On [Fe4S4]2+ -(mu2-SR)-M II bridge formation in the synthesis of an A-cluster analogue of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetylcoenzyme A synthase

The construction of a synthetic analogue of the A-cluster of carbon monoxide dehydrogenase/acetylcoenzyme synthase, the site of acetylcoenzyme A formation, requires as a final step the formation of an unsupported [Fe(4)S(4)]-(mu(2)-SR)-Ni(II) bridge to a preformed cluster. Our previous results (Rao, P. V.; Bhaduri, S.; Jiang, J.; Holm, R. H. Inorg. Chem. 2004, 43, 5833) and the work of others have addressed synthesis of dinuclear complexes relevant to the A-cluster. This investigation concentrates on reactions pertinent to bridge formation by examining systems containing dinuclear and mononuclear Ni(II) complexes and the 3:1 site-differentiated clusters [Fe(4)S(4)(LS(3))L'](2-) (L' = TfO(-) (14), SEt (15)). The system 14/[{Ni(L(O)-S(2)N(2))}M(SCH(2)CH(2)PPh(2))](+) results in cleavage of the dinuclear complex and formation of [{Ni(L(O)-S(2)N(2))}Fe(4)S(4)(LS(3))]- (18), in which the Ni(II) complex binds at the unique cluster site with formation of a Ni(mu(2)-SR)(2)Fe bridge rhomb. Cluster 18 and the related species [{Ni(phma)}Fe(4)S(4)(LS(3))](3)- (19) are obtainable by direct reaction of the corresponding cis-planar Ni(II)-S(2)N(2) complexes with 14. The mononuclear complexes [M(pdmt)(SEt)]- (M = Ni(II), Pd(II)) with 14 in acetonitrile or Me(2)SO solution react by thiolate transfer to give 15 and [M(2)(pdmt)(2)]. However, in dichloromethane the Ni(II) reaction product is interpreted as [{Ni(pdmt)(mu(2)-SEt)}Fe(4)S(4)(LS(3))](2-) (20). Reaction of Et(3)NH(+) and 15 affords the double cubane [{Fe(4)S(4)(LS(3))}(2)(mu(2)-SEt)](3-) (21). Cluster 18 contains two mutually supportive Fe-(mu(2)-SR)-Ni(II) bridges, 19 exhibits one strong and one weaker bridge, 20 has one unsupported bridge (inferred from the (1)H NMR spectrum), and 21 has one unsupported Fe-(mu(2)-SR)-Fe bridge. Bridges in 18, 19, and 21 were established by X-ray structures. This work demonstrates that a bridge of the type found in the enzyme A-clusters is achievable by synthesis and implies that more stable, unsupported single thiolate bridges may require reinforcement by an additional covalent linkage between the Fe(4)S(4) and nickel-containing components. (LS(3) = 1,3,5-tris((4,6-dimethyl-3-mercaptophenyl)thio)-2,4,6-tris(p-tolylthio)benzene(3-); L(O)-S(2)N(2) = N,N'-diethyl-3,7-diazanonane-1,9-dithiolate(2-); pdmt = pyridine-2,6-methanedithiolate(2-); phma = N,N'-1,2-phenylenebis(2-acetylthio)acetamidate(4-); TfO = triflate.).     

Synthesis of bridgedhead azolo[3,2-a]pyrimidines and imidazo[2,1-b]thiazines through ring transformation of 2H-pyran-2-ones

Suitably functionalized 3-carbomethoxy/cyano-2H-pyran-2-ones are excellent synthons for the synthesis of arenes and heteroarenes of therapeutic importance. The compounds 6-aryl-3-cyano-4-methylsulfanyl-2H-pyran-2-ones have been transformed into bridgedhead azolopyrimidines and imidazothiazines through thermal and base-induced ring transformation reactions with aminoazoles and imidazolidin-2-thiones, respectively.     

Solid-State NMR Study of Phase Separation and Order of Water Molecules and Silanol Groups in Polysiloxane Networks

Homogeneity and structure of organically modified polysiloxane networks prepared by sol-gel co-condensation, as well as location and nature of water molecules and silanol groups were studied by 1D and 2D solid-state NMR. ¹H–²⁹Si and ¹H–¹H interatomic distances were estimated from variable contact-time CP/MAS experiments, ¹H NMR chemical shifts and off-resonance WISE NMR. A structure model of these networks is proposed and discussed. The fraction of proton-inaccessible units Q⁴ in the networks decreases with increasing amounts of dimethylsiloxane (D) and methylsiloxane (T) units. In contrast to systems prepared by co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) with dimethyl(diethoxy)silane (DMDEOS), proton-inaccessible units form essential fraction in networks prepared by co-condensation of TEOS with methyl(triethoxy)silane (MTEOS). The proton-accessible part of the networks with high O/Si ratios is nano-heterogeneous phase, which is composed of water containing Q ⁱ particles separated by copolymer domains. The overall homogeneity and uniformity of binding sites around silanol groups increases by co-condensation TEOS with DMDEOS or MTEOS, while the amount of physisorbed water as well as the hydrogen bond strength decreases, as compared with neat silica gel prepared by polycondensation of TEOS.     

