Synthesis and in vitro microbiological evaluation of novel diethyl 6,6'-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4-aryl-2-oxo-cyclohex-3-enecarboxylates)

Novel bis cyclohexenone ester derivatives 14-19 were synthesized and characterized by their spectral data. In vitro microbiological evaluations were carried out for all the novel compounds 14-19 against clinically isolated bacterial and fungal strains. Compounds 15, 16, 18 against Staphylococcus aureus, 14, 15 against β-Haemolytic streptococcus, 15, 19 against Micrococcus luteus, 17, 18 against Salmonella typhii, 14, 17 against Shigella flexneri, 15 against Escherichia coli, 16 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 15, 18, 19 against Klebsiella pneumonia exhibited potent antibacterial activity at an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 6.25 μg/ml, whereas compound 16 against Aspergillus flavus, 17 against A. niger, 16, 18 against Mucor indicus, 15, 17-19 against Microsporum gypseum revealed excellent antifungal activity at an MIC value of 6.25 μg/ml.     

Synthesis, spectral analysis and in vitro microbiological evaluation of novel ethyl 4-(naphthalen-2-yl)-2-oxo-6-arylcyclohex-3-enecarboxylates and 4,5-dihydro-6-(napthalen-2-yl)-4-aryl-2H-indazol-3-ols

A series of ethyl 4-(naphthalen-2-yl)-2-oxo-6-arylcyclohex-3-enecarboxylates 8-14 and 4,5-dihydro-6-(naphthalen-2-yl)-4-aryl-2H-indazol-3-ols 15-21 were synthesised and characterised by their spectroscopic data. In vitro microbiological evaluations were carried out for all the newly synthesised compounds 8-21 against clinically isolated bacterial and fungal strains. Compounds 9, 12 and 20 against Staphylococcus aureus, 10, 12, 20 against β-haemolytic streptococcus, 11, 17 against Bacillus subtilis, 12, 16 and 20 against Vibreo cholerae, 13, 16 against Escherichia coli, 13, 16, 18, 19 against Salmonella typhii, 12, 18 against Shigella flexneri, 10 against Salmonella typhii, 10, 13, 17, 18 against Aspergillus flavus, 12, 17, 21 against Aspergillus niger, 12, 15, 17, 18, 20 against Mucor, Rhizopus and Microsporeum gypsuem exhibit potent antimicrobial activity.     

胶州湾放线菌的分离及其抗病原微生物的活性检测

采用涂布法,从胶州湾海泥样品中分离到224株放线菌菌株,并且从海水样品中分离到32株放线菌菌株。根据形态学特性,菌株被分成了7个组。同时利用杯碟法测定了它们的抗菌活性,其中约7％对金黄色葡萄球菌有活性,11％对八叠球菌有效,10％对大肠杆菌有效,11％对绿脓杆菌有效,2％对白色念珠菌有效,5％对隐球菌有效,6％对绿色产色链霉菌有效和6％对米赫毛霉有效。分离到的22％放线菌对所测定的病原微生物有抗性作用。我们的结果表明胶州湾放线菌能够产生对病原微生物有抗性作用的不同代谢物,这些代谢物可以作为筛选新颖天然产物的独特和丰富的资源。     

Synthesis and in vitro microbiological evaluation of novel diethyl 6,6′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(4-aryl-2-oxo-cyclohex-3-enecarboxylates)

Novel bis cyclohexenone ester derivatives 14–19 were synthesized and characterized by their spectral data. In vitro microbiological evaluations were carried out for all the novel compounds 14–19 against clinically isolated bacterial and fungal strains. Compounds 15, 16, 18 against Staphylococcus aureus, 14, 15 against β-Haemolytic streptococcus, 15, 19 against Micrococcus luteus, 17, 18 against Salmonella typhii, 14, 17 against Shigella flexneri, 15 against Escherichia coli, 16 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 15, 18, 19 against Klebsiella pneumonia exhibited potent antibacterial activity at an minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 6.25 μg/ml, whereas compound 16 against Aspergillus flavus, 17 against A. niger, 16, 18 against Mucor indicus, 15, 17–19 against Microsporum gypseum revealed excellent antifungal activity at an MIC value of 6.25 μg/ml.     

