Efficacy of quetiapine and risperidone against depressive symptoms in outpatients with psychosis.

Background: The treatment of psychotic symptoms in patients with mood disorders is a complex challenge. Antipsychotic medications in these individuals may be associated with extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), worsening of depression, and functional impairment. Atypical antipsychotics such as quetiapine and risperidone are associated with a decreased incidence of adverse events such as EPS.

Viral oncolysis.

Although the concept of using viruses as antineoplastic agents dates back nearly a century, recent advances in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, and virology have enabled investigators to engineer viruses with greater potency and tumor specificity. Further enhancements involve arming these viruses with therapeutic transgenes, and combining the traditional modalities of chemotherapy and radiation therapy with oncolytic viral therapy in hopes of reducing the chance of developing resistant tumor cell clones. Another means of augmenting the antineoplastic effect of these viruses involves modulating the immune response to minimize antiviral immunity, while at the same time maximizing antitumor immunity.

Disposition and metabolic fate of atomoxetine hydrochloride: pharmacokinetics, metabolism, and excretion in the Fischer 344 rat and beagle dog.

These studies were designed to characterize the disposition and metabolism of atomoxetine hydrochloride [(-)-N-methyl-gamma-(2-methylphenoxy)benzenepropanamine hydrochloride; formerly know as tomoxetine hydrochloride] in Fischer 344 rats and beagle dogs. Atomoxetine was well absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and cleared primarily by metabolism with the majority of its metabolites being excreted into the urine, 66% of the total dose in the rat and 48% in the dog. Fecal excretion, 32% of the total dose in the rat and 42% in the dog, appears to be due to biliary elimination and not due to unabsorbed dose.

Morphologic, Pathologic, and Genetic Investigations of Bolbophorus Species Affecting Cultured Channel Catfish in the Mississippi Delta.

Trematodes belonging to the genus Bolbophorus have recently been reported as the cause of substantial morbidity and mortality in cultured channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus in Mississippi and Louisiana. Previous investigators identified only a single species, B. confusus.

Effect of ventilator-induced lung injury on the development of reperfusion injury in a rat lung transplant model.

Objective: Although mechanical ventilation can potentially worsen preexisting lung injury, its importance in the setting of lung transplantation has not been explored. This study was undertaken to examine the effect of 2 ventilatory strategies on the development of ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation.

Methods: In a rat lung transplant model animals were randomized into 2 groups defined by the ventilatory strategy during the early reperfusion period.

Regulation of herpes simplex virus 1 replication using tumor-associated promoters.

Objective: To investigate use of transcriptional regulatory elements (promoters) for tumor-associated antigens to achieve HSV-1 replication preferentially in cells that overexpress the tumor-associated antigens.

Summary Background Data: An important advantage of replicating viruses for cancer therapy is their ability to simultaneously destroy tumor cells by replication and release progeny virion to infect and destroy adjacent cancer cells. This strategy requires regulation of the viral life cycle to obtain robust replication in neoplastic cells and minimize replication in nonneoplastic cells.

Simple model for laser-produced, mass-limited water-droplet plasmas.

Plasmas, produced by a neodymium yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser pulse focused on a small water droplet and used for the generation of extreme ultraviolet light, can be described by a relatively simple model due to the fact that thermodynamic equilibrium can be assumed for the most important phase. Only three time-dependent variables--radius, expansion speed, and internal energy--are needed to describe the physics of the plasma. Nevertheless, it predicts quantities such as the size and the spectrum rather well.

Spatial separation of light perception and growth response in maize root phototropism.

Although the effects of gravity on root growth are well known and interactions between light and gravity have been reported, details of root phototropic responses are less documented. We used high-resolution image analysis to study phototropism in primary roots of Zea mays L. Similar to the location of perception in gravitropism, the perception of light was localized in the root cap.

Antiretroviral drug resistance among HIV-1 infected children failing treatment.

High levels of HIV-1 replication occur following perinatal infection and antiretroviral drugs may not fully suppress viral load during the early years of childhood. Adherence to treatment may also be difficult among children. These two factors will contribute to development of drug resistance but limited paediatric data are available.

Activation of the transcription factor NF-kappaB by Campylobacter jejuni.

Campylobacter jejuni is a food-borne pathogen responsible for infectious enterocolitis. The early-response transcription factor NF-kappa B triggers the expression of genes associated with cellular immune and inflammatory responses. Co-incubation of HeLa cells with viable C.

Prodrug bioactivation and oncolysis of diffuse liver metastases by a herpes simplex virus 1 mutant that expresses the CYP2B1 transgene.

Background: Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection of cancer cells results in viral replication with cell destruction and liberation of progeny virion that infect adjacent tumor cells. rRp450 is a novel replication-conditional HSV-1 mutant that expresses both the endogenous herpes viral thymidine kinase gene and the rat p450 CYP2B1 transgene; p450 bioactivates such cancer prodrugs as cyclophosphamide.

Methods: Viral cytotoxicity and replication assays were performed in colon carcinoma cells as well as primary human hepatocytes.

