Synthesis and characterization of core‐shell magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers for selective extraction of allocryptopine from the wastewater of Macleaya cordata (Willd) R. Br.

A novel type of magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIP) as the solid‐phase extraction sorbent was prepared, which can extract effectively the allocryptopine from the waster of Macleaya cordata (Willd) R. Br. In this study, MMIP was synthesized by using Fe₃O₄@SiO₂, 4‐vinyl‐pyridine, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, and allocryptopine, and these ingredients worked as magnetic core, functional monomer, cross‐linker, and template, respectively. Concluded by the calculation of Gaussian 09 software, different ratio models of 4‐vinyl‐pyridine and allocryptopine were simulated, and the optimal ratio was 1:5 and the energy was ?2205.34 kJ/mol. Transmission electron microscopy, vibration sample magnetometry, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were used to determine the morphology and structure of MMIP. Furthermore, the results of adsorption experiments indicated that MMIP had high selectivity, excellent recyclability, and good adsorption performance (9.86 mg/g, 298 K). The adsorption process was consistent with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm (R² > 0.98, 298 K) and pseudo‐second‐order kinetics model (R² > 0.99, 298 K). After six times adsorption‐desorption experiments, the adsorption amount of MMIP only reduced to 8.5%. In the experiments of selective adsorption, MMIP has better adsorption properties for allocryptopine (ALL, C₂₁H₂₃NO₅) than those having the same functional group. The limit of detection (LOD) was 0.4 μg/mL. The relative standard deviation ranged from 0.09% to 0.72%. The recovery of allocryptopine in samples ranged from 93.60% to 106.19%. In addition, the synthesized complex had a certain adsorption effect on allocryptopine separating from the wastewater of Macleaya cordata (Willd) R. Br.     

Tricalycoside,a New Cerebroside from Tricalysia coriacea (Rubiaceae)

A new cerebroside, named as tricalycoside ( 1 ), was isolated from the CH₂Cl₂/MeOH (1:1) extract of twigs and leaves of Tricalysia coriacea using repeated silica gel open column chromatography followed by preparative TLC and Sephadex LH‐20, together with six known compounds ( 2 – 7 ). The structure of the new compound was determined by analysis of 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR, MS data, chemical conversion, and by comparison of these data with those from the literature. Tricalycoside ( 1 ) possessed a weak antibacterial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (MIC = 75 μg/mL).     

Metabolite Profiling by Hyphenated Liquid Chromatographic Mass Spectrometric Technique (HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS) and Neurobiological Potential of Haplophyllum sahinii and H. vulcanicum Extracts

In the current study, the ethanol extracts of flower, stem, and root parts of two endemic Turkish species, e. g., Haplophyllum sahinii O. Tugay & D. Uluku? and H. vulcanicum Boiss . & Heldr ., were screened against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) associated with Alzheimer's disease as well as tyrosinase (TYR) linked to Parkinson's disease using ELISA microplate assay at 200 μg/mL. Among the extracts, the highest inhibition was caused by the stem extract of H. sahinii against BChE (IC₅₀=64.93±1.38 μg/mL). Consistently, all of the extracts were found to exert a selective inhibition towards BChE to some extent. It was only the root extract of H. vulcanicum that could inhibit AChE at low level (IC₅₀=203.18±5.33 μg/mL). None of the extracts displayed an inhibition over 50 % against TYR. Metabolite profiling of the extracts was achieved by a highly hyphenated liquid chromatographic mass spectrometric technique (HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS), which revealed the presence of furoquinoline (β‐fagarine, γ‐fagarine) and amide (tubasenicine, tubacetine) alkaloids; furano‐ (rutamarin), pyrano‐ (xanthyletine), and geranyloxy coumarins; phenylpropanoid (secoisolariciresinol), arylnaphthalene (mono‐O‐acetyldiphyllin apioside), and dibenzylbutyrolactone (kusunokinin, haplomyrfolin) lignans. Several important differences were observed between the extracts analyzed. β‐Fagarine was the major alkaloid in H. vulcanicum, whereas γ‐fagarine was present only in the roots of both Haplophyllum species; moreover, secoisolariciresinol and secoisolariciresinol dimethyl ether were the main lignans in the stems and flowers. This is the first study identifying ChE and TYR inhibitory effect and metabolic profiles of H. vulcanicum and H. sahinii.     

