Updated results from the phase 3 HELIOS study of ibrutinib, bendamustine, and rituximab in relapsed chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma

We report follow-up results from the randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 HELIOS trial of ibrutinib+bendamustine and rituximab (BR) for previously treated chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma (SLL) without deletion 17p. Overall, 578 patients were randomized 1:1 to either ibrutinib (420 mg daily) or placebo, in combination with 6 cycles of BR, followed by ibrutinib or placebo alone. Median follow-up was 34.8 months (range: 0.1-45.8). Investigator-assessed median progression-free survival (PFS) was not reached for ibrutinib+BR, versus 14.3 months for placebo+BR (hazard ratio [HR] [95% CI], 0.206 [0.159-0.265]; P < 0.0001); 36-month PFS rates were 68.0% versus 13.9%, respectively. The results are consistent with the primary analysis findings (HR = 0.203, as assessed by independent review committee, with 17-month median follow-up). Median overall survival was not reached in either arm; HR (95% CI) for ibrutinib+BR versus placebo: 0.652 (0.454-0.935; P = 0.019). Minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative response rates were 26.3% for ibrutinib+BR and 6.2% for placebo+BR (P < 0.0001). Incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (including grades 3-4) were generally consistent with the initial HELIOS report. These long-term data support improved survival outcomes and deepening responses with ibrutinib+BR compared with BR in relapsed CLL/SLL.

Antiinflammatory C-glucosyl chromone from Aloe barbadensis

A new antiinflammatory agent identified as 8-[C-beta-D-[2-O-(E)-cinnamoyl]glucopyranosyl]-2- [(R)-2-hydroxypropyl]-7-methoxy-5-methylchromone (1) has been isolated from Aloe barbadensis Miller. At a dose of 200 microg/mouse ear, 1 exhibited topical antiinflammatory activity equivalent to 200 microg/ear of hydrocortisone. There was no reduction in thymus weight caused by treatment with 1 for any of the doses tested, while 200 microg/ear of hydrocortisone resulted in a 50% decrease in thymus weight.

Effects of halothane on glutamate receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents. A patch-clamp study in adult mouse hippocampal slices

BACKGROUND

The effects of halothane on excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system of mammals have been studied in vivo and in vitro in several investigations with partially contradicting results. Direct measurements of the effects of halothane on isolated glutamate receptor-mediated (glutamatergic) excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs), however, have not been reported to date.

METHODS

The effects of halothane on glutamatergic EPSCs were studied in vitro by using tight-seal, whole-cell recordings from CA1 pyramidal cells in thin slices from the adult mouse hippocampus. The EPSCs were pharmacologically isolated into their non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (non-NMDA) and NMDA receptor-mediated components by using selective antagonists. The effects of halothane on EPSC amplitude and kinetics were analyzed at various membrane potentials and were compared with its effects on currents evoked by exogenously applied glutamatergic agonists.

RESULTS

Halothane (0.2-5.1%; 0.37-2.78 mM) reversibly blocked non-NMDA and NMDA EPSCs. This effect was voltage independent; concentrations producing 50% inhibition were 0.87% (0.66 mM) and 0.69% (0.57 mM), respectively. Currents induced by bath-applied glutamatergic agonists were not affected even by the high concentrations of halothane.

CONCLUSIONS

Halothane depresses glutamatergic EPSCs irrespective of receptor subtype, most likely by inhibition of glutamate release.

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs: survival and prognostic indicators

To further define the prognosis and identify clinical findings predictive for survival in dogs with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), we performed Kaplan Meier survival analysis of 37 dogs with idiopathic DCM. Survival analysis showed that the 50% probability of survival occurred at 2.3 months. Probability of survival at 1 year was 37.5% and at 2 years was 28%. Bivariate Cox proportional hazard ratios identified pleural effusion and pulmonary edema, both signs of congestive heart failure, as independent prognostic indicators for dogs with DCM (P < .01). Hazard ratios for these prognostic indicators were 2.354 and 3.291, respectively. Multivariate Cox stepwise regression identified pleural effusion, left ventricular free-wall thickening fraction, ventricular ectopy, and weight loss as significant prognostic indicators for dogs with DCM. Because of the retrospective nature of this study, the effects of different drug treatments were not evaluated. The type of cardiac-related death, progressive failure versus sudden death, was not addressed in this study and requires further evaluation.

