Bisabolane type sesquiterpenes from a marine Didiscus sponge

Two bisabolane type sesquiterpene phenols, (+)-curcuphenol (1) and (+)-curcudiol (2), were isolated from a Philippine marine sponge, Didiscus sp., in addition to b -sitosterol (3) and phenethylamine (4). The structures of the metabolites were established on the basis of spectral evidence (1D- and 2D NMR, [a]D, EIMS). (+)-Curcuphenol (1) showed cytotoxicity, which is indicative of a p53 independent mechanism

Cytotoxic bromoindole derivatives and terpenes from the Philippine marine sponge Smenospongia sp.

A detailed chemical analysis of a Philippine marine sponge Smenospongia sp. has been performed. This study yielded four new metabolites, 5-bromo-l-tryptophan (1), 5-bromoabrine (2), 5,6-dibromoabrine (3) and 5-bromoindole-3-acetic acid (4). The pyrroloiminoquinone alkaloid, makaluvamine O (5) as well as 5,6-dibromotryptamine (6), aureol (7) and furospinulosin 1 (8) were also isolated. Although 1 and 4 have been synthesized previously, this is the first report on the isolation of these compounds from a natural source. The furanosesterterpene furospinulosin 1 (8) was obtained for the first time from the genus Smenospongia. The structures of all compounds were established by spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, 1D and 2D NMR, MS, [α]D). The cytotoxic potential of 1Ð8 was evaluated in a panel of isogenic HCT-116 human colon tumor cell lines

Pseudovibrio denitrificans strain Z143-1, a heptylprodigiosin-producing bacterium isolated from a Philippine tunicate

Microbial isolate Z143-1 found to be associated with an unidentified tunicate was characterized due to its significant antimicrobial activity. Z143-1 is similar to Pseudovibrio ascidiaceicola and Pseudovibrio denitrificans in morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, except for its ability to ferment glucose and produce a characteristic red pigment. Fatty acid methyl ester analysis revealed a predominance of the fatty acid 18:1 ω7c at 80.55%, at levels slightly lower than the Pseudovibrio denitrificans type strain DN34T (87.7%). The mol% G+C of Z143-1 is 54.02, relatively higher than the Pseudovibrio denitrificans type strain DN34T and Pseudovibrio ascidiaceicola with mol% G+C of 51.7 and 51.4, respectively. However, phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of Z143-1 showed 100% similarity with the Pseudovibrio denitrificans type strain DN34T. In this study, the bacterium Z143-1 is reported as a new strain of Pseudovibrio denitrificans. While there is no report of a secondary metabolite for Pseudovibrio denitrificans, Z143-1 produces the red pigment heptylprodigiosin, also known as 16-methyl-15-heptyl-prodiginine, which shows anti-Staphylococcus aureus activity

Attenuation of Age-Related Metabolic Dysfunction in Mice With a Targeted Disruption of the Cβ Subunit of Protein Kinase A

The cyclic adenosine monophosphate–dependent protein kinase A (PKA) pathway helps regulate both cell growth and division, and triglyceride storage and metabolism in response to nutrient status. Studies in yeast show that disruption of this pathway promotes longevity in a manner similar to caloric restriction. Because PKA is highly conserved, it can be studied in mammalian systems. This report describes the metabolic phenotype of mice lacking the PKA catalytic subunit Cβ. We confirmed that Cβ has high levels of expression in the brain but also showed moderate levels in liver. Cβ-null animals had reduced basal PKA activity while appearing overtly normal when fed standard rodent chow. However, the absence of Cβ protected mice from diet-induced obesity, steatosis, dyslipoproteinemia, and insulin resistance, without any differences in caloric intake or locomotor activity. These findings have relevant pharmacological implications because aging in mammals is characterized by metabolic decline associated with obesity, altered body fat distribution, and insulin resistance

Terpenyl-Purines from the Sea

Agelasines, asmarines and related compounds are natural products with a hybrid terpene-purine structure isolated from numerous genera of sponges (Agela sp., Raspailia sp.). Some agelasine analogs and related structures have displayed high general toxicity towards protozoa, and have exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against a variety of species, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and also an important cytotoxic activity against several cancer cell lines, including multidrug-resistant ones. Of particular interest in this context are the asmarines (tetrahydro[1,4]diazepino[1,2,3-g,h]purines), which have shown potent antiproliferative activity against several types of human cancer cell lines. This review summarizes the sources of isolation, chemistry and bioactivity of marine alkylpurines and their bioactive derivatives

