MedWorm: Drugs & Pharmacology

FDA Recalls Unsterilized Ear Drains

MedPage Today Product Alert — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 14:43:14 +0100

The FDA has issued a class I recall for a single of an ear drainage bobbin that was shipped without being sterilized. (Source: MedPage Today Product Alert)

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MRSA And C. Difficile Quarterly Update, UK

MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

The Health Protection Agency (HPA) has published a quarterly epidemiological commentary on trends of MRSA (meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) bloodstream infections and C. difficile (Clostridium difficile) infections from October 2007 to December 2009... (Source: MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today)

Phase III asthma programme is underway

Pharmacy Europe — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:08:13 +0100

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) announced today that the first asthma patient has commenced treatment with Relovair (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

Adverse Drug Reactions in the Paediatric Population in Denmark: A Retrospective Analysis of Reports Made to the Danish Medicines Agency from 1998 to 2007

Drug Safety — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:07:36 +0100

(Source: Drug Safety)

Isotretinoin Use and Compliance with the Dutch Pregnancy Prevention Programme: A Retrospective Cohort Study in Females of Reproductive Age Using Pharmacy Dispensing Data

Drug Safety — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:07:36 +0100

(Source: Drug Safety)

Antimicrobials and the Risk of Torsades de Pointes: The Contribution from Data Mining of the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System

Drug Safety — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:07:36 +0100

(Source: Drug Safety)

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Psychiatric Adverse Events in Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trials of Varenicline: A Pooled Analysis

Drug Safety — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:07:36 +0100

(Source: Drug Safety)

Cerebrovascular Accidents in Elderly People Treated with Antipsychotic Drugs: A Systematic Review

Drug Safety — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:07:36 +0100

(Source: Drug Safety)

Is There Still a Role for Desmopressin in Children with Primary Monosymptomatic Nocturnal Enuresis?: A Focus on Safety Issues

Drug Safety — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 14:07:36 +0100

(Source: Drug Safety)

More Lots of BP Drug Recalled

MedPage Today Product Alert — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 13:43:14 +0100

The manufacturer of the injectable calcium channel blocker clevidipine (Cleviprex) voluntarily recalled an additional four lots of the drug because of debris floating in the suspension. (Source: MedPage Today Product Alert)

Bioresponsive Dextrin−rhEGF Conjugates: In Vitro Evaluation in Models Relevant to Its Proposed Use as a Treatment for Chronic Wounds

Molecular Pharmaceutics — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:07:39 +0100

Molecular Pharmaceutics, Volume 0, Issue 0, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable). (Source: Molecular Pharmaceutics)

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MRSA Rates Effectively Reduced By Conventional Infection Control Measures

MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Scientists at The Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center found that an emphasis on compliance with non-pathogen specific infection control practices such as hand hygiene, efforts to reduce device-related infections and chlorhexidine bathing (a daily bath with the same antibacterial agent used by surgeons to "scrub in" before an operation), is successful in reducing rat... (Source: MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today)

Targeting nitric oxide for tumor therapy.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Contestabile A PMID: 20236066 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design)

Nitric Oxide and Cancer Therapy: The Emperor has NO Clothes.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Hickok JR, Thomas DD The role of nitric oxide (NO()) as a mediator of cancer phenotype has led researchers to investigate strategies for manipulating in vivo production and exogenous delivery of this molecule for therapeutic gain. Unfortunately, NO() serves multiple functions in cancer physiology. In some instances, NO() or nitric oxide synthase (NOS) levels correlate with tumor suppression and in other cases they are related to tumor progression and metastasis. Understanding this dichotomy has been a great challenge for researchers working in the field of NO() and cancer therapy. Due to the unique chemical and biochemical properties of NO(), it's interactions with cellular targets and the subsequent downstream signaling events can be vastly different based upon tumor heteroge...

Targeting the L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway for cancer treatment.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Ma Q, Wang Z, Zhang M, Hu H, Li J, Zhang D, Guo K, Sha H The action of L-arginine is mainly dependent on its end-product, nitric oxide (NO). The L-arginine/NO pathway has been confirmed to play an important role in tumor development. Recent findings indicate that NO derived from L-arginine could influence angiogenesis factors, vascular permeability, perivascular-cell recruitment and vessel remodeling and maturation. Additionally, the L-arginine/NO pathway could activate a broad array of genes that are functionally involved in proliferation, metastasis and apoptosis. Interestingly, this pathway plays roles in both tumorigensis and tumor killing. The role of the L-arginine/NO pathway in tumor therapy has been well-studied. Members of this pathway have been reported to be promisi...

Nitric oxide in cancer therapeutics: interaction with cytotoxic chemotherapy.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Hirst D, Robson T Nitric oxide is a key second messenger in most tissues, where it is generated at low concentrations, predominantly by the catalytic action of two constitutively expressed isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Both of these are found in tumours, but malignancy is also associated with the expression of high levels of the inducible isoform of NOS, which is responsible for generation of high NO() concentrations, not associated with normal physiology. This has profound consequences for the aetiology and malignant progression of primary cancer and metastatic dissemination. It also ensures that tumour vasculature remains highly dilated, so maintaining the abnormally high growth rates, characteristic of malignant disease. This dependency on NO() can be targeted th...

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Nitric oxide and pancreatic cancer pathogenesis, prevention, and treatment.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Wang L, Xie K Pancreatic cancer is hallmarked by aggressive biology and extreme lethality and very high mortality rates. The underlying molecular mechanism of its rapid development and progression is unclear, however. Recent identification and functional validation of nitric oxide (NO) production in pancreatic cancer suggest a role for NO in the pathogenesis of this disease. Conceivably, overproduction of NO imposes an adverse selection pressure on the tumor microenvironment, which causes genetic and epigenetic changes in tumor and tumor stromal cells and promotes the evolution of these cells into more malignant cells conferred with a tremendous survival and growth advantage. Designing effective strategies targeting NO to control pancreatic cancer development and progression r...

The dual role of nitric oxide in glioma.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Badn W, Siesjö P Malignant gliomas bear the most dismal prognosis of all human cancers despite the progress in therapy of many other tumors. The search for alternative and complementary treatments has therefore a high priority. Emerging knowledge of the dual and diverging role of nitric oxide in glioma biology has focused on possibilities to achieve anti-glioma effects by modulation of nitric oxide (NO) release and function in these tumors. NO has been shown to influence proliferation of glioma cells, vascular function in glioams, invasive capacity of gliomas, effects of chemo and radiotherapy and also immune reactivity against these tumors. The mechanisms behind the reported diverse and dual effects of NO in glioma biology are multiple. Some of the diversity can be expla...

Nitric Oxide Control of MYCN Expression and Multi Drug Resistance Genes in Tumours of Neural Origin.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Porro A, Chrochemore C, Cambuli F, Iraci N, Contestabile A, Perini G Nitric oxide (NO) exerts its function in several cell and organ compartments. Recently, several lines of evidence have been accrued showing that NO can play a critical role in oncogenesis. Here we summarize some of these findings and highlight the role of NO as a possible target for antineoplastic drugs. Specifically, NO appears to affect some aspects of neuronal tumour progression, particularly the chemoresistance phenotype, through inhibition of MYC activity and expression of a large set of ATP binding cassette transporters. Here we provide lines of evidence supporting the view that MYCN can alter expression of several members of the ABC transporter family thus influencing the chemoresistance phenotype of n...

Nitric oxide control of proliferation in nerve cells and in tumor cells of nervous origin.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Peña-Altamira E, Petazzi P, Contestabile A Recent evidence suggests that nitric oxide (NO) has a remarkable anti-proliferative action towards dividing neural precursor cells as well as towards cells giving rise to neural-derived tumors. The present paper summarizes essential literature-derived information on this issue and provides novel experimental evidence for these NO-mediated actions regarding a well characterized population of neuronal precursors, the cerebellar granule cell precursors and a cell line of medulloblastoma, a pediatric tumor originating from these same precursor cells undergoing deregulated proliferation. Evidence is presented regarding the NO-mediated regulation of proliferation of neuronal precursor cells both during developmental and adult neurogene...

