Nepalensinols D-G, new resveratrol oligomers from Kobresia nepalensis (Cyperaceae) as potent inhibitors of DNA topoisomerase II

Four new resveratrol oligomers, nepalensinols D-G, were isolated from the stem of Kobresia nepalensis (Cyperaceae). The structures were determined by detailed NMR spectral analysis. The compounds were assessed for their inhibitory activity against human topoisomerase II, a potential target of anti-tumor agents. These stilbenoids showed potent inhibitory activity against human topoisomerase II with IC50 values of 5-15 microM.     

Experimental evidence and bond characterization of a cyclopropenylgermylene

The reduction of p-anisyl(1,2,3-tri-tert-butylcycloprop-2-en-1-yl)dichlorogermane (1) with potassium in the presence of an excess of tert-butyldimethylsilane in benzene under reflux gave p-anisyl(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)(1,2,3-tri-tert-butylcycloprop-2-en-1-yl)germane (4) in 15% yield. The formation of 4 indicates that p-anisyl(1,2,3-tri-tert-butylcycloprop-2-en-1-yl)germylene (2), which is the first example of a (cycloprop-2-en-1-yl)germylene derivative, was generated and trapped by the hydrosilane. The DFT calculations revealed that the cis-2-p-anisyl-1,3,4-tri-tert-butyl-2-germabicyclo[1.1.0]butane-2,4-diyl structure cis-5 is 8.0 kJ/mol more stable than cis-2. The NBO analysis revealed that cis-5 has a 2-germabicyclo[1.1.0]butane diradical character.     

Precise determination of hyperfine interactions and second-order doppler shift in <Superscript>149</Superscript>Sm Mössbauer transition

We have succeeded in precisely determining the hyperfine interactions, particularly the isomer shifts, in the ¹⁴⁹Sm Mössbauer transition. The difference in the nuclear radii between the ground and excited states is critical for the determination of isomer shifts but is relatively small in ¹⁴⁹Sm. Therefore, the precise determination by ¹⁴⁹Sm Mössbauer spectroscopy is difficult. The recent development of synchrotron-radiation-based Mössbauer spectroscopy allows the isomer shifts to be determined more precisely than previously with the help of wellcollimated synchrotron radiation. In particular, the time-window effect assists the precise determination of hyperfine interactions in the ¹⁴⁹Sm Mössbauer transition because this effect enables us to measure spectra with higher energy resolution than natural linewidth determined by the lifetime of the excited states. Meanwhile, highenergy-resolution measurements to determine center shifts by SR-based Mössbauer spectroscopy enable us to observe the second-order Doppler shift, which has not been discussed, particularly for heavy Mössbauer nuclei. We have discussed the precise determination of isomer shifts and the observation of the second-order Doppler shift using ¹⁴⁹Sm synchrotron-radiation-based Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

Two-component fibers/gels and vesicles formed from hetero-double-helices of pseudoenantiomeric ethynylhelicene oligomers with branched side chains

A methodology for the formation of fibers/gels and vesicles by molecular assembly and for controlling their properties is presented. Two-component systems of pentamer (P)-5 and tetramer (M)-4 pseudoenantiomeric ethynylhelicenes with decyloxycarbonyl (D) and 4-methyl-2-(2-methylpropyl)-1-pentyloxycarbonyl (bD) side-chains have been examined. Distinct aggregates were formed by changing the solvent for the three combinations of (P)-bD-5/(M)-bD-4, (P)-D-5/(M)-bD-4, and (P)-D-5/(M)-D-4. In toluene, (P)-bD-5/(M)-bD-4, (P)-D-5/(M)-bD-4, and (P)-D-5/(M)-D-4 all formed gels and fibrous assemblies were observed by AFM. The minimum gel-forming concentration (MGC) decreased in the order (P)-bD-5/(M)-bD-4>(P)-D-5/(M)-bD-4>(P)-D-5/(M)-D-4. In diethyl ether, vesicular formation was observed by dynamic light scattering (DLS), AFM, and TEM, and the size of the vesicles decreased in the order (P)-bD-5/(M)-bD-4>(P)-D-5/(M)-bD-4>(P)-D-5/(M)-D-4. Both fiber/gel and vesicle formation were accompanied by enhanced CDs and redshifted UV/Vis absorption bands with a change in color to deep yellow. These are novel two-component oligomeric systems that form assemblies of fibers/gels or vesicles depending on the solvent, and the structures and properties of the assemblies can be fine-tuned by changing the combination of oligomers. In m-difluorobenzene, a homogeneous solution was obtained with (P)-D-5/(M)-bD-4, which again exhibits enhanced CDs and redshifted UV/Vis absorptions. Vapor pressure osmometry analysis showed the formation of a bimolecular heteroaggregate. The study has indicated that pseudoenantiomeric oligomers form hetero-double-helices that hierarchically assemble to form fibers/gels and vesicles.     

