Pharmacologic Characterization of AMG8379, a Potent and Selective Small Molecule Sulfonamide Antagonist of the Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel NaV1.7.

Potent and selective antagonists of the voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 represent a promising avenue for the development of new chronic pain therapies. We generated a small molecule atropisomer quinolone sulfonamide antagonist AMG8379 and a less active enantiomer AMG8380. Here we show that AMG8379 potently blocks human NaV1.7 channels with an IC50 of 8.5 nM and endogenous tetrodotoxin (TTX)-sensitive sodium channels in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons with an IC50 of 3.1 nM in whole-cell patch clamp electrophysiology assays using a voltage protocol that interrogates channels in a partially inactivated state. AMG8379 was 100- to 1000-fold selective over other NaV family members, including NaV1.4 expressed in muscle and NaV1.5 expressed in the heart, as well as TTX-resistant NaV channels in DRG neurons. Using an ex vivo mouse skin-nerve preparation, AMG8379 blocked mechanically induced action potential firing in C-fibers in both a time-dependent and dose-dependent manner. AMG8379 similarly reduced the frequency of thermally induced C-fiber spiking, whereas AMG8380 affected neither mechanical nor thermal responses. In vivo target engagement of AMG8379 in mice was evaluated in multiple NaV1.7-dependent behavioral endpoints. AMG8379 dose-dependently inhibited intradermal histamine-induced scratching and intraplantar capsaicin-induced licking, and reversed UVB radiation skin burn-induced thermal hyperalgesia; notably, behavioral effects were not observed with AMG8380 at similar plasma exposure levels. AMG8379 is a potent and selective NaV1.7 inhibitor that blocks sodium current in heterologous cells as well as DRG neurons, inhibits action potential firing in peripheral nerve fibers, and exhibits pharmacodynamic effects in translatable models of both itch and pain.

The discovery of benzoxazine sulfonamide inhibitors of NaV1.7: Tools that bridge efficacy and target engagement.

The voltage-gated sodium channel NaV1.7 has received much attention from the scientific community due to compelling human genetic data linking gain- and loss-of-function mutations to pain phenotypes. Despite this genetic validation of NaV1.7 as a target for pain, high quality pharmacological tools facilitate further understanding of target biology, establishment of target coverage requirements and subsequent progression into the clinic. Within the sulfonamide class of inhibitors, reduced potency on rat NaV1.7 versus human NaV1.7 was observed, rendering in vivo rat pharmacology studies challenging. Herein, we report the discovery and optimization of novel benzoxazine sulfonamide inhibitors of human, rat and mouse NaV1.7 which enabled pharmacological assessment in traditional behavioral rodent models of pain and in turn, established a connection between formalin-induced pain and histamine-induced pruritus in mice. The latter represents a simple and efficient means of measuring target engagement.

The public health leadership certificate: a public health and primary care interprofessional training opportunity.

This article describes a public health leadership certificate curriculum developed by the Commonwealth Public Health Training Center for employees in public health and medical trainees in primary care to share didactic and experiential learning. As part of the program, trainees are involved in improving the health of their communities and thus gain a blended perspective on the effectiveness of interprofessional teams in improving population health. The certificate curriculum includes eight one-credit-hour didactic courses offered through an MPH program and a two-credit-hour, community-based participatory research project conducted by teams of trainees under the mentorship of health district directors. Fiscal sustainability is achieved by sharing didactic courses with MPH degree students, thereby enabling trainees to take advantage of a reduced, continuing education tuition rate. Public health employee and primary care trainees jointly learn knowledge and skills required for community health improvement in interprofessional teams and gain an integrated perspective through opportunities to question assumptions and broaden disciplinary approaches. At the same time, the required community projects have benefited public health in Virginia.

Discovery and optimization of aminopyrimidinones as potent and state-dependent Nav1.7 antagonists.

