Synthesis and structural study of precursors of novel methylsilanediols by IR and Raman spectroscopies, single-crystal X-ray diffraction and DFT calculations.

On the way towards the development of a synthetic route aimed at obtaining new methylsilanediol derivatives with an aminocarbonyl group in ß to silicon (which may have a potential biological interest), we have synthesized, isolated and purified five diphenylic possible precursors, namely chloromethyl(methyl)diphenylsilane, 2-{[methyl(diphenyl)silyl]methyl}-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione, N-[(methyl(diphenyl) silanyl)-methyl]-benzamide, N-[(methyl(diphenyl)silyl)-methyl]-acetamide and N-[(methyl(diphenyl)silyl)-methyl]-formamide. The conformational landscape of the five species in this study are explored by means of DFT calculations at the B3LYP/6-311++G(∗∗) level. The theoretical molecular structures predicted are confirmed by the reproduction of their respective IR and Raman spectral profiles, that are completely assigned. Some evidence in the vibrational spectra points to the occurrence of conformational mixtures in the samples. Further, single-crystal X-ray diffraction has allowed the elucidation of the crystalline structure of 2-{[methyl(diphenyl)silyl]methyl}-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione.

Quantitative (1) H MR spectroscopic imaging of the prostate gland using LCModel and a dedicated basis-set: correlation with histologic findings.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging ((1) H-MRSI) has been advocated as a valuable tool for prostate cancer diagnosis. However, a barrier to widespread clinical use of this technique is the lack of robust quantification methods that yield reproducible results in an institution-independent manner. The main goal of this study was to develop a standardized and fully automated approach (LCModel-based) for quantitative prostate (1) H-MRSI. To this end, a dedicated basis set was constructed by the combination of simulated (citrate, Cit; choline, Cho, and creatine, CR) and experimentally acquired (spermine, Spm) spectra. The overlapping Spm, Cho, and Cr could be resolved and quantified individually, thus allowing for the independent assessment of glandular (Cit and Spm) and proliferative (Cho) components. Several metabolite ratios were calculated and compared to the histologic findings of prostatectomy specimens from 10 prostate cancer patients with Gleason scores (3 + 3) and (3 + 4). The Cho mole fraction and the Cho/(Cit + Spm) ratio were found to best discriminate between prostate cancer and healthy tissue. The comparison between the quantitative MRSI results and the histologic findings suggests that no correlation exists between the detected metabolic alterations and the Gleason score of low-grade tumors.

Mitochondria with tubulovesicular cristae in renal oncocytomas.

Renal oncocytoma and chromophobe renal cell carcinoma (CRCC) are closely related tumors. They are considered the extremes of a spectrum with several variants. Ultrastructural examination of the mitochondria is a helpful procedure in the diagnosis of these neoplasms. Renal oncocytomas show mitochondria with piled lamellar cristae, and CRCC exhibited mitochondria with tubulovesicular cristae. In a series of 23 histologically diagnosed renal oncocytomas examined by electron microscopy, the authors found 5 tumors exhibiting more cells with mitochondria showing tubulovesicular cristae. The authors believe these 5 cases present a submicroscopic appearance intermediate between renal oncocytoma and CRCC, although with benign clinical behavior.

Preliminary study on the efficacy and tolerability of newer anticonvulsants in a population of epileptic patients.

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy and safety of newer antiepileptic drugs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Clinical records of 461 epileptic patients attending the Consorcio General Hospital, Valencia, Spain, were reviewed. Demographic data, adverse reactions and clinical outcome were recorded. RESULTS: One hundred and five patients experienced a total of 151 adverse drug reactions to antiepileptic medications. Adverse drug reactions occurred in the central nervous system (54.9%), skin (17.0%), gastrointestinal tract (13.2%), liver (4.9%), mouth (4.4%) and others (5.6%). The newer anticonvulsants were withdrawn in 19.1% of patients because of side effects, while older drugs were withdrawn in 9.3% of patients. Of the 461 patients, 78 (17.4%) experienced a > or = 50% reduction in seizure frequency when one of the newer anticonvulsants was added to their therapy. Older anticonvulsants were better tolerated than newer drugs. Tiagabine was the worst tolerated of all the drugs. CONCLUSION: Our findings show that patients with simple partial secondary generalized epilepsy had a greater benefit when a newer anticonvulsant was added to the treatment regimen.

