Carboxylato compounds of chromium, copper, rhodium and molybdenum and new advances in the chemistry of V2(NXN)4

This dissertation comprises the investigation of two subjects in the field of dimetal paddlewheel-type compounds containing metal-metal bonds: unsolvated transition metal carboxylates and triply bonded divanadium compounds. The first subject is very mature; dichromium tetraacetate was first synthesized in 1844, and hundreds of dimetal tetracarboxylates have been structurally characterized to date. A general question concerning the complexes of the type M2L4-Xn (where n = 0 to 2) is the extent to which the M-M distances are influenced by the presence of axial ligands, X. However, virtually none of the carboxylato complexes crystallize without axial ligands. In the solid state, in the absence of a coordinating solvent, the dimetal units often act as axial ligands to one another. In order to exclude axial coordination, both from donor solvent molecules, and from the aggregation of M24+ units, we have successfully used the bulky 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoate ligand to bridge the dimetal core. We have investigated the triisopropylbenzoato complexes of some metals which are known for their ability to form a vast array of tetracarboxylato complexes, namely chromium, copper, molybdenum, and rhodium, and have found that these novel compounds display some interesting structural and chemical properties. The second subject of this dissertation is much more contemporary. Although compounds containing multiple bonds between metal atoms have been known since 1964, the first triply-bonded divanadium compound was not synthesized until 1992, and only two additional compounds of this type have been made in the intervening ten years. In order to extend this chemistry, several additional compounds containing a triply bonded V24+ core have recently been characterized. In our study of these compounds, we have discovered the first example of a stable paddlewheel-type compound with a M23+ core

Carboxylato compounds of chromium, copper, rhodium and molybdenum and new advances in the chemistry of V2(NXN)4

This dissertation comprises the investigation of two subjects in the field of dimetal paddlewheel-type compounds containing metal-metal bonds: unsolvated transition metal carboxylates and triply bonded divanadium compounds. The first subject is very mature; dichromium tetraacetate was first synthesized in 1844, and hundreds of dimetal tetracarboxylates have been structurally characterized to date. A general question concerning the complexes of the type M2L4-Xn (where n = 0 to 2) is the extent to which the M-M distances are influenced by the presence of axial ligands, X. However, virtually none of the carboxylato complexes crystallize without axial ligands. In the solid state, in the absence of a coordinating solvent, the dimetal units often act as axial ligands to one another. In order to exclude axial coordination, both from donor solvent molecules, and from the aggregation of M24+ units, we have successfully used the bulky 2,4,6-triisopropylbenzoate ligand to bridge the dimetal core. We have investigated the triisopropylbenzoato complexes of some metals which are known for their ability to form a vast array of tetracarboxylato complexes, namely chromium, copper, molybdenum, and rhodium, and have found that these novel compounds display some interesting structural and chemical properties. The second subject of this dissertation is much more contemporary. Although compounds containing multiple bonds between metal atoms have been known since 1964, the first triply-bonded divanadium compound was not synthesized until 1992, and only two additional compounds of this type have been made in the intervening ten years. In order to extend this chemistry, several additional compounds containing a triply bonded V24+ core have recently been characterized. In our study of these compounds, we have discovered the first example of a stable paddlewheel-type compound with a M23+ core

