Drug interaction of spirapril hydrochloride monohydrate and hydrochlorothiazide. A clinical study to compare the pharmacokinetics after administration of spirapril hydrochloride monohydrate tablets,hydrochlorothiazide tablets and fixed combination bi-layer tablets

The potential influence of concomitantly administered hydrochlorothiazide (CAS 58-93-5) on the pharmacokinetics of spirapril (CAS 94841-17-5)/spiraprilat (CAS 83602-05-5) and of concomitantly administered spirapril on the pharmacokinetics of hydrochlorothiazide was investigated in an open, randomised, 3-way crossover study in 12 healthy male subjects. The test drug was a newly developed bi-layer tablet containing a fixed combination of spirapril hydrochloride monohydrate and hydrochlorothiazide (Quadroplus). The reference formulations were tablets containing solely spirapril hydrochloride monohydrate (Quadropril) or hydrochlorothiazide (produced exclusively for study medication). For spirapril, spiraprilat and hydrochlorothiazide the 90% confidence intervals of the AUC(0-infinity) as a measure for the extent of absorption were entirely included within the equivalence range of 0.8 to 1.25 and the 90% confidence intervals of the Cmax as a measure for the rate of absorption were entirely included within the extended equivalence range of 0.7 to 1.43. Therefore, bioequivalence was concluded for the test and reference formulations. The results suggest that hydrochlorothiazide does not interact in the fixed combination with the pharmacokinetics of spirapril and vice versa.     

Cell detachment method using shock-wave-induced cavitation

The detachment of adherent HeLa cells from a substrate after the interaction with a shock wave is analyzed. Cavitation bubbles are formed in the trailing, negative pressure cycle following the shock front. We find that the regions of cell detachment are strongly correlated with spatial presence of cavitation bubbles. It is shown that the cavitation bubble collapse generates a transient high-speed flow along the substrate surface leading to rapid detachment of the cells. Flow trajectories are reconstructed from the video recordings using robust image-processing methods. From these trajectories, an estimate of the shear stress acting on the cells is obtained and the area of detachment is estimated with a kinetic model. Furthermore, it is suggested that the application of shock waves extends the known methods of cell detachment with the ability to control the process in space and time. (E-mail: c.d.ohl@tn.utwente.nl)     

Stat3信号传导通路对喉癌细胞G1～S期的调控

目的:探讨Stat3信号传导通路对喉癌细胞G1～S期调控的可能机制.方法:应用阳离子脂质体介导Stat3反义寡核苷酸转染人喉癌Hep-2细胞,阻断其Stat3通路;MTT法检测细胞增殖状态;流式细胞术检测细胞周期;Western blot检测Stat3、磷酸化Stat3、G1期Cyclins、CDKs、p21、p27的表达.结果:转染Stat3反义寡核苷酸后喉癌细胞增殖受抑制,Stat3、磷酸化Stat3、G1期Cyclins、CDKs表达水平下降,p21与p27表达水平上升.结论:Stat3信号传导通路可能通过调节CDK/Cyclin复合物与细胞周期索依赖性激酶抑制因子(CKI)成员之间的平衡而调节喉癌细胞G1～S期转换.     

Metabolic rate and O2 consumption in newborns during different states of vigilance.

In 135 asymptomatic newborn infants, 1--53 days of age, body weight 1,820--4,120 g, indirect calometry was performed. According to the state of wakefulness the infants showed during the testing procedure, they were divided into four groups of vigilance (V1--V4). Metabolic rate and oxygen consumption showed similar results between groups V1, V2 and V3 (deep sleep; REM sleep; wakefulness with no muscular activity). V4 infants (with muscular activity) had a higher metabolic rate and O2 consumption. Correlation between metabolic rate and body surface area is similar in V2 and V3 but shows a steeper slope in the V1 group. It is speculated that central regulatory mechanisms may account for this difference.     

