Multiscale architecture for fast optical addressing and control of large-scale qubit arrays

This paper presents a technique for rapid site-selective control of the quantum state of particles in a large array using the combination of a fast deflector (e.g., an acousto-optic deflector) and a relatively slow spatial light modulator (SLM). The use of SLMs for site-selective quantum state manipulation has been limited due to slow transition times that prevent rapid, consecutive quantum gates. By partitioning the SLM into multiple segments and using a fast deflector to transition between them, it is possible to substantially reduce the average time increment between scanner transitions by increasing the number of gates that can be performed for a single SLM full-frame setting. We analyzed the performance of this device in two different configurations: In configuration 1, each SLM segment addresses the full qubit array; in configuration 2, each SLM segment addresses a subarray and an additional fast deflector positions that subarray with respect to the full qubit array. With these hybrid scanners, we calculated qubit addressing rates that are tens to hundreds of times faster than using an SLM alone.

Warming signals in temperate reef communities following more than a decade of ecological stability

Ecosystem structure and function are increasingly threatened by changing climate, with profound effects observed globally in recent decades. Based on standardized visual censuses of reef biodiversity, we describe 27 years of community-level change for fishes, mobile macroinvertebrates and macroalgae in the Tasmanian ocean-warming hotspot. Significant ecological change was observed across 94 reef sites (5-10 m depth range) spanning four coastal regions between three periods (1992-95, 2006-07, 2017-19), which occurred against a background of pronounced sea temperature rise (+0.80°C on average). Overall, fish biomass increased, macroinvertebrate species richness and abundance decreased and macroalgal cover decreased, particularly during the most recent decade. While reef communities were relatively stable and warming was slight between the 1990s and mid-2000s (+0.12°C mean temperature rise), increased abundances of warm affinity fishes and invertebrates accompanied warming during the most recent decade (+0.68°C rise). However, significant rises in the community temperature index (CTI) were only found for fishes, invertebrates and macroalgae in some regions. Coastal warming was associated with increased fish biomass of non-targeted species in fished zones but had little effect on reef communities within marine reserves. Higher abundances of larger fishes and lobsters inside reserves appeared to negate impacts of 'thermophilization'.

Combined effects of sous-vide cooking conditions on meat and sensory quality characteristics of chicken breast meat

This study investigated the combined effects of cooking temperature and time on the meat and eating quality characteristics of the sous-vide chicken breast. For the control group, chicken breast samples were cooked in a convection oven until the internal temperature reached 71°C. Each sample for sous-vide cooking was vacuum packaged and then cooked under continuous thermocontrolled conditions in a water bath at 6 combinations of cooking temperature (60 and 70°C) and time (1, 2, and 3 h). Sous-vide cooked chicken meat at 60°C for 1 h (SV60-1h) showed lower cooking loss (6.58 vs. 26.5%, P < 0.05), Warner-Bratzler shear force (21.7 vs. 29.1 N, P < 0.05), and hardness (9.40 vs. 17.3 N, P < 0.05) than meat cooked by conventional oven. Similar to the objective tenderness parameters, cooked chicken meat from the SV60 treatments for all cooking times showed higher scores in all the tenderness attributes than the control group (P < 0.05). However, a higher flavor intensity was observed in the SV70-3h and control groups than in the SV60 treatments (P < 0.05). Owing to a lesser developed flavor in chicken meat from the SV60-1h treatment, the SV60-2h and 3h treatments were assigned a higher acceptability rating for overall impression (P < 0.05). Therefore, cooking temperature and time of sous-vide significantly influenced the physicochemical and palatability characteristics of chicken breast. In this study, the optimum conditions for the sous-vide chicken breast are to continuously cook at 60°C for 2 to 3 h to improve sensory quality characteristics without reducing the water-holding capacity.

