Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activity of DW-1021, the ionic complex of pelubiprofen and tramadol, in rodents

Although drugs such as acetaminophen, opioids, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), are commonly used for pain management, the side effects of these drugs such as hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, nausea, and vomiting, can not be neglected. Therefore, combinations of analgesics with different mechanisms raise the possibility of developing novel analgesics. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate whether DW-1021, the ionic complex of pelubiprofen (NSAID) and tramadol (opioid), has synergic antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects in nociceptive as well as inflammation-induced nociceptive models compared to pelubiprofen- or tramadol-only administration. Strong synergistic antinociceptive efficacy of DW-1021 was observed in the mouse writhing test and von Frey paw withdrawal threshold test in the carrageenan-induced rats. The hot plate test in mice and the Randall-Selitto mechanical paw pressure test in carrageenan-induced rats revealed that DW-1021 had a preferable effect on relieving pain to pelubiprofen, but not as much as tramadol. In the carrageenan-induced rats, DW-1021 had a more potent effect on reducing paw inflammation (paw volume, width, and thickness) via the suppression of PGE₂ production than tramadol, but less than that of pelubiprofen. Taken together, our results suggest that the administration of DW-1021, a combination of pelubiprofen and tramadol, exerted a potent effect and can be used as a potential therapeutic agent for relieving pain and inflammation.

Determination of the ^{27}Al Neutron Distribution Radius from a Parity-Violating Electron Scattering Measurement

We report the first measurement of the parity-violating elastic electron scattering asymmetry on ^{27}Al. The ^{27}Al elastic asymmetry is A_{PV}=2.16±0.11(stat)±0.16(syst)  ppm, and was measured at ⟨Q^{2}⟩=0.02357±0.00010  GeV^{2}, ⟨θ_{lab}⟩=7.61°±0.02°, and ⟨E_{lab}⟩=1.157  GeV with the Q_{weak} apparatus at Jefferson Lab. Predictions using a simple Born approximation as well as more sophisticated distorted-wave calculations are in good agreement with this result. From this asymmetry the ^{27}Al neutron radius R_{n}=2.89±0.12  fm was determined using a many-models correlation technique. The corresponding neutron skin thickness R_{n}-R_{p}=-0.04±0.12  fm is small, as expected for a light nucleus with a neutron excess of only 1. This result thus serves as a successful benchmark for electroweak determinations of neutron radii on heavier nuclei. A tree-level approach was used to extract the ^{27}Al weak radius R_{w}=3.00±0.15  fm, and the weak skin thickness R_{wk}-R_{ch}=-0.04±0.15  fm. The weak form factor at this Q^{2} is F_{wk}=0.39±0.04.

Portable gluten sensors: qualitative assessments by adults and adolescents with coeliac disease

BACKGROUND

Portable gluten sensors are now commercially available to the public, although there is genuine uncertainty within the medical community over whether they should be used for coeliac disease management. The present study described qualitatively the experience of using a portable gluten sensor for 15 adults and 15 adolescents with coeliac disease participating in a 3-month pilot clinical trial.

METHODS

Participants were 30 individuals, aged 13-70 years, with biopsy-confirmed coeliac disease on a gluten-free diet. All received a portable gluten sensor and were randomised to low, medium, and high numbers of single-use capsules. Open-ended questions addressed likes and dislikes using the portable gluten sensor after 3 months. Major themes were identified and described.

RESULTS

Participants liked that the portable gluten sensor provided extra assurance to check foods presented as gluten-free, the convenient size and portability, the added sense of control, and overall peace-of-mind. Participants disliked having attention drawn to them when using the sensor and feeling as if they were deterring others from eating. Participants also disliked the physical difficulty associated with using the capsules, questionable accuracy and the inability to test fermented foods. Adults were more enthusiastic about the sensor than adolescents.

CONCLUSIONS

Positive and negative experiences may be expected when using commercially available portable gluten sensors to help manage coeliac disease. As future versions of this and other gluten sensors become available, it will be important to investigate the relationship between users' experience with the sensors and long-term outcomes such as mucosal healing and quality of life.

Precision Measurement of the Beam-Normal Single-Spin Asymmetry in Forward-Angle Elastic Electron-Proton Scattering

A beam-normal single-spin asymmetry generated in the scattering of transversely polarized electrons from unpolarized nucleons is an observable related to the imaginary part of the two-photon exchange process. We report a 2% precision measurement of the beam-normal single-spin asymmetry in elastic electron-proton scattering with a mean scattering angle of θ_{lab}=7.9° and a mean energy of 1.149 GeV. The asymmetry result is B_{n}=-5.194±0.067(stat)±0.082 (syst) ppm. This is the most precise measurement of this quantity available to date and therefore provides a stringent test of two-photon exchange models at far-forward scattering angles (θ_{lab}→0) where they should be most reliable.

