Agreement in assessment of infliximab and adalimumab levels in rheumatoid arthritis: interlaboratory and interassay comparison.

Objectives: Infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADL) drug levels and anti-drug antibodies (ADA) are assessed using a variety of techniques, therefore, results cannot accurately be compared for clinical purposes. The aim of this study was to test two infliximab (IFX) and adalimumab (ADL) ELISA versions, for drug levels and ADA, to see whether they yield similar results.

Methods: ELISA versions [Promonitor® IFX R1 and R2 (V.

Investigating the link between disease activity and infliximab serum levels in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which infliximab (IFX) serum levels impact disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: In this cross sectional study, serum samples were taken prior to drug infusion from 60 RA patients who had been undergoing IFX therapy > 12 months as a first line of biological treatment. Patient IFX levels were tested and then associated with clinical disease activity.

Discovering a new analogue of thalidomide which may be used as a potent modulator of TNF-alpha production.

A new series of imide derivatives related to thalidomide were synthesized and evaluated as modulators of TNF-alpha production. These derivatives enhance TNF-alpha production using human leukemia HL-60 cells induced with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), while inhibiting TNF-alpha production induced with okadaic acid (OA) in the same cell line. The diphenylmaleimide derivative 2f, was found to be the most active product, producing a strong modulation of the cytokine level.

Apoptotic and free radical scavenging properties of the methanolic extract of Gentianella alborosea.

Gentianella alborosea ("Hercampure") is a Peruvian species used in folk medicine for the treatment of a variety of health disorders. We tested the free radical scavenging (DPPH) and induction of apoptosis on a human uterus tumor cell line (HeLa) by its methanolic extract. The results showed a noticeable radical scavenging activity and a dose-dependent apoptotic effect.

[Analysis and protocolization of rasburicase use in patients with hematologic neoplasms].

Objective: To describe the use of rasburicase in adult patients with hematological neoplasias and to present a protocol for its administration jointly prepared by the hematology and the pharmacy departments based on the scientific evidence available.

Method: Retrospective study that reviews treatments with rasburicase administered in a tertiary 800-bed hospital from July 2002 to May 2004 to adult patients with hematological neoplasias. The following data were collected: demographic and clinical data, daily dose of rasburicase and length of treatment, plasma levels of creatinine, potassium, phosphate, calcium, LDH, uric acid and white blood cell count daily and until 48 hours after administering the last dose of rasburicase.

Synthesis and biological activity of N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl-substituted bisindolyl and diphenyl pyrazolone derivatives.

New compounds, structurally related to the potent protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine, with a bisindolylpyrazolone framework and substituted on the pyrazolone nitrogens with N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl side chain, were synthesized and evaluated for growth-inhibitory properties in several human cell lines. Many showed inhibition of TNF-alpha production in response to the tumor promotor TPA on HL-60 cells. The apoptotic activity on HeLa cells has been examined for several of these compounds.

Pyrazolo[3,4-c]pyridazines as novel and selective inhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases.

Pyrazolopyridazine 1a was identified in a high-throughput screening carried out by BASF Bioresearch Corp. (Worcester, MA) as a potent inhibitor of CDK1/cyclin B and shown to have selectivity for the CDK family. Analogues of the lead compound have been synthesized and their antitumor activities have been tested.

Synthesis, biological activity, and quantitative structure-activity relationship study of azanaphthalimide and arylnaphthalimide derivatives.

A series of quinoline derivatives as aza analogues of the naphthalene chromophore and a series of "nonfused" tricyclic aromatic systems, in particular 5-arylquinolines and 5- or 6-aryl and heteroaryl naphthalene systems, were synthesized and evaluated for growth-inhibitory properties in several human cell lines. The analysis of quantitative structure-antitumor activity relationships for the growth-inhibitory properties is also reported. Findings suggest that these compounds may not express their cytotoxicity via interaction on DNA.

Biological activity of extracts from Catalpa bignonioides Walt. (Bignoniaceae).

Catalpa bignonioides Walt. (Bignoniaceae) is a species that belongs to a tropical family but has been introduced in many countries as ornamental. Although this plant is consumed by indigenous cultures of South America for medical uses, experimental studies of the biological properties of Catalpa bignonioides are lacking.

Synthesis, antitumor activity, molecular modeling, and DNA binding properties of a new series of imidazonaphthalimides.

A series of mono and bisintercalators based on the 5,8-dihydrobenz[de]imidazo[4,5-g]isoquinoline-4,6-dione system were synthesized and evaluated for growth inhibitory properties in several human cell lines. All target compounds showed activity in the micromolar range. Representative compounds were evaluated using UV--vis spectroscopy and viscosimetric determinations, showing that they behave as DNA intercalators.

In vitro development of resistance to three quinolones in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

We studied the in vitro development of resistance to ciprofloxacin, trovafloxacin and moxifloxacin in 5 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistant to penicillin. We detected the great ease of in vitro development of resistance in the case of ciprofloxacin and the much reduced capacity of moxifloxacin to generate resistance (only 1 strain). Trovafloxacin generated resistance, but more slowly than ciprofloxacin.

Comparative enhancer effects of Span20 with Tween20 and Azone on the in vitro percutaneous penetration of compounds with different lipophilicities.

Sorbitan monolaurate (Span20) was used in this study to analyze the influence of the polar functional group on the effects that non-ionic surfactants have on skin permeability. Its ethoxylate derivative polysorbate 20 (Tween20) and Azone, both with the same C12 alkyl chain as Span20, were used for comparative purposes. We evaluated the relative potency of the three molecules as enhancers in the permeability of a series of compounds with lipophilicities ranging from log Poct=-0.

Tecoma sambucifolia: anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, and 'in vitro' toxicity of extracts of the 'huarumo' of peruvian incas.

Aqueous and alcoholic extracts of pods and flowers of Tecoma sambucifolia H.B.K.

[Paracoccidioidomycosis among the indian group Suruí of Rondonia, Amazonia, Brazil. A case report].

The Authors report a case of paracoccidioidomycosis in a Surui Indian patient from the state of Rondonia, Brazilian Amazon. The subject is an adult male, having been diagnosed on the basis of mycologic, serologic, and radiographic exams. The prescribed therapy was sulphamethoxazole 800 mg associated with trimethoprim 160 mg every 12 hours.