Turing patterns for a coupled two-cell generalized Schnakenberg model

ABSTRACT

We consider a system for a generalized Schnakenberg model, showing Turing pattern formation for a wide class of nonlinearities.     

New approach for natural products screening by real-time monitoring of hemoglobin hydrolysis using quartz crystal microbalance

The hemoglobin (Hb) released from erythrocytes is a primary nutritive component for many blood-feeding parasites. The aspartic protease cathepsin D is a hemoglobinase that is involved in the Hb degradation process and is considered an interesting target for chemotherapy intervention. However, traditional enzymatic assays for studying Hb degradation utilize spectrophotometric techniques, which do not allow real-time monitoring and can present serious interference problems. Herein, we describe a biosensor using simple approach for the real-time monitoring of Hb hydrolysis as well as an efficient screening method for natural products as enzymatic inhibitors using a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) technique. Hemoglobin was anchored on the quartz crystal surface using mixed self-assembled monolayers. The addition of the enzyme caused a mass change (frequency shift) due to Hb hydrolysis, which was monitored in real time. From the frequency change patterns of the Hb-functionalized QCM, we evaluated the enzymatic reaction by determining the kinetic parameters of product formation (k_cat). The QCM enzymatic assay using immobilized human Hb was shown to be an excellent approach for screening possible inhibitors in complex mixtures, opening up a new avenue for the discovery of novel inhibitors.     

Utilization of photocatalysts in decarboxylative coupling of carboxylic N-hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI) esters

Recently, the visible-light photoredox decarboxylative couplings of N-(acyloxy)phthalimides (NHPI esters) and its derivatives have become an efficient chemical transformation. Under visible light, the NHPI esters undergo a single-electron transfer (SET) process to afford the corresponding carbon or nitrogen radicals that participate in many chemical transformations. The photoredox decarboxylative couplings have been applied to achieve construction of an array of carbon–carbon and carbon–heteroatom bonds as well as the synthesis of carbocycles and heterocycles. This review categorises photocatalysts, discusses the application and catalysis mechanisms of NHPI esters, and details recent progress in this field.     

Exploration of carbonic anhydrase inhibition of bioactive metabolites from Pistacia integerrima by molecular docking and first-principles investigations

Bioassay guided fractionation of Pistacia integerrima crude methanolic extract gave Pistacide-A (1) and Pistacide-B (2), along with ten known phytochemicals (3–12). Biochemical analysis of crude plant extract, in-vitro and in-silico carbonic anhydrase inhibitory potential of newly isolated compounds Pistacide-A (1) and Pistacide-B (2) were performed. The cytotoxicity of extract in methanol, ethylacetate and n-butanol against Artemia salina brine-shrimp was 34.98 g/ml, 160.81 g/ml, and 135.77 g/ml, respectively. The significant antimicrobial activity was exhibited by crude, ethyl acetate, and n-butanol fractions. Compounds 1 (IC₅₀ = 6.51 ± 0.42 mM) and 2 (IC₅₀ = 2.85 ± 0.09 mM) showed good carbonic anhydrase inhibition compared with standard zonisamide drug (IC₅₀ = 1.87 ± 0.003 mM). In addition, we have also clarified the electronic properties, absorption wavelengths, molecular electrostatic potential and Hirshfeld analysis by first-principles studies. The coherent intra-molecular charge transfer was seen from occupied to unoccupied molecular orbitals. The absorption wavelengths calculated at time dependent B3LYP/6-31G** level in methanol provided excellent accord with the experimental evidence. Molecular docking score revealed that Pistacide-B would be an efficient drug than its other counterpart that is rational to the experimental data.     

Synthesis of a secretoglobin 3A2 type C (98–139) fragment by Dawson’s native chemical ligation

A secretoglobin 3A2 type C (98–139) peptide was synthesized by native chemical ligation between ¹¹⁵Ile and ¹¹⁶Cys residues using Dawson’s linker. The peptide-N-acyl-benzimidazolinone-glycine amide, a C-terminal thioesters precursor, was provided from 3-amino-4-(methylamino)benzoic acid. In addition, an N-terminal cysteine fragment, the (116–139) peptide, was prepared by ordinary Fmoc-solid phase peptide synthesis. Native chemical ligation of the (98–115) fragment with the Dawson’s linker and the (116–139) peptide smoothly proceeded to give SCGB3A2 type C (98–139) peptide.     

