Weight Compounds (weight + compound)

Distribution by Scientific Domains
Distribution within Chemistry

Kinds of Weight Compounds

  • high molecular weight compound
  • low molecular weight compound
  • low-molecular weight compound
  • molecular weight compound


  • Selected Abstracts


    JS-K, a novel non-ionic diazeniumdiolate derivative, inhibits Hep 3B hepatoma cell growth and induces c-Jun phosphorylation via multiple MAP kinase pathways

    JOURNAL OF CELLULAR PHYSIOLOGY, Issue 3 2003
    Zhenggang Ren
    JS-K, a non-ionic diazeniumdiolate derivative, is capable of arylating nucleophiles and spontaneously generating nitric oxide (NO) at physiological pH. This recently synthesized low molecular weight compound is shown here to be an inhibitor of cell growth with concomitant activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) members ERK, JNK, and p38 and their downstream effectors c-Jun and AP-1. Inhibitors of these MAPK pathways abrogated the growth inhibitory actions of JS-K. In addition to the well-described actions of JNK as a kinase for c-Jun, we show that c-Jun is also an ERK target. Furthermore, JS-K generated NO in culture and NO inhibitors antagonized both MAPK induction and the growth inhibitory effects of JS-K. These results suggest two possible mechanisms for the mediation of JS-K growth inhibitory actions, namely NO-induction of MAPK pathway constituents as well as possible arylation reactions. The data support the idea that prolonged MAPK activation by JS-K action is important in mediating its growth-inhibitory actions. JS-K thus represents a promising platform for novel growth inhibitory analog synthesis. J. Cell. Physiol. 197: 426,434, 2003© 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source]


    Mass-directed fractionation and isolation of pharmaceutical compounds by packed-column supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry

    RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 22 2001
    Tao Wang
    An automated packed-column semi-preparative supercritical fluid chromatography/mass spectrometry (SFC/MS) system incorporating mass-directed fraction collection has been designed and implemented as an alternative to preparative HPLC and preparative HPLC/MS (PrepLC/MS) for the purification of pharmaceutical compounds. The system incorporates a single quadrupole mass spectrometer and a supercritical fluid chromatograph. Separations were achieved using a binary solvent system consisting of carbon dioxide and methanol. Purification of SFC-separated compounds was achieved incorporating mass-directed fraction collection, enabling selective isolation of the target molecular weight compound and eliminating the collection of undesired compounds (e.g., by-products, excess starting materials, etc.). Cross contamination between fractions and recoveries of the system were investigated. Mass spectrometer ionization with basic mobile additives is discussed, and examples of preparative SFC/MS chiral separations are presented. Early experiences suggest SFC will be a powerful and complementary technique to HPLC for the purification of pharmaceutical compounds. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    A heat labile soluble factor from Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron VPI-5482 specifically increases the galactosylation pattern of HT29-MTX cells

    CELLULAR MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 5 2001
    Miguel Freitas
    The aim of this work was to set up and validate an in vitro model to study a molecular response of an intestinal host cell line (HT29-MTX), to a non-pathogen microflora component. We found that Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron strain VPI-5482 had the capacity to change a specific glycosylation process in HT29-MTX cells via a mechanism that involved a soluble factor. Differentiated HT29-MTX cells were grown in the presence of 20% of spent culture supernatant from the B. thetaiotaomicron during 10 days. Glycosylation processes were followed using a large panel of lectins and analysed using confocal microscopy, western blotting and flow cytometry techniques. Our results show that a B. thetaiotaomicron soluble factor modified specifically the galactosylation pattern of HT29-MTX cells, whereas other glycosylation steps remained mainly unaffected. Further characterization of this soluble factor indicates that it is a heat labile, low molecular weight compound. Reverse transcript-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis was unable to show any significant change in mRNA expression level of the main galactosyltransferases expressed in HT29-MTX cells. By contrast, galactosyltransferase activities dramatically increased in HT29-MTX cells treated by the soluble extract of B. thetaiotaomicron, suggesting a post-translational regulation of these activities. Our in vitro model allowed us to study the cross-talk between a single bacteria and intestinal cells. The galactosylation process appears to be a target of this communication, thus uncovering a new window to study the functional consequences of co-operative symbiotic bacterial,host interactions. [source]