Synthetic chimeric nucleases function for efficient genome editing

CRISPR-Cas systems have revolutionized genome editing across a broad range of biotechnological endeavors. Many CRISPR-Cas nucleases have been identified and engineered for improved capabilities. Given the modular structure of such enzymes, we hypothesized that engineering chimeric sequences would generate non-natural variants that span the kinetic parameter landscape, and thus provide for the rapid selection of nucleases fit for a particular editing system. Here, we design a chimeric Cas12a-type library with approximately 560 synthetic chimeras, and select several functional variants. We demonstrate that certain nuclease domains can be recombined across distantly related nuclease templates to produce variants that function in bacteria, yeast, and human cell lines. We further characterize selected chimeric nucleases and find that they have different protospacer adjacent motif (PAM) preferences and the M44 chimera has higher specificity relative to wild-type (WT) sequences. This demonstration opens up the possibility of generating nuclease sequences with implications across biotechnology.

P4580The effect of anesthetic techniques on cardiac troponin-T after non-cardiac surgery

Background

The effects of anesthetics on cardiac protection and clinical outcomes have shown conflicting results in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Unlike cardiac surgeries in which cardio-protective effects of anesthetic techniques have been reported, it lacks evidence and reproducibility in non-cardiac surgery. A current generation high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTnI) is known to detect perioperative myocardial injury in non-cardiac surgery which is closely related to clinical outcomes. In this study, we hypothesized that balanced anesthesia using both remifentanil and volatile agents is the most effective in reducing postoperative myocardial injury, and compared the incidence of postoperative myocardial injury among different types of general anesthesia.

Methods

We analyzed the data of 3555 patients who underwent general anesthesia for non-cardiac surgery in our hospital between February 2010 and December 2016. In all patients, hs-cTnI was detected in preoperative period and postoperative period within 48 hours. Major exclusion criteria was troponin elevation before surgery. Patients were stratified into three groups; 661 patients who were received propofol-remifentanil total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA group), 1279 patients who were received volatile anesthesia without remifentanil (Volatile group) and 1622 patients who were received volatile anesthesia with remifentanil (Balanced group). The Primary outcome was troponin elevation [hs-cTnI≥0.04 ng/mL] within post-operative within 48 hours, and the incidence of postoperative complications such as postoperative acute kidney injury, new-onset atrial fibrillation and in-hospital mortality were also compared.

Results

The occurrence of myocaridial injury were significant difference between three groups. The occurrence of myocardial injury was significantly lower in the Balanced group than in Volatile group after adjustment (Odds ratio (OR) = 0.727; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.59–0.89; P-value = 0.002). Balanced group and TIVA group showed comparable results in risk of postoperative troponin elevation after adjustment (OR 1.131; 95% CI 0.96–1.33; P-value = 0.133). The incidence of troponin elevation was significantly higher in Volatile group than TIVA group after adjustment (OR 1.6; 95% CI 0.52–0.96; P-value = 0.005). The incidence of AKI was significantly lower in Balanced group than Volatile group after adjustment (OR 0.637; 95% CI 0.49–0.81; P-value <0.001).

Conclusion

The remifentanil combination during general anesthesia may be associated with myocardial protection effect in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery. Whether this impact leads to adverse long-term outcome remains unclear, and requires further investigation.

Investigation of Crystallization and Salt Formation of Poorly Water-Soluble Telmisartan for Enhanced Solubility

The crystal changes and salt formation of poorly water-soluble telmisartan (TEL) in various solvents were investigated for enhanced solubility, stability and crystallinity. Polymorphic behaviors of TEL were characterized by dispersing in distilled water, acetone, acetonitrile, DMSO, or ethanol using Method I: without heat and then dried under vacuum at room temperature; and Method II: with heat below boiling temperature, cooled at 5 °C, and then dried under vacuum at 40 °C. For salt formation (Method III), the following four powdered mixtures were prepared by dispersing in solution of hydrochloric acid (HCl) (pH 1.2), TEL/HCl; in simulated gastric fluid (pH 1.2 buffer), TEL/simulated gastric fluid (SGF); in intestinal fluid (pH 6.8 buffer), TEL/simulated intestinal fluid (SIF); or in NaOH (pH 6.8), TEL/NaOH, respectively, and then dried under a vacuum at room temperature. The structures of powdered mixtures were then studied using a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), FTIR, ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), and LC⁻MS. The solubility of TEL in powdered forms was performed in pH 6.8, pH 1.2, and distilled water. No polymorphic behaviors of TEL were observed in various solvents as characterized by FESEM, DSC, PXRD, and FTIR. However, the structural changes of powdered mixtures obtained from Method III were observed due to the formation of salt form. Moreover, the solubility of salt form (TEL/HCl) was highly increased as compared with pure TEL. There were no significant changes of TEL/HCl compared with TEL in the content assay, PXRD, DSC, and FTIR during stressed storage conditions at 40 °C/75% relative humidity (RH) for 4 weeks under the closed package condition. Therefore, the present study suggests the new approach for the enhanced stability and solubility of a poorly water-soluble drug via salt form.

