Detection of phosphates originating from Enceladus's ocean.

Saturn's moon Enceladus harbours a global1 ice-covered water ocean2,3. The Cassini spacecraft investigated the composition of the ocean by analysis of material ejected into space by the moon's cryovolcanic plume4-9. The analysis of salt-rich ice grains by Cassini's Cosmic Dust Analyzer10 enabled inference of major solutes in the ocean water (Na+, K+, Cl-, HCO3-, CO32-) and its alkaline pH3,11. Phosphorus, the least abundant of the bio-essential elements12-14, has not yet been detected in an ocean beyond Earth. Earlier geochemical modelling studies suggest that phosphate might be scarce in the ocean of Enceladus and other icy ocean worlds15,16. However, more recent modelling of mineral solubilities in Enceladus's ocean indicates that phosphate could be relatively abundant17. Here we present Cassini's Cosmic Dust Analyzer mass spectra of ice grains emitted by Enceladus that show the presence of sodium phosphates. Our observational results, together with laboratory analogue experiments, suggest that phosphorus is readily available in Enceladus's ocean in the form of orthophosphates, with phosphorus concentrations at least 100-fold higher in the moon's plume-forming ocean waters than in Earth's oceans. Furthermore, geochemical experiments and modelling demonstrate that such high phosphate abundances could be achieved in Enceladus and possibly in other icy ocean worlds beyond the primordial CO2 snowline, either at the cold seafloor or in hydrothermal environments with moderate temperatures. In both cases the main driver is probably the higher solubility of calcium phosphate minerals compared with calcium carbonate in moderately alkaline solutions rich in carbonate or bicarbonate ions.

Tailoring the Surface Morphology and the Crystallinity State of Cu- and Zn-Substituted Hydroxyapatites on Ti and Mg-Based Alloys.

Titanium-based alloys are known as a "gold standard" in the field of implantable devices. Mg-based alloys, in turn, are very promising biocompatible material for biodegradable, temporary implants. However, the clinical application of Mg-based alloys is currently limited due to the rapid resorption rate in the human body. The deposition of a barrier layer in the form of bioactive calcium phosphate coating is proposed to decelerate Mg-based alloys resorption. The dissolution rate of calcium phosphates is strongly affected by their crystallinity and structure. The structure of antibacterial Cu- and Zn-substituted hydroxyapatite deposited by an radiofrequency (RF) magnetron sputtering on Ti and Mg-Ca substrates is tailored by post-deposition heat treatment and deposition at increased substrate temperatures. It is established that upon an increase in heat treatment temperature mean crystallite size decreases from 47 ± 17 to 13 ± 9 nm. The character of the crystalline structure is not only governed by the temperature itself but relies on the condition such as either post-deposition treatment, where an amorphous calcium phosphate undergoes crystallization or instantaneous crystalline coating growth during deposition on the hot substrate. A higher treatment temperature at 700 °C results in local coating micro-cracking and induced defects, while the temperature of 400-450 °C resulted in the formation of dense, void-free structure.

Comparative Study of the Structure, Properties, and Corrosion Behavior of Sr-Containing Biocoatings on Mg0.8Ca.

A comparative analysis of the structure, properties and the corrosion behavior of the micro-arc coatings based on Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite (Sr-HA) and Sr-substituted tricalcium phosphate (Sr-TCP) deposited on Mg0.8Ca alloy substrates was performed. The current density during the formation of the Sr-HA coatings was higher than that for the Sr-TCP coatings. As a result, the Sr-HA coatings were thicker and had a greater surface roughness Ra than the Sr-TCP coatings. In addition, pore sizes of the Sr-HA were almost two times larger. The ratio (Ca + Sr + Mg)/P were equal 1.64 and 1.47 for Sr-HA and Sr-TCP coatings, respectively. Thus, it can be assumed that the composition of Sr-HA and Sr-TCP coatings was predominantly presented by (Sr,Mg)-substituted hydroxyapatite and (Sr,Mg)-substituted tricalcium phosphate. However, the average content of Sr was approximately the same for both types of the coatings and was equal to 1.8 at.%. The Sr-HA coatings were less soluble and had higher corrosion resistance than the Sr-TCP coatings. Cytotoxic tests in vitro demonstrated a higher cell viability after cultivation with extracts of the Sr-HA coatings.