    Degradation and formation of polycyclic aromatic compounds during bioslurry treatment of an aged gasworks soil

    ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY & CHEMISTRY, Issue 7 2003
    Staffan Lundstedt
    Abstract The goals of this study were to investigate the relative degradation rates of polycyclic aromatic compounds (PACs) in contaminated soil, and to assess whether persistent oxidation products are formed during their degradation. Samples were taken on five occasions during a pilot-scale bioslurry treatment of soil from a former gasworks site. More than 100 PACs were identified in the soil, including unsubstituted polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), alkylated PAHs (alkyl-PAHs), heterocyclic PACs, and oxygenated PAHs (oxy-PAHs), such as ketones, quinones, and coumarins. During the treatment, the low molecular weight PAHs and heterocyclics were degraded faster than the high molecular weight compounds. The unsubstituted PAHs also appear to have degraded more quickly than the corresponding alkyl-PAHs and nitrogen-containing heterocyclics. No new oxidation products that were not present in the untreated soil were identified after the soil treatment. However, oxy-PAHs that were present in the untreated soil were generally degraded more slowly than the parent compounds, suggesting that they were formed during the treatment or that they are more persistent. Two oxidation products, 1-acenaphthenone and 4-oxapyrene-5-one, were found at significantly higher concentrations at the end of the study. Because oxy-PAHs can be acutely toxic, mutagenic, or carcinogenic, we suggest that this group of compounds should also be monitored during the treatment of PAH-contaminated soil. [source]


    Improved automated extraction and separation procedure for soil lipid analyses

    EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2004
    G. L. B. Wiesenberg
    Summary Analysis of soil lipids may contribute to an improved understanding of atmosphere to soil carbon fluxes, soil organic matter source differentiation and pollutant accumulation. Soil lipids, mostly originating from plants and microorganisms, have traditionally been analysed by non-automated extraction and separation methods, which produce several lipid fractions, operationally defined by polarity. Here we present a combination of fast, automated and reproducible techniques, adopted from organic geochemical studies, for preparative separation of individual soil lipid fractions with increasing polarity. These techniques involve commercially available instruments, including accelerated solvent extraction and a two-step automated medium-pressure liquid chromatography procedure. The method yields eight lipid fractions consisting of five fractions fully amenable to gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (aliphatic hydrocarbons, aromatic hydrocarbons, ketones, alcohols, carboxylic acids), and three fractions of highly polar or high molecular weight compounds (bases, very long-chain wax esters (C40+), high polarity compounds) that were not measurable with GC/MS under standard conditions. We tested the method on five agricultural soils. Results show that (i) mass recoveries for the individual fractions are reproducible, (ii) within individual fractions compound distribution patterns are reproducible, as demonstrated for alkanes and carboxylic acids, and (iii) individual fractions represent distinct and clean compound classes, free of interfering substances detectable by GC/MS. Thus, automated separation can be a fast, effective and reproducible procedure for fractionation of complex mixtures of soil lipids into clean compound classes, directly suitable for a variety of molecular (e.g. GC/MS) and isotopic characterizations (e.g. gas chromatography coupled with isotope ratio monitoring mass spectrometry or accelerator mass spectrometry). [source]


    Starch-like exopolysaccharide produced by the filamentous fungi Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo-ulmi

    FOREST PATHOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
    R. Jeng
    Summary This paper describes the chemical and biochemical properties of exopolysaccharides (EPS) produced by Ophiostoma ulmi and O. novo-ulmi isolates, the Dutch elm disease (DED) fungi. Some of EPS have been considered as pathogenicity factor in the DED complex. The selected isolates grow well and produce EPS in a medium containing various types of carbon and nitrogen sources. EPS obtained from potato dextrose broth (PDB) medium appeared to be opaque, firm and stained purple blue with iodine-potassium iodide solution, whereas those from yeast extract (YE) medium were less opaque, jelly-like and remained unchanged in iodine solution. The selected fungal isolates produced much higher molecular weight EPS from the medium containing YE than from PDB. The results of this study suggest that high molecular weight compounds produced by O. ulmi (W9) and O. novo-ulmi (R136) are not involved in DED pathogenesis. Spectrometric analysis of acid-digested EPS obtained from PDB and YE revealed the presence of a monomer similar to glucose used as a standard. Thin layer chromatography indicated that glucan-1,4- , -glucosidase (glucoamylase) only hydrolyses EPS from PDB media and releases glucose. The results strongly indicate that isolates of O. ulmi and O. novo-ulmi produce starch-like EPS from PDB medium. The EPS obtained from YE medium lacked this characteristic. The biological significance and the potential use of these EPS are discussed. [source]


