Carotenoid, tocopherol, phenolic acid, and antioxidant properties of Maryland-grown soft wheat.

Consumers' desires to either reduce the risk of or manage a specific health condition through improved diet have stimulated the research of agricultural products for their potential health beneficial components such as tocopherols and natural antioxidants. Soft wheat is one of the major crops in Maryland, with little information available about its potentially beneficial components. This study examined eight selected Maryland-grown soft wheat varieties or experimental lines for their potential beneficial components including tocopherols, carotenoids, total phenolics and phenolic acids and their antioxidant properties, including Fe(2+) chelating capacity and free radical scavenging activities against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH(*) ), radical cation ABTS(*)(+), and oxygen radical (ORAC).

Reaction pathways leading to arylene ethynylene macrocycles via alkyne metathesis.

Mechanistic studies on the direct formation of arylene ethynylene macrocycles via alkyne metathesis catalyzed by a molybdenum complex are reported. Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry on the products from metathesis of monomer 1 show the initial formation of linear oligomers and large macrocycles (n > 6), followed by their transformation into the thermodynamically most stable product distribution-mainly the cyclic hexamer. Variable temperature and scrambling experiments reveal the reversibility of macrocycle formation.

Testing the hypothesis that locus coeruleus hyperactivity produces depression-related changes via galanin.

This paper reviews progress made in testing the idea that depression-related behavioral changes can arise from hyperactivity of locus coeruleus (LC) neurons which consequently inhibits activity of mesocorticolimbic dopamine neurons in the ventral tegmentum (VTA) via release of galanin from terminals on LC axons in VTA. Results from pre-clinical testing are described, including the most recent findings indicating that, in an animal model that shows long-lasting symptoms of depression, recovery to normal activity in the home cage is accelerated by infusion of a galanin receptor antagonist, galantide (M15), into VTA. Data are also described suggesting that all effective antidepressant treatments decrease activity of LC neurons.

Sequence-specific binding of m-phenylene ethynylene foldamers to a piperazinium dihydrochloride salt.

[reaction: see text] Binding properties of a series of isomeric m-phenylene ethynylene oligomers containing short amide sequences to a piperazinium dihydrochloride salt were investigated by using circular dichroism (CD) measurements. Although these isomeric oligomers exhibited similar helical conformations, high affinity was observed only for one oligomer. This behavior is presumably controlled by the orientation of amino groups of the amide sequence and the folded conformation of the oligomer.

Supramolecular chelation based on folding.

Crystallographic analysis revealed that pyridine-palladium complexation is a good geometric match to the m-phenylene ethynylene (mPE) repeat unit and thus could serve as a reversible linking group to join oligomer segments together. A series of pyridine-terminated mPE oligomers were then synthesized and found to coordinate with palladium dichloride to give complexes effectively twice the length of the free oligomers. A quantitative analysis of these coordination equilibria by isothermal calorimetry found the ability of the pyridine end-group to form a coordination complex corresponded with their ability to fold.

Multitechnique characterization of fatty acid-modified microgels.

The structure of fatty acid-modified hydrogel objects (microgels) created within microfluidic devices for controlled-release or sensory applications was characterized by various imaging and spectroscopic methods. Imaging with scanning electron microscopy revealed that the surface was rough and irregular on the micrometer scale. Examination of planar model systems analogous to the modified microgels with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectroscopy showed that a fatty acid coating formed when the reaction conditions were conducive to covalent-bond formation.

Chymotrypsin responsive hydrogel: application of a disulfide exchange protocol for the preparation of methacrylamide containing peptides.

Methacrylamide groups were selectively coupled to cysteine residues in the presence of amines and alcohols by utilizing a disulfide exchange reaction in aqueous, acidic buffer. The tetrapeptide sequence, CYKC, was used as a cross-linker to create poly(acrylamide) hydrogels that dissolved when subjected to either a flowing or stationary solution of alpha-chymotrypsin. Control hydrogels that were cross-linked with the tetrapeptide, CSKC, were not affected by the same protease solution.

Enhanced methylation rate within a foldable molecular receptor.