Oxidative stress induces alkaloid production in Uncaria tomentosa root and cell cultures in bioreactors

The effect of oxidative stress on indole alkaloids accumulation by cell suspensions and root cultures of Uncaria tomentosa in bioreactors was investigated. Hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂, 200 μM) added to U. tomentosa cell suspension cultures in shaken flasks induced the production of monoterpenoid oxindole alkaloids (MOA) up to 40.0 μg/L. In a stirred tank bioreactor, MOA were enhanced by exogenous H₂O₂ (200 μM) from no detection up to 59.3 μg/L. Root cultures grew linearly in shaken flasks with a μ=0.045 days^?1 and maximum biomass of 12.08±1.24 g DW/L (at day 30). Roots accumulated 3α‐dihydrocadambine (DHC) 2354.3±244.8 μg/g DW (at day 40) and MOA 348.2±32.1 μg/g DW (at day 18). Exogenous addition of H₂O₂ had a differential effect on DHC and MOA production in shaken flasks. At 200 μM H₂O₂, MOA were enhanced by 56% and DHC by 30%; while addition of 800 and 1000 μM H₂O₂, reduced by 30–40% DHC accumulation without change in MOA. Root cultures in the airlift reactor produced extracellular H₂O₂ with a characteristic biphasic profile after changing aeration. Maximum MOA was 9.06 mg/L at day 60 while at this time roots reached ca. 1 mg/L of DHC. Intracellular H₂O₂ in root cultures growing in the bioreactor was 0.87 μmol/g DW compared to 0.26 μmol/g DW of shaken flasks cultures. These results were in agreement with a higher activity of the antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase and peroxidase by 6‐ and 2‐times, respectively. U. tomentosa roots growing in the airlift bioreactor were exposed to an oxidative stress and their antioxidant system was active allowing them to produce oxindole alkaloids.     

Toxicity of Thiophenes from Echinops transiliensis (Asteraceae) against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae

Structure? activity relationships of nine thiophenes, 2,2′: 5′,2″‐terthiophene ( 1 ), 2‐chloro‐4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yn‐1‐yl acetate ( 2 ), 4‐(2,2′‐bithiophen‐5‐yl)but‐3‐yne‐1,2‐diyl diacetate ( 3 ), 4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yne‐1,2‐diyl diacetate ( 4 ), 4‐(2,2′‐bithiophen‐5‐yl)‐2‐hydroxybut‐3‐yn‐1‐yl acetate ( 5 ), 2‐hydroxy‐4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yn‐1‐yl acetate ( 6 ), 1‐hydroxy‐4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yn‐2‐yl acetate ( 7 ), 4‐(2,2′‐bithiophen‐5‐yl)but‐3‐yne‐1,2‐diol ( 8 ), and 4‐[5‐(penta‐1,3‐diyn‐1‐yl)thiophen‐2‐yl]but‐3‐yne‐1,2‐diol ( 9 ), isolated from the roots of Echinops transiliensis, were studied as larvicides against Aedes aegypti. Structural differences among compounds 3, 5 , and 8 consisted in differing AcO and OH groups attached to C(3″) and C(4″), and resulted in variations in efficacy. Terthiophene 1 showed the highest activity (LC₅₀, 0.16 μg/ml) among compounds 1 – 9 , followed by bithiophene compounds 3 (LC₅₀, 4.22 μg/ml), 5 (LC₅₀, 7.45 μg/ml), and 8 (LC₅₀, 9.89 μg/ml), and monothiophene compounds 9 (LC₅₀, 12.45 μg/ml), 2 (LC₅₀, 14.71 μg/ml), 4 (LC₅₀, 17.95 μg/ml), 6 (LC₅₀, 18.55 μg/ml), and 7 (LC₅₀, 19.97 μg/ml). These data indicated that A. aegypti larvicidal activities of thiophenes increase with increasing number of thiophene rings, and the most important active site in the structure of thiophenes could be the tetrahydro‐thiophene moiety. In bithiophenes, 3, 5 , and 8 , A. aegypti larvicidal activity increased with increasing number of AcO groups attached to C(3″) or C(4″), indicating that AcO groups may play an important role in the larvicidal activity.     

