Drug name recognition and classification in biomedical texts. A case study outlining approaches underpinning automated systems

This article presents a system for drug name recognition and classification in biomedical texts. The system combines information obtained by the Unified Medical Language System (UMLS) MetaMap Transfer (MMTx) program and nomenclature rules recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) Program to identify and classify pharmaceutical substances. Moreover, the system is able to detect possible candidates for drug names that have not been detected by MMTx program by applying these rules, achieving, in this way, a broader coverage. This work is the first step in a method for automatic detection of drug interactions from biomedical texts, a specific type of adverse drug event of special interest in patient safety.     

A comparison of the potency of selective L-calcium channel blockers in human coronary and internal mammary arteries exposed to serotonin.

The actions of L-type calcium channel blockers on the contractile response to serotonin and to K(+)-depolarization have been studied in human coronary artery and in human internal mammary artery. The effect of ketanserin indicated that in both arteries serotonin action may be related not only to 5-serotonin2 but also to other serotonin receptors. In fura-2-loaded coronary and mammary arteries, exposed to serotonin (10 microM), nisoldipine (1 microM) and verapamil (10 microM) reversed completely the increase in [Ca++] cyt but not the contraction. The Ca++ antagonist-resistant contraction was equal to 26.2 +/- 2.1% of controls (n = 57) in coronary artery and to 51.7 +/- 4.2% (n = 19) in internal mammary artery. The concentration inhibiting by 50% the tonic contraction to serotonin sensitive to calcium channels blockade was 61-fold lower in human coronary artery than in human internal mammary artery with nisoldipine, but only 3.7-fold lower with nifedipine. There was no significant difference with diltiazem and verapamil. When human coronary artery and human internal mammary artery were exposed to a 100-mM KCl depolarizing solution, their sensitivity to nisoldipine was not significantly different. Preincubation with calcium antagonists in a 40-mM KCl solution reversibly increased the inhibitory effect of nisoldipine but not that of the other calcium antagonists. Comparison of radioligand and functional data shows that inhibition by calcium antagonists of the response to both serotonin and K(+)-depolarizing solution may be related to interaction with L-type calcium channels. The results indicate that the very high sensitivity to nisoldipine of the tonic response evoked by serotonin in human coronary artery might be related to the voltage-dependence of this dihydropyridine.     

Bullying and sexual harassment in the school setting.

This article defines bullying and sexual harassment, identifies associated characteristics of the aggressor and the victim, and describes implications for school nurses. The background of federal laws with a focus on the most current 1999 Supreme Court decision, holding a school district liable for damages under federal law (Title IX), is addressed with a case study. Health promotion issues and prevention concepts are outlined in a 10-Point Action Plan to facilitate the prevention and management of bullying and sexual harassment in schools. A survey tool to assess bullying and teaching plans for parents of victims and aggressors are provided. Suggested linkages among approved nursing languages, North American Nursing Diagnosis Association (NANDA) nursing diagnoses (NANDA, 1998), Nursing Interventions Classification interventions (Iowa Intervention Project, 2000), and Nursing Outcomes Classification outcomes (Iowa Outcomes Project, 2000) are included for use in developing nursing care plans for both aggressors and victims of harassment.     

The use of methylene blue in the treatment of anaphylactic shock induced by compound 48/80: experimental studies in rabbits

In this study, the isolated use of methylene blue (MB) in the treatment of anaphylactic shock induced by Compound 48/80 (C48/80), a potent histamine releaser, was examined, and the study of the effects of MB on the function of the aorta artery endothelium was accomplished in vitro. MB was used in a single 3.0 mg/kg dose, and C48/80 was used in a single 4.5 mg/kg dose. The study protocol included the following experimental groups, containing six animals each: group I (control), animals in the absence of any drug action; group II (MB), MB infusion; Group III (C48/80), anaphylactic shock induced by using C48/80; group IV (C48/80 + MB), anaphylactic shock treated with MB infusion at the moment of major hypotension; and group V (MB + C48/80), prevention of anaphylactic shock with MB by means of MB infusion minutes before the 4.5 mg/kg C48/80 infusion. Nitric oxide plasma levels were measured in each of the experimental groups. After the in vivo studies were performed, an in vitro study was conducted using segments of the abdominal aortas of the rabbits to determine the effect of MB on the arterial endothelium. The results obtained in the present investigation have shown that MB intravenous infusion does not change the mean arterial pressure when compared with the control group (n = 6 in each group, P < 0.05); that C48/80 is effective in producing experimental anaphylactic shock (n = 6, P < 0.05); that the attempt to prevent anaphylactic shock with MB results in a mean prolongation of animal survival ranging from 17 to 34 min (n = 6 in each group, P < 0.05); that MB is effective in reversing anaphylactic shock in all the studied rabbits (n = 6, P < 0.05); that absolute and percentage plasma nitrate values obtained with the experimental groups do not differ (n = 6, each group, P < 0.05); and that the in vitro study of segments of abdominal aorta has shown that there has not been endothelial dysfunction in any of the groups (n = 6 in each group, P < 0.05). The good results obtained in this study open a research path that may offer data to define new paradigms for treating anaphylaxis.     

Ex vivo effect of JAK inhibition on JAK-STAT1 pathway hyperactivation in patients with dominant-negative STAT3 mutations

Journal of Clinical Immunology - STAT1 gain-of-function (GOF) and dominant-negative (DN) STAT3 syndromes share clinical manifestations including infectious and inflammatory manifestations. Targeted...     

Extended use of bemiparin as thromboprophylaxis during bariatric surgery: results of anti-factor Xa activity measurements

Background

The incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in morbidly obese patients after obesity surgery is between .2% and 3.5%. Because there are a lack of prospective studies on the type of drug, the correct dosage, and the optimal duration, there are no specific recommendations found in the guidelines on thrombophylaxis.

RNAIII-inhibiting-peptide-loaded polymethylmethacrylate prevents in vivo Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation

Staphylococci, common orthopedic pathogens, form antibiotic-resistant biofilms. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) beads loaded with the quorum-sensing inhibitor RNAIII-inhibiting peptide (RIP) were implanted in rats and shown to prevent methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. RIP release was bimodal, typical of previously-tested antibiotics. These results suggest that RIP-PMMA warrants further evaluation for management of orthopedic infections caused by staphylococci.