Combination of three metals for the treatment of cancer: gallium, rhenium and platinum. 1. Determination of the optimal schedule of treatment.

Platinum is well known for its anticancer activity, firstly used as cis-diaminedichloroplatinum (II) (CDDP), with a wide range of activity. Its main mechanism of action involves its binding to DNA. Gallium, another metal, has also demonstrated apoptotic effects on malignant cells, but through interaction with targets other than DNA, such as the membrane, cytoskeleton and proteasome, and on enzyme activities. An antitumor synergism between CDDP and both gallium and rhenium compounds has been demonstrated. For these reasons, we proposed to combine these three metals and to determine at which doses each compound could be administered without major toxicity. CDDP, tetrakis(1-octanol) tris(5-aminosalicylate)gallium(III), and a diseleno-ether rhenium(I) complex were used in this experimental study in breast cancer MCF-7 tumor-bearing mice. CDDP was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) twice a week at the dose of 3 mg/kg. Tetrakis(1-octanol) tris(5-aminosalicylate) gallium (III) and rhenium(I) diseleno-ether complexes were administered orally, daily, five days a week for three weeks, at doses ranging from 20 to 100 mg/kg for the gallium compound and from 10 to 50 mg/kg for the rhenium compound. Doses of 10 mg/kg of rhenium(I) diseleno-ether, and 100 mg/kg of the salicylate gallium compound, in combination with CDDP induced a significant decrease of 50% of the tumor volume, by comparison with the control group. In contrast, the decrease of the tumor volume in mice treated by CDDP alone was less than 25%. Changes in the sequence of administration of the three metals will be discussed to improve the therapeutic index.

In vivo behavior of large doses of ultrashort and full-length single-walled carbon nanotubes after oral and intraperitoneal administration to Swiss mice.

Carbon nanotube (CNT) materials are of special interest as potential tools for biomedical applications. However, available toxicological data concerning single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) remain contradictory. Here, we compared the effects of SWNTs as a function of dose, length, and surface chemistry in Swiss mice. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman, near-infrared (NIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies have been used to characterize the tested materials. The dose of SWNT materials used in this study is considerably higher than that proposed for most biomedical applications, but it was deemed necessary to administer such large doses to accurately assess the toxicological impact of the materials. In an acute toxicity test, SWNTs were administered orally at a dose level of 1000 mg/kg bodyweight (b.w.). Neither death nor growth or behavioral troubles were observed. After intraperitoneal administration, SWNTs, irrespective of their length or dose (50-1000 mg/kg b.w.), can coalesce inside the body to form fiberlike structures. When structure lengths exceeded 10 mum, they irremediably induced granuloma formation. Smaller aggregates did not induce granuloma formation, but they persisted inside cells for up to 5 months after administration. Short (<300 nm) well-individualized SWNTs can escape the reticuloendothelial system to be excreted through the kidneys and bile ducts. These findings suggest that if the potential of SWNTs for medical applications is to be realized, they should be engineered into discrete, individual "molecule-like" species.

Synthesis, structural analysis and anticonvulsant activity of a ternary Cu(II) mononuclear complex containing 1,10-phenanthroline and the leading antiepileptic drug valproic acid.

The synthesis and characterization of the binary complex of copper(II) with the antiepileptic drug valproic acid sodium salt (Valp) and the related ternary complex with 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) are reported, as well as the anticonvulsant properties of the latter. The characterization was carried out by means of elemental analyses, infrared (IR), UV-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry and Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR). The X-ray crystal structure of the mononuclear complex bis(2-propylpentanoate)(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II) [Cu(Valp)(2)phen] is showed for the first time. It crystallized in C2/c space group with unit cell dimensions of a = 14.939(1) A, b = 19.280(1) A, c = 9.726(1) A, beta = 97.27(2) degrees , V = 2778.8(4) A(3) and Z = 8. The carboxylates bond in an asymmetric chelating mode and the copper atom adopts a highly distorted octahedral coordination, characterized by the sum of the angles of 365.9 degrees around Cu(II) and its nearest atoms in the CuN(2)O(2) + O(2) chromophore instead of the expected 360 degrees for a basal square planar geometry found in most Cu(II) complexes. Molecules assemble three by three through slipped pi-pi stacking of the aromatic phen with respectively 3.519 and 3.527 A distances, in a head-to-tail arrangement. Studies of the anticonvulsant properties of this bioligand chelate evidenced its lack of efficacy in preventing MES-induced seizures. Interestingly, complex 4 protected mice against the Minimal Clonic seizures at doses that do not cause Rotorod toxicity, with an ED(50) documenting very potent anticonvulsant activity in this model of seizure, a particularly useful pharmacological profile of activity for the treatment of Petit Mal seizures.

