Immunogenicity and Protective Efficacy of a Vero Cell Culture-Derived Whole-Virus H7N9 Vaccine in Mice and Guinea Pigs

BackgroundA novel avian H7N9 virus with a high case fatality rate in humans emerged in China in 2013. We evaluated the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of a candidate Vero cell culture-derived whole-virus H7N9 vaccine in small animal models.MethodsAntibody responses induced in immunized DBA/2J mice and guinea pigs were evaluated by hemagglutination inhibition (HI), microneutralization (MN), and neuraminidase inhibition (NAi) assays. T-helper cell responses and IgG subclass responses in mice were analyzed by ELISPOT and ELISA, respectively. Vaccine efficacy against lethal challenge with wild-type H7N9 virus was evaluated in immunized mice. H7N9-specific antibody responses induced in mice and guinea pigs were compared to those induced by a licensed whole-virus pandemic H1N1 (H1N1pdm09) vaccine.ResultsThe whole-virus H7N9 vaccine induced dose-dependent H7N9-specific HI, MN and NAi antibodies in mice and guinea pigs. Evaluation of T-helper cell responses and IgG subclasses indicated the induction of a balanced Th1/Th2 response. Immunized mice were protected against lethal H7N9 challenge in a dose-dependent manner. H7N9 and H1N1pdm09 vaccines were similarly immunogenic.ConclusionsThe induction of H7N9-specific antibody and T cell responses and protection against lethal challenge suggest that the Vero cell culture-derived whole-virus vaccine would provide an effective intervention against the H7N9 virus.     

Environmental Sampling for Avian Influenza A(H7N9) in Live-Poultry Markets in Guangdong,China

BackgroundTo provide an increased understanding of avian influenza A(H7N9) activity in live-poultry market in space and time and hence improve H7N9 epidemic control, an ongoing environmental sampling program in multiple live-poultry markets across Guangdong, China was conducted during March 2013–June 2014.MethodsA total of 625 live-poultry markets throughout 21 prefecture areas took part in the study. A total of 10 environmental sites in markets for sampling were identified to represent 4 different poultry-related activity areas. At least 10 environmental samples were collected from each market every month. The real time RT-PCR was performed to detect the avian influenza A(H7N9) virus. Field survey was conducted to investigate the sanitation status of live-poultry markets.ResultsThere were 109 human infections with H7N9 avian influenza in Guangdong, of which 37 (34%) died. A total of 18741 environmental swabs were collected and subjected to real-time RT-PCR test, of which 905(4.83%) were found positive for H7N9 virus. There were 201 (32.16%) markets affected by H7N9 in 16 prefecture areas. The detection of H7N9 virus in markets spiked in winter months. 63.33% markets (38/60) had no physical segregation for poultry holding, slaughter or sale zones. Closing live-poultry market significantly decreased the H7N9 detection rate from 14.83% (112/755) to 1.67% (5/300).ConclusionsThis study indicates the importance of live-poultry market surveillance based on environmental sampling for H7N9 Avian Influenza control. Improving live-poultry market management and sanitation and changing consumer practices are critical to reduce the risk of H7N9 infection.     

Synthesis of Potential Purinoceptor Antagonists: Application of P1-tBu Phosphazene Base for Alkylation of Adenine in Solution and on Solid Phase

Alkylation of adenine in solution and on solid phase was accelerated by phosphazene base P1-tBu compared to mineral bases. The reactions in solution afforded regioselectively the appropriate N9-alkylated adenines with high preparative yields while the reaction with polystyrene resin-bound N-bromoacetylated peptides gave three regioisomers (alkylated at the N9, N7, and N3 position of adenine) in a 4:2:1 molar ratio. Ten novel nonphosphate nucleotide analogues were tested in an ADP-induced platelet aggregation assay.     

