A Refractive Index Study of a Diverse Set of Polymeric Materials by QSPR with Quantum-Chemical and Additive Descriptors.

Predicting the activities and properties of materials via in silico methods has been shown to be a cost- and time-effective way of aiding chemists in synthesizing materials with desired properties. Refractive index (n) is one of the most important defining characteristics of an optical material. Presented in this work is a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model that was developed to predict the refractive index for a diverse set of polymers. A number of models were created, where a four-variable model showed the best predictive performance with R2 = 0.904 and Q2LOO = 0.897. The robustness and predictability of the best model was validated using the leave-one-out technique, external set and y-scrambling methods. The predictive ability of the model was confirmed with the external set, showing the R2ext = 0.880. For the refractive index, the ionization potential, polarizability, 2D and 3D geometrical descriptors were the most influential properties. The developed model was transparent and mechanistically explainable and can be used in the prediction of the refractive index for new and untested polymers.

Using video feedback as a tool in training parent coaches: promising results from a single-subject design.

The Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC) parenting program focuses on three intervention targets: increasing parental nurturance, increasing parental synchrony, and decreasing parental frightening behavior. Parent coaches are expected to comment "in the moment" when behaviors relevant to these three targets are observed in sessions. Making in the moment comments is a challenging aspect of intervention, and parent coaches have struggled with their fidelity to this critical intervention component. Thus, we developed a system for coding the frequency and quality of comments from video-recorded session clips on a statement-by-statement level. To help parent coaches refine and maintain their skills in making such comments, they are taught to code segments of their own video-recorded sessions, with the expectation that gains would be seen in comments after learning to code. In this paper, we describe the fidelity coding system and present initial results from a year-long, single-subject design examining the effects of video feedback coding for a parent coach who was learning the intervention. We observed an increase in frequency of in the moment comments during the period of video feedback coding, consistent with a training effect.

Quantitative Structure-Permittivity Relationship Study of a Series of Polymers.

Dielectric constant is an important property which is widely utilized in many scientific fields and characterizes the degree of polarization of substances under the external electric field. In this work, a structure-property relationship of the dielectric constants (ε) for a diverse set of polymers was investigated. A transparent mechanistic model was developed with the application of a machine learning approach that combines genetic algorithm and multiple linear regression analysis, to obtain a mechanistically explainable and transparent model. Based on the evaluation conducted using various validation criteria, four- and eight-variable models were proposed. The best model showed a high predictive performance for training and test sets, with R2 values of 0.905 and 0.812, respectively. Obtained statistical performance results and selected descriptors in the best models were analyzed and discussed. With the validation procedures applied, the models were proven to have a good predictive ability and robustness for further applications in polymer permittivity prediction.

Parental synchrony and nurturance as targets in an attachment based intervention: building upon Mary Ainsworth's insights about mother-infant interaction.

As an astute observer of parent-infant interaction, Mary Ainsworth described and assessed facets of maternal sensitivity, including responsiveness to conditions of infant distress and non-distress. This paper considers the importance of distinguishing between parental sensitivity to children's distress cues (which we refer to as nurturance) and parental sensitivity to children's non-distress cues (which we refer to as synchrony). Observations of parents in our intervention, Attachment and Biobehavioral Catch-up (ABC), have led us to believe that distress and non-distress represent distinct contexts in which parents can be differentially sensitive or insensitive in responding. Thus, we have conceptualized nurturance and synchrony as distinct targets of the ABC intervention and, in deciding how to assess parental sensitivity, we have chosen measures that distinguish between nurturance and synchrony. This paper describes the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches we have taken to assess parental sensitivity, including diary methodology that we developed for assessing parental nurturance and global measures that we have used for assessing parental synchrony. Finally, a frequency-based coding system is described that we developed for assessing parental nurturance and synchrony from videotaped intervention sessions.

Signaling through retinoic acid receptors is essential for mammalian uterine receptivity and decidualization.