Assessment of dysphagia in infants with facial malformations.

In infants with facial malformation, dysphagia is frequent and can lead to respiratory and nutritional complications whatever the phenotype. The aim of our study was to assess the severity and mechanisms of dysphagia in infants with facial malformations in order to guide therapeutic management. Forty-two newborn infants with dysphagia and recognizable malformation patterns other than isolated Pierre Robin sequence had: (1) needle electromyography (EMG) of muscles of the face, tongue, and soft palate; (2) two-channel EMG during bottle feeding; and (3) esophageal manometry (EM). The results were compared by clinical dysphagia-grading groups and by age at cessation of enteral feeding. Although micrognathia (86%) and cleft or high-arched palate (76%) were common, the key clinical finding that correlated with the likelihood of respiratory complications was glossoptosis (p<0.01). EMG signs of denervation correlated with respiratory complications (p<0.05) and the duration of enteral feeding (p<0.01). EMG during bottle feeding showed disturbed motor organization at the pharyngeal level in 27 of 37 patients. The severity of pharyngeal incoordination correlated with the duration of enteral feeding (p<0.025). All 21 patients examined by EM had dysfunction at the esophageal level. Thus, in the assessment of upper digestive tract dysfunction, our clinical grading system, EMG, and EM yield convergent information that is relevant to the management of dysphagic infants with facial malformations. Much of the information is obtainable only from EMG.

Efficient microwave enhanced regioselective synthesis of a series of benzimidazolyl/triazolyl spiro [indole-thiazolidinones] as potent antifungal agents and crystal structure of spiro[3H-indole-3,2'-thiazolidine]-3'(1,2,4-triazol-3-yl)-2,4'(1H)-dione.

A microwave-assisted three-component, regioselective one-pot cyclocondensation method has been developed for the synthesis of a series of novel spiro[indole-thiazolidinones] (6a-l) using an environmentally benign procedure at atmospheric pressure in open vessel. This rapid method produces pure products in high yields within few minutes in comparison to a conventional two-step procedure. The crystal structure of one representative compound has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The synthesized compounds have been screened 'in vitro' for antifungal activity against Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum and Collectotrichum capsici. All compounds have shown good activity against these pathogens.

Low-temperature (180 K) crystal structures of tetrakis-mu-(niflumato)di(aqua)dicopper(II) N,N-dimethylformamide and N,N-dimethylacetamide solvates, their EPR properties, and anticonvulsant activities of these and other ternary binuclear copper(II)niflumate complexes.

Two pseudopolymorphs, solvates, of [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] of unknown structure were obtained following solution of [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)] in N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) or N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Low-temperature crystal structures obtained for these solvates revealed that they were ternary aqua DMA and DMF solvates: [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)].4DMA and [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)].4DMF. Intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions account for the formation of these stable DMA and DMF solvates. These pseudopolymorphs contain a centrosymmetric binuclear center with Cu-Cu bond distances ranging from 2.6439(7) to 2.6452(9) A; the coordination sphere of Cu(II) is characterized by one long Cu-O (water) bond length of 2.128(3)-2.135(3) A and four short Cu-O (carboxylate) bonds of 1.949(3)-1.977(3) A. Crystal parameters for the DMA pseudopolymorph: a=10.372(1), b=19.625(2), c=17.967(2) A, beta=97.40(1) degrees , V=3626.8(6) A(3); monoclinic system; space group: P2(1)/a and for the DMF pseudopolymorph: a=10.125(2), b=18.647(3), c=19.616(4) A, alpha=74.38(2)(o), beta=88.18(2)(o), gamma=79.28(2)(o), V=3504(1) A(3); triclinic system; space group: P1. EPR spectra of these solids are identical and show strong antiferromagnetic coupling between the copper atoms, similar to the spectrum obtained for [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(DMSO)(2)]. The [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)], [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)].4DMA, [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(H(2)O)(2)].4DMF, [Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(DMF)(2)], and[Cu(2)(II)(niflumate)(4)(DMSO)(2)] evidenced protection against maximal electroshock-induced seizures and Psychomotor seizures at various times after treatment, consistent with the well known antiinflammatory activities of Cu chelates, but failed to protect against Metrazol-induced seizures while evidencing some Rotorod Toxicity consistent with a mechanism of action involving sedative activity.

