Accurate determination of an immunosuppressant in stented swine tissues with LC-MS/MS.

During stent development, accurate monitoring of the drug concentration in animal tissues can provide critical information on how the drug is released into the circulation and the surrounding tissues. To establish the relationship between the drug concentration and the distance from the stent to the target tissue, a comprehensive strategy was developed for sample collection, sample homogenization and sample storage as well as sample analysis. This strategy was developed with the analytical chemists and animal surgical specialists working together as a team.

A study correlating between instrumental and consumers' subjective luster values in oriental hair tresses.

Hair luster has long been a key objective for consumers in the hair care market and many researchers have sought to quantitate the luster of hair fibers or tresses. Recently, a fast polarimetric video camera called SAMBA with a high polarization contrast was introduced that can effectively separate specular and diffuse light. Instrumental measurement of shine using SAMBA was conducted to quantitate the luster on phenyl trimethicone-treated hair tresses.

Evaluation of 384-well formatted sample preparation technologies for regulated bioanalysis.

The capabilities and limitations of 384-well formatted sample preparation technologies applied to regulated bioanalysis were evaluated by developing two assays for the simultaneous quantitation of lopinavir and ritonavir, the active ingredients of Kaletra. One method used liquid-liquid extraction (LLE), and the other used solid-phase extraction (SPE). The steps and apparatuses employed by the two methods covered most of those used for bioanalysis.

Validation and application of a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method for simultaneous quantification of lopinavir and ritonavir in human plasma using semi-automated 96-well liquid-liquid extraction.

Kaletra is an important antiretroviral drug, which has been developed by Abbott Laboratories. It is composed of lopinavir (low-pin-a-veer) and ritonavir (ri-toe-na-veer). Both have been proved to be human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) protease inhibitors and have substantially reduced the morbidity and mortality associated with HIV-1 infection.

A novel approach for in-process monitoring and managing cross-contamination in a high-throughput high-performance liquid chromatography assay with tandem mass spectrometric detection.

Cross-contamination among wells of a high-throughput, high-density assay is a risk that cannot be detected or controlled by the performance of calibration standards and quality control samples. In the current practice, carryover and cross-contamination is detected only when analytes are detected in blank, zero, placebo, pre-dose samples, in a low standard or low quality control sample. There is no mechanism that allows bioanalytical scientists to determine if cross-contamination has occurred among other samples.

In vivo inhibition of neuropeptide FF agonism by BIBP3226, an NPY Y1 receptor antagonist.

BIBP3226 {(R)-N2-(diphenylacetyl)-N-[(4-hydroxyphenyl)-methyl]-argininamide} was recently shown to display relatively high affinities for neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptors and exhibit antagonist activities towards NPFF receptors in vitro. The present study was undertaken to investigate the antagonistic effects of BIBP3226 on several in vivo pharmacologic profiles induced by exogenous NPFF and NPVF. (1) BIBP3226 (5 nmol) injected into the third ventricle completely antagonized the hypothermic effects of NPFF (30 nmol) and NPVF (30 nmol) after cerebral administration in mice; (2) BIBP3226 (5 nmol, i.

The dopamine D2 receptor regulates the development of dopaminergic neurons via extracellular signal-regulated kinase and Nurr1 activation.

Because the dopaminergic pathways in the midbrain have been closely associated with serious neuropsychiatric disorders, the elucidation of the mechanisms underlying dopaminergic neuronal development should provide some important clues for related disorders. In mice lacking the dopamine D2 receptor (D2R-/-), stereological cell counting analysis showed that the number of mesencephalic tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) cells was significantly low during ontogeny, compared with that observed in wild-type (WT) mice, thereby indicating an alteration in dopaminergic neuronal development in the absence of D2R. The results of immunohistochemical and reverse transcription-PCR analyses revealed that the expression of Nurr1, an orphan nuclear receptor, as well as Ptx3 expression, was selectively reduced in D2R-/- mice during the embryonic stage.

The effect of hepatic insufficiency on the safety and pharmacokinetics of paricalcitol (Zemplar).

Background/aims: Paricalcitol is highly protein bound, extensively metabolized and eliminated primarily by hepatobiliary excretion. This study was designed to determine if hepatic disease alters the pharmacokinetics or affects the safety of paricalcitol.

Methods: Subjects with mild (n = 5) or moderate (n = 5) hepatic impairment, and subjects with normal hepatic function (n = 10) enrolled in and completed the study.

Novel potent agonist [(pF)Phe4,Aib7,Aib11,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 and antagonist [Nphe1,(pF)Phe4,Aib7,Aib11,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 of nociceptin/orphanin FQ receptor.

