Synthesis and Radioprotective Activity of New Organosilicon and Germanium Compounds

Silathiazolidine and metalladithioacetals (M = Si, Ge) have been prepared by the interaction of dialkyldichloro- or bis(diethylamino)dialkylsilanes and -germanes with 3-[N-(2- thioethyl)]amino-propanamide (WR-2529) and [1-thioethyl-2-(1-naphtylmethyl)]-2- imidazoline. The study of these compounds in the field of chemical radioprotection has shown a notable decrease in the toxicity and a rather large increase in the radioprotective activity of these new derivatives in comparison with the starting organic compounds

A Review on the Radioprotective Activity of organogermanium and Organosilicon Compounds

The present review describes the work carried out during the last 20 years in the field of the radioprotective activity and toxicity of several classes of organosilicon and organogermanium compounds (i.e. metallathiazolidines, metalladithioacetals, metallatranes and germathianes)

Synthesis and structure of oligomeric dimesitylgermyl-substituted carbodiimides; characterization of higher oligomers

New cyclic oligomers of dimesitylgermylene carbodiimides (Mes2GeNCN)n (n = 3 (1) and 4 (2)) were synthesized by reactions of dimesityldichlorogermane with either cyanamide in the presence of triethylamine or lithium cyanamide. The reactions always gave 1, the trimer of the hypothetical (Mes2GeN−CN), as the major compound. Higher oligomers 3 (n up to 20−30) also can be isolated, depending on the reaction conditions. In THF solution at room temperature, 2 and 3 slowly isomerize to 1, which seems to be the most stable compound. X-ray analysis of trimer 1 and tetramer 2 shows unstrained tetrahedral germanium atoms and linear diimine linkers

Social organization of otters in relation to their ecology

International audienceOtter species are known to fluctuate intraspecifically from a solitary lifestyle to group-living arrangements. By examining what is known about habitat use and foraging style in otters of 13 different species, based on 93 studied sites, we assessed (1) the relationship between social habits and preferred habitats, (2) the relationship between species and prey preferences, and (3) the effect of predator avoidance on their social organization in order to assess the socio-ecological factors influencing otters. Females remain the core of their social stability. We show the major influence of habitats and feeding strategies (i.e. socio-ecology) of otters. The different species of solitary otters most often inhabit linear environments, such as freshwater ecosystems or wave-exposed marine coasts, and their habitat is often subject to disturbances that fragment their functional continuity. Social otters are more often found in extensive habitats with high plant cover, regular food resources and in areas with large predators compared to solitary species. The maintenance of regular resources and the fact that the main trophic resources are replenished rapidly might be determining factors driving sociality. Group-living and bachelor congregations among otters can also respond to pressure from large predators. This suggests that foraging, habitat use and the presence of large predators may be the drivers of sociality in otters. We conclude that most otters have a greater social potential than previously assumed, which is confirmed by their various vocalizations recently described