3D-QSAR and docking studies of selective GSK-3beta inhibitors. Comparison with a thieno[2,3-b]pyrrolizinone derivative, a new potential lead for GSK-3beta ligands

The three-dimensional structures of 3-anilino-4-arylmaleimides, selective GSK-3beta inhibitors, were correlated to their biological affinities by 3D-QSAR studies (CoMFA method). The cocrystallographic data of GSK-3beta vs 3-anilino-4-arylmaleimide allowed us to compare 3D-QSAR results to experimental intermolecular interactions. The results of the CoMFA analysis did not really correspond to the interactions recorded in the active site, but they characterized fundamental features (areas of the active site) of the interactions ligand-receptor. These studies were the starting point to analyze a new GSK-3beta ligand, a thieno[2,3-b]pyrrolizinone derivative. This comparison based on docking and simulation approaches allowed us to confirm one preferential orientation of this ligand inside the active site, explaining the relationship with the reference 3-anilino-4-arylmaleimide derivatives and its biological affinity.     

Controlled redox conversion of new X-ray-Characterized Mono- and dinuclear heptacoordinated Mn(II) complexes into di-micro-oxo-dimanganese core complexes

Two heptacoordinated Mn(II) complexes are isolated and X-ray characterized using the well-known tpen ligand (tpen = N,N,N',N'-tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine): [(tpen)Mn(OH(2))](ClO(4))(2) (1(ClO(4))(2)) and [(tpen)Mn(micro-OAc)Mn(tpen)](ClO(4))(3).2H(2)O (2(ClO(4))(3).2H(2)O). Crystallographic data for 1(ClO(4))(2) at 110(2) K (respectively at 293(2) K): monoclinic, space group C2/c, a = 15.049(3) A (15.096(3) A), b = 9.932(2) A (10.105(2) A), c = 19.246(4) A (19.443(4) A), beta = 94.21(3) degrees (94.50(3) degrees ), Z = 4. Crystallographic data for 2(ClO(4))(3).0.5(C(2)H(5))(2)O at 123(2) K: triclinic, space group P, a = 12.707(3) A, b = 12.824(3) A, c = 19.052(4) A, alpha = 102.71(3) degrees, beta = 97.83(3) degrees, gamma = 98.15(3) degrees, Z = 2. Investigation of the variation upon temperature of the molar magnetic susceptibility of compound 2(ClO(4))(3).2H(2)O reveals a weak antiferromagnetic exchange interaction between the two high-spin Mn(II) ions (J = -0.65 +/- 0.05 cm(-)(1), H = -JS(1).S(2)). EPR spectra are recorded on powder samples and on frozen acetonitrile solutions, demonstrating the maintenance upon dissolution of the heptacoordination of Mn in complex 1 while complex 2 partially dissociates. Electrochemical responses of complexes 1 and 2 are investigated in acetonitrile, and bulk electrolyses are performed at oxidative potential in the presence of various amounts of 2,6-lutidine (0-2.65 equiv per Mn ion). The formation from either 1 or 2 of the mixed-valent complex [(tpen)Mn(III)(micro-O)(2)Mn(IV)(tpen)](3+) (3) is established from mass spectrometry and EPR and IR spectroscopy measurements. When reaction is started from 2, formation of [(tpen)Mn(IV)(micro-O)(2)(micro-OAc)Mn(IV)](3+) (4) is evidenced from cyclic voltammetry, EPR, and UV-vis data. The Mn vs tpen ratio in the electrogenerated complexes is accurately controlled by the quantity of additional 2,6-lutidine. The role of tpen as a base is discussed.     

Ultrafast Click Chemistry with Fluorosydnones

We report the synthesis and reactivity of 4‐fluorosydnones, a unique class of mesoionic dipoles displaying exquisite reactivity towards both copper‐catalyzed and strain‐promoted cycloaddition reactions with alkynes. Synthetic access to these new mesoionic compounds was granted by electrophilic fluorination of σ‐sydnone Pd^II precursors in the presence of Selectfluor. Their reactions with terminal and cyclic alkynes were found to proceed very rapidly and selectively, affording 5‐fluoro‐1,4‐pyrazoles with bimolecular rate constants up to 10⁴ m ^?1 s^?1, surpassing those documented in the literature with cycloalkynes. Kinetic studies were carried out to unravel the mechanism of the reaction, and the value of 4‐fluorosydnones was further highlighted by successful radiolabeling with [¹⁸F]Selectfluor.     

Sugar-derived tricatenar catanionic surfactant: synthesis, self-assembly properties, and hydrophilic probe encapsulation by vesicles

A new sugar-derived tricatenar catanionic surfactant (TriCat) was developed to obtain stable vesicles that could be exploited for drug encapsulation. The presence of the sugar moiety led to the formation of highly hydrophilic stoichiometric catanionic surfactant systems. The three hydrophobic chains permitted vesicles to form spontaneously. The self-assembly properties (morphology, size, and stability) of TriCat were examined in water and in buffer solution. Encapsulation studies of a hydrophilic probe, arbutin, commonly used in cosmetics for its whitening properties, were performed to check the impermeability of the vesicle bilayer. The enhancement of hydrophobic forces by the three chains of TriCat prevented surfactant equilibrium between the bilayer and the solution and enabled the probe to be retained in the aqueous cavity of the vesicles for at least 30 h. Thus, the present study suggests that this tricatenar catanionic surfactant could be a promising delivery system for hydrophilic drugs.     