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: inhibition of mammalian isoforms I-XIV with a series of substituted phenols including paracetamol and salicylic acid

Inhibition of 12 mammalian isoforms of the metalloenzyme carbonic anhydrase (CA, EC 4.2.1.1), CA I-XIV, with a series of phenols was investigated. The inhibition profile by phenols of these CAs was distinct from those of the sulfonamides and their isosteres, the main class of clinically used inhibitors. Phenol and some of its 2-, 3- and 4-substituted derivatives incorporating hydroxy-, fluoro-, carboxy-, amino-, cyano- and acetamido-moieties were generally effective low micromolar CA inhibitors, with inhibition constants in the range of 9.8-4003 microM against CA I, of 0.090-870 microM against CA II, of 0.71-885 microM against CA III, of 9.5-809 microM against CA IV, of 8.7-867 microM against CA VA, of 4.2-649 microM against CA VB, of 11.4-658 microM against CA VI, of 9.1-1359 microM against CA VII, of 8.8-517 microM against CA IX, of 4.1-598 microM against CA XII, of 12.2-697 microM against CA XIII and of 10.1-49.8 microM against CA XIV, respectively. The different mechanisms of inhibition by phenols as compared to sulfonamides, and their diverse inhibition profile for these mammalian isozymes, makes this class of derivatives of great interest for the design of compounds with selectivity and/or specificity for some of the medicinal chemistry targets belonging to this enzyme family.     

Comparison of anticonvulsant effect of ethanol against NMDA-, kainic acid- and picrotoxin-induced convulsions in rats

The anticonvulsant effect of ethanol against N-methyl-D-aspartic acid-(NMDA), kainic acid-, and picrotoxin-induced convulsions was studied in rats. Ethanol (2 g/kg, ip) offered protection against these agents, and it was most effective against picrotoxin and least effective against kainic acid. MK801, NMDA receptor antagonist, also provided protection against these agents. However, it was most effective against NMDA and least effective against kainic acid. Ineffective doses of MK801 (0.1 mg/kg, ip) and ethanol (0.5 g/kg, ip), when administered concurrently, had a facilitatory anticonvulsant effect, thereby providing protection against mortality following severe convulsions induced by NMDA or picrotoxin, but not against kainic acid. The protective effect of ethanol against NMDA- and kainic acid-induced neurotoxicity, in contrast to picrotoxin-induced toxicity, was not reversed by imidazodiazepine, Ro 15-4513, an ethanol antagonist. Furthermore, Ro 15-4513 did not produce any proconvulsant effect with NMDA or kainic acid. These findings suggested that the anticonvulsant actions of ethanol may be attributed to its ability to antagonize NMDA-mediated excitatory responses and facilitate the GABAergic transmission.     

Booster vaccination against tetanus and diphtheria: insufficient protection against diphtheria in young and elderly adults

We have recently demonstrated that single shot vaccinations against tetanus and diphtheria do not lead to long-lasting immunity against diphtheria in elderly persons despite administration at 5 year intervals. In the present study we have immunized a group of young adults against tetanus and diphtheria to compare the pre- and 28 days post-vaccination immune responses in the young group with results of the same vaccination performed in an elderly group of a previous study. We also studied protection in both groups 5 years after vaccination. We compared antibody titers at all three time points and also analyzed the T cell responses in both age groups 5 years after vaccination.Before vaccination 9 % of the elderly persons were not protected against tetanus, and 48 % did not have protection against diphtheria. In the young group all participants were protected against tetanus, but 52 % were also unprotected against diphtheria before vaccination. 28 days after vaccination 100 % of all participants had protective antibody concentrations against tetanus and only a small percentage in each age group (<10 %) was unprotected against diphtheria. 5 years later, 100 % of both cohorts were still protected against tetanus, but 24 % of the young and 54 % of the elderly group were unprotected against diphtheria. Antibody concentrations against diphtheria measured by ELISA correlated well with their neutralizing capacity. T cell responses to tetanus and diphtheria did not differ between young and old persons. We conclude that booster vaccinations against tetanus and diphtheria according to present recommendations provide long-lasting protection only against tetanus, but not against diphtheria, independently of age. In elderly persons, the level of protection is even lower, probably due to intrinsic age-related changes within the immune system and/or insufficient vaccination earlier in life.     

Enhanced antitumor activity and selectivity of lactoferrin-derived peptides.

A number of peptide analogs derived from the N-terminal alpha-helical region of bovine lactoferrin (LFB 14-31), were designed in order to investigate how deviating numbers and positions of positively charged residues and numbers of aromatic residues affected their activity against prokaryotic, normal and transformed eukaryotic cells. Most of the LFB derivatives were highly active against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The peptides were more active against the tumor cell lines MethA, HT-29 and MT-1 than normal eukaryotic cells. The peptides that were most active against the tumor cell lines had all cationic residues concentrated in one sector of the helical structure. These peptides were less selective against the tumor cell lines than against normal fibroblasts. Quantitative structure-activity relationship studies showed that certain structural parameters affected toxicity against the tumor cell lines more than against fibroblasts. Peptides encompassing these parameters were slightly less active against tumor cells, but gained significant selectivity.     

