Structural features in tension wood and distribution of wall polymers in the G-layer of in vitro grown poplars.

Under the effect of disturbances, like unbalanced stem, but also during normal development, poplar trees can develop a specific secondary xylem, called "tension wood" (TW), which is easily identifiable by the presence of a gelatinous layer in the secondary cell walls (SCW) of the xylem fibers. Since TW formation was mainly performed on 2-year-old poplar models, an in vitro poplar that produces gelatinous fibers (G-fibers) while offering the same experimental advantages as herbaceous plants has been developed. Using specific cell wall staining techniques, wood structural features and lignin/cellulose distribution were both detailed in cross-sections obtained from the curved stem part of in vitro poplars.

Synthesis and photobiocidal properties of cationic porphyrin-grafted paper.

We report on the synthesis of cellulose paper bearing a cationic porphyrin, designed for antimicrobial applications. Tricationic porphyrin has been covalently grafted on paper, without previous chemical modification of the cellulosic support, using 1,3,5-triazine derivative as linker. The obtained porphyrin-grafted paper was characterized by infrared (ATR-FTIR), UV-visible and diffuse reflectance UV-vis (DRUV) spectroscopies to confirm the triazine linkage.

Chlorin-PEI-labeled cellulose nanocrystals: synthesis, characterization and potential application in PDT.

This Letter reports the synthesis and characterization of a new series of water-stable and soluble photosensitizers (PS-CNCs) composed of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) bearing polyaminated chlorin p6. With a view to improve cancer cell targeting, these photosensitizers were assayed for their antitumor activity against HaCat cell line. IC(50) values fell within the nanomolar-range, making these photosensitizers promising for further in vitro and in vivo investigations.

Nemesia root hair response to paper pulp substrate for micropropagation.

Agar substrates for in vitro culture are well adapted to plant micropropagation, but not to plant rooting and acclimatization. Conversely, paper-pulp-based substrates appear as potentially well adapted for in vitro culture and functional root production. To reinforce this hypothesis, this study compares in vitro development of nemesia on several substrates.

Photodynamic effects of porphyrin-polyamine conjugates in human breast cancer and keratinocyte cell lines.

Porphyrin-polyamine conjugates bearing two (cis or trans position) or four spermidine or spermine units were synthesized. We studied the photostability, the hydrophilic/lipophilic balance of porphyrin-polyamine derivatives and the production of singlet oxygen. All these compounds possess physicochemical features required for their use in PDT.

Triazinyl porphyrin-based photoactive cotton fabrics: preparation, characterization, and antibacterial activity.

In the present work, we report on the synthesis of cellulose cotton fibers bearing different types of photosensitizers with the aim to prepare new efficient polymeric materials for antimicrobial applications. Anionic, neutral, and cationic amino porphyrins have been covalently grafted on cotton fabric, without previous chemical modification of the cellulosic support, using a 1,3,5-triazine derivative as the linker. The obtained porphyrin-grafted cotton fabrics were characterized by infrared (ATR-FTIR), diffuse reflectance UV-vis (DRUV) spectroscopies, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to confirm the triazine linkage.

Structural characterization and cytotoxic properties of an apiose-rich pectic polysaccharide obtained from the cell wall of the marine phanerogam Zostera marina.

Zosterin, an apiose-rich pectic polysaccharide, was extracted and purified from the sea grass Zostera marina. Structural studies conducted by gas chromatography and NMR spectroscopy on a purified zosterin fraction (AGU) revealed a typical apiogalacturonan structure comprising an alpha-1,4-d-galactopyranosyluronan backbone substituted by 1,2-linked apiofuranose oligosaccharides and single apiose residues. The average molecular mass of AGU was estimated to be about 4100 Da with a low polydispersity.

Aqueous extraction of glucuronoxylans from chestnut wood: new strategy for lignin oxidation using phthalocyanine or porphyrin/H2O2 system.

Hardwood 4-O-methylglucuronoxylans (MGX) are classically isolated by a delignification step, using a sodium chlorite solution, followed by alkaline extraction, an efficient, although potentially polluting process. In this work, we propose a chlorine-free environmentally-friendly process for MGX extraction from Castanea sativa Mill. Chestnut sawdust was first delignified using metalled phthalocyanine or porphyrin in presence of hydrogen peroxide.

3-Substituted pyrazinone nucleosides--a new family of D4T analogues.

The synthesis of a new family of D4T analogues is described to study the influence of pyrazinone base on antiretroviral power. Substitution of 3H by methyl or n-decyl increases the lipophilic character and may facilitate diffusion across cell membranes. The compounds were characterized by (1)H NMR and infrared spectroscopy.

Synthesis of tetraglucosyl- and tetrapolyamine-tetrabenzoporphyrin conjugates for an application in PDT.

This paper reports the synthesis and characterization of a new class of tetrabenzoporphyrins bearing glucosyl or polyamine units on meso positions to improve the targeting of cancer cells. Photocytotoxic activity of these photosensitizers was tested on cell lines HaCaT and MCF-7 and compared to Photofrin II.

One-pot silver nanoring synthesis.

Silver colloidal nanorings have been synthesized by reducing silver ions with NaBH4 in trisodium citrate buffers. pH increase, by addition of NaOH, was used to speed up reduction reaction. The UV-vis absorption spectra of resulting silver nanorings showed two peaks accounting for transverse and longitudinal surface plasmon resonance, at ≈400 nm, and between 600 and 700 nm, respectively.

DNA photocleavage by porphyrin-polyamine conjugates.

