Somatic antigens of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The structure of the O-specific polysaccharide chains of lipopolysaccharides of P. aeruginosa serogroup O4 (Lányi) and related serotype O6 (Habs) and immunotype 1 (Fisher)

Acidic O-specific polysaccharides were isolated on mild acidic degradation of lipopolysaccharides of Pseudomonas aeruginosa serotypes O4a,b, O4a,c, O4a,d (Lányi classification) and serologically related to them serotype O6 (Habs classification) and immunotype 1 (Fisher classification). The polysaccharides had identical monosaccharide composition and were built up of L-rhamnose, 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxy-D-glucose,2-formamido-2-deoxy-D-galacturonic acid and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-galactouronamide residues. The latter two derivatives of D-galactosaminuronic acid were found in nature for the first time. All the polysaccharides, but Lányi serotype O4a,c, contained O-acetyl groups. The polysaccharides were readily de-O-acetylated with aqueous triethylamine and de-N-formylated with dilute hydrochloric acid. De-N-formylated polysaccharide of serotype O4a,c was selectively cleaved with nitrous acid upon 2-amino-2-deoxygalacturonic acid residues to form a tetrasaccharide with a 2,5-anhydrotaluronic acid residue on the reducing end. The tetrasaccharide represented a modified repeating unit of the polysaccharide. Solvolysis of all intact polysaccharides with hydrogen fluoride selectively split the glycosidic linkages of 6-deoxy sugars to give the same trisaccharide, including both derivatives of galactosaminuronic acid and having 2-acetamido-2,6-dideoxyglucose on the reducing end. Structural investigation of the oligosaccharides obtained together with methylation analysis and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance data revealed the following structures of the O-specific polysaccharides: (Formula: see text) An independent confirmation of the structures of the repeating units was obtained as the result of full interpretation of the 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of the intact and modified polymers. Spectral data analysis revealed a number of regularities in the effects of glycosidation connecting their values with the anomeric and absolute configuration of pyranose residues. The data on the structures of the O-specific polysaccharides indicated that each of the five P. aeruginosa strains under study should be considered as an individual O-serotype within one O-serogroup.     

Sequential synthesis and 13C-N.m.r. spectra of methyl β-glycosides of (1→4)-β-d-xylo-oligosaccharides

The reaction of 2,3-di-O-acetyl-4-O-benzyl-α,β-d-xylopyranosyl bromide (2) with methyl 2,3-di-O-acetyl-β-d-xylopyranoside gave methyl O-(2,3-di-O-acetyl-4-O-benzyl-β-d-xylopyranosyl)-(1→4)-2,3-di-O-acetyl-β-d-xylopyranoside (22). Catalytic hydrogenolysis of 22 exposed HO-4′ which was then condensed with 2. This sequence of reactions was repeated three more times to afford, after complete removal of protecting groups, a homologous series of methyl β-glycosides of (1→4)-β-d-xylo-oligosaccharides. ¹³C-N.m.r. spectra of the synthetic methyl β-glycosides (di- to hexa-saccharide) are presented together with data for six other, variously substituted, homologous series of (1→4)-d-xylo-oligosaccharides.     

Pleomorphism inScenedesmus quadricauda (Turp) Bréb. (Chlorophyceae)

A clone ofScenedesmus quadricauda, isolated from Tjeukemeer, exhibits a high degree of morphological variation in synchronized cultures. Cells are synchronized by light-dark cycles. During the photoperiod they build up the capacity to divide. First division into 2- and 4-celled coenobia is induced, then during the second half of the photoperiod the induction of division into 8 unicells takes place. Division itself and the subsequent liberation of daughter cells occur in the dark period.By giving a definite photoperiod the formation of either coenobia or unicellular stages is determined. The formation of both coenobia and unicells is followed using a light microscope. In both cases only the pattern of cytokinesis is similar. After cytokinesis the unicells become ovoid in shape and form two spines at each pole. They are released from the parental wall as separate cells and show remarkable similarity to theChodatella-like cells described by SWALE (1967) and FOTT (1968). The coenobial cells elongate, adhere to one another and each of the two outmost cells forms two spines (SMITH, 1914).     

