A Molecular Imprinted Polymer as a Flow-Through Optical Sensor for Oxazepam.

A flow-through optosensing system for oxazepam recognition with fluorescence detection was performed by means of a molecular imprinted polymer based on its acid hydrolysis product, 2-amino-5-chlorobenzophenone. The synthesis was conducted via a noncovalent imprinting methodology, using methacrylic acid as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross-linking agent. Hydrolysis (types and concentration of acids), polymer retention capacity, binding properties, and elution (selectivity and reversibility) conditions were optimized. The selected molecular imprinted polymer had a molar ratio composition of 1 : 6 : 45 (template : functional monomer : cross-linker). The proposed method was applied to the determination of oxazepam in a pharmaceutical formulation. External standard calibration, standard additions calibration, and Youden's calibration were carried out in order to evaluate constant and proportional errors due to the matrix. The developed metabolite-based recognition system for benzodiazepines is an innovative procedure that could be followed in routine and quality control assays.

High glucose enhances inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. Role of protein kinase C-betaII.

The aim was to determine whether high glucose levels interfere with nitric oxide (NO) production and inducible NO synthase (iNOS) protein expression in interleukin-1beta-stimulated vascular smooth muscle cells from normotensive Wistar Kyoto and spontaneously hypertensive rats. Cells were incubated with either normal (5.5 mM) or high (22 mM) d-glucose for 72 h and with interleukin-1beta (10 ng/ml) for the last 24 h. High glucose increased nitrite levels, iNOS expression and protein kinase C activity in cells from normotensive rats and had no effect in cells from hypertensive rats. High glucose effects on nitrite production and iNOS expression was abolished by the selective inhibitor for the protein kinase C-betaII, 5,21:12,17-dimetheno-18H-dibenzo[i,o]pyrrolo[3,4-1] [1,8]diacyclohexadecine-18,20 (19H)-dione, 8-[(dimethylamino) methyl]-6,7,8,9,10,11-hexahydro-monomethanesulfonate (LY379196, 30 nM). Calphostin C (1 microM) and LY379196 (10 microM) reduced nitrite levels and iNOS expression only in cells from normotensive rats treated with both media. These results suggest that high glucose increases inducible nitric oxide synthase induction and subsequent NO production by activating the protein kinase C-betaII; this mechanism seems to be altered in hypertension.

Assessment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 and risk practices among female commercial sex workers in Isla Margarita, Venezuela.

Sexual transmission represents the principal mode of transmission for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) worldwide. We examined the HIV-1 seroprevalence and risk factors for infection among 613 female commercial sex workers (FCSW) in Isla Margarita, Venezuela. Recruitment was conducted in street venues and working locations. None of the FCSW tested positive for HIV; this correlated with the low self-reported rates of sexually transmitted infections (6%), drug use (<20%), and alcohol abuse (12%). Condom use and safe-sex practices were found to be practiced regularly (>80% of time) with clients; however, such practices were found to be very uncommon in nonclient relations (<20% of the time). Understanding the sexual risk behaviors, beliefs, and drug use patterns of FCSW is important for future development of effective public prevention policies and educational campaigns aimed at decreasing the risk of infection with HIV-1 and other sexually transmitted infections among FCSW.

Binding of several benzodiazepines to bovine serum albumin: Fluorescence study.

The interactions of lorazepam, oxazepam and bromazepam with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were studied by fluorescence spectrometry. The Stern-Volmer quenching constants and corresponding thermodynamic parameters DeltaH, DeltaG and DeltaS were calculated. The binding constants and the number of binding sites were also investigated. The distances between the donor (BSA) and the acceptors (benzodiazepines) were obtained according to fluorescence resonance energy transfer and conformational changes of BSA were observed from synchronous fluorescence spectra.

Prevalences, genotypes, and risk factors for HIV transmission in South America.

HIV cross-sectional studies were conducted among high-risk populations in 9 countries of South America. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening and Western blot confirmatory testing were performed, and env heteroduplex mobility assay genotyping and DNA sequencing were performed on a subset of HIV-positive subjects. HIV prevalences were highest among men who have sex with men (MSM; 2.0%-27.8%) and were found to be associated with multiple partners, noninjection drug use (non-IDU), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). By comparison, much lower prevalences were noted among female commercial sex workers (FCSWs; 0%-6.3%) and were associated mainly with a prior IDU and STI history. Env subtype B predominated among MSM throughout the region (more than 90% of strains), whereas env subtype F predominated among FCSWs in Argentina and male commercial sex workers in Uruguay (more than 50% of strains). A renewed effort in controlling STIs, especially among MSM groups, could significantly lessen the impact of the HIV epidemic in South America.

Virus e hiperactividad bronquial / Viruses and bronchial hyperactivity

A 52 niños de ambos sexos entre los 6 meses y 12 años de edad que acudieron con crisis de tos, disnea y sibilancias al Servicio de Emergencia del Departamento Pediátrico "Luisa Cáceres de Arismendi" del Hospital General "José Ignacio Baldo", se les recolectó muestras de secreciones nasofaríngeas para aislamiento y cultivo de agentes virales. en 19 de ellos (36,53%), se aislaron dichos agentes. el Virus Sincicial Respiratorio, fue el gérmen más observado en las edades de 0 a 2 años (31,6% de los infectados), mientras que el Rinovius lo fue en los grupos de edades de 3 a 12 años (11% de los infectados). Se hacen comentarios y conclusiones