Insights into Gene Regulation of Jasmonate-Induced Whole-Plant Senescence of Tobacco under Non-Starvation Conditions

Jasmonate (JA)-induced plant senescence has been mainly studied with a dark/starvation-promoted system using detached leaves; yet, the induction of whole-plant senescence by JA remains largely unclear. This work reports the finding of a JA-induced whole-plant senescence of tobacco under light/non-starvation conditions and the investigation of underlying regulations. Methyl jasmonate (MeJA) treatment induces the whole-plant senescence of tobacco in a light-intensity-dependent manner, which is suppressed by silencing of NtCOI1 that encodes the receptor protein of JA-Ile (the bioactive derivative of JA). MeJA treatment could induce the senescence-specific cysteine protease gene SAG12 and another cysteine protease gene SAG-L1 to high expression levels in the detached leaf patches under dark conditions but failed to induce their expression in tobacco whole plants under light conditions. Furthermore, MeJA attenuates the RuBisCo activase (RCA) level in the detached leaves but has no effect on this protein in the whole plant under light conditions. A genome-wide transcriptional assay also supports the presence of a differential regulatory pattern of senescence-related genes during MeJA-induced whole-plant senescence under non-starvation conditions and results in the finding of a chlorophylase activity increase in this process. We also observed that the MeJA-induced senescence of tobacco whole plants is reversible, which is accompanied by a structural change of chloroplasts. This work provides novel insights into JA-induced plant senescence under non-starvation conditions and is helpful to dissect the JA-synchronized process of whole-plant senescence.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated SlMYC2 Mutagenesis Adverse to Tomato Plant Growth and MeJA-Induced Fruit Resistance to Botrytis cinerea

Methyl jasmonate (MeJA), a natural phytohormone, played a critical role not only in plant growth but also in plant defense response to biotic and abiotic stresses. MYC2, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, is a master regulator in MeJA signaling pathway. In the present work, slmyc2 mutants were generated by the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats and associated Cas9 protein (CRISPR/Cas9) system to investigate the role of SlMYC2 in tomato plant growth and fruit disease resistance induced by exogenous MeJA. The results showed that slmyc2 mutants possessed a higher number of flowers and a lower fruit setting rate in comparison with wild-type plants. In addition, the fruit shape of slmyc2 mutant was prolate, while the control fruits were oblate. Knockout of SlMYC2 significantly decreased the activities of disease defensive and antioxidant enzymes, as well as the expression levels of pathogen-related (PR) genes (SlPR-1 and SlPR-STH2) and the key genes related to jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis and signaling pathway including allene oxide cyclase (SlAOC), lipoxygenase D (SlLOXD), SlMYC2, and coronatine insensitive 1 (SlCOI1), and consequently aggravated the disease symptoms. By contrast, the disease symptoms were largely reduced in MeJA-treated fruit that possessed higher activities of these enzymes and expression levels of genes. However, the induction effects of MeJA on fruit disease resistance and these enzymes' activities and genes' expressions were significantly attenuated by knockout of SlMYC2. Therefore, the results indicated that SlMYC2 played positive regulatory roles not only in the growth of tomato plants but also in MeJA-induced disease resistance and the antioxidant process in tomato fruits.

A Meta-Analysis Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Peramivir with Other Neuraminidase Inhibitors for Influenza Treatment

Background and Objectives: This meta-analysis compared the efficacy and safety of peramivir compared to other neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs). Materials and Methods: Data from PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched until January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (OSs) comparing peramivir with other NAIs for treating influenza were included. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessments, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) system was used to judge the overall certainty of evidence; the result was moderate. The primary outcome was time to alleviation of symptoms. Twelve articles involving 2681 patients were included in this meta-analysis. We used a random-effect model to pool the effect size, which is expressed as the difference in means (MD), risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Overall, peramivir was superior to other NAIs (MD = −11.214 hours, 95% CI: −19.119 to −3.310). The incidence of adverse events (RR = 1.023, 95% CI: 0.717 to 1.460) and serious adverse events (RR = 1.068, 95% CI: 0.702 to 1.625) in the peramivir group was similar to those in the oseltamivir group. In addition, peramivir had higher efficacy than each NAI alone. Conclusion: In conclusion, the efficacy of peramivir might be higher than that of other NAIs, and this agent is tolerated as well as other NAIs.

