A multicentre, randomized, double-masked, parallel group, vehicle-controlled phase IIb study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of 1% and 3% topical minocycline gel in patients with papulopustular rosacea

Background

Papulopustular rosacea is characterized by chronic facial erythema and inflammatory facial lesions. Minocycline has anti‐inflammatory properties which may be effective in the treatment of rosacea inflammatory lesions.

Objectives

To assess the safety and efficacy of once‐daily topical minocycline gel 1% and 3% in patients with papulopustular rosacea.

Methods

This was a prospective, 12‐week, double‐blinded study conducted at 26 sites in the United States; 270 patients with papulopustular rosacea and 12–40 inflammatory lesions were randomized to minocycline 1%, minocycline 3% or vehicle. The primary endpoint was the mean change in inflammatory lesions at week 12. Key secondary endpoints included success on an Investigator's Global Assessment (IGA).

Results

Baseline mean lesion counts were 24·6, 25·1 and 24·3 in the minocycline 1%, minocycline 3% and vehicle groups, respectively; at week 12, the counts had decreased by 12·6, 13·1 and 7·9, respectively. Minocycline significantly decreased lesions, compared with the vehicle [P = 0·01, 95% confidence interval (CI) 7·9 to 0·9, for minocycline 1%; P = 0·007, 95% CI 8·3 to 1·3, for minocycline 3%]. The proportion of patients achieving IGA success was 39% in the minocycline 1% arm [P = 0·34, odds ratio (OR) 1·396 and OR 95% CI 0·71 to 2·75 vs. vehicle], 46% in the minocycline 3% arm (P = 0·04, OR 2·03 and OR 95% CI 1·04 to 3·95 vs. vehicle) and 31% in the vehicle arm.

Conclusions

Minocycline topical gel appears to be safe and tolerable at concentrations of 1% and 3%, and both concentrations significantly decreased inflammatory lesion counts, with a significantly larger proportion of patients achieving IGA success at week 12 in the minocycline 3% arm. These findings support further evaluation of minocycline gel for treating inflammatory lesions associated with papulopustular rosacea.

Linked Comment: Hampton. Br J Dermatol 2020; 183:412–413.

What is already known about this topic?

Papulopustular rosacea is characterized by inflammatory facial lesions and chronic erythema of the face.

Oral minocycline has been reported to have efficacy in the treatment of inflammatory lesions of papulopustular rosacea.

What does this study add?

The study shows that a topical gel preparation of minocycline significantly decreased the number of inflammatory lesions and significantly improved the Investigator's Global Assessment score in patients with papulopustular rosacea.

This may offer a topical therapeutic alternative to oral doxycycline or oral minocycline for the treatment of inflammatory lesions in papulopustular rosacea, with potentially fewer systemic side‐effects, owing to lower systemic drug exposure.

Linked Comment: Hampton. Br J Dermatol 2020; 183:412–413.

Plain language summary available online

The oral Janus kinase/spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor ASN002 demonstrates efficacy and improves associated systemic inflammation in patients with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis: results from a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study

BACKGROUND

ASN002 is an oral dual inhibitor of Janus kinase and spleen tyrosine kinase, which are involved in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) through their regulatory role on T helper (Th)1, Th2 and Th17/Th22 pathways.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficacy, safety, pharmacokinetics and effects on systemic biomarkers of ASN002 in patients with moderate-to-severe AD. Methods A total of 36 patients with moderate-to-severe AD were randomized (3 : 1) to ASN002 or placebo in the phase Ib study. Three dosage cohorts were studied over a 28-day period (20 mg, 40 mg and 80 mg once daily).

