Multilayer mirror systems to form hard X-ray beams

This paper is an overview of the research activities carried out in the past five years at the Institute for Physics of Microstructures RAS and “X-ray” Company towards the manufacture of multilayer mirror systems capable of forming X-ray beams in the subnanometer range of wavelengths. The systems fabrication technology is presented, including techniques for producing supersmooth surfaces of specified shape, methods of graded multilayer structure deposition on such surfaces, and the principles of designing optimal mirror parameters. The characteristics of a quadrelliptical reflector—a novel high light-gathering power four-corner focusing system—are reported.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of N-(Bromobut-3-en-2-yl)-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9-amine as a cholinesterase inhibitor with regard to Alzheimer's disease treatment

A new tacrine based cholinesterase inhibitor, N-(bromobut-3-en-2-yl)-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridin-9-amine (1), was designed and synthesized to interact with specific regions of human acetylcholinesterase and human butyrylcholinesterase. Its inhibitory ability towards cholinesterases was determined and compared to tacrine (THA) and 9-amino-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroacridine (7-MEOTA). The assessment of IC50 values revealed 1 as a weak inhibitor of both tested enzymes.     

Simultaneous extraction and determination of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in river water and sewage by solid-phase extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

This study features the simultaneous extraction and quantification of 18 pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). This is a pioneering method for the quantification of acetaminophen, sulfamethoxazole, diclofenac, atenolol, metoprolol, diethyltoluamide and oxybenzone in atmospheric pressure chemical ionisation mode. The method was validated for high repeatability and reproducibility with relative standard deviations less than 10%. Instrument quantification limits for PPCPs were within the range of 0.05–1.0 µg L^?1, and the method quantification limits (MQLs) for ultrapure water were within the range of 0.3–15 ng L^?1. All samples were extracted using Oasis© hydrophilic–lipophilic balanced cartridges with optimised sample size and extraction conditions. Good accuracy was demonstrated, with solid-phase extraction recoveries above 80% for most PPCPs. In environmental matrices, the MQLs for river water, sewage treatment plant (STP) effluent and STP influent were 4–25, 10–153 and 38–386.5, respectively. The method was successfully applied to investigate occurrences of persistent PPCPs in Malaysian river and sewage samples.     

Phosphoramidites based on phenyl-substituted 1,2-diols as ligands in palladium-catalyzed asymmetric allylations: the contribution of steric demand and chiral centers to the enantioselectivity

A small family of readily available phosphoramidite ligands, including compounds with P^∗-stereocenters, has been prepared from phenyl-substituted 1,2-diols as simple and cheap starting materials. Using these ligands, up to 84% ee was achieved in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution. The influence of structural modules such as asymmetric atoms and steric demand on the enantioselectivity is discussed.     

Hydrothermal Processing and In Vitro Simulated Human Digestion Affects the Bioaccessibility and Bioactivity of Phenolic Compounds in African Pumpkin (Momordica balsamina) Leaves

The African pumpkin (Momordica balsamina) contains bioactive phenolic compounds that may assist in reducing oxidative stress in the human body. The leaves are mainly consumed after boiling in water for a specific time; this hydrothermal process and conditions of the gastrointestinal tract may affect the presence and bioactivity of phenolics either positively or negatively. In this study, the effects of hydrothermal processing (boiling) and in vitro simulated human digestion on the phenolic composition, bioaccessibility and bioactivity in African pumpkin were investigated in comparison with those of spinach (Spinacia oleracea). A high-resolution ultra-performance liquid chromatography, coupled with diode array detection, quadrupole time-of-flight and mass spectrometer (UPLC-DAD-QTOF-MS) was used to profile phenolic metabolites. Metabolites such as 3-caffeoylquinic acid, 5-caffeoylquinic acid, 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were highly concentrated in the boiled vegetable extracts compared to the raw undigested and all digested samples. The majority of African pumpkin and spinach extracts (non-digested and digested) protected Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), (mouse fibroblast) L929 and human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma (Caco-2) cells from 2,2′-Azobis(2-methylpropionamidine) dihydrochloride (AAPH)-induced oxidative damage. From these results, the consumption of boiled African pumpkin leaves, as well as spinach, could be encouraged, as bioactive metabolites present may reduce oxidative stress in the body.     

The use of a new carboranylamidophosphite ligand in the asymmetric Rh-catalyzed hydrogenation of α- and β-dehydroamino acid derivatives

New chiral carboranylamidophosphite ligand was synthesized and tested in the Rh-catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α- and β-dehydroamino acid derivatives (up to 93% ee). The catalytic performance is affected greatly by temperature and the nature of solvents. Importantly, we have shown that in the hydrogenation of the β-dehydroamino acid derivatives the use of acidic 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol led to a significant increase in the enantioselectivity, compared to isopropyl alcohol.     

P1,P1-Bidentate diastereoisomeric bisdiamidophosphites based on N-benzyltartarimide and their applications in asymmetric catalytic processes

Two novel P¹-stereogenic bisdiamidophosphites derived from (3R,4R)-N-benzyltartarimide as a chiral 1,2-diol have been prepared from readily available starting materials. Palladium and rhodium catalytic systems containing these new P¹,P¹-bidentate ligands afforded 96%, 83% and 65% ee in asymmetric allylic substitution, hydrogenation and addition processes, respectively. These diastereomeric diamidophosphites were found to be complementary stereoselectors.     

Phosphites and diamidophosphites based on mono-ethers of BINOL: a comparison of enantioselectivity in asymmetric catalytic reactions

Novel P-monodentate phosphite-type ligands have been synthesized in one step from BINOL mono-tosylate and BINOL mono-(?)-menthylcarbonate. The use of these ligands provides up to 96% ee in Pd-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution of (E)-1,3-diphenylallyl acetate and up to 99% ee in Rh-catalyzed asymmetric addition of phenylboronic acid to cyclohex-2-enone. The influence of the structural modules such as the nature of phosphorus-containing ring or exocyclic substituent on the enantioselectivity is discussed.