NO to Breast: When, Why and Why Not?

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Pervin S, Chaudhuri G, Singh R Nitric oxide is a pleiotropic ancestral molecule, which elicits beneficial effect in many physiological settings but is also tenaciously expressed in numerous pathological conditions, particularly breast tumors. Nitric oxide is particularly harmful in adipogenic milieu of the breast, where it initiates and promotes tumorigenesis. Epidemiological studies have associated populations at a greater risk for developing breast cancer, predominantly estrogen receptor positive tumors, to express specific polymorphic forms of endothelial nitric oxide synthase, that produce sustained low levels of nitric oxide. Low sustained nitric oxide generates oxidative stress and inflammatory conditions at susceptible sites in the heterogeneous microenvironment of the ...

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Obesity: a new pathology to pay attention to in young people.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Fazio G, Vernuccio D, Di Gesaro G, Bacarella D, D'Angelo L, Novo G, Novo S Obesity in young people is a form of malnutrition that is found more and more in industrialized countries known both for its association with obesity in adult age and the chronic-degenerate pathologies correlated to it. In 1998 in the United States the prevalence of obesity in 4-12 year olds was 22% for the Hispanics and Afro-Americans and 12.3% for the non Hispanic Caucasians Also in children as in adults, the consequence of obesity is hyperinsulinemia, in direct proportion to the body weight. In this review we discuss the effects of hyperinsulinemia and obesity in young people, and evaluated the difference of cardiovascular complication in young and in adults. PMID: 20236075 [PubMed - in process] ...

New strategies in the search of antipsychotic drugs.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Adell A PMID: 20236076 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design)

Current perspectives on muscle regeneration and diseases.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Tettamanti G, Grimaldi A PMID: 20236077 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design)

Therapeutic Potential of Peptide Motifs - Part III.

Current Pharmaceutical Design — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:36:03 +0100

Authors: Hervé JC PMID: 20236078 [PubMed - in process] (Source: Current Pharmaceutical Design)

First, Catch Your Signal!

Drug Safety — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 02:05:46 +0100

(Source: Drug Safety)

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Reduce use of long-acting {beta}2-agonists in asthma therapy, FDA says.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:57 +0100

Authors: Thompson CA PMID: 20237371 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

FDA approves new quadrivalent meningococcal vaccine.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:55 +0100

Authors: Thompson CA PMID: 20237372 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Appointment.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:52 +0100

Authors: PMID: 20237373 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

FDA unveils risk-management program for ESAs.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:49 +0100

Authors: Traynor K PMID: 20237374 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Everyone needs seasonal flu vaccination, CDC advisers say.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:46 +0100

Authors: Traynor K PMID: 20237375 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

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Program to improve bar-code print quality.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:43 +0100

Authors: Schneider R, Carlson R, Tucker C, Mims E PMID: 20237376 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Pharmacy technicians obtaining medication histories within the emergency department.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:40 +0100

Authors: Knight H, Edgerton L, Foster R PMID: 20237377 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Using the three e's (emphasis, expectations, and evaluation) to structure writing objectives for pharmacy practice experiences.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:37 +0100

Authors: Medina MS PMID: 20237378 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Benefits and risks associated with {beta}-blocker prophylaxis in noncardiac surgery.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:34 +0100

Conclusion Perioperative use of beta-blockers in NCS can protect against postoperative MI but increases the risk of stroke, severe hypotension, and severe bradycardia. Although less common, the strokes are severe, and the troubling trend toward increasing cardiovascular and total mortality precludes the recommendation for their use in patients not previously treated with beta-blockers. PMID: 20237379 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Possible green tea-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:31 +0100

Conclusion A 38-year-old woman developed TTP after consuming a weight-loss product containing green tea extract for two months. PMID: 20237380 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

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Improved glucose control associated with i.v. chromium administration in two patients receiving enteral nutrition.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:28 +0100

Conclusion Infusion of chromic chloride appeared to reduce insulin requirements in one diabetic patient and one nondiabetic patient. PMID: 20237381 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

ASHP national survey of pharmacy practice in hospital settings: Monitoring and patient education--2009.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:23 +0100

Conclusion Pharmacists were significantly involved in monitoring medication therapy. Pharmacists were less involved in medication education activities. Technologies to improve the use of medications were used in an increasing percentage of hospitals. Hospital pharmacy practice was increasingly integrated, with pharmacists having both distribution and clinical roles. PMID: 20237382 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Stability of an extemporaneously prepared clopidogrel oral suspension.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:20 +0100

Conclusion Extemporaneously compounded suspensions of clopidogrel, 5 mg/mL, in a 1:1 mixture of Ora-Plus and Ora-Sweet were stable for at least 60 days when stored in amber plastic bottles at room temperature and under refrigeration. PMID: 20237383 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Physical compatibility of magnesium sulfate and sodium bicarbonate in a pharmacy-compounded hemofiltration solution.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:17 +0100

Conclusion Magnesium sulfate 1.5 meq/L and sodium bicarbonate 50 meq/L were physically compatible in a pharmacy-compounded hemofiltration solution for 48 hours when stored at 22-25 degrees C without protection from light. PMID: 20237384 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Establishing pharmacy operations in a new hospital while transferring existing operations to new ownership.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:14 +0100

Conclusion A well-coordinated plan resulted in the successful establishment of pharmacy practice in a new hospital and the transition of an operational pharmacy practice and facility to new ownership while maintaining quality patient care. PMID: 20237385 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

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Program provides around-the-clock clinical pharmacy services.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:11 +0100

Authors: Moye RA PMID: 20237386 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

ASHP Statement on the Pharmacist's Role in Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention and Control.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:09 +0100

Authors: PMID: 20237387 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

ASHP Statement on the Health-System Pharmacist's Role in National Health Care Quality Initiatives.

American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 01:34:06 +0100

Authors: PMID: 20237388 [PubMed - in process] (Source: American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy : AJHP)

Issues in multiple imputation of missing data for large general practice clinical databases

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Missing data are a substantial problem in clinical databases. This paper aims to examine patterns of missing data in a primary care database, compare this to nationally representative datasets and explore the use of multiple imputation (MI) for these data.The patterns and extent of missing health indicators in a UK primary care database (THIN) were quantified using 488 384 patients aged 16 or over in their first year after registration with a GP from 354 General Practices. MI models were developed and the resulting data compared to that from nationally representative datasets (14 142 participants aged 16 or over from the Health Survey for England 2006 (HSE) and 4 252 men from the British Regional Heart Study (BRHS)).Between 22% (smoking) and 38% (height) of health indicator data were missi...

