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Background: The gut microbiota in healthy older individuals typically show a decrease in beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, alongside an increase in pro-inflammatory microbes such as Enterobacteriaceae and Clostridia. These changes contrast with younger and middle-aged individuals and appear to correlate with cognitive status. Although there is extensive research on gut microbiota and cognitive functions in cognitively impaired elderly individuals, its impact on cognitively healthy elderly populations has not been extensively studied., Method: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus databases to identify studies exploring the relationship between gut microbiota composition and cognitive functioning in healthy older adults. During the literature screening process, each record was initially assessed by its title, abstract, and keywords to exclude articles that did not align with the scope of this review. Three authors independently screened and retrieved the records. The inclusion criteria included: (1) publication in peer-reviewed journals; (2) studies involving neurologically, cognitively, and medically healthy populations; (3) participants identified as older adults, defined for this review as individuals aged 45 years and older due to the limited number of records; (4) analysis of gut microbiota; and (5) assessment of cognitive function. Subsequently, full texts were analyzed to determine eligibility. The exclusion criteria encompassed: (1) incorrect publication type; (2) inappropriate sample population; (3) unsuitable study design; (4) absence of one or more inclusion criteria; and (5) studies based on animal research. A risk of bias assessment was performed for each included study using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist, ensuring all selected studies met established quality standards., Results: A total of 6 eligible research articles from a possible 1752 published until March 2024 were identified and included. We categorized the included studies into two groups based on their focus: the taxonomic composition of gut microbiota and the alpha diversity, which is the variety of organisms within a sample. Additionally, two methods were identified for assessing cognition: neuropsychological tests and physiological measurements, notably electroencephalography (EEG). The studies show varying results regarding the abundance of specific bacterial taxa and their cognitive associations. Notably, the relationship between certain bacteria and cognition may vary when analyzed at different taxonomic levels, such as phylum versus family., Conclusions: Changes in gut microbiota composition in the elderly, even without a cognitive impairment diagnosis, could potentially serve as early biological markers for Alzheimer's disease or other dementias before mild cognitive impairment appears.

Chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1), also known as YKL-40, is a glycoprotein linked to inflammation, fibrosis, and cancer. This study explored CHI3L1's interactions with various oligosaccharides using microscale thermophoresis (MST) and AlphaScreen (AS). These investigations guided the development of high-throughput screening assays to assess interference of small molecules in binding between CHI3L1 and biotinylated small molecules or heparan sulfate-based probes. Small molecule binders of YKL-40 were identified in our chitotriosidase inhibitors library with MST and confirmed through X-ray crystallography. Based on cocrystal structures of potent hit compounds with CHI3L1, small molecule probes 19 and 20 were designed for an AS assay. Structure-based optimization led to compounds 30 and 31 with nanomolar activities and drug-like properties. Additionally, an orthogonal AS assay using biotinylated heparan sulfate as a probe was developed. The compounds' affinity showed a significant correlation in both assays. These screening tools and compounds offer novel avenues for investigating the role of CHI3L1.

Importance: In this work, we determined the structure of Klebsiella phage KP34p57 capsular depolymerase and dissected the role of individual domains in trimerization and functional activity. The crystal structure serendipitously revealed that the enzyme can exist in a monomeric state once deprived of its C-terminal domain. Based on the crystal structure and site-directed mutagenesis, we localized the key catalytic residues in an intra-subunit deep groove. Consistently, we show that C-terminally trimmed KP34p57 variants are monomeric, stable, and fully active. The elaboration of monomeric, fully active phage depolymerases is innovative in the field, as no previous example exists. Indeed, mini phage depolymerases can be combined in chimeric enzymes to extend their activity ranges, allowing their use against multiple serotypes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Objectives: We aimed at the high-resolution examination of the oral microbiome depending on oil pulling, compared it with saline pulling, and analyzed whether the method is capable of reducing the overall microbial burden of the oral cavity., Materials and Methods: The study was a cohort study with three healthy subjects. Oil pulling samples, saline pulling samples, and saliva samples were microscoped and cultured under microaerophilic and anaerobic conditions; colony-forming units were counted; and cultivated bacteria were identified employing MALDI-TOF MS. The oral microbiomes (saliva) and the microbiota incorporated in oil and saline pulling samples were determined in toto by using 16S rDNA next-generation sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatics., Results: Microscopy revealed that oral epithelial cells are ensheathed with distinct oil droplets during oil pulling. Oil pulling induced a higher production of saliva and the oil/saliva emulsion contained more bacteria than saline pulling samples. Oil pulling resulted in a significant and transient reduction of the overall microbial burden in comparison to saliva examined prior to and after pulling. Both oil and saline pulling samples mirrored the individual oral microbiomes in saliva., Conclusions: Within the limitations of this pilot study, it might be concluded that oil pulling is able to reduce the overall microbial burden of the oral cavity transiently and the microbiota in oil pulling samples are representative to the oral microbiome., Clinical Relevance: Within the limitations of this pilot study, it might be concluded that oil pulling can be considered as an enlargement of standard oral hygiene techniques since it has the characteristic of an oral massage, enwrapping epithelial cells carrying bacteria in oil vesicles and reaching almost all unique habitats in oral cavity.

