长链基因间非编码 RNA 00963通过靶向微小 RNA-148b-3p对结直肠癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响

目的 探讨长链基因间非编码RNA00963(LINC00963)对结直肠癌细胞恶性生物学行为的影响及作用机制.方法 本研究于2018年8月至2019年5月进行;正常结直黏膜上皮细胞NCM460以及结直肠癌细胞系HT29、SW480、SW1116购自中国科学院上海细胞库,实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测微小RNA-148b-3p(miR-148b-3p)和LINC00963的表达水平;双荧光素酶报告实验检测miR-148b-3p和LINC00963的靶向关系.将HT29细胞分为miR-NC组、miR-148b-3p组、si-NC组、si-LINC00963组、si-LINC00963+anti-miR-NC组、si-LINC00963+anti-miR-148b-3p组;蛋白质印迹法(Western Blotting)检测蛋白表达;四甲基偶氮唑盐比色法(MTT)检测细胞活性;Transwell检测各组细胞迁移和侵袭.结果 与NCM460细胞相比,HT29、SW480、SW1116细胞中miR-148b-3p的表达水平显著降低[(0.32±0.04)、(0.48±0.04)、(0.39±0.04)比(1.03±0.09)],LINC00963的表达水平显著升高[(3.13±0.31)、(2.76±0.27)、(2.91±0.28)比(1.00±0.09)],差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).LINC00963靶向调控miR-148b-3p的表达.干扰LINC00963后,细胞周期蛋白D1(Cyclin D1)、基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP-2)、基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)蛋白表达水平降低,细胞周期蛋白依赖性激酶抑制剂1A(p21)表达水平升高,HT29细胞活性[48 h为(0.43±0.04)比(0.65±0.06),72 h为(0.56±0.05)比(1.05±0.09)]降低,及迁移数量减少[(39.65±3.42)个比(81.24±8.06)个],侵袭数量减少[(32.14±3.28)个比(69.54±6.27)个],差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).过表达miR-148b-3p后,Cyclin D1、MMP-2、MMP-9表达水平降低,p21表达水平升高,HT29细胞活性[48 h为(0.49±0.04)比(0.67±0.06),72 h为(0.62±0.06)比(1.06±0.09)]降低,及迁移数量减少[(45.32±4.28)个比(86.27±8.25)个],侵袭数量减少[(39.54±4.03)个比(73.65±7.24)个],差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).抑制miR-148b-3p表达可逆转干扰LINC00963对HT29细胞的作用.结论 干扰LINC00963可通过上调miR-148b-3p抑制结直肠癌HT29细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭.     

长链非编码RNA OPA相互作用蛋白5反向转录序列1靶向调控微RNA-128-3p对结直肠癌细胞增殖、侵袭和转移的影响

目的 探究长链非编码RNA OPA相互作用蛋白5反向转录序列1(lncRNA OIP5-AS1)在结直肠癌中的表达情况及靶向调控微RNA-128-3p(miR-128-3p)对结直肠癌细胞增殖、侵袭和转移的影响。方法 采用实时荧光定量PCR(qPCR)定量分析2017年1月至2018年12月在郑州大学人民医院住院并进行手术治疗的38例结直肠癌病人癌组织及相应癌旁组织、结直肠癌细胞系（SW480、SW620、HT-29和LoVo）及人正常结直肠黏膜细胞FHC中lncRNA OIP5-AS1和miR-128-3p的表达。将SW620细胞设为si-OIP5-AS1组、si-NC组、miR-128-3p mimic组、mimic-NC组、miR-128-3p inhibitor+si-OIP5-AS1组和inhibitor-NC+siOIP5-AS1组,采用细胞计数试剂盒（CCK-8）实验和克隆形成实验检测细胞增殖能力,采用划痕实验和transwell实验检测细胞侵袭与迁移能力,采用蛋白质印迹法检测E2F1、细胞周期蛋白D1(Cyclin D1)、波形蛋白（Vimentin）、N-钙黏蛋白（N...     

