Synthesis of 4-aryl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrimido[4,5-b][1,4]-diazepin-6-ones from 4,5-diamino-1H-pyrimidin-6-ones and 1-aryl-3-(dimethylamino)-1-propanones

The reaction of 1-aryl-3-(dimethylamino)-1-propanones 1 with one equivalent of 4,5-diamino-1H-pyrimidin-6-ones 2 , in acidic medium, leads to the formation of 4-aryl-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro-1H-pyrimido[4,5-b]-[1,4]diazepin-6-ones 3 . The structure elucidation of the products is based on detail nmr analysis of experiments such as ¹³C, ¹H and DEPT including selective ¹³C{¹H} decoupling experiments.     

Structural changes of the gold-support interface during CO oxidation catalyzed by mononuclear gold complexes bonded to zeolite NaY: evidence from time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Mononuclear gold complexes synthesized from AuIII(CH3)2(acac) in zeolite NaY were characterized by time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy and infrared spectroscopy as they catalyzed CO oxidation at 298 K and 760 Torr in flow systems. Initial contact with a CO + O2 mixture led to the rapid formation of cationic gold complexes in which Au was bonded to approximately two zeolite O atoms, on average. Further contact with CO + O2 led to breaking of an Au-surface oxygen bond, giving a gold carbonyl anchored to approximately one O atom. The process was reversed in the absence of CO and O2.     

Initial oxidation and hydroxylation of the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface by water and hydrogen peroxide

We use density functional theory to investigate the surface chemistry of initial oxidation and hydroxylation of the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface by water and hydrogen peroxide. Comparison of the reaction of water on the Si(100)-2 x 1 and Ge(100)-2 x 1 surfaces shows that the kinetics of oxidation of the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface with water is slower. Our calculations also show that oxidation products on the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface are less thermodynamically stable than on Si. We also investigate two competing dissociation reactions of H2O2 on the Ge(100)-2 x 1 surface. We find that dissociative adsorption via cleavage of the OH bond is less exothermic than OO dissociation. Furthermore, interdimer OO dissociation has a lower activation barrier than interdimer or intradimer OH dissociation, although interdimer dissociation products are found to be less stable compared than those formed from intradimer dissociation reactions. Finally, we find that the oxidation products formed from hydrogen peroxide are more stable than those formed from water.     

Determination of ochratoxin A in maize bread samples by LC with fluorescence detection

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a secondary fungal metabolite produced by several moulds, mainly by Aspergillus ochraceus, A. carbonarius, A. niger and by Penicillium verrucosum. The present work shows the results of comparative studies using different procedures for the analysis of OTA in maize bread samples. The studied analytical methods involved extraction with different volumes of PBS/methanol, different extraction apparatus, and clean-up through immunoaffinity columns. The separation and identification were carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. The optimized method for analysis of OTA in maize bread involved extraction with PBS:methanol (50:50), and clean-up with IAC column. The limit of quantification was 0.033 ng g⁻¹. Recoveries ranged from 87% to 102% for fortifications at 2.000 and 0.500 ng g⁻¹, respectively, within-day R.S.D. of 1.4% and 4.7%. The proposed method was applied to 15 samples and the presence of OTA was found in nine samples at concentrations ranging from nd to 2.650 ng g⁻¹.     

Lewis-Base Adducts of Group 11 Metal(I) Compounds. LXXVI Structural Studies in the Copper(I) Halide : Norbornadiene System

The structural characterizations of some copper(I) halide (CuX) adducts with norbornadiene (nbd) are recorded. CuCl : nbd (1:1)₄ (a redetermination), (2:1)_2(|), are systems both based around Cu₄Cl₄ cubane-type cluster arrays. CuBr : nbd (7:3)_(|)( 0.5 MeOH), a complex polymer with 3-symmetry, is believed to be the complex previously described as an adduct of 2:1 stoichiometry. Attempts to obtain an iodide counterpart have resulted in the definition of an ephemeral adduct CuI : MeCN (3:2)_(|). 0.5 C₇H₈ in which, remarkably, the nbd is uncoordinated; the complex is a polymer, related to the [AgX(quinoline)]_(|) (X = Cl, Br) saddle polymer.     