Bactericidal and Biocompatible Properties of Plasma Chemical Oxidized Titanium (TiOB®) with Antimicrobial Surface Functionalization.

Coating of plasma chemical oxidized titanium (TiOB®) with gentamicin-tannic acid (TiOB® gta) has proven to be efficient in preventing bacterial colonization of implants. However, in times of increasing antibiotic resistance, the development of alternative antimicrobial functionalization strategies is of major interest. Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the antibacterial and biocompatible properties of TiOB® functionalized with silver nanoparticles (TiOB® SiOx Ag) and ionic zinc (TiOB® Zn). Antibacterial efficiency was determined by agar diffusion and proliferation test on Staphylocuccus aureus. Cytocompatibility was analyzed by direct cultivation of MC3T3-E1 cells on top of the functionalized surfaces for 2 and 4 d. All functionalized surfaces showed significant bactericidal effects expressed by extended lag phases (TiOB® gta for 5 h, TiOB® SiOx Ag for 8 h, TiOB® Zn for 10 h). While TiOB® gta (positive control) and TiOB® Zn remained bactericidal for 48 h, TiOB® SiOx Ag was active for only 4 h. After direct cultivation for 4 d, viable MC3T3-E1 cells were found on all surfaces tested with the highest biocompatibility recorded for TiOB® SiOx Ag. The present study revealed that functionalization of TiOB® with ionic zinc shows bactericidal properties that are comparable to those of a gentamicin-containing coating.

Antiplasmodial Compounds from Leaves of Dodonaea angustifolia.

BACKGROUND: Dodonaea angustifolia is used in Ethiopian traditional medicine to treat malaria. The objective of this work was to conduct bioassay guided fractionation of the leaves of D. angustifolia using Plasmodium berghei infected mice. METHOD: The antiplasmodial activity of the extracts and pure compounds was evaluated using the standard Peter's four-day suppressive method. The structures of isolated compounds were elucidated using chemi-cal and spectroscopic methods. RESULTS: In this study, the ethyl acetate soluble portion of the 80% aqueous MeOH extract of the leaves significantly suppressed parasitaemia in Plasmodium berghei infected mice (80.28% at 150 mg/kg). Three active compounds which exhibited significant percent suppression of parasitaemia by 81% at 40 mg/kg, 80% at 50 mg/kg and 70% at 40 mg/kg, respectively were identified. These are the flavanone pinocembrin (1), the flavanol santin (2) and the clerodane diterpene 2-hydroxy-15,16-epoxyceloda-3,13(16),14-trien-18-oic acid (3). Under similar conditions, chloroquine suppressed parasitaemia by 100% at 25 mg/kg. Chemical study of the ethanol extract of the leaves yielded 5,7,4'-trihydroxy-3,6-dimethoxyflavone (4), ent-16-hydroxy-labdan-3α,8ß-dihydroxy,13(14)-en-15,16-olide (5) and 5,6,7-trihydroxy-3,4'-dimethoxyflavone (6). Compound 6 has not been reported before as a natural product. CONCLUSION: From the leaves of D. angustifolia, three compounds with significant antiplasmodial activi-ties were isolated and characterized, with pinocembrin as the most active compound.

Quinolone alkaloids from Waltheria douradinha.

