"Take in two parks and call me in the morning" - Perception of parks as an essential component of our healthcare system.

As a feature of the built neighborhood environment, parks have been associated with a range of positive health outcomes. Recognition of these contributions has prompted advocates to suggest parks are a part of our healthcare system. Despite these developments, park investments have declined over the past decade nationally, lagging behind expenditures on other community services such as health. Perhaps the idea of parks as a solution to the nation's health concerns has not diffused across the population. To date, however, public perception of parks' role in healthcare has not been documented. This study responds to this gap by assessing whether parks are perceived as an essential part of the healthcare system. Self-administered surveys were completed by a statewide sample of Pennsylvania adults (2014) and by a sample of primary care clinic visitors in Hershey, Pennsylvania (2015). Participants from both studies were asked the extent they agreed with the following statement: Parks, trails, and open space are an essential component of our healthcare system. Response was also compared across demographic characteristics to assess whether this belief was universally held. Findings indicate 73% of the statewide sample and 68% of the clinical sample agreed parks, trails, and open space are an essential element of the healthcare system. Males, those with lower levels of educational attainment, and rural residents were statistically less likely to agree with this statement. Results indicate widespread belief in parks as an essential part of the healthcare system, suggesting consideration of health-sector investments in these settings.

Development of a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor devoid of ABC transporter-dependent drug resistance.

BACKGROUND: Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) control cell cycle progression, RNA transcription and apoptosis, making them attractive targets for anticancer drug development. Unfortunately, CDK inhibitors developed to date have demonstrated variable efficacy. METHODS: We generated drug-resistant cells by continuous low-dose exposure to a model pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine CDK inhibitor and investigated potential structural alterations for optimal efficacy. RESULTS: We identified induction of the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, ABCB1 and ABCG2, in resistant cells. Assessment of features involved in the ABC transporter substrate specificity from a compound library revealed high polar surface area (>100 Å(2)) as a key determinant of transporter interaction. We developed ICEC-0782 that preferentially inhibited CDK2, CDK7 and CDK9 in the nanomolar range. The compound inhibited phosphorylation of CDK substrates and downregulated the short-lived proteins, Mcl-1 and cyclin D1. ICEC-0782 induced G2/M arrest and apoptosis. The permeability and cytotoxicity of ICEC-0782 were unaffected by ABC transporter expression. Following daily oral dosing, the compound inhibited growth of human colon HCT-116 and human breast MCF7 tumour xenografts in vivo by 84% and 94%, respectively. CONCLUSION: We identified a promising pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine compound devoid of ABC transporter interaction, highly suitable for further preclinical and clinical evaluation for the treatment of cancer.

Solid-phase synthesis of isoxazoles using vinyl ethers as chameleon catches.

[reaction: see text] Regioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloadditions of supported vinyl ethers R(1)C(=CH(2))O-CH(2)-polymer, prepared by the Tebbe olefination of R(1)CO(2)-CH(2)-polymer, with ethyl cyanoformate N-oxide gave supported isoxazoline derivatives. Release from the support under mild acidic conditions gave the isoxazoles ethyl 5-R(1)-isoxazole-3-carboxylates. Alternatively, further on-resin functionalization of the R(1) substituent using Suzuki coupling reactions and release from the support under acidic conditions gave more structurally diverse isoxazoles.

Solitaire and gemini metallocene porphyrazines.

