Vermamoeba vermiformis in hospital network: a benefit for Aeromonas hydrophila

Parasitology Research - Aeromonas hydrophila, considered as an emerging pathogen, is increasingly involved in opportunistic human infections. This bacterium, mainly present in aquatic environments,...     

Vanillylmandelic acid protects against reperfusion injury in an experimental animal model of myocardial infarction

Vanillylmandelic acid, a catecholamine end-metabolite, has been shown to have several biological properties in previous studies, despite considered biologically inactive. We examined the potential effects of vanillylmandelic acid on the ischemic heart following myocardial infarction and reperfusion on a rat model. Thirty-four female Wistar rats were randomized into two groups, control and experimental. They were anesthetized and subjected to myocardial infarction through left anterior descending artery ligation. A previously studied dose of vanillylmandelic acid (10 mg/kg) was administered and the following parameters were studied during ischemia and reperfusion: a) mortality b) severity of ventricular tachyarrhythmias c) premature ventricular contractions and d) heart rate. Administration of vanillymandelic acid significantly reduced the severity of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and mortality rate during reperfusion, while it did not affect any other of the parameters studied. In conclusion, reperfusion injury was blunted through vanillylmandelic acid administration, which seems to be mediated by parasympathetic activation.     

The effects of parenteral nutrition on food intake and gastric motility

Frequently, patients receiving parenteral nutrition (PN) report hunger during the parenteral infusion, yet experience early satiety once PN is tapered off. Post-PN satiety can interfere with the ability to consume enough nutrients to maintain body weight and nutritional status. Factors such as caloric quantity of infusate, gastric motility changes, and disease pathology have been related to appetite changes. To investigate the effects of PN on food intake and gastric motility without the complicated interactions associated with disease pathology, four normal, healthy rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) were studied. The monkeys were administered PN in amounts ranging from 25% to 100% of their normal daily caloric intake. Food and water were continuously available. PN consistently suppressed voluntary food intake in direct relationship to the amount of nutrient infused. The frequency of large-amplitude hunger-type gastric contractions decreased from control conditions. Upon cessation of PN, appetite remained suppressed for one to two weeks, indicating a self-limiting physiological basis to post-PN satiety. Thus, reduced appetite following PN termination might occur in the clinical setting and the patients' feelings of satiety may not be completely attributed to lack of cooperation or disease pathology.     

Novel compounds targeting InhA for TB therapy

Tuberculosis (TB) is described as lethal disease in the world. Resistant to TB drugs is the main reason to have unfavourable outcomes in the treatment of TB. Therefore, new agents to replace existing drugs are urgently needed. Previous reports suggested that InhA inhibitors, an enoyl-ACP-reductase, might provide auspicious candidates which can be developed into novel antitubercular agents. In this review, we explain the role of InhA in the resistance of isoniazid. Furthermore, five classes of InhA inhibitors, which display novel binding modes and deliver evidence of their prosperous target engagement, have been debated.     

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of besifovir for the treatment of HBV infection

Introduction: Besifovir (LB80380) is a relatively new oral acyclic nucleotide phosphonate. We reviewed the pharmacokinetic characteristics of LB80380 and discussed its role in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection.

Areas covered: LB80380 is a prodrug of LB80331 and LB80317. It is rapidly absorbed when taken orally. Escalating doses of besifovir produce linear increase of the plasma concentration. Doses above 60mg are effective for inhibiting HBV in human. Using 60mg as an example, the maximal concentration of LB80331 in plasma is 397 ng/mL. The time required to reach maximal concentration in plasma and elimination half-life are 2.0 and 3.0 h, respectively. Besifovir and its metabolites are mainly excreted via the kidneys. Its antiviral efficacy is non-inferior to ETV 0.5mg daily. It is generally safe in terms of renal and bone toxicity. The most common adverse event is carnitine depletion which affects almost all patients on besifovir requiring carnitine supplementation.

Expert opinion: Besifovir demonstrated predictable pharmacokinetic characteristics in human subjects. Few clinical studies on besifovir have been conducted. More data are expected particularly for special populations. The adverse events upon long term exposure should be monitored. Large scale head-to-head trials comparing besifovir with existing NA, especially tenofovir alafenamide, should be conducted.     

Peripheral blood leukocyte telomere length is associated with age but not renal function: A cross-sectional follow-up study

Objectives

We aimed to evaluate the relationship between baseline renal function and changes in telomere length in Han Chinese.

Methods

The telomere restriction fragment (TRF) length of leukocytes in the peripheral blood was measured in healthy volunteers recruited in 2014. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated based on serum creatinine (Scr) and serum cystatin C (CysC)-eGFRcys and eGFRScr-cys through the Cockcroft-Gault formula (eGFRC-G) or the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI / eGFRCKD-EPI) equation. The correlation between telomere length changes over time and renal function was analyzed.

Results

Leukocyte TRF lengths were negatively correlated to age (r = -0.393, p < 0.001) and serum CysC (r = -0.180, p < 0.01), while positively associated with eGFRCKD-EPI, eGFRC-G, eGFRcys, and eGFRScr-cys (r = 0.182, 0.122, 0.290, and 0.254 respectively, p < 0.01). The 3-year change of telomere length was 46 bp/years. When adjusted for age, the associations between telomere length changes and baseline, subsequent TRF lengths, and serum CysC were no longer present. No association was observed between TRF length changes and renal function.

Conclusion

The rate of telomere length changes was affected by age and baseline telomere length. The telomere length changes might be important markers for aging.