Clinical genetic data have shown that the product of the SCN9A gene, voltage-gated sodium ion channel Nav1.7, is a key control point for pain perception and a possible target for a next generation of analgesics. Sodium channels, however, historically have been difficult drug targets, and many of the existing structure-activity relationships (SAR) have been defined on pharmacologically modified channels with indirect reporter assays. Herein we describe the discovery, optimization, and SAR of potent aminopyrimidinone Nav1.7 antagonists using electrophysiology-based assays that measure the ligand-receptor interaction directly. Within this series, rapid functionalization at the polysubstituted aminopyrimidinone head group enabled exploration of SAR and of pharmacokinetic properties. Lead optimized N-Me-aminopyrimidinone 9 exhibited improved Nav1.7 potency, minimal off-target hERG liability, and improved rat PK properties.

Burden of rotavirus hospitalisations in young children in three paediatric hospitals in the United States determined by active surveillance compared to standard indirect methods.

AIM: The number of rotavirus hospitalisations is usually estimated from assigned diagnosis codes for gastroenteritis despite lack of validation for these indirect methods. Reliable estimates before and after introduction of vaccines are needed to quantify the absolute impact of new immunisation programs. METHODS: This 2-year study conducted at three hospitals prior to the licensure of the rotavirus vaccines in the USA compared two indirect methods for estimating hospitalisations for rotavirus gastroenteritis with estimates derived from prospective recruitment of children presenting with diarrhoea, vomiting or fever. For active surveillance, rotavirus gastroenteritis was confirmed by demonstration of stool antigen. The indirect residual and proportional methods assumed rotavirus to have caused a proportion of hospitalisations coded as acute gastroenteritis identified from computerised records. RESULTS: There were 447 rotavirus hospitalisations among inpatients 31 days through 4 years of age admitted with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, compared with 306 and 228 hospitalisations identified by the two indirect methods. Only 52% of children hospitalised with gastroenteritis received a qualifying diagnosis code at discharge. Relative to active surveillance, the sensitivity and specificity (95% confidence interval (CI)) in identifying rotavirus-attributable hospitalisations was 45% (95% CI: 43-48%) and 89% (88-90%) for the residual method and 34% (30-39%) and 92% (90-94%) for the proportional method. CONCLUSIONS: Many children admitted to the hospital with diarrhoea, vomiting or fever were not assigned discharge codes for acute gastroenteritis. Consequently, standard indirect methods missed a substantial number of rotavirus-associated hospitalisations, thereby underestimating the absolute number of children who could potentially benefit from vaccination.

Efficacy of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine, RotaTeq® (RV5), between doses of a 3-dose series and with less than 3 doses (incomplete regimen).

Post-hoc analyses of the Rotavirus Efficacy and Safety Trial (REST) were conducted to determine whether the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) confers early protection against rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) before completion of the 3-dose regimen. To evaluate the efficacy of RV5 between doses in reducing the rates of RVGE-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits in infants who ultimately received all 3 doses of RV5/placebo, events occurring from 2 weeks after the first and second doses to receipt of the subsequent dose (Analysis A) and events occurring from 2 weeks after the first and second doses to 2 weeks after the subsequent dose (Analysis B) were analyzed. In Analysis A, RV5 reduced the rates of combined hospitalizations and ED visits for G1-G4 RVGE or RVGE regardless of serotype between doses 1 and 2 by 100% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 72-100%) or 82% (95% CI: 39-97%), respectively, and between doses 2 and 3, RV5 reduced the rates of combined hospitalizations and ED visits for G1-G4 RVGE or RVGE regardless of serotype by 91% (95% CI: 63-99%) or 84% (95% CI: 54-96%), respectively. Similar rate reductions were observed in Analysis B. These data suggest that RV5 provides a high level of protection between doses against hospitalizations and ED visits for RVGE starting as early as 14 days after the first dose.

Rotavirus genotypes among hospitalized children in Egypt, 2000-2002.