Elk (Cervus elaphus L.) habitat selection in Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Evaluating how the established herd of elk (Cervus elaphus L.) is using forested areas in Great Smoky Mountains National Park (GSMNP) is important for the health and management of the elk, and for the protection of the diverse flora within the park. I assessed habitat selection of forest cover type, understory density class, disturbance use history, and distance to nonforested areas using GIS raster layers and fecal pellet counts. Elk trails were mapped and fecal pellet counts were used to index habitat selection. Plots were established to determine if there were relationships between elk selection and habitat components related to food and cover. Elk in GSMNP selected successional and floodplain forest types, ericaceous understory classes of light to medium density, areas with concentrated settlement use history, and forests close to areas of open fields and recent human disturbance. These selected areas have histories of disturbance and contained preferred forage that was produced by more open canopies and that lacked overly dense understory vegetation. Woody browse species were also an important factor driving elk habitat selection. Elk browsed 10 of the 28 identified browse species in greater proportions than their availability. Pellet group density correlated positively with woody browse use. Species specific aspects of browse appear to be more important than browse abundance. Plots with one or more pellet groups had relative browse use in greater proportions then browse available but plots containing zero pellet groups had relative browse use less then browse available despite having the highest abundance of browse due to fewer preferred browse species. Availability of species specific browse also appears to be a driver for forest type selection with successional forests containing the highest percentage of elk preferred browse species. Elk in GSMNP are selecting forested areas with understory classes of light/medium densities of Kalmia that provide adequate cover and allow easier movement and ground cover for forage and not selecting understory classes with heavy densities of Rhododendron and Kalmia where movement costs are high and the herbaceous layer is sparse. In summary, elk in GSMNP are selecting areas that have more open forest canopies maintained by disturbances, and selecting undisturbed continuous forests less because they do not contain preferred or abundant forage. Future monitoring that detects pellets in more closed continuous forests could indicate depletion of food sources in preferred younger forests indicating that more intensive habitat management strategies should be considered. This understanding of resource selection by elk will be used to implement management practices that promote a healthy self-sustaining elk population and the monitoring of sensitive park resources

CB1 Receptor Antagonism Blocks Stress-Potentiated Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking in Rats

Rationale Under some conditions, stress, rather than directly triggering cocaine seeking, potentiates reinstatement to other stimuli, including a subthreshold cocaine dose. The mechanisms responsible for stress-potentiated reinstatement are not well defined. Endocannabinoid signaling is increased by stress and regulates synaptic transmission in brain regions implicated in motivated behavior. Objectives The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that cannabinoid type 1 receptor (CB1R) signaling is required for stress-potentiated reinstatement of cocaine seeking in rats. Methods Following i.v. cocaine self-administration (2 h access/day) and extinction in male rats, footshock stress alone does not reinstate cocaine seeking but reinstatement is observed when footshock is followed by an injection of an otherwise subthreshold dose of cocaine (2.5 mg/kg, i.p.). CB1R involvement was tested by systemic administration of the CB1R antagonist AM251 (0, 1, or 3 mg/kg, i.p.) prior to testing for stress-potentiated reinstatement. Results Stress-potentiated reinstatement was blocked by both 1 and 3 mg/kg AM251. By contrast, AM251 only attenuated food-reinforced lever pressing at the higher dose (i.e., 3 mg/kg) and did not affect locomotor activity at either dose tested. Neither high-dose cocaine-primed reinstatement (10 mg/kg, i.p.) nor footshock stress-triggered reinstatement following long-access cocaine self-administration (6 h access/day) was affected by AM251 pretreatment. Footshock stress increased concentrations of both endocannabinoids, N-arachidonylethanolamine and 2-arachidonoylglycerol, in regions of the prefrontal cortex. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that footshock stress increases prefrontal cortical endocannabinoids and stress-potentiated reinstatement is CB1R-dependent, suggesting that CB1R is a potential therapeutic target for relapse prevention, particularly in individuals whose cocaine use is stress-related

17β-Estradiol Potentiates the Reinstatement of Cocaine Seeking in Female Rats: Role of the Prelimbic Prefrontal Cortex and Cannabinoid Type-1 Receptors

