Assessment of Diet-Related Changes on Albendazole Absorption, Systemic Exposure, and Pattern of Urinary Excretion in Treated Human Volunteers.

Soil-transmitted-helminth (STH) infections are a persistent global public health problem. Control strategies for STH have been based on the use of mass drug administration (MDA) mainly targeting preschool- and school-aged-children, although there is increasing interest in expanding treatment to include adults and others through community-wide MDA. Coverage assessment is critical to understanding the real effectiveness of albendazole (ALB) treatment in those MDA programs. The work described here aims to (i) evaluate the effect of type of diet (a heavy or light meal) and fasting before ALB treatment on the systemic disposition of ALB and its metabolites in treated human volunteers and (ii) evaluate the potential feasibility of detecting albendazole metabolites in urine. The data reported here demonstrate that the systemic availability of the active ALB-sulfoxide (ALBSO) metabolite was enhanced more than 2-fold after food ingestion (a heavy or light meal). ALB dissolution improvement related to the ingestion of food may modify the amount of drug/metabolites reaching the parasite, affecting drug efficacy and the overall success of MDA strategies. The measurement in urine samples of the amino-ALB-sulfone (NHALBSO2) derivative and ALBSO for up to 96 h suggests that it may be feasible to develop a noninvasive tool to evaluate compliance/adherence to ALB treatment.

Immunochemical and Physical Quantitation of Grass and Olive Pollen Allergens: Correlation With Asthma Admissions in Cáceres, Spain.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The association between pollen counts and allergen levels in the air is controversial. Objectives: The aims of the study were to quantify total and major allergen levels of Phleum pratense and Olea europaea and to analyze their correlation with grass and olive pollen counts and the number of asthma attacks attended at Complejo Hospitalario Universitario, Cáceres, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A volumetric air sampler and a Burkard spore trap were used for pollen and aeroallergen collection during April- June 2011. Filters were extracted, and major allergens were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: May was the main grass pollination period, with a maximum peak of 1362 grains/m3 (May 13). The main pollination period for olive was April 30-May 20, with a maximum peak of 851 grains/m3 (May 11). A moderate correlation was observed between asthma exacerbations and grass pollen counts or Phleum total allergen levels; this became stronger when a 3-day offset was introduced. A significant association was observed between asthma exacerbations and total olive allergen or olive pollen grain levels when a 1-day offset was introduced. The maximum correlation (moderate-high) was observed 4 days and 6 days away from the maximum olive pollen peak and the maximum Ole e 1 peak level, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals a significant correlation between grass and olive pollination and an increase in the number of visits to the emergency room for asthma attacks. The aerobiological pattern of allergen levels in the air is similar to that of pollen counts during the grass and olive pollination periods.

Analysis of the Structure and Function of FOX-4 Cephamycinase.

Class C ß-lactamases poorly hydrolyze cephamycins (e.g., cefoxitin, cefotetan, and moxalactam). In the past 2 decades, a new family of plasmid-based AmpC ß-lactamases conferring resistance to cefoxitin, the FOX family, has grown to include nine unique members descended from the Aeromonas caviae chromosomal AmpC. To understand the basis for the unique cephamycinase activity in the FOX family, we determined the first X-ray crystal structures of FOX-4, apo enzyme and the acyl-enzyme with its namesake compound, cefoxitin, using the Y150F deacylation-deficient variant. Notably, recombinant expression of N-terminally tagged FOX-4 also yielded an inactive adenylylated enzyme form not previously observed in ß-lactamases. The posttranslational modification (PTM), which occurs on the active site Ser64, would not seem to provide a selective advantage, yet might present an opportunity for the design of novel antibacterial drugs. Substantial ligand-induced changes in the enzyme are seen in the acyl-enzyme complex, particularly the R2 loop and helix H10 (P289 to N297), with movement of F293 by 10.3 Å. Taken together, this study provides the first picture of this highly proficient class C cephamycinase, uncovers a novel PTM, and suggests a possible cephamycin resistance mechanism involving repositioning of the substrate due to the presence of S153P, N289P, and N346I substitutions in the ligand binding pocket.

Albendazole metabolites excretion in human saliva as a biomarker to assess treatment compliance in mass drug administration (MDA) anthelmintic programs.

