Solid-phase synthesis of 16 potent (selective and nonselective) in vivo antagonists of oxytocin

We describe the synthesis and some pharmacological properties of 16 new in vivo antagonists of oxytocin. These are based on modifications of three peptides: A, B, and C. A is our previously reported potent and selective antagonist of the vasopressor (V1 receptor) responses to arginine-vasopressin (AVP)/weak oxytocin antagonist, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid), 2-O-methyltyrosine]arginine-vasopressin (d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVP. B reported here, the Ile3 analogue of A, is d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVT (5 below) and C is our previously reported potent nonselective oxytocin antagonist/AVP V1 antagonist, [1-(beta-mercapto-beta,beta-pentamethylenepropionic acid),2-O- methyltyrosine,8-ornithine]vasotocin (d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]OVT). The following substitutions and deletions, alone or in combination, were employed in A, B, and C: 1-deaminopenicillamine (dP); D-Tyr(Alk)2 (where Alk = Me or Et), D-Phe2; Val4, Thr4; delta 3-Pro7; Lys8, Cit8; desGly9, desGly-NH2(9), Ala-NH2(9); Leu-NH2(9); Arg-NH2(9). The 16 new analogues are (1) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Me)2]AVP, (2) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Me)2, Val4,delta 3-Pro7]AVP, (3) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr-(Et)2, Val4,Lys8]VP, (4) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Et)2,Val4,Cit8]VP, (5) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2]AVT, (6) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Lys8]VT, (7) dP[Tyr(Me)2]AVT, (8) dP[Tyr(Me)2,Val4]AVT, (9) d(CH2)5[D-Tyr(Me)2, Val4]AVT, (10) d(CH2)5[D-Phe2,Val4]AVT, (11) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4]OVT, (12) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Ala-NH2(9)]OVT, (13) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Leu-NH2(9)]OVT, (14) d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4,Arg-NH2(9)]OVT, (15) desGly-NH2(9),d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4]OVT, (16) desGly9,d(CH2)5[Tyr(Me)2,Thr4]OVT. 1-4 are analogues of A, 5-10 are analogues of B, and 11-16 are analogues of C. Their protected precursors were synthesized either entirely by the solid-phase method or by a combination of solid-phase and solution methods (1 + 8 or 8 + 1 couplings). All analogues were tested in rats for agonistic and antagonistic activities in oxytocic (in vitro, without and with Mg2+, and in vivo) assays as well as by antidiuretic and vasopressor assays. All analogues exhibit potent oxytocic antagonism in vitro and in vivo. With an in vitro pA2 (in the absence of Mg2+) = 9.12 +/- 0.09, dP[Tyr(Me)2]AVT is (7) one of the most potent in vitro oxytocin antagonists reported to date. Fifteen of these analogues (all but 6) appear as potent or more potent in vivo oxytocin antagonists than C (pA2 = 7.37 +/- 0.17). Analogues 1-9 and 14 are potent AVP V1 antagonists. Their anti-V1 pA2 values range from 7.92 to 8.45. They are thus nonselective oxytocin antagonists.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Thermal analysis of the bone surface induced by laser radiation

High energy laser has emerged to be an important surgical tool in medical technology. However, the application of laser energy to drill or cut a bone is still in an experimental state. In order to estimate the adequacy of laser heating of bone surface and at the same time minimize the damage to the bone tissue, we developed a mathematical model of the temperature distribution in bone due to laser irradiation. The thermal analysis shows that the temperature distribution depends on several parameters, including the density, the specific heat, and the thermal conductivity of the osseous tissue.     

Entomophthoromycosis in South Bengal (Eastern India): a 9 years study

Subcutaneous mycoses caused by the family Entomophthoraceae is very rare type of disease and is being reported sporadically from various Tropical countries including India. Here we report 8 cases of rhinoentomophthoromycosis caused by Conidiobolous coronatus and 7 cases of chronic subcutaneous phycomycosis caused by Basidiobolus ranarum. Cases were detected during a span of 9 years between 1991 to 1999, from 9 districts in and around Kolkata (Eastern India). Former type of lesions were detected among 20 to 65 age group of healthy individuals, predominantly males (7:1). In the latter type, male-female ratio was 2:5, and except for one all cases belonged to below 20 years age group of healthy individuals. Several cases were detected only after examination of repeat biopsy samples. With high degree of clinical suspicion, right approach is needed for laboratory confirmation of diagnosis.     

Overexpression of oncogenic STK15/BTAK/Aurora A kinase in human pancreatic cancer.

PURPOSE: Multiple chromosome abnormalities, including gain of chromosome20q, have been detected frequently in human pancreatic cancers. Overexpression of the STK15/BTAK/Aurora A gene located on chromosome 20q13, which encodes a centrosome-associated serine/threonine kinase, has been shown to induce chromosomal instability, leading to aneuploidy and cell transformation in multiple in vitro experimental systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression and copy number alteration of STK15 in pancreatic cancer. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: STK15 expression at both the mRNA and protein levels together with the copy number of STK15 gene was measured in nine pancreatic carcinoma cell lines: (a) HPAF-II; (b) Aspc-1; (c) Panc-1; (d) Panc-3; (e) Panc-28; (f) Panc-48; (g) HS766T; (h) MIAPaCa-2; and (i) BxPc3. STK15 protein expression was also examined in normal pancreatic tissues and tumors by Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: STK15 was overexpressed in all of the nine cell lines examined, but gene amplification was infrequent. Western Blot analysis of primary tumor tissues revealed 2-10 times overexpression of STK15 protein compared with normal adjacent tissues from pancreatic cancer patients. Concurrent overexpression of cdc20, an STK15-associated protein, and reduced expression of cdc25, a mitosis-activating protein phosphatase, were detected in the same tumor samples. Elevated STK15 protein expression was detected in 22 of 38 tumor sections (58%) from pancreatic cancer patients. The extent of STK15 expression was not significantly correlated with the size, degree of differentiation, and metastasis status of the tumors. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that STK15 is overexpressed in pancreatic tumors and carcinoma cell lines and suggest that overexpression of STK15 may play a role in pancreatic carcinogenesis.     

Persistent Enhancement on Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Studies of Severe Crohn's Disease: Stuck Bubbles?

A small population of patients with severe Crohn's disease (CD) exhibit atypical lack of intensity decline on intestinal contrast-enhanced ultrasound. From a retrospective CD cohort examined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound, 104 patients were identified. Twenty study patients with severe active disease exhibited high peak enhancement (>23 dB) and minimal decline. From the same cohort, 84 control patients also exhibited high peak enhancement >23dB, but with typical intensity decline. Patient outcomes were assessed. Time–intensity curve analysis revealed a significantly higher (p < 0.0001) area under the curve (44.7 ± 1.5 dB·s), washout time and intensities at 60s and 120s in the study population compared with controls (40.0 ± 1.1 dB·s). Study patients had a worse overall outcome with surgery in 30% versus 10% (p?=?0.027) during follow-up. Heightened enhancement with lack of decline on contrast-enhanced ultrasound suggests microbubbles are stuck within the inflamed bowel wall for an extended period. This observation occurs in patients with severe disease and a bad outcome.     

Two flares of Still’s disease after two doses of the ChAdOx1 vaccine

Clinical Rheumatology - We report the case of an 18-year-old male with Still’s disease for the last 3&nbsp;years, in remission, who developed two flares of his disease after receiving two...     

NMR based CSF metabolomics in tuberculous meningitis: correlation with clinical and MRI findings

Metabolic Brain Disease - We report the potential role of 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) based metabolomics in tuberculous meningitis (TBM). We also correlate the significant metabolites with...