Preterm delivery and selected biomarkers : phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 and matrix metalloproteinase-8 – in cervical fluid

Premature delivery is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The incidence of premature deliveries has increased around the world. In Finland 5.3%, or about 3,000 children per year are born prematurely, before 37 weeks of gestation. The corresponding figure in the United States is about 13%. The morbidity and mortality are highest among infants delivered before 32 weeks of gestation - about 600 children each year in Finland. Approximately 70% of premature deliveries are unexplained. Preterm delivery can be caused by an asympto-matic infection between uterus and the fetal membranes, such can begin already in early pregnancy. It is difficult to predict preterm delivery, and many patients are therefore unnecessarily admitted to hospital for observation and exposed to medical treatments. On the other hand, the high risk women should be identified early for the best treatment of the mother and preterm infant. --- In the prospective study conducted at the Department of Obstetric and Gynecology, Helsinki University Central Hospital two biochemical inflammation related markers were measured in the lower genital tract fluids of asymp-tomatic women in early and mid pregnancy in an order to see whether these markers could identify women with an increased risk of preterm delivery. These biomarkers were phosphorylated insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (phIGFBP-1) and matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8). The study involved 5180 asymptomatic pregnant women, examined during the first and second ultrasound screening visits. The study samples were taken from the vagina and cervicix. In addition, 246 symptomatic women were studied (pregnancy weeks 22 – 34). The study showed that increased phIGFBP-1 concentration in cervical canal fluid in early pregnancy increased the risk for preterm delivery. The risk for very premature birth (before 32 weeks of gestation) was nearly four-fold. Low MMP-8 concentration in mid pregnancy increased the risk of subsequent premature preterm rupture of fetal membranes (PPROM). Significantly high MMP-8 concentrations in the cervical fluid increased the risk for prema-ture delivery initiated by preterm labour with intact membranes. Among women with preterm contractions the shortened cervical length measured by ultrasound and elevated cervical fluid phIGFBP-1 both predicted premature delivery. In summary, because of the relatively low sensitivity of cervical fluid phIGFBP-1 this biomarker is not suitable for routine screening, but provides an additional tool in assessing the risk of preterm delivery. Cervical fluid MMP-8 is not useful in early or mid pregnancy in predicting premature delivery because of its dual role. Further studies on the role of MMP-8 are therefore needed. Our study confirms that phIGFBP-1 testing is useful in predicting pre-term delivery.

Enantiospecific synthesis of thaps-8-en-5-ol via stereospecific intramolecular chirality transfer

Enantiospecific synthesis of thaps-8-en-5-ol, comprising of the carbon framework of a small group of sesquiterpenes containing three contiguous quaternary carbon atoms has been described. (R)-Carvone has been employed as the chiral starting material and a combination of intramolecular alkyation and Criegec fragmentation have been employed for intramolecular stereospecific transfer of the chirality. An intramolecular diazoketone cyclopropanation and regioselective cyclopropane ring cleavage reactions have been employed for the creation of the three requisite contiguous quaternary carbon atoms.

Supramolecular Organization in Tetra Aqua (mu-8-Hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate) Barium (II) and Ag center dot center dot center dot I Interactions in a Pseudopolymorphic Form of (7-Iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonate) Silver (I) Monohydrate

The complexes, Ba (HQS) (H2O)(4) (HQS = 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid) (1) and Ag (HIQS) (H2O) (Ferron = 7-iodo-8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid) (2) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis and spectroscopic studies. In compound 1, Ba2+ ion has a nine-coordinate monocapped antiprismatic geometry. In compound 2, Ag+ has distorted tetrahedral coordination and Ag center dot center dot center dot I interactions generate the supramolecular architectures. The complexes have been characterized by FT-IR and UV-Visible measurements. In both the structures, the inversion-related organic ligands are stacked over one another leading to three-dimensional networks.

