Regioselective acylation of several polyhydroxylated natural compounds by Candida antarctica lipase B

Regioselective acylation of four polyhydroxylated natural compounds, deacetyl asperulosidic acid (1), asperulosidic acid (2), puerarin (3) and resveratrol (4) by Candida antarctica Lipase B in the presence of various acyl donors (vinyl acetate, vinyl decanoate or vinyl cinnamoate) was studied. Compounds 1, 2 and 4 were regioselectively acetylated with vinyl acetate to afford products, 3'-O-acetyl-10-O-deacetylasperulosidic acid (1a), 3',6'-O-diacetyl-10-O-deacetylasperulosidic acid (1b), 3'-O-acetylasperulosidic acid (2a), 3',6'-O-diacetylasperulosidic acid (2b), 4'-O-acetylresveratrol (4a), respectively, with yields of 22 to 50%, while reactions with vinyl decanoate and vinyl cinnamoate were slow with lower yields. Compound 3 was readily acylated with all three acyl donors and quantitatively converted to products 6'-O-acetylpuerarin (3a), 6'-O-decanoylpuerarin (3b), 6'-O-cinnamoylpuerarin (3c), respectively. The structures of these acylated products were determined by spectroscopic methods (MS and NMR).     

Biotransformation of γ-terpinene using Stemphylium botryosum (Wallroth) yields p-mentha-1,4-dien-9-ol, a novel odorous monoterpenol

A wild strain of Stemphylium botryosum, when grown submerged in the presence of γ-terpinene (1), yielded the novel highly odour active terpene alcohol (2), whose structure was established by spectroscopic means as p-mentha-1,4-dien-9-ol. During cultivation (2) was further oxidized, predominantly to the corresponding aromatic alcohol p-cymene-9-ol (5). The enantioselective enzymatic introduction of the hydroxyl group at the non-activated C9 of (1) resulted in an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 74% for (2) and 70% for (5), respectively.     

Laboratory Hints from the Literature

Microscope and Other Apparatus: Bernard, J. E. The principles of fluorescence microscopy. J. Royal Micro. Soc., 57, 256-9. 1937.

Wrighton, H. A new light source for microscopy. J. Royal Micro. Soc., 57, 260-1. 1938.

Microtechhic in general: Comandon, J. and De Fonbrune, P. La chambre $aG huile. Ses avantages pour l'$eGtude des microorganisms vivants, la culture des tissus et la micromanipulation. Ann. Inst. Pasteur, 60, 113-41. 1938.     

Reactivity of ubiquinones and ubiquinols with free radicals

The reactivity of quinones 1-4 and of the corresponding quinols 5-8 towards carbon- and oxygen-centred radicals were studied. All quinones bearing at least one nuclear position free, readily react with alkyl and phenyl radicals to afford the alkylated quinones 12-24; however, quinones 1 and 3 reacted with 2-cyano-2-propyl radical to yield products (the mono- and di-ethers 9-11) derived from the attack on the carbonylic oxygen. The reactions carried out on quinones with the benzoyloxy radical led to no reaction products and in the case of Q₁₀, the isoprenic chain also remained unchanged. Quinols 5-8 reacted only with oxygencentred radicals (benzoyloxy and 2-cyano-2-propylperoxy radicals) to give the corresponding quinones. The isoprenic chain of Q₁₀ did not undergo attack even with peroxy radicals. Carbon-centred radicals resulted unable to abstract hydrogen from the studied quinols.     

An Efficient Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of S-(-)-Fenpropimorph

First enantioselective synthesis of S-(-)-1-[3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methyl]propyl-cis-3,5-dimethylmorpholine (6), biologically active enantiomer of the systematic fungicide fenpropimorph, is reported. It comprises reacting 4-tert-butylbenzylbromide with methyldiethylmalonate, decarbethoxylation of 2 into racemic 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropionic acid ethylester (3) in DMSO in the presence of alkali, then Pseudomonas sp. lipase catalyzed kinetic resolution of racemic 3 into S-(+)-acid (4), base-catalyzed racemization and recycling of the R-(-)-ester 3, acylation of cis-3,5-dimethylmorpholine, and final reduction of the intermediary amide 5 to provide enantiomerically pure S-(-)-6.     

