Impact of Thermal Treatment on the Starch-Protein Interplay in Red Lentils: Connecting Molecular Features and Rheological Properties

Thermal treatments are widely applied to gluten-free (GF) flours to change their functionality. Despite the interest in using pulses in GF formulations, the effects of thermal treatment at the molecular level and their relationship with dough rheology have not been fully addressed. Raw and heat-treated red lentils were tested for starch and protein features. Interactions with water were assessed by thermogravimetric analysis and water-holding capacity. Finally, mixing properties were investigated. The thermal treatment of red lentils induced a structural modification of both starch and proteins. In the case of starch, such changes consequently affected the kinetics of gelatinization. Flour treatment increased the temperature required for gelatinization, and led to an increased viscosity during both gelatinization and retrogradation. Regarding proteins, heat treatment promoted the formation of aggregates, mainly stabilized by hydrophobic interactions between (partially) unfolded proteins. Overall, the structural modifications of starch and proteins enhanced the hydration properties of the dough, resulting in increased consistency during mixing.     

Chemical and Antimicrobial Characterization of Mentha piperita L. and Rosmarinus officinalis L. Essential Oils and In Vitro Potential Cytotoxic Effect in Human Colorectal Carcinoma Cells

Colorectal cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed forms of cancer, and the therapeutic solutions are frequently aggressive requiring improvements. Essential oils (EOs) are secondary metabolites of aromatic plants with important pharmacological properties that proved to be beneficial in multiple pathologies including cancer. Mentha piperita L. (M_EO) and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (R_EO) essential oils are well-known for their biological effects (antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic in different cancer cells), but their potential as complementary treatment in colorectal cancer is underexplored. The aim of the present study was to investigate the M_EO and R_EO in terms of chemical composition, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects in a colorectal cancer cell line—HCT 116. The gas-chromatographic analysis revealed menthone and menthol, and eucalyptol, α-pinene and L-camphor as major compounds in M_EO and R_EO respectively. M_EO exhibited potent antimicrobial activity, moderate antioxidant activity and a low cytotoxic effect in HCT 116 cells. R_EO presented a significant cytotoxicity in colorectal cancer cells and a low antimicrobial effect. The cytotoxic effect on non-cancerous cell line HaCaT was not significant for both essential oils. These results may provide an experimental basis for further research concerning the potential use of M_EO and R_EO for anticancer treatment.     

Connexin Expression in Human Minor Salivary Glands: An Immunohistochemical Microscopy Study

Connexins (Cxs) are transmembrane proteins involved in the formation of hemichannels and gap junctions (GJs). GJs are involved in various physiological functions, including secretion in glandular tissue. It has been demonstrated that Cx26, Cx32, and Cx43 are mainly expressed in glands, but no data are available in human salivary glands to date. The aim of our study was to investigate the presence and the localization of Cxs in human minor labial salivary glands. Immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy were employed to evaluate the Cx26, Cx32, and Cx43 protein in human labial salivary gland biopsies (hLSGBs). RT-PCR was also used to detect their mRNA expression. Cx expression was found at both the mRNA and protein levels in all hLSGBs analysed. Cxs were observed at the level of the duct and acinar cells, as well as in myoepithelial cells. The localization of the three Cx types was very similar, suggesting colocalization of these Cxs in the same connexons. These results demonstrated the presence of Cxs in human salivary glands for the first time. Moreover, the few samples with primary Sjögren’s Syndrome analysed only by immunofluorescence showed an alteration of the Cx expression, indicating that these proteins could be involved in salivary gland dysfunctions.     

Protective Effects of PollenAid Plus Soft Gel Capsules’ Hydroalcoholic Extract in Isolated Prostates and Ovaries Exposed to Lipopolysaccharide

Pollen extract represents an innovative approach for the management of the clinical symptoms related to prostatitis and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). In this context, the aims of the present work were to analyze the phenolic composition of a hydroalcoholic extract of PollenAid Plus soft gel capsules, and to evaluate the extract’s cytotoxic effects, in human prostate cancer PC3 cells and human ovary cancer OVCAR-3 cells. Additionally, protective effects were investigated in isolated prostate and ovary specimens exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The phytochemical investigation identified catechin, chlorogenic acid, gentisic acid, and 3-hydroxytyrosol as the prominent phenolics. The extract did not exert a relevant cytotoxic effect on PC3 and OVCAR-3 cells. However, the extract showed a dose-dependent inhibition of pro-inflammatory IL-6 and TNF-α gene expression in prostate and ovary specimens, and the extract was effective in preventing the LPS-induced upregulation of CAT and SOD gene expression, which are deeply involved in tissue antioxidant defense systems. Finally, a docking approach suggested the capability of catechin and chlorogenic acid to interact with the TRPV1 receptor, playing a master role in prostate inflammation. Overall, the present findings demonstrated anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of this formulation; thus, suggesting its capability in the management of the clinical symptoms related to prostatitis and PID.     