Safety and efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce ileus after colorectal surgery

BACKGROUND

Ileus is common after elective colorectal surgery, and is associated with increased adverse events and prolonged hospital stay. The aim was to assess the role of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for reducing ileus after surgery.

METHODS

A prospective multicentre cohort study was delivered by an international, student- and trainee-led collaborative group. Adult patients undergoing elective colorectal resection between January and April 2018 were included. The primary outcome was time to gastrointestinal recovery, measured using a composite measure of bowel function and tolerance to oral intake. The impact of NSAIDs was explored using Cox regression analyses, including the results of a centre-specific survey of compliance to enhanced recovery principles. Secondary safety outcomes included anastomotic leak rate and acute kidney injury.

RESULTS

A total of 4164 patients were included, with a median age of 68 (i.q.r. 57-75) years (54·9 per cent men). Some 1153 (27·7 per cent) received NSAIDs on postoperative days 1-3, of whom 1061 (92·0 per cent) received non-selective cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. After adjustment for baseline differences, the mean time to gastrointestinal recovery did not differ significantly between patients who received NSAIDs and those who did not (4·6 versus 4·8 days; hazard ratio 1·04, 95 per cent c.i. 0·96 to 1·12; P = 0·360). There were no significant differences in anastomotic leak rate (5·4 versus 4·6 per cent; P = 0·349) or acute kidney injury (14·3 versus 13·8 per cent; P = 0·666) between the groups. Significantly fewer patients receiving NSAIDs required strong opioid analgesia (35·3 versus 56·7 per cent; P < 0·001).

CONCLUSION

NSAIDs did not reduce the time for gastrointestinal recovery after colorectal surgery, but they were safe and associated with reduced postoperative opioid requirement.

Tannic Acid Provides Neuroprotective Effects Against Traumatic Brain Injury Through the PGC-1α/Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway

The present research was conducted to elucidate a possible molecular mechanism related to neuromodulatory effects of tannic acid (TA) supplementation against traumatic brain injury (TBI) in a rodent model. Oxidative damage and neuroinflammation play a critical role in TBI and lead to behavioral alterations and neuronal dysfunction and death. These changes suggest a potential avenue in neurotherapeutic intervention. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of TA and potential mechanism of these effects in a controlled cortical impact injury model of TBI in Wistar rats that were treated with TA (50 mg/kg body weight. i.p.) before 30 min and 6 and 18 h after TBI. TBI-induced rats were examined after 24 h for behavioral dysfunction, Nissl stain, lipid peroxidation rate, glutathione level, activities of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase), the expression level of 4-hydroxynonenal, pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor alpha and interleukin-1 beta, as well as brain edema and immunoreactivity of glial fibrillary acidic protein. Results indicated that TA supplementation significantly modulated above mentioned alterations. Moreover, TA treatment effectively upregulated the protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha (PGC-1α) and nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) as well as mitochondrial transcription factor A and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) following TBI. Overall, our results suggest that TA effectively ameliorates the behavioral alterations, oxidative damage, mitochondrial impairment, and inflammation against TBI that may be attributed to activation of PGC-1α/Nrf-2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

