Inhibition of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) pathway by tetracyclic kaurene diterpenes in macrophages. Specific effects on NF-kappa B-inducing kinase activity and on the coordinate activation of ERK and p38 MAPK.

The anti-inflammatory action of most terpenes has been explained in terms of the inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity. Ent-kaurene diterpenes are intermediates of the synthesis of gibberellins and inhibit the expression of NO synthase-2 and the release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in J774 macrophages challenged with lipopolysaccharide. These diterpenes inhibit NF-kappaB and IkappaB kinase (IKK) activation in vivo but failed to affect in vitro the function of NF-kappaB, the phosphorylation and targeting of IkappaBalpha, and the activity of IKK-2.

Polymorphic analysis of a pharmaceutical preparation by NIR spectroscopy.

A method for the characterization and determination of the crystalline from present in the amorphous miokamycin of a pharmaceutical preparation using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is proposed. The study leading to the development of the proposed method involved both qualitative (classification by residual variance analysis) and quantitative aspects (the determination of both total miokamycin and its crystalline form using multivariate calibration). Samples containing less than 5% of the total amount of miokamycin in its crystalline form can be accurately classified.

Leaky vesicle fusion induced by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C: observation of mixing of vesicular inner monolayers.

Large unilamellar vesicles containing phosphatidylinositol (PI), neutral phospholipids, and cholesterol are induced to fuse by the catalytic activity of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC). PI cleavage by PI-PLC is followed by vesicle aggregation, intervesicular lipid mixing, and mixing of vesicular aqueous contents. An average of 2-3 vesicles merge into a large one in the fusion process.

Peritoneal dialysis is the therapy of choice for end-stage renal disease patients with hereditary clotting disorders.

Chronic renal failure is an unusual complication of hereditary clotting disorders (HCDs), but this situation could change in the near future. The modality of dialysis for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in patients with an HCD is a difficult choice. Hemodialysis (HD) may be considered, but intensive treatment with coagulation factors is required for vascular access execution and for each HD procedure.

Anti-Inflammatory properties of a lipid fraction obtained from Sideritis javalambrensis.

A lipid fraction obtained by activity-guided fractionation from the hexane extract of Sideritis javalambrensis was evaluated for anti-inflammatory activity. This fraction significantly inhibited paw oedema induced by carrageenan as well as ear oedema induced by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA) in mice after oral or topical administration, respectively. Quantitation of the specific marker myeloperoxidase (MPO) demonstrated that its topical anti-inflammatory activity was associated with reduction in cell infiltration into inflamed tissues.

Continuous infusion of recombinant activated factor VII during caesarean section delivery in a patient with congenital factor VII deficiency.

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) can be used as an alternative therapy in patients with FVII deficiency. However, as the drug has a very short half-life, continuous infusion could be a meaningful administration modality. We report the case of a 30-year-old woman with moderate FVII deficiency and human immunodeficiency virus infection who underwent a caesarean section delivery.

Suppression of croton oil-induced rabbit corneal edema by sideritis javalambrensis.

This investigation was designed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous and hexane extracts of Sideritis javalambrensis, to which pharmacological properties have been attributed in Spanish traditional medicine. The extracts were applied as eye drops in a croton oil-induced corneal edema model in rabbits. Corneal thickness was estimated before the induction of inflammation and 3, 6, 8, 12, 48, 72 and 96 h after induction.

Cord blood interleukin-10 levels are increased in preterm newborns.

Unlabelled: Cell-mediated immunosuppression due to interleukin (IL)-10 may contribute to normal pregnancy. By contrast, delivery is associated with a predominance of T-helper-1 (Th1) cytokines (IL-12, interferon-gamma) and might be regarded as a graft rejection process. The aim of the study was to assess IL-10 and IL-12 levels in cord blood samples from newborns and their normal mothers in relation to the gestational age and type of delivery.

Gastric cytoprotection of bolivian medicinal plants.

Several extracts obtained from Bolivian medicinal plants have been evaluated for cytoprotective activity on ethanol-induced ulcer formation in rats. Preliminary results suggest, that the majority of the plants tested showed a significant activity, the aqueous extracts of Phoradendron crassifolium and Franseria artemisioides being the most active, exerting a cytoprotective activity comparable to atropine. The analysis of the chemical constituents of the extracts studied showed the presence of tanins, saponins, flavonoids and coumarins.

Immunomodulating properties of the diterpene andalusol.

Andalusol [ent-13(16),14-labdadiene-6 alpha,8 alpha,18-triol], a labdane diterpene isolated from an anti-inflammatory extract of the medicinal plant Sideritis foetens Clem. was evaluated for immunomodulating properties. It exhibited a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on the hemolytic activity of the classical complement pathway and also inhibited lymphocyte proliferation induced by concanavalin A at non-cytotoxic concentrations (1-100 microM).

Study of polyphenols in grape berries by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography.

Several polyphenols have been tested in grape berries from Spain. The flavonoid content is important because of the pharmacological properties of these compounds, whereas resveratrol has been proved to be an antifungal, antiinflammatory and an anticarcinogenic compound. A reversed-phase HPLC method has been developed and applied to determine resveratrol, quercetine, quercitrine and rutine content in several grape berries samples in a single analysis.

Effects of extract of Cistus populifolius L. on the central nervous system.

We report the effects on the central nervous system (CNS) and on analgesic activity of an aqueous extract of Cistus populifolius L. The extract was assayed for effects on spontaneous locomotor activity, methylphenidate-induced hypermotility, motor coordination, exploratory behaviour, rectal temperature and sodium pentobarbital-induced hypnosis. Analgesic activity was evaluated using the hot plate test.

