RWJ-270201 BioCryst Pharmaceuticals/Johnson & Johnson

RWJ-270201, the lead compound in a series of influenza neuraminidase inhibitors, is under development by BioCryst for the potential treatment of influenza [214908], [337716]. Phase III trials commenced in North America and Europe in February 2000 [355053]. Phase II studies were performed to test the effectiveness of RWJ-270201 at reducing viral titers in infected patients. Data showed that the compound was well tolerated and produced statistically significant reductions in viral titers [337716]. Under a worldwide influenza collaboration formed in September 1998, two subsidiaries of Johnson & Johnson, the RW Johnson Pharmaceutical Research Institute and Ortho McNeil, have received exclusive worldwide rights to RWJ-270201 [298487].     

Assessment of the nephron segments involved in post-obstructive diuresis in man, using lithium clearance

The phenomena of post-obstructive diuresis and natriuresis have been studied using the lithium clearance technique in 10 patients with high pressure chronic retention. Following relief of obstruction there was a significant increase in both sodium and water excretion. There was a coincident reduction in the fractions of sodium and water reabsorbed in both proximal and distal nephron segments. This study demonstrates for the first time that following relief of chronic obstructive uropathy in man, changes in sodium and water excretion are due to altered handling in both proximal and distal nephron segments.     

Clinical cholera caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli.

A woman returning from Mexico was hospitalized as an emergency patient with hypovolemic shock due to dirrheal disease of less than 1-day duration. Her clinical course was similar to that of severe cholera--she excreted greater than 60 liters of stool and urine in a 4-day period. The etiological agent was a non-enteropathogenic serotype but enterotoxigenic strain of Escherichia coli (063:NM). The patient responded both agglutinating and antitoxic antibodies against this strain and its enterotoxin. An "enteropathogenic serotype," 0111:B4, was also isolated but this finding had no etiological significance.     

Heterotopic versus orthotopic heart transplantation.

Since November 1974, heterotopic cardiac transplants have been performed at this unit in preference to orthotopic transplants. A number of reasons have led us to prefer this technique, namely donor malfunction in the immediate postoperative period and during rejection; right ventricular failure of the donor heart in the orthotopic position in patients with pulmonary hypertension; the ease of patient management; and the use of the donor heart as a temporary method of cardiac support. Disadvantages are the later recognition of rejection and the difficulty in performing transvenous endomyocardial biopsies. The results are satisfactory giving a 1, 2, and 3-year survival rate of 62%, 58%, and 50%, respectively.