Chemical Composition and Anti–Helicobacter pylori Activity of the Essential Oil of Pistacia vera

The chemical composition of the essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation of Pistacia vera L. gum was analyzed using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). Twenty compounds were identified, representing 99.5% of the total components. α-Pinene, β-pinene, and α-thujene were found to be the major constituents. The bacteriostatic activity of the essential oil against 12 clinical isolates of Helicobacter pylori was determined using the hole-plate method. All isolates were sensitive to the essential oil, and the Minimum Inhibition Concentration (MIC) was 1.55 mg/ml for all isolates using the agar dilution method.     

Essential services: Quantifying the contributions of America’s pharmacists in COVID-19 clinical interventions

BackgroundAs the COVID-19 pandemic spread across the United States, America’s pharmacists and their teammates expanded their clinical services to help their communities from every practice setting: community and ambulatory care, inpatient, long-term care, academia, public health, and many others.ObjectivesThe objective of the study is to begin to quantify contributions of U.S. pharmacists in providing clinical interventions that mitigate and control the pandemic. These interventions span the gamut of diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and support, intervening patient by patient with vaccines, diagnostic tests, convalescent plasma, monoclonal antibodies, antiviral medications, and supportive therapies.MethodsReview of published literature, relevant web pages, and queries to national and state professional pharmacy associations and government agencies.ResultsFrom February 2020 through September 2022, pharmacists and their teammates conducted >42 million COVID-19 tests, provided >270 million vaccinations (including 8.1 million COVID-19 vaccinations for long-term care residents) within community pharmacy programs alone, and provided >50 million influenza and other vaccinations per year. Pharmacists plausibly accounted for >50% of COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States. Pharmacists prescribed, dispensed, and administered an uncounted number of antibody products and antiviral medications, including care for 5.4 million inpatients and innumerable outpatients. Using conservative estimates, pandemic interventions by pharmacists and teammates averted >1 million deaths, >8 million hospitalizations, and $450 billion in health care costs.ConclusionsPharmacists and their teammates contributed to America’s health and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing >350 million clinical interventions to >150 million people in the form of testing, parenteral antibodies, vaccinations, antiviral therapies, and inpatient care. The number of lives touched and people cared for by pharmacists continues to rise.     

Artemisia princeps Pamp. Essential oil and its constituents eucalyptol and α-terpineol ameliorate bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis in mice by inhibiting bacterial growth and NF-κB activation

To investigate the inhibitory effects of Artemisia princeps Pamp. (family Asteraceae) essential oil (APEO) and its main constituents against bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis, their antimicrobial activities against Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans in vitro and their anti-inflammatory effects against G. vaginalis-induced vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis were examined in mice. APEO and its constituents eucalyptol and α-terpineol were found to inhibit microbe growths. α-Terpineol most potently inhibited the growths of G. vaginalis and C. albicans with MIC values of 0.06 and 0.125?% (v/v), respectively. The antimicrobial activity of α-terpineol was found to be comparable to that of clotrimazole. Intravaginal treatment with APEO, eucalyptol, or α-terpineol significantly decreased viable G. vaginalis and C. albicans numbers in the vaginal cavity and myeloperoxidase activity in mouse vaginal tissues compared with controls. These agents also inhibited the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 β, IL-6, TNF- α), COX-2, iNOS, and the activation of NF- κB and increased expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. In addition, they inhibited the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines and the activation of NF- κB in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated peritoneal macrophages, and α-terpineol most potently inhibited the expressions of proinflammatory cytokines and NF- κB activation. Based on these findings, APEO and its constituents, particularly α-terpineol, ameliorate bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis by inhibiting the growths of vaginal pathogens and the activation of NF- κB.     

