On the hyperbolic order

We define the hyperbolic order of any locally injective holomorphic function between arbitrary hyperbolic domains of the complex plane and study the relation between the hyperbolic order and the Schwarzian derivative for locally injective holomorphic functions from the unit disk into itself.     

Micro-composites based on polylactic acid with kaolinite or rice husk particles and their performance on water vapor permeability

In this work, the effect of addition of kaolinite and rice husk microparticles on the water vapor permeability of polylactic acid (PLA) was evaluated. The PLA-composites materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and optical microscopy. For the composite preparation, an experimental design was established using two factors: additive type and concentration. When evaluating the water vapor permeability of the composites, it was found that the incorporation of kaolinite at 1% and 5% reduced the permeability coefficient of PLA. Furthermore, the inclusion of 5% kaolinite showed an increase on the tensile strength of the material. By contrast, the addition of rice husk produced an increase on water vapor permeability of the material and a decrease of both the tensile strength and ductility (percent of elongation at fracture). The higher dispersion and more regular morphology of the kaolinite particles could explain the enhancement of the gas barrier. A similar thermal behavior was observed for both PLA and composite materials, confirming that no damage of these properties was caused with the incorporation of the filler particles.     

Green light radiation effects on free radicals inhibition in cellular and chemical systems

Free radicals generation is inhibited through green light (GL) irradiation in cellular systems and in chemical reactions. Standard melanocyte cultures were UV-irradiated and the induced cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) were quantified by the fluorescence technique. The same cell cultures, previously protected by a 24h GL exposure, displayed a significantly lower ROS production. A simple chemical reaction is subsequently chosen, in which the production of free radicals is well defined. Paraffin wax and mineral oil were GL irradiated during thermal degradation and the oxidation products checked by chemiluminescence [CL] and Fourier transform infrared spectra [FT-IR]. The same clear inhibition of the radical oxidation of alkanes is recorded. A quantum chemistry modeling of these results is performed and a mechanism involving a new type of Rydberg macromolecular systems with implications for biology and medicine is suggested.     

C-branched chiral (racemic) macrocyclic amino acids: structure of their Ni(II), Zn(II) and Cu(II) complexes

A new procedure for the synthesis of macrocyclic embedded bis-α-amino acids and their use as cation-ligands is described. These compounds are able to form stable Cu(II), Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes as long as they have a flexible tether between the two nitrogen atoms. For a given macrocycle, the X-ray diffraction studies revealed diastereomerically pure complexes having different geometries depending on the metal ion.     

Semisynthetic Abietic and Dehydroabietic Acid Derivatives and Triptoquinone Epimers Interfere with LPS-Triggered Activation of Dendritic Cells

Abietic acid (AA), dehydroabietic acid (DHA) and triptoquinones (TQs) are bioactive abietane-type diterpenoids, which are present in many edible vegetables and medicinal herbs with health-promoting properties. Evidence suggests that beneficial effects of diterpenes operate, at least in part, through effects on cells in the immune system. Dendritic cells (DCs) are a key type of leukocyte involved in the initiation and regulation of the immune/inflammatory response and natural or synthetic compounds that modulate DC functions could be potential anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory agents. Herein, we report the screening of 23 known semisynthetic AA and DHA derivatives, and TQs, synthesized previously by us, in a multi-analyte DC-based assay that detects inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Based on the magnitude of the inhibitory effect observed and the number of cytokines inhibited, a variety of activities among compounds were observed, ranging from inactive/weak to very potent inhibitors. Structurally, either alcohol or methyl ester substituents on ring A along with the introduction of aromaticity and oxidation in ring C in the abietane skeleton were found in compounds with higher inhibitory properties. Two DHA derivatives and two TQs exhibited a significant inhibition in all pro-inflammatory cytokines tested and were further investigated. The results confirmed their ability to inhibit, dose dependently, LPS-stimulated expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD40 and/or CD86 and the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12 and TNFα. Our results demonstrate that DC maturation process can be targeted by semisynthetic DHA derivatives and TQ epimers and indicate the potential of these compounds as optimizable anti-inflammatory/immunomodulatory agents.     

A new family of "clicked" estradiol-based low-molecular-weight gelators having highly symmetry-dependent gelation ability

Reported herein is the discovery of a novel family of "clicked" estradiol-based LMWGs whose gelation ability highly depends on the gelator symmetry. These LMWGs that gel different organic solvents in the presence of H(2)O even at concentrations as low as 0.04 wt% are readily accessible using "click" chemistry.     

Biosynthesis of the Spermine Alkaloid Aphelandrine

Aphelandrine ( 1 ) is shown to be biosynthesized in the root cells of Aphelandra tetragona (VAHL ) NEES from labelled putrescine ( 4 ), spermidine ( 5 ), and cinnamic acid ( 3 ). Whether spermine ( 6 ) and the (p-hydroxycinnamoyl)spermidine 8 are precursors of 1 is uncertain, since the latter is hydrolysed to a large extent before incorporation, and the former is metabolized to 4 and 5 . Methionine ( 7 ) is the source of the 3-aminopropyl unit of 5 and 6 .