Cu(I)-catalyzed annulation for the synthesis of substituted naphthalenes using o-bromobenzaldehydes and ß-ketoesters as substrates.

Cu(I)-catalyzed reaction of o-bromobenzaldehydes with ß-ketoesters using Cs(2)CO(3) as a base and 2-picolinic acid as an additive proceeds under mild conditions and gives access to substituted naphthalenes in a single step with yields ranging from 71 to 86%. The new annulation process relies on a domino Knoevenagel condensation/C-arylation/1,2-addition/carboxylic acid cleavage. The annulation can also be achieved with o-iodobenzaldehyde.

Flavonoid glucuronides and a chromone from the aquatic macrophyte Stratiotes aloides.

The first phytochemical analysis of the aquatic macrophyte Stratiotes aloides afforded two new flavonoid glucuronides, luteolin 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and chrysoeriol 7-O-beta-D-glucopyranosiduronic acid-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (2), as well as the new 2-(2-hydroxypentyl)-5-carboxy-7-methoxychromone (5) and chrysoeriol 7-O-beta-(6-O-malonyl)glucopyranoside (3), which has been assigned via NMR data for the first time. Additionally, free amino acids such as tryptophan, arginine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine along with choline, cis-aconitic acid, the phenolic glycoside alpha-arbutine, the chlorophyll derivative phaeophorbide a, and the flavonoid glycoside luteolin 7-O-beta-(6-O-malonyl)glucopyranoside (4) were isolated. Despite the low quantities obtained in some cases (between 50-300 microg), the structures of all compounds were unambiguously elucidated by extensive NMR and MS experiments. With a delay of 2 days compound 1 (10 and 50 microM test concentration) strongly inhibited the growth of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells in a dose-dependent manner, whereas only a moderate growth inhibition of human Patu 8902 carcinoma cells could be observed. Compounds 1 and 2 showed no activities against the bacteria Escherichia coli BW25113, Pseudomonas pudida KT2440, and Enterobacter cloacae subsp. dissolvens.

[Experimental validation of a Monte Carlo-based treatment-planning system for electron beams]. / Experimentelle Validierung eines Monte-Carlo-basierten Bestrahlungsplanungssystems für Elektronenstrahlung.

BACKGROUND: Commercial, Monte Carlo-based 3-D treatment-planning systems will become more important for electron beams, e. g., for combined electron-photon fields or for intensity-modulated electron beams. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Using the commercial Monte Carlo algorithm (Oncentra MasterPlan 1.42), simulations were compared with measured data for electron energies from 4 MeV to 18 MeV of an Elekta linear accelerator. For the standard applicator size 14 x 14 cm(2) different square and rectangular apertures down to 2 x 2 cm(2) and arranged symmetrically as well as asymmetrically were fabricated. After optimizing the simulation parameters, depth dose curves, profiles and output factors were compared. RESULTS: The results for standard electron applicators are satisfying in most cases. However, a major problem of this actual release is the resolution of the calculation matrix fixed by phantom size. From there, larger deviations up to 11% occur with decreasing aperture size for low and high electron energies, especially in the output factors. At medium electron energies and not too small apertures the simulations can be used clinically. CONCLUSION: The Monte Carlo algorithm of the Oncentra MasterPlan treatment-planning system 1.42 can be used clinically in a wide range. However, a critical checkup of the results is necessary because nonacceptable deviations at low and high electron energies can occur in small electron fields.

Integerrimides A and B, cyclic heptapeptides from the latex of Jatropha integerrima.

Two new cyclic heptapeptides, integerrimides A and B, have been isolated from the latex of Jatropha integerrima. Their structures were elucidated by using extensive 1D and 2D NMR, MS, and chemical degradation. At 50 microM both peptides 1 and 2 significantly inhibited neurite outgrowth in neuronal cell culture. They also partially inhibited proliferation of human IPC-298 melanoma cells as well as migration of human Capan II pancreatic carcinoma cells, but were inactive in HSV-1, antifungal, and antimalarial assays.