(Z)‐Bis{μ‐[1‐(2‐naphthyl­methyloxy)propan‐2‐iminato‐O,N:N]}bis[bromobis(tetrahydrofuran‐O)magnesium] ditoluene solvate

The title compound, [Mg₂Br₂(C₁₄H₁₄NO)₂(C₄H₈O)₄]·2C₇H₈, has been crystallized as a C₂‐symmetric dimer and the Mg atom has a distorted octahedral geometry. The metal is chelated by the N atom of the ketiminate and the O atom of the ether moiety, giving a rigid structure.     

Anti-α-Glucosidase and Antiglycation Activities of α-Mangostin and New Xanthenone Derivatives: Enzymatic Kinetics and Mechanistic Insights through In Vitro Studies

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by chronic hyperglycemia that promotes ROS formation, causing severe oxidative stress. Furthermore, prolonged hyperglycemia leads to glycation reactions with formation of AGEs that contribute to a chronic inflammatory state. This research aims to evaluate the inhibitory activity of α-mangostin and four synthetic xanthenone derivatives against glycation and oxidative processes and on α-glucosidase, an intestinal hydrolase that catalyzes the cleavage of oligosaccharides into glucose molecules, promoting the postprandial glycemic peak. Antiglycation activity was evaluated using the BSA assay, while antioxidant capacity was detected with the ORAC assay. The inhibition of α-glucosidase activity was studied with multispectroscopic methods along with inhibitory kinetic analysis. α-Mangostin and synthetic compounds at 25 µM reduced the production of AGEs, whereas the α-glucosidase activity was inhibited only by the natural compound. α-Mangostin decreased enzymatic activity in a concentration-dependent manner in the micromolar range by a reversible mixed-type antagonism. Circular dichroism revealed a rearrangement of the secondary structure of α-glucosidase with an increase in the contents of α-helix and random coils and a decrease in β-sheet and β-turn components. The data highlighted the anti-α-glucosidase activity of α-mangostin together with its protective effects on protein glycation and oxidation damage.     

Symbiotic signaling in actinorhizal symbioses

Actinorhizal symbioses are mutualistic associations between plants belonging to eight angiosperm families and soil bacteria of the genus Frankia. These interactions lead to the formation of new root organs, actinorhizal nodules, where the bacteria are hosted and fix atmospheric nitrogen thus providing the plant with an almost unlimited source of nitrogen for its nutrition. It involves an elaborate signaling between both partners of the symbiosis. In recent years, our knowledge of this signaling pathway has increased tremendously thanks to a series of technical breakthroughs including the sequencing of three Frankia genomes [1] and the implementation of RNA silencing technology for two actinorhizal species. In this review, we describe all these recent advances, current researches on symbiotic signaling in actinorhizal symbioses and give some potential future research directions.     

Geographical variation in residence and risk of multiple nonmelanoma skin cancers in US women and men

Residence in high ultraviolet (UV) locations is associated with increased risk for incident nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC). However, the effect of geographic location on multiple NMSC development has not been well studied. We evaluated the association between state of residence at birth, age 15 and 30 and risk of multiple NMSCs among 80275 women and men. After adjusting for age, gender, hair color, number of sunburns, tanning ability, family history of melanoma and nevus count, the cumulative relative risks (RRs) of developing ≥1 NMSC for those consistently residing in medium- and high-UV index states were 1.20 (95% CI 1.14-1.27) and 1.42 (95% CI 1.32-1.53) respectively. We found that compared to individuals with one lifetime NMSC, the multivariate cumulative RRs of developing ≥2 NMSCs for those who stayed in medium- and high-UV index states at all three timepoints were 1.09 (95% CI 1.00-1.19) and 1.15 (95% CI 1.02-1.30) respectively. These results cannot account for migration during the interval period and seasonal changes in residence; further, as BCC is the predominant NMSC, the results may be BCC-driven. In conclusion, we found that consistent residence in medium- or high-UVR locations was significantly associated an incremental risk of ≥2 NMSCs later in life.     

Redetermination of the O-O bond length in the dioxygen-adduct of Vaska’s complex

Solid state structural studies were performed with (Ph₃P)₂IrCl(CO)(O₂) and the O-O length redetermined to be 1.47(1) Å in contrast to results reported earlier.     

Synthesis of a new fluorinated fluorescent β-cyclodextrin sensor

The synthesis of a new fluorescent sensor incorporating a fluorinated indolizine unit bound to 6-amino-β-cyclodextrin by two different synthetic ways is described. Its sensing ability toward adamantanol has been demonstrated.     

Crystal structure,vibrational spectra and thermal decomposition study of a new,dicationic, acidic pyrophosphate: KHMgP<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>⋅2H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

Colourless crystals of a new, dicationic, hydropyrophosphate dihydrate salt, KHMgP₂O₇⋅ 2H₂O, are formed, when a mixture of aqueous equimolar solutions of MgCl₂⋅4H₂O and K₄P₂O₇, at pH 2.12, are left to stand at ambient temperature for 4 days. The new pyrophosphate salt has been characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, IR and Raman spectra, and DSC-TG thermal analysis. The structure consists of alternating layers of [HP₂O₇]³⁻ groups and MgO₆ octahedra, joined by K⁺ ions and bridging hydrogen bonds. The [P₂O₇]⁴⁻ anions exhibit a bent eclipsed conformation. The absence of coincidences for the majority of the IR and Raman bands is in accord with the centrosymmetric structure of the material. The ³¹P chemical shift tensor components have been determined from the solid-state MAS NMR spectra. The structural changes occurring during thermal decomposition have been examined by TG-DSC, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and IR spectroscopy. When the new pyrophosphate salt is heated gradually, it first becomes amorphous and then condenses to chain metaphosphates.     

Nineteenth century roots of quasideterminants

In this expository paper I provide a complete record of the nineteenth century publications that bear on the development of quasideterminants in the twentieth century. Two important recursive feasible algorithms, Sylvester’s from 1851 and Dodgson’s from 1866 are discussed, and the antecedents of both are traced back to work by Jacobi.