Biochemical,Structural Analysis,and Docking Studies of Spiropyrazoline Derivatives

In this study, we evaluated the antiproliferative potential, DNA damage, crystal structures, and docking calculation of two spiropyrazoline derivatives. The main focus of the research was to evaluate the antiproliferative potential of synthesized compounds towards eight cancer cell lines. Compound I demonstrated promising antiproliferative properties, especially toward the HL60 cell line, for which IC₅₀ was equal to 9.4 µM/L. The analysis of DNA damage by the comet assay showed that compound II caused DNA damage to tumor lineage cells to a greater extent than compound I. The level of damage to tumor cells of the HEC-1-A lineage was 23%. The determination of apoptotic and necrotic cell fractions by fluorescence microscopy indicated that cells treated with spiropyrazoline-based analogues were entering the early phase of programmed cell death. Compounds I and II depolarized the mitochondrial membranes of cancer cells. Furthermore, we performed simple docking calculations, which indicated that the obtained compounds are able to bind to the PARP1 active site, at least theoretically (the free energy of binding values for compound I and II were −9.7 and 8.7 kcal mol⁻¹, respectively). In silico studies of the influence of the studied compounds on PARP1 were confirmed in vitro with the use of eight cancer cell lines. The degradation of the PARP1 enzyme was observed, with compound I characterized by a higher protein degradation activity.     

Survey of microwave surface impedance data of high-Tc superconductors—Evidence for nonpairing charge carriers

The microwave surface impedance of the high-T _c oxide superconductors has been measured at many laboratories around the world. A survey of their data between 100 MHz and 150 GHz for polycrystalline as well as single crystalline samples is given, focusing on YBa₂Cu₃O_7– . In comparison to the classical superconductors, these results reveal a very similar temperature dependence of the surface impedance close toT _c but an anomalous high residual surface resistance at lower temperatures. Both features can be explained by the assumption that oxide superconductors contain a significant number of nonpairing charge carriers. Within the framework of a properly extended two-fluid model, this is shown by analysis of our best thin-film data. Moreover, the enhanced losses in polycrystalline material especially for superposed magnetostatic fields result, to a large extent, from the deeper penetration depth. The possible origin of the nonpairing charge carriers and their impact on the applicability of the oxide superconductors is briefly discussed.     

Excretion of Avenanthramides,Phenolic Acids and their Major Metabolites Following Intake of Oat Bran

1 Scope

Wholegrain has been associated with reduced chronic disease mortality, with oat intake particularly notable for lowering blood cholesterol and glycemia. To better understand the complex nutrient profile of oats, we studied urinary excretion of phenolic acids and avenanthramides after ingestion of oat bran in humans.

2 Methods and results

After a 2‐d (poly)phenol‐low diet, seven healthy men provided urine 12 h before and 48 h after consuming 60 g oat bran (7.8 μmol avenanthramides, 139.2 μmol phenolic acids) or a phenolic‐low (traces of phenolics) control in a crossover design. Analysis by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography (UPLC)–MS/MS showed that oat bran intake resulted in an elevation in urinary excretion of 30 phenolics relative to the control, suggesting that they are oat bran‐derived. Mean excretion levels were elevated between 0–2 and 4–8 h, following oat bran intake, and amounted to a total of 33.7 ± 7.3 μmol total excretion (mean recovery: 22.9 ± 5.0%), relative to control. The predominant metabolites included: vanillic acid, 4‐ and 3‐hydroxyhippuric acids, and sulfate‐conjugates of benzoic and ferulic acids, which accounted collectively for two thirds of total excretion.

3 Conclusion

Oat bran phenolics follow a relatively rapid urinary excretion, with 30 metabolites excreted within 8 h of intake. These levels of excretion suggest that bound phenolics are, in part, rapidly released by the microbiota.     

Impact of minimal heat-processing on pectin methylesterase and peroxidase activity in freshly squeezed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Citrus</Emphasis> juices

The impact of minimal heat-processing of juices on the activities of endogenous pectin methylesterase (PE) and peroxidase (POD) was compared between Citrus species. Mono-cultivar juices were produced from three orange (Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck cvs. ‘Navelina’, ‘Salustiana’, and ‘Navelate’), two lemon (Citrus limon (L.) Burm. f. cvs. ‘Verna’ and ‘Primofiori’), and two Clementine mandarin varieties (Citrus reticulata Blanco cvs. ‘Marisol’ and ‘Clemenules’). Two mandarin hybrids (cvs. ‘Ortanique’ and ‘Clemenvilla’) were likewise used. The freshly squeezed juices were subjected to continuous treatments at six different temperatures (42–92 °C) with subsequent re-cooling on the pilot plant scale. In fresh Citrus juice, POD activities notably varied between 0.2 and 7.5 nkat g⁻¹ of juice, whereas PE activities were more uniform (0.4–1.5 PE units g⁻¹). In all juices, except ‘Ortanique’ juice, heating ≥42 °C for 12 s reduced POD activity below 4.3% of the maximum activity in fresh Citrus juice. Thermal tolerance of the thermo-labile PE fraction was overall much higher, but varied among juices during heating at temperatures ≤62 °C. Overall thermal resistance of PE was though comparable, with deactivation exceeding 84%, mostly even 90%, after thermal treatments ≥72 °C. Unlike POD, total PE activity proved to be an indicator of freshness that is universally applicable to Citrus juices derived from orange, mandarin, and lemon or blends thereof. Freshly squeezed juices can analytically be distinguished from cold-stored, minimally processed products that display an almost completely inactivated thermo-labile PE fraction and thus extended shelf life.     

