Domino processes as a tool for recovering substandard reactions. Synthesis and use of nitroacetic acid esters and amides

[reaction: see text] Elusive nitroacetic acid esters and amides were obtained through a halogen exchange reaction of the corresponding bromoacetic acid derivatives with polymer-supported nitrite anion. The process is flawed by a side product catalyzed degradation of the products. Domino processes turned out to be a powerful tool for overcoming such drawbacks, converting a substandard reaction into an efficient multicomponent preparation of 4-hydroxy-4,5-dihydroisoxazoles.     

Electro-optic properties of LiKSO4 and LiK1-xRbxSO4 crystals

1-x Rb_xSO₄ for x varying between 0 and 0.50 were investigated by an ac modulation method based upon the Sénarmont arrangement. The electro-optic coefficient r_c, and for the first time the coefficients r₄₁ and r₅₁ were determined with good accuracy in pure LiKSO₄ around room temperature at a wavelength of 633 nm. The frequency dependence of the electro-optic coefficient r_c was measured in the frequency range from 1 kHz up to 1 MHz. The values of the factor of merit n_e ³r_c of the mixed crystals LiK_1-xRb_xSO₄ were obtained for the first time, for the concentrations x=0.05, 0.10, 0.20, and 0.50. The electro-optic properties are shown to be affected by the random presence of the rubidium ions in this disordered system. Received: 16 March 1998/Revised version: 2 June 1998     

Complex magnetic ordering as a driving mechanism of multifunctional properties of Heusler alloys from first principles

First-principles calculations are used to study the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of (Pd, Pt)-Mn-Ni-(Ga, In, Sn, Sb) alloys, which display multifunctional properties like the magnetic shape-memory, magnetocaloric and exchange bias effect. The ab initio calculations give a basic understanding of the underlying physics which is associated with the complex magnetic behavior arising from competing ferro- and antiferromagnetic interactions with increasing number of Mn excess atoms in the unit cell. This information allows to optimize, for example, the magnetocaloric effect by using the strong influence of compositional changes on the magnetic interactions. Thermodynamic properties can be calculated by using the ab initio magnetic exchange parameters in finite-temperature Monte Carlo simulations. We present guidelines of how to improve the functional properties. For Pt-Ni-Mn-Ga alloys, a shape memory effect with 14% strain can be achieved in an external magnetic field.     

Antisense-mediated isoform switching of steroid receptor coactivator-1 in the central nucleus of the amygdala of the mouse brain

Background

Antisense oligonucleotide (AON)-mediated exon skipping is a powerful tool to manipulate gene expression. In the present study we investigated the potential of exon skipping by local injection in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) of the mouse brain. As proof of principle we targeted the splicing of steroid receptor coactivator-1 (SRC-1), a protein involved in nuclear receptor function. This nuclear receptor coregulator exists in two splice variants (SRC-1a and SRC-1e) which display differential distribution and opposing activities in the brain, and whose mRNAs differ in a single SRC-1e specific exon.

Methods

For proof of principle of feasibility, we used immunofluorescent stainings to study uptake by different cell types, translocation to the nucleus and potential immunostimulatory effects at different time points after a local injection in the CeA of the mouse brain of a control AON targeting human dystrophin with no targets in the murine brain. To evaluate efficacy we designed an AON targeting the SRC-1e-specific exon and with qPCR analysis we measured the expression ratio of the two splice variants.

Results

We found that AONs were taken up by corticotropin releasing hormone expressing neurons and other cells in the CeA, and translocated into the cell nucleus. Immune responses after AON injection were comparable to those after sterile saline injection. A successful shift of the naturally occurring SRC-1a:SRC-1e expression ratio in favor of SRC-1a was observed, without changes in total SRC-1 expression.

Conclusions

We provide a proof of concept for local neuropharmacological use of exon skipping by manipulating the expression ratio of the two splice variants of SRC-1, which may be used to study nuclear receptor function in specific brain circuits. We established that exon skipping after local injection in the brain is a versatile and useful tool for the manipulation of splice variants for numerous genes that are relevant for brain function.     

Synthesis of potential HIV integrase inhibitors inspired by natural polyphenol structures

Drawing inspiration from the structural features of some natural polyphenols, the synthesis of two different model compounds as potential inhibitors of HIV integrase (IN) has been described. The former was characterised by a diketo acid (DKA) bioisostere, such as a β-hydroxycarbonyl moiety, between two fragments containing aromatic groups, while in the latter an epoxide linked two polyoxygenated aromatic residues. The moieties present in the structures are thought to function by chelating divalent metal ions on the enzyme catalytic site. Overall, 10 compounds were prepared and some of that submitted to molecular modelling studies (to investigate their interactions with the active site of IN), to metal titration studies (to detect their chelating capability) and to biological assays.     

Crystal structures of two substituted biphenyl derivatives: 5,5′-di t-butyl-2-2′-biphenyldiol and 5,5′-dimethyl-2,2′-biphenyldiol

5,5-Di t-butyl-2,2-biphenyldiol (I), C₂₀H₂₆O₂, crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group P2₁2₁2₁ with a = 18.243(2), b = 9.947(2), c = 9.685(3) Å, and Z = 4; 5,5-dimethyl-2,2-biphenyldiol (II), C₁₄H₁₄O₂, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c with a = 9.959(2), b = 7.932(3), c = 15.392(2) Å, = 105.43(2)°, and Z = 4. The aromatic rings are tilted by 52.7(1) and 43.8(1)° to each other in compounds (I) and (II), respectively. Strong intra- and inter-molecular H-bonds connect the molecules in the crystals.     

Transfer measurements for the Ti+Ni systems at near barrier energies

Large enhancements have been observed in the sub-barrier fusion cross sections for Ti+Ni systems in our previous studies. Coupled channel calculations incorporating couplings to 2⁺ and 3⁻ states failed to explain these enhancements completely. A possibilty of transfer channels contributing to the residual enhancements had been suggested. In order to investigate the role of relevant transfer channels, measurements of one- and two-nucleon transfer were carried out for ^46,48Ti+⁶¹Ni systems. The present paper gives the results of these studies.