Synthesis of 3-substituted-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-naphth[1,2-d]-imidazole-2,4,5-triones and 1-Substituted-2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1H-naphth[2,3-d]imidazole-2,4,9-triones

Tricyclic compounds with an imidazolinone ring fused to 1,2- and 1,4-naphtoquinones were synthesized by a reaction of 4-amino-1,2-naphthoquinone and 2-amino-1,4-naphthoquinone with electrophilic symmetric and non symmetric diazenes.     

Synthesis and Ruthenium-Catalyzed Enantioselective Hydrogenation of 3-O-Substituted 1,3-Dihydroxypropan-2-ones. Part 2

A number of 3-O-substituted 1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-ones have been synthesized in view of their potential use as prochiral precursors of optically active glycerols. Indeed, the oxo-ethers have been reduced to the corresponding 3-O-substituted glycerols via chiral Ru complexes derived from (S)-binap, ( =(?)-(S)-2,2′-bis(diphenylphosphino)-1,1′-binaphthalene) with enantiomeric excesses up to 93%. The steric course of the catalytic reduction appears to be essentially dependent on the steric encumbrance of the substituents; indeed, a dramatic increase of the enantiomeric excess is observed when the bulky trityl group is substituted by the less encumbering benzyl or octadecyl groups.     

Synthesis, characterization and application of Ni(tta)2.tmeda to MOCVD of nickel oxide thin films

A novel nickel beta-diketonate adduct, Ni(tta)2.tmeda, has been synthesized using 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone as the beta-diketonate and N,N,N,'N'-tetramethylethylendiamine as the Lewis base. It has been characterized by elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR spectroscopy and single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Physical and thermal properties of Ni(tta)2.tmeda precursor have been also extensively investigated. Its efficacy as a metal-organic chemical vapour deposition (MOCVD) precursor for the growth of nickel oxide films has been fully tested by applying it to the deposition of NiO films on quartz substrate. NiO thin films have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and UV spectroscopy.     

Compositional and technological features of glazed pottery from Aosta Valley (Italy): a SEM–EDS investigation

Twelve finds from archaeological excavations carried out in the Aosta region (Italy) were studied by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray detection (SEM–EDS). The archaeological samples were shards of glazed pottery dating from the fourth to the seventh century AD. Analysis of ceramic bodies revealed a general homogeneity in composition among the studied samples and the use of a noncalcareous clay for their manufacture; however, two shards stand out due to their high iron contents. Glazes proved to be high-lead products with more than 70% PbO in all of the samples investigated but one. For the latter, a composition poorer in lead and richer in silicon, aluminium and iron was found. SEM observation of the contact region between body and glaze suggests that the vitreous coatings were mostly obtained by applying the glazing components onto the unfired clay body; moreover, a comparison between clay and glaze compositions suggests the use of a lead compound mixed with a silica-rich material, not a lead compound by itself.     

Selective enzymatic reduction of aldehydes

Highly selective enzymatic reductions of aldehydes to the corresponding alcohols was performed using an E. coli JM109 whole cell biocatalyst. A selective enzymatic method for the reduction of aldehydes could provide an eco-compatible alternative to chemical methods. The simplicity, fairly wide scope and the very high observed chemoselectivity of this approach are its most unique features.     

EEG topography-specific BOLD changes: a continuous EEG-fMRI study in a patient with focal epilepsy

Blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response related to interictal activity was evaluated in a patient with post-traumatic focal epilepsy at repeated continuous electroencephalogram (EEG)-functional magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Lateralized interictal EEG activity induced a main cluster of activation co-localized with the anatomical lesion. Spreading of EEG interictal activity to both frontal lobes evoked bilateral clusters of activation indicating that topography of BOLD response might depend on the spatial distribution of epileptiform activity.     

A ketogenic diet increases succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity and recovers age-related decrease in numeric density of SDH-positive mitochondria in cerebellar Purkinje cells of late-adult rats

Ketogenic diets (KDs) have been applied in the therapy of paediatric epilepsy for nearly a century. Recently, beneficial results have also been reported on metabolic disorders and neurodegeneration, designating aged individuals as possible recipients. However, KDs efficacy decrease after the suckling period, and very little is known about their impact on the aging brain. In the present study, the effect on the neuronal energetic supply of a KD containing 20% of medium chain triglycerides (MCT) was investigated in Purkinje cells of the cerebellar vermis of late-adult (19-month-old) rats. The animals were fed with the KD for 8 weeks, and succinic dehydrogenase (SDH) activity was cytochemically determined. The following parameters of SDH-positive mitochondria were evaluated by the use of a computer-assisted image analysis system connected to a transmission electron microscope: numeric density (Nv), average volume (V), volume density (Vv), and cytochemical precipitate area/mitochondrial area (R). Young, age-matched, and old animals fed with a standard chow were used as controls. We found significantly higher Nv in MCT-KD-fed rats vs. all the control groups, in young vs. late-adult and old controls, and in late-adult vs. old controls. V and Vv showed no significant differences among the groups. R was significantly higher in MCT-KD-fed rats vs. all the control animals, and in old vs. young and late-adult controls. Present data indicate that the ketogenic treatment counteracted age-related decrease in numeric density of SDH-positive mitochondria, and enhanced their metabolic efficiency. Given the central role of mitochondrial impairment in age-related physio-pathological changes of the brain, these findings may represent a starting point to examine novel potentialities for KDs.