A structural variability of copper(I) chloride-tetrahydrothiophene adducts crystallizing in polymeric forms and exhibiting polymorphism: The role of the solvent

The function of the solvent in the self-assembling mode of [CuCl] with tetrahydrothiophene is reported. Copper(l) chloride has been used in the form of [CuCOCl] _n , which is slightly soluble in the most common solvents, and to allow an homogeneous phase reaction. The reaction of [CuCOCl] _n with THT gave [(CuCl)₂(THT)₃] _x ,1, in CH₃OH, [(CuCl)(THT)₂] _x ,2 in THF [(CuCl)(THT)] _x ,3, in CH₂Cl₂, and [(CuCl)₃(THT)₂] _x ,4, in DME. Compound1 consists of polymeric chains of centrosymmetric Cu₂Cl₂ dinuclear units bridged by THIT molecules running parallel to the [101] axis. In the structure of2 we found polymeric layers generated from the [(CuCl)(THT)] asymmetric unit by the center of symmetry and by the twofold axis. In compound3 the structure consists of layers generated through the center of symmetry by the [(Cu₂Cl₂)(THT)₂] asymmetric unit, while4 consists of layers generated through the center of symmetry by the [(Cu₃Cl₃)(THT)₂] asymmetric unit. Crystallographic details are as [ollows:2 is monoclinic, space group P2₁/c.a=9.657(3) A,b=6.441(2) A,c=11.459(3) A,\=111.96(2)°,V=661.0(4) A³. andR=0.075;3 is monoclinic, space group P2₁/n,a=19.327(7) A,b=6.703(2) A,c=10.116(3) A,ß=103.04(3)°,V=1276.7(7) A³ andR=0.043:4 is triclinic, space group Pl,a=12.513(2) A,b=6.698(1) A,c=9.651(1) A,=91.98(1)°,\=107.86(1)°,=74.59(1)°,V=741.2(2) A³, andR=0.044.     

High nuclearity manganese(III) compounds containing phenol-pyrazole ligands: the influence of the ligand on the core geometry

Three high-nuclearity manganese(III) clusters have been synthesized and characterized: [Mn?(μ?-O)?(phpzH)?(thf)?] (1), [Mn?(μ?-O)?(phpzH)?(EtOH)?]·2EtOH (2), and [Mn?(μ?-O)?(μ?-Br)?(HphpzEt)?(phpzEt)] (3). Compounds 1 and 2 contain a [Mn?(μ?-O?)(phpzH)?] core in which antiferromagnetic interactions between the manganese(III) ions are found. Compound 3 is a hexanuclear manganese(III) cluster in which weak ferromagnetic interactions appear to be operative. The formation and the stability of the cluster cores in relation to the type of phenol-pyrazole ligand and the reaction conditions are discussed.     

Novel 3‐benzoyl‐2‐piperazinylquinoxaline derivatives as potential antitumor agents

A series of new benzoylquinoxaline derivatives ( 7‐26 ) was synthesized and evaluated for antitumor activity against a panel of 60 human cell lines at the NCI of Bethesda. Among the compounds which have passed the preliminary screening, compound 23 exhibited the best profile and growth inhibition activity at 100 ‐ 10 μM. The compounds were then tested towards a folate‐dependent enzymes bio‐library including Thymidylate synthases enzymes and human Dihydrofolate reductase at 10 μM. The most of compounds exhibited a moderate inhibitory activity towards all or some of the enzymes tested with detectable inhibition constants (K_i) values in the range of 0.6‐70 μM. Compounds 21, 23, 24 showed K_i in the range of 10‐38 μM against both hDHFR and hTS.     

Amination of CF3-enones with nosyloxycarbamates

CF3-enones showed a different reactivity in amination reactions with nosyloxycarbamates. 4-Oxazolines or vinyl carbamates were obtained as unique products depending on the nature of double-bond substituents and on the choice of carbamates and bases. Starting from trans-trifluoroacetyl olefins carrying a heterocyclic residue or the p-methoxyphenyl group on the double bond, a rare loss of CF3CO was observed when the aminations were performed under heterogeneous conditions using CaO as the base.     

Stability of the equilibrium state of the equation system of a viscous barotropic gas in the model of atmosphere

Abstract We consider the system of equations of viscous gas motion whose pressure is related to the density by the law with 1<γ <2, in a domain defined by two levels of geopotential. Under the force due to geopotential and the Coriolis force, we prove the stability of the equilibrium state in a suitable Sobolev space. Keywords: Viscous barotropic gas, Equilibrium state, Coriolis force Mathematics Subject Classification (2000): 35Q35, 76N15     

Parallel solution-phase synthesis of acrylonitrile scaffolds carrying L-alpha-amino acidic or D-glycosyl residues

A practical and straightforward protocol for the preparation of a solution-phase library of acrylonitrile scaffolds is reported. Target compounds were obtained in high yield, stereoselectivity, and purity by two simple and practical steps from cyanoacetic acid. Moreover, our study proposes a synthetic approach starting from the constructed library to obtain three-membered heterocycles.