Desvenlafaxine succinate: A new serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor

The purpose of this study was to characterize a new chemical entity, desvenlafaxine succinate (DVS). DVS is a novel salt form of the isolated major active metabolite of venlafaxine. Competitive radioligand binding assays were performed using cells expressing either the human serotonin (5-HT) transporter (hSERT) or norepinephrine (NE) transporter (hNET) with K(i) values for DVS of 40.2 +/- 1.6 and 558.4 +/- 121.6 nM, respectively. DVS showed weak binding affinity (62% inhibition at 100 microM) at the human dopamine (DA) transporter. Inhibition of [3H]5-HT or [3H]NE uptake by DVS for the hSERT or hNET produced IC50 values of 47.3 +/- 19.4 and 531.3 +/- 113.0 nM, respectively. DVS (10 microM), examined at a large number of nontransporter targets, showed no significant activity. DVS (30 mg/kg orally) rapidly penetrated the male rat brain and hypothalamus. DVS (30 mg/kg orally) significantly increased extracellular NE levels compared with baseline in the male rat hypothalamus but had no effect on DA levels using microdialysis. To mimic chronic selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor treatment and to block the inhibitory 5-HT(1A) autoreceptors, a 5-HT(1A) antagonist, N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclo hexanecarboxamide maleate salt (WAY-100635) (0.3 mg/kg s.c.), was administered with DVS (30 mg/kg orally). 5-HT increased 78% compared with baseline with no additional increase in NE or DA levels. In conclusion, DVS is a new 5-HT and NE reuptake inhibitor in vitro and in vivo that demonstrates good brain-to-plasma ratios, suggesting utility in a variety of central nervous system-related disorders.

Neurogenic stunned myocardium and transient severe tricuspid regurgitation in a child following nonaccidental head trauma

Neurogenic stunned myocardium is widely reported in the adult literature and is typically associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage. We present a case of neurogenic stunned myocardium and transient severe tricuspid regurgitation in a 7-month-old infant following nonaccidental head trauma.

Subjective and objective performance of the Lenstec KH-3500 "accommodative" intraocular lens

AIM

To determine whether eyes implanted with the Lenstec KH-3500 "accommodative" intraocular lenses (IOLs) have improved subjective and objective focusing performance compared to a standard monofocal IOLs.

METHODS

28 participants were implanted monocularly with a KH-3500 "accommodative" IOL and 20 controls with a Softec1 IOL. Outcome measures of refraction, visual acuity, subjective amplitude of accommodation, objective accommodative stimulus response curve, aberrometry, and Scheimpflug imaging were taken at approximately 3 weeks and repeated after 6 months.

RESULTS

Best corrected acuity with the KH-3500 was 0.06 (SD 0.13) logMAR at distance and 0.58 (0.20) logMAR at near. Accommodation was 0.39 (0.53) D measured objectively and 3.1 (1.6) D subjectively. Higher order aberrations were 0.87 (0.85) microm and lower order were 0.24 (0.39) microm. Posterior subcapsular light scatter was 0.95% (1.37%) greater than IOL clarity. In comparison, all control group measures were similar except objective (0.17 (0.13) D; p = 0.032) and subjective (2.0 (0.9) D; p = 0.009) amplitude of accommodation. Six months following surgery, posterior subcapsular scatter had increased (p<0.01) in the KH-3500 implanted subjects and near word acuity had decreased (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The objective accommodating effects of the KH-3500 IOL appear to be limited, although the subjective and objective accommodative range is significantly increased compared to control subjects implanted with conventional IOLs. However, this "accommodative" ability of the lens appears to have decreased by 6 months post-surgery.

Postoperative pulmonary complications after gynecologic surgery

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the frequency of, and risks for postoperative pulmonary complications after surgery for non-malignant gynecologic disorders.

METHOD

A retrospective component included medical record data for one year. A prospective component enrolled 300 patients consecutively who were scheduled for gynecologic surgeries.

RESULT

Postoperative pulmonary complications occurred in 1.22% of 328 open abdominal procedures in the retrospective study, and 2.16% of 232 in the prospective study. Pooling the data yielded a frequency estimate of 1.61%. Mean hospital length of stay (pooled data) increased 1.75 days in those with postoperative pulmonary complications. Smoking was the only significant risk factor (relative risk=3.9 using pooled data).

CONCLUSION

Postoperative pulmonary complications after surgery for non-malignant gynecologic disorders are infrequent but increase hospital length of stay. Smokers are at increased risk.