Clinical observations imply that female cocaine addicts experience enhanced relapse vulnerability compared with males, an effect tied to elevated estrogen phases of the ovarian hormone cycle. Although estrogens can enhance drug-seeking behavior, they do not directly induce reinstatement on their own. To model this phenomenon, we tested whether an estrogen could augment drug-seeking behavior in response to an ordinarily subthreshold reinstatement trigger. Following cocaine self-administration and extinction, female rats were ovariectomized to isolate estrogen effects on reinstatement. Although neither peak proestrus levels of the primary estrogen 17β-estradiol (E2; 10 μg/kg, i.p., 1-h pretreatment) nor a subthreshold cocaine dose (1.25 mg/kg, i.p.) alone were sufficient to reinstate drug-seeking behavior, pretreatment with E2 potentiated reinstatement to the ordinarily subthreshold cocaine dose. Furthermore, E2 microinfusions revealed that E2 (5 μg/0.3 μl, 15-min pretreatment) acts directly within the prelimbic prefrontal cortex (PrL-PFC) to potentiate reinstatement. As E2 has been implicated in endocannabinoid mobilization, which can disinhibit PrL-PFC projection neurons, we investigated whether cannabinoid type-1 receptor (CB1R) activation is necessary for E2 to potentiate reinstatement. The CB1R antagonist AM251 (1 or 3 mg/kg, i.p., 30-min pretreatment) administered prior to E2 and cocaine suppressed reinstatement in a dose-dependent manner. Finally, PrL-PFC AM251 microinfusions (300 ng/side, 15-min pretreatment) also suppressed E2-potentiated reinstatement. Together, these results suggest that E2 can augment reactivity to an ordinarily subthreshold relapse trigger in a PrL-PFC CB1R activation-dependent manner

Stress Promotes Drug Seeking Through Glucocorticoid-Dependent Endocannabinoid Mobilization in the Prelimbic Cortex

Background Clinical reports suggest that rather than directly driving cocaine use, stress may create a biological context within which other triggers for drug use become more potent. We hypothesize that stress-induced increases in corticosterone “set the stage” for relapse by promoting endocannabinoid-induced attenuation of inhibitory transmission in the prelimbic cortex (PL). Methods We have established a rat model for these stage-setting effects of stress. In this model, neither a stressor (electric footshock) nor stress-level corticosterone treatment alone reinstates cocaine seeking following self-administration and extinction, but each treatment potentiates reinstatement in response to an otherwise subthreshold cocaine priming dose (2.5 mg/kg, intraperitoneal). The contributions of endocannabinoid signaling in the PL to the effects of stress-level corticosterone on PL neurotransmission and cocaine seeking were determined using intra-PL microinfusions. Endocannabinoid-dependent effects of corticosterone on inhibitory synaptic transmission in the rat PL were determined using whole-cell recordings in layer V pyramidal neurons. Results Corticosterone application attenuated inhibitory synaptic transmission in the PL via cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1R)– and 2-arachidonoylglycerol–dependent inhibition of gamma-aminobutyric acid release without altering postsynaptic responses. The ability of systemic stress-level corticosterone treatment to potentiate cocaine-primed reinstatement was recapitulated by intra-PL injection of corticosterone, the CB1R agonist WIN 55,212-2, or the monoacylglycerol lipase inhibitor URB602. Corticosterone effects on reinstatement were attenuated by intra-PL injections of either the CB1R antagonist, AM251, or the diacylglycerol lipase inhibitor, DO34. Conclusions These findings suggest that stress-induced increases in corticosterone promote cocaine seeking by mobilizing 2-arachidonoylglycerol in the PL, resulting in CB1R-mediated attenuation of inhibitory transmission in this brain region

Extrusion-based <i>Integrative Chemistry</i>: Generation and applications of inorganic fibers

International audienceIn this review we depict how fibers can be obtained by combining sol-gel and polymer chemistry with extrusion processes acting as an external shaping mode. Thanks to this Integrative Chemistry-based synthetic path, it was possible to organize nano-building blocks such as V2O5 ribbons and ZnO nanorods on a greater length scale yielding highly anisotropic fibers. It has been demonstrated that when aligning a whole population of nano-building block objects along a single main axis, collective properties were obtained, thereby enhancing their sensing, mechanical or photonic properties. This method can be extended toward fiber morphogenesis by using isotropic nanoparticles such as TiO2, and can be scaled-up toward the one-step generation of several hundred meter long fibers with both high surface to volume ratio and high surface roughness. Specifically, when addressing photocatalytic-based VOC pollutant degradation, these TiO2 fibers appear to be outstanding candidates regarding both pollutant degradation and associated mineralization(production of water and carbon dioxide)

A [3]Ferrocenophane polyphenol showing a remarkable antiproliferative activity on breast and prostate cancer cell lines

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