Functionality of bioactive compounds in Brazilian strawberry (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.) cultivars: Evaluation of hyperglycemia and hypertension potential using in vitro models

Fruits of seven fully ripened strawberry cultivars grown in Brazil (Dover, Camp Dover, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Toyonoka, Oso Grande, and Piedade) were evaluated for total phenolics, antioxidant activity based on DPPH radical scavenging assay, and functionality such as inhibition of alpha-amylase, alpha-glucosidase, and angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) relevant for potentially managing hyperglycemia and hypertension. The total phenolics content ranged from 966 to 1571 mu g of gallic acid/g of fruit fresh weight for Toyonoka and Dover, respectively. No correlation was found between total phenolics and antioxidant activity. The major phenolic compounds in aqueous extracts of strawberries were ellagic acid, quercetin, and chlorogenic acid. Strawberries had high alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity. However, alpha-amylase inhibitory activity was very low in all cultivars. This suggested that strawberries could be considered as a potential dietary source with anti-hyperglycemic potential. The evaluated cultivars had no significant ACE inhibitory activity, reflecting low anti-hypertensive potential.

Bioactive compounds and quantification of total ellagic acid in strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa Duch.)

Strawberries are one of the most popular edible fruits in Brazil and their consumption has increased with the development of new varieties available at almost all seasons. Fruit of seven full-ripened strawberry cultivars (Dover, Camp Dover, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie, Toyonoka, Oso Grande and Piedade) were characterized in relation to the total phenolics, vitamin C, flavonoids, free and total ellagic acid contents and antioxidant capacity. Camp Dover had the lowest values for anthocyanins and total phenolics but the highest total flavonoid content. Dover presented the highest anthocyanin, total phenolics and ellagic acid contents and also elevated antioxidant capacity. The best conditions for the determination of the total ellagic acid content in strawberries were also optimized and the results showed that the extraction with 80% acetone, and hydrolysis using 2 N TFA at 120 degrees C for 60 min allowed a 99% recovery. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Discriminant analysis of trace elements in normal, benign and malignant breast tissues measured by total reflection X-ray fluorescence

In this work total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry has been employed to determine trace element concentrations in different human breast tissues (normal, normal adjacent, benign and malignant). A multivariate discriminant analysis of observed levels was performed in order to build a predictive model and perform tissue-type classifications. A total of 83 breast tissue samples were studied. Results showed the presence of Ca, Ti, Fe, Cu and Zn in all analyzed samples. All trace elements, except Ti, were found in higher concentrations in both malignant and benign tissues, when compared to normal tissues and normal adjacent tissues. In addition, the concentration of Fe was higher in malignant tissues than in benign neoplastic tissues. An opposite behavior was observed for Ca, Cu and Zn. Results have shown that discriminant analysis was able to successfully identify differences between trace element distributions from normal and malignant tissues with an overall accuracy of 80% and 65% for independent and paired breast samples respectively, and of 87% for benign and malignant tissues. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

In Vivo Antigenotoxicity of Baccharin, an Important Constituent of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae)

Baccharin (3-prenyl-4-(dihydrocinnamoyloxy)cinnamic acid) is an important chemical compound isolated from the aerial parts of Baccharis dracunculifolia DC (Asteraceae), a native plant of South America, and the most important plant source of Brazilian green propolis. The present study was designed to investigate the ability of baccharin to modulate the genotoxic effects induced by doxorubicin and methyl methanesulphonate in male Swiss mice using the micronucleus and comet assays, respectively. The different doses of baccharin [0.12, 0.24 and 0.48 mg/kg body-weight (b.w.)] were administered simultaneously to doxorubicin (micronucleus test; 15 mg/kg b.w.) and to methyl methanesulphonate (comet assay; 40 mg/kg b.w.). The results showed a significant decrease in the frequency of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes in animals treated with baccharin and doxorubicin compared to animals that received only doxorubicin. This reduction ranged from 39.8% to 50.7% in the micronucleus test. The extent of DNA damage in liver cells was significantly lower in animals treated with different concentrations of baccharin combined with methyl methanesulphonate in comparison with the damage observed for animals treated only with methyl methanesulphonate. These differences resulted in a significant reduction in the extent of DNA damage, which ranged from 47.8% to 60.6%.