Systematic review of the effects of bisphosphonates on bone density and fracture incidence in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Skeletal fragility is a common complication of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) but the impact of bisphosphonate therapy on bone mass and fracture is unclear. We aim to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the effects of bisphosphonates on bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture incidence in children with ALL.

METHODS

EMBASE, Medline and the Cochrane Library were thoroughly searched by two researchers. Inclusion criteria was any child under the age of 18 years with a diagnosis of ALL, who had received any bisphosphonate treatment and had serial measurements of bone density performed thereafter. All primary research studies of any study design, excluding case reports, were included.

RESULTS

Ten full text papers were identified with two exclusively meeting the inclusion criteria. Both studies administered bisphosphonates to children receiving maintenance chemotherapy for varying durations. Bone density was assessed at regular intervals by dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The majority of participants had an improvement in bone density at the end of each study. However, no size adjustment of DXA data was performed. Limited information on fracture occurrence was provided by one study but did not include routine screening for vertebral fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review identified that there is insufficient evidence to support routine use of prophylactic bisphosphonate therapy in childhood ALL for prevention of fracture and improvement of bone mass. Future well-designed clinical trials in those at highest risk of fractures in ALL are now needed.

Diminished quality of life among adolescents with coeliac disease using maladaptive eating behaviours to manage a gluten-free diet: a cross-sectional, mixed-methods study

BACKGROUND

Certain approaches to managing a strict gluten-free diet (GFD) for coeliac disease (CD) may lead to impaired psychosocial well-being, a diminished quality of life (QOL) and disordered eating. The present study aimed to understand adolescents' approaches to managing a GFD and the association with QOL.

METHODS

Thirty adolescents with CD (13-17 years old) following the GFD for at least 1 year completed the Celiac Dietary Adherence Test (CDAT) and QOL survey. Their approaches to GFD management were explored using a semi-structured interview, where key themes were developed using an iterative process, and further analysed using a psychosocial rubric to classify management strategies and QOL. CDAT ratings were compared across groups.

RESULTS

Gluten-free diet management strategies were classified on a four-point scale. Adaptive eating behaviours were characterised by greater flexibility (versus rigidity), trust (versus avoidance), confidence (versus controlling behaviour) and awareness (versus preoccupation) with respect to maintaining a GFD. Approximately half the sample (53.3%) expressed more maladaptive approaches to maintaining a GFD and those who did so were older with lower CD-Specific Pediatric Quality of Life (CDPQOL) scores, mean subscale differences ranging from 15.0 points for Isolation (t = 2.4, P = 0.03, d.f. = 28) to 23.4 points for Limitations (t = 3.0, P = 0.01, d.f. = 28).

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents with CD who manage a GFD with maladaptive eating behaviours similar to known risk factors for feeding and eating disorders experience diminished QOL. In accordance with CD management recommendations, we recommend ongoing follow-up with gastroenterologists and dietitians and psychosocial support referrals, as needed.

Coeliac disease: the association between quality of life and social support network participation

BACKGROUND

There is little information available on the use of social support systems for patients with coeliac disease (CD). We performed a cross-sectional study aiming to examine the association between participation in different types of social support networks and quality of life (QOL) in adults with CD.

METHODS

A survey including a validated CD specific QOL instrument was administered online and in-person to adults with CD who were following a gluten-free diet. Participation in social support networks (type, frequency and duration) were assessed.

RESULTS

Among the 2138 participants, overall QOL scores were high, averaging 68.9 out of 100. Significant differences in QOL scores were found for age, length of time since diagnosis and level of education. Most (58%) reported using no social support networks. Of the 42% reporting use of social support networks (online 17.9%, face-to-face 10.8% or both 12.8%), QOL scores were higher for those individuals who used only face-to-face social support compared to only online support (72.6 versus 66.7; P < 0.0001). A longer duration of face-to-face social support use was associated with higher QOL scores (P < 0.0005). By contrast, a longer duration and increased frequency of online social support use was associated with lower QOL scores (P < 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

Participation in face-to-face social support networks is associated with greater QOL scores compared to online social support networks. These findings have potential implications for the management of individuals with CD. Emphasis on face-to-face support may improve long-term QOL and patient outcomes.

