IMP321 (sLAG-3), an immunopotentiator for T cell responses against a HBsAg antigen in healthy adults: a single blind randomised controlled phase I study

Background  

LAG-3 (CD223) is a natural high affinity ligand for MHC class II. The soluble form (sLAG-3) induces maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells in vitro and is used as a potent Th1-like immune enhancer with many antigens in animal models. To extend this observation to human, a proof of concept study was conducted with a clinical-grade sLAG-3, termed IMP321, coinjected with alum-non-absorbed recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen.     

FeCl3-catalyzed addition of nitrogen and 1,3-dicarbonyl nucleophiles to olefins

A direct intermolecular addition of nitrogen and 1,3-dicarbonyl nucleophiles to stabilized double bonds (styrenes, 1,3-dienes, enol-ethers, sugars.) in the presence of green and inexpensive FeCl₃ catalyst is described.     

A hybrid heuristic for a multi-objective real-life car sequencing problem with painting and assembly line constraints

We address a multi-objective version of the car sequencing problem, which consists in sequencing a given set of cars to be produced in a single day, minimizing the number of violations of assembly constraints and the number of paint color changes in the production line. We propose a set of heuristics for approximately solving this problem, based on the paradigms of the VNS and ILS metaheuristics, to which further intensification and diversification strategies have been added. Computational results on real-life test instances are reported. The work presented in this paper obtained the second prize in the ROADEF challenge 2005 sponsored by Renault.     

Alkaline metal oxoantimonates(III), A3[SbO3] (A = K or Cs)

The two title trialkaline trioxoantimonates(III), tripotassium trioxoantimonate(III), K₃[SbO₃], (I), and tricaesium trioxo­antimonate(III), Cs₃[SbO₃], (II), crystallize in the cubic Na₃[AsS₃] structure type in space group P2₁3. The structures show discrete Ψ-tetrahedral [SbO₃]³⁻ anions with C_3v point-group symmetry. The Sb—O distances are 1.923 (4) Å in (I) and 1.928 (2) Å in (II), and the O—Sb—O bond angles are 99.5 (2)° in (I) and 100.4 (1)° in (II).     

Synthesis of a mitochondria-targeted spin trap using a novel Parham-type cyclization

A new cyclic nitrone spin trap, [4-(3′,3′-dibutyl-2′-oxy-3′H-isoindol-5′-yloxy)butyl]triphenylphosphonium bromide (MitoSpin), bearing a lipophilic cation has been prepared by a route that involves a novel Parham-type lithiation-cyclization of an isocyanate to give the isoindolinone core. MitoSpin accumulates in a membrane potential dependent way in energized mitochondria and its oxidation could potentially be used in the study of oxidative stress resulting from reactive oxygen species generated in mitochondria.     

Barium oxoaluminate hydride

The crystal structure of Ba₃(AlO₄)H is isotypic with Ba₃SiS₅ and contains AlO₄^5? and H^? anions. The hydride and oxide anions are coordinated by six Ba and five Ba/one Al atoms in an octahedral geometry. The hydrogen content was ex­amined by MAS–NMR experiments of the deuterated compound.     

Kinetic 12C/13C isotope fractionation by invertase: evidence for a small in vitro isotope effect and comparison of two techniques for the isotopic analysis of carbohydrates

The natural ¹³C/¹²C isotope composition (δ¹³C) of plants and organic compounds within plant organs is a powerful tool to understand carbon allocation patterns and the regulation of photosynthetic or respiratory metabolism. However, many enzymatic fractionations are currently unknown, thus impeding our understanding of carbon trafficking pathways within plant cells. One of them is the ¹²C/¹³C isotope effect associated with invertases (EC 3.2.1.26) that are cornerstone enzymes for Suc metabolism and translocation in plants. Another conundrum of isotopic plant biology is the need to measure accurately the specific δ¹³C of individual carbohydrates. Here, we examined two complementary methods for measuring the δ¹³C value of sucrose, glucose and fructose, that is, off‐line high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) purification followed by elemental analysis and isotope ratio mass spectrometry (EA‐IRMS) analysis, and gas chromatography‐combustion (GC‐C)‐IRMS. We also used these methods to determine the in vitro ¹²C/¹³C isotope effect associated with the yeast invertase. Our results show that, although providing more variable values than HPLC～EA‐IRMS, and being sensitive to derivatization conditions, the GC‐C‐IRMS method gives reliable results. When applied to the invertase reaction, both methods indicate that the ¹²C/¹³C isotope effect is rather small and it is not affected by the use of heavy water (D₂O). Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

TMSCl-promoted isocyanide-based MCR of ethylenediamines: an efficient assembling of 2-aminopyrazine core

New trimethylchlorosilane (TMSCl) promoted multicomponent reaction (MCR) of ethylenediamine(s), diverse carbonyl compounds, and isocyanides is proposed for the synthesis of a variety of highly substituted 3,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrazin-2-amines including corresponding spirocyclic compounds.     

Chiral amines in the diastereoselective Mannich-related multicomponent synthesis of diarylmethylamines, 1,2-diarylethylamines, and β-arylethylamines

The multicomponent synthesis of diarylmethylamines, 1,2-diarylethylamines and β-arylethylamines has been undergone starting from aryl- or benzylzinc reagents, aldehydes, and primary or secondary chiral amines. Good to high diastereoselectivities have been obtained from both l-proline ester derivatives 1 and (±)-trans-1-allyl-2,5-dimethylpiperazine (4). The use of R-(+)-1-phenylethylamine (7) provides important diastereoisomeric excesses (∼60%) in conjunction with very high chemical yields. This work constitutes a preliminary entry to the intended development of a more flexible reaction system, involving easily cleavable chiral amines.