Isolation and characterisation of microsatellite loci in the tire track eel,Mastacembelus favus and cross-species amplification

Nine microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized in the tire track eel, Mastacembelus favus by using library enriched for microsatellite region. Among 47 specimens collected from Mekong River, the number of alleles ranged from 2 to 17 while levels of observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.021 to 0.873 and from 0.021 to 0.893, respectively. The primers were successfully tested in six closely related species, hence valuable for investigating population genetics and other related aspects of M. favus and its congener species.     

Optimization and Application of a Biotinylation Method for Quantification of Plasma Membrane Expression of Transporters in Cells

Quantitative proteomics, using LC-MS/MS, is increasingly used to quantify drug transporters present in tissues and cells. Most of these investigations quantify total transporter expression in the cells by utilizing a total membrane fraction, not only the plasma membrane. Here, we report development and optimization of a biotinylation method to quantify protein expression of transporters in the plasma membrane of cells. The Pierce cell surface isolation protocol was optimized for plasma membrane isolation. Incubation of OATP1B1-expressing CHO cells with 0.78 mg/mL of membrane impermeable biotinylation reagent (sulfo-NHS-SS-biotin) at 37°C for 1 h resulted in optimum isolation of the plasma membrane. Subsequently, the expression of transporters in the plasma membrane as a percent of the total was determined by quantitative proteomics using LC-MS/MS. Mean (±SD) plasma membrane expression of OATP1B1 in plated OATP1B1-expressing CHO, MDCKII, and HEK293 cells was found to be 79.7% (±4.7%), 67.7% (±12.2%), and 65.3% (±6.8%) of total cell OATP1B1 expression. Mean (±SD) plasma membrane expression of OATP1B3 in plated OATP1B3-expressing HEK293 cells, OATP2B1 in plated OATP2B1-expressing MDCKII cells, and sodium/taurocholate co-transporting polypeptide (NTCP) in plated NTCP-expressing CHO cells was 63.2% (±1.6%), 37.1% (±15.7%), and 71.7% (±1.2%), respectively. This method of quantifying transporter protein expression in the plasma membrane will be useful in the future to predict transporter-mediated drug disposition.     

The diagnosis of infection in chronic leg ulcers: A narrative review on clinical practice

This literature review aimed to provide a narrative review of evidence on validity of clinical and microbial indicators of infection and to gain insights into the diagnosis of infection in chronic leg ulcers (CLUs). A search was conducted in Cinahl, Medline, the Cochrane Library databases, Embase, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, Pubmed, PsycINFO, ProQuest dissertations, and Google Scholar from January 1990 to July 2017. The inclusion criteria were original studies, systematic reviews, and consensus documents focused on “infection” in CLUs, English language, clinical and community settings, and human. The reviewed studies were inconsistent in criteria for infection between investigated wound types and lack of specificity regarding wound types. There were few studies investigating the criteria for diagnosis of infection in leg ulcers. The identification of leg ulcer infection still remains problematic and relies on out‐of‐date and not uniform evidence. Literature in this area was mostly limited to level III and IV evidence based on The Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Levels of Evidence, or expert opinion. This literature review showed seven clinical signs and symptoms that could be diagnostic for infection in CLUs, including: new, increased, or altered ulcer pain; malodour; increased ulcer area; wound breakdown, delayed or non‐healing; and erythema and increased local temperature, whilst the microbial indicators used to diagnose infected leg ulcers were varied and regarded as less important.     

Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease Associated with Hepatitis B Vaccination

Purpose: To report a case of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease associated with hepatitis B vaccination.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 43-year-old Caucasian male presented with a three-week history of blurry vision, pain, photophobia, and redness in both eyes. Three days prior to the onset of symptoms, he had received the hepatitis B virus vaccine. Clinical evaluation revealed multifocal placoid lesions in the posterior pole, choroidal thickening, and serous macular detachment. Targeted laboratory investigations were negative for infectious or autoimmune markers. After treatment with oral corticosteroids, the patient had resolution of symptoms with near-total recovery of visual function. The patient later reported systemic findings of hearing loss, tinnitus, and integumentary changes. A diagnosis of VKH disease was made and inflammation was managed with oral corticosteroids followed by methotrexate for long-term disease control.

Conclusions: VKH disease is an inflammatory condition primarily affecting the choroid, retinal pigment epithelium, and outer retina. The underlying etiology is unclear, but it can be associated with a viral prodrome suggesting an infectious trigger in a genetically susceptible individual. Our case suggests that hepatitis B vaccination may trigger a similar inflammatory response.     

Efficacy of a Church-Based,Culturally Tailored Program to Promote Completion of Advance Directives Among Asian Americans

Having an Advance Directive (AD) can help to guide medical decision-making. Asian Americans (AA) are less likely than White Americans to complete an AD. This pilot study investigated the feasibility and efficacy of a church-based intervention to increase knowledge and behavior change related to AD among Chinese and Vietnamese Americans. This study utilized a single group pre- and post-intervention design with 174 participants from 4 churches. Domain assessed: demographics; AD-related knowledge, beliefs, attitudes, and intentions; AD completion; and conversations with a healthcare proxy. Data were analyzed using Chi square and multiple logistic regression techniques. We observed significant increases in participants’ AD-related knowledge, intentions, and a gain in supportive beliefs and attitudes about AD, resulting in 71.8 % AD completion, and 25.0 % having had a proxy conversation. Providing culturally-tailored intervention and step-by-step guidance can help to achieve significant changes in AD related knowledge and behavior in AA church goers.     

Pharmacy Students’ Attitudes Toward Reporting Serious Adverse Drug Events

Objectives. To determine pharmacy students’ attitude toward and knowledge of reporting serious adverse drug events (ADEs) to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Method. A 58-item survey questionnaire constructed to measure respondents’ intention to report ADEs (3 items), attitude toward reporting ADEs (20 items), knowledge of ADE reporting (9 items), and demographic data was administered to all third-year (final-year) pharmacy students at the Appalachian College of Pharmacy.Results. The majority of the 58 students who responded (91% response rate) intended (84%) and planned (85.3%) to report serious ADEs when they encounter them. Most respondents had favorable attitudes toward reporting serious ADEs to the FDA; respondents believed that reporting serious ADEs was valuable (5.6 ± 1.5, mean ± SD), good (3.0 ± 1.7), and beneficial (5.7 ± 1.5). Many students also believed that ADE reporting resulted in increased risk of malpractice, compromised relationships with physicians, broken trust with patients, disruption of the normal workflow, and was time consuming. Many students had inadequate knowledge on reporting ADEs.Conclusion. Although pharmacy students had strong intentions and favorable attitudes toward ADE reporting, they had inadequate knowledge of how to report serious ADEs.     

Identification of dihydropteridine reductase in human platelets

Normal human platelets were shown to contain the enzyme dihydropteridine reductase. The enzyme was not found in a variety of other cells of hematogenous origin. Partial purification and kinetic and physical data indicated that the platelet enzyme is similar to that previously characterized from liver. Dihydropteridine reductase is important for the regeneration of tetrahydrobiopterin, a required cofactor in hydroxylation reactions involved in biogenic amine formation. The presence of the enzyme may indicate that some synthesis de novo of serotonin and/or catecholamines occurs in platelets, as opposed to a purely storage and transport function. In addition, screening for hyperphenylalaninemia due to dihydropteridine reductase deficiency may become feasible by assaying platelets for enzyme activity.