Synthesis and Structural Study of Amidrazone Derived Pyrrole-2,5-Dione Derivatives: Potential Anti-Inflammatory Agents

1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione derivatives are known for their wide range of pharmacological properties, including anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activities. This study aimed to synthesize new 3,4-dimethyl-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione derivatives 2a–2f in the reaction of N³-substituted amidrazones with 2,3-dimethylmaleic anhydride and evaluate their structural and biological properties. Compounds 2a–2f were studied by the ¹H-¹³C NMR two-dimensional techniques (HMQC, HMBC) and single-crystal X-ray diffraction (derivatives 2a and 2d). The anti-inflammatory activity of compounds 2a–2f was examined by both an anti-proliferative study and a production study on the inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in anti-CD3 antibody- or lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) cultures. The antibacterial activity of compounds 2a–2f against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Micrococcus luteus, Esherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Yersinia enterocolitica, Mycobacterium smegmatis and Nocardia corralina strains was determined using the broth microdilution method. Structural studies of 2a–2f revealed the presence of distinct Z and E stereoisomers in the solid state and the solution. All compounds significantly inhibited the proliferation of PBMCs in anti-CD3-stimulated cultures. The strongest effect was observed for derivatives 2a–2d. The strongest inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production was observed for the most promising anti-inflammatory compound 2a.     

Development of a Continuous System for 2-Phenylethanol Bioproduction by Yeast on Whey Permeate-Based Medium

2-Phenylethanol (2-PE) is an alcohol with a rosy scent and antimicrobial activity, and therefore, it is widely used in the food and cosmetic industries as an aroma and preservative. This work was aimed to draw up a technology for 2-PE bioproduction on whey permeate, which is waste produced by the dairy industry, rich in lactase and proteins. Its composition makes it a harmful waste to dispose of; however, with a properly selected microorganism, it could be converted to a value-added product. Herein, two yeast Kluyveromyces marxianus strains and one Kluyveromyces lactis, isolated from dairy products, were tested for 2-PE production, firstly on standard media and then on whey permeate based media in batch cultures. Thereafter, the 2-PE bioproduction in a continuous system in a 4.8 L bioreactor was developed, and subsequently, the final product was recovered from culture broth. The results showed that the yield of 2-PE production increased by 60% in the continuous culture compared to batch culture. Together with a notable reduction of chemical oxygen demand for whey permeate, the present study reports a complete, effective, and environmentally friendly strategy for 2-PE bioproduction with a space-time yield of 57.5 mg L⁻¹ h⁻¹.     

Trends in geometric and electronic properties of thiophene- and cyclopentadiene-based polymers

In this work, we present theoretical evidence illustrating that cyano derivatives of conducting polymers such as polythiophene, polycyclopentadiene, and polyfulvene have smaller intrinsic band gaps than those of their parent polymers. The geometric and electronic properties of the parent and the derivative polymers were studied with the use of two methodologies: (1) the pseudo-one-dimensional band-structure calculations performed using the semi-empirical molecular orbital theory (MNDO, AM1) and (2) oligomer calculations performed using the ab initio molecular orbital theory both at the Hartree–Fock and configuration interaction levels. In particular, we found that an organic polymer, poly(dicyanomethylene cyclopentadifulvene) (PCNFv), has a comparable (possibly lower) band gap to the one observed in poly(dicyanomethylene cyclopentadithiophene) (PCNTH) (which has a band gap of 0.8 eV). The precursor of PCNFv is poly(dicyanomethylene cyclopentadicyclopentadiene) (PCNCY) in which two cyclopentadiene rings are connected by a dicyanomethylene group. The additional bond conjugation (in contrast to PCNCY) perpendicular to the chain axis makes PCNFv very rigid and fully planar. Trends in structural properties indicate that the lower band gaps in the cyano-substituted polymers, in comparison to their parent polymers, are accompanied by a decrease in bond alternations in the aromatic or trans–cisoid forms and by an increase in bond alternations in the quinoid or cis–transoid forms. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 66 : 229–240, 1998     

Zebrafish—An Optimal Model in Experimental Oncology

A thorough understanding of cancer pathogenesis is a necessary step in the development of more effective and safer therapy. However, due to the complexity of the process and intricate interactions, studying tumor development is an extremely difficult and challenging task. In bringing this issue closer, different scientific models with various advancement levels are helpful. Cell cultures is a system that is too simple and does not allow for multidirectional research. On the other hand, rodent models, although commonly used, are burdened with several limitations. For this reason, new model organisms that will allow for the studying of carcinogenesis stages and factors reliably involved in them are urgently sought after. Danio rerio, an inconspicuous fish endowed with unique features, is gaining in importance in the world of scientific research. Including it in oncological research brings solutions to many challenges afflicting modern medicine. This article aims to illustrate the usefulness of Danio rerio as a model organism which turns out to be a powerful and unique tool for studying the stages of carcinogenesis and solving the hitherto incomprehensible processes that lead to the development of the disease.     

