Molecular combination of the dopamine and serotonin scaffolds yield in novel antipsychotic drug candidates - characterization by in vivo experiments

Serotonin and dopamine play an important role in the aetiology of schizophrenia. Combination of the structural scaffolds of both neurotransmitters in a single molecule lead to aromatic [d,g]-bisannelated azecine derivatives, which have been shown to be nanomolar to subnanomolar dopamine D1-D5 receptor antagonists with a preference for the D1 family. In this work the potential antipsychotic activity of some azecine derivatives was predicted by their dopamine receptor affinities obtained in vitro from radioligand binding experiments and conclusively confirmed in vivo (rats) by applying a conditioned avoidance model. Furthermore, the compounds were tested in vivo for the development of catalepsy, which is a predictive parameter for extra-pyramidal side-effects caused by many antipsychotics. The investigated azecines displayed low cytotoxicity, and the affinities for human dopamine D1-D5 and serotonin 5-HT2 A receptors were in a nanomolar range. In vivo, their antipsychotic activities in the rat model were comparable with those of haloperidol and risperidone, but revealed a 2-5 times better therapeutic range with regard to catalepsy. Preliminary tests for oral bioavailability also revealed promising results for this new class of potential antipsychotic compounds. In conclusion, our in vivo experiments show that aromatic [d,g]-annelated azecines represent a novel and advantageous class of potential atypical neuroleptics.

Mirror, mirror on the wall…: self-perception of facial beauty versus judgement by others

In 1878, Margaret Wolfe Hungerford published a simple but insightful phrase in her novel 'Molly Bawn' that was to be quoted so often it has almost become cliché: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder". While many questions regarding the perception and neural processing of facial attractiveness have been resolved, it became obvious to us that study designs have been principally based on either facial self-perception or perception by others. The relationship between these however, remains both crucial and unknown. Standardized images were taken of 141 subjects. These 141 subjects were asked to complete the adjective mood scale (AMS) and to rank specific issues related to their looks on a visual analogue scale. The images were then shown to independent judges to rank specific issues related to their looks on a visual analogue scale. Our results show proof for a strikingly simple observation: that individuals perceive their own beauty to be greater than that expressed in the opinions of others (p < 0.001). This observation provides insight into our basic behavioural patterns and suggests that there are strong psychological mechanisms in humans supporting self-identification and thereby encouraging the self-confidence and resilience necessary to maintain one's social standing. While the psychological basis of self-confidence is multifactorial, our finding provides critical objective insight. We prove here for the first time that nothing more than the beauty of the beholder is in the eyes of the latter.

[Carbohydrate intake and prevention of nutrition-related diseases]

The relative contribution of nutrition-related chronic diseases to the total disease burden of the society and the healthcare costs have risen continuously over the last decades. This challenge requires to explore and use the potential of dietary prevention of diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular disease and cancer. This evidence-based guideline systematically assessed the potential role of carbohydrates in the primary prevention of these diseases. The major findings were: a high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes (strength of evidence: probable), whereas a high dietary fibre intake, mainly from whole-grain products, reduces the risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, hypertension, coronary heart disease and colorectal cancer (strength of evidence: probable and convincing, respectively). The practical consequences for current dietary recommendations are presented.

Post-farrowing stress management in sows by administration of azaperone: effects on piglets performance

This study examined the impact of a single dose of azaperone administered to sows at the end of farrowing on piglet weight gain and mortality during the lactation period. Two hundred fifty-two sows (JSR hybrid) housed in a conventional farrowing crate system were assigned to either a treatment or a control group. The parities of the sow were between 1 and 6. The differences between live birth weight and weight at weaning were recorded for 3,093 individual piglets. Serum concentrations of IgG of 485 piglets also were recorded during tail docking. Median and interquartile range (IQR) were 5.1 (2.9 to 9.5) mg·mL(-1) in the control group and 5.6 (3.1 to 12.1) mg·mL(-1) in the azaperone group (P > 0.05). Litter size was 13.0 (11 to 15) total born piglets and birth weight was 1.28 (1.05 to 1.52) kg. Weaning weight for the control group was 5.64 (4.73 to 6.54) kg compared with 5.78 (4.79 to 6.71) kg for the azaperone treated group (P = 0.005). Daily BW gain differed significantly (P = 0.001) between the 2 groups, 205 g for the controls, compared with 214 g for the azaperone group. There were no significant differences between piglet mortality rates (17% and 20%). Azaperone applications to sows tended to have a positive effect on productivity. Effect was greatest in the primiparous sows and declined with increasing parity. This may have been due to both physiological and behavioral differences between the sows as they experienced increasing numbers of gestations, farrowings, and lactation periods.

Transmission enhanced optical lenses with self-organized antireflective subwavelength structures for the UV range

We present transmission increased fused silica lenses produced by using self-organized antireflective structures for which we developed an efficient manufacturing process. The spectral transmission measured over the whole lens aperture shows a significant transmission enhancement of up to 3.5% in the UV range. Local measurements on the lens's surface reveal a strongly reduced reflection of below 0.1% for 300 nm wavelength, which is homogeneous over the whole lens. Further, the lenses show a broadband spectral antireflection behavior. For 600 nm wavelength the reflection was measured at about 1%.