Nucleosides. 140. Stereoselectivity of the Reaction of 1-(2,3-Anhydro-5-O-Benzoyl-β-D-Lyxofuranosyl)Uracil with Ammonium Azide. Isolation and Characterization of 2-Azido-XYLO-Nucleoside Derivatives.1

Abstract

The composition of the products of reaction of 1-(2,3-anhydro-5-O-benzoyl-β-D-lyxofuranosyl)uracil (1) with NH₄N₃ was studied by a reverse-phase HPLC system which was found to separate the 3-azido-arabino 2 and 2-azido-xylo 3 isomers that were formed. The use of a 10:1 ratio of NH₄N₃ to 1 in refluxing EtOH was found to minimize ring opening at C-2 (7%). The higher stereoselectivity of ring opening produced by using a large excess of NH₄N₃ was suppressed by conducting the reaction in DMF. Preventing the escape of the NH₃ by-product only resulted in debenzoylation. The isolation of pure, crystalline 3 was achieved by reverse-phase preparative HPLC. Separation from the arabino isomer was also effected by debenzoylation and selective acetonide formation with the xylo isomer, which allowed facile isolation of the latter by normal phase chromatography. Hydrolysis of the acetonide 7 provided unprotected 2-azido-xylo nucleoside 6, which was also obtained by NaOMe treatment of 3. The mechanistic basis for the stereo-selectivity of epoxide opening is discussed.     

Colonization and Biodegradation of Photo-Oxidized Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) by New Strains of Aspergillus sp. and Lysinibacillus sp.

The primary objective of this study was the isolation of low-density polyethylene (LDPE)-degrading microorganisms. Soil samples were obtained from an aged municipal landfill in Tehran, Iran, and enrichment culture procedures were performed using LDPE films and powder. Screening steps were conducted using linear paraffin, liquid ethylene oligomer, and LDPE powder as the sole source of carbon. Two landfill-source isolates, identified as Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus XDB9 (T) strain S7-10F and Aspergillus niger strain F1-16S, were selected as super strains. Photo-oxidation (25 days under ultraviolet [UV] irradiation) was used as a pretreatment of the LDPE samples without pro-oxidant additives. The PE biodegradation process was performed for 56 days in a liquid mineral medium using UV-irradiated pure LDPE films without pro-oxidant additives in the presence of the bacterial isolate, the fungal isolate, and the mixture of the two isolates. The process was monitored by measuring the fungal biomass, the bacterial growth, and the pH of the medium. During the process, the fungal biomass and the bacterial growth increased, and the pH of the medium decreased, which suggests the utilization of the preoxidized PE by the selected isolates as the sole source of carbon. Carbonyl and double bond indices exhibited the highest amount of decrement and increment, respectively, in the presence of the fungal isolate, and the lowest indices were obtained from the treatment of a mixture of both fungal and bacterial isolates. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses showed that the selected isolates modified and colonized preoxidized pure LDPE films without pro-oxidant additives.     

Nucleosides and Nucleotides. 106. Synthesis and Biological Activity of 1-(2-Deoxy-2-hydroxyimino- or Methoxyimino-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-thymine and -Cytosine§,1

Abstract

Reaction of 1-(3,5-Otetraisopropyldisiloxan-1,3-diyl-β-D-erythro-2-pentofuran-2-ulosyl)uracil (8) with hydroxylamine hydrochloride in pyridine at room temperature for 24 h or at 80°C for 3 h gives the 2′-deoxy-2′-hydroxyiminouridine derivative 9 in good yield. Similarly, oximation of 8 with methoxyamine has been done to obtain 2′-deoxy-2′-methoxyimino derivatives 11 in a high yield. Compound 9 was converted into 1-(2-deoxy-2-hydroxyimino-β-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)cytosine (3). Cytotoxicity in vitro of these nucleosides against murine leukemia L1210 cells was also examined.     

Studies on the Chemical Synthesis of Potential Antimetabolites. 31.1 A Novel Synthesis of 1-Deazaadenosine and Its Conversion to 5′-Deoxy-5′-Isobutylthio-1-Deazaadenosine (1-Deaza-Siba) and S-(1-Deazaadenosyl)-Homocysteine (1-DEAZA-SAH)

Abstract

A novel route for the preparation of 7-amino-3-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-3H-imidazo [4,5-b] pyridine (1-deazaadenosine) has been developed. Synthesis of 5′-deoxy-5′-isobutylthio-1-deazaadenosine (1-deazaSIBA) and S-(1-deazaadenosyl)-homocysteine (1-deazaSAH) is also described.     