Improved Industrial Syntheses of Penciclovir and Famciclovir Using N2-Acetyl-7-Benzylguanine and a Cyclic Side Chain Precursor

We have established practical synthetic methods for penciclovir (PCV, 1) and famciclovir (FCV, 2) from N2-acetyl-7-benzylguanine (NAc7BnG, 3) and 6,6-dimethyl-5,7-dioxaspiro[2.5]octane-4,8-dione (4)—the latter being a more easily prepared cyclic precursor of the diacetate side chain (5) used in the conventional process. The coupling of 4 with 3 proceeded regioselectively at the N9 position of guanine in good yield. The coupling product was then successfully transformed into the known antiviral agents in a short number of steps.     

Tautomerism and Regioselectivity in Ribosylation of Guanine

Abstract

N²-acetyl- and 9, N²-diacetylguanines were subjected to reaction with tetraacetylribose in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid. Unlike the ribosylation of diacetylguanine, which gives 7-riboside as a kinetic product, the reaction of monoacetylguanine produces directly a mixture of 7- and 9-ribosides. This reflects N⁷H ? N⁹H tautomerism of the guanine substrate and supports the hypothesis that only the unsubstituted nitrogens of the imidazolium portion of guanine (either N7 or N9) react directly with a sugar cation.     

Xanthine-7-Ribosides as Adenosine Receptor Antagonists: Further Evidence for Adenosine'S Anti Mode Of Binding

Abstract

With the aid of computer graphics methods, we recently developed a model for the antagonist binding site of the adenosine A₁ receptor (J. Med. Chem. 1990, 33, 1708-1713). According to this model, xanthines should bind to the receptor in a flipped orientation, i.e. the ring atoms N1, N3, N7 and N9 in adenosine coincide with C2, C6, N9 and N7 respectively in theophylline (FIG. la and 1 b). This implicates that the domain where the ribose moiety of adenosine binds must be adjacent to N7 in xanthines, and furthermore that xanthine-7-ribosides should have affinity for the receptor. To further explore the role of the orientation of the ribose moiety in binding to the receptor, we have synthesized and determined the A₁ affinity of the 7-ribosides of theophylline, 13-dipropylxanthine and 1,3-dibutylxanthine (FIG. 1c). The orientation of the ribose moiety was studied with H-NMR spectroscopy and theoretical chemical calculations.     

Clinical,Virological and Immunological Features from Patients Infected with Re-Emergent Avian-Origin Human H7N9 Influenza Disease of Varying Severity in Guangdong Province

BackgroundThe second wave of avian influenza H7N9 virus outbreak in humans spread to the Guangdong province of China by August of 2013 and this virus is now endemic in poultry in this region.MethodsFive patients with H7N9 virus infection admitted to our hospital during August 2013 to February 2014 were intensively investigated. Viral load in the respiratory tract was determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Q-PCR) and cytokine levels were measured by bead-based flow cytometery.ResultsFour patients survived and one died. Viral load in different clinical specimens was correlated with cytokine levels in plasma and broncho-alveolar fluid (BALF), therapeutic modalities used and clinical outcome. Intravenous zanamivir appeared to be better than peramivir as salvage therapy in patients who failed to respond to oseltamivir. Higher and more prolonged viral load was found in the sputum or endotracheal aspirates compared to throat swabs. Upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines IP-10, MCP-1, MIG, MIP-1α/β, IL-1β and IL-8 was found in the plasma and BALF samples. The levels of cytokines in the plasma and viral load were correlated with disease severity. Reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 1(HSV-1) was found in three out of five patients (60%).ConclusionExpectorated sputum or endotracheal aspirate specimens are preferable to throat swabs for detecting and monitoring H7N9 virus. Severity of the disease was correlated to the viral load in the respiratory tract as well as the extents of cytokinemia. Reactivation of HSV-1 may contribute to clinical outcome.     