Sodium and potassium excretion in normotensive and hypertensive population in Kashmir

One hundred thirty five hypertensive patients and equal number of age and sex matched healthy controls were taken up for studying the relationship of 24 hour urinary sodium and potassium excretion, sodium-potassium molar ratio and body mass index (BMI) with blood pressure in normotensive and hypertensive population in Kashmir. There was statistically significant elevated 24 hour urinary sodium excretion (p < .001), increased Na+-K+ molar ratio, significantly higher BMI in hypertensive population as compared to controls whereas there was a lower 24 hour urinary excretion of potassium (p > .20) in patients with hypertension. Thus sodium and potassium excretion, Na+-K+ molar ratio and body mass index has direct bearing in perpetuation or causation of hypertension in Kashmir which may be related to intake of salt tea.

Parallel, Solution Phase Synthesis of Dihydropyridine Miticides Via a Versatile Multicomponent Reaction

A novel class of highly active dihydropyridine miticides was prepared using a multicomponent reaction process. The initial lead was rapidly optimized using solution phase parallel synthesis techniques and a positional scanning approach. Detailed structure-activity relationships were developed for the amino and carbonyl components of the molecule and used to select the best candidates for broad field testing. The chemistry, biology and toxicology of these compounds will be presented along with numerous structural variants of the reaction products.

Ibuprofen for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus in preterm and/or low birth weight infants

BACKGROUND

A patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) complicates the clinical course of preterm infants, increasing their risks of developing chronic lung disease (CLD), necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH). Indomethacin is used as standard therapy to close a PDA, but is associated with reduced blood flow to the brain, kidneys and gut. Ibuprofen, another cyclo-oxygenase inhibitor, may be as effective with fewer side effects.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the effectiveness and safety of ibuprofen compared to placebo or no intervention for closing a PDA in preterm and/or low birth weight infants. To determine the effectiveness and safety of ibuprofen compared to other cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors (including indomethacin, mefenamic acid) for closing a PDA in preterm and/or low birth weight infants.

SEARCH STRATEGY

Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ibuprofen to placebo or indomethacin or mefenamic acid for therapy of PDA were identified by searching the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library, Issue 2, 2005), MEDLINE (1996 - July 2005), CINAHL (1982 - July 2005), EMBASE (1980 - July 2005), reference lists of published RCTs and abstracts from the Pediatric Academic Societies and the European Society for Pediatric Research meetings published in Pediatric Research (1991 - April 2005). No language restrictions were applied.

SELECTION CRITERIA

1) DESIGN: Randomized or quasi-randomized controlled trials 2) POPULATION: Preterm (< 37 weeks gestational age) or low birth weight infants (< 2500 grams) with a clinically or echocardiographically diagnosed PDA 3) INTERVENTION: Administration of ibuprofen for the closure of PDA 4) OUTCOMES: At least one of the following outcomes were reported: failure to close a PDA, mortality, surgical ligation, intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH), periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), NEC, decreased urine output, retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), chronic lung disease (CLD), sepsis, days on supplementary oxygen.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

At least two authors worked independently at each step of the original review, then compared results and resolved differences. The current update was conducted by one author (AO). Methodological quality of eligible studies was assessed according to blinding of randomization, of intervention and of outcome assessment, and completeness of follow up. Weighted treatment effects, calculated using RevMan 4.2, included typical relative risk (RR), typical risk difference (RD), number needed to treat (NNT) or harm (NNH), and weighted mean difference (WMD), all with 95% confidence intervals (CI). A fixed effect model was used for meta-analyses. Heterogeneity tests including I(2 )were performed to assess the appropriateness of pooling the data.

MAIN RESULTS

No study using mefenamic acid was identified. One study compared ibuprofen to placebo but results were not reported unblinded to group. Eleven studies including 620 patients compared the effectiveness of ibuprofen to indomethacin for the closure of a PDA. There was no statistically significant heterogeneity of treatment effect for any of the outcomes. For the primary outcome (failure of ductal closure), there was no statistically significant difference between ibuprofen and indomethacin groups [typical RR 0.96 (95% CI 0.74, 1.25)]. There were no statistically significant differences in mortality, surgical duct ligation, duration of ventilator support, IVH, PVL, NEC, time to full enteral feeds, ROP, sepsis, duration of hospital stay or gastrointestinal bleed. For many of these outcomes the sample size was small and the estimates imprecise. The incidence of decreased urine output (< 1cc/kg/hr) was lower in the ibuprofen group as compared to the indomethacin group [NNT 9 (95% CI 5-14)]. This was the only statistically significant clinical finding favouring ibuprofen. CLD defined as oxygen requirement at 28 days post-natally was statistically significantly more likely to occur in the ibuprofen group [typical RR 1.37 (95% CI 1.01, 1.86); NNH 7 (95% CI 3 - 100)]. There was a similar trend for CLD at 36 weeks corrected gestational age.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