C2-symmetric bis(oxazolinato)lanthanide catalysts for enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization

C(2)-symmetric bis(oxazolinato)lanthanide complexes of the type [(4R,5S)-Ph(2)Box]La[N(TMS)(2)](2), [(4S,5R)-Ar(2)Box]La[N(TMS)(2)](2), and [(4S)-Ph-5,5-Me(2)Box]La[N(TMS)(2)](2) (Box = 2,2'-bis(2-oxazoline)methylenyl; Ar = 4-tert-butylphenyl, 1-naphthyl; TMS = SiMe(3)) serve as precatalysts for the efficient enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes and aminodienes. These new catalyst systems are conveniently generated in situ from the known metal precursors Ln[N(TMS)(2)](3) or Ln[CH(TMS)(2)](3) (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Y, Lu) and 1.2 equiv of commercially available or readily prepared bis(oxazoline) ligands such as (4R,5S)-Ph(2)BoxH, (4S,5R)-Ar(2)BoxH, and (4S)-Ph-5,5-Me(2)BoxH. The X-ray crystal structure of [(4S)-(t)BuBox]Lu[CH(TMS)(2)](2) provides insight into the structure of the in situ generated precatalyst species. Lanthanides having the largest ionic radii exhibit the highest turnover frequencies as well as enantioselectivities. Reaction rates maximize near 1:1 BoxH:Ln ratio (ligand acceleration); however, increasing the ratio to 2:1 BoxH:Ln decreases the reaction rate, while affording enantiomeric excesses similar to the 1:1 BoxH:Ln case. A screening study of bis(oxazoline) ligands reveals that aryl stereodirecting groups at the oxazoline ring 4 position and additional substitution (geminal dimethyl or aryl) at the 5 position are crucial for high turnover frequencies and good enantioselectivities. The optimized precatalyst, in situ generated [(4R,5S)-Ph(2)Box]La[N(TMS)(2)](2), exhibits good rates and enantioselectivities, comparable to or greater than those achieved with chiral C(1)-symmetric organolanthanocene catalysts, even for poorly responsive substrates (up to 67% ee at 23 degrees C). Kinetic studies reveal that hydroamination rates are zero order in [amine substrate] and first order in [catalyst], implicating the same general mechanism for organolanthanide-catalyzed hydroamination/cyclizations (intramolecular turnover-limiting olefin insertion followed by the rapid protonolysis of an Ln-C bond by amine substrate) and implying that the active catalytic species is monomeric.     

Transient absorption and laser output of YAG : Nd

YAG : Nd grown under 98% Ar 2% H₂ protective atmosphere free of nitrogen or hydrocarbons showed after UV irradiation broad absorption peaked at 1·9×10⁴ cm^–1 which disappeared relatively slowly at room temperature. It was more intensive in oxygen treated samples than in those annealed in hydrogsn. Transient absorption suppresses laser output by the increase of absorption at 0·94×10⁴ cm^–1 (1064 nm) and, particularly in CW mode, by the anomalous rod deformation. YAG : Nd containing Fe ions (2·10^–4 wt%) showed no transient absorption.     

Andrographolide Inhibits Biofilm and Virulence in Listeria monocytogenes as a Quorum-Sensing Inhibitor

Listeria monocytogenes is a major foodborne pathogen that can cause listeriosis in humans and animals. Andrographolide is known as a natural antibiotic and exhibits good antibacterial activity. We aimed to investigate the effect of andrographolide on two quorum-sensing (QS) systems, LuxS/AI-2 and Agr/AIP of L. monocytogenes, as well as QS-controlled phenotypes in this study. Our results showed that neither luxS expression nor AI-2 production was affected by andrographolide. Nevertheless, andrographolide significantly reduced the expression levels of the agr genes and the activity of the agr promoter P₂. Results from the crystal violet staining method, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) demonstrated that andrographolide remarkably inhibited the biofilm-forming ability of L. monocytogenes 10403S. The preformed biofilms were eradicated when exposed to andrographolide, and reduced surviving cells were also observed in treated biofilms. L. monocytogenes treated with andrographolide exhibited decreased ability to secrete LLO and adhere to and invade Caco-2 cells. Therefore, andrographolide is a potential QS inhibitor by targeting the Agr QS system to reduce biofilm formation and virulence of L. monocytogenes.     

