Enhanced dibenzothiophene biodesulfurization in a microchannel reactor

A microchannel reactor system was used in a biodesulfurization process in which the rate of biodesulfurization in the oil/water phase of the microchannel reaction was more than nine-fold that in a batch (control) reaction. In addition, the microchannel reaction system using a bacterial cell suspension degraded alkylated dibenzothiophene that was not degraded by the batch reaction system. This work provides a foundation for the application of a microchannel reactor system consisting of biological catalysts using an oil/water phase reaction.     

The bisabolane sesquiterpenoid endoperoxide, 3,6-epidioxy-1,10-bisaboladiene, isolated from Cacalia delphiniifolia inhibits the growth of human cancer cells and induces apoptosis

In the course of our screening for a new anti-tumor substance, the bisabolane sesquiterpenoid endoperoxide, 3,6-epidioxy-1,10-bisaboladiene (EDBD), was isolated from the edible wild-plant, Cacalia delphiniifolia. EDBD showed cytotoxicity toward human chronic myelogenous leukemia K562 and human prostate carcinoma LNCaP cell lines with IC50 values of 9.1 microM and 23.4 microM, respectively. DNA fragmentation and condensation of chromatin, the hallmarks of apoptosis, appeared in K562 cells after an 18-h treatment with EDBD. alpha-Curcumene, a bisabolane sesquiterpene that lacks the endoperoxide moiety of EDBD, also showed cytotoxicity toward both K562 and LNCaP cell lines at over a 10-times higher dose than that of EDBD. The results indicate the importance of the endoperoxide structure within EDBD to its anti-tumor activity in vitro.     

Localization of polypyrimidine-tract-binding protein is involved in the regulation of albumin synthesis by branched-chain amino acids in HepG2 cells

Long-term supplementation of branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) improves hypoalbuminemia in patients with cirrhosis. Our previous findings have suggested that the binding of polypyrimidine-tract-binding protein (PTB) to rat albumin mRNA attenuates its translation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of PTB in the regulation of albumin synthesis by BCAA in human hepatoma cells. HepG2 cells were cultured in a medium containing no amino acids (AA-free medium), a medium containing only 1 amino acid (a BCAA: valine, leucine or isoleucine) or a medium containing all 20 amino acids (AA-complete medium). HepG2 cells cultured in AA-complete medium secreted much more albumin than cells cultured in AA-free medium, with no difference in albumin mRNA levels. In cells cultured in AA-free medium, nuclear export of PTB was observed, and the level of the albumin mRNA-PTB complex was greater than in cells cultured in AA-complete medium. Addition of amino acids stimulated nuclear import of PTB. However, addition of amino acids with rapamycin inhibited the nuclear import of PTB. The addition of leucine, but not of valine or isoleucine, to AA-free medium increased albumin secretion and stimulated the nuclear import of PTB. These data indicate that the mammalian target of rapamycin is involved in the regulation of PTB localization and that leucine promotes albumin synthesis by inhibiting the formation of the albumin mRNA-PTB complex.     

Design and synthesis of novel leucomycin analogues modified at the C-3 position. Part II: 3-O-(3-Aryl-2-propenyl)leucomycin analogues

The design and synthesis of 16-membered macrolides modified at the C-3 position are described. Starting from fully protected intermediate (5), appropriate modifications including Heck reaction were performed to furnish 3-O-(3-aryl-2-propenyl)leucomycin A(7) analogues (9a-9m). These leucomycin A(7) derivatives showed improved in vitro antibacterial activities against clinically important pathogens including erythromycin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (ERSP). SAR analysis of derivatives modified at the C-3 and C-3' positions suggested that single modification at C-3 or C-3' was effective for in vitro antibacterial activity.     

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a series of substituted 2-(1H-furo[2,3-g]indazol-1-yl)ethylamine derivatives as 5-HT2C receptor agonists

A series of novel indazole derivatives were synthesized, and their structure-activity relationships examined in order to identify potent and selective 5-HT2C receptor agonists. Among these compounds, (S)-2-(7-ethyl-1H-furo[2,3-g]indazol-1-yl)-1-methylethylamine (YM348) had a good in vitro profile, that is, high agonistic activity to the human 5-HT2C receptor subtype (EC50 = 1.0 nM) and high selectivity over 5-HT2A receptors. This compound was also effective in a rat penile erection model when administered p.o.     

Intra-arterial transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear cells immediately after reperfusion decreases brain injury after focal ischemia in rats

AIMS: Transplantation of bone marrow cells has been reported to exert neuroprotection against cerebral ischemia. However, the effect of bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) administered immediately after reperfusion has rarely been investigated. The present study was designed to examine whether brain injury in response to transient focal ischemia can be ameliorated by BMMC administration immediately after reperfusion in rats, and to determine whether there are differences in the route of administration. MAIN METHODS: Autologous BMMCs were obtained from each rat. Rats were then subjected to transient focal ischemia followed by BMMC administration via the ipsilateral carotid artery (IA group) or the femoral vein (IV group) immediately after reperfusion. Control rats underwent the same procedure but received vehicle injection. Infarct volume was compared among the groups 24 h and 7 days after reperfusion. BMMCs were fluorescently labeled with PKH26 prior to administration to track transplanted cells. KEY FINDINGS: Total infarct volume decreased in the IA group, but not in the IV group, when compared to the vehicle group. In the ipsilateral hemisphere, PKH26 positive cell count was greater in the IA group than in the IV group. Motor function, assessed with a rotarod test, improved in the IA group compared to the vehicle group. SIGNIFICANCE: These results show significant neuroprotection after transient focal ischemia by 1x10(7) autologous BMMCs administered intra-arterially, but not intravenously, immediately after reperfusion in rats. The larger number of transplanted BMMCs in the brain during the early stage of reperfusion may be responsible for the protective effect.