微小RNA-152-3p 对结肠癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响及其作用机制研究

目的探讨微小RNA(miR)-152-3p对结肠癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响及机制。方法2019年2月至2020年4月,将结肠癌SW480细胞分为miR-152-3p模拟物阴性对照(miR-NC)组、miR-152-3p模拟物(miR-152-3p)组、抑制物(anti-miRNC)组、miR-152-3p抑制物(anti-miR-152-3p)组、阴性对照(si-NC)组、沉默转移相关蛋白2(si-MTA2)组、miR-152-3p模拟物+空载体(miR-152-3p+pcDNA3.1)组、miR-152-3p模拟物+过表达MTA2(miR-152-3p+pcDNA3.1-MTA2)组,均用脂质体法转染至结直肠癌SW480细胞中,另取未转染结直肠癌SW480细胞记为Control组。采用实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测miR-152-3p和MTA2 mRNA的表达水平;蛋白质印迹法测定蛋白的表达;MTT法检测细胞活性;Transwell检测细胞迁移和侵袭;双荧光素酶报告基因检测实验检测荧光活性。结果结肠癌HCT116、SW480及LoVo细胞中miR-152-3p表达分别为0.72±0.04、0.29±0.02、0.49±0.01,人正常结肠上皮细胞NCM460中miR-152-3p表达为1.06±0.12,与正常结肠上皮细胞NCM460相比,结肠癌细胞HCT116、LoVo、SW480中MTA2 mRNA和蛋白较高,miR-152-3p较低(P<0.05);Control组、miR-NC组、miR-152-3p组、si-NC组及si-MTA2组结肠癌SW480细胞吸光度分别为0.92±0.22、0.96±0.17、0.31±0.07、0.99±0.17及0.32±0.09,细胞迁移数分别为(172.00±23.52)个、(169.00±20.66)个、(53.67±12.22)个、(155.67±16.8)个及(54.33±8.74)个,细胞侵袭数分别为(124.67±10.02)个、(122.33±9.45)个、(26.00±5.00)个、(108.33±10.02)个及(42.00±4.00)个,与miR-NC 组相比,miR-152-3p 组SW480细胞中细胞周期蛋白D1(cyclin D1)、基质金属蛋白酶(MMP)-2及SW480细胞活性、迁移和侵袭数量均较低,周期素依赖激酶抑制剂p21(P21)及上皮钙黏素(E-cadherin)较高(P<0.05);与si-NC组相比,si-MTA2组SW480细胞中cyclin D1、MMP-2及SW480细胞活性、迁移和侵袭数量均较低,P21及E-cadherin较高(P<0.05)。转染miR-152-3p和MTA2野生型表达载体的结肠癌SW480细胞荧光素酶活性显著降低(P<0.05)。相比miR-152-3p+pcDNA3.1组,miR-152-3p+pcDNA3.1-MTA2组SW480细胞中P21、E-cadherin的表达较低,MTA2、cyclin D1、MMP-2蛋白的表达较高,SW480细胞活性、迁移、侵袭数量较高(P<0.05)。结论miR-152-3p可能通过下调MTA2抑制结肠癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

lncRNA LINC00858靶向微小 RNA-363-3p促进肝癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的 探讨LINC00858通过靶向miR-363-3p对肝癌HCCLM3细胞生物学行为的影响.方法 选取2017年1月至2019年1月青海省第五人民医院收治的肝癌病人30例,获取其肝癌组织及其癌旁组织.设置si-NC组、si-LINC00858组、si-LINC00858+anti-miR-NC组和si-LINC00858+anti-miR-363-3p组.实时荧光定量聚合酶链式反应(RT-qPCR)检测LINC00858和miR-363-3p表达水平;双荧光素酶报告实验验证LINC00858和miR-363-3p的靶向关系;CCK-8检测细胞增殖活性;Transwell检测细胞迁移和侵袭;蛋白质印迹法(Western blotting)法检测相关蛋白表达.结果 肝癌组织中LINC00858高表达(2.85±0.27),miR-363-3p低表达(0.58±0.05).LINC00858靶向调控miR-363-3p;抑制LINC00858能够上调p21表达,下调细胞周期蛋白D1(CyclinD1)、基质金属蛋白酶2(MMP-2)、基质金属蛋白酶9(MMP-9)表达,降低细胞活力、迁移数、侵袭数(P<0.05).干扰miR-363-3p表达逆转了抑制LINC00858表达对肝癌HCCLM3细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响.结论 抑制LINC00858通过靶向上调miR-363-3p抑制肝癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭.     

