bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of the Essential Oil of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh.
Authors: El-Kashoury El-Sayeda A. , El-Askary Hesham I. , Kandil Zeinab A. , Salem Mohamed A. , Sleem Amany A.
Published: January 2015

Hydrodistilled oils of the fresh aerial parts of Mentha suaveolens Ehrh. cultivated in Egypt were prepared from samples collected along the four seasons. The percentage yields of these essential oils were 0.50%, 0.52%, 0.60%, and 0.47% of the dry weight for winter, spring, summer, and autumn samples. GC/MS analyses of all samples revealed a qualitative and quantitative variability in the oil composition. The total number of compounds identified was 46 among which 15 were common in all samples. The oxygenated compounds constituted about 45%, 46%, 63%, and 44% of the total composition of the oils for winter, spring, summer, and autumn samples, respectively. Carvone was the major constituent in spring, summer, and autumn samples (about 31%, 56%, and 35%, respectively), while limonene (ca. 26%) was the major constituent of the winter sample followed by carvone (ca. 25%). The essential oil of the highest yield (full-fl owering summer sample), with the highest oxygenated constituents and carvone contents, was screened for certain biological activities. It exhibited analgesic and acute anti-inflammatory activities (75% and 82% relative to indomethacin). It also showed a potent in vivo antioxidant activity (96% relative to vitamin E). In addition, it exerted moderate cytotoxic, hepatoprotective, and in vitro antioxidant activities. Moreover, the oil had a potent antifungal activity against Candida albicans (MIC = 4 μg/ml), Saccharomyces cerevisiae (MIC = 5.2 μg/ml), and Aspergillus niger (MIC = 6.8 μg/ml).
Coumarins and a Naphthyl Labdanoate Diarabinoside from the Fruits of Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke
Authors: Aslam Mohammad , Ali Mohammed , Dayal Rameshwar , Javed Kalim
Published: January 2015

Phytochemical investigations of the methanolic extract of the fruits of Peucedanum grande C. B. Clarke (Apiaceae) led to the identification of three coumarins and a naphthyl labdanoate diarabinoside characterized as 5-hydroxy-6-isopranyl coumarin (1), 5,6-furanocoumarin (2), 7-methoxy-5,6-furanocoumarin (3), and labdanyl-3α-ol-18-(3’’’-methoxy-2’’’- naphthyl-oate)-3α-L-arabinofuranosyl-(2’→1’’)-α-L-arabinofuranoside (4). The structures of these compounds were identified on the basis of spectral data analysis and chemical reactions. The methanolic extract and 4 showed nephroprotective activity against gentamicininduced nephrotoxicity in Wistar rats.
Synthesis of s-Triazine-Based Thiazolidinones as Antimicrobial Agents
Authors: Patel Divyesh , Patel Rahul , Kumari Premlata , Patel Navin B.
Published: January 2015

5

A novel series of thiazolidinone derivatives, namely 4-{4-dimethylamino-6-[4-oxo- 2-phenyl-5-(4-pyridin-2-yl-piperazin-1-ylmethyl)-thiazolidin-3-yl]-[1,3,5]-triazin-2-yloxy}- 1-methyl-1H-quinolin-2-ones, have been synthesized from the key intermediate 4-(4-amino- 6-dimethylamino-[1,3,5]-triazin-2-yloxy)-1-methyl-1H-quinolin-2-one (). Compound 5 was condensed with various aldehydes to give Schiff base derivatives, which after cyclization gave thiazolidinones that were linked with 1-pyridin-2-yl-piperazine to obtain the target compounds. The newly synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against eight bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella typhi, Proteus vulgaris, Shigella flexneri) and four fungi (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus clavatus)
Volatile Compounds of Healthy and Insect-Damaged Hippophae rhamnoides sinensis in Natural and Planted Forests
Authors: Zong Shixiang , Luo Youqing , Zhou Jiao , Liu Shujing
Published: January 2015

Volatile compounds of healthy and insect-damaged stems of Hippophae rhamnoides sinensis were analysed using dynamic headspace and thermal-desorption cold-trap injector gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (TCT-GC/MS). Sixteen compounds, belonging to alkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, esters, ketones, and ethers, were identified in the stems of healthy H. rhamnoides sinensis; the compounds in H. rhamnoides sinensis occurring naturally or cultivated in plantations were similar, but the relative contents were significantly different. In plants damaged by Holcocerus hippophaecolus, the nature and content of the volatile compounds were greatly changed. Butanedione and butyl glyoxylate were newly generated after damage by the pest, and the relative levels of pentanal, heptanal, eucalyptol, terpineol, and camphor were sharply increased in both naturally occurring and plantation-grown plants. n-Decane, trans-2-nonen-1-ol, and n-hexadecane levels increased in plants cultivated in the plantation and decreased in natural forests, whereas the levels of other types were reduced. Thus, both the nature and the content of volatile compounds of H. rhamnoides sinensis are affected by H. hippophaecolus damage, providing a theoretical basis to identify the mechanism of pest destruction
Major Constituents and Cytotoxic Effects of Ajuga chamaecistus ssp. tomentella
Authors: Sadati Nargess , Jenett-Siems Kristina , Siems Karsten , Ardekania Mohammad Reza Shams , Hadjiakhoondi Abbas , Akbarzadeh Tahmineh , Ostad Seyed Nasser , Khanavi Mahnaz
Published: January 2015