Retinoic acid (RA) signaling has long been speculated to regulate embryo implantation, because many enzymes and proteins responsible for maintaining RA homeostasis and transducing RA signals are tightly regulated in the endometrium during this critical period. However, due to a lack of genetic data, it was unclear whether RA signaling is truly required for implantation and which specific RA signaling cascades are at play. Herein we utilize a genetic murine model that expresses a dominant-negative form of RA receptor (RAR) specifically in female reproductive organs to show that functional RA signaling is fundamental to female fertility, particularly implantation and decidualization. Reduction in RA signaling activity severely affects the ability of the uterus to achieve receptive status and decidualize, partially through dampening follistatin expression and downstream activin B/bone morphogenetic protein 2 signaling. To confirm translational relevance of these findings to humans, human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) were treated with a pan-RAR antagonist to show that in vitro decidualization is impaired. RNA interference perturbation of individual RAR transcripts in hESCs revealed that RARα in particular was essential for proper decidualization. These data provide direct functional evidence that uterine RAR-mediated RA signaling was crucial for mammalian embryo implantation, and its disruption led to failure of uterine receptivity and decidualization, resulting in severely compromised fertility.

Role of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors 1alpha and 2alpha in the regulation of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 expression in a human trophoblast cell line.

The plasminogen activator inhibitors (PAIs) play critical roles in regulating hemostatic and invasive functions of trophoblasts through suppression of plasmin-dependent fibrinolysis and extracellular matrix degradation. The expression of PAI-1 is increased under hypoxic conditions, although the mechanism remains incompletely understood. In the current study we used HTR-8/SVneo cells, a first trimester extravillous trophoblast cell line, and siRNA technology to examine the role of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIFs)-1alpha and -2alpha in the regulation of PAI-1 expression. Using serum-containing and serum-free media culture media it was initially noted that levels of PAI-1, but not PAI-2 protein, were markedly induced by hypoxic (2-3% oxygen) treatment. Under hypoxic conditions, Western blotting revealed that the presence of siRNAs to HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha suppressed expression of their respective proteins, whereas treatment with non-targeting and cyclophilin B siRNAs did not. Importantly, incubation with siRNA to HIF-1alpha or HIF-2alpha alone reduced PAI-1 protein levels to a similar extent, with the combined treatment inducing a more profound effect. The presence of HIF siRNAs reduced levels of PAI-1 mRNA as measured by quantitative real-time PCR, indicating that HIF-1alpha and HIF-2 alpha regulate PAI-1 expression at a transcriptional level. These results indicate that both HIF-1alpha and HIF-2alpha play important and similar roles in hypoxia-mediated stimulation of PAI-1 expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells. Our findings provide insight into the physiological regulation of trophoblast PAI-1 expression in early pregnancy when placental oxygen levels are low, as well as a mechanism for over-expression of placental PAI-1 noted in pregnancies with preeclampsia.

Endogenous galanin modulates the gonadotropin and prolactin proestrous surges in the rat.

Galanin (GAL) has recently emerged as an important neuroendocrine regulator which participates in the control of several pituitary and hypothalamic hormones. Our earlier observation that GAL stimulates LHRH release from nerve terminals of the median eminence as well as basal LH and LHRH-induced LH secretion from pituitary cells in vitro prompted us to evaluate whether endogenous GAL plays a role in regulation of the physiologically occurring preovulatory surges of gonadotropins and PRL. Proestrous female rats were passively immunized against GAL using a high affinity sheep antirat GAL serum (FMS-FJL 17-5). Animals were implanted during diestrus with indwelling atrial cannulae. On the expected day of proestrus, rats received 1 ml of either normal sheep serum or GAL antiserum (GAL-AS), iv, 1 h before blood sampling started. Blood samples (0.5 ml) were collected at hourly intervals from 1400-2300 h, and plasma levels of LH, FSH, and PRL measured by RIA. At several time intervals after GAL-AS administration, the maximum binding ability of the rat plasma was evaluated using standard saturation assays. High neutralizing levels of immunoglobulins were present throughout the experimental period. GAL passive immunization blunted the LH preovulatory surge by 30%. Although maximum LH levels were unaffected by the treatment, the area under the secretory curve and LH levels at 1700, 1900, and 2000 h were significantly reduced. Conversely, FSH secretion was not significantly altered for either maximum FSH levels or area under the curve. However, FSH levels were significantly diminished in GAL-AS-treated rats at 1700 h. GAL passive immunization selectively reduced the plateau phase of the preovulatory surge of PRL. No significant differences were observed in the initiation of the surge or maximum PRL levels, whereas PRL levels were significantly reduced from 1700 to 2200 h. In addition, the area under the PRL curve was diminished in GAL-AS-treated animals by 40%. In conclusion, our results clearly demonstrate that endogenous GAL is involved in control of the preovulatory surges of LH and PRL without altering the FSH surge. In addition, they provide, for the first time, evidence of an important role for endogenous GAL in the regulation of physiological events leading to ovulation.

