A reassessment of TBT action levels for determining the fate of dredged sediments in the United Kingdom

As part of reviewing the United Kingdom (UK) action levels (ALs) of contaminants for managing the disposal of dredged marine sediment material, tributyl tin (TBT) has been reassessed. TBT is a banned biocide capable of causing severe harm to the marine environment. Its presence is routinely screened for prior to marine disposal of dredged sediment material. Dredged sediment TBT concentrations have been studied using UK monitoring data obtained between 2000 and 2018. The changes in these TBT concentrations have guided the reassessment of ALs. Recent toxicity studies have also guided the reassessment of TBT ALs. This study, which itself forms part of a larger review by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, has concluded that current UK TBT ALs may no longer be fit for purpose. A more environmentally protective approach for controlling release of TBT into the marine environment is recommended.

Kinematics and kinetics of dogs completing jump and A-frame exercises

Many police dogs do not reach their expected retirement age as they are no longer able to cope with the physical demands of the job. Annual licensing requires police dogs to complete a series of agility tasks, including jumping and negotiating an A-frame obstacle, both of which are associated with higher injury rates in canine agility competitors. This study sought to measure conformational, kinematic, and kinetic parameters of actively employed police German Shepherd Dogs (GSDs), whilst completing a 55 cm jump hurdle, and a standard A-frame. Each dog completed three repetitions of each obstacle and was also recorded at both walk and trot. Contact pressures and forces were measured, whilst joint kinematics were recorded using reflective markers and a high-speed camera. Results found that static hip angle was significantly correlated with hip flexion at trot, during jump suspension and at the apex of the A-frame. Stifle and hock flexion were greatest during the suspension phase of jump (56.98±11.710° and 54.51±17.430°). Shoulder and elbow flexion were greatest at the apex of A-frame (104.34±16.744° and 75.72±20.804°), whilst carpal extension was highest upon landing from the jump (125.77±7.071°). Peak vertical force (PFz) when normalised for body mass (BM) increased when landing from A-frame (14.28 N/kg BM) as opposed to landing from the jump obstacle (12.055 N/kg·BM). Our results show that increased range of motion (ROM) is required during both jumping and negotiation of A-frame compared to walk and trot, but more significantly, greater forces are incurred upon landing from the A-frame than compared to jumping. It was also observed that dogs were subject to high degrees of torsion in the distal limbs upon landing from the A-frame due to trained behaviours. We conclude that use of agility equipment generates greater forces through the musculoskeletal system and requires a greater ROM than what is experienced at walk and trot, which may contribute to early retirement ages in police dogs.

Dental disease risk in children with autism: a meta-analysis

Introduction Pi and colleagues reviewed eight case-control studies comparing the oral health (decayed, missing and filled teeth [DMFT], Plaque Index [PI], Gingival Index [GI] and salivary pH) of children with autism (n = 475) to children without autism (n = 565).Method The search strategy involved the use of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Chinese Scientific and Technological Journal (VIP) to find case-control studies which met pre-defined inclusion criteria and were published before September 2018. The quality of each study was evaluated using the Newcastle-Ottowa Scale and only high-quality studies were included. Means and standard deviations for outcomes measured by each included study were presented. Data were pooled using the random-effects model via Review Manager 5.3, and presented as mean differences and 95% confidence intervals. Consistency was measured using I2. Sensitivity analysis was performed by removing one study with a large sample to explore effects on heterogeneity.Results The authors found eight eligible case-control studies conducted in Asia (n = 7) or South America (n = 1). Six of the eight compared DMFT of children with autism to those without and three of the eight compared PI, GI and/or salivary pH. While a meta-analysis is presented for each of the oral health outcome areas, there are discrepancies in the reporting. The included studies in each of the meta-analysis do not correspond with the characteristics of the studies provided.Conclusions The authors suggest from their meta-analyses that children with autism experience a higher prevalence of dental disease than children without autism. However, as currently presented, the study lacks internal validity and findings are not reliable.

Pressure and force on the canine neck when exercised using a collar and leash

•

A double layer polyester/nylon collar decreased mean contact pressure on the neck when compared to single layer collars.

•

Peak forces were highest under a double layer polyester/nylon collar in all 3 directions of travel – clockwise, anticlockwise and straight.

•

No significant differences between collar material and direction of travel were found when comparing mean contact pressure.

•

Highest forces were identified when a dog walks in an anticlockwise direction away from a handler.

•

Average overall peak force was 30.2 N.

The aim of this study was to assess the pressure and force applied to the canine neck at walk when using collars of different material.

