4-Imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-1,4-DHPs and neuroprotection: preliminary study in hits searching.

In the present work we describe the synthesis, characterization and evaluation of neuroprotective effects of a focused library of 4-imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole-1,4-dihydropyridines. Furthermore, the new dihydropyridines were subjected to functional in vitro assays in cardiac tissues and vascular smooth muscle to determine their possible selectivity in counteracting the effects of neurodegeneration. In particular the strategy adopted for designing the compounds involves the imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole nucleus.

Serum levels, tissue expression and cellular secretion of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in limited and diffuse systemic sclerosis.

Objectives: To investigate serum levels, tissue/cellular expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in patients with limited (lSSc) and diffuse (dSSc) systemic sclerosis.

Methods: 10 lSSc-patients, 10 dSSc-patients and 10 controls were enrolled. MIF serum levels were assayed by ELISA.