A synopsis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Cohniella</Emphasis> (Orchidaceae,Oncidiinae)

A synopsis of the genus Cohniella is presented with nomenclatural updates with a discusion of diagnostic features and biogeographical data. Thirteen species and one natural hybrid are recognized. Two new species, Cohniella pendula and Cohniella biorbicularis, are described and illustrated. The following four new combinations are proposed: Cohniella binotii, Cohniella brachyphylla, Cohniella cepula, and Cohniella longifolia. Lectotypes are selected for Oncidium subulifolium, Oncidium helicanthum, Oncidium humboldtii, Oncidium jonesianum var. phaeanthum, Oncidium cepula, and Oncidium wittii. We also propose an amended lectotype for Epidendrum cebolleta and several epitypifications and new synonyms. A key to the genera of the Trichocentrum complex is presented (Appendix) as well as keys to the species of Cohniella.     

Synthesis and potential antitumor activity of 7-(4-substituted piperazin-1-yl)-4-oxoquinolines based on ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin scaffolds: in silico studies

The potential antitumor activities of a series of 7-(4-substituted piperazin-1-yl)fluoroquinolone derivatives (1–14a,b) using ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin as scaffolds are described. These compounds exhibit potent and broad spectrum antitumor activities using 60 human cell lines in addition to the inherent antibacterial activity. Compounds 1a, 2a, 3b, 6b and 7a were found to be the most potent, while 2b, 5b, and 6a were found to have an average activity. The results of this study demonstrated that compounds 1a, 2a, 3b, 6b and 7a (mean GI₅₀; 2.63–3.09?µM) are nearly 7-fold more potent compared with the positive control 5-fluorouracil (mean GI₅₀; 22.60?µM). More interestingly, compounds 1a, 2a, 3b, 6b and 7a have an almost antitumor activity similar to gefitinib (mean GI₅₀; 3.24?µM) and are nearly 2-fold more potent compared to erlotinib (mean GI₅₀; 7.29?µM). In silico study and ADME-Tox prediction methodology were used to study the antitumor activity of the most active compounds and to identify the structural features required for antitumor activity.     

ACYCLIC NUCLEOSIDE/NUCLEOTIDE ANALOGUES WITH AN IMIDAZOLE RING SKELETON

Syntheses of a few acyclic nucleoside and acyclic nucleoside phosphonate analogues containing an imidazole ring have been reported. These analogues include methyl 1-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)imidazole-4,5-dicarbo-xylate (1), 4,5-dicarbamoyl-1-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)imidazole (2), 4,5-dicya-no-1-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)imidazole (4), Methyl 1-(2-bromoethoxymethyl)- imidazole-4,5-dicarboxylate (7), 4,5-dicyano-(2-bromoethoxymethyl)imidazole (8), and Methyl 1-(2-phosphonomethoxyethyl)imidazole (10). Also reported are a few potential prodrugs of the above compounds, including the acetyl derivatives 5 and 6 (of 1 and 4, respectively), and the diethyl phosphonate ester 9 (of 10). In addition, the corresponding benzyl-protected precursors 11 and 12 (of 1 and 4, respectively), along with their common hydrolysis product, 1-(2-benzyloxy-ethoxymethyl)-4,5-imidazoledicarboxylic acid (3), are reported. Another potential prodrug included in the list is 1-(2-acetoxyethyl)-4,5-dicyanoimidazole (15). The compounds were screened for in vitro antiviral activity against a wide variety of herpes and respiratory viruses. The most active compound was the phosphonate analogue 9 which exhibited an anti-measles virus activity with an EC₅₀ of <2.5 μg/mL and an SI value of > 176.     

Boron nitride nanotubes for gene silencing

BackgroundNon-viral gene delivery is increasingly investigated as an alternative to viral vectors due to low toxicity and immunogenicity, easy preparation, tissue specificity, and ability to transfer larger sizes of genes.MethodsIn this study, boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are functionalized with oligonucleotides (oligo-BNNTs). The morpholinos complementary to the oligonucleotides attached to the BNNTs (morpholino/oligo-BNNTs) are hybridized to silence the luciferase gene. The morpholino/oligo-BNNTs conjugates are administered to luciferase-expressing cells (MDA-MB-231-luc2) and the luciferase activity is monitored.ResultsThe luciferase activity is decreased when MDA-MB-231-luc2 cells were treated with morpholino/oligo-BNNTs.ConclusionsThe study suggests that BNNTs can be used as a potential vector to transfect cells.General significanceBNNTs are potential new nanocarriers for gene delivery applications.     