Three different collars of equal size but different construction were used. A double-layer polyester and nylon weave (DN), a single layer nylon weave (SN), and a single layer canvas (SC). Eight dogs wore all three types of collar and were led in a randomized order through a course containing straight, clockwise and counterclockwise sections. Force and pressure were measured and recorded using a Tekscan^Ⓡ F-Scan In-shoe system and analyzed using SPSS statistical software.

Peak force and contact pressure were significantly higher under DN collar when compared with the others (p < 0.0005 and p = 0.001, respectively). Whilst differences in mean force were not observed between collars, there were significant differences depending on the direction of travel of the dog (p < 0.0005), being highest in a counter-clockwise direction, and lowest in a straight line. Peak contact pressure was not significantly different in any condition.

Results suggest that collar construction material will alter contact pressures and peak force exerted on the neck, and that a double layer nylon weave collar with ethylene-vinyl acetate cushioning has a higher contact pressure than either a single layer nylon or canvas construction, which may be contrary to an owners expectations when purchasing a collar. Furthermore, forces will vary depending on the direction of travel in relation to the handler.

6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 4 is essential for p53-null cancer cells

The bifunctional enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase-4 (PFKFB4) controls metabolic flux through allosteric regulation of glycolysis. Here we show that p53 regulates the expression of PFKFB4 and that p53-deficient cancer cells are highly dependent on the function of this enzyme. We found that p53 downregulates PFKFB4 expression by binding to its promoter and mediating transcriptional repression via histone deacetylases. Depletion of PFKFB4 from p53-deficient cancer cells increased levels of the allosteric regulator fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, leading to increased glycolytic activity but decreased routing of metabolites through the oxidative arm of the pentose-phosphate pathway. PFKFB4 was also required to support the synthesis and regeneration of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) in p53-deficient cancer cells. Moreover, depletion of PFKFB4-attenuated cellular biosynthetic activity and resulted in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and cell death in the absence of p53. Finally, silencing of PFKFB4-induced apoptosis in p53-deficient cancer cells in vivo and interfered with tumour growth. These results demonstrate that PFKFB4 is essential to support anabolic metabolism in p53-deficient cancer cells and suggest that inhibition of PFKFB4 could be an effective strategy for cancer treatment.

Iatrogenic copper deficiency following information and drugs obtained over the internet

We report the case of a 56-year-old woman with a 7-year history of metastatic cancer who presented with severe copper deficiency following self-treatment with the copper-chelating agent tetrathiomolybdate. This compound was used with the aim of inhibiting tumour angiogenesis and was obtained from the USA by placing an order on the internet. The patient exhibited severe neutropenia as her serum copper concentration fell from 19.8 μmol/L to 3.3 μmol/L and her caeruloplasmin concentration from 35 mg/dL to 4 mg/dL.

The acceptability and cost of a home-based chlamydia retesting strategy: findings from the REACT randomised controlled trial

Background

Chlamydia retesting three months after treatment is recommended to detect reinfections, but retesting rates are typically low. The REACT (retest after Chlamydia trachomatis) randomised trial demonstrated that home-based retesting using postal home-collection kits and SMS reminders, resulted in substantial improvements in retesting rates in women, heterosexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM), with detection of more repeat positive tests compared with SMS reminder alone. In the context of this trial, the acceptability of the home-based strategy was evaluated and the costs of the two strategies were compared.

Methods

REACT participants (200 women, 200 heterosexual men, 200 MSM) were asked to complete an online survey that included home-testing acceptability and preferred methods of retesting. The demographics, sexual behaviour and acceptability of home collection were compared between those preferring home-testing versus clinic-based retesting or no preference, using a chi-square test. The costs to the health system of the clinic-based and home retesting strategies and the cost per infection for each were also compared.

Results

Overall 445/600 (74 %) participants completed the survey; 236/445 from the home-testing arm, and 141 of these (60 %) retested at home. The majority of home arm retesters were comfortable having the kit posted to their home (86 %); found it easy to follow the instructions and collect the specimens (96 %); were confident they had collected the specimens correctly (90 %); and reported no problems (70 %). Most (65 %) preferred home retesting, 21 % had no preference and 14 % preferred clinic retesting. Comparing those with a preference for home testing to those who didn’t, there were significant differences in being comfortable having a kit sent to their home (p = 0.045); not having been diagnosed with chlamydia previously (p = 0.030); and living with friends (p = 0.034). The overall cost for the home retest pathway was $154 (AUD), compared to $169 for the clinic-based retesting pathway and the cost per repeat infection detected was $1409 vs $3133.

