Synthesis of Multifunctional Spirocyclic Azetidines and Their Application in Drug Discovery.

The synthesis of multifunctional spirocycles was achieved from common cyclic carboxylic acids (cyclobutane carboxylate, cyclopentane carboxylate, l-proline, etc.). The whole sequence included only two chemical steps-synthesis of azetidinones, and reduction into azetidines.

Gold mining for PDT: Great expectations from tiny nanoparticles.

Among many and various products, born by the modern nanotechnology, gold nanoparticles roused a special interest of biomedical researchers. Unique features of the nanoparticles allow to use them not only as effective transporters for therapeutic agents but also as basic components of nanocomposite preparations intended for targeted photodynamic and photothermal therapy of tumours. In the review, physical, chemical and biological properties of gold nanoparticles which can promote PDT efficiency of a designed nanocomposite, are briefly characterized, and promising trends in creation of gold-containing composite photosensitizers are analysed.