    Shift in birch leaf metabolome and carbon allocation during long-term open-field ozone exposure

    GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY, Issue 5 2007
    SARI KONTUNEN-SOPPELA
    Abstract Current and future ozone concentrations have the potential to reduce plant growth and increase carbon demand for defence and repair processes, which may result in reduced carbon sink strength of forest trees in long-term. Still, there is limited understanding regarding the alterations in plant metabolism and variation in ozone tolerance among tree species and genotypes. Therefore, this paper aims to study changes in birch leaf metabolome due to long-term realistic ozone stress and to relate these shifts in the metabolism with growth responses. Two European white birch (Betula pendula Roth) genotypes showing different ozone sensitivity were growing under 1.4,1.7 × ambient ozone in open-field conditions in Central Finland. After seven growing seasons, the trees were analysed for changes in leaf metabolite profiling, based on 339 low molecular weight compounds (including phenolics, polar and lipophilic compounds, and pigments) and related whole-tree growth responses. Genotype caused most of the variance of metabolite concentrations, while ozone concentration was the second principal component explaining the metabolome profiling. The main ozone caused changes included increases in quercetin-phenolic compounds and compounds related to leaf cuticular wax layer, whereas several compounds related to carbohydrate metabolism and function of chloroplast membranes and pigments (such as chlorophyll-related phytol derivatives) were decreasing. Some candidate compounds such as surface wax-related squalene, 1-dotriacontanol, and dotriacontane, providing growth-related tolerance against ozone were demonstrated. This study indicated that current growth-based ozone risk assessment methods are inadequate, because they ignore ecophysiological impacts due to alterations in leaf chemistry. [source]


    Synthetic Applications of Laccase in Green Chemistry

    ADVANCED SYNTHESIS & CATALYSIS (PREVIOUSLY: JOURNAL FUER PRAKTISCHE CHEMIE), Issue 9 2009
    Suteera Witayakran
    Abstract Laccases (benzenediol:oxygen oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.2), multi-copper-containing oxidoreductase enzymes, are able to catalyze the oxidation of various low-molecular weight compounds, specifically, phenols and anilines, while concomitantly reducing molecular oxygen to water. Because of their high stability, selectivity for phenolic substructures, and mild reaction conditions, laccases are attractive for fine chemical synthesis. This review provides a discussion of the recent applications of this interesting enzyme in synthetic chemistry, including laccase and laccase-mediator catalyzed reactions. In addition, the review also includes a brief discussion of the distribution of laccase in nature, enzyme structure, and the catalytic mechanism which are of relevance to their applications as biocatalysts. [source]


    DOC Release from Alder Leaves and Catkins during Decomposition in a Small Lowland Stream

    INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF HYDROBIOLOGY, Issue 1 2005
    árka Axmanová
    Abstract Alder leaves and catkins were placed in a small stream, then retrieved in weekly intervals, and rates of release of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and substantial DOC characteristics were determined. Decomposition rates of leaves and catkins were 0.026 d,1 and 0.011 d,1 on the streambed, and 0.017 d,1 and 0.009 d,1 in the sediments, respectively, during 5 weeks of decomposition. The rate of DOC release from leaves declined from 18.0% d,1 to 0.7% d,1, and had a higher proportion of low molecular weight compounds, more saturated and contained larger humic molecules than DOC from catkins, which rate of release declined from 10.6% d,1 to 0.1% d,1. In initial stages of the decomposition, leaf material produced more biodegradable DOC (BDOC) than catkins. During the period of low leaf litter input, DOC released from catkins can become an important instream source of labile DOC. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source]


    Hydrothermal processing of rice husks: effects of severity on product distribution