Rotavirus type surveillance is essential to assess the success of rotavirus vaccines. Rotavirus strains collected in 2000-2002 during hospital-based surveillance for diarrhea in Egyptian children were genotyped. Of the 259 (25.2%) rotavirus-positive specimens, 82.4% were common strains (G1p[8], G2p[4], G4p[8]), and the emergent G9 type was detected in 5.3% of samples.

Levels of Urgency for Orthopaedic Procedures: Reliability and Adoption of a Consensus-driven Classification.

INTRODUCTION: The current COVID-19 disease pandemic has delayed nonurgent orthopaedic procedures to adequately care for those affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, resulting in a backlog in orthopaedic surgical care. As the capacity for orthopaedic surgeries expands or contracts, allocation of limited resources in a manner that adequately reflects medical necessity and urgency is paramount. An orthopaedic surgery-specific prioritization schema with proven reliability is lacking. The primary aim of this study was to assess the reliability of a newly developed prioritization list used for the phased reinstatement of orthopaedic surgical procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterward. The secondary aim was to report its implementation. METHODS: A consensus-based, orthopaedic surgery-specific, tiered prioritization list reflecting various levels of urgency was created by a committee of orthopaedic surgeons covering all subspecialties and representing academic, multispecialty, and private community practices. Reliability was tested for 63 randomized cases representing all orthopaedic subspecialties. Four raters evaluated the cases independently at two separate time points, at least one week apart. Fleiss kappa was used to assess intrarater and interrater agreement. Implementation were assessed by surveying both surgeons and the surgery scheduling administrative personnel at each surgical facility within a large health system for any adoption issues. RESULTS: Case distributions within tiers 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 35%, 14%, 27%, and 24%, respectively. Interrater agreement ranged from 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.57 to 0.69) to 0.72 (95% CI 0.66 to 0.78) for the ratings. Intrarater reliability ranged from 0.62 to 1.0. The highest levels of agreement were in tiers 1, 4, and the subspecialties oncology and foot/ankle. The time from development to full scale adoption and implementation by all orthopaedic surgeons was rapid. DISCUSSION: This tiered prioritization list for orthopaedic procedures is both adoptable and reliable during the phased reinstatement of procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic and afterward. Further refinements may enhance utility. LEVELS OF EVIDENCE: Reliability study: Level I (Evid Based Spine Care J 2014 October;5(2):166. doi: 10.1055/s-0034-1394106).

Norovirus: Facts and Reflections from Past, Present, and Future.

Human Norovirus is currently the main viral cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGEs) in most countries worldwide. Nearly 50 years after the discovery of the "Norwalk virus" by Kapikian and colleagues, the scientific and medical community continue to generate new knowledge on the full biological and disease spectrum of Norovirus infection. Nevertheless, several areas remain incompletely understood due to the serious constraints to effectively replicate and propagate the virus. Here, we present a narrated historic perspective and summarize our current knowledge, including insights and reflections on current points of interest for a broad medical community, including clinical and molecular epidemiology, viral-host-microbiota interactions, antivirals, and vaccine prototypes. We also include a reflection on the present and future impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on Norovirus infection and disease.

Robustness of the healthcare utilization results from the Rotavirus Efficacy and Safety Trial (REST) evaluating the human-bovine (WC3) reassortant pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5).

