Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activities of a Novel Mannich Base 2-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)(pyrrolidinyl) methyl]cyclohexanone and its Complexes with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Fe(II) Ions

The titled Mannich base 2-[(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)(pyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl]cyclohexanone (DPC) was synthesized by condensing 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, pyrrolidine and cyclohexanone. The synthesis was carried out by using ethanol as solvent. The development of the reaction was monitored on TLC. The complexation of synthesized Mannich base was carried out with Cu(II) chloride, Co(II) chloride, Ni(II) chloride and Fe(II) chloride. The structures of the synthesized Mannich base and its complexes were confirmed by FT-IR, UV-Vis, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, MS and TGA techniques. The proposed geometries of the metal complexes were established on the basis of metal/ligand ratio through AAS/ICP and electronic spectra. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antiurease and antibacterial activities. The complex with Co(II) show potent antiurease and antibacterial activity. The nature of SAR of Co(II) has been demonstrated using docking studies.

Human CD33 deficiency is associated with mild alteration of circulating white blood cell counts

The single pass transmembrane protein CD33 is enriched in phagocytic and hematopoietic cell types, such as monocytes. CD33 is thought to be associated with immune cell function, susceptibility to Alzheimer's disease, and rare leukemias. Antagonism or genetic ablation of CD33 has been proposed to treat Alzheimer's disease, hematological cancers, and as a selection mechanism for enriching genetically altered blood cells. To understand the impact of chronic CD33 loss or ablation, we describe individuals who we confirmed to be missing CD33 due to germline loss of function variants. Through PheWAS-based approaches using existing whole exome biobanks and bespoke phenotyping using recall-by-genotype (RBG) studies, we show that CD33 loss of function alters circulating white blood cell counts and distributions, albeit mildly and with no overt clinical pathology. These findings indicate that chronic CD33 antagonism/ablation is likely to be safe in humans.

Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Study of a New Mannich Base, 2-[(4-fluorophenyl)(phenylamino)methyl] cyclopentanone (FPC) and its Transition Metal Complexes with Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(II) and Zn(II)

One pot Mannich reaction involving three components (4-fluorobenzaldehyde, aniline, cyclopentanone) was performed using ethanol as a solvent. The resulting Mannich base (FPC) was isolated and further reacted with chloride salts of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(II) and Zn(II) ions to afford respective metal complexes. The structure of synthesized ligand and transition metal complexes were elucidated on the basis of IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The geometries of the resulting complexes were proposed on the basis of electronic spectroscopic data and magnetic moment. The anti-enzymatic activity of the ligand and its metal complexes were carried out against urease. FPC shows potent antiurease activity with IC50 value (0.83� 0.002 �M) which is greater than standard. The Cu-complex shows excellent inhibitory action with IC50 value (16.87� 0.03 �M) while other complexes i.e Co-complex (35.59� 0.04 �M) and Ni-complex (49.93� 0.01 �M) exhibit good to moderate IC50 values as compared with control thiourea (IC50 value, 21.25� 0.15 �M). Molecular docking studies were also done on the antiurease activities of FPC and its complexes.

NOTCH3 p.Arg1231Cys is markedly enriched in South Asians and associated with stroke

The genetic factors of stroke in South Asians are largely unexplored. Exome-wide sequencing and association analysis (ExWAS) in 75 K Pakistanis identified NM_000435.3(NOTCH3):c.3691 C > T, encoding the missense amino acid substitution p.Arg1231Cys, enriched in South Asians (alternate allele frequency = 0.58% compared to 0.019% in Western Europeans), and associated with subcortical hemorrhagic stroke [odds ratio (OR) = 3.39, 95% confidence interval (CI) = [2.26, 5.10], p = 3.87 × 10-9), and all strokes (OR [CI] = 2.30 [1.77, 3.01], p = 7.79 × 10-10). NOTCH3 p.Arg231Cys was strongly associated with white matter hyperintensity on MRI in United Kingdom Biobank (UKB) participants (effect [95% CI] in SD units = 1.1 [0.61, 1.5], p = 3.0 × 10-6). The variant is attributable for approximately 2.0% of hemorrhagic strokes and 1.1% of all strokes in South Asians. These findings highlight the value of diversity in genetic studies and have major implications for genomic medicine and therapeutic development in South Asian populations.

Identification and characterization of human GDF15 knockouts

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) is a secreted protein that regulates food intake, body weight and stress responses in pre-clinical models1. The physiological function of GDF15 in humans remains unclear. Pharmacologically, GDF15 agonism in humans causes nausea without accompanying weight loss2, and GDF15 antagonism is being tested in clinical trials to treat cachexia and anorexia. Human genetics point to a role for GDF15 in hyperemesis gravidarum, but the safety or impact of complete GDF15 loss, particularly during pregnancy, is unknown3-7. Here we show the absence of an overt phenotype in human GDF15 loss-of-function carriers, including stop gains, frameshifts and the fully inactivating missense variant C211G3. These individuals were identified from 75,018 whole-exome/genome-sequenced participants in the Pakistan Genomic Resource8,9 and recall-by-genotype studies with family-based recruitment of variant carrier probands. We describe 8 homozygous ('knockouts') and 227 heterozygous carriers of loss-of-function alleles, including C211G. GDF15 knockouts range in age from 31 to 75 years, are fertile, have multiple children and show no consistent overt phenotypes, including metabolic dysfunction. Our data support the hypothesis that GDF15 is not required for fertility, healthy pregnancy, foetal development or survival into adulthood. These observations support the safety of therapeutics that block GDF15.