Synthesis of a non-peptidic PET tracer designed for α5β1 integrin receptor.

Arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD)-containing peptides have been traditionally used as PET probes to noninvasively image angiogenesis, but recently, small selective molecules for α5 β1 integrin receptor have been developed with promising results. Sixty-one antagonists were screened, and tert-butyl (S)-3-(2-((3R,5S)-1-(3-(1-(2-fluoroethyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)propanoyl)-5-((pyridin-2-ylamino)methyl)pyrrolidin-3-yloxy)acetamido)-2-(2,4,6-trimethylbenzamido)propanoate (FPMt) was selected for the development of a PET tracer to image the expression of α5 β1 integrin receptors. An alkynyl precursor (PMt) was initially synthesized in six steps, and its radiolabeling was performed according to the azide-alkyne copper(II)-catalyzed Huisgen's cycloaddition by using 1-azido-2-[(18)F]fluoroethane ([(18)F]12). Different reaction conditions between PMt and [(18)F]12 were investigated, but all of them afforded [(18)F]FPMt in 15 min with similar radiochemical yields (80-83%, decay corrected). Overall, the final radiopharmaceutical ([(18)F]FPMt) was obtained after a synthesis time of 60-70 min in 42-44% decay-corrected radiochemical yield.

Synthesis of Iowa Research to Address Rural Safety, RB04-013, 2014

Information about roadway departures, rural intersections, and rural speed management countermeasures relevant to Iowa was summarized on webpages (www.ctre.iastate.edu/research-synthesis/) to allow agencies to more effectively target specific types of crashes in Iowa. More information about each of the countermeasures described in this tech transfer summary, as well as speed impacts, reported crash modification factors, costs, usage within Iowa, and Iowa-specific guidance, is available on the Synthesis of Safety-Related Research web pages at www.ctre.iastate.edu/research-synthesis/. The project provides Iowa agencies with a resource (both web pages and relevant publications) to address rural safety. The team is coordinating with the Iowa Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP), the Iowa Highway Research Board, the Iowa Association of Counties, and other groups to explore additional ways to distribute the information to local and county agencies.

Total synthesis of (-)-isoavenaciolide

An enantioselective approach to (-)-isoavenaciolide was achieved starting from 1- undecyn-3-ol. The synthesis relied upon the preparation of a chiral 4-silyloxy-2-alkenylborane by hydroboration of a protected 2,3-allenol and subsequent stereoselective addition to 2- thiophenecarboxaldehyde

Synthesis of F-18-labeled cyclic-[RGDfK] peptides for PET imaging of angiogenesis

Objectives: αvβ3 integrin is of great interest for tumor targeting because of its high concentration in tumor tissue. It recognizes ligands containing an arginine-glycine-aspartate motif (RGD), and a number of RGD-containing peptides have been developed as PET imaging probes of angiogenesis. We synthesized a series of 18F-labeled cyclic-[RGDfK] peptides for in vivo imaging of αvβ3 expression. Our F-18 labeled prosthetic groups were attached to the αvβ3 ligand via click chemistry, and the reaction conditions (time, temperature, solvent and pH) were optimized by using single modified amino acids.Methods: Seven amino acids were selected considering their different biochemical properties (polarity, total charge, presence of aromatic ring and heteroatom). All the amino acids were modified by the introduction of azido moiety to allow the interaction with alkyne prosthetic groups. Once the conditions of the click chemistry were optimized, the prosthetic groups were also coupled with the cyclic-[RGDfK] exhibiting an azido function. 4- Trimethylammonium-nitrobenzene triflate was used as precursor for the radiosynthesis of the prosthetic groups. The fluorination was carried out with K2CO3/K2.2.2 in CH3CN at 95 oC, and the nitro group was reduced with NaBH4 and Pd/C in MeOH. The resulting 18F-aniline was subsequently coupled to alkynoic acids to yield the final F-18 labeled prosthetic groups. Finally, the prosthetic groups were attached to the peptides via Huisgen's cycloaddition. Figure 1. F-18 labeled αvβ3 ligand.Results: Our new prosthetic groups were successfully clicked to the modified amino acids and to the cyclic- [RGDfK], and the reactions were almost quantitative within 1 to 3.5 h. The pH of the reaction did not influence the reaction kinetic and yield. The four steps of the F-18 labeling were completely automated providing the final products in quantities and yields practical for PET imaging. IC50 values of our ligands for αvβ3 and α5β1 demonstrated a high selectivity of our compounds towards αvβ3, as well as the negligible effect of the prosthetic groups on the affinity of the ligand to its receptor, as confirmed by the prediction of the molecular modeling.Conclusions: We have successfully synthesized novel F-18 labeled prosthetic groups, as well as novel PET imaging probes of αvβ3 expression. The reaction conditions of the Huisgen's cycloaddition were optimized with selected modified amino acids, and subsequently transposed to the cyclic-[RGDfK] peptide. IC50 data demonstrate that our 18F-labeled ligands were selective for αvβ3. In vivo microPET/CT studies in tumor bearing mice are underway.

