Design and biological evaluation of substituted 5,7-dihydro-6H-indolo[2,3-c]quinolin-6-one as novel selective Haspin inhibitors.

A library of substituted indolo[2,3-c]quinolone-6-ones was developed as simplified Lamellarin isosters. Synthesis was achieved from indole after a four-step pathway sequence involving iodination, a Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction, and a reduction/lactamization sequence. The inhibitory activity of the 22 novel derivatives was assessed on Haspin kinase. Two of them possessed an IC50 of 1 and 2 nM with selectivity towards a panel of 10 other kinases including the parent kinases DYRK1A and CLK1. The most selective compound exerted additionally a very interesting cell effect on the osteosarcoma U-2 OS cell line.

Synthesis and anticancer evaluation of 3-aryl-6-phenylimidazo [2,1-b]thiazoles.

A series of new 3,6-diphenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole derivatives (4a-l) are synthesized and evaluated for their anticancer activity. Some of the synthesized compounds have shown potent anti-proliferative activity against HeLa, MDA-MB-231, A549 and THP1 human cancer cell lines. Among the active compounds, 3-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)-6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole (4j) has caused significant cytotoxicity in HeLa cells, with IC50 as low as 6.5 µM. Compound 4j has induced caspase-3 and caspase-8 activation, leading to an apoptotic cell death. FACS analysis has revealed that compound 4j arrests cells in G0/G1 phase. The presence of 3-(3-trifluoromethylphenyl)- or 3-(3-chlorophenyl)-substituent, in that order, on the 6-phenylimidazo[2,1-b]thiazole impacts more positively than other aryl-substituents, on the anti-proliferative properties of these compounds.

Achieving Long-Wavelength Electroluminescence Using Two-Coordinate Gold(I) Complexes: Overcoming the Energy Gap Law.

Two-coordinate coinage metal complexes have emerged as promising emitters for highly efficient organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs). However, achieving efficient long-wavelength electroluminescence emission from these complexes remains as a daunting challenge. To address this challenge, molecular design strategies aimed at bolstering the photoluminescence quantum yield (Φ) of Au(I) complex emitters in low-energy emission regions are investigated. By varying amido ligands, a series of two-coordinate Au(I) complexes is developed that exhibit photoluminescence peak wavelengths over a broad range of 533-750 nm. These complexes, in particular, maintain Φ values up to 10% even in the near-infrared emission region, overcoming the constraints imposed by an energy gap. Quantum chemical calculations and photophysical analyses reveal the action of radiative control, which serves to overcome the energy gap law, becomes more pronounced as the overlap between hole and electron distributions (Sr (r)) in the excited state increases. It is further elucidated that Sr (r) increases with the distance between the hole-distribution centroid and the nitrogen atom in an amido ligand. Finally, multilayer OLEDs involving the Au(I) complex emitters exhibit performances beyond the borderline of the electroluminescence wavelength-external quantum efficiency space set by previous devices of coinage metal complexes.

A Case of a Seven-Year-old boy with Epilepsy with Myoclonic Absence: Importance of Seizure Semiology, Genetic Etiology, and Electroencephalogram Correlation for Timely Intervention.

Epilepsy with myoclonic absence (EMA) is a rare disorder with a mean age of onset of 7 years. It is characterized clinically by rhythmic, myoclonic jerking of the head, extremities or both, with impairment of consciousness and an ictal electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern of 3 Hz bilateral, synchronous and symmetrical spike and wave discharges. Prognosis is guarded and most patients are pharmaco-resistant. We present a case of EMA, found to have a FOXP1 gene pathogenic variation and a variance of unknown significance in the MBD5 gene, who was admitted to the intensive care unit in super-refractory status epilepticus. Given the overlap in symptoms of syndromes including myoclonic-astatic epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, a detailed seizure semiology with EEG correlation, cannot be over emphasized. In this case, the genetic etiology may lend an interesting insight to the severity and prognosis.

Characterization of Co-Formulated High-Concentration Broadly Neutralizing Anti-HIV-1 Monoclonal Antibodies for Subcutaneous Administration.

The discovery of numerous potent and broad neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) against Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) envelope glycoprotein has invigorated the potential of using them as an effective preventative and therapeutic agent. The majority of the anti-HIV-1 antibodies, currently under clinical investigation, are formulated singly for intra-venous (IV) infusion. However, due to the high degree of genetic variability in the case of HIV-1, a single broad neutralizing antibody will likely not be sufficient to protect against the broad range of viral isolates. To that end, delivery of two or more co-formulated bnAbs against HIV-1 in a single subcutaneous (SC) injection is highly desired. We, therefore, co-formulated two anti-HIV bnAbs, 3BNC117-LS and 10-1074-LS, to a total concentration of 150 mg/mL for SC administration and analyzed them using a panel of analytical techniques. Chromatographic based methods, such as RP-HPLC, CEX-HPLC, SEC-HPLC, were developed to ensure separation and detection of each antibody in the co-formulated sample. In addition, we used a panel of diverse pseudoviruses to detect the functionality of individual antibodies in the co-formulation. We also used these methods to test the stability of the co-formulated antibodies and believe that such an approach can support future efforts towards the formulation and characterization of multiple high-concentration antibodies for SC delivery.

