Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Billy Toussie Tchegnitegni, Tehmina Ahmed, Francis Tatong Ngouafong, Viviane Flore Kamlo Kamso, Remy Bertrand Teponno, Bruno Ndjakou Lenta, Leon Azefack Tapondjou, Arslan Ali, Syed Ghulam Musharraf
Summary: This paper describes the isolation and structural elucidation of eight new triterpenoid saponins from Microglossa afzelii, with only compounds 4/5 exhibiting moderate cytotoxic activity. This work represents the first chemical and biological investigation of Microglossa afzelii and the first report of saponin isolation in the genus Microglossa.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ban Xuan Dong, Christian Nowak, Jonathan W. Onorato, Tengzhou Ma, Jens Niklas, Oleg G. Poluektov, Garrett Grocke, Mark F. DiTusa, Fernando A. Escobedo, Christine K. Luscombe, Paul F. Nealey, Shrayesh N. Patel
Summary: This study investigates the electronic conductivity and thermal stability of molecularly doped conjugated polymers with polar side chains, finding that the dopant strength and the conformational order of polymer chains play crucial roles in determining the conductivity and thermal stability. The results indicate that factors such as polymer ionization energy and side-chain-dopant interaction are important considerations for the design of thermally stable, highly conductive polymers.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xuetao Cui, Xumin Ma, Chunhai Li, Hong Meng, Chunchao Han
Summary: In this study, the researchers explored the various biological and pharmacological activities of saponins, which are found in plants and marine organisms. They discovered that saponins have the ability to activate the immune system in mammals, and that this ability is influenced by the chemical structure of the saponins. The study also discussed the effects of different saponins on cellular immunity, providing valuable information for further research on these compounds.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yan-Cheng Lin, Yen-Wen Huang, Ying-Sheng Wu, Jian-Sian Li, Yun-Fang Yang, Wen-Chang Chen, Chu-Chen Chueh
Summary: By introducing ester-substituted, biaxially extended conjugated side chains and backbone fluorination into two polythiophenes, this study demonstrates an effective strategy to improve the mobility-stretchability properties of the polymers, especially in highly stretched states. These modifications lead to enhanced mobility and stretchability, showcasing potential for practical applications in flexible electronics.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ahmed M. Elewa, Jayachandran Jayakumar, Yen-Wen Huang, Mohamed Hammad Elsayed, Chih-Li Chang, Li-Yu Ting, Wei-Cheng Lin, Chu-Chen Chueh, Ho-Hsiu Chou
Summary: Conjugated polymer dots (Pdots) based on a series of BDT-based polymers with varied biaxially extended side-chain conjugations were prepared and employed for photocatalytic hydrogen production under visible light irradiation from aqueous solutions. The as-prepared Pdots showed varied photophysical and electrochemical properties along with distinctive photocatalytic activity and long-term stability. Varying the structures of the biaxially extended side-chains endows a great flexibility in the photocatalytic activity of the polymers.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Ji Hye Lee, Jinhyo Hwang, Chai Won Kim, Amit Kumar Harit, Han Young Woo, Hyung Jong Kim, Yong Woo Kim, Dae Hyuk Choi, Min Ju Cho, Dong Hoon Choi
Summary: The two hole transport materials show promising potential in improving the performance of solution-processed organic light-emitting diodes, with higher efficiency and lower turn-on voltage compared to PVK-based devices.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wen-Rui Wang, Jia Li, Qian Li, Zi-Wen Xu, Li-Na Liu, Xue-Qiang Chen, Wen-Jing Xiao, Jianhua Yao, Fang Zhang, Wei-Shi Li
Summary: By using a side-chain-extended conjugation strategy, the photocatalytic performance of a linear conjugated polymer for hydrogen production from water was significantly improved. Among the three polymers, P2 exhibited the most promising performance with a 160-fold increase in the hydrogen evolution rate and was identified as an excellent green light photocatalyst.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Fan Zhang, Tiantian Li, Wanting Chen, Xuemei Wu, Xiaoming Yan, Wu Xiao, Yang Zhang, Xiaozhou Wang, Gaohong He
Summary: By synthesizing a novel electron-withdrawing polymer backbone with spacer-tunable ionic side chains, density functional theory studies show increased barrier heights for aryl-ether cleavage and quaternary ammonium group degradation. This leads to high ion conductivity and alkaline stability in the anion exchange membrane.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
W. Wiktor Jedrzejczak, Edyta Pilka, Malgorzata Pastucha, Krzysztof Kochanek, Henryk Skarzynski
Summary: This study explores the relationship between extended high frequency (EHF) hearing thresholds (HTs) and distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in adult subjects and the effects of spontaneous otoacoustic emissions (SOAEs), gender, ear side, and age. The main finding is that DPOAEs decrease as thresholds deteriorate, and both DPOAEs and HTs are influenced by age.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kinga Kuczynska, Bartlomiej Bonczak, Lucie Rarova, Marie Kvasnicova, Miroslav Strnad, Zbigniew Pakulski, Piotr Cmoch, Marcin Fialkowski
Summary: New cytotoxic derivatives based on the lupane scaffold were synthesized and tested for their activity against cancer cell lines and normal fibroblasts. Some derivatives showed cytotoxic activity against cancer cells but were also toxic to normal cells. One compound exhibited selectivity towards tumor cells without affecting the growth of normal cells.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
James E. Hourston, Tina Steinbrecher, Jake O. Chandler, Marta Perez, Katrin Dietrich, Veronika Tureckova, Danuse Tarkowska, Miroslav Strnad, Fridtjof Weltmeier, Juliane Meinhard, Uwe Fischer, Karin Fiedler-Wiechers, Michael Ignatz, Gerhard Leubner-Metzger
Summary: The dynamic behavior of seeds in soil seed banks depends on their ability to act as environmental sensors and adjust their germination sensitivity thresholds. A study showed that prolonged incubation of sugar beet fruits at low temperature can induce secondary non-deep dormancy in apparently nondormant crop species. The mechanisms behind this cold-induced secondary dormancy include the accumulation of abscisic acid, reduction in embryo growth potential, and a block in weakening the endosperm.