Convenient synthesis of C75, an inhibitor of FAS and CPT1

C75 is a synthetic racemic α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone exhibiting anti-tumoral properties in vitro and in vivo as well as inducing hypophagia and weight loss in rodents. These interesting properties are thought to be a consequence of the inhibition of the key enzymes FAS and CPT1 involved in lipid metabolism. The need for larger amounts of this compound for biological evaluation prompted us to develop a convenient and reliable route to multigram quantities of C75 from easily available ethyl penta-3,4-dienoate 6. A recently described protocol for the addition of 6 to a mixture of dicyclohexylborane and nonanal followed by acidic treatment of the crude afforded lactone 8, as a mixture of cis and trans isomers, in good yield. The DBU-catalyzed isomerization of the methyl esters 9 arising from 8 gave a 10:1 trans/cis mixture from which the trans isomer was isolated and easily transformed into C75. The temporary transformation of C75 into a phenylseleno ether derivative makes its purification, manipulation and storage easier.

Enantioselective formal synthesis of ent-rhynchophylline and ent-isorhynchophylline

Starting from (S)-tryptophanol, a formal synthesis of ent-rhyncho-phylline and ent-isorhynchophylline, involving stereoselective cyclocondensation, spirocyclization, and alkylation reactions, and the final adjustment of the oxidation level at the oxindole and piperidine moieties, is reported.

Rural Expressway Intersection Synthesis of Practice and Crash Analysis, 2004

This report presents a national synthesis of rural expressway, two-way stop -controlled (TWSC) intersection safety strategies and intersection designs and an analysis of Iowa expressway TWSC intersection crash characteristics. A rural expressway is a multi-lane highway with a divided median and with mostly at -grade intersections, although some intersections may be grade separated. The synthesis of intersection strategies is conducted in two parts. The first is a literature review and the second part is a national survey of strategies currently being applied by state transportation agencies. The characterization of crash patterns at TWSC expressway intersections is examined through the analysis of 5 years of crash data at 644 intersections.

Synthesis of Traffic Calming Techniques in Work Zones, 2009

Nationwide, over 1,000 fatalities and 40,000 injuries occur annually in work zones, which include both construction zones and areas where maintenance is performed. The majority (85%) of work zone accidents result from unsafe driver behavior, and vehicle speed is often a factor in work zone crashes. In order to address speed and driver behavior near work zones, roadway agencies have developed different traffic calming measures. The objective of this research is to summarize the effectiveness of different traffic calming treatments for reducing speeds in work zones. This project 1. identified work zone traffic calming treatments for which information has not been well summarized, 2. identified state of the art and new technologies for work zone traffic calming, and 3. synthesized research related to items 1 and 2

Solid-Phase Synthesis of New Trp(Nps)-Containing Dipeptide Derivatives as TRPV1 Channel Blockers

Trp(Nps)-Lys-NH2 derivatives, bearing alkyl or guanidine groups either at the N-terminus or on the Lys side-chain or at both positions were conveniently prepared on solid-phase and evaluated as TRPV1 channel antagonists.

Convenient synthesis of C75, an inhibitor of FAS and CPT1

C75 is a synthetic racemic α-methylene-γ-butyrolactone exhibiting anti-tumoral properties in vitro and in vivo as well as inducing hypophagia and weight loss in rodents. These interesting properties are thought to be a consequence of the inhibition of the key enzymes FAS and CPT1 involved in lipid metabolism. The need for larger amounts of this compound for biological evaluation prompted us to develop a convenient and reliable route to multigram quantities of C75 from easily available ethyl penta-3,4-dienoate 6. A recently described protocol for the addition of 6 to a mixture of dicyclohexylborane and nonanal followed by acidic treatment of the crude afforded lactone 8, as a mixture of cis and trans isomers, in good yield. The DBU-catalyzed isomerization of the methyl esters 9 arising from 8 gave a 10:1 trans/cis mixture from which the trans isomer was isolated and easily transformed into C75. The temporary transformation of C75 into a phenylseleno ether derivative makes its purification, manipulation and storage easier.