Reactivity of an extremenly sterically crowded monofunctional Pt complex, [Pt(1-MeC-N3)3(H2O)]2+ (1-MeC=1-methylcytosine), toward model nucleobases and selectivity toward guanine in single- and double-stranded deoxyoligonucleotides

 Reactions of [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃Cl]NO₃ (1-MeC-N3=1-methylcytosine, bound to Pt via N3) and the respective aqua species [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃(H₂O)]²⁺ with the model nucleobases 9-ethylguanine (9-EtGH), 9-methyladenine (9-MeA), single-stranded 5′d(T₃GT₃), and double-stranded [5′d(GAGA₂GCT₂CTC)]₂ have been studied in solution by means of ¹H NMR spectroscopy, HPLC, and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. Reactions are generally slow, in particular with the chloro species, and guanine is the only reactive base in the oligonucleotides. However, unlike (dien)Pt^II, which binds randomly to the guanines in the ds dodecamer, (1-MeC-N3)₃Pt^II binds selectively to the terminal guanine only, probably because base fraying takes place at the duplex ends. The X-ray crystal structures of [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃(9-EtG-N7)]ClO₄·8H₂O (1b) and of [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃(9-MeA-N7)](ClO₄)₂·0.5H₂O as well as NMR spectroscopic studies of [Pt(1-MeC-N3)₃(9-EtGH-N7)] (NO₃)₂·H₂O (1a) are reported. The tetrakis(nucleobase) complexes adopt a head-tail-head orientation of the three 1-MeC bases and an orientation of the fourth base (purine) that permits a maximum of intracomplex H bonds between exocyclic groups. As far as the guanine adduct (1a, 1b) is concerned, relative orientations of the four bases are identical in the model and in the oligonucleotide adduct. Received: 19 June 1998 / Accepted: 1 October 1998     

A Facile Synthesis and Anti-Avian Influenza Virus (H5N1) Screening of Some Novel Pyrazolopyrimidine Nucleoside Derivatives

Treatment of 5-amino-1-(9-methyl-5,6-dihydronaphtho[1′,2′:4,5]thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidin-11-yl)-1H-pyrazole-4-carbonitrile (1) with formic acid afforded pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidin-4-one derivative 2. The sodium salt of the latter compound (generated in situ) was treated with some alkyl halides to afford the corresponding N-substituted compounds 3–7. The siloxy derivative 8 (generated also in situ from 2) was ribosylated and glycosylated to yield compounds 9 and 11, respectively. Deprotection of compounds 9 and 11 in methanolic ammonia produced the free nucleosides 10 and 12, respectively. Moreover, the prepared compounds were tested for antiviral activity against H5N1 virus [A/chicken/Egypt/1/2006] and some of them revealed moderate results compared with the other tested compounds.     

近20年中国部分地区鸡源H9N2亚型禽流感病毒HA基因遗传演化及其变异频率北大核心CSCD

【目的】通过比较不同时期的H9N2亚型禽流感流行毒株HA基因的分子特征和变异频率,揭示免疫压力下病毒的遗传演化趋势。【方法】选取源于课题组的40株鸡源H9N2毒株,以及从Gen Bank下载的136株中国鸡源H9N2流行毒株和7株经典毒株的序列,利用Lasergen 7.1和MEGA 5.1等软件,对其HA基因进行系统演化、分子特征和变异频率分析。【结果】系统发育分析表明,近20年的鸡源H9N2流行株分属于BJ94、Y280和S2等谱系,优势流行株的分布与年代密切相关。氨基酸序列比较显示,H9N2病毒不同谱系之间具有各自的特征,且存在着明显的氨基酸变异积累。以Ck/BJ/1/1994 HA基因为参照,1994–2014年间,H9N2流行株核苷酸和氨基酸的年均进化率分别为5.73×10^(–3)和4.25×10^(–3)。其中,2011–2014年的核苷酸(氨基酸)年均进化率为6.35×10^(–3)(5.32×10^(–3)),明显高于2006–2010年5.22×10^(–3)(3.70×10^(–3)),更显著高于疫苗推广初期1999–2005年的0.74×10^(–3)(0.50×10^(–3))。【结论】H9N2疫苗株和流行毒株的不匹配是病毒变异频率加快的重要原因。     