BACKGROUND: The Rotavirus Efficacy and Safety Trial was a placebo-controlled Phase III study that evaluated the safety and efficacy of a three-dose pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) including its effect on healthcare utilization for rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE). The per-protocol (PP) analyses, which counted events occurring 14 days after dose 3 among infants without protocol violations, have already been published. This paper evaluates the consistency of the healthcare utilization results based on the modified intention to treat (MITT) analyses with the PP analyses. The MITT analyses include all infants receiving at least one dose of vaccine or placebo and follow-up begins after dose 1. The paper also explores the consistency of the results for different subgroups of the study population with different types of surveillance. METHODS: Data on healthcare utilization for acute gastroenteritis were collected via telephone interviews after administration of the first dose. Parents were either contacted every 6 weeks or every 2 weeks depending on the substudy in which they were enrolled. Those contacted every 2 weeks were also asked to complete symptom diaries. Poisson regression was used to evaluate the effect of RV5 on the rates of RVGE-associated healthcare encounters in all of the analyses. RESULTS: In the first 2 years after vaccination, RV5 reduced the combined rate of hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits 88.9% (95% CI: 84.9, 91.9) for all RVGE regardless of serotype in the MITT analysis compared with a 94.5% (95% CI: 91.2, 96.6) reduction based on the G1-G4 PP analysis. By type of surveillance, the rate reductions for the G1-G4 PP analysis were 91.0% (95% CI: 81.7, 95.5) and 95.9% (95% CI: 92.2, 97.8) among parents contacted every 2 weeks (number evaluable = 4,451) and every 6 weeks (number evaluable = 52,683) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our analyses demonstrated that the effect of RV5 on reducing the rate of hospitalizations and ED visits based on the MITT analyses were generally consistent with the PP analyses. The rate of events for subgroups with different intensities of surveillance differed but the effect of RV5 on the relative rate reductions were consistent with the results that have already been published. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00090233.

Sacral Dysmorphism and Lumbosacral Transitional Vertebrae (LSTV) Review.

BACKGROUND: Anatomic variation in the relationship between the lumbar spine and sacrum was first described in the literature nearly a century ago and continues to play an important role in spine deformity, low back pain (LBP), and pelvic trauma. This review will focus on the clinical and surgical implications of abnormal lumbosacral anatomy in the context of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) disease, spine deformity, and pelvic trauma. METHODS: A PubMed search using the keywords "lumbosacral transitional vertebrae," "LSTV," "transitional lumbosacral vertebrae," "TLSV," and "sacral dysmorphism" was performed. The articles presented here were evaluated by the authors. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: The prevalence of LSTV varies widely in the literature from 3.9-% to 35.6% in the spine literature, and sacral dysmorphism is described in upwards of 50% of the population in the trauma literature. The relationship between LSTV and LBP is well established. While there is no agreed-on etiology, the source of pain is multifactorial and may be related to abnormal biomechanics and alignment, disc degeneration, and arthritic changes. SURGICAL IMPLICATIONS: Understanding abnormal lumbosacral anatomy is crucial for preoperative planning of SIJ fusion, spine deformity, and pelvic trauma surgery. LSTV can alter spinopelvic parameters crucial in planning spine deformity correction. Traditional safe zones for sacroiliac screw placement do not apply in the first sacral segment in sacral dysmorphism and risk iatrogenic nerve injury. CONCLUSIONS: LSTV and sacral dysmorphism are common anatomic variants found in the general population. Abnormal lumbosacral anatomy plays a significant role in clinical evaluation of LBP and surgical planning in SIJ fusion, spine deformity, and pelvic trauma. Further studies evaluating the influence of abnormal lumbosacral anatomy on LBP and surgical technique would help guide treatment for these patients.

Safety and efficacy of a pentavalent human-bovine (WC3) reassortant rotavirus vaccine.

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is a leading cause of childhood gastroenteritis and death worldwide. METHODS: We studied healthy infants approximately 6 to 12 weeks old who were randomly assigned to receive three oral doses of live pentavalent human-bovine (WC3 strain) reassortant rotavirus vaccine containing human serotypes G1, G2, G3, G4, and P[8] or placebo at 4-to-10-week intervals in a blinded fashion. Active surveillance was used to identify subjects with serious adverse and other events. RESULTS: The 34,035 infants in the vaccine group and 34,003 in the placebo group were monitored for serious adverse events. Intussusception occurred in 12 vaccine recipients and 15 placebo recipients within one year after the first dose including six vaccine recipients and five placebo recipients within 42 days after any dose (relative risk, 1.6; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.4 to 6.4). The vaccine reduced hospitalizations and emergency department visits related to G1-G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis occurring 14 or more days after the third dose by 94.5 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 91.2 to 96.6 percent). In a nested substudy, efficacy against any G1-G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis through the first full rotavirus season after vaccination was 74.0 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 66.8 to 79.9 percent); efficacy against severe gastroenteritis was 98.0 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 88.3 to 100 percent). The vaccine reduced clinic visits for G1-G4 rotavirus gastroenteritis by 86.0 percent (95 percent confidence interval, 73.9 to 92.5 percent). CONCLUSIONS: This vaccine was efficacious in preventing rotavirus gastroenteritis, decreasing severe disease and health care contacts. The risk of intussusception was similar in vaccine and placebo recipients. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00090233.)