The n-butanolic fraction of a methanolic extract (80%) from aerial parts of Ajuga chamaecistus ssp. tomentella was analysed using different chromatographic methods. Column (CC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used for isolation and purifi cation. 13C, 1H NMR, H-H COSY, HSQC, HMBC, and ESI-MS were employed for identifi cation of the compounds isolated from this fraction. The structures of the compounds were determined to be cis-melilotoside (1), trans-melilotoside (2), lavandulifolioside (3), 20-hydroxyecdysone (4), leonoside B (5), martynoside (6), ajugalactone (7), makisterone A (8), and 24-dehydroprecyasterone (9). This is the fi rst report on the presence of cis- and transmelilotoside in Ajuga species. Cytotoxic evaluation of the n-butanolic fraction, cis- and transmelilotoside against cancer (T47D, HT-29, and Caco-2) and normal (NIH 3T3) cell lines by the mitochondrial tetrazolium test (MTT) showed no cytotoxic effects up to 400 μg/mL. The results of this study suggest that melilotoside, phenylethyl glycosides, and phytoecdysteroids are the main constituents of the n-butanolic fraction of Ajuga chamaecistus ssp. tomentella
In vivo Genotoxicity of the Pyrethroid Pesticide β-Cyfluthrin Using the Comet Assay in the Fish Bryconamericus iheringii
Authors: Marinowic Daniel R. , Mergener Michele , Pollo Tiago A. , Maluf Sharbel W. , da Silva Luciano Basso
Published: January 2015

Environmental pollution by pesticide residues is a major environmental concern due to the extensive use of these substances in agriculture. The insecticide β-cyfluthrin is a synthetic pyrethroid widely used in agricultural and other domestic activities. The aim of the present study was to assess the genotoxic effects of a sublethal exposure of the fish Bryconamericus iheringii (Characidae) to a commercial formulation of β-cyfl uthrin using the comet assay. Fish were exposed to sublethal concentrations (4.2 and 5.6 μg/L) of β-cyfluthrin under static conditions during 24- and 48-h exposure periods. Fish in tap water were used as negative controls. Results obtained by the comet assay revealed genotoxic effects of the pyrethroid in the higher concentration and at the longer exposure period. The mean DNA damage index of fish exposed to 5.6 μg/L β-cyfluthrin for 48 h was significantly higher (145.9 ± 51.8) than in the control group (69.3 ± 39.5). These findings indicate that native fi sh species might be at risk for genotoxic damage in waters contaminated with β-cyfluthrin
A PEGylation Technology of L-Asparaginase with Monomethoxy Polyethylene Glycol-Propionaldehyde
Authors: Wang Bochu , Cao Yang , Chi Shaoping , Lou Deshuai
Published: January 2015

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) conjugation technology has been successfully applied to improve the performance of protein drugs. In this study, L-asparaginase was N-terminal sitespecifically modified by alkylating PEG with monomethoxy polyethylene glycol-propionaldehyde (mPEG-ALD20000). The optimum reaction parameters were determined as pH 5.0, a molar ratio of mPEG-ALD20000 to L-asparaginase of 10:1, a reaction time of 16 h and temperature of 25 °C. PEG-L-asparaginase (PEG-L-ASNase) was isolated and purified with consecutive anion-exchange (XK, 16 × 20 cm, Q Sepharose FF) and gel-filtration (Tricorn, 10 × 600 cm, Sephacryl S-300 HR) chromatography, respectively. PEG-L-ASNase retained 43.5% of its activity and the N-terminal amino groups were modified to an extent of 3.67%
Metabolic Fate of 14C-Labelled Nicotinamide and Adenine in Germinating Propagules of the Mangrove Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
Authors: Yin Yuling , Watanabe Shin , Ashihar Hiroshi
Published: January 2015

We studied the metabolic fate of [carbonyl-14C]nicotinamide and [8-14C]adenine in segments taken from young and developing leaves, stem, hypocotyls, and roots of a shoot-root type emerging propagule of the mangrove plant Bruguiera gymnorrhiza. Thin-layer chromatography was used together with a bioimaging analyser system. During 4 h of incubation, incorporation of radioactivity from [carbonyl-14C]nicotinamide into NAD and trigonelline was found in all parts of the propagules; the highest incorporation rates into NAD and trigonelline were found in newly emerged stem and young leaves, respectively. Radioactivity from [8-14C]adenine was distributed mainly in the salvage products (adenine nucleotides and RNA), and incorporation was less in catabolites (allantoin, allantoic acid, and CO2). Adenine salvage activity was higher in young leaves and stem than in hypocotyls and roots. Over a short time, the effect of 500 mM NaCl on nicotinamide and adenine metabolism indicated that NaCl inhibits both salvage and degradation activities in roots
Etoposide Phosphate Enhances the Acetylation Level of Translation Elongation Factor 1A in PLC5 Cells
Authors: Hu Jie-li , Xu Ge , Lei Ling , Zhang Wen-lu , Huang Ai-long , Cai Xue-fei
Published: January 2015

Translation elongation factor 1A (eEF1A) is a factor critically involved in the process of protein synthesis. The activity of eEF1A has been shown by several studies to be regulated by post-translational modifi cations such as phosphorylation and dephosphorylation. However, until now less research has focused on other post-translational modifi cations of eEF1A, especially acetylation. In this report, we provide new evidence for the existence of eEF1A acetylation in PLC5 cells by immunoprecipitation and Western blotting. Using the histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor trichostatin A (TSA), we found that the deacetylation of eEF1A is mainly attributable to classes I and II HDAC rather than class III HDAC, and, furthermore, that the antitumour agent etoposide phosphate (VP 16) enhances the acetylation of eEF1A in a synergistic way with TSA. Our data suggest the possibility that the increased acetylation of eEF1A could be a new mechanism for the antitumour effect of etoposide
Biological and Chemical Study of Astragalus gombiformis
Authors: Teyeb Hassen , Houta Olfa , Najjaa Hanen , Lamari Ali , Neffati Mohamed , Douki Wahiba , Najjar Mohamed Fadhel
Published: January 2015

