Focused Microwave Irradiation Research Articles

12-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid is the only enzymatically produced HETE increased under brain ischemia.

Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acids (HETE) are dramatically increased under brain ischemia and significantly affect post-ischemic recovery. However, the exact mechanism of HETE increase and their origin under ischemia are poorly understood. HETE might be produced de novo through lipoxygenase (LOX) -dependent synthesis with possible esterification into a lipid storage pool, or non-enzymatically through free radical oxidation of esterified arachidonic acid (20:4n6). Because HETE synthesized through LOX exhibit stereospecificity, chiral analysis allows separation of enzymatic from non-enzymatic pools. In the present study, we analyzed free HETE stereoisomers at 30 sec, 2 min, and 10 min of ischemia. Consistent with previous reports, we demonstrated a significant, gradual increase in all analyzed HETE over 10 min of brain ischemia, likely attributed to release of the esterified pool. The R/S ratio for 5-HETE, 8-HETE, and 15-HETE was not different from a racemic standard mix, indicating their non-enzymatic origin, which was in opposition to the inflamed tissue used as a positive control in our study. However, 12(S)-HETE was the predominant isoform under ischemia, indicating that ∼90 % of 12-HETE are produced enzymatically. These data demonstrate, for the first time, that 12-LOX is the major LOX isoform responsible for the enzymatic formation of the inducible HETE pool under ischemia. We also confirmed the requirement for enzyme inactivation with high-energy focused microwave irradiation (MW) for accurate HETE quantification and validated its application for chiral HETE analysis. Together, our data suggest that 12-LOX and HETE-releasing enzymes are promising targets for HETE level modulation upon brain ischemia.

Polyethylene Glycol as a Green Medium for the Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Guanamines

AbstractThe hazardous, toxic, and flammable solvents, methyl and ethyl cellosolves (2‐methoxy‐ and 2‐ethoxyethanols), are typically used as media for the synthesis of guanamines (1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamines). We found that these problematic solvents can be efficiently replaced by a green alternative, polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400). The reaction efficiency in PEG 400 media was further improved by applying focused microwave irradiation. The method scope is illustrated by the preparation of twenty diverse 1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4‐diamines.

Azasteroids from diosgenin: Synthesis and evaluation of their antiproliferative activity

In this work, we report the synthesis of two new azasteroids through the modification of the A and B rings of diosgenin 1. The 4-azasteroid derivative 12 was prepared in three steps using the α,β-insaturated-3-keto compound 11 as a precursor, which was first oxidized with KMnO4/KIO4 followed by an oxidative cleavage of ring A, and subsequently cyclized with an ammonium salt, under focused microwave irradiation for a short time of 3 min. A second azasteroid was synthesized, for which the key step was the Beckmann rearrangement of ring B of the oxime 16, affording the lactam-type enamide 17 in good yield. The methodologies developed for the synthesis of the precursors derivatives 10 and 11 contribute to improved yields, compared to those reported in the literature. The biological activity of the azasteroidal compounds 12 and 17 and their precursors has been evaluated in cervical cancer cells (HeLa), colon (HCT-15), and triple negative breast cancer (MDA-MB-231) lines.

Effects of Lyse-It on endonuclease fragmentation, function and activity.

Nucleases are enzymes that can degrade genomic DNA and RNA that decrease the accuracy of quantitative measures of those nucleic acids. Here, we study conventional heating, standard microwave irradiation, and Lyse-It, a microwave-based lysing technology, for the potential to fragment and inactivate DNA and RNA endonucleases. Lyse-It employs the use of highly focused microwave irradiation to the sample ultimately fragmenting and inactivating RNase A, RNase B, and DNase I. Nuclease size and fragmentation were determined visually and quantitatively by SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the mini-gel Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer system, with a weighted size calculated to depict the wide range of nuclease fragmentation. Enzyme activity assays were conducted, and the rates were calculated to determine the effect of various lysing conditions on each of the nucleases. The results shown in this paper clearly demonstrate that Lyse-It is a rapid and highly efficient way to degrade and inactivate nucleases so that nucleic acids can be retained for down-stream detection.

Focused microwave irradiation-assisted synthesis of N-cyclohexyl-1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives with antitumor activity

A facile synthesis of 3,5-disubstituted 1,2,4-oxadiazole derivatives under focused microwave irradiation (FMWI) is reported. Arylamidoximes 1a–i and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) were carried out in DMF under FMWI to obtain 1,2,4-oxadiazoles 2a–i in 61–81% yields. All compounds exhibited antiproliferative activities in vitro against three human cancer cell lines HCT-116, PC-3, and SNB-19.

A microwave-promoted atom-efficient diesterification of aromatic carboxylate with 1,4-dibromobutane in water

A rapid and efficient diesterification reaction of aromatic carboxylate with 1,4-dibromobutane was carried out in water at 100 °C in the presence of base and phase transfer catalyst under focused microwave irradiation. This microwave-promoted protocol offers an atom-efficient and environment-friendly approach to synthesize butamethylenediesters in high yield.