The melanocortin MC1 receptor agonist BMS-470539 inhibits leucocyte trafficking in the inflamed vasculature

British Journal of Pharmacology — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions and implications: Activation of MC1 receptors inhibited leucocyte adhesion and emigration. Development of new chemical entities directed at MC1 receptors could be a viable approach in the development of novel anti-inflammatory therapeutic agents with potential application to post-ischaemic conditions. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)

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Naloxone in the management of hepatic encephalopathy

Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Naloxone may improve HE. However, published data are limited. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics)

RPS Conference 2010: Supporting patient and professional decision making

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:05:56 +0100

This conference will have a practice and professional focus and will explore patient and professional decision making. Find out more about the programme and how to book your place. (Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)

Teva set for £3.2bn Ratiopharm deal

Pharmacy Europe — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:04:03 +0100

Pharmaceutical company Teva has acquired generic drug maker Ratiopharm for £3.2 billion, beating rivals Pfizer and Actavis to the deal. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

No ban for "pay-for-delay" deals

Pharmacy Europe — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:04:03 +0100

Lobbyists for the generic drug industry have revealed that proposals, which would have banned multibillion-dollar deals between pharmaceutical giants and generic rivals, were removed from US healthcare legislation at the last minute. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

Jury: Drug did not lead to diabetes

Pharmacy Europe — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:04:03 +0100

A US jury found a psychiatric drug did not trigger diabetes in a veteran of the Vietnam war, British pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca has said. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

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Apparently No Sedative Benzoflavone Moiety in Passiflorae Herba

Planta Medica — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:04:01 +0100

Planta MedDOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1241015AbstractDue to the fact that an Indian group had reported a benzoflavone moiety (BZF) as an active principle in the herb of L. (Passifloraceae), this study was performed to isolate the compound for analytical purposes. In Passiflorae herba from three different origins (cultivations in India, Italy and France) a compound with the published TLC characteristics was detected in trace amounts only in the Italian material. No traces of the substance were found in the drugs from India and France. In a commercial extract two compounds with the respective TLC characteristics were detected. One was identified as a phytol isomer. Due to the very small amounts of the second compound its structure elucidation was not successful. The amount of extract for the isolati...

Enhancement of Artemisinin Content through Four Cycles of Recurrent Selection with Relation to Heritability, Correlation and Molecular Marker in Artemisia annua L.

Planta Medica — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:04:01 +0100

Planta MedDOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1240940AbstractDue to the high demand and low yield of the anti-malarial drug artemisinin in natural populations of (Quinghao), an attempt has been made to enhance the artemisinin content through 4 cycles of recurrent selection (C-C) using selected genotypic and phenotypic traits. Based on their phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the top 5 % plants of each cycle were selected, and their seedlings were planted in poly-cross block to produce seeds for the subsequent generation. A significant increase in the artemisinin content (0.15 % in C to 1.16 % in C, i.e., about 40 % genetic gain over the generation) was observed. This enhancement was directly correlated with the plant height and branching intensity in all four cycles. Similar...

Anti-adipogenic Activities of Alnus incana and Populus balsamifera Bark Extracts, Part I: Sites and Mechanisms of Action

Planta Medica — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:04:01 +0100

Planta MedDOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1240941AbstractObesity is an epidemic in most developed countries and novel therapeutic approaches are needed. In the course of a screening project of medicinal plants used by the Eastern James Bay Cree of Canada and having potential for the treatment of diabetes, we have identified several products that inhibit adipogenesis, suggesting potential antiobesity activities. The inhibitory activity of two of these, the extract of the inner bark of the deciduous trees ssp. (Speckled Alder) and L. (Balsam Poplar), was analyzed using the 3T3-L1 cell model of adipogenesis. Intracellular triglyceride accumulation, pre-adipocyte proliferation, and PPAR- activity were measured. extracts acted early in the differentiation process but did not affect clonal expansion of pre-...

Anti-adipogenic Activities of Alnus incana and Populus balsamifera Bark Extracts, Part II: Bioassay-guided Identification of Actives Salicortin and Oregonin

Planta Medica — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:04:01 +0100

Planta MedDOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1240991AbstractAmong modern day metabolic diseases, obesity has reached epidemic proportions worldwide and novel therapeutic support strategies are urgently needed. Adipocytes are interesting targets in this context. Using ethnobotanical and bioassay screening techniques, we have identified two Boreal Forest plants used by the James Bay Cree that potently inhibit adipogenesis, namely ssp. (Speckled Alder) and (Balsam Poplar). The mode of action of this inhibitory activity was reported in a companion paper. The current study report the results of a classical bioassay-guided fractionation approach aimed at identifying the active principles responsible for the inhibition of adipogenesis, as measured using triglyceride accumulation in the 3T3-L1 adipocyte model ce...

Optimizing management of treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced HIV+ patients: the role of maraviroc

Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 15:03:11 +0100

Eva Poveda, Vincent Soriano (Source: Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management)

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Taking the Patient's Side: The Ethics of Pharmacogenetics

Medscape Pharmacist Headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:59:58 +0100

The encouraging vision that is now being established is that we may move from trial and error therapies to evidence-based personalized medicine in clinical practice. Personalized Medicine (Source: Medscape Pharmacist Headlines)

FDA Clears Non-Abusable Insomnia Treatment

MedPage Today Product Alert — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:43:15 +0100

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The FDA approved doxepin (Silenor) for use in patients with long or short term insomnia and sleep maintenance difficulty. (Source: MedPage Today Product Alert)

SSRIs May Boost Risk for Cataracts

Medscape Pharmacist Headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:39:52 +0100

SSRIs have been linked to an increased risk for cataracts, but researchers say the effect size is modest and needs to be investigated further. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Pharmacist Headlines)

Neuro-Oncologists Extend Survival in Nervous System Cancers

Medscape Pharmacist Headlines — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:48:36 +0100

Clinical and basic science advances have improved outcomes for patients with nervous system cancers, a new series of articles show. Medscape Medical News (Source: Medscape Pharmacist Headlines)

FDA Drafts New Rules For Testing, Approving Drug Cocktails; Public-Private Partnership For TB Treatment Development Launched

MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:00:00 +0100

The FDA is drafting new guidelines for testing and approving multidrug cocktails for life-threatening diseases, the Wall Street Journal reports. "Many diseases, such as AIDS, tuberculosis and cancer, require multidrug combinations... (Source: MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today)

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Briefing: Should miaow-miaow be banned?

New Scientist - Drugs and Alcohol — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 10:23:10 +0100

A slew of recent deaths linked to mephedrone have led to vociferous calls for a ban in the UK. What is – and isn't – known about this "legal high"? (Source: New Scientist - Drugs and Alcohol)

France's National Program To Reduce HAIs Reports Important Successes; Uses Mandatory Reporting

MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Researchers evaluating France's national infection control program for healthcare facilities found significant decreases in the rates of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) since 2004. The drop in HAIs, including MRSA and surgical site infections, could be attributed to important changes in the national infection control system... (Source: MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today)

CLADRIBINEinjection [Bedford Laboratories]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

PHENTERMINE HYDROCHLORIDEtablet [Qualitest Pharmaceuticals]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

VIBRAMYCIN MONOHYDRATE (Doxycycline) Powder, For Suspension VIBRAMYCIN CALCIUM (Doxycycline Calcium) Syrup VIBRAMYCIN HYCLATE (Doxycycline Hyclate) Capsule VIBRA-TABS (Doxycycline Hyclate) Tablet, Film Coated [Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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KAPIDEX (Dexlansoprazole) Capsule, Delayed Release [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

VISTARIL (Hydroxyzine Pamoate) Capsule VISTARIL (Hydroxyzine Pamoate) Suspension [Pfizer Laboratories Div Pfizer Inc]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

PRAVASTATIN SODIUMtablet [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

VYVANSE (Lisdexamfetamine Dimesylate) Capsule [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

BUTALBITAL, ACETAMINOPHEN, CAFFEINE, AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE (Codeine Phosphate, Butalbital, Caffeine, And Acetaminophen Capsule) Capsule [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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VITAMIN D (Ergocalciferol) Capsule [Paddock Laboratories, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

LAMOTRIGINEtablet [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

RENVELA (Sevelamer Carbonate) Tablet, Film Coated [KAISER FOUNDATION HOSPITALS]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

BENZTROPINE MESYLATEtablet [Corepharma LLC]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

CLEOCIN T (Clindamycin Phosphate) Solution CLEOCIN T (Clindamycin Phosphate) Lotion CLEOCIN T (Clindamycin Phosphate) Gel [Pharmacia And Upjohn Company]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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LEVETIRACETAMsolution [Morton Grove Pharmaceuticals, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

