Structural changes in humic acids (HAs), extracted after lipid removal from sewage sludge during composting, were investigated using various chemical methods (elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and C-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy). Compared to non-purified HAs, lipid-free HAs (LFHAs) exhibit higher C and N contents and high absorbance around 1652, 1540 a...

Mitral and tufted cells in the mammalian olfactory bulb are principal neurons, each type having distinct projection pattern of their dendrites and axons. The morphological difference suggests that mitral and tufted cells are functionally distinct and may process different aspects of olfactory information. To examine this possibility, we recorded odorant-evoked spike responses from mitral and mi...

It is well known that the amino acids occurring in proteins (natural amino acids) are, with rare exceptions, exclusively of the L-configuration. Among the many scenarios put forward to explain the origin of this chiral homogeneity (i.e., homochirality), one involves the asymmetric photolysis of amino acids present in space, triggered by circularly polarized UV radiation. The recent observation ...

Reaction of imidazolylidene-derived enetetramine 2 with aliphatic iodides and bromides (and with aryl iodides bearing alkene-containing side-chains in the ortho-position) leads to formation of aliphatic aldehydes through an unprecedented extrusion of a one-carbon unit from the enetetramine. An intermediate 2-alkylimidazoline 24 is proposed, where the alkyl group derives from the substrate; this...

Tipuana tipu (Benth.) Kuntze is a tree from the leguminosae family (Papilionoideae) indigenous in Argentina and extensively used in urbanism, mainly in Southern Brazil. The epicuticular waxes of leaves and branch, and flower surface were studied by high temperature high resolution gas chromatography. Several compounds were characterized, among which the aliphatic alcohols were predominant in br...

Selective esterification of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylic acids with various alcohols is studied using triphenylphosphine, I2, and a catalytic amount of Zn(OTf)2. Use of this catalyst allows the formation of esters at a faster rate with good to excellent yield by activating the in situ generated acyloxyphosphonium ion intermediate. During the esterification process, both their aromatic and ...

It is well known that the amino acids occurring in proteins (natural amino acids) are, with rare exceptions, exclusively of the L-configuration. Among the many scenarios put forward to explain the origin of this chiral homogeneity (i.e., homochirality), one involves the asymmetric photolysis of amino acids present in space, triggered by circularly polarized UV radiation. The recent observation ...

A method is described for simultaneously measuring long-chain aliphatic fatty acids and phytanic acid in plasma, for the diagnosis of disorders associated with peroxisomal defects, eliminating the need for two separate chromatographic runs to resolve all of the analytes. In addition, the simultaneous, dual-column analysis allows confirmation of the identity and quantity of the individual fatty ...

The reductive deoxygenation of acyl phosphonates using a Wolff-Kishner-like sequence is described. This transformation allows direct access to alkyl phosphonates from acyl phosphonates at room temperature. The method can be combined with acyl phosphonate synthesis into a one pot, four-step procedure for the conversion of carboxylic acids into alkyl phosphonates. The methodology works well for a...

We have studied the cellular mechanisms underlying adaptation to salt stress in a newly isolated osmo- and salt-tolerant strain of the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. When cells are incubated in the presence of 9% NaCl, a rapid change in their size and shape is observed. Salt stress is accompanied by an increase in the intracellular level of glycerol, free amino acids (notably proline and aliphatic ...