Synthesis of [2S-2-H]- and [2R-2-H]hexadecanoic acids

[2S-2-²H]- and [2R-2-²H]hexadecanoic acids were synthesized in overall yields of 59–67%. Methyl(2R)-2-hydroxyhexadecanoate, from the acid produced by Hansenula sydowiorum, was converted to the p-toluenesulphonate, reduced to trideutero alcohol with lithium aluminium deuteride and oxidized to [2S-2-²H]hexadecanoic acid. Methyl (2S)-2-chlorohexadecanoate, which was a by-product of tosylation and was also prepared by chlorinatioon of the hydroxy ester with thionyl chloride, on reduction and oxidation as before gave [2R-2-²H]-hexadecanoic acid. Intermediates were fully characterized, isotopic purity was 97% and optical purity was maintained throughout the syntheses. Attempts to reduce the tosyl or chloro groups, only, with sodium borodeuteride gave low yields probably due to preferential reduction of the ester group; 1,2-epoxyhexadecane was obtained from the tosylate and 2-chlorohexadecan-1-ol from the chloro ester.     

Mutagenic activity of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic nitrofurans and of urine of rats fed these compounds

The nitrofurans, 2-(2-furyl)-3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)acrylamide (AF-2), N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]formamide (FANFT), nitrofurantoin, 5-nitro-2-furoic acid, 5-nitro-2-furamidoxime, 5-nitrofurfurylidene diacetate and the urine of rats fed these compounds, were assayed for mutagenic activity in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA100FR1. All the nitrofurans were mutagenic in the order: AF-2 and FANFT > nitrofurantoin > 5-nitro-2-furamidoxime > 5-nitrofurfurylidene diacetate > 5-nitro-2-furoic acid. Strain TA100 was more sensitive than TA100FR1 to the mutagenic influence of these nitrofurans. Only the urine of rats fed AF-2, FANFT and nitrofurantoin had mutagenic activity. Again, TA100 was more sensitive than TA100FR1. The mutagenicity of the urine was not increased by treatment with β-glucuronidase. AF-2, 2-amino-4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)thiazole (deformylated product of FANFT) and nitrofurantoin were excreted in the urine of rats fed these compounds; whereas the other nitrofurans were not excreted.     

Isolation and identification of urinary metabolites of AF-2 (3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide) in rabbits

After oral administration of AF-2 (3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)acrylamide) to rabbits, the two unique metabolites, M-I and M-II, were isolated from the urine. M-I, yellow needles of mp 117°, was identified as a new type metabolite of nitrofuran derivative, 2-(β-carboxypropionyl)-3-(5-methylthio-2-furyl) acrylamide by its mass, ir and nmr spectrometries. M-II, yellow solid, appears to be cis-trans isomer of M-I considering from its uv and mass spectral data, and the behavior on tlc.     

玉米O2/o2近等基因系胚乳中基因表达差异分析

对玉米Hz85(O2/O2)和 Hz85(o2/o2)以及S7913(O2/O2)和 S7913 (o2/o2)两种不同核背景下的近等基因系(NIL),采用cDNA芯片杂交技术研究玉米o2突变基因及赖氨酸形成和胚乳发生相关基因在RNA水平上的表达差异。在两套NILs中检测到共同的表达差异克隆87个,对其序列分析得到26个TUGs（tentative unique genes）、11个未命名蛋白和6个新序列。这些TUGs分别参与了生长发育、胁迫响应、物质运输、信号转导、电子传递链、细胞防御、代谢等细胞过程,以及作为细胞组分和贮存蛋白。基于O2/o2 NILs间胚乳发育中基因表达的差异,讨论了o2籽粒中的不透明粉质胚乳形成的分子机制。     

Magnetic circular dichroism and spin equilibrium of methemoglobin and its subunits

The intensity of the Soret magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectra of various complexes of methemoglobin subunits (α⁺ and β⁺) as well as methemoglobin (metHb A) was correlated well with the spin states of ferric heme. Upon the subunit association, spin state transition toward higher spin was observed only in high spin derivatives and the changes in spin state were due to mainly those of β⁺ chains. The effect of an allostric effector, inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), on the MCD spectra of metHb A derivatives was observed much significantly for high spin forms than low spin ones.     

