A self-contained polymeric 2-DE chip system for rapid and easy analysis

We developed a polymeric 2-DE chip system. The chip consisted of an IEF region, an SDS-PAGE region, a valveless connection port, and a sample introduction port. A "junction structure" as a valveless connection port, which allowed separating and connecting the first- and second-dimensional gels, was fabricated between their regions. A "solution inlet" as a sample introduction port was fabricated to perform the liquid and sample introductions without solution leakage. Simultaneous sample monitoring was performed using the on-chip detection system. The performances of the system were demonstrated using commercially available proteins as a standard specimen and tissue-extracted proteins as the real samples. All procedures were employed without any movement of relocation part. This new 2-D separation system realized improved labor-intensive operations and a reduced experimental time.     

绿肥对华北潮土土壤可溶性有机物的影响

在华北潮土上种植不同绿肥,于绿肥翻压前原位采集其地上部及土壤样品,进行56d的绿肥翻压模拟试验。设毛叶苕子(Vicia villosa Roth.)、二月兰(Orychophragmus Violaceus L.)、黑麦(Secale cereale L.)三个绿肥处理和无绿肥对照处理,分析培养过程中土壤可溶性有机物(DOM)组分及其紫外-可见光谱参数的变化,以探究绿肥对土壤DOM的影响。种植和翻压绿肥增加土壤可溶性有机碳(DOC)、总有机酸碳(TOAs)和总碳水化合物碳(TCs)含量,三者的变化趋势一致,各处理均在培养第1 d上升至峰值后迅速下降。毛叶苕子提高DOC和TOAs的效果最好,最高比对照增加114.01%(培养第1d)和109.10%(培养第14 d)。黑麦提高TCs的效果最好,最高比对照增加323.18%(培养第42 d)。种植和翻压绿肥增加土壤可溶性有机氮(DON)含量,与DOC变化趋势不同,各处理在培养第1 d上升后迅速下降一段时间后又迅速上升。毛叶苕子提高DON的效果最好,最高比对照增加305.83%(培养第42d)。绿肥增加了SUVA₂₅₄,SUVA₂₆₀,SUVA₂₇₂,SUVA₂₈₀,SAUC_240-400,降低了A₂₅₀/A₃₆₅和A₂₄₀/A₄₂₀。紫外-可见光谱参数的主成分分析显示SUVA₂₅₄,SUVA₂₆₀,SUVA₂₇₂,SUVA₂₈₀间有很高正相关性,A₂₅₀/A₃₆₅和A₂₄₀/A₄₂₀间亦有很高正相关性,SAUC_240-400是这些参数中表征DOM性质的关键因子。综上结果表明,种植翻压绿肥增加了土壤DOM含量,提高了土壤DOM的芳香性、疏水性、腐殖化程度、平均分子量,增加了土壤DOM的稳定性。     

Glucosylated sesquiterpene alcohols from Fraxinus griffithii

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Fraxinus griffithii has led to the isolation of two new glucosylated acyclic sesquiterpene alcohols, griffithosides D (1) and E (2), along with iridoid and secoiridoid glycosides. The molecular structures of these compounds were elucidated using NMR, MS and other spectroscopic techniques, as well as comparison with literature data. The isolated compounds were tested for radical-scavenging activity and cytotoxicity against A549 human lung adenocarcinoma cells and Leishmania major parasites.     

Sodium methoxide: a simple but highly efficient catalyst for the direct amidation of esters

A simple NaOMe catalyst provides superior accessibility to a wide variety of functionalized amides including peptides through direct amination of esters in an atom-economical and environmentally benign way.     

Oxide-ion conductivity of (Ba1−xLax)2In2O5+x system based on brownmillerite structure

(Ba_1−xLa_x)₂In₂O_5+x, whose end member is Ba₂In₂O₅, is an oxygen-deficient perovskite oxide showing high oxide-ion conductivity. In order to clarify the reason why the high oxide ion conductivity appeared in this system, the electrical conductivity was measured as a function of temperature and La content. With an increasing La content, the discontinuous jump of ion conductivity in the Arrhenius plot, which is related to the disordering of the oxygen vacancies, disappeared for the sample with x0.2. Above x=0.12, the ion conductivity linearly increased with La content, while the activation energy remained constant with respect to the La content. Moreover, the conductivity for x=0.6 was 0.042 (S/cm) at 1073 K, which exceeded that of 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia. The higher oxide-ion conductivity of this system could be dominated by the amount of mobile oxygen ions.     