Ethyl 6-chloro-2-[(2-chloro-7,8-dimethylquinolin-3-yl)methoxy]-4-phenylquino line-3-carboxylate

In the title compound, C30H24Cl2N2O3, the two quinoline ring systems are almost planar [maximum deviations = 0.029 (2) and 0.018 (3) angstrom] and the dihedral angle between them is 4.17 (8)degrees. The dihedral angle between the phenyl ring and its attached quinoline ring is 69.06 (13)degrees. The packing is stabilized by C-H center dot center dot center dot O, C-H center dot center dot center dot N, weak pi-pi stacking [centroid-centroid distances = 3.7985 (16) and 3.7662(17) angstrom] and C-H center dot center dot center dot pi interactions.

1-[(2-Chloro-7,8-dimethylquinolin-3-yl)methyl]pyridin-2(1H)-one

In the title compound, C17H15ClN2O, the quinoline ring system is nearly planar, with a maximum deviation from the mean plane of 0.074 (2) angstrom, and makes a dihedral angle of 81.03 (7)degrees with the pyridone ring. The crystal packing is stabilized by pi-pi stacking interactions between the pyridone and benzene rings of the quinoline ring system [centroid-centroid distance = 3.6754 (10) angstrom]. Furthermore, weak intermolecular C-H center dot center dot center dot O hydrogen bonding links molecules into supramolecular chains along [001].

Hybrid peptide hairpins containing alpha- and omega-amino acids: Conformational analysis of decapeptides with unsubstituted beta-, gamma-, and delta-residues at positions 3 and 8

The effects of inserting unsubstituted omega-amino acids into the strand segments of model beta-hairpin peptides was investigated by using four synthetic decapeptides, Boc-Lcu-Val-Xxx-Val-D-Pro-Gly-Leu-Xxx-Val-Val- OMe: pepticle 1 (Xxx=Gly), pepticle 2 (Xxx=beta Gly=beta hGly=homoglycine, beta-glycine), pepticle 3 (Xxx=gamma Abu=gamma-aminobutyric acid), pepticle 4 (Xxx= delta Ava=delta-aminovaleric acid). H-1 NMR studies (500 MHz, methanol) reveal several critical cross-strand NOEs, providing evidence for P-hairpin conformations in peptides 2-4. In peptide 3, the NMR results support the formation of the nucleating turn, however, evidence for cross-strand registry is not detected. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies of peptide 3 reveal a beta-hairpin conformation for both molecules in the crystallographic asymmetric unit, stabilized by four cross-strand hydrogen bonds, with the gamma Abu residues accommodated within the strands. The D-Pro-Gly segment in both molecules (A,B) adopts a type II' beta-turn conformation. The circular dichroism spectrum for peptide 3 is characterized by a negative CD band at 229 rim, whereas for peptides 2 and 4, the negative band is centered at 225 nm, suggesting a correlation between the orientation of the amide units in the strand segments and the observed CD pattern.

Spectral and kinetic characterization of 7,8-diaminopelargonic acid synthase from Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The indispensability of biotin for crucial processes like lipid biosynthesis coupled to the absence of the biotin biosynthesis pathway in humans make the enzymes of this pathway, attractive targets for development of novel drugs against numerous pathogens including M. tuberculosis. We report the spectral and kinetic characterization of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis 7,8-Diamino-pelargonic acid (DAPA) synthase, the second enzyme of the biotin biosynthesis pathway. In contrast to the E. coli enzyme, no quinonoid intermediate was detected during the steady state reaction between the enzyme and S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM). The second order rate constant for this half of the reaction was determined to be 1.75 +/- 0.11 M-1 s(-1). The K-m values for 7-keto-8-aminopelargonic acid (KAPA) and SAM are 2.83 mu M and 308.28 mu M, respectively whereas the V-max and k(cat) values for the enzyme are 0.02074 mu moles/min/ml and 0.003 s(-1), respectively. Our initial studies pave the way for further detailed mechanistic and kinetic characterization of the enzyme.

Addition of hydrogen cyanide to 9-methyl- Δ4-octalone-3 and 9β-methyl-8β-hydroxy- Δ4-octalone-3

Addition of hydrogen cyanide to 9-methyl-Δ4-octalone-3 (IIb), as a model, yielded both cis- and trans-ketonitriles the configurations of which are assigned on the basis of IR spectra of the hydrolysed products. Similar addition of hydrogen cyanide to 9β-methyl-8β-hydroxy-Δ4-octalone-3 (IIc) gave the corresponding cis- and trans-hydroxy-keto-nitriles, configurations of which were proved by their conversion into cis- and trans-keto-nitriles obtained in the model study. In contrast to the model experiment where the trans-product predominated, the cis-isomer was the major product of addition to IIc.