A phytochemical investigation of the stems of Waltheria douradinha resulted in isolation of two 4-quinolone alkaloids, waltherione B and vanessine, along with three known alkaloids, waltherione A, antidesmone and O-methyltembamide. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of their 2D NMR spectroscopic analyses, and from X-ray crystallographic analysis of waltherione A and the O-methyl derivative of waltherione B. Additionally, waltherione B and vanessine, and the O- and N-methyl derivatives of waltherione A and waltherione B, were evaluated for their antimicrobial activities; only vanessine displayed any (weak) antimicrobial activity.

Triterpenoids from Gouania ulmifolia.

Two new triterpenoids, named gouanic acid A (1) and gouanic acid B (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Gouania ulmifolia, along with six known compounds. The structures of the new compounds were determined by spectroscopic methods, mainly NMR (1D and 2D) and mass spectrometry. The new compounds did not show significant antimicrobial activities.

Constitutive accumulation of cis-piceid in transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing a sorghum stilbene synthase gene.

Sorghum SbSTS1 was the first example of a stilbene synthase gene in monocots. Previously, we demonstrated that the gene was involved in defense responses. To examine its biochemical function in planta, SbSTS1 was overexpressed in transgenic Arabidopsis. Metabolite analysis revealed that cis-resveratrol glucoside (piceid) accumulated as the major stilbene in the transgenic lines. Using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) in selected reaction monitoring mode, up to 580 microg g(-1) FW of cis-piceid were detected in 2-week-old plants, which represent a convenient source of the cis-isomers for pharmacological investigations. Our results also suggested the presence of unknown stilbene isomerase activities in Arabidopsis.

Safety and efficacy of Implanon, a single-rod implantable contraceptive containing etonogestrel.

OBJECTIVES: The safety and efficacy of a single-rod implantable contraceptive containing etonogestrel (Implanontrade mark) were investigated in a multicenter clinical trial. STUDY DESIGN: Sexually active American women (N=330) with apparently normal menstrual cycles used the implant for up to 2 years. All subjects recorded bleeding and/or spotting daily in a diary. Safety was assessed through adverse experiences (AEs), laboratory tests and physical and gynecologic examinations. RESULTS: Total exposure was 474 woman-years (6186 cycles), and 68% of subjects had at least 1 year of exposure. No pregnancies occurred. The most common bleeding pattern observed throughout the study was infrequent bleeding, defined as less than three episodes of bleeding in a reference period (excluding amenorrhea). The least common pattern was frequent bleeding, defined as more than five episodes of bleeding in a reference period. Infrequent, prolonged and frequent bleeding patterns were most common early in the study and declined thereafter. During the 3-month Reference Periods 2-8 (Months 4-24), the incidence of amenorrhea ranged from 14% to 20%. Forty-three subjects (13%) withdrew from the study because of bleeding pattern changes and 76 subjects (23%) discontinued because of other AEs. Other common AEs leading to discontinuation, besides bleeding irregularities, were emotional lability (6.1%), weight increase (3.3%), depression (2.4%) and acne (1.5%). Use of Implanon (etonogestrel subdermal implant, referred to herein as ENG implant) for up to 2 years had no clinically significant effects on laboratory parameters, physical and pelvic examinations, vital signs or body mass index. The average length of time required for ENG implant insertion and that for removal were 0.5 and 3.5 min, respectively, and all the procedures were uncomplicated. The return to normal menstrual cycles and fertility was rapid after removal. CONCLUSIONS: Implanon is a safe, highly effective and rapidly reversible new method of contraception.

1,2-Dehydroreticuline synthase, the branch point enzyme opening the morphinan biosynthetic pathway.