RESULTS

ASN002 was superior to placebo for the proportion of patients achieving Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) 50 (20 mg 20%, P = 0·93; 40 mg 100%, P = 0·003; 80 mg 83%, P = 0·03; placebo 22%), EASI 75 (20 mg 0%, P = 0·27; 40 mg 71%, P = 0·06; 80 mg 33%, P = 0·65; placebo 22%) and in change from baseline in pruritus (20 mg -1·3 ± 2·1, P = 0·81; 40 mg -3·1 ± 2·7, P = 0·27; 80 mg -4·7 ± 2·1, P = 0·01; placebo -1·6 ± 1·8). Adverse events were generally mild and similar across all groups. ASN002 showed dose-dependent plasma exposure with low interpatient variability, significantly downregulated several serum biomarkers involved in Th1, Th2 and Th17/Th22 immunity, and decreased the atherosclerosis-associated biomarker E selectin/SELE.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with moderate-to-severe AD, ASN002 showed strong efficacy with rapid onset of action and associated improvements in systemic inflammation.

Saccade selection and inhibition: motor and attentional components

Motor responses are fundamentally spatial in their function and neural organization. However, studies of inhibitory motor control, focused on global stopping of all actions, have ignored whether inhibitory control can be exercised selectively for specific actions. We used a new approach to elicit and measure motor inhibition by asking human participants to either look at (select) or avoid looking at (inhibit) a location in space. We found that instructing a location to be avoided resulted in an inhibitory bias specific to that location. When compared with the facilitatory bias observed in the Look task, it differed significantly in both its spatiotemporal dynamics and its modulation of attentional processing. While action selection was evident in oculomotor system and interacted with attentional processing, action inhibition was evident mainly in the oculomotor system. Our findings suggest that action inhibition is implemented by spatially specific mechanisms that are separate from action selection. NEW & NOTEWORTHY We show that cognitive control of saccadic responses evokes separable action selection and inhibition processes. Both action selection and inhibition are represented in the saccadic system, but only action selection interacts with the attentional system.

A Randomized, Double-blinded, Controlled, Multicentre Phase III Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Telmisartan /Amlodipine/Hydrochlorothiazide Compared to Telmisartan/Hydrochlorothiazide in Patients with Essential Hypertension

OBJECTIVE

Triple drug combination has shown to be effective in controlling blood pressure (BP) with low rates of drug-related side effects. The present study was conducted to compare the efficacy and safety of a triple pill of telmisartan/amlodipine/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) with a dual combination of telmisartan/HCTZ in treating hypertensive patients who did not respond to monotherapies.

METHODS

A total of 512 patients were randomized to receive either low-dose triple pill or the dual combination therapy. The primary endpoint was BP normalization after 8 weeks. The secondary endpoints were BP normalization at 4 weeks, changes in BP from baseline to Week 8, comparison of BP normalization between treatment groups, and difference in BP responder rates. The analysis was conducted on the intent-to-treat (ITT), modified intent-to-treat (mITT) and per protocol (PP) population.

RESULTS

Statistically significant difference was noted between triple pill and telmi+HCTZ in the normalization of BP at Week 8 in the mITT (p=0.041) and PP (p=0. 038) populations. Also, a statistically significant improvement was observed in BP normalization in triple pill group compared with telmi+HCTZ group in ITT (p=0.022) and mITT (p=0.015) populations after 4 weeks. At Week 8, a significant reduction in BP was seen compared to the baseline in both the treatment groups. There was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups in BP normalization. Diastolic BP responder rates were significantly better for triple pill group in PP population (p=0.046).

CONCLUSIONS

The triple pill was found to be effective in achieving early normalization of BP in hypertensive patients who did not respond to monotherapies.

Comprehensive Assessment of Coronary Plaque Progression With Advanced Intravascular Imaging, Physiological Measures, and Wall Shear Stress: A Pilot Double-Blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial of Nebivolol Versus Atenolol in Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease

Background

We hypothesized that nebivolol, a β‐blocker with nitric oxide–mediated activity, compared with atenolol, a β‐blocker without such activity, would decrease oxidative stress and improve the effects of endothelial dysfunction and wall shear stress (WSS), thereby reducing atherosclerosis progression and vulnerability in patients with nonobstructive coronary artery disease.