Short communication: an in vitro assessment of the antibacterial activity of plant-derived oils

Nonantibiotic treatments for mastitis are needed in organic dairy herds. Plant-derived oils may be useful but efficacy and potential mechanisms of action of such oils in mastitis therapy have not been well documented. The objective of the current study was to evaluate the antibacterial activity of the plant-derived oil components of Phyto-Mast (Bovinity Health LLC, Narvon, PA), an herbal intramammary product, against 3 mastitis-causing pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus chromogenes, and Streptococcus uberis. Plant-derived oils evaluated were Thymus vulgaris (thyme), Gaultheria procumbens (wintergreen), Glycyrrhiza uralensis (Chinese licorice), Angelica sinensis, and Angelica dahurica. Broth dilution testing according to standard protocol was performed using ultrapasteurized whole milk instead of broth. Controls included milk only (negative control), milk + bacteria (positive control), and milk + bacteria + penicillin-streptomycin (antibiotic control, at 1 and 5% concentrations). Essential oil of thyme was tested by itself and not in combination with other oils because of its known antibacterial activity. The other plant-derived oils were tested alone and in combination for a total of 15 treatments, each replicated 3 times and tested at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4% to simulate concentrations potentially achievable in the milk within the pre-dry-off udder quarter. Thyme oil at concentrations ≥2% completely inhibited bacterial growth in all replications. Other plant-derived oils tested alone or in various combinations were not consistently antibacterial and did not show typical dose-response effects. Only thyme essential oil had consistent antibacterial activity against the 3 mastitis-causing organisms tested in vitro. Further evaluation of physiological effects of thyme oil in various preparations on mammary tissue is recommended to determine potential suitability for mastitis therapy.

First determination of the weak charge of the proton

The Q(weak) experiment has measured the parity-violating asymmetry in ep elastic scattering at Q(2)=0.025(GeV/c)(2), employing 145 μA of 89% longitudinally polarized electrons on a 34.4 cm long liquid hydrogen target at Jefferson Lab. The results of the experiment's commissioning run, constituting approximately 4% of the data collected in the experiment, are reported here. From these initial results, the measured asymmetry is A(ep)=-279±35 (stat) ± 31 (syst) ppb, which is the smallest and most precise asymmetry ever measured in ep scattering. The small Q(2) of this experiment has made possible the first determination of the weak charge of the proton Q(W)(p) by incorporating earlier parity-violating electron scattering (PVES) data at higher Q(2) to constrain hadronic corrections. The value of Q(W)(p) obtained in this way is Q(W)(p)(PVES)=0.064±0.012, which is in good agreement with the standard model prediction of Q(W)(p)(SM)=0.0710±0.0007. When this result is further combined with the Cs atomic parity violation (APV) measurement, significant constraints on the weak charges of the up and down quarks can also be extracted. That PVES+APV analysis reveals the neutron's weak charge to be Q(W)(n)(PVES+APV)=-0.975±0.010.

A comparison of the BURP and conventional and modified jaw thrust manoeuvres for orotracheal intubation using the Clarus Video System

We evaluated the effects of three airway manipulation manoeuvres: (a) conventional (single-handed chin lift); (b) backward, upward and right-sided pressure (BURP) manoeuvre; and (c) modified jaw thrust manoeuvre (two-handed aided by an assistant) on laryngeal view and intubation time using the Clarus Video System in 215 patients undergoing general anaesthesia with orotracheal intubation. In the first part of this study, the laryngeal view was recorded as a modified Cormack-Lehane grade with each manoeuvre. In the second part, intubation was performed using the assigned airway manipulation. The primary outcome was the time to intubation, and the secondary outcomes were the modified Cormack-Lehane grade, the number of attempts and the overall success rate. There were significant differences in modified Cormack-Lehane grade between the three airway manipulations (p < 0.0001). Post-hoc analysis indicated that the modified jaw thrust improved the laryngeal view compared with the conventional (p < 0.0001) and the BURP manoeuvres (p < 0.0001). The BURP worsened the laryngeal view compared with the conventional manoeuvre (p = 0.0132). The time to intubation in the modified jaw thrust group was shorter than with the conventional manoeuvre (p = 0.0004) and the BURP group (p < 0.0001). We conclude that the modified jaw thrust is the most effective manoeuvre at improving the laryngeal view and shortening intubation time with the Clarus Video System.

Relativistic quantum teleportation with superconducting circuits

We study the effects of relativistic motion on quantum teleportation and propose a realizable experiment where our results can be tested. We compute bounds on the optimal fidelity of teleportation when one of the observers undergoes nonuniform motion for a finite time. The upper bound to the optimal fidelity is degraded due to the observer's motion. However, we discuss how this degradation can be corrected. These effects are observable for experimental parameters that are within reach of cutting-edge superconducting technology.

Influence of prescribed herbal and Western medicine on patients with abnormal liver function tests: a retrospective quasi-experimental study

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and the efficacy of Korean herbal, western and combination medicine use in patients with abnormal liver function tests.

Methods:

We investigated nerve disease patients with abnormal liver function tests who were treated with Korean herbal, western and combination medicine at Dong-Eui University Oriental Hospital from January 2011 to August 2011. We compared aspartic aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and total bilirubin (T-bil) levels before and after taking medicine and excluded patients who had liver-related disease when admitted.

