Optimizing sheep growth curves using a meta-heuristic algorithm.

Sheep were among the first animals domesticated by humans, and to this day, small ruminants are primarily raised for their meat, milk, and wool. This study evaluated the goodness of fit for growth curve models using observed age and weight data from crossbred lambs of various breeds based on the mean values between paired breeds. We employed a hybrid metaheuristic algorithm, combining a simulated annealing (SA) algorithm and a genetic algorithm (GA) called SAGAC, to determine the optimal parameter values for growth models, ensuring the best alignment between simulated and observed curves.

Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors Play a Key Role in Modulating Head Twitches Induced by a Serotonergic Hallucinogen in Mice.

There is substantial evidence that glutamate can modulate the effects of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor activation through stimulation of metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors in the prefrontal cortex. Here we show that constitutive deletion of the mGlu gene profoundly attenuates an effect of 5-HT receptor activation using the mouse head twitch response (HTR). MGlu and mGlu receptor knockout (KO) as well as age-matched ICR (CD-1) wild type (WT) mice were administered (±)1-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodophenyl)-2-aminopropane (DOI) and observed for head twitch activity.

Preclinical findings predicting efficacy and side-effect profile of LY2940094, an antagonist of nociceptin receptors.

Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is a 17 amino acid peptide whose receptor is designated ORL1 or nociceptin receptor (NOP). We utilized a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable antagonist with documented engagement with NOP receptors in vivo to assess antidepressant- and anxiolytic-related pharmacological effects of NOP receptor blockade along with measures of cognitive and motor impingement. LY2940094 ([2-[4-[(2-chloro-4,4-difluoro-spiro[5H-thieno[2,3-c]pyran-7,4'-piperidine]-1'-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-pyrazol-1-yl]-3-pyridyl]methanol) displayed antidepressant-like behavioral effects in the forced-swim test in mice, an effect absent in NOP mice.

LSN2424100: a novel, potent orexin-2 receptor antagonist with selectivity over orexin-1 receptors and activity in an animal model predictive of antidepressant-like efficacy.

We describe a novel, potent and selective orexin-2 (OX2)/hypocretin-2 receptor antagonist with in vivo activity in an animal model predictive of antidepressant-like efficacy. N-biphenyl-2-yl-4-fluoro-N-(1H-imidazol-2-ylmethyl) benzenesulfonamide HCl (LSN2424100) binds with high affinity to recombinant human OX2 receptors (Ki = 4.5 nM), and selectivity over OX1 receptors (Ki = 393 nM).

The mGlu2/3 Receptor Agonists LY354740 and LY379268 Differentially Regulate Restraint-Stress-Induced Expression of c-Fos in Rat Cerebral Cortex.

Metabotropic glutamate 2/3 (mGlu2/3) receptors have emerged as potential therapeutic targets due to the ability of mGlu2/3 receptor agonists to modulate excitatory transmission at specific synapses. LY354740 and LY379268 are selective and potent mGlu2/3 receptor agonists that show both anxiolytic- and antipsychotic-like effects in animal models. We compared the efficacy of LY354740 and LY379268 in attenuating restraint-stress-induced expression of the immediate early gene c-Fos in the rat prelimbic (PrL) and infralimbic (IL) cortex.

N-(4-((2-(trifluoromethyl)-3-hydroxy-4-(isobutyryl)phenoxy)methyl)benzyl)-1-methyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide (THIIC), a novel metabotropic glutamate 2 potentiator with potential anxiolytic/antidepressant properties: in vivo profiling suggests a link between behavioral and central nervous system neurochemical changes.

The normalization of excessive glutamatergic neurotransmission through the activation of metabotropic glutamate 2 (mGlu2) receptors may have therapeutic potential in a variety of psychiatric disorders, including anxiety/depression and schizophrenia. Here, we characterize the pharmacological properties of N-(4-((2-(trifluoromethyl)-3-hydroxy-4-(isobutyryl)phenoxy)methyl)benzyl)-1-methyl-1H-imidazole-4-carboxamide (THIIC), a structurally novel, potent, and selective allosteric potentiator of human and rat mGlu2 receptors (EC(50) = 23 and 13 nM, respectively). THIIC produced anxiolytic-like efficacy in the rat stress-induced hyperthermia assay and the mouse stress-induced elevation of cerebellar cGMP and marble-burying assays.

The 5-hydroxytryptamine2A receptor antagonist R-(+)-alpha-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethyl-4-piperidinemethanol (M100907) attenuates impulsivity after both drug-induced disruption (dizocilpine) and enhancement (antidepressant drugs) of differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate 72-s behavior in the rat.