Expression of functional estrogen receptors and galanin messenger ribonucleic acid in immortalized luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone neurons: estrogenic control of galanin gene expression.

The activity of estradiol on the LHRH neuronal network is crucial in the regulation of reproduction. In vivo, estradiol induces galanin (GAL) gene expression in LHRH neurons and GAL/LHRH colocalization is sexually dimorphic and neonatally determined by steroid exposure. The effects of estradiol on LHRH neurons, however, are considered to be indirect because estrogen receptors (ER) have not been detected in LHRH neurons in vivo. Using immortalized mouse LHRH neurons (GT1-7 cells), we demonstrated by RT-PCR and Southern blotting that GT1-7 cells express ER messenger RNA (mRNA). Sequencing of the amplification products indicated that GT1-7 ER is of the alpha-subtype (ER alpha). Additionally, estrogen receptors in GT1-7 cells were characterized by competitive radioligand receptor binding and IC50 values for 17beta-estradiol and ICI-182,780 were found to be 0.24 and 4.1 nM, respectively. The ability of endogenous GT1-7 cell ER to regulate transcription was determined in transient transfection studies using a construct that consisted of a luciferase reporter gene that is driven by tandem estrogen response elements (ERE) and a minimal herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter. 17Beta-estradiol was found to enhance luciferase activity by 2.5-fold at physiological concentrations with an ED50 value of 47 pM. This induction was completely inhibited by ICI-182,780 which had an IC50 value of 4.8 nM. Raloxifene, tamoxifen, 4-hydroxytamoxifen, and droloxifene also fully blocked estrogen-mediated luciferase induction with IC50 values of 58.4, 89.2, 33.2, and 49.8 nM, respectively. In addition, GAL mRNA was detected and identified by RT-PCR followed by Southern blotting using a rat GAL complementary DNA (cDNA) probe. The ability of 17beta-estradiol to modulate expression of the endogenous GAL gene in immortalized LHRH neurons was also determined. Quantitative RT-PCR demonstrated that physiological concentrations of estrogen increase GAL gene expression by 2-fold with an ED50 value of 23 pM. ICI-182,780, raloxifene, and droloxifene completely blocked this induction. In summary, our data demonstrate the presence of ER alpha and GAL mRNA in GT1-7 cells. The ER in GT1-7 cells is biologically active because 17beta-estradiol enhances both endogenous GAL gene expression and an ERE-driven reporter gene. These results suggest that estrogenic control of GAL gene expression in immortalized LHRH neurons may be transduced by ER. Thus, hypothalamic-derived LHRH neurons appear to have the capacity to be directly regulated by estrogen.

Estradiol induces galanin gene expression in the pituitary of the mouse in an estrogen receptor alpha-dependent manner.

Estradiol imprinting plays an important role in the regulation of galanin (GAL) gene expression in the rat. In the anterior pituitary gland, GAL gene expression is greatly induced by estrogen. The relative involvement that the two estrogen receptor subtypes, alpha and beta, have in regulating this induction is not known. We have utilized ER alpha-knock-out (ER alphaKO) mice to discriminate the roles of ER alpha and ER beta in the regulation of GAL gene expression in the anterior pituitary gland. Our goals were to measure the effects of estradiol on GAL gene expression by solution hybridization ribonuclease protection assay in wild-type mice and to determine the roles of ER alpha and, indirectly, ER beta by measuring the same response in the ER alphaKO mice. Estradiol treatment for one week elevated GAL gene expression 30-40 fold in the wild-type mouse pituitary. Evaluation of estrogen effects on GAL gene expression in the anterior pituitary of ER alphaKO animals revealed that ER alpha is essential, because no response to estrogen was observed in these animals. Since ER beta mRNA was identified in the anterior pituitary by RT-PCR, but estrogen had no effects on GAL gene expression in the ER alphaKO mice, the beta subtype of ER does not appear to participate in estrogen-evoked GAL gene expression in the mouse anterior pituitary.