An unusual polar lipid from the cell membrane of Mycoplasma fermentans

The major unidentified polar lipid (compound X), recently demonstrated in the cell membrane of Mycoplasma fermentans, was purified by preparative silicic acid column chromatography. Chemical analyses of acid-hydrolyzed compound X revealed that, in addition to fatty acids, it contains glycerol, choline and phosphate in a molar ratio of approximately 1:1:2, and an amino acid that has a retention time similar to that of homoserine. The methylated fatty acid fraction of compound X was subjected to gas-liquid chromatography and revealed methyl palmitate and methyl stearate in a 4.6:1 molar ratio. The structure of compound X was further analyzed by combining mass spectrometry, 31P-NMR and 1H-NMR. The positive and negative fast atom bombardment spectra showed a major component of M(r) 1048 and a minor component of M(r) 1076. Two different phosphate groups were identified in each of the components by 31P-NMR. Fast atom bombardment, tandem mass spectrometry, negative and positive chemical ionization mass spectrometry together with mass spectra analyses of the water-soluble and ether-soluble products obtained by methanolysis has shown that, in addition to palmitic and stearic acid residues, the presence of glycerol, ribitol, cholinephosphate and homoserinephosphate residues. It is suggested that the apparent structure of compound X is either a phosphatidylcholine attached via a phosphotriester bond to a ribitolphosphohomoserine moiety or a phosphatidylhomoserine attached via a phosphotriester bond to a ribitolphosphocholine moiety. The major molecular species is the dipalmitoylderivative (M(r) 1048), whereas the minor molecular species is a stearoyl palmitoyl derivative (M(r) 1076).

An Evaluation of Three Different Cranial Cruciate Ligament Surgical Stabilization Procedures As They Relate to Postoperative Meniscal Injuries

Cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) rupture is the most commonly diagnosed stifle condition in the dog. Meniscal injury, in conjunction with CrCL rupture is also common in both man and dogs. There is a growing concern regarding meniscal injuries, whether unrecognized at the time of CrCL surgical stabilization or subsequent to stabilization, and the relationship to poor postoperative functional outcome. However, current literature is not specific as to an actual number of dogs subsequently requiring a second arthrotomy/meniscectomy.

Three different CrCL stabilization operations in dogs were compared, retrospectively, for the occurrence of post-operative meniscal damage requiring a second arthrotomy and meniscectomy. Additional information concerning: signalment, weight, history of injury, CrCL ruptured, surgeon, type of CrCL rupture and amount of arthritis present was recorded in 665 cases. It was found that 13.8% of the stifles at risk (i. e. those stifles that did not have the meniscus removed at the time of initial surgical stabilization) returned for a second arthrotomy/meniscectomy. A significant difference in outcome was not found between the results when initially performed by different surgeons. The number of dogs which returned for a second arthrotomy/ meniscectomy whose weight were ≤ 15 kg was significant, when compared to the total number of dogs considered at risk for this weight range. There was a significantly lower rate of return, in those dogs at risk, which had received fibular head transposition stabilization.

A retrospective study of 665 canine cranial cruciate ligament rupture cases documents the incidence (13.8%) of those dogs requiring a second arthrotomy, and subsequent meniscectomy, after one of three initial surgical stabilization procedures. Of the three procedures, the fibular head transposition technique had a significantly lower return rate requiring subsequent meniscectomy.

Phosphatidylinositol synthesis in mycobacteria

The metabolism and synthesis of an important mycobacterial lipid component, phosphatidylinositol (PI), and its metabolites, was studied in Mycobacterium smegmatis and M. smegmatis subcellular fractions. Little is known about the synthesis of PI in prokaryotic cells. Only a cell wall fraction (P60) in M. smegmatis was shown to possess PI synthase activity. Product was identified as PI by migration on TLC, treatment with phospholipase C and ion exchange chromatography. PI was the only major product (92.3%) when both cells and P60 fraction were labeled with [3H]inositol. Also, a neutral lipid inositol-containing product (4.1% of the total label) was identified in the P60 preparations. Strangely, PI synthase substrates, CDP-dipalmitoyl-DAG and CDP-NBD-DAG, added to the assay did not stimulate [3H]PI and NBD-PI yield by M. smegmatis. At the same time, addition of both substrates to rat liver and Saccharomyces cerevisiae PI synthase assays resulted in an increase in the product yield. Upon addition of CHAPS to the mycobacterial PI synthase assay, both substrates were utilized in a dose-dependent manner for the synthesis of NBD-PI and [3H]PI. These results demonstrate a strict substrate specificity of mycobacterial PI synthase toward endogenous substrates. K(m) of the enzyme toward inositol was shown to be 25 microM; Mg2+ stimulated the enzyme to a greater degree than Mn2+. Structural analogs of myo-inositol, epi-inositol and scyllo-inositol and Zn2+ were shown to be more potent inhibitors of mycobacterial PI synthase than of mammalian analogs. Lack of sequence homology with mammalian PI synthases, different kinetic characteristics, existence of selective inhibitors and an important physiological role in mycobacteria, suggest that PI synthase may be a good potential target for antituberculosis therapy.