Rapid sample preparation with Lyse-It® for Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio cholerae

Sample preparation is a leading bottleneck in rapid detection of pathogenic bacteria. Here, we use Lyse-It® for bacterial cellular lysis, genomic DNA fragmentation, and protein release and degradation for both Listeria monocytogenes and Vibrio cholerae. The concept of Lyse-It® employs a conventional microwave and Lyse-It® slides for intensely focused microwave irradiation onto the sample. High microwave power and a <60 second irradiation time allow for rapid cellular lysis and subsequent intracellular component release. The pathogenic bacteria are identified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), which subsequently demonstrates the viability of DNA for amplification post microwave-induced lysis. Intracellular component release, degradation, and detection of L. monocytogenes and V. cholerae has been performed and shown in this paper. These results demonstrate a rapid, low-cost, and efficient way for bacterial sample preparation on both food and water-borne Gram-positive and -negative organisms alike.

Microwave-induced calcium(II) chloride-catalyzed Paal–Knorr pyrrole synthesis: a safe, expeditious, and sustainable protocol

Among various alkali (Na, K) and alkaline-earth (Ca, Mg, Sr, Ba) chlorides, calcium(II) chloride was found to be a cost-effective Lewis acid catalyst for solvent-free synthesis of pyrroles from primary aromatic and aliphatic amines under open-vessel focused microwave irradiation. The salient features of this environmentally benign method are high to quantitative conversion, short reaction time, safe and clean reaction profile, possibility of scale-up to multigram quantities, and use of a low-cost, widely available, nontoxic catalyst.

Glycogen distribution in the microwave-fixed mouse brain reveals heterogeneous astrocytic patterns.

In the brain, glycogen metabolism has been implied in synaptic plasticity and learning, yet the distribution of this molecule has not been fully described. We investigated cerebral glycogen of the mouse by immunohistochemistry (IHC) using two monoclonal antibodies that have different affinities depending on the glycogen size. The use of focused microwave irradiation yielded well‐defined glycogen immunoreactive signals compared with the conventional periodic acid‐Schiff method. The IHC signals displayed a punctate distribution localized predominantly in astrocytic processes. Glycogen immunoreactivity (IR) was high in the hippocampus, striatum, cortex, and cerebellar molecular layer, whereas it was low in the white matter and most of the subcortical structures. Additionally, glycogen distribution in the hippocampal CA3‐CA1 and striatum had a ‘patchy’ appearance with glycogen‐rich and glycogen‐poor astrocytes appearing in alternation. The glycogen patches were more evident with large‐molecule glycogen in young adult mice but they were hardly observable in aged mice (1–2 years old). Our results reveal brain region‐dependent glycogen accumulation and possibly metabolic heterogeneity of astrocytes. GLIA 2016;64:1532–1545

Gene-environment interactions in a rat model of depression. Maternal separation affects neurotensin in selected brain regions

Although the etiology of major psychiatric disorders has not been elucidated, accumulating evidence indicates that both genetic and early environmental factors play a role.We have previously demonstrated behavioral and neurochemical changes both in non-manipulated genetic rat models of depression, such as Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) and Fawn Hooded (FH), and in normal rats following maternal separation (MS). The aim of the present study was to extend this work by exploring whether neurotensin (NT), a peptide implicated in several psychiatric disorders, is altered in a new animal model based on gene – environment interactions.More specifically, we used the FSL rats as a genetic model of depression and the Flinders Resistant Line (FRL) as controls and subjected them to MS. Pups randomly assigned to the MS procedure were separated from the dam as a litter for 180min daily between postnatal day 2 to 14. On postnatal day 90, rats were weighed and sacrificed by a two second high energy focused microwave irradiation and several brain regions were obtained by micropuncture. Neurotensin-like immunoreactivity (NT-LI) was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA).The results showed that the FSL rats compared to the FRL rats have higher baseline NT-LI concentrations in the temporal cortex and periaqueductal gray and a markedly different response to maternal separation. The only observed change following maternal separation in the FRL rats was an NT-LI increase in the periaqueductal gray. In contrast, in the FSL significant increases were found in the nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, and entorhinal cortex and a decrease was seen in the temporal cortex after MS.The present study revealed baseline regional differences in NT-LI concentrations between the FSL and FRL strains and demonstrated that early MD differentially affects the two strains. The relevance of these alterations for depression as well as possible mechanisms underlying this gene-environment interaction are discussed.

ChemInform Abstract: Supported Palladium Nanoparticle‐Catalyzed Carboxylation of Aryl Halides, Alkenylsilanes, and Organoboronic Acids Employing Oxalic Acid as the C1 Source.

Polystyrene-supported palladium(0) (Pd@PS) nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst have been developed for caboxylation of aryl halides, alkenylsilanes, and organoboronic acids to produce the corresponding carboxylic acids with minor quantities of corresponding aldehydes using bench-stable and inexpensive oxalic acid as the C1 source under focused microwave irradiation. The close vicinity of oxalic acid to Pd@PS maintained through ionic bonding helped to produce CO2 over the catalytic surface that concurrently participated in the carboxylation reaction.