Results:

AST and ALT were decreased significantly in patients who had taken herbal, western medicine. AST, ALT and ALP were decreased significantly in patients who had taken combination medicine. Compare to herbal medicine, AST, ALT and ALP were decreased significantly in patients who had taken western medicine, and ALT and ALP were decreased significantly in patients who had taken combination medicine. There were no significant differences between western and combination medicine.

Conclusions:

This study suggests that prescribed Korean herbal medicine, at least, does not injure liver function for patients’, moreover, it was shown to be effective in patients with abnormal liver function tests.

Living with coeliac disease: survey results from the U.S.A

BACKGROUND

The only treatment for coeliac disease is lifelong adherence to a rigorous gluten-free diet. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of coeliac disease on the social aspects of daily life of individuals in the U.S.A.

METHODS

The present study used a self-administered survey including the standard Quality of Life questionnaire (12-item short-form) with validated disease-specific questions. sas statistical software 2010 (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, U.S.A.) was used to calculate the mean (SD).

RESULTS

Individuals with coeliac disease overall had a low positive health perception. Validated diet and disease-specific questions revealed a significant negative impact on quality of life in social settings. Specifically, the areas of travel, dining out and family life are most affected. The negative impact of diet significantly decreased over time, although it did not resolve for the domains of dining out of the home and travel. Those diagnosed in childhood and maintained on the diet had less of an impact on the quality of life as an adult.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals with coeliac disease in the U.S.A. have a diminished quality of life, especially in the social aspects of life.

The effect of substituting alternative grains in the diet on the nutritional profile of the gluten-free diet

BACKGROUND

The only treatment for coeliac disease is lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet. Several studies have reported nutritional deficiencies in individuals on a gluten-free diet. The present study aimed to determine whether the nutritional profile of gluten-free diet could be improved through the use of alternative grains.

METHODS

A retrospective review of diet history records by a celiac specialist dietitian were used to establish a 'standard' gluten-free dietary pattern. An 'alternative' gluten-free dietary pattern was developed that substituted naturally gluten-free grains or gluten-free products made from 'alternative' flours (oats, high fibre gluten-free bread and quinoa) in the standard pattern. A paired t-test was performed to identify statistical significance between the 'alternative' and standard gluten-free dietary pattern.

RESULTS

Analysis of standard pattern indicated that 38% of meals and snacks contained no grain or starch choice. Of those meals that contained a grain or starch component, rice was the grain chosen 44% of the time. The inclusion of alternative grains or grain products provided a higher nutrient profile compared to the standard gluten-free dietary pattern (P = 0.002). Several nutrients; protein (20.6 g versus 11 g), iron (18.4 mg versus 1.4 mg), calcium (182 mg versus 0 mg) and fibre (12.7 g versus 5 g) were significantly increased by changing the grain or starch component in the dietary pattern. The B vitamin content (riboflavin, niacin and folate) was improved, although this was not statistically significant (P = 0.125).

DISCUSSION

The inclusion of alternative grain-based products increased the nutrient profile of the gluten-free dietary pattern significantly.

Antibiogram and coagulase diversity in staphylococcal enterotoxin-producing Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis

We investigated antibiogram and coagulase gene diversity in staphylococcal enterotoxin (StE)-producing Staphylococcus aureus isolated from raw milk samples of cows infected with mastitis from 140 dairy farms in Korea between 1997 and 2004. Of the 696 Staph. aureus isolates collected in this study, 164 isolates (23.6%) produced one or more staphylococcal enterotoxins (A to D), and 19 isolates (2.7%) were methicillin-resistant. The percentage of StE-producing Staph. aureus (SES) isolates resistant to methicillin, kanamycin, neomycin, amikacin, and tetracycline was greater than that of non-SES. Ten coagulase genotype patterns were observed, including 4 main types comprising I (25.4%), II (13.9%), VII (13.2%), and VIII (17.8%). More than 4 Staph. aureus types were isolated from each of 82 dairy farms in different geographic locations, and only 1 coagulase genotype pattern was observed in 39 of the herds (47.6%). There was no significant correlation between coagulase genotypes harbored by Staph. aureus and their specific StE type. The percentage of isolates producing major StE types (A, B, AC, and ABCD) and being resistant to cephalothin and methicillin was greater among the Staph. aureus isolates with the 4 predominant coagulase genotypes (I, II, VII, and VIII) than among the isolates harboring the 6 rare coagulase types (III, IV, V, VI, IX, and X). Based on coagulase gene polymorphisms, our data indicate that a broad distribution of identical or closely related enterotoxin-producing Staph. aureus strains seem to contribute to bovine mastitis in the Republic of Korea.

