Symbioimine exhibiting inhibitory effect of osteoclast differentiation, from the symbiotic marine dinoflagellate Symbiodinium sp

An amphoteric iminium metabolite, symbioimine (1), was isolated from a cultivated symbiotic marine dinoflagellate Symbiodinium sp. Its structure was deduced by spectroscopic analysis and X-ray crystallographic analysis. Symbioimine (1) has a characteristic 6,6,6-tricyclic iminium ring structure and an aryl sulfate moiety. The plausible biogenetic pathway of 1 can be explained by an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction followed by imine cyclization. Symbioimine (1) inhibited the differentiation of RAW264 cells into osteoclasts, whereas its cell viability was not affected. Thus, symbioimine (1) is an antiresorptive drug candidate for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women.     

Nature of mechanoradical formation of substituted celluloses as studied by electron spin resonance

Mechanically induced free radical (mechanoradical) formation of several substituted celluloses such as carboxylmethyl cellulose, chitin, and chitosan was studied based on electron-spin resonance (ESR) in comparison with those of plasma-induced radicals. Room temperature ESR spectra had multicomponent spectra and were different in pattern from each other. The mechanoradical concentration gradually decreased after reaching the maximum value in each substituted polysaccharide, accompanied by a decrease in molecular weight in the course of vibratory milling. One of the most intriguing facts is that the component radicals are all glucose-based radicals as in the case of plasma irradiation, although it is known that mechanoradicals are formed by 1,4-glucosidic bond cleavage of polysaccharides.     

Novel and simple preparation method of matrix-type composite particles for controlled drug release by mechanical action

Matrix-type composite particle for controlled drug release can readily be prepared through a totally dry process by simple anaerobic mechanical vibration of mechanoradical-containing ethylcellulose (EC) with theophylline powder due to occurrence of collision-induced radical-radical coupling reaction to form interparticle matrices, as well as the formation of interparticle network when solid-state vinyl monomer was further added.     

One-dimensional excitons in inorganic–organic self-organized quantum-wire crystals [NHC(I)=NH]PbI and [CHSC(=NH)NH]PbI

Optical properties of lead-iodide-based one-dimensional perovskite-type crystals [NH₂C(I)=NH₂]₃PbI₅ and [CH₃SC(=NH₂)NH₂]₃PbI₅ have been investigated theoretically and experimentally. The electronic and excitonic structures are studied based on group theoretical consideration and first-principle band calculation. Strong one-dimensional anisotropy of the optical absorption spectra, large Stokes shifts (1.0 eV) and huge exchange energies (70 meV) indicate that the excitons in these crystals are one-dimensional Frenkel excitons.     

Studies on 2D hybrid films of half surfactant-covered Au nanoparticles at the air/water interface

A hybrid monolayer film of Au nanoparticles, half-covered with dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride (DODAC), was prepared at the air/water interface and characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), a quartz-crystal microbalance, and infrared spectra measurements. TEM images of the hybrid film showed that the distribution of Au nanoparticles depends on the surface density of DODAC and reaction time. IR spectral data provided evidence for a surface-enhanced effect of the Au nanoparticles. The wavenumber of CH(2)-stretch vibrations of DODAC in the infrared external reflection spectra revealed that the DODAC molecules were adsorbed onto the Au nanoparticles in a close-packed crystalline state for any surface density of DODAC, which is different from the usual behavior of Langmuir monolayers.     

Synthesis and complexing properties of [2.n](2,6)pyridinocrownophanes

[2.n](2,6)Pyridinocrownophanes (3a-e) were efficiently prepared by intramolecular [2 + 2] photocycloaddition of vinylpyridine derivatives under irradiation using a 400-W high-pressure mercury lamp through a Pyrex filter. They were of cis-configuration with respect to the cyclobutane ring, which was proven by the specific methine proton NMR resonances at delta 3.98-4.08. From ESI-MS analysis 3a-e were found to form 1:1 complexes with Ag+ cation. In a liquid-liquid extraction, 3 showed the highest affinity toward Ag+ cation among several heavy metal nitrates. In this series, 3c possessing four ethereal oxygen atoms was found to show the highest Ag+ affinity, according to the liquid-liquid extraction and determination of stability constant with the cation. The photoreactivity of precursor vinylpyridines is discussed by the predictor gamma(r(c)) proposed by Caldwell.     

Synthesis of novel starburst and dendritic polyhedral oligosilsesquioxanes

The hydrosilylative reaction utilizing octakis(dimethylsiloxy)silsesquioxane and silsesquioxane disilanols bearing alkenylsilyl moieties produces a series of starburst-type giant silsesquioxanes and a second-generation dendritic molecule as well as a boron-containing one.