De-labeling of β-lactam allergy reduces intraoperative time and optimizes choice in antibiotic prophylaxis.

Background: Suspected penicillin allergic individuals receive suboptimal non-β-lactams for intraoperative prophylaxis which may prolong operations and have negative clinical outcomes. We therefore studied if β-lactam de-labeling optimized choice of prophylactic antibiotics and improved intraoperative time efficiency.

Methods: A multistep approach was used.

Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Randomized Phase I/IIa Study (Safety and Efficacy) with Buspirone/Levodopa/Carbidopa (SpinalonTM) in Subjects with Complete AIS A or Motor-Complete AIS B Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: No drug treatment capable of restoring locomotor capabilities in patients suffering a motor-complete spinal cord injury (SCI) has ever been developed. We assessed the safety and efficacy of an activator of spinal locomotor neurons in humans, which were shown in paraplegic animals to elicit temporary episodes of involuntary walking.

Methods: Single administration of buspirone/levodopa/carbidopa (SpinalonTM), levodopa/carbidopa (ratio 4: 1), and buspirone or placebo was performed using a dose-escalation design in 45 subjects placed in supine position who had had an SCI classified as complete (AIS A) or motor-complete/sensory incomplete (AIS B) for at least 3 months.

Synthesis and preliminary evaluation of piperidinyl and pyrrolidinyl iodobenzoates as imaging agents for butyrylcholinesterase.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to synthesize and evaluate specific agents for molecular imaging of butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE), known to be associated with neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, these agents were tested in a normal rat model. The distribution of radiolabel was compared with known BuChE histochemical distribution in the rat brain.

Characterization of (123)I-iodo-alpha-methyltyrosine transport in rat lymphoma cells.

(123)I-Iodo-alpha-methyltyrosine (IMT) transport into lymphomas has not been fully characterized. In rat Nb2-11C and Nb2-Sp lymphoma cell lines, linear uptake of (123)I-IMT occurred rapidly within 5-10 min. Eadie-Hoftee plots of (123)I-IMT uptake gave apparent Km's of 8.

Complex intracranial arterial anatomy in swine is unsuitable for cerebral infarction projects.

Objective: To see whether swine provide a suitable animal model for cerebral ischemia research projects related to apoptosis. Swine angiograms had not been obtained previously in our institution.

Methods: We performed angiography on an anesthetized pig.

Effects of theophylline on tracheal mucociliary clearance rates in healthy cats.

Objective: To determine tracheal mucociliary clearance rate (TMCCR) by use of a standard protocol in healthy anesthetized cats and to determine the effect of theophylline on TMCCR in healthy anesthetized cats.

Animals: 6 healthy cats.

Procedure: Cats were anesthetized with propofol, and a droplet of the radiopharmaceutical technetium Tc 99m macroaggregated albumin was placed endoscopically at the carina.