Methods and Results

In this pilot double‐blinded randomized controlled trial, 24 patients treated for 1 year with nebivolol 10 mg versus atenolol 100 mg plus standard medical therapy underwent baseline and follow‐up coronary angiography with assessments of inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers, microvascular function, endothelial function, and virtual histology intravascular ultrasound. WSS was calculated from computational fluid dynamics. Virtual histology intravascular ultrasound segments were assessed for vessel volumetrics and remodeling. There was a trend toward more low‐WSS segments in the nebivolol cohort (P=0.06). Low‐WSS regions were associated with greater plaque progression (P<0.0001) and constrictive remodeling (P=0.04); conversely, high‐WSS segments demonstrated plaque regression and excessive expansive remodeling. Nebivolol patients had decreased lumen and vessel areas along with increased plaque area, resulting in more constrictive remodeling (P=0.002). There were no significant differences in biomarker levels, microvascular function, endothelial function, or number of thin‐capped fibroatheromas per vessel. Importantly, after adjusting for β‐blocker, low‐WSS segments remained significantly associated with lumen loss and plaque progression.

Conclusion

Nebivolol, compared with atenolol, was associated with greater plaque progression and constrictive remodeling, likely driven by more low‐WSS segments in the nebivolol arm. Both β‐blockers had similar effects on oxidative stress, microvascular function, and endothelial function.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/. Unique identifier: NCT01230892.

Cholinergic receptor activation on epithelia protects against cytokine-induced barrier dysfunction

AIM

Various types of cholinergic receptors are expressed on intestinal epithelia. Their function is not completely understood. We hypothesize that cholinergic receptor activation on epithelium may serve a protective function in cytokine-induced barrier dysfunction.

METHODS

The effect of cholinergic receptor activation on cellular barrier function in epithelial cells was assessed by measuring electrical impedance, and by determining para-cellular transport in transwell experiments. Cell lysates treated with cytokine and/or cholinergic agonists were analysed for cyto- and chemokine production, and tight junction (TJ) protein rearrangement was assessed. Primary colonic epithelial cells were isolated from surgically resected colon tissue of patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

RESULTS

IL-1β induced production of chemokines (CXCL-1, CXCL-10, IL-8, CCL-7) and led to a rearrangement of TJ proteins (occludin and ZO-1). This response was inhibited by pre-treatment with muscarinic, rather than nicotinic, acetylcholine receptor agonists. Treatment with IL-1β enhanced paracellular permeability (4kD dextran) and reduced impedance across the monolayer, which was counteracted by pre-incubation with acetylcholine, or muscarinic receptor agonist bethanechol. The protective effect of acetylcholine was antagonized by atropine, underscoring muscarinic receptor involvement. IL-1β induced transcription of myosin light chain kinase and phosphorylation of myosin light chain, and this cytokine-induced phosphorylation of MLC was inhibited by muscarinic receptor agonists. Furthermore, in epithelial cells from resection material of patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, high expression of CXCL-8 was associated with a reduced choline acetyl transferase expression, suggesting an aberrant epithelial production of ACh in inflammatory context.

CONCLUSION

Acetylcholine acts on muscarinic receptors on epithelial cells to maintain epithelial barrier function under inflammatory conditions.

Circulating proangiogenic cell activity is associated with cardiovascular disease risk

Vascular injury mobilizes bone marrow-derived proangiogenic cells into the circulation, where these cells can facilitate vascular repair and new vessel formation. We sought to determine the relationship between a new biomarker of circulating bone marrow-derived proangiogenic cell activity, the presence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its risk factors, and clinical outcomes. Circulating proangiogenic cell activity was estimated using a reproducible angiogenic colony-forming unit (CFU-A) assay in 532 clinically stable subjects aged 20 to 90 years and ranging in the CVD risk spectrum from those who are healthy without risk factors to those with active CVD. CFU-A counts increased with the burden of CVD risk factors (p < 0.001). CFU-A counts were higher in subjects with symptomatic CVD than in those without (p < 0.001). During follow-up of 232 subjects with CVD, CFU-A counts were higher in those with death, myocardial infarction, or stroke than in those without (110 [70-173] vs 84 [51-136], p = 0.01). Therefore, we conclude that circulating proangiogenic cell activity, as estimated by CFU-A counts, increases with CVD risk factor burden and in the presence of established CVD. Furthermore, higher circulating proangiogenic cell activity is associated with worse clinical outcome in those with CVD.