PGH synthase isoenzyme selectivity: the potential for safer nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

With the recent cloning of a second gene coding for the prostaglandin endoperoxide (PGH) synthase (cyclooxygenase), it has become obvious that mammalian cells contain two related, but unique, isozymes of PGH synthase. Both of these isozymes catalyze the conversion of arachidonic acid to PGH2, leading to production of biologically active prostaglandins. Although the first of these isozymes, PGH synthase-1 (PGHS-1), has long been thought to be the primary and sole site of action of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), it is now known that the second isozyme, PGH synthase-2 (PGHS-2), is also sensitive to NSAIDs. Cloning of complementary DNAs for murine PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 has permitted individual expression of these two isozymes in the cos-1 cell system and comparison of their relative inhibition by several common NSAIDs in vitro. These studies have demonstrated that the two mouse isozymes, PGHS-1 and PGHS-2, are pharmacologically distinct. PGHS-1 is a constitutively expressed enzyme that early observations indicate is the principal enzyme involved in producing prostaglandins that regulate cellular housekeeping functions, such as gastric cytoprotection, vascular homeostasis, and kidney function. In contrast, PGHS-2 appears only to be expressed in inflamed tissue or following exposure to growth factors, lymphokines, or other mediators of inflammation. Expression of PGHS-2 is inhibited by antiinflammatory glucocorticoids, lending further support to the hypothesis that this enzyme produces prostaglandins involved in inflammation. We have identified NSAIDs that preferentially inhibit murine PGHS-1 or PGHS-2 or inhibit both isozymes equally. The finding that the two isozymes can be differentially inhibited provides a possible mechanism for identifying safer, more effective NSAIDs. Screening for drugs that preferentially inhibit PGHS-2 may allow identification of NSAIDs that reduce inflammation, but spare renal and gastric prostaglandin synthesis, thus reducing the untoward side effects commonly associated with most NSAIDs. Thus far, nabumetone is the only NSAID identified that preferentially inhibits murine PGHS-2.

Synthesis, antiproliferative, and antiviral activity of certain 4-aminopyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazine nucleosides: an entry into a novel series of adenosine analogues.

The preparation of novel heterocyclic base modified adenosine analogues, the 4-aminopyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazine nucleosides, is described. Crucial to their successful preparation was the use of the pyrrole glycoside intermediates 3-cyano-2-formyl-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrrole (11) and 3-cyano-2-formyl-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)pyrrole (17). Treatment of 11 and 17 with hydrazine dihydrochloride followed by treatment with boron trichloride provided 4-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazine (2) and 4-amino-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazine (3), respectively. 4-Amino-3-bromo-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]-pyridazine (4) was prepared by a bromination of 4-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyri daz ine (12) and subsequent removal of the benzyl groups with boron trichloride. Compounds 2-4 were evaluated for antiproliferative and antiviral activity. The tubercidin analogue (2) and its arabinosyl derivative (3) were virtually inactive in all assays. In contrast, the 3-bromo analogue 4 inhibited growth of L1210 and H. Ep. 2 cells. Compound 4 was also active against human cytomegalovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1, but the antiviral activity was not completely separated from cytotoxicity.

Synthesis and antiproliferative and antiviral activity of carbohydrate-modified pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7-one nucleosides.