Extracts of aerial parts and roots of wild Astragalus gombiformis Pomel were tested for their antibacterial, antioxidant, and insecticidal activities and contents of phenolic compounds. Antibacterial activity was tested by the paper disk agar diffusion method and determination of the minimal inhibitor concentration. Among the tested extracts, three extracts (methanol, chloroform, and ethyl acetate) from aerial parts and two extracts (water, methanol) from roots exhibited diameters of inhibition zone equal or above 12 mm (at 150 μg/ disk) and minimal inhibitor concentrations ranging between 233 and 1250 μg/ml. Spectrophotometric and HPLC analyses showed that contents of both total polyphenols and flavonoids, as well as antioxidant activity were higher in the methanolic extract of aerial parts as compared to roots. No insecticidal activity of the extracts of the aerial parts was found against Culex pipiens.
Antitumour Activities of Sesquiterpene Lactones from Inula helenium and Inula japonica
Authors: Li Yong , Ni Zhi-Yu , Zhu Meng-Chu , Dong Mei , Wang Si-Ming , Shi Qing-Wen , Zhang Man-Li , Wang Yu-Fang , Huo Chang-hong , Kiyota Hiromasa , Cong Bin
Published: January 2015

3

Eight sesquiterpene lactones were isolated from the roots of Inula helenium and fl owers of I. japonica. Among them, isoalantolactone () and santamarine (6) exhibited significant growth inhibitory activities against gynecologic cancer cell lines, while others weakly inhibited the growth of the cell lines (IC50 ≤ 100 μM). In addition, 3 significantly inhibited the tumour growth of S180 tumour-bearing mice. Compounds 3 and 6 were not toxic to human embryonic lung fibroblast cells in vitro. These results demonstrated that the antitumour activities are closely related to the structures of the compounds, that is, an α-exomethylene- γ-lactone ring is necessary for these activities.
Microbial Transformations of 6- and 7-Methoxyflavones in Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chermesinum Cultures
Authors: Kostrzewa-Susłow Edyta , Dmochowska-Gładysz Jadwiga , Janeczko Tomasz , Środa Kamila , Michalak Krystyna , Palko Anna
Published: January 2015

A detailed study of the biotransformation of 6- and 7-methoxyfl avones by four fungal strains (Aspergillus niger strains MB, KB, and SBP; Penicillium chermesinum 113) was carried out. Products of demethylation and also demethylation combined with hydroxylation at C-4’ were identifi ed. The biotransformation products were stronger antioxidants than the substrates.
Attraction of the Gypsy Moth to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) of Damaged Dahurian Larch
Authors: Li Jing , Valimaki Sanna , Shi Juan , Zong Shixiang , Luo Youqing
Published: January 2015

Olfactory responses of the gypsy moth Lymantria dispar (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae), a major defoliator of deciduous trees, were examined in Inner Mongolia, China. We studied whether the gypsy moth adults are attracted by the major volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of damaged Larix gmelinii (Dahurian larch) foliage and compared the attractiveness of the plant volatiles with that of the synthetic sex pheromone. Our results indicated that the VOCs of the Dahurian larch were effective in attracting gypsy moth males especially during the peak flight period. The VOCs also attracted moths significantly better than the sex pheromone of the moth. Our study is the first trial to show the responses of adult gypsy moths to volatile compounds emitted from a host plant. Electroantennogram responses of L. gmelinii volatiles on gypsy moths supported our field observations. A synergistic effect between host plant volatiles and sex pheromone was also obvious, and bothcan be jointly applied as a new attractant method or population management strategy of the gypsy moth.
Diacidene, a Polyene Dicarboxylic Acid from a Micromonospora Isolate from the German Wadden Sea
Authors: Ohlendorf Birgit , Schulz Dirk , Beese Pascal , Erhard Arlette , Schmaljohann Rolf , Imhoff Johannes F.
Published: January 2015

Micromonospora sp. strain DB620 was isolated from a Wadden Sea sediment sample collected near Büsum (Germany) and is closely related (99% 16S-rRNA gene sequence similarity) to Micromonospora coxensis strain MTCC8093. It produced a new polyene dicarboxylic acid named diacidene (1) and in addition a derivative of chorismic acid, the known 3-[(1-carboxyvinyl)oxy]benzoic acid. The structure elucidation of 1 was achieved by applying different 1D and 2D NMR techniques as well as mass spectrometry and UV spectroscopy
Potent Antifungal and Antistaphylococcal 2-Anilinobenzimidazoles
Authors: Göker Hakan , Karaaslana Cigdem , Yıldız Sulhiye
Published: January 2015

A series of 21 anilinobenzimidazoles with a 2,4-difluorophenyl group were synthesized and their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) determined by the tube dilution method. Most of the compounds exhibited excellent MIC values against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Among them, compound 27 having dibromo substitution at the 4- and 6-position of the benzimidazole ring showed the best antifungal activity against Candida krusei with a MIC value of 3.12 μg/mL that surpassed that of the reference drug fl uconazole
Daintain/AIF-1 (Allograft Inflammatory Factor-1) Promotes Erythrocyte Lysis and Heme Release Probably via Binding to Hemoglobin
Authors: Zhao Yan-Ying , Wang Wei , Yan Dong-Jing , Chen Zheng-Wang
Published: January 2015