Soil-transmitted-helminth (STH) infections continue to be a persistent global public health problem. Control strategies for STH have been based on the use of mass drug administration (MDA). Coverage and compliance assessment is critical to understanding the true effectiveness of albendazole (ABZ) in those MDA programs. The aims of this work were to characterize the pattern of albendazole and metabolites excretion in human saliva, and to develop a saliva-based biomarker (HPLC drug/metabolite detection) useful to accurately estimate the coverage/compliance in MDA campaigns. The study subjects were 12 healthy volunteers treated with a single oral dose of ABZ (400 mg). Saliva and blood (dried blood spot, DBS) samples were taken previously and between 2 and 72 h post-treatment. The samples were analyzed by HPLC with UV detection, C18 reversed-phase column. ABZ sulphoxide was the main analyte recovered up to 72 h p.t. in blood and saliva. The concentration profiles measured in the blood (DBS samples) were higher (P < 0.05) than those in saliva, however, this ABZ-metabolite was recovered longer in saliva. The in vivo measurement of drugs/metabolites in saliva samples from ABZ-treated volunteers offers strong scientific evidence to support the use of saliva as a valid biological sample for assessing compliance in MDA programs.

Robustness to mechanical perturbations of center-launching technique for transparent board-to-board and data server interconnects.

Center-launching technique appears as a promising method to allow single-mode propagation in multi-mode fibers, guaranteeing full transparency to the transmitted optical signal also for applications in board-to-board and data server interconnects. In this paper we show that this technique is robust to mechanical perturbations up to about 1 kHz, demonstrating that the vibrations do not affect the transmission performances. Different experimental configurations are tested in order to exclude multimode propagation and to confirm the only fundamental mode propagation. Finally, a theoretical discussion comments the experimental results.

Sandfly saliva of Lutzomyia ovallesi (Diptera: Psychodidae) as a possible marker for the transmission of Leishmania in Venezuela Andes region.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: The saliva of the Phlebotominae is highly immunogenic to the vertebrate host and is a determining factor in the Leishmania infection. The aim of this work was to study the saliva of Lutzomyia ovallesi as a possible risk marker for the transmission of Leishmania. METHODS: Two populations of L. ovallesi from different geographical areas and subjected to different environmental conditions were compared by geometric morphometry of the wings, by protein profile analysis of salivary glands and by assessing the presence of anti-saliva protein in human sera confronted with laboratory L. ovallesi saliva. RESULTS: The results showed differences in the isometric size and structure of the wings but no allometric effects. Protein profiles of salivary glands of both the L. ovallesi populations studied were found to be similar, based on 11 protein bands with molecular weights ranging from 16 to 99 kDa. Anti-saliva antibodies were present in human sera, but human sera infected and uninfected with leishmaniasis could not be differentiated. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSION: We conclude that the saliva of laboratory-reared L. ovallesi is representative of that of the wild population. It is suggested to study the presence of anti-saliva antibodies in other species of sandflies and mosquitoes.

Upregulation of TET activity with ascorbic acid induces epigenetic modulation of lymphoma cells.

The Ten Eleven Translocation (TET) enzymes have been found to be mutated in both diffuse large B-cell (DLBCL) and peripheral T-cell (PTCL) lymphomas resulting in DNA hypermethylation. Recent studies in embryonal stem cells showed that ascorbic acid (AA) is a cofactor for TET with a binding site at the catalytic domain, and enhances TET activity. We hypothesized that AA could potentially enhance TET activity in lymphoma cells to cause DNA demethylation, reactivate expression of tumor suppressor genes and enhance chemosensitivity. We demonstrate in vitro that AA treatment of DLBCL and PTCL cells using AA concentrations achievable intravenously increased TET activity leading to DNA demethylation. This epigenetic effect is independent of hydrogen peroxide. AA treatment increased the expression of SMAD1, a tumor suppressor gene known to be suppressed by methylation, and increased chemosensitivity of lymphoma cells. Twenty-nine percent (10/34) of unselected lymphoma patients had plasma AA levels that were deficient suggesting an additional clinical mechanism of TET hypofunction. These data indicate that AA has the potential to modify TET function in lymphoma and enhance chemosensitivity. In addition, the AA deficiency seen in some patients may further impair TET function and contribute to resistance. Clinical trials testing intravenous AA with chemotherapy are warranted.

