Synthesis of new olean-18(19)-ene derivatives from allobetulin

New olean-18(19)-ene triterpenoids were effectively synthesized by the interaction of allobetulin or its acetate with phosphorous oxychloride in refluxing pyridine. The structures of the synthesized 17-chloromethyloleane-18(19)-enes were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray analysis.     

Oribatid mites (Acari,Oribatida) from riverine environments of some islands in Oceania

A checklist of identified oribatid mite taxa from riverine freshwater environments from six islands in Polynesia (New Caledonia, Tahiti, Moorea, Rurutu, Tubuai, Raiatea) is presented; 18 species, 16 genera and eight families were recorded. Trhypochthoniellus longisetus (Berlese, 1904) and Trimalaconothrus albulus Hammer, 1972 prevailed on distribution. Fortuynia smiti sp. n. (Fortuyniidae) is described from New Caledonia. The new speciesis morphologically most similar to Fortuynia marina Hammen, 1960 from New Guinea, but it differs from the latter by the longer notogastral setae dm, lm, c₂, p₁, epimeral setae 3b and adanal setae ad₁ and the presence of prodorsal lateral ridges.     

Synthesis and DNA Duplex Stabilities of Oligonucleotides Containing C-5-(3-Methoxypropynyl)-2′-deoxyuridine Residues

Abstract

5′-Dimethoxytrityl-5-(3-methoxypropynyl)-2′-deoxyuridine phosphoroamidite was synthesized with the use of commercial 3- methoxypropyne. Oligonucleotides (ODNs) containing 5-(3- ethoxypropynyl)- 2′-deoxyuridine in different positions were prepared. The stabilities of the duplexes formed by these ODNs with the complementary templates are increased in comparison with the unmodified counterparts. On average modified residue incorporated, the Tm is raised by 1°C.     

Synthesis and Antiviral Activity of Hydrazides and Substituted Benzalhydrazides of Betulinic Acid and Its Derivatives

New nitrogen-containing derivatives of betulinic and betulonic acids, hydrazides and N"-benzalhydrazides, were synthesized. Their antiviral activities toward viruses of influenza A virus, herpes simplex type I virus, enterovirus ECHO6, and HIV-1 were studied in vitro. Betulinic acid 3-oxime was found to have the highest activity against the influenza virus. Betulonic acid, betulinic acid 4-chlorobenzalhydrazide, betulonic acid 3-oxime benzalhydrazide, and betulinic acid hydrazide inhibited the replication of herpes simplex type I virus. Betulinic acid hydrazide also showed antiviral activity toward HIV-1. All the derivatives of betulinic acid under study displayed a low antiviral activity toward enterovirus ECHO6.     

The ABRF Metabolomics Research Group 2013 Study: Investigation of Spiked Compound Differences in a Human Plasma Matrix

Metabolomics is an emerging field that involves qualitative and quantitative measurements of small molecule metabolites in a biological system. These measurements can be useful for developing biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, or predicting response to therapy. Currently, a wide variety of metabolomics approaches, including nontargeted and targeted profiling, are used across laboratories on a routine basis. A diverse set of analytical platforms, such as NMR, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, Orbitrap mass spectrometry, and time-of-flight-mass spectrometry, which use various chromatographic and ionization techniques, are used for resolution, detection, identification, and quantitation of metabolites from various biological matrices. However, few attempts have been made to standardize experimental methodologies or comparative analyses across different laboratories. The Metabolomics Research Group of the Association of Biomolecular Resource Facilities organized a “round-robin” experiment type of interlaboratory study, wherein human plasma samples were spiked with different amounts of metabolite standards in 2 groups of biologic samples (A and B). The goal was a study that resembles a typical metabolomics analysis. Here, we report our efforts and discuss challenges that create bottlenecks for the field. Finally, we discuss benchmarks that could be used by laboratories to compare their methodologies.     

A one-step approach to the synthesis of germanicane triterpenoids from allobetulin

A new triterpenoid of the germanicane series 3S,19R-diacetoxy-17-iodomethylenoleanane has been synthesized by treating allobetulin with acetyl chloride and sodium iodide in acetonitrile. The structure of the compound obtained has been corroborated by X-ray analysis data.     

Synthesis and pharmacological activity of amides and ozonolysis product of maleopimaric acid

The synthesis of a new group of maleopimaric acid amides containing fragments of the methyl esters of amino acids, aliphatic amines, imidazole and N-methylpiperazine was carried out. Ozonolysis of methyl maleopimarate flows through the cleavage of double bond C18(19) and the disclosure of anhydrous cycle with formation of secotriacid. As a result of screening of anti-inflammatory and antiulcer activity of maleopimaric acid derivatives new effective compounds such as methyl esters of maleopimaric acid and product of ozonolysis - diterpenic secotriacid, maleopimaric acid amide with L-leucine were revealed. An important advantage of the compounds studied is the low toxicity and the presence of bidirectional activity in the absence of adverse effects on the animal.     

Polymethyleneamine Alkaloids of Animal Origin: I. Metabolites of Marine and Microbial Organisms

This review, issued in two parts, describes the information on the structure and biological activity of animal alkaloids derived from polymethyleneamines and produced by marine organisms, wasps, spiders, and microorganisms. Animal alkaloids are outstanding models for developing methods and drugs for the treatment of many human diseases. In the first part, we consider compounds produced by marine and microbial organisms. Some promising synthetic analogues of these alkaloids are used in developing modern preparations for the chelate therapy of excessive blood iron content and antituberculosis, antiproliferative, and immunosuppressive drugs.     

Bioconversion of β-Sitosterol and Its Esters by Actinobacteria of the Genus <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rhodococcus</Emphasis>

The ability of pure cultures of Rhodococcus actinobacteria from the Ural Specialized Collection of Alkanotrophic Microorganisms (World Federation for Culture Collections accession number 768; http://www.ecology.psu.ru/iegmcol) to convert β-sitosterol (BSS) and its 3β-acylated derivatives was studied. Rhodococcus strains with pronounced cholesterol oxidase activity, capable of converting BSS to stigmat-4-ene-3-one in the reaction of cooxidation with n-hexadecane, were selected. The dependence of the activity of cholesterol oxidase of rhodococci on the length of the acyl group in BSS esters was studied. Conditions under which Rhodococcus cells convert BSS to 17β-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3-one (testosterone), commonly used in pharmacology, were determined.