Will the new cytogenetics replace the old cytogenetics?

With the advent of array-based comparative genomic hybridization technology, the analog cytogenetic analysis that has been used for the past 100 years could be replaced by the quantitative, microarray-based molecular analysis. Major advantages of the new array-based cytogenetic technologies are the high resolution and the high throughput. This technology is the first to offer an autonomous whole-chromosome analysis in one hybridization reaction for the detection of submicroscopic gains/losses. However, as with any new technology, it needs to be validated with regard to its performance in various applications (e.g. clinical genetic testing and cancer applications), comparative cost, and the data interpretation.

The cell membrane of Mycoplasma penetrans: lipid composition and phospholipase A1 activity

Analysis of Mycoplasma penetrans membrane lipids revealed that, in addition to large amounts of unesterified cholesterol, M. penetrans incorporated exogenous phospholipids, preferentially sphingomyelin, from the growth medium. The major phospholipids synthesized de novo by M. penetrans were phosphatidylglycerol (PG) and diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG). In vivo labeling of PG and DPG by growing the cells with radioactive palmitate or oleate, followed by snake venom phospholipase A2 treatment, enabled us to assess the positional distribution of fatty acids in these lipids. Saturated fatty acids were found preferentially in position 2 of the glycerol backbone, and not in position 1 as found elsewhere in nature, while unsaturated fatty acids prefer position 1. M. penetrans membranes contain phospholipase activity of the A1 type, removing a fatty acid from the sn-1 ester bond of phospholipids. The activity was neither stimulated by Ca2+ nor inhibited by EGTA and had a broad pH spectrum. The substrate specificity of the enzyme was investigated with various natural lipids and with a fluorescent analog of the phosphatidylcholine. The enzyme was equally active toward phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol, but did not hydrolyze diphosphatidylglycerol. The enzyme did not act on triacylglycerol, diacylglycerol or cholesteryl ester, but low activity was detected toward monoacylglycerol. The enzyme was heat-sensitive and detergent-sensitive, and was almost completely inhibited by p-bromophenacylbromide (50 microM), but was not affected by SH reagents. This study is the first one reporting phospholipase A1 activity in Mollicutes. A possible role of this enzyme in forming lipid mediators upon the interaction of M. penetrans cells with eukaryotic cells is suggested.

The role of veterinary epidemiology and veterinary services in complying with the World Trade Organization SPS agreement

The agreement on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS agreement) was one of the major products of the GATT's Uruguay round of multilateral trade negotiations, signed in Marrakesh on 15 April 1994. This agreement and others are part of the treaty that established the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO superseded the GATT as the umbrella organization for international trade (WTO, 1998a). The SPS agreement's main intent is to provide guidelines and provisions to member countries to facilitate trade while taking measures to protect human, animal or plant life or health. The agreement dictates that all sanitary measures must be scientifically based and not more restrictive than required to avoid the risk identified. The agreement recommends the use of international standards from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), Codex Alimentarius (CAC) and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) as the basis for import requirements. If a country chooses to apply more restrictive measures than those in the international standards, it has to justify its position through a risk analysis, thus avoiding the use of sanitary and phytosanitary measures as unjustified barriers to trade. More than ever, veterinary services worldwide are faced with having to fulfill a crucial role in protecting their country's animal health status, provide sound surveillance information on the occurrence of diseases within their territories, and conduct scientifically valid risk analyses to establish justified import requirements. During the past two decades, most countries have experienced resource reduction in their veterinary services. The effect of these policies has been severe, in many cases leading to an inability of veterinary services to conduct their disease prevention and control duties. There is a clear inconsistency between the demands placed on veterinary services and the current level of funding and support they are receiving, particularly in the developing world. This paper analyzes the implications in complying with the SPS agreement and explores the role of veterinary epidemiology in developing viable alternatives that can enhance the veterinary services' ability to perform under the current economic reality. The key provisions of the SPS agreement are regionalization, risk analysis, harmonization, equivalence and transparency. The paper focuses on the contribution of epidemiology in each of these areas in the effective implementation of the SPS agreement.