VETRIMEC FOR CATTLE AND SWINE (Ivermectin) Injection, Solution [MWI/VetOne]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

RAMIPRILcapsule [Cobalt Laboratories Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

TRAMADOL ERtablet, Extended Release [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

OXYCODONE AND ACETAMINOPHEN (Oxycodone Hydrochloride And Acetaminophen) Tablet [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

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DAUNORUBICIN HYDROCHLORIDEinjection [Teva Parenteral Medicines, Inc]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

LEXAPRO (Escitalopram Oxalate) Tablet [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

AMBIEN CR (Zolpidem Tartrate) Tablet, Coated [Physicians Total Care, Inc.]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

TEMODAR (Temozolomide) Capsule TEMODAR (Temozolomide) Injection, Powder, Lyophilized, For Solution [Schering-Plough Corporation]

DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 05:00:00 +0100

Updated Date: Mar 19, 2010 EST (Source: DailyMed Drug Label Updates for the last seven days (since May 20, 2007 EST))

Antitrypanosomal Activity of a Diterpene and Lignans Isolated from Aristolochia cymbifera

Planta Medica — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:10:55 +0100

Planta MedDOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1240952AbstractBioguided fractionation of extract from the leaves of led to the isolation of the furofuran lignans fargesin, epieudesmin, and sesamin; the dibenzylbutyrolactone lignans hinokinin and kusunokinin; and an -labdane diterpene named copalic acid. Our data demonstrated that copalic acid and kusunokinin were the most active compounds against trypomastigotes of . Additionally, copalic acid demonstrated the highest parasite selectivity as a result of low toxicity to mammalian cells, despite a considerable hemolytic activity at higher concentrations. Among the isolated compounds, kusunokinin could be considered the most promising candidate, as it displayed significant activity against intracellular amastigotes (IC = 17 µM) and trypomas...

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FDA approves carglumic acid for NAGS deficiency

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: FDA Area: News The US FDA has approved carglumic acid (Carbaglu®) for the treatment of N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) deficiency, a rare genetic disorder that can be present in babies soon after birth. NAGS deficiency and the resulting elevated levels of ammonia in the blood can be fatal if it is not detected and treated rapidly. (Source: NeLM - News)

FDA approves doxepin (Silenor®) for insomnia

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: BioSpace Area: News According to a BioSpace report, the US FDA has approved doxepin (Silenor®) for the treatment of adults with transient or chronic insomnia, characterised by difficulty with sleep maintenance (this is the most commonly reported night-time symptom of insomnia). The application for approval included clinical trial data from 1,017 adult and elderly subjects with chronic and transient insomnia. It is believed that doxepin promotes sleep maintenance via its binding to histamine (H1) receptors. It has not been designated as a controlled substance by the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) because of its demonstrated lack of abuse potential. No withdrawal effects or other adverse events indicative of physical dependence were observed in the clinic...

Consultation response on proposals for an Innovation Pass pilot

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health Area: News In November 2009 the Department of Health consulted on proposals for an Innovation Pass pilot. This is a response to that consultation, offering a summary of responses received and a Government response to each section. Please see the link below for details. (Source: NeLM - News)

EU recommendations for the seasonal influenza vaccine composition for the season 2010/2011

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: EMEA Area: News Having considered information on international surveillance, the CHMP BWP Ad hoc Influenza Working Group has recommended that the WHO recommendation on the composition of influenza vaccines for 2010/2011 should be followed. This is a trivalent vaccine an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)-like virus, an A/Perth/16/2009 (H3N2)-like virus, and a B/Brisbane/60/2008-like virus. The acceptable strains for the purpose of manufacture are listed; please see the link below for details. (Source: NeLM - News)

Seminar: Colorectal cancer

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Lancet Area: News This Seminar article in the Lancet reviews the management of colorectal cancer, under the following headings: . Molecular carcinogenesis . Epidemiology . Risk factors . Genetic epidemiology: Lynch syndrome as model . Screening of colorectal cancer . Diagnosis and staging . Surgery . Radiation treatment for rectal cancer . Adjuvant treatment for early stage disease (5-FU, capecitabine, oxaliplatin, irinotecan, edrecolomab, cetuximab, bevacizumab) . Treatment of metastatic disease (irinotecan, oxaliplatin, 5-FU, capecitabine, cetuximab, bevacizumab, panitumumab) . Prognostic and predictive molecular markers The authors note that there have been considerable advances in the treatment of col...

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Times report - electronic health records contain 'life-threatening errors'

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: The Times Area: News According to a report by the Times online, a draft report on the Summary Care Record (SCR) reveals that the new national electronic patient records database contains serious errors and omissions. Researchers from University College London, who are reviewing the project for the Department of Health, found examples where the database failed to indicate allergies or adverse reactions to drugs, and listed medication that the patient wasn't taking. So far, about 12 million patients in England have been sent leaflets about the new SCR and about 1.2 million electronic records have been uploaded. The draft review found no evidence that incomplete or inaccurate data on the database had led to patient harm, but suggests this was due to doctors not trust...

Pandemic H1N1 vaccine uptake figures for England by SHA and PCT

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health Area: News The Department of Health has published preliminary data on swine flu vaccinations given up to 28 February 2010 at the SHA and PCT/Trust levels, to both patients and front line healthcare workers. Please see the link below for details. (Source: NeLM - News)

Editorial: Acupuncture transmitted infections

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: BMJ Area: News The authors of this editorial, from the University of Hong Kong, discuss the risk of infections with acupuncture, noting that they are under-diagnosed and therefore clinicians should have a high index of suspicion. As needles are inserted up to several centimetres below the skin, acupuncture may pose an infection risk. So far, over 50 cases of infection with pyogenic bacteria have been described globally; in most cases the bacteria were transmitted from the patient's skin or environment due to inadequate skin disinfection prior to acupuncture. The majority of these cases had musculoskeleal or skin infections (corresponding to the site of insertion); a minority had others, including for example endocarditis and meningitis. 5-10% died from...

RCT: Adding triple antibiotic combination to standard treatment may help induce remission in UC

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: American Journal of Gastroenterology Area: News According to the results of a RCT conducted in Japan, adding a 2-week course of triple antibiotic therapy to existing medications may help to induce and maintain remission in ulcerative colitis (UC). The authors note that Fusobacterium varium may trigger flares of UC; they conducted their study to see whether the addition of antibiotic therapy to standard treatment could therefore induce and/or maintain remission of UC. They used an antibiotic regimen to which F. varium is susceptible: amoxicillin (1500mg/day), tetracycline (1500mg/day), and metronidazole (750mg/day). A total of 210 patients with chronic relapsing mild-to-severe UC were randomised to double-blind treatment with this combination (ATM group; n=10...

Treatment of type 2 diabetes and outcomes in patients with heart failure

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Diabetes Care Area: News According to the results of a case control study published early online in Diabetes Care, metformin-based treatment strategies are preferable in patients with diabetes and heart failure (HF), and may result in lower mortality. The authors note that diabetes is a common co-morbidity in patients with HF, but the choice of treatment for type 2 diabetes in these individuals remains controversial. Patients with HF have generally been excluded from trials of glucose-lowering therapies and the safety of these medicines in HF remains unclear. Although a number of observational studies have reported prognostic differences between various antidiabetic agents when used in patients with concomitant HF, their various limitations mean that definit...