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 7 2008
    Rodolfo Vegas
    Abstract BACKGROUND: Treatment in aqueous media (hydrothermal or autohydrolysis reactions) is an environmentally friendly technology for fractionating lignocellulosic materials. Rice husks were subjected to hydrothermal processing under a variety of operational conditions to cause the selective breakdown of xylan chains, in order to assess the effects of reaction severity on the distribution of reaction products. RESULTS: The effects of severity (measured by the severity factor, R0) on the concentrations of the major autohydrolysis products (monosaccharides, xylo- and glucooligosaccharides, xylooligosaccharide substituents, acetic acid, acid-soluble lignin and elemental nitrogen) were assessed. The interrelationship between the severity of treatment and molecular weight distribution was established by high-performance size-exclusion chromatography. Selected samples were subjected to refining treatments as ethyl acetate extraction and ion exchange for refining purposes, and the concentrates were assayed by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. CONCLUSIONS The protein equivalent of the products present in liquors accounted for 43 to 51% of the protein present in the raw rice husks. The concentrations of glucose (derived from starchy material) and arabinose (split from the xylan backbone) were fairly constant with severity. Even in treatments at low severity, high molecular weight compounds derived from xylan accounted for a limited part of the stoichiometric amount. Operating under harsh conditions, about 50% of the total xylan-derived compounds corresponded to fractions with a degree of polymerization (DP) < 9. After refining, saccharides accounted for more than 90% of the non-volatile components of the sample. The refined products showed a series of xylose oligomers up to about DP 13, and a series of acetylated xylose oligomers up to about DP 15. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    Removal of organic contaminants in paper pulp effluents by AOPs: an economic study

    JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY & BIOTECHNOLOGY, Issue 5 2002
    Montserrat Pérez
    Abstract The degradation of the organic content of a bleaching Kraft mill effluent was carried out using Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs). The study was focused on the identification of the AOP, or combination of AOPs, that showed the highest efficiency together with the lowest cost. Direct UV photolysis (UV), TiO2 assisted-photocatalysis (TiO2/UV), Fenton, Fenton-like, and photo-Fenton reactions (Fe(II)/H2O/UV), UV-assisted ozonation (O3/UV) and addition of Fe2+ and/or H2O2 to the TiO2/UV and the O3/UV systems, were used for the degradation of a conventional cellulose bleaching effluent. The effluent was characterized by the general parameters TOC, COD and color, and analyzed for chlorinated low molecular weight compounds using GC,MS. The costs of the systems per unit of TOC reduction were compared. Fenton, Fenton-like and photo-Fenton reactions achieved better levels of TOC degradation than photocatalysis and with lower cost's than photocatalytic treatments. Ozonation is an effective but rather expensive process. The use of UVA light, however, increased the effectiveness of ozonation with a significant decrease (>25%) in the operational cost. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source]


    SARS-CoV protease inhibitors design using virtual screening method from natural products libraries

    JOURNAL OF COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2005
    Bing Liu
    Abstract Two natural products databases, the marine natural products database (MNPD) and the traditional Chinese medicines database (TCMD), were used to find novel structures of potent SARS-CoV protease inhibitors through virtual screening. Before the procedure, the databases were filtered by Lipinski's ROF and Xu's extension rules. The results were analyzed by statistic methods to eliminate the bias in target-based database screening toward higher molecular weight compounds for enhancing the hit rate. Eighteen lead compounds were recommended by the screening procedure. They were useful for experimental scientists in prioritizing drug candidates and studying the interaction mechanism. The binding mechanism was also analyzed between the best screening compound and the SARS protein. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 26: 484,490, 2005 [source]


    ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF MELANOIDINS

    JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY, Issue 2 2007
    JOSÉ A. RUFIÁN-HENARES
    ABSTRACT Melanoidins are high molecular weight compounds formed during the final stage of the Maillard reaction. Melanoidins have been studied in recent years because of their nutritional, biological and health implications, apart from their role on the stability during processing and shelf life of foods. A fast and robust microtiter plate-based assay for a quantitative screening of the antimicrobial activity of melanoidins was applied. Oxytetracyclin was used as reference for assessing the antimicrobial activity of different melanoidins isolated from model systems. The minimum inhibitory concentration was calculated, and activity was related to the antimicrobial activity of an oxytetracyclin solution (100 µg/L). Glucose,lysine melanoidin exerted the highest antimicrobial activity, being at a concentration of 1 mg/mL, equivalent to an oxytetracyclin solution of 170 µg/L. [source]


    Matrix effects on accurate mass measurements of low-molecular weight compounds using liquid chromatography-electrospray-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry,

