Chimeric fluorescent reporter as a tool for generation of transgenic Eimeria (Apicomplexa, Coccidia) strains with stage specific reporter gene expression.

Progress in transfection of Eimeria sporozoites leads to transformed oocysts, however the output of mutants after passages in the host animals is low. Further enrichment of transgenic oocysts was dependent on fluorescent activated cell sorting and could not be achieved by drug selection. In this study, we fused the Toxoplasma gondii DHFR-TSm2m3 pyrimethamine resistance gene with the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) encoding sequence to provide continuous pyrimethamine resistance and fluorescence in the Eimeria parasite from a single transcript.

Isoxazolodihydropyridinones: 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides onto 2,4-dioxopiperidines.

Practical and efficient methods have been developed for the diversity-oriented synthesis of isoxazolodihydropyridinones via the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of nitrile oxides onto 2,4-dioxopiperidines. A select few of these isoxazolodihydropyridinones were further elaborated with triazoles by copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions. A total of 70 compounds and intermediates were synthesized and analyzed for drug likeness.

Fluorinated ΔF508-CFTR correctors and potentiators for PET imaging.

(19)F-modified bithiazole correctors and phenylglycine potentiators of the ΔF508-CFTR chloride channel were synthesized and their function assayed in cells expressing human ΔF508-CFTR and a halide-sensitive fluorescent protein. Fluorine was incorporated into each scaffold using prosthetic groups for future biodistribution imaging studies using positron emission tomography (PET). The ΔF508-CFTR corrector and potentiator potencies of the fluorinated analogs were comparable to or better than those of the original compounds.

Structure-activity relationships of cyanoquinolines with corrector-potentiator activity in ΔF508 cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator protein.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is caused by mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel. The most common CF-causing mutation, ΔF508-CFTR, produces CFTR loss-of-function by impairing its cellular targeting to the plasma membrane and its chloride channel gating. We recently identified cyanoquinolines with both corrector ("Co", normalizing ΔF508-CFTR targeting) and potentiator ("Po", normalizing ΔF508-CFTR channel gating) activities.

Gap surface plasmon waveguides with enhanced integration and functionality.

We propose and investigate theoretically and experimentally L-shaped gap surface plasmon waveguides (L-GSPWs) formed by a dielectric film (strip) partially enclosed between two metal films. The proposed L-GSPWs combine the benefits of strong plasmon localization in a nanogap, significant propagation distance, low cross-talk between two neighboring waveguides, high transmission through a sharp 90° bend, and simplicity of fabrication by means of the standard lithography combined with the thin film deposition.

Expedient synthesis of a 72-membered isoxazolino-β-ketoamide library by a 2·3-component reaction.

An efficient 2·3-component reaction (2·3CR; a 2-component reaction followed, in one pot, by a3-component reaction) is presented for the synthesis of isoxazolino-β-ketoamides. This 2·3CR proceeds by (i) a Meldrum's acid-generated acyl ketene, which is trapped by an amine to form a β-ketoamide intermediate in a 2CR followed, in one pot, by (ii) a Mannich reaction followed by elimination of dimethyl amine·HCl to generate an α,β-unsaturated β-ketoamide dipolarophile that reacts in a nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. This one-pot 2·3CR process delivers the targeted isoxazolino-β-ketoamide product.

Influence of substituent and solvent on the radiative process of singlet excited states of novel cyclic azacyanine derivatives.

The photophysical properties of novel cyclic azacyanine derivatives have been investigated in acetonitrile, N-butyronitrile, methanol, ethanol, DMF and water. Introduction of electron donating or accepting groups on the cyclic azacyanine has a direct impact on the spectroscopic and photophysical properties. Irrespective of the nature of the substitution, azacyanine shows a general solvent relaxation in accordance with Lippert-Mataga's prediction; however, in protic solvent, specific interactions are encountered.

Functional fluorescently labeled bithiazole ΔF508-CFTR corrector imaged in whole body slices in mice.

We previously reported the identification and structure-activity analysis of bithiazole-based correctors of defective cellular processing of the cystic fibrosis-causing CFTR mutant, ΔF508-CFTR. Here, we report the synthesis and uptake of a functional, fluorescently labeled bithiazole corrector. Following synthesis and functional analysis of four bithiazole-fluorophore conjugates, we found that 5, a bithazole-based BODIPY conjugate, had low micromolar potency for correction of defective ΔF508-CFTR cellular misprocessing, with comparable efficacy to benchmark corrector corr-4a.