Supported Palladium Nanoparticle-Catalyzed Carboxylation of Aryl Halides, Alkenylsilanes, and Organoboronic Acids Employing Oxalic Acid as the C1 Source.

Polystyrene-supported palladium(0) (Pd@PS) nanoparticles as a heterogeneous catalyst have been developed for caboxylation of aryl halides, alkenylsilanes, and organoboronic acids to produce the corresponding carboxylic acids with minor quantities of corresponding aldehydes using bench-stable and inexpensive oxalic acid as the C1 source under focused microwave irradiation. The close vicinity of oxalic acid to Pd@PS maintained through ionic bonding helped to produce CO2 over the catalytic surface that concurrently participated in the carboxylation reaction.

Synthesis of 2‐Substituted 1,3‐Benzoselenazoles from Carboxylic Acids Promoted by Tributylphosphine

AbstractWe report a general, practical, and simple metal‐free method for the synthesis of 2‐substituted 1,3‐benzoselenazoles by the reaction of bis(2‐aminophenyl)diselenide with a wide range of carboxylic acids, promoted by tributylphosphine. This efficient reaction furnishes 2‐aryl‐1,3‐benzoselenazoles in good yields and tolerates a variety of substituents at the aryl moiety of carboxylic acids. For the first time, 2‐alkyl‐1,3‐benzoselenazoles could be obtained from aliphatic carboxylic acids and thiazolidine‐4‐carboxylic acid in high chemical yields. The use of focused microwave irradiation considerably decreased the reaction time from 48 to 2 h. The experimental data provide insights into the mechanism of the reaction.

Montmorillonite clay-promoted, solvent-free cross-aldol condensations under focused microwave irradiation.

An environmentally benign, clean and general protocol was developed for the synthesis of aryl and heteroaryl trans-chalcones. This method involved solvent-free reaction conditions under microwave irradiation in the presence of a clay-based catalyst, and afforded the target compounds in good yields and short reaction times. Furthermore, the same conditions allowed the synthesis of symmetrical, diarylmethylene-α,β-unsaturated ketones from aromatic aldehydes and ketones.

The effect of remote substitution on the formation of preferential isomers of cobalt(iii)-tetrazolate complexes by microwave assisted cycloaddition

Cycloaddition of cis-[Co(N3)2(en)2]NO31 or trans-[Co(N3)2(en)2]ClO41a with organonitriles affords cis/trans cobalt bis-tetrazolate complexes, depending upon ligand substitution, solvent molecules and counteranions.

Visualization and quantification of cerebral metabolic fluxes of glucose in awake mice

Biotransformation of glucose in organs includes multiple pathways, while quantitative evaluation of percentages of its utilization for individual pathways and their spatial heterogeneity in vivo remain unknown. Imaging MS (IMS) and metabolomics combined with a focused microwave irradiation for rapidly fixing tissue metabolism allowed us to quantify and visualize metabolic fluxes of glucose-derived metabolites in the mouse brain in vivo. At 15 min after the intraperitoneal injection of (13) C6 -labeled glucose, the mouse brain was exposed to focused microwave irradiation, which can stop brain metabolism within 1 s. Quantification of metabolic intermediates containing (13) C atoms revealed that a majority of the (13) C6 -glucose was diverted into syntheses of glutamate, lactate, and uridine diphosphate (UDP)-glucose. IMS showed that regions rich in glutaminergic neurons exhibited a large signal of (13) C2 -labeled glutamate. On the other hand, the midbrain region was enriched with an intensive (13) C6 -labeled UDP-glucose signal, suggesting an active glycogen synthesis. Collectively, application of the current method makes it possible to examine the fluxes of glucose metabolism in a region-specific manner.

ChemInform Abstract: Developments in Direct C—H Arylation of (Hetero)arenes under Microwave Irradiation.

AbstractReview: 59 refs.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives using glycerol as a green solvent

A rapid, efficient, and reliable catalyst-free procedure for the synthesis of quinoxaline derivatives in glycerol under focused microwave irradiation was developed. The reaction proceeded in glycerol without any catalyst making this methodology valuable from both economic and environmental viewpoints.

ChemInform Abstract: Microwave‐Assisted, Sequential Four‐Component Synthesis of Polysubstituted 5,6‐Dihydroquinazolinones (IV) from Acyclic Precursors and a Mild, Halogenation‐Initiated Method for Their Aromatization [→(V)] under Focused Microwave Irradiation.

ChemInform Abstract: Microwave‐Assisted, Sequential Four‐Component Synthesis of Polysubstituted 5,6‐Dihydroquinazolinones (IV) from Acyclic Precursors and a Mild, Halogenation‐Initiated Method for Their Aromatization [→(V)] under Focused Microwave Irradiation.

Developments in Direct CH Arylation of (Hetero)Arenes under Microwave Irradiation

This minireview describes the progress made in the development of direct C-H arylation approaches through the application of focused microwave irradiation. The synergistic combination of microwave-assisted techniques with the rapidly evolving domain of C-H arylation has opened new vistas in the efficient synthesis of a diverse array of biologically important (hetero)arenes.