Mast cells trigger epithelial barrier dysfunction, bacterial translocation and postoperative ileus in a mouse model

BACKGROUND

Abdominal surgery involving bowel manipulation commonly results in inflammation of the bowel wall, which leads to impaired intestinal motility and postoperative ileus (POI). Mast cells have shown to play a key role in the pathogenesis of POI in mouse models and human studies. We studied whether mast cells contribute to the pathogenesis of POI by eliciting intestinal barrier dysfunction.

METHODS

C57BL/6 mice, and two mast cell-deficient mutant mice Kit(W/W-v) , and Kit(W-sh/W-sh) underwent laparotomy (L) or manipulation of the small bowel (IM). Postoperative inflammatory infiltrates and cytokine production were assessed. Epithelial barrier function was determined in Ussing chambers, by measuring transport of luminal particles to the vena mesenterica, and by assessing bacterial translocation.

KEY RESULTS

In WT mice, IM resulted in pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine production, and neutrophil extravasation to the manipulated bowel wall. This response to IM was reduced in mast cell-deficient mice. IM caused epithelial barrier dysfunction in WT mice, but not in the two mast cell-deficient strains. IM resulted in a decrease in mean arterial pressure in both WT and mast cell-deficient mice, indicating that impaired barrier function was not explained by tissue hypoperfusion, but involved mast cell mediators.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

Mast cell activation during abdominal surgery causes epithelial barrier dysfunction and inflammation of the muscularis externa of the bowel. The impairment of the epithelial barrier likely contributes to the pathogenesis of POI. Our data further underscore that mast cells are bona fide cellular targets to ameliorate POI.

Is the proton radius a player in the redefinition of the International System of Units?

It is now recognized that the International System of Units (SI units) will be redefined in terms of fundamental constants, even if the date when this will occur is still under debate. Actually, the best estimate of fundamental constant values is given by a least-squares adjustment, carried out under the auspices of the Committee on Data for Science and Technology (CODATA) Task Group on Fundamental Constants. This adjustment provides a significant measure of the correctness and overall consistency of the basic theories and experimental methods of physics using the values of the constants obtained from widely differing experiments. The physical theories that underlie this adjustment are assumed to be valid, such as quantum electrodynamics (QED). Testing QED, one of the most precise theories is the aim of many accurate experiments. The calculations and the corresponding experiments can be carried out either on a boundless system, such as the electron magnetic moment anomaly, or on a bound system, such as atomic hydrogen. The value of fundamental constants can be deduced from the comparison of theory and experiment. For example, using QED calculations, the value of the fine structure constant given by the CODATA is mainly inferred from the measurement of the electron magnetic moment anomaly carried out by Gabrielse's group. (Hanneke et al. 2008 Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 120801) The value of the Rydberg constant is known from two-photon spectroscopy of hydrogen combined with accurate theoretical quantities. The Rydberg constant, determined by the comparison of theory and experiment using atomic hydrogen, is known with a relative uncertainty of 6.6×10(-12). It is one of the most accurate fundamental constants to date. A careful analysis shows that knowledge of the electrical size of the proton is nowadays a limitation in this comparison. The aim of muonic hydrogen spectroscopy was to obtain an accurate value of the proton charge radius. However, the value deduced from this experiment contradicts other less accurate determinations. This problem is known as the proton radius puzzle. This new determination of the proton radius may affect the value of the Rydberg constant . This constant is related to many fundamental constants; in particular, links the two possible ways proposed for the redefinition of the kilogram, the Avogadro constant N(A) and the Planck constant h. However, the current relative uncertainty on the experimental determinations of N(A) or h is three orders of magnitude larger than the 'possible' shift of the Rydberg constant, which may be shown by the new value of the size of the proton radius determined from muonic hydrogen. The proton radius puzzle will not interfere in the redefinition of the kilogram. After a short introduction to the properties of the proton, we will describe the muonic hydrogen experiment. There is intense theoretical activity as a result of our observation. A brief summary of possible theoretical explanations at the date of writing of the paper will be given. The contribution of the proton radius puzzle to the redefinition of SI-based units will then be examined.