Free heme is potentially cytotoxic, particularly in the presence of oxidants or activated phagocytes. Daintain/AIF-1 (allograft inflammatory factor-1) is a macrophage factor that has been implicated in the regulation of inflammation. In the present study, daintain/AIF-1 was found to induce cytolysis of erythrocytes, resulting in heme release in vitro. Furthermore, the interacting protein of daintain/AIF-1 was purified by daintain/AIF-1-6 histidine antigen fusion protein nickel affinity chromatography. MALDI-TOF-MS analysis identified hemoglobin subunit β-1 as an interacting protein of daintain/AIF-1. These data suggest that daintain/AIF-1 may be involved in heme-associated diseases
A New Cytotoxic Brominated Acetylenic Hydrocarbon from the Marine Sponge Haliclona sp. with a Selective Effect against Human Breast Cancer
Authors: Alarif Walied M. , Abdel-Lateff Ahmed , Al-Lihaibi Sultan S. , Ayyad Seif-Eldin N. , Badria Farid A.
Published: January 2015

3

Three acetylenic brominated derivatives were isolated from a Red Sea sponge, Haliclona sp. One of them, 18-bromooctadeca-9(E),17(E)-dien-7,15-diynoic acid (), is a known metabolite, and the other two are new compounds, (1E,5E,12E,19E)-1,22-dibromodocosa- 1,5,12,19-tetraen-3,14,21-triyne (1) and methyl 18-bromooctadeca-9(E),17(E)-dien-7,15- diynoate (2) which was isolated for the first time as a natural metabolite. Structures of all compounds were determined based on extensive spectroscopic measurements [1D (1H, 13C and DEPT) and 2D (HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) NMR, MS, UV, and IR]. All compounds, except 3, were evaluated for their cytotoxicity employing four cancer cell lines, i.e. MCF-7 (human breast cancer), HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma), WI-38 (skin carcinoma), and Vero (African green monkey kidney). Compounds 1 and 2 had potent selective antitumour activity towards MCF-7 cells with IC50 values of 32.5 and 50.8 μM, respectively
Structure Elucidation and Characterization of Microbial 2-Tridecyl Sophorosides (Biosurfactants)
Authors: Recke Verena K. , Park Jun B. , Gerlitzki Melanie , Hausmann Rudolf , Syldatk Christoph , Wray Victor , Tokuda Harukuni , Suzuki Nobutaka , Lang Siegmund
Published: January 2015

To produce novel types of sophorose lipids containing an odd number of carbon atoms in the lipophilic moiety, Candida bombicola ATCC 22214 was grown in 500-ml fl ask cultures with glucose as main carbon source, and additionally, 2-tridecanone as co-substrate. After solvent extraction, the crude product mixture was separated into pure fractions, and each fraction was analysed via NMR and mass spectroscopy. This effective strategy generated five new glycolipids, 2-tridecyl sophorosides, which differed in the number of glucose units, and acetyl and hydroxy groups, respectively. Based on these compounds, a proposal for the possible biosynthetic pathway was deduced. Two compounds of the mixture, mono- and diacetylated 2-tridecyl sophorosides, respectively, were able to lower the surface tension of water from 72 mN m-1 to 32 mN m-1 and the interfacial tension between water and nhexadecane from 43 mN m-1 down to 4 and 3 mN m-1. Thus, both compounds possess a very good surfactant behaviour. Moreover, it was observed that the new products inhibit the growth of particular Gram-positive bacteria, and they indicate potential for antitumourpromoting activity.
Calcium Sensitizers Isolated from the Edible Pine Mushroom, Tricholoma matsutake (S. Ito & Imai) Sing
Authors: Hou Yunlong , Sun Shichao , Wu Lijun , Wang Xiaodan , Li Ting , Zhang Minyun , Wang Jianwei , Wang Libo
Published: January 2015

1

Three lactam compounds were isolated from the fruiting body of Tricholoma matsutake (S. Ito & Imai) Sing., an edible mushroom, and their structures were identifi ed as cyclo- S-proline-R-leucine (), hexahydro-2H-azepin-2-one (2), and butyl 5-oxo-2-pyrrolidine carboxylate (3) by chemical, physicochemical, and spectral evidence. In in vitro screening tests, compounds 1 and 2 acted as calcium sensitizers in ventricular cells from rat. Further studies on compounds 1 and 2 in ex vivo isolated right atria showed positive inotropic effects without disturbing the spontaneous beating rate. The inotropic effect of compounds 1 and 2 could be greatly abolished by pretreating the myocardium in Ca2+-free solution. These fi ndings indicate that compounds 1 and 2 can signifi cantly increase the calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) in myocytes, which is greatly dependent on the infl ux of extracellular Ca2+.
UV -B Exposure of Indoor-Grown Picea abies Seedlings Causes an Epigenetic Effect and Selective Emission of Terpenes
Authors: Ohlsson Anna B. , Segerfeldt Patrik , Lindström Anders , Borg-Karlson Anna-Karin , Berglund Torkel
Published: January 2015

Terpenoids are involved in various defensive functions in plants, especially conifers. Epigenetic mechanisms, for example DNA methylation, can influence plant defence systems. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the influence of UV-B exposure on the release of terpenoids from spruce seedlings and on needle DNA methylation. Ten-weekold seedlings grown indoors were exposed to UV-B radiation during 4 h, and the volatile compounds emitted from the seedlings were analysed. Analysis of the volatiles 1, 3, and 22 d after this UV-B exposure showed that bornyl acetate, borneol, myrcene, and limonene contents increased during the first 3 days, while at day 22 the level of emission had returned to the control level. UV-B exposure decreased the level of DNA methylation in needles of young seedlings, reflected in methylation changes in CCGG sequences. Exposure of young seedlings to UV-B radiation might be a way to potentiate the general defensive capacity, improving their ability to survive in outdoor conditions. UV-B-induced defence is discussed in the light of epigenetic mechanisms.
Diverse Responses Are Involved in the Defence of Arabidopsis thaliana against Turnip Crinkle Virus
Authors: Yang Hui , Yuan Shu , Luo Yi , Huang Ji , Chen Yang-Er , Sun Xin , Huang Yun , Xi De-Hui , Lin Hong-Hui
Published: January 2015