A synthase which oxidizes (S)-reticuline to 1,2-dehydroreticuline has been found to occur in seedlings of opium poppy (Papaver somniferum L.). Due to its instability, this enzyme could only be partly purified (ca. 5-fold enrichment). Partial characterization at this stage of purification showed that it does not need a redox cofactor and accepts both (S)-reticuline and (S)-norreticuline as substrates. [1-(2)H, (13)C]-(R,S)-reticuline was enzymatically converted into [1-(13)C]-dehydroreticuline, which has been identified by mass spectrometry. Release of the hydrogen atom in position C-1 of the isoquinoline alkaloid during the oxidative conversion, was exploited as a sensitive assay system for this enzyme. The enzyme has a pH optimum of 8.75, a temperature optimum of 37 degrees C and the apparent K(M) value for the substrate reticuline was shown to be 117 microM. Moreover it could be demonstrated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation that the enzyme is located in vesicles of varying size. In combination with the previously discovered strictly stereoselective and NADPH dependent 1,2-dehydroreticuline reductase the detection of this enzyme, the 1,2-dehydroreticuline synthase, provides the necessary inversion of configuration and completes the pathway from two molecules of L-tyrosine via (S)-norcoclaurine to (R)-reticuline in opium poppy involving a total number of 11 enzymes.

Evidence for estrogen receptor beta-selective activity of Vitex agnus-castus and isolated flavones.

Recent cell culture experiments indicated that extracts of Vitex agnus-castus (VAC) may contain yet unidentified phytoestrogens. Estrogenic actions are mediated via estrogen receptors (ER). To investigate whether VAC compounds bind to the currently known isoforms ERalpha or ERss, ligand binding assays (LBA) were performed. Subtype specific ER-LBA revealed a binding of VAC to ERss only. To isolate the ERss-selective compounds, the extract was fractionated by bio-guidance. The flavonoid apigenin was isolated and identified as the most active ERss-selective phytoestrogen in VAC. Other isolated compounds were vitexin and penduletin. These data demonstrate that the phytoestrogens in VAC are ERss-selective.

Apotirucallane triterpenoids from Luvunga sarmentosa (Rutaceae).

The leaves of Luvunga sarmentosa (Bl.) Kurz. yielded eight apotirucallane triterpenoids named luvungins A-G, and 1alpha-acetoxyluvungin A. Characteristic of the structure are the seven-membered lactone-ring A, the alpha-hydroxyl or alpha-acetoxyl group at C-7 and an oxygen bridge in the side chain giving five-, six- or seven-membered rings, respectively. Because of a hemiacetal function at C-21, luvungin C occurred as a mixture of 21-epimers. The structures have been elucidated on the basis of MS and NMR spectral data. In addition, two known coumarins ostruthin (6-geranyl-7-hydroxycoumarin) and 8-geranyl-7-hydroxycoumarin as well as five known triterpenes friedelin, flindissone, melianone, niloticin and limonin were isolated.

Coumarins give misleading absorbance with Ellman's reagent suggestive of thiol conjugates.

In the course of a screening for phytochelatins in cadmium-exposed bryophytes in the terrestrial mosses Polytrichum formosum and Atrichum undulatum we detected compounds with absorption properties and retention times similar to phytochelatins when applying the commonly used standard method RP-HPLC and post-column derivatization with thiol-specific DTNB (Ellman) reagent. Moreover, as with phytochelatins known in other plants, the concentrations of these compounds increased slightly after Cd stress. The concentration of the precursor glutathione (gamma-ECG), however, increased in the presence of Cd. In order to verify the identity of these putative phytochelatins we performed LC-ESI-MS analyses as well as 1H NMR on extracts from P. formosum and A. undulatum. Spectroscopic investigations indicated that the detected compounds were neither phytochelatins nor other thiol compounds. From the results of HPLC-1H NMR and mass spectrometry we concluded that at least one of these substances was a coumarin, probably a 5,8-dihydroxy-7-methoxycoumarin-5-beta-glucopyranoside, which has already been described for A. undulatum and P. formosum. The results of our investigations prove that under the basic pH conditions essential for the Ellman test for thiol compounds, coumarins show comparable UV/VIS absorption properties. Therefore, a positive post-column Ellman reaction cannot unambiguously prove the presence of thiol-containing compounds in plants.