Synthesis,Biological Activity and Action Mechanism Study of Novel Chalcone Derivatives Containing Malonate

A series of novel chalcone malonate derivatives were synthesized and their antibacterial and antiviral activities were evaluated. All target compounds were characterized by spectral data. The results of antimicrobial bioassay showed that one compound (diethyl [3‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)‐1‐(3‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐oxopropyl]propanedioate) showed excellent antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), with an EC₅₀ value of 10.2 μg/mL, which is significantly superior to bismerthiazol (71.7 μg/mL) and thiodiazole copper (97.8 μg/mL). At the same time, the mechanism of two compounds was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, another compound (diethyl [3‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)‐1‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐3‐oxopropyl]propanedioate) showed significant curative activity to tobacco mosaic virus, with a value of 74.3 %, which was superior to 53.3 % of ningnanmycin. The results of microscale thermophoresis also showed that the Kd value of the combination of two compounds with the coat protein of tobacco mosaic virus was 0.211 and 0.166 μmol/L, which was better than 0.596 μmol/L of ningnanmycin. At the same time, the molecular docking of two compounds with tobacco mosaic virus‐coat protein shows that the compound is well embedded in the pocket between the two subunits of tobacco mosaic virus‐coat protein. These results show that chalcone derivatives containing malonate group can be considered as activators in the design of antibacterial and antiviral agents.     

In vitro regeneration of long spur barrenwort (Epimedium grandiflorum Morr.) from rachis explants

Summary A system for micropropagation of Epimedium grandiflorum Morr. from rachis explants was developed. Explants were cultured onto Murashige and Skoog (MS) basal salts medium supplemented with (per L) 100 mg myo-inositol, 2 mg pyridoxine-HCl, 2 mg nicotinic acid, 0.40 mg thiamine-HCl, 30 g sucrose, and 2 g Phytagel. The medium also contained 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) at 0.1, 0.2, or 0.25 mg/L (0.5, 0.9, or 1.1 μM) combined with either N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) or 2-isopentenyl adenine (2ip) at 2.5, 5, or 10 mg/L (11.1, 22.2, or 44.4 μM BA or 12.3, 24.6, or 49.2 μM 2iP). Cultures were maintained at a 16-h photoperiod (40 μmol/m²/s) and 23±2° C. Callogenesis preceded shoot regeneration. Callus formation increased with higher 2,4-D concentrations. The highest percent regeneration, 83% of explants, was obtained on 10 mg BA per L (44.4 μM) combined with 0.25 mg 2,4-D per L (1.1 μM). The maximum number of shoots, 15 per explant, was obtained from explants cultured on a medium containing 0.1 mg 2,4-D per L (0.45 μM) combined with 2.5 mg BA per L (11.1 μM). Maximum shoot length, 0.4 cm, was obtained on 5 mg BA per L (22.2 μM) combined with 0.2 mg 2,4-D per L (0.9 μM). To produce whole plants, shoots were separated and rooted on hormone-free medium containing 1 g activated charcoal per L. Rachises provided an excellent source of explants for Epimedium micropropagation and proved suitable for callus production.     

A new approach to ammonium sulphate feeding for fed‐batch Arthrospira (Spirulina) platensis cultivation in tubular photobioreactor

Arthrospira platensis was cultivated in tubular photobioreactor using different photosynthetic photon flux densities (PPFD) and protocols of (NH₄)₂SO₄ fed‐batch supply. Results were evaluated by variance analysis selecting maximum cell concentration (X_m), cell productivity (P_x), nitrogen‐to‐cell conversion factor (Y_X/N) and biomass, protein and lipid contents as responses. At PPFD of 120 and 240 μmol‐photons/m² s, a parabolic profile of (NH₄)₂SO₄ addition aiming at producing biomass with 7% nitrogen content ensured X_m values (14.1 and 12.2 g/L, respectively) comparable to those obtained with NaNO₃. At PPFD of 240 μmol‐photons/m² s, P_x (1.69 g/Ld) was 36% higher, although the photosynthetic efficiency (3.0%) was less than one‐half that at PPFD of 120 μmol‐photons/m² s. Biomass was shown to be constituted by about 35% proteins and 10% lipids, without any dependence on PPFD or kind of nitrogen source. These results highlight the possible use of (NH₄)₂SO₄ as alternative, cheap nitrogen source for A. platensis cultivation in tubular photobioreactors. © 2010 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2010     

