The long‐term efficacy of nucleos(t)ide analog plus a year of low‐dose HBIG to prevent HBV recurrence post‐liver transplantation

Hepatitis B immunoglobulin (HBIG), given in combination with nucleos(t)ide therapy, has reduced the rate of recurrent hepatitis B virus (HBV) following liver transplantation (LT), although the most effective protocol is unknown. We have retrospectively evaluated the use of long‐term nucleos(t)ide analog in combination with one yr of low‐dose HBIG. One hundred and fifty‐two adults with HBV‐related liver disease underwent LT in our center from January 1999 to August 2009; of these, 132 patients who received one yr of HBIG combined with long‐term nucleos(t)ide analogs (largely on lamivudine [LAM] alone, n = 97) afterward were included for the purposes of this study. Median follow‐up post‐transplantation was 1752 d. Patient survival was 93.9%, 86.9% and 84.1% at 1, 5, and 10 yr, respectively; none of the 17 deceased patients had recurrent HBV. HBV recurrence was observed in nine patients (all received LAM+HBIG), yielding recurrence rates of 2.3%, 5.1%, and 8.6% at 1, 3, and 5/10 yr, respectively. All recurrences were successfully managed, usually with additional antiviral treatment. In conclusion, this study, with its long‐term follow‐up, demonstrates that short course of low‐dose HBIG (without anti‐HBs monitoring) combined with the use of long‐term nucleos(t)ide analog is effective and less cumbersome than many protocols in current use.     

Emotion in Younger and Older Adults: Retrospective and Prospective Associations with Sleep and Physical Activity

Older adults may have superior emotion regulation skills than younger adults and the authors suggest that as emotion regulation capacities increase with age, emotions may be less swayed by external events or even by internal traits. The current retrospective and prospective study further tested this hypothesis by determining if the emotions of younger adults were more reactive to two behaviors (i.e., physical activity, sleep) than for older adults. Results supported predictions. Specifically, retrospective self-reports and prospective diary data about physical activity and sleep exhibited stronger associations with emotion for younger than older persons. Implications for emotional well-being across the life span are discussed.     

A new tetracycline antibiotic from a Dactylosporangium species. Fermentation, isolation and structure elucidation

An actinomycete identified as a Dactylosporangium sp. produces a new tetracycline, 4a-hydroxy-8-methoxychlortetracycline (Sch 34164). The addition of magnesium ions to complex fermentation media increased the antibiotic titers. Sch 34164 was isolated by solvent extraction and Sephadex G-25 column chromatography. The novel structure was proposed based on spectroscopic analysis. The shift of C-4a (35 to 77 ppm) and C-8 (140 to 163 ppm) in the 13C NMR as compared to chlortetracycline was indicative of the novel hydroxyl and methoxy substituents, respectively.     

Occupational safety and health in The Gambia. Developing concern for worker health.

It is important for the occupational health nursing community to develop an international interest in worker health in countries with limited resources. The collaboration between The Gambia and the University of Iowa discussed in this article can be replicated in other settings and need not be limited to academic institutions. Corporate sponsorship and inclusion of workplace safety criteria in business contracts provide incentives for fostering change in developing countries.     

Broad-spectrum antiviral and cytocidal activity of cyclopentenylcytosine, a carbocyclic nucleoside targeted at CTP synthetase.

Cyclopentenylcytosine (Ce-Cyd) is a broad-spectrum antiviral agent active against DNA viruses [herpes (cytomegalo), pox (vaccinia)], (+)RNA viruses [picorna (polio, Coxsackie, rhino), toga (Sindbis, Semliki forest), corona], (-)RNA viruses [orthomyxo (influenza), paramyxo (parainfluenza, measles), arena (Junin, Tacaribe), rhabdo (vesicular stomatitis)] and (+/-)RNA viruses (reo). Ce-Cyd is a more potent antiviral agent than its saturated counterpart, cyclopentylcytosine (carbodine, C-Cyd). Ce-Cyd also has potent cytocidal activity against a number of tumor cell lines. The putative target enzyme for both the antiviral and antitumor action of Ce-Cyd is assumed to be the CTP synthetase that converts UTP to CTP. In keeping with this hypothesis was the finding that the antiviral and cytocidal effects of Ce-Cyd are readily reversed by Cyd and, to a lesser extent, Urd, but not by other nucleosides such as dThd or dCyd. In contrast, pyrazofurin and 6-azauridine, two nucleoside analogues that are assumed to interfere with OMP decarboxylase, another enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of pyrimidine ribonucleotides, potentiate the cytocidal activity of Ce-Cyd. Ce-Cyd should be further pursued, as such and in combination with OMP decarboxylase inhibitors, for its therapeutic potential in the treatment of both viral and neoplastic diseases.