Characterization of N-(adamantan-1-ylmethyl)-5-[(3R-amino-pyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl]-2-chloro-benzamide, a P2X7 antagonist in animal models of pain and inflammation.

Recent evidence suggests that the P2X(7) receptor may play a role in the pathophysiology of preclinical models of pain and inflammation. Therefore, pharmacological agents that target this receptor may potentially have clinical utility as anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy. We investigated and characterized the previously reported P2X(7) antagonist N-(adamantan-1-ylmethyl)-5-[(3R-amino-pyrrolidin-1-yl)methyl]-2-chloro-benzamide, hydrochloride salt (AACBA; GSK314181A). In vitro, AACBA was a relatively potent inhibitor of both human P2X(7)-mediated calcium flux and quinolinium,4-[(3-methyl-2(3H)-benzoxazolylidene)methyl]-1-[3-(triemethylammonio)propyl]-diiodide (YO-PRO-1) uptake assays, with IC(50) values of approximately 18 and 85 nM, respectively. Compared with the human receptor, AACBA was less potent at the rat P2X(7) receptor, with IC(50) values of 29 and 980 nM in the calcium flux and YO-PRO-1 assays, respectively. In acute in vivo models of pain and inflammation, AACBA dose-dependently reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced plasma interleukin-6 release and prevented or reversed carrageenan-induced paw edema and mechanical hypersensitivity. In chronic in vivo models of pain and inflammation, AACBA produced a prophylactic, but not therapeutic-like, prevention of the clinical signs and histopathological damage of collagen-induced arthritis. Finally, AACBA could not reverse L(5) spinal nerve ligation-induced tactile allodynia when given therapeutically. Consistent with previous literature, these results suggest that P2X(7) receptors do play a role in animal models of pain and inflammation. Further study of P2X(7) antagonists both in preclinical and clinical studies will help elucidate the role of the P2X(7) receptor in pain and inflammatory mechanisms and may help identify potential clinical benefits of such molecules.

Aminoquinazolines as TRPV1 antagonists: modulation of drug-like properties through the exploration of 2-position substitution.

A focused SAR exploration of the lead 4-aminoquinazoline TRPV1 antagonist 2 led to the discovery of compound 18. In rats, compound 18 is readily absorbed following oral dosing and demonstrates excellent in vivo potency and efficacy in an acute inflammatory pain model.

Virus-specific antiviral treatment for controlling severe and fatal outbreaks of feline calicivirus infection.

OBJECTIVE: To test the life-sparing and therapeutic effect of a parenterally administered virus-specific antiviral phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomer (PMO) for treating kittens during outbreaks of severe viral disease. ANIMALS: 112 kittens of various sex and age in 4 trials involving 3 outbreaks of naturally developing caliciviral disease. PROCEDURES: Each trial provided an opportunity to investigate the disease. A calicivirus isolated from the liver of a cat that died with hemorrhage and hepatitis was sequenced, and a PMO that had sequence specificity complementary to a 5' region was synthesized. In vitro efficacy of the PMO was tested against the isolate, followed by 3 trials in outbreaks of severe caliciviral disease. The PMO was administered starting on day 1 of disease onset (0.7 to 5.0 mg/kg, SC, q 24 h) and continuing for up to 7 days. Survival time, clinical recovery, and caliciviral shedding were compared by use of various antiviral dosages. In a fourth trial involving nonfatal disease, a control treatment was administered for comparison. RESULTS: In vitro blockage of caliciviral replication by the PMO was dose dependent. In trials 1 to 3 in which survival was the endpoint, 47 of 59 cats receiving PMO survived but only 3 of 31 survived without PMO treatment. Antiviral treatment reduced viral shedding and hastened clinical recovery, as measured by weight gains and clinical condition. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These data provided evidence that virus-specific PMOs were effective in treating kittens with severe Vesivirus disease and suggested a broader application for other viruses and species, including humans.

