Nicotine-induced brain metabolism associated with anger provocation

Cortico-limbic brain activity associated with anger may be susceptible to nicotine and, thus, may contribute to smoking initiation and nicotine addiction. The purpose of the study was to identify the brain regions that are most reactive to nicotine and show the greatest association with anger task performance. Twenty adult nonsmokers (9 women, 11 men) participated in two laboratory sessions to assess brain metabolism with fluoro deoxy-glucose Positron Emission Topography (FDG-PET) in response to nicotine and placebo patches during an anger provocation task. Outcome variables for the anger provocation task were reaction time, intensity and length of retaliation. Reaction time was associated with nicotine-induced changes in the left thalamus. Length of retaliation was associated with a functionally linked set of cortical and subcortical structures such as right frontal lobe, right anterior cingulate (BA 24), right uncus, left parietal lobe, left BA 11, left cingulate, left BA 25, left amygdala, left BA 30, left BA 38 and BA 9. These findings reveal the underlying brain circuitry targeted by nicotine during anger provocation

Reduction in Phencyclidine Induced Sensorimotor Gating Deficits in the Rat Following Increased System Xc − Activity in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex

Rationale: Aspects of schizophrenia, including deficits in sensorimotor gating, have been linked to glutamate dysfunction and/or oxidative stress in the prefrontal cortex. System xc −, a cystine–glutamate antiporter, is a poorly understood mechanism that contributes to both cellular antioxidant capacity and glutamate homeostasis. Objectives: Our goal was to determine whether increased system xc − activity within the prefrontal cortex would normalize a rodent measure of sensorimotor gating. Methods: In situ hybridization was used to map messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of xCT, the active subunit of system xc −, in the prefrontal cortex. Prepulse inhibition was used to measure sensorimotor gating; deficits in prepulse inhibition were produced using phencyclidine (0.3–3 mg/kg, sc). N-Acetylcysteine (10–100 μM) and the system xc − inhibitor (S)-4-carboxyphenylglycine (CPG, 0.5 μM) were used to increase and decrease system xc − activity, respectively. The uptake of 14C-cystine into tissue punches obtained from the prefrontal cortex was used to assay system xc − activity. Results: The expression of xCT mRNA in the prefrontal cortex was most prominent in a lateral band spanning primarily the prelimbic cortex. Although phencyclidine did not alter the uptake of 14C-cystine in prefrontal cortical tissue punches, intraprefrontal cortical infusion of N-acetylcysteine (10–100 μM) significantly reduced phencyclidine- (1.5 mg/kg, sc) induced deficits in prepulse inhibition. N-Acetylcysteine was without effect when coinfused with CPG (0.5 μM), indicating an involvement of system xc −. Conclusions: These results indicate that phencyclidine disrupts sensorimotor gating through system xc − independent mechanisms, but that increasing cystine–glutamate exchange in the prefrontal cortex is sufficient to reduce behavioral deficits produced by phencyclidine

Genetic studies of quantitative MCI and AD phenotypes in ADNI: Progress, opportunities, and plans

INTRODUCTION: Genetic data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) have been crucial in advancing the understanding of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology. Here, we provide an update on sample collection, scientific progress and opportunities, conceptual issues, and future plans. METHODS: Lymphoblastoid cell lines and DNA and RNA samples from blood have been collected and banked, and data and biosamples have been widely disseminated. To date, APOE genotyping, genome-wide association study (GWAS), and whole exome and whole genome sequencing data have been obtained and disseminated. RESULTS: ADNI genetic data have been downloaded thousands of times, and >300 publications have resulted, including reports of large-scale GWAS by consortia to which ADNI contributed. Many of the first applications of quantitative endophenotype association studies used ADNI data, including some of the earliest GWAS and pathway-based studies of biospecimen and imaging biomarkers, as well as memory and other clinical/cognitive variables. Other contributions include some of the first whole exome and whole genome sequencing data sets and reports in healthy controls, mild cognitive impairment, and AD. DISCUSSION: Numerous genetic susceptibility and protective markers for AD and disease biomarkers have been identified and replicated using ADNI data and have heavily implicated immune, mitochondrial, cell cycle/fate, and other biological processes. Early sequencing studies suggest that rare and structural variants are likely to account for significant additional phenotypic variation. Longitudinal analyses of transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic, and epigenomic changes will also further elucidate dynamic processes underlying preclinical and prodromal stages of disease. Integration of this unique collection of multiomics data within a systems biology framework will help to separate truly informative markers of early disease mechanisms and potential novel therapeutic targets from the vast background of less relevant biological processes. Fortunately, a broad swath of the scientific community has accepted this grand challenge