An electron microscopic—cytochemical localization of plasma membrane Ca^2＋—ATPase activity in poplar apical bud cells during the induction of dormancy by short—day photoperiods

Plasma membrane(PM) Ca^2 -ATPase activity in poplar apical bud meristematic cells during short-day(SD)-induced dormancy development was examined by a cerium precipitation EM-cytochemical method.Ca^2 -ATPase activity,indicated by the status of cerium phosphate precipitated grains,was localized mainly on the interior face(cytoplasmic side) of the PM when plants were grown under long days and reached a deep dormancy.A few reaction products were also observed on the nuclear envelope.When plant buds were developing dormancy after 28 to 42 d of SD exposure,almost no reaction products were present on the interior face of the PM.In contrast,a large number of cerium phosphate precipitated grains were distributed on the exterior face of the PM.After 70 d of SD exposure,when buds had developed a deep dormancy,the reaction products of Ca^2 -ATPase activity again appeared on the interior face of the PM.The results seemed suggesting that two kinds of Ca^2 -ATP ases may be present on the PM during the SD-induced dormancy in poplar.One is the Ca^2 -pumping ATPase,which is located on the interior face of the PM,for maintaining and restoring the Ca^2 homeostasis.The other might be and ecto-Ca^2 -ATPase,which is located on the exterior face of the PM,for the exocytosis of cell wall materials as suggested by the fact of the cell wall thickening during the dormancy development in poplar.     

Synthesis and antifungal properties of sulfanilamide derivatives of chitosan

Sulfanilamide derivatives of chitosan (2-(4-acetamido-2-sulfanimide)-chitosan (HSACS, LSACS), 2-(4-acetamido-2-sulfanimide)-6-sulfo-chitosan (HSACSS, LSACSS) and 2-(4-acetamido-2-sulfanimide)-6-carboxymethyl-chitosan (HSACMCS, LSACMCS)) were prepared using different molecular weights of chitosan (CS), carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) and chitosan sulfates (CSS) reacted with 4-acetamidobenzene sulfonyl chloride in dimethylsulfoxide solution. The structures of the derivatives were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis, which showed that the substitution degree of sulfanilamide group of HSACS, HSACSS, HSACMCS, LSACS, LSACSS and LSACMCS were 0.623, 0.492, 0.515, 0.576, 0.463 and 0.477, respectively. The solubility of the derivatives (pH<7.5) was higher than that of chitosan (pH<6.5). The antifungal activities of the derivatives against Aiternaria solani and Phomopsis asparagi were evaluated based on the method of Jasso et al. in the experiment. The results indicated that all the prepared sulfanilamide derivatives had a significant inhibiting effect on the investigated fungi in the polymer concentration range from 50 to 500 microg mL(-1). The antifungal activities of the derivatives increased with increasing the molecular weight, concentration or the substitution degree. The sulfanilamide derivatives of CS, CMCS and CSS show stronger antifungal activities than CS, CMCS and CSS.     

双歧杆菌协同TIL细胞体内杀瘤活性的研究

本研究应用从小鼠Ｓ１８０癌性腹水分离诱导的ＴＩＬ癌内注射与活的双歧杆菌腹腔内注射共同治疗荷Ｓ１８０实体瘤小鼠,结果表明单用ＴＩＬ和ＴＩＬ合用ＩＬ－２早期抑瘤效果,能延缓肿瘤的发生和发展,而晚期抑瘤效果尚不及单用双歧杆菌组。ＴＩＬ与双歧杆菌、ＴＩＬ、双歧杆菌及低剂量ＩＬ－２,荷瘤早、晚期抑瘤效果均较好,且毒副作用低,表明双歧杆菌有可能通过刺激机产生内源性ＩＬ－２维持ＴＩＬ的生物学活性从而协同ＴＩＬ细     

Synthesis and Properties of Modified Oligodeoxyribonucleotides Containing 2"-O-(2,3-Dihydroxypropyl)uridine and 2"-O-(2-Oxoethyl)uridine

A new uridine derivative, 2"-O-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)uridine, and its 3"-phosphoramidite were obtained for direct introduction into oligonucleotides during automated chemical synthesis. Oligonucleotides 10 to 15 nt long harboring 2"-O-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)uridine residues were synthesized; periodate oxidation of these oligomers gave oligonucleotides containing 2"-O-(2-oxoethyl)uridine residues. The presence of a reactive aldehyde group in 2" position of the carbohydrate moiety was confirmed by the interaction withp-nitrophenylhydrazine and methionine methyl ester. The thermostability of DNA duplexes containing modified units does not practically differ from that of the natural analogues.     

Intra and extravascular transmembrane signalling of angiopoietin-1-Tie2 receptor in health and disease

Angiopoietin-1 (Ang-1) is the primary agonist for Tie2 tyrosine kinase receptor (Tie2), and the effect of Ang-1-Tie2 signalling is context-dependent. Deficiency in either Ang-1 or Tie2 protein leads to severe microvascular defects and subsequent embryonic lethality in murine model. Tie2 receptors are expressed in several cell types, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, epithelial cells, monocytes, neutrophils, eosinophils and glial cells. Ang-1-Tie2 signalling induces a chemotactic effect in smooth muscle cells, neutrophils and eosinophils, and induces differentiation of mesenchymal cells to smooth muscle cells. Additionally, this signalling pathway induces the secretion of serotonin, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and plasmin. Ang-1 inhibits the secretion of tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinase (TIMPs). Aberrant expression and activity of Tie2 in vascular and non-vascular cells may result in the development of rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, hypertension and psoriasis. Ang-1 has an anti-inflammatory effect, when co-localized with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the vasculature. Thus, Ang-1 could be potentially important in the therapy of various pathological conditions such as pulmonary hypertension, arteriosclerosis and diabetic retinopathy. In this article, we have summarized and critically reviewed the pathophysiological role of Ang-1-Tie2 signalling pathway.     