Preparation of aminated core‐shell fluorescent nanoparticles and their application to the synchronous fluorescence determination of γ‐globulin

Amino‐modified silica nanoparticles (FSNPs) doped with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) were synthesized by using an aqueous core of reverse‐micelle microemulsion as the nanoreactor in an easy one‐pot method. Due to the FITC conjugating with (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTS), the nanoparticles prevent the FITC from leaching from the silica matrix when immersed in aqueous solution. SEM, FTIR, fluorescence lifetime, a photobleaching experiment and synchronous fluorescence spectra were used to characterize the FSNPs. The synchronous fluorescence signal of FSNPs was enhanced when trace amounts of γ‐globulin (γ‐G) were added. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the enhanced fluorescence intensity (ΔF) was linear with the concentration of γ‐G (c) in the range 0.3–4.8 µg/mL, with a detection limit of 0.04 µg/mL. The proposed method is simple, sensitive for the determination of trace amounts of γ‐G and used to determine the content of γ‐G in synthetic samples with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Isocostic Acid,a Promising Bioactive Agent from the Essential Oil of Inula viscosa (L.): Insights from Drug Likeness Properties,Molecular Docking and SAR Analysis

The chemical composition of the essential oil (LEO) and its volatile fractions (V₁–V₁₀) collected during the hydrodistillation process every 15 min from the fresh leaves of I. viscosa (L.), growing in Tunisia, were analyzed by GC‐FID and GC/MS. Eighty‐two compounds, representing 90.9–99.4 % of the total samples, were identified. The crude essential oil (LEO) and its fractions (V₁–V₁₀) were characterized by the presence of a high amount of oxygenated sesquiterpenes (82.7–95.8 %). Isocostic acid ( 1 ) was found to be the most abundant component (37.4–83.9 %) and was isolated from the same essential oil over silica gel column chromatography and identified by spectroscopic methods (¹H, ¹³C, DEPT 135 NMR and EI‐MS) and by comparison with literature data. Furthermore, the fresh leaves essential oil (LEO), its volatile fractions (V₁–V₁₀) as well as compound 1 were screened for their antibacterial, antityrosinase, anticholinesterase and anti‐5‐lipoxygenase activities. It was found that the isolated compound 1 exhibited an interesting antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (MIC=32 μg/mL) and Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212 (MIC=32 μg/mL) and the highest antityrosinase activity (IC₅₀=13.82±0.87 μg/mL). Compound 1 was also found to be able to strongly inhibit 5‐lipoxygenase with an IC₅₀ value of 59.21±0.85 μg/mL. The bioactivity and drug likeness scores of compound 1 were calculated using Molinspiration software and interpreted, and the structure‐activity relationship (SAR) was discussed with the help of molecular docking analysis.     

Effects of Obesity on Substrate Utilization during Exercise

Objective: The capacity for lipid and carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation during exercise is important for energy partitioning and storage. This study examined the effects of obesity on lipid and CHO oxidation during exercise. Research Methods and Procedures: Seven obese and seven lean [body mass index (BMI), 33 ± 0.8 and 23.7 ± 1.2 kg/m², respectively] sedentary, middle‐aged men matched for aerobic capacity performed 60 minutes of cycle exercise at similar relative (50% Vo _2max) and absolute exercise intensities. Results: Obese men derived a greater proportion of their energy from fatty‐acid oxidation than lean men (43 ± 5% 31 ± 2%; p = 0.02). Plasma fatty‐acid oxidation determined from recovery of infused [0.15 μmol/kg fat‐free mass (FFM) per minute] [1‐¹³C]‐palmitate in breath CO₂ was similar for obese and lean men (8.4 ± 1.1 and 29 ± 15 μmol/kg FFM per minute). Nonplasma fatty‐acid oxidation, presumably, from intramuscular sources, was 50% higher in obese men than in lean men (10.0 ± 0.6 versus 6.6 ± 0.8 μmol/kg FFM per minute; p < 0.05). Systemic glucose disposal was similar in lean and obese groups (33 ± 8 and 29 ± 15 μmol/kg FFM per minute). However, the estimated rate of glycogen‐oxidation was 50% lower in obese than in lean men (61 ± 12 versus 90 ± 6 μmol/kg FFM per minute; p < 0.05). Discussion: During moderate exercise, obese sedentary men have increased rates of fatty‐acid oxidation from nonplasma sources and reduced rates of CHO oxidation, particularly muscle glycogen, compared with lean sedentary men.     