环状 RNA肌球蛋白轻链激酶靶向微小 RNA-497-5p调控结肠癌细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭

目的探讨环状 RNA肌球蛋白轻链激酶( circMYLK)对结肠癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响和可能机制。方法本研究 2019年 3月至 2020年 1月进行。实时荧光定量 PCR(RT-qPCR)检测检测正常结肠上皮细胞( NCM460)和结肠癌细胞(SW480、SW620、Caco-2)中 circMYLK和微小 RNA-497-5p(miR-497-5p)表达水平。将 circMYLK小干扰 RNA(si-circMYLK)、 miR-497-5p模拟物分别转染 SW480细胞,采用细胞计数试剂盒(CCK-8)、 Transwell实验分别检测干扰 circMYLK或过表达 miR-497-5p对 SW480细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响。双荧光素酶报告基因实验和 RT-qPCR确定 circMYLK对 miR-497-5p的调控作用。结果与 NCM460细胞比较,结肠癌细胞中 circMYLK表达( 1.00±0.06比 3.39±0.23、2.31±0.24、2.98±0.18)显著升高, miR-497-5p表达( 1.00±0.08比 0.36±0.04、0.63±0.05、0.54±0.05)显著降低( P<0.05)。干扰 circMYLK表达后 SW480、细胞活力、迁移和侵袭细胞数显著降低( P<0.05)。过表达 miR-497-5p后 SW480细胞活力、迁移和侵袭细胞数显著降低( P<0.05)。 circMYLK靶向负性调控 miR-497-5p表达。抑制 miR-497-5p表达能够逆转干扰 circMYLK对 SW480细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响,恢复细胞活力、迁移和侵袭能力( P<0.05)。结论结肠癌细胞中 circMYLK呈高表达,干扰 circMYLK通过靶向 miR-497-5p能够抑制结肠癌细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

白芍总苷调控舌癌HSC3细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的机制研究

探讨白芍总苷(TGP)对舌癌HSC3细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响及作用机制。TGP作用HSC3细胞或抑制LINC00319表达后,MTT检测HSC3细胞增殖,Transwell检测HSC3细胞的迁移和侵袭,蛋白印迹(Western Blot)检测细胞中CyclinD1、p21、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白水平,qRT-PCR检测细胞中LINC00319和miR-608水平,双荧光素酶报告基因实验验证LINC00319和miR-608调控关系。TGP或抑制LINC00319表达后,HSC3细胞抑制率、p21蛋白及miR-608水平升高(P<0.05),细胞迁移和侵袭数、CyclinD1、MMP-2和MMP-9蛋白水平及LINC00319水平降低(P<0.05)。LINC00319靶向负调控miR-608表达,LINC00319过表达逆转TGP对HSC3细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭的影响(P<0.05)。TGP可能通过调控LINC00319/miR-608轴抑制舌癌HSC3细胞增殖、迁移和侵袭。     

长链非编码 RNA膀胱癌相关转录物 1对微小 RNA-503-5p的靶向关系及对结直肠癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响

