Protective Effects of <em>Chlorella</em>-Derived Peptide Against UVC-Induced Cytotoxicity through Inhibition of Caspase-3 Activity and Reduction of the Expression of Phosphorylated FADD and Cleaved PARP-1 in Skin Fibroblasts

UVC irradiation induces oxidative stress and leads to cell death through an apoptotic pathway. This apoptosis is caused by activation of caspase-3 and formation of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). In this study, the underlying mechanisms of Chlorella derived peptide (CDP) activity against UVC-induced cytotoxicity were investigated. Human skin fibroblasts were treated with CDP, vitamin C, or vitamin E after UVC irradiation for a total energy of 15 J/cm². After the UVC exposure, cell proliferation and caspase-3 activity were measured at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h later. Expression of phosphorylated FADD and cleaved PARP-1 were measured 16 h later. DNA damage (expressed as pyrimidine (6-4) pyrimidone photoproducts DNA concentration) and fragmentation assay were performed 24 h after the UVC exposure. Results showed that UVC irradiation induced cytotoxicity in all groups except those treated with CDP. The caspase-3 activity in CDP-treated cells was inhibited from 12 h onward. Expression of phosphorylated FADD and cleaved PARP-1 were also reduced in CDP-treated cells. Moreover, UVC-induced DNA damage and fragmentation were also prevented by the CDP treatment. This study shows that treatment of CDP provides protective effects against UVC-induced cytotoxicity through the inhibition of caspase-3 activity and the reduction of phosphorylated FADD and cleaved PARP-1 expression.     

Dynamical instability of the XY spiral state of ferromagnetic condensates

We calculate the spectrum of collective excitations of the XY spiral state prepared adiabatically or suddenly from a uniform ferromagnetic F=1 condensate. For spiral wave vectors past a critical value, spin wave excitation energies become imaginary indicating a dynamical instability. We construct phase diagrams as functions of spiral wave vector and quadratic Zeeman energy.     

Synthesis and Cytotoxicity Evaluation of Certain α‐Methylidene‐ γ‐butyrolactones Bearing Coumarin,Flavone, Xanthone,Carbazole, and Dibenzofuran Moieties

The cytotoxicities of α‐methylidene‐γ‐butyrolactones, which are linked to coumarins (see 15 and 16 ) and to potential DNA‐intercalating carriers such as flavones, xanthones, carbazole, and dibenzofuran (see 9a – e , 10a – e , 11 , and 12 ), were studied. These compounds were synthesized via alkylation of their hydroxy precursors followed by a Reformatsky‐type condensation (Scheme). These α‐methylidene‐γ‐butyralactones were evaluated in vitro against 60 human tumor cell lines derived from nine cancer cell types and demonstrated a strong growth‐inhibitory activity against leukemia cancer cells (Tables 1 and 2). For flavone‐ and xanthone‐containing α‐methylidene‐γ‐butyrolactones 9a – e and 10a – e , respectively, the overall potency (mean value) decreased on introduction of an electron‐withdrawing substituent at the γ‐phenyl substituent and increased with an electron‐donating substituent. Comparing the different chromophores established the following order of decreasing potency (log GI₅₀): dibenzofuran ( 12 , −6.17) > flavone ( 9a , −5.96) > carbazole ( 11 , −5.80) and xanthone ( 10a , −5.77) > coumarin ( 15 , −5.60; 16 , −5.65). Among them, the dibenzofuran derivative 12 showed not only strong inhibitory activities against leukemia cancer cell lines with an average log GI₅₀ value of −7.22, but also good inhibitory activities against colon, melanoma, and breast cancer cells with average log GI₅₀ values of −6.23, −6.31, and −6.39, respectively.     

Syntheses,Structures and Spectroscopic Studies of Dimolybdenum Complexes Containing Bridging Butyrate and Phosphine Ligands

By reactions of Mo₂(O₂CPrⁿ)X₂(PPh₃)₂ (X = Cl, 1 ; X = Br, 2 ) with Ph₂PCH₂CH₂P(Ph)CH₂CH₂PPh₂ (etp) in CH₂X₂, the quadruply bonded complexes containing bridging butyrate and tridentate phosphine ligands of the type Mo₂(O₂CPrⁿ)X₃(η³‐etp) (X = Cl, 3 ; X = Br, 4 ) were prepared. Their UV‐vis and³¹P{¹H}‐NMR spectra have been recorded and the structures of 1 and 2 have been determined by X‐ray crystallography. Crystal data for 1 : space group P2₁/c, a = 9.708 (2)Å, b = 18.491 (4)Å, c= 12.688 (3)Å, β = 110.76 (3)°, V = 2130 ų, Z = 2, with final residuals R = 0.0441 and Rw = 0.0519. Crystal data for 2 : space group P2₁/c, a = 9.737 (1)Å, b = 18.632(1)Å, c = 12.680(1)Å, β= 110.27 (1)°,V = 2158.2 (3) ų, Z = 2, with final residuals R = 0.0322 and Rw = 0.0481. The δ → δ* transition energies, ³¹P{¹H}‐NMR chemical shifts and the coupling constants are dependent on the natures of the halogen atoms and the carboxylate ligands. The through metal‐metal couplings |³J_{P‐Mo‐Mo‐P}| for complexes of the type Mo₂(O₂CR)X₃(η³‐P₃), which contain η³‐polydentate phosphine ligands are about 20 ± 2 Hz.     

Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor from Ganoderma lucidum

Lucidenic acid A ( 1 ) and a new lactone, lucidenolactone ( 2 ) were isolated from the fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic method and single-crystal X-ray analysis. Lucidenolactone ( 2 ) showed significant antiplatelet aggregation activity. The NMR spectral data of lucidenic acid A were also reassigned.     

Vascular responses to endovascular irradiation of 188Re in the rabbit model after angioplasty

The effects on vascular restenosis of intravascular radiation delivery from ¹⁸⁸Rhenium (Re)-perrhenate liquid-filled balloon through beta-particle radiation are controversial. To determine the effect of beta-radiation on vascular injury in hypercholesterolemic rabbits, thirty rabbits fed with a high cholesterol diet were enrolled into this study. All the rabbits underwent percutaneous transluminal balloon overstretch over left iliac artery. After balloon overstretch, the catheter was withdrawn and immediately followed by irradiation using low dose ¹⁸⁸Re solution (10 Gray) in the vascular wall 0.5 mm distal to intimal surface. After 2 and 6 weeks, arteries were harvested for histological and immunological analysis. This rabbit study suggest that endovascular ¹⁸⁸Re low dose irradiation at the non-injury segment of iliac artery may enhance intima hyperplasia and smooth muscle cell proliferation.     

Determination of Total Selenium in Human Urine and Serum by Graphite-Furnace Atomic-Absorption Spectrophotometry with Palladium-Nickel-Ammonium Nitrates as a Matrix Modifier

After human urine or serum was diluted (1 + 9) with HNO₃ (0.2%, v/v) and standard additions of Se solution (100 μ L^?1), the diluted sample (10 μL) was introduced into the graphite cuvette. The matrix modifier [10μL, containing Pd (0.6 μg) + Ni (25 μg) + NH₄NO₃ (80 μg) in HNO₃ (0.2%, v/v) for urine, or Pd (0.3 μg) + Ni (30 μg) + NH₄NO₃ (80 μg) + Triton X-100 (0.04%) in HNO₃ (0.2%, v/v) for serum, respectively] was added and the mixture was heated according to a temperature program. The matrix modifier containing NH₄NO₃ in a suitable amount and a small amount of Pd enhanced the sensitivity for Se. The method detection limits (3σ) after dilution were about 4.9 ± 0.8 and 2.36 ± 0.18 μg L^?1 for urine and serum, respectively. The accuracy of this method was tested with SRM #2670 human urine Se and Seronorm Trace Elements #116 human serum Se, respectively, and the results of 97.6 – 101% and 100 – 104% were obtained with precision ± 0.3% and ± 2%, respectively. This method can be applied easily and accurately to the determination of concentration of total Se in human urine and serum.     

Modal synthesis via combined experimental and finite element techniques with consideration of rotational effects

This paper presents a simple and effective modal synthesis method via combined experimental and finite element techniques in which the “constraint modes method” is used to determine the dynamic properties of complex structures. To satisfy the rotational compatibility at the common boundary, an experimental procedure is proposed to measure the generalized dynamic compliance. To demonstrate the versatility and applicability of the techniques developed, two simple systems of beam-beam and plate-beam type structures are investigated. Excellent agreement is shown between the synthesized results and reference solutions obtained from analysis of the entire structure by using only the finite element technique.     

Hydrogenation of polystyrene‐b‐polybutadiene‐b‐polystyrene mediated by group (IV) metal metallocene complexes

Various group (IV) metal complexes, namely bis(cyclopentadienyl) titanium dichloride, bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl) titanium dichloride, cyclopentadienyl titanium trichloride, pentamethylcyclopentadienyl titanium trichloride, bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconium dichloride, and bis(cyclopentadienyl) hafnium dichloride, were used as the catalysts for mediating styrene–butadiene–styrene hydrogenation. The catalytic efficiency of these catalysts was examined. The results show that catalyst activity strongly depends on the chemical structure of the metallocene complex. We also found that trialkylaluminum has a significant influence on the hydrogenation activity and thermal stability of metallocene catalysts. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 2141–2149     

Synthesis and Structure of Novel Thieno[2, 3‐d]Pyrimidine Derivatives Containing 1, 3, 4‐Oxadiazole Moiety

The reaction of 5‐(1‐pyrrolyl)‐4‐methyl‐2‐phenylthieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine carbohydrazide 5 with CS₂ in the presence of pyridine afforded the 6‐(2, 3‐dihydro‐2‐mercapto‐1, 3, 4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)‐4‐methyl‐5‐(1‐pyrrolyl)‐2‐phenylthieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine 6 , which reacted with methyl iodide in the presence of sodium methoxide to yield the 6‐(2‐methylthio‐1, 3, 4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)‐4‐methyl‐5‐(1‐pyrrolyl)‐2‐phenyl‐thieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine 7. The 6‐(2‐substituted‐1, 3, 4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)‐2‐phenylthieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine derivatives 9, 11 and 13 were obtained by the condensation of 6‐(2‐methylthio‐1, 3, 4‐oxadiazol‐5‐yl)‐2‐phenylthieno[2, 3‐d]pyrimidine 7 with appropriate secondary amines. The structure of the new compounds was substantiated from their IR, UV‐vis spectroscopy, ¹H NMR, mass spectra, elemental analysis and X‐ray crystal analysis.