Indoline and piperazine containing derivatives as a novel class of mixed D(2)/D(4) receptor antagonists. Part 1: identification and structure-activity relationships

Optimization of the lead compound 2-[-4-(4-chloro-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(2,3-dihydro-indol-1-yl)-ethanone 1 by systematic structure-activity relation (SAR) studies lead to two potent compounds 2-[-4-(4-chloro-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(2-methy-2,3-dihydro-indol-1-yl)-ethanone 2n and 2-[-4-(4-chloro-benzyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-1-(2-methy-2,3-dihydro-indol-1-yl)-ethanone 7b. Their related synthesis was also reported.     

Validation of high-performance liquid chromatographic assay methods for the analysis of carboplatin in plasma ultrafiltrate

Validation of two HPLC assays for the quantitation of carboplatin in human plasma ultrafiltrate is described. Both assay methods employed a YMC ODS-AQ 3.9×150 mm (3 μm) column for the chromatographic separation. The first method utilized direct UV detection, the second method utilized UV detection following post-column derivatization with sodium bisulfite. Structural analogues of carboplatin were synthesized and used as internal standards for the assays. With direct UV detection, sample clean-up using solid-phase extraction on amino cartridges was required prior to injection, with extraction recoveries ranging from 80 to 90%. This extraction procedure was not necessary with the post-column reaction method, which employed a more selective analytical wavelength. Unfortunately, instability of the post-column reagent was a problem and led to greater variability in predicted concentration values. For standard curves, a weighted (1/y²) regression approach was used for plots of peak area or peak height ratio (carboplatin/internal standard) vs. carboplatin concentration. The limit of detection of both assays was 0.025 μg/ml and both were validated for carboplatin concentrations from 0.05 to 40 μg/ml. Accuracy and precision data were generated using three batches of validation samples, each batch consisting of a standard curve and five sets of quality control samples. Stability of carboplatin in blood, plasma, plasma ultrafiltrate, and reconstituted extracts was evaluated. The assay methods were employed for the pharmacokinetic analysis of blood samples drawn from a pediatric patient that received a 400 mg/m² dose of carboplatin.     

Blechnum obtusum (Blechnaceae), a new species from western Venezuela

Blechnum obtusum is described and illustrated as a new species. It grows in páramos of western Venezuela and most resemblesB. werffii of Costa Rica and Panama.     

The design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships of 1-aryl-4-aminoalkylisoquinolines: a novel series of CRF-1 receptor antagonists

The design, synthesis and structure-activity relationships of a novel series of CRF-1 receptor antagonist, the 1-aryl-4-alkylaminoisoquinolines, is described. The effects of substitution on the aromatic ring, the amino group and the isoquinoline core on CRF-1 receptor binding were investigated.     

Visualizing the Effects of a Positive Early Experience,Tactile Stimulation,on Dendritic Morphology and Synaptic Connectivity with Golgi-Cox Staining

To generate longer-term changes in behavior, experiences must be producing stable changes in neuronal morphology and synaptic connectivity. Tactile stimulation is a positive early experience that mimics maternal licking and grooming in the rat. Exposing rat pups to this positive experience can be completed easily and cost-effectively by using highly accessible materials such as a household duster. Using a cross-litter design, pups are either stroked or left undisturbed, for 15 min, three times per day throughout the perinatal period. To measure the neuroplastic changes related to this positive early experience, Golgi-Cox staining of brain tissue is utilized. Owing to the fact that Golgi-Cox impregnation stains a discrete number of neurons rather than all of the cells, staining of the rodent brain with Golgi-Cox solution permits the visualization of entire neuronal elements, including the cell body, dendrites, axons, and dendritic spines. The staining procedure is carried out over several days and requires that the researcher pay close attention to detail. However, once staining is completed, the entire brain has been impregnated and can be preserved indefinitely for ongoing analysis. Therefore, Golgi-Cox staining is a valuable resource for studying experience-dependent plasticity.     

The CD40 agonist antibody CP-870,893 enhances dendritic cell and B-cell activity and promotes anti-tumor efficacy in SCID-hu mice

CD40 is a member of the TNF family of receptors that has been shown to play a crucial role in enhancing dendritic cell activity and fostering anti-tumor immune responses. In this study, we demonstrate the in vitro properties and in vivo efficacious activity of the CD40 agonist antibody, CP-870,893. CP-870,893 is a fully human, IgG2 antibody that selectively interacts with CD40 at a site distinct from its ligand-binding region with a KD of 0.4?nM. It enhances the expression of MHC class II, CD54, CD86, and CD23 on human B cells in vitro. CP-870,893 also enhances dendritic cell activity as evidenced by cytokine secretion (IL-12, IL-23, IL-8), the upregulation of CD86 and CD83, and the ability to prime T cells to secrete IFNγ. In SCID-beige mice, a single parenteral injection of CP-870,893 was therapeutically effective against several CD40(pos) human tumors (B-cell lymphoma, breast, colon, and prostate) indicating direct effects on tumor cell survival and/or growth. When mice were co-implanted with human T cells and dendritic cells, the activity of CP-870,893 against CD40(pos) tumors increased, and efficacy was also observed against CD40(neg) and CD40(low) tumors demonstrating the ability of CP-870,893 to enhance anti-tumor immune function in vivo. These studies suggest that CP-870,893 has the potential to be efficacious against a wide range of tumor types through both direct and immune-mediated effects.     

Indoline and piperazine containing derivatives as a novel class of mixed D(2)/D(4) receptor antagonists. Part 2: asymmetric synthesis and biological evaluation

A series of chiral benzylpiperazinyl-1-(2,3-dihydro-indol-1-yl)ethanone derivatives were prepared and examined for their affinity at dopamine D(2) and D(4) receptors. Three compounds having D(2)/D(4) affinity ratios approximating that found for the atypical neuroleptic clozapine were further evaluated in behavioral tests of antipsychotic efficacy and motor side effects.     

Design,synthesis, and discovery of 5-piperazinyl-1,2,6,7-tetrahydro-5H-azepino[3,2,1-hi]indol-4-one derivatives: a novel series of mixed dopamine D2/D4 receptor antagonist

5-piperazinyl-1,2,6,7-tetrahydro-5H-azepino[3,2,1-hi]indol-4-one derivatives were designed, synthesized, and identified as a new series of mixed dopamine D(2)/D(4) receptor antagonists. This series featured a rigid tricyclic ring system as an important pharmacophore core structure for high binding affinity. Molecular modeling studies are also described.