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Journal of Chemical Ecology May 2024The zoophytophagous mirid predator Nesidiocoris tenuis and the ectoparasitoid Stenomesius japonicus are important biological control agents for several agricultural...
The zoophytophagous mirid predator Nesidiocoris tenuis and the ectoparasitoid Stenomesius japonicus are important biological control agents for several agricultural pests including the invasive leafminer, Phthorimaea absoluta, a destructive pest of Solanaceous crops especially tomato in sub-Saharan Africa. However, little is known about how feeding by N. tenuis can influence the tritrophic interactions in the tomato plant. Here, we tested the hypothesis that N. tenuis phytophagy would influence the tritrophic olfactory interactions between the host plant tomato and pest, predator, and parasitoid. In olfactometer assays, P. absoluta females and N. tenuis adults were both attracted to constitutive volatiles released by the tomato plant. Whereas females of P. absoluta avoided volatiles released by N. tenuis-infested plants, S. japonicus females and N. tenuis adults were attracted to the induced volatiles. In coupled gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) recordings of intact and N. tenuis-infested plant volatiles, antennae of P. absoluta and S. japonicus females both detected eight components, whereas N. tenuis adults detected seven components which were identified by GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as terpenes and green leaf volatiles (GLVs). Dose-response olfactometer bioassays revealed that the responses of P. absoluta, N. tenuis, and S. japonicus varied with the composition and concentration of blends and individual compounds tested from N tenuis-induced volatiles. Females of P. absoluta showed no preference for an eight-component blend formulated from the individual repellents including hexanal, (Z)-3-hexenyl butanoate, and δ-elemene identified in the volatiles. On the other hand, S. japonicus females were attracted to an eight-component blend including the attractants (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexenol, methyl salicylate, β-phellandrene, and (E)-caryophyllene. Likewise, N. tenuis adults were attracted to a seven-component blend including the attractants β-phellandrene, δ-elemene, and (E)-caryophyllene identified in the volatiles. Our findings suggest that there is potential for the use of terpenes and GLVs to manage the insects in the tritrophic interaction.
PubMed: 38722476
DOI: 10.1007/s10886-024-01501-1 -
Chemistry (Weinheim An Der Bergstrasse,... Oct 2023The design and synthesis of a new fluorophore containing an arylidene thiazole scaffold resulted in a compound with good photophysical characteristics. Furthermore, the...
The design and synthesis of a new fluorophore containing an arylidene thiazole scaffold resulted in a compound with good photophysical characteristics. Furthermore, the thiazole C5-methyl group was easily modified into specific functional groups (CH Br and CH OH) for the formation of a series of photocourier molecules containing model compounds (benzoic acids), as well as prodrugs, including salicylic acid, caffeic acid, and chlorambucil via a "benzyl" linker. Spectral characteristics ( H, C NMR, and high-resolution mass spectra) corresponded to the proposed structures. The photocourier molecules demonstrated absorption with high values of coefficient of molar extinction, exhibited contrasting green emission, and showed good dark stability. The mechanism of the photorelease was investigated through spectral analysis, HPLC-HRMS, and supported by TD-DFT calculations. The photoheterolysis and elimination of carboxylic acids were proved to occur in the excited state, yielding a carbocation as an intermediate moiety. The fluorophore structure provided stability to the carbocation through the delocalization of the positive charge via resonance structures. Viability assessment of Vero cells using the MTT-test confirmed the weak cytotoxicity of prodrugs without irradiation and it increase upon UV-light.
PubMed: 37530503
DOI: 10.1002/chem.202302079 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023The aim of this work was to biosynthesize SnO-decorated ZnO (ZT) nanocomposites (NCs) of different Sn content (10, 20, and 30 mol%), namely, ZT10, ZT20, and ZT30, using...
The aim of this work was to biosynthesize SnO-decorated ZnO (ZT) nanocomposites (NCs) of different Sn content (10, 20, and 30 mol%), namely, ZT10, ZT20, and ZT30, using leaf aqueous extract-based phytocompounds as nanoparticle facilitating agents for application as effective photocatalyst in the removal of dyes from polluted water. The obtained ZT NCs were characterized using various techniques, including FTIR, XRD, TGA, TEM, EDS, UV-Vis, PL, and BET surface area. X-ray diffraction patterns show that rutile SnO and hexagonal ZnO coexist in the composites, and their crystallite size (D) is affected by the SnO ratio; the obtained D-values were 17.24, 19.07, 13.99, 6.45, and 12.30 nm for ZnO, SnO, ZT10, ZT20, and ZT30, respectively. The direct band gaps of the ZT heterostructure increase with increasing SnO ratio (band gap = 3.10, 3.45, 3.14, 3.17, and 3.21 eV, respectively). TEM spectroscopy revealed nanorod and spherical grain morphologies of the composites, while EDS confirmed the elemental composition, the element ratio, and the composite's purity. All catalysts exhibit type III isotherm with macropore structure. The photocatalytic efficiency against cationic (methylene blue (MB), rhodamine B (RB)), and anionic (methyl orange (MO)) dyes, under sunlight, was optimal with ZT20. The results revealed almost complete degradation at 55, 65, and 55 min, respectively. Hence, it is evident that incorporating SnO improves the photocatalyst's performance, with an apparent optimal enhancement at 20 mol% Sn decorating ZT NCs. More interestingly, the catalyst stability and activity remained unaffected even after four activating cycles.
