Assessing Excessive Keratinization in Acral Areas through Dermatoscopy with Cross-Polarization and Parallel-Polarization: A Dermatoscopic Keratinization Scale.

Excessive epidermal hyperkeratosis in acral areas is a common occurrence in dermatology practice, with a notable prevalence of approximately 65% in the elderly, especially in plantar lesions. Hyperkeratosis, characterized by thickening of the stratum corneum, can have various causes, including chronic physical or chemical factors, genetic predispositions, immunological disorders, and pharmaceutical compounds. This condition can significantly impact mobility, increase the risk of falls, and reduce the overall quality of life, particularly in older individuals. Management often involves creams containing urea to soften hyperkeratotic areas. Currently, subjective visual evaluation is the gold standard for assessing hyperkeratosis severity, lacking precision and consistency. Therefore, our research group proposes a novel 6-point keratinization scale based on dermatoscopy with cross-polarization and parallel-polarization techniques. This scale provides a structured framework for objective assessment, aiding in treatment selection, duration determination, and monitoring disease progression. Its clinical utility extends to various dermatological conditions involving hyperkeratosis, making it a valuable tool in dermatology practice. This standardized approach enhances communication among healthcare professionals, ultimately improving patient care and research comparability in dermatology.

Dual Piperidine-Based Histamine H3 and Sigma-1 Receptor Ligands in the Treatment of Nociceptive and Neuropathic Pain.

In search of new dual-acting histamine H3/sigma-1 receptor ligands, we designed a series of compounds structurally based on highly active in vivo ligands previously studied and described by our team. However, we kept in mind that within the previous series, a pair of closely related compounds, KSK67 and KSK68, differing only in the piperazine/piperidine moiety in the structural core showed a significantly different affinity at sigma-1 receptors (σ1Rs). Therefore, we first focused on an in-depth analysis of the protonation states of piperazine and piperidine derivatives in the studied compounds. In a series of 16 new ligands, mainly based on the piperidine core, we selected three lead structures (3, 7, and 12) for further biological evaluation. Compound 12 showed a broad spectrum of analgesic activity in both nociceptive and neuropathic pain models based on the novel molecular mechanism.

Rationally designed N-phenylsulfonylindoles as a tool for the analysis of the non-basic 5-HT6R ligands binding mode.

Among all of the monoaminergic receptors, the 5-HT6R has the highest number of non-basic ligands (approximately 5% of compounds stored in 25th version of ChEMBL database have the strongest basic pKa below 5, calculated using the Instant JChem calculator plugin). These compounds, when devoid of a basic nitrogen, exhibit high affinity and remarkable selectivity. Despite a decade of research, no clues have been given for explanation of such an intriguing phenomenon. Here, a series of analogs of four known 5-HT6R ligands, has been rationally designed to approach this issue. For each of the synthesized 42 compounds, a binding affinity for 5-HT6R has been measured, together with a selectivity profile against 5-HT1AR, 5-HT2AR, 5-HT7R and D2R. Performed induced fit docking and molecular dynamics experiments revealed that no particular interaction was responsible for the activity of non-basic compounds. In fact, a plain N-phenylsulfonylindole (1e) was found to possess a moderate (5-HT6R, Ki = 159 nM) affinity. No other monoaminergic receptor has as simple and selective ligand as this one. Thus, it is stated that it binds to the receptor solely based on its conformation and as such, possesses a minimum amount of features, required for binding. Also, any functional group able to form an additional interaction with the receptor increase the binding affinity, like in the case of two highly active non-basic compounds 3e and 5g (5-HT6R, Ki = 65 nM and 38 nM, respectively).

2-Aminoimidazole-based antagonists of the 5-HT6 receptor - A new concept in aminergic GPCR ligand design.