A N,N-(dimethylamino)pyridine monomer is incorporated into the backbone of a m-phenyleneethynylene oligomer such that the pyridine nitrogen is located on the interior surface of the binding cavity in the folded structure of the oligomer. For an oligomer having a chain length of 13 monomer units, competitive inhibition experiments reveal that methyl iodide binds weakly within the oligomer cavity with an association constant K(a) = 2 M(-1), and the oligomer-methyl iodide complex reacts with unimolecular rate constant k(u) = 0.082 s(-1) to provide the methylated product.

Validity of the Clock Drawing Test in predicting reports of driving problems in the elderly.

Background: This study examined the use of the Folstein Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) and the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) in predicting retrospective reports of driving problems among the elderly. The utility of existing scoring systems for the CDT was also examined.

Methods: Archival chart records of 325 patients of a geriatric outpatient clinic were reviewed, of which 162 had CDT results (including original clock drawings).

Video-assisted thoracoscopic lung biopsy as a possible cause of acute interstitial pneumonia in a patient with nonspecific interstitial pneumonia.

The present case report describes a 44-year-old woman who presented with dyspnea due to diffuse interstitial lung disease. High-resolution computed tomography showed features of usual interstitial pneumonia, but the lung biopsy obtained by video-assisted thoracoscopy was consistent with a histological pattern of nonspecific interstitial pneumonia. Following the procedure, the patient developed progressive respiratory distress and died on postoperative day 13 with a clinical picture of acute interstitial pneumonia.

Arylene ethynylene macrocycles prepared by precipitation-driven alkyne metathesis.

A convenient, multigram-scale synthesis of arylene ethynylene macrocycles near room temperature is described. Driven by the precipitation of a diarylacetylene byproduct, alkyne metathesis produces the desired macrocycles in one step from monomers in high yields.

A helicene-containing foldamer displaying highly solvent-dependent CD spectra.

[structure: see text] A m-phenylene ethynylene oligomer containing a helicene unit was synthesized to bias the twist sense of the folded helical conformation. The CD spectra of the helicene oligomer exhibited large Cotton effects that varied greatly with the solvent composition, including three separate conformational transitions.

Patterned dual pH-responsive core-shell hydrogels with controllable swelling kinetics and volumes.

Dual pH-responsive core-shell hydrogels containing both a vinyl pyridine component and a 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate component were prepared using an in situ photopolymerization process. Complementary photomasks were utilized to prepare hydrogels with core/shell volume ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2. Depending on the location of each polymer component, dramatically different swelling profiles were achieved.

Intrinsic factor-mediated modulation of cyanocobalamin-N-sulfonyl-acridinium-9-carboxamide chemiluminescence.

Two cyanocobalamin-N-sulfonyl-acridinium-9-carboxamides with linkage through the N(10) or 9-position were prepared from B(12)-e-carboxylic acid. The noncovalent association of intrinsic factor with these ligands resulted in specific modulation of the associated chemiluminescence signal either by quenching or changing the emission profile. Either effect was sufficient to formulate a homogeneous assay to detect vitamin B(12) in buffer.

Helix stabilization through pyridinium-pi interactions.

Intramolecular cation-pi interactions between a methyl pyridinium ion and a phenyl ring stabilize the folded structure of a phenyleneethynylene oligomer.

Does the myosin V neck region act as a lever?

Recent research efforts from several groups have addressed the question of whether the amplitude of myosin's unitary step size is proportional to the length of the neck region. Unconventional myosin V, which has an extended neck region with 6IQ motifs, provides a natural template by which to test the lever arm model via mutational analysis. The most stringent test requires that a series of single-headed molecules from the same myosin class be analyzed.

Stereoselective synthesis of a potent thrombin inhibitor by a novel P2-P3 lactone ring opening.

The concise synthesis of a potent thrombin inhibitor was accomplished by a mild lactone aminolysis between an orthogonally protected bis-benzylic amine and a diastereomerically pure lactone. The lactone was synthesized by the condensation of l-proline methyl ester with an enantiomerically pure hydroxy acid, which in turn was synthesized by a highly stereoselective (>500:1 er) and productive (100,000:1, S/C) enzymatic reduction of an alpha-ketoester. In addition, a second route to the enantiomerically pure lactone was accomplished by a diastereoselective ketoamide reduction.

