Utility of Ward-Based Retinal Photography in Stroke Patients.

Background: Improvements in acute care of stroke patients have decreased mortality, but survivors are still at increased risk of future vascular events and mitigation of this risk requires thorough assessment of the underlying factors leading to the stroke. The brain and eye share a common embryological origin and numerous similarities exist between the small vessels of the retina and brain. Recent population-based studies have demonstrated a close link between retinal vascular changes and stroke, suggesting that retinal photography could have utility in assessing underlying stroke risk factors and prognosis after stroke.

Investigation of reproductive toxicity of piperaquine in mice.

Reproductive toxicity data for the antimalarial drug piperaquine (PQ) were obtained in pregnant mice (F(0)) and their offspring (F(1) and F(2)). PQ phosphate (0-300 mg/kg/day) was given to pregnant Swiss mice from gestational days 14-18. Two F(1) pups from each litter (one male and one female) proceeded to maturity and were mated within dose groups.

Toxicology and pharmacokinetics of piperaquine in mice.

Pharmacokinetic and toxicological data for piperaquine (PQ) - a bisquinoline antimalarial drug - are limited, despite strong evidence of clinical efficacy. Our aim was to conduct a detailed toxicological investigation of PQ in Swiss mice. The study comprised three phases: (i) oral PQ phosphate (PQP) at doses ranging from 0 to 600 mg/(kg day) for 5 days.

Pharmacodynamics of doxycycline in a murine malaria model.

Doxycycline is reported to impair second-generation parasite schizogony. The effects of doxycycline alone and combined with dihydroartemisinin were investigated in a murine malaria model. Doxycycline lowered the rate of parasite growth within 2 days, with maximum effect in 6 days.