Food safety knowledge and practices of streetfood vendors in a Philippines university campus.

A survey on food safety knowledge and practices of streetfood vendors from a representative urban university campus in Quezon City, Philippines was done. A face-to-face interview was conducted using a standardized survey tool containing 70 questions, which included queries on demographics and food safety knowledge and practices of streetfood vendors. Topics on food safety assessment in both practices and knowledge included: health and personal hygiene, good manufacturing procedures, food contamination, waste management, and food legislation. The study found that among the 54 streetfood vendors surveyed, knowledge on food safety concepts was established particularly on topics that dealt with health and personal hygiene, food contamination and good manufacturing procedures. However, vendors were shown to be not too knowledgeable in terms of food legislation and waste management. A significant gap between knowledge and practice on these topics was established and it was primarily attributed to the tendencies of street food vendors to compromise food safety for financial issues. Confusion in food legislation was established in this test microcosm because the purveyor of food safety regulations was not the local government health unit but the business concession office of the campus administration. The provision of continuous food safety education, some financial assistance through social services affiliations, and basic water and waste management utilities were recommended to diminish the gap between knowledge and practices of safe streetfood vending in school campuses.

Antiproliferative effects of PCA-4230, a new antithrombotic drug, in vascular smooth muscle cells.

1. In the present study we examined the effects of PCA-4230, a novel antithrombotic agent, on the growth of cultured A10 vascular smooth muscle cells (rat'aorta). 2. The action of PCA-4230 on cell proliferation and on serum-induced DNA synthesis was determined by measuring the cell number and the incorporation of the thymidine analogue 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU), respectively. 3. PCA-4230 reversibly inhibited vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation. The increase in cell number was significantly reduced in the presence of 1 and 50 microM PCA-4230. 4. DNA synthesis was concentration-dependently inhibited by PCA-4230 (0.5 to 50 microM) in A10 cells that were synchronized by 48 h serum starvation and then re-stimulated by serum repletion, with an IC50 value of 13 microM. However, serum-induced DNA synthesis in bovine aortic endothelial cells was not significantly affected by PCA-4230. In addition, PCA-4230 (50 microM) caused a significant drop in PDGF-BB-mediated BrdU incorporation in A10 cells. 5. The effect of PCA-4230 on serum-induced DNA synthesis was compared to that elicited by nifedipine, another dihydropyridine-class inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle proliferation. PCA-4230 (10 microM) elicited a degree of inhibition similar to that of nifedipine at equimolar concentration. 6. To define the nature of the cell proliferation inhibition, an evaluation of cell cycle progression was undertaken. Flow cytometry studies of DNA content in synchronized cells revealed a block of the serum-inducible cell cycle progression. This inhibitory effect was markedly reduced when PCA-4230 was added 2 h after serum repletion. 7. Accordingly, PCA-4230 (50 microM) caused a 95 and 90% decrease in the elevation of c-fos and c-jun proto-oncogenes expression as evaluated by Northern blot analysis of mRNA induced early after serum addition. 8. The present results indicate that PCA-4230 inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, in culture, by altering the cell cycle progression. Flow cytometric studies of DNA content and the down regulation of c-fos and c-jun proto-oncogenes, suggest that the drug is acting at the early G0/G1 transition phase. PCA-4230 may hold promising potential for the prevention of structural abnormalities of blood vessels associated with atherosclerosis and vascular diseases.

Interaction of platelets with subendothelium in rats treated with PCA-4230, a new antithrombotic agent. Effect of PCA-4230 on experimental thrombosis.