A new strategy in the design of aminergic GPCR ligands is proposed - the use of aromatic, heterocyclic basic moieties in place of the evergreen piperazine or alicyclic and aliphatic amines. This hypothesis has been tested using a benchmark series of 5-HT6R antagonists obtained by coupling variously substituted 2-aminoimidazole moieties to the well established 1-benzenesulfonyl-1H-indoles, which served as the ligands cores. The crystallographic studies revealed that upon protonation, the 2-aminoimidazole fragment triggers a resonance driven conformational change leading to a form of higher affinity. This molecular switch may be responsible for the observed differences in 5-HT6R activity of the studied chemotypes with different amine-like fragments. Considering the multiple functionalization sites of the embedded guanidine fragment, diverse libraries were constructed, and the relationships between the structure and activity, metabolic stability, and solubility were established. Compounds from the N-(1H-imidazol-2-yl)acylamide chemotype (10a-z) exhibited high affinity for 5-HT6R and very high selectivity over 5-HT1A, 5-HT2A, 5-HT7 and D2 receptors (negligible binding), which was attributed to their very weak basicity. The lead compound in the series 4-methyl-5-[1-(naphthalene-1-sulfonyl)-1H-indol-3-yl]-1H-imidazol-2-amine (9i) was shown to reverse the cognitive impairment caused by the administration of scopolamine in rats indicating procognitive potential.

Fluorinated indole-imidazole conjugates: Selective orally bioavailable 5-HT7 receptor low-basicity agonists, potential neuropathic painkillers.

The 5-HT7 receptor has recently gained much attention due to its involvement in multiple physiological functions and diseases. The insufficient quality of the available molecular probes prompted design of fluorinated 3-(1-alkyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-1H-indoles as a new generation of selective 5-HT7 receptor agonists. A potent and drug-like agonist, 3-(1-ethyl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-5-iodo-4-fluoro-1H-indole (AGH-192, 35, Ki 5-HT7R = 4 nM), was identified by optimizing the halogen bond formation with Ser5.42 as the supposed partner. The compound was characterized by excellent water solubility, high selectivity over related CNS targets, high metabolic stability, oral bioavailability and low cytotoxicity. Rapid absorption into the blood, medium half-life and a high peak concentration in the brain Cmax = 1069 ng/g were found after i.p. (2.5 mg/kg) administration in mice. AGH-192 may thus serve as the long-sought tool compound in the study of 5-HT7 receptor function, as well as a potential analgesic, indicated by the antinociceptive effect observed in a mouse model of neuropathic pain.

Simultaneous determination of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters of aminopolycarbonate complexes of cobalt(II) and nickel(II) based on isothermal titration calorimetry data.

The influence of the different side chain residues on the thermodynamic and kinetic parameters for complexation reactions of the Co2+ and Ni2+ ions has been investigated by using the isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) technique supported by potentiometric titration data. The study was concerned with the 2 common tripodal aminocarboxylate ligands, namely, nitrilotriacetic acid and N-(2-hydroxyethyl) iminodiacetic acid. Calorimetric measurements (ITC) were run in the 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid hydrate (2-(N-morpholino) ethanesulfonic acid), piperazine-N,N'-bis(2-ethanesulfonic acid), and dimethylarsenic acid buffers (0.1 mol L-1 , pH 6) at 298.15 K. The quantification of the metal-buffer interactions and their incorporation into the ITC data analysis enabled to obtain the pH-independent and buffer-independent thermodynamic parameters (K, ΔG, ΔH, and ΔS) for the reactions under study. Furthermore, the kinITC method was applied to obtain kinetic information on complexation reactions from the ITC data. Correlations, based on kinetic and thermodynamic data, between the kinetics of formation of Co2+ and Ni2+ complexes and their thermodynamic stabilities are discussed.

General analytical procedure for determination of acidity parameters of weak acids and bases.

The paper presents a new convenient, inexpensive, and reagent-saving general methodology for the determination of pK a values for components of the mixture of diverse chemical classes weak organic acids and bases in water solution, without the need to separate individual analytes. The data obtained from simple pH-metric microtitrations are numerically processed into reliable pK a values for each component of the mixture. Excellent agreement has been obtained between the determined pK a values and the reference literature data for compounds studied.

Physicochemical and biological properties of oxovanadium(IV), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes with oxydiacetate anions.

The potentiometric and conductometric titration methods have been used to characterize the stability of series of VO(IV)-, Co(II)- and Ni(II)-oxydiacetato complexes in DMSO-water solutions containing 0-50 % (v/v) DMSO. The influence of DMSO as a co-solvent on the stability of the complexes as well as the oxydiacetic acid was evaluated. Furthermore, the reactivity of the complexes towards superoxide free radicals was assessed by employing the nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) assay. The biological properties of the complexes were investigated in relation to their cytoprotective activity against the oxidative damage generated exogenously by using hydrogen peroxide in the Human Dermal Fibroblasts adult (HDFa) cell line as well as to their antimicrobial activity against the bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis). The relationship between physicochemical and biological properties of the complexes was discussed.