Immediate postoperative use of a topical agent to prevent intraocular pressure elevation after pars plana vitrectomy with gas tamponade.

Objective: To determine whether a single topical aqueous suppressant applied immediately after pars plana vitrectomy with long-acting gas tamponade prevents intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation.

Methods: Fifty patients who met the inclusion criteria and underwent pars plana vitrectomy with long-acting gas tamponade were randomized to receive a combination of timolol maleate and dorzolamide hydrochloride, long-acting timolol alone, dorzolamide alone, or placebo at the conclusion of surgery. The IOP was checked by a portable, handheld tonometer (Tono-Pen) at the conclusion of surgery and at 5 hours, 1 day, and 1 week after surgery.

Chemiluminescence quenching of pteroic acid-N-sulfonyl-acridinium-9-carboxamide conjugates by folate binding protein.

N(10)-Trifluoroacetylpteroic acid was conjugated to chemiluminescent N-sulfonylacridinium-9-carboxamide labels at the N(10) or 9-position carboxamide. Upon binding to folate binding protein the light output of the N(10) derivative (9) was quenched up to 62% upon triggering with basic peroxide, while the 9-position carboxamide conjugate (7) was quenched only 12%. The utility of this effect was demonstrated in a model homogeneous chemiluminescent assay for folic acid.

Single-site modifications and their effect on the folding stability of m-phenylene ethynylene oligomers.

[reaction: see text] The folded structure of a m-phenylene ethynylene oligomer is tolerant to single-site modifications to both the backbone sequence and end groups. The helical structure is reinforced by multiple noncovalent interactions, allowing the oligomer sequence to be customized without a significant change in stability in most cases. The small changes that are observed are consistent with the expected behavior of pi-stacked systems and demonstrate subtle control over folding through single-site modifications.

Pyridine-containing m-phenylene ethynylene oligomers having tunable basicities.

Incorporation of a pyridine monomer into the backbone of a m-phenylene ethynylene oligomer allows functionalization of the interior binding cavity of the folded oligomer. The basicity of the inwardly directed pyridine moiety was modulated by changing the substituents on the pyridine ring and through oligomer folding, granting access to a pK(a) range of 5-14 in acetonitrile. [reaction: see text]

A water-soluble m-phenylene ethynylene foldamer.

[reaction: see text] A water-soluble m-phenylene ethynylene (mPE) foldamer was realized by appending hexaethylene glycol side chains to the backbone repeat unit. UV spectra of the oligomer in aqueous solutions were consistent with a helical conformation. The association constant of the oligomer with (-)-alpha-pinene increased dramatically with increasing water composition, peaking at 90% water by volume in acetonitrile.

Folding-promoted methylation of a helical DMAP analogue.

The methylation rate for a series of pyridine-containing phenylene ethynylene oligomers shows a nonlinear dependence on chain length, with a significant rate enhancement observed for oligomers that adopt a folded, helical conformation. The folded structure provides a microenvironment that lowers the energy barrier for the methylation reaction. Of these noncovalent interactions, the largest stabilization may arise from binding of methyl iodide in the hydrophobic cavity of the folded oligomer, in close proximity to the pyridine nucleophile.

Highly active trialkoxymolybdenum(VI) alkylidyne catalysts synthesized by a reductive recycle strategy.

A systematic study of alkyne metathesis catalyzed by trialkoxymolybdenum(VI) alkylidyne complexes is reported, in which substrate functional groups, alkynyl substituents, and catalyst ligands are varied. Sterically hindered trisamidomolybdenum(VI) propylidyne complex 5 was prepared conveniently through a previously communicated reductive recycle strategy. Alcoholysis of 5 with various phenols/alcohols provides a set of active catalysts for alkyne metathesis at room temperature, among which the catalyst with p-nitrophenol as ligand shows the highest catalytic activity and is compatible with a variety of functional groups and solvents.