Economic burden of a gluten-free diet

BACKGROUND

Coeliac disease is a common, autoimmune disorder, for which the only treatment is lifelong adherence to a gluten-free diet. This study evaluates the economic burden of adhering to a gluten-free diet.

METHODS

A market basket of products identified by name brand, weight or package size for both regular wheat-based products and gluten-free counterparts was developed. The differences in price between purchase venues, both type of store (general grocery store, an upscale grocery store and a health food store and four internet-based grocery sites) and region was also analysed.

RESULTS

Availability of gluten-free products varied between the different venues, regular grocery stores carried 36%, while upscale markets carried 41%, and health food stores 94%, compared with 100% availability on the internet. Overall, every gluten-free product was more expensive than their wheat-based counterpart (P <or= 0.05). Bread and pasta was twice as expensive as their wheat-based counterparts. Cost was affected more by shopping venue than geographic location.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrated that gluten-free foods have poor availability and are more expensive than their gluten-containing counterparts. The impact of these findings on dietary compliance and the quality of life needs to be addressed.

Gluten-free diet survey: are Americans with coeliac disease consuming recommended amounts of fibre, iron, calcium and grain foods?

OBJECTIVE

This survey was conducted to assess nutrient intakes and food consumption patterns of adults with coeliac disease who adhere to a strict gluten-free diet.

DESIGN

Three-day estimated self-reported food records were used to assess daily intakes of calories, percent daily calories from carbohydrates, dietary fibre, iron, calcium and grain food servings.

SUBJECTS

Volunteers for this survey were recruited through notices placed in coeliac disease support group newsletters, as well as a national magazine for persons with coeliac disease. Forty-seven volunteers met all criteria for participation and returned useable food records.

RESULTS

Group mean daily intake of nutrients by gender: Males (n = 8): 2882 calories; 55% carbohydrate; 24.3 g dietary fibre; 14.7 mg iron; 1288.8 mg calcium; 6.6 grain food servings. Females (n = 39): 1900 calories; 52% carbohydrate; 20.2 g dietary fibre; 11.0 mg iron; 884.7 mg calcium; 4.6 grain food servings. Recommended amounts of fibre, iron and calcium were consumed by 46, 44 and 31% of women and 88, 100 and 63% of men, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Nutrition therapy for coeliac disease has centred around food allowed/not allowed on a gluten-free diet. Emphasis also should be placed on the nutritional quality of the gluten-free diet, particularly as it concerns the iron, calcium and fibre consumption of women. The use of the estimated food record as the dietary survey method may have resulted in the under-reporting of energy intake. Due to the small sample size and possible bias of survey participants, the findings of this survey may not be representative of the larger coeliac community.

Beneficial effect of HCL-31D in murine models of endotoxaemia

We evaluated the effect of HCL-31D, a novel cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, on the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-treated rat aortic smooth muscle cells (RASMC) and on survival in a murine model of severe endotoxaemia. Treatment of cultured RASMC with LPS and IFN-gamma resulted in an increase of nitrite, tumour necrosis factor (TNF-alpha) production and induction of iNOS mRNA. However, incubation with HCL-31D (1 approximately 50 microM) for 24 h caused significant attenuation of nitrite and TNF-alpha formation as well as iNOS mRNA induction in a dose-dependent manner but no effect on iNOS activity in RASMC. In addition, administration of HCL-31D (5 mg/kg, i.p.) resulted in that the increase of both plasma nitrate and TNF-alpha levels induced by LPS in vivo was significantly reduced in LPS-treated rats. Treatment of conscious mice with a high dose of LPS (60 mg/kg, i.p.) to ICR mice resulted in a 24-h survival rate of only 10%. However, administration of HCL-31D (5 mg/kg, i.p. at 0 h and 6 h after LPS) improved the 24-h survival to 50%, indicating that HCL-31D has a beneficial effect in murine model endotoxaemia. These effects may be mainly due to inhibition of TNF-alpha formation and of the induction of iNOS. We proposed that the elevation of cAMP levels by HCL-31D may be involved in the prevention of TNF-alpha formation and iNOS induction.

An experimental approach to study the binding properties of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) during hairless mouse skin permeation

An experimental approach to study the binding properties of vitamin E has been developed. Total vitamin E solubility in the skin was determined by a partition study, followed by in vitro skin permeation studies with whole skin and stripped skin. The amount of freely diffusable vitamin E in the diffusion process was determined from the permeation profiles of whole skin and stripped skin by employing a bi-layer model. The concentrations of vitamin E in the stratum corneum and viable dermis were determined separately. By subtracting this amount from the total concentration of vitamin E in the skin, as determined by the solubility study, the amount of bound vitamin E was determined. After skin permeation reached a steady state, the donor solution was removed and the permeation study continued (desorption study). During the entire period of the desorption experiment, the amount of vitamin E in the receptor solution hardly increased and remained constant. After the desorption experiment, vitamin E still remaining in the skin was determined by extracting with tissue solubilizer, SOLABLE, and is considered as the amount of vitamin E strongly bound in the skin. The concentrations of bound vitamin E determined by permeation and desorption studies coincided relatively well. To further investigate skin binding of vitamin E, a differential scanning calorimetry study was performed. Vitamin E-treated stratum corneum showed phase transitions at 76 and 85 degrees C, associated with lipid transitions. The thermal transitions associated with the lipid transition suggested interactions of vitamin E with lipid components of the skin. During skin permeation, vitamin E forms a very strong reservoir in the skin tissue and this amount of vitamin E, about 30%, exists as a bound-form with the lipid components of the stratum corneum.

