Isolation,Structural Elucidation,Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Activity of Polysaccharides of Brassica rapa L.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of microwave ultrasonic-assisted extraction (MUAE) on the content, structure, and biological functions of Brassica rapa L. polysaccharide (BRP). Response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the parameters of MUAE, and it obtained a polysaccharide with yield of 21.802%. Then, a neutral polysaccharide named BRP-1-1 with a molecular weight of 31.378 kDa was isolated and purified from BRP using DEAE-650 M and Sephadex G-100. The structures of the BRP-1-1 were elucidated through a combination of FT-IR, GC-MS, NMR, and methylation analysis. The results showed that BRP-1 consisted of mannose (Man) and glucose (Glu) in a molar ratio of 7.62:1. The backbone of BRP-1-1 mainly consisted of →6)-α-D-Glup-(1→4-β-D-Glup-(1→2)-α-D-Manp-(1→2)-α-D-Glup-(1→, the branch was [T-α-D-Manp-(1]_n→. BRP-1-1 intervention significantly inhibited α-glucosidase activity; an inhibition rate of 44.623% was achieved at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. The results of the in vitro biological activity showed that BRP-1-1 has good antioxidant and hypoglycemic activity, suggesting that BRP-1-1 could be developed as a functional medicine.     

Protective effects of extracts and flavonoids isolated from Scutia buxifolia Reissek against chromosome damage in human lymphocytes exposed to hydrogen peroxide

Flavonoids are claimed to protect against cardiovascular disease, certain forms of cancer and ageing, possibly by preventing initial DNA damage. Therefore, we investigated the protective effects of crude extract, ethyl acetate fraction and flavonoids (quercetin, quercitrin, isoquercitrin and rutin) isolated from the leaves from Scutia buxifolia against chromosome damage induced by H?O? in human lymphocytes by analyzing cellular growth rate, cell viability, mitotic index and chromosomal instability. We found a differential response among the compounds tested, with the ethyl acetate fraction being more effective than the crude extract, a difference perhaps related to the presence of the antioxidants identified and quantified by HPLC/DAD. In general, quercetin, isoquercitrin and rutin recovered the mitotic index and chromosomal instability more than quercitrin after treatment with hydrogen peroxide.     

Influence of the hydrotrope structure on the physical chemical properties of polyoxide aqueous solutions

The physical chemical properties of block substituted poly(ethylene oxide-propylene oxide) (PEO-PPO) block copolymer aqueous solutions were evaluated in the presence of two hydrotropes of different structures: sodium p-toluene sulfonate (NaPTS) and butyl monoglycol sodium sulfonate (NaBMGS). The critical micelle concentration and the cloud point of the copolymer solutions were displaced to higher concentration values, indicating that the solubility of the copolymer was increased in the presence of the hydrotropes. Temperature increased the micelle hydrodynamic radius, but concentration had a limited effect. Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13C NMR) permitted the interaction between the surface-active agent and the hydrotrope to be evaluated: NaBMGS, which presented a more pronounced hydrotropic effect, interacts more effectively with the hydrophobic moiety of the surfactant, while NaPTS interacts rather mainly with the hydrophilic oxyethylenic groups. The results furnish experimental evidence to conclude that the hydrotropic phenomenon is specific in relation to both the hydrotrope and the solubilizate.     

Dibenzyl Structuresin a Macromolecular Chain. III. Dibenzyldiisocyanates Reactivity

The reactivity of the 2,2′-, 2,4′-, 4,4′-dibenzyldiisocyanate (2,2′-, 2,4′-, 4,4′-DBDI) with n-butanol in benzene has been studied. The concentrations of all species were monitored by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The reactivity of 4,4′-DBDI is similar to that of 4,4′-diphenylmethanediisocyanate (4,4′-MDI). Very strong intramolecular catalytic effects were noticed in the case of 2,2′-DBDI, probably due to the variable molecular geometry. These effects are responsible for the whole reaction pattern. The 2,4′-DBDI NCO ortho and para groups reactivities are different and comparable to that of 2,4-toluylenediisocyanate (2,4-TDI).     

Inverse scattering on the half-line for generalized ZS-AKNS system with general boundary conditions

The inverse scattering problem for a first order system of three equations on the half-line with nonsingular diagonal matrix multiplying the derivative and general boundary conditions is considered. It is focused the case of two repeated diagonal elements of diagonal matrix. The scattering matrix on the half line is defined and a unique restoration of the potential from the scattering matrix is proved. The possible application to integration of integro-differential four-wave interaction problem is also focused.     

The role of the t-SNARE SNAP-25 in action potential-dependent calcium signaling and expression in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons

Background  

The soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein receptor (SNARE) complex, comprised of SNAP-25, syntaxin 1A, and VAMP-2, has been shown to be responsible for action potential (AP)-dependent, calcium-triggered release of several neurotransmitters. However, this basic fusogenic protein complex may be further specialized to suit the requirements for different neurotransmitter systems, as exemplified by neurons and neuroendocrine cells. In this study, we investigate the effects of SNAP-25 ablation on spontaneous neuronal activity and the expression of functionally distinct isoforms of this t-SNARE in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons of the adult brain.     

Synthesis of (+)-didesmethylmethylenomycin A methyl ester

A concise and efficient synthesis of the new compound—(+)-didesmethylmethylenomycin A methyl ester from chiral building block 4 has been achieved.     

In vitro conservation of Passiflora suberosa L.: slow growth and cryopreservation

Passiflora suberosa is a tropical species used as an ornamental, in popular medicine and in improvement programs. The goal of this study was the development of in vitro conservation strategies for this species, including medium-term storage through slow growth, and long-term storage through cryopreservation using vitrification-based techniques. Plants were maintained under slow growth conditions on half strength MSM or one quarter strength MSM medium for 12 months without decrease in regrowth ability. The efficiency of vitrification and encapsulation-vitrification protocols was compared in order to determine the optimal conditions for successful cryopreservation. Several parameters were evaluated, including pregrowth on medium with high sucrose concentrations, type of vitrification solution (PVS2 and PVS3), exposure time to vitrification solutions, and recovery conditions. The highest recovery was obtained with the encapsulation-vitrification protocol after a pretreatment with 0.3 M sucrose and post-cryopreservation incubation in the dark for 30 days on MSM medium supplemented with 0.44 micromole BA.     

Fullerene containing norbornenes: synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization

New norbornenes with the covalently bonded fullerene C₆₀ have been prepared as monomers for ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Under the Grubbs catalyst these monomers smoothly enter homopolymerization as well as co-polymerization reactions with the parent ‘non-fullerene’ monomers. Homopolymers are insoluble in organic solvents whereas co-polymers obtained by 1:1 co-polymerization of the norbornenes with their ‘non-fullerene’ analogues are well soluble.     

Convenient method for the synthesis of phthalazinones via carbonylation of 2-bromobenzaldehyde using Co2(CO)8 as a CO source

A simple one-pot synthesis of phthalazinones by the condensation and intra-molecular carbonylative cyclization of 2-bromobenzaldehydes with hydrazines is reported. This method utilizes solid Co₂(CO)₈ as carbonyl source making it readily accessible in small-scale laboratory applications.