Chitotriosidase (CHIT1) and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) are the enzymatically active chitinases that have been implicated in the pathology of chronic lung diseases such as asthma and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs), including idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and sarcoidosis. The clinical and preclinical data suggest that pharmacological inhibition of CHIT1 might represent a novel therapeutic approach in IPF. Structural modification of an advanced lead molecule 3 led to the identification of compound 9 ( OATD-01) , a highly active CHIT1 inhibitor with both an excellent PK profile in multiple species and selectivity against a panel of other off-targets. OATD-01 given orally once daily in a range of doses between 30 and 100 mg/kg showed significant antifibrotic efficacy in an animal model of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. OATD-01 is the first-in-class CHIT1 inhibitor, currently completed phase 1b of clinical trials, to be a potential treatment for IPF.

The Th2 cytokine IL-13 is involved in biliary epithelial injury and liver fibrosis in patients as well as in animal models. The aim of this study was to investigate IL-13 as a therapeutic target during short term and chronic intrahepatic cholestasis in an Abcb4- knockout mouse model ( Abcb4 -/- ). Lack of IL-13 protected Abcb4 -/- mice transiently from cholestasis. This decrease in serum bile acids was accompanied by an enhanced excretion of bile acids and a normalization of fecal bile acid composition. In Abcb4 -/- /IL-13 -/- double knockout mice, bacterial translocation to the liver was significantly reduced and the intestinal microbiome resembled the commensal composition in wild type animals. In addition, 52-week-old Abcb4 -/- IL-13 -/- mice showed significantly reduced hepatic fibrosis. Abcb4 -/- mice devoid of IL-13 transiently improved cholestasis and converted the composition of the gut microbiota towards healthy conditions. This highlights IL-13 as a potential therapeutic target in biliary diseases.

Induction of mitotic catastrophe through the disruption of microtubules is an established target in cancer therapy. However, the molecular mechanisms determining the mitotic catastrophe and the following apoptotic or non-apoptotic cell death remain poorly understood. Moreover, many existing drugs targeting tubulin, such as vincristine, have reduced efficacy, resulting from poor solubility in physiological conditions. Here, we introduce a novel small molecule 2-aminoimidazoline derivative-OAT-449, a synthetic water-soluble tubulin inhibitor. OAT-449 in a concentration range from 6 to 30 nM causes cell death of eight different cancer cell lines in vitro, and significantly inhibits tumor development in such xenograft models as HT-29 (colorectal adenocarcinoma) and SK-N-MC (neuroepithelioma) in vivo. Mechanistic studies showed that OAT-449, like vincristine, inhibited tubulin polymerization and induced profound multi-nucleation and mitotic catastrophe in cancer cells. HeLa and HT-29 cells within 24 h of treatment arrested in G2/M cell cycle phase, presenting mitotic catastrophe features, and 24 h later died by non-apoptotic cell death. In HT-29 cells, both agents altered phosphorylation status of Cdk1 and of spindle assembly checkpoint proteins NuMa and Aurora B, while G2/M arrest and apoptosis blocking was consistent with p53-independent accumulation in the nucleus and largely in the cytoplasm of p21/waf1/cip1, a key determinant of cell fate programs. This is the first common mechanism for the two microtubule-dissociating agents, vincristine and OAT-449, determining the cell death pathway following mitotic catastrophe demonstrated in HT-29 cells.