Conclusions

Among individuals initially diagnosed with chlamydia in a sexual health clinic setting, home-based retesting was shown to be highly acceptable, preferred by most participants, and cost-efficient. However some clients preferred clinic-based testing, often due to confidentiality concerns in their home environment. Both options should be provided to maximise retesting rates.

Trial registration

The trial was registered with the Australia New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry on September 9, 2011: ACTRN12611000968976.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12889-016-2727-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Three-dimensional imaging of carbonyl sulfide and ethyl iodide photodissociation using the pixel imaging mass spectrometry camera

The Pixel Imaging Mass Spectrometry (PImMS) camera is used in proof-of-principle three-dimensional imaging experiments on the photodissociation of carbonyl sulfide and ethyl iodide at wavelengths around 230 nm and 245 nm, respectively. Coupling the PImMS camera with DC-sliced velocity-map imaging allows the complete three-dimensional Newton sphere of photofragment ions to be recorded on each laser pump-probe cycle with a timing precision of 12.5 ns, yielding velocity resolutions along the time-of-flight axis of around 6%-9% in the applications presented.

Resistin is elevated following traumatic joint injury and causes matrix degradation and release of inflammatory cytokines from articular cartilage in vitro

OBJECTIVE

Resistin is a secreted factor that is elevated in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and believed to drive joint inflammation in vivo. This study was undertaken to determine if resistin is present in the joint following joint injury and to elucidate the role of resistin in cartilage degradation.

METHODS

The level of resistin was measured in paired synovial fluid (SF) and serum samples from patients following joint injury (anterior cruciate ligament, ACL or meniscus tear). Localization of resistin was visualized by immunohistochemistry of synovial tissue and cartilage from healthy and OA donors. Mouse and human cartilage cultures were used to assess the effect of resistin on cartilage metabolism.

RESULTS

In trauma patients, resistin levels declined with increasing time post injury. The resistin levels were highest in samples collected up to 1 week following traumatic injury (SF: 2980 pg/ml, serum: 7901 pg/ml) and lowest in samples collected 6-26 years post injury (SF: 686 pg/ml, serum: 5682 pg/ml). Resistin was shown to be expressed in macrophage-like cells in both healthy and OA synovial tissue. Treatment of mouse cartilage cultures with recombinant resistin led to a dose dependent loss of proteoglycan and induction of inflammatory cytokine and PGE(2) production. Recombinant resistin inhibited proteoglycan synthesis in human cartilage explants.

CONCLUSION

Resistin is elevated both systemically and locally in the weeks immediately following joint injury and has a direct effect on cartilage matrix turnover and cytokine production. Resistin may play a role in the early stages of trauma-induced OA and may represent a new therapeutic target to slow joint destruction in OA.

Restriction fragment length polymorphisms and sequence analysis: an approach for genotyping infectious pancreatic necrosis virus reference strains and other aquabirnaviruses isolated from northwestern Spain

Reference strains of infectious pancreatic necrosis virus resembling the 10 recognized serotypes and local isolates of aquabirnaviruses isolated in northwestern Spain from reservoirs (mollusks) and from asymptomatic and carrier cultured fish were genotyped by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) and nucleic acid sequence analyses. The RFLP analysis yielded seven genogroups, each of which was clearly correlated with a serotype. Sequence analysis of the three open reading frames provided quite similar results in terms of genogrouping. Based on the results of this study and in order to unify the two types of assays, we propose placing aquabirnaviruses into six genogroups, four of which can be subdivided into two genotypes based on a two-step restriction analysis. The genotyping corresponds with serotyping as follows: genogroup I includes two genotypes corresponding to serotypes A9 (genotype I.1) and A1 (genotype I.2); genogroup II corresponds to serotype A3; genogroup III includes genotypes III.1 (serotype A2) and III.2 (serotype B1); genogroups IV and V include two genotypes, each corresponding to serotypes A5, A6, A7, and A8 (genotypes IV.1, IV.2, V.1, and V.2, respectively);and genogroup VI corresponds to serotype A4. As expected, most local isolates belonged to genotype III.1 and genogroup II. However, a few local isolates corresponded to the American types of genogroup I. Finally, based on the results of this study and due to its simplicity, the two-step restriction analysis assay is proposed as a method for typing new isolates of aquabirnaviruses, and the results correspond to the results of conventional serotyping.