    JOURNAL OF MASS SPECTROMETRY (INCORP BIOLOGICAL MASS SPECTROMETRY), Issue 3 2006
    F. Calbiani
    Abstract Liquid chromatography (LC) with high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) represents a powerful technique for the identification and/or confirmation of small molecules, i.e. drugs, metabolites or contaminants, in different matrices. However, reliability of analyte identification by HRMS is being challenged by the uncertainty that affects the exact mass measurement. This parameter, characterized by accuracy and precision, is influenced by sample matrix and interferent compounds so that questions about how to develop and validate reliable LC-HRMS-based methods are being raised. Experimental approaches for studying the effects of various key factors influencing mass accuracy on low-molecular weight compounds (MW < 150 Da) when using a quadrupole-time-of-flight (QTOF) mass analyzer were described. Biogenic amines in human plasma were considered for the purpose and the effects of peak shape, ion abundance, resolution and data processing on accurate mass measurements of the analytes were evaluated. In addition, the influence of the matrix on the uncertainty associated with their identification and quantitation is discussed. A critical evaluation on the calculation of the limits of detection was carried out, considering the uncertainty associated with exact mass measurement of HRMS-based methods. The minimum concentration level of the analytes that was able to provide a statistical error lower than 5 ppm in terms of precision was 10 times higher than those calculated with S/N = 3, thus suggesting the importance of considering both components of exact mass measurement uncertainty in the evaluation of the limit of detection. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Effects of chromium stress on the subcellular distribution and chemical form of Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn in two rice genotypes

    JOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 1 2010
    Fanrong Zeng
    Abstract A hydroponic experiment was carried out to study effects of chromium (Cr) stress on the subcellular distribution and chemical form of Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn in two rice genotypes differing in Cr accumulation. The results showed that Ca, Mg, Fe, and Zn ions were mainly located in cell walls and vacuoles in roots. However, large amounts of metal ions were transferred from the vacuole to the nucleus and to other functional organelles in shoots. Chromium concentrations in the nutrient solution of 50 ,M and above significantly decreased Ca concentrations in the chloroplast/trophoplast, the nucleus, and in mitochondria. It further increased Mg concentrations in the nucleus and in mitochondria, as well as Zn and Fe concentrations in the chloroplast/trophoplast. These Cr-induced changes in ion concentrations were associated with a significant reduction in plant biomass. It is suggested that Cr stress interferes with the functions of mineral nutrients in rice plants, thus causing a serious inhibition of plant growth. The chemical forms of the four nutrients were determined by successive extraction. Except for Ca, which was mainly chelated with insoluble phosphate and oxalic acid, Mg, Zn, and Fe were extractable by 80% ethanol, d-H2O, and 1,M NaCl. The results indicated that these low,molecular weight compounds, such as organic acids and amino acids, may play an important role in deposition and translocation of Mg, Zn, and Fe in the xylem system of rice plants. [source]


    Highly cross-linked polymeric capillary monoliths for the separation of low, medium, and high molecular weight analytes

    JOURNAL OF SEPARATION SCIENCE, JSS, Issue 15-16 2009
    Said H. Lubbad
    Abstract Highly rigid capillary monoliths with low swelling propensity were prepared within the confines of 200 ,m ID fused silica capillaries via thermally induced free radical polymerization of tetrakis(4-vinylbenzyl)silane (TVBS) in the presence of 1-dodecanol and toluene. ,,,,-Azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) was used as initiator. The resulting monoliths were optimized for the separation of low, medium, and high molecular weight analytes. The microstructure and porosity of the monoliths prepared were studied by SEM and inverse size-exclusion chromatography (ISEC). The porosity of the monolithic supports was tuned by varying the amount of initiator (i. e. AIBN) between 0.5 and 2 wt%. All monoliths were tested for a series of low molecular weight compounds including alkylbenzenes, amines, carboxylic acids, phenols, carbonyl compounds, and ,-blockers, as well as for the separation of medium molecular weight analytes such as peptides and high-molecular weight analytes such as proteins. Due to the microporous structure, the novel monoliths displayed high efficiency and performance particularly in the separation of low molecular weight analytes. Relevant chromatographic parameters including permeability, swelling propensity, and height equivalents to theoretical plates were determined. [source]


    Antibacterial substances of low molecular weight isolated from the blowfly, Lucilia sericata

    MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 2 2007
    L. HUBERMAN
    Abstract Low molecular weight compounds were isolated by high-performance liquid chromatography from the maggot or haemolymph extracts of Lucilia sericata (Meigen) (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis, three compounds were obtained: p -hydroxybenzoic acid (molecular weight 138 Da), p -hydroxyphenylacetic acid (molecular weight 152 Da) and octahydro-dipyrrolo[1,2-a;1,,2,-d] pyrazine-5,10-dione (molecular weight 194 Da), also known as the cyclic dimer of proline (or proline diketopiperazine or cyclo[Pro,Pro]). All three molecules revealed antibacterial activity when tested against Micrococcus luteus and/or Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the effect was even more pronounced when these molecules were tested in combination and caused lysis of these bacteria. [source]


    Anticandidal low molecular compounds from higher plants with special reference to compounds from essential oils,

    MEDICINAL RESEARCH REVIEWS, Issue 2 2006
    A. Pauli
    Abstract The most active low molecular weight compounds from higher plants against Candida species are compiled from a database of antimicrobials (Amicbase) to find out new hints on their mechanism of action. The selected compounds possess strong inhibitory activities in vitro against Candida species either in the agar diffusion test, bioautography, agar dilution test, serial dilution test, or activity in the vapour phase. The test conditions are listed thoroughly and aspects of the different methods and recent developments in the testing of anticandidal drugs are discussed. The anticandidal spectra of drugs, antiseptics, and disinfectants licensed on the major markets are given for comparision of activities with compounds from natural sources. So far known mechanisms of action are described and some new structure,activity relationships are deduced from relationships between biological activities and chemical and physical parameters. Main specific targets of natural anticandidals are the ergosterol pathway, respiratory chain, and chitin biosynthesis. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Med Res Rev [source]


    Potential mechanism for detection by Apis mellifera of the parasitic mite Varroa destructor inside sealed brood cells

    PHYSIOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY, Issue 3 2002
    Caroline Martin
    Abstract The parasitic mite Varroa destructor Anderson & Trueman is a major pest of the honeybee Apis mellifera L. throughout the world. Chemical agents currently used for mite control leave contaminating residues and promote pesticide resistance. As an alternative means of control, it would be useful to identify natural substances enabling bees to detect Varroa inside brood cells. These substances could then be used to trigger mite hygienic behaviour by bees. In this study several techniques were used to screen substances that might allow detection of infested brood cells by bees. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis was performed on substances extracted in dichloromethane from the contents of brood cells. Solid phase microextraction and solid injection were performed on substances obtained from living and dead Varroa, respectively. Electroantennography was performed to assess the sensitivity of olfactory receptors in bee antennae to some of these substances. Principal component analysis based on proportions of cuticular substances allowed discrimination between bees and other cell contents. Foundress Varroa exhibited the greatest dissimilarity to healthy pupae that were used as controls. Immature Varroa and faecal material were intermediate. High molecular weight compounds, mainly dimethylalkanes, were proportionally the most characteristic components of foundress Varroa. This finding suggests that these compounds would be the most apt to induce uncapping of cells infested by Varroa. Solid-phase microextraction and solid injection demonstrated the presence of aliphatic acids, esters, and one alcohol, eicosenol, in Varroa. Electroantennographic recordings showed that mite-resistant bees were more responsive to some acids and one ester. We speculate that these compounds may be involved in recognition of living Varroa by honeybees. [source]


    A New Group Contribution Method based on Equation of State Parameters to Evaluate the Critical Properties of Simple and Complex Molecules

