Solvent-free synthesis and key intermediate isolation in Ni2Dy2 catalyst development in the domino ring-opening electrocyclization reaction of furfural and amines

A solvent-free methodology that yields trans-4,5-diaminocyclopent-2-enones, main domains of natural products and a variety of N-heterocycles, is described. The bimetallic catalyst [NiII2DyIII2L4(DMF)6] 2(OTf) 2(DMF) (1) promotes the domino reaction of furfural and amines, with loadings as low as 0.01%, under stirring or microwave-assisted conditions to afford the corresponding frameworks in very good to excellent yields. Crystallographic and theoretical studies shed light on the exclusive formation of the trans-diastereoisomers via a 4π-conrotatory electrocyclization process elucidating the key step in the catalytic process

Challenges for Coring Deep Permafrost on Earth and Mars

This is the published version. Final publication is available from Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., publishers http://www.dx.doi.org/10.1089/ast.2007.0159.A scientific drilling expedition to the High Lake region of Nunavut, Canada, was recently completed with the goals of collecting samples and delineating gradients in salinity, gas composition, pH, pe, and microbial abundance in a 400 m thick permafrost zone and accessing the underlying pristine subpermafrost brine. With a triple-barrel wireline tool and the use of stringent quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) protocols, 200 m of frozen, Archean, mafic volcanic rock was collected from the lower boundary that separates the permafrost layer and subpermafrost saline water. Hot water was used to remove cuttings and prevent the drill rods from freezing in place. No cryopegs were detected during penetration through the permafrost. Coring stopped at the 535 m depth, and the drill water was bailed from the hole while saline water replaced it. Within 24 hours, the borehole iced closed at 125 m depth due to vapor condensation from atmospheric moisture and, initially, warm water leaking through the casing, which blocked further access. Preliminary data suggest that the recovered cores contain viable anaerobic microorganisms that are not contaminants even though isotopic analyses of the saline borehole water suggests that it is a residue of the drilling brine used to remove the ice from the upper, older portion of the borehole. Any proposed coring mission to Mars that seeks to access subpermafrost brine will not only require borehole stability but also a means by which to generate substantial heating along the borehole string to prevent closure of the borehole from condensation of water vapor generated by drilling. Astrobiology 8, 623–638

Microwave assisted synthesis of novel bis-flavone dimers as new anticancer agents

In this study we describe a microwave based click chemistry method used to prepare a family of novel bis-flavone dimers. The substituted 7-hydroxy and 4’-hydroxy flavonoids were linked through a triazole ring. The compounds were easily synthesized and purified in high yields. The bis-flavonoids were tested on different cell lines including HCT116, HepG2, MCF7 and MOLT-4. Several analogues showed to have anticancer activity with IC50 values in the range of 20-60 µM. Flavonoids are known for their anticancer properties and this method provides the basis for new medicinal structures

Mechanochemical Cu( ii ) complexes and propargylamine synthetic adventures †

We synthesized and characterized known and new Cu(ii)–salen complexes and investigated their efficacy in yielding propargylamines (PAs) via an A3 coupling reaction mechanochemically. Although the method appears simple, we explicitly describe synthetic obstacles that urge unavoidable solvent use to isolate the molecular entities in high purity. The recovered complexes retain structure and catalytic efficacy, and a library of twenty-four known and unknown PAs are isolated in very good to excellent yields. The scope and limitations of this method are presented

The effect of hyperglycemia on neurovascular coupling and cerebrovascular patterning in zebrafish

Neurovascular coupling (through which local cerebral blood flow changes in response to neural activation are mediated) is impaired in many diseases including diabetes. Current preclinical rodent models of neurovascular coupling rely on invasive surgery and instrumentation, but transgenic zebrafish coupled with advances in imaging techniques allow non-invasive quantification of cerebrovascular anatomy, neural activation, and cerebral vessel haemodynamics. We therefore established a novel non-invasive, non-anaesthetised zebrafish larval model of neurovascular coupling, in which visual stimulus evokes neuronal activation in the optic tectum that is associated with a specific increase in red blood cell speed in tectal blood vessels. We applied this model to the examination of the effect of glucose exposure on cerebrovascular patterning and neurovascular coupling. We found that chronic exposure of zebrafish to glucose impaired tectal blood vessel patterning and neurovascular coupling. The nitric oxide donor sodium nitroprusside rescued all these adverse effects of glucose exposure on cerebrovascular patterning and function. Our results establish the first non-mammalian model of neurovascular coupling, offering the potential to perform more rapid genetic modifications and high throughput screening than is currently possible using rodents. Furthermore, using this zebrafish model we reveal a potential strategy to ameliorate the effects of hyperglycemia on cerebrovascular function

A phase I study of the safety and tolerability of olaparib (AZD2281, KU0059436) and dacarbazine in patients with advanced solid tumours

BACKGROUND: Poly adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose polymerase (PARP) is essential in cellular processing of DNA damage via the base excision repair pathway (BER). The PARP inhibition can be directly cytotoxic to tumour cells and augments the anti-tumour effects of DNA-damaging agents. This study evaluated the optimally tolerated dose of olaparib (4-(3--4-fluorophenyl) methyl-1(2H)-one; AZD2281, KU0059436), a potent PARP inhibitor, with dacarbazine and assessed safety, toxicity, clinical pharmacokinetics and efficacy of combination treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with advanced cancer received olaparib (20-200 mg PO) on days 1-7 with dacarbazine (600-800 mg m(-2) IV) on day 1 (cycle 2, day 2) of a 21-day cycle. An expansion cohort of chemonaive melanoma patients was treated at an optimally tolerated dose. The BER enzyme, methylpurine-DNA glycosylase and its substrate 7-methylguanine were quantified in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. RESULTS: The optimal combination to proceed to phase II was defined as 100 mg bd olaparib with 600 mg m(-2) dacarbazine. Dose-limiting toxicities were neutropaenia and thrombocytopaenia. There were two partial responses, both in patients with melanoma. CONCLUSION: This study defined a tolerable dose of olaparib in combination with dacarbazine, but there were no responses in chemonaive melanoma patients, demonstrating no clinical advantage over single-agent dacarbazine at these doses