International trade, animal health and veterinary epidemiology: challenges and opportunities

The link between international trade, animal health and epidemiology has been recognized for a long time and has taken an additional importance in the aftermath of the Uruguay Round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and of the inception of the World Trade Organization. The Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures of the World Trade Organization demands that sanitary and phytosanitary measures be scientifically based, placing epidemiology at the center of decisions related animal health and trade. This paper analyses the interactions between international trade of animals (and animal products) and epidemiology with discussion on the inputs of epidemiology in surveillance, risk analysis and regionalization.

Antifertility agents. 38. Effect of the side chain and its position on the activity of 3,4-diarylchromans

In a study of the effect of the substituent on the receptor binding affinity (RBA), estrogenicity, and antiimplantation (AI) activity in trans-3,4-diarylchromans, it has been found that demethylation of trans-2, 2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-[p-(beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy)phenyl]-7-methoxychroman (centchroman, 1) to the corresponding 7-hydroxy compound (7) results in a 20-fold increase in RBA (112%) without any appreciable change in AI activity. On the other hand, absence of the pyrrolidinoethyl group from the 4-phenyl residue (6) leads to a drop in both RBA and AI activity. A chain length of two to three carbon atoms and a pyrrolidino ring appear to be necessary for activity in these compounds. It has been found that while the trans isomers with the tertiary aminoalkoxy side chain in the para position of the 4-phenyl radical were the most active, in the corresponding cis-chromans and chromenes, analogues with this chain in the meta position were most active; the ortho substituted compounds of all these series were inactive. In 3-phenyl-substituted compounds, the trans isomer carrying the p-hydroxy substituent (33) was found to be the most active; the corresponding pyrrolidinoethyl ether (13) showed a lower order of activity. The implication of these observations on the mapping of the different subsites on the receptor has been discussed.

Cholesterol is required for the fusion of single unilamellar vesicles with Mycoplasma capricolum

Small unilamellar vesicles (SUV) were prepared from the total lipid extract of Mycoplasma capricolum. The SUV were labeled with the fluorescent probe octadecylrhodamine B chloride (R18) to a level at which the R18 fluorescence was self-quenched. At pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C, and in the presence of 5% polyethylene glycol, an increase in the R18 fluorescence with time was observed when the R18-labeled SUV were introduced to a native M. capricolum cell suspension. The fluorescence dequenching resulting from dilution of the R18 into the unlabeled membranes of M. capricolum, was interpreted as a result of lipid mixing during fusion between the SUV and the mycoplasma cells. The presence of cholesterol in the SUV was found to be obligatory to allow SUV-mycoplasma fusion to occur. Adaptation of M. capricolum cells to grow in a medium containing low cholesterol concentration provided cells in which the unesterified cholesterol content was as low as 17 micrograms/mg cell protein. The fusion activity of the adapted cells was very low or nonexistent. Nonetheless, when an early exponential phase culture of the adapted cells was transferred to a cholesterol-rich medium, the cells accumulated cholesterol and regained their fusogenic activity. The cholesterol requirement for fusion in the target mycoplasma membrane was met by a variety of planar sterols having a free beta-hydroxyl group, but differing in the aliphatic side chain, e.g., beta-sitosterol or ergosterol, even though these sterols, having a bulky side chain, are preferentially localized in the outer leaflet of the lipid bilayer. It is suggested that the role of cholesterol in mycoplasma-SUV fusion is not at the level of bulk bilayer viscosity but rather, affecting local lipid-lipid or lipid-protein interactions that are relevant to the fusion event.