Bufadienolides. 8. 12(13→14)abeo skeletal rearrangements

Several methods were developed for converting isodigitoxigenin (2a) into methyl acetals 4b and 4c. Of these, methanolysis (followed by acetylation) of isodigitoxigenin in the presence of p-toluenesulfonic acid proved most useful. Each isomer reached an equilibrium corresponding to ca. 3:1 acetal 4c to 4b within 15 min in benzene containing p-toluenesulfonic acid. Addition of dihydropyran to the equilibrium mixture resulted in excellent conversion into vinyl ether 5a. Heating either acetal 4b or 4c in benzene containing p-toluenesulfonic acid led to a skeletal rearrangement culminating in formation of C-norcardenolide 6. In addition to results of physical measurements, the structure of spiran 6 was confirmed by degradation to methyl ketone 8. Similar rearrangement of isodigitoxigenin gave spiran 9 accompanied by C-norcardenolide 6. Treating lactone 9 with p-toluenesulfonic acid in methanol-water provided acetals 10a and 10b, which on further contact with p-toluenesulfonic acid in refluxing benzene gave lactone 9 and cardenolide 6. Evidence underlying the stereochemical assignments noted for structures 4, 9, and 10 was also discussed.

Synthetic investigations on testerone and its analogues—I *1: The total synthesis of 8-isotestosterone and its anthracene analogue

The total synthesis of 8-isotestosterone (II) and the corresponding anthracene analogue (III) following the benzohydrindane route is reported. Catalytic hydrogenation of trans-1β-acetoxy-8-methyl-4,5-(3′-methyl-4′-hydroxybenzo)-hydrindane (V) followed by oxidation has furnished two isomeric tricyclic keto acetates, viz. 1β,2α-(3′-acetoxycyclopentano)-2,5-dimethyl-6-keto-1α,2,3,4,4aα,-5α,6,7,8,8aα-decahydronaphthalene (VII) and 1β,2α-(3′-acetoxycyclopentano)-2,5-dimethyl-6-keto-1α,2,3,4,4aβ,5,6,7,8,8aβ-decahydronaphthalene (IX) which are cis-non-steroid and cis-steroid configurations of the same cyclopentano-cis-decalins. A difference in the direction of enolization of the keto acetate (VII) in alkylation reaction and enol acetylation towards the methine and the methylene carbon atoms respectively has been observed.

A new synthesis of dl-3-methoxy-17β-carboxy-1,3,5(10),6,8-estrapentaene

3-Methyl-4-carboxy-2-(2′-methoxy-6′-naphthyl)cyclopenten-3-acetic acid, prepared from trans methyl 2-methyl-3-carbomethoxycyclopentanon-2-acetate and 2-methoxy-6-lithionaphthalene, on ring closure and catalytic hydrogenation gave dl-3-methoxy-17β-carboxy-1,3,5(10),6,8-estrapentaene.

Studies in stereochemistry—I : Stereospecific routes to trans- anti- and cis- syn-Δ8-dodecahydrophenanthrenes

Reduction of trans-1-oxo-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12-octahydrophenanthrene (XI) by lithium tri-t-butoxyaluminohydride gave trans-1β-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12-octahydrophenanthrene (XII) which on lithium-liquid ammonia reduction gave trans-anti-1β-hydroxy-7-oxo-Δ8(14)-dodecahydrophenanthrene (XIII). Reduction of cis-1-oxo-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12-octahydrophenanthrene (XV) by sodium borohydride gave cis-1α-hydroxy-7-methoxy-1,2,3,4,9,10,11,12-octahydrophenanthrene (XVI) which on lithium-liquid ammonia reduction gave cis-syn-1α-hydroxy-7-oxo-Δ8(14)-dodecahydrophenanthrene (XVII).