Novel homozygous mutation in the FBXL4 gene is associated with mitochondria DNA depletion syndrome-13.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome-13 (MTDPS13) is caused by mutations in FBXL4 (F-box and leucine-rich repeat protein 4), a nuclear gene encoding an F-box protein that plays a role in maintaining mtDNA integrity and stability. METHODS: We identified a novel homozygous FBXL4 gene mutation, c.993dupA (p.L332Tfs*3), in a 1-year-old girl of Han Chinese descent. We performed three-dimensional protein structural analysis and targeted mtDNA next-generation sequencing. We analysed FBXL4 expression and mitochondrial DNA level, and reviewed mutations reported in FBXL4-related literature. RESULTS: This mutation resulted in premature termination of translation and loss of 288 amino acids from C-terminus. A three-dimensional structural analysis revealed that conserved LRR domains were lost in mutant FBXL4 protein, which likely affected its ability to form protein-protein interactions. There were no differences in FBXL4 mRNA expression levels between the patient and her parents. There were no mtDNA mutations in either the patient or her parents. However, ND1/GAPDH ratio in lymphocytes and urine, which represents mtDNA/nuclear DNA ratio, showed that the number of mitochondrial genomes was significantly lower in the patient than in her parents or wild-type subjects. CONCLUSION: Homozygous FBXL4 gene mutation, c.993dupA, can cause mitochondrial dysfunction, and LRR region is especially important for FBXL4 protein function.

Treatment of mitochondrial disorders.

OPINION STATEMENT: While numerous treatments for mitochondrial disorders have been suggested, relatively few have undergone controlled clinical trials. Treatment of these disorders is challenging, as only symptomatic therapy is available. In this review we will focus on newer drugs and treatment trials in mitochondrial diseases, with a special focus on medications to avoid in treating epilepsy and ICU patient with mitochondrial disease, which has not been included in such a review. Readers are also referred to the opinion statement in A Modern Approach to the Treatment of Mitochondrial Disease published in Current Treatment Options in Neurology 2009. Many of the supplements used for treatment were reviewed in the previous abstract, and dosing guidelines were provided. The focus of this review is on items not previously covered in depth, and our discussion includes more recently studied compounds as well as any relevant updates on older compounds . We review a variety of vitamins and xenobiotics, including dichloroacetate (DCA), arginine, coenzyme Q10, idebenone, EPI-743, and exercise training. Treatment of epilepsy, which is a common feature in many mitochondrial phenotypes, warrants special consideration due to the added toxicity of certain medications, and we provide a discussion of these unique treatment challenges. Interesting, however, with only a few exceptions, the treatment strategies for epilepsy in mitochondrial cytopathies are the same as for epilepsy without mitochondrial dysfunction. We also discuss intensive care management, building upon similar reviews, adding new dimensions, and demonstrating the complexity of overall care of these patients.

Novel 2-(2,4-dioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-5-yl)acetamides as antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory compounds.

A series of novel N-(4-aryl-1,3-thiazol-2-yl)-2-(2,4-dioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-5-yl)acetamides (4a-k) and N-(1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-(2,4-dioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-5-yl)acetamide derivatives (4l-o) are synthesized and evaluated for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging, superoxide anion scavenging, lipid peroxide inhibition, erythrocyte hemolytic inhibition). Compounds 4k and 4l have exhibited good antioxidant activity in four assays, while compounds 4c, 4d, 4m, 4n and 4o have shown good DPPH radical scavenging efficacy. Compounds 4a, 4h, 4i, 4k, 4m and 4n have possessed excellent anti-inflammatory activity. N-[4-(o-methoxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazol-2-yl]-2-(2,4-dioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-5-yl)acetamide (4k) and N-(6-nitro-/methoxy-1,3-benzothiazol-2-yl)-2-(2,4-dioxo-1,3-thiazolidin-5-yl)acetamide (4m and 4n) have exhibited both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Demonic axe-like conjugated alkynes in combating microbes.

A new series of disubstituted alkynes was obtained by microwave induced internal splitting of the corresponding ß-oxo-alkylidenetriphenylphosphoranes. The antimicrobial potential of these conjugated alkynes and phosphoranes was assayed in vitro against three Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis), three Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae) and five fungal strains (Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans, Aspergillus flavus, Candida rugosa, Saccharomyces cerevisiae). The 3-pyridylalkyne derivatives viz., 3-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)propynenitrile (6a), 3-(2-chloropyridin-3-yl)propynenitrile (6b), ethyl 3-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)propiolate (6c), iso-propyl 3-(6-chloropyridin-3-yl)propiolate (6d) and 3-(2,6-dichloro-5-fluoropyridin-3-yl)propynenitrile (6e) were found to be highly potent towards all tested microorganisms except E. coli.