A new homostilbene and two new homoisoflavones from the bulbs of Scilla scilloides

A new homostilbene, named scillabene A (2), and two new homoisoflavones, named scillavones A (3) and B (4), were isolated from the bulbs of Scilla scilloides DRUCE (Liliaceae) along with 13 known compounds comprising a homostilbene, seven homoisoflavones, a xanthone, a lignan, and three nortriterpenes. The structures of 2-4 were characterized as 3,5,4'-trihydroxy-3'-methoxy-4-methyl-trans-stilbene, (3R)-5,7,2'-trihydroxy-3',4'-dimethoxyspiro{2H-1-benzopyran-7'-bicyclo[4,2,0]octa[1,3,5]-trien}-4-one and (3S)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-5-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxychroman-4-one, respectively, on the basis of spectroscopic data and X-ray crystallographic analysis.     

Three new acyclic diterpene glycosides from the aerial parts of paprika and pimiento

Paprika and pimiento are used as vegetables and spices. We have obtained three new acyclic diterpene glycosides, called capsianosides XVII (1), V methyl ester (2) and XIV (3) together with capsianosides I and II from the aerial parts of paprika and pimiento. The structures of these compounds have been established by (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectra and two-dimensional NMR methods.     

Two new cycloartane glycosides from the underground parts of Aquilegia vulgaris

Two new cycloartane glycosides, named aquilegiosides K and L, have been isolated from the dried underground parts of Aquilegia vulgaris. Their structures were determined by two dimensional (2D) NMR spectroscopic analysis and chemical evidence.     

Development of undersized (12.5 mm diameter) low‐dilution glass beads for X‐ray fluorescence determination of 34 components in 200 mg of igneous rock for applications with geochemical and archeological silicic samples

A low‐dilution, undersized (12.5 mm diameter) glass–bead technique was developed for X‐ray fluorescence determination of 34 components (Na₂O, MgO, Al₂O₃, SiO₂, P₂O₅, K₂O, CaO, TiO₂, MnO, Fe₂O₃, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Cs, Ba, La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er, Yb, Hf, W, and Pb) in precious silicic samples for geochemistry and archeology. This preparation was consolidated based on the properties of the specimen, including disk formability and detachability from a small crucible, through variation of the amounts of the two samples (basaltic and granitic rocks) and releasing reagent. The specimen was prepared by fusing a mixture of 200 mg of powdered sample, 200 mg of lithium tetraborate as a flux, and 60 µl of 18.42 mass% lithium chloride solution as a releasing agent in a small platinum crucible. Calibration curves were drawn using synthetic calibration standards, which were prepared by compounding chemical reagents, such as oxides, carbonates, and diphosphates containing analytes. The calibration curves showed good linearity with correlation coefficient values greater than 0.990. Using the proposed method, we determined 34 components in five igneous rock reference samples. The results were in agreement with the recommended values, accounting for uncertainties. With this method, preparation requires only small amounts of the powdered sample and alkali flux; however, still allowing for determination of many analytes, which is advantageous when dealing with limited quantities of precious samples. The present method has potential applications in the chemical characterization of various geological and archeological samples. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Analytical method for determination of disaccharides derived from keratan sulfates in human serum and plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography/turbo-ionspray ionization tandem mass spectrometry

We established a highly sensitive LC/MS/MS method for the analysis of the disaccharides produced from keratan sulfates (KS). It was revealed that the disaccharides produced by keratanase II enzymatic digestion of KS could be determined with high sensitivity by negative ion mode of multiple reaction monitoring. Furthermore, monosulfated and disulfated disaccharides can be separated using a Hypercarb (2.0 mm i.d. x 150 mm, 5 microm) with a gradient elution of acetonitrile-0.01 m ammonium bicarbonate (pH 10). This method was applied to the determination of KS in serum and plasma of control subjects. The intra-day precision expressed as %CV was within 6.8% for five replicate analyses with three different control serum. The inter-day (overall, n = 15) precision was within 7.3% for three days. This method is sensitive, reproducible and would be useful for clinical analysis.     

