Following N deprivation, microalgae accumulate triacylglycerols (TAGs). To gain mechanistic insights into this phenomenon, we identified mutants with reduced TAG content following N deprivation in the model alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. In one of the mutants, the disruption of a galactoglycerolipid lipase-encoding gene, designated PLASTID GALACTOGLYCEROLIPID DEGRADATION1 (PGD1), was responsible for ...

A(-)β(+) ketosis-prone diabetes (KPD) is an emerging syndrome of obesity, unprovoked ketoacidosis, reversible β-cell dysfunction, and near-normoglycemic remission. We combined metabolomics with targeted kinetic measurements to investigate its pathophysiology. Fasting plasma fatty acids, acylcarnitines, and amino acids were quantified in 20 KPD patients compared with 19 nondiabetic control subjects. Unique ...

in this work, two kinds of phenolic antioxidants-functionalized quaternized chitosan were synthesized in order to develop aqueous soluble antioxidant-polymer conjugates. Quaternized chitosan conjugated with gallic acid or caffeic acid was carried out and the antioxidant properties of the products (namely gallic acid-quaternized chitosan and caffeic acid-quaternized chitosan) against hydroxyl-radical, superoxide-radical ...

Palladium nanoparticles with average size 11.3nm have been synthesized via a one-step reduction and capping method. This colloidal route using tannic acid does not require any other surfactant or capping agent to direct the growth of palladium nanoparticles. The effect of temperature on the conversion of Pd(2+) ion to Pd(0) ...

Sulfuric acid treated corn fiber hydrolysate (SACFH) inhibited cell growth and the production of butanol (4.7±0.2g/L) by Clostridium beijerinckii IB4 in P2 medium. Optimal medium components were determined using fractional factorial design. NH(4)HCO(3), FeSO(4)·7H(2)O and CaCO(3) were demonstrated to be significant components in the production of butanol. The Box-Behnken design ...

The purpose of this research was to understand the degradation of ascorbic acid and glutathione content in broccoli florets (Brassica oleracea L. italica cv. Bellstar) during prolonged storage and subsequent mechanical processing. The initial content of total ascorbic acid and glutathione in broccoli florets averaged at 5.18±0.23 and 0.70±0.03μmol/g fresh ...

Warming of 4-phthalimido-N-mesyl-1,2,3-triazole in the presence of alkenes followed by silica gel induced hydrolysis results in a highly diastereoselective and catalyst-free entry to N-phthalimidocyclopropanecarboxaldehydes.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: E. coli O157:H7 (EHEC) is an important human pathogen. The antibiotic treatment of EHEC reportedly results in release of Shiga toxin and is therefore discouraged. Consequently, alternative preventive or therapeutic strategies for EHEC are required. The objective of the current study was to investigate the effect of citrus ...

Based on structure-activity relationship studies of the benzoic acid part of diphenylamine-based retinoids, the potent RXR agonist 4 was derivatized to obtain retinoid agonists, synergists, and an antagonist. Cinnamic acid derivatives 5 and phenylpropionic acid derivatives 6 showed retinoid agonistic and synergistic activities, respectively. The difference of the activities is ...

A series of piperazine ureas was designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their potential as novel orally available fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors that are therapeutically effective against pain. We carried out an optimization study of the lead compound 3 to improve its DMPK profile as well as in vitro ...

Refsum disease is an autosomal recessive disorder of peroxisomal metabolism biochemically characterized by highly elevated concentrations of phytanic acid (Phyt) in a variety of tissues including the cerebellum. Reduction of plasma Phyt levels by dietary restriction intake ameliorates ataxia, a common clinical manifestation of this disorder, suggesting a neurotoxic role ...

BACKGROUND: Hyperuricemia is associated with obesity. Few studies have reported the effects of different types of bariatric surgery on uric acid metabolism. The aim of our study was to determine the relationships between serum uric acid reduction and estrogen receptor-α (ESR1) gene polymorphism, as well as the type of bariatric ...

Recently, chiral Brønsted acids as dual ligand and acid catalysts in the context of metal catalysis have been developed. Such binary catalytic systems synergistically integrate chiral Brønsted acids and metal catalysts as a result of their weakly coordinating behaviors. The resulting binary acid catalysts have enabled effective reactions of a ...

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) was reported to be involved in lipid metabolism through regulating the production of superoxide anion. However, the role of UCP2 in hepatocytes steatosis has not been determined. We hypothesized that UCP2 might regulate hepatic steatosis via suppressing oxidative stress. RESULTS: We tested this hypothesis ...

(18-Crown-6)-2,3,11,12-tetracarboxylic acid is a useful chiral NMR solvating agent for isoxazoline-fused β-amino acid derivatives. Isoxazoline substrates are analyzed as their hydrochloride salts in methanol-d(4) . The crown ether and substrate associate through the formation of three hydrogen bonds between the protonated amine and crown ether oxygen atoms. Enantiomeric discrimination is ...

Membrane lipids play fundamental structural and regulatory roles in cell metabolism and signaling. Here, we report that phosphatidic acid (PA), a product of phospholipase D (PLD), regulates MAP65-1, a microtubule-associated protein, in response to salt stress. Knockout of the PLDα1 gene resulted in greater NaCl-induced disorganization of microtubules, which could ...

