Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Diethylenetriamine Based Sulfonamide Ligands and Their Bidentate Platinum(II) Complexes Toward Anticancer Drug Leads

Diethylenetriamine (dienH) is one of the most biologically compatible chelate frameworks. Its hydrophilic amine moiety was functionalized via N-sulfonylation with sulfonyl chloride to produce two novel ligands; N(SO2)(bzd)dienH (L1) and N(SO2)(4-Mebip)dienH (L2) and two reported ligands; N(SO2)(1-nap)dienH (L3) and N(SO2)(2-nap)dienH (L4). Treatment of cis-Pt(DMSO)2Cl2with L1, L2, L3 and L4 afforded four novel neutral complexes [Pt(N(SO2)(bzd)dienH)Cl2] (C1), [Pt(N(SO2)(4-Mebip)dienH)Cl2] (C2), [Pt(N(SO2)(1-nap)dienH)Cl2] (C3) and [Pt(N(SO2)(2-nap)dienH)Cl2] (C4) respectively. All synthesized compounds were characterized by 1H NMR, UV-Vis, FTIR and fluorescence spectroscopy. Aliphatic diethylenetriamine protons of the ligands appeared in the 3.00 -2.30 ppm region in 1H NMR spectra recorded in DMSO-d6. Upon complexation, the appearance of two broad NH peaks between 5.00 -7.00 ppm region and another broad peak between 7.00-8.00 ppm confirmed the bidentatedenticity of the ligands vs tridentate. The formation of metal complexes was further supported by FTIR spectra in which the S-N stretching band for the metal complexes appears at lower wavenumbers compared to that of the corresponding free ligands. Emission spectra were recorded in methanol and intense fluorescence properties were observed in the 331-364 nm range for the ligands, whereas the corresponding Pt complexes showed quenched fluorescence. In vitro cytotoxic effects were investigatedusing sulforhodamine B assay, where L2 (< 10 μg/mL) demonstrated increased levels of cytotoxicity followed by C2 (< 25 μg/mL) and C4 (< 50 μg/mL) to non-small cell lung cancer cells in dose and time-dependent manner, with less or no cytotoxic effects to normal lung cells tested. Among the compounds tested, C1 and C3 displayed comparatively lower but more potent cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cells. Notably, these compounds did not exhibit any toxicity towards normal cells. Thus, they hold promise as lead compounds for the development of chemotherapeutic agents targeting lung cancer. Keywords: Platinum, Sulfonamide, Biphenyl, Benzodioxan, aphthalen

Protocol of the Cognitive Health in Ageing Register: Investigational, Observational and Trial Studies in Dementia Research (CHARIOT): Prospective Readiness cOhort (PRO) SubStudy

The Cognitive Health in Ageing Register: Investigational, Observational and Trial Studies in Dementia Research (CHARIOT): Prospective Readiness cOhort (PRO) SubStudy (CPSS), sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceutical Research & Development LLC, is an Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarker enriched observational study that began 3 July 2015 CPSS aims to identify and validate determinants of AD, alongside cognitive, functional and biological changes in older adults with or without detectable evidence of AD pathology at baseline. CPSS is a dual-site longitudinal cohort (3.5 years) assessed quarterly. Cognitively normal participants (60-85 years) were recruited across Greater London and Edinburgh. Participants are classified as high, medium (amnestic or non-amnestic) or low risk for developing mild cognitive impairment-Alzheimer's disease based on their Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status performance at screening. Additional AD-related assessments include: a novel cognitive composite, the Global Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite, brain MRI and positron emission tomography and cerebrospinal fluid analysis. Lifestyle, other cognitive and functional data, as well as biosamples (blood, urine, and saliva) are collected. Primarily, study analyses will evaluate longitudinal change in cognitive and functional outcomes. Annual interim analyses for descriptive data occur throughout the course of the study, although inferential statistics are conducted as required. CPSS received ethical approvals from the London-Central Research Ethics Committee (15/LO/0711) and the Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (RPC 630/3764/33110) The study is at the forefront of global AD prevention efforts, with frequent and robust sampling of the well-characterised cohort, allowing for detection of incipient pathophysiological, cognitive and functional changes that could inform therapeutic strategies to prevent and/or delay cognitive impairment and dementia. Dissemination of results will target the scientific community, research participants, volunteer community, public, industry, regulatory authorities and policymakers. On study completion, and following a predetermined embargo period, CPSS data are planned to be made accessible for analysis to facilitate further research into the determinants of AD pathology, onset of symptomatology and progression. The CHARIOT:PRO SubStudy is registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02114372). Notices of protocol modifications will be made available through this trial registry. [Abstract copyright: © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2021. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.