Mechanism of inhibition of platelet aggregation by HCL-31D

The antiplatelet effect of the pyridazinone analogue, 4, 5-dihydro-6-[4-[2-hydroxy-3-(3,4 dimethoxybenzylamino)propoxy]naphth-1-yl]-3(2H)-pyridazinone (HCL-31D), was investigated in vitro with rabbit platelets. HCL-31D dose-dependently inhibited the platelet aggregation and ATP release induced by collagen (10 microg/ml), arachidonic acid (100 microM) or thrombin (0.1 U/ml) with an IC(50) of about 0.95-5.41 microM. HCL-31D (0.5-5 microM) increased the platelet cyclic AMP level in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HCL-31D potentiated cyclic AMP formation caused by prostaglandin E(1) but not that caused by 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX). HCL-31D also attenuated phosphoinositide breakdown and intracellular Ca(2+) elevation induced by collagen, arachidonic acid or thrombin. HCL-31D inhibited the formation of thromboxane B(2) induced by collagen or thrombin but not by arachidonic acid. In addition, HCL-31D did not affect platelet cylooxygenase and thromboxane synthase activity. These data indicate that HCL-31D is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase and that its antiplatelet effect is mainly mediated by elevation of cyclic AMP levels.

Observations on the Apparent Solubility of Carbonate-Apatites

Previousreports indicating that the apparent solubilities of carbonate-apatites are low appear to conflict with findings that carbonate incorporation into the apatite structure tends to reduce stability. Carbonate-apatites were prepared by a precipitation method and by hydrolysis of monetite and brushite. Apparent solubility profiles were determined by measuring dissolution after exposure for 24 h to acetate buffers with known saturations with respect to hydroxyapatite. All preparations showed a range of apparent solubilities, in agreement with previous work. Precipitated samples had higher apparent solubilities than samples prepared by hydrolysis and this was correlated with differences in crystallinity. Further experiments showed that pyrophosphate ion reduced the apparent solubility, but it was concluded that pyrophosphate occurring naturally in synthetic apatites would be insufficient to cause low apparent solubilities. Microscopical observations showed that precipitated carbonate-apatites were composed of small crystals of uniform size, whereas carbonate-apatites prepared by hydrolysis consisted of both small crystals and very large crystals. The low apparent solubilities observed in the latter preparations are attributed to the large crystals. The surface phenomena possibly involved in apparent solubility behavior are discussed. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Modified Morse Potential for Diatomic Molecules

We present a diatomic potential which closely resembles the standard Morse function but incorporates additional flexibility for fitting experimental vibrational energy-gap data. This flexibility is accommodated by introducing a continuously variable radially dependent change in the exponent of the Morse function, which in practice is adequately realized via a relatively small number of constant parameters. As an illustration, the method is applied to calculate the quantum vibrational levels of the X1Sigma+<INF POS="STACK">g ground electronic state of the N2 molecule. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Intraocular pressure lowering effects of novel arylpiperazine derivatives

Arylpiperazine derivatives were synthesized and investigated in this study. Two animal models, including an intraocular pressure (IOP) recovery method and an alpha-chymotrypsin-induced glaucoma model, were used to determine the ocular pharmacological effects of the arylpiperazine derivatives. In the IOP recovery method, New Zealand rabbits with normal IOP were instilled with 50 microliters of 0.5% eye drops, then 10% sodium chloride solution was infused through the ear marginal vein. The relative percent of IOPs were calculated, then delta IOPt% was obtained from the difference of IOPt% between the treated and controlled eye. In the alpha-chymotrypsin-induced glaucoma model, the induced glaucoma rabbits were topically instilled with 0.5% arylpiperazines onto the eyes, and then the IOP changes were calculated to evaluate the effect of eye drops. Our results showed that in the IOP recovery method, BG31 and YCT2-2 demonstrated a very significant effect for reducing IOP; delta IOPt% were -27.6 and -25.5 for BG31 and YCT2-2, respectively. Two other compounds, C219 and C220 also lowered IOP, but the effects were less significant. In alpha-chymotrypsin-induced glaucoma, the maximum effect of YCT2-2 on the IOP was found at 5 hrs. The delta IOP and delta delta IOP were -12.5 +/- 1.7 and -5.8 +/- 1.1 mmHg (p < 0.01), respectively. For BG-31 and C220, there existed a trend to increase IOP with time. In the study, we found that YCT2-2 with higher solubility in the acidic condition was correlated to the significant IOP lowering effect.

