2-substituted 3-(aminooxy)propanamines as inhibitors of ornithine decarboxylase: synthesis and biological activity

1-Amino-3-(aminooxy)-2-propanol (6a) has been synthesized and found to inhibit rat liver ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) with an IC50 in the nanomolar range. Compound 6a served as a basis for the design of new enzyme inhibitors, which led to the identification of 3-(aminooxy)-2-fluoropropanamine (15) as a new powerful enzyme blocker. Compound 15 inhibited ODC at 3 times lower concentrations than 6a and 3-(aminooxy)propanamine (APA), and it was superior to APA as an antiproliferative agent in inhibiting the growth of human T24 bladder carcinoma cells in vitro.

Mutagenic activity of 6-azido deoxyhexoses and azido alcohols in Salmonella typhimurium and its inhibition by a structure-similar carbon source in the medium

6-Azido-6-deoxy (AZd) derivatives of D-glucose, D-mannose, D-altrose, D-allose, L-idose, D-galactose, D-galactonic acid and D-galactitol, 3-azido-1,2-propanediol (azidoglycerol), 3,1-diazido-2-propanol (diazidoglycerol) and (at much higher doses) 2-azidoethanol were mutagenic in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA1535. The mutagenic response was similar to that induced by sodium azide, i.e., the azido compounds failed to induce mutations in strain TA98, and mutagenesis was independent of plasmid pKM101, and independent of external activation. The specific mutagenicity (his+ rev/mmole) of AZd-glucose and AZd-galactose was decreased with increasing concentrations of D-glucose or D-galactose in the minimal agar medium and enhanced 100-fold or more when 0.2% citrate rather than 0.2% glucose served as the carbon source in the medium. Similarly, the mutagenic efficiency of azidoglycerol was inhibited by glycerol but not by D-glucose or D-galactose; however, the mutagenicity of sodium azide was not influenced by any of these carbon sources in the medium. The inhibition of the mutagenic action of azido hexoses and azido alcohols by non-azido structural analogs is assumed to reside in competition in transmembrane transport or for the metabolic pathways.

Synthesis and aromatase inhibitory activity of novel 1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane- and -[3.1.1]heptane-2,4- diones

The synthesis of 3-(cyclohexymethyl)-1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2, 4-dione (1h), with its optical enantiomers, and a series of novel achiral 1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.1]haptane-2,4-diones (2a-i,k) is described. These compounds were tested in vitro for inhibition of human placental aromatase, a cytochrome-P450-dependent enzyme responsible for the conversion of androgens to estrogens. All of them displayed enzyme-inhibiting activity, and 3-cyclohexyl derivative 2g and 3-cyclohexylmethyl derivative 1h both proved more potent (greater than 140-fold) than the clinically effective agent aminoglutethimide [3-(4-aminophenyl)-3-ethylpiperidine-2,6-dione, AG]. As with AG and its derivatives, the 1R-(+)-enantiomer of 1h was responsible for the enzyme inhibitory activity. These novel compounds are of interest as potential drugs for endocrine therapy of hormone-dependent tumors, e.g. breast cancer.

[Clinical diagnosis and laboratory study of acute respiratory diseases of viral origin in children]

The authors analyzed retrospectively a group of 477 children aged two months to 16 years (mean age 6 years and 5 months), hospitalized on account of acute respiratory disease and subjected to virological examination. The aetiology was revealed in 53% of the sick children. In the elucidation of the aetiology participated a number of respiratory viruses, in particular the respiratory syncytial virus. The clinical picture of the disease was very varied. It was confirmed that the clinical picture does not make it possible to express in a considerable proportion of patients suspicion of an actual infectious aetiology. A mixed aetiology of acute respiratory diseases and a varied clinical picture indicate the necessity of a rapid virological and bacteriological examination in hospital practice.

[What is surveillance?]