Multivariate Statistical Optimization of Tablet Formulations Incorporating High Doses of a Dry Herbal Extract

The development of oral tablet formulation for herbal medicines has been restricted by large drug loadings and the poor physicochemical and mechanical properties of dry herbal extracts (DHEs). Herein, statistical experimental designs were applied to herbal tablet formulation development and optimization using Wuzi Yanzong dry extract (WYE). The tablet disintegration time and hardness were identified as the critical quality attributes (CQAs) of the product. The tablet formulation was designed to achieve a high drug loading (50% or higher of WYE), shorter tablet disintegration time (less than 30 minutes), and suitable hardness (6.0 to 7.5 kp). A D-optimal mixture design was used to evaluate the effects of excipients on CQAs to minimize the risk compression failure and improve the tabletability in formulations containing WYE at 50% and 65% by weight. A partial least squares model was used to elucidate the multivariate relationships between a large number of formulation variables and product CQAs, and determine the maximum possible WYE loading. From overlaid plots of the effects of formulation variables on CQAs, it was found that a maximum WYE loading of 67% in tablet formulation satisfied the acceptance criteria of CQAs. In conclusion, this study shows that multivariate statistical tools are useful for developing tablet formulations containing high doses of herbal extracts and establishing control strategies that ensure product quality.

Utility of the laryngeal handshake method for identifying the cricothyroid membrane

BACKGROUND

The cricothyroid membrane is the most commonly accessed location for invasive surgical airway. Although the laryngeal handshake method is recommended for identifying the cricothyroid membrane, there is no clinical data regarding the utility of the laryngeal handshake method in cricothyroid membrane identification. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of cricothyroid membrane identification between the laryngeal handshake method and simple palpation.

METHODS

After anaesthesia induction, the otorhinolaryngology resident and anaesthesia resident identified and marked the needle insertion point for cricothyroidotomy using simple palpation and the laryngeal handshake method, respectively. The cricothyroid membrane was confirmed with ultrasonography. Identification was determined successful if the marked point was placed within the longitudinal area of the cricothyroid membrane and within 5 mm from midline transversely. The accuracy of cricothyroid membrane identification using the laryngeal handshake method and simple palpation was compared.

RESULTS

A total of 123 patients were enrolled. The cricothyroid membrane was correctly identified in 87 (70.7%, 95% confidence interval 61.8-78.6%) patients using the laryngeal handshake method compared to 78 (63.4%, 95% confidence interval 54.3-71.9%) patients using simple palpation (P = .188). The time required to identify the cricothyroid membrane was longer when using the laryngeal handshake method (15 [3-48] seconds vs 10.9 [3-55] seconds, P = .003).

CONCLUSION

The success rate of identifying the cricothyroid membrane was similar among the anesthesiologists who performed the laryngeal handshake method and also among otorhinolaryngologists who used simple palpation.

