Pharmacological and Biochemical Properties of Nicotinic Receptors from Chick Retina

Previous work has established that functional nicotinic receptors in the chick retina are blocked by neuronal bungarotoxin (NBT), and that the binding of radio-iodinated NBT to retinal homogenates is displaced by nicotinic ligands. In the present study, we examined the desensitizing effects of agonists on nicotinically-mediated depolarizations recorded from chick retina. The concentrations of five agonists necessary to reduce the amplitude of these depolarizations by 50% were found to correlate closely with the concentrations of these same agonists previously found necessary to displace 50% of NBT binding. In addition, bromoacetylcholine (BAC), a selective affinity alkylating agent for the agonist binding site, irreversibly inactivated the functional responses of intact chick retina with an inhibiting concentration for 50% block (IC50) near 10-6 M, the same concentration of BAC that displaced 50% of labelled NBT binding from alkylated retinal homogenates. These data suggest that NBT acts at the receptor agonist binding site. Furthermore, this binding site has a relatively low affinity for agonists, in the micromolar range, even in the desensitized state. Multiple subtypes of nicotinic receptors are known to exist in neuronal tissue, and receptors that bind agonists in the nanomolar range have been detergent-solubilized and purified using monoclonal antibodies. Under similar conditions, detergent-solubilization of chick retinal homogenates interfere with the interaction between NBT and the low-affinity neuronal nicotinic receptors. These data suggest that the conditions used to purify high-affinity neuronal nicotinic receptors may denature the subtype(s) of neuronal receptors recognized by NBT.     

A multiply convergent platform for the synthesis of trioxacarcins

Many first-line cancer drugs are natural products or are derived from them by chemical modification. The trioxacarcins are an emerging class of molecules of microbial origin with potent antiproliferative effects, which may derive from their ability to covalently modify duplex DNA. All trioxacarcins appear to be derivatives of a nonglycosylated natural product known as DC-45-A2. To explore the potential of the trioxacarcins for the development of small-molecule drugs and probes, we have designed a synthetic strategy toward the trioxacarcin scaffold that enables access to both the natural trioxacarcins and nonnatural structural variants. Here, we report a synthetic route to DC-45-A2 from a differentially protected precursor, which in turn is assembled in just six steps from three components of similar structural complexity. The brevity of the sequence arises from strict adherence to a plan in which strategic bond-pair constructions are staged at or near the end of the synthetic route.     

A quantitative structure activity/dose response relationship for contact allergic potential of alkyl group transfer agents

As part of the investigation of structure activity relationships in contact allergy, it has been shown that methyl transfer agents are capable of acting as skin sensitizers. This work has now been extended to a more general examination of alkyl transfer reactions. The modified single injection adjuvant test has been used to investigate the sensitization potential of C12, C16 and unsaturated C18 alkyl transfer agents. Dose responses to challenge and the patterns of cross-reactivity between these materials and methyl transfer agents have been studied. All alkyl transfer agents examined were potent sensitizers in the guinea pig. There was evidence of mutual cross-reactivity between all alkyl transfer agents examined (including methyl transfer agents). Analysis of the data in terms of a modified relative alkylation index showed evidence of an overload effect. The sensitization data has been accurately modelled using a mathematical equation. These results emphasize the possibilities for relating physicochemical parameters and skin sensitization potential. Further studies with alkyl transfer agents are in progress of amplify the observations and conclusions presented in this report. No in vitro model is available for the prediction of skin sensitization potential. Therefore an approach based on a model using physicochemical criteria is the most likely route to a reduced requirement for animal testing.     

葛根素治疗抗结核药物性肝炎临床观察

目的探讨观察葛根素注射液对抗结核药物性肝炎的临床治疗作用。方法将120例抗结核药物性肝炎结核病患者随机分成治疗组和对照组各60例,在接受抗结核治疗的基础上,治疗组在基础治疗中加用注射用葛根素注射液静脉滴注,对照组给予还原型谷胱甘肽进行护肝治疗。结果治疗组和对照组治疗后肝功各项指标均显著改善,与治疗前比较差异均有统计学意义,且两组间各项指标差异无统计学意义。结论葛根素注射液可以有效地治疗抗结核药所致的肝损害,其效果与还原型谷胱甘肽相当。     

浅析我院基于不同用途的多功能水处理装置

目的:提高医院制剂用水的可靠性,改善全院伤病员饮水的质量。方法:我院与北京斯钛诺水技术开发有限公司联合研发了一套多功能水处理装置,并加以应用。结果与结论:该装置由原水处理系统、膜纯化系统、电解系统、储水系统、控制系统、罐装系统等6部分组成。其采用石英砂过滤、活性炭吸附、树脂软化、保安过滤进行预处理,使水质初步净化,再应用双级反渗透生成双级反渗透纯化水作为制药用水;或经纳滤后,再经碱性水电解机电解生成饮用的弱碱性小分子还原水,或者经酸化水电解机电解生成消毒用酸性氧化电位(消毒)水和清洗用强碱性去污水,满足了医院多方面的用水需求,使水源利用率基本达到100%,且水质均达到相关标准要求。     

Determination of the biological activity and structure activity relationships of drugs based on the highly cytotoxic duocarmycins and CC-1065

The natural antibiotics CC‑1065 and the duocarmycins are highly cytotoxic compounds which however are not suitable for cancer therapy due to their general toxicity. We have developed glycosidic prodrugs of seco-analogues of these antibiotics for a selective cancer therapy using conjugates of glycohydrolases and tumour-selective monoclonal antibodies for the liberation of the drugs from the prodrugs predominantly at the tumour site. For the determination of structure activity relationships of the different seco-drugs, experiments addressing their interaction with synthetic DNA were performed. Using electro­spray mass spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography, the experiments revealed a correlation of the stability of these drugs with their cytotoxicity in cell culture investigations. Furthermore, it was shown that the drugs bind to AT-rich regions of double-stranded DNA and the more cytotoxic drugs induce DNA fragmentation at room temperature in several of the selected DNA double-strands. Finally, an explanation for the very high cytotoxicity of CC-1065, the duocarmycins and analogous drugs is given.     