PubMed: 38068143
DOI: 10.3390/ma16237398 -
Toxics Jul 2023Glitter particles are considered a model of microplastics, which are used in a wide range of products. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of two types of glitter...
Glitter particles are considered a model of microplastics, which are used in a wide range of products. In this study, we evaluated the toxicity of two types of glitter (green and white, with distinct chemical compositions) dispersions on the embryonic development of the sea urchins , , and the mussel . The Toxicity Identification and Evaluation (TIE) approach was used to identify possible chemicals related to toxicity. Glitter dispersions were prepared using 0.05% ethanol. The tested dispersions ranged from 50 to 500 mg/L. The white glitter was composed of a vinyl chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer. The effective concentrations of green glitter to 50% embryos (EC50) were 246.1 (235.8-256.4) mg/L to , 23.0 (20.2-25.8) mg/L to and 105.9 (61.2-150.2) mg/L, whereas the EC50 of white glitter to was 272.2 (261.5-282.9) mg/L. The EC50 for could not be calculated; however, the lowest effect concentration was 10 mg/L-that was the lowest concentration tested. The filtered suspension of green glitter had Ag levels exceeding the legal standards for marine waters. TIE showed that metals, volatiles, and oxidant compounds contribute to toxicity. The results showed that glitter may adversely affect marine organisms; however, further studies are necessary to determine its environmental risks.
PubMed: 37505582
DOI: 10.3390/toxics11070617 -
Advanced Biology Dec 2023Phosphorus (Pi) starvation prevents a good match between light energy absorption and photosynthetic carbon metabolism, generating photo-reactive oxygen species...
Phosphorus (Pi) starvation prevents a good match between light energy absorption and photosynthetic carbon metabolism, generating photo-reactive oxygen species (photo-ROS) in chloroplasts. Plants have evolved to withstand photo-oxidative stress, but the key regulatory mechanism underlying it remains unclear. In rice (Oryza sativa), DEEP GREEN PANICLE1 (DGP1) is robustly up-regulated in response to Pi deficiency. DGP1 decreases the DNA-binding capacities of the transcriptional activators GLK1/2 on the photosynthetic genes involved in chlorophyll biosynthesis, light harvesting, and electron transport. This Pi-starvation-induced mechanism dampens both electron transport rates through photosystem I and II (ETRI and ETRII) and thus mitigates the electron-excessive stress in mesophyll cells. Meanwhile, DGP1 hijacks glycolytic enzymes GAPC1/2/3, redirecting glucose metabolism toward the pentose phosphate pathway with superfluous NADPH production. Phenotypically, light irradiation induces O production in Pi-starved WT leaves but is observably accelerated in dgp1 mutant and impaired in GAPCs and glk1glk2 lines. Interestingly, overexpressed DGP1 in rice caused hyposensitivity to ROS-inducers (catechin and methyl viologen), but the dgp1 mutant shows a similar inhibitory phenotype with the WT seedlings. Overall, the DGP1 gene serves as a specific antagonizer against photo-ROS in Pi-starved rice plants, which coordinates light-absorbing and anti-oxidative systems by orchestrating transcriptional and metabolic regulations, respectively.
Topics: Reactive Oxygen Species; Oryza; Phosphates; Plant Proteins; Chloroplasts
PubMed: 37409401
DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202300106 -
Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in... Aug 2023Narrowband organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are receiving significant attention and have demonstrated impressive performance in blue and green OLEDs. However,...
Narrowband organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) are receiving significant attention and have demonstrated impressive performance in blue and green OLEDs. However, developing high-performance narrowband red OLEDs remains a highly desired yet challenging task. Herein, we have developed narrowband red fluorescent emitters by utilizing a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY) skeleton in combination with a methyl-shield strategy. These emitters exhibit small full-width at half-maxima (FWHM) ranging from 21 nm (0.068 eV) to 25 nm (0.081 eV) and high photoluminescence quantum yields (Φ ) ranging from 88.5 % to 99.0 % in toluene solution. Using BODIPY-based luminescent materials as emitters, high-performance narrowband red OLEDs have been assembled with external quantum efficiency as high as 18.3 % at 623 nm and 21.1 % at 604 nm. This work represents, to our knowledge, the first successful case of achieving NTSC pure-red OLEDs with the Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) coordinates of [0.67, 0.33] based on conventional fluorescent emitters.