Design of fixed dose combination and physicochemical characterization of enteric-coated bilayer tablet with circadian rhythmic variations containing telmisartan and pravastatin sodium

The aim of this study was to investigate a fixed dose combination (FDC) of telmisartan (TEL) and pravastatin sodium (PRA) in enteric-coated bilayer tablets, which was designed for once-daily bedtime dose in order to match circadian rhythmic variations of hypertension and cholesterol synthesis and optimize the patient friendly dosing treatment. Due to the poor aqueous solubility of TEL, ternary solid dispersions (SD) consisting of TEL, polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) and magnesium oxide (MgO) were designed to enhance its dissolution rate in intestinal fluid. MgO was added as an effective alkalizer to maintain the high microenvironmental pH of the saturated solution in the immediate vicinity of TEL particles because TEL is known to be ionizable but poorly soluble in intestinal fluid. In contrast, PRA is known to be very unstable in low pH conditions. In the SD system, TEL was present in an amorphous structure and formed an intermolecular hydrogen bonding with MgO, giving complete drug release without precipitation in intestinal fluid. In addition, the amount of hydrophilic carrier (PEG 6000) was also a factor. In the design of tablet formulation, the diluents and superdisintegrants could play a key role in release profiles. Then, to fulfill the unmet needs of the two model drugs and match circadian rhythmic variations of hypertension and cholesterol synthesis, enteric-coated bilayer tablet consisting of TEL SD and PRA was finally prepared using Acryl-EZE^® as an enteric coating material. Prior to enteric coating, a seal coating layer (Opadry^®, 2% weight gains) was firstly introduced to separate the core bilayer tablet from the acidic enteric coating polymers to avoid premature degradation. Dissolution profiles of finished tablets revealed that enteric-coated bilayer tablets with 6% weight gains remained intact in acidic media (pH 1.0) for 2h and then released drugs completely within 45min after switching to the intestinal media (pH 6.8). It was observed that enteric-coated bilayer tablets were stable during 3 month under the accelerated condition of 40°C/75% RH. The delayed drug release and bedtime dosage regimen using enteric-coated bilayer tablet containing TEL and PRA, matching the circadian rhythms of hypertension and hyperlipidemia can provide therapeutic benefits for elderly patients in terms of maximizing the therapeutic effects.

Multiparametric approach with diffusion-weighted imaging and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI: a comparison study for differentiating between benign and malignant bone lesions in adults

AIM

To evaluate and compare the diagnostic performance of quantitative parameters derived from diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) in differentiating benign and malignant bone tumours.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-five patients (age range, 21-82 years; mean age, 55 years) underwent pretreatment MRI. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were calculated by DWI. The DCE-MRI data were analysed for the volume transfer constant (K^trans), extravascular extracellular volume fraction (V_e), and volume rate constant (K_ep), and K^trans/ADC ratio. Each parameter's performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curv (AUC), and their AUCs were compared. ROC curves were analysed and each parameter's optimal cut-off value was determined, from which each parameter was evaluated for sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and positive and negative predictive values. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval for detecting malignant bone lesions after adjusting the age factor of each parameter was estimated.

RESULTS

All parameter values (except V_e) were significantly different between benign and malignant bone tumours (p<0.05). The K^trans had a significantly greater AUC than V_e (p=0.03). The K^trans/ADC and K_ep had the best sensitivity (0.917) and specificity (0.632), respectively. The K_ep and K^trans/ADC had the best positive (0.811) and negative (0.769) predictive values, respectively. The OR was highest for K^trans/ADC (17.38; p=0.0013).

CONCLUSION

The K^trans, K_ep, ADC, and K^trans/ADC could help to detect malignant lesions from bone tumours and K^trans/ADC appears to be the superior variable among them.