A Novel Liquid‐Crystalline Phase in Dilute Aqueous Solutions of Methylcellulose

Summary: The existence of liquid‐crystalline (LC) phases in dilute methylcellulose solutions is demonstrated by exothermic peaks in differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves upon heating and is evidenced by a discontinuity of the dynamic storage modulus when the concentration of methylcellulose increases. This crystalline phenomenon is further confirmed by polarized light microscopy and optical rotatory dispersion measurements. It is found that the appearance of the LC formation is related to the temperature, concentration, and molecular weight of methylcellulose.

The exothermic peaks in DSC curves upon heating and cooling, and conformational transitions in ORD profiles for 2.5 g · L⁻¹ SM4000 methylcellulose aqueous solutions.     

Ameliorative Effect of Ocimum forskolei Benth on Diabetic,Apoptotic, and Adipogenic Biomarkers of Diabetic Rats and 3T3-L1 Fibroblasts Assisted by In Silico Approach

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complicated condition that is accompanied by a plethora of metabolic symptoms, including disturbed serum glucose and lipid profiles. Several herbs are reputed as traditional medicine to improve DM. The current study was designed to explore the chemical composition and possible ameliorative effects of Ocimum forskolei on blood glucose and lipid profile in high-fat diet/streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats and in 3T3-L1 cell lines as a first report of its bioactivity. Histopathological study of pancreatic and adipose tissues was performed in control and treatment groups, along with quantification of glucose and lipid profiles and the assessment of NF-κB, cleaved caspase-3, BAX, and BCL2 markers in rat pancreatic tissue. Glucose uptake, adipogenic markers, DGAT1, CEBP/α, and PPARγ levels were evaluated in the 3T3-L1 cell line. Hesperidin was isolated from total methanol extract (TME). TME and hesperidin significantly controlled the glucose and lipid profile in DM rats. Glibenclamide was used as a positive control. Histopathological assessment showed that TME and hesperidin averted necrosis and infiltration in pancreatic tissues, and led to a substantial improvement in the cellular structure of adipose tissue. TME and hesperidin distinctly diminished the mRNA and protein expression of NF-κB, cleaved caspase-3, and BAX, and increased BCL2 expression (reflecting its protective and antiapoptotic actions). Interestingly, TME and hesperidin reduced glucose uptake and oxidative lipid accumulation in the 3T3-L1 cell line. TME and hesperidin reduced DGAT1, CEBP/α, and PPARγ mRNA and protein expression in 3T3-L1 cells. Moreover, docking studies supported the results via deep interaction of hesperidin with the tested biomarkers. Taken together, the current study demonstrates Ocimum forskolei and hesperidin as possible candidates for treating diabetes mellitus.     

Evaluation of the Intracellular Signaling Activities of κ-Opioid Receptor Agonists,Nalfurafine Analogs; Focusing on the Selectivity of G-Protein- and β-Arrestin-Mediated Pathways

Opioid receptors (ORs) are classified into three types (μ, δ, and κ), and opioid analgesics are mainly mediated by μOR activation; however, their use is sometimes restricted by unfavorable effects. The selective κOR agonist nalfurafine was initially developed as an analgesic, but its indication was changed because of the narrow safety margin. The activation of ORs mainly induces two intracellular signaling pathways: a G-protein-mediated pathway and a β-arrestin-mediated pathway. Recently, the expectations for κOR analgesics that selectively activate these pathways have increased; however, the structural properties required for the selectivity of nalfurafine are still unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the partial structures of nalfurafine that are necessary for the selectivity of these two pathways. We assayed the properties of nalfurafine and six nalfurafine analogs (SYKs) using cells stably expressing κORs. The SYKs activated κORs in a concentration-dependent manner with higher EC₅₀ values than nalfurafine. Upon bias factor assessment, only SYK-309 (possessing the 3S-hydroxy group) showed higher selectivity of G-protein-mediated signaling activities than nalfurafine, suggesting the direction of the 3S-hydroxy group may affect the β-arrestin-mediated pathway. In conclusion, nalfurafine analogs having a 3S-hydroxy group, such as SYK-309, could be considered G-protein-biased κOR agonists.     

Total synthesis of the (+)-antimycin A3 family: structure elucidation of (+)-antimycin A3a

(+)-Antimycin A_3a (AA_3a), one component of the natural antibiotic antimycin A₃, was synthesized using an asymmetric aza-Claisen rearrangement. The stereochemistry at the 2′ position on the acyloxy side chain of AA_3a was established as S-configuration by comparison of the synthetic AA_3a and the natural AA_3a.