Twenty-Four-Hour Variations in the Sensitivity of Rat Aorta to Vasoactive Agents

The presence of time-dependent variations in the in vitro sensitivity of aorta preparations to either vasoconstricting or relaxing agents was investigated in rats maintained in light from 08: 00 to 20: 00 and in darkness from 20: 00 to 08: 00. Rat thoracic aorta rings were obtained from animals sacrificed at four different times of the day. The rat aorta was found to be more sensitive to the constricting effect of phenylephrine at 15: 00, and of 5-hydroxytryptamine at 21: 00. On the other hand, both endothelium-dependent and -independent relaxations were more remarkable at 03: 00 than at other times of the day. These variations represented significant circadian rhythms when analyzed by analysis of variance. Different in vitro responsiveness to these agents might reflect changes in the sensitivity and/or number of related receptors in vascular preparations. In conclusion, the circadian time of animal sacrifice to obtain vascular preparations constitutes an important aspect of the research method and a key determinant of findings. (Chronobiology International, 13(6), 465-475, 1996)     

Spin Trapping by Use of N-Tert-Butylhydroxylamine. Involvement of Fenton Reactions

Spin trapping of short-lived R. radicals is done by use of N-tert-butylhydroxylamine (1) and H²O². The hydroxylamine is oxidized to the radical t-BuN(O)H (2) which is converted into the spin trap 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (3). Simultaneously, hydroxyl radicals. OH are formed from H²O². The latter radical species abstracts hydrogen atoms from suitable molecules HR to give R. radicals, which are trapped with the formation of aminooxyl radicals, i. e., t-BuN(O)R (4) detectable by EPR spectroscopy. The reaction is enhanced by the presence of iron ions. The cleavage of H²O² into. OH radicals is considered to involve both a radical-driven (t-BuN(O)H 2) and an iron-driven Fenton reaction.     

Acid Versus Neutral Formalin Solution as a Neurological Fixative

The fixing action of 10% formalin solution alone and with formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, lactic, monochloracetic, dichloracetic, or trichloracetic acid was studied by means of stains with silver, osmic acid and cresyl violet. The following conclusions were reached:

1. In general, better fixation and staining was obtained with acid than without.

2. Less difference was seen in comparing one acid with another than was expected before the experiments were made.

3. Propionic, butyric, and dichloracetic showed no promise of having practical value.

4. Formic and monochloracetic acids as modifiers gave superior stains with osmic acid, while silver and cresyl violet stains of the same material were about equal to those made from formalin-acetic fixed material.

5. Lactic acid caused somewhat more distortion of tissue elements than the others but was compatible with good staining.

6. Acetic acid was most effective in concentrations of 3 to 5% while the stronger acids such as formic, monochloracetic, lactic and trichloracetic were effective in concentrations of 0.5 to 1%.     

Book Review

LEGGETT, W. F. Ancient and Medieval Dyes. 5 × 8 in. 96 pp. Cloth. Chemical Publishing Co., Brooklyn, N. Y. 1944. $2.25.

Microtechnic In General. McCARTNEY, J. E. A new immersion oil “polyric”. J. Path. & Bact., 56, 265-6. 1944.

NICKERSON, MARK. A dry ice freezing unit for rotary microtomes. Science, 100, 177-8. 1944.

Dyes And Thedx Biological Uses. BERGEIM, FRANK H., and BRAKER, WILLIAM. Homosulfanilamides. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 66, 1459. 1944.

CALDWELL, W. T., TYSON, F. T., and LAUER, LOTHAR. Substituted 2-sulfonamido-5-aminopyridines. II. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 66, 1479. 1944.

JOHNS, C. K. Dye concentration in resazurin tablets. Amer. J. Pub. Health, 34, 955-8. 1944.

SMITH, WINSLOW WHITNEY. Relative sensitivity of different phases of growth curve of Bact. salmonicida to alkaline acriflavine. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol. & Med., 56, 240-2. 1844.