Synthesis, crystal structures, and anti-convulsant activities of ternary [Zn(II)(3,5-diisopropylsalicylate)(2)], [Zn(II)(salicylate)(2)] and [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)] complexes.

Following observations that bis(3,5-diisopropylsalicylato)diaquazinc(II), [Zn(II)(3,5-DIPS)(2)(H(2)O)(2)], had anti-convulsant activity, bis(acetylsalicylate)diaquazinc(II), [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)(H(2)O)(2)], and the Zn(II) ternary 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (neocuproine, NC) or dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) complexes of Zn(II)3,5-diisopropylsalicylate, salicylate, and acetylsalicylate were synthesized and spectroscopically characterized. Anti-convulsant and Rotorod toxicity activities of these complexes were determined to examine their anti-convulsant and undesirable central nervous stimulant or depressant activities of these Zn(II) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent complexes. Bis(3,5-diisopropylsalicylato)-1,10-phenanthorlinezinc(II), [Zn(II)(3,5-DIPS)(2)(phen)], (1) has one bidentate phen ligand and two mono-deprotonated 3,5-DIPS ligands. One of the carboxylates bonds in an asymmetric chelating mode. The Zn(II) atom exhibits a distorted bicapped rectangular pyramidal environment N(2)O(2)OO (4+1+1 *). In the neocuproine complex, bis(3,5-diisopropylsalicylato)-2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthorlinezinc(II), [Zn(II)(3,5-DIPS)(2)(NC)] (2), the Zn(II) atom has a much more distorted bicapped rectangular pyramidal environment, N(2)O(2)O(2) (4+2 *), compared to 1. The two carboxylate ligands exhibit the same asymmetric coordinating mode with longer metalloelement-oxygen bond distances compared to 1. The space group of [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] (3), which has been reported as Cc is corrected to C2/c. The zinc atom exhibits a (4+2 *) bicapped square pyramidal environment. While the two ternary phenanthroline-containing complexes, 1 and 2, evidenced weak protection against maximal electroshock (MES)- and subcutaneous Metrazol (scMET) induced seizures, [Zn(II)(3,5-DIPS)(2)(DMSO)(2)], [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)(H(2)O)(2)], and bis(salicylato)-1,10-phenanthorlinezinc(II), [Zn(II)(salicylate)(2)(phen)], were found to be particularly useful in protecting against MES and scMET seizures and [Zn(II)(aspirinate)(2)(H(2)O)(2)] and [Zn(II)(salicylate)(2)(phen)] were found to have activity in protecting against Psychomotor seizures, without causing Rotorod toxicity. Activities of these and other Zn(II) complexes of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are consistent with the well-known anti-inflammatory responses of Zn(II)-dependent enzymes. There was also some evidence of Rotorod toxicity consistent with a mechanism of action involving sedative-hypnotic activity of recognized anti-epilepticdrugs.

Asymmetric Michael reaction involving chiral imines/secondary enamines: stereocontrolled synthesis of 2,2-disubstituted tetrahydrothiophen-3-ones.

[reaction: see text] The asymmetric Michael reaction involving a chiral imine derived from 2-methyltetrahydrothiophenone-3-one and enantiopure (R)-1-phenylethylamine with a variety of electrophilic alkenes furnished 2,2-disubstituted tetrahydrothiophenone-3-ones with good yields and excellent stereoselectivity.

Crystallographic/experimental electron density characterizations and reactions with nucleophiles of beta-enaminonitriles possessing a pyrrolobenzazepine core.

In connection with a total synthesis of cephalotaxine (1a), we have examined the addition of various nucleophilic reagents to [ABC] subunits 2 and 7 possessing a pyrrolobenzazepine core. In fact, this reaction implicates invariably the carbonyl group of 2. Regarding the reaction of 7 with nucleophiles, the most striking aspect is the complete lack of reactivity of the enaminonitrile moiety. For instance, the condensation of 7 with methylmagnesium bromide involves exclusively the cleavage of the dioxole ring, yielding regioisomers 9 and 10. With the aim of understanding the unexpected reactivity of 2 and 7 toward nucleophiles, crystallographic studies of 2 and 7 and an experimental electron density determination of 7 were carried out. The marked reactivity of the carbonyl group of 2 was interpreted by invoking the weakness of the amide resonance, due to a pronounced delocalization of the N(9) lone pair over the enaminonitrile moiety. The electron density study of 7 reveals this electron delocalization along the enaminonitrile fragment, highlighted and quantified through the bond geometries, topological indicators, and atomic charges, a phenomenon that is responsible for the failure of the addition of nucleophilic species.