Rotavirus antigenemia in children is associated with viremia.

BACKGROUND: Antigenemia is commonly detected in rotavirus-infected children. Although rotavirus RNA has been detected in serum, definitive proof of rotavirus viremia has not been shown. We aimed to analyze a defined patient population to determine if infectious virus could be detected in sera from children with rotavirus antigenemia. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Serum samples obtained upon hospitalization from children with gastroenteritis (57 stool rotavirus-positive and 41 rotavirus-negative), children with diagnosed bronchiolitis of known (n = 58) or unknown (n = 17) viral etiology, children with noninfectious, nonchronic conditions (n = 17), and healthy adults (n = 28) were tested for rotavirus antigen by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Results of serum antigen testing were assessed for association with clinical and immunological attributes of the children. Rotavirus antigenemia was detected in 90% (51/57) of children with rotavirus-positive stools, in 89% (8/9) of children without diarrhea but with rotavirus-positive stools, in 12% (2/17) of children with bronchiolitis of unknown etiology without gastroenteritis, and in 12% (5/41) of children with gastroenteritis but with rotavirus-negative stools. Antigenemia was not detected in sera from children with noninfectious nonchronic conditions, children with bronchiolitis of known etiology and no gastroenteritis, or healthy adults. Neither age nor timing of serum collection within eight days after onset of gastroenteritis significantly affected levels of antigenemia, and there was no correlation between antigenemia and viral genotype. However, there was a negative correlation between serum rotavirus antigen and acute rotavirus-specific serum IgA (r = -0.44, p = 0.025) and IgG (r = -0.40, p = 0.01) titers. We examined 11 antigen-positive and nine antigen-negative sera for infectious virus after three blind serial passages in HT-29 cells using immunofluorescence staining for rotavirus structural and nonstructural proteins. Infectious virus was detected in 11/11 (100%) sera from serum antigen-positive children and in two out of nine (22%) sera samples from antigen-negative children (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Most children infected with rotavirus are viremic. The presence of viremia is directly related to the detection of antigenemia and is independent of the presence of diarrhea. Antigenemia load is inversely related to the titer of antirotavirus antibody in the serum. The finding of infectious rotavirus in the blood suggests extraintestinal involvement in rotavirus pathogenesis; however, the impact of rotavirus viremia on clinical manifestations of infection is unknown.

Inhibition of replication and transcription activator and latency-associated nuclear antigen of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus by morpholino oligomers.

Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is associated with Kaposi's sarcoma and primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). The KSHV replication and transcription activator (RTA) and latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA) play key roles in activating KSHV lytic replication and maintaining KSHV latency, respectively. Phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMO) are similar to short single-stranded DNA oligomers, but possess a modified backbone that confers highly specific binding and resistance to nucleases. In this study, RTA and LANA mRNA in PEL cells were targeted by antisense peptide-conjugated PMO (P-PMO) in an effort to suppress KSHV replication. Highly efficient P-PMO uptake by PEL cells was observed. Treatment of PEL cells with a RTA P-PMO (RP1) reduced RTA expression in a dose-dependent and sequence-specific manner, and also caused a significant decrease in several KSHV early and late gene products, including vIL-6, vIRF-1, and ORF-K8.1A. KSHV viral DNA levels were reduced both in cells and culture supernatants of RP1 P-PMO-treated cells, indicating that KSHV lytic replication was suppressed. Treatment of BCBL-1 cells with P-PMO against LANA resulted in a reduction of LANA expression. Cell viability assays detected no cytotoxicity from P-PMO alone, within the concentration range used for the experiments in this study. These results suggest that RP1 P-PMO can specifically block KSHV replication, and further study is warranted.

