Effect of Acceptor and Donor Substituents in the ortho, meta, and para Positions in the Nitrobenzene Molecule on the Reaction of Interaction with Ethylene

The uB3LYP/6-311g++(d,p) method in the gas phase was used to simulate the reaction of ethylene with ortho, meta, para methylnitrobenzene, chloronitrobenzene, (CCl3)PhNO2, (CF3)PhNO2 in the T1 state, as well as determining the influence of the position of donor and acceptor substituents in the benzene ring on the activation energy of the reaction under study. It is established that during the reaction ethylene oxide and nitroso compound are formed.

In vitro assessment of anticytotoxic and antigenotoxic effects of CANOVA®

Background: CANOVA® (CA) is a homeopathic immunomodulator. It contains several homeopathic medicines prepares according to the Brazilian Pharmacopoeia. CA is indicated in clinical conditions in which the immune system is impaired and against tumors. N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (NMU) is an N-nitroso compound, with genotoxic/mutagenic properties. Although several studies have shown promising results in the use of CA, there are no studies reporting possible antigenotoxic effects. Method: This study evaluated the in vitro antigenotoxic and anticytotoxic effects of CA in human lymphocytes exposed to NMU. Samples of human lymphocytes that were subjected to different concentrations of a mixture containing CA and NMU were used. The genotoxicity/antigenotoxicity of CA was evaluated by the comet assay, anticytotoxicity was assessed by quantification of apoptosis and necrosis using acridine orange/ethidium bromide. Results: CA significantly reduced DNA damage induced by NMU and reduced significantly the frequency of NMU-induced apoptosis after 24 h of treatment. Conclusion: CA has an important cytoprotective effect significantly reducing the DNA damage and apoptosis induced by the carcinogen NMU.

Aqueous radical addition-coupling polymerization for the synthesis of hydrophilic periodic polymer

A hydrophilic polymer possessing a [ABxAC]n (A = ester, B = ethylene oxide, C = N–O) repeating sequence was synthesized by an aqueous radical addition-coupling polymerization using water-soluble dibromide and a nitroso compound in the presence of a CuBr/ligand.