Diagnosing celiac disease: a comparison of human tissue transglutaminase antibodies with antigliadin and antiendomysium antibodies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and compare the sensitivity and specificity of the new serologic marker human antitissue transglutaminase antibodies (IgA anti-tTG) with those of antiendomysium (IgA EMA) and antigliadin antibodies (IgA and IgG AGA) for the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD). METHODS: The level of IgA antibodies to tTG in serum was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test using recombinant human tTG as the antigen; IgA EMA, by indirect immunofluorescence; and IgA and IgG AGA, by ELISA. Sixty-eight serum samples from 59 patients with CD were studied-30 patients had untreated CD, 22 were on gluten-free diets, and 16 had been reintroduced to gluten-and compared with serum samples from 116 children examined for failure to thrive, short stature, various digestive diseases, or other non-CD conditions. RESULTS: Twenty-eight of 30 patients with CD had anti-tTG (the 2 patients whose results were negative were 1 patient with IgA deficiency and 1 infant); 27 of 30 patients had IgA EMA (1 child was IgA anti-tTG positive and IgA EMA negative); 18 of 30 had IgA AGA; and 28 of 30 had IgG AGA. On gluten-free diets, 4 of 22 patients had anti-tTG but none had IgA EMA or IgA AGA. On normal diets, 15 of 15 children who had relapsed had anti-tTG; 9, IgA EMA; 4, IgA AGA; and 8, IgG AGA (1 child did not relapse). In subjects without CD, 3 of 116 had anti-tTG; 12, IgG AGA; and 1, IgA AGA, but none had IgA EMA. In the 3 children who had anti-tTG, CD could be excluded. The positive predictive value of IgA anti-tTG was 90% and the negative predictive value, 98%. In comparison, results for IgA EMA were 100% and 97%, IgA AGA 94% and 90%, and IgG AGA 70% and 98%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of human anti-tTG is a reliable indicator for the diagnosis and follow-up of CD.

Synthesis, SAR, crystal structure, and biological evaluation of benzoquinoliziniums as activators of wild-type and mutant cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator channels.

Chloride channels play important roles in homeostasis and regulate cell volume, transepithelial transport, and electrical excitability. Despite recent progress made in the genetic and molecular aspect of chloride channels, their pharmacology is still poorly understood. The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cAMP-regulated epithelial chloride channel for which mutations cause cystic fibrosis. Here we have synthesized benzo[c]quinolizinium and benzo[f]indolo[2,3-a]quinolizinium salts (MPB) and performed a SAR to identify the structural basis for activation of the CFTR chloride channel. Synthesized compounds were evaluated on wild-type CFTR and on CFTR having the glycine-to-aspartic acid missense mutation at codon 551 (G551D-CFTR), using a robot and cell-based assay. The presence of an hydroxyl group at position 6 of the benzo[c]quinolizinium skeleton associated with a chlorine atom at position 10 or 7 and an alkyl chain at position 5 determined the highest activity. The most potent product is 5-butyl-7-chloro-6-hydroxybenzo[c]quinolizinium chloride (8u, MPB-104). 8u is 100 times more potent than the parent compound 8a (MPB-07).

Low-temperature (180 K) crystal structure, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and propitious anticonvulsant activities of CuII2(aspirinate)4(DMF)2 and other CuII2(aspirinate)4 chelates.

