Flerobuterol: a potential antidepressant drug related to β-adrenergic agonists. Experimental profile in mice

The potential antidepressant effect of flerobuterol (dl-(fluoro-2 phenyl)-1 t-butylamino-2 ethanol), a new drug related to beta-adrenoceptor agonists, was evaluated and compared with imipramine and salbutamol using classical psychopharmacological tests in mice. Like imipramine and salbutamol, flerobuterol (0.5-32 mg kg-1, ip) fully prevented apomorphine (16 mg kg-1, sc)- and partly reversed reserpine- and oxotremorine-induced hypothermia. At higher doses (16-32 mg kg-1), flerobuterol enhanced the toxic effects of yohimbine. Unlike imipramine, flerobuterol and salbutamol did not reduce immobility duration in the behavioural despair test. Salbutamol and flerobuterol decreased locomotor activity. Flerobuterol did not induce mydriasis, did not prevent oxotremorine-induced tremors or salivary and lacrimal gland secretion and did not reduce reserpine-induced palpebral ptosis. Propranolol (8 mg kg-1, ip) but not alpha-methyl-paratyrosine (75 mg kg-1, ip) prevented the flerobuterol-induced antagonism of apomorphine-induced hypothermia. Our results suggest that flerobuterol demonstrates potential antidepressant activity, which could be related to beta-adrenoceptor activation in mice.     

Spinal MRI in vacuolar myelopathy, and correlation with histopathological findings

We correlated MRI features with histopathological findings in an HIV-positive patient with vacuolar myelopathy. On MRI symmetrical nonenhancing high-signal areas in the posterior columns on T2-weighted images result from extensive vacuolation visible on histological sections. Received: 18 November 1997 Accepted: 23 March 1997     

Suppurative corneal ulceration in Bangladesh

Suppurative keratitis is an important preventable cause of blindness, particularly in the developing world. This study analyses 142 cases of suppurative keratitis referred to Chittagong Eye Infirmary, Bangladesh. Some 53.5% of cases were bacterial and 35.9% were fungal. The five most common pathogens were: Pseudomonas sp. 24%, Streptococcus pneumoniae 17%, Aspergillus sp. 13%, Fusarium sp. 7% and Curvularia sp. 6%. Gram stain and culture results were consistent in 62.6% of cases. Previous antibiotic treatment was a significant factor for failure of culture isolation and less so for Gram stain failure. On Gram stain, 55.9% of pseudomonal cases were missed, but only 2% of fungal cases were missed. Over all, Gram stain had a sensitivity of 62% and positive predictive value of 84% for bacterial cases, and 98% and 94% for fungal cases, respectively. Fungal ulcers were typically filamentous, but an antecedent history of trauma was not common. The most frequent injury was due to rice grains, but the inoculum appeared to be introduced during eye washing with contaminated water. Pseudomonal ulcers occurred most frequently in the monsoon season, and Fusarium cases were seen only in the hot, dry season.     

Pneumocandins from Zalerion arboricola. III. Structure elucidation.

Pneumocandin B0 (6) and six related lipopeptides are antifungal and anti-Pneumocystis carinii agents from mutants of Zalerion arboricola, whose structures were determined mainly on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. They belong, along with pneumocandin A0 (L-671,329) previously isolated from these laboratories, to the echinocandin class of antifungal agents. The product from base-catalyzed ring opening involving the hemiaminal position of the dihydroxyornithine residue of B0, has been clearly defined as 6b. Modifications were limited to the 3-hydroxy-4-methylproline, 3,4-dihydroxyhomotyrosine and 4,5-dihydroxyornithine residues of pneumocandin A0.     

科室主任管理职能与基本素质探讨

人力资源在管理中发挥着重要作用，其中，科室主任作为医院人力资源的重要组成部分，在医院惯性运行和可持续发展中扮演着重要角色。因此，科室主任因其技术和管理双重职责所具备的管理职能、基本素质和领导艺术在日常工作中显得尤为关键。     

Immunologie bei Schwerverletzten

Zusammenfassung. Der klinische Verlauf bei polytraumatisierten Patienten wird durch das h?ufige Auftreten schwerwiegender immunologischer Komplikationen beeintr?chtigt. Die Immunantwort auf schweres Trauma kann durch die vermehrte Freisetzung proinflammatorischer Mediatoren über das „systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)“ zum Mehrorganversagen [„multisystem organ failure (MOF)“] führen, welches mit einer Letalit?t von bis zu 80 % behaftet ist. Charakteristisch für die Entwicklung des Multiorganversagens ist das Auftreten des „remote organ failure (ROF)“, eine Fehlfunktion von Organen, die durch das eigentliche Trauma keinen direkten Schaden erlitten haben. Diese Arbeit gibt einen kurzen überblick über die neueren Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet der tierexperimentell-immunologischen Traumaforschung und geht eingehend auf den aktuellen Stand der klinisch-immunologischen Traumaforschung ein. Insbesondere wird die Bedeutung der sog. pro- und antiinflammatorischen Cytokine bei der Entstehung von SIRS, MOF und ROF er?rtert. Trotz der vielen Fortschritte auf dem Gebiet der klinischen Immunologie und der vielf?ltigen Informationen über die Trauma-induzierten Immunfunktionsst?rungen müssen jedoch noch viele offene Fragen gel?st werden, bevor die immunologischen Ver?nderungen nach schwerem Trauma durch immunmodulatorische Therapieans?tze nachhaltig positiv beeinflu?t werden k?nnen.      

Targeted gene disruption of murine CD7

CD7 is a 40 kDa type I transmembrane glycoprotein member of the Ig superfamily. CD7 is a marker of mature human T cells and NK cells, and is expressed early in their development. Cross-linking CD7 positively modulates T cell and NK cell activity as measured by calcium fluxes, expression of adhesion molecules, cytokine secretion and proliferation. CD7 associates directly with phosphoinositol 3'-kinase, and CD7 ligation induces production of D-3 phosphoinositides and tyrosine phosphorylation. Severe combined immunodeficiency has been associated with a lack of lymphocyte surface CD7. The CD7 ligand is unknown. The murine CD7 homolog is encoded by a single gene on chromosome 11. In order to characterize the role of CD7 in lymphocyte development and function we have eliminated the CD7 gene by targeted disruption. CD7- deficient mice display normal histology of thymus and spleen, normal lymphocyte populations in primary and secondary lymphoid tissues, and normal serum Ig levels. Specific antibody responses after immunization with T-dependent and T-independent antigens are equivalent in wild-type and CD7 knockout mice. CD7-deficient lymphocytes respond normally to T cell mitogenic and allogeneic stimuli, and display normal NK cell cytotoxicity.