Complexation of quaternary ammonium ions by tetraester derivatives of [3.1.3.1]homooxacalixarene in mobile and in fixed conformation

In the tetraalkylation of p-tert-butyl[3.1.3.1]homooxacalixarene with BrCH2CO2R and K2CO3 in acetone, the initially formed cone conformer is converted into the more stable 1,4-alternate conformer when R = Me or Et, but not when R = i-Pr or t-Bu. In the case of R = i-Pr, derivatives in fixed 1,4-alternate conformation and in partial cone conformation were also isolated. Compounds in fixed cone conformation are good ligands for tetramethylammonium, acetylcholine, and N-methylpyridinium salts in CDCl3, but the partial cone isomer proved to be somewhat better and even the 1,4-alternate conformer turned out to be active. The possible involvement of the ester functions as additional binding sites is discussed; moreover, an insight into the energetics of the complexation and conformational isomerization processes is given.     

High-throughput pharmacokinetic method: cassette dosing in mice associated with minuscule serial bleedings and LC/MS/MS analysis

A method for pharmacokinetic studies using cassette dosing associated with serial bleeding in mice is described. PK profiles of four soluble epoxide hydrolase inhibitors were determined following oral, subcutaneous or intraperitoneal administration individually or in cassette dosing. Parent analyses were performed on only 5 μL of whole blood from serial bleeds (up to 10 per animal), by LC/MS/MS. An accuracy (88-100%) and precision (<10% RSD) were observed, leading to reliable datum points for PK calculation. PK profiles, T_max, C_max and half-life values after cassette dosing were similar to the individual PK results. This method dramatically increases speed of data collection while dramatically reducing cost and animal usage. The results presented here clearly indicate that this proposed method could be applicable to high-throughput PK studies.     

A simple two-phase route to silver nanoparticles/polyaniline structures

Novel silver nanoparticles/polyaniline composites were obtained through a two-phase water/toluene interfacial reaction. We show that by rigorously controlling the reaction time, different structures of the nanocomposites can be obtained, such as a thin sheet of polyaniline around the silver nanoparticles or a polymer mass with nanoparticles homogeneously embedded within it. Samples were characterized by FT-IR, UV-vis-NIR and Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, cyclic voltammetry, TEM, and HRTEM. Conductivity and current-voltage characteristics of the nanocomposites were measured, and the results indicate that different properties result from the different structures in which the nanocomposites were formed.     

A study on photolinkers used for biomolecule attachment to polymer surfaces

The use of photolinkers (photoactivatable heterobifunctional crosslinkers) is a popular method to attach biomolecules to polymer surfaces. This study addresses the selection of photolinker and the adjustment of reaction conditions, such as the concentration of biomolecule applied, and irradiation time. The influence of these variables are investigated for four prominent photolinkers: ketyl-reactive benzophenone (BP) and anthraquinone (AQ), nitrene-reactive nitrophenyl azide (NPA), and carbene-reactive phenyl-(trifluoromethyl)diazirine (PTD). The influence of substrate material is discussed, and three different polymers served as representative substrates: poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), and a cycloolefin copolymer (COC). We compared the overall photolinking efficiency of all photolinkers with respect to the polymer substrate they are applied to, and we found considerable differences for certain photolinker/substrate combinations. Of all photolinkers and substrates tested, PTD as photolinker and COC as substrate showed the highest photolinking efficiencies and fastest reaction times. For this study DNA oligonucleotides were chosen as a model system of biomolecular probes, and fluorescence detection of DNA microarrays served as method of detection.     

Synthesis of the multisubstituted halogenated olefins via cross-coupling of dihaloalkenes with alkylzinc bromides

[reaction: see text] The 1-fluoro-1-haloalkenes undergo Pd-catalyzed Negishi cross-couplings with primary alkylzinc bromides to give multisubstituted fluoroalkenes. The alkylation was trans-selective giving pure Z-fluoroalkenes in most cases. The highest yields were obtained with Pd2(dba)3 and PdCl2(dppb) catalysts but the best stereochemical outcome was obtained with less reactive Pd(PPh3)4. The tertiary alkylzincs also produced desired fluoroalkenes in high yields. Coupling of beta,beta-dichlorostyrene with organozinc reagent resulted in the formation of monocoupled product.     