Variation in Essential Oil and Bioactive Compounds of Curcuma kwangsiensis Collected from Natural Habitats

The chemical compositions of essential oils (EOs) extracted from Curcuma kwangsiensis rhizomes collected from six natural habitats in P. R. China were evaluated using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Fifty‐seven components were identified from the six EOs, and their main constituents were 8,9‐dehydro‐9‐formyl‐cycloisolongifolene (2.37 – 42.59%), germacrone (6.53 – 22.20%), and l ‐camphor (0.19 – 6.12%). The six EOs exhibited different DPPH radical‐scavenging activities (IC₅₀, 2.24 – 31.03 μg/ml), with the activity of most of EOs being much higher than that of Trolox C (IC₅₀, 10.49 μg/ml) and BHT (IC₅₀, 54.13 μg/ml). Most EOs had potent antimicrobial effects against the tested bacteria and fungus. They also exhibited cytotoxicity against B16 (IC₅₀, 4.44 – 147.4 μg/ml) and LNCaP cells (IC₅₀, 73.94 – 429.25 μg/ml). The EOs showed excellent anti‐inflammatory action by significantly downregulating expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, cyclooxygenase‐2, and tumor necrosis factor‐α. This study provides insight into the interrelation among growth location, phytoconstituents, and bioactivities, and the results indicate the potential of C. kwangsiensis as natural nutrients, medicines, and others additives.     

Selective separation and enrichment of peptides for MS analysis using the microspheres composed of Fe3O4@nSiO2 core and perpendicularly aligned mesoporous SiO2 shell

In this work, we report the development of a novel enrichment protocol for peptides by using the microspheres composed of Fe₃O₄@nSiO₂ Core and perpendicularly aligned mesoporous SiO₂ shell (designated Fe₃O₄@nSiO₂@mSiO₂). The Fe₃O₄@nSiO₂@mSiO₂ microspheres possess useful magnetic responsivity which makes the process of enrichment fast and convenient. The highly ordered nanoscale pores (2 nm) and high‐surface areas of the microspheres were demonstrated to have good size‐exclusion effect for the adsorption of peptides. An increase of S/N ratio over 100 times could be achieved by using the microspheres to enrich a standard peptide, and the application of the microspheres to enrich universal peptides was performed by using myoglobin tryptic digest solution. The enrichment efficiency of re‐used Fe₃O₄@nSiO₂@mSiO₂ microspheres was also studied. Large‐scale enrichment of endogenous peptides in rat brain extract was achieved by the microspheres. Automated nano‐LC‐ESI‐MS/MS was applied to analyze the sample after enrichment, and 60 unique peptides were identified in total. The facile and low‐cost synthesis as well as the convenient and efficient enrichment process of the novel Fe₃O₄@nSiO₂@mSiO₂ microspheres makes it a promising candidate for selectively isolation and enrichment of endogenous peptides from complex biological samples.     

Dryoptkirbioside,A New Fructofuranoside Glycerol,and Other Constituents from Dryopteris kirbi Hook et Grav Rhizomes

A new fructofuranoside glycerol, dryoptkirbioside ( 1 ), along with thirteen known compounds ( 2 - 14 ), was isolated from the MeOH extract of Dryopteris kirbi rhizomes by silica gel column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and semipreparative HPLC. The structure of the new compound was determined by analyses of its spectroscopic data including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and high-resolution electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and chemical conversions. The hexane-soluble portion and the EAF_A fraction showed strong activities against lung (A549), breast (MCF-7), and cervical (HeLa) human cancer cell lines (IC₅₀ values ranging from 4.0 to 8.8 μg/mL). Aspidinol P ( 5 ) and aspidinol B ( 6 ) exhibited moderate to low cytotoxicity on the three cell lines (IC₅₀ values ranging from 20.4 to 58.7 μM). The MeOH extract and hexane-soluble portion had excellent activities against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis (MICs 11.7 and 23.4 μg/mL), whereas the AcOEt- and BuOH-soluble portions were significantly active on S. aureus (MICs 46.9 and 93.8 μg/mL). The main fractions EAF_B, EAF_C and nBF_B displayed excellent activity against S. aureus (MICs 11.7 and 23.4 μg/mL). Aspidinol B ( 6 ) had significant activity, while aspidinol P ( 5 ) was moderately active against S. aureus and B. subtilis (MICs 42.0 and 89.5 μM).     