Peramivir: A Review in Uncomplicated Influenza

Intravenous peramivir (Alpivab™; Rapivab^®; Rapiacta^®; PeramiFlu^®), the most recent globally approved inhibitor of influenza neuraminidase, is indicated for the treatment of uncomplicated influenza in adults and children from the age of 2 years. This article, written from an EU perspective, reviews the clinical use of peramivir in this indication and summarizes its pharmacological properties. In large, randomized, double-blind, multicentre trials in previously healthy adults with uncomplicated influenza, a single infusion of peramivir 600 mg significantly shortened the median time to resolution of influenza symptoms compared with placebo and was noninferior to the recommended oseltamivir regimen in terms of this primary outcome. Albeit data are limited, results from a noncomparative phase 3 trial in paediatric patients (≈ 95% of whom were aged ≥ 2 years) with acute uncomplicated influenza receiving the recommended dose of peramivir were generally consistent with those in adults. Peramivir was generally well tolerated in children and adults participating in these clinical trials, with most adverse events of mild to moderate intensity. Given its simple single-dose regimen and with intravenous administration offering a potential advantage over oral administration in individuals with nausea, vomiting or having difficulty in swallowing, peramivir provides an additional option for treating uncomplicated influenza infection in adults and children from the age of 2 years.

Safety and Effectiveness of Peramivir in Korean Adult Influenza Patients: Prospective Observational Study Based on Post-Marketing Surveillance Data

BACKGROUND

The safety and clinical effectiveness data of peramivir in the real clinical field are limited. A prospective observational study was conducted based on the post-marketing surveillance data to evaluate the post-marketing safety and effectiveness of peramivir in Korean adults with seasonal influenza.

METHODS

Among adults aged 20 years or older who were diagnosed with influenza A or B, patients who started peramivir within 48 hours from the initial symptoms of influenza were enrolled. All adverse events (AEs) that occurred within 7 days after administration of peramivir were checked. For the evaluation of effectiveness, changes in the severity of influenza symptoms and daily living performance were examined before and 7 days after the administration of peramivir. The date on which influenza related symptoms disappeared was checked.

RESULTS

A total of 3,024 patients were enrolled for safety evaluation and 2,939 patients were for effectiveness evaluation. In the safety evaluation, 42 AEs were observed in 35 (1.16%) patients. The most common AE was fever. AEs were mostly rated as mild in severity. Serious AEs were observed in 10 patients and two of them died. However, both deaths were considered to be less relevant to peramivir. In the effectiveness evaluation, the severity of influenza symptoms decreased by 10.68 ± 4.01 points and daily living performance was improved 5.59 ± 2.16 points. Influenza related symptoms disappeared on average 3.02 ± 2.39 days after peramivir administration.

CONCLUSION

Peramivir showed a tolerable safety profile and acceptable effectiveness in Korean adult patients with seasonal influenza.

Comparison of Efficacy of Intravenous Peramivir and Oral Oseltamivir for the Treatment of Influenza: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Peramivir is the first intravenously administered neuramidase inhibitor for immediate delivery of an effective single-dose treatment in patients with influenza. However, limited data are available on intravenous (IV) peramivir treatment compared to oral oseltamivir for these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

With a systematic review and meta-analysis, we compared the efficacy of IV peramivir with oral oseltamivir for treatment of patients with seasonal influenza. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Central Register were searched for relevant clinical trials.

