Metabolism of 1,8-Cineole in Rat: Its Effects on Liver and Lung Microsomal Cytochrome P-450 Systems

The monoterpene cyclic ether, cineole (l,8-cineole, I) also known as eucalyptol, is a component of many essential oils and is widely distributed in nature. It is extensively used in pharmaceutical preparations for external application and also as a nasal spray. It was reported earlier that cineole when administered to sheep may be largely oxidized in the system (Scheline 1978). However the mode of metabolism of cineole is not known. Hence the present study was undertaken to investigate the metabolic fate of this ubiquitous terpenoid following its administration to rats by gastric intubation.

Complexes Of Imidazoline-2-Thione And Its 1-Methyl Analogue With Cu(Ii), Zn(Ii), Cd(Ii) And Hg(Ii) Salts

The reaction of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cd(II) and Hg(II) chlorides and bromides with imidazoline-2-thione (IZT) and its N-methyl derivative (NMIZT) yields complexes of stoichiometry ML3X2 and ML2X (IZT) and its N-methyl derivative (NMIZT) yields complexes of stoichiometry ML3X2 and ML2X (where M=Cu(I)); copper(II) halides yield Cu(I) complexes. On the basis of infrared and 13C n.m.r.

Chemical synthesis and structure elucidation of bovine K-casein (1-44)

The caseins (αs1, αs2, β, and κ) are phosphoproteins present in bovine milk that have been studied for over a century and whose structures remain obscure. Here we describe the chemical synthesis and structure elucidation of the N-terminal segment (1–44) of bovine κ-casein, the protein which maintains the micellar structure of the caseins. κ-Casein (1–44) was synthesised by highly optimised Boc solid-phase peptide chemistry and characterised by mass spectrometry. Structure elucidation was carried out by circular dichroism and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. CD analysis demonstrated that the segment was ill defined in aqueous medium but in 30% trifluoroethanol it exhibited considerable helical structure. Further, NMR analysis showed the presence of a helical segment containing 26 residues which extends from Pro8 to Arg34. This is the first report which demonstrates extensive secondary structure within the casein class of proteins.

Conformations Of Peptides Containing 1-Aminocyclohexane-Carboxylic Acid (Acc6) - Crystal-Structures Of 2 Model Peptides

The crystal structures of two peptides containing 1-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (Acc6) are described. Boc-Aib-Acc6-NHMe · H2O adopts a β-turn conformation in the solid state, stabilized by an intramolecular 4 → 1 hydrogen bond between the Boc CO and methylamide NH groups. The backbone conformational angles (φAib = – 50.3°, ψAib = – 45.8°; φAcc6 = – 68.4°, ψAcc6 = – 15°) lie in between the values expected for ideal Type I or III β-turns. In Boc-Aib-Acc6-OMe, the Aib residue adopts a partially extended conformation (φAib = – 62.2°, ψAib = 143°) while the Acc6residue maintains a helical conformation (φAcc6 = 48°, ψAcc6= 42.6°). 1H n.m.r. studies in CDCl3 and (CD3)2SO suggest that Boc-Aib-Acc6-NHMe maintains the β-turn conformation in solution.

The ethyl, 1- and 2-propyl, and other simple alky carbanions do not exist

A combination of experimental data and theoretical calculations has been used to estimate the electron affinities of simple primary, secondary, and tertiary alkyl radicals and the proton affinities of the corresponding anions. With the exception of cyclopropyl, such carbanionsâ are indicated to be unstable towards loss of an electron and are not expected to exist as long-lived species in the gas phase.

Detection of equine herpesvirus type 1 using a real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV1) is a major disease of equids worldwide causing considerable losses to the horse industry. A variety of techniques, including PCR have been used to diagnose EHV1. Some of these PCRs were used in combination with other techniques such as restriction enzyme analysis (REA) or hybridisation, making them cumbersome for routine diagnostic testing and increasing the chances of cross-contamination. Furthermore, they involve the use of suspected carcinogens such as ethidium bromide and ultraviolet light. In this paper, we describe a real-time PCR, which uses minor groove-binding probe (MGB) technology for the diagnosis of EHV1. This technique does not require post-PCR manipulations thereby reducing the risk of cross-contamination. Most importantly, the technique is specific; it was able to differentiate EHV1 from the closely related member of the Alphaherpesvirinae, equid herpesvirus 4 (EHV4). It was not reactive with common opportunistic pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter agglomerans often involved in abortion. Similarly, it did not react with equine pathogens such as Streptococcus equi, Streptococcus equisimilis, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Taylorella equigenitalis and Rhodococcus equi, which also cause abortion. The results obtained with this technique agreed with results from published PCR methods. The assay was sensitive enough to detect EHV1 sequences in paraffin-embedded tissues and clinical samples. When compared to virus isolation, the test was more sensitive. This test will be useful for the routine diagnosis of EHV1 based on its specificity, sensitivity, ease of performance and rapidity.