Previous work has suggested that N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)(2A) receptor blockade may enhance and attenuate, respectively, certain types of impulsivity mediated by corticothalamostriatal circuits. More specifically, past demonstrations of synergistic "antidepressant-like" effects of a 5-HT(2A) receptor antagonist and fluoxetine on differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) 72-s schedule of operant reinforcement may speak to the role of 5-HT(2A) receptor blockade with respect to response inhibition as an important prefrontal cortical executive function relating to motor impulsivity. To examine the dynamic range over which 5-HT(2A) receptor blockade may exert effects on impulsivity, [R-(+)-alpha-(2,3-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-[2-(4-fluorophenyl)ethyl-4-piperidinemethanol] (M100907) was examined both alone and in combination with the psychotomimetic NMDA receptor antagonist dizocilpine [e.

Preclinical pharmacology of FMPD [6-fluoro-10-[3-(2-methoxyethyl)-4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-methyl-4H-3-thia-4,9-diaza-benzo[f]azulene]: a potential novel antipsychotic with lower histamine H1 receptor affinity than olanzapine.

FMPD [6-fluoro-10-[3-(2-methoxyethyl)-4-methyl-piperazin-1-yl]-2-methyl-4H-3-thia-4,9-diaza-benzo[f]azulene] is a potential novel antipsychotic with high affinity for dopamine D2 (Ki= 6.3 nM), 5-HT(2A) (Ki= 7.3 nM), and 5-HT6 (Ki= 8.

SAR and biological evaluation of novel trans-3,4-dimethyl-4-arylpiperidine derivatives as opioid antagonists.

The phenolic hydroxy group of opiate-derived ligands is of known importance for biological activity. We have developed a SAR study around LY255582 by comparing the effect of the hydroxy group in the 2- and 4-position of the phenyl ring. Also, we have proved that the 3-position of the phenyl ring is optimal for opioid activity.

The selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, LY368975, reduces food consumption in animal models of feeding.

The compound, LY368975 ((R)-thionisoxetine) is a potent and selective inhibitor of the norepinephrine (NE) reuptake site. We evaluated the in vivo properties of LY368975 in various animal models. In mice, LY368975 prevented heart NE depletion by 6-hydroxydopamine with an ED50 of 1.

Behavioral pharmacology of olanzapine: a novel antipsychotic drug.

Background: In this paper, we review the behavioral pharmacology of olanzapine and compare it to its in vitro profile and to clozapine and a number of other antipsychotic agents, and we estimate the likelihood that olanzapine will be an effective and safe antipsychotic with fewer side effects.

Method: Since there is no model of schizophrenia, per se, a battery of behavioral assays was used.

Results: Behavioral assays confirmed the in vitro results that olanzapine interacts with dopamine, serotonin, and muscarinic receptor subtypes.

Anticonflict effects of 5HT(1A) agonists in pigeons are dependent on the level of response suppression.

Anxiety is a phenomenon that has many different manifestations. In order to test whether or not agents targeted to treat anxiety may have the properties necessary to treat differing types of anxiety, we have studied a 8-OH DPAT, buspirone, LY228729, chlordiazepoxide and pentobarbital on three different punished responding procedures in pigeons. Procedure one was a fairly standard multiple FR30 FR30 punished responding model where responding into he punished component was suppressed by electric shock to 7-10% of responding in the unpunished component.

Schedule-controlled behavioral effects of the selective 2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-hydroxyisoxazol-4-yl)propanoic acid antagonist LY293558 in pigeons.

Behavioral effects of the selective 2-amino-3-(5-methyl-3-hydroxyisoxazol-4- yl)propanoic acid (AMPA) antagonist LY293558, along with its racemate (LY215490) and opposing enantiomer (LY293559) were evaluated in pigeons. When responding was maintained under a multiple fixed ratio 50 responses, fixed interval 5 minute (FRFI) schedule of food presentation, LY215490 completely antagonized the rate suppression induced by AMPA (10 mg/kg) and by the AMPA analog, 2-amino-3-hydroxy-5-tert-butyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (ATPA; 40 mg/kg) at 1.25 and 2.

Olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic, increases rates of punished responding in pigeons.

The effects of olanzapine [LY 170053; 2-methyl-4-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-10H-thieno[2, 3b] [1,5]benzodiazepine), a potential atypical antipsychotic, were determined in pigeons whose keypeck responding was punished. These effects were compared to the anxiolytic agents chlordiazepoxide and pentobarbital, and to other antipsychotic agents. Keypeck behavior was maintained under a multiple FR30 FR30 schedule, signalled by white and red stimulus lights, respectively.

