Background-Mast cells are powerful producers of multiple cytokines and chemical mediators playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of various cardiovascular diseases. We examined the role of mast cells in murine models of heart failure due to viral myocarditis, using 2 strains of mast cell-deficient mice.

These findings suggest that the activation of NF-kappaB plays an important role in the pathogenesis of endotoxemia and viral myocarditis, and that the NF-kappaB inhibitor, SUN C8079, may be therapeutic in these disorders.

Nickel-catalyzed Negishi-type cross-coupling of aryl methyl sulfoxides with arylzinc reagents has been developed. By consuming the catalyst-oxidizing methane­sulfenate anion through oxidative homocoupling of the arylzinc reagent, smooth catalyst turnover could be executed. Arylzinc reagents prepared from arylmagnesium bromide, zinc bromide, and lithium bromide were optimal to afford the products in good to high yields, while arylzinc reagents prepared through other procedures showed lower reactivities. The reactivity of aryl methyl sulfoxide was compared with that of typical aryl (pseudo)­halides.

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