Treatment of ampicillin-resistant acute otitis media in the chinchilla

The efficacy of sulbactam sodium (CP45,899-2) was investigated using the chinchilla animal model of acute otitis media with effusion (AOME). Both ears of 78 chinchillas were inoculated with beta-lactamase-producing nontypable Hemophilus influenzae. Half of the animals were treated with ampicillin sodium alone (group A) and the remaining animals received ampicillin plus sulbactam (group B). On day 14, all of the ears in group B were culture-negative whereas H influenzae was recoverable in over 70% of the effusions in group A. Similarly, the course of middle ear effusion was significantly abbreviated in group B during the two-week study period. These findings suggest that sulbactam in combination with ampicillin is effective in treating AOME secondary to infection with beta-lactamase-producing nontypable H influenzae in the chinchilla animal model.

Influence of type of carbohydrate on atherosclerosis in baboons fed semipurified diets plus 0.1% cholesterol

Five groups of six (three male, three female) baboons (Papio ursinus) were maintained for 17 months on a semipurified diet containing 40% carbohydrate, 25% casein, 13.9% coconut oil, 0.1% cholesterol, 15% cellulose, 5% salt mix (USP XIV) and 1% vitamin mix. The carbohydrates fed were: fructose, sucrose, starch, glucose, and lactose. A fifth group was used as control and was fed bread, fruit, and vegetables. Serum, liver, and tissue lipids were analyzed at the end of the feeding period as were cholesterol absorption (as 3H-cholesterol) and synthesis (from 14C-mevalonic acid). Serum cholesterol and beta-lipoprotein levels were elevated in all the test groups compared to final control levels or to starting levels for all the baboons. Average serum cholesterol levels of the test groups were not significantly different. Liver lipids were elevated in all test groups except that fed glucose. Baboons on the test diets absorbed more exogenous cholesterol (3H) but biosynthesis of this sterol was not inhibited. The ratio of biliary primary/secondary bile acids was below normal levels only in the animals fed fructose and sucrose. Cholesteryl ester fatty acid spectra of serum and liver reflected the dietary fat. Fecal weight was 69% higher in lactose fed animals and 31% lower in sucrose fed animals than in the controls. The ratio of endogenous or exogenous neutral/acid steroids was considerably lower in the fructose-fed baboons than in the other animals. On this diet average aortic sudanophilia (percentage of surface) was: fructose, 11.3; sucrose, 10.4; starch, 21.3; glucose, 17.2 lactose, 65.8; and control, 1.4. Gross atheromatous lesions were seen in five of six baboons fed lactose; three of six baboons fed fructose; two of six baboons fed sucrose, and one of six baboons fed starch. In a second experiment three groups of baboons were fed the control diet, the semipurified diet in which the carbohydrate was lactose, and the semipurified diet containing lactose plus 0.1% cholesterol for 8.5 months. Serum lipids were elevated in the two test groups but liver lipids were not significantly different from control levels. Average aortic sudanophilia (percentage of area) was: lactose, 2.2; lactose-cholesterol, 20.8; and control, 0.3%. One of the six baboons in the lactose-cholesterol group had visible atherosclerotic lesions. These experiments represent the first successful attempt to produce severe atherosclerosis in baboons by dietary means alone.

Nitrones. 7. alpha-Quinoxalinyl-N-substituted nitrone 1,4-dioxides

A series of alpha-quinoxalinyl-N-substitute nitrone 1,4-dioxides has been synthesize and evaluated as antibacterial and antiprotozoal agents. Structure-activity relationships are discussed. Of the compounds tested, alpha-(3-methyl-2-quinoxalinyl)-N-methylnitrone 1,4-dioxide (2) was the most active agent in vivo against the gram-negative and the gram-positive organisms.

Dietary essential fatty acids in cystic fibrosis

Analyses of serum lipids of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) have indicated a deficiency in essential fatty acids (EFA). In view of a report that intravenous administration of soybean oil emulsions normalized sweat sodium values in CF children, we studied the effects of orally administered essential fatty acids (as corn oil) for one year. Some improvement was noted in all patients, but no one consistent factor predominated. However, arachidonic acid, which was found only in trace amounts or was absent in sera of all children with CF before the clinical trial, was increased significantly in the sera after the oral administration of EFA for one year. Other findings included a significant decrease in sweat sodium and T3 in most patients.

Quantitative recovery of lipids from aortas stained with sudan IV

The separation of Sudan IV from lipid extracts of stained aortas can be accomplished by thin layer or column chromatography, but the most convenient method involves adsorption of the dye to activated carbon. The aortic lipids are thus recovered quantitatively.

Evaluation of topical polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid in treatment of localized herpes zoster in children with cancer: a randomized, double-blind controlled study

Twenty-four children with cancer and localized herpes zoster were randomized to receive either topical polyinosinic acid-polycytidylic acid [poly(I:C)] or a saline placebo. Solutions containing 1.0 or 2.5 mg of drug per ml were applied to the lesions every 3 h, seven times a day for 7 consecutive days. Serial, standardized color photographs were used to evaluate the progression of lesions and maximum percentage of dermatome involvement. In patients receiving poly(I:C), the median days of new lesions after therapy was 2.0 days as opposed to 3.5 days in placebo-treated patients. This difference was not statistically significant. Moreover, the total median days of lesions and percentage of dermatome involvement were similar in both groups, as were complications. Neither the concentration nor the total dose of drug was related to the outcome of infection. We conclude that topical poly(I:C), as used in this study, was of no benefit in treatment of localized herpes zoster.