目的 研究长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)膀胱癌相关转录物1(BLACAT1)对微小RNA(miR)-503-5p的靶向关系及结直肠癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响.方法 实时荧光定量PCR(qRT-PCR)检测结肠癌细胞株SW620,LOVO,HT29和人正常结肠黏膜上皮细胞株NCM460中BLACAT1和miR-503-5p的表达.在HT29细胞中转染si-BLACAT1、pcDNA-BLACAT1或miR-503-5p,噻唑蓝(MTT)检测细胞增殖,流式细胞术检测细胞凋亡,蛋白质印迹法(Western blotting)检测细胞核相关抗原Ki-67(Ki-67)、细胞周期蛋白D1(Cyclin D1)、活化的多聚ADP-核糖聚合酶(Cleaved PARP)和活化的含半胱氨酸的天冬氨酸蛋白水解酶-3(Cleaved caspase-3)的表达,starbase预测和双荧光素酶报告分析BLACAT1与miR-503-5p之间的靶向关系.si-BLACAT1和anti-miR-503-5p共转染,观察干扰miR-503-5p对沉默BLACAT1诱导的结直肠癌细胞增殖和凋亡的影响.结果 与NCM460细胞比较,SW620、LOVO和HT29中BLACAT1表达量明显增加[(4.93±0.58)、(5.66±0.53)、(6.17±0.66)比(1.03±0.22)],miR-503-5p表达量减少[(0.72±0.11)、(0.67±0.09)、(0.51±0.08)比(1.04±0.14)](P<0.05).沉默BLACAT1或转染miR-503-5p明显减少HT29细胞的细胞存活率、Ki-67、CyclinD1蛋白表达量,提高细胞凋亡率、Cleaved PARP和Cleaved caspase-3蛋白水平(P<0.05),过表达BLACAT1则反之.BLACAT1靶向miR-503-5p调控其表达.干扰miR-503-5p部分逆转沉默BLACAT1抑制结直肠癌细胞增殖、Ki-67、CyclinD1蛋白表达和诱导结直肠癌细胞凋亡、Cleaved PARP、Cleaved caspase-3蛋白表达的作用.结论 lncRNA BLA-CAT1在表达上调,沉默BLACAT1可通过靶向调控miR-503-5p的表达,来抑制结直肠癌细胞增殖,并诱导细胞凋亡.     

长链非编码RNA赖氨酰氧化酶样蛋白1反义RNA在结直肠癌中的表达及对结直肠癌细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移能力的影响

目的 探究长链非编码RNA(lncRNA)赖氨酰氧化酶样蛋白1反义RNA(LOXL1-AS1)在结直肠癌中的表达及对结直肠癌细胞增殖、侵袭及迁移能力的影响和可能的作用机制。方法 选取2016年1月至2018年12月在河南省人民医院行结直肠癌根治术的56例病人新鲜癌组织,采用实时定量聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测结直肠癌组织样本及结直肠癌细胞系SW480、SW620、HCT116和Lovo细胞中lncRNA LOXL1-AS1的表达水平,以配对癌旁组织及人正常结直肠黏膜细胞FHC作正常对照;构建靶向LOXL1-AS1序列的小干扰RNA(si-LOXL1-AS1)并转染SW480和Lovo细胞,采用细胞计数试剂盒(CCK-8)、平板克隆实验、划痕实验和Transwell小室法检测沉默lncRNA LOXL1-AS1表达对结直肠癌细胞增殖、侵袭和迁移能力的影响。采用蛋白质印迹法(Western blotting)检测沉默LOXL1-AS1表达后磷脂酰肌醇3-激酶/蛋白激酶B(PI3K/Akt)信号通路相关蛋白及上皮-间质转化(EMT)相关蛋白的表达情况。结果 LOXL1-AS1在结直肠癌...     