PTC: Full and Drift Particle Orbit Tracing Code for α Particles in Tokamak Plasmas

Fusion born α particle confinement is one of the most important issues in burning plasmas,such as ITER and CFETR.However,it is extremely complex due to the nonequilibrium characteristics,and multiple temporal and spatial scales coupling with background plasma.A numerical code using particle orbit tracing method(PTC)has been developed to study energetic particle confinement in tokamak plasmas.Both full orbit and drift orbit solvers are implemented to analyze the Larmor radius effects on α particle confinement.The elastic collisions between alpha particles and thermal plasma are calculated by a Monte Carlo method.A triangle mesh in poloidal section is generated for electromagnetic fields expression.Benchmark between PTC and ORBIT has been accomplished for verification.For CFETR burning plasmas,PTC code is used for α particle source and slowing down process calculation in 2D equilibrium.In future work,3D field like toroidal field ripples,Alfven and magnetohydrodynamics instabilities perturbation inducing α particle transport will be analyzed.     

信息时代的铌酸锂晶体:进展与展望

铌酸锂晶体具有非线性效应、电光效应、声光效应、光折变效应、压电效应与热释电效应等多种物理特性,在表面声波器件、光电器件、声光器件等方面获得广泛的应用.经历了六十多年的发展,铌酸锂晶体历久弥新,随着材料特性的不断开发,新功能、新器件、新应用层出不穷,尤其是铌酸锂单晶薄膜在薄膜滤波器、集成光电器件等领域的性能具有明显优势,...     

Rutin Inhibits Ox-LDL-Mediated Macrophage Inflammation and Foam Cell Formation by Inducing Autophagy and Modulating PI3K/ATK Signaling

Atherosclerosis (AS) is one of the leading causes of death among the elderly, and is primarily caused by foam cell generation and macrophage inflammation. Rutin is an anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, and antiviral flavonoid molecule, known to have anti-atherosclerotic and autophagy-inducing properties, but its biological mechanism remains poorly understood. In this study, we uncovered that rutin could suppress the generation of inflammatory factors and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in ox-LDL-induced M2 macrophages and enhance their polarization. Moreover, rutin could decrease foam cell production, as shown by oil red O staining. In addition, rutin could increase the number of autophagosomes and the LC3II/I ratio, while lowering p62 expression. Furthermore, rutin could significantly inhibit the PI3K/ATK signaling pathway. In summary, rutin inhibits ox-LDL-mediated macrophage inflammation and foam cell formation by inducing autophagy and modulating PI3K/ATK signaling, showing potential in treating atherosclerosis.     

The Pharmacokinetics in Mice and Cell Uptake of Thymus Immunosuppressive Pentapeptide Using LC-MS/MS Analysis

Thymus immunosuppressive pentapeptide (TIPP) is a novel anti-inflammatory peptide with high efficacy and low toxicity. This study aims to establish a selective LC-MS/MS method for analyzing the analyte TIPP in biological samples, laying the foundation for further PK and PD studies of TIPP. Protein precipitation was conducted in acetonitrile supplemented with 2% formic acid and 25 mg/mL dithiothreitol as a stabilizer, which was followed by backwashing the organic phase using dichloromethane. The chromatographic separation of TIPP was achieved on a C18 column with a gradient elution method. During positive electrospray ionization, TIPP was analyzed via multiple-reaction monitoring. The linear relationships between the concentration of TIPP and peak area in murine plasma cell lysates, supernatants, and the final cell rinse PBS were established within the ranges of 20–5000 ng/mL, 1–200 ng/mL, 10–200 μg/mL, and 0.1–20 ng/mL, respectively (r² > 0.99). Validated according to U.S. FDA guidelines, the proposed method was proved to be acceptable. Such a method had been successfully applied to investigate the pharmacokinetics of TIPP in mice via subcutaneous injection. The plasma half-life in mice was 5.987 ± 1.824 min, suggesting that TIPP is swiftly eliminated in vivo. The amount of TIPP uptake by RBL-2H3 cells was determined using this method, which was also visually verified by confocal. Furthermore, the effective intracellular concentration of TIPP was deduced by comparing the intracellular concentration of TIPP and degrees of inflammation, enlightening further investigation on the intracellular target and mechanism of TIPP.