The authors give an account of the development of the definition and context of epidemiological surveillance during the past decades in Czechoslovakia and in the world. They analyze views of epidemiologists who contributed in a major way to the modern concept of surveillance. The concept of surveillance reflects social conditions in the widest sense of the word and its contents are and probably will also in future be the subject of lively discussions. The authors assume that in the near future a more important part will be played by an active approach to surveillance of infections, as no modern system of health care can do without its development. Contemporary social changes will play a decisive role.

[Surveillance of acute respiratory diseases in the 1988/1989 season in Czechoslovakia]

The authors submit an analysis of results of surveillance of acute respiratory diseases during the 1988/1989 season in the CSSR. The influenza epidemic took place between the 4th and 11th calendar week with a peak in the 7th week. During the epidemic 19.7% of the population in the CSR contracted the disease. The influenza epidemic was preceded by a high incidence of infections caused by a respiratory syncytia virus. As to the aetiology, influenza viruses subtypes A/H1N1/, A/H3N2/ and type B participated practically equally in the epidemic. The authors discuss the observed changes in the influenza epidemiology in recent years in Czechoslovakia and neighbouring countries.

Morphological evidence for an apparent lysosomotropic activity by unsaturated putrescine analogues

Treatment of cultured L1210 cells with the putrescine analogue, 2,5-diamino-3-hexyne, at 0.5 nM resulted in the rapid (1-2 h) appearance of numerous cytoplasmic vacuoles which were highly visible by light microscopy. Ultrastructural examination revealed that the vacuoles contained numerous membrane vesicles and electron-dense structures resembling endosomal elements. Other cellular organelles were unaffected by the drug. The overall morphological effect by 2,5-diamino-3-hexyne was nearly identical to that produced in the same cells by the known lysosomotropic agent, chloroquine. Since the putrescine analogue, 1,4-diamino-2-butyne at 1.2 mM, also produced comparable cytoplasmic vacuolation, and putrescine itself failed to do so at concentrations as high as 5 mM, it was concluded that the apparent lysosomotropic activity of the putrescine analogues was probably due to their weaker basicity related to the presence of an internal triple bond. Although it is uncertain whether the effect of the analogues on the endosomal system is related to the natural function of polyamines, the finding points out the previously unrecognized potential for certain polyamine analogues to act in this manner.

[A nosocomial epidemic caused by adenovirus type 3 at a clinic for children and adolescents]

The authors describe an epidemic of acute viral respiratory diseases with a nosocomial character at a clinic for children and adolescents, caused by adenovirus type 3. Of 80 exposed children 26 fell ill (attack rate 32.5%). The disease took a clinical course typical for adenovirus type 3. The authors discuss the problem of respiratory infections with a viral aetiology at paediatric departments and their possible prevention.

CGP 6809, a sugar-containing nitrosourea derivative: pharmacological and physicochemical properties

CGP 6809 is a water-soluble nitrosourea derivative with quite distinct chemical and biological properties as compared with the well-known representatives of this class of compounds. It is related to the antibiotic streptozotocin, from which it is distinguished in the structure of the sugar moiety and the position of the methylnitrosourea residue. CGP 6809 possesses practically the same alkylating potential as streptozotocin; however, its carbamoylating activity is comparable with that of CCNU. In contrast to other nitrosourea derivatives, CGP 6809 showed relatively little activity in murine leukemias but was markedly active in solid transplantable melanomas (Harding-Passay, B16), in the 11095 prostate carcinoma, and in a substrain of Yoshida hepatoma (AH 7974) resistant to BCNU and CCNU. In the Ehrlich and Yoshida ascitic tumors complete responses were seen with no toxic death. Dose-dependent activity was found in the human lung carcinoma MBA 9812 and almost complete growth inhibition was achieved in the human melanoma WM 47 by both the oral and parenteral routes of administration. However, mammary tumor lines (Ca 755, 2661/61, R-3230AC), the Guerin-T8 uterus epithelioma, and the Rous sarcoma/S-R proved to be relatively refractory to this drug. This was also the case for the Lewis lung carcinoma implanted i.m. or s.c. However, development of lung metastases was markedly inhibited. Combination therapy using CGP 6809 with cyclophosphamide, 5-fluorouracil, or chlorambucil in the same model led to partial responses of the primary tumor as well as almost total eradication of lung metastases.