Meniscal injuries: detection using MR imaging

Both retrospective and blinded analyses of thin-section, high-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) images of the knee joint, produced using a solenoid surface coil, indicate that MR imaging is an effective technique for evaluating meniscal injuries. Images of 49 patients were evaluated, and the results were correlated with those of subsequent arthroscopy. A grading scale was developed to rate the index of suspicion of a meniscal tear based on the MR images. Overall, approximately 80% of menisci rated grade 4 (definite tear) or 3 (probable tear) were found to have corresponding tears at arthroscopy. In many other patients with a grade 4 or 3 meniscus in whom a corresponding tear was not found arthroscopically, meniscal tears at other sites or other abnormalities were correctly diagnosed using MR. A majority of the false-positive MR images involved the posterior horns of the menisci, the sites of most false-negative arthroscopic diagnoses. The predictive value of a negative MR image was almost 100%. Even in patients with moderate-to-large effusions, the menisci were accurately evaluated. The results imply that MR imaging is useful in the preoperative evaluation of suspected meniscal tears.     

Percutaneous drainage access: a simplified coaxial technique

We describe an access technique that we have used in 150 nephrostomy and biliary drainage procedures and for access to some abscesses and viscera. The system provides safe coaxial access with a 22-gauge removable hub needle, which then acts as a guide wire and is replaced by an 18-gauge cannula. A major advantage is that only one guide wire is used (0.038-inch) for the entire drainage procedure. No significant complications have occurred to date with this method.     

Interventional radiology in the spleen

Despite the widespread use of interventional radiologic techniques, there has been reluctance to apply these to the spleen. Concern for bleeding and difficulty in negotiating around the colon and pleura have limited its use. The authors report their experience with interventional radiology of the spleen in 35 cases, including percutaneous biopsy (n = 5), diagnostic and therapeutic fluid aspiration (n = 14), and catheter drainage of abscesses (n = 9), hematomas (n = 2), intrasplenic pancreatic pseudocysts (n = 2), and necrotic tumor (n = 1). Transsplenic fluid aspiration and biopsy of the pancreas and adrenal gland were performed as well (n = 2). All procedures were performed under computed tomographic or ultrasound guidance. Biopsies were performed with 22- or 20-gauge needles only; no complications were encountered. Diagnoses included primary and secondary malignancies and an infectious process. Drainages were successful in 11 of 14 patients; pleural effusions occurred in two cases, but neither required specific therapy. Interventional radiologic procedures in the spleen are feasible, and the authors discuss methods to promote their safe application.     

Association between palmoplantar pustulosis and cigarette smoking in Brazil: a case–control study

Background  Palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) discloses some differences compared to vulgar psoriasis (PV) in terms of age of onset, female predominance and low occurrence of psoriasis lesions elsewhere. Cigarette smoking has been associated to PPP in international studies; nevertheless, these studies were never performed among Brazilian.
Objectives  To compare prevalence of smoking among PPP, PV and other dermatologic patients (NPD).
Methods  Case–control study involving 25 PPP patients from a reference psoriasis centre. Two control groups were matched according to gender and age: 50 patients with PV and 50 NPD. Confounders were adjusted by conditional multiple logistic regression.
Results  Among cases, 84.0% were female and PPP age of disease onset (41.4 years) was greater than PV (34.5 years). Prevalence of ever smoking was higher among cases (92.0%) than PV (52.0%) and NPD (30.0%). Adjusted odds ratio of PPP ever smoking compared to PV and NPD was 9.5 and 36.2, respectively. All smokers reported the onset of their habit before the development of PPP.
Conclusions  There was significant association between PPP and smoking. However, the impact of giving it up in the clinical course of the disease remains to be established.     

MR imaging of the scrotum: normal anatomy

High-resolution magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with a surface coil was utilized to evaluate the normal scrotum. Scrotal contents, spermatic canal, and inguinal regions were visualized within the same field of view. Differences in signal intensity in the testis, epididymis, tunica albuginea, fluid, fat, and spermatic cord allowed for clear delineation of these structures in detail. The high contrast and spatial resolution of MR imaging, coupled with the wide field of view and absence of ionizing radiation, make MR imaging well suited for evaluation of the scrotum.