Effects of continuous long-term testosterone therapy (TTh) on anthropometric, endocrine and metabolic parameters for up to 10 years in 115 hypogonadal elderly men: real-life experience from an observational registry study

Subnormal levels of testosterone are associated with significant negative health consequences, with higher risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. The numbers of studies reporting on the benefits of normalisation of testosterone is increasing but longer-term data on (elderly) men receiving testosterone treatment are almost nonexistent. In this single-centre, cumulative, prospective, registry study, 115 hypogonadal men (mean age 59.05 years) received injections with testosterone undecanoate in 12-week intervals for up to 10 years. Waist circumference, body weight and mean BMI dropped progressively with statistical significance versus previous year for 7 years and, respectively, 8 years for weight and body mass index. Similarly, fasting glucose displayed a significant decrease after the first year continuing to decrease thereafter. A decline in HbA1c , from 6.4% to 5.6% (mean <6%), was observed from year 2 on, together with a decrease in the ratio of triglycerides:high-density lipoprotein (HDL), a surrogate marker of insulin resistance, with an increase in HDL levels. The total cholesterol:HDL ratio and non-HDL cholesterol declined significantly. A decrease was also observed in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, with a decrease in levels of the inflammation marker C-reactive protein. No major adverse cardiovascular events were observed throughout the study.

17 alpha-substituted analogs of estradiol for the development of fluorescent estrogen receptor ligands

For the successful development of a high-affinity fluorophore-estradiol conjugate, the fluorophore must be attached to the estradiol molecule at a position that interferes least with its binding to the receptor. We have concentrated on 17 alpha substituents as models for fluorophore attachment, based on literature precedent and on our earlier work with small 17 alpha side chains. In this report, we describe syntheses and estrogen receptor binding affinities of 19 analogs of estradiol substituted in the 17 alpha position with larger side chains (of six to 11 carbons), some of which may be synthetically modified to link a fluorophore. These analogs were synthesized either by nucleophilic cleavage of estrone-17 beta-oxirane 3-benzyl ether and subsequent debenzylation (4 to 18), by cross-coupling of alkynes (21 to 24), by alkylation of 17 alpha-ethynylestradiol 3,17-bis(tetrahydropyranyl ether) and subsequent acidic hydrolysis (25 to 28), or by reacting estrone either with appropriate aryl/alkynyllithium reagents (29, 30, and 32) or with benzylmagnesium bromide (31). Relative binding affinities of these newly synthesized analogs were determined for estrogen receptor (rat uterus) using a standard competition assay. The results suggest that analogs with reduced mobility and/or more polarizable electron density in the side chain generally bind more strongly to the receptor. The relative affinities of several selected compounds were also determined in the presence of 4% dimethylformamide; some compounds bearing larger, nonpolar 17 alpha substituents showed dramatically improved affinities, while affinities for compounds with shorter nonpolar side chains remained largely unchanged. These binding affinity results should be useful in designing new high-affinity fluorescent ligands for the estrogen receptor.

Identifying canonical and replicable multi-scale intrinsic connectivity networks in 100k+ resting-state fMRI datasets

Despite the known benefits of data-driven approaches, the lack of approaches for identifying functional neuroimaging patterns that capture both individual variations and inter-subject correspondence limits the clinical utility of rsfMRI and its application to single-subject analyses. Here, using rsfMRI data from over 100k individuals across private and public datasets, we identify replicable multi-spatial-scale canonical intrinsic connectivity network (ICN) templates via the use of multi-model-order independent component analysis (ICA). We also study the feasibility of estimating subject-specific ICNs via spatially constrained ICA. The results show that the subject-level ICN estimations vary as a function of the ICN itself, the data length, and the spatial resolution. In general, large-scale ICNs require less data to achieve specific levels of (within- and between-subject) spatial similarity with their templates. Importantly, increasing data length can reduce an ICN's subject-level specificity, suggesting longer scans may not always be desirable. We also find a positive linear relationship between data length and spatial smoothness (possibly due to averaging over intrinsic dynamics), suggesting studies examining optimized data length should consider spatial smoothness. Finally, consistency in spatial similarity between ICNs estimated using the full data and subsets across different data lengths suggests lower within-subject spatial similarity in shorter data is not wholly defined by lower reliability in ICN estimates, but may be an indication of meaningful brain dynamics which average out as data length increases.