Synthesis of polyhydroxyalkanoate in the peroxisome of Saccharomyces cerevisiae by using intermediates of fatty acid beta-oxidation.

Medium-chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are polyesters having properties of biodegradable thermoplastics and elastomers that are naturally produced by a variety of pseudomonads. Saccharomyces cerevisiae was transformed with the Pseudomonas aeruginosa PHAC1 synthase modified for peroxisome targeting by the addition of the carboxyl 34 amino acids from the Brassica napus isocitrate lyase. The PHAC1 gene was put under the control of the promoter of the catalase A gene. PHA synthase expression and PHA accumulation were found in recombinant S. cerevisiae growing in media containing fatty acids. PHA containing even-chain monomers from 6 to 14 carbons was found in recombinant yeast grown on oleic acid, while odd-chain monomers from 5 to 15 carbons were found in PHA from yeast grown on heptadecenoic acid. The maximum amount of PHA accumulated was 0.45% of the dry weight. Transmission electron microscopy of recombinant yeast grown on oleic acid revealed the presence of numerous PHA inclusions found within membrane-bound organelles. Together, these data show that S. cerevisiae expressing a peroxisomal PHA synthase produces PHA in the peroxisome using the 3-hydroxyacyl coenzyme A intermediates of the beta-oxidation of fatty acids present in the media. S. cerevisiae can thus be used as a powerful model system to learn how fatty acid metabolism can be modified in order to synthesize high amounts of PHA in eukaryotes, including plants.

Electrochemical synthesis of mesoporous CoPt nanowires for methanol oxidation

A new electrochemical method to synthesize mesoporous nanowires of alloys has been developed. Electrochemical deposition in ionic liquid-in-water (IL/W) microemulsion has been successful to grow mesoporous CoPt nanowires in the interior of polycarbonate membranes. The viscosity of the medium was high, but it did not avoid the entrance of the microemulsion in the interior of the membrane"s channels. The structure of the IL/W microemulsions, with droplets of ionic liquid (4 nm average diameter) dispersed in CoPt aqueous solution, defined the structure of the nanowires, with pores of a few nanometers, because CoPt alloy deposited only from the aqueous component of the microemulsion. The electrodeposition in IL/W microemulsion allows obtaining mesoporous structures in which the small pores must correspond to the size of the droplets of the electrolytic aqueous component of the microemulsion. The IL main phase is like a template for the confined electrodeposition. The comparison of the electrocatalytic behaviours towards methanol oxidation of mesoporous and compact CoPt nanowires of the same composition, demonstrated the porosity of the material. For the same material mass, the CoPt mesoporous nanowires present a surface area 16 times greater than compact ones, and comparable to that observed for commercial carbon-supported platinum nanoparticles.

Total synthesis of aeruginazole A

The first total synthesis of Aeruginazole A, prepared via a convergent strategy that involved both solid-phase peptide synthesis and solution phase chemistry and that enabled conservation of the stereochemistry of the intermediates, is reported.

Orthogonal protecting groups in the synthesis of tryptophanyl-hexahydropyrroloindoles

The synthesis of various polycyclic systems containing a C3aNi bond between a hexahydropyrrolo[2,3-b]indole and an indole tryptophan is described here. A series of experiments were performed to determine the best combination of five orthogonal protecting groups and the best reaction conditions for formation of said bond, which is a common feature among many recently discovered marine natural products.

Modeling and Synthesis of Tracking Control for the Belt Drive System

Usingof belt for high precision applications has become appropriate because of the rapid development in motor and drive technology as well as the implementation of timing belts in servo systems. Belt drive systems provide highspeed and acceleration, accurate and repeatable motion with high efficiency, long stroke lengths and low cost. Modeling of a linear belt-drive system and designing its position control are examined in this work. Friction phenomena and position dependent elasticity of the belt are analyzed. Computer simulated results show that the developed model is adequate. The PID control for accurate tracking control and accurate position control is designed and applied to the real test setup. Both the simulation and the experimental results demonstrate that the designed controller meets the specified performance specifications.