The Nucleophilicity of Persistent α-Monofluoromethide Anions.

α-Fluorocarbanions are key intermediates in nucleophilic fluoroalkylation reactions. Although frequently discussed, the origin of the fluorine effect on the reactivity of α-fluorinated CH acids has remained largely unexplored. We have now investigated the kinetics of a series of reactions of α-substituted carbanions with reference electrophiles to elucidate the effects of α-F, α-Cl, and α-OMe substituents on the nucleophilic reactivities of carbanions.

Metformin prevents experimental gentamicin-induced nephropathy by a mitochondria-dependent pathway.

The antidiabetic drug metformin can diminish apoptosis induced by oxidative stress in endothelial cells and prevent vascular dysfunction even in nondiabetic patients. Here we tested whether it has a beneficial effect in a rat model of gentamicin toxicity. Mitochondrial analysis, respiration intensity, levels of reactive oxygen species, permeability transition, and cytochrome c release were assessed 3 and 6 days after gentamicin administration.

Catalytic conjugate additions of geminal bis(sulfone)s: expanding the chemistry of sulfones as simple alkyl anion equivalents.

The value of cyclic gem-bis(sulfone) 4 as a simple alkyl nucleophile equivalent in catalytic C-C bond-forming reactions is demonstrated. The 1,4-type nucleophilic additions of bis(sulfone) 4 to alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones take place by assistance of catalytic guanidine base. On the other hand, pyrrolidines are able to catalyze the conjugate addition of 4 to both enones and enals, likely by means of iminium ion activation.

Presence of fibronectin peptides in saliva of patients with Sjögren's syndrome: a potential indicator of salivary gland destruction.

Objective: The purpose of this preliminary study was to monitor the degree of destruction of salivary glands in Sjögren disease by the detection of fibronectin peptides in patients' saliva.

Study Design: The sample consisted of 10 subjects divided in 2 groups, one with Sjögren disease and a control group. Saliva samples were submitted to an inmunodetection analysis.

Highly enantioselective conjugate additions of aldehydes to vinyl sulfones.

Joined together, organocatalysts aldehydes and sulfones: A diaryl prolinol silyl ether was found to catalyse efficiently and enantioselectively the conjugate addition of aldehydes to vinyl sulfones (see scheme). The ample synthetic utility of the resulting adducts is illustrated.