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Critical illness due to 2009 A/H1N1 influenza in pregnant and postpartum women

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: BMJ Area: News According to the findings of a population-based cohort study published in the BMJ, pregnancy is a risk factor for critical illness related to 2009 H1N1 influenza, which causes maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Information on medical and obstetric management and maternal and infant outcomes when pregnancy is complicated by 2009 H1N1 related critical illness is limited. In this research, the authors sought to describe the epidemiology of 2009 A/H1N1 influenza in critically ill pregnant (or recently post-partum) women who were admitted to Australian and New Zealand intensive care units during the winter of 2009. During the study period, 209 women of childbearing age (15-44 years) were admitted to an ICU with confirmed 2009 H1N1 ...

Association between industry affiliation and position on cardiovascular risk with rosiglitazone

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: BMJ Area: News According to research published in the BMJ, there appears to be a strong link between the orientation of authors' expressed views on the controversy surrounding the cardiac risk of rosiglitazone, and their financial conflicts of interest with pharmaceutical companies. The researchers suggest that further changes in disclosure procedures need to be made, in order for the scientific record to be trusted. A search of the literature (Web of Science and Scopus) identified 202 articles citing and commenting on either of two index publications in the rosiglitazone debate: the meta-analysis that first highlighted the link between rosiglitazone and cardiovascular events ( N Engl J Med 2007;356:2457-71) and the subsequent interim report of the RECORD trial (N...

Menveo® meningococcal vaccine approved in the EU

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: PharmaLive Area: News According to PharmaLive, the European Commission has approved Menveo® (Meningococcal Group A, C, W135 and Y conjugate vaccine) in all 27 European member states. Menveo® is indicated for the active immunisation of adolescents (from 11 years of age) and adults at risk of exposure to Neisseria meningitidis groups A, C, W135 and Y, to prevent invasive disease. Menveo® is the first conjugate vaccine commercially available in Europe that helps protect against four major groups of meningococcal disease. Novartis intends to submit additional data to the EMEA to support the use of Menveo in other age groups (it is currently in Phase III clinical studies in infants and toddlers). (Source: NeLM - News)

Funding of NICE technology appraisal guidance on febuxostat

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health Area: News In December 2008, NICE published guidance on febuxostat, recommending its use in the management of hyperuricaemia in patients with gout who are unable to take or are intolerant to allopurinol. The funding direction for this appraisal was waived in light of information from the manufacturer that it was temporarily unable to make the drug available. Febuxostat has now been made available in the UK and this direction has now been reinstated (as of 11th March 2010) - PCT chief executives need to make the necessary arrangements to make funding available for this guidance within three months. (Source: NeLM - News)

FDA staff: Pimecrolimus and tacrolimus may need wider caution in children?

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Reuters Health Area: News According to a Reuters report, US FDA staff have suggested that the warning labels for pimecrolimus (Elidel®) and tacrolimus (Protopic®) may need to be expanded, to include details of post-marketing reports of cancer and infection in children. There have been 46 reported cases of cancer and 71 of infection in patients aged ?16 treated with pimecrolimus or tacrolimus for eczema, between 2004 and 2008. These concerns are included in documents released ahead of a meeting on Monday, where potential safety concerns with a variety of drugs used in younger patients will be discussed. Other recommendations made by the panel and outside advisors will be considered by the FDA before any action is taken. (Source: NeLM - News)

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Sativex® close to UK approval?

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Discussions are now focusing on points of clarification related to the patient information leaflet. Sativex® will be marketed by Bayer in the UK and by Almirall in the rest of Europe. (Source: NeLM - News)

NPSA Signal: Wrong strength phenol

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: NPSA Area: News The NPSA has issued a 'Signal' relating to confusion between different strengths and preparations of phenol, resulting in severe harm to a child when a high-strength product is injected in error. The antibacterial phenol is available in different formulations, the most common include: 80% aqueous (liquefied) phenol used topically in podiatry for removal of ingrown toenails; 5% oily phenol injection, used in treatment of haemorrhoids, and other low strength forms used for pain relief and to control spasticity. Confusion between these products has resulted in patient harm. The National Reporting and Learning Service (NRLS) was alerted to the problem following the case of a child who suffered severe harm following confusion between different forms ...

Pandemic H1N1 (2009) swine flu vaccines can now be used for travellers to the Southern Hemisphere

NeLM - News — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: Department of Health Area: News The Director of Immunisation has written to GPs to inform them that the H1N1 (2009) swine flu vaccine can be provided for protection of travellers to Southern Hemisphere countries during their influenza season. The swine flu vaccine can be given to reduce the risk of people travelling to these countries catching swine flu whilst abroad and bringing the virus back. This is in accordance with advice from the Joint Committee for Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), as outlined in a previous letter from the Department of Health (18/02/10 - see below). The Southern Hemisphere influenza season is expected to start shortly - further information on this is available from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (website: ww...

What is the optimal prokinetic dose of erythromycin in adults?

NeLM - Medicines Q & A — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Source: East Anglia Medicines Information Service Area: Evidence > Medicines Q & A The ideal prokinetic dose of erythromycin is yet to be established but is less than the maximal antibacterial dose of erythromycin. There is not a standard regimen for erythromycin when used as a prokinetic agent. With intravenous erythromycin, satisfactory outcomes have been achieved with doses of 300mg daily in divided doses, with 250mg four times a day, and with single doses of 70mg and 200mg. Oral erythromycin at prokinetic doses of 50 - 250mg four times daily have be used effectively. (Source: NeLM - Medicines Q & A)

Assisted injection in outdoor venues: an observational study of risks and implications for service delivery and harm reduction programming

Harm Reduction Journal — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a substantial proportion of local IDU engage in assisted injecting in outdoor settings and that the practice is associated with other markers of drug-related harm, including being female, daily cocaine injection, and sex trade involvement. These findings suggest that novel interventions are needed to address the needs of this subpopulation of IDU. (Source: Harm Reduction Journal)

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GSK3β: role in therapeutic landscape and development of modulators

British Journal of Pharmacology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3[beta]) is a multifunctional serine/threonine kinase which was originally identified as a regulator of glycogen metabolism. It plays a key role in the regulation of numerous signalling pathways including cellular process such as cell cycle, inflammation and cell proliferation. Over the last few years there is a considerable rise in the number of journals and patents publication by different workers worldwide. Many pharmaceutical companies are focusing on GSK3[beta] as a therapeutic target for the treatment of disease conditions. The present review is focused on signalling pathways of different disease conditions where GSK3[beta] is implicated. In this review, we present a comprehensive map of GSK3[beta] signalling pathways in disease physiologies. Struc...

Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide exert antioxidant effects and reduce vascular matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity and expression in a model of renovascular hypertension

British Journal of Pharmacology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions and implications: SPRL or HCTZ, alone or combined, exerted antioxidant effects, and decreased renovascular hypertension-induced MMP-2 up-regulation, thus improving the vascular dysfunction and remodelling found in this model of hypertension. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)

Amitriptyline does not block the action of ATP at human P2X4 receptor

British Journal of Pharmacology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusion and implications: The results do not support the view that amitriptyline owes its pain-relieving actions in man to the direct blockade of P2X4 receptors. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)

Glycosidated phospholipids: uncoupling of signalling pathways at the plasma membrane

British Journal of Pharmacology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Cell expansion and metastasis are considered hallmarks of tumour progression. Therefore, efforts have been made to develop novel anti-cancer drugs that inhibit both the proliferation and the motility of tumour cells. Synthetic alkylphospholipids, compounds with aliphatic side chains that are ether linked to a glycerol backbone, are structurally derived from platelet-activating factor and represent a new class of drugs with anti-proliferative properties in tumour cells. These compounds do not interfere with the DNA or mitotic spindle apparatus of the cell. Instead, they are incorporated into cell membranes, where they accumulate and interfere with lipid metabolism and lipid-dependent signalling pathways. Recently, it has been shown that the most commonly studied alkylphospholipids inhibit p...

