Chromoblastomycosis caused by Fonsecaea monophora in Mexico

Chromoblastomycosis is a chronic subcutaneous fungal infection caused by melanized fungi. It is usually an occupational mycosis affecting people in rural areas in tropical and subtropical regions. We present two cases of chromoblastomycosis in Mexican farmers, characterized by skin verrucous plaques. Direct examination with KOH 10% showed the presence of muriform cells. The fungal isolation was carried out in Sabouraud dextrose agar and molecular identification was achieved by 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S rRNA gene amplification and sequencing. Fonsecaeamonophora was identified in both cases. A therapy with itraconazole and terbinafine was used with a partial favorable response. However, patients did not return for medical examination after 4 months. The current status of the patients is unknown. We reported the first two cases of chromoblastomycosis caused by F. monophora in Mexico.

Optimization of 3-(1H-indazol-3-ylmethyl)-1,5-benzodiazepines as potent, orally active CCK-A agonists

We previously described a series of 3-(1H-indazol-3-ylmethyl)-1,5-benzodiazepine CCK-A agonists exemplified by compound 1 (GW 5823), which is the first reported binding selective CCK-A full agonist demonstrating oral efficacy in a rat feeding model. In this report we describe analogs of compound 1 designed to explore changes to the C3 and N1 pharmacophores and their effect on agonist activity and receptor selectivity. Agonist efficacy in this series was affected by stereoelectronic factors within the C3 moiety. Binding affinity for the CCK-A vs CCK-B receptor showed little dependence on the structure of the C3 moiety but was affected by the nature of the second substituent at C3. Structure-activity relationships at the N1-anilidoacetamide "trigger" moiety within the C3 indazole series were also investigated. Both agonist efficacy and binding affinity within this series were modulated by variation of substituents on the N1-anilidoacetamide moiety. Evaluation of several analogs in an vivo mouse gallbladder emptying assay revealed compound 1 to be the most potent and efficacious of all the analogs tested. The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile of 1 in rats is also discussed.

Discovery of 1,5-benzodiazepines with peripheral cholecystokinin (CCK-A) receptor agonist activity. 1. Optimization of the agonist "trigger"

Directed screening of compounds selected from the Glaxo registry file for contractile activity on the isolated guinea pig gallbladder (GPGB) identified a series of 1,5-benzodiazepines with peripheral cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor agonist activity. Agonist efficacy within this series was modulated by variation of substituents on the N1-anilinoacetamide moiety. Remarkably, a single methyl group confers agonist activity, with an N-isopropyl substituent providing optimal efficacy. Hydrophilic substituents on the anilino nitrogen abolish agonist activity or produce antagonists of CCK. In contrast, hydrophilic electron-donating groups at the para-position of the anilino ring enhance or maintain in vitro and in vivo agonist activity. Despite decreased affinity for the human CCK-A receptor, relative to CCK-8, some of these compounds are equipotent to CCK as anorectic agents in rats following intraperitoneal administration.