Mucigerin, a new coumarin from Calophyllum mucigerum (Guttiferae)

Our recent studies on the stem bark of Calophyllum mucigerum (Guttiferae) have yielded a new coumarin mucigerin, a prenylated xanthone cudraxanthone C and the common steroidal triterpenes friedelin and stigmasterol. Structural elucidations of these compounds were achieved using 1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT, COSY, HETCOR and HMBC experiments while MS gave the molecular masses. Cytotoxic assays using CEM-SS cell line (T-lymphoblastic leukemia) on the crude extracts of the stem bark indicated some activity. The crude extracts were also found to be moderately toxic against the larvae of Aedes aegypti. This article reports the isolation and identification of mucigerin as well as bioassay data.     

Stereoselective synthesis of (E)-mannosylidene derivatives using the Wittig reaction

Stabilized ylides Bu(3)P=CH(EWG), where EWG is an ester or nitrile group, react with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzylmannono-1,5-lactone giving high yields of mannosylidene derivatives; in contrast to the glucose and galactose analogues, the (E)-mannosylidenes are predominant (E:Z > 9:1), thus minimizing dipole-dipole repulsions in the Wittig reactions. NMR indicates chair-like conformations for solutions of the (E)-mannopyranosylidenes, but not for those (Z)-isomers where data are available (EWG = CN or CO(2)Et). X-ray crystallography shows an approximately twist-boat conformation for the tetra-O-benzyl-protected (Z)-mannosylideneacetonitrile.     

Crystal structure and silica condensing activities of silicatein alpha-cathepsin L chimeras

Cathepsin L mutants with the ability to condense silica from solution have been generated and a 1.5 A crystal structure of one of these chimeras allows us to rationalise the catalytic mechanism of silicic acid condensation.     

Low energy elastic differential electron scattering from H2O

Normalized differential cross sections for elastic (rotationally averaged) electron scattering from gaseous water (H2O) are obtained using the relative flow method against helium with a thin aperture collimating source of gas instead of a tube. This method obviates the use of gas kinetic molecular diameters for helium or water. Our measurements are found to be largely in quantitative disagreement with past differential elastic electron scattering measurements and suggest that present recommended electron scattering total cross sections for water be revised.     

Quasi-Norm interpolation error estimates for the piecewise linear finite element approximation of p-Laplacian problems

Summary. In this work, new interpolation error estimates have been derived for some well-known interpolators in the quasi-norms. The estimates are found to be essential to obtain the optimal a priori error bounds under the weakened regularity conditions for the piecewise linear finite element approximation of a class of degenerate equations. In particular, by using these estimates, we can close the existing gap between the regularity required for deriving the optimal error bounds and the regularity achievable for the smooth data for the 2-d and 3-d p-Laplacian.Mathematics Subject Classification (1991): 65N30     

Determination of inorganic cations by capillary ion electrophoresis in Ilex paraguariensis (St. H.), a plant used to prepare tea in South America

A practical and economical capillary ion electrophoresis method with indirect UV detection at 214 nm was developed for determination of inorganic cations in plants of Ilex paraguariensis(St. H.) and their infusion known as mate tea, a very popular beverage in South America. A microwave digestion procedure was used to prepare the herbal plants, but the infusion was only diluted. The background electrolyte contained 6mM imidazole and 10mM alpha-hydroxyisobutyric acid, pH 4.0. The running voltage was 20 kV and temperature was 25 degrees C. K, Na, Ca, Mg, and Mn ions were quantitated, and linearity was demonstrated between 0.6 and 120 ppm. The results were in good agreement with those obtained by flame atomic absorption and emission spectrometry. Accuracy of the method was verified by comparison with Beech leaves CRM 100, a standard reference material. The high content of minerals and several oligoelements, especially Mn in mate tea, is considered to be of nutritional interest.     

A new cytotoxic carbazole alkaloid from Clausena excavata

A new carbazole alkaloid, 3-carbomethoxy-2-hydroxy-7-methoxycarbazole, Clausine-TY (1), together with two known carbazole alkaloid, Clausine-H (2) and Clausine-B (3), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the stem bark of the Malaysian Clausena excavata. The structures of these compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses. The new carbazole alkaloid shows significant cytotoxicity against CEM-SS cell line.