Characterization of aquabirnaviruses from flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus and mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus in the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA

Viruses were isolated in cell culture from tissue homogenates of flounder Pseudopleuronectes americanus and mummichog Fundulus heteroclitus in the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA. Neutralization and immunofluorescence tests with aquabirnavirus (West Buxton strain)-specific polyclonal antisera indicated that both viruses were aquabirnaviruses belonging to Serogroup A, the most common aquabirnavirus serogroup in the United States. This was confirmed by RT-PCR, with primers targeting the VP3 and VP2 gene of aquabirnaviruses. The VP2-specific RT-PCR cDNA amplification product was sequenced and deduced amino-acid sequences were compared with known sequences of the type strains of the 9 serotypes of aquabirnavirus Serogroup A. This demonstrated that the viruses from both flounder and mummichog belong to aquabirnavirus Genogroup 1. The flounder isolate exhibited deduced amino acid sequence similarities of 98.1% with the Jasper strain of serotype A9, and 97.7% with the West Buxton strain of serotype A1. The isolate from mummichog exhibited deduced amino acid sequence similarities of 99.1% with the West Buxton strain of Serotype A1 and 94.8% with the Jasper isolate of Serotype A9. Similarities of deduced amino acid sequences ranged from 79.9 to 86.9%, with representatives of the other 7 serotypes. This is the first report of an aquabirnavirus from mummichog F. heteroclitus and only the fifth report of an aquabirnavirus from a flounder species.

Correlations between eruption magnitude, SO2 yield, and surface cooling

Sulphurous gases from explosive eruptions have the potential to form stratospheric aerosols and so produce surface cooling on a hemispheric to global scale. However, testing for any correlation between SO2 yield and surface cooling is hampered by instrumental SO2 and temperature measurements being available for time periods that include only a few large eruptions. To overcome this, published dendroclimatological data, satellite (Total Ozone Mapping Spectrometer) data on SO2 emissions, stratospheric optical depth data, and volcanological observations are integrated, revealing several relevant new correlations. First, the efficient conversion of SO2 into stratospheric aerosols occurs when the ratio of plume height to tropopause height is greater than about 1.5. Second, the mass of emitted SO2 correlates well with the mass of erupted magma. The SO2 yield is 0.1 to 1% by mass of magma, irrespective of composition. The best-fit power law (r2=0.67) is mass of SO2 in Mt=1.77(mass of magma in Gt)0.64. Third, of the eruption clouds that are believed to have entered the stratosphere in the period 1400–1994, those with masses <5 Gt magma (DRE <2 km3) appear to have had insignificant effects on Northern Hemisphere summer temperature. The scattered data for eruptions of >10 Gt (>4 km3) magma suggest a mean cooling effect of about 0.35 °C.

Restorative proctocolectomy in UK servicemen

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the outcome of restorative proctocolectomy (RPC) in UK Servicemen and to determine the compatibility of this procedure with Service life.

PATIENTS

All Servicemen undergoing restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (UC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) up to December 31st 2000 were identified from Service records. Patients were reviewed by direct or telephone interview. Pouch function, military duties, medical category or reasons for discharge from the Service were recorded.

RESULTS

Fifteen Servicemen (6 Royal Navy, 6 Army, 3 RAF), mean age 30 years, underwent RPC for UC (14) or FAP (1) with a median follow-up of 74 months. Eight remain in their Service, five of whom carry out full duties and three restricted duties. Of the seven who have left the Services only one was medically unfit to continue due to poor pouch function whilst six left voluntarily to pursue active civilian careers. Fourteen patients have acceptable pouch function; one pouch has been excised for intractable pouchitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Restorative proctocolectomy is compatible with Service life and most individuals are capable of fulfilling active unrestricted military duties.

Potent and selective inhibition of human cathepsin K leads to inhibition of bone resorption in vivo in a nonhuman primate