Amelioration of high fat diet-induced nephropathy by cilostazol and rosuvastatin

Multiple comorbidities of metabolic disorders are associated with facilitated chronic kidney disease progression. Anti-platelet cilostazol is used for the treatment of peripheral artery disease. In this study, we investigated the potential beneficial effects of cilostazol and rosuvastatin on metabolic disorder-induced renal dysfunctions. C57BL/6 mice that received high fat diet (HFD) for 22 weeks and a low dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg) developed albuminuria and had increased urinary cystatin C excretion, and cilostazol treatment (13 weeks) improved these markers. Histopathological changes, including glomerular mesangial expansion, tubular vacuolization, apoptosis, and lipid accumulation were ameliorated by cilostazol treatment. Tubulointerstitial fibrosis that was indicated by the increases in collagen and transforming growth factor-β1 subsided by cilostazol. Renoprotective effects were also observed in rosuvastatin-treated mice, and combinatorial treatment with cilostazol and rosuvastatin demonstrated enhanced ameliorative effects in histopathological evaluations. Notably, repressed renal heme oxygenase-1 (Ho-1) level in HFD/STZ mice was restored in cilostazol group. Further, we demonstrated that cilostazol enhanced Nrf2/Ho-1 signaling in cultured proximal tubular epithelial cells. Collectively, these results suggest the potential advantageous use of cilostazol as an adjunctive therapy with statins for the amelioration of metabolic disorder-associated renal injury.

Impact of statins on risk of new onset diabetes mellitus: a population-based cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance claims database

Statin therapy is beneficial in reducing cardiovascular events and mortalities in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Yet, there have been concerns of increased risk of diabetes with statin use. This study was aimed to evaluate the association between statins and new onset diabetes mellitus (NODM) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD) utilizing the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims database. Among adult patients with preexisting IHD, new statin users and matched nonstatin users were identified on a 1:1 ratio using proportionate stratified random sampling by sex and age. They were subsequently propensity score matched further with age and comorbidities to reduce the selection bias. Overall incidence rates, cumulative rates and hazard ratios (HRs) between statin use and occurrence of NODM were estimated. The subgroup analyses were performed according to sex, age groups, and the individual agents and intensities of statins. A total of 156,360 patients (94,370 in the statin users and 61,990 in the nonstatin users) were included in the analysis. The incidence rates of NODM were 7.8% and 4.8% in the statin users and nonstatin users, respectively. The risk of NODM was higher among statin users (crude HR 2.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.93–2.10; adjusted HR 1.84, 95% CI 1.63–2.09). Pravastatin had the lowest risk (adjusted HR 1.54, 95% CI 1.32–1.81) while those who were exposed to more than one statin were at the highest risk of NODM (adjusted HR 2.17, 95% CI 1.93–2.37). It has been concluded that all statins are associated with the risk of NODM in patients with IHD, and it is believed that our study would contribute to a better understanding of statin and NODM association by analyzing statin use in the real-world setting. Periodic screening and monitoring for diabetes are warranted during prolonged statin therapy in patients with IHD.

Application of physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling in predicting drug-drug interactions for sarpogrelate hydrochloride in humans

Background

Evaluating the potential risk of metabolic drug–drug interactions (DDIs) is clinically important.

Objective

To develop a physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model for sarpogrelate hydrochloride and its active metabolite, (R,S)-1-{2-[2-(3-methoxyphenyl)ethyl]-phenoxy}-3-(dimethylamino)-2-propanol (M-1), in order to predict DDIs between sarpogrelate and the clinically relevant cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 substrates, metoprolol, desipramine, dextromethorphan, imipramine, and tolterodine.

Methods

The PBPK model was developed, incorporating the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of sarpogrelate hydrochloride, and M-1 based on the findings from in vitro and in vivo studies. Subsequently, the model was verified by comparing the predicted concentration-time profiles and pharmacokinetic parameters of sarpogrelate and M-1 to the observed clinical data. Finally, the verified model was used to simulate clinical DDIs between sarpogrelate hydrochloride and sensitive CYP2D6 substrates. The predictive performance of the model was assessed by comparing predicted results to observed data after coadministering sarpogrelate hydrochloride and metoprolol.

Results

The developed PBPK model accurately predicted sarpogrelate and M-1 plasma concentration profiles after single or multiple doses of sarpogrelate hydrochloride. The simulated ratios of area under the curve and maximum plasma concentration of metoprolol in the presence of sarpogrelate hydrochloride to baseline were in good agreement with the observed ratios. The predicted fold-increases in the area under the curve ratios of metoprolol, desipramine, imipramine, dextromethorphan, and tolterodine following single and multiple sarpogrelate hydrochloride oral doses were within the range of ≥1.25, but <2-fold, indicating that sarpogrelate hydrochloride is a weak inhibitor of CYP2D6 in vivo. Collectively, the predicted low DDIs suggest that sarpogrelate hydrochloride has limited potential for causing significant DDIs associated with CYP2D6 inhibition.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the feasibility of applying the PBPK approach to predicting the DDI potential between sarpogrelate hydrochloride and drugs metabolized by CYP2D6. Therefore, it would be beneficial in designing and optimizing clinical DDI studies using sarpogrelate as an in vivo CYP2D6 inhibitor.