A monograph of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ascogrammitis</Emphasis>, a new genus of grammitid ferns (Polypodiaceae)

This paper describes Ascogrammitis, a new genus of grammitid ferns formerly combined under Terpsichore. Seventeen species are recognized, including five new ones: A. clavigera, A. colombiensis, A. loxensis, A. oxapampensis, and A. tungurahuae. New combinations are made for A. alan-smithii, A. anfractuosa, A. angustipes, A. athyrioides, A. clathrata, A. cuencana, A. david-smithii, A. dilatata, A. nana, A. pichinchae, A. pichinchensis, A. stuebelii, and a lectotype is chosen for Polypodium induens. A key is provided to distinguish the species, and illustrations are provided for 12 species. The genus occurs primarily in neotropical cloud forests, with the greatest diversity in the Andes. Ascogrammitis is one of two monophyletic groups of grammitid ferns that are consistently associated with Acrospermum, an epibiotic bitunicate ascomycete that produces black clavate fruiting bodies.     

基于控制图的医院服务质量持续改进

目的 应用统计过程控制理论分析指导医院服务质量持续改进。方法 联合使用多个控制图方法对医院服务质量评价指标的变化趋势进行监控,及时发现过程中的异常波动,制定针对性措施实施过程改进。结果 找出了影响医院服务质量数据波动的主要原因,制定改进措施,取得了良好的管理效果。结论 控制图可以准确全面反映医院服务质量的总体情况和过程控制情况,根据数据异常分布状态找到潜在的影响服务质量的原因并进行持续改进,是有效的过程管理工具。     

Nutrient turnover studies in alpine ecosystems

Summary Two plant communities, both dominated by Carex sempervirens but growing at different altitudes of the Northern Calcareous Alp region (IS: 600 m; KS: 1200 m) and one Carex ferruginea — dominated community (KC: 1200 m) are compared as to changes in dry matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium content of living and dead overground and underground phytomass.The soils of the montanic sites KS and KC are better provided with water and the three nutrients than that of the prealpine site IS. KC has the highest potassium content in the soil and in the phytomass.The dry matter increase (g/m²) of the living overground phytomass during the growing season is about 200 in IS, 360 in KS, and 340 in KC with maxima of 365 in IS, 550 in KS and 375 in KC.The increase of dead overground phytomass is highest in KS, indicating that the total annual overground production exceeds the mere increase in living parts. Furthermore, there is an increase of underground phytomass in KS and KC. The average ratio of total underground/living overground phytomass is 4.6 in IS, 3.7 in KS, but 7.5 in KC.The annual fluctuation of nitrogen (g/m²) in the living overground phytomass increases from 2.5 in IS to 3.8 in KS and to 5.9 in KC. For KS and KC these values approach the nitrogen mineralization values of the soils observed during the growing season. There is an obvious increase of nitrogen in the underground phytomass of KS and KC toward the end of the growing season. It is concluded that in KC, there is a more pronounced annual oscillation of nitrogen between overground and underground phytomass, which is not observed in IS, and which in KS is intermediate.     