Headache-type adverse effects of NO donors: vasodilation and beyond

British Journal of Pharmacology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

In conclusion, these data recommend the correction of summaries of nitrate product characteristics, and also suggest a need to develop new types of anti-migraine drugs, effective in migraine attacks, that could be used in patients with risk for angina pectoris. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)

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Expression and functional role of adenosine receptors in regulating inflammatory responses in human synoviocytes

British Journal of Pharmacology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions and implications: These results indicate that A2A and A3 adenosine receptors may represent a potential target in therapeutic modulation of joint inflammation. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)

Caspase-3 knock-down reverses contractile dysfunction induced by sepsis in adult rat ventricular myocytes

British Journal of Pharmacology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions and implications: These data suggest that C-3 knock-down improved the loss of contractile response to NA in septic ARVMs, suggesting that C-3 regulated contractile dysfunction induced by sepsis in ARVMs. (Source: British Journal of Pharmacology)

Bisphenol A activates Maxi-K (KCa1.1) channels in coronary smooth muscle

British Journal of Pharmacology — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Background and purpose: Bisphenol A (BPA) is used to manufacture plastics, including containers for food into which it may leach. High levels of exposure to this oestrogenic endocrine disruptor are associated with diabetes and heart disease. Oestrogen and oestrogen receptor modulators increase the activity of large conductance Ca2+/voltage-sensitive K+ (Maxi-K; KCa1.1) channels, but the effects of BPA on Maxi-K channels are unknown. We tested the hypothesis that BPA activates Maxi-K channels through a mechanism that depends upon the regulatory [beta]1 subunit.Experimental approach: Patch-clamp recordings of Maxi-K channels were made in human and canine coronary smooth muscle cells as well as in AD-293 cells expressing pore-forming [alpha] or [alpha] plus [beta]1 subunits.Key results: BPA (...

What do the suffixes – XR, ER, Chrono, Chronosphere – really mean as it pertains to modified-release antiepileptic drugs?

Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Conclusions: When all MR AEDs are compared, suffix designations do not provide distinguishable information about formulation characteristics. Clarification of MR AED suffix terminology may be warranted. (Source: Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics)

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome and its controversies

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a rare and life threatening condition usually defined as a complication of treatment with antipsychotics characterized by severe rigidity, tremor, fever, altered mental status, autonomic dysfunction, and elevated serum creatine phosphokinase and white blood cell count. The literature on this topic is rather extensive, but many aspects related to the syndrome are thought to be controversial. The aim of this paper, written with the clinician in mind, is to summarize some of the most prominent controversies that may have importance in usual clinical practice.The literature was searched for reviews, reports on the series of cases, individual case reports of NMS, and other clinically and theoretically important information.There are controversies associat...

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Laboratory monitoring and adverse patient outcomes with antihypertensive therapy in primary care

Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 00:00:00 +0100

The monitoring of serum electrolyte and creatinine concentrations in patients treated with antihypertensive therapy is recommended. We wished to examine the relationship between laboratory monitoring and adverse patient outcomes.We carried out a retrospective cohort study using the General Practice Research Database (GPRD). Patients aged 18 years or older with newly diagnosed hypertension and prescribed a single antihypertensive agent were included. Monitoring was defined as any laboratory test for serum electrolyte and creatinine (or urea) concentrations within 6 months of starting treatment.We identified 74 096 patients who were newly diagnosed with hypertension and prescribed a single antihypertensive agent. Twenty six thousand nine hundred forty six (36.4%) patients had any biochemical...

Comparison of plasma, venous and capillary blood levels of piperaquine in patients with uncomplicated falciparum malaria

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:21:20 +0100

Conclusion Differences in whole blood and plasma levels of piperaquine suggest compartmentalisation of the drug within blood cells, as also occurs with the structurally related quinoline chloroquine. The relationship between piperaquine concentrations in the venous plasma, venous blood and capillary blood is variable and unpredictable at low concentrations. However, within the range of concentrations usually present in patients between 3 and 21 days after treatment with currently recommended doses, the relationship between capillary and venous whole blood is predictable; consequently, capillary blood sampling can be used in field assessments. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Pharmacokinetics and DispositionDOI 10.1007/s00228-010-0804-7Authors Elizabeth A...

Norwegian medical students’ attitudes towards the pharmaceutical industry

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:21:19 +0100

Conclusions Norwegian medical students are opinionated, critical and curious with respect to pharmaceutical industry relations. This interest can be explored and probably also modified by educational initiatives. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Pharmacoepidemiology and PrescriptionDOI 10.1007/s00228-010-0805-6Authors Dordi Lea, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health Trondheim NorwayOlav Spigset, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health Trondheim NorwayLars Slørdal, Norwegian University of Science and Technology Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health Trondheim Norway Journal E...

Paracetamol for intravenous use in medium- and intensive care patients: pharmacokinetics and tolerance

European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 19:21:10 +0100

Conclusions Further research on differences in paracetamol pharmacokinetics between ICU and MCU patients is warranted, as these differences might result in differences in efficacy. Furthermore, administration of paracetamol i.v. as potential cause of hypotension in the critically ill patient must not be overlooked. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Pharmacokinetics and DispositionDOI 10.1007/s00228-010-0806-5Authors Monique M. de Maat, Alysis Zorggroep, location Rijnstate Hospital Department of Clinical Pharmacy Wagnerlaan 55 6815 AD Arnhem The NetherlandsTheodorus A. Tijssen, Albert Schweitzer Hospital Department of Clinical Pharmacy Dordrecht The NetherlandsRoger J. Brüggemann, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre Department of Clinical Pharmacy Nijmegen...

Pharmacokinetics of [6]-shogaol, a pungent ingredient of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Part I)

Journal of Natural Medicines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:39:03 +0100

Abstract To investigate the pharmacokinetics of [6]-shogaol, a pungent ingredient of Zingiber officinale Roscoe, the pharmacokinetic parameters were determined by using 14C-[6]-shogaol (labeled compound) and [6]-shogaol (non-labeled compound). When the labeled compound was orally administered to rats, the maximum plasma concentration (C max) and the area under the curve (AUC) of plasma radioactivity concentration increased in a dose-dependent manner. When the labeled compound was orally administered at a dose of 10 mg/kg, 20.0 ± 1.8% of the radioactivity administered was excreted into urine, 64.0 ± 12.9% into feces, and 0.2 ± 0.1% into breath. Thus, more of the radioactivity was excreted into feces than into urine, and almost no radioac...

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Phase II study of irinotecan/S-1 combination chemotherapy for patients with oxaliplatin-refractory colorectal cancer

Investigational New Drugs — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:36:23 +0100

The objective response rate was 20%; 1 patient registered complete response and 3 patients registered partial responses; 7 patients were stabilized (35%); and 9 evidenced progression of disease (45%). Median progression-free survival was 3.0 months (95% CI, 2.1–3.9 months) and median overall survival was 9.8 months (95% CI, 6.3–13.3 months). For the 41 cycles analyzed, the most commonly detected hematologic toxicity was grade I–II anemia (63.4%). Leukopenia occurred in 18 cycles (41.5%), including eight cycles (19.5%) of grade 3–4 leukopenia. Frequently observed non-hematologic toxicities included the following: grade I vomiting was reported in 4 patients (20%), grade 2 neuropathy occurred in 3 patients (15%), and grade 2 mucositis was noted in 2 patients (10%). Two patients ...

A pterocarpan from the seeds of Bituminaria morisiana

Journal of Natural Medicines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:26:04 +0100

Abstract A new prenylated pterocarpan, named morisianine, was isolated together with the known secondary metabolites erybraedin C, psoralen and angelicin from the seeds of Bituminaria morisiana. The structures of the compounds were elucidated mainly by 1D and 2D NMR experiments as well as mass spectrometry. The new compound was subjected to cytotoxicity screening against a panel of human cancer cells. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory NoteDOI 10.1007/s11418-010-0408-7Authors Marco Leonti, University of Cagliari Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico via Ospedale 72 09124 Cagliari ItalyLaura Casu, University of Cagliari Dipartimento Farmaco Chimico Tecnologico via Ospedale 72 09124 Cagliari ItalyJürg Gertsch, University of Bern Institute of Biochemistry and Molecul...

Antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Helicteres isora roots in alloxan-induced diabetic rats: a possible mechanism of action

Journal of Natural Medicines — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:26:02 +0100

Abstract The antihyperglycemic and hypolipidemic activities of Helicteres isora Linn. (Sterculiaceae) root extracts were investigated in alloxan-induced diabetic rats and a possible mechanism of the blood glucose lowering action was studied. Alloxan-induced diabetic rats experienced 69.13 and 51.14%, 22.60 and 21.89%, 30.12 and 19.96%, and 50.05 and 34.29% reduction in blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and urea levels following oral administration of butanol and aqueous ethanol extracts of H. isora root, respectively, at 250 mg/kg for 10 days. The beneficial effects of these extracts were supported by evidence from histological examinations of the liver, pancreas, and kidney. Following the treatment with both extracts, the degenerative changes caused...

Use of simulated patients to assess the clinical and communication skills of community pharmacists

Pharmacy World & Science — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 15:25:50 +0100

Conclusion Formatively assessing communication skills in an integrative manner alongside clinical skills has been identified as an important part of the medical consultation skills training and can be incorporated into the routine assessment and feedback of pharmacy over-the-counter medicines advice. Content Type Journal ArticleCategory Research ArticleDOI 10.1007/s11096-010-9375-zAuthors Marjorie C. Weiss, University of Bath Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology Bath BA2 7AY UKAnneka Booth, Princess Alexandra Hospital Harlow UKBethan Jones, Pearns Pharmacies Ltd Cardiff UKSarah Ramjeet, Barts and The London NHS Trust London UKEva Wong, Yeovil District Hospital Yeovil, Somerset UK Journal Pharmacy World & ScienceOnline ISSN 1573-739XPrint ISSN 0928-1231 (Source: Pharmacy Wo...

Society responds to consultation on pharmacy needs assesments

Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:36 +0100

The Royal Pharmaceutical Society responded to the Department of Health's consultation on the draft regulations under the Health Act 2009: Pharmaceutical Needs Assessments (PNAs). (Source: Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain)

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PCR/LDR/Universal Array Platforms for the Diagnosis of Infectious Disease

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:12 +0100

Infectious diseases account for between 14 and 17 million deaths worldwide each year. Accurate and rapid diagnosis of bacterial, fungal, viral, and parasitic infections is therefore essential to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with these diseases. Classical microbiological and serological methods have long served as the gold standard for diagnosis but are increasingly being replaced by molecular diagnostic methods that demonstrate increased sensitivity and specificity and provide an identification of the etiologic agent in a shorter period of time. PCR/LDR coupled with universal array detection provides a highly sensitive and specific platform for the detection and identification of bacterial and viral infections. (Source: Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology)

The Use of Microarray Technology for Cytogenetics

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:12 +0100

The use of microarray technology is revolutionizing the field of clinical cytogenetics. This new technology has transformed the cytogenetics laboratory by adapting techniques that have heretofore been the province of molecular geneticists. Intimate knowledge and comfortable familiarity with these techniques are now a must for the modern cytogeneticist, rather than a stimulating but discretionary intellectual exercise or an elective luxury. The cytogenetic laboratory of the future will likely have more scanners than microscopes, more software packages than darkrooms, and more technologists, supervisors, and directors with molecular training than ever before. This technical convergence between molecular diagnostics and clinical cytogenetics is exciting and has already resulted in many stimul...

DMET™ Microarray Technology for Pharmacogenomics-Based Personalized Medicine

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:12 +0100

Human genome sequence variation in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as well as more complex structural variation such as insertions, duplications, and deletions underlies each individual’s response to drugs and thus the likelihood of experiencing an adverse drug reaction. The ongoing challenge of the field of pharmacogenetics is to further understand the relationship between genetic variation and differential drug responses, with the overarching goal being that this will lead to improvements in both the safety and efficacy of drugs. The Affymetrix® DMET™ Plus Premier Pack (DMET stands for Drug Metabolizing Enzymes and Transporters) enables highly multiplexed genotyping of known polymorphisms in Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Elimination (ADME)-r...

TaqMan® Array Cards in Pharmaceutical Research

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:12 +0100

TaqMan® Array Cards are high-throughput, accurate, sensitive, and simple-to-use tools for quantitative analysis of mRNA or miRNA transcripts using a real-time PCR protocol. They utilize a microfluidic card with 384 reaction chambers and eight sample loading ports. For studies of coding transcripts, the reaction chambers are preloaded with user selected or predefined panels of Applied Biosystems TaqMan Gene Expression Assays. These assays enable real-time monitoring of a PCR reaction via hydrolysis of an oligonucleotide probe which has been dual labeled with fluorescent dye and quencher. Applications of TaqMan Array Cards include verification and follow on testing of microarray results, as well as hypothesis driven testing of panels of genes selected for their biological functions and r...

Profiling microRNA Expression with the Illumina BeadChip Platform

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:12 +0100

The complex mechanisms involved in the regulation of both gene and protein expressions are still being understood. When microarray technology was first introduced during the early to mid 1990s, they heralded a tremendous opportunity to study transcription on a global scale. Despite this promise, however, one thing that has become clear is that the expression of protein coding genes is not the only aspect of the transcriptome that researchers need pay attention to. Small noncoding RNAs, such as microRNAs, are now known to play a pivotal role in the control of both gene and protein expressions. Each microRNA may act upon a plurality of different targets, which makes the measurement of their expression levels a highly important part of understanding the entire cellular response. It has only b...

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Determination of Alternate Splicing Events Using the Affymetrix Exon 1.0 ST Arrays

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:12 +0100

In this study, we describe a method using this technology to study the generation of alternative mRNA transcripts in breast cancer cells that differ in the levels of a particular integrin, α3β1. (Source: Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology)

Microarray Analysis of Embryonic Stem Cells and Differentiated Embryoid Bodies

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:12 +0100

By altering the cellular microenvironment and culture media composition, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) can be induced to differentiate in vitro into somatic cell types from the three primitive germ layers. ESC differentiation is regulated by an intricate series of signaling events that result in their transcriptional reprogramming, asymmetric cell division, and differentiation. Using various pharmacological agents and/or genetic manipulations, one can drive and enrich ESC differentiation to specific cell lineages. Identifying the transcriptional fingerprint during ESC differentiation could yield novel targets for genetic or pharmacological regulation to increase the yield of desirable cell types. We discuss here how to culture undifferentiated mouse ESCs (E14 line from 129/Ola) and generate ...

Isolation of Total RNA from Transgenic Mouse Melanoma Subsets Using Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:11 +0100

The majority of tumors, including melanoma, are phenotypically heterogeneous in that they contain various cell populations with differential expression of cell surface antigens such as CD133/Prominin-1. We have used fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) technology to purify CD133+ and CD133− cellular subsets from mouse melanoma models for high-quality total RNA practical for downstream applications such as expression profiling. Implementation of this strategy can lead to higher resolution of transcripts that are potentially important for the survival and functionality of one cancer cell population relative to another. Suboptimal extraction of RNA after FACS is common and can ultimately result in misinterpretations that impede the effective design of novel therapies. Here, we des...