The effects of a new antithrombotic compound, PCA-4230, versus ticlopidine were investigated using an experimental thrombosis and vascular endothelial injury model in rats. Both PCA-4230 and ticlopidine protected rat arteries from the formation of prominent thrombi and most of microthrombi without modifying the formation of a first platelet monolayer. Neither coagulation parameters nor fibrinolysis were modified by these antithrombotic drugs. Neither PCA-4230 nor ticlopidine affected thromboxane A2 production in rats, whereas unlike PCA-4230, ticlopidine inhibited ex vivo fibrinogen binding to the fibrinogen receptor found on the platelet membrane. In conclusion, PCA-4230 and ticlopidine inhibited thrombus formation in vivo by a platelet-dependent mechanism which may be different for one or the other drug in spite of the fact that the protective effect measured in this thrombosis model is quite similar for either PCA-4230 or ticlopidine. The above-mentioned results clearly show that PCA-4230 is a new potent agent with both antivascular-damaging and antiplatelet activities, and devoid of effects on coagulation and fibrinolytic systems.

4-Alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines derivatives as specific PAF-acether antagonists.

A new series of 4-alkyl-1,4-dihydropyridines (1,4-DHP) were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit washed rabbit platelet aggregation induced by PAF-acether (1-O-hexadecyl/octadecyl-2-O-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine) and to reverse PAF-induced hypotension in anesthetized rats. Additionally, compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit the binding of radiolabeled PAF to its receptor on rabbit platelets. Among these compounds, 6I and 6L were the most potent and specific antagonists. At concentrations up to 100 microM, neither compound 6I nor compound 6L caused platelet aggregation nor did they inhibit platelet aggregation induced by collagen or adenosine diphosphate. Compound 6L did not show in vitro calcium channel blocker activity measured on vascular smooth muscle preparations of rabbit aorta and on [3H]nitrendipine binding assays. The compound did not show any cardiovascular effects in anesthetized rat at iv doses up to 1000 micrograms/kg, and the Ki value was 568.62 nmol. These results indicate that compound 6L is a potent and specific PAF antagonist with 1,4-dihydropyridine structure but devoid of a significant cardiovascular activity related to calcium-antagonist properties.

1,4-Dihydropyridines, a new class of platelet-activating factor receptor antagonists: in vitro pharmacologic studies.

PCA 4233 [2-(phenylthio)ethyl-5-ethoxycarbonyl-2,4,6-trimethyl- 1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate] and PCA 4248 [2-(phenylthio) ethyl-5-methoxycarbonyl-2, 4, 6-trimethyl-1, 4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate], two compounds developed from a series of 1,4-dihydropyridines that lack pharmacologic effects on voltage-operated calcium channels, were found to block selectively rabbit operated calcium channels, were found to block selectively rabbit and human platelet aggregation and secretion, and binding of [3H]-labeled platelet-activating factor (PAF) to human platelet and polymorphonuclear PAF receptors. Rabbit platelet aggregation was tested with 1.9 nM PAF, i.e., a concentration producing maximal response, and was completely blocked with 10 microM PCA 4233 and 3 microM 4248 (IC50 values, 2.55 and 1.05 microM, respectively). Human platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma was studied with 1 microM PAF, a concentration that caused a response comparable with that of 1.9 nM PAF in rabbit platelets. The IC50 of PCA 4248 for ATP release under these conditions was 3.6 microM. PCA 4248 behaved as a competitive and selective antagonist in [3H]serotonin secretion studies on rabbit platelets, since it displaced rightwards log dose-response curves and lacked any effect on thrombin- and ionophore A23187-induced platelet secretion. A pA2 value of 7.5 was obtained from Schild plots on [3H]serotonin secretion studies. PCA 4248 also produced a dose-dependent inhibition of [3H]PAF binding to human platelets and to human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. These data indicate that PCA 4233 and PCA 4248 belong to a new class of selective PAF-receptor antagonists.

Pharmacological actions of PCA 4248, a new platelet-activating factor receptor antagonist: in vivo studies.