Quinoxalino[2,3-c]cinnolines and their 5-N-oxide: alkoxylation of methyl-substituted quinoxalino[2,3-c]cinnolines to acetals and orthoesters.

We report the alkoxylation of methyl-substituted quinoxalino[2,3-c]cinnolines to give acetals and orthoesters in high yields. Routes to the precursors of this alkoxylation reaction as well as other quinoxalino[2,3-c]cinnoline and their 5-oxide derivatives are reported. Most of these quinoxalino[2,3-c]cinnolines were prepared by cyclization of the corresponding 2-amino-3-(2-nitrophenyl)quinoxaline, which, in turn, result from an unusual Beirut reaction from benzofurazan oxides plus 2-nitrobenzylcyanides.

The use of a single von Willebrand factor-containing, plasma-derived FVIII product in hemophilia A immune tolerance induction: the US experience.

Background: Inhibitors are a serious complication for patients with severe hemophilia A. Immune tolerance induction (ITI) is the primary method for eradicating these inhibitors. The role of type of concentrate and in particular the use of von Willebrand factor-containing, plasma-derived factor VIII (VWF/pd-FVIII) concentrate in primary or rescue ITI remains unclear.

Multicomponent macrocyclization reactions (MCMRs) employing highly reactive acyl ketene and nitrile oxide intermediates.

An efficient synthesis of spiro-fused macrolactams by a multicomponent macrocyclization reaction (MCMR) is reported. The use of highly reactive, transient intermediates in this MCMR permits short reaction times, even at high dilution. The methods employed for this MCMR were first developed as a four-component strategy for the synthesis of β-ketoamide isoxazolines and a new macrocyclization reaction is reported.

Trazodone for sleep disturbance during methadone maintenance: a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: To test whether trazodone, one of the most commonly prescribed medications for treatment of insomnia, improves subjective and/or objective sleep among methadone-maintained persons with sleep complaints, we performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 6-month follow-up.

Methods: From eight methadone maintenance programs in the northeastern United States, we recruited 137 persons receiving methadone for at least 1 month who reported a Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score of six or higher. Two-night home polysomnography (PSG) was completed at baseline and 1 month later, with morning surveys and urine drug toxicologies.

Electrophile-modified lipoic derivatives of PDC-E2 elicits anti-mitochondrial antibody reactivity.

Our laboratory has hypothesized that xenobiotic modification of the native lipoyl moiety of the major mitochondrial autoantigen, the E2 subunit of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex (PDC-E2), may lead to loss of self-tolerance in primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). This thesis is based on the finding of readily detectable levels of immunoreactivity of PBC sera against extensive panels of protein microarrays containing mimics of the inner lipoyl domain of PDC-E2 and subsequent quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSARs). Importantly, we have demonstrated that murine immunization with one such mimic, 2-octynoic acid coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA), induces anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) and cholangitis.

Ethyl 1-benzyl-1,2,3,3a,4,10b-hexa-hydro-pyrrolo-[2',3':3,4]pyrrolo-[1,2-a]benzimidazole-2-carboxyl-ate.

The title mol-ecule, C(22)H(23)N(3)O(2), was obtained via an intra-molecular cyclo-addition of an azomethine ylide and an alkene tethered by a benzimidazole unit. The benzoimidazole unit is essentially planar, with an r.m.

Cyanoquinolines with independent corrector and potentiator activities restore ΔPhe508-cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator chloride channel function in cystic fibrosis.

The ΔPhe508 mutation in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) protein impairs its folding, stability, and chloride channel gating. Although small molecules that separately correct defective ΔPhe508-CFTR folding/cellular processing ("correctors") or chloride channel gating ("potentiators") have been discovered and are in clinical trials, single compounds with bona fide dual corrector and potentiator activities have not been identified. Here, screening of ∼110,000 small molecules not tested previously revealed a cyanoquinoline class of compounds with independent corrector and potentiator activities (termed CoPo).

Potent, metabolically stable benzopyrimido-pyrrolo-oxazine-dione (BPO) CFTR inhibitors for polycystic kidney disease.

