Pseudo-multicomponent reactions.

Classical multicomponent reactions (MCRs) are domino-type one-pot processes in which three or more different reactants are combined sequentially in the same reactor to synthesize compounds containing all or almost all atoms coming from the reactants. Besides, pseudo-MCRs are also domino-type one-pot processes involving combinations of at least three reactants but in which at least one of them takes part in two or more reaction steps. In consequence, the products synthesized through pseudo-MCRs contain also all or almost all atoms but coming from two or more identical reactants. Thus, pseudo-MCRs differ from classical MCRs because the first ones appear to involve an assembly of a higher number of different components than those that are being truly assembled. However, pseudo-MCRs are also useful synthetic tools to generate libraries of complex compounds in few experimental steps, and although the repeated reactants may make them appear less diverse than classical MCRs, this can be offset by the higher number of reactants that can participate in this type of reaction. Overall, there are two types of pseudo-MCRs. The first are those in which the duplicated reagents participate in different steps of the corresponding reaction mechanism. The second kind of pseudo-MCRs are those in which one or more components react simultaneously with a main reagent containing two or more identical functional groups. These latter are known as repetitive pseudo-MCRs. Thus, the aim of the present review is to cover for the first time selected works mainly published in the last two decades about pseudo-MCRs and their repetitive versions toward the synthesis of novel, complex, and highly symmetrical molecules, often including their interesting applications in various fields of science and technology. The manuscript has been categorized considering the number of reagents participating in the corresponding pseudo-MCRs, aiming to give readers novel insights for their future investigations.

Bottleneck Effect Explained by Le Bail Refinements: Structure Transformation of Mg-CUK-1 by Confining H2O Molecules.

The structure transformation of Mg-CUK-1 due to the confinement of H2O molecules was investigated. Powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) patterns were collected at different H2O loadings and the cell parameters of the H2O-loaded Mg-CUK-1 material were determined by the Le Bail strategy refinements. A bottleneck effect was observed when one hydrogen-bonded H2O molecule per unit cell (18% relative humidity (RH)) was confined within Mg-CUK-1, confirming the increase in the CO2 capture for Mg-CUK-1.

Dr Juan Francisco Ortiz Estrada: un profesional íntegro / Dr Juan Francisco Ortiz Estrada: an integral professional

Su reconocido prestigio como médico y dirigente, primero del Hospital Provincial Docente Dr Joaquín Castillo Duany y luego de la Cátedra Militar en el Instituto Superior de Ciencias Médicas, así como la huella dejada en sus relaciones humanas, hicieron que en el momento de su muerte (mayo del 2008), colegas, amigos y pueblo manzanillero le rindieran un merecido tributo póstumo como hijo ilustre de esa ciudad del mar, a la que consagró parte de su vida, compartida con Santiago de Cuba, en defensa de su historia, cultura e identidad. Había alcanzado los grados de teniente coronel en las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias; ministerio al que siempre honró y prestigió con su integridad profesional y personal(AU)

His acknowledged prestige as doctor and leader, in Dr Joaquín Castillo Duany Teaching Provincial Hospital before and then in the Military Cathedra at the Medical University, as well as the trace left in his human relationships made that colleagues, friends and people from Manzanillo surrendered him a deserved posthumous tribute in his death (May, 2008), as illustrious son of that sea city, to which he consecrated part of his life, shared with Santiago de Cuba, in defense of its history, culture and identity. He was made a lieutenant colonel in the Revolutionary Armed Forces; a ministry which he always honored and to which he gave credit, with his professional and personal integrity(AU)

Dr Juan Francisco Ortiz Estrada: un profesional íntegro / Dr Juan Francisco Ortiz Estrada: an integral professional

Su reconocido prestigio como médico y dirigente, primero del Hospital Provincial Docente Dr Joaquín Castillo Duany y luego de la Cátedra Militar en el Instituto Superior de Ciencias Médicas, así como la huella dejada en sus relaciones humanas, hicieron que en el momento de su muerte (mayo del 2008), colegas, amigos y pueblo manzanillero le rindieran un merecido tributo póstumo como hijo ilustre de esa ciudad del mar, a la que consagró parte de su vida, compartida con Santiago de Cuba, en defensa de su historia, cultura e identidad. Había alcanzado los grados de teniente coronel en las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias; ministerio al que siempre honró y prestigió con su integridad profesional y personal.

His acknowledged prestige as doctor and leader, in Dr Joaquín Castillo Duany Teaching Provincial Hospital before and then in the Military Cathedra at the Medical University, as well as the trace left in his human relationships made that colleagues, friends and people from Manzanillo surrendered him a deserved posthumous tribute in his death (May, 2008), as illustrious son of that sea city, to which he consecrated part of his life, shared with Santiago de Cuba, in defense of its history, culture and identity. He was made a lieutenant colonel in the Revolutionary Armed Forces; a ministry which he always honored and to which he gave credit, with his professional and personal integrity.