Studies on the Syntheses and Properties of 5′-Branched-sugar Isonucleosides and the Related Oligonucleotides

The chemistry of nucleosides and oligonucleotides is an actively investigated field in the search for new drugs. The syntheses and the properties of isonucleosides and oligonucleotides have been investigated to improve their stability, antitumor and antiviral activities, and to reduce their toxicity.The syntheses and properties of isonucleosidesA new class of isonucleoside analogues with branched-sugar 2(-deoxy-2(-nucleobase-5(-deoxy-1(,4(-anhydro-D-altritol(21, 23a～c) has been synthesized fr…     

Electroretinographic and Ophthalmologic Examinations in the Yucatan Micropig and in the Göttingen Minipig

Abstract

External gross observations of the eye and its adnexae, ocular reflexes, anterior ocular segment biomicroscopic examinations, fundic examinations performed with an indirect ophthalmoscope, and/or electroretinographic investigations (ERG) were carried out on 112 7-12-month-old Yucatan micropigs, on 18 6-8-week-old, and 81 2-10-month old Gottingen minipigs to evaluate the incidence of observed ocular abnormalities and to compare the ERG waves. A statistical comparison was performed for these findings.

The most important ocular defects were classified as remnants of embryological vascular tissue. The other findings were considered either as embryonic remnants or of nondeterminate etiology. The most noteworthy findings were, in decreasing order of incidence, for Yucatan micropigs, 6-8 week-old and 2-10-monfh-old Gottingen minipigs, respectively, hyaloid artery remnants (82.1%, 83.3%, and 46.3%), pupillary     

Studies on the Syntheses and Properties of 5＇-Branched-sugar Isonucleosides and the Related Oligonucleotides

The chemistry of nucleosides and oligonucleotides is an actively investigated field in the search for new drugs. Thesyntheses and the properties of isonucleosides and oligonucleotides have been investigated to improve their stability,antitumor and antiviral activities, and to reduce their toxicity.     

Essential oil composition and antimicrobial activity of three Zingiberaceae from S.Tomé e Príncipe

The essential oil composition of three Zingiberaceae widely used as medicinal aromatic plants from S. Tomé and Príncipe: Aframomum danielli (Hook. f.) K. Schum., Curcuma longa L. and Zingiber officinale Rosc. was studied. Two samples of the essential oils from fruit of A. danielli and from rhizomes of the other two species, were obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by GC, GC-MS, and (13)C-NMR. The essential oil from fruits of A. danielli has been studied for the first time and was characterised by its high content of monoterpenes, with 1,8-cineole (25.5 - 34.4 %) the major constituent, followed by beta-pinene (14.1 - 15.2 %) and alpha-terpineol (9.9 - 12.1 %). Essential oils from the rhizomes of C. longa contained a lower content of ar-turmerone (4.0 - 12.8 %) than those reported in the literature for C. longa from other origins (24.7 - 31.4 %), whereas the results for Z. officinale essential oils were in accordance with the literature data. The essential oils of A. danielli and Z. officinale showed antimicrobial activity against all Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria tested, as well as against yeasts and filamentous fungi, using the agar diffusion method.     

the epidemic diseases were very complex and mixed infection and

cine epidemic diseases;epidemiology investigation;control0广西农业科学Guangxi Agricultural Sciences105-107S858.28D05048D;D050_48黄夏;200-202二温式PCR检测猪传染性胸膜肺炎放线杆菌方法的建立与应用庞耀珊;谢芝勋;刘加波;邓显文;唐小飞;谢志勤;广西兽医研究所,广西兽医研究所,广西兽医研究所,广西兽医研究所,广西兽医研究所,广西兽医研究所 南宁530001,南宁530001,南宁530001,南宁530001,南宁530001,南宁530001猪;;传染性胸膜肺炎放线杆菌;;聚合酶链反应;;检测为了探索简便、快速确诊猪传染性胸膜肺炎的方法,根据猪传染性胸膜肺炎放线杆菌(APP)apx IV基因序列,设计合成1对特异性引物,建立聚合酶链反应(PCR)检测APP的方法。采用该方法对APP和其他6种猪病病原核酸进行检测,结果只对APP扩增出与预期大小相符的422bp DNA片段,而对其他6种猪病病原核酸的扩增结果为阴性。该PCR最低可检出10pg的APP DNA。对送检的46份可疑病猪组织进行检测,结果有19份样品为阳性,27份为其他病原感染。Establishment and application of a two-temperature polymerase chain reaction on detection of pig Actino     

TRPM8 and dyspnea: from the frigid and fascinating past to the cool future?

The transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) ion channel is gated by cool and noxious cold temperatures. The activation threshold is in the range of ≈25-28°C, which aligns well with the discharge of airway afferents. TRPM8 is widely expressed across species and evolutionary changes in the TRPM8 amino acid sequence may tune the temperatures at which it is gated. The discovery of TRPM8 and its molecular/biophysical characterization provides a robust candidate for airway afferents responding to cool/cold temperatures. TRPM8 may provide a mechanistic link for the manipulation of respiratory sensations such as dyspnea or mechanisms leading to cold-induced asthma and cough.     

How are the inner hair cells and auditory nerve fibers activated without the mediation of the outer hair cells and the cochlear amplifier?

The present study was designed to assess whether, in the presence of a depression of the cochlear amplifier i.e. a sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), the inner hair cells (IHCs) require the presence of a normal endocochlear potential for transduction. An SNHL was induced by injecting salicylic acid (which binds to the motor protein prestin in the outer hair cells), and then furosemide (which depresses the endocochlear potential) was injected. Furosemide did not cause an additional elevation of the threshold of the auditory nerve brainstem evoked response (ABR) over that induced by the salicylic acid injection. Exposure to noise was also used to induce a SNHL in other mice, and then furosemide was injected. Here too furosemide did not cause an additional ABR threshold elevation over that induced by the noise. These results show that the IHCs (and the auditory nerve) can be excited in the presence of a SNHL (i.e. without the cochlear amplifier) and in the absence of an endocochlear potential. Possible mechanisms of excitation in such a state are discussed.     

英Essential Nutrition公司参与大麻药品的研究

英承包商 Essential Nutrition 从英国内政部获得了为期2年的开发大麻类药物的许可证,目前正致力于研究大麻酚类药物被吸入时能发挥治疗作用的最佳配比。他们用气相色谱和一氧化碳提取纯品用于治疗疼痛。这项研究尚处于初级阶段。该公司总裁Chapman 希望他的产品也由舌下给药,他认     

Medical Toxicology and Public Health—Update on Research and Activities at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry

Evidence suggests that in-utero exposure to environmental chemicals, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), heavy metals, and radionuclides, that might bioaccumulate in the mother may increase a newborn's risk of adverse developmental, neurological, and immunologic effects. Chemical contamination of bodies of water and strong ocean currents worldwide can drive these chemicals from lower latitudes to Arctic waters where they accumulate in common traditional subsistence foods. In response to concerns of the people from Alaska of the effects of bio-accumulated chemicals on their children, the Maternal Organics Monitoring Study(MOMS) was developed. The objective of the study was to assess the risks and benefits associated with the population's subsistence diet. Data analysis of biological samples at the CDC's NCEH laboratory and maternal questionnaires is ongoing. Results will be provided to Alaska Native communities to help support public health actions and inform future interventions and research.     

Investigational therapies targeting the androgen signaling axis and the androgen receptor and in prostate cancer – recent developments and future directions

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Despite the heterogeneity of prostate cancer (PCa), androgen stimulation is fundamental to its development, growth, and lethality. Therefore, the blockade of androgen receptor (AR) signaling is critical to controlling the disease, even after progression with castrate levels of androgens.

Areas covered: We review the current understanding of new ways to block the AR, using novel antiandrogen inhibitors, which act on different parts of the AR signaling pathway in PCa. We also review new approaches, such as the use of poly(ADP–ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors, targeting both the AR and the DNA repair pathway, potentially adding synergy and improving efficacy and the combination of AR inhibitors and immunotherapy. Bipolar androgen therapy (BAT), an innovative strategy to target the AR, has shown early evidence of efficacy in PCa is also discussed in detail. We highlight some of the key ongoing studies of greatest relevance to this topic.

Expert commentary: Clinical trials investigating new AR-targeted therapies should be encouraged in patients with PCa. While it is unlikely that one AR inhibitor will produce long-lasting responses in a substantial proportion of patients, there is evidence that some strategies, such as the BAT could resensitize the AR to antiandrogens, alternating therapies and delaying time to progression, maximizing benefit to patients.     