RESULTS

A total of seven trials [two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and five non-randomized observational trials] involving 1676 patients were finally analyzed. The total number of peramivir- and oseltamivir-treated patients was 956 and 720, respectively. Overall, the time to alleviation of fever was lower in the peramivir-treated group compared with the oseltamivir-treated group [mean difference (MD), -7.17 hours; 95% confidence interval (CI) -11.00 to -3.34]. Especially, pooled analysis of observational studies (n=4) and studies of outpatients (n=4) demonstrated the superiority of the peramivir-treated group (MD, -7.83 hours; 95% CI -11.81 to -3.84 and MD, -7.71 hours; 95% CI -11.61 to -3.80, respectively). Mortality, length of hospital stay, change in virus titer 48 hours after admission, and the incidence of adverse events in these patients were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION

IV peramivir therapy might reduce the time to alleviation of fever in comparison with oral oseltamivir therapy in patients with influenza; however, we could not draw clear conclusions from a meta-analysis because of the few RCTs available and methodological limitations.

Sigma-1 Receptor Agonism Promotes Mechanical Allodynia After Priming the Nociceptive System with Capsaicin

Sigma-1 receptor antagonists promote antinociception in several models of pain, but the effects of sigma-1 agonists on nociception (particularly when the nociceptive system is primed) are not so well characterized; therefore we evaluated the effects of sigma-1 agonists on pain under different experimental conditions. The systemic administration of the selective sigma-1 agonists (+)-pentazocine and PRE-084, as well as the nonselective sigma-1 agonist carbetapentane (used clinically as an antitussive drug), did not alter sensitivity to mechanical stimulation under baseline conditions. However, they greatly promoted secondary mechanical allodynia after priming the nociceptive system with capsaicin. These effects of sigma-1 agonists were consistent in terms potency with the affinities of these drugs for sigma-1 receptors, were reversed by sigma-1 antagonists, and were not observed in sigma-1 knockout mice, indicating that they are sigma-1-mediated. Repeated systemic treatment with PRE-084 induced proallodynic effects even 24 h after treatment completion, but only after the nociceptive system was primed. However, neither the presence of this drug in the organism nor changes in sigma-1 receptor expression in areas involved in pain processing explains its long-term effects, suggesting that sustained sigma-1 agonism induces plastic changes in the nociceptive system that promote nociception.

The Transcription Factor OsWRKY45 Negatively Modulates the Resistance of Rice to the Brown Planthopper Nilaparvata lugens

WRKY transcription factors play a central role not only in plant growth and development but also in plant stress responses. However, the role of WRKY transcription factors in herbivore-induced plant defenses and their underlying mechanisms, especially in rice, remains largely unclear. Here, we cloned a rice WRKY gene OsWRKY45, whose expression was induced by mechanical wounding, by infestation of the brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens) and by treatment with jasmonic acid (JA) or salicylic acid (SA). The antisense expression of OsWRKY45 (as-wrky) enhanced BPH-induced levels of H₂O₂ and ethylene, reduced feeding and oviposition preference as well as the survival rate of BPH, and delayed the development of BPH nymphs. Consistently, lower population densities of BPH on as-wrky lines, compared to those on wild-type (WT) plants, were observed in field experiments. On the other hand, as-wrky lines in the field had lower susceptibility to sheath blight (caused by Rhizoctonia solani) but higher susceptibility to rice blast (caused by Magnaporthe oryzae) than did WT plants. These findings suggest that OsWRKY45 plays important but contrasting roles in regulating the resistance of rice to pathogens and herbivores, and attention should be paid if OsWRKY45 is used to develop disease or herbivore-resistant rice.

Severe immune thrombocytopenia possibly elicited by the anti-influenza viral agent peramivir

A 44-year-old man whose platelet count had been at the lower limit of the normal range for years visited the urgent care department of our hospital for treatment of a high fever and severe fatigue. The influenza A virus was detected, and the patient therefore received the intravenous antiviral agent, peramivir. One week later, he developed systemic petechial rashes. A peripheral blood examination showed a markedly decreased platelet count (3.0×10(9) cells/L), and the bone marrow findings were compatible with a diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Furthermore, a drug-induced lymphocyte-stimulating test was positive for peramivir. The thrombocytopenia slowly responded to treatment with oral prednisolone. This case suggests that neuraminidase inhibitors, including peramivir, can elicit or worsen ITP.