Quantum-chemical, NMR and X-ray diffraction studies on (+/-)-1-[3,4-(methylenedioxy)phenyl]-2-methylaminopropane

Time-averaged conformations of (+/-)-1-[3,4-(methylenedioxy)phenyl]-2-methylaminopropane hydrochloride (MDMA, ""ecstasy"") in D(2)O, and of its free base and trifluoroacetate in CDCl(3), were deduced from their (1)H NMR spectra and used to calculate their conformer distribution. Their rotational potential energy surface (PES) was calculated at the RHF/6-31G(d,p), 133LYP/6-31G(d,p), B3LYP/cc-pVDZ and AM1 levels. Solvent effects were evaluated using the polarizable continuum model. The NMR and theoretical studies showed that, in the free base, the N-methyl group and the ring are preferentially trans. This preference is stronger in the salts and corresponds to the X-ray structure of the hydrochloride. However, the energy barriers separating these forms are very low. The X-ray diffraction crystal structures of the anhydrous salt and its monohydrate differed mainly in the trans or cis relationship of the N-methyl group to the a-methyl, although these two forms interconvert freely in solution. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Liquid Crystalline Nanoparticles by Small Angle X-Ray Diffraction: Evaluation of Drug and Pharmaceutical Additives Influence on the Internal Structure

The goal of this work was to study the liquid crystalline structure of a nanodispersion delivery system intended to be used in photodynamic therapy after loading with photosensitizers (PSs) and additives such as preservatives and thickening polymers. Polarized light microscopy and light scattering were performed on a standard nanodispersion in order to determine the anisotropy of the liquid crystalline structure and the mean diameter of the nanoparticles, respectively. Small angle X-ray diffraction (SAXRD) was used to verify the influence of drug loading and additives on the liquid crystalline structure of the nanodispersions. The samples, before and after the addition of PSs and additives, were stable over 90 days, as verified by dynamic light scattering. SAXRD revealed that despite the alteration observed in some of the samples analyzed in the presence of photosensitizing drugs and additives, the hexagonal phase still remained in the crystalline phase. (C) 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 100: 2849-2857, 2011

Electrocatalytic oxidation of ethanol on Sn((1-x))Ir((x))O(2) electrodes in acid medium

The electrochemical oxidation of ethanol at Sn((1-x))Ir (x) O(2) electrodes (with x = 0.01, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.3) was studied in 0.1 mol L(-1) HClO(4) solution. Electrolysis experiments were carried out and the reaction products were analyzed by Liquid Chromatography. It was found that the amounts of the reaction products depended on the composition of the electrode. In situ infrared reflectance spectroscopy measurements were performed to identify the adsorbed intermediates and to postulate a reaction mechanism for ethanol electrooxidation on these electrode materials. As evidence, acetaldehyde and acetic acid were formed through a successive reaction process. Carbon dioxide was also identified as the end product, showing that the cleavage of the carbon-carbon bond occurred. These results indicate that the synthesized catalysts are able to lead to the total combustion of organic compounds. Analysis of the water bending band at different potentials illustrated its role at the electrode interface.

Stereochemistry of cyclopentane derivatives from (2,3)J(CH) dependence on dihedral angle (theta H-C-C-X)

The (2,3)J(CH) dependence on dihedral angle (theta H-C-C-X) for cyclopentane derivatives was investigated. We observed that the combined use of experimentally obtained (2,3)J(CH) values and the theoretically determined dihedral angles between the corresponding nuclei can be used to infer the relative stereochemistry of the ring substituents in cyclopentane derivatives. There is a good correlation between the magnitude of (3)J(CH) and the dihedral angle between the hydrogen and the coupled carbon (R-2 = 0.88). Copyright (C) 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The effect of methanol on the stability of Pt/C and Pt-RuO(x)/C catalysts

The behavior of Pt/C and Pt-RuO(x)/C electrodes subjected to a larger number of potential scans and constant potential for prolonged time periods was investigated in the absence and presence of methanol. The structural changes were analyzed on the basis of the modifications observed in the X-ray diffraction pattern of the catalysts. Carbon monoxide stripping experiments were performed before and after the potential scans, thus enabling analysis of the behavior of the electrochemically active surface area. The resulting solutions were examined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). There was reduction in the electrochemically active surface area, as well as increase in crystallite size and dissolution of catalyst components after the potential scan tests. Catalyst degradation was more pronounced in the presence of methanol, and cyclic potential conditions accelerate the degradation mechanisms. (C) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Unraveling the Na,K-ATPase alpha(4) Subunit Assembling Induced by Large Amounts of C(12)E(8) by Means of Small-Angle X-ray Scattering

In the current work, we studied the effect of the nonionic detergent dodecyloctaethyleneglycol, C(12)E(8), on the structure and oligomeric form of the Na,K-ATPase membrane enzyme (sodium-potassium pump) in aqueous suspension, by means of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). Samples composed of 2 mg/mL of Na,K-ATPase, extracted from rabbit kidney medulla, in the presence of a small amount of C(12)E(8) (0.005 mg/mL) and in larger concentrations ranging from 2.7 to 27 mg/mL did not present catalytic activity. Under this condition, an oligomerization of the alpha subunits is expected. SAXS data were analyzed by means of a global fitting procedure supposing that the scattering is due to two independent contributions: one coming from the enzyme and the other one from C(12)E(8) micelles. In the small detergent content (0.005 mg/mL), the SAXS results evidenced that Na,K-ATPase is associated into aggregates larger than (alpha beta)(2) form. When 2.7 mg/mL of C(12)E(8) is added, the data analysis revealed the presence of alpha(4) aggregates in the solution and some free micelles. Increasing the detergent amount up to 27 mg/mL does not disturb the alpha(4) aggregate: just more micelles of the same size and shape are proportionally formed in solution. We believe that our results shed light on a better understanding of how nonionic detergents induce subunit dissociation and reassembling to minimize the exposure of hydrophobic residues to the aqueous solvent.