Diseases, lesions and malformations in the long-beaked common dolphin Delphinus capensis from the Southeast Pacific.

Miscellaneous lesions of the head, skull, teeth, trunk, appendages, skin and genital tract were observed in 120 of 930 long-beaked common dolphins Delphinus capensis taken in fisheries off Peru between 1985 and 2000. Seven subsamples were defined according to the varying field sampling protocols. Forty-two dolphins showed at least 2 types of injuries or diseases affecting 1 or more organs. The majority (5 of 7) of traumas encountered were diagnosed as caused by violent, fisheries-related interactions, and the skin in 20.4 % of specimens (n = 54) showed healed scars from such interactions. Prevalences of malformations and traumas of crania (n = 103) were 2.9 and 1.9%, respectively. Lytic cranial lesions were present in 31.1% of dolphins (n = 103) and accounted for 84.2% of all bone injuries. Skull damage diagnostic for Crassicauda sp. infestation was encountered in 26.5% of dolphins (n = 98) and did not differ among sex and age classes. Crassicauda sp. and tooth infections were responsible for, respectively, 78.8 and 6.1% of the lytic lesions. Adult dolphins showed a high prevalence of worn and broken teeth (35%, n = 20) as well as damaged alveoli (20%, n = 70). Prevalence of 'paired teeth', a congenital condition, was 9.4% (n = 32). Lesions of the head, body and appendages were present in 10 dolphins and included traumas, deformations (e.g. scoliokyphosis and brachygnathia) and chronic mastitis. Ovarian cysts suggestive of follicular cysts were observed in 1 of 24 females. Chronic orchitis affected 1 of 78 males. Of 12 dolphins 2 had vesicular lesions of the penis. Prevalence of cutaneous lesions, abnormalities and scars ranged between 1.8% (n = 56) and 48.2% (n = 27).

A comparison of the phenotype of dendritic cells derived from discrete Peyer's patch macrophages of non-infected and Toxoplasma gondii infected mice.

A comparison of the expression of surface membrane antigens between dendritic cells (DC) derived from Peyer's patch macrophages (DPP-DC) of non-infected and Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infected mice was performed. C57BL/6J mice aged 6-8 weeks of both sexes were infected orally with a 0.5 ml suspension containing 2 x 10(4) bradyzoites of the Beverley strain of T. gondii, sacrificed on day 8 and DC generated using discrete Peyer's patch macrophages (DPP-Mø) as progenitor cells. When a comparison of the expression of surface membrane antigens between the antigen presenting cells (APC) obtained from discrete Peyer's patches of non-infected and T. gondii infected mice was carried out, no significant differences were observed in the macrophage progenitor and DC populations expression of F4/80, DEC-205, CD11c, CD80 (B7-1) and CD34. However, a significant decrease in MHC class II antigen levels and a down regulation of the co-stimulatory molecule CD86 (B7-2) were noted. B7-1 appeared to be the dominant co-stimulatory ligand, whereas B7-2, which was down regulated during T. gondii infection, had a weak expression. Taken together, these results may help clarify the role of DC in the complex network regulating surface membrane antigens, as well as, their capacity for antigen uptake, processing and presentation during toxoplasmosis.

Phenotype and function of murine discrete Peyer's patch macrophage derived - dendritic cells.

The phenotype and function of peritoneal cavity macrophage-derived dendritic cells (PEC-DC) was previously reported. In this study we have gone further in using our established culture system to generated discrete Peyer's patch dendritic cells (DPP-DC) from murine discrete Peyer's patch macrophages (DPP-Mø), following stimulation with granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) plus interleukin 4 (IL-4) for 7 days. DPP-Mø from murine small intestines were obtained by mechanical disruption of discrete Peyer's patches (DPP), followed by metrizamide density gradient centrifugation to remove Peyer's patch resident DC and debri, after which an overnight adherent step in tissue culture medium was carried out for macrophage enrichment. Characterization of the generated DPP-DC was carried out using well-established criteria of morphology, expression of membrane antigens and capacity for antigen presentation. Dendritic cells expressed DEC-205, F4/80 and CD34 at high levels, but exhibited very low CD11c levels. They were shown to present soluble protein antigen to CD3(+) spleen T cells. A comparison of the surface antigen expression in the progenitor DPP-Mø population and the generated DPP-DC showed a significant decrease in MHC class II levels and a marked down regulation of the co-stimulatory molecule CD86 (B7-2). High expression of the haemopoietic progenitor marker CD34 indicates that the generated DC, possess a haemopoietic rather than myeloid origin. Taken together, these results may provide a better understanding of the complex network regulating mucosal immune responses.