A class V chitinase from Arabidopsis thaliana: gene responses, enzymatic properties, and crystallographic analysis

Expression of a class V chitinase gene (At4g19810, AtChiC) in Arabidopsis thaliana was examined by quantitative real-time PCR and by analyzing microarray data available at Genevestigator. The gene expression was induced by the plant stress-related hormones abscisic acid (ABA) and jasmonic acid (JA) and by the stress resulting from the elicitor flagellin, NaCl, and osmosis. The recombinant AtChiC protein was produced in E. coli, purified, and characterized with respect to the structure and function. The recombinant AtChiC hydrolyzed N-acetylglucosamine oligomers producing dimers from the non-reducing end of the substrates. The crystal structure of AtChiC was determined by the molecular replacement method at 2.0 Å resolution. AtChiC was found to adopt an (β/α)(8) fold with a small insertion domain composed of an α-helix and a five-stranded β-sheet. From docking simulation of AtChiC with pentameric substrate, the amino acid residues responsible for substrate binding were found to be well conserved when compared with those of the class V chitinase from Nicotiana tabacum (NtChiV). All of the structural and functional properties of AtChiC are quite similar to those obtained for NtChiV, and seem to be common to class V chitinases from higher plants.

A preliminary study of the local treatment of preneoplastic and malignant skin lesions using methyl jasmonate

BACKGROUND

Jasmonates are plant stress hormones. These small hydrophobic compounds exhibit anti-cancer activities, in vitro and in vivo, against cancer cells of various histological origins. Moreover, they show a selective activity against transformed cells and affect drug-resistant cells as well.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of a powerful jasmonate derivative, that is methyl jasmonate.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Methyl jasmonate was applied topically on cancerous and pre-cancerous skin lesions from eight patients.

RESULTS

Methyl jasmonate did not cause any meaningful local or systemic side effects. Three patients exhibited positive responses. Two patients had complete recovery and one had a recurrence of the lesion three months post treatment.

CONCLUSIONS

Methyl jasmonate is a potentially promising novel topical treatment for prcancerous and cancerous skin lesions. Methyl jasmonate should be evaluated in a larger series of patients.

Comparison pharmacokinetics of two concentrations (0.7% and 1.0%) of Nasulin, an ultra-rapid-acting intranasal insulin formulation

BACKGROUND

This pharmacokinetic (PK) study was designed to characterize the dose response of two concentrations (0.7% and 1%) of a nasal spray of recombinant regular human insulin in combination with cyclopentadecalactone (CPE-215), a compound that enhances absorption of molecules across mucous membranes (Nasulin, CPEX Pharmaceuticals). Nasulin has been effective in lowering blood glucose in both normal subjects and diabetes patients, and additional dosing options would allow greater titration flexibility.

METHOD

A five-period crossover study of 24 healthy, nonsmoking subjects (ages 18-50, basal metabolic index <33 kg/m(2), weight >70 kg) were studied. Subjects were in a fasted state for 5 h before and 45 min after administration for PK assessment and were then given a meal. Each spray contained 100 microl. Doses tested were 25, 35, 50, 70, and 100 U. Maximum concentration (C(max)) and area under the curve (AUC) were estimated for each dose group. Glucose measurements were also performed.

RESULTS

A dose response (slope of the natural log response versus dose) was demonstrated by baseline-adjusted C(max) of 22, 27, 56, 62, and 84 microU/ml for the 25, 35, 50, 70, and 100 U doses (p < .0001), respectively, and by baseline-adjusted AUC((0-45 min)) values of 491, 592, 1231, 1310, and 1894 microU/ml/min (p < .0001). Glucose AUC((0-45 min)) determinations also demonstrated a pharmacodynamic (PD) dose response.

CONCLUSIONS

Proportional and linear dose responses for both PK and PD parameters were demonstrated for the two concentrations, making multiple doses available for clinical development.

SUMO, Ubiquitin, UBL Proteins: Implications For Human Diseases - Fifth International Conference

The fifth international conference on SUMO, Ubiquitin, UBL Proteins: Implications for Human Diseases, held in Houston, included topics covering the latest advances and new targets in the field of protein modification. This conference report highlights selected presentations on the structural characterization of ubiquitination and SUMOylation machinery; the regulation of ubiquitination enzymes, including E3 ligases; the functions and mechanism of action of SUMO-targeted ubiquitin ligases (STUbLs); the regulation of gene expression by SUMO; non-degradative functions of ubiquitin and SUMO in signal transduction; mechanisms and functions of ISG15 conjugation; the interaction of pathogens with host cell SUMOylation machinery; and stabilization of the Axin protein. Investigational drugs discussed include MLN-4924 (Millennium Pharmaceuticals Inc).