It has been widely accepted that the primary function of the Lands cycle is to provide a route for acyl remodeling to modify fatty acid (FA) composition of phospholipids derived from the Kennedy pathway. Lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase (LPCAT) is an evolutionarily conserved key enzyme in the Lands cycle. In this study, ...

Nitric oxide (NO), a short-lived freely diffusible radical gas that acts as an important biological signal, regulates an impressive spectrum of physiological functions in vertebrates including fishes. The action of NO, however, on thyroid hormone status and its role in the integration of acid-base, osmotic and metabolic balances during stress ...

Our aim was to screen for antibacterial bioactive compounds from Lonicera japonica leaves. Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli were used as the indicator bacteria. Bacteriostatic assay-guided extraction and stepwise partitioning of the samples yielded five compounds of interest. Antimicrobial activities of the compounds were determined using a disk diffusion assay. ...

Original αγα tripeptides containing one β,γ-diamino acid have been synthesized and their conformation determined by extensive NMR and molecular dynamic studies. These studies revealed the presence of a C(9) hydrogen bonded turn around the β,γ-diamino acid which was stabilized by bulky side chains of the preceding residue. This turn can ...

Babies of obese women are often large at birth, which is associated with perinatal complications and metabolic syndrome later in life. The mechanisms linking maternal obesity to fetal overgrowth are largely unknown. We tested the hypothesis that placental insulin/IGF-I and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling is activated and amino ...

This Note describes a practical and efficient procedure that takes advantage of diarylborinic acids as a cost-effective alternative to arylboronic acids for synthesis of diarylmethanes through metal-free reductive cross-coupling with N-tosylhydrazones of aromatic aldehydes and ketones. The procedure tolerates hydroxyl, halide, amine, and allyl functionality, complementary to the transition-metal catalyzed ...

The activity of cellulase against filter paper was enhanced by 28.32% and 15.17% after the addition of 0.83mg/ml of ferulic acid and p-coumaric acid, respectively, and by 10.15% after the addition of salicylic acid at 0.67mg/ml. The effects of three phenolic acids on the structure of cellulase were investigated via ...

The aim of the present study is to evaluate the inhibitory effects of liver UDP-glucuronosyltransferases (UGTs) by glycyrrhizic acid and glycyrrhetinic acid, which are the bioactive ingredients isolated from licorice. The results showed that glycyrrhetinic acid exhibited stronger inhibition towards all the tested UGT isoforms, indicating that the deglycosylation process ...

Organic acid has been related to nutrient mobilization, mainly in phosphorus (P) insoluble utilization, and therefore enhances P bioavailability. In this study, we examined the effect of low-molecular-weight organic acids (malic, citric, and oxalic acids) on P release of some calcareous soils from western Iran. Fractionation and speciation of P ...

OBJECTIVE: Essential fatty acids (EFA) are necessary for growth, development, and biological function, and must be acquired through the diet. While linoleic acid (LA) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) have been considered the true EFAs, we previously demonstrated that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) taken together as the sole ...

Sorghum bicolor L. Moench (Naga Red) red leaves is an ingredient used in rice and beans that is known as "waakye" in the Hausa language in some African countries. Little is known about its benefits aside from its colourant properties. We studied its bioactive, nutritive compounds and the effectiveness of ...

The combined fermentation of sludge from the secondary sedimentation tank of municipal wastewater treatment plants and food waste enables not only waste reduction, but also the acquisition of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) for the biosynthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). To better understand variables influencing the production of VFAs and PHAs, this ...

The selectivity of anchovy oil hydrolysis was optimised for Thermomyces lanuginosus lipase, so that docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were concentrated and partially separated from each other. Enzyme concentration and pH control were important factors for effective hydrolysis. Monitoring percent hydrolysis using capillary chromatography with flame ionisation detector ...

Mutation of amino acid residues 94, 96 and 119 to histidine(s) in the human carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1) related proteins CARP VIII, X and XI restored the zinc binding and catalytic activity for the hydration of CO(2) to bicarbonate. CA VIII, X and XI thus obtained showed high catalytic ...

ABSTRACT Endothelial dysfunction characterized by decreased nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability is the first stage of coronary artery disease. It is known that one of the factors associated with an increased risk of coronary artery disease is a high plasma level of uric acid. However, causative associations between hyperuricaemia and cardiovascular ...

α-Linolenic acid (ALA), a major fatty acid in flaxseed oil, has multiple functionalities such as anti-cardiovascular and anti-hypertensive activities. In this study, we investigated the effects of ALA on lipid metabolism and studied the possible mechanisms of its action in differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes using DNA microarray analysis. From a total ...

Striking cAMP: Certain fatty acid amides from marine cyanobacteria can mimic the endocannabinoids. Serinolamide B, a new analogue identified from a Guamanian sample, and malyngamide B, a representative member of a large class of cyanobacterial metabolites, can decrease forskolin-induced cAMP accumulation through the cannabinoid receptors.

