A new DMAP-catalyzed and microwave-assisted approach for introducing heteroarylamino substituents at position-4 of the quinazoline ring

We report herein a new methodology for synthesizing quinazoline derivatives bearing a heteroarylamino moiety at position-4 of the quinazoline ring. As an alternative to the Buchwald–Hartwig cross-coupling reaction, which appears, until now, as the only efficient way to react 4-chloroquinazolines with numerous amino nitrogen-containing heterocycles displaying poor nucleophilicity, we developed a DMAP-catalyzed reaction involving microwave irradiation. Optimization of the reaction conditions led to the use of 30 mol % of DMAP in toluene, using a monomode microwave reactor and sealed vials. Moreover, the S_NAr reaction intermediate salt was isolated and fully characterized. Finally, the procedure was extended to two different 2-substituted-quinazoline series and also to various anilines, demonstrating that this approach was a general efficient way to access to such 4-substituted quinazoline scaffolds of high pharmaceutical interest.     

Differential tissue expression of a calpastatin isoform in Xenopus embryos

This study is aimed at demonstrating the role played by a calpastatin isoform (Xcalp3) in Xenopus embryos. A specific monoclonal antibody (mAb) was raised against a glutathione S-transferase (GST)-Xcalp3 fusion protein and characterized by immunoblotting and confocal fluorescence microscopy on stage 20-36 embryos. Under these conditions, calpastatin reactivity is associated with a major 110kDa protein fraction and preferentially expressed by notochord and somitic cells. In notochord cells, anti-calpastatin reactive sites were initially restricted to the luminal space of the vacuoles and later became diffused throughout the cytoplasm. In contrast, anti-calpastatin reactive sites in somitic cells were initially diffused throughout the cytoplasm and became restricted to a few intracellular granules in the later developmental stages. At the ultrastructural level, notochord cells appeared as flattened discs containing several vacuoles and numerous electron-dense granules. During transition from stages 26 to 32, electron-dense granules were gradually reduced in number as vacuoles enlarged in size and losed their calpastatin reactivity. Electron-dense granules were also present in myoblast cells and their number gradually reduced during development. To determine whether these observations bear any causal relationship to the calpain/calpastatin system, a number of Xenopus embryos were examined both ultrastructurally and histochemically following exposure to a specific calpain inhibitor (CI3). Under these conditions, Xenopus embryos exhibited an altered right-left symmetry and an abnormal axial shortening. In CI3-treated stage 32 embryos, notochord cells had a reduced vacuolar extension and exhibited at the same time an increase in granular content. The overall morphology of the somites was also distorted and myoblasts were altered both in shape and granular content. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the calpain/calpastatin may play an important role in the control of notochord elongation and somite differentiation during Xenopus embryogenesis.     

The Effect of Enantiomer Elution Order on the Determination of Minor Enantiomeric Impurity in Ketoprofen and Enantiomeric Purity Evaluation of Commercially Available Dexketoprofen Formulations

In a recent study, opposite enantiomer elution order was observed for ketoprofen enantiomers on two amylose-phenylcarbamate-based chiral columns with the same chemical composition of the chiral selector but in one case with coated while in the other with an immobilized chiral selector. In the present study, the influence of this uncommon effect on method validation parameters for the determination of minor enantiomeric impurity in dexketoprofen was studied. The validated methods with two alternative elution orders for enantiomers were applied for the evaluation of enantiomeric impurity in six marketed dexketoprofen formulations from various vendors. In most of these formulations except one the content of enantiomeric impurity exceeded 0.1% (w/w).     

Mechanisms of fire retardance in glass fibre polymer composites

It is shown that the introduction of glass fibres in the poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) matrix, increases its flammability. The mechanism of action of a typical fire retardant for PBT which is a mixture of a brominated organic compound and antimony trioxide, seems to involve both the condensed and the gas phase.     

New 4-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,2,3-triazole derivatives

A new 4-(benzotriazol-1-yl)-1,2,3-triazole structure was obtained by the diazotization reaction of either of 1-(2-aminophenyl)-4-carboxamido-5-amino-1H-1,2,3-triazole ( 1c ) or of the corresponding Dimroth isomer 1d . It underwent some common reactions to evaluate its chemical behaviour and structure. An analogous reaction sequence was carried out from the 2-nitro-4-methylphenyl azide, to assign the structure to the nitro derivatives prepared. The structure of the new compounds prepared was confirmed by chemical and spectroscopic methods.     

Characterization of Collagen/Lipid Nanoparticle–Curcumin Cryostructurates for Wound Healing Applications

Curcumin‐loaded collagen cryostructurates have been devised for wound healing applications. Curcumin displays strong antioxidant, antiseptic, and anti‐inflammatory properties, while collagen is acknowledged for promoting cell adhesion, migration and differentiation. However, when curcumin is loaded directly into collagen hydrogels, it forms large molecular aggregates and clogs the matrix pores. A double‐encapsulation strategy is therefore developed by loading curcumin into lipid nanoparticles (LNP), and embedding these particles inside collagen scaffolds. The resulting collagen/LNP cryostructurates have an optimal fibrous structure with ≈100 µm average pore size for sustaining cell migration. Results show that collagen is structurally unaltered and that nanoparticles are homogeneously distributed amidst collagen fibers. Hydrogels soaked in saline buffer release about 20 to 30% of their nanoparticles content within 24 h, while achieved 100% release after 25 days. When exposed to NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, these hydrogels provide a satisfactory scaffold for cell interaction as early as 4 h after seeding, with no cytotoxic counter effect. These positive features make the collagen/lipid cryostructurates a promising material for further use in wound healing.     

Selective Detection of Mg2+ for Sensing Applications in Drinking Water

A new series of ligands containing the 2-(2-hydroxy-3- naphthyl)-4-methylbenzoxazole (HNBO) fluorophore showed selectivity for Mg²⁺ ions, without the interference of Ca²⁺. The most promising representative L3 resulted the best performing sensor for Mg²⁺ both in solution and embedded in an all-solid-state optode, especially towards real samples of drinkable water.     

Loss aversion with multiple investment goals

This paper presents a time-continuous portfolio selection model with loss averse investors, who possess multiple investment goals at different time horizons. The model assumes partial narrow framing. Investors follow a two-step approach. First, they optimally allocate wealth among investment goals. Second, they determine an optimal investment strategy for each investment goal separately. We show that when loss aversion is according to the experimental findings, investors mainly invest their wealth to reach long-term goals and adopt investment strategies with high leverage to reach short-term goals. The overall strategy also display high leverage. The same patterns is observed when loss aversion is extreme and goals are very ambitious. By contrast, when loss aversion is extreme but goals are not too ambitious, investors mainly invest to reach short-term goals and adopt safe investment strategies for this purpose.