Synthesis of 2′-Deoxy-6,2′-Ethano-Cyclouridine1 (Nucleosides and Nucleotides. Part 57)

Abstract

Synthesis of a carbon-bridged cyclouridine,2′-deoxy-6,2′-ethano-cyclouridine, was accomplished starting from a 2′-ketouridine via the 2′-deoxy-2′-iodoethyl-5-chlorouridine derivative through a radical cyclization.     

Bioefficacy of Blumea mollis (D. Don) Merr. and Hygrophila schulii (Buch.-Ham.) (Syn. H. auriculata) against Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner)

Indiscriminate use of synthetic pesticides to control the pests causes negative effects on non-target organisms. Some of the chemicals under B and C categories are carcinogenic to humans. The present study was aimed to assess the antifeedant, larvicidal and pupicidal activities of Hygrophila schulii (syn. H. auriculata) and Blumea mollis against Helicoverpa armigera. Maximum antifeedant activity of 70.01% was observed in ethyl acetate extract of H. schulii at 5.0% concentration with LC₅₀ value of 2.0%. B. mollis ethyl acetate extract at 5.0% concentration showed antifeedant activity of 35.40% with LC₅₀ value of 8.38%. The data for antifeedant activity showed homogeneity of variances in Levene Statistics and normality in Shapiro–Wilk test. Ethyl acetate extract of H. schulii at 5.0% concentration showed 68.66% larvicidal activity with LC₅₀ value of 2.97%. It also showed 73.33% pupicidal activity and was statistically significant from other treatments. No pupicidal activity was observed in ethyl acetate extract of B. mollis. All concentrations of ethyl acetate extract of H. schulii showed promising biological activities which differed statistically from other treatments. Ethyl acetate extract of H. schulii could be used to develop new botanical formulations to manage agricultural pests.     

Developmental biochemistry of cottonseed embryogenesis and germination. XIX. Sequences and genomic organization of the α globulin (vicilin) genes of cottonseed

The globulin storage protein genes of cotton are found to exist as gene tandems that contain a gene from each of the 2 globulin subfamilies separated by a spacer region of about 2700 or 3400 base pairs. Three different tandems have been identified by restriction endonuclease mapping of genomic DNA. A cDNA that is different from the genes of the tandems in map sites and/or in nucleotide sequence indicates that a fourth tandem probably exists in the cotton genome. Since the species of cotton used here (Gossypium hirsutum) is an amphidiploid, it is likely that two of the tandems are contributed from each genome.Considerable divergence in nucleotide sequence (18%) and in derived amino acid sequence (28%) is found when the 2 genes of a sequenced tandem are compared. The sequence of the cDNA closely resembles one of the genes in the tandem showing only a 4% divergence in nucleotides and a 4.2% divergence in amino acids. Thus the 2 genes of each tandem represent a relatively ancient gene duplication that has given rise to the two globulin subfamilies of cotton. Only one subfamily has a glycosylation site and the glycosylation of its derived proteins gives rise to the 2 molecular weight sets of globulins seen on gel electrophoresis.Other basic features of these genes and their derived proteins are presented.     

A Revision of Fritillaria L. (Liliaceae) in the Hengduan Mountains and Adjacent Regions,China ( 1 )—A Study of Fritillaria cirrhosa D. Don and Its Related Species

A study was made on Fritillaria cirrhosa D．Don and its related species based on both field observation and herbarium material．As a result,four species are recognized and 16 specific names and 18 variety names are reduced as synonyms．     

Alzheimer's Disease: NMR Studies of Asialo (GM1) and Trisialo (GT1b) Ganglioside Interactions with Aβ(1-40) Peptide in a Membrane Mimic Environment

Amyloid peptide (Abeta) is the major protein constituent of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This peptide is an amphipathic molecule that perturbs membranes and binds to raft-like membranes composed of gangliosides. Ganglioside GM1 binds tightly with Abeta and it is speculated that GM1 inhibits Abeta from undergoing alpha-helix to beta-sheet conformational changes. Although the role of gangliosides in conformational changes of Abeta have been studied, the specific nature of these interactions have not been reported. In the present report multidimensional NMR studies of ganglioside-Abeta interactions were conducted in sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) micelles, a membrane-mimicking environment. These studies reveal that asialoGM1 binds specifically with Abeta in a manner which could prevent beta-sheet formation. but that ganglioside GT1b does not bind Abeta. Plausible pathways for the involvement of gangliosides in amyloidogenesis are discussed.     