Membrane lipids of Mycoplasma fermentans

Membranes of Mycoplasma fermentans, incognitus strain, were isolated by a combination of osmotic lysis and sonication. Analysis of membrane lipids revealed, in addition to free and esterified cholesterol, six major polar lipids dominated by a de novo synthesized compound (compound X), which accounts for 64% of the total lipid phosphorus. Compound X was labeled by palmitate, but not by oleate. Mass spectrometry and gas liquid chromatography analyses of compound X revealed two molecular species with molecular masses of 1048 and 1076 representing, a dipalmitoyl- and a stearoyl-palmitoyl-glycerodiphosphatidylcholine. Compound X has the ability to stimulate human monocytes to secret TNF alpha and to enhance the fusion of small unilamellar vesicles with MOLT-3 lymphocytes.

Studies in antifertility agents. 50. Stereoselective binding of d- and l-centchromans to estrogen receptors and their antifertility activity

Centchroman [dl-3,4-trans-2,2-dimethyl-3-phenyl-4-[p-(beta-pyrrolidinoethoxy)phenyl] - 7-methoxychroman hydrochloride], an antifertility agent under clinical evaluation, has been resolved into its optical enantiomers. The cytosol estrogen receptor binding affinity and estrogenic, antiestrogenic and antiimplantation activities of the two enantiomers have been determined. The enantiomers display a 7-fold difference in receptor affinity, and a corresponding difference in stimulation of the uterine growth and antiimplantation activity was observed in rats.

Mycoplasma fermentans (incognitus strain) induces TNF alpha and IL-1 production by human monocytes and murine macrophages

We have demonstrated that Mycoplasma fermentans (incognitus strain), as well as M. fermentans KL4, PG 18 and IM 1 strains have the ability to activate human peripheral blood monocytes and murine macrophages of two inbred strains to secrete a high level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) in a dose-dependent manner. Secretion of interleukin-1 (IL-1) was also stimulated following the incubation of human monocytes with the organism. We suggest that cytokine secretion following infection with M. fermentans (incognitus strain) that was detected in AIDS patients may contribute to the pathological manifestations, including cachexia, in this disease.

Assessing the potential spread and maintenance of foot-and-mouth disease virus infection in wild ungulates: general principles and application to a specific scenario in Thrace

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), due to infection with serotype O virus, occurred in wild boar and within eleven outbreaks in domestic livestock in the south-east of Bulgaria, Thrace region, in 2011. Hence, the issue of the potential for the spread and maintenance of FMD virus (FMDV) infection in a population of wild ungulates became important. This assessment focused on the spread and maintenance of FMDV infection within a hypothetical wild boar and deer population in an environment, which is characterized by a climate transitional between Mediterranean and continental and variable wildlife population densities. The assessment was based on three aspects: (i) a systematic review of the literature focusing on experimental infection studies to identify the parameters describing the duration of FMDV infection in deer and wild boar, as well as observational studies assessing the occurrence of FMDV infection in wild deer and wild boar populations, (ii) prevalence survey data of wild boar and deer in Bulgaria and Turkey and (iii) an epidemiological model, simulating the host-to-host spread of FMDV infections. It is concluded, based on all three aspects, that the wildlife population in Thrace, and so wildlife populations in similar ecological settings, are probably not able to maintain FMD in the long term in the absence of FMDV infection in the domestic host population. However, limited spread of FMDV infection in time and space in the wildlife populations can occur. If there is a continued cross-over of FMDV between domestic and wildlife populations or a higher population density, virus circulation may be prolonged.