Development and validation of a spectrofluorimetric method for the estimation of rivastigmine in formulations

A rapid, sensitive, simple, and cost-effective spectrofluorimetric method was developed for the estimation of rivastigmine in bulk and pharmaceutical formulations. The relative fluorescence intensity of rivastigmine was measured in triple distilled water at an excitation wavelength of 220 nm and an emission wavelength of 289 nm. Linearity range was found to be 100 to 4000 ng/ml. The method was validated for various parameters as per the ICH guidelines and USP requirements. The detection and quantitation limits were found to be 20.5 and 62.1 ng/ml, respectively. The results demonstrate that the procedure is accurate, precise, and reproducible, while being simple and rapid too. The results were found to be in good agreement with the label claims.

Fracture risk in men with congestive heart failure risk reduction with spironolactone

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to determine whether spironolactone use is associated with fractures in men with congestive heart failure (CHF).

BACKGROUND

In rats with aldosteronism, spironolactone preserves skeletal strength. However, in humans, the relationship of spironolactone to fractures is not known.

METHODS

The medical records of all male patients with CHF from 1999 to 2005 treated at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee, were reviewed (n = 4,735). Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals of having a fracture associated with spironolactone use were estimated using conditional logistic regression.

RESULTS

We identified 167 cases with a single-incident fracture and matched these by age and race to 668 control subjects without fractures. After adjustment for covariates, spironolactone use was inversely associated with total fracture (odds ratio: 0.575; 95% confidence interval: 0.346 to 0.955, p = 0.0324).

CONCLUSIONS

The use of spironolactone is inversely associated with fractures in men with CHF.

Use of RAPD and AFLP markers to identify inter- and intraspecific hybrids of Mentha

Three controlled crosses were carried out involving Mentha arvensis and Mentha spicata [M. spicata CIMAP/C30 x M. spicata CIMAP/C33 (cv. Neera); M. arvensis CIMAP/C18 x CIMAP/C17 (cv. Kalka); and M. arvensis CIMAP/C17 x M. spicata CIMAP/C33]. The parents were subjected to random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis with 80 primers, and polymorphic primers were tested for detecting coinherited RAPD profiles among the progeny of these crosses. Of 50 seedlings tested from each intraspecific cross, all demonstrated dominant profiles with the selected RAPD primers except the detected hybrid from respective crosses. Coinherited markers could be detected with the primers OPJ 01, MAP 06, OPT 08, and OPO 20 for M. arvensis; OPJ 05, OPJ 14, OPO 19, and OPT 09 for M. spicata; and OPJ 07, OPJ 10, OPJ 11, OPJ 14, and OPO 02 for the cross M. arvensis x M. spicata. In our amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) analysis, 40 coinherited marker fragments were identified for the cross involving M. arvensis, 32 for the cross involving M. spicata, and 41 for the interspecific cross between M. arvensis and M. spicata. In all crosses, similarity values between the parents were less than those between the parents and the hybrids. Although RAPD markers are generally considered dominant, it is possible to identify a few codominant markers that behave like restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) markers. This molecular marker system may be helpful in rapidly screening out hybrids in crops where cross-pollination is a problem.

Blood schizontocidal activity of azithromycin and its combination with α/β arteether against multi-drug resistantPlasmodium yoelii nigeriensis, a novel MDR parasite model for antimalarial screening

