Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Acyclic C-Nucleosides from 1,2- and 1,3-Diketones

A simple, rapid and regioselective approach for the synthesis of C-acyclic nucleosides 3, 4, 6, and 9 of dihydropyrimidine, imidazole and indeno[1,2-b]pyridine-9-one derived from 1,2- and 1,3-diketones was performed. By using DMF or pyridine as solvent or bentonite clay as a support, in the presence of TMSTf, ZnCl₂, NH₄OAc, or NH₄NO₃, all the desired products were obtained within 5–25 minutes under microwave irradiation (MWI). Acid hydrolysis of 6 and 9 afforded the free acyclic C-nucleosides 7 and 10, respectively. Upon treatment with NaOMe under MWI, 3 and 14 rearranged to the C-nucleoside 4 and 16.     

A new approach for the recovery of precious metals from solution and from leachates derived from electronic scrap

A new approach is described for the recovery of precious metals (PMs: Au, Pd and Ag) with >99% efficiency from aqueous solution utilising biogas produced during the aerobic growth of Klebsiella pneumoniae. Gold was recovered from electronic scrap leachate ( approximately 95%) by this method, with some selectivity against Cu. The recovered PM solids all contained metal and sulphur as determined by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX). X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRD) showed no crystalline metal sulphur compounds but a crystalline palladium amine was recorded. Silver was recovered as a sulphide (found by EDX), carbonate and oxide (found by XRD). EDX analysis of the Au-precipitate showed mainly gold and sulphur, with some metallic Au(0) detected by XRD. The gold compound was shock-sensitive; upon grinding it detonated to leave a sooty black deposit.     

Design of an MRI-compatible robotic stereotactic device for minimally invasive interventions in the breast

The objective of this work was to develop a robotic device to perform biopsy and therapeutic interventions in the breast with real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) guidance. The device was designed to allow for (i) stabilization of the breast by compression, (ii) definition of the interventional probe trajectory by setting the height and pitch of a probe insertion apparatus, and (iii) positioning of an interventional probe by setting the depth of insertion. The apparatus is fitted with five computer-controlled degrees of freedom for delivering an interventional procedure. The entire device is constructed of MR compatible materials, i.e. nonmagnetic and non-conductive, to eliminate artifacts and distortion of the MR images. The apparatus is remotely controlled by means of ultrasonic motors and a graphical user interface, providing real-time MR-guided planning and monitoring of the operation. Joint motion measurements found probe placement in less than 50 s and sub-millimeter repeatability of the probe tip for same-direction point-to-point movements. However, backlash in the rotation joint may incur probe tip positional errors of up to 5 mm at a distance of 40 mm from the rotation axis, which may occur for women with large breasts. The imprecision caused by this backlash becomes negligible as the probe tip nears the rotation axis. Real-time MR-guidance will allow the physician to correct this error Compatibility of the device within the MR environment was successfully tested on a 4 Tesla MR human scanner     

Mapping the organization of axis of motion selective features in human area MT using high-field fMRI

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) at high magnetic fields has made it possible to investigate the columnar organization of the human brain in vivo with high degrees of accuracy and sensitivity. Until now, these results have been limited to the organization principles of early visual cortex (V1). While the middle temporal area (MT) has been the first identified extra-striate visual area shown to exhibit a columnar organization in monkeys, evidence of MT's columnar response properties and topographic layout in humans has remained elusive. Research using various approaches suggests similar response properties as in monkeys but failed to provide direct evidence for direction or axis of motion selectivity in human area MT. By combining state of the art pulse sequence design, high spatial resolution in all three dimensions (0.8 mm isotropic), optimized coil design, ultrahigh field magnets (7 Tesla) and novel high resolution cortical grid sampling analysis tools, we provide the first direct evidence for large-scale axis of motion selective feature organization in human area MT closely matching predictions from topographic columnar-level simulations.     

Neuroprotective Effect of Natural Products Against Alzheimer’s Disease

Nature has gifted mankind with a plethora of flora-bearing fruits, vegetables and nuts. The diverse array of bioactive nutrients present in these natural products plays a pivotal role in prevention and cure of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease and other neuronal dysfunctions. Accumulated evidence suggests that naturally occurring phyto-compounds, such as polyphenolic antioxidants found in fruits, vegetables, herbs and nuts, may potentially hinder neurodegeneration, and improve memory and cognitive function. Nuts such as walnut have also demonstrated neuroprotective effect against AD. The molecular mechanisms behind the curative effects rely mainly on the action of phytonutrients on distinct signalling pathways associated with protein folding and neuroinflammation. The neuroprotective effects of various naturally occurring compounds in AD is evaluating in this review.     

