Leaf and stem anatomy in eight Hypericum species (Clusiaceae)

Foliar micromorphology, epicuticular wax morphology and anatomical featuresof leaves and stem, particularly secondary xylem, were examined with light microscopy,general and histochemical staining and scanning electron microscopy in eightHypericum species. Outer tegument tissue and type of secondary xylem are determiningcharacteristics. Secondary xylem is ring-porous in H. perforatum, H. perfoliatum, H. tetrapterum, H. triquetrifolium, H. androsaemum and H. hircinum. In H. aegypticum and H. pubescens xylem is diffuse-porous, which is considered to be a more primitive type.These characteristics may be considered an additional criterion for species identification

Guanosine-based hydrogen-bonded 2D scaffolds: Metal-free formation of G-quartet and G-ribbon architectures at the solid/liquid interface

We report on the synthesis and self-assembly of three novel lipophilic guanosine derivatives exposing a ferrocene moiety in the C(50) position of the sugar unit. Their self-association in solution, and at the solid/ liquid interface, can be tuned by varying the size and nature of the C(8)-substituent, leading to the generation of either G-ribbons, lamellar G-dimer based arrays or the G4 cation-free architecture

Sintesi e architetture supramolecolari di derivati lipofili della guanina

Self-assembly relies on the association of pre-programmed building blocks through non-covalent interactions to give complex supramolecular architectures. Previous studies provided evidence for the unique self-assembly properties of semi-synthetic lipophilic guanosine derivatives which can sequestrate ions from an aqueous phase, carry them into an organic phase where they promote the generation of well-defined supramolecular assemblies. In the presence of cations lipophilic guanosines form columnar aggregates while in their absence they generate supramolecular ribbons. The aim of this thesis has been the synthesis of guanine derivatives, in particular N9-alkylated guanines and a guanosine functionalized as a perchlorotriphenylmetil moiety (Gace-a-HPTM) in order to observe their supramolecular behaviour in the absence of sugar (ribose or deoxyribose) and in the presence of a bulky and chiral substituent respectively. By using guanine instead of guanosine, while maintaining all the hydrogen bond acceptor and donor groups required for supramolecular aggregation, the steric hindrance to supramolecular aggregation is notably reduced because (i.e. guanines with groups in N9 different from sugar are expected to have a greatest conformational freedom even in presence of bulky groups in C8). Supramolecular self-assembly of these derivatives has been accomplished in solutions by NMR and CD spectroscopy and on surface by STM technique. In analogy with other guanosine derivatives, also N9-substituted guanines and GAceHPTM form either ribbon-like aggregates or cation-templated G-quartet based columnar structures.L’auto-assemblaggio è descritto come il processo mediante il quale un sistema disordinato di componenti pre-esistenti forma una struttura supramolecolare, in conseguenza di specifiche interazioni deboli tra i componenti del sistema stesso. Studi precedenti, hanno evidenziato la capacità di auto-assemblaggio di derivati lipofili delle guanosine; tali composti sono capaci di estrarre degli ioni dalla fase acquosa e trasportarli in fase organica mediante la formazione di specifiche strutture supramolecolari. In presenza di cationi le guanosine lipofile formano aggregati colonnari mentre in loro assenza generano delle strutture nastriformi. Lo scopo principale della seguente tesi è stato la sintesi di derivati lipofili della guanine, in particolare di derivati della guanina alchilati in posizione N9 e di un derivato della guanosina funzionalizzato con un sostituente perclorotrifenilmetilico(PTM). Lo scopo principale era osservare in che modo l’assenza dello zucchero in un caso e la presenza di un sostituente chirale con un elevato ingombro sterico (GaceHPTM) nell’altro potessero influenzare il comportamento supramolecolare delle molecole sintetizzate. Utilizzando le guanine invece delle guanosine, non solo vengono conservati tutti i gruppi donatori e accettori di legami a idrogeno richiesti per l’aggregazione supramolecolare, ma viene ridotto l’ingombro sterico che in alcuni casi ostacola la formazione di aggregati (guanine con sostituenti in N9 diversi dallo zucchero possiediono una maggiore libertà conformazionale anche in presenza di un gruppo ingombrato in posizione C8 della guanosina). L’auto-assemblaggio di derivati lipofili della guanina è stato studiato in soluzione mediante spettroscopia NMR e dicroismo circolare mentre su superficie lo studio è stato effettuato mediante STM (scanning tunneling microscopy). Allo stesso modo dei derivati lipofili della guanosina, i seguenti derivati formano strutture nastriformi e colonnari variando le condizioni sperimentali

Neuroregeneration versus neurodegeneration: Toward a paradigm shift in Alzheimer's disease drug discovery

Alzheimer's disease represents an enormous global burden in terms of human suffering and economic cost. To tackle the current lack of effective drugs and the continuous clinical trial failures might require a shift from the prevailing paradigm targeting pathogenesis to the one targeting neural stem cells (NSCs) regeneration. In this context, small molecules have come to the forefront for their potential to manipulate NSCs, provide therapeutic tools and unveil NSCs biology. Classically, these molecules have been generated either by target-based or phenotypic approaches. To circumvent specific liabilities, nanomedicines emerge as a feasible alternative. However, this review is not intended to be comprehensive. Its purpose is to focus on recent examples that could accelerate development of neuroregenerative drugs against Alzheimer's disease

New Approaches toward Ferrocene–Guanine Conjugates: Synthesis and Electrochemical Behavior

Different substituted ferrocene–guanine conjugates were prepared, and their electrochemical behavior was investigated. A new approach for the introduction of ferrocene in guanine’s 9-position through a quite effective SN1-type reaction was disclosed. The electrochemical behavior of the various derivatives can be used as standard for the quantification and analysis of DNA strands

New Approaches toward Ferrocene–Guanine Conjugates: Synthesis and Electrochemical Behavior

Different substituted ferrocene–guanine conjugates were prepared, and their electrochemical behavior was investigated. A new approach for the introduction of ferrocene in guanine’s 9-position through a quite effective S_N1-type reaction was disclosed. The electrochemical behavior of the various derivatives can be used as standard for the quantification and analysis of DNA strands