Синтез и свойства амидов, имидов и имидоамидов малеопимаровой кислоты с арилизоксазольным и хинолиновым фрагментами

The method for maleopimaric acid N-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)amides synthesis has been developed by reaction of maleopimaric acid chloride with 3-amine-5-phenyl(4-methylphenyl)isoxazoles. N’-butyl-, N’-(2-hydroxyethyl)imides of maleopimaric acid N-(5-arylisoxazol-3-yl)amides were prepared. Heterocyclic imide – maleopimaric acid N-(quinolin-8-yl) imide was prepared by reaction of maleopimaric acid and 8-aminoquinoline in toluene at reflux in 97.1 % yield. It was established that refluxing of toluene solution of 8-aminoquinoline and maleated rosin, prepared by treatment of rosin with maleic anhydride and containing at least 50 % of maleopimaric acid, leads to the formation of maleopimaric acid N-(quinolin-8-yl)imide in 52.5 % yield (based on weight of maleated rosin). It was found by the methods of IR-, 1H NMR spectroscopy and mass-spectrometry that maleopimaric acid N-(quinolin-8-yl)imide consists of two diastereomeric atropisomers at 1:0.40 ratio. The biological properties of the prepared compounds were studied. It was established that maleopimaric acid N-(5-(4-methylphenyl)isoxazol-3-yl)amide possesses rotatory power (26 mkm-1) and may be used as chiral dopant to nematic LC for preparation of chiral LC-compositions.Разработан метод синтеза N-(5-арилизоксазол-3-ил)амидов малеопимаровой кислоты взаимодействием хлорангидрида малеопимаровой кислоты и 3-амино-5-фенил(4-метилфенил)изоксазолов. На основе полученных амидов синтезированы N’-бутил-, N’-(2-гидроксиэтил)имиды N-(5-арилизоксазол-3-ил)амидов малеопимаровой кислоты. Взаимодействием малеопимаровой кислоты и 8-аминохинолина в кипящем толуоле впервые синтезирован гетероциклический имид – N-(хинолин-8-ил)имид малеопимаровой кислоты с выходом 97,1 %. Установлено, что при кипячении в толуоле 8-аминохинолина и канифольно-малеинового аддукта, получаемого обработкой смоляных кислот канифоли малеиновым ангидридом и содержащего не менее 50 % малеопимаровой кислоты, также происходит образование N-(хинолин-8-ил)имида малеопимаровой кислоты с выходом 52,5 % (в расчете на массу канифольно-малеинового аддукта). Методами ИК- и ЯМР 1Н спектроскопии и масс-спектрометрии показано, что N-(хинолин-8-ил)имид малеопимаровой кислоты представляет собой смесь двух диастереомерных атропоизомеров в соотношении 1:0,40. Произведена оценка биологической активности ряда полученных соединений. Установлено, что N-(5-(4-метилфенил)изоксазолил-3)амид малеопимаровой кислоты обладает закручивающей способностью (26,0 мкм-1) и может быть использован в качестве хиральной добавки к нематической ЖК-матрице для получения хиральных ЖК-композиций

Синтез азометинов на основе производных 4-аминобензолсульфамида

Synthesis of (£)-azomethines, derivatives of 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide (Streptocidum), by condensation of substituted vanillin-like benzaldehydes with streptocidum in methanol, has been described.Представлен синтез функционально замещенных ароматических (Е)-азометинов - производных 4-аминобензол-сульфамида (стрептоцида), полученных конденсацией замещенных бензальдегидов ванилинового ряда и стрептоцида в среде метанола с выходом 70-82%

