Publications by authors named "Ruperto V"

This study examines the decision-making process for Hispanic families living in the United States who have a child with a hearing loss. Twenty-nine families in four geographical areas shared their experiences in searching for appropriate interventions and making choices regarding communication and education. We explored the impact of language, culture, minority status, and access to information and services on the decision-making process.

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A number of analogs of the natural product himbacine were synthesized employing variations at the heterocyclic unit and the tether that links the heterocyclic unit to the tricyclic motif. Several of these analogs had M(2) affinity and M(1)/M(2) selectivity comparable to those of himbacine. The structural and stereochemical requirements of the heterocyclic unit for muscarinic binding are discussed in the light of these data.

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Low molecular weight amide derivatives were synthesized and evaluated as M(2) receptor antagonists for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Isopropyl amides 19 and 31 are highly potent, selective and low molecular weight M(2) receptor antagonists with structural features different from our clinical candidate 1.

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In search of a backup M(2) muscarinic receptor antagonist to the previously reported compound 1, we discovered compound (+)-14, which showed superior oral efficacy in animal models. The improvement of oral efficacy was achieved by modulating both the molecular weight and lipophilicity of the lead compounds.

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We previously reported the initial discovery of a novel class of stabilized benzylidene ketal M(2) receptor antagonists. This paper discusses new analogues consisting of benzamide modifications which not only improved M(2) receptor affinity and selectivity, but also enhanced the pharmacokinetic properties of the series. These changes led to the discovery of a highly potent and selective M(2) antagonist, which demonstrated in vivo efficacy and had good bioavailability in multiple species.

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We have discovered highly potent, selective sulfide M(2) receptor antagonists with low molecular weight and different structural features compared with our phase I clinical candidate Sch 211803. Analogue 30 showed superior M(2) receptor selectivity profile over Sch 211803. More importantly, this study provided new leads for the discovery of M(2) receptor antagonists as potential drug candidates.

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The synthesis and muscarinic binding properties of compounds based on the 1-[4-(4-arylsulfonyl)phenylmethyl]-4-(1-aroyl-4-piperidinyl)-piperazine skeleton are described. For compounds, substituted with appropriately configured methyl groups at the benzylic center and at the piperazine 2-position, high levels of selective, M(2) subtype affinity could be obtained, particularly when the terminal N-aroyl residue was ortho-substituted.

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The potential toxicological liabilities of the M(2) muscarinic antagonist 1 were addressed by replacing the methylenedioxyphenyl moiety with a p-methoxyphenyl group, resulting in M(2) selective compounds such as 3. Several halogenated naphthamide derivatives of 3 were studied in order to improve the pharmacokinetic profile via blockage of oxidative metabolism. Compound 4 demonstrated excellent M(2) affinity and selectivity, human microsomal stability, and oral bioavailability in rodents and primates.

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Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive impairment and personality changes. The development of drugs for the treatment of the cognitive deficits of AD has focused on agents which counteract loss in cholinergic activity. Although symptoms of AD have been successfully treated with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (tacrine, donepezil.

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Current treatment of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) requires acetylcholinesterase inhibition to increase acetylcholine (ACh) concentrations in the synaptic cleft. Another mechanism by which ACh levels can be increased is blockade of presynaptic M2 muscarinic autoreceptors that regulate ACh release. An antagonist designed for this purpose must be highly selective for M2 receptors to avoid blocking postsynaptic M1 receptors, which mediate the cognitive effects of ACh.

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Novel, selective M2 muscarinic antagonists, which replace the metabolically labile styrenyl moiety of the prototypical M2 antagonist 1 with an ether linkage, were synthesized. A detailed SAR study in this class of compounds has yielded highly active compounds that showed M2 Ki values of < 1.0 nM and >100-fold selectivity against M1, M3, and M5 receptors.

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Benzylidene ketal derivatives were investigated as selective M2 receptor antagonists for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Compound 10 was discovered to have subnanomolar M2 receptor affinity and 100-fold selectivity against other muscarinic receptors. Also, 10 demonstrated in vivo efficacy in rodent models of muscarinic activity and cognition.

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Structure activity studies on [4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl]methylpiperazine led to the discovery of 4-cyclohexyl-alpha-[4-[[4-methoxyphenyl(S)-sufinyl]phenyl]-1-pi perazineacetonitrile, 1, an M2 selective muscarinic antagonist. Affinity at the cloned human M2 receptor was 2.7 nM; the M1/M2 selectivity is 40-fold.

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Identification of a number of highly potent M2 receptor antagonists with >100-fold selectivity against the M1 and M3 receptor subtypes is described. In the rat microdialysis assay, this series of compounds showed pronounced enhancement of brain acetylcholine release after oral administration.

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Piperidine analogues of our previously described piperazine muscarinic antagonists are described. Piperidine analogues show a distinct structure-activity relationship (SAR) that differs from comparable piperazines. Compounds with high selectivity and improved potency for the M2 receptor have been identified.

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A parallel synthesis of racemic himbacine analogs was carried out by N-alkylation of various commercially available cyclic amine derivatives with the alkylating agent 4 which bears the tricyclic unit of himbacine. Several of these analogs have potency comparable to that of himbacine, albeit lacking the desired selectivity. Structure-activity relationship studies support the existence of a hydrophobic pocket in the receptor where the piperidine ring of dihydrohimbacine binds.

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As a decrease in cholinergic neurons has been observed in Alzheimer's Disease (AD), therapeutic approaches to AD include inhibition of acetylcholinesterase to increase acetylcholine levels. Evidence suggests that acetylcholine release in the CNS is modulated by negative feedback via presynaptic M2 receptors, blockade of which should provide another means of increasing acetylcholine release. Structure-activity studies of [4-(phenylsulfonyl)phenyl]methylpiperazines led to the synthesis of 4-cyclohexyl-alpha-[4-[[4-methoxyphenyl]sulfinyl]-phenyl]-1-piperazin eacetonitrile.

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Plasma and brain concentrations of the dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, SCH 39166, were measured and compared to behavioral activity in the conditioned avoidance response paradigm (CAR). SCH 39166 was administered at two behaviorally active doses (1 mg/kg, SC and 10 mg/kg, PO) and the time course for CAR activity was compared with the plasma and brain concentrations of unconjugated SCH 39166. Conjugation and N-demethylation of SCH 39166 after oral administration were also determined and first pass metabolism examined.

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SCH 23390 is a novel benzazepine that selectively blocks dopamine receptors of the D1 subtype. Glucuronidation of this selective D1 antagonist was studied in vitro using rat liver microsomes. Methods to separate SCH 23390 glucuronide from SCH 23390 were developed which utilized either HPLC techniques or solvent extraction of SCH 23390 with 3-heptanone.

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A novel benzazepine, SCH 23390, has recently been described as a very potent and selective dopamine D-1 receptor antagonist based on its potent inhibition of dopamine sensitive adenylate cyclase and its selective displacement of 3H-piflutixol from rat striatal receptor sites. In the present study, the in vitro binding of 3H-SCH 23390 to specific striatal receptor sites has been characterized. Binding was saturable and stereospecific, and the results of both saturation and competition studies are consistent with the binding of 3H-SCH 23390 to a single striatal site.

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