Cysteine chloromethyl and diazomethyl ketone derivatives with potent anti-leukemic activity

A series of cysteine diazomethyl- and chloromethyl ketone derivatives has been synthesized and evaluated against human B-lineage (Nalm-6) and T-lineage (Molt-3) acute lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines. The chloromethyl ketone compounds showed potent cytotoxicity against these cell lines, with IC50 values in the low micromolar range. The best compounds were N-acetyl-S-dodecyl-Cys chloromethyl ketone (IC50 = 2.0 microM against Nalm-6, 2.3 microM against Molt-3) and N-acetyl-S-trans,trans-farnesyl-Cys chloromethyl ketone (IC50 = 3.0 microM against Nalm-6 and 1.4 microM against Molt-3).     

Antileishmanial dinitroaniline sulfonamides with activity against parasite tubulin

Novel dinitroaniline sulfonamides based on the herbicide oryzalin 3 were synthesized and evaluated for activity against the parasitic protozoan Leishmania donovani and against leishmanial tubulin, the putative antiparasitic target of oryzalin. A subset of these compounds possess more activity against both Leishmania and the target protein in vitro. Compound 20 displays improved potency against leishmanial tubulin and is 13.4-fold more active against L. donovani axenic amastigotes than oryzalin.     

Antiviral activity of south Brazilian medicinal plant extracts.

Brazilian plants are potential sources of useful edible and medicinal plants. Hydromethanolic extracts prepared from 54 medicinal plants used in folk medicine to treat infections were screened for antiviral properties against five different viruses (HSV-1, HSV-2, poliovirus type 2, adenovirus type 2 and VSV). Fifty-two percent of the plant extracts exhibited antiviral against one or more tested viruses. More specifically, 42.6% showed activity against HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus type 1), 42.6% against HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus type 2), 26% against poliovirus and 24% against VSV (vesicular stomatitis virus). None of the extracts was active against adenovirus. Trixis praestans (Vell.) Cabr. and Cunila spicata Benth. extracts were further characterized for antiviral activity.     

玉米须提取物对食品腐败菌及致病菌抑制作用的研究

首次以玉米须提取物对7种常见的食品腐败菌及致病菌进行抑菌试验,发现玉米须的乙醇提取物的效果最好,其最低抑菌浓度（MIC）为3．0g/100g,此外,对食品加工条件（如杀菌方式等）及食品介质（如PH）对玉米须提取物抑菌活性的也作了研究,结果表明,玉米须提取物在常规食品杀菌条件（UHT）及中酸到酸性环境下抑菌活性稳定,因而可作为潜在的食品防腐剂。     

Effect of selected anthelmintics on three common helminths in the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis)

The effect of selected anthelmintics (albendazole, fenbendazole, piperazine dihydrochloride and clorsulon) against three major helminths (Contracaecum multipapillatum, Mesostephanus appendiculatoides, and Phagicola longus) were studied in 29 brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis). Albendazole and fenbendazole were highly effective against all three parasites. Clorsulon had moderate effect against M. appendiculatoides and poor effect against C. multipapillatum and P. longus. Piperazine dihydrochloride had no effect against these helminths.     

Synthesis and antimycobacterial activity of new S-alkylisothiosemicarbazone derivatives

A new series of S-alkylisothiosemicarbazones of 3- and 4-pyridincarboxaldehyde and 4-fluoro- and 4-trifluoromethylbenzaldehyde was synthesized and evaluated for biological activity against various Mycobacterium strains. Inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv ATCC 27294 and INH-R ATCC 35822 was compared with activity against clinical isolated Mycobacteria as well as against MOTT. Some of newly prepared compounds showed best inhibitory values against clinical isolated Mycobacteria, besides to low citotoxicity values.     

Enhancing Blockade of Plasmodium falciparum Erythrocyte Invasion: Assessing Combinations of Antibodies against PfRH5 and Other Merozoite Antigens