VAN ARENDONK, A. M., and SHOULE, H. A. Dialkylaminoalkyl derivatives of substituted quinolines and quinaldines. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 66, 1284. 1944.

WHEELER, KEITH, and DEGERING, E. F. Preparation and properties of certain derivatives of sulfamide. J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 66, 1242. 1944.

Animal Microtechnic. BOARDMAN, EDWARD T. Methods for collecting ticks for study and delineation. J. Parasitology, 30, 57-9. 1944.

DICKIE, MARGARET M. A new differential stain for mouse pituitary. Science, 100, 297-8. 1944.

GOVAN, A. D. TELFORD. Fat staining by Sudan dyes suspended in watery media. J. Path. & Bact., 56, 262-4. 1944.

LILLIE, R. D., and ASHBURN, L. L. Supersaturated solutions of fat stains in dilute isopropanol for demonstration of acute fatty degenerations not shown by Herxheimer technic. Arch. Path., 36, 432. 1943.

MULLEN, J. P. A convenient and rapid method for staining glycogen in paraffin sections with Best's carmine stain. Amer. J. Clin. Path., Tech. Sect., 8, 9-10. 1944.

NYKA, W. A method for staining the rickettsiae of typhns in histological sections. J. Path. & Bact., 56, 264. 1944.

POPPER, HANS, GYORGY, PAUL, and GOLDBLATT, H. Fluorescent material (ceroid) in experimental nutritional cirrhosis. Arch. Path., 37, 161. 1944.

SMALL, C. S., and SCHULTZ, M. A. Sustaining faded tissue sections. Amer. J. Clin. Path., Tech. Sect., 7, 66-7. 1943.

YOFFEY, J. M., and PARNELL, J. The lymphocyte content of rabbit bone marrow. J. Anat., 78, 109-12. 1944.

ZIEGLER, E. E. Hematoxylin-eosin tissue stain. An improved, rapid, and uniform technic. Arch. Path., 37, 68. 1044.

Plant Microtechnic. HAASIS, FERDINAND W. Staining rubber in ground or milled plant tissues. Ind. and Eng. Chem., Anal. Ed., 16, 480. 1944.

PARRIS, G. K. A simple nuclear stain and staining technique for Helminthosporia. Phytopathology, 34, 700. 1944.

Microorganisms. DARZINS, E. Rickettsienstudien. Zentbl. Bakl., Abt. I, Orig., 151, 18-20. 1943.

GOHAR, M. A. A staining method for Corynebacterium diphtheriae. J. Bact., 47, 575. 1944.

GRAY, P. H. H. Two-stain method for direct bacteria count. J. Milk Techn., 6, 76. 1943.     

Biotransformation of podophyllotoxin by Hordeum vulgare cell suspension cultures

Hordeum vulgare cell suspension cultures were used to modify podophyllotoxin (1) One major product (1a) and one minor product (1b) were detected in both the culture medium and cells. To optimize the yield of compound 1a, we showed that: (1) the optimal concentration of added podophyllotoxin (1) was 33 mg L^-1; higher concentrations caused cell toxicity; (2) the stage of the cell cycle (lag/log/stationary) at which podophyllotoxin was added only marginally affected the yield of compound 1a; the optimal addition time was after lag phase, in which the yield of compound 1a reached ca. 76%, and (3) biotransformation of podophyllotoxin (1) was relatively slow; podophyllotoxin fed at 4 days after subculture resulted in yields of compound 1a of ca. 56, 64 and 76% after an additional 3, 6 and 10 days of incubation, respectively. Product 1a was purified and identified as isopicropodophyllone (1a) based on MS and NMR data.     

Marchi's Staining Method: Studies of Some of the Underlying Mechanisms Involved

Spinal cord of cat and rabbit was stained, after experimental lesions, by variations of Marchi's method. The following conclusions were drawn:

1. The presence of an oxidizing agent (K₂Cr₂O₇, NaIO₃, or KCIO₃) in the osmic acid solution is of primary importance and a preliminary oxidation in Mueller's fluid is unnecessary or even detrimental.

2. Acetic acid added to Marchi's fluid, accentuates the action of the oxidizing agent in restraining the staining of normal myelin.