Multiplex real-time PCR for the detection and differentiation of equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equid herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4).

A multiplex real-time PCR was designed to detect and differentiate equid herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equid herpesvirus 4 (EHV-4). The PCR targets the glycoprotein B gene of EHV-1 and EHV-4. Primers and probes were specific to each equine herpesvirus type and can be used in monoplex or multiplex PCRs, allowing the differentiation of these two closely related members of the Alphaherpesvirinae. The two probes were minor-groove binding probes (MGB?) labelled with 6-carboxy-fluorescein (FAM?) and VIC® for detection of EHV-1 and EHV-4, respectively. Ten EHV-1 isolates, six EHV-1 positive clinical samples, one EHV-1 reference strain (EHV-1.438/77), three EHV-4 positive clinical samples, two EHV-4 isolates and one EHV-4 reference strain (EHV-4 405/76) were included in this study. EHV-1 isolates, clinical samples and the reference strain reacted in the EHV-1 real-time PCR but not in the EHV-4 real-time PCR and similarly EHV-4 clinical samples, isolates and the reference strain were positive in the EHV-4 real-time PCR but not in the EHV-1 real-time PCR. Other herpesviruses, such as EHV-2, EHV-3 and EHV-5 were all negative when tested using the multiplex real-time PCR. When bacterial pathogens and opportunistic pathogens were tested in the multiplex real-time PCR they did not react with either system. The multiplex PCR was shown to be sensitive and specific and is a useful tool for detection and differentiation of EHV-1 and EHV-4 in a single reaction. A comprehensive equine herpesvirus disease investigation procedure used in our laboratory is also outlined. This procedure describes the combination of alphaherpesvirus multiplex real-time PCR along with existing gel-based PCRs described by other authors.

Stereochemistry of Peptides Containing 1-AminocyclopentanecarboxylicA cid ( Am5): Solution and Solid-state Conformations of Boc-Acc '-Acc'-NHMe

The conformational analysis of a protected homodipeptide of 1-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (Acc5) has been carried out. 1H-nmr studies establish a -turn conformation for Boc-Acc5-Acc5-NHMe in chloroform and dimethylsulfoxide solutions involving the methylamide NH in an intramolecular hydrogen bond. Supportive evidence for the formation of an intramolecular hydrogen bond is obtained from ir studies. X-ray diffraction studies reveal a type III -turn conformation in the solid state stabilized by a 4 1 hydrogen bond between the Boc CO and methylamide NH groups. The , values for both Acc5 residues are close to those expected for an ideal 310-helical conformation ( ± 60°, ±30°).

Determination of the thermodynamic properties of xMgO + (1 x)MnO (s, sln) from a solid-electrolyte galvanic cell in the temperature range 1163 to 1318 K

The thermodynamic activities of MgO in the NaCl-type solid solutions which can exist in xMgO + (1 x)MnO have been determined in the temperature range 1163 to 1318 K from a solid-state galvanic cell incorporating MgF2 as the solid electrolyte. The activities of MnO have been calculated by a graphical Gibbs-Duhem integration method. The activities of both the components exhibit positive deviations from ideality over the entire composition range. The excess molar enthalpies are found to be positive. Further, xMgO + (1 - x)MnO does not conform to regular-solution behaviour. The origin of the excess thermodynamic properties is discussed in relation to the cationic size disparity and the crystal-field effects.

GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 subunits are expressed in cultured human RPE cells and GABAA receptor agents modify the intracellular calcium concentration.

Purpose: Gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptors (GABAARs), which are ionotropic receptors involving chloride channels, have been identified in various neural (e.g., mouse retinal ganglion cells) and nonneural cells (e.g., mouse lens epithelial cells) regulating the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i). GABAAR β-subunit protein has been isolated in the cultured human and rat RPE, and GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 mRNAs and proteins are present in the chick RPE. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1, two important subunits in forming functional GABAARs, in the cultured human RPE, and further to explore whether altering receptor activation modifies [Ca(2+)]i. Methods: Human RPE cells were separately cultured from five donor eye cups. Real-time PCR, western blots, and immunofluorescence were used to test for GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 mRNAs and proteins. The effects of the GABAAR agonist muscimol, antagonist picrotoxin, or the specific GABAAρ antagonist 1,2,5,6-tetrahydropyridin-4-yl) methylphosphinic acid (TPMPA) on [Ca(2+)]i in cultured human RPE were demonstrated using Fluo3-AM. Results: Both GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 mRNAs and proteins were identified in cultured human RPE cells; antibody staining was mainly localized to the cell membrane and was also present in the cytoplasm but not in the nucleus. Muscimol (100 μM) caused a transient increase of the [Ca(2+)]i in RPE cells regardless of whether Ca(2+) was added to the buffer. Muscimol-induced increases in the [Ca(2+)]i were inhibited by pretreatment with picrotoxin (300 μM) or TPMPA (500 μM). Conclusions: GABAAα1 and GABAAρ1 are expressed in cultured human RPE cells, and GABAA agents can modify [Ca(2+)]i.