Cathepsin K is a cysteine protease that plays an essential role in osteoclast-mediated degradation of the organic matrix of bone. Knockout of the enzyme in mice, as well as lack of functional enzyme in the human condition pycnodysostosis, results in osteopetrosis. These results suggests that inhibition of the human enzyme may provide protection from bone loss in states of elevated bone turnover, such as postmenopausal osteoporosis. To test this theory, we have produced a small molecule inhibitor of human cathepsin K, SB-357114, that potently and selectively inhibits this enzyme (Ki = 0.16 nM). This compound potently inhibited cathepsin activity in situ, in human osteoclasts (inhibitor concentration [IC]50 = 70 nM) as well as bone resorption mediated by human osteoclasts in vitro (IC50 = 29 nM). Using SB-357114, we evaluated the effect of inhibition of cathepsin K on bone resorption in vivo using a nonhuman primate model of postmenopausal bone loss in which the active form of cathepsin K is identical to the human orthologue. A gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) was used to render cynomolgus monkeys estrogen deficient, which led to an increase in bone turnover. Treatment with SB-357114 (12 mg/kg subcutaneously) resulted in a significant reduction in serum markers of bone resorption relative to untreated controls. The effect was observed 1.5 h after the first dose and was maintained for 24 h. After 5 days of dosing, the reductions in N-terminal telopeptides (NTx) and C-terminal telopeptides (CTx) of type I collagen were 61% and 67%, respectively. A decrease in serum osteocalcin of 22% was also observed. These data show that inhibition of cathepsin K results in a significant reduction of bone resorption in vivo and provide further evidence that this may be a viable approach to the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Evaluation of school-based HIV prevention education programs in New Jersey

This paper presents results from a process evaluation conducted by the New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE). Representative samples of middle and high school superintendents, principals, lead health teachers, and HIV teachers provided information assessing whether local district policy content was consistent with the state's policy code, the dynamics of local policy development, and school district staff perceptions and practices regarding HIV education policies. NJDOE also was interested in determining: if inservice training was accessible to teachers assigned to provide HIV education; the scope and impact of HIV inservice programs; and the training needs of staff assigned to teach the HIV curriculum. Finally, NJDOE was interested in determining: local curricula scope, sequence, and approach; the extent to which local curricula were skills-based; and local expectations for instructional outcomes. As a result of the evaluation, program staff identified areas needing remediation and planned for program improvement in new areas.

Phylogenetic relationships of aquatic birnaviruses based on deduced amino acid sequences of genome segment A cDNA

Aquatic birnaviruses, such as infectious pancreatic necrosis virus (IPNV), cause serious diseases in a variety of fish species used worldwide in aquaculture and have also been isolated from a variety of healthy fish and shellfish species. These viruses exhibit a high degree of antigenic heterogeneity and variation in biological properties such as pathogenicity, host range, and temperature of replication. To better understand genetic and biological diversity among these viruses, the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were determined from cDNA of the large open reading frame (ORF) of genome segment A of the 9 type strains of Serogroup A and 4 other representative strains of Serotype A1, the predominant serotype in the United States. In addition, nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were determined for the VP2 coding region of a variety of isolates representing 5 of the 9 serotypes. VP2 is the major outer capsid protein of aquatic birnaviruses. RT-PCR was used to amplify a 2904 bp cDNA fragment including all but a few bp of the large ORF of genome segment A or a 1611 bp fragment representing the entire VP2 coding region. Nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences were determined from the PCR products. Pairwise comparisons were made among our data and 2 other aquatic birnavirus sequences previously published. Several hypervariable regions were identified within the large ORF. The most divergent pair of viruses exhibited a similarity of 80.1% in the deduced amino acid sequence encoded by the large ORF. Genomic relationships revealed in a phylogenetic tree constructed from comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the large ORF demonstrated that these viruses were clustered into several genogroups. Phylogenetic comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the VP2 coding region of 28 aquatic birnavirus isolates, including the type strains of all 9 serotypes, demonstrated 6 genogroups, some of which were comprised of several genotypes. The most divergent pair of viruses exhibited a similarity of 81.2% in the deduced amino acid sequence from the VP2 coding region. In contrast to previous studies of much shorter genomic sequences within the C-terminus-pVP2/NS junction coding region, these genogroups based on the entire large ORF or the VP2 coding region generally correlated with geographical origin and serological classification. Isolates from the major Canadian serotypes were more closely related to the European isolates than to isolates from the United States.

Azepanone-based inhibitors of human and rat cathepsin K

The synthesis, in vitro activities, and pharmacokinetics of a series of azepanone-based inhibitors of the cysteine protease cathepsin K (EC 3.4.22.38) are described. These compounds show improved configurational stability of the C-4 diastereomeric center relative to the previously published five- and six-membered ring ketone-based inhibitor series. Studies in this series have led to the identification of 20, a potent, selective inhibitor of human cathepsin K (K(i) = 0.16 nM) as well as 24, a potent inhibitor of both human (K(i) = 0.0048 nM) and rat (K(i,app) = 4.8 nM) cathepsin K. Small-molecule X-ray crystallographic analysis of 20 established the C-4 S stereochemistry as being critical for potent inhibition and that unbound 20 adopted the expected equatorial conformation for the C-4 substituent. Molecular modeling studies predicted the higher energy axial orientation at C-4 of 20 when bound within the active site of cathepsin K, a feature subsequently confirmed by X-ray crystallography. Pharmacokinetic studies in the rat show 20 to be 42% orally bioavailable. Comparison of the transport of the cyclic and acyclic analogues through CaCo-2 cells suggests that oral bioavailability of the acyclic derivatives is limited by a P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux mechanism. It is concluded that the introduction of a conformational constraint has served the dual purpose of increasing inhibitor potency by locking in a bioactive conformation as well as locking out available conformations which may serve as substrates for enzyme systems that limit oral bioavailability.