    THE CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, Issue 4 2006
    José O. Valderrama
    Abstract A new group contribution method to evaluate the critical properties (temperature, pressure and volume) is presented and applied to estimate the critical properties of biomolecules. Similar to other group contribution methods, the one proposed here divides the molecule into conveniently defined groups and evaluates the properties as the sum of the different contributions according to a specified model equation for each of the properties. The proposed method consists of a one-step calculation that uses simple model equations and does not require additional data besides the knowledge of the structure of the molecule, except for isomers. For these substances the normal boiling temperature, the molecular mass and the number of atoms in the molecule are used to distinguish among isomers. The method is applicable to high molecular weight compounds, as most biomolecules and large molecules present in natural products. On présente une nouvelle méthode de contribution de groupe pour évaluer les propriétés critiques (température, pression et volume) de biomolécules. Comme dans le cas d'autres méthodes de contribution de groupe, celle qu'on présente ici divise la molécule en groupes définis de manière pratique et évalue les propriétés comme la somme des différentes contributions selon une équation de modèle spécifique pour chacune des propriétés. La méthode proposée consiste en un calcul en une étape qui utilise des équations de modèle simple et, excepté pour les isomères, ne requiert pas de données supplémentaires hormis la structure de la molécule. Pour ces substances, on utilise la température d'ébullition normale, la masse moléculaire et le nombre d'atomes dans la molécule pour distinguer entre les isomères. La méthode est applicable à des composés de poids moléculaire élevé, comme la plupart des biomolécules et des molécules larges présentes dans les produits naturels. [source]


    Limitation of immunoaffinity column for the removal of abundant proteins from plasma in quantitative plasma proteomics

    BIOMEDICAL CHROMATOGRAPHY, Issue 5 2009
    Tomoko Ichibangase
    Abstract In plasma proteomics, before a proteome analysis, it is essential to prepare protein samples without high-abundance proteins, including albumin, via specific preparation techniques, such as immunoaffinity capture. However, our preliminary experiments suggested that functional changes with use alter the ability of the immunoaffinity column. Thus, in this study, to evaluate the changes of the removal ability of abundant proteins from plasma by the immunoaffinity column, plasma proteome analysis was performed for the long-term test for the reproducibility of the affinity column using the fluorogenic derivatization,liquid chromatography,tandem mass spectrometry method combined with an IgY column. The specific adsorption for albumin decreased with an increase in the number of the column usage before its expiration date. Moreover, it was demonstrated that hydrophobic high molecular weight compounds in plasma adsorbed onto the column materials surface contributed to the functional changes from specific immunoaffinity adsorption into hydrophobic interaction. These results suggested that, in quantitative plasma proteomics studies, it is important to keep in mind the risk of not only the nonselective loss but also the changes in the adsorption ability of the immunoafinity column. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source]


    Cross-linked agarose for separation of low molecular weight natural products in hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography

    BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 5 2010
    Tianwei Tan
    Abstract Following its market introduction in 1982, the cross-linked 12% agarose gel media Superose 12 has become widely known as a tool for size exclusion chromatography of proteins and other biological macromolecules. In this review it is shown that, when appropriate mobile phases are used, Superose possesses adsorption properties similar to that of traditional media for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC). This is illustrated by the separation and purification of low molecular weight compounds such as polyphenols including active components of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs and green tea. Structural features of the cross-linked agarose that likely cause the observed adsorption effects are discussed aswell. These are identified as being primarily ether bonds acting as strong hydrogen bond acceptors as well as hydrophobic residues originating from the cross-linking reagents. [source]


    Study on Interaction of Ginsenosides with Bovine or Human Serum Albumin Using Wavelength Modulation Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor

    CHINESE JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY, Issue 5 2006
    Xia Liu
    Abstract To use a newly developed wavelength modulation surface plasmon resonance (SPR) biosensor, an experimental protocol was developed to investigate the interaction of ginsenosides with serum albumin. With a known concentration of the ginsenosides, bound percentages of the ginsenosides with human serum albumin (HSA) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) were obtained. SPR technique could require no labeling and this method provided the detailed information on association and disassociation of molecules in real time. The results indicate that the sensitivity of wavelength modulation SPR biosensor is sufficient for detection and characterization of binding events involving low-molecular weight compounds and their immobilized protein targets. [source]


    Everything depends on everything else

    CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION, Issue 2009
    J. Davies
    Abstract In physics the concept of entanglement is well established and it has become increasingly apparent that all levels of biological organization (communities, organisms, cells, metabolism) consist of mosaics of interactive networks. There is a universe of bioactive microbial chemicals that have so far only been considered for their therapeutic applications; for example, the environmental roles of antibiotics have been little investigated. At sub-inhibitory concentrations, so-called antibiotics have been shown to modulate bacterial functions in subtle ways; they behave more like signals than toxins. It is proposed that networks of microbial cell signalling are primarily based on the interactions of low molecular weight compounds with macromolecular receptors; studies of the nature of these signals will reveal important information on the functions of microbial communities. [source]