Many different drug-resistant lines of rodent malaria are available as screening models. It is obligatory to screen new compounds for antimalarial activity against a series of resistant lines in order to identify a compound with potential for the treatment of multi-drug resistant (MDR) malaria infections. Instead of using a battery of resistant lines, a single MDRPlasmodium yoelii nigeriensisstrain that shows a wide spectrum of drug resistance to high doses of chloroquine, mepacrine, amodiaquine, mefloquine, quinine, quinidine, halofantrine as well as tetracyclines, fluoroquinolines and erythromycin, was used to assess the blood schizontocidal efficacy of a new macrolide azithromycin and other antibiotics. The present study shows that only azithromycin has the potential to control an MDRP. y. nigeriensisinfection in Swiss mice, provided the treatment with a dose of 50–100 mg/kg/day by oral route is continued for a period of 7 days. Tetracycline, oxytetracycline, doxycyline, erythromycin, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, although activein vitro, failed to protect the mice. Tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin combinations with chloroquine did not control the infection. Additionally, the antimalarial efficacy of azithromycin can be potentiated with the addition of arteether, which is an ethyl ether derivative of artemisinin. A total (100%) curative effect has been obtained with a shorter regimen of 4 days only.

Release of Diltiazem Hydrochloride from Hydrophilic Matrices of Polyethylene Oxide and Carbopol

The mucoadhesion, swelling, and drug release behavior of polyethylene oxide (PEO) and carbopol (CP) matrices were studied using a water soluble model drug diltiazem hydrochloride. The mucoadhesive strength of the matrices increased with increase in polymer content. The results showed that PEO was more mucoadhesive than CP. Mucoadhesion of the tablets was dependent upon the swelling. Swelling was ascertained by measuring the axial and radial expansion of matrix tablets following exposure to media of physiological ionic strength. There was a marked increase in the swelling index of matrices containing high polymer content of PEO as compared to CP. Drug release kinetics were found to be closely related to dissolution and swelling properties of the matrices. The release was found to be non-Fickian with n (release exponent) values ranging from 0.45-0.58. At a constant polymer content (15.84% w/w), the main contributing factor for the mucoadhesion, swelling, and release was the amount of PEO.

Chitosan microspheres as a potential carrier for drugs

Chitosan is a biodegradable natural polymer with great potential for pharmaceutical applications due to its biocompatibility, high charge density, non-toxicity and mucoadhesion. It has been shown that it not only improves the dissolution of poorly soluble drugs but also exerts a significant effect on fat metabolism in the body. Gel formation can be obtained by interactions of chitosans with low molecular counterions such as polyphosphates, sulphates and crosslinking with glutaraldehyde. This gelling property of chitosan allows a wide range of applications such as coating of pharmaceuticals and food products, gel entrapment of biochemicals, plant embryo, whole cells, microorganism and algae. This review is an insight into the exploitation of the various properties of chitosan to microencapsulate drugs. Various techniques used for preparing chitosan microspheres and evaluation of these microspheres have also been reviewed. This review also includes the factors that affect the entrapment efficiency and release kinetics of drugs from chitosan microspheres.

High statistics measurement of the K+-->pi0e+nu (K+e3) branching ratio

E865 at the Brookhaven National Laboratory AGS collected about 70 000 K(+)(e3) events to measure the K(+)(e3) branching ratio relative to the observed K+-->pi(+)pi(0), K+-->pi(0)micro(+)nu, and K+-->pi(+)pi(0)pi(0) decays. The pi(0) in all the decays was detected using the e(+)e(-) pair from pi(0)-->e(+)e(-)gamma decay and no photons were required. Using the 2002 Particle Data Group branching ratios for the normalization decays, we obtain BR(K(+)(e3(gamma)))=(5.13+/-0.02(stat)+/-0.09(syst)+/-0.04(norm))%, where K(+)(e3(gamma)) includes the effect of virtual and real photons. This result is approximately 2.3sigma higher than the current Particle Data Group value. Implications for the V(us) element of the CKM matrix, and the matrix's unitarity are discussed.

Nifedipine loaded chitosan microspheres prepared by emulsification phase-separation

A high yield of nifedipine-chitosan microspheres could be obtained using an emulsification phase-separation method. A high level of entrapment of nifedipine in the microspheres was achieved. The microspheres exhibited excellent swelling properties. Differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffractometry, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed that at 1.84% loading, nifedipine was dispersed molecularly. The microspheres exhibited faster release at low loadings compared to high loadings. Fitting the data to the coupled Fickian/case II equation, showed that at low loadings polymer relaxation coefficients (k2) were high. As the polymer content increased in the microspheres, the value of n (diffusional exponent characteristic of the release mechanism) approached one, which is indicative of zero order.

