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The rearrangement of eight new Z -arylhydrazones of 3-benzoyl-5-phenylisoxazoles ( 3d – k ) into the relevant 2-aryl-4-phenacyl-2 H -1,2,3-triazoles ( 4d – k ) in dioxane/water solution at different proton concentrations has been quantitatively studied in a wide temperature range (293–333 K). The data collected together with some our previous ones on compounds 3a – c have allowed a deep study of the substituent effects on the course of the rearrangement, thus increasing our knowledge on the Boulton–Katritzky reactions in isoxazole derivatives and on the temperature effects on free energy relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The renal resistive index (RI) is the ratio of the difference between maximum and minimum (end diastolic) flow velocity derived from the Doppler spectrum of intrarenal (segmental/interlobar) arteries. It is a good indicator for acute renal disease, acute tubular necrosis, and renal obstruction. To our knowledge, no reports are available about the values of renal RI in unsedated horses. The aim of this study was to establish a normal reference range (mean ± standard error) and to assess the reliability of the renal RI obtained using transabdominal ultrasonography in unsedated healthy horses. Thirteen conscious Thoroughbred horses judged healthy based on physical examination, complete blood count, biochemical profile, urinalysis, and ultrasonography were included. The peak-systolic and end-diastolic velocities of interlobar and arcuate arteries were measured. Intrarenal arteries were scanned by pulsed Doppler ultrasonography to calculate RI. The comparison of left versus right kidneys was analyzed with analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) procedure. Significant differences ( P < .05) for the RI values were observed between left and right kidneys in the geldings (left 0.50 vs. right 0.56) and mares (left 0.50 vs. right 0.57) and were observed between left and right kidneys in trained (left 0.52 vs. right 0.55) and untrained horses (left 0.48 vs. right 0.58). The renal RI has not been modified by sex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The photoreactivity of allyl benzoates, containing an electron-rich double bond, has been explored by irradiation at 305 nm in different solvents. Solvent addition products arising from an insertion of the alpha H–C bonds of THF, dioxane, and i-PrOH to the allylic double bond was realized. The observed reactivity depended on reaction conditions and substitution pattern of the substrate. A DFT study on this unusual reaction was performed allowing the formulation of two mechanistic pathways. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study the synthesis of new Linezolid-like molecules has been achieved by substitution of the oxazolidinone central heterocyclic moiety with a 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring. Two series of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles, bearing different side-chains and containing a varying number of fluorine atoms, were synthesized and preliminarily tested for biological activity against some Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria using Linezolid and Ceftriaxone as reference drugs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The reaction of 5-polyfluoroaryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with methylhydrazine has been studied and the synthesis of fluorinated N-methylindazoles has been realized. Rearrangement reactions showed predominantly formation of N(1)-methylindazole regioisomers. Starting compounds were preliminarily functionalized at the polyfluoroaryl moiety through fluorine displacement with nucleophiles (methanol, methylamine, dimethylamine), allowing the obtainment of target indazoles substituted at the C(6) position. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Fluoroalkylated 2-ylamino-imidazoles have been synthesized by reaction of 3-amino-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole with fluorinated β-dicarbonyl compounds and subsequent base-induced Boulton–Katritzky Rearrangement (BKR) of the isolated β-enaminocarbonyl intermediate. Alternatively, one-pot reactions performed in the presence of Montmorillonite K10 favoured the condensation at the 3-amino moiety of the oxadiazole and, in some cases, allowed the direct synthesis of 2-benzoylamino-imidazoles. Hydrolysis of 2-benzoylamino-imidazoles easily yielded fluorinated 2-amino-imidazoles targets. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A series of 6-substituted fluorinated indazoles has been obtained through an ANRORC-like rearrangement (Addition of Nucleophile, Ring-Opening and Ring-Closure) of 5-tetrafluorophenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles with hydrazine. The initial addition of the bidentate nucleophile to the electrophilic C(5) of the 1,2,4-oxadiazole ring, followed by ring opening and ring closure, leads to the formation of fluorinated indazoles in high yield under mild experimental conditions. Functionalization of the C(6) in the final indazole nucleus was preliminarily achieved through a nucleophilic aromatic substitution on the starting 5-pentafluorophenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