CIMMYT-selected derived synthetic bread wheats for rainfed environments: Yield evaluation in Mexico and Australia.

Synthetic backcrossed-derived bread wheats (SBWs) from CIMMYT were grown in the Northwest of Mexico at Centro de Investigaciones Agrícolas del Noroeste (CIANO) and sites across Australia during three seasons. During three consecutive years Australia received “shipments” of different SBWs from CIMMYT for evaluation. A different set of lines was evaluated each season, as new materials became available from the CIMMYT crop enhancement program. These consisted of approximately 100 advanced lines (F7) per year. SBWs had been top and backcrossed to CIMMYT cultivars in the first two shipments and to Australian wheat cultivars in the third one. At CIANO, the SBWs were trialled under receding soil moisture conditions. We evaluated both the performance of each line across all environments and the genotype-by-environment interaction using an analysis that fits a multiplicative mixed model, adjusted for spatial field trends. Data were organised in three groups of multienvironment trials (MET) containing germplasm from shipment 1 (METShip1), 2 (METShip2), and 3 (METShip3), respectively. Large components of variance for the genotype × environment interaction were found for each MET analysis, due to the diversity of environments included and the limited replication over years (only in METShip2, lines were tested over 2 years). The average percentage of genetic variance explained by the factor analytic models with two factors was 50.3% for METShip1, 46.7% for METShip2, and 48.7% for METShip3. Yield comparison focused only on lines that were present in all locations within a METShip, or “core” SBWs. A number of core SBWs, crossed to both Australian and CIMMYT backgrounds, outperformed the local benchmark checks at sites from the northern end of the Australian wheat belt, with reduced success at more southern locations. In general, lines that succeeded in the north were different from those in the south. The moderate positive genetic correlation between CIANO and locations in the northern wheat growing region likely reflects similarities in average temperature during flowering, high evaporative demand, and a short flowering interval. We are currently studying attributes of this germplasm that may contribute to adaptation, with the aim of improving the selection process in both Mexico and Australia.

1-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)-phenyl]prop-2-enone

In the title compound, C17H15Cl2NO, the dimethylaminophenyl group is close to coplanar with the central propenone group [dihedral angle =13.1 (1)degrees between the mean planes], while the dichlorophenyl group is twisted from the plane [dihedral angle = 64.0 (1)degrees].In the crystal, C-H center dot center dot center dot O and weak C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions are formed between molecules.

4-(4-Methoxyphenyl)-1-phenylpyridine-2,6(1H,3H)-dione

In the title compound, C18H15NO3, the pyridine-2,6-dione ring adopts an envelope conformation. The phenyl ring lies approximately perpendicular to the mean plane of the pyridine-2,6-dione ring [dihedral angle =81.5 (1)degrees], while the methoxyphenyl ring is tilted to the same plane by a dihedral angle of 34.8 (1)degrees. Intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot O interactions link the molecules into chains along [100].

4-[2-(1-Acetyl-2-oxopropylidene)-hydrazino]-N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)benzenesulfonamide

In the title compound, C15H15N5O4S, the dihedral angle between the pyrimidine and benzene rings is 84.56 (2)degrees. Intramolecular hydrazine-carbonyl N-H center dot center dot center dot O and intermolecular sulfonamide-pyridimine N-H center dot center dot center dot N hydrogen bonds stabilize the molecular and crystal structures, respectively.

Modeling chickpea growth and development: Nitrogen accumulation and use

Quantitative information regarding nitrogen (N) accumulation and its distribution to leaves, stems and grains under varying environmental and growth conditions are limited for chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.). The information is required for the development of crop growth models and also for assessment of the contribution of chickpea to N balances in cropping systems. Accordingly, these processes were quantified in chickpea under different environmental and growth conditions (still without water or N deficit) using four field experiments and 1325 N measurements. N concentration ([N]) in green leaves was 50 mg g-1 up to beginning of seed growth, and then it declined linearly to 30 mg g-1 at the end of seed growth phase. [N] in senesced leaves was 12 mg g-1. Stem [N] decreased from 30 mg g-1 early in the season to 8 mg g-1 in senesced stems at maturity. Pod [N] was constant (35 mg g-1), but grain [N] decreased from 60 mg g-1 early in seed growth to 43 mg g-1 at maturity. Total N accumulation ranged between 9 and 30 g m-2. N accumulation was closely linked to biomass accumulation until maturity. N accumulation efficiency (N accumulation relative to biomass accumulation) was 0.033 g g-1 where total biomass was -2 and during early growth period, but it decreased to 0.0176 g g-1 during the later growth period when total biomass was >218 g m-2. During vegetative growth (up to first-pod), 58% of N was partitioned to leaves and 42% to stems. Depending on growth conditions, 37-72% of leaf N and 12-56% of stem N was remobilized to the grains. The parameter estimates and functions obtained in this study can be used in chickpea simulation models to simulate N accumulation and distribution.