Oxone®-mediated direct arylselenylation of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles,imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and 1H-pyrazoles

Oxone mediated reaction of imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole, imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine and 1H-pyrazole derivatives with diaryl diselenides is presented here. The methodology represents an efficient and simple protocol for carrying out the selective synthesis of 5-arylselanyl-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazoles, 3-arylselanyl-imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines and 4-arylselanyl-1H-pyrazoles in high yields using a stable, nontoxic and cheap oxidant. The reactions were conducted at 60?°C in air using acetonitrile as solvent. Alternatively, the use of ultrasound irradiation is presented as a tool for fast and efficient energy transfer that significantly reduced the reaction time.     

Monitoring the Interaction of α-Synuclein with Calcium Ions through Exclusively Heteronuclear Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Experiments

Many properties of intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs), or protein regions (IDRs), are modulated by the nature of amino acid side chains as well as by local solvent exposure. We propose a set of exclusively heteronuclear NMR experiments to investigate these features in different experimental conditions that are relevant for physiological function. The proposed approach is generally applicable to many IDPs/IDRs whose assignment is available in the Biological Magnetic Resonance Bank (BMRB) to investigate how their properties are modulated by different, physiologically relevant conditions. The experiments, tested on α-synuclein, are then used to investigate how α-synuclein senses Ca²⁺ concentration jumps associated with the transmission of nerve signals. Novel modules in the primary sequence of α-synuclein optimized for calcium sensing in highly flexible, disordered protein segments are identified.     

The Diffusion Problem of Toxic Gases in a Tunnel. The Pump Absorption Model

In this work we study the diffusion of a toxic gas in a tunnel due to an explosion in order to realize a control system—via a wireless network of active sensors—for identification and immediate containment procedures. To this end an aspiration pump is turned on instantaneously at a distance of b meters from the explosion to mitigate the effects of the terroristic act. We exactly find the diffusion concentration in order to provide a solution useful for comparison to other models: numerical ones or models with many aspiration pumps. The model is described by the diffusion partial differential equation (PDE) with a non-homogeneous term which models the aspiration pump. A model with more suction pumps is outlined.     

Anti-angiogenic activity evaluation of secondary metabolites from Calycolpus moritzianus leaves

Angiogenesis is a crucial step in many pathological conditions like cancer, inflammation and metastasis formation; on these basis the search for antiangiogenic agents has widened. In order to identify new compounds able to interfere in the Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1 (VEGFR-1, also known as Flt-1) recognition by VEGFs family members, we screened Calycolpus moritzianus (O. Berg) Burret leaves extracts by a competitive ELISA-based assay. MeOH and CHCl3 extracts and several their fractions demonstrated to be able to prevent VEGF or PlGF interaction with Flt-1, with an inhibition about 50% at concentration of 100 microg/mL. Phytochemical and pharmacological investigation of the active fractions led to the isolation of flavonoids, and terpenes.     

A well-behaved dynamic library of cyclophane formaldehyde acetals incorporating diphenylmethane units

A new well-behaved dynamic library (DL) based on acetal cyclophanes incorporating diphenylmethane units is described. The effective molarities of the first two members of this library of cyclic oligomers C(2) and C(3) have been obtained from concentration profiles. Amplification of the dimer in the presence of a silver template, and cross-equilibration experiments are also reported.     

Toxic plants used in ethnoveterinary medicine in Italy

This study was conducted to document the use of toxic or potentially toxic plants for the treatment of ailments in livestock and pets in ethnoveterinary practice in Italy. More than 250 of the entities used (81% for curative purposes) can be toxic unless dosed appropriately. Many (55%) are dietary supplements. The list included 186 species (45%) for internal and 175 (55%) for external use, many used in places where animals are kept. The species belong to 71 families, among which the Fabaceae predominate. The purpose of the study was to provide information that can be validated and associated with correct determination, permitting even potentially dangerous plants to be used in veterinary practice.     

A convenient and safe O-methylation of flavonoids with dimethyl carbonate (DMC)

Dietary flavonoids exhibit beneficial health effects. Several epidemiological studies have focused on their biological activities, including antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular properties. More recently, these compounds have shown to be promising cancer chemopreventive agents in cell culture studies. In particular, O-methylated flavonoids exhibited a superior anticancer activity than the corresponding hydroxylated derivatives being more resistant to the hepatic metabolism and showing a higher intestinal absorption. In this communication we describe a convenient and efficient procedure in order to prepare a large panel of mono- and dimethylated flavonoids by using dimethyl carbonate (DMC), an ecofriendly and non toxic chemical, which plays the role of both solvent and reagent. In order to promote the methylation reaction under mild and practical conditions, 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (DBU) was added in the solution; methylated flavonoids were isolated in high yields and with a high degree of purity. This methylation protocol avoids the use of hazardous and high toxic reagents (diazomethane, dimethyl sulfate, methyl iodide).     

One-step covalent grafting of Fe4 single-molecule magnet monolayers on gold

Iron(III)-based single-molecule magnets have been covalently grafted on Au(111) in one step using 1,2-dithiolan-3-yl side groups. Reaction with the substrate quantitatively affords a monolayer of electronically intact clusters doubly linked to the surface via Au-S bonds, as demonstrated by a combination of STM, XAS/XMCD and XPS studies.