Isolation and characterization of a major allergen in kiwi fruit

 The isolation of an important allergen in kiwi fruit (Actinidia chinensis) by ion-exchange chromatography (IEC) and micropreparative SDS-PAGE followed by electroelution is reported. The purity of the allergen was analysed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting with sera from patients who have an allergy to kiwi. The allergen was shown to have a molecular weight of 43 kDa by SDS-PAGE/immunoblotting and an isoelectric point of approximately 6.9 as estimated by IEC. In accordance with World Health Organization nomenclature, this allergen is called Act c 2. By immunoblot inhibition it was shown that epitopes from different allergens in kiwi fruit are also located on Act c 2. N-terminal amino acid sequencing of 17 amino acid residues did not reveal homology with the major allergens in birch pollen (Bet v 1), apple (Mal d 1) or with other proteins of allergenic plant foods. In addition, the isoelectric point of a 67-kDa allergen in kiwi fruit was estimated to be 7.4 by IEC, but micropreparative isolation of this allergen failed because of its very low content in the fruit. Received: 14 April 1997     

The hydroxycinnamic acid content of barley and brewers’ spent grain (BSG) and the potential to incorporate phenolic extracts of BSG as antioxidants into fruit beverages

The hydroxycinnamic acid (HA) content of starting barley for brewers’ spent grains (BSG), whole BSG and phenolic extracts from BSG was measured using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and correlated with antioxidant potential. The effect of BSG phenolic extracts on antioxidant activity of fruit beverages was also assessed (using the total phenolic content (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays). The concentration of HA present in barley extract and BSG was in the order of ferulic acid (FA), p-coumaric acid (p-CA) derivatives, FA derivatives, p-CA, caffeic acid (CA) and CA derivatives. Results suggested that brewing and roasting decreased the HA content. Antioxidant activity was significantly (P < 0.05) correlated with caffeic acid (R² = 0.8309) and total HA (R² = 0.3942) concentrations. Addition of extracts to fruit beverages resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) increase in antioxidant activity of cranberry juice, measured by the FRAP assay. In vitro digestion significantly (P < 0.05) reduced TPC, DPPH and FRAP activity of the fruit beverages.     

Effectiveness of products from four locally grown plants for the management of Acanthoscelides obtectus (Say) and Zabrotes subfasciatus (Boheman) (both Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in stored beans under laboratory and farm conditions in Northern Tanzania

The effectiveness of whole or powdered leaves (botanicals) from four locally grown plant species applied at a rate of 1.5 kg per 100 kg beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) against Acanthoscelides obtectus and Zabrotes subfasciatus was compared under laboratory and farm conditions. In the laboratory, Chenopodium ambrosioides, applied as powder or as whole leaves, was the most effective, with 100% mortality of adult insects in less than three days and no progeny. Less C. ambrosioides (about 200 g per 100 kg beans) still resulted in 100% mortality within 24 h. Tagetes minuta applied as powder also increased mortality and reduced oviposition and progeny production significantly. The other treatments - T. minuta applied as leaves, and Azadirachta indica or Cupressus lusitanica applied as powder or as whole leaves - had no significant effects upon mortalities, oviposition rate, or progeny production compared with control treatments. When the rate of application was increased to about 8.3 kg per 100 kg beans, there was a slight increase in mortality using T. minuta and A. indica, but not with C. lusitanica. An additional trial with C. ambrosioides from different collections and with plants at different stages of development revealed considerable variations in the efficacy of the treatment.In the on-farm trials, A. indica-seed powder was the most effective treatment, followed respectively by leaf powders of C. ambrosioides, C. lusitanica and T. minuta. All treatments were significantly more effective than the control in reducing the numbers of live insects; they also reduced numbers of damaged beans and maintained germination rates after 5 months of storage. The results of evaluations of the treatments made by farmers just after the trials and five years later are reported.     

Oxidation of alcohols using RuMnCe catalysts

The combination of ruthenium, manganese as well as cerium oxides formed an active catalytic system for the oxidation of 2-octanol and other alcohols. The addition of manganese species as promotors resulted in more active catalysts than comparable cobalt-doped oxidic materials. The application of RuMnCe oxides on redox-active supports, such as TiO₂ or CeO₂, by deposition–precipitation caused a further improvement of catalytic activity. A tolerance to nitrogen-containing substrates was observed.