NHI- and NHC-supported Al(III) hydrides for amine–borane dehydrocoupling catalysis

The catalytic dehydrocoupling of amine–boranes has recently received a great deal of attention due to its potential in hydrogen storage applications. The use of aluminum catalysts for this transformation would provide an additional cost-effective and sustainable approach towards the hydrogen economy. Herein, we report the use of both N-heterocyclic imine (NHI)- and carbene (NHC)-supported Al(III) hydrides and their role in the catalytic dehydrocoupling of Me2NHBH3. Differences in the σ-donating ability of the ligand class resulted in a more stable catalyst for NHI-Al(III) hydrides, whereas a deactivation pathway was found in the case of NHC-Al(III) hydrides

Study on the Effect of Atomic Bomb Radiation on Thyroid Function

The thyroid function of 6112 cases directly exposed to the atomic bomb within 1.5 km (exposed group) and of 3047 cases directly exposed beyond 3.0 km from the hypocenter (control group) was analyzed and the following results were obtained. 1) The frequency distribution curves of TSH values of both groups closely resembled each other in males, but the curve of the exposed group deviated to the right due to high TSH values. In females, the distribution width of TSH values of the exposed group was wide with a low peak and when compared to the control group, the curve was remarkably deviated to the right due to TSH values. 2) The frequency of hypothyroidism was 1.22% in males of the exposed group and 0.35% in males of the control group, while in females it was 7.08% and 1.18%, respectively, showing a significantly higher rate in the exposed group in both sexes. By exposure dose, the frequency was 1.03% in males of the 1-99 rad group and with increase of exposure dose the frequency elevated, being 3.67% at exposure dose of 200 rad or more. In females, the frequency was 6.23% and 7.76%, respectively, showing a significantly higher frequency when compared to the control group. 3) The prevalence rate of positive MCHA among the cases of hypothyroidism was 16.4% in males of the exposed group and 88.9% in males of the control group, while in females the prevalence was 25.3% and 63.3%, respectively, showing a remarkably low rate in the exposed group

Synthesis of donor-acceptor chromophores by the [2+2] cycloaddition of arylethynyl-2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-ones with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane

Arylethynyl-2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-ones reacted with 7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ) in a formal [2 + 2] cycloaddition reaction, followed by ring opening of the initially formed cyclobutene derivatives, to afford the corresponding dicyanoquinodimethane (DCNQ) chromophores in excellent yields. The intramolecular charge-transfer (ICT) interactions between the 2H-cyclohepta[b]furan-2-one ring and DCNQ acceptor moiety were investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy and theoretical calculations. The redox behavior of the novel DCNQ derivatives was examined by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), which revealed their multistep electrochemical reduction properties depended on the number of DCNQ units in the molecule. Moreover, a significant color change was observed by visible spectroscopy under electrochemical reduction conditions.ArticleORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY. 10(12):2431-2438 (2012)journal articl

Synthesis of 2-Aryl- and 6-Heteroaryl-1,3-di(4-pyridyl)azulenes by Katritzky’s Pyridylation of 2-Aryl- and 6-Heteroarylazulenes

Preparation of 2-aryl- and 6-heteroarylazulenes 2-6 and 8-10 was established by the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of the corresponding haloazulenes with lithium aryl- and heteroarylmagnesium ate complexes, which were readily prepared from the corresponding aryl and heteroaryl halides. The reaction of 2-6 and 8-10, except for 3 and 8, with pyridine in the presence of Tf2O, followed by treatment with KOH in MeOH afforded the corresponding 2-aryl- and 6-heteroary1-1,3-di(4-pyridyl)azulenes 11-16 in good yields.ArticleHETEROCYCLES. 89(11):2588-2603 (2014)journal articl

Mohawk promotes the maintenance and regeneration of the outer annulus fibrosus of intervertebral discs.

The main pathogenesis of intervertebral disc (IVD) herniation involves disruption of the annulus fibrosus (AF) caused by ageing or excessive mechanical stress and the resulting prolapse of the nucleus pulposus. Owing to the avascular nature of the IVD and lack of understanding the mechanisms that maintain the IVD, current therapies do not lead to tissue regeneration. Here we show that homeobox protein Mohawk (Mkx) is a key transcription factor that regulates AF development, maintenance and regeneration. Mkx is mainly expressed in the outer AF (OAF) of humans and mice. In Mkx(-/-) mice, the OAF displays a deficiency of multiple tendon/ligament-related genes, a smaller OAF collagen fibril diameter and a more rapid progression of IVD degeneration compared with the wild type. Mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing Mkx promote functional AF regeneration in a mouse AF defect model, with abundant collagen fibril formation. Our results indicate a therapeutic strategy for AF regeneration

The Utility of Serum IgG4 Concentrations as a Biomarker

IgG4-related disease is a new disease entity involving IgG4 in its clinical presentation and having 6 characteristic features: (1) systemic involvement; (2) solitary or multiple lesions showing diffuse or localized swelling, masses, nodules, and/or wall thickening on imaging; (3) high serum IgG4 concentration >135 mg/dL; (4) abundant infiltration of lymphoplasmacytes and IgG4-bearing plasma cells; (5) a positive response to corticosteroid therapy; and (6) complications of other IgG4-related diseases. To date, most IgG4-related diseases have been recognized as extrapancreatic lesions of autoimmune pancreatitis. This paper will discuss the utility of IgG4 as a biomarker of IgG4-related diseases, including in the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis and its differentiation from pancreatic cancer, in the prediction of relapse, in the long-term follow-up of patients with autoimmune pancreatitis and normal or elevated IgG4 concentrations, and in patients with autoimmune pancreatitis and extrapancreatic lesions, as well as the role of IgG4 in the pathogenesis of IgG4-related disease