A non-linearity criterion applied to the calibration curve method involved with ion-selective electrodes.

Some rational functions of the Padé type, y=y(x; n,m), were applied to the calibration curve method (CCM), and compared with a parabolic function. The functions were tested on the results obtained from calibration of ion-selective electrodes: NH4-ISE, Ca-ISE, and F-ISE. A validity of the functions y=y(x; 2,1), y=y(x; 1,1), and y=y(x; 2,0) (parabolic) was compared. A uniform, integral criterion of nonlinearity of calibration curves is suggested. This uniformity is based on normalization of the approximating functions within the frames of a unit area.

On the isohydricity concept--some comments.

The isohydricity property, referred to systems composed of acids or bases, is presented. The related isohydricity conditions are formulated for different pairs of solutions. The pH titrations in the system of isohydric solutions are put in context with conductometric titrations. The differences between pK1 values obtained according to both methods are not too significant and the conductometric titration can be perceived, in some instances, as a reasonable alternative to the pH titration.

Determination of dissociation parameters of weak acids in different media according to the isohydric method.

The isohydricity (pH constancy) principle is referred to the pair of solutions: weak acid (HL, C(0)mol/L) and strong acid (HB, C mol/L) when mixed e.g., according to titrimetric mode. Such a case takes place if the relation C(0)=C+C(2) × 10(pK(1)) is valid, where pK(1)=-log K(1), K(1) - dissociation constant for a weak monoprotic acid HL. This principle, outlined and formulated in earlier paper (Michalowski et al., Talanta 82 (2010) 1965), is the basis for a sensitive method of pK(1) determination, confirmed for a series of weak acids in presence of basal electrolytes or in water+organic solvent (dimethyl sulphoxide, methanol, isopropanol) media. The results of titrations were elaborated according to principles of regression analysis, with use of least squares method. A new criterion for precision of the results obtained according to this method is formulated. The pK(1) values obtained are comparable with ones found in literature.

New methods applicable for calibration of indicator electrodes.

The new methods applicable for calibration of indicator electrodes, based on standard addition and standard subtraction methods, are suggested. Some of the methods enable the slope of an indicator electrode and equivalence volume V(eq) to be determined simultaneously from a single set of potentiometric titration data. Some other methods known hitherto were also taken into account. A new model, based on a standard addition method, applicable also in nonlinear range for the ISE slope (S) is suggested, and its applicability was confirmed experimentally in calibration of calcium ISE.

A new sensitive method of dissociation constants determination based on the isohydric solutions principle.

The paper provides a new formulation and analytical proposals based on the isohydric solutions concept. It is particularly stated that a mixture formed, according to titrimetric mode, from a weak acid (HX, C(0)mol/L) and a strong acid (HB, Cmol/L) solutions, assumes constant pH, independently on the volumes of the solutions mixed, provided that the relation C(0)=C+C(2)·10(pK(1)) is valid, where pK(1)=-log K(1), K(1) the dissociation constant for HX. The generalized formulation, referred to the isohydric solutions thus obtained, was extended also to more complex acid-base systems. Particularly in the (HX, HB) system, the titration occurs at constant ionic strength (I) value, not resulting from presence of a basal electrolyte. This very advantageous conjunction of the properties provides, among others, a new, very sensitive method for verification of pK(1) value. The new method is particularly useful for weak acids HX characterized by low pK(1) values. The method was tested experimentally on four acid-base systems (HX, HB), in aqueous and mixed-solvent media and compared with the literature data. Some useful (linear and hyperbolic) correlations were stated and applied for validation of pK(1) values. Finally, some practical applications of analytical interest of the isohydricity (pH constancy) principle as one formulated in this paper were enumerated, proving the usefulness of such a property which has its remote roots in the Arrhenius concept.

Modelling of acid-base equilibria in binary-solvent systems: A comparative study.

A new approach to modelling of some binary (hydro-organic, HL/H(2)O+B) acid-base systems with organic co-solvent B fully miscible with water, is suggested and applied for the determination of acidity parameters pK for some weak acids HL. The models are designed to get the pK=pK(x) relationships (x-mole fraction of B in H(2)O+B) from results of pH titrations made in such systems and for the determination of pK(B)=pK(1) for HL in pure B. The Redlich-Kister equation, together with its asymmetric extensions, and the Legendre functions with orthogonal polynomials, appeared to be suitable for such purposes.