β-blockers and the risk of incident depression in the elderly

The hypothesis that β-blockers cause depression has been both confirmed and refuted in previous studies. However, in hardly any of these studies, depression was systematically and adequately assessed. The aim of this cohort study was to examine whether β-blockers, in general, highly lipid-soluble, nonselective, or serotonergic receptor-binding β-blockers, are associated with incident depression. Between 1993 and 2005, 5104 elderly persons were followed for incident depressions. Depressions were identified by regular interview and continuous monitoring of medical records. Cases were categorized as clinically relevant depressive symptoms or as depressive syndromes, the latter including Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-IV-defined depressive disorders. Pharmacies provided information on filled β-blockers. We used Cox regression with drug use as a time-dependent variable to analyze the data, adjusted for potential demographic covariates, activity of daily living, and (contra)indications for β-blockers. We found that use of β-blockers in general did not convey an increased risk of depressive symptoms (hazard ratio [HR], 0.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37-1.59) or depressive syndromes (HR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.53-1.84). Highly lipid-soluble β-blockers, mostly propranolol in our study, were associated with depressive symptoms during the first 3 months of use (HR, 3.31; 95% CI, 1.03-10.6), but not with depressive syndromes. Nonselective or serotonergic receptor affinity was not associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms or syndromes independent of high lipid solubility. We conclude that β-blockers in general do not convey an increased risk of depression. Lipophilic β-blockers are associated with an increased risk of depressive symptoms.     

Pharmacoepidemiology and the “Impact Factor”

The field of Pharmacoepidemiology/Drug Utilization research has been analysed by studying published research articles under the medical subject headings (MeSH terms) Pharmacoepidemiology, Drug Utilization and Drug Utilization Review. There were 1822 articles published, and stored in Medline, during the 32-month period between 1 January 2001 and 31 August 2003; these papers might represent a field of research, due to the similarity of MeSH terms used for coding and the set of journals in which the articles were published. A total of 457 articles, representing 25% of all articles in the field, were published in 14 different journals, and 50% of all articles (948) were collected in only 64 different journals. The two main journals publishing research in Pharmacoepidemiology/Drug Utilization are Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf and the Eur J Clin Pharmacol. These two publications are the official journals of the three main societies in the field and are at least partially focused on this subject, with 45.7% of all articles in Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf and 11.1% of all articles in Eur J Clin Pharmacol included under the studied MeSH terms; other journals only occasionally publish papers in this line of research. These two journals are the leaders in pharmacoepidemiology and drug utilization research, having impact factors (IFs) in 2002/2003 above (1.955/1.972 for EJCP) and a bit below (1.092/1.257 for PDS) the middle of the ranking of publications, according to the IF, in the Pharmacology and Pharmacy list of the Science Citation Index (SCI).     

Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and the extrapyramidal system

The behavioural effects of stereotypy and catalepsy by ⁹-Tetrahydrocannabinol (⁹-THC) in the rat were estimated and the possible involvement of the basal ganglia in these behaviours was studied using brain lesion techniques. In addition, the interactions of ⁹-THC with a dopaminergic (amphetamine) and a cholinergic stimulant (RS-86) were evaluated using the above methods.The excitatory effects of ⁹-THC alone, i.e., circling, sniffing, and head movements, were of low intensity and short duration and they were not significantly affected by lesions in the basal ganglia. On the other hand, ⁹-THC was found to depress behaviour, including catalepsy and atonic muscular prostration, the former being markedly potentiated, while prostration was unaffected by such lesions.⁹-THC was also found to potentiate cholinergic-induced catalepsy, extrapyramidal lesions causing further potentiation.Amphetamine-induced circling, sniffing, and gnawing emerged as a triad of related behaviour fragments. This was altermated by pallidal lesions and ⁹-THC treatment, the combination of the two being additive. The potentiation by ⁹-THC of amphetamine-induced rhythmic head and body movements was unaffected by pallidal lesions and so could be mediated by another brain area.The hypothesis is proposed that ⁹-THC exerts its cataleptogenic and some of its amphetamine interaction effects by reducing dopaminergic transmission in the basal ganglia.