Efficient synthesis of 3H,3'H-spiro[benzofuran-2,1'-isobenzofuran]-3,3'-dione as novel skeletons specifically for influenza virus type B inhibition.

An efficient and novel two step synthetic procedure to prepare various substituted 3H,3'H-spiro[benzofuran-2,1'-isobenzofuran]-3,3'-diones A, was established from very simple and easily available starting materials. The developed method is a robust and general approach for the synthesis of these structures. The prepared compounds were tested against influenza virus type A viz., A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Hong Kong/8/68 (H3N2) and type B viz., B/Panama/45/90, B/Taiwan/2/62, B/Lee/40, B/Brisbane/60/2008. Among 31 compounds tested, some of them showed good activity (selective index values >10) against these influenza viruses preferentially for type B. The most active compound 3b showed activity in 3.0-16.1 µM range with a selectivity index value between 30 and 166 against these type B viruses, in which it was comparable to the antiviral agent favipiravir. Also, 3b is found to be inactive against other enveloped viruses (viz., HIV and HSV) showing its specificity for influenza viruses.

Fluorinated pyridinium oximes as potential reactivators for acetylcholinesterases inhibited by paraoxon organophosphorus agent.

A series of fluorinated oxime compounds was designed and synthesized in order to probe the effect of fluorine substitution on reactivation of inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) by organophosphorus agents. Permeability measurements, using the Parallel Artificial Membrane Permeation Assays (PAMPA) method, were employed to experimentally demonstrate that membrane permeabilities of the series of oximes increase in proportional to the increase in the number of fluorine atoms. Among the compounds explored in this study, the mono-fluorinated carbamoyl aldoxime 4b was the most potent reactivator for paraoxon-inhibited red blood cell (RBC) AChE.

Reactivation potency of fluorinated pyridinium oximes for acetylcholinesterases inhibited by paraoxon organophosphorus agent.

For the purpose of developing new oxime reactivators of acetylcholinesterases (AChE) that have been inhibited by organophosphorus agents, emphasis was given to the finding that the lipophilic nature of fluorinated compounds is responsible for their enhanced transport across the blood brain barrier (BBB). As a result, we have designed and synthesized the fluorinated oxime derivatives, which quantum mechanical calculations suggest should have a greater lipophilicity and BBB permeability than their non-fluorinated analogs. Among the compounds explored in this study, 4 was found to have the highest potency for reactivation of paraoxon-inhibited housefly (HF) AChE.

The Korean collaborative study on 11,000 prenatal genetic amniocentesis

Since amniocentesis made prenatal diagnosis feasible in 1967, the method has been remarkably instrumental in obstetrical practice. A recent study conducted between 1980 and 1997 collected 11,000 amniocentesis procedures done at 10 university hospitals and tertiary centers in Korea. The study indicated that the use of amniocentesis on patients has increased steadily since 1980; however, the number has increased sharply for patients in the mid 1990's. In the 1980's, amniocentesis had been used primarily for patients in advanced maternal age groups (at least 35 years or older). In 1995, amniocentesis had been implemented for the detection of abnormal serum markers (37.6%), and by 1997, amniocentesis was involved in such diagnosis even more frequently (44.8%). Of the total number of uses, 270 (2.5%) involved the detection of chromosomal anomaly. In autosomal disorders, 96 Down syndrome, 33 Edward syndrome, and 6 Patau syndrome were diagnosed. In sex chromosomal anomaly, 10 Turner syndrome, and 10 Klinefelter syndrome were diagnosed. Added to that, 83 translocations, and 15 mosaicisms were diagnosed. Of the 322 cases with abnormal ultrasonographic findings, 21 (6.5%) resulted in chromosomal anomaly. The use of genetic amniocentesis as a prenatal diagnostic test for Korean women has risen 10-fold between 1988 and 1998. As stated earlier, amniocentesis had earlier been used primarily for those in advanced maternal age groups. Today, maternal serum markers and highly sensitive ultrasonic technology can detect many fetal anomalies which eventually necessitate amniocentesis.