Food-Borne Trematodiases

Summary: An estimated 750 million people are at risk of infections with food-borne trematodes, which comprise liver flukes (Clonorchis sinensis, Fasciola gigantica, Fasciola hepatica, Opisthorchis felineus, and Opisthorchis viverrini), lung flukes (Paragonimus spp.), and intestinal flukes (e.g., Echinostoma spp., Fasciolopsis buski, and the heterophyids). Food-borne trematodiases pose a significant public health and economic problem, yet these diseases are often neglected. In this review, we summarize the taxonomy, morphology, and life cycle of food-borne trematodes. Estimates of the at-risk population and number of infections, geographic distribution, history, and ecological features of the major food-borne trematodes are reviewed. We summarize clinical manifestations, patterns of infection, and current means of diagnosis, treatment, and other control options. The changing epidemiological pattern and the rapid growth of aquaculture and food distribution networks are highlighted, as these developments might be associated with an elevated risk of transmission of food-borne trematodiases. Current research needs are emphasized.     

Hat,shade, long sleeves,or sunscreen? Rethinking US sun protection messages based on their relative effectiveness

Background  

Sun protection messages in the United States emphasize sunscreen use, although its efficacy in skin cancer prevention remains controversial.     

Are all n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids created equal?

N-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids have been shown to have potential beneficial effects for chronic diseases including cancer, insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in particular have been studied extensively, whereas substantive evidence for a biological role for the precursor, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), is lacking. It is not enough to assume that ALA exerts effects through conversion to EPA and DHA, as the process is highly inefficient in humans. Thus, clarification of ALA's involvement in health and disease is essential, as it is the principle n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumed in the North American diet and intakes of EPA and DHA are typically very low. There is evidence suggesting that ALA, EPA and DHA have specific and potentially independent effects on chronic disease. Therefore, this review will assess our current understanding of the differential effects of ALA, EPA and DHA on cancer, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular disease. Potential mechanisms of action will also be reviewed. Overall, a better understanding of the individual role for ALA, EPA and DHA is needed in order to make appropriate dietary recommendations regarding n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid consumption.     

Mechanistic studies of blood pressure in rats treated with a series of cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitors

ILLUMINATE, the Phase 3 clinical trial of morbidity and mortality (M&M) with the cholesteryl ester transfer protein inhibitor (CETPi), torcetrapib (CP‐529,414), was terminated in December 2006 due to an imbalance in all cause mortality. The underlying cause of the M&M remains undetermined. While torcetrapib produced dose‐related increases in blood pressure in clinical trials, the mechanism of the increase in blood pressure is also undetermined. The pressor effects of torcetrapib and structurally related compounds were studied in several pathways involved in blood pressure control. Studies were conducted in rats treated with a series of structurally related molecules (CP‐529,414, CP‐532,623, PF‐868,348, CP‐746,281, CP‐792,485, PF‐868,343, and CE‐308,958). CP‐529,414, CP‐532,623, CP‐868,343, and CP‐792,485 are potent CETP inhibitors; PF‐868,348 is weakly potent and CP‐746,281 and CE‐308,958 are CETP‐inactive. Changes in blood pressure were determined in conscious animals in conjunction with pharmacologic blockade of numerous pressor agents/pathways. Torcetrapib and CP‐532,623 increased blood pressure following both chronic PO and acute IV administration. The CETP‐inactive enantiomer of CP‐532,623, CP‐746,281 failed to raise blood pressure. PF‐868,348, a structural analogue with ～50‐fold lower CETPi activity also displayed pressor activity. Blockade of adrenergic, cholinergic, angiotensin, endothelin, NOS, Rho kinase, and thromboxane pathways failed to attenuate the pressor response. These data demonstrate that the blood pressure activity seen with torcetrapib can be dissociated from CETP inhibitor pharmacology and numerous pharmacology pathways can be discounted in the attempt to understand the molecular basis of the pressor pharmacology. Drug Dev Res 70:2009 © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

In vitro and in vivo treatments of echinococcus protoscoleces and metacestodes with artemisinin and artemisinin derivatives

In vitro treatment of Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus larval stages with the antimalarials dihydroartemisinin and artesunate (10 to 40 μM) exhibited promising results, while 6 weeks of in vivo treatment of mice infected with E. multilocularis metacestodes (200 mg/kg of body weight/day) had no effect. However, combination treatments of both drugs with albendazole led to a substantial but statistically not significant reduction in parasite weight compared to results with albendazole alone.     

Correction to: R-praziquantel integrated population pharmacokinetics in preschool- and school-aged African children infected with Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium and Lao adults infected with Opisthorchis viverrini

Journal of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics -     

R-praziquantel integrated population pharmacokinetics in preschool- and school-aged African children infected with Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium and Lao adults infected with Opisthorchis viverrini

Journal of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics - Racemic praziquantel (PZQ) is the standard treatment for schistosomiasis and liver fluke infections (opisthorchiasis and clonorchiasis). The...     

高效液相色谱法测定血清中双氯芬酸浓度及在人体的药代动力学

建立了人血清中双氯芬酸的反相高效液相色谱测定方法。该法操作简便、精密度好、方法回收率为９８．２～１０２．５％，日内、日间ＲＳＤ为１．２９～４。５２％，血药浓度在０．２～１０μｇ／ｍｌ范围内呈线性关系，相关系数０；９９９９，当信噪比为２时，最低检测限为１０ｎｇ／ｍｌ。健康志愿者口服１００ｍｇ双氯芬酸肠溶衣片，药代动力学过程符合一室开放模型，消除半衰期为２．１５ｈ。