The Innovative Ward Project: promoting innovation in health service delivery

An Innovative Ward Project was undertaken as part of the planning for redevelopment of the Princess Alexandra Hospital. Two inpatient units (one medical and one surgical) became pilot areas for developing, implementing and evaluating innovative approaches to service delivery. The project focused on the key areas related to structural environment, information technology and redesign of work practices. This paper provides an overview which includes the key elements utilised to foster innovation. The challenges of disseminating and adopting successful innovations beyond the Innovative Wards are discussed.

Disease-modifying activity of SB 273005, an orally active, nonpeptide alphavbeta3 (vitronectin receptor) antagonist, in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of SB 273005, a potent, orally active nonpeptide antagonist of the integrin avbeta3 vitronectin receptor, on joint integrity in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA).

METHODS

Male Lewis rats with AIA were orally dosed either prophylactically (days 0-20) or therapeutically (days 10-20) with SB 273005. Efficacy was determined by measurement of paw inflammation, assessment of bone mineral density using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and histologic evaluation.

RESULTS

SB 273005 is a potent antagonist of the closely related integrins, avbeta3 (Ki = 1.2 nM) and alphavbeta5 (Ki = 0.3 nM). When SB 273005 was administered prophylactically to AIA rats twice per day, it inhibited paw edema at doses of 10, 30, and 60 mg/kg, by 40%, 50%, and 52%, respectively. Therapeutic administration twice daily was also effective, and a reduction in paw edema was observed at 30 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg of the antagonist (by 36% and 48%, respectively). SB 273005 was also effective when administered once per day, both prophylactically and therapeutically. Significant improvement in joint integrity in treated rats was shown using DEXA and MRI analyses. These findings were confirmed histologically, and significant protection of bone, cartilage, and soft tissue was observed within the joint.

CONCLUSION

Symptoms of AIA in rats were significantly reduced by either prophylactic or therapeutic treatment with the alphavbeta3 antagonist, SB 273005. Measurements of paw inflammation and of bone, cartilage, and soft tissue structure indicated that this compound exerts a protective effect on joint integrity and thus appears to have disease-modifying properties.

Disease-modifying activity of SB 242235, a selective inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, in rat adjuvant-induced arthritis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of SB 242235, a potent and selective inhibitor of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase, on joint integrity in rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA).

METHODS

Male Lewis rats with AIA were orally treated either prophylactically (days 0-20) or therapeutically (days 10-20) with SB 242235. Efficacy was determined by measurements of paw inflammation, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry for bone-mineral density (BMD), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), microcomputed tomography (CT), and histologic evaluation. Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) in normal (non-AIA) rats and serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in rats with AIA were measured as markers of the antiinflammatory effects of the compound.

RESULTS

SB 242235 inhibited lipopolysaccharide-stimulated serum levels of TNFalpha in normal rats, with a median effective dose of 3.99 mg/kg. When SB 242235 was administered to AIA rats prophylactically on days 0-20, it inhibited paw edema at 30 mg/kg and 10 mg/kg per day by 56% and 33%, respectively. Therapeutic administration on days 10-20 was also effective, and inhibition of paw edema was observed at 60, 30, and 10 mg/kg (73%, 51%, and 19%, respectively). Significant improvement in joint integrity was demonstrated by showing normalization of BMD and also by MRI and micro-CT analysis. Protection of bone, cartilage, and soft tissues was also shown histologically. Serum IL-6 levels were decreased in AIA rats treated with the 60 mg/kg dose of compound.

CONCLUSION

Symptoms of AIA in rats were significantly reduced by both prophylactic and therapeutic treatment with the p38 MAP kinase inhibitor, SB 242235. Results from measurements of paw inflammation, assessment of BMD, MRI, and micro-CT indicate that this compound exerts a protective effect on joint integrity, and thus appears to have disease-modifying properties.