Studies toward a conjugate vaccine for anthrax. Synthesis and characterization of anthrose [4,6-dideoxy-4-(3-hydroxy-3-methylbutanamido)-2-O-methyl-D-glucopyranose] and its methyl glycosides

The key step in the first chemical synthesis of anthrose (16) and its methyl alpha- (6) and beta-glycoside (22) was inversion of configuration at C-2 in triflates 10, 2, and 18, respectively, obtained from the common intermediate, methyl 4-azido-3-O-benzyl-4,6-dideoxy-alpha-D-mannopyranoside (1). To prepare methyl alpha-anthroside (6), methylation at O-2 of the gluco product 3, obtained from 2, was followed by hydrogenation/hydrogenolysis of the formed 2-methyl ether 4, to simultaneously remove the protecting benzyl group and reduce the azido function. Subsequent N-acylation of the formed amine 5 with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid gave the target methyl alpha-glycoside 6. Synthesis of methyl beta-anthroside (22) comprised the same sequence of reactions, starting from the known methyl 4-azido-3-O-benzyl-4,6-dideoxy-beta-D-mannopyranoside (17), which was prepared from 1. In the synthesis of anthrose (16), 1-thio-beta-glucoside 11, obtained from 1 through 10, was methylated at O-2, and the azido function in the resulting benzylated 1-thioglycoside 12 was selectively reduced to give amine 13. After N-acylation with 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid, 1-thioglycoside 14 was hydrolyzed to give the corresponding reducing sugar, aldol 15, which was debenzylated to afford anthrose.     

Isolation and characterization of wheat peroxidase isoenzyme B1

Two pure peroxidase isoenzymes B1 and D4 were isolated from the upper parts of 10-day-old wheat seedlings by means of gel and ion-exchange chromatography. Their MWs were 85000 and 24000 respectively. B1 was unstable and under various conditions it was converted to another isoenzyme, electrophoretically identical with D4. B1 contains about 40% of neutral sugars: 17.2% arabinose, 15.3% galactose, 5% glucose and traces of mannose. D4 is free of neutral sugars. None of the isoenzymes contained amino sugars. B1 oxidizes ferulic and p-coumaric acids. This oxidation has two pH optima of 4.4 and 5.4–5.6 and is inhibited by high concentrations of substrates, cyanide and azide. B1 oxidizes IAA in the presence of phenolic cofactor and Mn²⁺ ions. IAA oxidation has two pH optima of 4.5 and 5.6 and is inhibited by high substrate concentration, cyanide and azide, and by a number of indole derivatives. The main products of IAA oxidation are 3-methyleneoxindole and indole-3-methanol. o- and p- diphenols induce a lag period prior to IAA oxidation. Ferulic acid is oxidized during this lag period, probably to a dimer. B1 is able to produce H₂O₂ from oxygen. Mn²⁺ ions, a phenolic cofactor and an electron donor (IAA or NADH) are needed. B1 oxidizes α-keto-γ- methylmercaptobutyric acid to ethylene. D4 has a low peroxidatic activity and is inactive as an IAA oxidase. Thus B1 is probably an active cell wall-bound peroxidase isoenzyme, whereas D4 is its decomposition product.     

Comparison of storage proteins ofPhaseolus caracalla L. with the proteins of some other representatives of the genusPhaseolus

Storage proteins of the seeds (cotyledons) of the South-American speciesPhaseolus caracalla were compared by means of immunoelectrophoretic methods with other representatives of the genusPhaseolus. These proteins most resemble the proteins of the co-called tropical group (i.e. Ph. atropurpureus, Ph. geophilus, Ph. bracteatus, Ph. semierectus) and least the so-called American endemites (Ph. vulgaris, Ph. coccineus, Ph. acutifolius, Ph. lunatus), the main globulin of which is of a completely different specificity. The proteins ofPh. caracalla are less similar to the group of the so-called Asiatic species (Ph. aureus, Ph. calcaratus, Ph. angularis, Ph. aconitifolius, Ph. trilobus) including the analyzed representatives ofVigna sinensis; their main globulin is only partly similar to that ofPh. caracalla. Some considerations on the relationship ofPh. caracalla with the so-called tropical species is presented.     

Draft genome sequence of Bizionia argentinensis, isolated from Antarctic surface water

A psychrotolerant marine bacterial strain, designated JUB59(T), was isolated from Antarctic surface seawater and classified as a new species of the genus Bizionia. Here, we present the first draft genome sequence for this genus, which suggests interesting features such as UV resistance, hydrolytic exoenzymes, and nitrogen metabolism.     

Leishmanicidal effect of Spiranthera odoratíssima (Rutaceae) and its isolated alkaloid skimmianine occurs by a nitric oxide dependent mechanism

Leishmaniasis is one of the neglected diseases. High cost, systemic toxicity, and diminished efficacy due to development of resistance by the parasites has a negative impact on the current treatment options. Thus, the search for a new, effective and safer anti-leishmanial drug becomes of paramount importance. Compounds derived from natural products may be a better and cheaper source in this regard. This study evaluated the in vitro anti-leishmanial activity of Spiranthera odoratíssima (Rutaceae) fractions and isolated compounds, using promastigote and amastigote forms of different Leishmania species. J774 A.1 macrophage was used as the parasite host cell for the in vitro assays. Evaluations of cytoxicity, nitric oxide (NO), interleukin-10 and in silico analysis were carried out. In vitro experiments showed that the fruit hexanic fraction (Fhf) and its alkaloid skimmianine (Skm) have a significant (P<0·001) effect against L. braziliensis. This anti-L. braziliensis activity of Fhf and Skm was due to increased production of NO and attenuation of IL-10 production in the macrophages at concentrations ranging from 1·6 to 40·0 μg/ml. The in silico assay demonstrated significant interaction between Skm and amino acid residues of NOS2. Skm is thus a promising drug candidate for L. braziliensis due to its potent immunomodulatory activity.     

Hospital costs associated with delirium in older medical patients

Introduction

Delirium is a common and serious complication in older patients, associated with increased, potentially preventable, morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associated costs of delirium during hospitalization in a university affiliated hospital in Chile.

Materials and methods

Prospective cohort study of consecutive patients 65 years and older, admitted to a medical ward. A psychogeriatric team assessed patients during the first and every 48 h until discharge using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM-S), length of hospital stay, pharmacy and total hospitalization costs were analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using bivariate and multivariate analysis according to delirium diagnosis.

Results

Data from 454 patients was analyzed, 160 of them in a delirium cohort (35.2%) and 294 in a non-delirium cohort (64.8%). The delirium cohort had a longer hospital stay (DATA) and higher mortality (7.0% versus 1.7%). The median of total costs of delirium during hospital stay was 38.7% higher than the non-delirium cohort (P < .001). Total costs were significantly higher in the delirium cohort after adjustment of covariables (P = .01).

Conclusions

This study confirms that delirium is associated with significantly greater costs. Considering that effective delirium prevention is possible, the knowledge of associated costs can help health care providers to justify prevention strategies and finally give better care for older patients.     

Karyology and evolution inSesamoides (Resedaceae)

The meiotic behaviour abnormalities, fertility and size of pollen of 6 taxa ofSesamoides have been analysed. Besides diploids (2x), polyploids (4x, 6x, 8x) have been found. The chromosome base number is x = 10, but an origin from x = 5 is suggested.