Single-run reversed-phase HPLC method for determining sertraline content,enantiomeric purity,and related substances in drug substance and finished product

A direct enantio-, diastereo-, and chemo-selective high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed for determining the content, enantiomeric purity, and related substances of the chiral antidepressant drug sertraline HCl in a single chromatographic run. The separation was achieved on a chiral stationary phase based on amylose tris(3-chloro-5-methylphenylcarbamate) under reversed-phase conditions. The method was optimized by evaluating the influence of the temperature and mobile phase composition on the retention and selectivity. The application of the single-run approach allowed to baseline resolve all investigated species in less than 15 min, without using buffers or tandem-coupled columns. The chromatographic method was validated according to the guidelines of the Official Medicines Control Laboratory and applied to control the content of sertraline HCl and related chiral substances in a generic antidepressant formulation.     

Tau protein kinases: Involvement in Alzheimer's disease

Tau phosphorylation is regulated by a balance between tau kinase and phosphatase activities. Disruption of this equilibrium was suggested to be at the origin of abnormal tau phosphorylation and thereby might contribute to tau aggregation. Thus, understanding the regulation modes of tau phosphorylation is of high interest in determining the possible causes at the origin of the formation of tau aggregates in order to elaborate protection strategies to cope with these lesions in Alzheimer's disease. Among the possible and specific interventions that reverse tau phosphorylation is the inhibition of certain tau kinases. Here, we extensively reviewed tau protein kinases, their physiological roles and regulation, their involvement in tau phosphorylation and their relevance to AD. We also reviewed the most common inhibitory compounds acting on each tau kinase.     

Morphology, cytochemistry and immunocytochemistry of the circulating granulocytes of the loggerhead sea turtle Caretta caretta

The eosinophils and heterophils of loggerheads display a similar rounded shape, an eccentric and elongated or slightly lobulated nucleus and a cytoplasm containing acidophilic pleomorphic granules. The characterization of the different types of granulocytes from nine Mediterranean loggerheads (Caretta caretta), based on cytochemical and immunocytochemical reactions and ultrastructural studies, is reported. On the basis of their positivity after myeloperoxidase, alkaline phosphatase and chloroacetate esterase reactions (typical of mammalian neutrophils), the granulocytes were classified as heterophils, while those myeloperoxidase-negative, major basic protein-positive granulocytes (like mammalian eosinophils), displaying a weak expression of interleukin 5 (a growth and differentiation factor, activator and chemoattractant for eosinophils), were classified as eosinophils. The immunocytochemical and TEM studies allowed the identification of these two granulocyte types, both of which show an eosinophilic reaction with May–Grünwald–Giemsa, periodic acid–Schiff and neutral red staining positivity.     

Caffeine increases the expression of cystatin SN in human submandibular acinar-like HSG cells

ObjectiveThe study aimed at evaluating in vitro the effect of caffeine on expression of cystatin SN, a potential marker of sensitivity to bitterness in humans.MethodsDifferentiation of human submandibular gland (HSG) cells was induced by culturing cells on Matrigel. Caffeine cytotoxicity was assessed over 3 days by the Resazurin test. Finally, effects of 5, 50 and 100 μM caffeine exposure on cystatin SN expression were explored over 3 days by ELISA.ResultsAt concentrations relevant to human adult plasma levels (5, 50 and 100 μM), caffeine did not affect cell viability whether cells were differentiated or not. Cystatin SN levels were overall higher in differentiated cells and increased with time in both conditions. There was a significant (p < 0.001) effect of caffeine on cystatin SN expression specifically in differentiated cells.ConclusionsThe HSG cell line proved to be a relevant tool to study in vitro the effect of caffeine at concentrations consistent with dietary intake in human subjects. The results suggest that salivary cystatin SN abundance may depend on caffeine intake, with possible consequences on taste sensitivity.     

An Investigation of Goodman's Addictive Disorder Criteria in Eating Disorders

The aim of this study was to examine how far Goodman's addictive disorder criteria were met by individuals with eating disorders according to subtypes. The study provided a cross‐sectional comparison among three samples of eating disorders [restricting anorexia nervosa (R‐AN), N = 68; purging anorexia nervosa (P‐AN), N = 42; and bulimia nervosa (BN), N = 66], a sample of substance‐related disorders (SRDs, N = 48) and a sample of matched controls (N = 201). Diagnosis of addictive disorder was made following Goodman's criteria. Addictive personality traits were assessed with the Addiction Potential Scale of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory—2 and with the Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale. Results showed that individuals with BN met Goodman's addictive disorder criteria in the same proportion as drug‐addicted individuals (65% vs 60%, p = NS). They both showed higher rates than R‐AN individuals (35%; R‐AN versus BN: F = 11.9, p < 0.001 and R‐AN versus SRD: F = 7.16, p < 0.01). Although BN and SRD showed higher rates of addictive disorders compared with P‐AN, differences were not significant. Scores on the Sensation Seeking and on the Addictive Potential scales paralleled the distribution of addictive disorders, with individuals with BN and with P‐AN showing higher levels than individuals with R‐AN. Results showed that a subgroup of individuals with an eating disorder experiences their disorder as an addiction and may deserve specific therapeutic attention. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.     

Definition and characterization of localised meningitis epidemics in Burkina Faso: a longitudinal retrospective study

Background  

The epidemiology of meningococcal meningitis in the African meningitis belt is characterised by seasonality, localised epidemics and epidemic waves. To facilitate research and surveillance, we aimed to develop a definition for localised epidemics to be used in real-time surveillance based on weekly case reports at the health centre level.