Discovery of 9-Cyclopropylethynyl-2-((S)-1-[1,4]dioxan-2-ylmethoxy)-6,7-dihydropyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolin-4-one (GLPG1205), a Unique GPR84 Negative Allosteric Modulator Undergoing Evaluation in a Phase II Clinical Trial

GPR84 is a medium chain free fatty acid-binding G-protein-coupled receptor associated with inflammatory and fibrotic diseases. As the only reported antagonist of GPR84 (PBI-4050) that displays relatively low potency and selectivity, a clear need exists for an improved modulator. Structural optimization of GPR84 antagonist hit 1, identified through high-throughput screening, led to the identification of potent and selective GPR84 inhibitor GLPG1205 (36). Compared with the initial hit, 36 showed improved potency in a guanosine 5'-O-[γ-thio]triphosphate assay, exhibited metabolic stability, and lacked activity against phosphodiesterase-4. This novel pharmacological tool allowed investigation of the therapeutic potential of GPR84 inhibition. At once-daily doses of 3 and 10 mg/kg, GLPG1205 reduced disease activity index score and neutrophil infiltration in a mouse dextran sodium sulfate-induced chronic inflammatory bowel disease model, with efficacy similar to positive-control compound sulfasalazine. The drug discovery steps leading to GLPG1205 identification, currently under phase II clinical investigation, are described herein.

Boron and nitrogen impurities in SiC nanoribbons: an ab initio investigation

Using ab initio calculations based on density-functional theory we have performed a theoretical investigation of substitutional boron and nitrogen impurities in silicon carbide (SiC) nanoribbons. We have considered hydrogen terminated SiC ribbons with zigzag and armchair edges. In both systems we verify that the boron and nitrogen atoms energetically prefer to be localized at the edges of the nanoribbons. However, while boron preferentially substitutes a silicon atom, nitrogen prefers to occupy a carbon site. In addition, our electronic-structure calculations indicate that (i) substitutional boron and nitrogen impurities do not affect the semiconducting character of the armchair SiC nanoribbons, and (ii) the half-metallic behavior of the zigzag nanoribbons is maintained in the presence of substitutional boron impurities. In contrast, nitrogen atoms occupying edge carbon sites transform half-metallic zigzag nanoribbons into metallic systems.

[Intestinal absorption of fats in children using serum turbidity and triglyceride absorption tests]

Intestinal fat absorption was studied, using serum turbidity and serum triglyceride levels, which were determined before and after a test meal of 2 g neutral fat per kg b.w. in 33 children: 25 controls, four with cystic fibrosis, and four with celiac disease. The results proved that the easy-to-perform serum turbidity test was superior to the triglyceride absorption test in characterizing fat digestion and absorption. The most substantial increase in both tests occurred about three hours after the oral fat load.

Diffuse leiomyomatosis of the esophagus: a case report and review of the literature

A case of diffuse leiomyomatosis of the esophagus in a 21-year-old woman with a 5-year history of dysphagia is presented. The radiological appearance was that of achalasia, but at esophagoscopy, a diagnosis of an organic stricture of the lower end of the esophagus was made. During the operation a diffuse tumor involving the lower end of the esophagus, cardia, upper portion of the stomach, and the tail of the pancreas was found. The histological diagnosis was diffuse leiomyomatosis of the esophagus. The individual characteristics of the microscopic picture are described. Distal esophagectomy and total gastrectomy resulted in complete recovery of the patient. This is a very rare condition; only a dozen similar cases have been published before. The data of these patients are presented.