Human influenza virus A/HongKong/156/97 (H5N1) infection

Introduction of influenza viruses with gene segments of avian origin into the human population may result in the emergence of new pathogenic human influenza viruses. The recent infection of a 3-year-old boy with an influenza A (H5N1) virus of avian origin can be considered as an example of such an event. However, this virus, influenza A/Hong Kong/156/97 (H5N1) and the 17 additional H5N1 viruses isolated from humans by the end of 1997 lack the ability to spread efficiently amongst humans and therefore have limited pandemic potential. However, the possibility of reassortment of these viruses with currently circulating human viruses illustrates the need for pandemic preparedness.     

Drug binding to P-glycoprotein is inhibited in normal tissues following SDZ-PSC 833 treatment

Rats were treated with daily injections of SDZ-PSC 833 (PSC) to study the interaction of this potent modulator of multidrug resistance (MDR) with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) expressed in normal tissues. After 2 days of treatment, the level of P-gp expression, detected by Western blot analysis, was not modified in renal brush border membranes (BBMs) and brain capillaries. However, the amount of P-gp detected with the photoaffinity probe [125I]-arylazidoprazosin (IAAP) was decreased in both tissues, suggesting that the drug binding properties of P-gp were altered by PSC treatment. This effect was further characterized by treating rats with PSC for 10 days. Following these treatments, the amount of immunodetected P-gp was increased in renal BBMs and brain capillaries. However, no increase in P-gp expression was observed in photolabeling experiments, suggesting that induced P-gp was not functional. In vitro experiments performed with renal BBMs showed that the inhibition of P-gp photolabeling by cyclosporin A (CsA), verapamil and vinblastine could be reversed by performing washing steps to remove these drugs before incubating the samples with IAAP. However, the inhibition mediated by PSC was less reversible since photolabeling of P-gp remained inhibited following the washing steps. Pre-incubation of intact CHRC5 cells with PSC, CsA and verapamil also inhibited P-gp photolabeling and increased rhodamine 123 accumulation. For PSC pre-treated samples, these effects were not completely reversed following washing, but were abolished for CsA and Ver pre-treated samples. Our results suggest that PSC could block P-gp function by a different mechanism from that of CsA and verapamil, involving modification of the drug binding sites.     

Rat bone marrow-derived mast cells co-cultured with 3T3 fibroblasts in the absence of T-cell derived cytokines require stem cell factor for their survival and maintain their mucosal mast cell-like phenotype

The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of computed tomography (CT) and single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) in the diagnosis of dementia. Fifty-two patients with clinical diagnosis of dementia and 11 controls were studied. The scans were interpreted by one experienced neuroradiologist and one nuclear radiologist, both blinded to the clinical data. In the diagnosis of dementia, CT and SPECT showed equal sensitivity (82.7%) and statistically similar specificity (63.8 and 81.8%, respectively). The specificity of SPECT in diagnosing Alzheimer's disease (100%) was statistically superior to CT (69%). However, both methods showed similar sensitivity in detecting Alzheimer's disease. In conclusion, SPECT and CT showed similar accuracy in the diagnosis of dementia. The quite high specificity of SPECT in Alzheimer's disease may be useful for confirming that diagnosis, particularly for patients with presenile onset of the disease.     

Molecular cDNA cloning and tissue distribution of mRNA encoding a novel ATP-binding cassette (ABC) half-transporter

After feeding a commercial rodent chow for 8 weeks, tissues from male and female rats were collected and examined for selenium content, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities and selenoprotein W (Se-W) levels. There were no differences (P > 0.05) between plasma selenium content, plasma GPX activity, whole blood selenium content, or whole blood GPX activity between male and female rats. There was also no gender effect on selenium concentration in muscle, brain, spleen, and skin, but selenium concentration in liver was higher (P < 0.05) in female than in male rats. Western blots indicated that the tissue distribution of Se-W was similar in male and female rats. Se-W protein level was high in testes of male rats but very low in ovaries of female rats. Muscle and skin from female rats had significantly higher (P < 0.05) Se-W levels than from male rats. Consistent with Se-W content, the Se-W mRNA levels from female skins were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than from male rats. The expression of Se-W was different in various tissues and gender influenced this regulation in some tissues.     

Tonsillar carcinoma: analysis of treatment results

A diffusion cell with an artificial membrane and the single-pass perfused rabbit ear were used to evaluate the percutaneous absorption of clonazepam from various 2-hydroxyethyl acetate (HEA) patches. The influence on drug permeation of the various type of enhancers (isopropylmyristate, lauryl alcohol, propylene glycol and water) in the patches was tested. A comparison between the two types of systems of percutaneous absorption of clonazepam has been done. The results showed that HEA patches produce controlled uniform drug release, modulated by the addition of enhancers.