[Eosinophilic enteritis causing intestinal obstruction].

Eosinophilic enteritis is an uncommon disorder of unknown etiology in which the digestive symptoms are associated with eosinophilic infiltration of the different layers of the intestinal wall. Clinical symptoms depend on the layers involved and are usually characterized by peripheral eosinophilia. Radiological findings depend on the layers involved.

Inhibition of NOS-2 expression in macrophages through the inactivation of NF-kappaB by andalusol.

1. Andalusol, ent-6alpha,8alpha,18-trihydroxy-13(16),14-labdadiene, is a naturally occurring diterpene, isolated from Sideritis foetens (Lamiaceae). This compound exhibited therapeutic activity when evaluated in in vivo models of paw and ear inflammation (Navarro et al.

Towards the in vitro reconstitution of caveolae. Asymmetric incorporation of glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) and gangliosides into liposomal membranes.

Large unilamellar vesicles consisting of phospholipids with or without cholesterol have been prepared containing GPI and/or gangliosides asymmetrically located in the outer leaflet of the bilayer. Such asymmetric distribution of GPI and gangliosides is found in 'rafts' and caveolae. Using these vesicles, GPI can be readily hydrolysed by phospholipases.

Basal cell carcinoma of the scrotum.

An 80-year-old man with a 7 year history of a slowly enlarging, asymptomatic scrotal nodule is presented. He had a negative history for sexually transmitted disease, trauma to the area, radiotherapy and chemical or arsenic exposure. The lesion was excised with a margin of 0.

HIV-associated pityriasis rubra pilaris responsive to triple antiretroviral therapy.

HIV-associated pityriasis rubra pilaris (PRP) or PRP type VI designates a new distinctive entity reported in HIV patients. It is characterized by cutaneous lesions of PRP and variable association with lesions of acne conglobata, hidradenitis suppurativa and lichen spinulosus. We report a patient with HIV-associated PRP which was treated by triple antiretroviral therapy (zidovudine, lamivudin and saquinavir) with complete response.

Vasodilatory effect in rat aorta of eriodictyol obtained from Satureja obovata.

The vasodilator effect of eriodictyol (5,7,3',4'-tetrahydroxyflavanone), isolated previously from the medicinal plant Satureja obovata Lag., was studied in rat thoracic aorta rings. Eriodictyol relaxed in a concentration-dependent manner the noradrenaline (10(-6) M) and KCl (80 mM) induced contractions.

Ocular inflammation models by topical application: croton-oil induced uveitis.

Purpose: The aim of the present investigation was to develop a new ocular inflammation model in the rabbit by comparison of the inflammation response induced by the topical application of several irritating agents (carrageenan, Freund's adjuvant, alkali and croton oil).

Methods: The following parameters were determined after the application of each irritant to the eyes of female, white, New Zealand rabbits: Corneal edema and the Tyndall effect (slit-lamp biomicroscopy), corneal thickness (biometer-pachometer) and aqueous humor levels of the prostaglandin E2 (R.I.

[Prenatal diagnosis. II. Importance of ultrasonographic markers in prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities].

The Medical Genetic Unit of the University of Zulia (MGUUZ) has developed a Prenatal Diagnosis Program (PDP) since January-1993, in which Genetic Risk Factors are determined in couples who request prenatal genetic counseling. In this program, different prenatal diagnostic procedures are performed to detect congenital defects during intrauterine life. One of these procedures is the Fetal Sonogram (FS).

[Current results of the treatment of cervical metastatic lymph nodes by concurrent hyperfractionation of carboplatin and irradiation].

The results of the treatment of metastatic neck nodes is evaluated after a mean follow-up of 24 months (maximum 45 months). Fifty-seven patients with epidermoid carcinoma of the head and neck were treated according to a hyperfractionated chemoradiation schedule including two fractions a day. Each fraction consisted of 10 mg carboplatin + 115 cGy.

Phospholipase cleavage of glycosylphosphatidylinositol reconstituted in liposomal membranes.

Glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) purified from rat liver lipids was incorporated into lipid bilayers of defined compositions, in the form of large unilamellar vesicles. The GPI concentration in the bilayers was kept constant at 25 mole%, whereas the remaining lipids being phosphatidylcholine, phosphastidylethanolamine, sphingomyelin and/or cholesterol were varied. The resulting liposomes consisted of spherical vesicles, approximately 100 nm in diameter, that could keep their aqueous contents separated from the extravesicular medium.

[Prenatal diagnosis. I: Prenatal diagnosis program at the Medical Genetics Unit of the Universidad de Zulia, Maracaibo, Venezuela].

The Prenatal Diagnosis Program of the Medical Genetic Unit of University of Zulia has the following objectives: Identification of Genetic Risk Factors (GRF) in those couples who attend to the Prenatal Genetic Clinic, application of different prenatal diagnostic procedures (PDP), and providing adequate genetic counseling. The goal of this paper is to show preliminary results obtained between January 1993 and December 1996. Three hundred and twenty one pregnant women were analyzed by determining the GRF and taking into account the genetic clinical history.

Chemotherapy as a part of each treatment fraction in a twice-a-day hyperfractionated schedule: a new chemoradiotherapy approach for advanced head and neck cancer.

Background: Using chemotherapy as a part of each treatment fraction remains unexplored. This study integrates the concomitant administration of carboplatin with hyperfractionated irradiation by optimizing chemopotentiation through carboplatin administration with each irradiation fraction.

Methods: From February 1993 to August 1996, 52 patients with advanced head and neck cancer were treated on a twice-a-day chemoradiotherapy schedule.