During the monitoring of Caretta caretta nests on the island of Linosa, 30 unhatched eggs from four nests were collected to study the presence of phthalates in their three components (shell, yolk, and albumen). Four phthalates, namely diethyl (DEP), dibutyl (DBP), di-(2-ethylhexyl) (DEHP), and dioctyl (DOTP) phthalic acid esters (PAE), which are widely used as additives in plastics, were detected in all egg components. The most frequently found phthalate was DBP, followed by DEHP in eggshell and yolk. Dimethyl- (DMP) and butylbenzyl-phthalate (BBP) were below the limits of detection for all samples. The high total phthalate recorded in the yolk suggests that contamination could arise by vitellogenesis. PERMANOVA analysis (p = 0.01) confirmed significant differences in the PAEs contamination profiles in the eggs from the four nests. This study confirms the negative impact of plastic related compounds posing questions about the potential adverse effects on organisms and their conservation status. • Phthalates analyses showed contamination of Caretta caretta eggs. • Different total phthalates content was found in yolk, albumen, and eggshell. • Recorded levels of PAEs demonstrate the incidence of plastic-related pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new efficient palladium(II)-catalyzed [3,3] aza-Claisen, formal sigmatropic rearrangement of 3-allyloxy-5-aryl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles was developed. The mechanism was studied by analyzing the regiochemical and stereochemical course of the reaction. The results obtained indicated the intervention of a cationic pallada-cycle similar to the one postulated for the Cope rearrangement of 1,5-dienes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The Sicilian black honeybee (Apis mellifera ssp. sicula) is a slow food presidium that produces honey with exceptional nutraceutical properties. • An integrated approach of metabolomics and proteomics was used to characterize honey made by the Sicilian black honeybee in comparison to honey made by Apis mellifera ssp. ligustica , the more common Italian honeybee. • Metabolomics revealed that sicula honey is rich in nutraceutical compounds, and has higher levels of methylsyringate compared to ligustica honey. • The proteome of honey produced by sicula differs from that produced by ligustica. • Proteome profiling and machine learning identified two protein classifiers, laccase 5 and venom serine protease 34 isoform X2, which distinguish sicula from ligustica honey and can potentially be developed as a tool to ascertain its authenticity. Apis mellifera ssp. sicula , also known as the Sicilian black honeybee, is a Slow Food Presidium that produces honey with outstanding nutraceutical properties, including high antioxidant capacity. In this study, we used high-resolution proteomics to profile the honey produced by sicula and identify protein classifiers that distinguish it from that made by the more common Italian honeybee (Apis mellifera ssp. ligustica). We profiled the honey proteome of genetically pure sicula and ligustica honeybees bred in the same geographical area, so that chemical differences in their honey only reflected the genetic background of the two subspecies, rather than botanical environment. Differentially abundant proteins were validated in sicula and ligustica honeys of different origin, by using the so-called "rectangular strategy", a proteomic approach commonly used for biomarker discovery in clinical proteomics. Then, machine learning was employed to identify which proteins were the most effective in distinguishing sicula and ligustica honeys. This strategy enabled the identification of two proteins, laccase-5 and venome serine protease 34 isoform X2, that were fully effective in predicting whether honey was made by sicula or ligustica honeybees. In conclusion, we profiled the proteome of sicula honey, identified two protein classifiers of sicula honey in respect to ligustica , and proved that the rectangular strategy can be applied to uncover biomarkers to ascertain food authenticity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Different bioactive molecules extracted from macroalgae, including oxylipins, showed interesting potentials in different applications, from healthcare to biomaterial manufacturing and environmental remediation. Thus far, no studies reported the effects of oxylipins-containing macroalgae extracts on embryo development of marine invertebrates and on neuroblastoma cancer cells. Here, the effects of an oxylipins-containing extract from Ericaria brachycarpa, a canopy-forming brown algae, were investigated on the development of Arbacia lixula sea urchin embryos and on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells viability. Embryos and cells were exposed to concentrations covering a full 0–100% dose-response curve, with doses ranging from 0 to 40 μg mL−1 for embryos and from 0 to 200 μg mL−1 for cells. These natural marine toxins caused a dose-dependent decrease of normal embryos development and of