Human acidic mammalian chitinase (hAMCase) is one of two true chitinases in humans, the function of which remains elusive. In addition to the defense against highly antigenic chitin and chitin-containing pathogens in the gastric and intestinal contents, AMCase has been implicated in asthma, allergic inflammation, and ocular pathologies. Potent and selective small-molecule inhibitors of this enzyme have not been identified to date. Here we describe structural modifications of compound OAT-177 , a previously developed inhibitor of mouse AMCase, leading to OAT-1441 , which displays high activity and selectivity toward hAMCase. Significantly reduced off-target activity toward the human ether-à-go-go-related gene (hERG) and a good pharmacokinetic profile make OAT-1441 a potential candidate for further preclinical development as well as a useful tool compound to study the physiological role of hAMCase., Competing Interests: The authors declare the following competing financial interest(s): Some of the authors are current employees of OncoArendi Therapeutics S.A. and own company stocks., (Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society.)

Acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) and chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1) are two enzymatically active proteins produced by mammals capable of cleaving the glycosidic bond in chitin. Based on the clinical findings and animal model studies, involvement of chitinases has been suggested in several respiratory system diseases including asthma, COPD, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Exploration of structure-activity relationships within the series of 1-(3-amino-1 H -1,2,4-triazol-5-yl)-piperidin-4-amines, which was earlier identified as a scaffold of potent AMCase inhibitors, led us to discover highly active dual (i.e., AMCase and CHIT1) inhibitors with very good pharmacokinetic properties. Among them, compound 30 was shown to reduce the total number of cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of mice challenged with house dust mite extract after oral administration (50 mg/kg, qd). In addition, affinity toward the hERG potassium channel of compound 30 was significantly reduced when compared to the earlier reported chitinase inhibitors.

This article highlights our work toward the identification of a potent, selective, and efficacious acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) inhibitor. Rational design, guided by X-ray analysis of several inhibitors bound to human chitotriosidase (hCHIT1), led to the identification of compound 7f as a highly potent AMCase inhibitor (IC 50 values of 14 and 19 nM against human and mouse enzyme, respectively) and selective (>150× against mCHIT1) with very good PK properties. This compound dosed once daily at 30 mg/kg po showed significant anti-inflammatory efficacy in HDM-induced allergic airway inflammation in mice, reducing inflammatory cell influx in the BALF and total IgE concentration in plasma, which correlated with decrease of chitinolytic activity. Therapeutic efficacy of compound 7f in the clinically relevant aeroallergen-induced acute asthma model in mice provides a rationale for developing AMCase inhibitor for the treatment of asthma.

This article describes our work towards the identification of a potent and selective inhibitor of mouse chitotriosidase (mCHIT1). A series of small molecule inhibitors of mCHIT1 and mAMCase have been developed from early lead compound 1. Examination of synthetized analogues led to discovery of several novel highly potent compounds. Among them compound 9 (OAT-2068) displays a remarkable 143-fold mCHIT1 vs. mAMCase selectivity. To explain the observed SAR molecular docking experiments were performed, which were in line with the experimental data from the enzymatic assays. Inhibitor 9 (OAT-2068) was found to have an excellent pharmacokinetic profile. This, together with high activity and selectivity, makes the compound an ideal and unique tool for studying the role of CHIT1 in biological models., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