We found no statistically significant difference in the effectiveness of ibuprofen compared to indomethacin in closing the PDA. Ibuprofen reduces the risk of oliguria. However, ibuprofen may increase the risk for CLD, and pulmonary hypertension has been observed in three infants after prophylactic use of ibuprofen. Based on currently available information ibuprofen does not appear to confer a net benefit over indomethacin for the treatment of a PDA. We conclude that indomethacin should remain the drug of choice for the treatment of a PDA. The most urgent research question to be answered is weather ibuprofen compared to indomethacin confers an improved rate of intact survival (survival without impairment) at 18 months corrected age.

Follow up of patients with ocular scarring secondary to LOC syndrome treated by amniotic membrane transplantation

AIMS

To document and discuss the long term outcome of a new ophthalmic treatment for laryngo-onycho-cutaneous (LOC) syndrome.

METHODS

Two children were treated by excision of ocular granulation tissue and ocular surface rehabilitation with frozen amniotic membrane (AM). The clinical course of both patients was followed and documented at 2 years and 4 years following the surgery.

RESULTS

Patient 1 demonstrated limited recurrence of granulation tissue at 10 months. After 36 months, re-growth of granulation and scar tissue required a further three subsequent operations to the right eye in an attempt to keep the optical axis clear. 4 years postoperatively, neither eye has a clear visual axis. In contrast similar surgery for the right eye of patient 2 has been highly successful, with only very limited non-progressive recurrence after 2 years of follow up. The operation to the left eye has been similarly effective although the follow up is only 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Ocular surface rehabilitation with AM is the first partially effective treatment for the eye complications of LOC syndrome. The surprising benefit from AM may stem from the primary pathology of the condition. LOC syndrome is caused by a genetic defect resulting in an unusual N-terminal deletion of the alpha3a chain of the basement membrane protein laminin 5. One mechanism through which AM transplantation may act to reduce ocular scarring in this disease is to supplement the abnormal secreted laminin 5 with healthy transplanted laminin. Despite its initial efficacy one episode of AM treatment does not guarantee long term control of the scarring process and variations in AM graft efficacy may be related to other complicating factors such as limbal stem cell deficiency or severity of the initial scarring process.

Natural history of nonketotic hyperglycinemia in 65 patients

BACKGROUND

Glycine encephalopathy, also known as nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH), is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by a defect in the glycine cleavage system. NKH is classically associated with neonatal apnea, lethargy, hypotonia, and seizures, followed by severe psychomotor retardation in those who survive.

METHODS

To determine the natural history of NKH, the authors mailed a 44-question survey to 170 households in the International NKH Family Network.

RESULTS

Data for 65 patients (36 boys, 29 girls) were collected from 58 families. One-third of the subjects died; 8 girls died during the neonatal period, and 14 patients died thereafter (2 girls, 12 boys). Median age of death for boys was 2.6 years vs <1 month for girls (p = 0.02). Mean birth weight and length, occipitofrontal circumference, and gestation duration were normal. Two-thirds of infants were ventilated during the neonatal period; of these, 40% died. Ninety percent had confirmed seizures, 75% during the first month of life. Interestingly, three NKH patients never developed seizures. An abnormal corpus callosum and/or hydrocephalus were associated with especially poor gross motor and speech development. Of 25 patients living > or =3 years, 10 were able to walk and say/sign words; all were boys. In six families with more than one affected child, disease course and mortality were similar within each family.

CONCLUSIONS

This study reveals a striking and unexpected gender difference in mortality and developmental progress. Of the two-thirds of nonketotic hyperglycinemia patients surviving the newborn period, up to 20% (mostly boys) may learn to walk and communicate by saying or signing words.

Laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by pathogenic Leptospira species, for which humans are accidental hosts. It is endemic in the tropical urban areas including our country, where seasonal epidemics are becoming increasingly common. Laboratory tests are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of clinically suspected leptospirosis due to its varied symptomatology. Moreover, leptospirosis must always be considered during the differential diagnosis of other tropical febrile illnesses. Laboratory analysis depends on the samples available and temporal stage of the illness. A confusing array of laboratory tests is described for the detection of this spirochete and antibodies. The conventional tests include direct microscopy, culture and the most widely used reference standard method -the microscopic agglutination test. In addition a variety of newer serological tests and those based on molecular techniques have been described. This review has attempted to describe the basis of these techniques and discussed the relative advantages and drawbacks of these assays with special emphasis on the selection of the most appropriate specimen and test, and the correct interpretation of the test result.