Safety, efficacy and anti-inflammatory activity of rho iso-alpha-acids from hops

A defined mixture of rho iso-alpha-acids (RIAA), a modified hop extract, was evaluated for anti-inflammatory efficacy and safety. RIAA inhibited LPS-stimulated PGE(2) formation with >200-fold selectivity of COX-2 (IC(50)=1.3 microg/ml) over COX-1 (IC(50)>289 microg/ml). This occurred only when RIAA was added prior to, but not post, LPS stimulation. Consistent with this observation, RIAA produced no physiologically relevant, direct inhibition of COX-1 or COX-2 peroxidase activity. This suggests that RIAA inhibits inducible but not constitutive COX-2. In support, we found RIAA showed minimal PGE(2) inhibition (IC(50)=21mug/ml) relative to celecoxib (IC(50)=0.024 microg/ml), aspirin (IC(50)=0.52 microg/ml) or ibuprofen (IC(50)=0.57 microg/ml) in the AGS gastric mucosal model, where COX-1 and -2 are expressed constitutively. Taken together these results predict RIAA may have lower potential for gastrointestinal and cardiovascular toxicity observed with COX enzyme inhibitors. Following confirmation of bioavailable RIAA administered orally, gastrointestinal safety was assessed using the fecal calprotectin biomarker in a 14-day human clinical study; RIAA (900 mg/day) produced no change compared to naproxen (1000 mg/day), which increased fecal calprotectin 200%. Cardiovascular safety was addressed by PGI-M measurements where RIAA (1000 mg) did not reduce PGI-M or affect the urinary PGI-M/TXB(2) ratio. Drug interaction potential was evaluated against six major CYPs; of relevance, RIAA inhibited CYP2C9. Toxicity was assessed in a 21-day oral, mouse subchronic toxicity study where no dose dependent histopathological effects were noted. Clinically, RIAA (1000 mg/day) produced a 54% reduction in WOMAC Global scores in a 6-week, open-label trial of human subjects exhibiting knee osteoarthritis.

Cyclopentane-based human NK1 antagonists. Part 2: development of potent, orally active, water-soluble derivatives

The synthesis and optimization of a cyclopentane-based hNK1 antagonist scaffold 3, having four chiral centers, will be discussed in the context of its enhanced water solubility properties relative to the marketed anti-emetic hNK1 antagonist EMEND (Aprepitant). Sub-nanomolar hNK1 binding was achieved and oral activity comparable to Aprepitant in two in vivo models will be described.

Fragrance contact dermatitis in Korea: a joint study

The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of responses to selected fragrances in patients with suspected fragrance allergy and to evaluate the risk factors. 9 dermatology departments of university hospitals have participated in this study for the past 1 year. To determine allergic response to fragrances, 18 additional fragrances in addition to the Korean standard and a commercial fragrance series were patch-tested in patients with suspecting cosmetic contact dermatitis. Over 80% of the patients were women, and the most common site was the face. Cinnamic alcohol and sandalwood oil (Santalum album L.) showed high frequencies of positive responses. Of the specific fragrances, ebanol, alpha-isomethyl-ionone (methyl ionone-gamma) and Lyral (hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexane carboxdaldehyde) showed high positive responses. We compared the results obtained during this study with those of other studies and concluded that including additional fragrance allergens may be useful for the detection of fragrance allergy.

Efficacy and tolerability of the oral neuraminidase inhibitor peramivir in experimental human influenza: randomized, controlled trials for prophylaxis and treatment

OBJECTIVE

Oseltamivir is the only oral neuraminidase inhibitor currently available; we determined the tolerability and antiviral efficacy of oral peramivir for treatment and prophylaxis of experimental human influenza A and B.