We report the synthesis and physical characterization of a series of peripherally functionalized porphyrazines (pzs) of the forms H2[pz(A;B3)] and trans-H2[pz(A2);B2], where A is a dithiolene chelate of molybdocene or vanadocene and B is a solublizing group. The precursor pz's 8 and 9, of the form H2[pz(A;B3)], where A = (4-(butyloxycarbonyl)-S-benzyl)2 and B = di-tert-butylphenyl (8) or di-n-propyl (9), have been prepared, deprotected, and peripherally metalated with molybdocene and vanadocene to form 1(Mo(IV)) and 1(V(IV)), prepared from 8, and 2(Mo(IV)) from 9, respectively. Likewise, the protected trans-H2[pz(A2);B2)], where A = (S-benzyl)2 and B = 3,6-butyloxybenzene (12) or A = (S-benzyl)2 and B = (tert-butylphenyl)2 (13), have been prepared and peripherally metalated with molybdocene and vanadocene to give the trans dinuclear complexes, 3(Mo(IV),Mo(IV)), 3(V(IV),V(IV)) (from 12), and 4(V(IV),V(IV)) (from 13). A crystal structure of the trans vanadocene pz 4(V(IV),V(IV)) is presented; the distance between the two vanadium atoms is 14.5 A. The molybdocene-appended pz's are highly redox active and exhibit cyclic voltammograms that are more than just the sum of the metallocene and the parent pz's. Chemical oxidation with FcPF6 gives the Mo(V) species 1(Mo(V)), 2(Mo(V)), 3(Mo(V),Mo(IV)), and 3(Mo(V),Mo(V)). Their EPR spectra are indicative of extensive delocalization from the Mo(V) into the dithiolato-pz. The EPR spectrum of the mononuclear paramagnetic vanadocene pz, 1(V(IV)), shows an expected 8-line pattern for an S = 2 system with hyperfine coupling to a single 51V (I = 7/2) nucleus, but the dinuclear vanadocene pz's, 3(V(IV),V(IV)) and 4(V(IV),V(IV)), exhibit a striking 15-line pattern of the same breadth from the S = 1 state formed by exchange coupling between the S = 2 vanadium centers of a dinuclear complex. Thus, the porphyrazine macrocycle is capable of mediating magnetic exchange interactions between metal ions bound to the periphery, separated by 14.5 A.

Synthesis of near-IR absorbing/emitting porphyrazine derivatives with tunable solubility.

We report the synthesis of porphyrazines (pzs), or tetraazaporphyrins, of the form H2[pz(An;B4-n)], where A is [S(CH2)3COOR]2 (R = n-Pr,H) and B is a fused beta,beta'-diisopropyloxybenzo group, including the compounds with n = 4 (6), n = 3 (7) and the trans compound with n = 2 (8) (Scheme 1). The synthesis employs Linstead crossover macrocyclization of dimethyl 6,7-dicyano-5,8-dithia-6(Z)-dodecenedioate, MNT(C4O2Me)2 (2), with 1-imino-4,7-bis(1-methylethoxy)-1H-isoindole-3-amine (4). These pigments were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C NMR, absorbance/fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and microanalysis. An X-ray crystal structure of 8 is presented. Of particular note, 6-8 display intense near-IR absorbance and dual UV-visible/near-IR emission which are very important in potential biomedical applications, both for cancer therapy (photodynamic therapy, PDT) and cancer diagnosis (optical tumor imaging). For example, the trans-porphyrazine 8 has an intense long-wavelength absorption at ca. 800 nm (log epsilon = 4.18) and S1 fluorescence at approximately 820 nm, where mammalian tissue is effectively penetrated by light. Transformation of the ester group permits a wide range of functionality and solubility to be generated without change in optical properties. As an example, hydrolysis of these compounds by LiOH in THF/H2O gives the corresponding carboxylato-functionalized pigments 9-11, which are described. The last of these dissolves without aggregation in fetal calf serum.

Oxazole synthesis with minimal purification: synthesis and application of a ROMPgel Tosmic reagent.

[figure: see text] The synthesis of ring opening metathesis, polymer-supported Tosmic reagent 1 is described. This reagent was utilized in the conversion of aldehydes to oxazoles in good yields and purities.

Synthesis and characterization of coronanes: multicyclopropane-fused macrocyclic arrays.