Short-term metabolic fate of L-[13N]glutamate in the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma in vivo.

In vivo studies with L-[13N]glutamate in the Walker 256 carcinosarcoma implanted under the renal capsule of female Sprague-Dawley rats demonstrate that uptake of glutamate and the rate of incorporation of the nitrogen label from this amino acid into metabolites is slower in the tumor than in nontumorous kidney tissue. Glutamate dehydrogenase, glutaminase, and alanine aminotransferase activities are significantly lower within the tumor than within the adjoining kidney. However, the tumor expresses high levels of aspartate aminotransferase, attesting to the importance of this enzyme in the metabolism of glutamate. Indeed, high performance liquid chromatographic analysis showed that the principal metabolic fate of label derived from L-[13N]glutamate in the tumor is incorporation into aspartate. Measurement of specific activity ratios of glutamate to aspartate shows that the transfer of nitrogen from glutamate to aspartate is rapid and that equilibration of label among components of the aspartate aminotransferase reaction is attained within minutes after tumor uptake. Analyses of the nontumorous portion of the implanted kidney also showed that aspartate is the major recipient of glutamate nitrogen. However, high performance liquid chromatographic analyses of deproteinized tissue revealed that glutamine and ammonia are also significant 13N-labeled metabolites formed from L-[13N]glutamate within the kidney. Proportionately lower amounts of these labeled metabolites were found in the tumor.

Collagenase degrades collagen in vivo in the ischemic heart.

Previously, we showed that ischemic rat heart contains an activated procollagenase capable of degrading collagen in vitro. We now demonstrate that the collagen resident in such hearts (in vivo) also becomes degraded, producing characteristic fragments implicating the action of an activated collagenase. The evidence is the appearance of amino-terminal dansyl-Ile (+dansyl-Leu) residues in pepsin digests of re-oxygenated rat hearts and immunoblots showing 3/4 length (alphaA) fragments from type I collagen. Also, in ischemic rat myocardium, alphaA(I) and alphaA(III) fragments were detected in pepsin digests. The time periods required for the cleavage and degradation of collagen suggest the participation of a procollagenase that becomes activated. Results demonstrate for the first time that an interstitial collagenase in such hearts initiates in vivo degradation of types I and III collagens.

Effects of calcium on recombinant bovine chromogranin A.

Bovine chromogranin A, the acidic calcium-binding protein characteristic of endocrine secretory vesicles, has been expressed in Escherichia coli using the pET3a vector system under T7 polymerase control. The expressed protein is located in the bacterial cytosol and can be purified from bacterial proteins by a heat treatment step, followed by gel filtration, anion-exchange, and reversed-phase chromatography. The purified recombinant chromogranin A has an apparent M(r) of ca. 72,000 by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, in spite of its 432-amino acid polypeptide chain, consistent with observations on natural chromogranin A. The primary structure has been confirmed by mass spectral analysis of tryptic peptides, by Edman degradation of the intact protein, and by immunoreactivity with sequence-specific antibodies. Analysis by circular dichroism spectroscopy shows pH- and concentration-dependent spectra. The spectra are Ca2(+)-dependent from 5 to 40 microM.

Immucillin-H binding to purine nucleoside phosphorylase reduces dynamic solvent exchange.

The rate and extent of hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange into purine nucleoside phosphorylase (PNP) was monitored by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to probe protein conformational and dynamic changes induced by a substrate analogue, products, and a transition state analogue. The genetic deficiency of PNP in humans is associated with severe T-cell immunodeficiency, while B-cell immunity remains functional. Inhibitors of PNP have been proposed for treatment of T-cell leukemia, to suppress the graft-vs.-host response, or to counter type IV autoimmune diseases without destroying humoral immunity. Calf spleen PNP is a homotrimer of polypeptide chains with 284 amino residues, molecular weight 31,541. Immucillin-H inhibits PNP with a Kd of 23 pM when only one of the three catalytic sites is occupied. Deuterium exchange occurs at 167 slow-exchange sites in 2 h when no catalytic site ligands are present. The substrate analogue and product prevented H/D exchange at 10 of the sites. Immucillin-H protected 32 protons from exchange at full saturation. When one of the three subunits of the homotrimer is filled with immucillin-H, and 27 protons are protected from exchange in all three subunits. Deuterium incorporation in peptides from residues 132-152 decreased in all complexes of PNP. The rate and/or extent of deuterium incorporation in peptides from residues 29-49, 50-70, 81-98, and 112-124 decreased only in the complex with the transition state analogue. The peptide-specific H/D exchange demonstrates that (1) the enzyme is most compact in the complex with immucillin-H, and (2) filling a single catalytic site of the trimer reduces H/D exchange in the same peptides in adjacent subunits. The peptides most highly influenced by the inhibitor surround the catalytic site, providing evidence for reduced protein dynamic motion caused by the transition state analogue.