The purpose of this research was to characterize by X-ray crystallography the ternary dimethylformamide (DMF) Cu(II) complex of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), in an effort to compare the structure-activity relationships for the anticonvulsant activity of this and other Cu(II)aspirinate chelates. The ternary DMF Cu(II) complex of aspirin was synthesized and crystals grown from a DMF solution were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction. This crystalline material was analyzed for anticonvulsant activity in the Maximal Electroshock (MES) Grand Mal and subcutaneous Metrazol (scMET) Petit Mal models of seizure used to detect anticonvulsant activity. The ternary DMF complex was found to be a monomolecular binuclear complex, tetrakis-mu-(acetylsalicylato)bis(dimethylformamido)dicopper(II) [Cu(II)(2)(aspirinate)(4)(DMF)(2)] with the following parameters: monoclinic, space group P2(1)/n, a=12.259 (1), b=10.228 (1), c=16.987 (1) A, beta=92.07 (1) degrees; V=2128.5 (3) A(3); Z=2. The structure was determined at 180 K from 2903 unique reflections (I>1sigma(I)) to the final values of R=0.030 and wR=0.033 using F. This binuclear complex contains four acetylsalicylate bridging ligands which are related to each other in a two by two symmetry center. The four nearest O atoms around each Cu atom form a closely square planar arrangement with the square pyramidal coordination completed by the dimethylformamide oxygen atom occupying an apical position at a distance of 2.154 (1) A. Each Cu atom is displaced towards the DMF ligand by 0.187 A from the plane of the four O atoms. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of [Cu(II)(2)(aspirinate)(4)(DMF)(2)] crystals show a strong antiferromagnetic coupling of the copper atoms, similar to that observed with other binuclear copper(II)salicylate compounds. Studies used to detect anticonvulsant activity revealed that [Cu(II)(2)(aspirinate)(4)(DMF)(2)] was an effective anticonvulsant in the MES model of seizure but ineffective against scMET-induced seizures. The monomolecular ternary binuclear [Cu(II)(2)(aspirinate)(4)(DMF)(2)] complex is more effective in inhibiting MES-induced seizures than other binuclear or mononuclear Cu(II) chelates of aspirin including: binuclear polymeric [Cu(II)(2)(aspirinate)(4)], [Cu(II)(2)(aspirinate)(4)(H(2)O)], which is anticipated to be less polymeric, and monomolecular ternary [Cu(II)(2)(aspirinate)(4)(DMSO)(2)] and [Cu(II)(aspirinate)(2)(Pyr)(2)]. These and other chelates appear to be more effective in the scMET model of seizure than [Cu(II)(2)(aspirinate)(4)(DMF)(2)]. These structure-activity relationships support the potential efficacy of Cu chelates of aspirin in treating epilepsies.

Synthesis, crystal structure, EPR properties, and anti-convulsant activities of binuclear and mononuclear 1,10-phenanthroline and salicylate ternary copper(II) complexes.

Two ternary Cu(II) complexes of 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) and singly (Hsal(-)) or dideprotonated (sal(2-)) salicylate ligands were synthesized, their X-ray crystal structure and electron paramagnetic resonance spectral characteristics determined, and evaluated for anti-convulsant activities in the maximal electroshock (MES) and Metrazol models of seizure and Rotorod toxicity. The X-ray crystal structure of [bis(1,10-phenanthroline)-mu-bis(salicylato-O,O')dicopper(II)] dihydrate, 1, ([Cu(II)(2)(phen)(2)(sal)(2)].2[H(2)O]), shows it to be binuclear. This dimer consists of two centrosymmetrically related pseudo-five coordinate Cu(II) atoms 3.242(2) A apart and bridged by two dideprotonated salicylate ligands. The X-ray crystal structure of [bis(1,10-phenanthroline)(salicylato)copper(II)][salicylate] monohydrate, 2, ([Cu(II)(phen)(2)(Hsal)](+)[Hsal](-)[H(2)O]), shows it to be mononuclear. This complex cation exhibits a highly irregular distorted square pyramidal geometry about the Cu(II) atom, (4+1+1*). Each salicylate is singly deprotonated and one of them is ligand bonded in an asymmetric chelating mode. EPR results for 2 indicate that in concentrated DMF solution phen remains bonded to copper but salicylate is likely monodentate in contrast to the situation for 1. However, in dilute DMF solution, both 1 and 2 form the same species, which accounts for the similarity in anti-convulsant activity of the two compounds. Both 1 and 2 were found to be effective in preventing MES-induced seizures and ineffective in preventing Metrazol-induced seizures. Rotorod toxicity, consistent with central nervous system depression, paralleled the observed anti-convulsant activity. It is suggested that the observed anti-convulsant activity is consistent with central nervous system depression as a physiological mechanism in overcoming MES-induced seizures due to MES-induced brain inflammatory disease.