Synthesis and configuration determination of all enantiopure stereoisomers of the melatonin receptor ligand 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin using an expedient optical resolution of 4-phenyl-2-tetralone

An efficient and practical approach for the synthesis of all four stereoisomers of the MT(2) melatonin receptor ligand 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetralin (4-P-PDOT), each in enantiomerically pure form (ee > 99.9%), was developed. The strategy involved an optical resolution procedure of the key precursor (±)-4-phenyl-2-tetralone with the unusual resolving agent (S)-mandelamide, through the formation of four dihydronaphtalene-spiro-oxazolidin-4-one diastereomers. Interestingly, NMR experimental observations in combination with geometric calculations, provided unambiguous configuration assignments of all stereocenters of the key spiro stereoisomers. Cleavage of each single spiro diastereomer under acidic conditions gave enantiopure (R)- or (S)-4-phenyl-2-tetralone, which were then converted to each 4-P-PDOT single enantiomer by using stereoselective reactions.     

Solution of the Dirac Equation on the Bertotti–Robinson Metric

It is shown that each component of the Dirac field satisfies a decoupled equation, which admits separable solutions, when the background spacetime is the Bertotti–Robinson metric, which is a solution of the Einstein vacuum field equations with a cosmological constant. Furthermore, the seperated functions appearing in the solutions are shown to obey identities of the Teukolsky–Starobinsky type and the separable solutions are shown to be eigenfunctions of a certain differential operator.     

Novel Iron Oxide Nanoparticles Induce Ferroptosis in a Panel of Cancer Cell Lines

The use of nanomaterials rationally engineered to treat cancer is a burgeoning field that has reported great medical achievements. Iron-based polymeric nano-formulations with precisely tuned physicochemical properties are an expanding and versatile therapeutic strategy for tumor treatment. Recently, a peculiar type of regulated necrosis named ferroptosis has gained increased attention as a target for cancer therapy. Here, we show for the first time that novel iron oxide nanoparticles coated with gallic acid and polyacrylic acid (IONP–GA/PAA) possess intrinsic cytotoxic activity on various cancer cell lines. Indeed, IONP–GA/PAA treatment efficiently induces ferroptosis in glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and fibrosarcoma cells. IONP–GA/PAA-induced ferroptosis was blocked by the canonical ferroptosis inhibitors, including deferoxamine and ciclopirox olamine (iron chelators), and ferrostatin-1, the lipophilic radical trap. These ferroptosis inhibitors also prevented the lipid hydroperoxide generation promoted by the nanoparticles. Altogether, we report on novel ferroptosis-inducing iron encapsulated nanoparticles with potent anti-cancer properties, which has promising potential for further in vivo validation.     

Cathodically deposited polypyridine films: A novel electroactive polyconjugated polymer

Poly-2,5- and poly-2,6-pyridine coatings have been produced on glassy-carbon electrodes by nickelcatalysed reduction of the corresponding dibromopyridine in acetonitrile. Poly-2,5-pyridine films display two reversible cathodic cycles, one of which is due to nickel ions coordinated to pyridine moieties and the other to the polymeric backbone. Both reductions lead to the polymer changing from the insulating to the conductive state. Conversely, Poly-2,6-pyridine films are not reversibly electroactive and the differences are discussed in terms of conjugation along the polymeric chain.     

Heat conduction through a rarefied gas between two rotating cylinders at small temperature difference

Summary Numerical calculations of heat transfer between two coaxial rotating cylinders at a small temperature difference are carried out over wide ranges of the Knudsen number and the angular velocity. The calculations have been performed based on the S-model of the Boltzmann equation by the discrete velocity method. It has been confirmed that in a rotating gas a radial temperature gradient causes both radial and tangential heat fluxes. Also, it has been found that the radial heat flux is affected by the rotation.On temporary leave from Department of Physics, Urals State University, 620083 Ekaterinburg, Russia.     

Proper holomorphic mappings between generalized pseudoellipsoids

Summary We characterize the existence of proper holomorphic mappings between pseudoellipsoids of the form . If f:()() is any such mapping, the existence of a subgroup of Aut (()) such that is shown equivalent to a condition on the branch locus of f.     

Physicochemical and electrochemical properties of Gd3+-doped ZnSe thin films fabricated by single-step electrochemical deposition process

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Gd3+ (gadolinium)-doped ZnSe thin films (1 to 5 mol%) are grown onto indium-doped tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate by single-step electrochemical...     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of Eu-complexes with 2-acyl-1,3-indandionates (ACIND) and TPPO ligands: The first X-ray structure of Eu–ACIND complex

Europium complexes presenting general formulas [Eu(ACIND)₃(H₂O)₂] and [Eu(ACIND)₃(TPPO)₂] have been synthesized and characterized. In these formulas ACIND is stands for the ligands 2-acetyl-1,3-indandionate (AIND), 2-isovaleryl-1,3-indandionate (ISOVIND) or 2-benzyl-1,3-indandionate (BIND). The [Eu(ISOVIND)₃(H₂O)(EtOH)] complex was also prepared and its structure determined by single crystal X-ray analysis, showing that this complex crystallize in a monoclinic space group P2₁/n with the water molecules bridging through the hydrogen bond. The Eu(III) ion is eight-coordinate in a bicapped trigonal prismatic geometry defined by the oxygen donor atoms with a site of symmetry close to C_2ν. Isovaleryl groups in the ISOVIND molecules in the structure are disordered over two positions of the europium complex. Carbon atoms in ethanol molecule are disordered by the thermal vibration. Photoluminescence properties of these complexes in solid state were investigated both experimentally and theoretically, suggesting an efficient ligand-to-metal intramolecular energy transfer process.