Sugar-modified analogs of 4-amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7-one (1) and 4-amino-3-bromo-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7- one (3) were prepared in an effort to obtain selective antiviral agents. Treatment of ethyl 3-cyano-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-1-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)pyrrole-2- carboxylate (6) with hydrazine afforded 4-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-1-beta-D- arabinofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7-one (7). Treatment of 7 with bromine afforded 4-amino-3-bromo-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl) pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7-one hydrobromide (9). The benzyl ether functions of 7 and 9 were removed with boron trichloride to afford 4-amino-1-(beta-D-arabinofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7-one (8) and its 3-bromo analog 10. 4-Amino-1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrida zin-7- one (13) was prepared by the sodium salt condensation of ethyl 3-cyanopyrrole-2-carboxylate (5) with 2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-p-toluoyl-alpha-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl chloride (11) followed by ring annulation with hydrazine. Deprotection of ethyl 3-cyano-1-(2-deoxy-3,5-di-O-p-toluoyl-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)pyrr ole- 2-carboxylate (12) using sodium ethoxide furnished ethyl 1-(2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)-3-cyanopyrrole-2-carboxy late (14) which served as the starting material for the preparation of 4-amino-1-(2,3-dideoxy-beta-D-glycero-pentofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d] pyridazin-7-one (20). Selective protection of the 5'-hydroxyl group of 14 with tert-butyldimethylsilyl chloride followed by a Barton type deoxygenation sequence of the 3'-hydroxyl groups afforded ethyl 3-cyano-1-[2,3-dideoxy-5-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-beta-D-glycero- pentofuranosyl]pyrrole-2-carboxylate (18). Deprotection of 18 with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride and ring annulation with hydrazine afforded 20. The acyclic analog 4-amino-1-[(1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl]pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin -7-one (24) was prepared via the sodium salt glycosylation of 5 with (1,3-dihydroxy-2-propoxy)methyl bromide (22) followed by a ring annulation with hydrazine. N-Bromosuccinimide treatment of 13, 20, and 25 afforded the 3-bromo derivatives 15, 21, and 25. Evaluation of these compounds in L1210, HFF, and KB cells showed that the sugar-modified analogs all were less cytotoxic than their corresponding ribonucleoside analogs. The compounds also were less active against human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). The 3-bromo derivatives were much more active than the 3-unsubstituted analogs in both the cytotoxicity, and antiviral assays. However, there was only modest separation between activity against HCMV and cytotoxicity and there was virtually no selectivity for activity against HSV-1.

Synthesis, antiproliferative, and antiviral activity of 4-amino-1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7(6H)-one and related derivatives.

The synthesis of 4-amino-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7 (6H)-one (3) from the reaction of ethyl 3-cyano-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrole-2-carboxylate (10) and hydrazine is described. The 5:6 pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7(6H)-one structure of 3 was established via a three-step conversion of 3 into 1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-4,7(5H,6H)- dio ne (14). 4-Amino-3-chloro-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin+ ++-7(6H)-one (16) 4-amino-3-bromo-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin++ +-7(6H)-one (18) were prepared via N-chlorosuccinimide or N-bromosuccinimide treatment of 4-amino-1-(2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-beta- D-ribofuranosyl)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin-7(6H)-one (7) followed by a removal of the benzyl groups with boron trichloride. Direct treatment of 3 with N-iodosuccinimide furnished 4-amino-3-iodo-1-beta-D-ribofuranosylpyrrolo[2,3-d]pyridazin -7(6H)-one (19). The antiproliferative activity of the compounds was determined in L1210, H. Ep. 2 and several additional human tumor cell lines. In L1210 cells, the 3-halo-substituted compounds 16, 18, and 19 exhibited significant cytotoxicity (IC50 = 0.2, 0.1, 0.08 microM, respectively), in contrast to the 3-unsubstituted compound 3, which had only slight activity. The greater antiproliferative activity of 18 and 19 in contrast to 3 was confirmed in H. Ep. 2 cells and KB cells. The antiviral evaluation of these compounds revealed that compounds 16, 18, and 19 were active against human cytomegalovirus in both plaque- and yield-reduction assays. However, this activity was only partially separated from cytotoxicity in human cell lines.

Interactions of PGH synthase isozymes-1 and -2 with NSAIDs.

There are two isozymes of prostaglandin endoperoxide (PGH) synthase (cyclooxygenase) called PGH synthase-1 and -2 or COX I and II. Both isozymes catalyze the same two reactions: oxygenation of arachidonate to yield PGG2 and reduction of PGG2 to PGH2. PGH synthase-1 is expressed constitutively and is found in most tissues. PGH synthase-2 is undetectable in most cells but can be induced in fibroblasts, endothelial cells, ovarian follicles, and macrophages by various mitogens, cytokines, and tumor promoters. PGH synthase-1 (PGHS-1) has been presumed to be the site of action of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, the discovery of the second isozyme, PGH synthase-2 (PGHS-2), and its association with inflammation has suggested that this latter enzyme may be the therapeutic target of NSAIDs functioning in their antiinflammatory capacities. We have cloned cDNAs for murine PGHS-1 and PGHS-2, expressed these enzymes in cos-1 cells, and compared the relative sensitivities of the two isozymes to some common NSAIDs. Indomethacin, piroxicam, and sulindac sulfide were found to preferentially inhibit PGHS-1. Ibuprofen and meclofenamate inhibit both enzymes with comparable potencies. 6-Methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid, the active metabolite of Relafen, inhibits murine PGHS-2 preferentially. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits PGHS-1, preventing this isozyme from forming PGH2 or any other oxygenated product; in contrast, aspirin treatment of PGHS-2 causes this enzyme to form 15-hydroxy-5c,8c,11c,13t-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) instead of PGH2. Our results indicate mouse PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 are pharmacologically distinct. Thus, it should be possible to develop agents highly selective for each PGHS isozyme. PGHS-2 is not expressed in stomach but is increased by inflammatory cytokines in cells such as macrophages. Thus, a selective inhibitor of PGHS-2 could be an antiinflammatory agent but without being ulcerogenic.

