The effect of a novel VMAT2 inhibitor,GZ-793A,on methamphetamine reward in rats

Rationale  

Previous research suggests that the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) is a novel target for the treatment of methamphetamine (METH) abuse.     

Opposing efficacy of group III mGlu receptor activators,LSP1-2111 and AMN082, in animal models of positive symptoms of schizophrenia

Rationale  

Several studies have suggested that modulation of the glutamatergic system via metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu) could be a new and efficient way to achieve antipsychotic-like activity.     

Rectal Absorption of Vigabatrin,a Substrate of the Proton Coupled Amino Acid Transporter (PAT1, Slc36a1), in Rats

Purpose  

To investigate the rectal absorption of vigabatrin in rats, based on the hypothesis that PAT1 (Slc36a1) is involved.     

Investigation of the Mechanism of Clearance of AMG 386, a Selective Angiopoietin-1/2 Neutralizing Peptibody,in Splenectomized,Nephrectomized, and FcRn Knockout Rodent Models

Purpose  

To investigate the mechanisms of clearance of AMG 386, an investigational recombinant peptide-Fc fusion protein (peptibody) that blocks tumor angiogenesis by neutralizing the interaction between angiopoietin-1 and -2 and the Tie2 receptor.     

Organizing pneumonia: Manifestation peculiarities,causes, and outcomes

Introduction  

Organizing pneumonia (OP) is a rare disorder which may be associated with various clinical contexts and radiological patterns.     

Evaluation of Docetaxel-Loaded Intravenous Lipid Emulsion: Pharmacokinetics,Tissue Distribution,Antitumor Activity,Safety and Toxicity

Purpose  

The purpose of this study was to carry out a detailed evaluation of an intravenous lipid emulsion for docetaxel (DLE) without Tween 80 before clinical administration.     

Preclinical Evaluation of Linear HPMA-Doxorubicin Conjugates with pH-Sensitive Drug Release: Efficacy,Safety, and Immunomodulating Activity in Murine Model

Purpose  

In vivo efficacy and safety of HPMA-based copolymers armed with doxorubicin via a spacer containing pH-sensitive linkage that can be prepared within a broad range of attached drug contents (1) was tested in murine tumor models.     

Development of Lidocaine-Coated Microneedle Product for Rapid, Safe, and Prolonged Local Analgesic Action

Purpose  

To demonstrate rapid (~1 min) lidocaine delivery using 3M’s solid microstructured transdermal system (sMTS) for prolonged, local analgesic action.     

Clomipramine,but not haloperidol or aripiprazole,inhibits quinpirole-induced water contrafreeloading,a putative animal model of compulsive behavior

Rationale  

Repeated administrations of the D2/D3 agonist quinpirole (QNP) to rats elicit an antieconomical pattern of drinking called “contrafreeloading” (CFL), a putative model of compulsive-like behavior.     

Lack of effect of sublingual salvinorin A,a naturally occurring kappa opioid,in humans: a placebo-controlled trial

Rationale  

Salvinorin A (SA) is a highly selective kappa opioid receptor agonist and the putative psychoactive compound in Salvia divinorum (SD), an increasingly abused hallucinogenic plant.     

Effect of the selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist JDTic on nicotine antinociception, reward, and withdrawal in the mouse

Rationale  

Several lines of evidence support a role for the endogenous opioid system in mediating behaviors associated with drug dependence. Specifically, recent findings suggest that the kappa-opioid receptor (KOR) may play a role in aspects of nicotine dependence, which contribute to relapse and continued tobacco smoking.     

Effects of acute administration of nicotine,amphetamine, diazepam,morphine, and ethanol on risky decision-making in rats

Rationale  

Most individuals can accurately assess the risks and rewards associated with choice alternatives and decide accordingly; however, drug users often display maladaptive decision-making, such that choices are biased toward excessively risky options.     

Perceived treatment, feedback, and placebo effects in double-blind RCTs: an experimental analysis

Introduction  

In double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCT) of therapeutic interventions, the effects of the treatment may provide feedback that undermines blinding and consequently distorts measures of the effectiveness of the intervention.     

Assessing the antidepressant-like effects of carbetocin, an oxytocin agonist, using a modification of the forced swimming test

Rationale  

The distribution of oxytocin receptors in limbic regions, as well as evidence that exogenous oxytocin modulates affect and fear processing, suggests that this neuropeptide may have a role to play in the treatment of mood disorders.     

Randomized, controlled, double-blind trial of taranabant for smoking cessation

Rationale  

It has been proposed that cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonists might be effective for smoking cessation. We evaluated this hypothesis with the cannabinoid-1 receptor inverse agonist taranabant.     

Short circuit: Disaggregation of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels in HIV‐positive,methamphetamine‐using men who have sex with men

Objective

This study examined if methamphetamine use alone (METH + HIV?) and methamphetamine use in combination with HIV (METH + HIV+) were associated with hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation as well as insulin resistance relative to a nonmethamphetamine‐using, HIV‐negative comparison group (METH‐HIV?).

Methods

Using an intact groups design, serum levels of HPA axis hormones in 46 METH + HIV? and 127 METH + HIV+ men who have sex with men (MSM) were compared to 136 METH‐HIV? men.

Results

There were no group differences in prevailing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or cortisol levels, but the association between ACTH and cortisol was moderated by METH + HIV+ group (β = ?0.19, p < .05). Compared to METH‐HIV? men, METH + HIV+ MSM displayed 10% higher log₁₀ cortisol levels per standard deviation lower ACTH. Both groups of methamphetamine‐using MSM had lower insulin resistance and greater syndemic burden (i.e., sleep disturbance, severe depression, childhood trauma, and polysubstance use disorder) compared to METH‐HIV? men. However, the disaggregated functional relationship between ACTH and cortisol in METH + HIV+ MSM was independent of these factors.

Conclusions

Further research is needed to characterize the bio‐behavioral pathways that explain dysregulated HPA axis functioning in HIV‐positive, methamphetamine‐using MSM.     

Spontaneous object recognition and its relevance to schizophrenia: a review of findings from pharmacological,genetic, lesion and developmental rodent models

Rationale  

Spontaneous (novel) object recognition (SOR) is one of the most widely used rodent behavioural tests. The opportunity for rapid data collection has made SOR a popular choice in studies that explore cognitive impairment in rodent models of schizophrenia, and that test the efficacy of drugs intended to reverse these deficits.     

Topical Delivery of a Naproxen-Dithranol Co-drug: <Emphasis Type="Italic">In Vitro</Emphasis> Skin Penetration,Permeation, and Staining

Purpose  

This work probed the topical delivery and skin-staining properties of a novel co-drug, naproxyl-dithranol (Nap-DTH), which comprises anti-inflammatory (naproxen) and anti-proliferative (dithranol) moieties.     

Effects of oxazepam on affective perception,recognition, and event-related potentials

Background  

Little is known about how rapid electrocortical responses (event-related potentials; ERPs) to affective pictures are modulated by benzodiazepine agonists. The present study investigated effects of oxazepam (20 mg p.o.) on behavioral measures and ERPs associated with affective picture processing during perception and recognition memory retrieval.     

Pharmacokinetics,safety, and tolerability of ribavirin in hemodialysis-dependent patients

Purpose  

This study describes the pharmacokinetics, safety, and tolerability of ribavirin in hemodialysis-dependent patients.