Vulgarisins B–D,three novel diterpenoids with a rare skeleton isolated from Prunella vulgaris Linn

Three new diterpenoids, vulgarisins B–D (1–3), have been isolated from a medicinal plant Prunella vulgaris Linn. These diterpenoids contain a rare 5/6/4/5 fused tetracyclic ring skeleton. Their structures were determined through the analysis of spectroscopic data, and the absolute configuration were further confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction as well as CD analysis. All the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxicity activity, vulgarisins B (1) and C (2) demonstrated modest cytotoxicity activity against human lung carcinoma A549 cell line.     

Anti-inflammatory chromone alkaloids and glycoside from Dysoxylum binectariferum

Herein we report isolation of a new chromone alkaloid chrotacumine K (12) from fruits and a chromone glycoside schumaniofioside A (13) from leaves of Dysoxylum binectariferum Hook f. Schumaniofioside A is reported for the first time from Meliaceae family. Other known alkaloids isolated include rohitukine (1) and chrotacumine E (6). The structure of new alkaloid 12 was elucidated on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR analysis, synthesis and chemical hydrolysis. Chemically, chrotacumine K (12) is a 3′-O-acetyl rohitukine which on chemical or enzymatic hydrolysis produces rohitukine. The new alkaloid 12 is also present in seeds and stem-barks of this plant. The glycoside schumaniofioside A (13) is present only in leaves, and in abundance (～1% w/w of dried leaves). The isolated compounds and extracts were evaluated for in vitro effect on the proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-6) in human monocytic THP-1 cells. The alkaloid 12 displayed potent inhibition (57%) of TNF-α at 0.3 µM, and was non-toxic to THP-1 cells up to 40 µM, indicating its excellent therapeutic window. Furthermore, a nitrobenzoyl ester analog 15e showed better inhibition of IL-6 than parent natural product chrotacumine K.     

Plastic surface strain mapping of bent sheets by image correlation

A technique using a single CCD camera, a precision rotation/translation stage, a telecentric zoom lens, and digital image correlation software is described for measuring surface profiles and surface plastic strain distributions of a bent thin sheet. The measurement principles, based on both parallel and pinhole perspective projections, are outlined and the relevant mathematical equations for computing the profiles and displacement fields on a curved surface are presented. The typical optical setup as well as the experimental measurement and digital image correlation analysis procedure are described. The maximum errors in the in-plane and out-of-plane coordinates or displacements are about ±5 and ±25 μm, respectively, and the maximum errors in surface strain mapping are about 0.1% or less based on a series of evaluation tests on flat and curved sample surfaces over a physical field of view of 15.2 × 11.4 mm². As an application example, the shape and surface plastic strain distribution example, the shape and surface plastic strain distributions around a bent apex of a flat 2 mm thick automotive aluminum AA5182-O sheet, which underwent a 90° bend with three bend ratios of 2t, 1t, and 0.6t, are determined using the proposed technique.     

Some surprising phenomena in weak-bond fracture of a triangular lattice

A semi-infinite crack growing along a straight line in an unbounded triangular-cell lattice and in lattice strips is under examination. Elastic and standard-material viscoelastic lattices are considered. Using the superposition similar to that used for a square-cell lattice (J. Mech. Phys. Solids 48 (2000) 927) an irregular stress distribution is revealed on the crack line in mode II: the strain of the crack-front bond is lower than that of the next bond. A further notable fact about mode II concerns the bonds on the crack line in the lattice strip deformed by a ‘rigid machine’. If the alternate bonds, such that are inclined differently than the crack-front bond, are removed, the stresses in the crack-front bond and in the other intact bonds decrease. These facts result in irregular quasi-static and dynamic crack growth. In particular, in a wide range of conditions for mode II, consecutive bond breaking becomes impossible. The most surprising phenomenon is the formation of a binary crack consisting of two branches propagating on the same line. It appears that the consecutive breaking of the right-slope bonds—as one branch of the crack—can proceed at a speed different from that for the left-slope bonds—as another branch. One of these branches can move faster than the other, but with time they can change places. Some irregularities are observed in mode I as well. Under the influence of viscosity, crack growth can be stabilized and crack speed can be low when viscosity is high; however, in mode II irregularities in the crack growth remain. It is found that crack speed is a discontinuous function of the creep and relaxation times.