微小 RNA-494-3p靶向配子生成素结合蛋白 2促进结直肠癌细胞侵袭、迁移及上皮间质转化的实验研究

目的 研究微小RNA-494-3p(miR-494-3p)影响结直肠癌细胞迁移、侵袭及上皮间质转化(EMT)的分子机制.方法 于2019年1—12月体外培养购自美国ATCC的结直肠上皮细胞NCM460和结直肠癌细胞系T84、LS1034和HCT116,实时定量聚合酶链式反应(RT-qPCR)检测细胞中miR-494-3p和配子生成素结合蛋白2(GGNBP2)mRNA的表达量,蛋白质印迹法(Western blot)检测细胞中GGNBP2蛋白表达.将LS1034细胞分为对照(NC)组、miR-494-3p抑制剂(anti-miR-494-3p)组、抑制剂阴性对照(anti-miR-con)组、GGNBP2过表达载体(pcDNA-GGNBP2)组、空载体(pcDNA-con)组、anti-miR-494-3p+GGNBP2小干扰RNA(si-GGNBP2)组和anti-miR-494-3p+小干扰RNA阴性对照(si-con)组,甲基噻唑基四唑(MTT)法测定LS1034细胞存活率,Transwell实验检测细胞迁移和侵袭,Western blot检测相关蛋白细胞周期蛋白D1(Cyclin D1)、基质金属蛋白酶-2(MMP-2)、E-钙黏蛋白(E-cadherin)、波形蛋白(Vimentin)的表达.双荧光素酶报告系统验证miR-494-3p和GGNBP2的调控关系.结果 与NCM460细胞相比,结直肠癌细胞T84、LS1034和HCT116中miR-494-3p表达量均显著升高[(1.91±0.11)、(2.23±0.14)、(2.08±0.12)比(1.00±0.04),P<0.001],GGNBP2 mRNA表达量均显著下降[(0.51±0.08)、(0.38±0.06)、(0.45±0.07)比(1.00±0.11),P<0.001],GGNBP2蛋白表达量均显著下降(P<0.001).与anti-miR-con组相比,anti-miR-494-3p组LS1034细胞存活率、迁移数和侵袭数均显著下降[(41.29±3.89)％比(84.36±7.28)％,(132.56±7.56)个比(246.3±10.64)个,(55.64±5.64)个比(145.62±9.56)个,均P<0.001],细胞中Cyclin D1、MMP-2、Vimentin蛋白表达量均显著下降,均P<0.001,E-cadherin蛋白表达升高、蛋白表达降低(P<0.001).与pcDNA-con组相比,pcDNA-GGNBP2组LS1034细胞存活率、迁移数和侵袭数均显著下降,P<0.05,细胞中Cyclin D1、MMP-2、Vimentin蛋白表达均下降,均P<0.001,E-cadherin蛋白表达升高,蛋白表达降低,P<0.001.miR-494-3p靶向负调控GGNBP2的表达.与anti-miR-494-3p+si-con组相比,anti-miR-494-3p+si-GGNBP2组LS1034细胞存活率、迁移数和侵袭数均显著上升,细胞中Cyclin D1、MMP-2和Vimentin蛋白表达均升高,E-cadherin蛋白表达下降,均P<0.001.结论 miR-494-3p通过靶向抑制GGNBP2促进结直肠癌LS1034细胞迁移、侵袭及EMT.     

艾叶乙酸乙酯提取物通过LINC01606/微小RNA-26b对结直肠癌细胞增殖、凋亡的影响

目的研究艾叶乙酸乙酯提取物对结直肠癌SW1116细胞增殖和凋亡的影响及其潜在的分子机制。方法2018年6月至2019年11月,用12.5 mg/L、25 mg/L、50 mg/L的艾叶乙酸乙酯提取物处理结直肠癌细胞SW1116,分别称为实验1、2、3组,人胆囊收缩素/缩胆囊素八肽(CCK-8)法、流式细胞术和克隆形成实验检测SW1116细胞存活率、凋亡率、细胞周期和克隆形成能力,蛋白质印迹法检测周期素依赖激酶抑制剂p21(P21)和胱天蛋白酶-3(caspase-3)蛋白表达水平,实时荧光定量逆转录聚合酶链反应(qRT-PCR)检测细胞中LINC01606和微小RNA(miR)-26b的转录水平,双荧光素酶报告系统验证LINC01606和miR-26b 的关系。结果实验1、2、3 组的SW1116 细胞克隆形成数(101±9、79±8、56±6)、存活率［(81.57±8.02)%、(68.17±6.69)%、(48.26±4.91)%］、S期细胞百分比［(31.98±2.39)%、(26.10±2.21)%、(23.21±2.04)%］及细胞中LINC01606含量(0.76±0.05、0.51±0.05、0.34±0.04)逐渐降低(P<0.05),P21(0.34±0.03、0.47±0.04、0.67±0.05)、caspase-3(0.26±0.02、0.38±0.03、0.59±0.04)蛋白表达量、miR-26b 含量(1.26±0.09、1.41±0.10、1.69±0.12)、细胞凋亡率［(13.37±1.21)%、(17.94±1.47)%、(24.36±1.69)%］和G1期细胞百分比［(32.17±2.41)%、(37.04±2.75)%、(41.20±3.24)%］均逐渐升高(P<0.05),呈显著剂量依赖趋势,剂量越高效果越显著;过表达LINC01606和抑制miR-26b均可提高细胞克隆形成数、存活率和S期细胞百分比,降低P21、caspase-3蛋白表达量、细胞凋亡率及G1期细胞百分比;LINC01606靶向调控miR-26b。结论艾叶乙酸乙酯提取物通过LINC01606/miR-26b途径抑制SW1116细胞的增殖,促进细胞凋亡。艾叶乙酸乙酯提取物对结直肠癌具有潜在治疗作用。     