Endocardial fibroelastosis associated with maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies in the absence of atrioventricular block.

Objectives: This study was designed to document the association of endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) and maternal autoantibodies.

Background: Neonatal lupus erythematosus is associated with the transplacental passage of maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies, leading to complete atrioventricular block (CAVB). In some cases, CAVB is associated with EFE.

Troponin T and I are not reliable markers of cardiac transplant rejection.

Objective: Heart transplant recipients undergo a number of invasive endomyocardial biopsies to screen for rejection. Serum assays of troponin T and/or I may provide a less invasive alternative. The purpose of this study was to evaluate troponin T and I as markers of cardiac transplant rejection.

The natural history and clinical significance of intermittent viraemia in patients with initial viral suppression to < 400 copies/ml.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and prognostic significance of intermittent viraemia (IV) in patients who attained an undetectable viral load (VL) < 400 copies/ml within 6 months on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of viral load rebound > or = 400 copies/ml and CD4 cell counts rise for 765 patients followed for > or = 12 months following initial VL undetectability, comparing the 226 (29.5%) who maintained an undetectable VL for > 1 year from initiation of HAART and 122 (15.

Aberrant expression of HMGA2 in uterine leiomyoma associated with loss of TSC2 tumor suppressor gene function.

Unregulated proliferation of mesenchymal cells in leiomyomas, lipomas, hamartomas,and other diseases has been linked to the high mobility group (HMGA) family of DNA architectural proteins. HMGA genes are primarily expressed during embryonal development and silenced in adult tissues but can become reactivated in neoplasia as a result of chromosomal rearrangements. Although the genetic data suggesting a role for HMGA proteins in tumorigenesis are compelling, the biological role of these proteins in mesenchymal proliferation and differentiation is incompletely defined.

The comprehensiveness care of sickle cell disease.

Millions of people across the world have sickle cell disease (SCD). Although the true prevalence of SCD in Europe is not certain, London (UK) alone had an estimated 9000 people with the disorder in 1997. People affected by SCD are best managed by a multidisciplinary team of professionals who deliver comprehensive care: a model of healthcare based on interaction of medical and non-medical services with the affected persons.

Coronary artery bypass surgery with heparin-coated perfusion circuits and low-dose heparinization.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of heparin-coated perfusion circuits with low-dose heparinization and centrifugal pumping compared with the standard method during coronary artery bypass grafting.

Design: Prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial.

Setting: A primary care institution.

Root gravitropism in response to a signal originating outside of the cap.

We have developed image analysis software linked to a rotating stage, allowing constraint of any user-selected region of a root at a prescribed angle during root gravitropism. This device allows the cap of a graviresponding root to reach vertical while maintaining a selected region within the elongation zone at a gravistimulated angle. Under these conditions gravitropic curvature of roots of Zea mays L.

Viral oncolysis.

The concept of using replicating viruses as anticancer agents is not a new one, but the ability to genetically modify these viruses into increasingly potent and tumor-specific vectors is a recent phenomenon. As more is learned about the functions of viral gene products in controlling the mammalian cell cycle and in disabling cellular defense mechanisms, specific viral functions can be augmented or eliminated to enhance antineoplastic efficacy. In this article, general mechanisms by which oncolytic viruses achieve their antitumor efficacy and specificity are reviewed.

Regulation of herpes simplex virus gamma(1)34.5 expression and oncolysis of diffuse liver metastases by Myb34.5.

Myb34.5 is a herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) mutant deleted in the gene for ribonucleotide reductase (ICP6). It also carries a version of gamma(1)34.

Maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibody-associated endocardial fibroelastosis.

Background: Maternal anti-Ro and anti-La antibodies are associated with congenital heart block (CHB). Although endocardial fibroelastosis (EFE) has been described in isolated cases of autoantibody-mediated CHB, the natural history and pathogenesis of this disease are poorly understood.

Methods And Results: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical history, echocardiography, and pathology of fetuses and children with EFE associated with CHB born to mothers positive for anti-Ro or anti-La antibodies at 5 centers.

What makes gambling news?

This paper examines print media coverage of casino and electronic gambling in one Canadian province from 1992 to 1997. It provides a theme analysis of content of 234 gambling stories printed in the top two daily newspapers in Nova Scotia. The findings of our content analysis indicate that pro-gambling corporate and political newspaper sources waged a successful media campaign and constructed a powerful public rhetoric in support of new gambling products, services, and institutions.

A comparison of the relative safety, efficacy, and tolerability of quetiapine and risperidone in outpatients with schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: the quetiapine experience with safety and tolerability (QUEST) study.

Background: The few published direct comparative studies of the tolerability and efficacy of atypical antipsychotic agents were performed in relatively homogeneous populations that may not be typical of patients seen in clinical practice.

Objective: The Quetiapine Experience with Safety and Tolerability (QUEST) study compared the relative safety, tolerability, and efficacy of quetiapine and risperidone in outpatients with a broad range of psychotic symptoms.

Methods: This was a multicenter, 4-month, open-label, randomized clinical trial.