一株太平洋表层海水来源阿拉伯海假交替单胞菌N1230-9的全基因组测序及比较基因组学分析

【目的】阐述阿拉伯海假交替单胞菌(Pseudoalteromonas arabiensis)的分子进化与生态适应策略。【方法】借助Illumina HiSeq X Ten和Oxford Nanopore PromethION测序平台对一株分离自太平洋表层海水的菌株Pseudoalteromonas arabiensis N1230-9进行全基因组测序,利用相关生物信息学分析软件对原始数据进行组装和基因组注释,并与一株分离自深海沉积物环境的模式菌株Pseudoalteromonas arabiensis JCM 17292进行比较基因组分析。【结果】菌株N1230-9基因组由2条染色体组成,基因组大小为4 627 470 bp,G+C含量为40.85%,共编码4 202个蛋白。功能基因注释结果显示,菌株N1230-9具有适应海洋环境的多种类型功能基因,包括重金属抗性基因、多种铁离子摄取系统编码基因、多种噬菌体防御系统编码基因、种类丰富的水解酶编码基因、多种碳水化合物代谢相关基因,以及数量众多的二元信号传导系统编码基因。通过比较基因组分析发现,菌株N1230-9和菌株JCM 17292拥有适应不同生态位的特有基因,这些基因主要涉及血红素摄取、重金属抗性、噬菌体防御、二元信号系统传导和横向基因水平转移。【结论】来自表层海水的菌株P. arabiensis N1230-9已演化出了适应其生态位的特有基因。     

9株鱼源鰤诺卡氏菌生物学特征和致病性比较

【背景】鰤诺卡氏菌(Nocardia seriolae)是一种革兰氏阳性好氧菌,易引起鲈形目鱼类结节病发生,近几年对大口黑鲈、杂交鳢等名优鱼类的危害越来越大。【目的】比较分析9株不同年份、不同地区患结节病的不同淡水鱼品种分离的鰤诺卡氏菌的种间同源关系、生长特性、致病性以及药物敏感性差异,为进一步研究制定相应的防控与治疗措施提供基础数据和科学依据。【方法】在9株试验菌生理生化实验鉴定结果基础上,采用16SrRNA基因序列比对、限制性片段长度多样性比较菌株间的同源性;扩增看家基因secA1基因序列进行不同来源菌株种内相似度比对;通过体外培养比较不同菌株的生长情况;人工注射感染分析9株试验菌对大口黑鲈的致病性差异;采用微量肉汤二倍稀释法测试9株试验菌对13种抗菌药物的最小抑菌浓度;运用PCR技术检测菌株携带毒力基因和耐药基因的情况。【结果】生理生化结果显示9株试验菌与鰤诺卡氏菌的基本理化特征相符;9株试验菌聚类分析聚为一类,种内相似度高,限制性片段长度多样性酶切图谱相同,生长特性无明显差异;9株试验菌对大口黑鲈致病性无显著差异,但毒力基因携带情况略有不同,其均携带mce1A、mig和pup基因,而dop和whiB3只在部分菌株检出;9株试验菌均对氟甲喹和氨苄西林耐药,除NS1外,都对磺胺间甲氧嘧啶耐药,对大部分抗菌药物敏感,主要携带blaTEM和sul1耐药基因。【结论】不同时间、不同地区及不同宿主分离的9株鰤诺卡氏菌在生物学特性、致病性和药物敏感性等方面无明显差异;同源性相近,提示华南地区感染淡水鱼的鰤诺卡氏菌可能为同一流行株型。研究结果为鰤诺卡氏菌的发病机制及防控技术的进一步研究奠定了基础。     

Structural and reactivity studies on the ternary system guanine/methionine/trans-[PtCl2(NH3)L] (L=NH3, quinoline): implications for the mechanism of action of nonclassical trans-platinum antitumor complexes

