Heteroannelated (+)-muricatacin mimics: synthesis, antiproliferative properties and structure-activity relationships

Six new (+)-muricatacin mimics bearing a furano-furanone core have been synthesized and their in vitro antiproliferative activity was evaluated against a panel of human tumour cell lines. A straightforward total synthesis of (+)-muricatacin (1) from d-xylose is disclosed providing a sample of 1 that served as a positive control in antitumour assays. All new compounds showed diverse antiproliferative effects against human malignant cell lines, but were devoid of any significant cytotoxicity towards the normal foetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5). Additionally, the most of (+)-muricatacin analogues show selective cytotoxicities towards certain cancer cell lines, whereas only two of six analogues are broadly toxic against all cell lines under evaluation. A SAR study reveals the structural features that may be beneficial for the antiproliferative activity of these lactones. These include the absolute stereochemistry, introduction of a THF ring, interchange of the O₈ ether functionality and the C₈ methylene group in the side chain of muricatacin oxa analogues, as well as the one- or two-carbon homologation of the side chain in both 3 and 6.     

The role of the European Chemicals Bureau in promoting the regulatory use of (Q)SAR methods†

Under the proposed REACH (Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of CHemicals) legislation, (Q)SAR models and grouping methods (chemical categories and read across approaches) are expected to play a significant role in prioritising industrial chemicals for further assessment, and for filling information gaps for the purposes of classification and labelling, risk assessment and the assessment of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals. The European Chemicals Bureau (ECB), which is part of the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), has a well-established role in providing independent scientific and technical advice to European policy makers. The ECB also promotes consensus and capacity building on scientific and technical matters among stakeholders in the Member State authorities and industry. To promote the availability and use of (Q)SARs and related estimation methods, the ECB is carrying out a range of activities, including applied research in computational toxicology, the assessment of (Q)SAR models and methods, the development of technical guidance documents and computational tools, and the organisation of training courses. This article provides an overview of ECB activities on computational toxicology, which are intended to promote the development, validation, acceptance and use of (Q)SARs and related estimation methods, both at the European and international levels.     

Theoretical Calculations and Experimental Verification of the Antibacterial Potential of Some Monocyclic β-Lactams Containing Two Synergetic Buried Antibacterial Pharmacophore Sites

A new series of N-thiazole, 3-phenyl, 4-substituted phenyl azetidine-2-ones 4(a–h) have been synthesized in good yields starting from 2-aminothiazole 1. In the first step, then Schiff's bases 3(a–h) are prepared by the condensation of 2-aminothiazole 1 with different aryl aldehydes 2(a–h). Finally, monocyclic β-lactams, i.e. substituted azetidinones 4(a–h), were the products formed using three different methods by the dehydrative cyclocondensation of 3(a–h) with phenyl acetyl chloride in dioxane, phenyl acetic acid–thionyl chloride in dichloromethane and phenyl acetic acid–phosphorus oxychloride in dichloromethane in the presence of triethylamine. We found that latter method is the best as compared with the former two methods. The synthesized molecules 4(a–h) were screened for their antibacterial activity against four microorganisms: Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive), Pseudomonas vulgaris (Gram positive), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram negative), and Escherichia coli (Gram negative). Their antibacterial activities are reported, and on the basis of the screening data available, attempt is also made to elucidate the structure–activity relationship.

Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Silicon and the Related Elements to view the free supplemental file.     

基于四点插值细分小波的SAR图像去噪

针对SAR图像去噪过程中存在降低相干斑与保持有效细节这一矛盾,提出了一种基于四点插值细分小波的SAR图像去噪算法,该方法将小波和细分方法相融合,将四点插值细分规则应用到细分小波中,提出了图像去噪的新方法.该算法先用四点插值细分小波对原始图像进行分解,然后用Bayes自适应阈值及阈值函数对图像进行去噪,最后对去噪的小波系数进行重构,并通过等效视数、边缘保持指数等评价指标对去噪结果进行了评价.实验结果表明,算法的等效视数、边缘保持指数都有所提高,去噪效果得到了优化.     

基于尺度分离的SAR图像梯度反演海面风向

基于数字图像处理知识和大气边界层理论,提出了一种利用合成孔径雷达图像局部梯度反演海面风向的新方法.该方法定义尺度分离后的合成孔径雷达图像梯度方向与风向垂直,而风向就是由所选图像区域出现最多频率的局部梯度所确定.实例研究表明由梯度方法所确定的风向结果与数值预报值十分吻合,其风向均方根误差为3.414°.并且梯度方法在使用谱方法无法获得结果的情况下,仍然能求得正确的风向结果,为提高海面风场反演率奠定了应用基础.     

Luminescence sensitivity changes of polymineral fine grains during IRSL and [post-IR] OSL measurements

Sensitivity changes during measurement sequences of infra-red-stimulated luminescence (IRSL) and post-IR optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) are presented for a sample of loess from northwestern China. Together with a dose recovery experiment, the results are used to investigate the ratio of 2.4 found for the D_e values (for IRSL and [post-IR] OSL) obtained when using a single-aliquot regenerative-dose (SAR) protocol in which both D_e values are obtained in a single sequence of measurements. Responses to test doses for both the IRSL and [post-IR] OSL show progressive luminescence sensitivity changes with repeated measurement cycles, with a slight dose dependence for the IRSL. In addition, five modified SAR procedures were used, varying preheats, filter combinations and method of measuring the luminescence signal. The D_e values for all IRSL measurements were at least 50% greater than those for the [post-IR] OSL signal. A modified SAR sequence was also applied in which 0.1 s stimulations (using both IR and blue light sources) were made between all sample treatments. A lack of consistency in the measured luminescence sensitivity of the natural IRSL signal suggests that the [post-IR] OSL signal provides the more reliable value of D_e.