Remarks on contact relations on Boolean algebras

The paradigmatic example for a contact relation is that of having nondisjoint closures for regions in n-dimensional space. Generally, a contact relation is a binary relation on a Boolean algebra reflecting some of the properties of this example. We prove in this paper a topological and an algebraic representation theorem for contact algebras and solve two problems due to Düntsch and Winter and to Dimov and Vakarelov, respectively.     

Protective effect of T. violacea rhizome extract against hypercholesterolemia-induced oxidative stress in Wistar rats

The present study examines the effect of methanolic extract of T. violacea rhizomes on high cholesterol (2%) diet fed rats (HCD). At the end of 4 weeks, serum total protein, albumin, reduced glutathione (GSH), and markers of oxidative stress viz., catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS--a marker of lipid peroxidation), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the serum, aorta, liver and heart of HCD and normal rats were assessed and compared. A significant (p < 0.05) elevation in TBARS, and a reduction (p < 0.05) in serum total protein, albumin, GSH and antioxidant enzyme activities was observed in tissues of HCD fed rats compared with the normal group. Co-administration of crude extracts of T. violacea rhizomes protected the liver, heart, serum and aorta against HCD-induced lipid peroxidation in a dose dependant manner. The activities of the extract (500 mg/kg) compared favorably with gemfibrozil. The extracts also protected against HCD-induced reduction in serum total protein, GSH and restored the activities of antioxidant tissues (liver, heart and aorta) enzymes to near normal values. This result suggested that consumption of T. violacea rhizome may help to protect against hypercholesterolemia- induced oxidative stress diseases in the heart and liver.     

Access to Skipped Polyene Macrolides through Ring-Closing Metathesis: Total Synthesis of the RNA Polymerase Inhibitor Ripostatin B

Rip-Roaring! A convergent total synthesis of antibiotic ripostatin?B was developed. A key step in the synthesis is a metathesis reaction allowing for a ring closure to the labile doubly skipped triene macrolide.     

Model systems for flavoenzyme activity: recognition and redox modulation of flavin mononucleotide in water using nanoparticles

We have used mixed monolayer protected gold clusters (MMPCs) to provide flavoenzyme model systems with a high affinity and ability to modulate cofactor reduction potential.     

Oligo(U-terpyridines) and their ruthenium(II) complexes: synthesis and structural properties

A highly efficient domino reaction starting from tetrahydroquinolinone and a series of bisiminium salts provides the corresponding bis(U-terpyridines). These ligands have been treated with [(tpy)RuCl3] to afford novel dinuclear complexes [(tpy)Ru(L)Ru(tpy)]4+. The protocol is also applied for the synthesis of a star-shaped tris(U-terpyridine) and the trinuclear complex [{(tpy)Ru}3(L)]6+. In view of potential applications in the fields of metallopolymers and molecular devices, the electronic spectra, as well as the electrochemical potentials of all the complexes have been obtained. According to these data, no significant intermetal interaction has been observed for the ruthenium complexes presented here.     

Process and content: two ways of using SSM

Soft systems methodology (SSM) includes several ways of gaining a rich appreciation of the problem situation addressed. ‘Analysis One’, exploration of the intervention itself, is the subject here, since it is sparsely covered in the literature. The analysis is conducted in terms of three roles: ‘client’, ‘problem solver’ and ‘problem owner’. Whoever is in the role of ‘problem solver’ is free to define a list of possible ‘problem owners’, which brings many perspectives to bear on the situation. It was realized that ‘client’ and ‘problem solver’ should themselves feature in the ‘problem owner’ list. The ‘problem’ owned by the ‘problem solver’ is that of undertaking the intervention. This led to a realization that SSM is relevant to both the content of a perceived situation (SSMc) and the process of dealing with that content (SSMp). This development is described and illustrated by work in the National Health Service. The focus of the SSM use was to define the intellectual process for a service specification project which NHS professionals would themselves carry out.     