Pharmacology of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase isozymes-1 and -2.

It is now that there are two isozymes of prostaglandin endoperoxide (PGH) synthase (cyclooxygenase) called PGH synthase-1 and -2 or COX I and II. Both isozymes catalyze the conversion of arachidonate to PGH2, the committed step in the formation of both prostacyclin and thromboxane A2. PGH synthase-1 is present in platelets and endothelial cells whereas PGH synthase-2 has been detected in endothelial cells treated with cytokines and phorbol esters. PGH synthase-1 (PGHS-1) has long been thought to be the site of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). However, it is now clear that the second isozyme, PGH synthase-2 (PGHS-2), is also inhibited by these compounds. Cloning of the cDNAs for murine PGHS-1 and PGHS-2 has allowed us to express these two enzymes in cos-1 cells and to compare the relative sensitivities of these enzymes in vitro using a series of common NSAIDs. NSAIDs such as indomethacin, piroxicam, and sulindac sulfide preferentially inhibit PGHS-1. Ibuprofen and meclofenamate inhibit both enzymes with comparable potencies. 6-Methoxy-2-naphthylacetic acid, the active metabolite of Relafen, inhibits murine PGHS-2 preferentially. Aspirin irreversibly inhibits PGHS-1, preventing this isozyme from forming any product; in contrast, aspirin treatment of PGHS-2 causes this enzyme to form 15-hydroxy-5c,8c,11c,13t-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) instead of PGH2. These results establish that the two mouse enzymes are pharmacologically distinct and suggest that it will be possible to identify or design compounds that are completely selective for each PGHS isozyme. Because PGHS-2 is usually only expressed in inflamed tissue or after exposure to mediators of inflammation, a selective inhibitor of this isoenzyme may exhibit anti-inflammatory activity without effects on PGHS-1 of platelets and perhaps without ulcerogenic effects associated with commonly available NSAIDs.

Development and characterization of a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay for rat galanin: measurement in brain tissue, hypophyseal portal and peripheral serum.

Galanin (GAL), a 29 amino acid peptide, is extensively distributed in both brain and intestine having been described as a putative neuroendocrine modulator. Up to this date, available radioimmunoassays for measuring GAL have the problem of nonparallel responses when rat biological samples are used. Due to the recent availability of synthetic rat GAL (rGAL), we pursued the development of a specific RIA for rGAL. Our RIA system presents a high specificity since porcine GAL (pGAL), which differs from rGAL in three carboxy-terminus substitutions, displays negligible crossreactivity. In addition, in the RIA a sensitivity of at least 1 pg/tube can be obtained. All biological samples tested in this study (serum samples from both peripheral and portal blood and arcuate-nucleus median eminence extracts) displayed perfect parallelism to synthetic rGAL standard. The RIA is suitable for measuring minute amounts of rGAL directly in serum samples from both portal and peripheral circulation. Interestingly, the IC50 for portal serum was approximately 10-fold lower than that for peripheral serum. This indicates that rGAL may be present in higher concentrations in portal than in peripheral blood. In addition, our data suggest that the pituitary gland contributes approximately 30% to the total levels of rGAL measured in peripheral serum. Together, this data reinforces the concept that GAL is involved in mechanisms controlling and/or regulating neuroendocrine functions.

Phosphorylation of ganciclovir phosphonate by cellular GMP kinase determines the stereoselectivity of anti-human cytomegalovirus activity.

A racemic mixture of ganciclovir phosphonate was resolved by stereoselective phosphorylation using GMP kinase. The R-enantiomer of ganciclovir phosphonate was active against human cytomegalovirus but the S-enantiomer was less active. We show that enantiomeric selectivity of antiviral for ganciclovir phosphonate was conferred by stereoselective phosphorylations by mammalian enzymes, not by stereoselective inhibition of DNA polymerase from human cytomegalovirus.

