Search results for "Synthetic"
showing 10 items of 723 documents
Changes in Levels of a-Tocopherol and Ascorbate in Spruce Needles at Three Low Mountain Sites Exposed to Mg2+-Deficiency and Ozone
1994
The main objective of this study was the com parison of changes in levels of α-tocopherol and ascorbate in needles of spruce trees with various degrees of damage at three low mountain sites. The ascorbate content in needles of spruce trees with various degrees of dam age differs in the course of seasons as well as in the absolute level. The antioxidant status was affected mainly during summer. The content of ascorbate in needles of dam aged trees was significantly increased compared to that of undamaged trees. Despite seasonal and daily fluctuations, the level of ascorbate seems to be a good indicator for the degree of dam age in the case of symptoms described as montane yellowing. Together…
Metal complexes of a novel heterocyclic benzimidazole ligand formed by rearrangement-cyclization of the corresponding Schiff base. Electrosynthesis, …
2018
The electrochemical oxidation of anodic metals (M = cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc and cadmium) in a solution of the ligand 1H-anthra[1,2-d]imidazol-6,11-dione-2-[2-hydroxyphenyl] [H2L] afforded homoleptic [ML] compounds. The addition to the electrochemical cell of coligands (L′) such as 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy) or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) allowed the synthesis, in one step, of heteroleptic [MLL′] compounds. The crystal structures of H2L (1), [CoL(MeOH)]2 (2), [CoL(phen)]2 (3), [NiL(bpy)]2 (4), [CuL(bpy)] (5), [CuL(phen)] (6) and [CdL(bpy)]2 (7) have been determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. The crystal structures of 2, 3, 4 and 7 consist of dimeric species in which both metallic atoms …
Heteroditopic chemosensor to detect γ-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) in soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
2021
Drug-Facilitated Sexual Assault (DFSA) is a problem of considerable dimensions on a global scale. Among the different compounds used in DFSA assaults, 4-hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) is one of the most elusive due to its physical and biological characteristics. Therefore, the development of real-time detection methods to detect GHB not only in drinks but also in urine is very important for personal and social security. Here, we report two new heteroditopic chemosensors capable of recognizing and detecting GHB in soft drinks, alcoholic beverages and synthetic urine. The compounds have two moieties: a trifluoroacetyl group and a thiourea, which are able to interact respectively with the hydroxyl …
Phosphorothioate cap analogs increase stability and translational efficiency of RNA vaccines in immature dendritic cells and induce superior immune r…
2010
Vaccination with in vitro transcribed RNA coding for tumor antigens is considered a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy and has already entered human clinical testing. One of the basic objectives for development of RNA as a drug is the optimization of immunobioavailability of the encoded antigen in vivo. By analyzing the effect of different synthetic 5' mRNA cap analogs on the kinetics of the encoded protein, we found that m(2)(7,2'-O)Gpp(S)pG (beta-S-ARCA) phosphorothioate caps, in particular the D1 diastereoisomer, profoundly enhance RNA stability and translational efficiency in immature but not mature dendritic cells. Moreover, in vivo delivery of the antigen as beta-S-ARCA(D1)-c…
Targeting MYCN in Pediatric and Adult Cancers
2021
The deregulation of theMYCfamily of oncogenes, includingc-MYC,MYCNandMYCLoccurs in many types of cancers, and is frequently associated with a poor prognosis. The majority of functional studies have focused onc-MYCdue to its broad expression profile in human cancers. The existence of highly conserved functional domains betweenMYCNandc-MYCsuggests thatMYCNparticipates in similar activities.MYCencodes a basic helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper (bHLH-LZ) transcription factor (TF) whose central oncogenic role in many human cancers makes it a highly desirable therapeutic target. Historically, as a TF, MYC has been regarded as “undruggable”. Thus, recent efforts focus on investigating methods to indi…
Creativity by copying: imitating life as a work of imagination
2021
Engineering biological systems is easily interpretable as a process of mere and cold replication, or even distortion, of the natural domain, since it is often linked to industry and built on the Cartesian assumption of human rationality’s control over asubmissive nature. In this article, I approach living systems design from an alternative perspective, supporting its similarities with activities which are traditionally associated with creativity, like arts. I show that different kinds of creativity are deeply involved in copying, composing, and modifying life, focusing on two different levels: that of scientific modelling, recognisable by looking at biological circuits design, and that of a…
Macroalgal responses to ocean acidification depend on nutrient and light levels
2015
Ocean acidification may benefit algae that are able to capitalize on increased carbon availability for photosynthesis, but it is expected to have adverse effects on calcified algae through dissolution. Shifts in dominance between primary producers will have knock-on effects on marine ecosystems and will likely vary regionally, depending on factors such as irradiance (light vs. shade) and nutrient levels (oligotrophic vs. eutrophic). Thus experiments are needed to evaluate interactive effects of combined stressors in the field. In this study, we investigated the physiological responses of macroalgae near a CO2 seep in oligotrophic waters off Vulcano (Italy). The algae were incubated in situ …
Seagrass ecosystem response to long-term high CO2 in a Mediterranean volcanic vent
2014
We examined the long-term effect of naturally acidified water on a Cymodocea nodosa meadow growing at a shallow volcanic CO2 vent in Vulcano Island (Italy). Seagrass and adjacent unvegetated habitats growing at a low pH station (pH = 7.65 ± 0.02) were compared with corresponding habitats at a control station (pH = 8.01 ± 0.01). Density and biomass showed a clear decreasing trend at the low pH station and the below- to above-ground biomass ratio was more than 10 times lower compared to the control. C content and delta 13C of leaves and epiphytes were significantly lower at the low pH station. Photosynthetic activity of C. nodosa was stimulated by low pH as seen by the significant increase in…
Seawater carbonate chemistry and kelp densities and coral coverages at three study locations and photosynthesis and calcification of corals measured …
2021
Ocean warming is altering the biogeographical distribution of marine organisms. In the tropics, rising sea surface temperatures are restructuring coral reef communities with sensitive species being lost. At the biogeographical divide between temperate and tropical communities, warming is causing macroalgal forest loss and the spread of tropical corals, fishes and other species, termed “tropicalization”. A lack of field research into the combined effects of warming and ocean acidification means there is a gap in our ability to understand and plan for changes in coastal ecosystems. Here, we focus on the tropicalization trajectory of temperate marine ecosystems becoming coral-dominated systems…