To Cue or Not to Cue: Beacons and Landmarks in Object-displacement Tasks

Two experiments examined the role of various cues on children’s performance in a well-known object-displacement task. In this task, children observed a toy rolling down a ramp whose trajectory was occluded by an opaque screen with doors. A barrier was placed along the ramp, behind one of the doors, to stop the toy. The top portion of the barrier was visible above the screen. To search successfully, children had to retrieve the hidden toy by opening the correct door. Previous work had found that the barrier was an ineffective cue among children less than three years of age. According to a landmark-based account, this was because the barrier was only an indirect cue to object location. If a cue directly marked the location, then it would be more likely attended and utilized. This model underscores the spatial relation between cue and the target. Other cue properties are important in so far that they modify this spatial relation. In Experiment 1, a cue’s distance from the target object was manipulated (i.e., short vs. long), but the location marked by the cue was kept constant (i.e., correct door was directly below). The search performances of 24- and 30-month old children were compared under no cue, short-cue/short-door, and long-cue/long-door conditions. Both age groups performed equally well under both cued conditions. In Experiment 2, a cue’s movement (i.e., coincident with the car vs. not coincident with the car) down the ramp was manipulated. The performance of 24- and 30-month old children were compared under attached-direct cue and unattached-direct cue conditions. Both age groups performed well under both conditions. Collectively, the results provide support for the landmark-based account. The spatial relation between cue and target underlies toddlers’ search. Properties of the cue matter to the extent that they impact how well the cue marks its target.Ph

Influence of Acid Strength on Olefin Selectivity of Chabazite (CHA) Framework Zeolite/Zeotypes during Tandem CO2 Hydrogenation

The role of the Brønsted acid sites (BAS) strength of chabazite (CHA) framework on olefin selectivity during methanol-to-olefin (MTO) and tandem CO2 hydrogenation was investigated over an aluminosilicate, SSZ-13 and a silicoaluminophospate, SAPO-34 and their bifunctional admixtures with In2O3. During MTO, SSZ-13 and SAPO-34 yielded primarily olefins (cumulative selectivity of ~60% and ~90%, respectively at cumulative turn-over number, TON over 500). Interestingly, an interpellet admixture of In2O3/SSZ-13 (distance between redox sites and BAS of 260-900 µm)) predominantly yielded paraffins (cumulative selectivity of ~93% at cumulative TON over 40) via the secondary hydrogenation of olefins as seen from the cumulative paraffin-to-olefin (P/O) ratio of ~21 during CO2 hydrogenation. In comparison, an interpellet In2O3/SAPO-34 admixture yielded majority olefins (cumulative selectivity of ~67% at cumulative TON over 60) due to a lesser degree of secondary hydrogenation (cumulative P/O ratio of ~0.2) on the BAS in SAPO-34, which has a lower acid strength as compared to SSZ-13. Interestingly, both interpellet admixtures of In2O3/SSZ-13 and In2O3/SAPO-34 remained stable during tandem CO2 hydrogenation by favoring the olefin cycle and suppressing the formation of deactivation-inducing-aromatics, unlike MTO, where both admixtures showed fast deactivation. Ion-exchange of BAS (H+) with Inδ+ (from In2O3) in intrapellet admixtures (distance between redox sites and BAS of 270-1500 nm) of In2O3/SSZ-13, and In2O3/SAPO-34, inhibited C-C coupling and predominantly formed CH4. Overall, our study related to the product selectivity and deactivation in MTO and tandem CO2 hydrogenation over CHA framework zeolite/zeotype to the aromatic and olefin pool in the hydrocarbon pool mechanism. These underpinnings will help with rational catalyst design for tandem CO2 hydrogenation

Management information systems plan for Manila Midtown Hotel (MIS-MMH)

MIS-MMH is a 5-year Management Information System Plan developed for Manila Midtown Hotel (MMH). The plan is based on IBM\u27s Business Systems Planning Manual (BSP) which provides for top-down analysis and bottom-up implementation to aid MMH in establishing information systems that will satisfy its near and long-term information needs and requirements. The BSP method helped defined the Information Architecture that identifies all data classes and describes the ideal operations MMH should be carrying out to achieve its mission, goals and objectives. The study identifies MMH\u27s organizational and information systems strategy and the various problems it faces with regard to information technology resources. These problems result in poor system design and subsequently in the wasting of company resources. Development of an overall systems plan in order to integrate all systems and allow for the smooth flow of hotel operations is recommended. The development of an overall systems plan is based on functional areas so that the various needs of each function will be answered. Requirements for the acquisition of hardware and software, maintenance, and other operations were identified and schedules were provided to show the transition from the old to the new system