2001: New name to reflect wider scope Online-First in LINK now available

Starting with Volume 24 in 2001, with a new name and new editorial board the publisher also introduces wider scope, again strictly peer-reviewed articles and Online First, the feature in LINK that guarantees fast publication and international visibility through Springer-Verlag and LINK, the leading electronic journals service. With Online First articles can be published in electronic form weeks before distribution of the print journal – even before the issue and page numbers have been assigned. Publication of an article in a print journal usually takes several months. Even when peer-reviewing, revisions, final acceptance, typesetting and proof-reading have been completed, the paper cannot be printed immediately, but must wait until the “next available issue”. For technical reasons, a printed journal has to have a minimum number of pages, and issues are also published according to an annual schedule. Online First articles are published within the LINK service in a temporary directory. For the publication in the printed version, only the final page numbers, the citation line and the online publication date will be added. This is not a preprint service, the publications are in their final form. Authors will have been informed that after electronic publication they cannot change the contents of an article and that the articles cannot be withdrawn. Publication date of the article is the Online Publication Date, which is indicated in LINK as well as in the printed article. Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering now provides an even more attractive international forum to facilitate the discussion between engineering and biological science to find efficient solutions in the development and improvement of bioprocesses. The aim of the journal is to focus more attention on the multidisciplinary approaches for integrative process design based on the hierarchical structure and de-composability of biosystems leading to analysis and synthesis. Contributions are targeted at new approaches for rational and evolutive design of cellular systems by taking into account the environment and constraints of technical production processes, integration of recombinant technology and process design, as well as new hybrid intersections such as bioinformatics and process systems engineering. The journal publishes Original Papers, Short Communications and Mini Reviews. Fields of interest are: Bioprocess Engineering, Biocatalysis, Metabolic Engineering, Rational and Evolutive Design of Biosystems, Functinal Genomics, Application of Biosystems Engineering to Medicine. The Editor-in-chief     

Terpenoids constituents of Euphorbia sapinii

The investigation of an acetone extract of whole Euphorbia sapinii led to the isolation of eighteen terpenoids among which lanost-24-en-20-ol-3-tetradecanoate (1), euphorbol-7-one (2) are new while spectroscopic data of 30-nor-hopan-3β-ol-22-one (3) are reported for the first time. The structures of all compounds were determined using 1D, 2D NMR and MS techniques.     

Comparison of two versions of an EPD,using generic and specific data for the foreground system,and some methodological implications

Purpose

Differences in the practice of inclusion and the definition of specific and generic data when performing an LCA for an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) may lead to incomparable EPDs. The purpose of this paper is to illuminate the importance of precise definitions regarding data quality in EPDs.

Method

The authors define relevant terminology before describing methodological differences between two versions of EPDs for an office chair. The analyses performed for one EPD use generic data for the foreground system, while the other uses specific data. Results for some impact categories as well as inventory findings are shown, and the reasons for differences are investigated and discussed.

Results

Relevant dilemmas are examined with regard to the choice of generic or specific data. These include practical hindrances and the promotion of environmental improvement. Some preliminary methodological and organisational implications are described, followed by an outline of further research.

Conclusions

This paper shows the substantial variations arising from using two datasets with different degrees of specificity, and concludes that they increase in relation to the distinctiveness of the process or material. This highlights the importance of EPD programmes in establishing precise, unambiguous definitions and vocabulary with regard to specific as against generic data, when combined with foreground and background processes. It is essential to take this into consideration so as to avoid misunderstandings or false agreement when discussing data quality. It is also necessary in order to avoid comparisons of products based on very different assumptions.

     

Pitipeptolides C-F, antimycobacterial cyclodepsipeptides from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula from Guam

Pitipeptolides A (1) and B (2) are cyclic depsipeptides isolated from the marine cyanobacterium Lyngbya majuscula from Piti Bomb Holes, Guam. Additional analogues have now been isolated by revisiting larger collections of the same cyanobacterium. The four identified analogues, pitipeptolides C–F (3–6), are the tetrahydro analogue (3), an analogue with a lower degree of methylation (4) as well as two homologues (5 and 6) of pitipeptolide A. Their structures were elucidated using 2D NMR experiments, chiral HPLC analysis and comparison with pitipeptolide A. The identified analogues showed weaker cytotoxic activities compared to the two major parent compounds, pitipeptolides A (1) and B (2), against HT-29 colon adenocarcinoma and MCF7 breast cancer cells. On the other hand, pitipeptolide F (6) was the most potent pitipeptolide in a disc diffusion assay against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The latter finding suggests that the structure of pitipeptolides could be optimized for selective antibacterial activity.     