Thermal and thermo-mechanical degradation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)-based multiphase systems

The influence of fermentation residues and quaternary ammonium salts on the thermal and thermo-mechanical degradation of a biodegradable bacterial poly(3-hydroxybutyrate), PHB, was studied. The results obtained from DSC, SEC and TG analyses performed on blends reveal that ammonium cations greatly enhance the degradation leading to a dramatic decrease in PHB molecular weight. These results are confirmed by the thermo-mechanical study. Besides, we show that the presence of fermentation residues does not affect significantly the PHB thermal stability in comparison to the ammonium cations. A kinetic analysis based on the Coats and Redfern model was applied to the non-isothermal TGA data. This method completed by NMR characterizations led us to determine the most probable mechanism for PHB degradation in the presence of the ammonium salts. The results demonstrate that ammonium surfactants commonly found in commercial nanoclays (for nanocomposites' production) effectively have a catalytic effect on the PHB degradation.     

Combination of FTIR spectral imaging and chemometrics for tumour detection from paraffin-embedded biopsies

FTIR spectral imaging was applied on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded biopsies from colon and skin cancerous lesions. These samples were deposited onto different substrates (zinc selenide and calcium fluoride respectively) and embedded using two types of paraffin. Formalin fixation followed by paraffin embedding is the gold standard in tissue storage. It can preserve molecular structures and it is compatible with immunohistochemistry. However, paraffin absorption bands are significant in the mid-infrared region and can mask some molecular vibrations of the tissue. Direct data processing was applied on spectral images without any chemical dewaxing of the tissues. Extended Multiplicative Signal Correction was used to correct the spectral contribution from paraffin. For this purpose, the signal of paraffin was modelled using Principal Component Analysis and paraffin spectra were removed from the raw images based on an outlier detection. Then, pseudo-colour images were computed by K-means clustering in order to highlight histological structures of interest. This robust chemometrics methodology was applied on the two samples. Tumour areas were successfully demarcated from the rest of the tissue in both colon and skin independently of the embedding material and of the substrate.     

Visible‐Light Emulsion Photopolymerization of Styrene

The photopolymerization of styrene in emulsion is achieved in a conventional double‐wall reactor equipped with a LED ribbon coiled around the external glass wall. Styrene mixed to acridine orange is added to the water phase containing sodium dodecyl sulfate, a water‐soluble N‐heterocyclic carbene–borane and disulfide, and irradiated. Highly stable latexes are obtained, with particles up to a diameter of 300 nm. The ability to reach such large particle sizes via a photochemical process in a dispersed medium is due to the use of visible light: the photons in the visible range are less scattered by larger objects and thus penetrate and initiate better the polymerizations. They are also greener and cheaper to produce via LEDs, and much safer than UVs. The method presented does not require any specific glassware; it works at lower temperature and delivers larger particles compared to thermal processes at similar solids contents and surfactant concentrations.     

Enantioseparation and thermodynamic study of naphthalene derivatives,new melatoninergic agonists,on coated amylose [tris(S)‐1‐phenylethylcarbamate] stationary phase. Transposition to preparative scale

This work reports a high‐performance liquid chromatography normal‐phase methodology to elucidate enantiomers of naphthalene derivatives, evaluated as melatoninergic agonists. For this purpose four different polysaccharide based chiral stationary phases were evaluated, namely Chiralcel OD‐H (cellulose tris‐3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate), Chiralcel OJ (cellulose tris‐methylbenzoate), Chiralpak AD (amylose tris‐3,5‐dimethylphenylcarbamate) and Chiralpak AS (amylose tris‐(S)‐1‐phenylethylcarbamate) with different alcoholic modifiers on different amounts in n‐heptane. A temperature study was carried out, between 20 and 40 °C and the apparent thermodynamic parameters were calculated thanks to the Van't Hoff linearization. For all compounds (except 3), ΔΔH° and ΔΔS° exhibited positive values ranging from 791.2 to 9999.3 J/mol and from 3.9 to 37.8 J/K/mol respectively, indicating entropically driven separations. Optimized conditions led to goof resolution of 2.37 for compound 1 on Chiralpak AS, with heptane–2‐propanol 90:10 (v/v), at a temperature of 30 °C. Then they were transposed to the preparative scale for compound 1, generating 22 mg of each enantiomer with an 80% yield. The limits of detection and of quantification were determined to allow the calculation of the enantiomeric excess. They were found with very low values, equal to 0.32 and 1.05 µ m and 0.33 and 1.11 µ m, respectively, for peaks 1 and 2 of compound 1. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Hairy PEO‐Silica Nanoparticles through Surface‐Initiated Polymerization of Ethylene Oxide

Summary: The grafting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) onto silica nanoparticles was performed in situ by the ring‐opening polymerization of the oxirane monomer initiated from the mineral surface using aluminium isopropoxide as an initiator/heterogeneous catalyst. Alcohol groups were first introduced onto silica by reacting the surfacic silanols with prehydrolyzed 3‐glycidoxypropyl trimethoxysilane. The alcohol‐grafted silica played the role of a coinitiator/chain‐transfer agent in the polymerization reaction and enabled the formation of irreversibly bonded polymer chains. Silica nanoparticles containing up to 40 wt.‐% of a hairy layer of grafted PEO chains were successfully produced by this technique.

The grafting of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) onto silica nanoparticles by in‐situ ring‐opening polymerization of the oxirane monomer.