Two novel ligands for the nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) receptor (NOP), [(pF)Phe4,Aib7, Aib11,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 (peptide-1) and [Nphe1,(pF)Phe4,Aib7,Aib11,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 (peptide-2), have been generated by combining different modifications of N/OFQ sequence. In the present study, we investigated the actions of two analogues and compared them with those of N/OFQ in four assays. Peptide-1 mimicked N/OFQ effects in mouse vas deferens and mouse colon and showed similar maximal effects but higher potency relative to N/OFQ.

Effects of [Nphe1]nociceptin(1-13)NH2, [Phe1(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin(1- 13)NH2, and nocistatin on nociceptin inhibited constrictions of guinea pig isolated bronchus.

Electric field stimulation (EFS) causes excitatory non adrenergic-non cholinergic (eNANC) and cholinergic constrictions in the guinea pig isolated bronchus, the activation of eNANC and cholinergic nerves respectively. We investigated the effects of [Nphe1]nociceptin(1-13)NH2 ([Nphe1]NC(1-13)NH2), [Phe1(CH2-NH)Gly2]nociceptin(1- 13)NH2 ([F/G] NC(1-13)NH2), and nocistatin (NST) on nociceptin (NC) inhibited constrictions in isolated bronchus of guinea pig. The results show that NC (1 micromol/L) inhibited EFS-induced eNANC and cholinergic constrictions compared with the control, in which nociceptin was not applied.

Seeding of corneal wounds by epithelial cell transfer from micropatterned PDMS contact lenses.

Persistent corneal wounds result from numerous eye disorders, and to date, available treatments often fail to accelerate reepithelialization, the key initial step in wound healing. To speed reepithelialization, we explored a cell-transfer transplant method utilizing polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) contact lenses to deliver epithelial cells derived from limbal explants directly within a corneal wound. Human primary epithelial cells and an immortalized corneal epithelial cell line (HCE-SV40) grew well on PDMS contact lenses and their morphology and growth rates where similar to cells grown on tissue culture polystyrene.

In vitro and in vivo studies of dansylated compounds, the putative agonists and antagonists on neuropeptide FF receptors.

To further evaluate the importance of C-terminal modification of neuropeptide FF (NPFF), in the present work, four dansylated NPFF analogues, including two putative agonists (dansyl-PQRFamide and dansyl-GSRFamide) and two putative antagonists (dansyl-PQRamide and dansyl-GSRamide), were synthesized and investigated to address their potencies and efficacies in a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. (1) In the isolated mouse colon bioassay, the four dansylated compounds showed agonistic profiles: both dansyl-GSRFamide (1-10 microM) and dansyl-GSRamide (1-10 microM) dose-dependently caused colonic contractions, which were attenuated by pretreatment with BIBP3226; dansyl-PQRFamide and dansyl-PQRamide evoked modest colonic contractions at a high dose of 50 microM. (2) In urethane-anaesthetized rats, both dansyl-PQRFamide (50-300 nmol/kg, i.

Bves modulates epithelial integrity through an interaction at the tight junction.

We first identified Bves (blood vessel/epicardial substance) as a transmembrane protein that localized to the lateral compartment of the epithelial epicardium. Bves traffics to sites of cell-cell contact in cultured epicardial cells and promotes adhesion following transfection into non-adherent fibroblastic L-cells, reminiscent of a cell adhesion molecule. Currently, no function for Bves in relation to epithelial cell adhesion has been identified.

Case report: acute promyelocytic leukemia with +der(17)t(15;17) detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH).

We describe an unusual case of acute promyelocytic leukemia with +der(17)t(15;17) as the additional cytogenetic abnormality and with t(15;17) defined by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using a PML/RARA dual color, dual fusion translocation probe. By performing a step-by-step, complementary approach to evaluate unusual chromosomal abnormalities, we detected RARA/PML fusion on a marker chromosome similar to chromosome 17.

Structure-activity studies on different modifications of nociceptin/orphanin FQ: identification of highly potent agonists and antagonists of its receptor.

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor system modulate a variety of biological functions and further understandings of physiological and pathological roles of this system require new potent agonists and antagonists of its receptor. Two series of N/OFQ related analogues were synthesized to investigate the relationship of different modifications. We combined modifications including: (a) Phe(4)-->(pF)Phe(4); (b) Ala(7), Ala(11)-->Aib(7), Aib(11); (c) Leu(14), Ala(15)-->Arg(14), Lys(15).

Neuropeptide FF receptors exert contractile activity via inhibition of nitric oxide release in the mouse distal colon.

Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) and NPVF, two closely NPFF related peptides, have different affinities for the two NPFF receptors (NPFF1 and NPFF2). To assess the peripheral effects of NPFF receptors in the gastrointestinal tract motility, NPFF and NPVF were tested in the mouse isolated distal colon. Both NPFF (1-15 microM) and NPVF (1-15 microM) dose-dependently caused significant colonic contractions.