Stabilization of atmospheric carbon dioxide via zero emissions-An alternative way to a stable global environment. Part 1: Examination of the traditional stabilization concept

The concept of "stabilization" of atmospheric CO2 concentration is re-examined in connection with climate-change mitigation strategies. A new "zero-emissions stabilization (Z-stabilization)" is proposed, where CO2 emissions are reduced to zero at some time and thereafter the concentration is decreased by natural removal processes, eventually reaching an equilibrated stable state. Simplified climate experiments show that, under Z-stabilization, considerably larger emissions are permissible in the near future compared with traditional stabilization, with the same constraint on temperature rise. Over longer time scales, the concentration and temperature decrease close to their equilibrium values, much lower than those under traditional stabilization. The smaller temperature rise at final state is essential to avoid longer-term risk of sea level rise, a significant concern under traditional stabilization. Because of these advantages a Z-stabilization pathway can be a candidate of practical mitigation strategies as treated in Part 2.(Contributed by Taroh MATSUNO, M.J.A.).     

Synthesis and photoinduced deprotection of calixarene derivatives containing certain protective groups

Calixarene derivatives 1a , 1b , and 1c containing pendant tert‐butoxycarbonyl (t‐BOC) groups were synthesized in 81, 93, and 83% yields, respectively, by the reaction of C‐methylcalix[4]resorcinarene (CRA), p‐methylcalix[6]arene (MCA), and p‐tert‐butylcalix[8]arene (BCA) with di‐tert‐butyl dicarbonate using triethylamine as a base in pyridine. Calixarene derivatives 2a , 2b , and 2c containing pendant trimethylsilyl ether (TMSE) groups were obtained in 58, 50, and 82% yields, respectively, by the reaction of CRA, MCA, and BCA with 1,1,1,3,3,3‐hexamethyldisilazane using chlorotrimethylsilane as an accelerator in tetrahydrofuran. Calixarene derivatives 3a , 3b , and 3c containing pendant cyclohexenyl ether (CHE) groups were also prepared in 65, 78, and 84% yields, respectively, by the reaction of CRA, MCA, and BCA with 3‐bromocyclohexene using potassium hydroxide as a base as well as tetrabutylammonium bromide as a phase‐transfer catalyst in N‐methyl‐2‐pyrolidone. The photoinduced deprotection of calixarene derivatives 1a – c was examined with bis‐[4‐(diphenylsulfonio)phenyl]sulfide bis(hexafluorophosphate) as a photoacid generator on UV irradiation followed by heating in the film state, and it was found that the deprotection of the t‐BOC groups of 1a proceeded smoothly in high conversion. The deprotection rates of the t‐BOC groups of 1b and 1c were much lower than that of 1a under the same irradiation conditions. The photoinduced deprotection of calixarenes 2b – c containing tetramethylsilane groups as well as 3a – c containing CHE groups were also examined under similar reaction conditions in the film state, and it was found that the deprotection rates of calixarenes 2b – c and 3a – c were lower than those of the corresponding 1a – c calixarenes. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1481–1494, 2001     

Uncertainty Relation for Errors Focusing on General POVM Measurements with an Example of Two-State Quantum Systems

A novel uncertainty relation for errors of general quantum measurement is presented. The new relation, which is presented in geometric terms for maps representing measurement, is completely operational and can be related directly to tangible measurement outcomes. The relation violates the naïve bound ℏ/2 for the position-momentum measurement, whilst nevertheless respecting Heisenberg’s philosophy of the uncertainty principle. The standard Kennard–Robertson uncertainty relation for state preparations expressed by standard deviations arises as a corollary to its special non-informative case. For the measurement on two-state quantum systems, the relation is found to offer virtually the tightest bound possible; the equality of the relation holds for the measurement performed over every pure state. The Ozawa relation for errors of quantum measurements will also be examined in this regard. In this paper, the Kolmogorovian measure-theoretic formalism of probability—which allows for the representation of quantum measurements by positive-operator valued measures (POVMs)—is given special attention, in regard to which some of the measure-theory specific facts are remarked along the exposition as appropriate.     

Color change (yellow \documentclass{article}\pagestyle{empty}\begin{document}$\rightleftharpoons$\end{document} orange) of 4,6,7-tri(alkoxy-substituted aryl)-1,2,5-thiadiazolo[3,4-c]pyridines in the solid phase

Reversible color change of 4,6,7-tri(alkoxy-substituted phenyl)-1,2,5-thiadiazolo[3,4-c]pyridines 5 in the solid state was observed: on grinding, yellow crystals of 5 became an orange amorphous solid which, on heating or washing with an appropriate solvent, gave the original yellow crystals.     

Fundamental studies on thyroid stimulating hormone immunoradiometric assay kit (TSH RIABEAD II)

We have reported fundamental studies on the TSH immunoradiometric assay, using TSH RIABEAD II kit (Dainabot). The sensitivity of the assay was 0.03 mu IU/ml and its C.V. was 27.2%. Intra- and inter-assay C.V. were less than 5%. Dilution test and recovery test were good. Serum TSH level was 0.3-4.0 mu IU/ml in normal subjects, less than 0.03 mu IU/ml in untreated Graves' disease and subacute thyroiditis. Therefore, it was found that the clear difference exist in serum TSH levels between normal subjects and patients with untreated Graves' disease. There was a well correlation on the serum TSH levels between this method and TSH radioimmunoassay kit (Amerlex TSH, r = 0.983). Especially, the measurement of serum TSH levels, using immunoradiometric assay kit, was useful for the diagnosis of patients with Graves' disease.