Plant hormones play pivotal roles as signals of plant-pathogen interactions. Here, we report that exogenous application of salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), ethephon (ETH), and abscisic acid (ABA) can reduce Turnip crinkle virus (TCV) accumulation in systemic leaves of Arabidopsis thaliana during early infection. SA and ABA are more efficient and confer a longer-lasting resistance against TCV than JA and ETH, and the plant hormones interact in effecting the plant defence. Synergistic actions of SA and JA, and SA and ET, and an antagonistic action of SA and ABA have been observed in the Arabidopsis-TCV interaction. ABA can down-regulate the expression of the pathogenesis-related genes PR1 and PDF1.2, and compared to the wild type, it drastically reduces TCV accumulation in NahG transgenic plants and the eds5-p1 mutant, both of which do not accumulate SA. This indicates that SA signaling negatively regulates the ABA-mediated defence. ABA-induced resistance against TCV is independent of SA. We also found that mitogen-activated protein kinase 5 (MPK5) may be involved in ABA-mediated defence. These results indicate that Arabidopsis can activate distinct signals to inhibit virus accumulation. Cooperative or antagonistic crosstalk between them is pivotal for establishing disease resistance. These results show potential to enhance the plant defence against viruses by manipulating diverse hormones.
A New C-Glucosylflavone from Sorindeia juglandifolia
Authors: Ndongo Joseph T. , Mbing Joséphine N. , Bikobo Dominique N. , Atchadé Alex de T. , Shaaban Mohamed , Pegnyemb Dieudonné E. , Laatsch Hartmut
Published: January 2015

Phytochemical investigation of the leaves of Sorindeia juglandifolia A. Rich. led to the isolation and identifi cation of a new C-glucosylfl avone, 2´´,6´´-di-O-acetyl-7-O-methyl vitexin (1), together with seven known compounds, 2´´-O-acetyl-7-O-methyl vitexin (2), mearnsitrin (3), robustafl avone (4), 3-O-galloyl catechin (5), tachioside (2-methoxy-benzene-1,4-diol-1- O-β-glucopyranoside) (6), 3β-O-D-glucopyranosyl-β-stigmasterol (7), and methyl gallate (8). The structures of 1 and the known compounds were established by IR, UV, MS, 1D, and 2D NMR spectra and by comparison with those of related compounds.
New Guaianolide-Type Sesquiterpene Lactones from Inula verbascifolia
Authors: Mohamed Abou El-Hamd H. , Mahmoud Hosam-Eldin H. , Abdellatif Fathy F. , Mohamed Yousif S. , Ahmed Ahmed A.
Published: January 2015

The aerial parts of Inula verbascifolia afforded two new guaianolide-type sesquiterpene lactones. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic methods (IR, MS, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, DEPT, 1H-1H COSY, HMQC, and HMBC).
Inhibition of Cholinergic Contractions of Rat Ileum by Tropane-Type Alkaloids Present in Schizanthus hookeri
Authors: Morales Miguel A. , Ahumada Frederick , Castillo Erick , Burgos Rafael , Christen Philippe , Bustos Viviana , Muñoz Orlando
Published: January 2015

The relative lack of specifi city of atropine as a competitive antagonist of muscarinic receptors is a frequent cause of undesirable parasympathetic side effects. Consequently, new tropane alkaloids with potentially greater selectivity are usually seen with real interest. The cholinergic antagonistic effects of a purifi ed mixture of tropane alkaloids extracted from Schizanthus hookeri were evaluated in rat ileum. For this purpose, ileal segments were obtained from randomly selected male Sprague-Dawley rats, and the effect of 1 · 10−4, 1 · 10−3, and 1 · 10−2 mg/mL of the purifi ed mixture of alkaloids on the contractile response of the ileum induced with increasing doses of carbachol (5 · 10−8 − 8 · 10−4 M) was determined. The results were compared with those obtained in the presence of 3.46 · 10−7, 3.46 · 10−6, and 3.46 · 10−5 mg/mL atropine as an agonist. Tropane alkaloids extracted from Schizanthus hookeri competitively antagonized acetylcholine muscarinic receptors.
GC-MS and MALDI-TOF MS Profi ling of Sucrose Esters from Nicotiana tabacum and N. rustica
Authors: Haliński Łukasz P. , Stepnowski Piotr
Published: January 2015

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDITOF MS) has been applied for the first time to the analysis of the sucrose esters from the surface of Nicotiana L. leaves. The profiles obtained for the model plant N. tabacum were similar to those from the gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) analysis. The most reproducible results were obtained using a dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) matrix. The main advantage of this method is that crude plant extracts can be analysed without sample clean-up. GC-MS analysis of Aztec tobacco (N. rustica) extracts revealed the presence of three types of sucrose esters. All identified compounds had three C4 − C8 acyl chains substituting the glucose moiety, while the fructose part of the molecule was substituted with 0, 1, or 2 acetyl groups. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the sucrose ester fraction revealed the presence of compounds not eluting from a GC column. Combining the data from both GC-MS and MALDI-TOF MS experiments, we obtained a full sucrose ester profile, which is based on the molecular weight of the compounds and on the number of acyl chains in the molecule.
Microbial Sulfation of 8-Prenylnaringenin
Authors: Tronina Tomasz , Huszcza Ewa
Published: January 2015

Out of 24 fungal strains tested for their ability to transform 8-prenylnaringenin, Syncephalastrum racemosum was found to convert this phytoestrogen to a sulfate derivative. The conjugation with sulfuric acid observed in this study is paralleled in mammals indicating that microbes can be used to mimic mammalian metabolism.
Identifi cation of Volatile Compounds Emitted by Artemisia ordosica (Artemisia, Asteraceae) and Changes due to Mechanical Damage and Weevil Infestation
Authors: Zhang Hui , Zhou Dayong , Luo Youqing , Wang Jinlin , Zong Shixiang
Published: January 2015