Stable isotope-resolved metabolomics and applications for drug development

Advances in analytical methodologies, principally nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS), during the last decade have made large-scale analysis of the human metabolome a reality. This is leading to the reawakening of the importance of metabolism in human diseases, particularly cancer. The metabolome is the functional readout of the genome, functional genome, and proteome; it is also an integral partner in molecular regulations for homeostasis. The interrogation of the metabolome, or metabolomics, is now being applied to numerous diseases, largely by metabolite profiling for biomarker discovery, but also in pharmacology and therapeutics. Recent advances in stable isotope tracer-based metabolomic approaches enable unambiguous tracking of individual atoms through compartmentalized metabolic networks directly in human subjects, which promises to decipher the complexity of the human metabolome at an unprecedented pace. This knowledge will revolutionize our understanding of complex human diseases, clinical diagnostics, as well as individualized therapeutics and drug response.In this review, we focus on the use of stable isotope tracers with metabolomics technologies for understanding metabolic network dynamics in both model systems and in clinical applications. Atom-resolved isotope tracing via the two major analytical platforms, NMR and MS, has the power to determine novel metabolic reprogramming in diseases, discover new drug targets, and facilitates ADME studies. We also illustrate new metabolic tracer-based imaging technologies, which enable direct visualization of metabolic processes in vivo. We further outline current practices and future requirements for biochemoinformatics development, which is an integral part of translating stable isotope-resolved metabolomics into clinical reality.     

Synthesis,radiofluorination, and preliminary evaluation of the potential 5‐HT2A receptor agonists [18F]Cimbi‐92 and [18F]Cimbi‐150

An agonist PET tracer is of key interest for the imaging of the 5‐HT_2A receptor, as exemplified by the previously reported success of [¹¹C]Cimbi‐36. Fluorine‐18 holds several advantages over carbon‐11, making it the radionuclide of choice for clinical purposes. In this respect, an ¹⁸F‐labelled agonist 5‐HT_2A receptor (5‐HT_2AR) tracer is highly sought after. Herein, we report a 2‐step, 1‐pot labelling methodology of 2 tracer candidates. Both ligands display high in vitro affinities for the 5‐HT_2AR. The compounds were synthesised from easily accessible labelling precursors, and radiolabelled in acceptable radiochemical yields, sufficient for in vivo studies in domestic pigs. PET images partially conformed to the expected brain distribution of the 5‐HT_2AR; a notable exception however being significant uptake in the striatum and thalamus. Additionally, a within‐scan displacement challenge with a 5‐HT_2AR antagonist was unsuccessful, indicating that the tracers cannot be considered optimal for neuroimaging of the 5‐HT_2AR.     

Susceptibility of lung epithelial cells to alkylating genotoxic insult

Alkylation is one of the most common types of DNA damage that can lead to mutations and cancer. Lung is the primary target organ of airborne alkylators such as ethylene oxide (EO). However, the ability of EO to cause lung cancer has not been clearly demonstrated yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the susceptibility of lung cells to alkylating DNA insult by detecting EO‐mediated DNA damage with the alkaline comet assay in human lung epithelial cells, peripheral blood lymphocytes, and keratinocytes. The susceptibility of these cell types toward the alkylating insult induced by EO was compared against the oxidative DNA insult induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Due to the volatility of EO, its active concentrations were monitored by gas chromatography during exposure and were found to decrease significantly in a time‐dependent manner. EO induced a statistically significant genotoxic effect at the lowest concentration used (16.4 µM) in lung epithelial cells and in lymphocytes, while in keratinocytes, a genotoxic effect was not detected until 55.5 µM EO. However, lung epithelial cells demonstrated increased resistance to oxidative insult. In fact, oxidative DNA damage detectable by endonuclease treatment was minimal in lung cells compared with the other cell types. These results suggest an increased sensitivity of lung epithelial cells toward the alkylating effects of EO, which was not observed for oxidative DNA damage. Our findings point out the importance of DNA alkylation and the possible role of EO on the induction of lung cancer. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 54:682–689, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Preparation and characterization of alkylated poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels using alkyl halides

A poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel coated onto polyethylene was partially alkylated by reaction with an alkylhalide (C⁴, C⁸, or C¹⁸) in the presence of a deprotonating agent (sodium ethoxide or potassium tertbutoxide). Surface coverage determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was respectively ~ 34, 25, and ~ 8% for the C₄, C₈, and C₁₈ modified surfaces. Statistically significant differences were observed in the fraction of C₈ and C₁₈ grafted alkyl groups as a function of depth (i.e. take-off angle) indicating the presence of a verticle composition gradient. All three surfaces showed maximal surface coverage of alkyl groups after 1 h reaction. At this reaction time, no further coverage was observed beyond a base/PVA ratio twenty times greater than the stoichiometric ratio. The advancing contact angle data exhibted an increase in hydrophobicity that correlated with the degree of coverage obtained by XPS: 90 ± 1, 83 ± 0.5, and 71 ± 1 deg for C₄, C₈ and C₁₈ alkylated PVA, and 55 ± 2 deg for PVA respectively. Large contact angle hysteresis was observed on all three surfaces consistent with surface heterogeneity.