Multicenter Clinical Sample Collection for Microarray Analysis

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:11 +0100

In this chapter, we describe numerous methods to extract RNA, DNA, and protein from tissue, represented by kidney transplant biopsies, and from peripheral blood cells collected at various clinical sites. Gene expression profiling and SNP-based genome-wide association studies are done using various microarray platforms. In addition, protocols that enable simultaneous protein purification from these clinical samples, enable additional strategies for understanding of the molecular processes involved in organ transplantation, immunosuppressive drug regimens, and the elements determining allograft success and failure. Successfully establishing a multicenter clinical study was essential to meet our objectives for subject enrollment and transplant outcomes. This chapter focuses on our experience ...

Production and Application of Glycan Microarrays

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:11 +0100

Glycans are vital elements of living organisms and are involved in recognition, communication, cell growth and development, motility, and other significant processes. The interactions of glycans with the proteins that bind them provide valuable information about protein interaction and specificity. By printing glycans on microarrays, investigators are able to effectively determine the binding specificity of certain proteins with an extremely efficient and precise result. Such chips are performed by standard robotic microarray printing. Incubating the slides with various GBP-containing substances not only reveals clear receptor preferences of the proteins, but also detects minute differences in structure specificity. (Source: Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology)

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Small Molecule Selectivity and Specificity Profiling Using Functional Protein Microarrays

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:11 +0100

Small molecules interact with proteins to perturb their functions, a property that has been exploited both for research applications and to produce therapeutic agents for disease treatment. Commonly utilized approaches for identifying the target proteins for a small molecule have limitations in terms of throughput and resource consumption and lack a mechanism to broadly assess the selectivity profile of the small molecule. Here we describe how protein microarray technology can be applied to the study of small molecule-protein interactions using tritiated small molecules. Protein arrays comprising thousands of full-length functional proteins facilitate target identification for those small molecules discovered in cell-based phenotypic assays and both target validation and off-target binding...

Use of Tissue Microarray to Facilitate Oncology Research

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:11 +0100

HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) represent a distinct disease entity from traditional OSCC. We hypothesized that for HPV DNA-positive cases, p16 expression status differentiates the biologically relevant ones. (Source: Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology)

Metabolic Enzyme Microarray Coupled with Miniaturized Cell-Culture Array Technology for High-Throughput Toxicity Screening

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:11 +0100

Due to poor drug candidate safety profiles that are often identified late in the drug development process, the clinical progression of new chemical entities to pharmaceuticals remains hindered, thus resulting in the high cost of drug discovery. To accelerate the identification of safer drug candidates and improve the clinical progression of drug candidates to pharmaceuticals, it is important to develop high-throughput tools that can provide early-stage predictive toxicology data. In particular, in vitro cell-based systems that can accurately mimic the human in vivo response and predict the impact of drug candidates on human toxicology are needed to accelerate the assessment of drug candidate toxicity and human metabolism earlier in the drug development process. The in vitro techniques that...

High-Throughput Screening of Metalloproteases Using Small Molecule Microarrays

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:11 +0100

The promise of rapid and cost-effective drug screening assays on solid support is one that may now be realized with the advent of small molecule microarrays. Many of the initial hurdles in library design and microarray fabrication have been overcome over the last decade, allowing this platform to become more accessible to researchers across both the academic and industrial spheres. Beyond pharmaceutical screening, microarrays reveal quantitative ligand-binding signatures that in the form of protein fingerprints provide a means to discriminate between closely related proteins. The value of protein fingerprinting in drug discovery is also highlighted through the identification of ligands that not only offer good potency, but also good selectivity. Herein, we describe the method for high-thro...

HELP (HpaII Tiny Fragment Enrichment by Ligation-Mediated PCR) Assay for DNA Methylation Profiling of Primary Normal and Malignant B Lymphocytes

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:11 +0100

The role of cytosine methylation in the regulation of gene expression during normal development and malignant transformation is currently under intense investigation. An ever increasing body of evidence demonstrates that carcinogenesis is associated with aberrant DNA methylation of the promoters of tumor suppressor genes (Chin Med J (Engl) 111:1028-1030, 1998; Leukemia 17:2533-2535, 2003), hypomethylation of oncogenes (Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 206:288-298, 2005; Toxicology 50:231-245, 1988), and concurrent loss of methylation in the intergenic areas and gene bodies, which may lead to genomic instability and chromosomal fragility (Cytogenet Cell Genet 89:121-128, 2000). Single locus methylation assays have focused largely on specific known tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes (Chin Med J (Engl...

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ChIPing Away at Global Transcriptional Regulation

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:11 +0100

The regulation of gene expression impacts all aspects of cell biology and biochemistry. As we gain a greater understanding of the mechanisms involved in this process, we also begin to unveil its complexities. The delicate balancing act played out by the multitude of DNA interacting proteins can easily become unhinged. The implications of this may potentially lead to cell death or a diseased state. Recent microarray technologies are now allowing scientists to begin the journey into characterizing the relationship between gene expression and DNA modifying proteins. For example, genome-wide studies of protein-DNA interactions, such as Chromatin Immunoprecipitation on arrays (also referred to as ChIP-chip), allow for a global view of where and when DNA binding proteins interact. A number of mi...

RIP-CHIP in Drug Development

Springer protocols feed by Pharmacology/Toxicology — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:12:10 +0100

Microarrays are extensively used to evaluate the effects of compounds on gene expression in the cells. Most of the studies so far have analyzed the transcriptome of the cell. The basic assumption of this approach is that the changes in gene expression occur at the level of transcription of a gene. However, changes often occur at the posttranscriptional level and are not reflected in the analysis of whole transcriptome. We have pioneered the development of “ribonomic profiling” as a high-throughput method to study posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression in the cell. This method is also often referred to as RIP-CHIP. In this chapter, we describe how to use the RIP-CHIP technology to assess the posttranscriptional changes occurring in the cell in response to treatment wi...

EU approves meningococcal vaccine

Pharmacy Europe — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:11:22 +0100

Swiss drug giant Novartis has won approval from Europe's health regulator for its new meningococcal vaccine following support from US authorities last month. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

Roche to expand drug portfolio

Pharmacy Europe — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:11:22 +0100

Cancer drug specialist Roche Holding AG has announced plans to expand its product portfolio and branch out into the therapeutic areas of metabolism, inflammation and diseases, Reuters reports. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

Baby "was given wrong prescription"

Pharmacy Europe — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:11:22 +0100

An inquest into the death of a four-month-old baby has heard how the wrong prescription was issued by a GP, resulting in a medication overdose. (Source: Pharmacy Europe)

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Review article: the modern management of autoimmune hepatitis

Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 14:08:18 +0100

Conclusions Despite ongoing limitations in the understanding of pathogenesis and difficulties in evaluating novel therapies, the management of AIH continues to evolve slowly. Multi-centre collaboration is necessary to obtain sufficient patient numbers to undertake good quality therapeutic studies. (Source: Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics)

FDA Okays First Totally Implanted Hearing Aid

MedPage Today Product Alert — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:43:20 +0100

WASHINGTON (MedPage Today) -- The FDA has approved the first implanted hearing aid device for moderate to severe sensorineural hearing loss in adults. (Source: MedPage Today Product Alert)

Effects of Experimental Setup on the Apparent Concentration Dependency of Active Efflux Transport in in Vitro Cell Permeation Experiments

Molecular Pharmaceutics — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:06:24 +0100

Molecular Pharmaceutics, Volume 0, Issue 0, Articles ASAP (As Soon As Publishable). (Source: Molecular Pharmaceutics)

Antiseptic Cloths Associated With Reduced Rate Of Treatment-Resistant Bacteria In The Trauma Center

MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 07:00:00 +0100

Bathing trauma patients daily using cloths containing the antiseptic chlorhexidine may be associated with a decreased rate of colonization and infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other difficult-to-treat bacteria, according to a report in the March issue of Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals... (Source: MRSA / Drug Resistance News From Medical News Today)