PARTICIPANTS

288 susceptible, healthy volunteers (ages 18-45) were inoculated intranasally with A/Texas/36/ 91/H1N1 or B/Yamagata/16/88 virus in four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.

INTERVENTIONS

For treatment dosing was initiated at 24 h after inoculation with peramivir doses ranging from 100-800 mg/day for 5 days. For prophylaxis dosing was initiated 24 h before inoculation and continued for 4 days with peramivir doses ranging from 50-800 mg/day.

OUTCOMES

The primary outcome measure for treatment was quantitative viral detection defined by the area under the curve (AUC) for nasal wash viral titres. For prophylaxis the primary outcome measure was the incidence of virus recovery.

RESULTS

In influenza A treatment, peramivir 400 mg q24h and 200mg q12h, but not lower doses, resulted in significant reductions in viral titre AUC. In influenza B treatment, both 400 and 800/400 mg once daily dose groups reduced AUC values. In influenza A prophylaxis, the percentage of individuals with nasal viral shedding did not differ significantly in the placebo (58%), 50 mg (61%), 200 mg (37%) and 400 mg (31%) dose groups. In influenza B prophylaxis, shedding frequencies were similar in placebo (55%), 200 mg (41%), 400 mg (35%) and 800 mg (47%) dose groups. The drug was well tolerated in all four studies, with nausea and headache being the most common side effects. No drug-resistant variants were detected.

CONCLUSION

Early treatment with peramivir was associated with significant antiviral effects in experimentally induced influenza in humans. Prophylaxis did not significantly reduce viral shedding. The relatively low blood peramivir concentrations observed may explain the lack of more robust antiviral effects, and parenteral dosing should be studied.

Peramivir (BCX-1812, RWJ-270201): potential new therapy for influenza

The cyclopentane peramivir (BCX-1812, RWJ-270201) is a highly selective inhibitor of influenza A and B virus neuraminidases and a potent inhibitor of influenza A and B virus replication in cell culture. The in vitro potency appears to be greater than either zanamivir or oseltamivir carboxylate based on the generally lower EC(50) values seen using peramivir in studies run in parallel with each compound. In mice infected with influenza A or B viruses, oral treatment with peramivir was highly effective in preventing death, signs of the disease and in lowering lung virus titres. Similar effects were seen in influenza A virus-infected ferrets. Efficacy was seen in mice when therapy began after virus exposure. Peramivir is non-toxic in mice and rats at doses of 1000 mg/kg/day and ferrets tolerated doses of 100 mg/kg/day. Doses of 100 mg/kg/day do not appear to affect murine immune parameters. A pharmacokinetic study of this compound in influenza virus-infected mice indicates once-, twice- or thrice-daily oral dosing was equal in efficacy; once-daily dosing has been recommended in clinical trials of influenza therapy. Treatment of influenza virus infections in cyclophosphamide-immunosuppressed mice was effective in inhibiting the infection; an infection induced in severe combined immunodeficient mice was only weakly affected. Development of viral resistance to peramivir can occur by serial cell culture passage of the virus in the presence of the compound but the resistant virus was less virulent than the wild type virus. Viruses with neuraminidase mutations are not necessarily all cross-resistant to peramivir, zanamivir and oseltamivir carboxylate. In Phase I studies, peramivir was well-tolerated, with single or multiple oral doses up to 800 mg/kg/day evaluated. In clinical trials with patients experimentally infected with influenza A or B viruses, oral treatment with peramivir significantly reduced nasal wash virus titres with no adverse effects. Phase III clinical trials are underway.

Explaining photodermatosis: cyclopentenone vs. alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone natural products

The possible role of cyclopentenone-containing sesquiterpene lactones in the cause of photochemical chronic actinic dermatitis (CAD) is examined in light of recent reports that the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone group of these natural products forms 2+2 photoadducts with the DNA base thymine. Neither cyclopentenone nor tenulin (a cyclopentenone-containing sesquiterpene lactone) form such photoadducts with thymine either with sunlight or a UV lamp (300 nm). In contrast, alpha-methylenebutyrolactone readily forms the 2+2 photoadduct with thymine in sunlight. Thus, the photochemical role of the alpha-methylene-gamma-lactone group (rather than cyclopentenone) is strongly implicated in the CAD disease.

