Use of 1,3-dibenzyl-dihydrouracil in the chain extension of 2,3-O-isopropylidene-d-glyceraldehyde

The aldol-type addition of 1,3-dibenzyl-dihydrouracil 2 to 2,3-O-isopropylidene-d-glyceraldehyde 3 was examined in different solvents and under Lewis acid catalysis in order to establish the stereochemical preferences. A stereodivergent synthesis of 5-trihydroxypropyl-dihydrouracil derivatives 4 and its C-5 epimer 5 was realized. The synthesis of ureido polyols 8 and 10 was obtained via the reductive ring opening of the templates 4 and 5.     

Percept-related activity in the human somatosensory system: functional magnetic resonance imaging studies

In this paper, we review blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies addressing the neural correlates of touch, thermosensation, pain and the mechanisms of their cognitive modulation in healthy human subjects. There is evidence that fMRI signal changes can be elicited in the parietal cortex by stimulation of single mechanoceptive afferent fibers at suprathreshold intensities for conscious perception. Positive linear relationships between the amplitude or the spatial extents of BOLD fMRI signal changes, stimulus intensity and the perceived touch or pain intensity have been described in different brain areas. Some recent fMRI studies addressed the role of cortical areas in somatosensory perception by comparing the time course of cortical activity evoked by different kinds of stimuli with the temporal features of touch, heat or pain perception. Moreover, parametric single-trial functional MRI designs have been adopted in order to disentangle subprocesses within the nociceptive system.

Available evidence suggest that studies that combine fMRI with psychophysical methods may provide a valuable approach for understanding complex perceptual mechanisms and top-down modulation of the somatosensory system by cognitive factors specifically related to selective attention and to anticipation. The brain networks underlying somatosensory perception are complex and highly distributed. A deeper understanding of perceptual-related brain mechanisms therefore requires new approaches suited to investigate the spatial and temporal dynamics of activation in different brain regions and their functional interaction.     

Brain networks responsive to aversive visual stimuli in humans

The neural mechanisms subserving recognition of noxious stimuli and empathy for pain appear to involve at least in part the cortical regions associated with the processing of pain affect. An important issue concerns the specificity of brain networks associated with observing and representing painful conditions, in comparison with other unpleasant stimuli. Recently, we found both similarities and differences between the brain patterns of activity related to the observation of noxious or disgusting stimuli delivered to one hand or foot. Overlap regions included the perigenual anterior cingulate (pACC), whose activity was related to the perceived unpleasantness. We aimed here at revealing how pACC functional connectivity changes in relationship to the different experimental conditions, using a psychophysiological interaction model. Activity in pACC during the observation of painful stimuli was specifically and positively related to regions in the right hemisphere, including portions of the prefrontal, midcingulate and insular cortex. On the other hand, positive changes in pACC connectivity during the vision of disgusting stimuli were present in the right basal ganglia. These data suggest that pACC activity is part of different networks involved in the recognition of painful or disgusting stimuli.     

Chemical separations by nanoporous crystalline samples of syndiotactic polystyrene

Chemical separations based on absorption phenomena into syndiotactic polystyrene samples including a nanoporous crystalline phase are described. These separation phenomena are due to the presence into the crystalline phase of cavities whose size and shape have been studied through sorption experiments relative to linear hydrocarbons and through calculation procedures relative to the available crystalline structures of different polymorphic and clathrate forms of syndiotactic polystyrene.     

Design of a simulated moving bed unit for sucrose-betaine separations

The results of a series of pulse experiments carried out in a fixed bed column packed with a strongly acid ion-exchange resin and with reference to the separation of an aqueous sucrose-betaine mixture are presented. These data were used to evaluate equilibrium and diffusion parameters for both key components in the frame of linear chromatography theory. The estimated values were used to design a simulated moving bed plant aimed to separate betaine from sucrose in beet molasses.     

Diastereoselective synthesis of 5-(alditol-1-C-yl)-hydantoins and their use as precursors of polyhydroxylated-α-amino acids

The synthesis of 5-(alditol-1-C-yl)-hydantoin derivatives was performed via diastereoselective aldol-type addition of 1,3-dibenzyl-hydantoin to enantiopure aldehydo sugars. Starting from the d-ribo-configured 5-(alditol-1-C-yl)-hydantoin template, the synthesis of (2R,3S,4R)-3,4,5-trihydroxynorvaline was carried out.     

5-Trihydroxypropyl-dihydrouracil derivatives as precursors of 1-azasugars: application to the stereoselective synthesis of d-galacto-isofagomine

A new route for the synthesis of isofagomine analogues has been carried out by using as precursors enantiopure 5-trihydroxypropyl-dihydrouracil derivatives obtained from aldol-type addition of 1,3-dibenzyl-dihydrouracil to isopropylidene-protected glyceraldehyde. The synthesis of d-galacto-isofagomine is reported.     

Enantioselective synthesis of (s)- and (R)-tolterodine by asymmetric hydrogenation of a coumarin derivative obtained by a Heck reaction

An efficient and short enantioselective synthesis of (S)- and (R)-tolterodine was performed by asymmetric hydrogenation of a coumarin intermediate, easily obtained by a Heck reaction from inexpensive and commercially available starting materials.     

Fabrication and Characterization of Sensitive Polymer (Nano)Composites

We report on the fabrication process of a polymer sensing device based on a thin film composite obtained by spinning or casting a carbon fillers/thermoplastic polymer dispersion on a glass substrates. In this work we produce thin composite films characterized by different grade of dispersion of carbon black in polymer matrix (Poly(methyl-methacrylate), Poly(2 hydroxy-ethyl-methacrylate) and atactic poly(styrene)). We discuss, in particular the effect of the polymer and filler characteristics on the thin film morphology. Device material response towards different analytes will be also discussed. Size distribution of filler in polymer suspension and deposition method type strongly influence homogeneity and conductivity of corresponding polymer composite films and finally their sensor properties.     

NMR and X-ray crystallographic studies of the conformation of a 3,4,6-triphenyl-delta-lactone.

1-Oxa-3S,4S,6R-triphenyl-2-cyclohexanone and its enantiomer were synthesized, and the structure was determined by NMR and X-ray crystallography. The X-ray crystal structure showed that the delta-lactone adopts a boat conformation in the solid. The X-ray data showed a shortened C-O bond between the carbonyl carbon and the ether oxygen, consistent with delocalization involving the ester group. (1)H and (13)C NMR measurements in acetone-d(6) showed that the lactone is biased in favor of a boat conformation. In the less polar solvent chloroform-d(1), changes in the (1)H NMR coupling constants indicate a shift in the equilibrium in favor of a less rigid twist-boat conformation. The IR absorption of the lactone carbonyl at 1740 cm(-)(1) would suggest a half-chair conformation inconsistent with the dominance of the boat forms shown by NMR and X-ray.