Synthesis, reactivity, and catalytic activity of triangular ZrM2 (M = Rh, Ir) early-late heterobimetallic complexes

Reactions of the zirconium−sulfide metallocene anion [Cptt2ZrS2]2- (Cptt = η5-1,3-di-tert-butylcyclopentadienyl) with [{M(μ-Cl)(diolefin)}2 gave the d0−d8 complexes [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{M(diolefin)}2] (M = Rh, diolefin = 2,5-norbornadiene (nbd) (1), 1,5-cyclooctadiene (cod); M = Ir, diolefin = cod) with a triangular ZrM2 core capped by two symmetrical μ3-sulfido ligands. The rhodium complexes [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{Rh(diolefin)}2] (diolefin = tetrafluorobenzobarrelene (tfbb), nbd, cod) can also be prepared by the additive-deprotonation reactions of the mononuclear [Rh(acac)(diolefin)] (diolefin = nbd, tfbb) and the dinuclear [{Rh(μ-OH)(cod)}2] complexes with [Cptt2Zr(SH)2]. These compounds exist as two rotamers in solution due to a hindered rotation of the cyclopentadienyl rings and the relative disposition of the substituents of the Cptt groups in the sandwich moiety. The reaction of [Cptt2Zr(SH)2] with [Ir(acac)(cod)] gave the complex [Cptt(acac)Zr(μ3-S)2{Ir(cod)}2] (5) with release of HCptt and coordination of acetylacetonate to the zirconium center. Carbonylation of compounds 1 and 5 yielded [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{Rh(CO)2}2] (6) and [Cptt(acac)Zr(μ3-S)2{Ir(CO)2}2], respectively, while the complexes [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{M(CO)2}2] (M = Rh, Ir) resulted also from the reaction of [Cptt2Zr(SH)2] with (PPh3Bz)[MCl2(CO)2] in the presence of triethylamine. Reactions of the carbonyl complexes with 1 molar equiv of bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) gave the cisoid complexes [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{M(CO)}2(μ-dppm)] (M = Rh (9), Ir) with evolution of carbon monoxide. Monodentate phosphites, P(OMe)3 and P(OPh)3, react with 6 to give mixtures of the transoid and cisoid isomers [Cptt2Zr(μ3-S)2{Rh(CO)(P(OR)3)}2], which also exhibit a restricted rotation of the Cptt rings. The molecular structures of complexes 6 and 9 have been determined by X-ray diffraction methods. Compound 6 in the presence of P-donor ligands, P(OMe)3, P(OPh)3, and PPh3, is a precursor of the catalyst for the hydroformylation of oct-1-ene under mild conditions of pressure and temperature. No Zr−Rh synergic effect is observed in this case, and the precursor breaks down after catalysis.We wish to thank Dirección General de Enseñanza Superior (DGES) and Diputación General de Aragón (DGA) for financial support (Projects PB88–0641 and P051/2000, respectively). Fellowships from the Ministerio de Educación y Cultura (M.A.F.H.-G.), Diputación General de Aragón (I.T.D.) and Programa CYTED (A.B.R.) are gratefully acknowledged.Peer Reviewe

Novel gem-dithiolato-bridged rhodium hydroformylation catalysts: Bridging the gap in dinuclear rhodium thiolate chemistry

The direct protonation of the bridging hydroxo ligands in [Rh(μ-OH)(cod)]2 by 1,1-dimercaptocyclohexane [Chxn(SH) 2] yields the gem-dithiolato-bridged compound [Rh2(μ- S2Chxn)-(cod)2] (1). The dinuclear framework in 1 is supported by a 1,1-cyclohexanedithiolato ligand exhibiting a 1:2κ2S,1:2κ2S′ coordination mode. Compound 1 is an active catalyst precursor in the presence of P-donor ligands for the hydroformylation of oct-1-ene under mild conditions of pressure and temperature (100 PSI, 353 K). The best results were obtained with phosphite ligands as modifying ligands. An aldehyde selectivity of 97 %, a regioselectivity towards the linear aldehyde of 81 %, and turnover frequencies of up to 198 h-1 were obtained with the catalytic system 1/P(OMe)3. The dinuclear compound [Rh2(μ-S 2Chxn)(CO)2(PPh3)2] (2) was isolated from the catalytic solutions resulting from the system 1/PPh3 and was characterized by spectroscopic means and by X-ray diffraction to be the frans isomer. The mixed-ligand dinuclear complexes 2 and [Rh2(μ- S2Chxn)(CO)2(PCy3)2] (3) (Cy = cyclohexyl) were independently prepared by reaction of Chxn(SH)2 with the mononuclear complexes [Rh(acac)(CO)-(PR3)] in the appropriate molar ratio.The financial support from Ministerio de Educación y Ciencia (MEC/FEDER) is gratefully acknowledged (Project CTQ2006-03973/BQU and Factoría de Cristalización, CONSOLIDER INGENIO-2010). A. B. R. thanks the Programa Iberoamericano de Ciencia y Tecnología para el Desarrollo (CYTED, Project V.9) for a fellowship. A. J. P. thanks to Fonacit-Venezuela (S1-2002000260) for financial support.Peer Reviewe