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (α1AT) phenotypes and PiM subtypes in Italy. Evidence of considerable geographic variability

Summary Genetic typing of ₁AT was performed in 3751 individuals from Italian towns. The following was observed: (a) The pathologic phenotypes (SZ, MZ, ZZ) appeared to decrease progressively from northern to southern Italy; (b) the distribution of the PiM suballeles showed considerable geographic variability, but the suballele, M ₂ was more frequently encountered in southern Italy; and (c) in the large cities of southern Italy, the frequency of the deficiency more closely resembled that found in northern Italy than that of the remaining populations of the south.     

Effect of inter-renal aortic coarctation-induced hypertension on function and expression of vascular α(1A)- and α(1D)-adrenoceptors

We investigated the effect of inter-renal aortic coarctation on the function and expression of vascular α(1A)- and α(1D)-adrenoceptors and plasma angiotensin II (ATII) in rats. Male Wistar rats, either sham operated (SO), or with aortic coarctation for 7 (AC7) and 14?days (AC14) were used for agonist-induced pressor responses in vehicle (physiological saline)- and antagonist-treated anesthetized animals, immunoblot analysis (α(1A)- and α(1D)-adrenoceptor in aorta and caudal arteries), and immunoassay (plasma ATII). The α(1D)-adrenoceptor antagonist, BMY-7378 (BMY) blocked noradrenaline-induced responses in the order SO?> AC7?? AC14; in contrast, the α(1A)-adrenoceptor antagonist RS-100329 (RS), produced a marginal shift to the right of the dose-response curve to noradrenaline, along with a strong decrease of the maximum pressor effect in the order SO?> AC7?= AC14. The potency of the α(1A)-adrenoceptor agonist A-61603 increased in rats with AC14, and responses were inhibited by RS in the order AC14?> AC7?> SO. In aorta, α(1D)-adrenoceptor protein increased in AC7 and decreased in AC14; α(1A)-adrenoreceptor protein increased in the caudal artery of AC7 and returned to control values in AC14. Plasma ATII increased in AC7 and AC14, compared with SO rats. These results suggest an early and direct relationship between ATII and α(1D)-adrenoreceptors in the development of hypertension in this experimental model.     

Comparative Analysis of Growth and Photosynthetic Characteristics of (Populus simonii × P. nigra) × (P. nigra × P. simonii) Hybrid Clones of Different Ploidides

To evaluate differences among poplar clones of various ploidies, 12 hybrid poplar clones (P. simonii × P. nigra) × (P. nigra × P. simonii) with different ploidies were used to study phenotypic variation in growth traits and photosynthetic characteristics. Analysis of variance showed remarkable differences for each of the investigated traits among these clones (P < 0.01). Coefficients of phenotypic variation (PCV) ranged from 2.38% to 56.71%, and repeatability ranged from 0.656 to 0.987. The Pn (photosynthetic rate) photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) curves of the 12 clones were S-shaped, but the Pn-ambient CO₂ (Ca) curves were shaped like an inverted “V”. The stomatal conductance (Gs)-PPFD and transpiration rate (Tr)-PPFD curves had an upward tendency; however, with increasing PFFD, the intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci)-PPFD curves had a downward tendency in all of the clones. The Pn-PPFD and Pn-Ca curves followed the pattern of a quadratic equation. The average light saturation point and light compensation point of the triploid clones were the highest and lowest, respectively, among the three types of clones. For Pn-Ca curves, diploid clones had a higher average CO₂ saturation point and average CO₂ compensation point compared with triploid and tetraploid clones. Correlation analyses indicated that all investigated traits were strongly correlated with each other. In future studies, molecular methods should be used to analyze poplar clones of different ploidies to improve our understanding of the growth and development mechanisms of polyploidy.     

Microbial Resolution of (±)-1 and 2-Decalols

By microorganisms or esterase they produce, (±)-1 and 2-decalyl acetates were asymmetrically hydrolyzed to (?)-1-(R)-trans,cis-1-decalol (IIa), (+)-1-(S)-cis,cis-1-decalol (IIIb), (+)-1-(R)-cis,trans-1-decalol (IVa) and (+)-1-(S)-trans,trans-2-decalol (VIIb), (?)-cis,cis-2-decalol (IXb) with the acetates of their antipodes, whereas the axial acetates of (±)-decalols were scarecely hydrolyzed.