Acyclic Cucurbit[<i>n</i>]uril-type Molecular Containers: Influence of Aromatic Walls on their Function as Solubilizing Excipients for Insoluble Drugs

We studied the influence of the aromatic sidewalls on the ability of acyclic CB­[<i>n</i>]-type molecular containers (<b>1a</b>–<b>1e</b>) to act as solubilizing agents for 19 insoluble drugs including the developmental anticancer agent PBS-1086. All five containers exhibit good water solubility and weak self-association (<i>K</i>_s ≤ 624 M^–1). We constructed phase solubility diagrams to extract <i>K</i>_rel and <i>K</i>_a values for the container·drug complexes. The acyclic CB­[<i>n</i>]-type containers generally display significantly higher <i>K</i>_a values than HP-β-CD toward drugs. Containers <b>1a</b>–<b>1e</b> bind the steroidal ring system and aromatic moieties of insoluble drugs. Compound <b>1b</b> displays highest affinity toward most of the drugs studied. Containers <b>1a</b> and <b>1b</b> are broadly applicable and can be used to formulate a wider variety of insoluble drugs than was previously possible with cyclodextrin technology. For drugs that are solubilized by both HP-β-CD and <b>1a</b>–<b>1e</b>, lower concentrations of <b>1a</b>–<b>1e</b> are required to achieve identical [drug]

Multianalyte Sensing of Addictive Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs

A supramolecular sensor array composed of two fluorescent cucurbit­[<i>n</i>]­uril-type receptors (probe <b>1</b> and probe <b>2</b>) displaying complementary selectivities was tested for its ability to detect and quantify drug-related amines. The fluorimetric titration of the individual probes showed highly variable and cross-reactive analyte-dependent changes in fluorescence. An excellent ability to recognize a variety of analytes was demonstrated in qualitative as well as quantitative assays. Importantly, a successful quantitative analysis of several analytes of interest was achieved in mixtures and in human urine. The throughput and sensitivity surpass those of the current state-of-the-art methods that usually require analyte solid-phase extraction (SPE). These results open up the opportunity for new applications of cucurbit­[<i>n</i>]­uril-type receptors in sensing and pave the way for the development of simple high-throughput assays for various drugs in the near future

Copper-Catalyzed S_N2′-Selective Allylic Substitution Reaction of <i>gem</i>-Diborylalkanes

A Cu/(NHC)-catalyzed S_N2′-selective substitution reaction of allylic electrophiles with <i>gem</i>-diborylalkanes is reported. Different substituted <i>gem</i>-diborylalkanes and allylic electrophiles can be employed in this reaction, and various synthetic valuable functional groups can be tolerated. The asymmetric version of this reaction was initially researched with chiral N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands

Views of the polymeric prosthetic pulmonary valve.

<p>Top view, bottom view, and side view of the balloon-expandable cobalt-chromium alloystent (length, 24.6 mm; diameter, 20 mm) containing a 3-leaflet ePTFE valve.</p

Views of the delivery system.

<p><b>A</b>. Views of the 22F introducer sheath set (white arrow), the auxiliary short sheath (black arrow), and the 20 mm×3 cm high-pressure balloon catheter (double black arrows). <b>B</b> The valved stent was crimped symmetrically onto the inflatable portion of a balloon catheter. <b>C</b> Placement of valved stent into the auxiliary short sheath.</p

Gross morphology of the ePTFE valved stent explanted from a sheep 4 weeks after surgery.

<p><b>A</b> The native pulmonary valve can be seen (arrow), confirming the correct position of the valved stent. <b>B</b> The outflow side of ePTFE valved stent showed the leaflets were thin without significant tissue deposits. <b>C</b> The inflow side of ePTFE valved stent showed slight fibrous overgrowth at the bottom of the leaflets, in the commissural areas and on the sealing cuff.</p

Views of the surgical approach.

<p><b>A</b> The thoracic cavity was opened via the right anterolateral thoracotomy at the fourth intercostal space, and the right ventricular anterior wall and apex were exposed. Black arrow showing the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). White arrow showing the right atrioventricular groove. <b>B</b> Two felt strip-buttressed purse-string sutures were placed at the right ventricular apex almost 10 mm far away from LAD (white arrow).</p

Hemodynamic data before, immediately after, and 4 weeks after implantation.

<p>Right ventricular systolic pressure (A), pulmonary artery systolic pressure (B), and peak-peak transvalvular pressure gradient (C) were assessed. vs. before group, *P<0.05, **P<0.01.</p

Echocardiography 4 weeks after implantation from a representative. sheep with a 20 mm PTPV.

<p><b>A</b> The two parallel lines of echo enhancement showed appropriate position and open shape of the stent (white arrow). <b>B</b> Color Doppler ultrasonography revealed no regurgitation or paravalvular leakage. <b>C</b> Doppler ultrasonography revealed the peak-peak transvalvular pressure gradient of the stented valve was 13 mmHg. <b>D</b> The motion distance of the valve cusp was 0.781 cm measured by Doppler ultrasonography, meaning normal function of the valve leaflet.</p

The 3D reconstruction CT image 4 weeks after implantation from a representative sheep with a 20 mm PTPV.

<p>The image demonstrated orthotopic position and no deformation of the stent (white arrow).</p