 The present model study explores the chemistry of methionine complexes and ternary methionine-guanine adducts formed by trans-[PtCl₂(NH₃)₂] (1) and antitumor trans-[PtCl₂(NH₃)quinoline] (2) using 1D (¹H, ¹⁹⁵Pt) and 2D NMR spectroscopy. Compound 2 was substitution inert in reactions with N-acetyl-lmethionine [AcMet(H)]. Reactions of trans-[PtCl(NO₃)(NH₃)quinoline] (5) ("monoactivated" 2) with AcMetH in water and acetone at various stoichiometries point to Pt(II)-S binding that requires prior activation of the Pt-Cl bond by labile oxygen donors. Trans-[PtCl{AcMet(H)-S}(NH₃)quinoline](NO₃) (6) and trans-[Pt{AcMet(H)-S}₂(NH₃)quinoline](NO₃)₂ (7) were isolated from these mixtures. At high [Cl^–], AcMet(H) is displaced from 7, giving 6. Frozen stereodynamics in 6 at the thioether-S and slow rotation about the Pt-N_quinoline bond result in four spectroscopically distinguishable diastereomers. ¹H NMR spectra of 7 show faster exchange dynamics due to mutual trans-labilization of the sulfur donors. Substitution of chloride in trans-[PtCl(9-EtGua)(NH₃)L]NO₃ (L=NH₃, 3; L=quinoline, 4; 9-EtGua=9-ethylguanine, which mimics the first DNA binding step of 1 and 2) by methionine-sulfur proceeded ca. 2.5 times slower for the quinoline compound. Both reactions, in turn, proved to be ca. 4 times faster than binding of a second nucleobase under analogous conditions. From the resulting mixtures the ternary adducts trans-[Pt(AcMet-S)(9-EtGua-N7)(NH₃)L](NO₃, Cl) (L=NH₃, 8; L=quinoline, 9) were isolated. A species analogous to 9 formed in a rapid reaction between 6 and 5′-guanosine monophosphate (5′-GMP). From NMR data an AMBER-based solution structure of the resulting adduct, trans-[Pt(AcMet-S)(5′-GMP-N7)(NH₃)quinoline] (10), was derived. The unusual reactivity along the N7-Pt-S axis in 8–10 resulted in partial release of both 9-EtGua and AcMet at high [Cl^–]. Possible consequences of the kinetic and structural effects (e.g., trans effect of sulfur, steric demand of quinoline) observed in these systems with respect to the (trans)formation of potential biological cross-links are discussed. Received: 25 May 1998 / Accepted: 6 August 1998     

An Efficient Synthesis Of Acyclic N7- and N9-Adenine Nucleosides Via Alkylation With Secondary Carbon Electrophiles to Introduce Versatile Functional Groups At the C-1 Position of Acyclic Moiety

The introduction of versatile functional groups, allyl and ester, at the C-1 position of the acyclic chain in acyclic adenine nucleosides was achieved for the first time directly by alkylation of adenine and N⁶-protected adenine. Thus, the C-1′-substituted N⁹-adenine acyclic nucleoside, adenine-9-yl-pent-4-enoic acid ethyl ester (11), was prepared by direct alkylation of adenine with 2-bromopent-4-enoic acid ethyl ester (6), while the corresponding N⁷-regioisomer, 2-[6, (dimethylaminomethyleneamino)-purin-7-yl]-pent-4-enoic acid ethyl ester (10), was obtained in one step by the coupling of N,N-dimethyl-N′- (9H-purin-6-yl)-formamidine (9) with 2-bromopent-4-enoic acid ethyl ester (6). The functional groups, ester and allyl, were converted to the desired hydroxymethyl and hydroxyethyl groups, and subsequently to phosphonomethyl derivatives and corresponding pyrophosphorylphosphonates.     