Volatiles emitted by healthy, mechanically damaged, and weevil-infested Artemisia ordosica (Asteraceae) were obtained through a dynamic headspace method and analysed by automatic thermal desorption/gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (ATD/GC/MS). Twenty-eight compounds in all were identified, and the qualitative as well as quantitative differences were compared. The green leaf volatiles 2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol, 2-hexen-1-ol, 1-hexanol, and (Z)-3-hexen-1-ol acetate were present in all of the damaged plants, but in relatively lower portions when plants were infested by the weevil Adosopius sp., while the terpenoids α-copaene, β-cedrene, and (E,E)-α-farnesene and the ester methyl salicylate were only present in weevildamaged plants. The volatiles from healthy and weevil-infested leaves were dominated by D-limonene, whereas mechanically damaged leaves emitted β-pinene as the dominant compound
Enterolactone and Other Lignan Metabolites as Taxon-Specifi c Markers in Modern and Ancient Woodrat Middens
Authors: Zinniker David A. , Holmgren Camille A. , Simoneit Bernd R. T.
Published: January 2015

Diversely sourced degradation products of higher plant lignans were identifi ed in modern and ancient woodrat (Neotoma) middens. The markers indicate extensive chemical modifi cation by intestinal microbial communities of mammals. The observed defunctionalized phenols represent a group of natural products, and their structural elements reveal information about the plant source. The phenols are derived mainly from two precursor types: (1) enterolactone and derivatives from conifer lignans, and (2) 2,3-bis(3’-hydroxybenzyl)butane and related compounds from lignans such as nordihydroguaiaretic acid common in Larrea sp. (e.g. creosote bush)
Hepatitis C Virus NS3-NS4A Protease Inhibitors from the Endophytic Penicillium chrysogenum Isolated from the Red Alga Liagora viscida
Authors: Hawas Usama W. , El-Halawany Ali M. , Ahmede Eman F.
Published: January 2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS3-NS4A protease is an attractive target for anti-HCV agents because of its important role in replication. In this work, we demonstrated that the ethyl acetate extract of the endophytic fungus Penicillium chrysogenum exhibited a potent activity against HCV NS3-NS4A protease with an IC50 value of 20 μg/ml. The fungus was isolated from the red alga Liagora viscida and identifi ed by its morphology and 18S rDNA. Largescale fermentation of the fungus in Czapek's peptone liquid medium followed by chromatographic purifi cation of the active extract from the liquid medium allowed the isolation of twelve known metabolites. The biological properties of the isolated compounds were explored for anti-HCV protease as well as antimicrobial and anticancer activities. A computational docking study of the active isolated compounds against HCV protease was used to formulate a hypothetical mechanism for the inhibitory activity of the active compounds on the tested enzymes
The Cellular Target Specificity of Pateamine A
Authors: Matthews James H. , Maass David R. , Northcote Peter T. , Atkinson Paul H. , Teesdale-Spittle Paul H.
Published: January 2015

The natural product pateamine A (pateamine) from the sponge Mycale hentscheli is active against a wide range of dividing cells and has been shown to inhibit the functions of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4A (eIF4A). We have identifi ed that pateamine is additionally able to modulate the formation of actin fi laments and microtubules in vitro but at higher concentrations than required for inhibition of eIF4A. Cell cycle analysis confi rmed that actin and tubulin are not major mediators of the cellular activity of pateamine. The range of targets identifi ed demonstrates the value of multiple approaches to determining the mode of action of biologically active compounds
Comparison of Electrochemical Behavior of Cu-10Ni-10Zn Alloy and Cu in Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Badawy Waheed A. , El-Rabiei Mohamed M. , Nady Hashem M. , Samy Mohammed A.
Published: January 2015

The electrochemical behavior of Cu-10Ni-10Zn alloy and
Cu was investigated in acidic, neutral and basic solutions. The
effect of chloride ions in neutral solutions was also
studied. Conventional electrochemical techniques and electrochemical
impedance spectroscopy were used. The corrosion rate of these
materials in acidic solutions is relatively high compared to that in
neutral or basic solutions. The open-circuit potential of the alloy is
nearly the same as that of pure copper in the different media,
indicating that the processes which occur on the alloy surface are
mainly governed by copper dissolution. In chloride solutions the rate
of Cu corrosion is remarkably high. In the alloy, the copper
dissolution was suppressed by the presence of nickel and zinc, due to
the formation of complex oxide layers. The impedance data were fitted
to equivalent circuit models that explain the different
electrochemical processes occurring at the electrode/electrolyte
interface. SEM and EDAX have shown that the alloy surface is enriched
with Ni. In neutral solutions the chloride ions are penetrating the
metallic surface.
A Standard Burner for High Pressure Laminar Premixed Flames: Detailed Soot Diagnostics
Authors: Leschowski Martin , Dreier Thomas , Schulz Christof
Published: January 2015