Dynamically Modified Torsional Eigenstates for Single-Top Molecules

We present a semiclassical treatment for the inclusion of kinetic energy-dependent variations in the moment of inertia for certain molecules exhibiting internal rotational motion. The model is applied to trifluoroacetyl bromide and the resulting dynamically modified transition energies yield an improved spectral deviation in contrast to the rigid model. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.

Contribution to first-pass metabolism of ethanol and inhibition by ethanol for retinol oxidation in human alcohol dehydrogenase family--implications for etiology of fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol-related diseases

The alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) family is involved in the metabolism of both ethanol and retinoids. To quantitatively assess the potential contributions to first-pass metabolism of ethanol and the ethanol interference with retinoid homeostasis, saturation kinetics for ethanol oxidation as well as inhibition kinetics by ethanol for all-trans-retinol oxidation of human class I alpha alpha, beta1beta1, beta2beta2, gamma1gamma1, class II pi pi, class III chi chi, and class IV mu mu were evaluated and compared. Class I and class II ADHs exhibited substrate inhibition with inhibition constants ranging over 250-720 mM (except gamma1gamma1) ethanol. Class IV ADH displayed no appreciable inhibition up to 1 M ethanol. Activity of the class III enzyme (190 nM subunit) was undetectable at 250 mM ethanol. The kinetic simulations indicate that the hepatic pi pi and the gastric mu mu can most effectively contribute to first-pass metabolism of alcohol. The Michaelis constant (Km), turnover number (k(cat)), and catalytic efficiency (k(cat)/Km) for retinol oxidation relative to that for ethanol oxidation in class I, class II, and class IV ADHs ranged over 0.00022-1.3, 0.071-0.48, and 0.24-650, respectively. Ethanol was a competitive inhibitor against retinol for class I, II, and IV ADHs with apparent inhibition constants ranging over 0.037-11 mM, indicating that retinoic acid synthesis through the ADH pathways can be tremendously blocked during social/heavy drinking. These findings support the notion that first-pass metabolism of alcohol may occur mainly in the liver through class II pi pi and that cellular retinoid signaling may be perturbed by ethanol via ADH pathways.

Characterization of skin permeation of vitamin C: theoretical analysis of penetration profiles and differential scanning calorimetry study

A mechanism for the relatively high permeability of vitamin C in relation to the change in the protein domain of the stratum corneum has been proposed. Firstly, the skin permeation characteristics of vitamin C (l-[1-14C]-ascorbic acid) using whole skin and stripped skin of the hairless mouse were investigated. By employing a double layer model, physicochemical properties such as diffusivity and solubility of vitamin C in each skin layer, stratum corneum and viable skin were determined. Then, the high skin permeation rate of vitamin C was characterized. A differential scanning calorimetry, (DSC), study was employed to investigate the effect of vitamin C on the stratum corneum, a major diffusion barrier for the skin transport of the compound. Vitamin C was found to permeate rapidly through the skin, in spite of its low lipophilicity. The diffusivity determined from the lag-time was approximately 1000 times higher in the stripped skin, compared with whole skin. There is a dramatic increase (10-fold) in the permeation rate in stripped skin indicating the major barrier presented by the stratum corneum to the skin permeation of vitamin C. The DSC profile showed four very distinctive transitions near 100, 128, 135 and 145 degrees C which are associated with protein transitions. Comparing normal skin, the peaks are sharpened and there are additional phase transitions above 90 degrees C. An increase in sharpness reflects an increase in the hydration state of the sample, as hydrogen bonds between H2) molecules and other hydrogen donating chemicals of skin components become major chemical bonds in hydrated samples. The higher permeation rate of vitamin C observed may be due to its enhancing effect on the hydration capacity of skin and solubilizing action on the protein domain of the stratum corneum.

A Systematic Approach for Determining Internal Rotation Potentials of Single-Top Molecules from Observed Transition Spectra

We present a systematic technique for the calculation of quantum potentials which fit experimentally specified transition spectra. With the aid of examples involving the molecular torsion of single-top molecules, we show how via a very small number of iterations, the observed spectrum may be approached to within a minimal deviation. Copyright 1997 Academic Press. Copyright 1997Academic Press

Evaluation for intrinsic skin permeation of unstable compounds

An evaluation method is proposed for the intrinsic skin permeation rate of unstable compounds. Vitamin C and vitamin E were used as the model compounds. The degradation of vitamin C and E in the solutions followed first-order kinetics with degradation constants of 0.26 h-1 and 0.014 h-1, respectively. The apparent skin permeation profiles of vitamin C and E in vitro, approximated by a nonlinear profile of the polynomial regression method, was corrected for intrinsic permeation rate considering first-order degradation in the receptor solution. The intrinsic profiles evaluated agreed well with the ones determined from radio-labelled compounds, indicating the feasibility of the present analysis.