PLANT CELL AND ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kazumi Nakabayashi, Matthew Walker, Dianne Irwin, Jonathan Cohn, Stephanie M. Guida-English, Lucio Garcia, Iva Pavlovic, Ondrej Novak, Danuse Tarkowska, Miroslav Strnad, Marta Perez, Anne Seville, David Stock, Gerhard Leubner-Metzger
Summary: Molecular responses of plants to natural phytotoxins involve general and compound-specific mechanisms. This study reveals that the putative allelochemical MyA interferes with auxin homeostasis during seed germination, leading to the inhibition of seedling growth.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jaroslav Nisler, Zuzana Pekna, Radka Koncitikova, Pavel Klimes, Alena Kadlecova, Nino Murvanidze, Stefaan P. O. Werbrouck, Lenka Plackova, David Kopecny, David Zalabak, Lukas Spichal, Miroslav Strnad
Summary: The study explores novel inhibitors of cytokinin degradation, which show increased selectivity and efficiency for agricultural and biotechnological applications. By investigating the structure-activity relationship of two series of CKX inhibitors, the researchers identified key substituents with enhanced selectivity for specific plant species and improved inhibitory activity. These inhibitors protect cytokinins from degradation and promote shoot regeneration in plants. Furthermore, the study also revealed clear differences in toxicity among the tested compounds.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucie Rarova, Zbigniew Pakulski, Miroslav Strnad, Marie Kvasnicova, Tereza S. stenclova, Piotr Cmoch
Summary: In this study, a series of cytotoxic derivatives were synthesized based on the lupane scaffold, showing promising antiproliferative activity in cervical carcinoma cells and lower toxicity to healthy human cells, indicating their potential as anticancer agents.
JOURNAL OF STEROID BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Paper & Wood
Zbigniew Pakulski
Summary: A simple, fast, and efficient procedure for the extraction of highly purified friedelin and 3-hydroxyfriedel-3-en-2-one from black wax is presented in this study. Extraction of black wax with hexane or acetone resulted in a mixture of these two compounds. However, due to their similar Rf coefficients, especially on a large scale, chromatographic separation of 1 and 3 was difficult. Therefore, the conversion of 3-hydroxyfriedel-3-en-2-one to an acetyl derivative 4 was proposed, which allowed for rapid and efficient separation of the resulting mixture of 1 and 4 by selecting the appropriate eluent sequence.
JOURNAL OF WOOD CHEMISTRY AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aneta M. Tomkiel, Dorota Czajkowska-Szczykowska, Ewa Olchowik-Grabarek, Lucie Rarova, Szymon Sekowski, Jacek W. Morzycki
Summary: A chemoselective procedure was developed to oxidize 26-thiodiosgenin to sulfoxides and sulfones. Surprisingly, an unusual equilibration of sulfoxides was observed in solution. Additionally, the alpha-alkylation of sulfoxides and sulfones was investigated, followed by the examination of the biological activity of the obtained compounds.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jana Bibova, Veronika Kabrtova, Veronika Vecerova, Zuzana Kucerova, Martin Hudecek, Lenka Plackova, Ondrej Novak, Miroslav Strnad, Ondrej Plihal
Summary: Plasmodiophora brassicae is a pathogen that causes clubroot disease in cruciferous plants, leading to morphological changes and symptoms such as gall formation and leaf abscission. The homeostasis of cytokinin and auxin appears to be crucial for club development. Study on late-stage infected Arabidopsis thaliana showed changes in cytokinin levels and their role in disease progression.
