Lack of effect of a single dose of hydrocortisone on serotonin(1A) receptors in recovered depressed patients measured by positron emission tomography with [11C]WAY-100635.

BACKGROUND: Elevated cortisol levels might account for the reduction in central serotonin 1A (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT](1A)) receptor binding and function observed in patients with major depression. We tested this hypothesis by studying the effect of acute administration of hydrocortisone on 5-HT(1A) receptor binding potential (BP) in subjects recovered from depression. METHODS: We studied 14 subjects (8 male, 6 female) who had recovered from at least two episodes of major depression and had been euthymic and drug free for at least 6 months. Serotonin 1A receptor BP was measured by [(11)C]WAY-100635 in conjunction with positron emission tomography. Subjects were tested on two occasions in a double-blind, random-order, crossover design after administration of either hydrocortisone (100 mg orally) or placebo 12 hours previously. Positron emission tomography scans were analyzed with a region of interest analysis. RESULTS: Hydrocortisone treatment did not decrease 5-HT(1A) receptor BP either in the hippocampus, which was our a priori hypothesis, or in other cortical 5-HT(1A) regions; however, female subjects had a higher 5-HT(1A) receptor BP in certain brain areas compared with male subjects. CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with an earlier study in healthy volunteers and do not support the proposal that decreased 5-HT(1A) receptor BP in patients with acute major depression is a consequence of cortisol hypersecretion.     

Optimization of localized 19F magnetic resonance spectroscopy for the detection of fluorinated drugs in the human liver.

Fluorine MR spectroscopy ((19)F MRS) is an indispensable tool for assessing the pharmacokinetics of fluorinated drugs. Since the metabolism of 5-fluorouracil (5FU), a frequently used cytotoxic drug, is expected to be different in normal liver and in tumor tissue, spatial localization is required for detection by MRS. In this study, three independent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) optimizations were combined to enable chemical shift imaging (CSI) as a localization method in the detection of 5FU and its metabolites in tumor tissue. First, the hardware was optimized by using circularly polarized coils together with integrated preamplifiers. Second, the optimal pulse angle (Ernst angle) was determined on the basis of T(1) relaxation time measurements of 5FU. Finally, averaging of CSI phase-encoding steps was optimized by using the applied Hamming filter as a weighting function. The combination of these three methods enables the in vivo detection of 5FU and alpha-fluoro-beta-alanine (FBAL) by (19)F MRS, localized in three dimensions in tumor and liver tissue at a time resolution of 4 min at 1.5 Tesla.     

潮汕地区健康青年H9、H6、H5亚型甲型流感病毒血清抗体调查

目的：调查潮汕地区健康青年中H9、H6、H5三种甲型流感病毒亚型的隐性感染情况，以期了解上述三种禽类甲型流感病毒亚型是否能够或已经从禽类直接或间接传染给人。方法：潮汕地区健康青年血清946份，通过HI实验进行抗体检测。结果：H9亚型抗体阳性率达37．2％；同时发现有三份血清存在H5抗体；未见H6亚型抗体的存在。结论：H9亚型在健康青年中的隐性感染率非常高；H5亚型抗体的存在也应值得注意。     

微波凝固联合黏膜下氟尿嘧啶注射治疗早期低位直肠癌

目的探讨微波凝固联合黏膜下氟尿嘧啶（5-Fu）注射治疗早期低位直肠癌的适应证和疗效。方法1996年1月～2002年12月对9例早期低位直肠癌采用微波凝固联合黏膜下5-Fu注射，微波治疗后用含5．Fu1．0g的生理盐水100～200ml保留灌肠，1次／d，连续3d，随访其疗效。结果3例微波治疗前CEA增高，微波治疗后CEA下降至正常。术中、术后无出血等并发症。随访至2006年1月，9例全部存活。l例生存3年5个月；1例生存3年8个月；1例1年4个月后肿瘤复发，行Miles手术至今又生存2年9个月；6例生存5年以上，其中1例5年1个月，1例6年3个月，l例6年8个月，1例7年6个月，2例9年。结论微波凝固联合黏膜下5-Fu注射治疗早期低位直肠癌适应于早期、距肛缘7cm以下、肿块型、肿瘤直径0．5～3．0cm或肿瘤〈直肠周径的1／3、病理类型为高分化肿瘤、且患者强烈要求保肛的直肠癌。该方法具有创伤小、费用低和疗效满意等特点。     

US and UK versions of the EQ-5D preference weights: Does choice of preference weights make a difference?