The role of cation bridging in microbial fluoride binding

The cation-bridged fluoride binding model proposed previously was tested by measuring fluoride binding to Streptococcus mutans R9 in the presence and absence of calcium, magnesium or zinc ions. The dissociation constant for fluoride binding to washed cells was 8.4 +/- 7.9 mmol/l and the binding capacity was 4.3 +/- 1.7 mumol/g wet weight. Binding was largely accounted for by residual bound divalent magnesium, with a small contribution from calcium. In the presence of 5 mmol/l divalent cation, dissociation constants for fluoride (mmol/l) were: 12.2 +/- 3.8 (calcium), 9.9 +/- 0.4 (magnesium) and 14.4 +/- 0.5 (zinc). Binding capacities (mumol/g wet weight) were: 122 +/- 26 (calcium), 130 +/- 90 (magnesium) and 142 +/- 56 (zinc). Fluoride produced a marked reduction in calcium binding affinity and approximately doubled the calcium binding capacity. In the absence of fluoride, divalent cation binding to plaque is bidentate. It is suggested that fluoride, by competing with macromolecular anionic groups, causes binding to become monodentate. This allows the binding of double the quantity of cations (and of further fluoride). Release of fluoride, bound by calcium bridging, into plaque fluid, as a result of fluoride clearance into saliva, or of a fall in pH, will always be accompanied by a release of calcium which will potentiate the cariostatic effect of fluoride.

Zinc sulphadiazines: novel topical antimicrobial agents for burns

Two new zinc sulphadiazine (Zn(SD)2)-amine complexes, zinc sulphadiazine-methylamine (Zn(SD)2(CH3NH2)2) and zinc sulphadiazine-ethylenediamine (Zn(SD)2(C2H8N2)3.H2O), were prepared and compared with silver sulphadiazine (AgSD). The compounds were readily obtained by reaction of zinc nitrate hexahydrate with sulphadiazine or its salt in methylamine and ethylenediamine, respectively. Structure was established by X-ray crystallography and ultraviolet-visible, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The products were effective, in-vitro, against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as fungus. However, their activity is partially reversed by p-aminobenzoic acid. Further investigations in burned mice revealed that these compounds displayed a potential value in the prevention and treatment of wound healing, and diminution of mortality and weight loss. The toxicity of Zn(SD)2 derivatives was much lower than that of AgSD. The better aqueous solubility and skin permeability may explain the reason for their superiority over AgSD in the efficacy for topical therapy. Zn(SD)2(CH3NH2)2 was consistently more potent and was chosen for further development in clinical uses. The similarity in complexation between Zn(SD)2(CH3NH2)2 and AgSD may be significant to distinguish that from any other Zn(SD)2 derivative in bioactivity.

Determination of guaiphenesin in anti-tussive pharmaceutical preparations containing dextromethorphan by first- and second-derivative ultraviolet spectrophotometry

Rapid, simple and direct assay procedures based on selective first (D1)- and second (D2)-derivative spectrophotometry, using a zero-crossing technique of measurement at 279.2 and 280.0 nm, respectively, have been developed for the specific determination of guaiphenesin in the presence of dextromethorphan, drugs with closely overlapping absorption spectra, in synthetic admixtures and in pharmaceutical dosage forms (tablets and syrups). The methods do not require extraction with organic solvents and are easier to perform than their conventional counterparts. Calibration graphs were linear (r = 0.99999 for D1 and 0.99969 for D2, respectively). Good selectivity, accuracy and precision were found. However, the performance of the analysis of guaiphenesin by the second-derivative mode deteriorated when the ratio of dextromethorphan to guaiphenesin was greater than one. Thus, the first-derivative spectrophotometry is the method of choice for the assay of tablets and syrups containing the two drugs.

Studies of topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors: ocular hypotensive effect of thiadiazole derivatives

A series of thiadiazole derivatives were topically applied in gels or suspensions to rabbits to determine their ocular hypotensive effect. As a result, the compounds with higher corneal permeabilities showed stronger effect in lowering IOP. In addition, gels also caused stronger effect than suspensions. Different concentrations of gel preparations produced diverse ocular hypotensive effects. A linear relationship between the integrated IOP response and logarithm concentration of inhibitor was found. It is proposed that the ocular hypotensive effect was attributed to the level of inhibitor in ciliary body.