Development and validation of a fast isocratic liquid chromatography method for the simultaneous determination of norfloxacin, lomefloxacin and ciprofloxacin in human plasma.

A simple and fast liquid chromatographic method coupled with fluorescence detection (LC-FD) is reported, for the first time, for the simultaneous quantification of norfloxacin (NOR), ciprofloxacin (CIP) and lomefloxacin (LOM) in human plasma, using levofloxacin as internal standard (IS). Sample preparation consists of a single-step precipitation of plasma proteins followed by vortex-mixing and centrifugation. Chromatographic separation was achieved within 7  min on a reversed-phase C(18) column with a mobile phase consisting of 0.

Enantioselective assay for therapeutic drug monitoring of eslicarbazepine acetate: no interference with carbamazepine and its metabolites.

As add-on therapy, phase III clinical trials of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) conducted in patients with refractory partial-onset seizures have shown good efficacy, safety, and tolerability, even in patients taking carbamazepine (CBZ) at baseline (approximately 60% of the enrolled patients). Thus, considering the pharmacological disadvantages of CBZ and the similar efficacy spectrum of CBZ and ESL, switching to ESL may be successful in many patients. As ESL is a prodrug almost instantaneously converted to S-licarbazepine (S-Lic; approximately 95%), an interest in therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of S-Lic is likely to develop in the future.

Binding of licarbazepine enantiomers to mouse and human plasma proteins.

Racemic licarbazepine (Lic) is the active metabolite of oxcarbazepine (OXC) and eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL), appearing in human plasma as S-licarbazepine (S-Lic) and R-licarbazepine (R-Lic). However, human metabolism of OXC and ESL to Lic differs in the S-Lic/R-Lic enantiomeric ratio observed in plasma. S-Lic appears in higher proportion after ESL administration than after OXC (95% versus 80%).

Private dysferlin exon skipping mutation (c.5492G>A) with a founder effect reveals further alternative splicing involving exons 49-51.

The allelic muscle disorders known as limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 2B (LGMD2B), Miyoshi myopathy and distal anterior compartment myopathy result from defects in dysferlin-a sarcolemma-associated protein involved in membrane repair. Mutation screening in the dysferlin gene (DYSF) enabled the identification of seven Portuguese patients presenting the variant c.5492G>A, which was observed to promote skipping of exon 49 (p.

Sexual dimorphic evolution of metabolic programming in non-genetic non-alimentary mild metabolic syndrome model in mice depends on feed-back mechanisms integrity for pro-opiomelanocortin-derived endogenous substances.

Previously, we showed that our post-natal handling model induces pro-opiomelanocortin-derived (POMC) endogenous systems alterations in male mice at weaning. These alterations last up to adult age, and are at the basis of adult hormonal and metabolic conditions similar to mild metabolic syndrome/type-2 diabetes. Here, we evaluate how sex influences post-natal programming in these metabolic conditions.

Development and validation of an HPLC-UV method for the simultaneous quantification of carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, eslicarbazepine acetate and their main metabolites in human plasma.

For the first time, a simple, selective and accurate high-performance liquid chromatography method with ultraviolet detection was developed and validated to quantify simultaneously three structurally related antiepileptic drugs; carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, and the recently launched eslicarbazepine acetate and their main metabolites, carbamazepine-10,11-epoxide, 10,11-trans-dihydroxy-10,11-dihydro-carbamazepine, and licarbazepine. The method involves a solid-phase extraction and a reverse-phase C18 column with 5 cm length. The mobile phase consisting of water, methanol, and acetonitrile in the ratio 64:30:6 was selected as the best one and pumped at 1 mL/min at 40 degrees C.

Intranasal drug delivery: how, why and what for?

Over the recent decades the interest in intranasal delivery as a non-invasive route for drugs is increased.Since the nasal mucosa offers numerous benefits as a target tissue for drug delivery, a wide variety of therapeutic compounds may be administered intranasally for topic, systemic and central nervous system action. We have, herein, outlined the relevant aspects of nasal anatomy, physiology and histology, and the biological, physicochemical and pharmaceutical factors that must be considered during the process of discovery and development of nasal drugs as well as in their incorporation into appropriate nasal pharmaceutical formulations.

Using NIRS to predict fiber and nutrient content of dryland cereal cultivars.

Residue from cultivars of spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), winter wheat, and spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) was characterized for fiber and nutrient traits using reference methods and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS).

Genotype-phenotype correlations in L1 syndrome: a guide for genetic counselling and mutation analysis.