Visualizing association of N-ras in lipid microdomains: influence of domain structure and interfacial adsorption

In this study, two-photon fluorescence microscopy on giant unilamellar vesicles and tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (AFM) are applied to follow the insertion of a fluorescently (4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene, BODIPY) labeled and completely lipidated (hexadecylated and farnesylated) N-Ras protein into heterogeneous lipid bilayer systems. The bilayers consist of the canonical raft mixture 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoylphosphatidylcholine (POPC), sphingomyelin, and cholesterol, which-depending on the concentration of the constituents-separates into liquid-disordered (l(d)), liquid-ordered (l(o)), and solid-ordered (s(o)) phases. The results provide direct evidence that partitioning of N-Ras occurs preferentially into liquid-disordered lipid domains, which is also reflected in a faster kinetics of incorporation into the fluid lipid bilayers. The phase sequence of preferential binding of N-Ras to mixed-domain lipid vesicles is l(d) > l(o) > s(o). Intriguingly, we detect, using the better spatial resolution of AFM, also a large proportion of the lipidated protein located at the l(d)/l(o) phase boundary, thus leading to a favorable decrease in line tension that is associated with the rim of the demixed phases. Such an interfacial adsorption effect may serve as an alternative vehicle for association processes of signaling proteins in membranes.     

Synthesis, structural characterization, and properties of chromium(III) complexes containing amidinato ligands and eta2-pyrazolato, eta(2)-1,2,4-triazolato, or eta1-tetrazolato ligands

Treatment of anhydrous chromium(III) chloride with 2 or 3 equivalents of 1,3-di-tert-butylacetamidinatolithium or 1,3-diisopropylacetamidinatolithium in tetrahydrofuran at ambient temperature afforded Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NtBu)2(Cl)(THF) and Cr(iPrNC(CH3)NiPr)3 in 78% and 65% yields, respectively. Treatment of Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NtBu)2(Cl)(THF) with the potassium salts derived from pyrazoles and 1,2,4-triazoles afforded Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NtBu)2(X), where X=3,5-disubstituted pyrazolato or 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-triazolato ligands, in 65-70% yields. X-Ray crystal structure analyses of Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NtBu)2(Me2pz) (Me2pz=3,5-dimethylpyrazolato) and Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NtBu)2(Me2trz) (Me2trz=3,5-dimethyl-1,2,4-triazolato) revealed eta2-coordination of the Me2pz and Me2trz ligands. Treatment of Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NtBu)2(Cl)(THF) with trifluoromethyltetrazolatosodium (NaCF3tetz) in the presence of 4-tert-butylpyridine afforded Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NtBu)2(CF3tetz)(4-tBupy) in 30% yield. An X-ray crystal structure determination showed eta1-coordination of the tetrazolato ligand through the 2-nitrogen atom. The complexes Cr(iPrNC(CH3)NiPr)3 and Cr(tBuNC(CH3)NtBu)2(X) are volatile and sublime with <1% residue between 120 and 165 degrees C at 0.05 Torr. In addition, these complexes are thermally stable at >300 degrees C under an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen or argon. Due to the good volatility and high thermal stability, these new compounds are promising precursors for the growth of chromium-containing thin films using atomic layer deposition.     

A new kaempferol diglycoside from Datura suaveolens Humb. & Bonpl. ex. Willd

A new flavonol glycoside, kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-7-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1), has been isolated from methanol extract of leaves of Datura suaveolens (Solanaceae), along with six other known compounds, which include kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranoside (2), 3-phenyl lactic acid, 3-(3-indolyl) lactic acid, and its methyl ester, physalindicanol A and physalindicanol B. The structural elucidation of 1 and characterization of the known compounds are based on detailed spectral analysis (ESI-FTICR-MS and 2D-NMR). This is the first report of isolation of these compounds from this plant.     

Synthesis and properties of copper quinonoid complexes for optical recording application

We describe the synthesis of novel quinonemonimines Cu(II) coordination complexes, of the type:

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which, in addition to their intrinsic interest, have potential application in optical recording. The following key parameters have been highlighted: (i) the presence of coordinating arms on the quinonoid core of the ligand leads to octahedral complexes with increased solubility, (ii) the presence of Cu(II) as a metal centre leads to a favourable exothermic decomposition, (iii) the presence of quinonoid moieties results in the optical absorption to be in the desired wavelength range. To cite this article: P. Braunstein et al., C. R. Chimie 9 (2006).