During the last two decades, the production of recombinant proteins in plant systems has been receiving increased attention. Currently, proteins are considered as the most important biopharmaceuticals. However, high costs and problems with scaling up the purification and isolation processes make the production of plant-based recombinant proteins a challenging task. This paper presents a summary of the information regarding the downstream processing in plant systems and provides a comprehensible overview of its key steps, such as extraction and purification. To highlight the recent progress, mainly new developments in the downstream technology have been chosen. Furthermore, besides most popular techniques, alternative methods have been described., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The cellular response to ionizing radiation (IR) involves a variety of mechanisms to repair damage and maintain cell survival. We previously reported that the proteasome activator PA200 promotes long-term cell survival after IR exposure. The molecular function of PA200 is to enhance proteasome-mediated cleavage after glutamate; however, it is not known how this molecular function promotes survival after IR exposure. Here, we report that upon IR exposure, cellular demand for exogenous glutamine is increased. Cells containing PA200 are capable of surviving this IR-induced glutamine demand, whereas PA200-deficient cells show impaired long-term survival. Additional glutamine supplementation reverses the radiosensitivity of PA200-knockdown cells suggesting impaired glutamine homeostasis in these cells. Indeed, PA200-knockdown cells are unable to maintain intracellular glutamine levels. Furthermore, when extracellular glutamine is limiting, cells that contain PA200 respond by slowing growth, but PA200-knockdown cells and cells in which post-glutamyl proteasome activity is inhibited are nonresponsive and continue rapid growth. This cellular unresponsiveness to nutrient depletion is also reflected at the level of the mTOR substrate ribosomal S6 kinase (S6K). Thus, inability to restrict growth causes PA200-deficient cells to continue growing and eventually die due to lack of available glutamine. Together, these data indicate an important role for PA200 and post-glutamyl proteasome activity in maintaining glutamine homeostasis, which appears to be especially important for long-term survival of tumor cells after radiation exposure., Competing Interests: of Potential Conflicts of Interest No potential conflicts of interests were disclosed by the authors., (Mol Cancer Res; 10(7); 937-44. ©2012 AACR.)

High resolution solid state (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance (SS NMR) measurements were carried out on poly(p-xylylene) (PPX). The samples comprised vapor-deposited specimens as well as pure alpha and beta polymorphs of this polymer. The measurements were performed using cross-polarization and magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) techniques. Density functional theory gauge-including-atomic-orbital (DFT GIAO) calculations of NMR shielding parameters (13)C sigma(ii) were performed for the optimized geometry and structure of a xylylene trimer, acquired from the X-ray data, including intermolecular interactions. Two-dimensional phase adjusted spinning sideband (2D PASS) correlation was employed for the assignment of the values of the principal elements (13)C delta(ii) of the chemical shift tensor (CST). A comparative analysis of shielding (sigma(ii)) versus chemical shift (delta(ii)) parameters showed substantial differences between the molecular dynamics of alpha and beta polymorphs. This observation was further supported by the measurements of (13)C T(1) relaxation times and the analysis of cross-polarization kinetics. Frequency switched Lee-Goldburg heteronuclear correlation (FSLG HETCOR) for the (1)H-(13)C system was used in order to analyze molecular packing in both polymorphs. As a result of all of the above measurements, new insight into the mechanism of thermal phase transition from the alpha to the beta polymorph of poly(p-xylylene) is presented.

Halotrimethylsilanes Me(3)SiX (X = Br, I) catalyse rearrangements of tricoordinate phosphorus esters R'R''P-OR into the corresponding phosphoryl systems R'R''P(O)R. This provides a simple and efficient route to a variety of structures containing phosphorus-carbon bonds, under mild conditions and with good yields. The reaction mechanism was investigated in detail by (31)P NMR spectroscopy and independent synthesis of the reaction intermediates. It has been demonstrated that the primary products of this catalytic reaction are halogeno P(III) structures R'R''PX and silyl ethers ROSiMe(3) and that they subsequently react to give the corresponding phosphorus silyl esters-Me(3)SiOPR'R''-and alkyl halides RX. At higher temperatures these intermediates then react to form R'R''P(O)R compounds. This paper also features the surprising observation that when esters Ph(2)POR and halotrimethylsilanes Me(3)SiX (X = Br, I) are used in 2:1 ratio, phosphonium salts Ph(2)R(2)P(+)X(-) and trimethylsilyl diphenylphosphinate--Ph(2)P(O)OSiMe(3)--are formed as the major products. Experimental evidence indicates that the mechanisms of both reactions are fundamentally different from that of the Michaelis-Arbuzov reaction. Me(3)SiCl is not reactive and this paper explains why.