基于FFPE组织切片的膀胱癌N-连接糖链原位酶解及分析

目的 研究膀胱癌FFPE组织切片的N-连接糖链,发现膀胱癌FFPE肿瘤组织的异常N-连接糖链修饰情况。方法 发展基于FFPE组织切片原位提取N-连接糖链的实验流程。通过PNGase F酶切FFPE组织解释放N-连接糖链。对N-连接糖链自由端进行全甲基化修饰。通过MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS检测N-连接糖链的相对含量。进行数据库匹配,确定N-连接糖链的可能糖型。ROC分析用于预测显著差异N-连接糖链作为预测膀胱癌生物标志物的准确度。结果 MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS检测泛甲基化修饰N-连接糖链的数据显示,在16例膀胱癌患者的肿瘤和癌旁组织的3次重复实验中,肿瘤组织中蛋白质高甘露糖型N2H6、N2H7、N2H8、N2H9和复杂型N5H6F1糖链修饰水平显著上升,同时高甘露糖型N2H5、杂合型N3H5以及复杂型N3H4、N4H4、N5H6F1S2糖链修饰水平显著下降。ROC分析显示,双天线型N-连接糖链N3H4（AUC=0.90）和N4H4（AUC=0.91）在单独或者共同区分膀胱癌患者肿瘤组织和癌旁组织中都具有很好的可靠性,可能成为膀胱癌的潜在生物标志物。结论 膀胱癌FFPE肿瘤组织中存在蛋白质异常N-糖基化修饰,N-连接糖链N3H4和N4H4或可成为膀胱癌的潜在生物标志物。     

Biophysical characterization and molecular modeling of the coordinative-intercalative DNA monoadduct of a platinum-acridinylthiourea agent in a site-specifically modified dodecamer

The guanine-N7 monoadduct of [Pt(en)Cl(ACRAMTU)](NO₃)₂ (PT-ACRAMTU; en=ethane-1,2-diamine, ACRAMTU=1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea), a dual metalating/intercalating cytotoxic agent, was generated in a double-stranded dodecamer, d(CCTCTCG*TCTCC/GGAGACGAGAGG) (III*), and isolated by preparative reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The adduct was characterized using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), circular-dichroism spectropolarimetry (CD), UV-melting curves, and NMR spectroscopy. In addition, a molecular mechanics/restrained molecular dynamics (MM/rMD) study was performed for this adduct using the AMBER force field. Monoadduction of the sequence leads to a pronounced increase in melting temperature, T_m=T_m(III*)–T_m(III)=9.7 °C. Because there is complete enthalpy–entropy compensation, binding occurs without noticeable thermodynamic destabilization. This feature and the CD (induced-ligand circular dichroism) and NMR (upfield shifts of aromatic acridine proton signals) data are indicative of a unique, nondenaturing dual-binding mode that involves partial intercalation of the acridine chromophore. An energy-minimized AMBER model of III* demonstrates that platination of G7-N7 of guanine in the major groove and partial insertion of the acridine moiety into the C6G19/G7C18 base step on the 5 face of the modified purine base is feasible and supportive of the experimental results. Differences in the biophysical properties between III* and duplexes containing adducts of the clinical-drug cisplatin are outlined, and possible biological consequences are discussed.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00775-004-0534-3Abbreviations ACRAMTU 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea - dGuo 2-deoxyguanosine - dGuo* [Pt(en)(ACRAMTU-S)(dGuo-N7)]³⁺ - en ethane-1,2-diamine - ICD Induced circular dichroism - MALDI-TOF MS Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry - MM Molecular mechanics - PIPES 1,4-piperazinediethanesulfonic acid - PT-ACRAMTU [Pt(en)Cl(ACRAMTU)](NO₃)₂ - rMD Restrained molecular dynamics     