Preclinical studies on LY228729: a potent and selective serotonin1A agonist.

LY228729 is a conformationally restricted tryptamine derivative with a carboxamide serving as a protophilic group to mimic the hydroxyl in serotonin (5-HT). LY228729 has high affinity for the 5-HT1A receptor, weak affinity for the 5-HT1D receptor and no significant affinity for other monoaminergic receptors studied. LY228729 was less effective than 5-carboxamidotrytamine in suppressing K(+)-evoked release of 3H-5-HT from parietal-occipital cortical slices from guinea pigs, which is in agreement with its weak 5-HT1D receptor affinity.

An in vivo alpha-2 assay reversal of opioid-induced muscular rigidity and neuroleptic-induced ptosis.

A method is described to detect selective alpha-2 adrenergic agonists in vivo. Palpebral ptosis is induced in rats by the neuroleptic agent haloperidol (Hal), or by tetrabenazine (TBZ) methanesulfonate. Twenty minutes later, test compounds are injected, and ptosis is scored.

New 1-(heterocyclylalkyl)-4-(propionanilido)-4-piperidinyl methyl ester and methylene methyl ether analgesics.

A series of new 1-(heterocyclyalkyl)-4-(propionanilido)-4-piperidinyl methyl esters and methylene methyl ethers have been synthesized and pharmacologically evaluated. In the mouse hot-plate test, the majority of compounds exhibited an analgesia (ED50 less than 1 mg/kg) superior to that of morphine. These studies revealed a pharmacological accommodation for many more structurally diverse and far bulkier aromatic ring systems than the corresponding components of the arylethyl groups of the prototypic methyl ester (carfentanil, 2) and methylene methyl ether (sufentanil, 3 and alfentanil, 4) 4-propionanilido analgesics.

The discriminative stimulus effect of MK-801 in ketamine-trained rats.

MK-801 [(+)-5-methyl-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo(a,d)cyclohepten-5,10-imine maleate] was assessed for its discriminative stimulus properties in rats trained to discriminate ketamine (7 mg/kg) from vehicle. MK-801 generalized to ketamine in a dose dependent manner with a maximum effect at 0.2 mg/kg, while ketamine generalized fully at 10 mg/kg.

4-Phenyl- and 4-heteroaryl-4-anilidopiperidines. A novel class of analgesic and anesthetic agents.

The incorporation of the 4-phenylpiperidine pharmacophore found in morphine into 4-anilidopiperidines related to fentanyl (1) led to a novel class of potent opioid analgesic and anesthetic agents with a favorable pharmacological profile. The synthesis, analgesic activity, and anesthetic properties of a series of 4-phenyl-4-anilidopiperidines (13-29) are discussed. Isosteric replacement of the phenyl by various heteroaryl substituents extended the series to include 4-heteroaryl-4-anilidopiperidines (30-53).

Amnesic effect of the novel anticonvulsant MK-801.

MK-801, a reported N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist with affinity for the phencyclidine (PCP) receptor, injected intravenously in mice before a training trial in a passive avoidance procedure, produced a similar amnesic effect to that produced by the standard amnesic agent scopolamine. Compared to vehicle-treated mice, each drug produced significant amnesia, yet the potency of MK-801 was 40 times that of scopolamine. This result with the MK-801 is consistent with previous reports that drugs which act at PCP recognition sites within the brain produce memory impairing effects in rodents.

Reversal of opioid-induced muscular rigidity in rats: evidence for alpha-2 adrenergic involvement.

Compounds from several different pharmacological classes were tested for their ability to reverse the muscular rigidity induced by an intravenous dose of fentanyl that also caused loss of the righting reflex (LOR). Opioid antagonists reversed the entire syndrome--LOR and rigidity but, generally, rigidity could be reversed nonspecifically by doses of compounds that caused LOR by themselves (e.g.

An accessory sex gland aggression-promoting chemosignal in male mice.

The present study investigated male murine accessory sex glands as potential sources of a urinary aggression-promoting chemosignal. Experiments 1-4 were designed to determine whether the removal of the following glands would eliminate voided urine chemosignal activity: vesicular and coagulating glands, Cowper's gland, prostate gland, or preputial gland. The findings indicate that only preputialectomy eliminated the aggression-promoting properties of voided urine, which provides evidence that this gland is a necessary condition for chemo-activity.