Effect of irradiance and temperature on the photosynthesis of a cultivated red alga,Pyropia tenera (= Porphyra tenera), at the southern limit of distribution in Japan

The effect of irradiance and temperature on the photosynthesis of the red alga, Pyropia tenera, was determined for maricultured gametophytes and sporophytes collected from a region that is known as one of the southern limits of its distribution in Japan. Macroscopic gametophytes were examined using both pulse‐amplitude modulated fluorometry and/or dissolved oxygen sensors. A model of the net photosynthesis–irradiance (P‐E) relationship of the gametophytes at 12°C revealed that the net photosynthetic rate quickly increased at irradiances below the estimated saturation irradiance of 46 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1, and the compensation irradiance was 9 μmol photons m^?2 s^?1. Gross photosynthesis and dark respiration for the gametophytes were also determined over a range of temperatures (8–34°C), revealing that the gross photosynthetic rates of 46.3 μmol O₂ mg_chl‐a^?1 min^?1 was highest at 9.3 (95% Bayesian credible interval (BCI): 2.3–14.5)°C, and the dark respiration rate increased at a rate of 0.93 μmol O₂ mg_chl‐a^?1 min^?1°C^?1. The measured dark respiration rates ranged from ?0.06 μmol O₂ mg_chl‐a^?1 min^?1 at 6°C to ?25.2 μmol O₂ mg_chl‐a^?1 min^?1 at 34°C. The highest value of the maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm) for the gametophytes occurred at 22.4 (BCI: 21.5–23.3) °C and was 0.48 (BCI: 0.475–0.486), although those of the sporophyte occurred at 12.9 (BCI: 7.4–15.1) °C and was 0.52 (BCI: 0.506–0.544). This species may be considered well‐adapted to the current range of seawater temperatures in this region. However, since the gametophytes have such a low temperature requirement, they are most likely close to their tolerable temperatures in the natural environment.     

Facile synthesis of magnetic poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylbenzene‐boronic acid) microspheres for selective enrichment of glycopeptides

In this work, the composites of magnetic Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@poly (styrene‐co‐4‐vinylbenzene‐boronic acid) microspheres with well‐defined core–shell–shell structure were facilely synthesized and applied to selectively enrich glycopeptides. Due to the relatively large amount of vinyl groups introduced by 3‐methacryloxy‐propyl‐trimethoxysilane on the core‐shell surface, the poly(styrene‐co‐4‐vinylbenzeneboronic acid) (PSV) was coated with high efficiency, resulting in a large amount of boronic acid on the outermost polymer shell of the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PSV microspheres, which is of great importance to improve the enrichment efficiency for glycopeptides. The obtained Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PSV microspheres were successfully applied to the enrichment of glycopeptides with strong specificity and high selectivity, evaluated by capturing glycopeptides from tryptic digestion of model glycoprotein HRP diluted to 0.05 ng/μL (1.25 × 10^?13 mol, 100 μL), tryptic digest of HRP and nonglycosylated BSA up to the ratio of 1:120 w/w and the real complex sample human serum with 103 unique N‐glycosylation peptides of 46 different glycoproteins enriched.     

Enhancement of biodiesel production in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella vulgaris</Emphasis> cultivation using silica nanoparticles

Silica nanoparticles were synthesized and used to enhance the gas-liquid mass transfer rate in a CO₂/water system. Using silica (SiO₂) and methyl-functionalized silica (SiO₂-CH₃) nanoparticles, the volumetric mass transfer coefficient (kLa) increased by 31 and 145%, respectively. SiO₂ and SiO₂-CH₃ nanoparticles were applied in Chlorella vulgaris culture to enhance the growth of microalgae for lipid production. The highest dry cell weight of C. vulgaris (1.49 g/L) was obtained by addition of SiO₂-CH₃ nanoparticles, compared to the control (0.48 g/L). Also, maximum productivity (1.005 g/L/day) of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) in C. vulgaris culture was obtained by introducing SiO₂-CH₃ nanoparticles. Dry cell weight and FAME productivity increased 210 and 610%, respectively, with the addition of 0.2 wt% SiO₂-CH₃ nanoparticles.     