3. Too high concentration of oxidizing agent or of acid may inhibit staining of degenerating myelin.

4. Marchi's and Busch's methods have been modified as follows: Fix one day in 10% formalin and transfer without washing to the staining mixture, either A or B. Staining mixture A: Marchi's fluid plus 1 to 3% glacial acetic acid. B: An aqueous solution containing KCIO₃ 0.25%, osmic acid 0.33%, and acetic acid 1%. Stain about one week. These methods worked on spinal cord and medulla, but cannot be recommended for brain.

5. The detrimental effects of long post mortem autolysis or of prolonged fixation in formalin may be counteracted to some degree by increasing the concentration of the acid in Marchi's fluid up to 5% or of the KCIO₃ up to 0.4% in the modified Busch's fluid.     

Dyes and their Biological Uses

SCHEIBE, O., and EDER, M. Lichtelektrische Emissionsmessung Akridin-orange-fluorochromierter Gewebesschnitte. Acta Histochemica 3, 6-18. 1956.     

α-烯醇化酶基因干扰表达对籽鹅卵泡颗粒细胞增殖及凋亡的影响*

目的: 研究α-烯醇化酶(ENO1)基因干扰表达对籽鹅卵泡颗粒细胞增殖、凋亡和细胞周期的影响。方法: 原代培养籽鹅F1级卵泡颗粒细胞(复合培养),将ENO1基因干扰表达重组质粒转染至籽鹅卵泡颗粒细胞。实验分为四组:ENO1干扰表达组(RNAi)、无关序列干扰组(NC)、培养液组(Control)、转染试剂组(Lip)。流式细胞术检测干扰组和对照各组的凋亡率、细胞周期时相性。结果: ENO1基因干扰表达使籽鹅卵泡颗粒细胞增殖速度变慢,凋亡率增加,G2/M期颗粒细胞比例增高。结论: ENO1基因干扰表达可使籽鹅卵泡颗粒细胞周期发生G2/M期阻滞,诱导细胞发生凋亡,抑制细胞增殖。     

山西省健康成年人淋巴细胞亚群正常参考值范围

目的:建立山西省健康成人外周血淋巴细胞亚群的正常参考值范围,为机体免疫状态的分析和肿瘤患者的免疫评估提供理论依据。方法:选取山西省1 238例健康成人体检人群,采用流式细胞术测定外周血淋巴细胞亚群的绝对计数和相对计数。结果:确定了健康成人外周血淋巴细胞表达水平,并发现CD3~+T细胞相对计数和绝对计数、CD4~+T细胞相对计数、CD8~+T细胞相对计数和绝对计数、NK细胞相对计数和绝对计数、CD19细胞相对计数和绝对计数、CD4/CD8比值在不同年龄组间存在显著差异性(P0.05);不同性别之间CD8~+T细胞相对计数、CD4~+T细胞绝对计数和CD19细胞绝对计数无统计学意义,CD3~+T细胞、CD8~+T细胞、NK细胞相对计数和绝对计数、CD4~+T细胞、CD19细胞相对计数均存在显著差异(P0.05)。结论:初步建立了山西省健康成年人外周血淋巴细胞亚群参考值范围,为机体免疫功能的评价和肿瘤免疫治疗、诊断提供了参考依据。     

CD177~+中性粒细胞在溃疡性结肠炎患者外周血中的表达及临床意义

目的:通过对比CD177~+中性粒细胞在溃疡性结肠炎(UC)患者与正常对照者外周血中的表达差异,分析CD177~+中性粒细胞在溃疡性结肠炎发生发展中的临床意义。方法:收集30例UC患者及20例正常对照者外周血,采用流式细胞术检测中性粒细胞CD177~+中性粒细胞表达情况,对比两组CD177表达差异。结果:UC患者外周血中CD177~+中性粒细胞表达明显高于正常对照组(P 0. 01),中度活动UC外周血CD177~+中性粒细胞表达较轻度者明显增高(P 0. 05),UC患者外周血CD177~+中性粒细胞%与Mayo评分呈显著正相关(r=0. 384,P=0. 036)。结论:CD177~+中性粒细胞在UC患者外周血表达明显增高,且与疾病活动程度密切相关,能够反映UC患者临床疾病活动程度。     

Micro-Manipulation of Cells in Mammals

An arrangement of apparatus for applying micro-manipulative procedures to cells in living mammals is described. It was found satisfactory for manipulation of pericapillary cells and capillary endothelium in the greater omentum of the cat.

