Discovery of multifunctional anti-Alzheimer's agents with a unique mechanism of action including inhibition of the enzyme butyrylcholinesterase and γ-aminobutyric acid transporters

Looking for an effective anti-Alzheimer's agent is very challenging; however, a multifunctional ligand strategy may be a promising solution for the treatment of this complex disease. We herein present the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of novel hydroxyethylamine derivatives displaying unique, multiple properties that have not been previously reported. The original mechanism of action combines inhibitory activity against disease-modifying targets: β-secretase enzyme (BACE1) and amyloid β (Aβ) aggregation, along with an effect on targets associated with symptom relief - inhibition of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) and γ-aminobutyric acid transporters (GATs). Among the obtained molecules, compound 36 exhibited the most balanced and broad activity profile (eeAChE IC₅₀ = 2.86 μM; eqBuChE IC₅₀ = 60 nM; hBuChE IC₅₀ = 20 nM; hBACE1 IC₅₀ = 5.9 μM; inhibition of Aβ aggregation = 57.9% at 10 μM; mGAT1 IC₅₀ = 10.96 μM; and mGAT2 IC₅₀ = 19.05 μM). Moreover, we also identified 31 as the most potent mGAT4 and hGAT3 inhibitor (IC₅₀ = 5.01 μM and IC₅₀ = 2.95 μM, respectively), with high selectivity over other subtypes. Compounds 36 and 31 represent new anti-Alzheimer agents that can ameliorate cognitive decline and modify the progress of disease.

Investigating the Neurological Correlates of Workplace Deviance Using a Rodent Model of Extinction

Employee deviance and time theft is an expensive and pervasive workplace problem. Research indicates that a primary reason employees engage in deviant behaviour is the perception of injustice often associated with psychological contract breach (i.e., broken promises). This study used a rodent model to mimic said experience of broken promises and then examined the subsequent neurophysiological changes that lead to the display of deviant behaviours. Specifically, we generated a psychological contract using a 3 choice serial reaction task, then broke the promise, and finally examined deviant behaviours and neurological correlates. After the broken promise, rats had elevated levels of corticosterone and testosterone, engaged in riskier behaviour, and were more aggressive. The most prominent changes in gene expression were associated with serotonin and stress, and were found in the nucleus accumbens. This study highlights the value of pre-clinical models in the investigation of the theoretical tenants of industrial and organizational psychology.

Altered responsiveness to 5-HT at the crayfish neuromuscular junction due to chronic p-CPA and m-CPP treatment

Serotonin (5-HT) levels in the hemolymph of crustaceans has been implied to alter aggressiveness which influences social interactions. The activation of IP3 as a second messenger cascade within crayfish motor neurons in response to application of 5-HT, suggests that the 5-HT receptor subtypes on the motor neurons are analogous to the vertebrate 5-HT2A receptors. Based on evidence in other systems, it would be expected that chronically sustained 5-HT levels in aggressive individuals would result in a compensatory negative feed-back regulation and/or that target tissues would diminish their sensitivity to high levels of circulating, free 5-HT. We addressed the issue of up- and down-regulation in the sensitivity of the responsiveness to exogenously applied 5-HT at the NMJs of crayfish in which the animals have altered endogenous 5-HT levels. Injections of the 5-HT1 and 5-HT2 vertebrate receptor agonist, 1-(3-Chlorophenyl) piperazine dihydrochloride (m-CPP), for 1 week resulted in a decreased responsiveness to application of 5-HT. The compound p-chlorophenylalanine (p-CPA) blocks the enzymatic synthesis of 5-HT and following 7 days of p-CPA injections, a super-sensitivity to exogenous application of 5-HT for both tonic and phasic neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) was observed. However, acute applications of p-CPA and m-CPP, followed by extensive saline washing, did not reveal any altered receptivity to 5-HT application.

[Chronic inflammation of the colon: a diagnostic problem]

Chronic inflammation of the colon and rectum with associated diarrhea has become more difficult to diagnose recently. Many etiological factors and different therapeutic outlines need to be carefully discussed and summarized. Based on most recent literature, authors present current data on etiology and specific (case-depended) diagnostic procedures in colitis and proctocolitis.

Protecting adolescents from harm. Findings from the National Longitudinal Study on Adolescent Health

CONTEXT

The main threats to adolescents' health are the risk behaviors they choose. How their social context shapes their behaviors is poorly understood.

OBJECTIVE

To identify risk and protective factors at the family, school, and individual levels as they relate to 4 domains of adolescent health and morbidity: emotional health, violence, substance use, and sexuality.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of interview data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 12118 adolescents in grades 7 through 12 drawn from an initial national school survey of 90118 adolescents from 80 high schools plus their feeder middle schools.

SETTING

The interview was completed in the subject's home.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Eight areas were assessed: emotional distress; suicidal thoughts and behaviors; violence; use of 3 substances (cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana); and 2 types of sexual behaviors (age of sexual debut and pregnancy history). Independent variables included measures of family context, school context, and individual characteristics.