[Specific and nonspecific indicators of activation of influenza viruses before an epidemic caused by influenza viruses subtype A/H3N2 and type B in Czechoslovakia in 1986]

The authors submit an aetiological and epidemiological analysis of the influenza epidemic which occurred in the CSR between the 4th and 14th week of 1986 and was caused by the influenza virus subtype A/H3N2/ and type B. The epidemic affected a total of 27.1% of the population, in the age group of 0-5 years 63.7%, in the age group 6-14 years 52.7% and in the age group above 15 years 17.1%. In the course of the epidemic 77,458 cases of pneumonia and bronchitis were reported and 1,412 deaths with the diagnosis influenza, bronchitis, pneumonia and chronic affection of the lungs. The authors analyze also specific indicators of the activation of influenza viruses and reach the conclusion that serological evidence of the circulation of influenza viruses in the population was detected already in the third quarter of 1985, the first isolations were made six weeks before the influenza epidemic. Activation of the influenza viruses is indicated already during the pre-epidemic period by some non-specific indicators which include the rising number of patients with acute respiratory affections in surgeries and the rising number of children absent from nurseries and nursery schools on account of these diseases. The most sensitive non-specific indicator is the rising number of patients with respiratory diseases in surgeries of the First aid medical service.

Analogues of aminoglutethimide based on 1-phenyl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,4-dione: selective inhibition of aromatase activity

In exploring the structural features responsible for the inhibitory activity of aminoglutethimide [3-(4-aminophenyl)-3-ethylpiperidine-2,6-dione] (1) toward the cholesterol side chain cleavage (CSCC) enzyme from bovine adrenals and the human placental aromatase enzyme, analogues have been synthesized in which the piperidine-2,6-dione ring is replaced by substituted or unsubstituted azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,4-dione rings. The unsubstituted analogue 1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,4-dione (9a) is a slightly more potent inhibitor of aromatase than 1 (Ki = 1.2 microM, cf. 1.8 microM for 1) but is noninhibitory toward the CSCC enzyme. The substituted analogues 1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-butyl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,4-dione (9e) and 1-(4-aminophenyl)-3-pentyl-3-azabicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,4-dione (9f) are approximately 100 times more potent than 1 (Ki values of 1, 9e, and 9f are 1.8, 0.015, and 0.02 microM, respectively) in inhibiting aromatase, with no significant activity toward the CSCC enzyme. Type II difference spectra were exhibited by 1, 9a, and 9f in their interaction with the aromatase enzyme (respective Ks values of 1, 9a, and 9f are 0.13, 0.08, and 0.01 microM). Modification of the para amino function by alkylation, its relocation, replacement by H, or replacement by a methyl, aldehyde, or secondary alcohol group produced analogues that were inactive toward both enzyme systems.

Transurethral resection of the prostate and bladder neck incision: a review of 700 cases

Transurethral resection (TUR) is regarded as the treatment of choice for relief of outflow tract obstruction in the male, but bladder neck incision (BNI) is an acceptable alternative when the gland is small. Seven hundred cases of TUR/BNI have been reviewed (TUR = 388; BNI = 312). BNI was performed when the gland was less than 35 g and where there was no clinical suspicion of malignancy. The operative details of our single incision technique are given. While the patients in the BNI group were younger, catheter stay was shorter, there was less infection, a significantly reduced need for blood transfusion and a satisfactory outcome in terms of control and need for further surgery. BNI is a technically simpler procedure than TUR and is easy to teach and learn. Results show it is safe and effective for patients in acute retention as well as those treated electively and it is the operation of choice for small benign prostates.