Affective and Anxiety Disorders and Alcohol and Drug Dependence:

Depression and anxiety frequently coexist in patients with substance use disorders. This clinically-oriented article examiens the relationship between these conditions and emphasizes data showing that substances of abuse can cause signs and symptoms of both depression and anxiety. These substance-related syndromes appear to have a different course and prognosis than uncomplicated, independent anxiety and major depressive disorders, and clinicians should consider the role of alcohol and other drugs in all patients presenting with these complaints. The authors will also outline an approach for diagnosing and managing patients with the combination of a substance use and depressive or anxiety disorder.     

Synthesis and anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of gaultherin and its analogs

The synthesis of gaultherin (1) and its analogs was carried out to provide 11 glycosides under phase-transfer catalytic conditions. The activities of all synthesized compounds were evaluated by nitric oxide production inhibitory assay in vitro. Methyl 2-O-(4-O-β-d-galactopyranosyl)-β-d-glucopyranosylbenzoate (5f) showed significantly anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects by the evaluation in vivo. Structure–activity relationships within these compounds were discussed.     

Modelling and simulation of variability and uncertainty in toxicokinetics and pharmacokinetics

Two important methodological issues within the framework of the variability and uncertainty analysis of toxicokinetic and pharmacokinetic systems are discussed: (i) modelling and simulation of the existing physiologic variability in a population; and (ii) modelling and simulation of variability and uncertainty when there is insufficient or not well defined (e.g. small sample, semiquantitative, qualitative and vague) information available. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic models are especially suited for separating and characterising the physiologic variability from the overall variability and uncertainty in the system. Monte Carlo sampling should draw from multivariate distributions, which reflect all levels of existing dependencies in the intact organism. The population characteristics should be taken into account. A fuzzy simulation approach is proposed to model variability and uncertainty when there is semiquantitative, qualitative and vague information about the model parameters and their statistical distributions cannot be defined reliably.     

成骨细胞的功能与损伤和骨质疏松的防治

骨质疏松是一种全身性骨骼疾病,导致骨折风险增加。成人的骨量通过破骨细胞的骨吸收和成骨细胞的骨形成作用来维持动态平衡,治疗骨质疏松症的理想策略是抑制破骨细胞的骨吸收和/或增强成骨细胞的骨形成功能。目前针对保护成骨细胞及增强其功能的骨质疏松疗法相对较少。因此,本文针对成骨细胞相关功能蛋白、各种细胞损伤机制（内质网应激、氧化应激、机械过载、微小RNA和长链非编码RNA的影响等）及骨质疏松的治疗与预防作一综述,以期为针对增强成骨细胞功能的骨质疏松治疗策略提供新思路。     

益生菌与肿瘤防治

益生菌广泛存在于自然界中,通过维持宿主体内菌群平衡、影响肠屏障功能和调节免疫应答等作用,提高宿主健康水平,被公认为"肠道健康卫士".一些益生菌可以增强机体的免疫功能,抑制致癌物质,影响肿瘤细胞的基因表达,对肿瘤具有拮抗作用.大量研究表明,益生菌在未来的肿瘤防治中有很好的应用和发展前景.     

Self-stimulation and amphetamine: Tolerance to d and l isomers and cross tolerance to cocaine and methylphenidate

The effects of the d and l isomers of amphetamine on self-stimulation responding were tested following acute and chronic administration. Tolerance and post-drug depression of responding occurred in tests with both isomers, indicating no role for p-hydroxynorephedrine (PHN) which is one of the metabolites of d-amphetamine. In the second experiment, d-amphetamine, methylphenidate and cocaine all produced quantitatively and qualitatively similar effects on self-stimulation responding following acute administration. Following chronic administration of d-amphetamine, animals showed tolerance to all three drugs, indicating cross-tolerance among them. These data are consistent with an hypothesis that tolerance and post-drug depression following chronic amphetamine treatment are the result of decreases in postsynaptic receptor sensitivity, which would lead to a decreased effectiveness of all three drugs, regardless of their pre-synaptic mechanisms.     

