To increase the in vivo stability of cationic gene carriers and avoid the adverse effects of their positive charge, we synthesized a new shielding material by conjugating low molecular weight polyethylene glycol (PEG) to a hyaluronic acid (HA) core. The HA-PEG conjugate assembled with the positively charged complex, forming a protective layer through electrostatic interactions. DNA/polyetherimide/HA-PEG (DNA/PEI/HA-PEG) nanoparticles had higher stability than both DNA/polyethyleneimine (DNA/PEI) and DNA/PEI/HA complexes. Furthermore, DNA/PEI/HA-PEG nanoparticles also showed a diminished nonspecific response toward serum proteins in vivo. The in vivo transfection efficiency was also enhanced by the low cytotoxicity and the improved stability; therefore, this material might be promising for use in gene delivery applications.

No abstract

Methyl 5-hydroxy-4-oxo-4H-pyran-2-carboxylate was synthesized by esterification of methanol with comenic acid under acidic catalysis. The obtained ester was alkylated with 3-(chloromethyl)-5-phenylisoxazole and 4,5-dichloro-3-(chloromethyl)isothiazole to afford corresponding conjugates containing isoxazole and isothiazole moieties which then were transformed into water-soluble Li-salts. During the bioassays of synthesized isoxazole and isothiazole derivatives of comenic acid in mixtures with first-line antitumor drug Temobel (Temozolomid) used in brain tumors chemotherapy, a synergetic effect was observed.

We report for the first time cyclic phosphine-free “head to tail” N,N,N pincer-like (pincer complexes mimicking) N-(pyrimidin-2-yl)-1,2-azole-3-carboxamide Pd­(II) complexes with deprotonated amide groups as high-turnover catalysts (TON up to 106, TOF up to 1.2 × 107 h–1) for cross-coupling reactions on the background of up to quantitative yields under Green Chemistry conditions. The potency of the described catalyst family representatives was demonstrated in Suzuki–Miyaura, Mizoroki–Heck, and Sonogashira reactions on industrially practical examples. Corresponding ligands could be synthesized based on readily available reagents through simple chemical transformations. Within the complex structures, a highly unusual 1,3,5,7-tetraza-2,6-dipalladocane frame could be observed.

No abstract