We report systematic structural studies of poly(l-lactide) (PLLA) employing matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) and solid-state NMR spectroscopy. (13)C cross polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) NMR data for 1,8-dihydroxy-9-anthracenone (DT), 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), 2-(4-hydroxyphenylazo)-benzoic acid (HABA), and trans-3-indoleacrylic acid (IAA), four matrices commonly used in MALDI-TOF analysis of polymers, were analyzed to test the influence of crystallization conditions (solvent, inorganic salt) on sample morphology. (13)C principal elements of chemical shift tensor (CST) and line-shape analyses were employed to study of the nature of hydrogen bonding and to evaluate the crystallinity and amorphicity of the pure polymer. NMR parameters for PLLA were compared with data for polylactide crystallized with the four matrices under different conditions with the addition of two inorganic salts as cationization agents. This study revealed that the semicrystalline structure of the polymer does not change when it is embedded in the matrix.

Solid state NMR spectroscopy and gauge including atomic orbital (GIAO) theoretical calculations were employed to establish structural restraints (ionization, hydrogen bonding, spatial arrangement) for O-phosphorylated l-threonine derivatives in different ionization states and hydrogen bonding strengths. These structural restraints are invaluable in molecular modeling and docking procedures for biological species containing phosphoryl groups. Both the experimental and the GIAO approach show that 31P delta ii chemical shift tensor parameters are very sensitive to the ionization state. The negative values found for the skew kappa are typical for -2 phosphates. The distinct span Omega values reflect the change of strength of hydrogen bonding. For species in the -1 ionization state, engaged in very strong hydrogen bonds, Omega is smaller than for a phosphate group involved in weak hydrogen bonding. For phosphates in the -2 ionization state, Omega is significantly smaller compared to -1 species, although the kappa for -1 samples never reaches negative values. For -1 phosphate residues, in the case when 1H one pulse and/or combined rotation and multiple pulse spectroscopy (CRAMPS) sequences fail and assignment of proton chemical shift is ambiguous, a combination of 1H-(13)C and 1H-(31)P 2D heteronuclear correlation (HETCOR) correlations is found to be an excellent tool for the elucidation of 1H isotropic chemical shifts. In addition, a 2D strategy using 1H-(1)H double quantum filter (DQF) correlations [a back-to-back (BABA) sequence in this work] is useful for analyzing the topology of hydrogen bonding. In the case of a multicenter phosphorus domain, 2D 31P-(31)P proton driven spin diffusion experiments give information about the spatial arrangement of the phosphate residues.

Acquirement of resistance to rituximab has been observed in lymphoma patients. To define mechanisms associated with rituximab resistance, we developed various rituximab-resistant cell lines (RRCL) and studied changes in CD20 expression/structure, lipid raft domain (LRD) reorganization, calcium mobilization, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, and complement-mediated cytotoxicity (CMC) between parental and RRCL. Significant changes in surface CD20 antigen expression were shown in RRCL. Decreased calcium mobilization and redistribution of CD20 into LRD were found in RRCL. Western blotting identified a unique 35 kDa protein band in RRCL, which was not seen in parental cells and was secondary to an increase in surface and cytoplasmic expression of IgM light chains. CD20 gene expression was decreased in RRCL. In vitro exposure to PS341 increased CD20 expression in RRCL and minimally improved the sensitivity to rituximab-associated CMC. Our data strongly suggest that the acquisition of rituximab resistance is associated with global gene and protein down-regulation of the CD20 antigen affecting LRD organization and downstream signaling. CD20 expression seems to be regulated at the pretranscriptional and posttranscriptional levels. Proteasome inhibition partially reversed rituximab resistance, suggesting the existence of additional mediators of rituximab resistance. Future research is geared to identify drugs and/or biological agents that are effective against RRCL.