Silicone oil vs. gas for the treatment of full-thickness macular hole

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the anatomic and visual outcomes, as well as the complications, of macular hole surgery with SF6-gas tamponade versus silicone-oil tamponade. Fifty-four (54) eyes with idiopathic macular hole underwent vitrectomy and peeling of the internal limiting membrane (ILM) around the hole. Nineteen (19) eyes were treated with SF6-gas tamponade (group 1) and the other thirty-five (35) eyes with silicone-oil tamponade (group 2). An excellent anatomic success rate was obtained in both groups (94.7% in group 1 and 97.1% in group 2). Nevertheless, the postoperative visual acuity (VA) in the group treated with silicone-oil tamponade was significantly better than in the group treated with gas tamponade (P = 0.0217). Forty-seven (47) of the eyes in group 1 and 74% in group 2 achieved a VA = 0.4 or better. The most frequent potentially vision threatening complication we observed was RPE alterations in 35% of the eyes in group 1 and in only one eye in group 2. None of the eyes developed a retinal detachment during the follow-up period. In conclusion, the treatment of idiopathic macular holes by vitrectomy and ILM peeling provides a very good anatomic success rate. An excellent recovery of visual acuity, up to 1.0, was more frequently observed in the group treated with silicone oil tamponade.

Management of eczematous dermatitis with amcinonide or betamethasone valerate. A double-blind comparative study

A new topical corticosteroid formulation, 0.1 percent amcinonide cream, was compared with 0.1 percent betamethasone valerate cream in a double-blind, parallel study of the management of eczematous dermatitis. Both treatment groups showed statistically significant improvement in most symptoms and in overall disease status after one and two weeks of treatment. The amcinonide group had greater improvement in individual symptoms and significantly greater overall improvement than did the betamethasone valerate group. Side effects were few and minor in both groups. The amcinonide cream was found to be both safe and effective for the management of eczematous dermatitis.

Comparative potency of intravenous penbutolol and propranolol in man

A study on the comparative potency of intravenously administered penbutolol, a new non-selective beta adrenoceptor antagonist, on the resting and post-exercise heart rate and rate-pressure product was carried out in 5 normal human subjects. The effects produced by 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3 mg of penbutolol and of 0.025 mg/kg (mean dose 1.28 mg) of propranolol was recorded. The dose of penbutolol producing an effect equivalent to that of propranolol was calculating from the log dose-response curve of penbutolol. In these tests, penbutolol was 7.90 and 7.66 times more potent than propranolol on a weight to weight basis. Penbutolol was well tolerated and no side-effects were observed.

Long term treatment of moderate hypertension with penbutolol (Hoe 893d). I. Effects on blood pressure, pulse rate, catecholamines in blood and urine, plasma renin activity and urinary aldosterone under basal conditions and following exercise

The effects of penbutolol (Hoe 893 d), a new non-selective beta-receptor blocking agent, were studied in 5 patients with moderate hypertension. Initially, it was shown that 2-4 mg given orally once or twice daily tended to lower blood pressure and pulse rate, both at rest and following submaximal work. In prolonged trials (3-8 months) 4-60 mg/day were required to produce an acceptable antihypertensive effect. Penbutolol had no effect on the normal increase in plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline on standing, nor did it alter basal urinary catecholamine excretion. Submaximal work caused no significant change in plasma catecholamines before treatment, but there was a marked rise both in plasma noradrenaline and adrenaline during treatment with penbutolol. In short term studies there was a fall in plasma renin by 4 hours after oral administration of penbutolol 2-4 mg, which persisted for 24 hours. Prolonged treatment with penbutolol 20-30 mg twice daily inhibited renin production under basal conditions and following submaximal work, as well as lowered basal urinary aldosterone excretion. In one patient slight asthmatic symptoms appeared after treatment for 3 months with penbutolol. In other respects penbutolol was well tolerated.

Letter: Other systemic effects of eye drops

Images