Additional chromosome abnormalities in patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia treated with all-trans retinoic acid and chemotherapy

Background Acute promyelocytic leukemia is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia characterized by the t(15;17). The incidence and prognostic significance of additional chromosomal abnormalities in acute promyelocytic leukemia is still a controversial matter. Design and Methods Based on cytogenetic data available for 495 patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia enrolled in two consecutive PETHEMA trials (LPA96 and LPA99), we analyzed the incidence, characteristics, and outcome of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia with and without additional chromosomal abnormalities who had been treated with all-trans retinoic acid plus anthracycline monochemotherapy for induction and consolidation. Results Additional chromosomal abnormalities were observed in 140 patients (28%). Trisomy 8 was the most frequent abnormality (36%), followed by abn(7q) (5%). Patients with additional chromosomal abnormalities more frequently had coagulopathy (P=0.03), lower platelet counts (P=0.02), and higher relapse-risk scores (P=0.02) than their counterparts without additional abnormalities. No significant association with FLT3/ITD or other clinicopathological characteristics was demonstrated. Patients with and without additional chromosomal abnormalities had similar complete remission rates (90% and 91%, respectively). Univariate analysis showed that additional chromosomal abnormalities were associated with a lower relapse-free survival in the LPA99 trial (P=0.04), but not in the LPA96 trial. However, neither additional chromosomal abnormalities overall nor any specific abnormality was identified as an independent risk factor for relapse in multivariate analysis. Conclusions The lack of independent prognostic value of additional chromosomal abnormalities in acute promyelocytic leukemia does not support the use of alternative therapeutic strategies when such abnormalities are found

Dysfunctional 3D model based on structural and neuropsychological information

Acquired brain injury (ABI) 1-2 refers to any brain damage occurring after birth. It usually causes certain damage to portions of the brain. ABI may result in a significant impairment of an individuals physical, cognitive and/or psychosocial functioning. The main causes are traumatic brain injury (TBI), cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and brain tumors. The main consequence of ABI is a dramatic change in the individuals daily life. This change involves a disruption of the family, a loss of future income capacity and an increase of lifetime cost. One of the main challenges in neurorehabilitation is to obtain a dysfunctional profile of each patient in order to personalize the treatment. This paper proposes a system to generate a patient s dysfunctional profile by integrating theoretical, structural and neuropsychological information on a 3D brain imaging-based model. The main goal of this dysfunctional profile is to help therapists design the most suitable treatment for each patient. At the same time, the results obtained are a source of clinical evidence to improve the accuracy and quality of our rehabilitation system. Figure 1 shows the diagram of the system. This system is composed of four main modules: image-based extraction of parameters, theoretical modeling, classification and co-registration and visualization module

Whole-genome sequencing to understand the genetic architecture of common gene expression and biomarker phenotypes.

Initial results from sequencing studies suggest that there are relatively few low-frequency (<5%) variants associated with large effects on common phenotypes. We performed low-pass whole-genome sequencing in 680 individuals from the InCHIANTI study to test two primary hypotheses: (i) that sequencing would detect single low-frequency-large effect variants that explained similar amounts of phenotypic variance as single common variants, and (ii) that some common variant associations could be explained by low-frequency variants. We tested two sets of disease-related common phenotypes for which we had statistical power to detect large numbers of common variant-common phenotype associations-11 132 cis-gene expression traits in 450 individuals and 93 circulating biomarkers in all 680 individuals. From a total of 11 657 229 high-quality variants of which 6 129 221 and 5 528 008 were common and low frequency (<5%), respectively, low frequency-large effect associations comprised 7% of detectable cis-gene expression traits [89 of 1314 cis-eQTLs at P < 1 × 10(-06) (false discovery rate ∼5%)] and one of eight biomarker associations at P < 8 × 10(-10). Very few (30 of 1232; 2%) common variant associations were fully explained by low-frequency variants. Our data show that whole-genome sequencing can identify low-frequency variants undetected by genotyping based approaches when sample sizes are sufficiently large to detect substantial numbers of common variant associations, and that common variant associations are rarely explained by single low-frequency variants of large effect