Background Most US studies that estimate EQ-5D index score generally apply the UK preference weights. We compared the validity of a newly-developed US weights to the UK weights for use of EQ-5D as a measure of health-related quality of life. Methods Data were collected from a randomized clinical trial for patients with HIV (n = 1,126) in the US. Convergent validity was examined by comparing Pearson correlations of EQ-5D index scores with the MOS-HIV Health Survey scale scores and Physical and Mental Health Summary (PHS, MHS) scores using the US and UK weights. Known-groups validity of EQ-5D US versus UK index scores was compared using clinical variables (CD4+ cell count and HIV viral load), and the MOS-HIV PHS and MHS. Score changes in the EQ-5D index from baseline to week 50 were examined using effect size (ES) estimates. Results The mean EQ-5D index scores was slightly higher using US weights than UK weights (0.87 vs. 0.84, respectively). The correlation coefficient for EQ-5D utilities using the US and UK weights was 0.98. The correlations of EQ-5D index scores with the MOS-HIV scores were moderate and similar using the US and UK weights. The EQ-5D index scores discriminated equally well for both versions between levels of CD4+ count, HIV viral load, and PHS and MHS scores (P < 0.05), suggesting equivalent known-groups validity. The changes in EQ-5D index scores from baseline to week 50 were similar for both versions (ES: 0.21 vs. 0.22 for US and UK, respectively), suggesting equivalent responsiveness to score changes. Conclusions EQ-5D index scores generated using UK and US preference weights showed equivalent psychometric properties. For assessing treatment benefit in a single population, the use of either the UK or US weights as a measure of HRQOL will not change inferences. However, for comparisons across US and UK populations, the choice between these two weights should be based on their relevance to the study population.     

Lithium increases slow wave sleep: possible mediation by brain 5-HT2 receptors?

The effect of lithium on slow wave sleep (SWS) was studied in ten normal male volunteers using home based cassette sleep recording and automatic sleep stage analysis. Lithium increased SWS, an effect consisten with a reduction in brain 5-HT₂ receptor function.     

Synthesis of 14C‐labeled piperidines and application to synthesis of [14C]SCH 351125, a CCR5 receptor antagonist

1‐Benzyl‐4‐hydroxy[2‐¹⁴C]piperidine, a useful intermediate in labeled compound synthesis, was prepared from [¹⁴C]formaldehyde in high yield. The distribution pattern of ¹⁴C in the product is consistent with a mechanism involving reversible iminium ion formation and rapid equilibration of the iminium ion through a cationic aza‐Cope rearrangement. These steps precede the rate‐determining intramolecular cyclization step. SCH 351125 is a potent, selective CCR5 receptor antagonist with potential as a treatment for HIV infection. [¹⁴C]SCH 351125, required for metabolism studies, was prepared from 1‐benzyl‐4‐hydroxy[2‐¹⁴C]piperidine in six steps. [¹⁴C]SCH 351125 is a mixture of four atropisomers. Preparation of [¹⁴C]SCH 351125 besylate salt of the desired atropisomer pair is also described. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of 5-Aminoisoquinolinone on the Adhesion of Colon Carcinoma

