Discovery of GPR183 Agonists Based on an Antagonist Scaffold

The G protein-coupled receptor GPR183/EBI2, which is activated by oxysterols, is a therapeutic target for inflammatory and metabolic diseases where both antagonists and agonists are of potential interest. Using the piperazine diamide core of the known GPR183 antagonist (E)-3-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(4-(4-methoxybenzoyl)piperazin-1-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (NIBR189) as starting point, we identified and sourced 79 structurally related compounds that were commercially available. In vitro screening of this compound collection using a Ca²⁺ mobilization assay resulted in the identification of 10 compounds with agonist properties. To enable establishment of initial structure-activity relationship trends, these were supplemented with five in-house compounds, two of which were also shown to be GPR183 agonists. Taken together, our findings suggest that the agonist activity of this compound series is dictated by the substitution pattern of one of the two distal phenyl rings, which functions as a molecular efficacy-switch.     

A Dual Inhibitor of DYRK1A and GSK3β for β-Cell Proliferation: Aminopyrazine Derivative GNF4877

Loss of β-cell mass and function can lead to insufficient insulin levels and ultimately to hyperglycemia and diabetes mellitus. The mainstream treatment approach involves regulation of insulin levels; however, approaches intended to increase β-cell mass are less developed. Promoting β-cell proliferation with low-molecular-weight inhibitors of dual-specificity tyrosine-regulated kinase 1A (DYRK1A) offers the potential to treat diabetes with oral therapies by restoring β-cell mass, insulin content and glycemic control. GNF4877, a potent dual inhibitor of DYRK1A and glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β) was previously reported to induce primary human β-cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Herein, we describe the lead optimization that lead to the identification of GNF4877 from an aminopyrazine hit identified in a phenotypic high-throughput screening campaign measuring β-cell proliferation.     

Modeling aviation baggage screening security systems: a case study

Aviation security protects vital national interests, as well as passengers and aircraft. Key components of an aviation security system include baggage and passenger screening devices and operations. Determining how and where to assign (deploy) such devices can be quite challenging. Moreover, even after such systems are in place, it can be difficult to measure their effectiveness. This paper describes how discrete optimization models can be used to address these questions, based on three performance measures that quantify the effectiveness of airport baggage screening security device systems. These models are used to solve for optimal airport baggage screening security device deployments considering the number of passengers on a set of flights who have not been cleared using a security risk assessment system in use by the Federal Aviation Administration (i.e., passengers whose baggage is subjected to screening), the number of flights in this set, and the size of the aircraft for such flights. Several examples are provided to illustrate these results, including an example that uses data available from the Official Airline Guide.     

Astrocytes regulate amino acid receptor current densities in embryonic rat hippocampal neurons

Embryonic rat hippocampal neurons were cultured in a serum-free defined medium (MEM/N3) either directly on poly-D-lysine (PDL) or on a confluent monolayer of postnatal cortical astrocytes, C6 glioma cells, or Rat2 fibroblasts. Neurons on PDL were grown in MEM/N3 or in MEM/N3 conditioned for 24 h by astrocytes or C6 cells. Membrane capacitance (Cm) and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-, glycine-, kainate-, and N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-induced currents were quantified using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. Cm as well as the amplitude and the density of these currents in neurons cultured on astrocytes were significantly greater than those in neurons grown on PDL after 24 and 48 h. C6 cells mimicked astrocytes in promoting Cm and GABA-, glycine-, and NMDA-evoked, but not kainate-evoked, currents. Cm and currents in neurons grown on Rat2 cells were comparable to those in neurons on PDL. Astrocytes maintained in culture for 3 months were noticeably less effective than freshly prepared ones just grown to confluence. Suppression of spontaneous cytoplasmic Ca2+ (Ca[c]2+) elevations in astrocytes by 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy) ehane-N, N, N, N-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA-AM) loaded intracellularly blocked the observed modulatory effects. Medium conditioned by either astrocytes or C6 cells mimicked the effects of direct coculture of neurons on these cells in promoting Cm and amino acid-evoked currents. Inclusion of antagonists at GABA and glutamate receptors in coculture experiments blocked the observed effects. Thus, diffusible substances synthesized and/ or secreted by astrocytes in a Ca(c)2+-dependent manner can regulate neuronal growth and aminoacid receptor function, and these effects may involve neuronal GABA and glutamate receptors.     

The hot blow forming of AZ31 Mg sheet: Formability assessment and application development

The hot blow forming of magnesium sheet offers significant opportunity for forming complex, lightweight parts for automotive applications. This paper characterizes the elevated-temperature formability of AZ31 magnesium sheet materials and the effect of processing conditions on the performance of these materials. In addition, magnesium sheet application development at General Motors Corporation is reviewed.     

Pyrolysis and combustion of cellulose. VIII. Thermally initiated reactions of phosphonomethyl amide flame retardants

Several N-(phosphonomethyl) amides have previously been reported to act as particularly effective flame retardants for cellulose. It has also been demonstrated previously that the efficiency of a flame retardant on cellulose frequently parallels its ability to phosphorylate cellulosic hydroxyls at elevated temperatures. This study of the hydrolysis and alcoholysis reactions of N-(phosphonomethyl) amides establishes their unique reactivity. An explanation for this high reactivity is proposed on the basis of intramolecular assistance of the attack of water or alcohols at phosphorus by the carbonyl oxygen of the amide moiety.     

Play therapy for multicultural populations: Guidelines for mental health professionals.

Describes methods and techniques of play therapy for use with multicultural and diverse populations. Barriers to counseling multicultural children and Eurocentric play therapy techniques with multicultural populations are highlighted. Specific guidelines and examples for play therapy with multicultural children are provided. Recommendations and implications for mental health professionals are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Giga Security

The flow of information, within organizations, between networks, and from single users to other individuals and networks, is commonly at rates that only a few years ago were dreams. Earlier methods for the detection and prevention of malicious activities are anywhere from inefficient to unworkable with transmissions at the giga speeds that are prevalent today. This writing sets forth the problems and threats associated with these new high speed transmissions, and presents methodologies and systems for treating them.