Conformationally Restricted Nucleosides. The Reaction of Adenosine Deaminase with Substrates Built on a Bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane Template

Abstract

Adenosine deaminase (ADA) can discriminate between two distinct (North and South), conformationally rigid substrate conformers. (N)-methanocarba-2′dA (4) is deaminated 100 times faster than the antipodal (S)-methanocarba-2′dA (5), whereas a non-rigid analogue, aristeromycin (6), is deaminated at an intermediate rate. These results are in agreement with crystallographic data from ADA-ribonucleoside complexes showing the furanose ring of the bound purine in a C3′-endo (North) conformation. The data presented here suggests that 4 and 5 are useful probes to ascertain conformational preferences by purine metabolizing enzymes.     

Chemical and Enzymatic Synthesis of 2′-Deoxy-iso-inosine and Its Incorporation into DNA

Abstract

Two procedures for the preparation of 2′-deoxy-iso-inosine (1) are presented. Synthesis of 3′-phosphoramidite (7) and 3′-phosphonate (8) derivatives are described, as well as an oligodeoxynucleotide containing iso-I.     

Fliposomes: pH-triggered conformational flip of new trans-2-aminocyclohexanol-based amphiphiles causes instant cargo release in liposomes

A new type of pH-sensitive liposomes (fliposomes) was designed based on the amphiphiles that are able to perform a pH-triggered conformational flip (flipids). This flip disrupts the liposome membrane and causes rapid release of the liposome cargo, specifically in response to lowered pH. The flipids (1) and (2) are equipped with a trans-2-aminocyclohexanol conformational switch. pH-sensitive fliposomes containing one or both of these flipids, as well as POPC and PEG ceramide, were constructed and characterized. These compositions were stable at 4^°C and pH 7.4 for several months. Fliposomes loaded with ANTS/DPX performed an unusually quick content release within a few seconds at pH below 8.5 (in case of 2) and 6.0 (in case of 1). This difference in pH sensitivity demonstrates a potential for the custom design of flipids by variation of the amino group to target areas with specific pH values. The pH titration curves for the fliposome leakage parallel the curves for the acid-induced conformational flip of 1 and 2 studied by ¹H NMR. A plausible mechanism of pH sensitivity starts with an acid-triggered conformational flip of 1 or 2, which changes the molecular size and shape, shortens the lipid tails, and perturbs the liposome membrane, resulting in the content leakage.     

Synthesis, characterization, and in vitro antitumor properties of gold(III) compounds with the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) active ingredient liriodenine

Abstract  

Liriodenine, an oxoaporphine alkaloid with anticancer activity isolated from Zanthoxylum nitidum (rutaceous anticancer traditional Chinese medicine), was selected as a bioactive ligand to react with HAuCl₄ and NaAuCl₄ to afford [LH][AuCl₄] (1) and [AuCl₃L] (2), respectively (where L is liriodenine). The structures of 1 and 2 were characterized by IR spectroscopy, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, ¹H-NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis of 1 revealed that it is an ionic compound consisting of protonated liriodenine cation [LH]⁺ and [AuCl₄]⁻ anion. The spectroscopic analysis showed that 2 is a coordination compound, in which one liriodenine coordinates to gold via its 7-N donor. In aqueous solution, 1 is relatively stable, but 2 undergoes rapid hydrolysis. The in vitro cytotoxicity towards five human tumor cell lines shows that 1 and 2 manifest roughly similar biological behavior and appreciable antiproliferative properties, with IC₅₀ values falling in the 2–16 μM range. The flow-cytometric analysis of 1 and 2 suggests that both compounds induced an S-phase arrest. Compounds 1 and 2 significantly poison topoisomerase I in vitro at low concentration (25 μM or less). DNA binding studies indicate that both 1 and 2 interact with DNA mainly via intercalation between the neighboring base pairs of the DNA double helix. Electrostatic interactions of 1 and 2 with the polyanionic DNA phosphate backbone may reinforce the intercalation because both 1 and 2 are composed of planar cationic species.     

Program MULDER -- a tool for extracting torsion angles from NMR data

MULDER (Mostly UniversaL Dihedral angle ExtractoR) is a program for extraction of torsion angle information from NMR data. Currently, it can analyze two types of input data: The torsion angle data, where several ³J-coupling constants and/or interatomic distances are combined in order to reduce the torsion angle ambiguity arising from solving the isolated Karplus (or distance) equation, and the sugar pucker data, where the dynamics of five-membered sugar rings is evaluated by postprocessing the results calculated from ³J_(HH) coupling constants by program PSEUROT. Program MULDER can be used either as an alternative to r-MD programs in situations where only specific structural features are studied, or as a preparatory tool in connection with full r-MD structure calculation for extraction of unambiguous torsion angle restraints.     

