Efficient synthesis of 5-substituted-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-6-ones and 5-substituted-1,2,4-triazin-6-ones

Treatment of methyl α-(dimethylarninomethyleneamino)carboxylates 1 (from α-amino acids and dimethylformamide dimethylacetal) with hydrazine gives 5-substituted-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-6-ones 2 , which are smoothly dehydrogenated to 5-substituted-1,2,4-triazin-6-ones 3 with potassium permanganate in acetone/acetic acid.     

Total syntheses of spiroviolene and spirograterpene A: a structural reassignment with biosynthetic implications

The recent natural product isolates spiroviolene and spirograterpene A are two relatively non-functionalized linear triquinane terpenes with a large number of structural homologies. Nevertheless, three significant areas of structural disparity exist based on their original assignments, one of which implies a key stereochemical divergence early in their respective biosyntheses. Herein, using two known bicyclic ketone intermediates, a core Pd-catalyzed Heck cyclization sequence, and several chemoselective transformations, we describe concise total syntheses of both natural product targets and propose that the structure of spiroviolene should be reassigned. As a result, these natural products possess greater homology than previously anticipated.

Concise syntheses of spiroviolene and spirograterpene A have been achieved from a common intermediate, indicating a structure revision of one is necessary along with implications for its biosynthesis.     

Temperature-dependent far-infrared spectra of single crystals of high explosives using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy

Survey spectra of single-crystal HMX (octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine), RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine), and PETN (pentaerythritol tetranitrate) were acquired in the region from 10 to 80 cm(-1) using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. The spectra were taken at temperatures ranging from 8.4 to 300 K. Generally, the spectra show multiple absorption peaks in the range 50-80 cm(-1), with PETN (110) showing strong absorption features at room temperature. RDX (210) is the most notable in the region 10-40 cm(-1), showing multiple spectral features, while HMX (010) shows a very broad absorption at 47.8 cm(-1) with a fwhm of 37.3 cm(-1). Future plans include polarization-dependent investigations for multiple crystallographic orientations over an increased spectral range and higher-level theoretical calculations.     

Photoelectron Spectra of Unsaturated Oxides. I. 1,4-Dioxin and related systems

The He (Iα) photoelectron spectra of the four unsaturated oxides 3,4-dihydropyran ( 6 ), γ-pyran ( 7 ), 2, 3-dihydro-1, 4-dioxin ( 9 ) and 1, 4-dioxin ( 10 ) are reported and analysed. Band assignments are based on ab-initio calculations, using the STO-3G basis set. The proposed orbital sequences (with reference to the coordinate systems given in Table 1) are, for the top three orbitals: 6 , π, nσ, nπ; 7 , 3b₁(π), 1a₂(π), 11a₁(σ); 9 , 11b(π), 12a(σ), 11a(π); 10 , 2b_3u(π), 1b_1g(π), 6a_g(σ). Finally the (almost) localized π-orbitals have been computed by the Foster-Boys localization procedure.     

Patterned cell culture inside microfluidic devices

This paper describes a simple plasma-based dry etching method that enables patterned cell culture inside microfluidic devices by allowing patterning, fluidic bonding and sterilization steps to be carried out in a single step. This plasma-based dry etching method was used to pattern cell-adhesive and non-adhesive areas on the glass and polystyrene substrates. The patterned substrate was used for selective attachment and growth of human umbilical vein endothelial cells, MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells, NIH 3T3 mouse fibroblasts, and primary rat cortical neurons. Finally, we have successfully combined the dry-patterned substrate with a microfluidic device. Patterned primary rat neurons were maintained for up to 6 days inside the microfluidic devices and the neurons' somas and processes were confined to the cell-adhesive region. The method developed in this work offers a convenient way of micropatterning biomaterials for selective attachment of cells on the substrates, and enables culturing of patterned cells inside microfluidic devices for a number of biological research applications where cells need to be exposed to well-controlled fluidic microenvironment.     

CPRM: a new method for quantitative detection of peroxide formation during oxygen reduction using the rotating ring-disc electrode technique

A new procedure to detect peroxide formation quantitatively during oxygen reduction using the rotating ring-disc electrode (RRDE) technique is described. The new procedure is called the Cyclic Potential Ring Measurement (CPRM) method. In this technique, the ring electrode is continuously cycled between 850 mV and 1600 mV versus RHE at a sweep rate of 500 . Concurrently, the disc electrode is stepped potentiostatically in the potential region of oxygen reduction. For oxygen reduction on gold, the CPRM technique indicates 100% peroxide formation in the first wave region whereas the conventional RRDE technique indicated only 20 to 30% peroxide formation. The continuous sweeping of the ring electrode in the CPRM technique regenerates continuously a fresh, active ring electrode surface that is less susceptible to interference from low levels of impurities in the solution. Consequently, the CPRM technique provides a more stable, reproducible ring surface for peroxide detection than the conventional technique.To insure that the potential sweeping of the ring does not affect its response adversely, we measured the electrode collection coefficient with a model system (Fe(CN)³⁻₆/Fe(CN)⁴⁻₆), in which low levels of solution impurities would not interfere. The collection coefficient measured using the CPRM and conventional techniques with the model system agreed within ±2.4%.     

