TmDOTA-: a sensitive probe for MR thermometry in vivo.

The lanthanide complex, thulium 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (TmDOTA-), has been investigated as an agent for MR thermometry in vivo. The chemical shifts of the TmDOTA- protons were highly sensitive to temperature at a clinically relevant field strength, yet insensitive to pH and the presence of Ca2+. Given the excellent stability of lanthanide-DOTA complexes and high thermal sensitivity, TmDOTA- is expected to be a good candidate for MR thermometry in vivo.     

Structural and chiroptical properties of the two coordination isomers of YbDOTA-type complexes

Studies of the structural, physical, and chemical properties of the lanthanide(III) complexes of DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) and related ligands are often complicated by the presence of two coordination isomers in solution. Since these coordination isomers are in exchange and cannot be separated, many techniques offer information only on the weighted average of the two isomers. Lanthanide ion complexes formed with the ligands S(RRRR)NO2BnDOTMA and S(SSSS)NO2BnDOTMA preferentially adopt only one of the two common coordination isomers in solution, so the ytterbium complexes of these ligands offer a unique opportunity to study the near-infrared circular dichroism (NIR-CD) characteristics of each coordination geometry in isolation. The spectra acquired support many of the conclusions and assumptions of previous studies and demonstrate that this spectroscopy is particularly sensitive to the distortion of the coordination polyhedron. This will have particularly relevant consequences when studying achiral YbDOTA-like systems forming labile adducts with (chiral) hosts and receptors.     

Comment on the leptonic decay mode of the τ-lepton

The energy spectrum of the e-μ events from τ-decay is analyzed in an attempt to rule out the possibility that the ν_τ is spin-$\text{3}\text{2}$ independent of the observation of the pionic decay mode. While spin-$\text{3}\text{2}$ cannot be completely ruled out in this way, it is only viable for a fairly narrow range of values of a Michel parameter.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arachidonoyl glycine,an abundant endogenous lipid,potently drives directed cellular migration through GPR18, the putative abnormal cannabidiol receptor

Background  

Microglia provide continuous immune surveillance of the CNS and upon activation rapidly change phenotype to express receptors that respond to chemoattractants during CNS damage or infection. These activated microglia undergo directed migration towards affected tissue. Importantly, the molecular species of chemoattractant encountered determines if microglia respond with pro- or anti-inflammatory behaviour, yet the signaling molecules that trigger migration remain poorly understood. The endogenous cannabinoid system regulates microglial migration via CB₂ receptors and an as yet unidentified GPCR termed the 'abnormal cannabidiol' (Abn-CBD) receptor. Abn-CBD is a synthetic isomer of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol (CBD) and is inactive at CB₁ or CB₂ receptors, but functions as a selective agonist at this G_i/o-coupled GPCR. N-arachidonoyl glycine (NAGly) is an endogenous metabolite of the endocannabinoid anandamide and acts as an efficacious agonist at GPR18. Here, we investigate the relationship between NAGly, Abn-CBD, the unidentified 'Abn-CBD' receptor, GPR18, and BV-2 microglial migration.     

Nitrogen isotope fractionation factors (α) measured and estimated from the volatilisation of ammonia from water at pH 9.2 and pH 8.5

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the nitrogen isotope fractionation factors (α) associated with the volatilisation of ammonia from water under controlled conditions at two pH values (8.5 and 9.2). This experiment assumed the continuous removal of ammonia at a single purge rate of 10?mL air min^?1. The fractionation resulting from the removal of total ammonia from the water into an acid trap was named the observed isotope fractionation factor (α_obs), and it was measured as 1.019 (±0.0025) at pH 8.5 and 1.030 (±0.0025) at pH 9.2. The observed isotope fractionation factor includes the equilibrium isotope fractionation factor (α_eq) and the kinetic isotope fractionation factor (α_kin), each one mathematically derived from the experimental data. The equilibrium and kinetic isotope fractionation factors were estimated as α_eq?=?1.036 (±0.0014) and α_kin?=?1.050 (±0.003), respectively. Our results are compared to other previously measured and estimated fractionation factors.     

Synthesis of Spirocyclic Ethers by Enantioselective Copper‐Catalyzed Carboetherification of Alkenols

Spirocyclic ethers can be found in bioactive compounds. This copper‐catalyzed enantioselective alkene carboetherification provides 5,5‐, 5,6‐ and 6,6‐spirocyclic products containing fully substituted chiral carbon centers with up to 99 % enantiomeric excess. This reaction features the formation of two rings from acyclic substrates, 1,1‐disubstituted alkenols functionalized with either arenes, alkenes, or alkynes, and clearly constitutes a powerful way to synthesize chiral spirocyclic ethers.     

Total synthesis of (S)-(+)-tylophorine via enantioselective intramolecular alkene carboamination

The enantioselective synthesis of (S)-(+)-tylophorine, a potent cancer cell growth inhibitor, has been accomplished in eight steps from commercially available 3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol. A copper (II)-catalyzed enantioselective intramolecular alkene carboamination was employed as the key step to construct the chiral indolizidine ring.     

Polymeric PARACEST agents for enhancing MRI contrast sensitivity

Linear polymers of PARACEST agents were prepared by using classical free radical chain polymerization conditions. The Eu3+-polymers exhibited similar intermediate-to-slow water exchange and CEST characteristics as the Eu3+-monomers. This provided an avenue to lower the detection limit of these imaging agents substantially and makes them potentially useful as MRI sensors for molecular imaging.