Characterization and voltammetric behavior of Pt(y)Mo(z)O(x)/C electrodes prepared by the thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors

Carbon-supported catalysts containing platinum and molybdenum oxide are prepared by thermal decomposition of polymeric precursors. The Pt(y)Mo(z)O(x)/C materials are characterized by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The catalysts present a well-controlled stoichiometry and nanometric particles. Molybdenum is present mainly as the MoO(3) orthorhombic structure, and no Pt alloys are detected. The voltammetric behavior of the electrodes is investigated; a correlation with literature results for PtMo/C catalysts prepared by other methods is established. The formation of soluble species and the aging effect are discussed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Intergeneric phylogenetic relationships in catfishes of the Loricariinae (Siluriformes: Loricariidae), with the description of Fonchiiloricaria nanodon: a new genus and species from Peru

Recent investigations in the upper Rio Huallaga in Peru revealed the presence of an intriguing species of the Loricariinae. To characterize and place this species within the evolutionary tree of the subfamily, a molecular phylogeny of this group was inferred based on the 12S and 16S mitochondrial genes and the nuclear gene F-reticulon4. The phylogeny indicated that this distinctive species was a member of the subtribe Loricariina. Given its phylogenetic placement, and its unusual morphology, this species is described as a new genus and new species of Loricariinae: Fonchiiloricaria nanodon. This new taxon is diagnosed by usually possessing one to three premaxillary teeth that are greatly reduced; lips with globular papillae on the surface; the distal margin of lower lip bearing short, triangular filaments; the premaxilla greatly reduced; the abdomen completely covered by plates, with the plates between lateral abdominal plates small and rhombic; a caudal fin with 14 rays; the orbital notch absent; five lateral series of plates; dorsal-fin spinelet absent; preanal plate present, large and solid, and of irregular, polygonal shape, the caudal peduncle becoming more compressed posteriorly for the last seven to 10 plates. (C) 2011 The Authors Journal of Fish Biology (C) 2011 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles

Synthesis, X-ray analysis and DFT study of 2-amino-3-(N-oxipiridin-4-ilsulfanil)-propionic acid dihydrate

The title compound, C(8)H(14)N(2)O(5)S 2(H(2)O), 2-amino-3-(N-oxipiridin-4-ilsulfanil)-propionic acid dihydrate, is obtained by the reaction of cysteine and 4-nitropyridine N-oxide in dimethylformamide, removing the NO(2) group from the benzene ring and releasing nitrous acid into the solution. The molecule exists as a Zwitterion. Hydrogen bond interactions involving the title molecule and water molecules allow the formation of R(5)(5)(23) edge fused rings parallel to (010). Water molecules are connected independently, forming infinite chains (wires), in square wave form, along the b-axis. The chirality of the cysteine molecule used in the synthesis is retained in the title molecule. A density functional theory (DFT) optimized structure at the B3LYP/6-311G(3df,2p) level allows comparison of calculated and experimental IR spectra.

Constancy check of beam quality in conventional diagnostic X-ray equipment

A tandem ionization chamber was developed for quality control programs of X-ray equipment used in conventional radiography and mammography. A methodology for the use of the tandem chamber in the constancy check of diagnostic X-ray beam qualities was established. The application at a medical X-ray imaging facility of this established methodology is presented. The use of the tandem chamber in the constancy check of diagnostic X-ray beam qualities is a useful method to control the performance of the X-ray equipment. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Could the Leukocyte X Chromosome Inactivation Pattern Be Extrapolated to Hair Bulbs?

Background: The androgen receptor gene is located on the X chromosome with a polymorphic tract of CAG repeats that is inversely correlated to the receptor`s transactivation activity. A short CAG tract is associated with hyperandrogenic disorders. In women, one of the X chromosomes is inactivated and the X chromosome inactivation (XCI) pattern varies among tissues. Previous studies of hyperandrogenic disorders only evaluated XCI in leukocytes. Objective: To evaluate whether the XCI pattern in leukocytes could be extrapolated to those in hair bulbs. Material: A total of 58 healthy women were used for this study. DNA was extracted from leukocytes (n = 58 women) and pubic (n = 53 women) and scalp hair (n = 21 women). Methods: Hpa II digested and undigested DNA samples underwent fluorescence PCR GeneScan (R) analysis. Results: A significant and positive correlation of XCI was found between leukocytes and hair bulbs. However, individual comparisons showed that 13 and 19% of the women presented a different leukocyte XCI pattern in pubic hair and similar in leukocytes and hair bulbs of normal women indicating that leukocyte DNA is useful for XCI analysis. However, the XCI pattern could vary among tissues from the same subject, indicating that care should be taken when extrapolating individual leukocyte XCI patterns to other tissue. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel