Colonization by high-level aminoglycoside-resistant enterococci in intensive care unit patients: epidemiology and clinical relevance

A cohort study was performed to investigate the risk factors for colonization with high-level aminoglycoside-resistant enterococci (HLARE) in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Colonization was investigated by performing surveillance samples during ICU stay. Clonal relatedness of the isolates was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Eighty-six patients with an ICU stay of >48 h were included; two were colonized with HLARE at admission, and 24 (28.5%) acquired HLARE during their stay in the ICU. HLARE were initially isolated from rectal swabs alone. Thirty-five percent of Enterococcus faecalis and 57% of E. faecium showed high-level resistance to gentamicin or streptomycin. Most isolates were clonally unrelated. Using multi-variate analysis, the only variable associated with HLARE colonization was previous antimicrobial use. Five patients had HLARE isolated from clinical samples, three of them with infection; in all of these, colonization with the same clone had been detected previously by surveillance samples. We conclude that most infections due to HLARE in the ICU are preceded by previous colonization, and that antimicrobial use is the main risk factor for colonization.

Prevalence and risk factors for gallstone disease

Gallstone disease is a main public health problem. The overall prevalence data range from 3.9% in the pre-echographic era to 13.7% when ultrasonography was used as a diagnostic tool. This study is aimed to determine the prevalence of gallstone disease in a medium income level population in Lima, as well as the relationship with some risk factors: age, sex, familiar history and obesity. A total of 534 adult men and women from a medium economic level underwent ultrasonographic examination of abdomen for detection of gallstone disease (July 2003). The echographic evaluation was performed by 10 general surgeons trained in ultrasonography. Likewise, 4 risk factors--age, gender, familial history, and obesity--were analyzed. Pearson chi2 test (2-sided) was used with a probability of <0.05 for statistical significance and logistic regression analyses for assessment of confounding factors. The prevalence founded was 15%. Eighty-one of 534 participants had lithiasis. Compared to the age group under 30, the odds ratio for the 31 to 50 years and >50 years of age group was 0.9 and 1.1, respectively. The female-male ratio was 1.07 and the odds ratio 0.8. The prevalence of gallstone disease in people reporting a first-degree relative with lithiasis was 21%, whereas in participants without such a condition, it was 13%. On the other hand, a familial history was present in 38% of the lithiasis group and in 25% of the nonlithiasis group. The odds ratio for familial history was 1.8 (P = 0.01, 95% confidence interval 1.1-2.9). The prevalence of the disease for body mass index <24, 25 to 29, and higher than 30 was 17%, 14% and 13%, respectively. Compared to the reference group (body mass index <24), the other 2 groups (body mass index 25-29 and >30) both had a similar odds ratio, 0.8. Logistic regression analyses showed an odds ratio of 1.9 for familiar history (95% confidence interval 1.1-3.2), whereas the odds ratio of the overweight (body mass index 25-29) and obese group (body mass index >30) when compared to the normal group, BMI <24, was 0.7 and 0.9, respectively. The prevalence data for gallstone disease remain slightly higher than those previously reported. Although the familiar history was the only characteristic with a statistically significant positive relationship with lithiasis, additional studies are needed because few biases could not be completely avoided and some confounding factors were not controlled.

Bioequivalence of two oral ciprofloxacin tablets formulations

The relative bioavailability of a new 750 mg tablet formulation of ciprofloxacin (test formulation supplied by Dr. August Wolff GmbH and Co., Germany) was compared with that of Ciprobay tablets 750 mg (reference formulation from Bayer Vital GmbH and Co., Germany). Twenty-four healthy volunteers (12 male and 12 female) were included in this single-dose, 2-sequence, crossover randomized study. Blood samples were obtained prior to dosing and at 0.5, 0.75, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24 and 30 hours after drug administration. Plasma concentrations of ciprofloxacin were determined by HPLC. No differences were found when the in vitro dissolution profiles of both formulations were compared. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), Cmax and Cmax/AUC(0-infinity) were tested for bioequivalence after log-transformation of data, and ratios of tmax were evaluated nonparametrically. The parametric analysis revealed the following mean values for the test/reference ratios (90% standard confidence intervals in parenthesis (ln-transformed data): 1.01 (0.95-1.07) for AUC(0-t), 0.99 (0.93-1.05) for AUC(0-infinity), 1.05 (0.97-1.14) for Cmax and 1.06 (0.97-1.15) for Cmax/AUC(0-infinity). The nonparametric confidence interval for tmax was 0.77-1.15. All parameters showed bioequivalence between both formulations as their confidence intervals were within the bioequivalence acceptable range of 0.80-1.25 limits; the 90% confidence interval for tmax slightly exceeded limits of bioequivalence. We conclude that both formulations show bioequivalence for both the rate and the extent of absorption.

Cytomegalovirus mononucleosis as a cause of prolonged fever and prominent weight loss in immunocompetent adults

Four immunocompetent adults presented with protracted fever lasting > 6 weeks and severe weight loss, associated with primary cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Each patient had spleen enlargement, lymphocytosis and hypertriglyceridaemia, but recovered spontaneously. A further 20 immunocompetent patients with primary CMV infection were also reviewed, and all presented the usual clinical picture of CMV mononucleosis. It was concluded that CMV mononucleosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis in patients with prolonged fever and weight loss if lymphocytosis is present.

Ciprofibrate therapy in patients with hypertriglyceridemia and low high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol: greater reduction of non-HDL cholesterol in subjects with excess body weight (The CIPROAMLAT study)

Background

Hypertriglyceridemia in combination with low HDL cholesterol levels is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Our objective was to evaluate the efficacy of ciprofibrate for the treatment of this form of dyslipidemia and to identify factors associated with better treatment response.

Methods

Multicenter, international, open-label study. Four hundred and thirty seven patients were included. The plasma lipid levels at inclusion were fasting triglyceride concentrations between 1.6–3.9 mM/l and HDL cholesterol ≤ 1.05 mM/l for women and ≤ 0.9 mM/l for men. The LDL cholesterol was below 4.2 mM/l. All patients received ciprofibrate 100 mg/d. Efficacy and safety parameters were assessed at baseline and at the end of the treatment. The primary efficacy parameter of the study was percentage change in triglycerides from baseline.

Results

After 4 months, plasma triglyceride concentrations were decreased by 44% (p < 0.001). HDL cholesterol concentrations were increased by 10% (p < 0.001). Non-HDL cholesterol was decreased by 19%. A greater HDL cholesterol response was observed in lean patients (body mass index < 25 kg/m²) compared to the rest of the population (8.2 vs 19.7%, p < 0.001). In contrast, cases with excess body weight had a larger decrease in non-HDL cholesterol levels (-20.8 vs -10.8%, p < 0.001). There were no significant complications resulting from treatment with ciprofibrate.

Conclusions

Ciprofibrate is efficacious for the correction of hypertriglyceridemia / low HDL cholesterol. A greater decrease in non-HDL cholesterol was found among cases with excess body weight. The mechanism of action of ciprofibrate may be influenced by the pathophysiology of the disorder being treated.

Tuberculosis is still a major cause of cervical lymphadenopathies in adults from developing countries

To establish the frequency of infectious aetiology in Mexican adult patients with cervical lymphadenopathies (CLAs), 87 consecutive patients with enlarged cervical lymphatic nodes, HIV negative and without anti-tuberculous treatment, were selected from a tertiary-level speciality concentration hospital. Histopathological studies, investigation of acid-fast bacilli, cultures in Löwenstein Jensen and Mycobacterium growth indicator tube (MGIT) media, and in-house polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with IS6110-based primers for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex were performed in resected lymphatic nodes. Non-infectious aetiology corresponded to 45 cases (52 %). Tuberculosis was suspected in 42 cases (48%) by histology and confirmed positive results were obtained by staining in 8 (19%), by culture in 23 (55%), and by PCR in 34 (81 %) patients. All were confirmed after therapeutic success. In addition to the epidemiological transition process occurring in Mexico, tuberculosis remains an important cause of CLA. Histopathology with confirmatory studies including PCR can detect tuberculous aetiology.

Association of the calpain-10 gene with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Mexican population

Variation in the calpain-10 gene (CAPN10) has been associated with risk of type 2 diabetes in the Mexican American population of Starr County, Texas. We typed five polymorphisms in the calpain-10 gene (SNP-43, -43, -63, and -110 and Indel-19) to test for association with type 2 diabetes in 248 individuals representative of the mestizo population of Mexico City and Orizaba, Mexico including 134 patients with type 2 diabetes and 114 subjects with normal fasting blood glucose levels. We found a significant difference in SNP-44 allele and genotype frequencies between type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic subjects. The rare allele at SNP-44 was associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes (odds ratio (OR)=2.72, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.16-6.35, P=0.017). SNP-110, which is in perfect linkage disequilibrium with SNP-44, was also associated with type 2 diabetes. The SNP-43, Indel-19, and SNP-63 haplogenotype 112/121 associated with significantly increased risk (OR=2.16, 95% CI=1.31-3.57) of type 2 diabetes in Mexican Americans was not associated with significantly increased in risk in Mexicans (OR=1.15, 95% CI=0.57-2.34). The results suggest that variation in CAPN10 affects risk of type 2 diabetes in the mestizo population of central Mexico (Mexico City and Orizaba) and in Mexican Americans (Starr County, Texas).

Comparative bioavailability of two immediate-release tablets of lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide in healthy volunteers

AIM

Two formulations of lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide (20 mg/12.5 mg) were evaluated for bioequivalence after single dosing in healthy volunteers.

METHODS

The study was conducted according to an open, randomized, 2-period crossover design with a 2-week washout interval between doses. Twenty-four volunteers participated and all completed the study successfully. Lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide were determined in plasma by HPLC. The pharmacokinetic parameters AUC(0-t), AUC(0-infinity), Cmax and Cmax/AUC(0-infinity) were tested for bioequivalence after logarithmic transformation of data and ratios of tmax were evaluated non-parametrically.

RESULTS

For lisinopril, the parametric analysis revealed the following test/reference ratios and their confidence intervals (90% CI): 1.01 (0.84-1.22) for AUC(0-t), 0.98 (0.81-1.19) for AUC(0-infinity), 1.02 (0.83-1.25) for Cmax and 1.03 (0.99-1.08) for Cmax/AUC(0-infinity). The 90% CI for tmax was 0.94-1.07. All parameters showed bioequivalence between both formulations. As for hydrochlorothiazide, test/reference ratios and their confidence intervals (90% CI) were: 1.05 (0.95-1.17), 1.02 (0.93-1.12) for AUC(0-infinity), 0.99 (0.89-1.07) for Cmax and 0.97 (0.90-1.04) for Cmax/AUC(0-infinity). The 90% CI for tmax was 1.00-1.41. All parameters showed bioequivalence between both formulations except for tmax. A discrete fall in both systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure was observed after drug administration. The time course of both parameters was similar for the 2 formulations. Heart rates also followed a similar time profile.

CONCLUSIONS

The bioequivalence of the 2 formulations of lisinopril/hydrochlorothiazide was demonstrated.

Genetic factors play an important role in the pathogenesis of hyperlipidemia post-transplantation

BACKGROUND

Our purpose was to identify factors associated with hyperlipidemia post-transplantation in a Hispanic population.

METHODS

From 1985 to 1999, a kidney graft survival longer than 3 months occurred in 293 cases at the Instituto Nacional de la Nutrición. Most of the patients living in Mexico City were included (n = 83). The evaluation included a questionnaire, blood samples, and assessment of body composition and dietary habits. As many as possible first-degree relatives were studied.

RESULTS

Women had higher values of cholesterol (236 +/- 51 versus 215 +/-41; P < 0.05), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (147 +/- 42 versus 131 +/- 34; P = 0.05), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (57.3 +/- 14 versus 47.9 +/- 14; P = 0.002) and high-density lipoprotein-2 cholesterol. Isolated hypercholesterolemia was the most common lipid abnormality (40.9%), followed by mixed hyperlipidemia. Lipoprotein (a) greater than 30 mg/dL was found in 13 cases. Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) in the patient's relatives was a marker for dyslipidemia (odds ratio, 7.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.2 to 59.7). These cases had a worse lipid profile. Cyclosporine-treated FCHL patients had higher lipid levels compared with the non-FCHL, cyclosporine-treated patients. The effects of cyclosporine on the lipid levels were lower, but significant, after the exclusion of the FCHL cases.

CONCLUSION

Post-transplant dyslipidemia is determined by genetic and environmental factors. FCHL in the patient's relatives was associated with post-transplant hyperlipidemia; an additive effect with cyclosporine was found. The evaluation of the lipid profile of relatives may be useful for the assessment of the risk of post-transplant dyslipidemia.

On carbide dissolution in an as-cast ASTM F-75 alloy

The solution treatment of an as-cast ASTM F-75 alloy was investigated. Microstructural evolution was followed during thermal processing, in particular with regard to the content and type of carbides formed. To evidence any probable carbide transformations occurring during the heating stage, as well as to clarify their effect on the carbide dissolution kinetics, three heating rates were studied. Image analysis and scanning electron microscopy techniques were used for microstructural characterization. For the identification of precipitates, these were electrolytically extracted from the matrix and then analyzed by X-ray diffraction. It was found that the precipitates in the as-cast alloy were constituted by both a M(23)C(6) carbide and a sigma intermetallic phase. The M(23)C(6) carbide was the only phase identified in solution-treated specimens, regardless of the heating rate employed, which indicated that this carbide dissolved directly into the matrix without being transformed first into an M(6)C carbide, as reported in the literature. It was found that the kinetics of dissolution for the M(23)C(6) carbide decreased progressively during the solution treatment, and that it was sensitive to the heating rate, decreasing whenever the latter was decreased. Because the M(23)C(6) carbide was not observed to suffer a phase transformation prior to its dissolution into the matrix, the effect of the heating rate was associated to the morphological change occurred as the specimens were heated. The occurrence of the observed phases was analyzed with the aid of phase diagrams computed for the system Co-Cr-Mo-C.

Fungi test for evaluation of new antiandrogenic molecule

Antiandrogens have high impact in medicine as they are compounds capable of decreasing the effect of benign prostatic hyperplasia, cancer, and other androgen-dependent diseases that affect a large percentage of the male population in the world. [figure: see text] Dihydrotestosterone, a 5 alpha-reductase metabolite of testosterone, has been implicated as the responsible factor of these androgen abnormalities. This fact indicates that the logical step in the treatment of these diseases is the inhibition of this enzyme activity using molecules that compete selectively with its natural substrates. The study of the pharmacological effect of antiandrogens requires specific animal models using a large number of laboratory animals. On basis of this concept, presently there is a tendency to eliminate studies with animals. In this paper we report a new method for antiandrogenic evaluation using microbial transformations.

Antiandrogenic effect of new synthetic steroids

These results indicate that castration decreased the flank organ diameter and the weight of the seminal vesicles, whereas daily injection of testosterone restores them. However injections of finasteride together with testosterone inhibited the diameter of the flank organs, the weight of the seminal vesicles, and the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. The four compounds tested inhibited flank organ diameter size and the weight of the seminal vesicles as compared to the testosterone-treated animals. On the other hand, none of these compounds suppressed the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. These results suggest that the synthesized steroids compete with androgen receptors.

Evaluation of new pregnane derivatives as 5alpha-reductase inhibitor

The objective of this study was to synthesize several new pregnane derivatives and evaluate them as antiandrogens. From the commercially available 16-dehydropregnenolone acetate (7), two new steroidal compounds were synthesized: 17alpha-hydroxy-17beta-methyl-16beta-phenyl-D-homoandrosta-1,4,6-triene-3,20-dione (18) and 17alpha-acetoxy-17beta-methyl-16beta-phenyl-D-homoandrosta-1,4,6-triene-3,20-dione (19). The 5alpha-reductase inhibitory effect of the new compounds 18 and 19 together with the previously synthesized intermediates 7, 8, 13, 16, and 17 was determined in three different models: gonadectomized hamster flank organs diameter size, incorporation of [1,2-(14)C]sodium acetate into lipids in flank organs and conversion of [3H]testosterone (T) to [3H]dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by Penicillium crustosum. The evaluation of these steroids was carried out with three different controls: one group was treated with vehicle, the second with T and the third group with T plus finasteride. The pharmacological results from this work demonstrated that T significantly increases the diameter of the pigmented spot on the flank organs (p<0.05) as well as the incorporation of labeled sodium acetate into lipids in gonadectomized hamster flank organs (from 0.125 to 0.255 nmol per gland). In this study we also observed that broth of Penicillium crustosum converted [3H]T to [3H]DHT in a manner comparable to that of the flank organs. All experiments indicated that finasteride as well as steroids 7, 8, 13, 16-19 reduced significantly the conversion of T to DHT in P. crustosum. These compounds also decrease the size of the pigmented spot in the flank organs as well as reducing the incorporation of radiolabeled sodium acetate into lipids; T and the control sample (treated with vehicle only) were used for comparison. Apparently the presence of the 4,6-diene-3,20-dione moiety and also the C-17 ester group produce a higher inhibitory effect on the parameters used. PPThe data from this study indicated also that the three models used for the pharmacological evaluation exhibited comparable results.

Mitochondrial DNA sequences for 118 individuals from northeastern Spain

A population database was generated from 118 unrelated Caucasoid individuals living in Spain. Sequence polymorphisms of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control region, hypervariable regions I and II (HVRI and HVRII) were determined using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and direct sequencing. A total of 102 different sequences were found as defined by 105 variable positions. The most common sequence occurred six times, and this sequence is also the most frequent in other European populations such as Austria, Germany and Britain. The mean pair-wise difference for the two HVR regions taken together was 7.74. The study revealed that transitions made up the majority of the variations (88%), whereas we observed a significantly lower frequency of transversions (8%). Also one individual in this study was observed with two positions of heteroplasmy at nucleotides 150 (C/T) and 153 (G/A). A statistical estimate of the results for this population showed a genetic diversity of 0.99. The probability of two random individuals showing identical mtDNA haplotypes is 1.3%. In order to use the mtDNA analysis in forensic casework, we consider that it is of crucial importance to know the frequency of the different sequences of mtDNA, and this data base study could be a useful tool to statistically evaluate the results.

Antiandrogenic effect of 16-substituted, non-substituted and D-homopregnane derivatives

The pharmacological activities of 12 pregnane derivatives (4-15) were determined on gonadectomized male hamster flank organs and seminal vesicles as antiandrogens and as 5alpha-reductase inhibitors. The results from this study indicate that subcutaneous injection of testosterone for 3 d increased the diameter of the pigmented spot in the flank organs, whereas finasteride when injected with testosterone decreased the size of the spot significantly when steroids 4-15 were injected together with testosterone, the diameter of the flank organs of gonadectomized male hamsters, decreased significantly (p<0.005) compared to testosterone. Compound 11 was the most active steroid and reduced the diameter of the pigmented spot more than the other synthesized steroids or finasteride. Subcutaneous injections of testosterone to gonadectomized animals restore the seminal vesicle size lost upon castration. Injection of testosterone plus finasteride decreased significantly the weight of these glands (p<0.005). Steroids 5-15 when injected with testosterone decreased the weight of the seminal vesicles compared to testosterone. Finasteride is a good inhibitor of the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) (low formation of DHT) measured as pmole of DHT/g of protein/h. Steroids 6-15 inhibited the conversion of testosterone to DHT as compared to testosterone however finasteride and 10 appeared to be the most effective compounds. Castration increases the protein content of the seminal vesicles (control) expressed as microg/mg of tissues. Testosterone tends to decrease it significantly, as did compounds 4, 5, 7, 9, and 15. We demonstrated that DHT as well as cyproterone acetate and steroids 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, and 14 at increasing non radioactive steroid concentration, inhibited the binding of [3H]DHT to cytosolic androgen receptor (AR), as indicated by its Ki values. However, 4, 7, 10, 12, and 13 did not have any inhibitory effect.

Linguistic development in cleft palate patients with and without compensatory articulation disorder

INTRODUCTION

Cleft palate patients frequently show compensatory articulation disorder (CAD). CAD severely affects speech intelligibility and requires a prolonged period of speech intervention. CAD has been considered a phonologic disorder. Thus, it seems necessary to explore the relationship between CAD and language development.

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship between language development and the presence of CAD in cleft palate patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cleft palate children with residual velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) after palatal closure, with and without CAD were studied. Only patients with an age ranging from 3 to 8 years were included in the study group. Twenty-nine cleft palate patients with residual VPI and CAD were included in the first group (active). The second group was assembled with 29 cleft palate patients with residual VPI without CAD, matched by age and sex (control). For evaluating language development, all patients were analyzed using the Situational-Discourse-Semantic (SDS) Model [13]. This Model is a valuable tool for conducting naturalistic observation and descriptive assessment of language development. The SDS Model provides a detailed description of three contexts (situational, discourse, and semantic) in ten levels of cognitive and linguistic organization.

RESULTS

In all contexts considered by the model of cognitive and linguistic organization used for this study, i.e. SDS, a Fischer exact test demonstrated that patients with CAD showed a significantly higher frequency of language delay as compared with patients without CAD. None of the patients present with CAD showed an adequate level of language development. The degree of language delay was greater in the situational context as compared to the semantic and discourse contexts.

CONCLUSIONS

Cleft palate patients present with CAD, demonstrated a significantly higher frequency of delay in language development as compared with cleft palate patients present with VPI without CAD. From the results of this paper, it seems that a detailed evaluation of all aspects of cognitive and linguistic organization should be performed in cleft palate patients, especially in patients present with CAD. Moreover, it seems that speech intervention in cleft palate patients with CAD should address not only the articulation process, but also specific aspects of language development.

Steroidal antiandrogens and 5alpha-reductase inhibitors

The purpose of this work is to synthesize a pregnane derivative with a high antiandrogenic effect or a high inhibitory activity for the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase type 2. Benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are androgen dependent diseases which afflict a large percentage of the male population. Dihydrotestosterone 3, a 5 alpha-reductase metabolite of testosterone 2 has been implicated as a causative factor in the progression of these diseases, largely through the clinical evaluation of males who are genetically deficient of steroid 5 alpha-reductase enzyme. As a result of this study, the inhibition of this enzyme has become a pharmacological strategy for the design and synthesis of new drugs. The advent of finasteride 22 "figure 5" a 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor, has greatly alleviated the symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. On the other hand, the discovery of cyproterone acetate 4 "figure 2" alone or in combination with the antiandrogens flutamide 14 "figure 3" or bicalutamide 21 has greatly reduced the misery of prostate cancer. Prostate cancer kills about 40,000 men in the USA and approximately 400,000 prostatectomies are performed each year. In our laboratory we have recently synthesized ten new progesterone derivatives 17 alpha-acyloyloxy-6-halo (chloro, bromo) 16 beta-methyl-4, 6-pregnadiene-3, 20-diones (54a-54e and 55a-55e), "figure 10". These steroids were evaluated as antiandrogens and exhibited a much higher activity than the commercially available cyproterone acetate 4. The same compounds were also evaluated as 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors and showed a slightly higher inhibitory activity than that of finasteride 22, the drug of choice today for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia In another study we synthesized several new 4-halo (bromo and chloro) 17 alpha-benzoyloxy and also 4-halo-17 alpha-acetoxy progesterone derivatives (58-63) "figure 13". These compounds were prepared from the commercially available 17 alpha-acetoxy progesterone 56. The pharmacological evaluation of these steroids "figure 14" indicated that the 17 alpha-benzoyloxy derivatives (4-chloro and bromo) 62 and 63 were very potent antiandrogens. On the other hand, the 4-halo (bromo and chloro) 17 alpha-acetoxy (58, 59) and the 17 alpha-benzoyloxy-4-chloro analog 63 showed a very high inhibitory activity for the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase type 2 "figure 15".

Detection of molecular interactions by using a new peptide-displaying bacteriophage biosensor

Foreign peptides fused to the carboxy terminus of P22 tailspike protein are solvent-exposed and highly antigenic when displayed on the surface of infectious virus particles. Binding of an anti-peptide specific Fab antibody fragment enhances the infectivity of chimeric bacteriophage particles in a titre-dependent fashion. Although the precise molecular basis of this enhanced infectivity remains unclear, experimental data and modelling approaches suggest that the antibody binding might restore conformational impairments in the assembled tail protein affecting its activity and performance during infection. These results suggest that in addition to free enzymes, peptide-displaying bacteriophages could be engineered as new biosensors to detect molecular interactions by using natural viral enzymes critical for cell infection.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 4-halo progesterone derivatives as antiandrogen

The pharmacological activity of eight pregnane derivatives 17-alpha acetoxyprogesterone 9, 17-alpha acetoxy-4, 5-epoxypregnan-3, 20-dione 10, 17-alpha acetoxy-4-chloro-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione 11, 17-alpha acetoxy-4-bromo-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione 12, 17-alpha hydroxy-4-bromo-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione 13, 4-chloro-17-alpha hydroxy-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione 14, 17-alpha benzoyloxy-4-bromo-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione 15 and 17-alpha benzoyloxy-4-chloro-4-pregnene-3, 20-dione 16 was determined. These compounds were evaluated as antiandrogens on gonadectomized hamster seminal vesicles. The pharmacological data in this study indicate that compounds 15 and 16 having a C-17 benzoyloxy moiety showed the highest antiandrogenic activity as measured by the reduction of the weight of the seminal vesicles, followed by the steroids 11 and 12 (17-alpha acetoxy group). The free alcohols 13 and 14 exhibited a lower antiandrogenic activity. Apparently, the ester moiety at C-17 is a necessary requirement for the presence of high antiandrogenic activity. Shows the inhibitory effect on the conversion of testosterone (T) to DHT, of the above described steroids as measured by the amount of produced DHT 2 expressed as pmoles of DHT/g of protein/h. Steroids 11, 12 and 16 showed a much higher inhibitory activity on the conversion of testosterone (T) to dihydrotestosterone (DHT) than presently used finasteride 3.