Objective： 5-Aminoisoquinolinone, a water-soluble, potent inhibitor of the activity of poly （adenosine 5＇-diphosphate ribose） polymerase, plays an important role in the tissue injury associated with ischaemia-reperfusion injury and inflammation by inhibiting the activity of poly （adenosine 5＇-diphosphate ribose） polymerase and the expression of cell adhesion molecules such as ICAM-1, P-selectin et al. But how about it in the tumor is not clear. The aim of the present study was to study the effects of 5-Aminoisoquinolinon on the adhesion of colon carcinoma line HT-29 cells to human umbilical vein endothelial cells; and the effects of 5-Aminoisoquinolinon on the expression of ICAM-1, P-selectin and the activity of poly （adenosine 5＇-diphosphate ribose） polymerase in colon carcinoma HT-29 cells. Methods： The adhesion of HT-29 cells to human umbilical vein endothelial cells was detected by adhesive experiment. Immunocytochemically Streptavidin-Peroxidase method was used to investigate the expression of ICAM-1, P-selectin and Poly （adenosine 5＇-diphosphate ribose）（ the product of poly （adenosine 5＇-diphosphate ribose） polymerase activation）. Results： the results of the adhesion assay of HT-29 cells to HUVEC showed that the OD570 value in each 5-AIQ-treated group was significant lower than that in the control group （5-AIQ-untreated） in a dose-dependent manner. The expression of ICAM-1, P-selectin and Poly （adenosine 5＇-diphosphate ribose） was significant lower in 5-Aminoisoquinolinone-treated HT-29 cell group than that in 5-Aminoisoquinolinoneuntreated groups. Conclusion： The data suggest that 5-Aminoisoquinolinone can inhibit the adhesion of HT-29 cells to human umbilical vein endothelial cells. 5-Aminoisoquinolinone also can inhibit poly （adenosine 5＇-diphosphate ribose） polymerase activation and the expressions of ICAM-1 and P-selectin in HT-29 cells. 5-Aminoisoquinolinone probably contributes to the prevention of tumor cell metastasis. Further study is needed.     

The effect of methamphetamine on serotonin and its metabolite in the suprachiasmatic nucleus: A microdialysis study

Summary The suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) has been identified as a major circadian pacemaker. Methamphetamine has been shown to modify the behavior of circadian rhythms. We detected extracellular serotonin (5-HT) and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in the SCN in freely moving rats, using a microdialysis method, to investigate biochemical effects of methamphetamine in the SCN. Methamphetamine infusion into the SCN dose-dependently increased extracellular 5-HT and decreased extracellular 5-HIAA.     

Interactions between serotonin and substance P in the spinal regulation of nociception

Interactions between 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and substance P (SP) in the mouse spinal cord were investigated using the tail-flick test and the behavioral response evoked by intrathecal (i.th.) SP or i.th. 5-HT. I.th. injection of 5-HT (20 μg) or the 5-HT₁ receptor agonists(+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ((+)-8-OH-DPAT) (20 μg) or 5-methoxy-3(1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine-4-yl)-1H-indole (RU 24969) (20 μg) markedly inhibited the tail-flick reflex. The effect of these compounds was reduced when SP (5 μg) was given i.th. 55 min, or 55 and 45 min before the agonists. The tail-flick latencies recorded 5 min before injection of a 5-HT agonist were similar in animals treated with SP or vehicle. The changes in the tail-flick test were not due to changes in tail skin temperature since only minimal differences in the skin temperature were recorded between the groups injected with SP or vehicle. I.th. injection of SP (10 ng) or 5-HT (2 μg) produced a similar behavioral response consisting of biting, licking and scratching of the caudal part of the body, indicative of nociceptive stimulation. The responses both to i.th. SP and 5-HT were reduced after i.th. application of SP receptor antagonist [d-Arg¹,d-Trp^7,9,Leu¹¹]-SP (Spantide) (5 μg), as well as 5 min after i.th. injection of the 5-HT receptor antagonist metergoline (4 μg). The data may indicate functional interactions between SP and 5-HT in the mouse spinal cord, which may take place in neurons involved in the processing of nociception.