Molecular Composites Based on Rigid Rod Polymers for Electrooptical Applications

Novel rigid rod polymers substituted with NLO-active chromophores have been developed towards application in electrooptical signal Modulation. The Materials are based on rigid polyesters and polyesteramids, in which the chromophores are either covalently linked to the backbone by short flexible spacers or directly incorporated into the main chain. In the bulk these systems form macroscopically ordered structures with layers of rigid rod backbones separated by the side chain segments. The properties and stability of the induced polar order can thus be adjusted by morphological parameters like the layer distance or the orientation of the main chains relative to the substrate. The relaxation of the NLO activity with time is described by a Multi-exponential decay and shows enhanced time-temperature stability even above 100°C. The temperature dependence of the relaxation times exhibits unusual features that distinguishes these systems from conventional NLO side chain polymers.

Materials Engineering For Polarized Light Emitting Diodes

Electroluminescent devices have been made from organo-soluble derivatives of poly(pphenylene). Solubility and processibility by the LB-technique is achieved by attaching alkoxy side groups to the backbone-p-phenylene units. These polymers are of the hairy-rod (HR) type. If transferred as monolayers from the air-water-interface, monodomain multilayers with large order parameters of chain orientation are obtained. A 130 nm thick LB-film of poly(2,5-diisopentoxy-pphenylene) shows blue photoluminescence at λmax = 3.08 eV (404 nm) with a tail extending to 2 eV. The anisotropy was (lII- l1)/ (l11, + l11)= 0.5. This LB-film between a transparent gold and an evaporated Al-electrode shows polarized light emission at E ≤ 6.107 V cm−1 with am=a λmax2.2 eV and an in-plane anisotropy of 0.54. Thin films obtained by spincoating of the same polymer show isotropic electroluminescence between ITO and Al-electrodes with an external quantum efficiency of about 0.03 %. Higher efficiencies up to 4 % were realized optimizing the device architecture and the electrodes. Photocrosslinkable sites are introduced as side groups to the poly(pphenylene) chain. This allows patterning of the LEDs. General features of the supramolecular architecture and typical defect structures occurring in films of polyconjugated macromolecules are discussed using prototypical polymers as examples. Important effects are chain segregation according to chain length and formation of disclinations.

Patterns of maintenance treatment (Tx) following first-line bevacizumab (bev) plus chemotherapy (CT) for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC): Results from a large German community-based cohort study

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Background: As a result of the long PFS with bev-containing combinations in first-line mCRC, discontinuation of at least one CT component after an “induction” period and continuation with “maintenance” Tx is common. It is anticipated that duration and patterns of maintenance Tx may affect PFS.

Methods: We analysed induction and maintenance Tx in a large observational cohort study of bev + various first-line CT regimens. Results of the entire cohort were reported earlier [Arnold et al. ASCO GI 2010].

Results: From Jan 05 to Jun 08, 1620 patients (pts) were enrolled at 261 sites. 1,307 pts (81% of total) received bev + fluoropyrimidine-oxaliplatin (n=306, 23.5%) or fluoropyrimidine-irinotecan (n=1,001, 76.5%). While Tx reduction was not predefined, after induction 271 pts (21%) received de-escalated maintenance Tx: bev alone (n=106; 8%), or bev + CT (n=165; 13%). Median Tx duration for pts receiving bev alone was 8.7 mo for induction and 3.2 mo for maintenance. Pts receiving bev + CT maintenance had shorter induction (5.1 mo) but longer maintenance (4.4 mo). Median PFS (after induction) with bev maintenance was 10.8 mo vs. 13.5 mo for bev + CT maintenance. Data are available from 161 pts with bev + CT maintenance after induction with oxaliplatin (n=97) or irinotecan (n=64). Median total Tx duration was 9.6 mo for oxaliplatin-based induction and 10.9 mo for irinotecan-based induction; median induction duration was 4.1 and 5.5 mo, and maintenance duration was 4.3 and 4.4 mo, respectively. Median PFS (after induction) was 12.8 and 14.1 mo, respectively. Progressive disease (PD) has not yet occurred in 165 pts (62% of maintenance cohort). A high proportion of pts received Tx until PD (74% and 79%, respectively).

Conclusions: Both de-escalation strategies led to long PFS and a high number of pts treated ′until PD′. A trend towards better PFS was observed in pts receiving bev + CT maintenance vs. single-agent bev. The ongoing randomized AIO KRK 0207 trial is prospectively evaluating three different maintenance strategies after induction with bev + fluoropyrimidine + oxaliplatin.

[Table: see text]

Computed tomography findings of human polyomavirus BK (BKV)-associated cystitis in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Over 70% of the general population worldwide is positive for antibodies against polyomavirus hominis type 1 (BKV). Polyomavirus can be reactivated in immunocompromised patients and thereby induce urogenital tract infection, including cystitis.