Quantification of isoflavones and lignans in serum using isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry

Phytoestrogens (isoflavones and lignans) are receiving increasing attention due to a potential protective effect against a number of complex diseases. However, in order to investigate these associations, it is necessary to accurately quantify the levels of phytoestrogens in foods and biological fluids. We report an assay for three isoflavones (daidzein, genistein, and glycitein), two metabolites of daidzein (O-desmethylangolensin and equol), and two lignans (enterodiol and enterolactone) in human serum using electrospray ionisation liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with selective reaction monitoring. A simple, highly automated sample preparation procedure requires only 200 microL of sample and utilises one solid-phase extraction stage. Limits of detection are in the region of 10 pg/mL for all analytes except equol, which had a limit of detection of approximately 100 pg/mL. The method developed is suitable for measuring the concentrations of phytoestrogens in blood samples collected from large epidemiological studies. The results of the analysis of serum samples from 300 men and women living in the UK are reported.     

Expression of monolysocardiolipin acyltransferase activity is regulated in concert with the level of cardiolipin and cardiolipin biosynthesis in the mammalian heart

Background  

Monolysocardiolipin acyltransferase (MLCL AT) catalyzes the acylation of monolysocardiolipin to cardiolipin in mammalian tissues. We previously reported that cardiac cardiolipin levels, MLCL AT and cardiolipin synthase activities were all elevated in rats made hyperthyroid by thyroxine treatment. In this study, we examined if cardiac mitochondrial MLCL AT activity was dependent upon the biosynthesis and level of cardiolipin in the heart. Rat heart mitochondrial MLCL AT activity was determined under conditions in which the levels of cardiac cardiolipin and cardiolipin synthase activity were either reduced or unaltered using four different disease models in the rat. In addition, these parameters were examined in a murine model of cardiac cell differentiation.     

Characterization of La0.8Sr0.2MnO3 Produced by a Reactive DC Thermal Plasma Spray System

An atmospheric pressure, reactive DC plasma spray system was used to evaluate a process for depositing porous, complex oxide thin films. A mixture of La₃O₃, SrCO₃, and MnCo₃ was used to produce a porous cathode layer for potential application in planar solid oxide fuel cells. The coated lanthanum strontium manganite (LSMO) layer made from the mixture was compared to ones generated using a pre-reacted LMSO powder made by solid-state reaction. The results showed that the crystallization of the reactive-spray formed coating layer on the zirconia substrate was higher than that of the coating layer on the mild steel from the pre-reacted LMSO powder. It is both a simpler process and gave better crystallization. The controlled porous coating layers with open pore size of less than 1 m were successfully produced in a reactive DC plasma spray system from the mixture of raw materials.     

A hyperstable collagen mimic

BACKGROUND: Collagen is the most abundant protein in animals. Each polypeptide chain of collagen is composed of repeats of the sequence: Gly-X-Y, where X and Y are often L-proline (Pro) and 4(R)-hydroxy-L-proline (Hyp) residues, respectively. These chains are wound into tight triple helices of great stability. The hydroxyl group of Hyp residues contributes much to this conformational stability. The existing paradigm is that this stability arises from interstrand hydrogen bonds mediated by bridging water molecules. This model was tested using chemical synthesis to replace Hyp residues with 4(R)-fluoro-L-proline (Flp) residues. The fluorine atom in Flp residues does not form hydrogen bonds but does elicit strong inductive effects. RESULTS: Replacing the Hyp residues in collagen with Flp residues greatly increases triple-helical stability. The free energy contributed by the fluorine atom in Flp residues is twice that of the hydroxyl group in Hyp residues. The stability of the Flp-containing triple helix far exceeds that of any untemplated collagen mimic of similar size. CONCLUSIONS: Bridging water molecules contribute little to collagen stability. Rather, collagen stability relies on previously unappreciated inductive effects. Collagen mimics containing fluorine or other appropriate electron-withdrawing substituents could be the basis of new biomaterials for restorative therapies.