Telomeric Heterochromatin Propagation and Histone Acetylation Control Mutually Exclusive Expression of Antigenic Variation Genes in Malaria Parasites

SummaryMalaria parasites use antigenic variation to avoid immune clearance and increase the duration of infection in the human host. Variation at the surface of P. falciparum-infected erythrocytes is mediated by the differential control of a family of surface antigens encoded by var genes. Switching of var gene expression occurs in situ, mostly from telomere-associated loci, without detectable DNA alterations, suggesting that it is controlled by chromatin structure. We have identified chromatin modifications at telomeres that spread far into telomere-proximal regions, including var gene loci (>50 kb). One type of modification is mediated by a protein homologous to yeast Sir2 called PfSir2, which forms a chromosomal gradient of heterochromatin structure and histone hypoacetylation. Upon activation of a specific telomere-associated var gene, PfSir2 is removed from the promoter region and acetylation of histone occurs. Our data demonstrate that mutually exclusive transcription of var genes is linked to the dynamic remodeling of chromatin

Identification of viral infections in the prostate and evaluation of their association with cancer

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Several viruses with known oncogenic potential infect prostate tissue, among these are the polyomaviruses BKV, JCV, and SV40; human papillomaviruses (HPVs), and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections. Recently, the Xenotropic Murine Leukemia Virus-related gammaretrovirus (XMRV) was identified in prostate tissue with a high prevalence observed in prostate cancer (PC) patients homozygous for the glutamine variant of the RNASEL protein (462Q/Q). Association studies with the R462Q allele and non-XMRV viruses have not been reported. We assessed associations between prostate cancer, prostate viral infections, and the RNASEL 462Q allele in Mexican cancer patients and controls.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>130 subjects (55 prostate cancer cases and 75 controls) were enrolled in the study. DNA and RNA isolated from prostate tissues were screened for the presence of viral genomes. Genotyping of the RNASEL R462Q variant was performed by Taqman method.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>R/R, R/Q, and Q/Q frequencies for R462Q were 0.62, 0.38, and 0.0 for PC cases and 0.69, 0.24, and 0.07 for controls, respectively. HPV sequences were detected in 11 (20.0%) cases and 4 (5.3%) controls. XMRV and HCMV infections were detected in one and six control samples, respectively. The risk of PC was significantly increased (Odds Ratio = 3.98; 95% CI: 1.17-13.56, p = 0.027) by infection of the prostatic tissue with HPV. BKV, JCV, and SV40 sequences were not detected in any of the tissue samples examined.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We report a positive association between PC and HPV infection. The 462Q/Q RNASEL genotype was not represented in our PC cases; thus, its interaction with prostate viral infections and cancer could not be evaluated.</p

Second Revision of the International Staging System (R2-ISS) for Overall Survival in Multiple Myeloma: A European Myeloma Network (EMN) Report Within the HARMONY Project

PURPOSEPatients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) show heterogeneous outcomes, and approximately 60% of them are at intermediate-risk according to the Revised International Staging system (R-ISS), the standard-of-care risk stratification model. Moreover, chromosome 1q gain/amplification (1q+) recently proved to be a poor prognostic factor. In this study, we revised the R-ISS by analyzing the additive value of each single risk feature, including 1q+.PATIENTS AND METHODSThe European Myeloma Network, within the HARMONY project, collected individual data from 10,843 patients with NDMM enrolled in 16 clinical trials. An additive scoring system on the basis of top features predicting progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was developed and validated.RESULTSIn the training set (N = 7,072), at a median follow-up of 75 months, ISS, del(17p), lactate dehydrogenase, t(4;14), and 1q+ had the highest impact on PFS and OS. These variables were all simultaneously present in 2,226 patients. A value was assigned to each risk feature according to their OS impact (ISS-III 1.5, ISS-II 1, del(17p) 1, high lactate dehydrogenase 1, and 1q+ 0.5 points). Patients were stratified into four risk groups according to the total additive score: low (Second Revision of the International Staging System [R2-ISS]-I, 19.2%, 0 points), low-intermediate (II, 30.8%, 0.5-1 points), intermediate-high (III, 41.2%, 1.5-2.5 points), high (IV, 8.8%, 3-5 points). Median OS was not reached versus 109.2 versus 68.5 versus 37.9 months, and median PFS was 68 versus 45.5 versus 30.2 versus 19.9 months, respectively. The score was validated in an independent validation set (N = 3,771, of whom 1,214 were with complete data to calculate R2-ISS) maintaining its prognostic value.CONCLUSIONThe R2-ISS is a simple prognostic staging system allowing a better stratification of patients with intermediate-risk NDMM. The additive nature of this score fosters its future implementation with new prognostic variables