PURPOSE

To describe the computed tomography (CT) findings of human polyomavirus-induced cystitis in adult patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allogeneic HCT).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study population was a retrospective cohort of 11 consecutive adult patients (eight men, three women; age range 22-59 years, mean 42.9 years) who received allogeneic HCT between December 2003 and December 2007 and were tested positive for urinary BKV infection. All CT scans were evaluated with regard to bladder wall thickness, mucosal enhancement, distinct layering of thickened bladder wall, and presence of intravesical clots, perivesical stranding as well as attenuation values of intravesical urine. Clinical data concerning transplant and conditioning regimen variables and laboratory parameters were correlated with degree and extent of imaging findings.

RESULTS

All patients had clinical signs of cystitis with different degrees of thickening of the urinary bladder wall. Well-delineated urinary bladder layers were present in six patients. Thickening of the urinary bladder wall was continuous in nine of 11 patients. Increased attenuation of intravesical urine was found in seven patients with hemorrhagic cystitis. Four patients had intraluminal clots. Perivesical stranding was not a major CT finding, occurring in a mild fashion in three of 11 patients. The clinical classification of hemorrhagic cystitis did not correlate with the analyzed imaging parameters. Patient outcome was not influenced by this infectious complication.

CONCLUSION

CT findings in patients with polyomavirus BK cystitis consist of different degrees of bladder wall thickening usually with good delineation of all mural layers and increased mucosal enhancement. These findings are not specific for BKV cystitis, but awareness of this differential diagnosis should help in the early diagnosis and correct management of this infectious complication.

[Experience with laparoscopic pyeloplasty for treating ureteropelvic junction obstruction in children. Technique and results]

INTRODUCTION

Open pyeloplasty has been the gold standard for treating ureteropelvic junction obstruction, with a success rate greater than 90%. However, during the last decade the management has been revolutionized with the introduction of laparoscopy and endourology, yielding comparable results and fewer morbid outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 1997 and 2007, dismembered and non-dismembered retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty was performed in 31 children with a medium age of 123 months (range 36-192 months). Fourteen children underwent dismembered pyeloplasty (Anderson-Hynes) and 16 children underwent non-dismembered pyeloplasty (YV plasty) and in one child we performed an ureterolysis.

RESULTS

The mean operating time was 120 min (range 67-257 min). In 21 cases, intraoperative findings revealed a significant crossing vessel. Based on a furosemide nephrogram and subjective complaints, the success rate was 93%. The two failures (laparoscopic YV plasty and laparoscopic ureterolysis) occurred in the early phase of laparoscopy and have been treated by open Anderson-Hynes plasty.

CONCLUSION

With increasing improvement of the suture techniques, laparoscopic pyeloplasty represents, in experienced hands, an alternative method with success rates comparable to the open technique. In our opinion, retroperitoneoscopic pyeloplasty is technically possible and feasible even in infants.

Tin oxide nanocluster hydrogen and ammonia sensors

We have prepared sensitive hydrogen and ammonia sensors from thin films of tin nanoclusters with diameters between 3 and 10 nm. By baking the samples at 200 °C in ambient air the clusters were oxidized, resulting in very stable films of tin oxide clusters with similar diameters to the original Sn clusters. By monitoring the electrical resistance, it is shown that the cluster films are highly responsive to hydrogen and ammonia at relatively low temperatures, thereby making them attractive for commercial applications in which low power consumption is required. Doping of the films by depositing Pd on top of the clusters resulted in much improved sensor response and response times. It is shown that optimal sensor properties are achieved for very thin cluster films (a few monolayers of clusters).

Time-Resolved Molecular Beam Mass Spectrometry of the Initial Stage of Particle Formation in an Ar/He/C2H2 Plasma

The temporal evolution of the neutral plasma chemistry products in a capacitively coupled plasma from argon/helium/acetylene is followed via molecular beam mass spectrometry with a time resolution of 100 ms. Several chemistry pathways are resolved. (i) The formation of C2nH2 (n = 2-5) molecules proceeds via the following sequence: the production of highly reactive C2H radicals in electron impact dissociation of C2H2 is followed by C2H induced chain polymerization of C2nH2 (n = 1-4). (ii) CnH4 (n = 4, 5, 6) compounds are detected already at an early stage of the discharge excluding polymerization reactions with C2H radical being responsible for their formation. Instead, vinylidene reactions with acetylene or mutual neutralization reactions of ionic species are proposed as sources of their formation. (iii) Surface reactions are identified as the source of C8H6. The measured hydrocarbon molecules represents possible precursors for negative ion formation via dissociative electron attachment reactions and can hence play a crucial role in particle nucleation. On the basis of the comparison of our data with available experimental and modeling results for acetylene plasmas in the literature, we propose C2nH2 (n > 1) molecules as important precursors for negative ion formation.