Asymmetric microbial reduction of ethyl and isoprophyl α,1,3-trioxo-2-isoindolinebutyrate

Summary Microorganisms are capable of the asymmetric reduction of various types of ketones. From a limited screening with 103 selected microbial strains two have been chosen which reduce ethyl and isopropyl ,1,3-trioxo-2-isoindolinebutyrate (1a and 1b) stereoselectively. The optically active products ethyl and isopropyl -hydroxy-1,3-dioxo-2-isoindoline butyrate (2a and 2b) are useful precursors of the cerebral insufficiency improver hydroxy-aniracetam. Up to 3% of substrates 1a or 1b can be added in the reaction medium and converted by Candida parapsilosis. The isolated (R)-enantiomers of the product alcohols 2a and 2b show an enantiomeric excess (ee) of 98%–99%. The process was successfully tested on a 200-1 scale, the transformation rate being 0.83 g/1 per day and the yield of isolated product 72%. With Torulopsis magnoliae (S)-enantiomers of the products 2a and 2b were formed with an ee of 97%–99%.Offprint requests to: Hans G. W. Leuenberger     

Synthesis and characterization of a proton transfer salt between 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid and 2-aminobenzothiazole,and its complexes and their inhibition studies on carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes

Abstract

A novel proton transfer compound (HABT)⁺(Hdipic)^? (1) obtained from ABT and H₂dipic and its metal complexes (2–5) have been prepared and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. Single crystal X-ray diffraction method has also been applied to 2 and 5. While complex 2 has a distorted octahedral conformation, 5 exhibits a distorted square pyramidal structure. The structures of 3 and 4 might be proposed as octahedral according to experimental data. All compounds were also evaluated for their in vitro inhibition effects on hCA I and II for their hydratase and esterase activities. Although there is no inhibition for hydratase activities, all compounds have inhibited the esterase activities of hCA I and II. The comparison of the inhibition studies of 1–5 to parent compounds indicates that 1–5 have superior inhibitory effects. The inhibition effects of 2–5 are also compared to inhibitory properties of the metal complexes of ABT and H₂dipic, revealing an improved transfection profile.     

Genome analysis of amaranths: Determination of inter- and intra-species variations

Amaranths are an important group of plants and include grain, vegetable and ornamental types. Despite the economic importance of the amaranths, there is very little information available about the extent and nature of genetic diversity present in the genus Amaranthus at molecular level. We now report the randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profiles of different species of Amaranthus as well as different accessions of the species. These RAPD analyses have been carried out using 65 arbitrary sequence decamer primers. From the RAPD data, an UPGMA dendrogram illustrating the inter-as well as intra-species relationships has been computed. The putative hybrid origin of A.dubious from A. hybridus and A. spinosus is also ruled out by the RAPD data. The trends of species relationships amongst the amaranths determined by RAPDs is consistent with their cytogenetic and evolutionary relationships that have already been determined. NBRI Communication No:464 (N.S.).     

An automatic counter for aerial images of aggregations of large birds

Capsule Counts with precision comparable to those of an expert observer can be achieved automatically.

Aims To develop an open-source freeware program that automatically extracts and counts the number of birds in aerial images of dense aggregations.

Methods Software was developed and validated using aerial photographs of Greater Flamingo colonies from France, Turkey and Mauritania. We used a stochastic approach based on object processes. The objects representing flamingos were defined as ellipses, and the software detected these and produced a count. Details of the procedure are provided in electronic supplementary material. The energy is extracted by a birth-and-death algorithm, leading to the total number of birds.

Results This procedure gave counts with precision comparable to manual counts of the aerial photographs by an expert (<5% difference). The procedure does not need any supervision of the extraction by an operator, thus reducing the processing time required to get the estimate of bird numbers in the image from?>4 h to 20 min on average.

Conclusion This open-source freeware should be useful for ornithologists and wildlife managers.