Stepwise macrocyclization of the all syn-trans-1,15-quinquecyclopropanedimethanol (4) with iso- and terephthaloyl chlorides and 4,4'-methanediyl-dibenzoic acid (28) gave the corresponding coronanes 22, 23, and 32. The same protocol was used with all syn-trans-1,21-septecyclopropanedimethanol (5) and 2,3-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid to obtain the macrolide 27. Direct macrocyclization of diol 4 and 1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-dicarbonyl chloride (33) and 2,2'-bipyridine-4,4'-dicarbonyl chloride (35) gave the coronanes 34 and 36, respectively. Ring closing metathesis (RCM) of the diene 42 using Cl2(Cy3P)2Ru=CHPh (48) (Grubbs's catalyst) gave the macrocyclic lactone 45. The structures of coronanes 22, 23, 32, 34, 36, and 45 were confirmed by X-ray crystallographic studies which showed the cyclopropyl chain to adopt very differing conformations throughout the series. Several of the macrocycles have significant free pathways through their ring centers, and in the case of compound 34 there is a water molecule hydrogen bonded within the ring. This latter compound has the potential to act as a chiral ligand to metal centers.

Asymmetric allylboration and ring closing alkene metathesis: a novel strategy for the synthesis of glycosphingolipids.

A novel strategy for the synthesis of D,L-glucosylceramide 1, a member of the glycosphingolipid class of natural products is described. Reagent-controlled asymmetric Brown allylboration gave excellent stereochemical control in the construction of adjacent stereocenters in the sphingoid base portion of the molecule. The trans-configured double bond was obtained as a single geometrical isomer by use of silicon-tethered olefin metathesis employing the Schrock carbene [(CF3)2MeCO]2Mo(=CHCMe2Ph)(=NC6H3-2,6-i-Pr2++ +) and in situ PhLi-induced ring-opening of the intermediate 5,6-dihydro-2H-1,2-oxasiline followed by protodesilylation with TBAF in DMSO. The synthesis was completed by long chain amide formation and global deprotection.

Impurity annihilation: chromatography-free parallel Mitsunobu reactions.

Mitsunobu reaction of an alcohol ROH with a carboxylic acid, phthalimide, or N-hydroxyphthalimide (NuH) using DNAD (4) and (diphenylphosphino)polystyrene (11) gave the products RNu. Ring-opening metathetic polymerization of the side product DNADH(2) (3) using Cl(2)(Cy(3)P)(2)Ru=CHPh (13) and filtration, to remove poly(DNADH(2)), (diphenylphosphino)polystyrene 11, its oxide, and its adduct with excess DNAD, gave RNu (43-100%, 86-96% purity) without recourse to chromatography.

Binding of octa-plus porphyrazines to DNA.

We present a preliminary report of the interaction of octacationic N-methyl-pyridyl metalloporphyrazines, M=Cu(II) (Cupz+8) and Zn(II) (Znpz+8), with calf thymus DNA. These were monitored by electronic absorption spectroscopy, and in the case of Znpz+8, also by emission spectroscopy. These studies show that both the Cupz+8 and Znpz+8 interact strongly with DNA, and at sufficient concentrations induce a highly colored precipitate. The spectrum of Cupz+8 red-shifts as DNA is added, which is interpreted as indicative of pi stacking of the charged macrocycle as it binds electrostatically to the outside of the DNA duplex. The spectrum of Znpz+8 does not shift, indicative of simple electrostatic surface binding. The absence of stacking may be related to the presence of an axial metal-ion ligand for Znpz+8, presumably 1120, while the metal ion of Cupz+8 is four-coordinate.

Tandem ireland-claisen rearrangement ring-closing alkene metathesis in the construction of bicyclic beta-lactam carboxylic esters.