Spatio-temporal expression of wnt-1 during embryonic-, wing- and silkgland development in Bombyx mori

A homologue of the segment polarity gene wnt-1 from Bombyx mori (Bmwnt-1) has been characterized. The segmentally reiterated pattern of Bmwnt-1 transcrip9t distribution in B. mori embryos suggested its segment polarity function. Maximal levels of Bmwnt-1 RNA during embryonic development were reached by stage 21A. In the larval stages, Bmwnt-1 was expressed in the fore- and hindwing discs, ovaries, testes and gut, reminiscent of the expression domains in Drosophila. Bmwnt-1 was expressed in the wing-margin area of both the fore- and hindwing discs. The pattern of wnt-1 expression in the hindwing discs was similar to that in the butterfly Precis coenia but subtle differences existed in forewing discs of the two species, which correlated well with the absence of proximal bands of pigmentation in the adult Bombyx wings. In addition, Bmwnt-1 was expressed in the silkglands and the expression was confined to the anterior sub-compartment within the middle silkglands throughout development from the embryonic to late larval stages. This domain of Bmwnt-1 expression overlapped with those of Cubitus interruptus (BmCi) and sericin-2 but excluded the Engrailed expression domain viz. the middle and posterior sub-compartments of middle silkglands. Bmwnt-1 expression was detected only during the intermoults and not in the moulting periods.

Zinc-naproxen complex: synthesis, physicochemical and biological evaluation

Naproxen has a propensity to cause ulcers whereas zinc ions are known to possess an anti-ulcer and anti-inflammatory activity. Therefore, zinc complex of naproxen was prepared by adding zinc sulfate to an aqueous solution of sodium naproxen and its structure was characterized by IR, 1H NMR and 13C NMR, UV, DSC, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. Anti-inflammatory studies, using the carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema showed that there was a significant difference (P<0.05, ANOVA plotted by Dunnet's test) in the anti-inflammatory activity of naproxen, its zinc complex, and the physical mixture of naproxen and zinc sulfate. In addition, zinc complex of naproxen showed a significant reduction in ulcers (lesion index (LI)) as compared to that of naproxen and physical mixture of naproxen and zinc sulfate. Thus, the use of the complex may be preferable to naproxen alone.

Performance liquid chromatographic analysis of glipizide: application to in vitro and in vivo studies

This paper describes the validation of a sensitive, accurate, and reproducible method for the determination of a release profile of glipizide from controlled-release dosage forms. In this method, an in vitro dissolution profile of commercial controlled-release dosage forms is determined using a reversed-phase C(18) column, mobile phase (acetonitrile-buffer, 0.05 M KH(2)PO(4) adjusted to pH 3.5 with orthophosphoric acid), and UV detection at a wavelength of 275 nm. The method is validated for linearity, accuracy, precision, and detection and quantitation limits. The same method can be exploited to determine the plasma concentration of glipizide. The peak area versus plasma concentration is linear over the range of 12.5-1000 ng/mL and the detection limit was 5 ng/mL in plasma. The average accuracy was 99.90% with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of not more than 3%. Repeatability and reproducibility were found to be good with an RSD of less than 3%.

Ethidium bromide stimulated hyper laccase production from bird's nest fungus Cyathus bulleri

AIMS

Effect of ethidium bromide, a DNA intercalating agent, on laccase production from Cyathus bulleri was studied.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The bird's nest fungus, Cyathus bulleri was grown on 2% (w/v) malt extract agar (MEA) supplemented with 1.5 microg ml(-1) of the phenanthridine dye ethidium bromide (EtBr) for 7 d and when grown subsequently in malt extract broth (MEB), produced a 4.2-fold increase in laccase production as compared to the untreated fungus. The fungal cultures following a single EtBr treatment, when regrown on MEA devoid of EtBr, produced a sixfold increase in laccase in MEB. However, on subsequent culturing on MEA in the absence of EtBr, only a 2.5-fold increase in laccase production could be maintained. In another attempt, the initial EtBr-treated cultures, when subjected to a second EtBr treatment (1.5 microg ml(-1)) on MEA for 7 d, produced a 1.4-fold increase in laccase production in MEB.

