Evaluation of the flora of Puerto Rico for in vitro antiplasmodial and antimycobacterial activities.

The emergence of resistant strains of Plasmodium falciparum and Mycobacterium tuberculosis underscores the need for novel drugs that are effective against these microorganisms. As part of our screening programme of the flora of Puerto Rico, we tested a number of ethanol extracts of higher plants for antiplasmodial and antimycobacterial activities. A total of 40 extracts belonging to 23 plant families and 37 species were tested for antiplasmodial activity.

Sequence determination of variable region genes of two human monoclonal antibodies against Neisseria meningitidis.

Nucleotide sequences for the variable regions of both the heavy and light chains for two human monoclonal antibodies have been determined. Both antibodies are directed against an outer membrane protein of Neisseria meningitidis, and their genes show a low resemblance to germline sequences.

Complete proximal tubular acidosis (Type 2, RTA) in chronic active hepatitis.

Fifteen patients with chronic active hepatitis (CAH) were tested in order to ascertain the site of tubular dysfunction in renal tubular acidosis (RTA) associated with CAH. Renal plasma flow and GFR were reduced in the patients compared to controls (P < 0.005).