No vaccine has yet proven effective against the blood-stages of Plasmodium falciparum, which cause the symptoms and severe manifestations of malaria. We recently found that PfRH5, a P. falciparum-specific protein expressed in merozoites, is efficiently targeted by broadly-neutralizing, vaccine-induced antibodies. Here we show that antibodies against PfRH5 efficiently inhibit the in vitro growth of short-term-adapted parasite isolates from Cambodia, and that the EC₅₀ values of antigen-specific antibodies against PfRH5 are lower than those against PfAMA1. Since antibody responses elicited by multiple antigens are speculated to improve the efficacy of blood-stage vaccines, we conducted detailed assessments of parasite growth inhibition by antibodies against PfRH5 in combination with antibodies against seven other merozoite antigens. We found that antibodies against PfRH5 act synergistically with antibodies against certain other merozoite antigens, most notably with antibodies against other erythrocyte-binding antigens such as PfRH4, to inhibit the growth of a homologous P. falciparum clone. A combination of antibodies against PfRH4 and basigin, the erythrocyte receptor for PfRH5, also potently inhibited parasite growth. This methodology provides the first quantitative evidence that polyclonal vaccine-induced antibodies can act synergistically against P. falciparum antigens and should help to guide the rational development of future multi-antigen vaccines.     

Activated fly ash catalyzed facile synthesis of novel spiro imidazolidine derivatives as potential antibacterial and antifungal agents

An array of novel spiro imidazolidine derivatives was synthesized in dry media and was screened for their anti-microbial activities. Structure-activity relationship results revealed that compounds 22, 23 against P.aeruginosa, 24 against S.aureus, 24, 25 against K.pneumonia, 27 against S.aureus, β-H.streptococcus, 29 against M.luteus, K.pneumonia, 29, 30 against P.vulgaris exhibited excellent antibacterial activity at a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 6.25 µg/mL. Compound 23 against M.gypseum, 25, 29 against Candida 6 and 29, 30 against C.albicans revealed excellent antifungal activity at a MIC value of 6.25 µg/mL.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial studies of novel 2,4-diaryl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one 4'-phenylthiosemicarbazones

New series of 2,4-diaryl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-one 4'-phenylthiosemicarbazones (compounds 9-16) was obtained from the corresponding 2,4-diaryl-3-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonan-9-ones. The synthesized compounds have been characterized by their elemental, analytical, and spectral studies. Besides, these reported compounds were screened for their antibacterial and antifungal activities against a spectrum of microbial organisms. These studies proved that against bacteria, compounds 10 and 11 against Bacillus subtilis, compound 13 against Salmonella typhi, show maximum inhibition potency at low concentration (6.25 μg/mL), whereas against fungal, compounds 11, 13, and 16 against Candida albicans and compounds 12 and 13 against Cryptococcus neoformans, showed beneficial antifungal activity at minimum concentration (6.25 μg/mL).     

Recognition of Streptococcal DNA by a Mutant Pneumococcus Unable to Discriminate among Markers in Pneumococcal DNA

A mutant strain of pneumococcus which fails to discriminate against low-efficiency markers during transformation by homospecific pneumococcal donor DNA retains the wild-type capacity to discriminate against heterospecific (streptococcal) donor DNA. We conclude that discrimination against heterospecific DNA must differ from that against low-efficiency markers by the kind or number of elements being recognized.     

Comparative in vitro activity of first, second and third generation cephalosporins

Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined against 662 recent clinical isolates for eight cephalosporins representing first, second and third generation compounds. All four third-generation cephalosporins tested (cefoperaxone, cefotaxime, ceftazidime and moxalactam) were significantly more active against aerobic gram-negative bacteria than the older compounds (cephalothin, cefamandole, cefoxitin, and cefuroxime). Cefotaxime and moxalactam were most active against Enterobacteriaceae with extremely low MIC-values. Ceftazidime was definitely most active against Pseudomonas aeruginosa with more than 90% of strains inhibited at 4 micro g/ml. MIC-values for cefotaxime against Staphylococcus aureus were for all strains 1-2 micro g/ml, slightly higher for cefoperazone, while the effect of ceftazidime and moxalactam was more limited. All third generation cephalosporins demonstrated efficiency against Streptococcus pyogenes, cefotaxime being most active and moxalactam least active, but were essentially ineffective against Streptococcus faecalis. Moxalactam demonstrated higher activity against Bacteroides fragilis than other second and third generation cephalosporins including cefoxitin. Previous studies have demonstrated a very high activity of all third generation cephalosporins against Haemophilus influenzae and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including beta-lactamase producing strains.     

Inhibition of ouabain-binding to (Na+ + K+)ATPase by antibody against the catalytic subunit but not by antibody against the glycoprotein subunit.

Antibodies against purified (Na+ + K+)ATPase from the rectal gland of Squalus acanthias, as well as against its catalytic subunit, inhibited ouabain binding by as much as 50%. However, antibodies against the glycoprotein subunit did not inhibit ouabain binding. These data suggest that binding of antibody against the catalytic subunit to the enzyme either covers the ouabain binding site or destroys its confirmation, while binding of antibody against the glycoprotein has no such effect.