Telomerase Inhibitors from Cyanobacteria: Isolation and Synthesis of Sulfoquinovosyl Diacylglycerols from Microcystis aeruguinosa PCC 7806

By using the Telospot assay, 27 different extracts of cyanobacteria were evaluated for telomerase inhibition. All extracts showed varying, but significant activity. We selected Microcystis aeruguinosa PCC 7806 to identify the active compound and a bioassay guided fractionation led us to isolate mixtures of sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerols (SQDGs), which were identified by 2D NMR and MS/MS experiments. Pure SQDG derivatives were then synthesized. The IC₅₀ values of pure synthetic sulfoquinovosyl dipalmitoylglycerol and the monopalmitoylated derivative against telomerase were determined to be 17 and 40 μM , respectively. A structure–activity relationship study allowed the identification of compounds with modified lipophilic acyl groups that display improved activity.     

1,4-Diazepines Bearing Thieno(2,3-b)Thiophene and Cyclohexene Carboxylate Moieties

Bis[thieno(3,2-b)-1,4-diazepine] (4) and bis[imidazo(1′,2′)thieno(3,2-b)-1,4-diazepine (7) derivatives were prepared starting with thieno(2,3-b)thiophenes (1) and (2), respectively. Also, benzodiazepine derivatives (11a–f) were prepared via a reaction of cyclohexenone carboxylates (8a–f) with cyclohexylamine and chloroacetyl chloride followed by cyclization. Also, dibenzoazepines (13) and (14a,b) were prepared via a reaction of (8a) with o-phenylenediamine and o-aminophenol or o-aminothiophenol.     

Sol-gel encapsulation of cells is not limited to silica: long-term viability of bacteria in alumina matrices

A colloidal route to aqueous alumina gels is described, allowing the long-term viability of encapsulated bacteria.     

LIMIT CYCLES OF THE GENERALIZED POLYNOMIAL LINARD DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEMS

Using the averaging theory of first and second order we study the maximum number of limit cycles of generalized Linard differential systems{x = y + εh_l~1(x) + ε~2h_l~2(x),y=-x- ε(f_n~1(x)y~(2p+1) + g_m~1(x)) + ∈~2(f_n~2(x)y~(2p+1) + g_m~2(x)),which bifurcate from the periodic orbits of the linear center x = y,y=-x,where ε is a small parameter.The polynomials h_l~1 and h_l~2 have degree l;f_n~1and f_n~2 have degree n;and g_m~1,g_m~2 have degree m.p ∈ N and[·]denotes the integer part function.     

Synthesis and characterization of titanium nitride, niobium nitride, and tantalum nitride nanocrystals via the RAPET (reaction under autogenic pressure at elevated temperature) technique

TiN, NbN, and TaN nanocrystals have been selectively prepared through a simple, solvent-free, and convenient reaction under autogenic pressure at moderate temperature (RAPET) process at 350 °C for 12 h, reacting transition metal chlorides and sodium azide. The nanostructures obtained are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A reaction mechanism is suggested based on the experimental results. These rapid reactions produce nanocrystals of TiN, NbN, and TaN with average sizes of approximately 30, 28, and 27 nm, respectively (as calculated from X-ray line broadening). An octahedral inorganic fullerene was detected among the various structures of the TiN.     

Approximations of non-smooth integral type functionals of one dimensional diffusion processes

In this article, we obtain the weak and strong rates of convergence of time integrals of non-smooth functions of a one dimensional diffusion process. We propose the use of the exact simulation scheme to simulate the process at discretization points. In particular, we also present the rates of convergence for the weak and strong errors of approximation for the local time of a one dimensional diffusion process as an application of our method.     

Formation of new metastable transition metal alloys by combination of mechanical alloying and chemical leaching

The leaching of Al atoms from B2 structures of mechanically alloyed Ni and Co aluminides led to the formation of metastable B2 Ni and Co. B2 Ni is strong paramagnet not stable above 470 K. The magnetic moment of Co atom in ferromagnetic B2 phase is smaller than in fcc one. B2 Ni demonstrates high catalytic activity in hydrogenation of organic compounds.