Acamprosate and naltrexone treatment effects on ethanol and sucrose seeking and intake in ethanol-dependent and nondependent rats

Rationale  Two pharmacotherapies are approved for treating alcohol craving (acamprosate and naltrexone), but both have shown mixed findings in animals and humans. Objectives  The present experiments utilized a “reinforcer blocking” approach (i.e., rats were able to consume ethanol during treatment) to better understand the efficacy of these treatments for ethanol seeking and drinking using ethanol-dependent and nondependent rats. Materials and methods  In “nondependent” experiments, drugs (acamprosate 50, 100, and 200 mg/kg; naltrexone 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg) were administered over 3-week periods prior to operant sessions with a low response requirement to gain access to reinforcers for 20 min. For “dependent” experiments, rats were made dependent in vapor/inhalation chambers. Results  Acamprosate and naltrexone had similar effects on intake in nondependent and dependent rats; neither drug was selective for ethanol over sucrose drinking. In nondependent animals, naltrexone was more efficacious at more doses than acamprosate, and acamprosate’s effects were limited to a dose that also had adverse effects on body weight. Both pharmacotherapies showed more selectivity when examining reinforcer seeking. In nondependent rats, acamprosate and naltrexone had response-attenuating effects in ethanol, but not sucrose, groups. In dependent animals, acamprosate had selective effects limited to a decrease in sucrose seeking. Naltrexone, however, selectively decreased ethanol-seeking in nondependent rats. Conclusions  The naltrexone-induced decreases in seeking suggested a change in incentive motivation which was selective for ethanol in nondependent rats. The “nondependent” paradigm may model early stages of “problem drinking” in humans, and the findings suggest that naltrexone could be a good intervention for this level of alcohol abuse and relapse prevention.     

Antiinfective and encrustation-inhibiting materials--myth and facts

Catheters, urethral and ureteral stents and other urological implants are frequently affected by encrustration and infection due to their permanent contact with urine. Indwelling urinary catheters provide a haven for microorganisms and thus require extensive monitoring. Several surface modification techniques have been proposed to improve the performance of devices including the immobilization of biomolecules, the incorporation of hydrophilic grafts to reduce protein adsorption, the creation of hydrophobic surfaces, the creation of microdomains to regulate cellular and protein adhesion, new polymers and antimicrobial coatings. Physico-chemical explanation to elucidate the mechanism of such encrustation or infection inhibiting materials is still not available. Our series of experiments showed a marked decrease of silver-activity in biological fluids which corresponds with the controversial clinical results obtained with silver coated urinary catheters. Rifampicin/minocycline coated catheters had very low activity against Gram-negative rods, enterococci and Candida spp., the main causing organisms of urinary catheter infection. Surface engineered materials and antimicrobial drug delivery systems will be the next generation of sophisticated urinary catheters and stents, if both efficacy as well as efficiency has been proved clinically.     

Alprazolam and lorazepam single and multiple-dose effects on psychomotor skills and sleep

Summary The effects of alprazolam 0.5 mg and lorazepam 2 mg on cognitive and psychomotor skills were assessed in twelve normal volunteer subjects in a randomised, double-blind, crossover design. Single and multiple dose effects were monitored using a battery of tests comprising critical flicker fusion threshold (CFFT), choice reaction time (CRT), simulated car tracking, and subjective ratings of perceived sedation (LARS) and of sleep behaviour (LSEQ). Compared with placebo baseline scores, treatment with lorazepam 2 mg (both single and multiple doses) resulted in a widespread impairment of CRT, tracking accuracy, and CFFT. Single doses of alprazolam 0.5 mg reduced CFFT with respect to the placebo baseline. Single and multiple dose treatment with both drugs resulted in subjective reports of sedation, a reduction of sleep onset latency, and improved sleep quality. Only lorazepam 2 mg significantly disrupted the integrity of behaviour on waking from sleep. These results suggest important pharmacodynamic differences between the two drugs in the doses used.