Fast phase stabilization of a low frequency beat note for atom interferometry

Atom interferometry experiments rely on the ability to obtain a stable signal that corresponds to an atomic phase. For interferometers that use laser beams to manipulate the atoms, noise in the lasers can lead to errors in the atomic measurement. In particular, it is often necessary to actively stabilize the optical phase between two frequency components of the beams. Typically this is achieved using a time-domain measurement of a beat note between the two frequencies. This becomes challenging when the frequency difference is small and the phase measurement must be made quickly. The method presented here instead uses a spatial interference detection to rapidly measure the optical phase for arbitrary frequency differences. A feedback system operating at a bandwidth of about 10 MHz could then correct the phase in about 3 μs. This time is short enough that the phase correction could be applied at the start of a laser pulse without appreciably degrading the fidelity of the atom interferometer operation. The phase stabilization system was demonstrated in a simple atom interferometer measurement of the (87)Rb recoil frequency.

Beneficial Effects of Sarpogrelate and Rosuvastatin in High Fat Diet/Streptozotocin-Induced Nephropathy in Mice

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major complication of metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hypertension. Comorbidity of these diseases is the factor exacerbating CKD progression. Statins are commonly used in patients with metabolic disorders to decrease the risk of cardiovascular complications. Sarpogrelate, a selective antagonist of 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 2A receptor, inhibits platelet aggregation and is used to improve peripheral circulation in diabetic patients. Here, we investigated the effects of sarpogrelate and rosuvastatin on CKD in mice that were subjected to a high fat diet (HFD) for 22 weeks and a single low dose of streptozotocin (STZ, 40 mg/kg). When mice were administrated sarpogrelate (50 mg/kg, p.o.) for 13 weeks, albuminuria and urinary cystatin C excretion were normalized and histopathological changes such as glomerular mesangial expansion, tubular damage, and accumulations in lipid droplets and collagen were significantly improved. Sarpogrelate treatment repressed the HFD/STZ-induced CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 expressions, indicating the attenuation of glomerular endothelial proliferation. Additionally, sarpogrelate inhibited interstitial fibrosis by suppressing the increases in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). All of these functional and histological improvements were also seen in rosuvastatin (20 mg/kg) group and, notably, the combinatorial treatment with sarpogrelate and rosuvastatin showed additive beneficial effects on histopathological changes by HFD/STZ. Moreover, sarpogrelate reduced circulating levels of PAI-1 that were elevated in the HFD/STZ group. As supportive in vitro evidence, sarpogrelate incubation blocked TGF-β1/5-HT-inducible PAI-1 expression in murine glomerular mesangial cells. Taken together, sarpogrelate and rosuvastatin may be advantageous to control the progression of CKD in patients with comorbid metabolic disorders, and particularly, the use of sarpogrelate as adjunctive therapy with statins may provide additional benefits on CKD.

Vitamin D deficiency in Parkinson's disease patients with orthostatic hypotension

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of our study was to investigate the associations between serum vitamin D3 levels and orthostatic hypotension (OH) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fifty-five patients with PD were enrolled in this study. Blood pressure (BP) measurements were gathered while the patients were in the supine position and while standing up. Then, the patients were divided into two groups: PD patients with and without OH. We compared the levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) between the two groups.

RESULTS

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcitriol levels were significantly decreased in patients with OH compared with those without OH. The systolic and diastolic BPs and symptom severities significantly negatively correlated with the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcitriol levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the underlying mechanism for this association is not fully understood, our results suggest that low vitamin D status is associated with OH in patients with PD.