A benzopyran derivative substituted at position 3

In (E)‐3‐{[(di­phenoxy­phospho­ryl)­methyl­hydrazono]­methyl}‐4H‐1‐benzo­pyran‐4‐one, C₂₃H₁₉N₂O₅P, the benzo­pyran–methyl­hydrazone moiety is planar and the two phenoxy phenyl rings are inclined at angles of 21.29 (6) and 89.33 (5)°. Weak C—H?O and C—H?N intramolecular interactions exert some influence on the planarity and orientation of that moiety.     

Determination of the lipophilicity of quinolinesulfonamides by reversed-phase HPLC and theoretical calculations

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography analyses were used for the determination of the retention factor (log k) of a set of quinolinesulfonamides. The analyses utilized a mixture of acetonitrile/water as the mobile phase. The log k values were linearly dependent on the concentration of acetonitrile and extrapolated to 100% water and gave the lipophilicity parameter log k_w. The parameter log P_HPLC was determined from log k_w values using the calibration curve obtained for five standards. The log P_HPLC parameters are discussed in terms of structure–lipophilicity relationships. Furthermore, the theoretical lipophilic parameters (log P_calc) for all compounds were calculated using chemical programs (e.g., Advanced Chemistry Development (ACD/ logP), miLogP, AlogP, ClogP, and Pallas). The determined log P_HPLC and calculated log P_calc values were compared by linear regression analysis.     

Sodium dithionite initiated addition of CF2Br2, CF3I and (CF3)2CFI to allylaromatics: Synthesis and the reactivity of 4-aryl-1,1-difluorodienes and 4-aryl-1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)dienes

Sodium dithionite initiated addition of CF₂Br₂, CF₃I and (CF₃)₂CFI to the terminal double bond of allylbenzenes and of (CF₃)₂CFI to allylpyridines in a MeCN/H₂O system were investigated. The reactions of CF₂Br₂ with allylbenzenes gave comparable amounts of adducts, 1-(2,4-dibromo-4,4-difluorobutyl)benzenes, debrominated products,1-(4-bromo-4,4-difluorobutyl)benzenes, and dimeric compounds in total yields 40-66%. Treatment of the adducts with DBU resulted in double dehydrohalogenation affording 4-aryl-1,1-difluorobutadienes which undergo Diels-Alder condensation with nitrogen dienophiles to give N-heterocycles with difluoromethylene group in the ring. The reactions of CF₃I and (CF₃)₂CFI with allylbenzenes gave the respective adducts, (4,4,4-trifluoro-2-iodobutyl)benzenes and 1-(4,5,5,5-tetrafluoro-4-(trifluoromethyl)-2-iodopentyl)benzenes as the main products. Dehydrohalogenation of these adducts resulted, respectively, in (4,4,4-trifluoro-but-1-enyl)benzenes and 4-aryl-1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)butadienes in high yields. (CF₃)₂CFI reacted rapidly with allylpyridines to give mixtures from which, after treatment with DBU, 4-pyridyl-1,1-bis(trifluoromethyl)butadienes were isolated in a ca. 60% yield.     

Adsorption of enantiomeric and racemic cysteine on a silver electrode--SERS sensitivity to chirality of adsorbed molecules

The adsorption of both (L- and D-) enantiomeric forms of cysteine on the silver electrode surface was studied by surface-enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy (SERS) as a function of electrode potential and pH value of the solution. It was demonstrated that at potentials more positive than -0.7 V (for pH 3) or -0.8 V (for pH 2 or lower), in acidic environment L-cysteine molecules are adsorbed mainly as P(H) (gauche) conformer, in zwitterionic form with the COO- groups close to the surface. At more negative potentials, NH3+ groups deprotonate at the surface with simultaneous weakening of the interaction of the carboxylic groups with the surface. Spectroscopic evidence for at least partial protonation of the COO- groups at strongly acidic solutions was given by observing the C=O stretching band at frequency lowered by about 30 cm(-1) in comparison with that observed for crystalline cysteine hydrochloride. It points to the considerable enhancement of the strength of hydrogen bonds and may be ascribed to the formation of cyclic L-cysteine dimers at the electrode surface. In neutral and alkaline solutions, adsorbed L-cysteine molecules have deprotonated amino groups at wide potential range. Similar spectroelectrochemical experiments were performed for D-cysteine and for a racemic mixture of D,L-cysteine. As expected, results for D-cysteine were similar to those for L-cysteine. However, for racemic mixture at acidic pH, the spectral effects corresponding to potential-induced transition from adsorbed zwitterions to neutral molecule were considerably smaller. This effect was discussed in terms of stereoselective dimerization of cysteine molecule at the electrode surface.