High- and low-resolution mass spectrometry coupled to liquid chromatography as confirmatory methods of anabolic residues in crude meat and infant foods

Within the European Union the use of anabolic steroids for promoting growth and improving meat-to-fat ratio in food-producing animals has been banned since 1988. For the unequivocal identification of hormone residues in a complex matrix such as meat we have developed a rapid, specific and sensitive liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) method, in combination with a simple extraction procedure based on the matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD). The performances of a triple quadrupole (QqQ) and a quadrupole/time-of-flight (QqTOF) were compared: the QqQ mass spectrometer was found to be more sensitive for almost all studied analytes, but the selectivity was superior using the QqTOF system; the full-scan spectra (acquired without losing sensitivity), mass accuracy and resolution of the hybrid instrument enabled a more probatory analyte identification than that obtained selecting two multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) transitions with a QqQ. Average recoveries ranged from 80 to 100%, and the detection capabilities (CCbetas) were less than 1.06 ppb with the QqQ instrument and less than 5.20 ppb with the QqTOF instrument for the bovine meat, which proved to be the most complex matrix.     

Determination of ionic liquids solvent properties using an unusual probe: the electron donor-acceptor complex between 4,4'-bis(dimethylamino)-benzophenone and tetracyanoethene

Michler's ketone (MK) and tetracyanoethene (TCNE) may be used as a UV-vis probe to investigate the solvent properties of ionic liquids (ILs). In molecular solvents, MK and TCNE give an electron donor-acceptor (EDA) complex, a zwitterionic species or a radical ion pair, depending on the aprotic or protic nature of the solvent and on its ionizing power. In agreement with the behavior observed in aprotic solvents, only the EDA complex was detected in ILs bearing low donor anions (beta < 0.7). The formation constant determined in [bmim][Tf(2)N] (K(c) = 5.6 (0.5) M(-1)) is similar to that measured in 1,2-dichloroethane at 25 degrees C. The visible absorption maximum (nu(max,CTC)) of the EDA complex is quantitatively described by a multiple correlation using the Kamlet-Taft pi, beta, and alpha parameters of the solvents. The H-bond donating capacity of ILs is not sufficient to determine the transformation of the EDA complex into the zwitterionic species, but the Kamlet-Taft alpha parameter seems to affect the position of the absorption band. The high ionization power of ILs, moreover, favors the slow dissociation of the EDA complex into its corresponding radical ion pair; this behavior generally characterizes highly polar and highly ionizing protic solvents, such as TFE and HFI. Finally, since the formation of the EDA complex is strongly affected by the presence of impurities, traces of nucleophiles (chloride or amines) or water may be easily detected through the change of the solution color.     

Pharmacophore modeling and in silico screening for new P450 19 (aromatase) inhibitors

Cytochrome P450 19 (P450 19, aromatase) constitutes a successful target for the treatment of breast cancer. This study analyzes chemical features common to P450 19 inhibitors to develop ligand-based, selective pharmacophore models for this enzyme. The HipHop and HypoRefine algorithms implemented in the Catalyst software package were employed to create both common feature and quantitative models. The common feature model for P450 19 includes two ring aromatic features in its core and two hydrogen bond acceptors at the ends. The models were used as database search queries to identify active compounds from the NCI database.     

Blockade of stress-induced increase of glutamate release in the rat prefrontal/frontal cortex by agomelatine involves synergy between melatonergic and 5-HT2C receptor-dependent pathways

Background

Agomelatine is a melatonergic receptor agonist and a 5HT_2C receptor antagonist that has shown antidepressant efficacy. In order to analyze separately the effect of the two receptorial components, rats were chronically treated with agomelatine, melatonin (endogenous melatonergic agonist), or S32006 (5-HT_2C antagonist), and then subjected to acute footshock-stress.

Results

Only chronic agomelatine, but not melatonin or S32006, completely prevented the stress-induced increase of glutamate release in the rat prefrontal/frontal cortex.

Conclusions

These results suggest a potential synergy between melatonergic and serotonergic pathways in the action of agomelatine.