Studies on the Chemistry of Thienoannelated O , N - and S , N -Containing Heterocycles, 28 [1]. Synthesis of Imidazo[1,5- d ]thieno[2,3- b ][1,4]thiazine Derivatives as GABA -Receptor Ligands

Summary.  GABA-receptor-ligands are still very interesting in drug-development. Usually benzodiazepines are used in the treatment but they have serious side-effects. Thus, a recently synthesized quioxaline derivative which showed reduced side-effects in an animal model was used as a model-substance. The cyclus was modified to optimize the pharmacological profile. Accordingly, a series of imidazo-thieno-thiazines was synthesized starting from 5-acetyl-2-chloro-3-nitrothiophene to yield 6-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-1H-thieno[2,3-b][1,4]thiazine-2-one. Reaction with potassium tert-butoxide and diethylchlorophosphate gave an intermediate, which resulted in the desired ring system after adding the corresponding isocyanides and potassium tert-butoxide. Corresponding author. E-mail: thomas.erker@univie.ac.at Received August 6, 2002; accepted August 13, 2002     

7-Deazaadenosine: Oligoribonucleotide building block synthesis and autocatalytic hydrolysis of base-modified hammerhead ribozymes

A 7-deazaadenosine ( = tubercidin; c⁷A; 1 ) building block for solid-phase oligoribonucleotide synthesis was prepared. The amino group of 1 was protected with the (dimethylamino)methylidene residue (→ 3 ), and the monomethoxytrityl group was introduced at OH? C(5′) (→ 4 ). Protection of OH? C(2′) was carried out by silylation, showing that use of the (i-Pr)₃Si group resulted in high 2′-O-selectivity (→ 5b , 80%). Reaction of 5b with PCl₃ afforded the phosphonate 7 which was used in solid-phase oligoribonucleotide synthesis. The autocatalytic hydrolysis of hammerhead ribozymes using pG-G-G-A-G-U-C-A-G-U-C-C-C-U-U-C-G-G-G-G-A-C-U-C-U-G-A-A-G-A-G-G-C-G-C as substrate strand (S) and modified G-C-G-C-C-G-A-A-A-C-U-C-C-C as enzyme strand (E) was studied. When c⁷A replaced A¹³ or A¹⁴, a small decrease of catalytic activity was observed, while modification in position A¹⁵ enhanced the autocatalytic hydrolysis. The results demonstrate, that the atom N(7) of adenosine in any of these positions is not crucial for ribozyme action.     

ESCA-Analysis of tin compounds on the surface of hydroxyapatite

The formation of tin compounds on the surface of hydroxyapatite, the main crystalline component of teeth, is discussed controversially. SnF₂ is used as an anticaries agent in toothpaste preparations. Pure hydroxyapatite (HAP) is treated with extracts of commercially available toothpastes containing tin fluoride and analyzed by electron spectroscopy (ESCA). Survey spectra and depth profiles are recorded. The chemical shifts measured for the HAP samples are compared with those of standard tin compounds. It is concluded that on the surface of hydroxyapatite a mixture of two-valent fluoro-phosphato compounds is formed. SnO is not found in the mixture.     

Synthetic routes to trace constituents of algal pheromone bouqets and other information-imitating substances

Structural modifications of multifidene ( 1 ), viridiene ( 2 ) and ectocarpene ( 5 ) led to the synthesis of eleven new pheromone components or imitatin substances mostly by Grignard alkylation of cyclopentene and cycloheptadiene synthons. A new lactone α,ω dienol conversion is reported.     

Synthesis of β-Glucuronides of Estradiol,Ethynylestradiol and Estrone

ABSTRACT

Improved syntheses for the 3-β-D-glucuronides of the steroidal sex hormones 17β-estradiol, 17α-ethynylestradiol and estrone are reported employing boron trifluoride diethyl etherate catalysis with tetraacetylated glucuronic acid or the corresponding imidate.     

Mössbauer effect and NMR study of amorphous Ni80−x Fe x B16Si4

The magnetic phase diagram of amorphous Ni₈₀? _x Fe _x B₁₆Si₄ was studied by de-magnetization measurement, by⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy and pulsed spin echo NMR.     

Electronic predissociation: a model study

The combined electronic and nuclear motion during a predissociation process is studied in a model system. The latter consists of an electron and an ion which are allowed to move in one dimension and interact with each other and two fixed ions via screened Coulomb interactions. The fragmentation dynamics is illustrated in terms of the temporal changes of electronic and nuclear densities. In this way it is possible to reveal the influence of non-adiabatic coupling, not only on the nuclear wave-packet motion, but also on the transient electronic structure.Received: 10 June 2004, Published online: 24 August 2004PACS: 31.50.Gh Surface crossings, non-adiabatic couplings - 31.70.Hq Time-dependent phenomena: excitation and relaxation processes, and reaction rates     

In vivo determination of the time and location of mucoadhesive drug delivery systems disintegration in the gastrointestinal tract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to detect the time when and the location at which orally delivered mucoadhesive drugs are released. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Drug delivery systems comprising tablets or capsules containing a mucoadhesive polymer were designed to deliver the polymer to the intestine in dry powder form. Dry Gd-DTPA [diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid gadolinium(III) dihydrogen salt hydrate] powder was added to the mucoadhesive polymer, resulting in a susceptibility artifact that allows tracking of the application forms before their disintegration and that gives a strong positive signal on disintegration. Experiments were performed with rats using T(1)-weighted spin-echo imaging on a standard 1.5-T MRI system. RESULTS: The susceptibility artifact produced by the dry Gd-DTPA powder in tablets or capsules was clearly visible within the stomach of the rats and could be followed during movement towards the intestine. Upon disintegration, a strong positive signal was unambiguously observed. The time between ingestion and observation of a positive signal was significantly different for different application forms. Quantification of the remaining mucoadhesive polymer in the intestine 3 h after observed release showed significant differences in mucoadhesive effectiveness. CONCLUSION: MRI allows detection of the exact time of release of the mucoadhesive polymer in vivo, which is a prerequisite for a reliable quantitative comparison between different application forms.     

Advanced flicker spectroscopy of fluid membranes

The bending elasticity of a fluid membrane is characterized by its modulus and spontaneous curvature. We present a new method, advanced flicker spectroscopy of giant nonspherical vesicles, which makes it possible to simultaneously measure both parameters for the first time. Our analysis is based on the generation of a large set of reference data from Monte Carlo simulations of randomly triangulated surfaces. As an example of the potential of the procedure, we monitor thermal trajectories of vesicle shapes and discuss the elastic response of zwitterionic membranes to transmembrane pH gradients. Our technique makes it possible to easily characterize membrane curvature as a function of environmental conditions.