Antiviral activity of Distictella elongata (Vahl) Urb. (Bignoniaceae), a potentially useful source of anti-dengue drugs from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil

Aims: To investigate the in vitro antiviral activity of Distictella elongata (Vahl) Urb. ethanol extracts from leaves (LEE), fruits (FEE), stems and their main components. Methods and Results: The antiviral activity was evaluated against human herpesvirus type 1 (HSV‐1), murine encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV), vaccinia virus Western Reserve (VACV‐WR) and dengue virus 2 (DENV‐2) by the 3‐(4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay. LEE presented anti‐HSV‐1 [EC₅₀ 142·8 ± 5·3 μg ml^?1; selectivity index (SI) 2·0] and anti‐DENV‐2 activity (EC₅₀ 9·8 ± 1·3 μg ml^?1; SI 1·5). The pectolinarin ( 1 ) isolated from LEE was less active against HSV‐1 and DENV‐2. A mixture of the triterpenoids ursolic, pomolic and oleanolic acids was also obtained. Ursolic and oleanolic acids have shown antiviral activity against HSV‐1. A mixture of pectolinarin ( 1 ) and acacetin‐7‐O‐rutinoside ( 2 ) was isolated from FEE and has presented anti‐DENV‐2 activity (EC₅₀ 11·1 ± 1·6 μg ml^?1; SI > 45). Besides the antiviral activity, D. elongata has disclosed antioxidant effect. Conclusions: These data shows that D. elongata has antiviral activity mainly against HSV‐1 and DENV‐2, besides antioxidant activity. These effects might be principally attributed to flavonoids isolated. Significance and Impact of the Study: Distictella elongata might be considered a promising source of anti‐dengue fever phytochemicals.     

Nanoscale uniformity of pore architecture in diatomaceous silica: a combined small and wide angle x-ray scattering study

Combined small and wide angle X‐ray scattering (SAXS and WAXS) analysis was applied to purified biogenic silica of cultured diatom frustules and of natural populations sampled on marine tidal flats. The overall WAXS patterns did not reveal crystalline phases (WAXS domain between 0.07 to 0.5 nm) in this biogenic silica, which is in line with previous reports on the amorphous character of the SiO₂ matrix of diatom frustules. One exception was the silica of the pennate species Cylindrotheca fusiformis Reimann et Lewin, which revealed wide peaks in the WAXS spectra. These peaks either indicate the presence of a yet unknown crystalline phase with a repetitive distance (d‐value ≈0.06 nm) or are caused by the ordering of the fibrous silica fragments; numerous girdle bands. The SAXS spectra revealed the size range of pores (diameter d between 3.0 and 65 nm), the presence of distinct pores (slope transitions), and structure factors (oscillation of the spectra). All slopes varied in the range of ?4.0 to ?2.5, with two clear common regions among species: d < 10 nm (slopes –4, denoted as region I and also called the Porod region), and 10.0 < d < 40.0 nm (slopes ?2.9 to ?3.8, denoted as region II). The existence of these common regions suggests the presence of comparable form (region I) and structure (region II) factors, respectively the shape of the primary building units of the silica and the geometry of the pores. Contrast variation experiments using dibromomethane to fill pores in the SiO₂ matrix showed that scattering was caused by pores rather than silica particles. Electron microscopic analysis confirmed the presence of circular, elliptical, and rectangular pores ranging in size from 3 to 65 nm, determining the structure factor. The fine architecture (length/width ratio of pore diameters) and distribution of the pores, however, seemed to be influenced by environmental factors, such as the salinity of and additions of AlCl₃ to the growth medium. The results indicate that diatoms deposit silica with pores <50 nm in size and are highly homologous with respect to geometry. Consequently, it is suggested that in diatoms, whether pennate or centric, the formation of silica at a nanoscale level is a uniform process.