Predictors of detection of alcohol use episodes using a transdermal alcohol sensor.

The objective of this investigation was to establish the ability of the Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitoring (SCRAM) alcohol sensor to detect different levels of self-reported alcohol consumption, and to determine whether gender and body mass index, alcohol dependence, bracelet version, and age of bracelet influenced detection of alcohol use. Heavy drinking adults (N = 66, 46% female) wore the SCRAM for 1-28 days and reported their alcohol use in daily Web-based surveys. Participant reports of alcohol use were matched with drinking episodes identified from bracelet readings. On days when bracelets were functional, 690 drinking episodes were reported and 502 of those episodes (72.8%) were detected using sensor data. Using generalized estimating equations, we found no gender differences in detection of reported drinking episodes (77% for women, 69% for men). In univariate analyses, at the level of fewer than 5 drinks, women's episodes were more likely to be detected, likely because of the significantly higher transdermal alcohol concentration levels of these episodes, whereas at the level of 5 or more drinks, there was no gender difference in detection (92.6% for women, 93.4% for men). In multivariable analyses, no variables other than number of drinks significantly predicted alcohol detection. In summary, the SCRAM sensor is very good at detecting 5 or more drinks; performance of the monitor below this level was better among women because of their higher transdermal alcohol concentration levels. Individual person characteristics and bracelet features were not related to detection after number of drinks was included. Minimal bracelet malfunctions were noted.

Serum and glucocorticoid regulation of gene transcription and expression of the prostaglandin H synthase-1 and prostaglandin H synthase-2 isozymes.

Mitogenic stimulation has been shown to increase both prostaglandin H (PGH) synthase-1 (PGHS-1) and PGH synthase-2 (PGHS-2) mRNA levels, although the time course and magnitude of induction are different for the two genes. To investigate the mechanism for mRNA induction, we conducted nuclear run-off assays of these two genes in 3T3 cells and correlated mitogen-induced changes in PGHS gene transcription with changes in PGHS mRNA and PGHS isozyme expression. We also examined the mechanism for glucocorticoid inhibition of PGHS mRNA expression and the effects of glucocorticoids on PGHS isozyme expression. Serum stimulation of quiescent 3T3 cells led to a sequential increase in PGHS-2 gene transcription, PGHS-2 mRNA, and PGHS-2 enzyme levels. PGHS-2 gene transcription increased over 25-fold within 30 min of serum addition resulting in an over 70-fold increase in PGHS-2 mRNA by 1 h, and maximal PGHS-2 enzyme expression by 2 h. Increased PGHS-2 isozyme expression thus appears to depend on transcriptional activation of the gene. Transcription of the PGHS-2 gene declined after 30 min, and PGHS-2 mRNA levels declined similarly after 1 h, leading to a return of PGHS-2 levels to near basal levels by 6 h. Glucocorticoids, which previously have been shown to inhibit mitogen-stimulated increases in PGHS-2 levels, were found to inhibit serum-stimulated increases in PGHS-2 gene transcription by 70%, resulting in a 70% reduction in peak serum-stimulated PGHS-2 mRNA levels also. Western blotting with PGHS-2 specific antisera demonstrated that while dexamethasone simply reduced PGHS-2 mRNA levels, it completely suppressed expression of PGHS-2 protein. The coincidental reduction in PGHS-2 transcription, PGHS-2 mRNA, and enzyme levels by dexamethasone, provides further support for the hypothesis that control of transcription is one primary control mechanism for regulating PGHS-2 expression. That complete suppression of PGHS-2 enzyme expression occurs following partial suppression of PGHS-2 mRNA, however, suggests that other mechanisms may also contribute to the glucocorticoid effect. A small, but reproducible, increase in transcription of the PGHS-1 gene occurred 3 h following serum stimulation, coincident with a three- to fourfold increase in PGHS-1 mRNA; PGHS-1 mRNA remained elevated for at least 3 h. Dexamethasone reduced, but did not completely inhibit, the serum-stimulated increases in PGHS-1. However, changes in PGHS-1 mRNA were not accompanied by detectable changes in PGHS-1 protein in the presence or absence of dexamethasone.