4-Alkenyl-2-azetidinone systems were converted to the corresponding ethyl 2-¿4-alkenyl-2-oxo-1-azetidinyl-4-pentenoates. In addition, 4-(2-propenyl-1-oxy)-, 4-(2-propenyl-1-thio)-, 4-¿N-(2-propenyl)-(4-toluenesulfonyl)- and (3S, 4R)-4-(2-propenyl)-3-¿(1R)-1-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl-++ +azeti din-2-one were converted into beta-lactam dienes via sequential N-alkylation, Ireland-Claisen ester enolate rearrangement and esterification. Ring-closing metathesis using the Schrock ¿(CF(3))(2)MeCO(2)Mo(=CHCMe(2)Ph)(=NC(6)H(3)-2,6-iso-Pr(2)) (1) or Grubbs Cl(2)(Cy(3)P)(2)Ru=CHPh (2) carbenes gave a series of ¿5.2.0 and ¿6.2.0 bicycles. Subsequent elaboration of the analogous (2R,7R, 8S)-tert-butyl 8-¿(1R)-(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy)ethyl-1-aza-9-oxobicyclo++ +¿5.2. 0non-4-ene-2-carboxylate (15), via selenation and desilylation, gave (+)-(2S,7R,8S)-tert-butyl 8-¿(1R)-hydroxyethyl-1-aza-9-oxobicyclo¿5.2.0nona-2, 4-diene-2-carboxylate (18), a novel type of bicyclic beta-lactam. Diels-Alder cycloaddition further afforded tetracyclic systems exemplified by tert-butyl (1R,4S,5R,7S)-4-¿(1R)-1-hydroxyethyl-3,9, 11-trioxo-10-phenyl-2,8,10,12-tetraazatetracyclo¿5.5.2.0.(2, 5)0(8, 12)tetradec-13-ene-1-carboxylate (19).

Bis(dimethylamino)porphyrazines: synthetic, structural, and spectroscopic investigations.

The synthesis and isolation of unsymmetrical porphyrazines bearing two, four, and six bis-(dimethylamino) functionalities has been achieved via the base-catalyzed cross-condensation of 1,2-dicyanobenzene 8 and bis(dimethylamino)maleonitrile 7. In addition, the benzo-fused hexaaminoporphyrazine dimer 10 was prepared from condensation of dinitrile 7 (in excess) with benzenebis(1,3-diiminopyrroline) 9. Electrochemical studies reveal that all porphyrazines may be readily oxidized. The X-ray structures of porphyrazines 2b and 5a and the cis isomer 3a are presented. The latter is the first structure of a porphyrazine having a cis-type substitution pattern. The extended pi-conjugation in dimer 10 causes a approximately 100 nm red-shifted Q-band in the electronic absorption spectrum.

Chromatography-free synthesis of 1,2,4-oxadiazoles using ROMPGEL-supported acylating reagents.

1,2,4-Oxadiazoles were synthesized in solution from aromatic amidoximes and acylating agents supported on a ring opening metathesis polymer (ROMPGEL) backbone. High yields and purities of the 1,2,4-oxadiazoles were obtained with minimal purification.

Preparation of polyetherol-appended sulfur porphyrazines and investigations of peripheral metal ion binding in polar solvents.

We describe the complete synthesis and characterization of a new family of peripherally functionalized porphyrazines (pz's) with four, three, or two (in a trans conformation) bis[thioethoxy(ethoxy)ethanol] moieties appended at the pyrroles. These "polyetherol" groups serve as weak exocyclic binding sites for a number of metal ions and also provide solubility of the pz's in low molecular-weight alcohols and water. Electronic spectra of the modified porphyrazines exhibit distinct changes in the visible region (both absorbance and fluorescence) in response to treatment with Ag+, Pb2+, Cd2+, Cs+, and Ni2+ in solution. Such properties make these compounds intriguing candidates for incorporation into the transducer layers in optically based chemical sensors.

Redox glycosidation: the use of Nozaki-Takai methylenylation in a highly stereoselective synthesis of sucrose.

Sequential reaction of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-D-glucopyranose (7) with butyllithium and 2-[2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-4-O-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)-D- arabinonoyl]thio-3-nitropyridine (6) at -78 degrees gave 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-4-O-(tert-butyldiphenylsilyl)-D-arabinonate+ ++ (8; 71%, alpha:beta greater than 50:1). Ester carbonyl methylenylation, desilylation, and iodoetherification in the presence of silica gave 3,4,6-tri-O-benzyl-1-deoxy-1-iodo-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-benzyl-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl)-beta-D-fructofuranoside (15; 44%, alpha:beta greater than 50:1). This neopentylic iodide 15 was converted into sucrose (1;80%) by free-radical substitution using TEMPO (24) followed by sodium-ammonia reduction, acetylation, and Zemplén methanolysis.