CONCLUSIONS

The white-rot fungus Cyathus bulleri, when treated with EtBr at a concentration of 1.5 microg ml(-1) and regrown on MEA devoid of EtBr, produced a sixfold increase in laccase production in MEB.

SIGNIFICANCE AND THE IMPACT OF THE STUDY

The variable form of C. bulleri capable of hyper laccase production can improve the economic feasibility of environmentally benign processes involving use of fungal laccases in cosmetics (including hair dyes), food and beverages, clinical diagnostics, pulp and paper industry, industrial effluent treatment, animal biotechnology and biotransformations.

Experimental study of the radiative decays K+-->mu(+)nue(+)e(-) and K+-->e(+)nue(+)e(-)

Experiment 865 at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron obtained 410 K+-->e(+)nue(+)e(-) and 2679 K+-->mu(+)nue(+)e(-) events including 10% and 19% background. The branching ratios were measured to be [2.48+/-0.14(stat)+/-0.14(syst)]x10(-8) (m(ee)>150 MeV) and (7.06+/-0.16+/-0.26)x10(-8) (m(ee)>145 MeV), respectively. Results for the decay form factors are presented.

New measurement of K(+)(e4) decay and the s-pave pi pi-scattering length a(0)(0)

A sample of 4 x 10(5) events from the decay K(+)-->pi(+)pi(-)e(+)nu(e) (K(e4)) has been collected in experiment E865 at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron. The analysis of these data yields new measurements of the K(e4) branching ratio [(4.11+/-0.01+/-0.11) x 10(-5)], the s-wave pi pi scattering length [a(0)(0) = 0.216+/-0.013(stat)+/-0.004(syst)+/-0.005(theor)], and the form factors F, G, and H of the hadronic current and their dependence on the invariant pi pi mass.

Detection of caspase activation in situ by fluorochrome-labeled caspase inhibitors

Apoptosis is dependent on the activation of a group of proteolytic enzymes called caspases. Caspase activation can be detected by immunoblotting using caspase-specific antibodies or by caspase activity measurement employing pro-fluorescent substrates that become fluorescent upon cleavage by the caspase. Most of these methods require the preparation of cell extracts and, therefore, are not suitable for the detection of active caspases within the living cell. Using FAM-VAD-FMK, we have developed a simple and sensitive assay for the detection of caspase activity in living cells. FAM-VAD-FMK is a carboxyfluorescein (FAM) derivative of benzyloxycarbonyl-valine-alanine-aspartic acid-fluoromethyl ketone (zVAD-FMK), which is a potent broad-spectrum inhibitor of caspases. FAM-VAD-FMK enters the cell and irreversibly binds to activated caspases. Cells containing bound FAM-VAD-FMK can be analyzed by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, or a fluorescence plate reader. Using FAM-VAD-FMK, we have measured caspase activation in live non-adherent and adherent cells. We show that FAM-VAD-FMK labeled Jurkat and HeLa cells that had undergone apoptosis following treatment with camptothecin or staurosporine. Non-stimulated negative control cells were not stained. Pretreatment with the general caspase inhibitor zVAD-FMK blocked caspase-specific staining in induced Jurkat and HeLa cells. Pretreatment of staurosporine-induced Jurkat cells with FAM-VAD-FMK inhibited affinity labeling of caspase-3, -6, and -7, blocked caspase-specific cell staining, and led to the inhibition of apoptosis. In contrast, the fluorescent control inhibitor FAM-FA-FMK had no effect. Measurement of caspase activation in 96-well plates showed a 3- to 5-fold increase in FAM-fluorescence in staurosporine-treated cells compared to control cells. In summary, we show that FAM-VAD-FMK is a versatile and specific tool for detecting activated caspases in living cells.