We previously reported the discovery of pyrimido-pyrrolo-quinoxalinedione (PPQ) inhibitors of the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) chloride channel and showed their efficacy in an organ culture model of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) (J. Med. Chem.

Ramelteon and improved insomnia in alcohol-dependent patients: a case series.

In this case series of 5 alcohol-dependent patients with insomnia who had initiated abstinence, a 4-week course of ramelteon 8 mg nightly was associated with markedly improved insomnia scores, increased total sleep time, and decreased time to fall asleep. Given its lack of abuse potential and evidence of low melatonin levels in alcoholism, ramelteon deserves further study as a treatment for insomnia in this group of patients.

Response to steroids predicts response to rituximab in pediatric chronic immune thrombocytopenia.

Background: Treatment choice in pediatric immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is arbitrary, because few studies are powered to identify predictors of therapy response. Increasingly, rituximab is becoming a treatment of choice in those refractory to other therapies.

Methods: The objective of this study was to evaluate univariate and multivariable predictors of platelet count response to rituximab.

Synthesis of spiro-fused pyrazolidoylisoxazolines.

Routes to structurally unique spiro-fused pyrazolidoylisoxazolines are reported. These methods start with monosubstituted hydrazines or hydrazides and utilize the nitrile oxide 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction to generate the targeted spiro-fused bis-heterocycles. Molecular shape space diversity analyses were performed on these pyrazolidoylisoxazolines showing that manipulation of the appended R groups significantly changes the molecular shape.

The Davis-Beirut reaction: N1,N2-disubstituted-1H-indazolones via 1,6-electrophilic addition to 3-alkoxy-2H-indazoles.

A variety of electrophiles (anhydrides, acid chlorides, carbonochloridates, sulfonyl chlorides, and alkyl bromides) react with 3-methoxy-2H-indazole (1a), benzoxazin[3,2-b]indazole (1d), and oxazolino[3,2-b]indazole (1e) - substrates available by the Davis-Beirut reaction - to yield a diverse set of N(1),N(2)-disubstituted-1H-indazolones. With certain electrophiles, an AERORC (Addition of the Electrophile, Ring Opening, and Ring Closure) process on indazole 1d results in indazoloindazolone formation. An intriguing aspect of these N(1),N(2)-disubstituted-1H-indazolones is that they are poised for diversification through, for example, azide-alkyne cycloaddition chemistry reported here.

Facile syntheses of novel benzo-1,3-dioxolo-, benzothiazolo-, pyrido-, and quinolino-fused 5H-benzo[d]-pyrazolo[5,1-b][1,3]-oxazines and 1H-pyrazoles.

A number of novel benzo-1,3-dioxolo-, benzothiazolo-, pyrido-, and quinolino-fused 5H-benzo[d]pyrazolo[5,1-b][1,3]-oxazines and 1H-pyrazoles were synthesized utilizing an easy and effective N,N-bond forming heterocyclization reaction. In so doing, the substrate scope of this heterocyclization reaction, which starts with o-nitroheterocyclic aldehydes, was expanded to provide several unique heterocyclic compounds for biological screening. This work further demonstrates the versatility of this simple, base-mediated, one-pot heterocyclization method in the construction of novel heterocycles.

Diagnostic accuracy of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein for the early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of multiple tests-heart-type fatty acid-binding protein (H-FABP), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), creatine kinase-MB, and myoglobin-for the early detection of acute myocardial infarction among patients who present to the emergency department with chest pain.

Methods: A total of 1128 patients provided a total of 2924 venous blood samples. Patients with chest pain were nonselected and treated according to hospital guidelines.

Treatment and outcomes for epistaxis in children with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia.

Objectives/hypothesis: :To understand Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and provide insight to the management of epistaxis in children with this disease.

Study Design: Retrospective chart review.

Methods: All children diagnosed with Glanzmann's thrombasthenia and treated for epistaxis at Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota were identified and a retrospective chart review was performed.

Efficient syntheses of the unknown quinolino[2,3-c]cinnolines; synthesis of neocryptolepines.

A facile, efficient, three-step protocol for the synthesis of the unknown quinolino[2,3-c]cinnoline 5 is introduced. In addition, a new approach for the preparation of the biologically active neocryptolepines 8 in good overall yields is described.