High-performance liquid chromatographic method for the determination of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in total parenteral nutrition and in plasma

A simple, rapid and sensitive reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method with UV detection was developed for the quantification of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in parenteral nutrition admixtures containing fat emulsion and in plasma samples of children daily treated by total parenteral nutrition. The analyte and the internal standard, di-n-heptyl phthalate, were extracted twice using hexane and the organic layer separated and dried under nitrogen. The residues were reconstituted with acetonitrile and 20 μl was injected into a Waters Spherisorb C₁₈ column, the UV detector was set at 202 nm. The mobile phase was acetonitrile–aqueous buffer (triethylamine 0.08% adjusted to pH 2.8 with 1 M phosphoric acid) mixture (88:12, v/v) and it was pumped at 1 ml/min. Average recoveries were 97% or greater. This method was successfully used to investigate the amounts of DEHP which can leach from bags and tubing into fat emulsion and which could contaminate children under long-term parenteral nutrition. On the other hand, the circulating DEHP concentrations were estimated in four children under regular long-term parenteral nutrition.     

Determination of a chemoprotective agent, 2-(allylthio)pyrazine, in plasma, urine and tissue homogenates by high-performance liquid chromatography

A high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for the determination of a chemoprotective agent, 2-(allylthio)pyrazine (I), in human plasma and urine, and in rat blood and tissue homogenate using diazepam as an internal standard. The sample preparation was simple; 2.5 volumes of acetonitrile were added to the biological sample to deproteinize it. A 50–100 μl aliquot of the supernatant was injected onto a C₁₈ reversed-phase column. The mobile phase employed was acetonitrile–water (55:45, v/v), and it was run at a flow-rate of 1.5 ml/min. The column effluent was monitored using an ultraviolet detector at 330 nm. The retention times for I and the internal standard were 4.0 and 5.1 min, respectively. The detection limits of I in human plasma and urine, and in rat tissue homogenate (including blood) were 20, 20 and 50 ng/ml, respectively. The coefficients of variation of the assay (within-day and between-day) were generally low (below 6.1%) in a concentration range from 0.02 to 10 μg/ml for human plasma and urine, and for rat tissue homogenate. No interferences from endogenous substances were found.     

Cis-trans isomerization of nitrofuran derivatives by xanthine oxidase

Enzymatic cis-trans isomerization of nitrofuran derivatives was 3-(5-Nitro-2-furyl)-2-(2-furyl)-demonstrated with milk xanthine oxidase. acrylamide (AF-2) and 3-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-(5-bromo-2-furyl)acrylamide (NFBFA) were mainly converted from the cis to the trans form by this enzyme supplemented with an electron donor. This enzymatic reaction was further characterized with respect to its cofactor requirements. Finally, a new cis-trans isomerization mechanism, which is based on transfer of a single electron by a nitroreductase such as xanthine oxidase to a nitrofuran derivative to give the anion free radical, was proposed.     

An expeditious synthesis of 4-hydroxy-2E-nonenal (4-HNE), its dimethyl acetal and of related compounds

The facile one step synthesis of 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenal and its dimethyl acetal via a cross-metathesis reaction between commercially available octen-3-ol and acrolein or its dimethyl acetal is reported. The method was extended to the synthesis of C₆ and C₁₂ 4-hydroxy-2(E)-enals, their dimethyl acetal and of the 4-hydroxy-2(E)-nonenoic acid (4-HNA).     

3-[2-Amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl]alanine (enduracididine) and 2-[2-amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl] acetic acid in seeds of Lonchocarpus sericeus

3-[2-Amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl]alanine (enduracididine) and 2-[2-amino-2-imidazolin-4(5)-yl] acetic acid have been isolated from seeds of Lonchocarpus sericeus. The concentration of each compound was ca 0.5 % of the fresh seed weight.     

Novel derivatives of chitosan and their antifungal activities in vitro

Three kinds of Schiff bases of carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCTS) were prepared, and their antifungal activities were assessed according to Jasso de Rodríguez's method. The results indicated that 2-(2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-6-carboxymethylchitosan (HNCMCTS) and 2-(5-chloro-2-hydroxybenzylideneamino)-6-carboxymethylchitosan (HCCMCTS) had better inhibitory effects than those of chitosan or CMCTS against Fusarium oxysporium f. sp. vasinfectum, Alternaria solani, and Valsa mali.