The ability of PCA 4248 [2-(phenylthio)ethyl-5-methoxycarbonyl- 2,4,6-trimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3-carboxylate] to block PAF-induced systemic hypotension and protein-rich plasma extravasation in rats, and PAF-induced death in mice, was tested. These studies were complemented with experiments using soluble aggregates of immunoglobulin G (A-IgG), bacterial endotoxin and the cytokine tumor necrosis factor as putative inducers of the generation of endogenous PAF. Significant inhibition of PAF-induced systemic hypotension was observed with i.v. PCA 4248 at doses of 0.3 to 1 mg/kg (IC50 value, 0.45 mg/kg, with PAF 0.33 micrograms/kg). Reversal of the hypotension was rapidly observed when PCA 4248 was administered after PAF. The extravasation induced by 1 microgram/kg PAF was also blocked by PCA 4248 (IC50 value, 0.36 mg/kg). Inhibition of the extravasation induced by A-IgG and endotoxin was also provided by PCA 4248 at the dose of 1 mg/kg, and lasted for at least 1 hr in the experiments carried out with endotoxin, which caused extravasation with a temporal pattern more protracted than that of PAF and A-IgG. Intradermal extravasation induced by PAF reached a maximum at 30 min after injection, and was also inhibited by PCA 4248. In contrast, PCA 4248 caused a less remarkable, but statistically significant reduction of the intradermal extravasation caused by tumor necrosis factor. Pretreatment of mice with an oral dose of 30 mg/kg PCA 4248, 5 min before challenge with PAF (LD84 = 80 micrograms/kg PAF, i.v.) increased the survival rate from 16% to 68%. These data indicate that compounds containing a 1,4-dihydropyridine structure can antagonize PAF effects on experimental animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Synthesis, platelet aggregation inhibitory activity, and in vivo antithrombotic activity of new 1,4-dihydropyridines.

A series of 1,4-dihydropyridines (DHP) bound to 1,2-benzisothiazol-3-ones were synthesized and evaluated for their ability to inhibit platelet aggregation induced by collagen in human platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and to protect mice against experimental thrombosis. The results showed that the compounds were in vitro inhibitors of collagen-induced platelet aggregation. Most of them were also effective in reducing mortality in the mouse antithrombotic assay. 2-(1,1,3-Trioxo-2,3-dihydro-1,2-benzisothiazol-2-yl)ethyl 2,6-dimethyl-5-(ethoxycarbonyl)-4-methyl-1,4-dihydropyridinecarboxyla te (4A) is the most promising compound. This compound did not show any cardiovascular effects either in the anesthetized cat or in the anesthetized rat at iv doses up to 750 or 500 micrograms/kg, respectively. Likewise, antiplatelet and cardiovascular effects of compound 4A were simultaneously studied in anesthetized rats and compared with those of nitrendipine.

The antithrombogenic in vivo effects of calcium channel blockers in experimental thrombosis in mice.

A new model of thrombotic challenge, well suited for screening agents and which acts primarily against platelet thromboembolism, has been used to test the in vivo anti-platelet effects of four calcium channel blockers (CCB). An i.v. injection of a mixture of collagen plus epinephrine (15 micrograms and 1.8 micrograms/mouse, respectively) was given to male mice. 94% control mice died or remained paralyzed for more than 15 minutes. The dihydropyridine agents, CRE-223 and Nifedipine, were highly protective against experimental thrombosis, whereas Verapamil had a weaker and much shorter effect and, on the other hand, Diltiazem had no protective effect over a range of doses. The activity on both dihydropyridines lasted for seven hours or even longer.

Effect of etersalate on human platelet responsiveness. A study in healthy volunteers.

Ex vivo antiplatelet properties of 2-(p-acetamido-phenoxy)ethyl-o-acetoxybenzoate (etersalate, Daital) and its effects on serum thromboxane A2 (TXA2) levels and prostaglandin I2 (PGI2) generation were studied in human volunteers at two levels of oral dosing. Etersalate inhibited at the lower dosage platelet function and decreased TXA2 levels, but PGI2 generation from rat aortic rings was stimulated when incubated with plasma from etersalate-treated donors. Blood coagulation parameters remained within normal values. It is suggested that etersalate administration could act on platelet arachidonate metabolism at a different level than that of the cyclooxygenase pathway.