Efficacy of a pentavalent rotavirus vaccine in reducing rotavirus-associated health care utilization across three regions (11 countries).

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of a human-bovine reassortant pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (PRV) on health care encounters in nearly 70 000 subjects randomized in three regions - Europe, the United States, and Latin America/the Caribbean - in the Rotavirus Efficacy and Safety Trial (REST). METHODS: Healthy 6- to 12-week-old infants received 3 doses of PRV or placebo at 4- to 10-week intervals. The exact binomial method for ratios of Poisson counts was used to evaluate the effect of PRV on the rate of rotavirus-related hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits involving rotavirus G-types 1-4 occurring > or =14 days after the third dose of vaccine for up to 2 years. RESULTS: In fully vaccinated infants, reductions in rotavirus-associated hospitalizations and ED visits were 94.7% (95% CI: 90.9, 96.9) in Europe, 94.9% (95% CI: 84.0, 98.9) in the United States, and 90.0% (95% CI: 29.4, 99.8) in the Latin American/Caribbean regions. CONCLUSIONS: PRV reduced hospitalizations and ED visits within each region in REST. Results were consistent across regions and across the overall study cohort.

Crystal structures of human glycine receptor α3 bound to a novel class of analgesic potentiators.

Current therapies to treat persistent pain and neuropathic pain are limited by poor efficacy, side effects and risk of addiction. Here, we present a novel class of potent selective, central nervous system (CNS)-penetrant potentiators of glycine receptors (GlyRs), ligand-gated ion channels expressed in the CNS. AM-1488 increased the response to exogenous glycine in mouse spinal cord and significantly reversed mechanical allodynia induced by nerve injury in a mouse model of neuropathic pain. We obtained an X-ray crystal structure of human homopentameric GlyRα3 in complex with AM-3607, a potentiator of the same class with increased potency, and the agonist glycine, at 2.6-Å resolution. AM-3607 binds a novel allosteric site between subunits, which is adjacent to the orthosteric site where glycine binds. Our results provide new insights into the potentiation of cysteine-loop receptors by positive allosteric modulators and hold promise in structure-based design of GlyR modulators for the treatment of neuropathic pain.

Quantitation of human astrovirus by real-time reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction to examine correlation with clinical illness.

Human astroviruses (HAstVs) cause gastroenteritis. Real-time, reverse-transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT2-PCR) was developed to quantitate HAstV RNA. An 88 bp amplicon from the conserved 3' genomic region was detected by binding of SYBR Green. RT2-PCR was reproducible, with a correlation coefficient of 0.998-1.00 and PCR efficiency of 94.4-100% (mean 97%). The coefficient of variation was 0.6-2.5%, dynamic range with RNA standard up to 5 x 10(8) RNA copies (RNACN) and sensitivity 5 RNACN. Of 54 blinded, archived stool samples from children hospitalized because of gastroenteritis tested by RT-PCR, 49 (91%) agreed by RT2-PCR for HAstV-positivity (Cohen kappa=0.81, 95%CI 0.66-0.97). HAstV RNACN in stools ranged from 7.6 x 10(1) to 3.6 x 10(14)copies/0.1g. Children coinfected with rotavirus had lower RNACN (mean log 4.22/standard deviation=2.26) than those without coinfection (7.57/3.06; p=.019). Children taking infant formula also had lower RNACN (5.96/2.98) than breast-fed or weaned children (8.73/2.92; p=.027). Higher RNACN tended to occur with longer duration of diarrhea for the episode (r=0.49, p=.064), but was not associated with change in age, gender, illness day, severity or breast-feeding. RT2-PCR quantitated HAstV RNA and RNACN in stool correlates with features of clinical illness.