Long-lasting near-infrared persistent luminescence from β-Ga2O3:Cr nanowire assemblies

Near-infrared (NIR) persistent luminescent β-Ga₂O₃:Cr³⁺ nanowire assemblies were synthesized by a hydrothermal process followed by calcination. The phosphor exhibits more than 4 h afterglow in the wavelength range of 650-850 nm after ceasing the ultraviolet light (280-360 nm) irradiation. The trap structure and persistent luminescence mechanism were revealed by thermoluminescence measurement. The β-Ga₂O₃:Cr³⁺ nanowire assemblies may find applications as identification taggants in security and optical probes in bio-imaging.     

A new erythrinan N-oxide alkaloid from Erythrina stricta

This phytochemical study of stems and leaves of Erythrina stricta led to the isolation of twenty-three alkaloids, one of them previously unreported, 11β-hydroxyerythratidine N-oxide. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses including HSQC, HMBC, ¹H–¹H COSY, NOESY, as well as HRESIMS data in addition to comparison with reports in the literature.     

Chemical Synthesis and Immunological Evaluation of a Pentasaccharide Bearing Multiple Rare Sugars as a Potential Anti-pertussis Vaccine

With the infection rate of Bordetella pertussis at a 60-year high, there is an urgent need for new anti-pertussis vaccines. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of B. pertussis is an attractive antigen for vaccine development. With the presence of multiple rare sugars and unusual glycosyl linkages, the B. pertussis LPS is a highly challenging synthetic target. In this work, aided by molecular dynamics simulation and modeling, a pertussis-LPS-like pentasaccharide was chemically synthesized for the first time. The pentasaccharide was conjugated with a powerful carrier, bacteriophage Qβ, as a vaccine candidate. Immunization of mice with the conjugate induced robust anti-glycan IgG responses with IgG titers reaching several million enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) units. The antibodies generated were long lasting and boostable and could recognize multiple clinical strains of B. pertussis, highlighting the potential of Qβ-glycan as a new anti-pertussis vaccine.     

Conceptualization and Synthesis of the First Inosito-Inositol (Decahydroxydecalin,DHD): In silico Binding to β-Amyloid Protein

Previously unknown entities in the form of 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-decahydroxydecalins (DHDs) have been conceptualized and the first member of this class, an inosito-inositol, has been synthesized from aromatic hydrocarbon naphthalene following a flexible strategy that is amenable to diversity creation. The DHD accessed here has been subjected to preliminary in silico evaluation with Aβ and may hold some promise in Alzheimer's disease therapeutics.     

The Interaction of Polyphenol Flavonoids with β-lactoglobulin: Molecular Docking and Molecular Dynamics Simulation Studies

The interaction of quercetin, quercitrin, and rutin, as natural polyphenolic compounds, with β-lactoglobulin (BLG) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation methods was examined. Molecular docking studies showed that quercetin and quercitrin were bounded to the internal cavity of protein, while rutin was bounded to the entrance of the cavity because of its large structural volume. It was found that there were one-, three-, and four-hydrogen bond interactions between BLG and quercetin, quercitrin, and rutin respectively. This showed that with an increase in the number of OH groups in the flavonoid structure, there was an increase in the number of hydrogen bond interactions. The binding constants for the binding of quercetin, quercitrin, and rutin to BLG were 1.2 × 10⁶, 1.9 × 10⁶, and 7.4 × 10⁴ M^?1 respectively. The results of molecular dynamics simulation showed that the root mean square deviation (RMSD) of non-liganded BLG and BLG–ligand complexes reached equilibration after 3500 ps. The study of the radius of gyration revealed that BLG and BLG–ligand complexes were stabilized around 2500 ps, and unlike the two other complexes, there was no conformational change for BLG–quercetin. Finally, analyzing the RMS fluctuations suggested that the structure of the ligand binding site remained approximately rigid during simulation.     

Progress toward the total synthesis of 9β-hydroxyvertine: Construction of an advanced quinolizidine intermediate

Progress toward the total synthesis of 9β-hydroxyvertine 2 is described. Our approach involves a Petasis borono-Mannich reaction to assemble a key intermediate A, securing the correct configuration at H-9 and H-10 in the final targeted molecule. Subsequent formation of the quinolizidine framework B allowed the synthesis of an advanced intermediate containing all but the lactone moiety of 2. Our unsuccessful attempts at introducing this lactone feature are also described.     

A facile and efficient method for synthesis of β-iodocarboxylates from terminal epoxides

A facile and efficient method has been developed for synthesis of β-iodocarboxylates in the presences of Ph₃P/I₂. Starting from epoxides, a series of β-iodocarboxylate compounds can be directly obtained in toluene media with excellent yields. Moreover, the method was successfully applied for the late-stage modification of natural products, such as isosteviol and vincamine derivatives, achieving the corresponding β-iodocarboxylates in good yields.     

A new flavonol glycoside from the florets of Carthamus tinctorius L.

One new flavonol glycoside, 6-hydroxykaempferol-3-O-β-D-glucoside-7-O-β-D-glucuronide (1), together with eight known flavonoids and three known quinochalcones, was isolated from the florets of Carthamus tinctorius L. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses. Their cardioprotective effects against H₂O₂-induced apoptosis in H9c2 cells were also evaluated; compounds 1, 2, 4–5, 7–10 and 12 provided significant protective effects on H₂O₂-induced H9c2 cells at the concentration of 25 μg/mL.     

Structure elucidation and NMR assignments of a new 6,9-cyclotetrahydrofuranlignan from Syringa pinnatifolia

A new 6,9-cyclotetrahydrofuranlignan, 3,3′-dimethoxy-4,4′-dihydroxy-8β,9β,8′α-6,9-cyclotetrahydrofuranlignan, was isolated from the stem of Syringa pinnatifolia Hems1.var. alashanensis MA. et S. Q. ZHOU. Its structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic methods including UV, IR, ESI-MS, 1D NMR and 2D NMR.     

Aqueous microwave-assisted DMAP catalyzed synthesis of β-phosphonomalonates and 2-amino-4H-chromen-4-ylphosphonates via a domino Knoevenagel-phospha-Michael reaction

An aqueous microwave (mw)-assisted DMAP catalyzed one-pot highly efficient route to synthesize β-phosphonomalonates and 2-amino-4H-chromen-4-yl phosphonates has been demonstrated via the domino Knoevenagel-phospha-Michael reaction of aryl aldehyde/salicylaldehyde, malononitrile/ethyl cyanoacetate and alkyl phosphite ester. Optimization of reaction conditions were performed by using conventional and microwave synthetic approaches. This conversion proceeded smoothly to deliver the desired product in good to excellent yields (75–95%) in a short reaction time (10–12 min). The present methodology is very simple, environmentally benign, high yielding and has very well demonstrated the synergistic effect of water and microwaves.