Silylated thiiran-1-oxides: Structure,ring opening and conversion to a benzothiophene.

Silylated thiirans upon oxidation with peroxyacids do not give exclusively the corresponding S-oxides but, in addition some products derived from ring opening. The stereochemistry of the oxidation to thiiran-1-oxides is $\text{anti}$ to the silyl group as demonstrated by X-ray analysis.     

New mesogenic compounds with trans-stilbene oxide as the central chiral core

Several derivatives with the trans-stilbene oxide moiety as the central chiral core were synthesized. With the appropriate substituents, nematic and smectic C phases were observed. One derivative was obtained with an ee of 47 per cent by asymmetric synthesis. The chemical stability of these epoxides is low and they rearrange to give substituted phenyl benzylketones which are also liquid-crystalline. The structure of the two solid phases present in all the derivatives and of the smectic C phases was investigated by X-ray diffraction.     

[4+2]-cycloadditions of thiones with nitrosoalkenes: synthesis of derivatives of 4H-1,5,2-oxathiazine,a new heterocyclic system.

Conjugated nitrosoalkenes, generated $\text{in situ}$$\text{via}$ dehydrobromination of α-bromoketoximes, undergo an easy [4+2]-cycloaddition with thiocarbonyl compounds to give very high yields of the new heterocycles 4H-1,5,2-oxathiazines. The thermolysis and the behaviour to oxidation of these adducts were tested.     

The effect of CpG-ODN on antigen presenting cells of the foal

Background  

Cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG-ODN) has been used successfully to induce immune responses against viral and intracellular organisms in mammals. The main objective of this study was to test the effect of CpG-ODN on antigen presenting cells of young foals.     

A simple route to syn α-Amino-β-Hydroxy esters by C-2 regioselective opening of a, β-Epoxy esters with metal halides

α,β-Epoxy esters are opened by NaX (X = I, Br) in a regio and stereoselective fashion to β-hydroxy-α-halo esters, which represent suitable precursors of syn α-amino-β-hydroxy esters and β-hydroxy esters.     

Convergent highly stereoselective preparation of the C12-C24 fragment of macrolactin A

The convergent synthesis of the C12-C24 fragment (lower part) of macrolactin A is described. The adapted strategy allowed building up the lower moiety by the assembly of three key intermediates via organometallic addition. One hydroxylic stereogenic center was introduced by the application of chiral sulfoxides methodology on fragment C19-C24. The preparation of the versatile 1,3-anti diol synthon C12-C16 was achieved via opening of chiral epoxide and subsequent oxidation to a hydroxy ketone. Finally, reductive elimination of the appropriate allylic dibenzoate with Na/Hg introduced directly the C16-C19 (E,E)-diene unit, in a highly efficient stereoselective fashion.     

Pre-programmed bicomponent porous networks at the solid-liquid interface: the low concentration regime

The control over the formation of a bicomponent porous network was attained by self-assembly at the solid-liquid interface, exploiting triple H-bonds between melamine and bis-uracyl modules.     

Acrylamide-based magnetic nanosponges: a new smart nanocomposite material

Nanocomposite materials consisting of CoFe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles and a polyethylene glycol-acrylamide gel matrix have been synthesized. The structure of such materials was studied by means of small-angle scattering of X-rays and polarized neutrons, showing that the CoFe2O4 nanoparticles were successfully and homogeneously embedded in the gel structure. Magnetic, viscoelastic, and water retention properties of the nanocomposite gel confirm that the properties of both nanoparticles and gel are combined in the resulting nanomagnetic gel. Scanning electron microscopy highlights the nanocomposite nature of the material, showing the presence of a gel structure with different pore size distributions (pores with micron and nano-size distributions) that can be used as active sponge-like nanomagnetic container for water-based formulations as oil-in-water microemulsions.     

Novel chiral calix[4]arenes by direct asymmetric epoxidation reaction

We report the first asymmetric synthesis of trans optically active (+) C 2 1,3-bisarylepoxide of calix[4]arene in excellent chemical yield and >99% ee, and its enantiospecific conversion to the corresponding bis-dioxolane.     

Spatial distribution of protein damage by singlet oxygen in keratinocytes

Singlet oxygen may be generated in cells by either endogenous or exogenous photosensitizers as a result of exposure to UV or visible irradiation. We have used immuno-spin trapping (Free Radic. Biol. Med. 36: 1214, 2004) to identify the subcellular targets of singlet oxygen generated by rose bengal (RB). Confocal fluorescence microscopy of HaCaT keratinocytes incubated with RB clearly showed that the dye entered the cells and was located mainly in the perinuclear region, probably associated with the Golgi apparatus and endoplasmic reticulum. Previous studies by Wright et al. (Free Radic. Biol. Med.34: 637, 2003) have shown that long-lived protein hydroperoxides (POOH) are present in cells exposed to singlet oxygen-generating dyes. The addition of reducing metal ions such as Cu+ to POOH results in the generation of protein-derived radicals, POO(*) and PO(*), which react with the spin trap 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO) to give relatively stable spin adducts. In order to determine the subcellular localization of the protein-DMPO adducts, we exposed keratinocytes to RB/light exposure and then incubated the cells with Cu+ and DMPO. After staining with antibody against DMPO followed by a secondary Alexa Fluor 488 goat anti-rabbit IgG, the intracellular distribution of protein-DMPO adducts was determined by confocal microscopy. The subcellular localization of the protein DMPO adducts was coincident with that of RB. This approach may provide information on the spatial distribution of singlet oxygen generated in cells.