Synthesis of fluorinated imines and carbodiimides from azides via aza-Wittig reaction

The Staudinger reaction of fluoroalkylazides were studied. A series of N-fluoroalkylimines were synthesized via aza-Wittig reaction of N-fluoroalkyliminophosphoranes. The N,N′-difluoroalkylated carbodiimide was also synthesized via the reaction of N-fluoroalkyliminophosphoranes with carbon dioxide or carbon disulfide.     

Antioxidant Activity of Polyphenols,from Mauritia flexuosa (Aguaje), Based on Controlled Dehydration

Plant polyphenols offer several benefits for the prevention of diverse illnesses. Fruit’s edible and inedible parts (pulp, seeds, peels, stems, flowers) are important sources of polyphenols. Different industrial processes for fruit treatment and commercialization affect the total polyphenol content (TPC), and probably the biological activity. The purpose of the present work was to determine the TPC and antioxidant activity (by DPPH) of polyphenols extracted from the pulp and seeds of Mauritia flexuosa (aguaje), in fresh and dehydrated forms, in order to determine the possible connection with the quantity of polyphenols and their specific antioxidant activity. The highest phenolic content for M. flexuosa seeds in fresh form (non-dehydrated) was 270.75 mg GAE/100 g with a 96-h extraction. With respect to the dehydrated samples, the best yield was quantified in the 96-h dehydrated seed sample. For all pulp and seeds, dehydrated for 24, 48, and 96 h, TPC showed a slightly decreasing pattern. The DPPH results were the highest in the 96-h dehydrated samples and the differences among all dehydrated pulp and seed samples were minimal. More studies testing the presence of other antioxidant components could help in understanding the detailed antioxidant activity, and related more to the specific action, rather than only total polyphenol content.     

Role of Natural Compounds and Target Enzymes in the Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive neurological condition. The rising prevalence of AD necessitates the rapid development of efficient therapy options. Despite substantial study, only a few medications are capable of delaying the disease. Several substances with pharmacological activity, derived from plants, have been shown to have positive benefits for the treatment of AD by targeting various enzymes, such as acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), β-secretase, γ-secretase, and monoamine oxidases (MAOs), which are discussed as potential targets. Medicinal plants have already contributed a number of lead molecules to medicine development, with many of them currently undergoing clinical trials. A variety of medicinal plants have been shown to diminish the degenerative symptoms associated with AD, either in their raw form or as isolated compounds. The aim of this review was to provide a brief summary of AD and its current therapies, followed by a discussion of the natural compounds examined as therapeutic agents and the processes underlying the positive effects, particularly the management of AD.     

Mulberry Ethanol Extract and Rutin Protect Alcohol-Damaged GES-1 Cells by Inhibiting the MAPK Pathway

Mulberry extract has been proven to have the effect of resisting alcohol damage, but its mechanism is still unclear. In this study, the composition of mulberry ethanol extract (MBE) was identified by LC-MS/MS and the main components of MBE were ascertained by measuring. Gastric mucosal epithelial (GES-1) cells were used to elucidate the mechanism of MBE and rutin (the central part of MBE) helped protect against alcohol damage. The results revealed that phenolics accounted for the majority of MBE, accounting for 308.6 mg/g gallic acid equivalents and 108 substances were identified, including 37 flavonoids and 50 non-flavonoids. The treatment of 400 μg/mL MBE and 320 μM rutin reduced early cell apoptosis and the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde and increased glutathione. The qPCR results indicated that the MBE inhibits the expression of genes in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway, including p38, JNK, ERK and caspase-3; rutin inhibits the expression of p38 and caspase-3. Overall, MBE was able to reduce the oxidative stress of GES-1 cells and regulated apoptosis-related genes of the MAPK pathway. This study provides information for developing anti-ethanol injury drugs or functional foods.