Endophytic colonization of Vitis vinifera L. by Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN: from the rhizosphere to inflorescence tissues

The colonization pattern of Vitis vinifera L. by Burkholderia phytofirmans strain PsJN was determined using grapevine fruiting cuttings with emphasis on putative inflorescence colonization under nonsterile conditions. Two-week-old rooted plants harbouring flower bud initials, grown in nonsterile soil, were inoculated with PsJN:gfp2x. Plant colonization was subsequently monitored at various times after inoculation with plate counts and epifluorescence and/or confocal microscopy. Strain PsJN was chronologically detected on the root surfaces, in the endorhiza, inside grape inflorescence stalks, not inside preflower buds and flowers but rather as an endophyte inside young berries. Data demonstrated low endophytic populations of strain PsJN in inflorescence organs, i.e. grape stalks and immature berries with inconsistency among plants for bacterial colonization of inflorescences. Nevertheless, endophytic colonization of inflorescences by strain PsJN was substantial for some plants. Microscopic analysis revealed PsJN as a thriving endophyte in inflorescence organs after the colonization process. Strain PsJN was visualized colonizing the root surface, entering the endorhiza and spreading to grape inflorescence stalks, pedicels and then to immature berries through xylem vessels. In parallel to these observations, a natural microbial communities was also detected on and inside plants, demonstrating the colonization of grapevine by strain PsJN in the presence of other microorganisms.     

Bioremoval capacity of three heavy metals by some microalgae species (Egyptian Isolates)

Three fresh water microalgal isolates [Phormidium ambiguum (Cyanobacterium), Pseudochlorococcum typicum and Scenedesmus quadricauda var quadrispina (Chlorophyta)] were tested for tolerance and removal of mercury (Hg²⁺), lead (Pb²⁺) and cadmium (Cd²⁺) in aqueous solutions as a single metal species at conc. 5–100 mg / L under controled laboratory conditions. The obtained results showed that Hg²⁺ was the most toxic of the three metal ions to the test algae even at low concentration (< 20 mg/L). While lower concentration of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ (5–20 mg / L) enhanced the algal growth (chlorophyll a and protein), elevated concentrations (40–100 mg / L) were inhibitory to the growth. The results also revealed that Ph. ambiguum was the most sensitive alga to the three metal ions even at lower concentrations (5 and 10 mg / L) while P. typicum and S. quadricauda were more tolerant to high metal concentrations up to 100 mg / L. The bioremoval of heavy metal ions (Hg²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺) by P. typicum from aqueous solution showed that the highest percentage of metal bioremoval occurred in the first 30 min of contact recording 97% (Hg²⁺), 86% (Cd²⁺) and 70% (Pb²⁺). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to study the interaction between heavy metal ions and P. typicum cells. At ultrastructural level, an electron dense layers were detected on the algal cell surfaces when exposed to Cd, Hg and Pb. At the same time, dark spherical electron dense bodies were accumulated in the vacuoles of the algal cells exposed to Pb. Excessive accumulation of starch around the pyrenoids were recorded as well as deteriorations of the algal cell organelles exposed to the three metal ions.     

Synthesis and characterization of some atypical sphingoid bases

Sphingolipids are ubiquitous and abundant components of all eukaryotic and some prokaryotic organisms. Sphingolipids show a large structural variety not only between the different species, but also within an individual cell. This variety is not limited to alterations in the polar headgroups of e.g. glycosphingolipids, but also affects the lipophilic anchors comprised of different fatty acids on the one hand and different sphingoid bases on the other hand. The structural variations within different sphingoid bases e.g. in pathogens can be used to identify novel biomarkers and drug targets and the specific change in the profile of common and uncommon sphingolipids are associated with pathological conditions like diabetes or cancer. Therefore, the emerging field of sphingolipidomics is dedicated to collect data on the sphingolipidome of a cell and hence to assign changes therein to certain states of a cell or to pathological conditions. This powerful tool however is still limited by the availability of structural information about the individual lipid species as well as by the availability of appropriate internal standards for quantification. Herein we describe the synthesis of a variety of 1-deoxy-sphingoid bases. 1-DeoxySphingolipids have recently acquired significant attention due to its pathological role in the rare inherited neuropathy, HSAN1 but also as predictive biomarkers in diabetes type II. Some of the compounds synthesized and characterized herein, have been used and will be used to elucidate the correct structure of these disease-related lipids and their metabolites.