Construction of CdS quantum dots via a regioselective dendritic functionalized cellulose template

Using regioselective dendritic functionalized cellulose, CdS quantum dot nanoparticles were prepared and their photo-optical properties and morphology as well as the preliminary biocompatibility of the hybrid were investigated.     

Two Approaches for State Space Realization of NARMA Models: Bridging the Gap

This paper studies the necessary and sufficient conditions for observable realization of a general class of nonlinear high-order input-output difference equations. In particular, it proves the equivalence of the two seemingly different existing approaches in the literature. The paper also provides a subclass of NARMA input-output models that are guaranteed to have an observable realization. It is shown that this class covers several important subclasses of existing NARMA models.     

Design, synthesis, and characterization of conifer-shaped dendritic architectures

An elongated structural design leading to more conical-shaped dendritic architectures by using a combination of 1-->3, 1-->(2+1), and 1-->(2+1 Me) C-branched monomers is presented. Synthesis of the conifer-shaped macromolecule was achieved by reaction between isocyanate 20 and amine 26 in dry CH2Cl2. A resultant extended focal adamantane-modified dendron was deprotected to generate the water-soluble product, which was subsequently complexed with beta-cyclodextrin in D2O to create the desired tree-like product. Host-guest interactions of the adamantane moiety with the beta-cyclodextrin cavity were monitored by 1H NMR spectroscopy. All monomers, key intermediates, and final products were fully characterized by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy, ESI or MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and IR spectroscopy.     

Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Selected Greek Propolis Samples (North East Aegean Region Islands)

Propolis is a bee-produced substance rich in bioactive compounds, which has been utilized widely in folk medicine, in food supplement and cosmetology areas because of its biological properties, (antibacterial, antiviral, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, etc.). The subject of this study is associated with the chemical analysis and the biological evaluation of 16 propolis samples from the northeast Aegean region Greek islands, a well-recognized geographic area and the homeland of rich flora as a crossroads between Europe and Asia. Our study resulted in the detection of a significant percentage of diterpenes by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), while flavonoids were identified in low percentages among studied samples. Furthermore, the DPPH assay highlighted that eight of the samples (Lesvos and Lemnos origin) demonstrated a promising antioxidant profile, further verified by their total phenolic content (TPC). Additionally, the propolis samples most rich in diterpenes showed significant antibacterial and fungicidal properties against human pathogenic microorganisms, proving them to be a very interesting and promising crude material for further applications, concluding that floral diversity is the most responsible for the bioactivity of the propolis samples.     

Inversion of electroencephalography data for a 2‐D current distribution

It is known from the fundamental work of Albanese and Monk that, the recovery of the support of a three dimensional current, within a conducting medium, from measurements of the generated exterior electric potential, is not possible. However, it is possible to recover the support of any other current, which is supported on a set of dimension lower than three. Nevertheless, no algorithm for such an inversion is known. Here, we propose such an algorithm for a two dimensional current distribution, and in particular, we apply this algorithm to the inverse problem of electroencephalography in the case where the neuronal current is restricted to a small disk of arbitrary location and orientation within the brain. The solution of this inverse problem is reduced to the solution of a nonlinear algebraic system, and numerical tests show that the there exists a unique real solution to this system.Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Chemical Constituents from Croton insularis

Three new clerodane‐type terpenoids, furocrotinsulolide A ( 1 ), furocrotinsulolide B ( 2 ), and crotinsulactone ( 3 ), as well as a new phenolic disaccharide ( 4 ) have been isolated from the aerial parts of Croton insularis, together with eight known compounds. Their structures were established by in‐depth 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and quantum‐mechanical calculations.     

Dendron-tethered and templated CdS quantum dots on single-walled carbon nanotubes

CdS nanoparticles on the surface of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) were templated and stabilized through the initial attachment of 1 --> 3 C-branched amide-based dendrons and were both photophysically and morphologically characterized. The CdS clusters were shown to be ca. 1.4 nm in diameter as calculated from their optical absorption spectra and exhibited reduced fluorescence emission intensity at 434 nm compared to that of CdS quantum dots stabilized by untethered dendrons due to partial emission quenching by the SWNT. Unchanged UV absorption behavior of these materials indicated that they are stable > 90 days at 25 degrees C.     

The Effects of Photosensitizing Dyes Fagopyrin and Hypericin on Planktonic Growth and Multicellular Life in Budding Yeast

Naphthodianthrones such as fagopyrin and hypericin found mainly in buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) and St. John’s wort (SJW) (Hypericum perforatum L.) are natural photosensitizers inside the cell. The effect of photosensitizers was studied under dark conditions on growth, morphogenesis and induction of death in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Fagopyrin and hypericin induced a biphasic and triphasic dose response in cellular growth, respectively, over a 10-fold concentration change. In fagopyrin-treated cells, disruptions in the normal cell cycle progression were evident by microscopy. DAPI staining revealed several cells that underwent premature mitosis without budding, a striking morphological abnormality. Flow Cytometric (FC) analysis using a concentration of 100 µM showed reduced cell viability by 41% in fagopyrin-treated cells and by 15% in hypericin-treated cells. FC revealed the development of a secondary population of G1 cells in photosensitizer-treated cultures characterized by small size and dense structures. Further, we show that fagopyrin and the closely related hypericin altered the shape and the associated fluorescence of biofilm-like structures. Colonies grown on solid medium containing photosensitizer had restricted growth, while cell-to-cell adherence within the colony was also affected. In conclusion, the photosensitizers under dark conditions affected culture growth, caused toxicity, and disrupted multicellular growth, albeit with different efficiencies.     

Triterpenoids from Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. Tissue Cultures

A chemical study on tissue cultures from leaves and flowers of E. camaldulensis Dehnh . afforded the new natural product (2α,3β)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxy‐13,28‐epoxyurs‐11‐en‐28‐one (dryobalanolide) together with the known pentacyclic triterpenoids: betulinic acid, oleanolic acid, ursolic acid, (2α,3β)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyolean‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (arjunolic acid), (2α,3β)‐2,3,23‐trihydroxyurs‐12‐en‐28‐oic acid (asiatic acid), (2α)‐2‐hydroxyursolic acid, (2α)‐2‐hydroxyoleanolic acid (maslinic acid), as well as β‐sitosterol. The extracts and the isolated compounds were evaluated against eleven human pathogenic microorganisms, exhibiting a very interesting antibacterial spectrum of activities.     

Convenient synthesis of 1 --> 3 C-branched dendrons

A facile, efficient synthesis of 1 --> 3 C-branched polyamide dendrons is described. Treatment of acryloyl chloride with 1 --> 3 C-branched amines, e.g., di-tert-butyl 4-[2-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)ethyl]-4-aminoheptanedioate, gave the corresponding acrylamides in high yields, which upon reaction with nitromethane generated the homologated nitroalkane-polyesters. Finally, nitroalkane alkylation with 2 equiv of the acrylamides, followed by nitro group reduction, afforded the desired amino-polyesters.