Soot formation and oxidation in high-pressure combustion is of high
practical relevance but still sparsely investigated because of its
experimental complexity. In this work we present a high-pressure
burner for studying sooting premixed flames at pressures up to
30 bar. An optically accessible vessel houses a burner that
stabilizes a rich premixed ethylene/air flame on a porous sintered
stainless-steel plate. The flame is surrounded by a non-sooting rich
methane/air flame and an air coflow for reducing temperature
gradients, buoyancy-induced instabilities, and heat loss of the
innermost flame. Spectrally-resolved soot pyrometry was used for
determining gas temperatures. These were introduced into model
functions to fit the temporal signal decay curves obtained from
two-color time-resolved laser-induced incandescence (TiRe-LII)
measurements for extracting soot volume fractions and mean particle
size as a function of height above burner and gas pressure. The
derived mean particle sizes and soot concentrations were compared
against thermophoretically sampled soot analyzed via transmission
electron microscopy (TEM) and laser extinction measurements at
785 nm, respectively. Soot volume fractions derived from
LII peak signal intensities need to be corrected for signal
attenuation at the high soot concentrations present in the
investigated flame. From the various heat conduction models employed
in deriving mean soot particle diameters from TiRe-LII, the Fuchs
model gave remarkably good agreement with TEM on sampled soot at
various heights above the burner.
A Genetic Screen and Transcript Profiling Reveal a Shared Regulatory Program forDrosophilaLinker Histone H1 and Chromatin Remodeler CHD1
Authors: Kavi Harsh , Lu Xingwu , Xu Na , Bartholdy Boris A , Vershilova Elena , Skoultchi Arthur I , Fyodorov Dmitry V
Published: January 2015

Chromatin structure and activity can be modified through ATP-dependent repositioning of nucleosomes and posttranslational modifications of core histone tails within nucleosome core particles and by deposition of linker histones into the oligonucleosome fiber. The linker histone H1 is essential in metazoans. It has a profound effect on organization of chromatin into higher-order structures and on recruitment of histone-modifying enzymes to chromatin. Here, we describe a genetic screen for modifiers of the lethal phenotype caused by depletion of H1 in Drosophila melanogaster. We identify 41 mis-expression alleles that enhance and 20 that suppress the effect of His1 depletion in vivo. Most of them are important for chromosome organization, transcriptional regulation, and cell signaling. Specifically, the reduced viability of H1-depleted animals is strongly suppressed by ubiquitous mis-expression of the ATP-dependent chromatin remodeling enzyme CHD1. Comparison of transcript profiles in H1-depleted and Chd1 null mutant larvae revealed that H1 and CHD1 have common transcriptional regulatory programs in vivo. H1 and CHD1 share roles in repression of numerous developmentally regulated and extracellular stimulus-responsive transcripts, including immunity-related and stress response-related genes. Thus, linker histone H1 participates in various regulatory programs in chromatin to alter gene expression.
The Utility of Inpatient Rebound Bilirubin Levels in Infants Readmitted After Birth Hospitalization for Hyperbilirubinemia
Authors: Berkwitt Adam , Osborn Rachel , Grossman Matthew
Published: February 2015

Background and Objectives:

There are few data evaluating the role of inpatient rebound bilirubin levels in the management of infants readmitted after their birth hospitalization for indirect hyperbilirubinemia. The goal of the present study was to evaluate the clinical utility of inpatient rebound bilirubin levels within this patient population.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 226 infants readmitted after their birth hospitalization for indirect hyperbilirubinemia. Data from 130 infants with rebound bilirubin levels drawn at a mean of 6.1 ± 2.4 hours after discontinuation of phototherapy were compared with data from 96 infants without rebound bilirubin levels. The primary outcome was readmission to the hospital, and secondary outcomes included length of stay and discharge time. A subgroup analysis compared characteristics of children who required repeat phototherapy versus those who did not.

Results:

Overall, 5 of 130 patients from the rebound group were readmitted compared with 4 of 96 patients from the no-rebound group (P = .98). Length of stay was significantly longer for patients with rebound bilirubin levels (27.7 vs 23.2 hours; P = .001). Patients with bilirubin levels lowered to ≤14 mg/dL were less likely to receive repeat phototherapy than those with levels >14 mg/dL (2 of 129 vs 12 of 97; P = .001).

Conclusions:

Early inpatient rebound bilirubin levels do not successfully predict which patients will require hospital readmission for repeat phototherapy. Children with bilirubin levels lowered to ≤14 mg/dL with phototherapy are unlikely to receive repeat phototherapy.
Reptilia, Colubridae, Xenodontinae, Lystrophis dorbignyi, Lystrophis pulcher, and Lystrophis semicinctus: distribution extension, new provinces records in Argentina
Authors: Nenda Santiago Javier , Cacivio Pedro M.
Published: January 2015

None
Insecta, Hemiptera, Reduviidae, Panstrongylus geniculatus: geographic distribution map
Authors: Leite Gustavo Rocha , Dos Santos Claudiney Biral , Falqueto Aloísio
Published: January 2015

Panstrongylus  geniculatus  is  one  of  the  most widely distributed species of Triatominae in South and Central America, occurring in several biomes with different climatic characteristics. We present the results of captures of P. geniculatus provided from a 10-year program of entomological surveillance in the state of Espírito Santo, Brazil. We also present an updated geographic distribution map of P. geniculatus obtained from an extensive literature review. The entomological surveillance program, between 1996 and 2005, provided 110 capture registers of P. geniculatus in Espírito Santo. These are the first records of P. geniculatus from 15 municipalities in this state. P. geniculatus extends through 18 countries in Central   and   South   America,   from   southern Mexico to northern Argentina.
Fish, Lajeado Reservoir, rio Tocantins drainage, State of Tocantins, Brazil
Authors: Lucinda Paulo H. F. , Freitas Iriene S. , Soares Anderson B. , Marques Elineide E. , Agostinho Carlos S. , Oliveira Rafael J. de
Published: January 2015