neuroblastoma cells viability. Toxicity was higher for exposures starting from the gastrula embryonal stage if compared to the zygote and pluteus stages, with an EC 50 significantly lower by 33 and 68%, respectively. Embryos exposed to low doses showed a general delay in development with a decrease in the ability to calcify, while higher doses caused 100% block of embryo growth. Exposure of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells to 40 μg mL−1 for 72 h caused 78% mortality, while no effect was observed on their neuronal-like cells derivatives, suggesting a selective targeting of proliferating cells. Western Blot experiments on both model systems displayed the modulation of different molecular markers (HSP60, HSP90, LC3, p62, CHOP and cleaved caspase-7), showing altered stress response and enhanced autophagy and apoptosis, confirmed by increased fragmented DNA in apoptotic nuclei. Our study gives new insights into the molecular strategies that marine invertebrates use when responding to their environmental natural toxins and suggests the E. brachycarpa 's extract as a potential source for the development of innovative, environmentally friendly products with larvicide and antineoplastic activity. [Display omitted] • Seven oxylipins were identified in extract of seaweed Ericaria brachycarpa (EBE). • Stage-specific EBE effect was found in developing Arbacia lixula sea urchin embryos. • EBE was toxic for neuroblastoma cells and not for the differentiated counterpart. • Autophagy and apoptosis were induced by EBE in embryos and neuroblastoma cells. • Expression levels of heat shock proteins were modulated by EBE in embryos and cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Trifluoromethylated 2-amino-pyrimidine N-oxides have been synthesized by reaction of the 3-amino-5-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole with trifluoromethyl-β-diketones in the presence of perchloric acid, followed by hydrolysis. In this ring-to-ring transformation an initial formation of (unisolated) 1,2,4-oxadiazole-pyrimidinium salts, and subsequent ring-opening at the oxadiazole moiety occurs. Isolation of 2-(hydroxyamino)-pyrimidine from the reaction mixture evidenced the presence of a competing pathway where the N(4) nitrogen of the oxadiazole is involved in the formation of a regioisomeric pyrimidinium salt. The effect of the trifluoromethyl group on the product distribution is discussed. By X-ray analysis, the crystal structure of two different N-oxide regioisomers has been unambiguously ascertained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Plant microbial biostimulants application has become a promising and eco-friendly agricultural strategy to improve crop yields, reducing chemical inputs for more sustainable cropping systems. The soil dwelling bacterium Kocuria rhizophila was previously characterized as Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) for its multiple PGP traits, such as indole-3-acetic acid production, phosphate solubilization capability and salt and drought stress tolerance. Here, we evaluated by a multi-omics approach, the PGP activity of K. rhizophila on tomato, revealing the molecular pathways by which it promotes plant growth. Transcriptomic analysis showed several up-regulated genes mainly related to amino acid metabolism, cell wall organization, lipid and secondary metabolism, together with a modulation in the DNA methylation profile, after PGPB inoculation. In agreement, proteins involved in photosynthesis, cell division, and plant growth were highly accumulated by K. rhizophila. Furthermore, "amino acid and peptides", "monosaccharides", and "TCA" classes of metabolites resulted the most affected by PGPB treatment, as well as dopamine, a catecholamine neurotransmitter mediating plant growth through S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase (SAMDC), a gene enhancing the vegetative growth, up-regulated in tomato by K. rhizophila treatment. Interestingly, eight gene modules well correlated with differentially accumulated proteins (DAPs) and metabolites (DAMs), among which two modules showed the highest correlation with nine proteins, including a nucleoside diphosphate kinase, and cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase, as well as with several amino acids and metabolites involved in TCA cycle. Overall, our findings highlighted that sugars and amino acids, energy regulators, involved in tomato plant growth, were strongly modulated by the K. rhizophila -plant interaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cell survival and proliferation are central to carcinogenesis, involving various mechanisms among which those that impede apoptosis are important. In this, the role of the molecular chaperone Hsp60 is unclear since it has been reported that it can be both, pro- or anti-apoptotic. A solution to this riddle is crucial to the development of anti-cancer therapies targeting Hsp60. We addressed this question using a tumor cell line, NCI-H292, and [Cu(3,5-bis(2′-pyridyl)-1,2,4-oxadiazole) 2 (H 2 O) 2 ](ClO 4 ) 2 , CubipyOXA , a copper-containing compound with cytotoxic properties. We treated cells with various