Development and validation of an isoform-independent monoclonal antibody-based ELISA for measurement of lipoprotein(a).

The study aims were to develop a new isoform-independent enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) for the measurement of lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)], validate its performance characteristics, and demonstrate its accuracy by comparison with the gold-standard ELISA method and an LC-MS/MS candidate reference method, both developed at the University of Washington. The principle of the new assay is the capture of Lp(a) with monoclonal antibody LPA4 primarily directed to an epitope in apolipoprotein(a) KIV and its detection with monoclonal antibody LPA-KIV9 directed to a single antigenic site present on KIV. Validation studies were performed following the guidelines of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments and the College of American Pathologists.

Dopaminergic Effects of Major Bath Salt Constituents 3,4-Methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), Mephedrone, and Methylone Are Enhanced Following Co-exposure.

Designer drug mixtures popularized as "bath salts" often contain the synthetic cathinones 3,4 methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV), mephedrone, and methylone in various combinations. However, most preclinical investigations have only assessed the effects of individual bath salt constituents, and little is known about whether co-exposure to MDPV, mephedrone, and methylone produces significant neuropharmacological interactions. This study evaluated and compared how MDPV, mephedrone, and methylone influence discrete brain tissue dopamine (DA) levels and motor stimulant responses in mice when administered alone and as a ternary mixture.

Neurogenesis within the hippocampus after chronic methylphenidate exposure.

Methylphenidate is a psychostimulant used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Neurogenesis occurs throughout adulthood within the dentate gyrus of the hippocampus and can be altered by psychoactive medications; however, the impact of methylphenidate on neurogenesis is not fully understood. We investigated the effects of chronic low (1 mg/kg) and high (10 mg/kg) intraperitoneal doses of methylphenidate on neurogenesis in mouse hippocampus following 28 days and 56 days of treatment.

Long-term management of horses with atopic dermatitis in southeastern England: a retrospective questionnaire study of owners' perceptions.

Background: Allergic pruritus and urticaria in the horse are challenging for veterinarians and owners; little is known about their long-term management.

Objectives: To summarize intradermal allergen test results (IDT), and to assess owners' perceptions of skin disease and the effects of medical treatment and management changes in their atopic horses over time.

Animals: Eighty two horses with atopic dermatitis in southeastern England between 2006 and 2011.

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detection assay for the quantitative determination of monoamines and respective metabolites in six discrete brain regions of mice.

A rapid, sensitive, and reproducible assay is described for the quantitative determination of the monoamine neurotransmitters dopamine, norepinephrine and serotonin, their metabolites, and the internal standard 3,4-dihydroxybenzlyamine hydro-bromide in mouse brain homogenate using high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. The method was validated in the following brain areas: frontal cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens, hippocampus, substantia nigra pars compacta and ventral tegmental area. Biogenic amines and relevant metabolites were extracted from discrete brain regions using a simple protein precipitation procedure, and the chromatography was achieved using a C column.

Chromatographic and electrophoretic strategies for the chiral separation and quantification of d- and l-threo methylphenidate in biological matrices.

Commercially available methylphenidate (MPH) exists as a racemic mixture composed of the d- and l-threo enantiomers. Various pharmacokinetic studies of MPH have shown a greater pharmacological potency of the d-threo enantiomer. Furthermore, it was deduced that the stereoselective cleavage of MPH to produce ritalinic acid (RA) by human carboxylesterase results in a higher oral bioavailability of the d-threo enantiomer.