Nonspecific Effect of Double-Stranded (ds) RNA on Prophenoloxidase (proPO) Expression in Penaeus monodo n

RNA interference-mediated silencing is an effective way of controlling white spot syndrome virus (WSSV). However, the effect of RNAi on the innate immune mechanism is not well understood. Prophenoloxidase (proPO) is an important component of the shrimp innate immunity. In the present study, nonspecific effect of two double-stranded (ds)RNA-expressing constructs, one targeting vp28 gene of WSSV (pCMV-VP28-LH) and another targeting green fluorescent protein (GFP) (pCMV-GFP-LH) on proPO2 gene expression, is investigated. mRNA expression levels of proPO2 in hemocytes of DNA construct-injected shrimp were estimated using real-time PCR with elongation factor 1-α as internal control. Empty vector (pcDNA)-injected shrimp were used as experimental control. In pCMV-VP28-LH-injected shrimp, proPO2 showed significant upregulation until 48 h post-injection (p.i.). Similarly, pCMV-GFP-LH-injected animals showed high levels of expression until 72 h p.i. WSSV-challenged animals, compared to pcDNA-injected control group, showed no significant change in expression of the gene until 24 h. However, an increased expression was noticed at 48 h p.i. Our results suggest that neither the plasmids nor the long hairpin RNA expressed by the constructs has any nonspecific silencing effect on the proPO2 expression. On the contrary, the consistent upregulation of proPO2 observed in shrimp injected with dsRNA at early time-points indicates the possibility of nonspecific protection against WSSV infection.     

Regio- and stereoselective synthesis of spiro-pyrrolidine/pyrrolizidine/thiazolidine-grafted macrocycles through intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction

Regioselective synthesis of spiropyrrolidine-grafted 11-membered macrocycle was accomplished through an intramolecular [3+2] cycloaddition of azomethine ylides. The key precursor alkenyl diketone (4a–b) was obtained from simple starting materials. The dipole generated from isatin tethered to O-alkyl enone (4a–b) was reacted intramolecularly to yield the spiropyrrolidine-grafted macrocycles (6a–b). The structures of the cycloadducts were assigned by 2D NMR and confirmed by single crystal analysis.     

Synthesis of glucosylspiro-oxindole derivatives via one-pot three-component cycloaddition of azomethine ylides

Highly regio- and stereoselective synthesis of glucosylspiro-oxindole/acenaphthenone derivatives was accomplished through 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (1,3-DC) reaction. The glucosyl α,β-unsaturated-7,3-lactone (a sugar lactone) derived from d-glucose was used as a chiral dipolarophile in 1,3-DC reaction for the first time. The azomethine ylides generated from sarcosine/l-proline/thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid/piperidine-2-carboxylic acid with isatin and acenaphthoquinone were trapped by the sugar lactone to give a series of glucosylspiro-pyrrolidine derivatives in good yields.     

Fluid motion induced by a travelling thermal wave in a horizontal porous layer

Free convection motion induced by a travelling thermal wave in a horizontal porous layer is studied analytically assuming the validity of the Brinkman model. Under Boussinesq and long-wave approximations analytical expressions are obtained for the fluctuating and mean velocity components. The vertically averaged mean motion is highlighted.     

Trapping a Silicon(I) Radical with Carbenes: A Cationic cAAC–Silicon(I) Radical and an NHC–Parent-Silyliumylidene Cation

The trapping of a silicon(I) radical with N-heterocyclic carbenes is described. The reaction of the cyclic (alkyl)(amino) carbene [cAAC_Me] (cAAC_Me=:C(CMe₂)₂(CH₂)NAr, Ar=2,6-iPr₂C₆H₃) with H₂SiI₂ in a 3:1 molar ratio in DME afforded a mixture of the separated ion pair [(cAAC_Me)₂Si:^.]⁺I⁻ ( 1 ), which features a cationic cAAC–silicon(I) radical, and [cAAC_Me−H]⁺I⁻. In addition, the reaction of the NHC–iodosilicon(I) dimer [I_Ar(I)Si:]₂ (I_Ar=:C{N(Ar)CH}₂) with 4 equiv of I_Me (:C{N(Me)CMe}₂), which proceeded through the formation of a silicon(I) radical intermediate, afforded [(I_Me)₂SiH]⁺I⁻ ( 2 ) comprising the first NHC–parent-silyliumylidene cation. Its further reaction with fluorobenzene afforded the C_Ar−H bond activation product [1-F-2-I_Me-C₆H₄]⁺I⁻ ( 3 ). The isolation of 2 and 3 confirmed the reaction mechanism for the formation of 1 . Compounds 1 – 3 were analyzed by EPR and NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations, and X-ray crystallography.     

Synthesis of functionalized dihydrothiophenes from doubly activated cyclopropanes using tetrathiomolybdate as the sulfur transfer reagent

A number of doubly activated cyclopropanes were synthesized starting from various substituted bromosulfonium bromides in good yield. Regioselective ring-opening of cyclopropanes with tetrathiomolybdate as the sulfur transfer reagent gave dihydrothiophenes in excellent yield.     

Mean amplitudes of vibration and thermodynamic properties of methyl cyanide and methyl isocyanide

The mean amplitudes of vibration of methyl cyanide and methyl isocyanide have been calculated at 300°K, using the secular equation method based on symmetry coordinates. The thermodynamic properties of these molecules are also estimated for temperatures ranging from 200°K to 1000°K at 100° intervals.     

Mean amplitudes of vibration: SeO3 and ClF3

The method of the determination of the mean amplitudes of vibration in molecules using the symmetry co-ordinates has been applied to the cases of SeO₃ ion belonging to the pyramidal XY₃ type, and ClF₃ of the planar XYZ₂ type. The mean square amplitude and mean amplitudes of vibration have been evaluated at 300° K.