High-throughput determination of atrasentan in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

Atrasentan (A-147627) is an endothelin antagonist receptor being developed at Abbott Laboratories for the treatment of prostate cancer. A quick and sensitive method for the determination of atrasentan in human plasma has been developed and validated using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. A dual-column, single mass spectrometer system is used to provide a reliable and routine means to increase sample throughput.

Detection and subcellular localization of two 15S-lipoxygenases in human cornea.

Purpose: There are two human 15-lipoxygenases (LOX), 15-LOX-1 and -2, which convert arachidonic acid to 15S-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15S-HETE). The presence of both 15-LOXs in the human cornea prompted this study to delineate their roles in the human corneal epithelium.

Methods: Human corneal epithelia from donor corneas and a human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line were used in [1-(14)C]arachidonic acid incubations, Western blot analysis, and quantitative real-time RT-PCR.

Reactive changes of interstitial glia and pinealocytes in the rat pineal gland challenged with cell wall components from gram-positive and -negative bacteria.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major proinflammatory component of gram-negative bacteria, is well known to induce sepsis and microglial activation in the CNS. On the contrary, the effect of products from gram-positive bacteria especially in areas devoid of blood-brain barrier remains to be explored. In the present study, a panel of antibodies, namely, OX-6, OX-42 and ED-1 was used to study the response of microglia/macrophages in the pineal gland of rats given an intravenous LPS or lipoteichoic acid (LTA).

Automated 96-well liquid-liquid back extraction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of ABT-202 in human plasma.

A high-throughput bioanalytical method using automated sample transferring, automated liquid-liquid back extraction and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed in a GLP regulated environment for the determination of ABT-202 in human plasma. Samples of 0.30 ml were transferred into 96-well plate using an automatic liquid handler.

Bves is expressed in the epithelial components of the retina, lens, and cornea.

Purpose: To demonstrate the expression pattern and subcellular localization of Bves/Pop1a protein, a newly identified cell adhesion molecule, during eye development and corneal regeneration.

Methods: Staged embryonic and adult eyes were assayed using fluorescence immunohistochemistry to detect the Bves protein. A human corneal epithelial (HCE) cell line was used as a model to examine Bves localization during corneal growth and regeneration, with and without antisense morpholino treatment.

Bronchiolitis obliterans after allogenic bone marrow transplantation: HRCT findings.

Objective: To evaluate the high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) findings of bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) after bone marrow transplantation (BMT).

Materials And Methods: During the past three years, 11 patients were diagnosed as having BO after BMT when they developed irreversible air flow obstruction, with an FEV(1) value of less than 80% of the baseline value, without any clinical evidence of infection. All 11 patients underwent HRCT, of whom eight also underwent follow-up HRCT.

Penetration enhancement in mouse skin and lipolysis in adipocytes by TAT-GKH, a new cosmetic ingredient.

Since the basic domain of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) transactivator of transcription (TAT) protein was reported to possess the ability to traverse biological membranes efficiently, various therapeutic proteins have been attached to TAT for the purpose of therapy. In this study, the tripeptide GKH (glycine-lysine-histidine) derived from parathyroid hormone (PTH), known as lipolytic peptide, was attached to 9-poly lysine (TAT) to be used as a cosmetic ingredient in slimming products. TAT-GKH at 10(-5) M induced approximately 37.

[The effect of mechanical stimulation on the expression of alpha 2, beta 1, beta 3 integrins and the proliferation, synthetic function in rat osteoblasts].

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the probable molecular mechanism in mechano-transduction of the regulation of integrins and the effects of cyclic biaxial mechanical strain on proliferation and synthetic function in the osteoblasts isolated from 3-month-old female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. The osteoblasts were cultured in F-12 medium contained with 10% fetal bovine serum(FBS) and grown to subconfluency in Flexercell type I dishes in a humidified incubator with 5% CO2 and 95% air at 37 degrees C. Mechanical strains were applied to the cells for periods of 30 min, 2, 4 and 8 hours every day, lasting 2 days.

Regional heterogeneity in immunoreactive macrophages/microglia in the rat pineal gland.

Using specific macrophage antibodies (OX-42, OX-6, ED-1 and ED-2), this study examined the distribution of macrophages/microglia in the pineal gland of adult rats. Except for ED-2, all antibodies labeled distinct subpopulations of macrophages/microglia in the gland; ED-2 labeling was hardly detectable. The quantitative study showed that the pineal macrophages/microglia (PMM) expressing complement type 3 receptors (OX-42) were more numerous than those expressing the major histocompatibility complex class II antigen (OX-6) or unknown cytoplasmic/lysosomal antigens (ED-1).