MT to saline solution decreased salinity-induced malondialdehyde and electrolyte leakage. In conclusion, the alteration of metabolic pathways, redox modulation, and ions homeostasis in plant tissues by the combined LA and MT application are helpful towards the adaptation of Brassica napus L. seedlings in a saline environment. The results of this study provide, for the first time, conclusive evidence about the protective role of exogenous LA + MT in canola seedlings under salinity stress.     

Diode laser absorption measurements at the Hα-transition in laser induced plasmas on different targets

The diode laser atomic absorption spectroscopy (DLAAS) technique has been utilized to assess the degree of optical opacity of plasma at the wavelength of the H_α-line. The plasma is produced at atmospheric conditions by focusing a 6 ns Nd:YAG laser pulse at 1.064 μm on different solid target materials including aluminum, iron and titanium as major elements as well as flat pieces of plastic and wood characterized by a high content of hydrogen. The optical depth was investigated as a function of delay times ranging from 0 to 5 μs, and at laser fluences ranging from 7 to 19 J/cm², all at a fixed gate time of 1 μs. The results show that the plasma associated with metallic targets is almost optically thin at the H_α-line over all fluences and at delay times ≥ 1 μs, but rather thick for hydrogen-rich targets (plastic and wood) over all delay times and fluences.     

Effect of Ar bombardment on the electrical and optical properties of low-density polyethylene films

The influence of low-energy Ar ion beam irradiation on both electrical and optical properties of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) films is presented. The polymer films were bombarded with 320 keV Ar ions with fuences up to 1×10¹⁵ cm^?2. Electrical properties of LDPE films were measured and the effect of ion bombardment on the DC conductivity, dielectric constant and loss was studied. Optically, the energy gap, the Urbach’s energy and the number of carbon atoms in a cluster were estimated for all polymer samples using the UV–Vis spectrophotometry technique. The obtained results showed slight enhancement in the conductivity and dielectric parameters due to the increase in ion fluence. Meanwhile, the energy gap and the Urbach’s energy values showed significant decrease by increasing the Ar ion fluence. It was found that the ion bombardment induced chain scission in the polymer chain causing some carbonization. An increase in the number of carbon atoms per cluster was also observed.     

Grafted polymer membranes with extractive agents for the extraction process of VO2+ ions

To conduct experiments related to the facilitated extraction phenomenon and recovery of vanadium ions VO₂⁺, two grafted polymer membranes were prepared; containing respectively cholic acid and azithromycin as extractive agents and the obtained membranes were characterized. All experiments for the facilitated extraction phenomenon of these ions were carried out. Kinetic and thermodynamic models, based on the interaction of the substrate S (VO₂⁺) with the extractive agent T, and the diffusion of the formed entity (TS) through the membrane were developed, to determine the macroscopic parameters, permeability P and initial fluxes J₀, and the microscopic parameters, association constants K_ass and apparent diffusion coefficients D*, related to the formation of entities TS and their diffusion. A clear evolution of these parameters, depending on various factors (substrate concentration C₀, extractive agent concentration and feed and receiving phases temperature), and high permeabilities for this extraction phenomenon of VO₂⁺ ions were observed for this membrane type. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.