An animal board, a Bausch and Lomb triple purpose micro-projector and a double Fitz micro-manipulator were mounted on a spring platform. The micro-needles were drawn from Pyrex rods by hand. The stage of the microscope was modified to protect the condenser from fluids. Warm saline solution was carried to the exposed omentum thru flexible rubber tubing.

The use of a micro-dissection chamber which immobilized the part of the omentum under manipulation is explained. The construction of this chamber is shown by diagrams. A camera support was bolted to the base of the micro-manipulator.

The arrangement of apparatus is shown by a photograph.     

Book Reviews

Oxygen, Gene expression and Cellular Function, Vol 105 Lung Biology in Health and Disease L. B. Clerch and D. J. Massaro Marcel Dekker, 1997

Food and Free Radicals Edited by Midori Hiramatsu, Toshikazu Yoshikawa and Masayosu Inoue Plenum Press, 1997, ISBN 0-306-45493-9 vii + 169 pages

Preventing Coronary Heart Disease: The Role of Antioxidants, Vegetables and Fruit Ed Lesley Rogers and Imogen Sharp National Heart Forum 1997 The Stationery Office London

Inducible Gene Expression Volume 1 Environmental Stresses and Nutrients Volume 2 Hormonal Signals Ed by PA Baeuerle, Birkhauser Verlag AG, Basel, 1997

Antioxidants in Science, Technology, Medicine and Nutrition Gerald Scott Albion Chemical Science Series, Ellis Horwoood Publishing Ltd, Chichester, UK, 1997

Flavonoids in Health and Diseases Eds C A Rce-Evans and L Packer Marcel Dekker Inc, New York, 1997     

The Fixing and Staining of Liriodendron Tulepifera Root Tips and their Mycorrehizal Fungus

Root tips of Liriodendron Tulipifera forming with a fungus of the Mycelium Radicis group an endotrophic mycorrhiza, were subjected to several different fixations in which the action of cationic chromium and anionic chromium were compared. Anionic chromium in the form of chromic acid was combined with several substituted benzene compounds while cationic chromium in the form of chromic sulfate (Cr₂(SO₄)₃·15 H₂O) in 4% formaldehyde (HCHO) was used with the same ring compounds. In addition, several fixatives not containing chromium were tested.

Five percent chromic sulfate (Cr₂(SO₄)₂·15 H₂O) in 4% formaldehyde (HCHO) or in 1% osmic acid with saturated aqueous salicylic and/or picric acid preserved the histological and cytological details of the mycorrhiza, as was clearly demonstrated when followed by staining in 3% acetic acid saturated with orseillin BB and counterstained with 1% crystal violet in clove oil.

Two percent ferric chloride (Fe Cl₃) in 4% formaldehyde showed the relationship of the tannin contents of the cells to the invading hyphae when followed by suitable staining.

Cationic chromium appeared to be superior to anionic chromium in preserving cell walls as well as the general histologic features of the material investigated.     

Marchi's Staining Method: II. Fixation

Following experimental lesions, spinal cords of cats and rabbits were fixed with acid, neutral, and alkaline solutions. Staining was limited to a chromate-osmic (Marchi's) solution and a chlorate-osmic solution. The following conclusions were drawn:

The presence of an acid in the fixative caused normal myelin sheaths to stain. This effect was reduced by washing tissues before staining, by adding acetic acid to the stain, or by employing a non-formalin fixative. It was, however, at no time entirely obviated.

A study was made of the granular deposits which occur in nearly all Marchi preparations and which are especially confusing if very light backgrounds are obtained.

The staining reactions of the granular deposits were very similar to those of degenerating myelin but some suppression of the granules was obtained by adding KCIO₃ to the formalin fixative.