A series of polyamine-porphyrin conjugates bearing two (cis or trans position) or four units of spermidine or spermine was synthesized. We studied the binding of these cationic porphyrins to calf thymus DNA by the means of UV-vis spectroscopy and we investigated their ability to cleave plasmid DNA in the presence of light. DNA binding and DNA photocleavage abilities were found to depend on structural characteristics as (a) the relative positions of the side chains on the porphyrin ring and (b) the nature of the attached side chains (spermidine or spermine).

Photobactericidal plastic films based on cellulose esterified by chloroacetate and a cationic porphyrin.

The synthesis and characterisation of pyridinium porphyrinic chloroacetyl cellulose ester chlorides, where photosensitizing agents are covalently bounded to the polymeric chain, is presented in this paper. First, cellulose was homogenously converted into chloroacetate cellulose ester in DMAc/LiCl solvent by using chloroacetyl chloride. The complete substitution of cellulose was achieved using 7equiv of chloroacetyl chloride for a 2h reaction at room temperature.

Structural characterization and cytotoxic properties of a 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan from castanea sativa. 2. Evidence of a structure-activity relationship.

Xylans were purified from delignified holocellulose alkaline extracts of Castanea sativa (Spanish chestnut) and Argania spinosa (Argan tree) and their structures analyzed by means of GC of their per-trimethylsilylated methylglycoside derivatives and (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The structures deduced were characteristic of a 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan (MGX) and a homoxylan (HX), respectively, with degrees of polymerization ranging from 182 to 360. In the case of MGX, the regular or random distribution of 4-O-methylglucuronic acid along the xylosyl backbone--determined by MALDI mass spectrometry after autohydrolysis of the polysaccharide--varied and depended both on the botanical source from which they were extracted and on the xylan extraction procedure.

Structural patterns of rhamnogalacturonans modulating Hsp-27 expression in cultured human keratinocytes.

Polysaccharide extracts were obtained from chestnut bran (Castanea sativa), grape marc (Vitis vinifera) and apple marc (Malus spp.) and fractionated by size exclusion chromatography after endopolygalacturonase degradation. Compositional and linkage analyses by GC and GC-MS showed the characteristic rhamnogalacturonan structure with specific arabinan (apple marc) and type II arabinogalactan (chestnut bran, grape marc) side chains.

Bioactive capsular polysaccharide from the thermophilic cyanophyte/cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus - cytotoxic properties.

The capsular polysaccharide produced by the thermophilic blue green alga/cyanobacterium Mastigocladus laminosus was tested for its cytotoxic activity against the A431 human epidermoid carcinoma cell line. This polysaccharide inhibited the proliferation of A431 cells in a dose-dependent manner with an IC (50) value of 50 microg mL (-1). In addition, this polysaccharide strongly inhibited A431 cell migration and invasion.

Structural characterization and cytotoxic properties of a 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan from Castanea sativa.

A glucuronoxylan was purified from a delignified holocellulose alkaline extract of Castanea sativa (Spanish chestnut) and its structure analyzed by means of FT-IR, GC of the per-trimethylsilylated methylglycoside derivatives, and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The results supported a structure based on a linear polymer of xylopyranose units linked with beta(1-->4) bonds in which, on average, one out of every six units is substituted at C-2 by a 4-O-methylglucuronic acid unit; this structure is typical of a hardwood acidic 4-O-methylglucuronoxylan (MGX) with an estimated degree of polymerization of 200. The MGX from C.

Synthesis and photocytotoxic activity of new chlorin-polyamine conjugates.

This paper reports the synthesis of new chlorin-polyamine conjugates designed to improve the targeting of cancer cells. Photocytotoxic activity of these photosensitizers was tested against human chronic myelogenous leukemia cells (K562) and compared to the effects of Photofrin II and chlorin e6.

Study of the chemical interaction between barks and heavy metal cations in the sorption process.

The chemical mechanism displayed in the sorption of heavy metal cations on barks was discussed through a modelling study of adsorption in relation to the nature of the ligand borne by the chemical components of the bark sorbent. The adsorption isotherms of five heavy metal cations (Cr3 +, Cu2 +, Ni2 +, Pb2 +, Zn2+) on five species of barks (Sweet chestnut, Oak, Douglas fir, Norway spruce, Scots pine species) were studied. The experimental data fitted well the Langmuir model, which allowed the expression of the mathematical parameters (qmax, maximum binding capacity; b, affinity).

New photoantimicrobial films composed of porphyrinated lipophilic cellulose esters.

Porphyrinated cellulose laurate esters have been prepared in homogeneous DMA/LiCl medium by "one-pot, two-step" reactions starting from cellulose, protoporphyrin IX, and lauric acid and using a TsCl/Pyridine system. The plastic films obtained after casting were shown to display photobactericidal activity against Gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. This new photobactericidal polymer has potential for industrial, medical, or household applications.

Conformational analysis of xylan chains.

The present study provides a theoretical description of the different levels of structural organization that characterize the xylan polysaccharide in its native and hydrophobic lauroyl esterified forms. The goal of this study was to ascertain the role played by the hydroxyl or lauroyl side groups on the conformational flexibility of the xylan chain backbone. The results reported provide a detailed description of the low-energy conformers of the dimer segments, a complete characterization of the helical structures, an insight into the disordered state of the polysaccharide chains and an estimation of the cohesion of the amorphous solids.

New acyclonucleosides: synthesis and anti-HIV activity.

The synthesis of new acyclic nucleosides is described. These syntheses were accomplished by various methods: glycosylation, selective or total deprotection, oxidation/reduction, chlorination or azidation of hydroxyl groups. The compounds were characterized with NMR, mass and IR spectroscopy.