Susceptibilities of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to isoniazid and rifampin on blood agar

In this study, blood agar was used instead of 7H10 agar for the susceptibility testing of 34 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF) in accordance with the NCCLS. The BACTEC 460 TB system (Becton Dickinson, Sparks, Md.) was used as a "gold standard." Results for both media were in agreement for RIF and INH at 100 and 94.1%, respectively. For INH, the specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were found to be 71.4, 100, 93.1, and 100%, respectively, while these values were 100% for RIF. In addition, the results of the susceptibility test performed with blood agar were obtained on day 14 of incubation. In conclusion, results were obtained much earlier with blood agar (2 weeks) than with 7H10 agar (3 weeks), and the results of this study suggest that blood agar may be used as an alternative medium for the susceptibility testing of M. tuberculosis to INH and RIF.     

Biochemical profile of blood serum of siraz <Emphasis Type="Italic">Capoeta capoeta umbla</Emphasis>

Seasonal changes in blood plasma biochemistry of siraz Capoeta capoeta umbla were determined throughout 1 year. In the present study, while the highest values for glucose and globulin were found in winter, the values for increased activities of total protein, albumin, calcium, sodium levels, albumin/globulin ratio, lactate dehydrogenase, and alkaline phosphatase were determined in summer. We determined that blood biochemistry values of siraz, which were positively affected by water temperature and pH, except glucose and globulin. Glucose and globulin were negatively affected by water temperature and pH. Consequently, it was concluded that the seasons are key factors when blood parameters are used as biomarkers for environmental alterations. It is difficult to define the most important factors affecting seasonal changes of blood biochemistry in fish.     

Regulatory review time and pharmaceutical research and development

In the United States, all newly developed drugs undergo a lengthy review process conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These regulatory delays have direct immediate costs for drug manufacturers and patients waiting for treatment. Under certain market conditions, regulatory delays may also affect future research and development (R&D) strategies of pharmaceutical companies. To estimate the magnitude of this effect, we match data on drugs in the development pipeline in 2006 to data that we collect on FDA review times for all drugs approved between 1999 and 2005. Employing a rich and novel set of controls that affect drug R&D decisions and, potentially, regulatory review lags, we find that on average, three additional months of delay result in one fewer drug in development in that drug category. Our results suggest that the length of the regulatory delay matters for pharmaceutical firms' R&D decisions and that the firms are likely unable to pass on these costs onto consumers.     

A Comparative Study: Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Melatonin and Some Indole Derivatives

To understand antioxidant activity and the role played by melatonin, we have designed and tested several new compounds. We present the results in terms of structure-activity relationships, focusing on the lack of the methoxy group and the influence of the amide side chain. Antioxidant activity of melatonin and some new melatonin analogue indole derivatives were investigated, using lipid peroxidation and superoxide anion radical scavenger activity assays, in rat liver tissue homogenate. Most of the compounds were found to be very potent inhibitors of malondialdehyde (MDA) formation at 10⁻³M. Inhibition rates ranged from 75-44 %. However, no significant inhibitory effect was obtained on superoxide anion formation. Consequently, it can be concluded that these compounds exhibit important LP activity compared to melatonin.     

Left Ventricular Dyssynchrony and Its Effects on Cardiac Function in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Hypertension

Objectives: Left ventricular (LV) systolic synchrony, defined as simultaneous peak contractions of corresponding cardiac segments, is well documented to be impaired in hypertension but its effect on LV function is not clear. The aim of this study was to assess the impacts of LV systolic dyssynchrony on LV function in newly diagnosed hypertensives. Methods: Forty-eight newly diagnosed hypertensive patients and 33 controls were enrolled. All study population underwent a comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation including tissue synchrony imaging. The time to regional peak systolic tissue velocity (Ts) in LV by 12 segmental models was measured and two parameters of systolic dyssynchrony were computed. Results: Baseline demographic characteristics were similar in both study groups. Dyssynchrony parameters prolonged in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients compared to controls: the standard deviation (SD) of 12 LV segments Ts (40.2 ± 21 vs. 26.2 ± 13.4, P = 0.003); the maximal difference in Ts between any 2 of 12 LV segments (123.3 ± 61.5 vs. 79.8 ± 37.9, P = 0.001). In multivariable analysis, Ts-SD-12 was found to be an independent predictor for systolic function (β=-0.29, P = 0.008). But, both diastolic and global functions were not independently related to Ts-SD-12. Conclusion: LV synchronization is impaired in newly diagnosed hypertensive patients. LV dyssynchrony is one of the independent predictors of systolic function in hypertensive patients.