Genetic analysis of quantitative phenotypes in AD and MCI: imaging, cognition and biomarkers

The Genetics Core of the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI), formally established in 2009, aims to provide resources and facilitate research related to genetic predictors of multidimensional Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related phenotypes. Here, we provide a systematic review of genetic studies published between 2009 and 2012 where either ADNI APOE genotype or genome-wide association study (GWAS) data were used. We review and synthesize ADNI genetic associations with disease status or quantitative disease endophenotypes including structural and functional neuroimaging, fluid biomarker assays, and cognitive performance. We also discuss the diverse analytical strategies used in these studies, including univariate and multivariate analysis, meta-analysis, pathway analysis, and interaction and network analysis. Finally, we perform pathway and network enrichment analyses of these ADNI genetic associations to highlight key mechanisms that may drive disease onset and trajectory. Major ADNI findings included all the top 10 AD genes and several of these (e.g., APOE, BIN1, CLU, CR1, and PICALM) were corroborated by ADNI imaging, fluid and cognitive phenotypes. ADNI imaging genetics studies discovered novel findings (e.g., FRMD6) that were later replicated on different data sets. Several other genes (e.g., APOC1, FTO, GRIN2B, MAGI2, and TOMM40) were associated with multiple ADNI phenotypes, warranting further investigation on other data sets. The broad availability and wide scope of ADNI genetic and phenotypic data has advanced our understanding of the genetic basis of AD and has nominated novel targets for future studies employing next-generation sequencing and convergent multi-omics approaches, and for clinical drug and biomarker development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11682-013-9262-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Синтез изоксазольных и изотиазольных производных куркумина

Curcumin is a chemical compound with antioxidant properties as well as strong anti-inflammatory, antiviral, analgesic, antimicrobial and antitumor effect, contained in the tuberous rhizomes of the turmeric plant (Curcuma longa). Curcumin derivatives are being intensively studied as potential drugs – antitumor drugs for the treatment of certain forms of cancer. The presence of reactive functional groups makes curcumin a convenient starting compound for the further chemical modification. The esters of curcumin and 5-phenylisoxazole-3-carboxylic acid, 5-(p-tolyl)isoxazole-3-carboxylic acid, 4,5- dichloroisothiazole-3-carboxylic acid and adduct of 5-(p-tolyl)isoxazol-3-carbaldehyde with curcumin were synthesized. Esters were obtained by acylation of curcumin with heterocycle-containing carboxylic acid chloride in diethyl ether in the presence of triethylamine. The IR and NMR spectra of the obtained compounds are described.Куркумин – химическое соединение, содержащееся в клубневидных корневищах растения куркума и обладающее антиоксидантными свойствами, а также оказывающее сильное противовоспалительное, противовирусное, болеутоляющее, антимикробное и противоопухолевое действия. Производные куркумина интенсивно исследуются в качестве потенциальных лекарственных средств – противоопухолевых препаратов для терапии некоторых форм онкологических заболеваний. Благодаря присутствию в его молекуле реакционноспособных функциональных групп может служить удобным и легкодоступным исходным соединением для последующей химической модификации. Описан синтез сложных эфиров куркумина и 5-фенилизоксазол-3-карбоновой, 5-(р-толил)изоксазол-3-карбоновой, 4,5-дихлоризотиазол-3-карбоновой кислот и аддукта 5-(р-толил)изоксазол-3-карбальдегида с куркумином. Сложные эфиры получали ацилированием куркумина хлорангидридами гетероциклосодержащих карбоновых кислот в среде диэтилового эфира в присутствии триэтиламина. Приведены ИК- и ЯМР-спектры полученных соединений

Publication Bias in Antipsychotic Trials: An Analysis of Efficacy Comparing the Published Literature to the US Food and Drug Administration Database

A comparison of data held by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) against data from journal reports of clinical trials enables estimation of the extent of publication bias for antipsychotics