Objectives: To develop a comprehensive mutation analysis system with a high rate of detection, to develop a tool to predict the chance of detecting a mutation in the L1CAM gene, and to look for genotype-phenotype correlations in the X-linked recessive disorder, L1 syndrome.

Methods: DNA from 367 referred patients was analysed for mutations in the coding sequences of the gene. A subgroup of 100 patients was also investigated for mutations in regulatory sequences and for large duplications.

[Determining the alveolar component of nitric oxide in exhaled air: procedures and reference values for healthy persons].

Nitric oxide (NO) production has been described using a 2-compartment model for the synthesis and movement of NO in both the alveoli and the airways. The alveolar concentration of NO (Ca(NO)), an indirect marker of the inflammatory state of the distal portions of the lung, can be deduced through exhalation at multiple flow rates. Our objective was to determine reference values for Ca(NO).

Diagnostic utility of inflammatory biomarkers in asthma: exhaled nitric oxide and induced sputum eosinophil count.

Background: Even though an inflammatory process is known to be the underlying cause of asthma, diagnosis is based on clinical history, reversible airway obstruction and bronchial hyperresponsiveness according to international guidelines. The fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FE(NO)) and induced sputum eosinophil count (Eos%) have been used as non-invasive inflammatory biomarkers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the sensitivity and specificity of FE(NO), Eos% and spirometry and to assess whether their combined use in clinical practice would improve diagnostic yield.

Enantioselective HPLC-UV method for determination of eslicarbazepine acetate (BIA 2-093) and its metabolites in human plasma.

Eslicarbazepine acetate (BIA 2-093) is a novel central nervous system drug undergoing clinical phase III trials for epilepsy and phase II trials for bipolar disorder. A simple and reliable chiral reversed-phase HPLC-UV method was developed and validated for the simultaneous determination of eslicarbazepine acetate, oxcarbazepine, S-licarbazepine and R-licarbazepine in human plasma. The analytes and internal standard were extracted from plasma by a solid-phase extraction using Waters Oasis HLB cartridges.

Comparison of phosphorus forms in wet and dried animal manures by solution phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and enzymatic hydrolysis.

Both enzymatic hydrolysis and solution (31)P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy have been used to characterize P compounds in animal manures. In this study, we comparatively investigated P forms in 0.25 M NaOH/0.

[Measurement of fraction of exhaled nitric oxide with the portable NIOX-MINO monitor in healthy adults].

Measurement of the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) provides a noninvasive way to monitor asthma treatment in clinical practice. The aim of this study was to determine FENO reference values for measurements recorded with the portable NIOX MINO monitor in a group of healthy volunteers. We also assessed the association between values recorded by the portable monitor and the N-6008 chemiluminescence analyzer used in our pulmonary function laboratory.

Taurine administration during lactation modifies hippocampal CA1 neurotransmission and behavioural programming in adult male mice.

Taurine plays a role in neuronal development. In this study, we examined whether postnatal taurine administration influences the long-term consequences induced by mild neonatal stressors (10 min maternal deprivation plus sham injection, applied daily to neonatal mice up to 21 days). At 30 days of age stressed mice showed higher pain threshold both in the tail-flick--which measures mostly the spinal mechanisms of pain--and in the hot-plate test--which reflects mainly the supraspinal mechanisms of pain.

Cervical aortic arch and 22q11 deletion--the role of MRI in diagnosis.

Aortic arch anomalies are relatively common, occurring in 0.5-3% of the population. In recent years, they have been recognized as being among the cardiovascular malformations found in chromosome 22q11 deletion.

Sesquiterpene lactones from Centaurea tweediei.

Aerial parts of Centaurea tweediei from Argentina afforded as the main constituent the sesquiterpene lactone onopordopicrin and minor amounts of a new heliangolide, a new guaianolide, a new eudesmanolide, a new eudesmane acid and the lignans arctigenin and matairesinol.

Dominant mutations in ROR2, encoding an orphan receptor tyrosine kinase, cause brachydactyly type B.

Inherited limb malformations provide a valuable resource for the identification of genes involved in limb development. Brachydactyly type B (BDB), an autosomal dominant disorder, is the most severe of the brachydactylies and characterized by terminal deficiency of the fingers and toes. In the typical form of BDB, the thumbs and big toes are spared, sometimes with broadening or partial duplication.

T cell numbers relate to bone involvement in Gaucher disease.

The major elements of bone pathology in Gaucher disease are a failure of osteoclast and osteoblast function, resulting in osteopenia and also osteonecrosis. T lymphocytes have recently been found to be involved in the regulation of osteoblast/osteoclast activity in vitro. In the present report the peripheral blood T major lymphocyte subsets were investigated in a group of genotyped type 1 Gaucher disease patients.