Synthesis, Characterization, and Photochemistry of a GaL Coordination Cage with Dithienylethene-Catecholate Ligands.

Two new photoswitchable dithienylethene (DTE)-catechol ligands, specifically designed for group 13 metal coordination, were synthesized via Suzuki coupling reactions from a dichloro-DTE building block, each with varying longitudinal extensions. The shorter DTE-catechol ligand did not efficiently assemble with Ga metal ions; however, elongation with a phenylene-amide spacer group enabled the successful formation of a novel triply DTE-functionalized coordination [GaL] cage. This cage represents a unique example of integrating DTE photoswitches with main group metals in a supramolecular coordination framework.

Evaluation of nasal symptoms induced by platelet activating factor, after nasal challenge in both healthy and allergic rhinitis subjects pretreated with rupatadine, levocetirizine or placebo in a cross-over study design.

Background: Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is produced by most inflammatory cells and it is involved in inflammatory and allergic reactions. We aimed to assess the anti-PAF effects of rupatadine and levocetirizine in the upper airways.

Findings: Healthy volunteers (HV, N = 10) and seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR, N = 10) asymptomatic patients were treated out of the pollen season with either rupatadine 20 mg, levocetirizine 10 mg, or placebo once a day during 5 days prior to the PAF nasal challenge.