Inhibition by erythromycin of the conversion of carbamazepine to its active 10,11-epoxide metabolite

The serum levels of carbamazepine (CBZ) and its 10,11-epoxide metabolite (CBZ-E) were determined in seven subjects after a single dose of CBZ (400 mg) in the control state and during co-administration of erythromycin (500 mg three times daily for 10 days). Erythromycin treatment was associated with a decrease in CBZ clearance and a prolongation of CBZ half-life, while CBZ-E levels were markedly reduced. These data provide evidence that erythromycin inhibits the conversion of CBZ to its epoxide metabolite.     

Near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a tool for monitoring blueberry osmo-air dehydration process

Osmo-air dehydration treatments are widely applied to fruits in order to prolong shelf-life, reduce packaging and logistic costs, and improve both sensory and nutritional quality of the end products. In this work osmo-air dehydration was applied to blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum), a fruit that is gaining increasing attention due to its high content of dietary antioxidants. In particular, the aim of this study was to investigate the performance of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy as a tool for monitoring blueberry osmo and air dehydration processes.Blanched blueberries were dipped in sucrose and fructose + glucose osmotic solutions for 24 h, and the osmotic exchanges were determined by mass balances (water loss, solid gain, sugar intake, changes in total phenolics and anthocyanins); NIR spectra were collected in order to study modifications due to the osmotic treatments. Untreated and infused berries were subsequently air-dried at 70 °C to final moisture content of 10-14%. During drying chemical, nutritional and structural changes were monitored and NIR spectra were acquired on whole berries, using an optic probe working in diffuse reflectance. Spectral data were standardized, transformed into first derivative and processed by Principal Component Analysis. Results show that NIR spectroscopy was able to follow the osmotic and the air-drying processes and to discriminate untreated and osmo-dehydrated berries. Spectral differences reflect the main molecular modifications associated with water absorption bands due to OH stretch + OH bending and sugar absorption bands due to CH stretch + CH bending and OH stretch + OH bending. In order to investigate the variation of main constituents (sugars and water) involved in the osmo-dehydration process, two-dimensional correlation analysis of spectral data was also carried out.     

Behavioural effects of a new non-phenylethylamine anorexigenic agent: mazindol

Mazindol, a new anorexigenic agent which possesses a different chemical structure from phenylethylamine derivatives such as amphetamine, causes anorexia along with increases in locomotor activity and body temperature. Mazindol also induces stereotyped behaviour and, if injected into rats with unilateral nigro-striatal lesions, causes turning towards the lesioned side. Mazindol-induced anorexia is antagonized by pretreatment with alpha-methyl-p-tyrosine or pimozide. Pimozide pretreatment prevents the rotation induced by Mazindol in rats with unilateral nigro-striatal lesions. The involvement of dopamine in the mechanism whereby Mazindol elicits anorexia and turning behaviour is discussed.     

Impact of the inversion time on regional brain perfusion estimation with clinical arterial spin labeling protocols

Objective

Evaluating the impact of the Inversion Time (TI) on regional perfusion estimation in a pediatric cohort using Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL).

Materials and methods

Pulsed ASL (PASL) was acquired at 3 T both at TI 1500 ms and 2020 ms from twelve MRI-negative patients (age range 9–17 years). A volume of interest (VOIs) and a voxel-wise approach were employed to evaluate subject-specific TI-dependent Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) differences, and grey matter CBF Z-score differences. A visual evaluation was also performed.

Results

CBF was higher for TI 1500 ms in the proximal territories of the arteries (PTAs) (e.g. insular cortex and basal ganglia — P < 0.01 and P < 0.05 from the VOI analysis, respectively), and for TI 2020 ms in the distal territories of the arteries (DTAs), including the watershed areas (e.g. posterior parietal and occipital cortex — P < 0.001 and P < 0.01 from the VOI analysis, respectively). Similar differences were also evident when analyzing patient-specific CBF Z-scores and at a visual inspection.

Conclusions

TI influences ASL perfusion estimates with a region-dependent effect. The presence of intraluminal arterial signal in PTAs and the longer arterial transit time in the DTAs (including watershed areas) may account for the TI-dependent differences. Watershed areas exhibiting a lower perfusion signal at short TIs (~ 1500 ms) should not be misinterpreted as focal hypoperfused areas.