Previously, it was shown that β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase CER6 is necessary for biosynthesis of very-long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs) with chain lengths beyond C28 in Solanum lycopersicum fruits and C26 in Arabidopsis thaliana leaves and the pollen coat. CER6 loss-off-function in Arabidopsis resulted in conditional male sterility since pollen coat lipids are ...

Five organic acids (acetic, ferulic, 4-hydroxybenzoic, formic and levulinic acids) typically associated in the hemicellulose hydrolysate were selected to study their effects on the xylitol fermentation. The effects of individual and combined additions were independently evaluated on the following parameters: inhibitory concentration; initial cell concentration; pH value; and membrane integrity. ...

Amphiphilic heparin-retinoic acid (HR) and heparin-folate-retinoic acid bioconjugates (HFR) were synthesized by chemical conjugation of a hydrophobic anticancer agent all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) and a targeting ligand, folic acid (FA), to the high molecular weight heparin backbone. The HR and HFR bioconjugates had a high RA content (22%, w/w) and could ...

The time-evolutions of nanoparticle hydrodynamic radius and aggregate fractal dimension during the aggregation of fullerene (C(60)) nanoparticles (FNPs) were measured via simultaneous multiangle static and dynamic light scattering. The FNP aggregation behavior was determined as a function of monovalent (NaCl) and divalent (CaCl(2)) electrolyte concentration, and the impact of addition ...

Experimental and epidemiological studies have shown the close relationship between stressful events, depression, and cognitive impairment. Folic acid has been reported to present antidepressant-like effects in both experimental and clinical approaches. However, the mechanisms mediating such effects are not understood. In the present study, we evaluated if folic acid administration ...

The active site-dependent electrochemical formic acid oxidation was evidenced by the increased coverage of Pt in the topmost mixed PtPd alloy layer of ternary PtPdCu upon potential cycling, which demonstrated two catalytic pathways only in one catalyst owing to surface atomic redistribution in an acidic electrolyte environment.

The study examines the effects of haloxyfop (herbicide) and cerulenin (antibiotic) on de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids and complex lipids in roots of two sensitive species: wheat and maize. Seedlings were grown in hydroponic cultures with addition of [1-(14)C]acetate (control) and [1-(14)C]acetate together with one of the tested substances. ...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the methanol extract of Withania somnifera (MEW) on the growth and virulence properties of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) levels and to identify the main components of MEW. First, antibacterial activity of MEW against ...

Biotin is one of the most useful tags in (bio)analytical science due to its specific interaction with avidin, but is not easy to convert because of its low solubility in most solvents. Friedel-Crafts acylation of biotin acid chloride in triflic acid was examined, and the synthesized derivatives had stronger affinity ...

Glutathione (GSH) is involved in abscisic acid (ABA)- and methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, we examined the effects of GSH-decreasing chemicals, p-nitrobenzyl chloride (PNBC), iodomethane (IDM), and ethacrynic acid (EA), on ABA- and MeJA-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis. Treatments with PNBC, IDM, and EA ...

The covalent attachment of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) to therapeutically active proteins (PEGylation) has become an important method to deal with the pharmacological difficulties of these polypeptides, such as short body-residence times and immunogenicity. However, the derivatives of PEG used for PEGylation lack further functional groups that would allow the addition ...

BACKGROUND: Animal studies have shown that two repeated intramuscular injections of acidic saline induce mechanical allodynia that lasts for 4 weeks with spread to the contralateral side. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that two repeated intramuscular infusions of acidic saline into the human masseter muscle is associated with ...

Throw the switch: A new strategy for regulating spin crossover (SCO) properties by the control of an active guest molecule is proposed. As a proof of concept, maleic anhydride was incorporated into a microporous {Fe(pyrazine)[Pt(CN)(4) ]} framework material and chemically switched to maleic acid, thus modifying the SCO properties.

Chlorogenic acid is a well-known antioxidant and has more isomers according to the difference in binding location and number of caffeic on quinic acid. In this study, we investigated and compared the profiles of antioxidant and DNA-protective activities of chlorogenic acid isomers including three caffeoylquinic acid isomers (3-O-caffeoylquinic acid, 3-CQA; ...

The ability of the heavy metal-tolerant fungus Paecilomyces marquandii to modulate whole cells fatty acid composition and saturation in response to IC(50) of Cd, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cu was studied. Cadmium and nickel caused the most significant growth reduction. In the mycelia cultured with all tested metals, with the ...

A selective and low-cost CD-MEKC method under acidic conditions was developed for investigating the N-oxygenation of tamoxifen (TAM) by flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMOs). The inhibitory effects of methimazole (MMI), nicotine and 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) on the given FMO reaction were also evaluated. 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 8.6) was used for ...

Auxins are important for plant growth and development, including the control of fruit ripening. Conjugation to amino acids by indole-3-acetic acid (IAA)-amido synthetases is an important part of auxin homeostasis. The structure of the auxin-conjugating Gretchen Hagen3-1 (GH3-1) enzyme from grapevine (Vitis vinifera), in complex with an inhibitor (adenosine-5'-[2-(1H-indol-3-yl)ethyl]phosphate), is ...