The Baylis-Hillman reaction with chiral alpha-amino aldehydes under racemization-free conditions

The Baylis-Hillman reaction with chiral a-amino aldehydes has been revisited. The reaction carried out under the influence of ultrasound avoids the aldehyde racemization almost completely, providing useful chiral substrates which can be used as starting materials for the synthesis of natural products. To demonstrate the synthetic applicability of these adducts, the easy preparation of a bicyclic lactam with an indolizidinic skeleton was accomplished.o TEXTO COMPLETO DESTE ARTIGO, ESTARÁ DISPONÍVEL À PARTIR DE AGOSTO DE 2015.343543

The mechanism of Troger's base formation probed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Using direct infusion electrospray ionization mass and tandem mass spectrometric experiments [ESI-MS(/MS)], we have performed on-line monitoring of some reactions used to form Troger's bases. Key intermediates, either as cationic species or as protonated forms of neutral species, have been intercepted and characterized. The role of urotropine as the methylene source in these reactions has also been accessed. Reaction pathways shown by ESI-MS(/MS) have been probed by gas-phase ion/molecule reactions, and an expanded mechanism for Troger's base formation based on the mass spectrometric data has been elaborated.72114048405

Metabolic control in cancer cells.

An important hallmark of cancer cells is a profound change in metabolism. Indeed, most tumor cells are characterized by higher rates of glycolysis, lactate production, and biosynthesis of lipids and other macromolecules. Our group, among others, has previously demonstrated a close relationship between metabolic responses and proliferative stimuli, showing that cell cycle regulators have a major role in the control of metabolism. Changes in this coordinated response might lead to abnormal metabolic changes during tumor development and cancer progression. In this paper we review the dual role of cell cycle regulators in the control of both proliferation and metabolism in normal and in cancer cells. We show participation of the E2F1-CDK4 axis in the modulation of oxidative metabolism, in the positive regulation of lipid synthesis, and the regulation glycolysis. These three metabolic pathways are, interestingly fundamental in providing synthetic processes, energy production and cell signaling events, which are crucial factors for cancer cell survival

The PICTURE study -- prostate imaging (multi-parametric MRI and Prostate HistoScanning™) compared to transperineal ultrasound guided biopsy for significant prostate cancer risk evaluation.

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of the PICTURE study is to assess the negative predictive value of multi-parametric MRI (mp-MRI) and Prostate HistoScanning™ (PHS) in ruling-out clinically significant prostate cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: PICTURE is a prospective diagnostic validating cohort study conforming to level 1 evidence. PICTURE will assess the diagnostic performance of multi-parametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging (mp-MRI) and Prostate HistoScanning™ (PHS) ultrasound. PICTURE will involve validating both index tests against a reference test, transperineal Template Prostate Mapping (TPM) biopsies, which can be applied in all men under evaluation. Men will be blinded to the index test results and both index tests will be reported prospectively prior to the biopsies being taken to ensure reporter blinding. Paired analysis of each of the index tests to the reference test will be done at patient level. Those men with an imaging lesion will undergo targeted biopsies to assess the clinical utility of sampling only suspicious areas. The study is powered to assess the negative predictive value of these imaging modalities in ruling-out clinically significant prostate cancer. DISCUSSION: The PICTURE study aims to assess the performance characteristics of two imaging modalities (mp-MRI and Prostate HistoScanning) for their utility in the prostate cancer pathway. PICTURE aims to identify if either imaging test may be useful for ruling out clinically significant disease in men under investigation, and also to examine if either imaging modality is useful for the detection of disease. Recruitment is underway and expected to complete in 2014

The CDK4–pRB–E2F1 pathway controls insulin secretion

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