Article
Plant Sciences
Jaroslav Nisler, Zuzana Kucerova, Radoslav Koprna, Roman Sobotka, Jana Slivkova, Stephen Rossall, Martina Spundova, Alexandra Husickova, Jan Pilny, Danuse Tarkowska, Ondrej Novak, Maria Skrabisova, Miroslav Strnad
Summary: Increasing crop productivity and mitigating yield losses under stressful conditions are major challenges in agriculture. A recently discovered compound, MTU, delays senescence and enhances the growth of wheat plants. Multiyear field trials demonstrate that treatment with MTU increases average grain yields of wheat and barley by 5-8%. This compound acts independently of cytokinins or other phytohormones and appears to be the only chemical known to affect the stability and activity of PSI.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Urte Sachleviciute, Gabriel Gonzalez, Marie Kvasnicova, Sarka Stepankova, Neringa Kleiziene, Aurimas Bieliauskas, Marek Zatloukal, Miroslav Strnad, Frank A. Slok, Miroslav Kvasnica, Algirdas Sackus, Asta Zukauskaite
Summary: A library of 3-aryl-3-azetidinyl acetic acid methyl ester derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for neuroprotective activity in salsolinol- and glutamate-induced neurodegeneration models. Compound 28 showed the highest neuroprotective effect, which may be driven by reductions in oxidative stress and caspase-3/7 activity.
ARCHIV DER PHARMAZIE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Strahinja Kovacevic, Milica Karadzic Banjac, Sanja Podunavac-Kuzmanovic, Jovana Ajdukovic, Benjamin Salakovic, Lucie Rarova, Milos Dordevic, Mirjana Ivanov
Summary: Malignant melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, has limited treatment options, and medication therapy is one of them. This study focuses on the development of new compounds for malignant melanoma treatment. A series of newly synthesized alkylaminoethyl derivatives of androstane 3-oximes showed significant cytotoxic activity against malignant melanoma cells, providing a basis for the development of QSAR models for predicting the activity of not yet synthesized compounds.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vaclav Mik, Tomas Pospisil, Federica Brunoni, Jiri Gruz, Vladimfra Nozkova, Claus Wasternack, Otto Miersch, Miroslav Strnad, Kristyna Flokova, Ondrej Novak, Jitka Siroka
Summary: This research presents a highly sensitive method for the reliable determination of seven OPDA-aa compounds in plants. The method was optimized for extraction, sample clean-up, and final analysis. Five endogenous (+)-OPDA-aa were identified and their levels were estimated in mechanically wounded Arabidopsis thaliana leaves, with a peak observed 60 minutes after the wounding. The synthetic and analytical methodologies developed in this study will contribute to the understanding of the biological significance of these metabolites in plants.
Article
Plant Sciences
Gabriel Gomez-Ocampo, Carlos D. Crocco, Jimena Cascales, Jana Oklestkova, Danuse Tarkowska, Miroslav Strnad, Santiago Mora-Garcia, Jose L. Pruneda-Paz, Miguel A. Blazquez, Javier F. Botto
Summary: B-Box-containing zinc finger transcription factor BBX21 inhibits hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis through the brassinosteroid pathway. It reduces sensitivity to synthetic active brassinosteroid 24-epiBL at low concentrations in simulated shade and represses the biosynthesis and signaling genes of brassinosteroids. BBX21 integrates brassinosteroid homeostasis and shade-light signaling to fine-tune hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis.
PLANT AND CELL PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Vladimir Skalicky, Ioanna Antoniadi, Ales Pencik, Ivo Chamrad, Rene Lenobel, Martin F. Kubes, Marek Zatloukal, Asta Zukauskaite, Miroslav Strnad, Karin Ljung, Ondrej Novak
Summary: Auxin and cytokinin show subcellular distribution in Arabidopsis cells, forming hormone gradients. This finding provides important insights into the mechanisms of plant growth and development.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Fuying Zhu, Yamei Lin
Summary: In this study, a low-metal iron-supported catalyst (Fe20/NC-Mg) was reported for the efficient synthesis of quinoxaline compounds, using water as a solvent and without additional bases. The synergistic effect of FeNx site and Mg (OH)2 nanorods in the catalyst played a key role in achieving high yields (82-91%) in 16 examples. The gram-level synthesis and reusability of the catalysts after four cycles demonstrated its industrial application potential.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Mikhail Kozlov, Alexey Tyurin, Andrey Dmitrenok, Vyacheslav Rusak, Aleksander Fedorov, Igor Zavarzin, Yulia Volkova
Summary: This study presents a novel and practical synthesis method for phosphorus-substituted 1,3,4-thiadiazolines using phosphorylthioformic acid hydrazides and ketones. The protocol demonstrates operational simplicity, availability of reagents, and tolerance towards different functional groups.
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Jisna Jose, Thomas Mathew
Summary: 2-Cyclopentenone and its derivatives are highly esteemed synthetic intermediates with exceptional utility in organic synthesis. They are favored structural motifs in numerous pharmaceutical drugs and natural products, highlighting their significance. The review discusses the various methods used to synthesize cyclopentenones from 2016 to 2023.