PubMed: 37286501
DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306471 -
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England... Aug 2023Formamides have critical application value in the chemical industry serving as solvents or reagents for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and dyes....
Formamides have critical application value in the chemical industry serving as solvents or reagents for the synthesis of pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and dyes. Herein, we selected a green-synthesis produced aluminum-based metal-organic framework (Al-MOF) material CAU-10pydc as a catalyst to study its performance in CO formylation reaction. At room temperature and in the green solvent acetonitrile, CAU-10pydc could highly effectively catalyze the reaction of CO and -methylaniline to -methyl--phenylformamide under mild conditions. CAU-10pydc could maintain its efficient catalytic performance after five catalytic cycles, and PXRD and SEM measurements demonstrated that CAU-10pydc is stable after cyclic catalysis. The universality of this catalyst was illustrated by nine substrates with high yields. The reaction mechanism was further analyzed by DFT calculations. To our knowledge, this work is the first example of a CO formylation reaction being catalyzed highly effectively by an Al-MOF under green conditions.
PubMed: 37503719
DOI: 10.1039/d3dt01846f -
Current Organic Synthesis Feb 2024The small organic molecular compounds with biological activity containing C-C and C-N or C-O bonding were efficiently prepared without catalyst and solvent in the...
AIMS
The small organic molecular compounds with biological activity containing C-C and C-N or C-O bonding were efficiently prepared without catalyst and solvent in the hydrothermal synthesis reactor.
OBJECTIVES
Our goal was to explore new applications for the more environmentally friendly and efficient synthesis of bis(indolyl)methyl, xanthene, quinazolinone, and N-heterocyclic derivatives in hydrothermal synthesis reactors under solvent-free and catalyst-free conditions.
METHODS
A greener and more efficient method was successfully developed for the synthesis of bis(indolyl)methyl, heteroanthracene, quinazolinone, and N-heterocyclic derivatives using a hydrothermal synthesis reactor in a solvent- and catalyst-free manner.
RESULTS
In a hydrothermal synthesis reactor, bis(indoyl)methyl, xanthene, quinazolinone, and N-heterocyclic derivatives were synthesized without catalysts and solvents.
CONCLUSION
Overall, it is proved once again that the catalyst-free and solvent-free synthesis method has universal value and is a more ideal and environmentally friendly new method, especially the hydrothermal reactor for synthesis.
PubMed: 38362693
DOI: 10.2174/0115701794285717240124053728 -
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces Jun 2024Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer therapeutic approach due to its spatial selectivity and high potency. Indocyanine green (ICG) has been considered a...
Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising cancer therapeutic approach due to its spatial selectivity and high potency. Indocyanine green (ICG) has been considered a biocompatible PTT agent. However, ICG has several challenges to hinder its clinical use including rapid blood clearance and instability to heat, light, and solvent, leading to a loss of photoactivation property and PTT efficacy. Herein, we leveraged stabilizing components, methyl-β-cyclodextrin and liposomes, in one nanoplatform (ICD lipo) to enhance ICG stability and the photothermal therapeutic effect against cancer. Compared to ICG, ICD lipo displayed a 4.8-fold reduction in degradation in PBS solvent after 30 days and a 3.4-fold reduction in photobleaching after near-infrared laser irradiation. Moreover, in tumor-bearing mice, ICD lipo presented a 2.7-fold increase in tumor targetability and inhibited tumor growth 9.6 times more effectively than did ICG without any serious toxicity. We believe that ICD lipo could be a potential PTT agent for cancer therapeutics.
PubMed: 38912948
DOI: 10.1021/acsami.4c01078 -
ChemSusChem Dec 2023We herein report a general and efficient enantioselective C-H arylation of aryl bromides based on the use of BozPhos as the bisphosphine ligand and SP-NHC-Pd as...
We herein report a general and efficient enantioselective C-H arylation of aryl bromides based on the use of BozPhos as the bisphosphine ligand and SP-NHC-Pd as recoverable heterogeneous catalyst. By exploiting the "release and catch" mechanism of action of the catalytic system, we used BozPhos as a broadly applicable chiral ligand, furnishing high enantioselectivities across all types of examined substrates containing methyl, cyclopropyl and aryl C-H bonds. For each reaction, the reaction scope was investigated, giving rise to 30 enantioenriched products, obtained with high yields and enantioselectivities, and minimal palladium leaching. The developed catalytic system provides a more sustainable solution compared to homogeneous systems for the synthesis of high added-value chiral products through recycling of the precious metal.
PubMed: 37486306
DOI: 10.1002/cssc.202300609