Molecular Identification and Evolutionary Divergence of the Sri Lankan Sambar Deer, <i>Rusa unicolor</i> (Kerr 1792)

The Sambar is one of the largest deer species distributed mainly in Asia, and it has been listed as a vulnerable species. Taxonomy based on morphological characterization has been the gold standard method used to identify the Sambar deer species. Yet, morphological identification is challenging and requires expertise. To conduct species identification and taxonomic decisions, we performed the molecular identification of R. unicolor found in Sri Lanka using DNA barcodes, COI, and Cyt b to compare the Sri Lankan R. unicolor with the Indian R. unicolor and other R. unicolor subspecies. We obtained mitochondrial DNA sequences from COI and Cyt b from blood samples collected from the wet zone in Sri Lanka. A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the Bayesian analyses using MrBayes 3.2.7. Molecular dating was implemented in Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Sampling Trees (BEAST v1.8.2) on the concatenated sequence using a log-normal relaxed clock and Yule species tree prior, with four categories. The results showed that the Sri Lankan R. unicolor is genetically different from the Indian R. unicolor and other R. unicolor subspecies. The divergence occurred approximately 1.1 MYA (million years ago) in the Pleistocene era. The results are essential for designing new conservation platforms for these Sambar deer species

A multimodal precision-prevention approach combining lifestyle intervention with metformin repurposing to prevent cognitive impairment and disability: the MET-FINGER randomised controlled trial protocol

Background: Combining multimodal lifestyle interventions and disease-modifying drugs (novel or repurposed) could provide novel precision approaches to prevent cognitive impairment. Metformin is a promising candidate in view of the well-established link between type 2 diabetes (T2D) and Alzheimer’s Disease and emerging evidence of its potential neuro-protective effects (e.g. vascular, metabolic, anti-senescence). MET-FINGER aims to test a FINGER 2.0 multimodal intervention, combining an updated FINGER multidomain lifestyle intervention with metformin, where appropriate, in an APOE ε4-enriched population of older adults (60–79 years) at increased risk of dementia. Methods: MET-FINGER is an international randomised, controlled, parallel-group, phase-IIb proof-of-concept clinical trial, where metformin is included through a trial-within-trial design. 600 participants will be recruited at three sites (UK, Finland, Sweden). Participants at increased risk of dementia based on vascular risk factors and cognitive screening, will be first randomised to the FINGER 2.0 intervention (lifestyle + metformin if eligible; active arm) or to receive regular health advice (control arm). Participants allocated to the FINGER 2.0 intervention group at risk indicators of T2D will be additionally randomised to receive metformin (2000 mg/day or 1000 mg/day) or placebo. The study duration is 2 years. The changes in global cognition (primary outcome, using a Neuropsychological Test Battery), memory, executive function, and processing speed cognitive domains; functional status; lifestyle, vascular, metabolic, and other dementia-related risk factors (secondary outcomes), will be compared between the FINGER 2.0 intervention and the control arm. The feasibility, potential interaction (between-groups differences in healthy lifestyle changes), and disease-modifying effects of the lifestyle-metformin combination will be exploratory outcomes. The lifestyle intervention is adapted from the original FINGER trial (diet, physical activity, cognitive training, monitoring of cardiovascular/metabolic risk factors, social interaction) to be consistently delivered in three countries. Metformin is administered as Glucophage®XR/SR 500, (500 mg oral tablets). The metformin/placebo treatment will be double blinded. Conclusion: MET-FINGER is the first trial combining a multimodal lifestyle intervention with a putative repurposed disease-modifying drug for cognitive impairment prevention. Although preliminary, its findings will provide crucial information for innovative precision prevention strategies and form the basis for a larger phase-III trial design and future research in this field.Validerad;2024;Nivå 2;2024-04-09 (sofila);Funder: Alzheimer’s Association; Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF); EU Joint Programme—Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) EURO-FINGERS and Multi-MeMo grants; National Institutes of Health (K24AG045334);Full text license: CC BY</p

Design of Bivalent Nucleic Acid Ligands for Recognition of RNA-Repeated Expansion Associated with Huntington’s Disease

We report the development of a new class of nucleic acid ligands that is comprised of Janus bases and the MPγPNA backbone and is capable of binding rCAG repeats in a sequence-specific and selective manner via, inference, bivalent H-bonding interactions. Individually, the interactions between ligands and RNA are weak and transient. However, upon the installation of a C-terminal thioester and an N-terminal cystine and the reduction of disulfide bond, they undergo template-directed native chemical ligation to form concatenated oligomeric products that bind tightly to the RNA template. In the absence of an RNA target, they self-deactivate by undergoing an intramolecular reaction to form cyclic products, rendering them inactive for further binding. The work has implications for the design of ultrashort nucleic acid ligands for targeting rCAG-repeat expansion associated with Huntington’s disease and a number of other related neuromuscular and neurodegenerative disorders