Unexpected preference of the E. coli translation system for the ester bond during incorporation of backbone-elongated substrates

There have been recent advances in the ribosomal synthesis of various molecules composed of nonnatural ribosomal substrates. However, the ribosome has strict limitations on substrates with elongated backbones. Here, we show an unexpected loophole in the E. coli translation system, based on a remarkable disparity in its selectivity for beta-amino/hydroxy acids. We challenged beta-hydroxypropionic acid (beta-HPA), which is less nucleophilic than beta-amino acids but free from protonation, to produce a new repertoire of ribosome-compatible but main-chain-elongated substrates. PAGE analysis and mass-coupled S-tag assays of amber suppression experiments using yeast suppressor tRNAPheCUA confirmed the actual incorporation of beta-HPA into proteins/oligopeptides. We investigated the side-chain effects of beta-HPA and found that the side chain at position alpha and R stereochemistry of the beta-substrate is preferred and even notably enhances the efficiency of incorporation as compared to the parent substrate. These results indicate that the E. coli translation machinery can utilize main-chain-elongated substrates if the pKa of the substrate is appropriately chosen.     

Photochange in pore diameters of azobenzene-planted mesoporous silica materials

Azobenzene (Az) groups were planted on the pore wall of mesoporous silica MCM-41 (M41) by silylation of triethoxy[4-phenylazo(phenyl)]silane. The optimal surface density of Az groups was 0.9 group nm-2, and too much loading of Az induced the lowering of the efficiency of the trans-cis isomerization due to the congestion of the groups. The reversible change in the pore diameters upon UV-vis irradiation could not be confirmed by N2 adsorption at 77 K but was revealed to be ca. 1.0 nm by the shift of the UV-vis absorption band of p-N,N-dimethylaminobenzylidenemalononitrile introduced into the Az-modified pores.     

Langmuir-Blodgett films of a Mo-blue nanoring [Mo(142)O(429)H(10)(H(2)O)(49)(CH(3)CO(2))(5)(CH(3)CH(2)CO(2))](30)(-) (Mo(142)) by the semiamphiphilic method

Langmuir monolayers and LB films of the ring-shaped mixed-valence polyoxomolybdate [Mo142O429H10(H2O)49(CH3CO2)5(CH3CH2CO2)](30-) (Mo142) dissolved in the aqueous subphase have been successfully fabricated by using the adsorption properties of a DODA monolayer. Infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy of the LB films indicates that Mo142 and DODA molecules are incorporated within these LB films. X-ray reflectivity experiments indicate that the LB films exhibit a well-defined lamellar structure formed by bilayers of DODA molecules alternating with monolayers of Mo142. Using behenic acid-modified hydrophobic quartz substrate is critical for the formation of the well-defined lamellar structure. From the values of the periodicity obtained by these experiments it is clear that the Mo142 clusters lie flat along the charged organic layers. AFM images also showed the flat and homogeneous films on the quartz substrates treated with behenic acid. Cyclic voltammograms of Mo142-LB films deposited on ITO substrates showed quasi-reversible oxidation/reduction waves with positive shift of the potential compared to the case of solution.     

Direct conversion to 2-phenyl-4-quinolones via a 4-alkoxyflavylium salt from a naturally occurring flavanone

A flavanone, in which a hydroxyl group at the 5-position was protected with a methyl group, converted to the corresponding 5-methoxy-2-phenyl-4-quinolone via flavylium salt under mild conditions. Flavanone-O-rhamnoglucoside, naringin, was also converted to 5-methoxy-2-phenyl-4-quinolon-7-O-rhamnoglucoside in the same way in an overall 25% yield.     

Plasma Copolymerization of Pyrrole with Si-Compounds

The plasma copolymerization of pyrrole with hexamethyldisiloxane, hexamethyldisilane and hexamethyldisilazane was investigated with regard to the polymer deposition characteristics and the properties of the product films. Deposition rates were evaluated by monitoring the weight increase of the deposits over time, and the effect of varying the experimental set up parameters was determined. The results of deposition rates and quantitative IR analysis suggested that the increasing amounts of Si-components were incorporated into the polymer matrix as the supply ratio of the Si-monomer was increased. The Si-component in the copolymer brought some dramatic effects on the physical properties of the films and changed the hydrophobicity of the surfaces, as reflected in the advancing and receding contact angle measurements. The experimental results obtained are discussed in terms of the contribution of the polar and dispersion components of surface energy.