Exacerbation of tumor necrosis factor-induced vascular leak syndrome by aging

Aging is associated with upregulation of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and increased vascular inflammation. TNF is a major proinflammatory cytokine that contributes to both vascular inflammation and vascular leak syndrome (VLS). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the aging affects TNF-induced VLS. Vascular leak, histology, and cytokine assays were performed in young and aged groups of wild-type and TNF overexpressing transgenic (Tg) mice. An aged group of TNF Tg mice showed substantially amplified VLS compared with young Tg mice. Age-related amplification of TNF-induced VLS appears to be related to local vascular fibrosis and the systemic upregulation of TNF and MCP-1 levels in older TNF Tg mice. Our finding suggests that chronic high-grade TNF exposure could mediate the severe vascular pathogenicity of VLS.

Improved oral absorption of cilostazol via sulfonate salt formation with mesylate and besylate

Objective

Cilostazol is a Biopharmaceutical Classification System class II drug with low solubility and high permeability, so its oral absorption is variable and incomplete. The aim of this study was to prepare two sulfonate salts of cilostazol to increase the dissolution and hence the oral bioavailability of cilostazol.

Methods

Cilostazol mesylate and cilostazol besylate were synthesized from cilostazol by acid addition reaction with methane sulfonic acid and benzene sulfonic acid, respectively. The salt preparations were characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The water contents, hygroscopicity, stress stability, and photostability of the two cilostazol salts were also determined. The dissolution profiles in various pH conditions and pharmacokinetic studies in rats were compared with those of cilostazol-free base.

Results

The two cilostazol salts exhibited good physicochemical properties, such as nonhygroscopicity, stress stability, and photostability, which make it suitable for the preparation of pharmaceutical formulations. Both cilostazol mesylate and cilostazol besylate showed significantly improved dissolution rate and extent of drug release in the pH range 1.2–6.8 compared to the cilostazol-free base. In addition, after oral administration to rats, cilostazol mesylate and cilostazol besylate showed increases in C_max and AUC_t of approximately 3.65- and 2.87-fold and 3.88- and 2.94-fold, respectively, compared to cilostazol-free base.

Conclusion

This study showed that two novel salts of cilostazol, such as cilostazol mesylate and cilostazol besylate, could be used to enhance its oral absorption. The findings warrant further preclinical and clinical studies on cilostazol mesylate and cilostazol besylate at doses lower than the usually recommended dosage, so that it can be established as an alternative to the marketed cilostazol tablet.

Kinetic enhancement of the diffusion-limited enzyme beta-galactosidase when displayed with quantum dots

Schematic of a tetrameric β-galactosidase enzyme attached to and displaying 625 nm emitting QDs coated with a CL4 ligand via each of the 4 pendent His₆ tags.

Enhanced oxidative damage to DNA, lipids, and proteins and levels of some antioxidant enzymes, cytokines, and heat shock proteins in patients infected with influenza H1N1 virus

Overweight and obesity is becoming widespread enough to generate an acceptable and misleading social status. By 2030, in the USA up to 86 % of adults will be overweight or obese. Some selected statistical data based on the body mass index (BMI) indicated that overweight was not associated with increased mortality, this provoked a conceivable interest. Added to this is the observation that while the prevalence of obesity is dramatically increasing, the cardiovascular mortality and life expectancy in the European Union and USA has improved. When more sensitive indicators of body adiposity and its distribution than the BMI, like the waist-thigh ratio in both sexes and the waist-hip ratio in women are projected on mortality, it becomes obvious that even overweight is associated with an increased health risk. Gaining excessive body fat is a continuous, frequently progressive process. Present obesity epidemic in childhood will manifest with deleterious consequences only in future years when adolescents reach adulthood. Prevention is thus essential even before the overweight sets in. Improved life expectancy observed in large populations despite obesity epidemic, is a favourable medical success in the management of hypertension, of serum lipid disorders and diabetes. While encouraging, when it is observed in large population, it does not take away the potential health risk of a metabolic disorder in an individual who is overweight (Fig. 7, Ref. 25).