In vivo assessment of aortic aneurysm wall integrity using elastin-specific molecular magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) has increased during the last decades. However, there is still controversy about the management of medium-sized AAAs. Therefore, novel biomarkers, besides aneurysmal diameter, are needed to assess aortic wall integrity and risk of rupture.

Assessment of elastin deficit in a Marfan mouse aneurysm model using an elastin-specific magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent.

Background: Ascending aortic dissection and rupture remain a life-threatening complication in patients with Marfan syndrome. The extracellular matrix provides strength and elastic recoil to the aortic wall, thereby preventing radial expansion. We have previously shown that ascending aortic aneurysm formation in Marfan mice (Fbn1(C1039G/+)) is associated with decreased aortic wall elastogenesis and increased elastin breakdown.

Assessment of myocardial infarction and postinfarction scar remodeling with an elastin-specific magnetic resonance agent.

Background: To prospectively evaluate an elastin-specific MR contrast agent (ESMA) for in vivo targeting of elastic fibers in myocardial infarction (MI) and postinfarction scar remodeling.

Methods And Results: MI was induced in C57BL/6J mice (n=40) by permanent ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. MRI was performed at 7 and 21 days after MI.

Three-dimensional imaging of the aortic vessel wall using an elastin-specific magnetic resonance contrast agent.

Objective: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of high-resolution 3-dimensional aortic vessel wall imaging using a novel elastin-specific magnetic resonance contrast agent (ESMA) in a large animal model.

Materials And Methods: The thoracic aortic vessel wall of 6 Landrace pigs was imaged using a novel ESMA and a nonspecific control agent. On day 1, imaging was performed before and after the administration of a nonspecific control agent, gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (Gd-DTPA; Bayer Schering AG, Berlin, Germany).

Assessment of atherosclerotic plaque burden with an elastin-specific magnetic resonance contrast agent.

Atherosclerosis and its consequences remain the main cause of mortality in industrialized and developing nations. Plaque burden and progression have been shown to be independent predictors for future cardiac events by intravascular ultrasound. Routine prospective imaging is hampered by the invasive nature of intravascular ultrasound.

Amino Acid derived enamides: synthesis and aminopeptidase activity.

Recently developed copper-catalyzed coupling methodology has been applied to the synthesis of amino acid derived enamides. Bond formation proved to be strongly influenced by protection strategy and vinyl iodide substitution while tolerant of limited side chain functionality. Assessment of aminopeptidase activity revealed a preference for (E)-1,2-disubstituted constructs.

Enantioselective total synthesis of erogorgiaene: applications of asymmetric Cu-catalyzed conjugate additions of alkylzincs to acyclic enones.

The first enantioselective synthesis of erogorgiaene (1), an inhibitor of mycobacterium tuberculosis, is disclosed. The total synthesis highlights the utility of asymmetric conjugate additions (ACA) of alkylzincs to acyclic alpha,beta-unsaturated ketones catalyzed by peptidic phosphine ligands and (CuOTf)(2).C(6)H(6).

Olefins turned alkylating agents: diastereoselective intramolecular Zr-catalyzed olefin alkylations.

The first examples of intramolecular Zr-catalyzed electrophilic alkylation of aryl olefins are disclosed. Substituted carbo- and heterocycles are prepared efficiently and diastereoselectively.

Synthesis of cyclopentadienyltricarbonyl rhenium phenyltropanes by double ligand transfer: organometallic ligands for the dopamine transporter.

Cyclopentadienyltricarbonyl rhenium (CpRe(CO)(3)) systems can be prepared from ferrocenes and perrhenate by a double ligand transfer (DLT) reaction that gives reasonable yields and shows excellent functional group tolerance. We used this reaction for the direct preparation of CpRe(CO)(3)-phenyltropane conjugates. Such agents, when labeled with technetium-99m, might function as imaging agents for the dopamine transporter (DAT) system that would be useful for assessing the onset and severity of Parkinson's disease.