Comparison of iron chelator efficacy in iron-overloaded beagle dogs and monkeys (Cebus apella).

Rodents and dogs are frequently used for preclinical toxicologic assessment of candidate iron chelators. Although the iron-clearing profile of a ligand often is known in rodents, and sometimes in primates, such information in dogs is rarely, if ever, available. Because of this, toxicity studies in dogs could be misleading; chelators that may otherwise be suitable for human clinical studies may be abandoned as being unacceptably toxic, simply because, unknown to the investigator, these drugs remove more iron in this species than would have been expected on the basis of iron clearance results in other species.

Control of irritable bowel syndrome with polyamine analogs: a structure-activity study.

The evaluation of a group of polyamine analogs as agents to ameliorate diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome is described. Each compound was assessed when administered subcutaneously in a psychological stress-induced model of irritable bowel syndrome in rodents for its ability to reduce stool output in a dose-dependent manner. The spermine pharmacophore is shown to be an excellent platform from which to construct compounds to treat irritable bowel syndrome.

Transradicular interfascicular approach for lumbar microdiscectomy: a useful technique in difficult circumstances.

Nerve root retraction is a component of lumbar disc surgery. The authors describe a transdural approach for lumbar microdiscectomy through the nerve root, instead of retracting the root. This technique can be safely used in rare cases where root manipulation is considered to be difficult and dangerous.