doses of the compound and measured cell viability; apoptosis indicators; and levels of Hsp60, pro-Caspase-3 (pC3), Caspase-3 (C3), and complex Hsp60/pC3, with complementary methods. The quantitative dose-response curves of the levels of Hsp60, activated C3, inactivated pC3, Hsp60/pC3 complex and indicators of cell apoptosis, and cell death, all coincided to show that CubipyOXA has pro-apoptotic activity and promotes cell death. The curves also indicate that the pro-apoptotic effects of CubipyOXA could likely be due to a lowering of Hsp60 levels and to its blocking the formation of the Hsp60/pC3 complex and/or its dissociating the complex when already formed, thus, interfering with the anti-apoptotic action of Hsp60. These findings shed some light on how a tumor cell may avert apoptosis using Hsp60 and point to the anti-cancer potential of drugs, such as CubipyOXA , which interfere with Hsp60/pC3 complex formation, and thus allow the apoptotic cascade to proceed. In view of these findings it becomes clear that the novel compound CubipyOXA should be considered a potential, high-efficiency antitumor agent deserving further testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Boulton–Katritzky reaction represents one of the most popular and efficient strategies used to realize azole-into-azole conversions. For example, under different experimental conditions, it allows the rearrangement of Z -arylhydrazones of 3-benzoyl-5-phenyl-1,2,4-oxadiazoles ( 1 ) into 2-aryl-4-benzoylamino-5-phenyl-2 H -1,2,3-triazoles ( 2 ) in very high yields. Moreover, we have recently realized this conversion also by UV-photostimulation. Now we have enlarged the scope of the reaction irradiating with visible or UV light an acetonitrile solution of some Z -arylhydrazones ( 1a – e ) in the presence of catalytic amounts of Ru(bpy) 2 Cl 2 . We have observed the unexpected formation of the 1-aryl-5-benzoylamino-3-phenyl-1,2,4-triazoles ( 3a – e ) eventually together with the expected 2a – d in high yields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of side chain modification and chirality in linezolid-like 1,2,4-oxadiazoles have been studied to design new potent antibacterials against Gram-positive multidrug-resistant pathogens. The adopted strategy involved a molecular modelling approach, the synthesis and biological evaluation of new designed compounds, enantiomers separation and absolute configuration assignment. Experimental determination of the antibacterial activity of the designed ( S )-1-((3-(4-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl)-oxazolidin-2-one-5-yl)methyl)-3-methylthiourea and ( S )-1-((3-(3-fluoro-4-(3-methyl-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)phenyl)-oxazolidin-2-one-5-yl)methyl)-3-methylthiourea against multidrug resistant linezolid bacterial strains was higher than that of linezolid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The synthesis and the in vitro antibacterial activity of novel linezolid-like oxadiazoles are reported. Replacement of the linezolid morpholine C-ring with 1,2,4-oxadiazole results in an antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus both methicillin-susceptible and methicillin-resistant comparable or even superior to that of linezolid. While acetamidomethyl or thioacetoamidomethyl moieties in the C(5) side-chain are required, fluorination of the phenyl B ring exhibits a slight effect on an antibacterial activity but its presence seems to reduce the compounds cytotoxicity. Molecular modeling performed using two different approaches – FLAP and Amber software – shows that in the binding pose of the newly synthesized compounds as compared with the crystallographic pose of linezolid, the 1,2,4-oxadiazole moiety seems to perfectly mimic the function of the morpholinic ring, since the H-bond interaction with U2585 is retained. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] Six recently synthesized alkyl (Z)-2-(2-oxopyrrolidin-3-ylidene)acetates were evaluated for their potential as cytotoxic and anticancer agents. All compounds were tested in the ERα positive MCF-7, triple negative MDA-MB-231, and Her2+ SKBR-3 breast cancer cell lines. The most lipophilic derivatives, bearing the 4-isopropylphenyl (2) or 4- tert -butylphenyl (3) group at the γ-lactam nitrogen, proved to be cytotoxic against all the cancer cell lines tested (IC 50 values ranging from 18 to 63 μM), exerting their greatest activity in SKBR-3 cells, with IC 50 values of 33 and 18 μM, respectively. Biological studies showed that the cytotoxic effects of 2 and 3 are accompanied by apoptotic death in breast cancer cells, and both compounds showed no significant toxicity on healthy cells (e.g., MCF-10A) and red blood cells. An in-depth mechanistic study based on molecular biology, immunoblotting analysis and in silico docking calculations suggested that α,β-unsaturated γ-lactam derivatives could interfere with the functioning of PI3K and PDK-1, two key enzymes in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, whose overactivation is related to the regulation of cell growth and survival in several malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]