Development of tolerance after repeated administration of a selective muscarinic M1 antagonist biperiden in healthy human volunteers.

The muscarinic antagonist biperiden produces a dose-dependent inhibition of (REM) sleep on acute administration. The present study addressed the possibility of pharmacological tolerance after repeated biperiden administration. Six healthy volunteers were studied under sleep laboratory conditions in the following situations: one acclimatization, night, two baseline (that were averaged), 4 nights of biperiden administration, and 4 nights of placebo recovery administration. Six milligrams of biperiden and placebo were administered in identical capsules. Volunteers and technicians were blind to the order of the administration of the capsules. REM sleep time was reduced during the first and the second night, but was not significantly different in comparison with baseline by the third night. During placebo recovery nights, REM sleep time was not different from baseline. REM sleep latency was increased during the first and second nights of biperiden administration, but tolerance to this effect was observed by the third night. On placebo nights a dramatic shortening of REM latency was observed. The present findings support the hypothesis that anticholinergic drugs, even a selective M1 antagonist such as biperiden, induce tolerance soon after administration. A similar effect has been reported with scopolamine, a nonselective muscarinic antagonist, but the main difference is that biperiden withdrawal was not followed by an REM sleep rebound. The observed effect on REM sleep latency during placebo administration may be related to a supersensitivity to muscarinic M-1 receptors that trigger the first REM sleep period. Because short REM latency has been the main finding in the sleep of depressed patients, some implications of the present findings are discussed.

Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep increases by auditory stimulation reverted with biperiden administration in normal volunteers.

Auditory stimulation during REM sleep increases REM sleep time. The purpose of the present work was to determine if the selective muscarinic M-1 antagonist biperiden could modify the effect of the auditory stimulation on REM sleep. Twelve healthy volunteers were divided into placebo and biperiden groups. All the volunteers were studied under sleep laboratory conditions as follows: one acclimatization night, one baseline night, four nights with auditory stimulation either with placebo or biperiden, and two follow-up nights. Biperiden (4 mg) or placebo in identical capsules was administered 1 hour before beginning the sleep recordings. REM sleep time and REM density in the placebo group were increased relative to baseline by auditory stimulation. Biperiden blocked the REM time increase over the three treatment nights and suppressed the REM density increase over all four treatment nights. Biperiden also increased the latency compared to the placebo group. The present findings suggest that M-1 mechanisms are related to REM sleep regulation.

Biperiden administration in normal sleep and after rapid eye movement sleep deprivation in healthy volunteers.

Twenty-six healthy volunteers were randomly assigned to one of four groups. Groups Bip-4 and Bip-6, each with six subjects, received 4 and 6 mg of biperiden, respectively, and were studied on acclimatization, baseline, biperiden, and follow-up nights. Group REM-P (n = 7) and Group REM-Bip (n = 7) were studied on acclimatization, baseline, six nights of REM sleep deprivation, and one recovery (treatment) night with either placebo (group REM-P) or biperiden (group REM-Bip), and one follow-up night. Biperiden 4 and 6 mg increased REM sleep latency and biperiden 6 mg reduced REM sleep time. On the recovery night following REM sleep deprivation Group REM-P and REM-Bip showed an increase in sleep continuity. REM sleep time in the REM-P group was increased during the recovery (treatment) night (REM sleep recovery), while the REM-Bip group did not show a significant REM sleep increase during recovery (treatment) night. It was not until the follow-up night that REM sleep increased in the REM-Bip group.

Biperiden administration during REM sleep deprivation diminished the frequency of REM sleep attempts.