In this paper, several approaches which allow the investigation of mixtures of polymorphs, employing modern solid-state NMR (SS NMR) spectroscopy are reported. A convenient methodology for characterization of the hydrogen bonding and molecular conformation of a polymorphic sample by means of one-dimensional and two-dimensional, 13C and 15N NMR experiments as well as CSA tensor analysis and theoretical calculations is presented. Two-dimensional heteronuclear SS NMR allowed definition of the polymorphic domain of N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine (N-Bz-Phe). The graphical method of Herzfeld and Berger was used to measure the 13C and 15N spinning sideband intensities which allowed the calculation of NMR parameters for labeled centers of N-Bz-Phe. The experimental data were compared with computed results obtained by means of the DFT hybrid method with B3PW91 functional and 6-311++G** basis set.

In an attempt to define mechanisms by which B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) may escape rituximab immunotherapy, we developed several rituximab-resistant cell lines (RRCL) generated from the rituximab-sensitive cell lines (RSCL) Raji and RL. Rituximab resistance was associated with CD20 downregulation and upregulation of CD52 and the complement inhibitory proteins (CIPs) CD55 and CD59. No significant alemtuzumab-associated complement-mediated cell lysis (CMC) or antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) was demonstrated in RSCL. In contrast, in vitro exposure of RRCL to alemtuzumab resulted in a significant degree of CMC and ADCC. Of note, in vitro blocking of CD52 with anti-CD52 F(ab')(2) fractions in RRCL improved rituximab-associated CMC as compared to unblocked RRCL. Our current data provides a basis for further evaluation of alemtuzumab-based clinical trials for patients with rituximab-resistant NHL.

In this work we have tested applicability of the commonly used double quantum recoupling sequence POST-C7 to study of (31)P-(31)P geometrical constraints for phosphoroorganic model compounds with different chemical shift anisotropy (CSA) and distinct molecular dynamics in the crystal lattice. Our results clearly show that even with large CSA, POST-C7 gives good efficiency of (31)P double-quantum excitations. Moreover, large amplitude molecular motion only slightly disturb (31)P build-up curve. Chi(2) error analysis is used for verification of values and orientations of chemical shift tensors (CST) parameters employed for simulation of POST-C7 buildup curves.

The enantiomeric excess (ee) can be determined by many methods; one among them is nuclear magnetic resonance in solid-state (SS NMR). In this study we used the SS NMR ODESSA experiment for determination of the ee of valine., (Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and low-temperature X-ray diffraction studies showed that 2-thio-(5,5-dimethyl-1,3,2-dioxaphosphorinanyl)2'-oxo-dineopentyl-thiophosphate (compound 1) undergoes reversible phase transition at 203 K related to the change of symmetry of the crystallographic unit. Solid state NMR spectroscopy was used to establish the dynamic processes of aliphatic groups and the phosphorus skeleton. 13C and 31P variable temperature NMR studies as well as T1 and T1rho measurements of relaxation times revealed the different mode of molecular motion for each neopentyl residue directly bonded to phosphorus. It is concluded that molecular dynamics of aliphatic groups causes different van der Waals interactions in the crystal lattice and is the driving force of phase transition for compound 1. Finally, we showed that very sharp phase transition temperature makes compound 1 an excellent candidate as a low-temperature NMR thermometer in the solid phase.

A study of polymorphism using a range of solid-state NMR techniques is presented. We demonstrate the existence of at least six polymorphs in a sample of N-benzoyl-L-phenylalanine. We also present methodology for the characterization of the protonation state, hydrogen bonding, and molecular conformation for the polymorphs, together with results of such a characterization for one of the polymorphs present in our sample. DFT modeling is used to investigate the separate effects hydrogen bonding and molecular conformation have on the chemical shift tensor.

This work presents the first comparative analysis of two crystallographic modifications of quercetin (3,3',4',5,7-penta-hydroxyflavone). The existence of dihydrate and unhydrated forms of quercetin in the solid state is confirmed by several experimental techniques e.g. X-ray diffraction of powders, DSC, TGA, and NMR. Our studies allow an understanding of the complexity of quercetin samples obtained from different sources. A PASS-2D experiment is employed to establish principal values of 13C chemical shift tensors for both modifications. Solid state NMR spectroscopy and DFT GIAO calculations provide unique information about NMR shielding and electron density distribution for different conformers. It has been concluded that changes of conformation and hydrogen bonding pattern have great influence on bond order parameters of quercetin. Theoretical calculations and experimental data do not exclude the existence of the syn conformer of quercetin, which so far was not considered in the condensed phase.

