Lignified natural products as potential medicinal resources. I. Potentiation of hemolytic plaque-forming cell production in mice

We have found that water-soluble extracts of lignified natural products are strong potentiaters of hemolytic plaque-forming cell production in mice. Apparently, the active components involved belong to a lignin family. Consequently, study of medicinal potential, especially immunopotentiating capacity, of lignified materials is important.     

Synthetic cephalosporins. VII. Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(3-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridon-1-yl)-3- carboxypropoxyimino)acetamido]-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)-thiomethyl-3- cephem-4-carboxylic acid and its related compounds

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of 7-[(Z)-2-(2-aminothiazol-4-yl)-2-(3-(3-hydroxy-4-pyridon-1-y l)-3- carboxypropoxyimino)acetamido]-3-(1,2,3-thiadiazol-5-yl)thio methyl-3-cephem-4-carboxylic acid (12a) and its related compounds are described. Compound 12a exhibited excellent antibacterial activity against gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.     

(+)-Phorboxazole A synthetic studies. A highly convergent, second generation total synthesis of (+)-phorboxazole A

[structure: see text] A second generation total synthesis of the potent antitumor agent (+)-phorboxazole A (1) has been achieved. The cornerstone of this approach comprises a more convergent strategy, involving late-stage Stille union of a fully elaborated C(1-28) macrocycle with a C(29-46) side chain. The second generation synthesis entails the longest linear sequence of 24 steps, with an overall yield of 4.2%.     

Liquid crystalline properties and photochromism of 4-alkyl-N-(4-alkloxysalicylidene)anilines

Eight new homologous series of 4-alkyl-N-(4-alkloxysalicylidene)anilines were synthesized. The phase transitions of these homologues were determined using differential scanning calorimetry and polarizing optical microscopy. The homologues began to exhibit liquid crystalline phases as the terminal alkyl or alkoxyl chains were lengthened. In addition, some members of these homologues series exhibited photochromism in the solid state.     

IR Absorption and Raman spectroscopic study of reentrant-nematic liquid crystalline N-[4-(4-Octyloxy-benzoyloxy) Benzylidene]-4-Cyanoaniline (OBBC)

Abstract

The IR absorption and Raman scattering of OBBC have been investigated in the solid, ReN, SmA and nematic phases. The intensity of the 2229 cm^?1 band assigned to the C[tbnd]N stretching mode decreases with increasing temperature in the reentrant nematic phase; this is attributed to a change in the overlap of the molecules. While the IR bands at 1728 and 841 cm^?1 also show a remarkable temperature dependence, Raman bands do not show significant temperature dependence in the liquid-crystal phases.     

Preparation of polymethyl methacrylate with well-controlled stereoregularity by anionic polymerization in an ionic liquid solvent

This study investigates the effect of ionic liquids (ILs) on the anionic polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA). Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), an isotactic polymer, is prepared by anionic polymerization at a high reaction temperature with an IL that acts as both solvent and additive. The most plausible reaction mechanism is determined using ¹H NMR and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The electrostatic interaction between MMA and the IL increases the apparent steric hindrance in MMA, resulting in the isotactic PMMA.     

Structure–function relationships of the supramolecular assembly of the bacterial photosynthetic antenna complexes in lipid membranes

Appropriate experimental platforms are required to clarify the structure–function relationships of membrane protein assemblies. In photosynthetic bacteria, light-harvesting complex 2 and light-harvesting/reaction center core complex play key roles in capturing and transferring light energy and facilitating subsequent charge separation. These photosynthetic apparatuses form a supramolecular assembly in the photosynthetic membrane. However, the mechanism through which this assembly influences the efficiency of energy conversion remains to be clarified. We review our recent studies that were conducted to evaluate the structure–function relationship of the supramolecular assembly of photosynthetic antenna complexes in various lipid bilayer systems, as well as the construction of novel systems of planar lipid membranes for use as experimental platforms.     

Synthesis of sialyl Lewis X-polysaccharide conjugates

Sialyl Lewis X (SLeX) is well known as a ligand of the cell adhesion molecule E-selectin which is specifically expressed at inflammatory lesion sites. We have synthesized several SLeX-polysaccharide conjugates and examined their potential for drug delivery to inflammatory lesions. The AUC (area under the blood concentration-time curve) 0-24 h of SLeX-CMCht (1), SLeX-CMPul (2) and SLeX-DSH (3) at the inflammatory lesion was about 60-, 300-, and 30-fold higher than that of the monovalent SLeX (7), respectively. Moreover, 1 showed 2-fold higher accumulation in the inflammatory lesion than SLN-CMCht (4), and 2 showed 2.5-fold higher accumulation than SLN-CMPul (5).     

Two-neutron transfer reactions on nuclei in the transitional region

The possibility of coexistence of spherical and deformed states in samarium isotopes is explored by analyzing the experimental data of the two-neutron transfer reactions, and the moment of mixing of the coexisting states and their deformation parameters are determined.