The Lajeado HR is the fourth hydroelectric power plant constructed in the rio Tocantins. The implementation of hydroelectric plants in the rio Tocantins basin is of high environmental concern because they may result in severe damage to the ichthyofauna. A species list of the area of influence of the Lajeado HR is provided, in the hope that it will contribute to the knowledge of this potentially threatened ichthyofauna. A few comments on the ichthyofauna of the rio Tocantins drainage are also provided.
New distribution record and a review on Hipposideros fulvus Gray, 1838 (Mammalia: Chiroptera: Hipposideridae) distribution from Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Srinivasulu Chelmala , Srinivasulu Bhargavi , Kaur Harpreet , Venkateshwarlu Panjgula , Kumar Gandla Chethan
Published: January 2015

We report a new distribution record and review the earlier records of the Fulvous roundleaf bat, Hipposideros fulvus, from Andhra Pradesh, India, based on a female specimen collected from Hyderabad, India. This species has been hitherto reported from only two localities in Andhra Pradesh and has been missed out from most of the reports and publications.
Record of the genus Sicydium Valenciennes, 1837 (Gobiidae, Sicydiinae) from Brazil and extent of distribution of S. punctatum Perugia, 1896
Authors: Lucena Carlos Alberto S. De , Lucena Zilda Margarete S. de , Moraes Leonardo Evangelista , Santos Alexandre Clistenes de Alcântara , Brito Marcelo Fulgêncio Guedes de
Published: January 2015

Sicydium punctatum, previously known from Panamá, Caribbean islands, and coastal drainages of Venezuela, has a distribution that extends up to coastal drainages of Bahia state, Brazil. The genus Sicydium is formally recorded for Brazilian freshwaters. Comparisons are made between S. punctatum and other species of the genus based on data from the literature and presented here.
Distribution extension for Anolis salvini Boulenger, 1885 (Reptilia: Squamata: Dactyloidae), in western Panama
Authors: Bienentreu Joe-Felix , Hertz Andreas , Köhler Gunther , Lotzkat Sebastian
Published: January 2015

We report new localities for the lizard Anolis salvini Boulenger, 1885, along the Pacific slopes of the Cordillera Central in Chiriquí province and the Comarca Ngöbe-Buglé of western Panama. These records extend the known geographic distribution of this species about 70 km eastwards. They also extend the known vertical distribution approximately 70 m uphill. Additionally, we provide the first record for the Caribbean slopes, an updated distribution map, photos of specimens from different localities, an analysis of a distress call, and comments on the morphology of this species.
Liolaemus patriciaiturrae Navarro and Núñez, 1993 (Squamata: Liolaemidae): distribution extension in northern Chile and geographic distribution map
Authors: Troncoso-Palacios Jaime , Ferri-Yáñez Francisco
Published: January 2015

We report two new records for Liolaemus patriciaiturrae in Chile, one corresponding to specimens previously misidentified as L. nigriceps. We also provide a map showing all the known locations of the species.
New distribution records and variation of the two common lowland salamanders Bolitoglossa colonnea (Dunn, 1924) and B. lignicolor (Peters, 1873) in Panama (Amphibia: Caudata: Plethodontidae)
Authors: Hertz Andreas , Lotzkat Sebastian , Köhler Gunther
Published: January 2015

We revise the geographic distribution of two common lowland salamanders in western Panama. We close the widest gap in the known distribution of Bolitoglossa colonnea with a first record for the province of Veraguas and extend its known vertical distribution to a third life zone. For B. lignicolor we present additional localities in the province of Chiriquí and the first record from Comarca Ngöbe-Buglé that close the gap between extreme western Panama and the Azuero Peninsula. We present morphological, molecular, and coloration data for both species.
Growth Morphologies, Fragmentation Patterns, and Hardness in Sodium Hydrogen Urate Monohydrate
Authors: Brune A. B. , Petuskey W.T.
Published: January 2015

Mechanical properties and new morphological data on synthetic sodium hydrogen urate monohydrate are reported and interpreted. Crystals formed in supersaturated aqueous solutions were identified by powder x-ray diffraction. Intact grains and separate needles were examined by several microscopy techniques, some reported here for the first time. The dominant morphology was spherulite-type, comprising tapered, branched blades (needles) radiating out of a common core. The pointed blade tips were truncated by (011) planes, corresponding to hydrogen-bonded planes. Branching was at about a 5° angle or its multiples, suggesting it accommodated by dislocation arrays at the low angle boundaries, as is often seen in twinning. Vicker’s micro-hardness, extrapolated to zero porosity, was 0.90 GPa, which is greater than the hardness measured by nano-indentation. Present results are anticipated to be useful in interpreting the mechanical characteristics of the material crystallized in vivo and its action concerning gout, and affording inferences on the role of the milieu on morphologies, fragmentation, and hardness.
Electron Traps in Rutile TiO2 Crystals: Intrinsic Small Polarons, Impurities, and Oxygen Vacancies
Authors: Halliburton Larry E.
Published: January 2015

Rutile TiO2 is well known for its ability to “trap” photoinduced electrons at Ti4+ ions and form Ti3+ ions with an unpaired d1 electron. This has been shown experimentally to result in a large family of similar, yet slightly different, Ti3+-related centers that include both intrinsic small polarons and donor-bound small polarons. In these latter centers, the Ti3+ ion is located next to an oxygen vacancy or an impurity such as fluorine, lithium, or hydrogen. These small polarons are easily formed in commercially available bulk single crystals of rutile TiO2 by illuminating oxidized (and nominally undoped) samples at temperatures between 5 and 30 K with sub-band-gap laser light (e.g., 442 nm) or by slight reducing treatments (in the case of hydrogen). Once formed, the ground states of the defects are readily studied at low temperature with magnetic resonance (EPR and ENDOR). Single crystals of rutile TiO2 provide complete sets of angular dependence data, and thus allow detailed information about the ground-state models of the electron traps to be extracted in the form of g matrices and hyperfine matrices. In this review, the differences and similarities of the various Ti3+-related trapped electron centers are described.