A series of l and dl forms of O-phosphorylated amino acids (serine, threonine, tyrosine) have been studied by using solid-state multinuclear NMR spectroscopy and ab initio calculations. Principal elements of the (13)C and (31)P chemical shielding tensors have been measured and discussed in relation to zwitterionic structures and intermolecular contacts. DFT calculations have been compared with experimental data showing their ability to reproduce experimentally obtained tensor values in this challenging class of compounds. The changes of orientation of (31)P chemical shielding tensor with respect to the molecular frame in the presence of hydrogen bonds have been revealed and discussed on the ground of theoretical calculations. The measurements of internuclear P...P distances, based on Zeeman magnetization exchange between (31)P spins with differing chemical shielding tensor orientations, were exploited for a clear distinction between enantiomers and racemates.

Bis[6-O,6-O'-(1,2:3,4-diisopropylidene-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl) thiophosphoryl] disulfide shows a strong tendency to form inclusion compounds. The crystal and molecular structure of eight different solvates was established by X-ray analysis. The results indicate three different types of disulfide arrangements in the crystal lattice. By means of 31P CP/MAS NMR experiments the principal values delta 11, delta 22, and delta 33 of the 31P chemical shift tensor were obtained for each form. The orientation of its principal axes with respect to a molecular frame was investigated by means of 31P CP and single-crystal NMR for the complex with propan-2-ol. The principal axis 1 of both chemically equivalent phosphorus atoms is nearly parallel to the P-S bond and the principal axis 3 is very close to the P=S bond. DFT GIAO calculations of the model compound (EtO)2(S)P1SSP2(S)-(OEt)2 allowed assignment of the experimental chemical shift curves to the magnetically nonequivalent atoms P1 and P2. The maximum difference between calculated angles [symbol: see text] i-P-X)calcd and experimental angles [symbol: see text] i-P-X)exptl is 8.3 degrees and the rms distance 3.8 degrees (i = principal axes 1, 2, 3; X = S, -S-, -O1-, -O2-). The influence of C-H...S weak hydrogen bonding on phosphorus shielding was tested theoretically (31P DFT GIAO) employing the dimethoxythiophosphoryl disulfide.CH4 complex as a model compound. The sensitivity of 31P delta ii parameters to intermolecular forces is demonstrated.

13C CP/MAS, dipolar dephasing MAS and theoretical GIAO calculations were employed to assign 13C resonances to the molecular structure of 1,6:3,4-dianhydro-2-O-tosyl-beta-D-galactopyranose 1. From spinning sideband intensities, employing the graphical method of Herzfeld and Berger the 13C delta(ii) parameters for aromatic residue were calculated. The experimental data were compared with computed results obtained by means of the B3PW91 hybrid method and 6-311G (df, p) basis set. The X-ray geometry of 1 with the correlated position of hydrogen atoms was taken as input data for theoretical calculations. As concluded from Cambridge Crystallographic Database (CSD) search, there are two reports describing the X-ray studies of 1 that show the slightly different geometry of the compound under investigation. This work shows that such discrepancies in geometry can generate differences between computed 13C delta(ii) parameters up to 6 ppm. 13C T1 and 1H T1rho relaxation times reveal that 1 is very rigid in crystal lattice. This structure is characterized by extremely long 1H T1rho, found to be in range ca. 200 ms.

To explore cancer incidence among Hispanic women living in Dade County, Florida, data were analyzed from the statewide cancer registry. For all but three sites, Hispanics had lower rates of the 15 most prevalent cancers than non-Hispanics. However, higher rates of cancer among Hispanics were noted for cancers of the gallbladder, liver, and heart and soft tissue. Subgroups of women had significantly higher rates of cervical cancer and thyroid cancer. Lower rates among Hispanics were observed for cancers of the esophagus, vagina, breast, colon, buccal cavity and pharynx, and malignant melanoma. These data suggest that most cancer sites traditionally higher among US Latino women were not higher among Dade Hispanics, and that sites more common among non-Hispanics have not yet shown an increased incidence among Hispanic women in Dade County.