EFFICIENT METHODS FOR THE SYNTHESIS OF [2-15N]GUANOSINE AND 2′-DEOXY[2-15N]GUANOSINE DERIVATIVES

The nucleophilic addition–elimination reaction of 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-2-fluoro-O ⁶-[2-(4-nitrophenyl)ethyl]inosine (8) with [¹⁵N]benzylamine in the presence of triethylamine afforded the N ²-benzyl[2-¹⁵N]guanosine derivative (13) in a high yield, which was further converted into the N ²-benzoyl[2-¹⁵N] guanosine derivative by treatment with ruthenium trichloride and tetrabutyl-ammonium periodate. A similar sequence of reactions of 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl-2-fluoro-O ⁶-[2-(methylthio)ethyl]inosine (9) and the 6-chloro-2-fluoro-9-(β-D-ribofuranosyl)-9H-purine derivative (11), which were respectively prepared from guanosine, with potassium [¹⁵N]phthalimide afforded the N ²-phthaloyl [2-¹⁵N]guanosine derivative (15; 62%) and 9-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-β-D-ribofuranosyl)-6-chloro-2-[¹⁵N]phthalimido-9H-purine (17; 64%), respectively. Compounds 15 and 17 were then efficiently converted into 2′,3′,5′-tri-O-acetyl[2-¹⁵N]guanosine. The corresponding 2′-deoxy derivatives (16 and 18) were also synthesized through similar procedures.     

Predicting consumers’ intention to consume poultry during an H7N9 emergency: an extension of the theory of planned behavior model

Abstract

Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this article explains the impact of H7N9 on poultry meat consumption. A sample of 710 respondents from China participated in the current study following an outbreak of avian influenza in 2017. The empirical results of structural equation model indicate that the consumers’ attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control (i.e., the antecedents of the TPB model), as well as their anticipated fear, mediate the relationship between risk perception of H7N9 and poultry consumption intention. Risk perception of H7N9 also influences risk perception of poultry, which has a direct effect on poultry consumption intention. Furthermore, risk perception of poultry is significantly and positively related to anticipated fear and is significantly and negatively related to attitude, which in turn influences the consumption intention. The results confirm the appropriateness of the TPB model and verify that the extended TPB model has good explanatory power in predicting consumers’ intention to consume poultry during a pandemic.     

Production of enantiomerically enriched chiral carbinols using Weissella paramesenteroides as a novel whole cell biocatalyst

Abstract

In this study, four bacterial strains were tested for their ability to reduce acetophenones to its corresponding alcohol. Among these strains Weissella paramesenteroides N7 was found to be the most successful biocatalyst to reduce the ketones to the corresponding alcohols. The reaction conditions were systematically optimized for W. paramesenteroides N7 that resulted in high enantioselectivity and conversion rates for the bioreduction. The scale-up asymmetric reduction of 1-(4-methoxyphenyl) propan-1-one (1r) by W. paramesenteroides N7 gave (R)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl) propan-1-ol (2r) with 94% yield and >99% enantiomeric excess. This is the first report showing the synthesis of (R)-1-(4-methoxyphenyl) propan-1-ol (2r) in enantiopure form using a biocatalyst on a gram scale. The whole cell catalyzed the reductions of ketone substrates on the preparative scale, demonstrating that W. paramesenteroides N7 would be a valuable biocatalyst for the preparation of chiral aromatic alcohols of pharmaceutical interest as a promising and alternative green approach.     

Synthesis and Biological Activity of ( + )-Pyrenolide B

The synthesis and biological activity of ( + )-pyrenolide B (1) and related compounds are described. The known (Z)-2-decen-9-olide (7) prepared via decan-9-olide (6) from 2-ethoxycarbon- ylcyclononanone (4) was converted to 9 by the deconjugative process, which, upon oxidation with m-chloroperbenzoic acid, led to the epoxy lactone 10. Base-promoted epoxide ring opening of 10 and subsequent oxidation furnished keto lactone 8, which, on treatment with phenylselenenyl chloride and subsequent oxidative elimination, provided ( + )-pyrenolide B (1). The antimicrobial activity of (±)-1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10a, 10b and 11a was examined against fungi and yeast.