Sixteen subjects were assigned to a group using either placebo or biperiden, with eight subjects in each group. Both groups were studied for one acclimatization night, one baseline night, four nights of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep deprivation and two recovery nights. All the subjects received either placebo or 4 mg biperiden 1 hour before sleep during the four nights of REM sleep deprivation. During the baseline and the recovery nights both groups received placebo capsules. The results showed that REM sleep time during the REM sleep deprivation was reduced by 70-75% below the baseline night in both groups. The number of attempts to enter REM sleep was significantly reduced by biperiden as compared to placebo for each of the four REM sleep deprivation nights. Because the total sleep time in the biperiden group was reduced, the number of REM sleep attempts was corrected by the total sleep time. The adjusted number of REM sleep attempts was also significantly reduced in the biperiden group. REM sleep latency showed a reduction in the placebo group, whereas in the biperiden group REM sleep latency was unchanged throughout the deprivation nights. In the recovery night REM sleep time was increased in both groups, with no differences between the groups. The REM sleep latency showed a reduction in the first recovery night in both groups that persisted through the second recovery night. The above findings support the role of biperiden as a REM sleep suppressive drug.

Human testicular glutathione S-transferases: insights into tissue-specific expression of the diverse subunit classes.

Cytosolic glutathione S-transferase (GST) subunits from human testis were resolved by HPLC and unambiguously identified by combined use of peptide sequence-specific antisera and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI MS). Allelic variants of hGSTP1, hGSTM1 and hGSTA2 were distinguished on the basis of observed differences in their molecular masses. Relative amounts of the multiple different subunit types in various human tissues were determined from HPLC profiles. From this type of analysis, tissues from hGSTM1 null allele individuals were readily discerned at the protein level; liver was the only tissue in which the hGSTM1 subunit was the major mu-class GST. hGSTM4 and hGSTM5 subunits were found at very low levels in all tissues examined. By far the tissue richest in the unique hGSTM3 subunit was testis, although brain also has significant levels.

Development of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis and Leishmania (Leishmania) amazonensis in the sand fly Lutzomyia migonei (Diptera: Psychodidae).

Development of Leishmania braziliensis (Vianna) and Leishmania amazonensis (Lainson and Shaw) in the sand fly Lutzomyia migonei (França) was compared by studying the parasite microhabitats in the alimentary tract, the sequence of parasite morphological changes leading to the metacyclogenesis process, and the parasite transmission to the vertebrate susceptible host. Although the infections by the 2 Leishmania species were initiated with the same number of amastigotes, Le. amazonensis developed a higher population. Infections with Le. braziliensis were typically peripylarian and those with Le. amazonensis suprapylarian but with an unusual invasion of an organ other than the gut, the Malpighian tubules. The life cycle of the 2 parasites within the sand fly vector included the development of all promastigote forms: procyclics, haptomonads, nectomonads, paramastigotes and infective metacyclics, the last of which are uniquely adapted for transmission to the vertebrate hosts. Appearance of metacyclics coincided with the presence of large number of procyclics and haptomonads, low numbers of nectomonads and the appearance of paramastigotes. In both type of infections, there was a high mortality of the promastigotes inside the bloodmeal during digestion but once infection became established metacyclic forms appeared. Although the numbers of metacyclics that developed in sand flies were low for both parasites they were able to transmit the infection to vertebrates, a key event in the vector competence. We suggest that L. migonei is a true biological host and a possible vector of the 2 Leishmania species, which coexist in extensive geographic areas.

[Dental treatment under general anesthesia offered at the Hospital Pediátrico Universitario de Puerto Rico during the years 1989-1994]. / Tratamiento odontológico bajo anestesia general ofrecido por el Hospital Pediátrico Universitario de Puerto Rico durante los años 1989-1994.

One hundred and fourteen mentally retarded (MR) and non-mentally retarded (NMR) patients were divided into two groups and categorized according to the condition presented. Age, sex, and type of procedure performed were recorded for each patient. On the MR group 32% were over 17 years of age. On the NMR group 51% were under 6 years of age. The sex distribution was similar in both groups. Exodontia was the most frequently performed dental procedure. The MR group was composed of those who presented only mental retardation (42%), cerebral palsy (17%), epilepsy (15%), syndromes (7%), endocrinopathies (7%), hydrocephalus (5%) and other conditions (7%). The NMR group was composed of those who presented cardiopathy (7%), bottle syndrome (42%), hemotopathy (11%), maxillofacial disorders (24%) and other conditions (16%).