RESULTS

Parent-family connectedness and perceived school connectedness were protective against every health risk behavior measure except history of pregnancy. Conversely, ease of access to guns at home was associated with suicidality (grades 9-12: P<.001) and violence (grades 7-8: P<.001; grades 9-12: P<.001). Access to substances in the home was associated with use of cigarettes (P<.001), alcohol (P<.001), and marijuana (P<.001) among all students. Working 20 or more hours a week was associated with emotional distress of high school students (P<.01), cigarette use (P<.001), alcohol use (P<.001), and marijuana use (P<.001). Appearing "older than most" in class was associated with emotional distress and suicidal thoughts and behaviors among high school students (P<.001); it was also associated with substance use and an earlier age of sexual debut among both junior and senior high students. Repeating a grade in school was associated with emotional distress among students in junior high (P<.001) and high school (P<.01) and with tobacco use among junior high students (P<.001). On the other hand, parental expectations regarding school achievement were associated with lower levels of health risk behaviors; parental disapproval of early sexual debut was associated with a later age of onset of intercourse (P<.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Family and school contexts as well as individual characteristics are associated with health and risky behaviors in adolescents. The results should assist health and social service providers, educators, and others in taking the first steps to diminish risk factors and enhance protective factors for our young people.

Efficacy of ebrotidine and ranitidine combined with amoxicillin and metronidazole in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer

This double-blind, randomized, phase III clinical trial was carried out in two parallel groups to assess the efficacy of ebrotidine (N-[(E)-[[2-[[[2-[(diaminomethylene) amino]-4-thiazolyl]methyl]thio]ethyl]amino] methylene]-4-bromo-benzenesulfonamide, CAS 100981-43-9, FI-3542) 400 mg and ranitidine 300 mg given in single evening dose, combined with amoxicillin 750 mg and metronidazole 500 mg three times daily for 14 days, in the eradication of Helicobacter pylori in patients with duodenal ulcer. Thirty patients were included, divided into two groups of 15, to whom one of the study therapies was administered based on a randomization code. Clinical and endoscopic controls were performed 4, 6 and 8 weeks after the onset of the treatment. No differences were seen between the two treatment groups with regard to demographic parameters and clinical histories. They were both perfectly homogeneous. There were no differences between the eradication of both therapies in both the antrum and gastric body samples (over 80% eradication), allowing the results to be classified as satisfactory. Moreover, perfect control was achieved through the study of clinical symptoms, which even disappeared in some cases. There were no differences in the healing rate of the duodenal ulcer after four weeks, 86.7% being achieved for both groups.

Physical progress and residual impairment quantification after functional restoration. Part I: Lumbar mobility

Quantification of human performance in chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients is essential to initiate effective treatment and guide progress in a disability-oriented functional restoration program, as well as to objectively evaluate impairment and functional limitations at the time of maximum medical improvement. One such important measure of physical ability is range of motion. Patients who suffer from CLBP almost invariably have some disturbance of mobility. The major goals of the present study were to: 1) develop a database of anticipated range of motion levels at different points in time in a representative sample of CLBP patients; 2) within the sample, determine any gender or spinal surgery-induced differences; 3) evaluate change in range of motion produced by participation in a comprehensive functional restoration treatment program; and 4) identify residual impairment of regional range of motion. Four separate groups of CLBP patients were evaluated: Group 1 (n = 92), unoperated men; Group 2 (n = 26), postdiscectomy men; Group 3 (n = 59), unoperated women; and Group 4 (n = 17) postdiscectomy women. Patients in each group were assessed for spinal range of motion measures at three points in time, for sagittal/coronal motion and validity (employing the relationship between pelvic motion and supine leg raising). Results demonstrated dramatic patient improvements in range of motion from initial referral to program completion. The most significant gains were made in pelvic motion, which returned to near normal levels, indicating that the vast majority overcame low effort or movement inhibition produced by pain or fear of injury.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Exercise reverses photoperiodic anestrus in golden hamsters

In contrast to the inhibitory effects of endurance exercise on reproductive function in women athletes, voluntary running induces estrous cyclicity in anestrous female hamsters maintained in the nonstimulatory short-day photoperiod. Increased concentrations of circulating prolactin (Prl) seen in these animals are not responsible for the reversal of photoperiodic anestrus as demonstrated by experimental manipulations of prolactin secretion. Voluntary running also facilitates growth hormone (GH) release and somatic growth in hamsters independently of the photoperiod. Thus, it appears that endurance exercise can have facilitatory as well as inhibitory effects on the reproductive function in female mammals.

Small effect of brown adipose tissue and major effect of photoperiod on body weight in hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

It has been suggested that brown adipose tissue plays a special role in the control of body weight. This hypothesis was investigated by measuring the body weight of female hamsters over a two month period following removal of interscapular brown adipose tissue. Two groups of animals were used, one maintained on a short day (10:14 light: dark ratio) and the other on a long day (16:8 light: dark ratio) photoperiod. Under both photoperiod conditions hamsters with interscapular brown adipose tissue removed gained somewhat more weight than their corresponding sham operated controls. Photoperiod, however, had a much larger effect on body weight. Hamsters maintained on short days increased their body weight by about 60 percent during the two months of the experiment whereas the hamsters maintained on long days increased their body weight by only about 17 percent. It was concluded that brown adipose tissue plays a small non special role in the control of body weight in the female hamster, but that the light-dark ratio is quantitatively much more important under these experimental conditions.