The differentiation of rhythmogenic characteristics of the ureter's different regions in guinea pigs

Characteristics of rhythmogenic pacemakers of the ureter's perirenal middle and peribladder region morphologically and electrophysiologically are analysed in guinea pigs both in presence of spreading activity and breach of conductivity. It was shown that the action potential's amplitude of the middle region is the highest and duration of the spike activities from perirenal zone is maximal and all three regions are characterised by different functional conditions.     

Effect of histamine on spontaneous rhythmogenesis of the guinea pig ureter

Histamine changed characteristics of the perinephric spontaneous spike activity and of the spreading electrical wave. It was shown that histamine could activate latent pacemakers of the ureter's middle area. Morphological picture of the histamine effect was also shown.     

Electrophysiological pacemaking properties of the ureter peribladder area in cats and rats

The rhythm generated by the peribladder area was found to be slower than that generated by the basis perirenal pacemaker in cats and rats. The antiperistaltic waves' frequency of the peribladder area was the lowest within the range of all the recorded rhythms.     

Pyrazole compound BPR1P0034 with potent and selective anti-influenza virus activity

Background

Influenza viruses are a major cause of morbidity and mortality around the world. More recently, a swine-origin influenza A (H1N1) virus that is spreading via human-to-human transmission has become a serious public concern. Although vaccination is the primary strategy for preventing infections, influenza antiviral drugs play an important role in a comprehensive approach to controlling illness and transmission. In addition, a search for influenza-inhibiting drugs is particularly important in the face of high rate of emergence of influenza strains resistant to several existing influenza antivirals.

Methods

We searched for novel anti-influenza inhibitors using a cell-based neutralization (inhibition of virus-induced cytopathic effect) assay. After screening 20,800 randomly selected compounds from a library from ChemDiv, Inc., we found that BPR1P0034 has sub-micromolar antiviral activity. The compound was resynthesized in five steps by conventional chemical techniques. Lead optimization and a structure-activity analysis were used to improve potency. Time-of-addition assay was performed to target an event in the virus life cycle.

Results

The 50% effective inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of BPR1P0034 was 0.42 ± 0.11 μM, when measured with a plaque reduction assay. Viral protein and RNA synthesis of A/WSN/33 (H1N1) was inhibited by BPR1P0034 and the virus-induced cytopathic effects were thus significantly reduced. BPR1P0034 exhibited broad inhibition spectrum for influenza viruses but showed no antiviral effect for enteroviruses and echovirus 9. In a time-of-addition assay, in which the compound was added at different stages along the viral replication cycle (such as at adsorption or after adsorption), its antiviral activity was more efficient in cells treated with the test compound between 0 and 2 h, right after viral infection, implying that an early step of viral replication might be the target of the compound. These results suggest that BPR1P0034 targets the virus during viral uncoating or viral RNA importation into the nucleus.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, BPR1P0034 is the first pyrazole-based anti-influenza compound ever identified and characterized from high throughput screening to show potent (sub-μM) antiviral activity. We conclude that BPR1P0034 has potential antiviral activity, which offers an opportunity for the development of a new anti-influenza virus agent.     

Mass-spectrometry based minisequencing method for the rapid detection of drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

A MALDI TOF MS based minisequencing method has been developed and applied for the analysis of rifampin (RIF)- and isoniazid (INH)-resistant M. tuberculosis strains. Eight genetic markers of RIF resistance-nucleotide polymorphisms located in RRDR of rpoB gene, and three of INH resistance including codon 315 of katG gene and − 8 and − 15 positions of the promoter region of fabG1-inhA operon were worked out. Based on the analysis of 100 M. tuberculosis strains collected from the Moscow region in 1997–2005 we deduced that 91% of RIF-resistant and 94% of INH-resistant strains can be identified using the technique suggested. The approach is rapid, reliable and allows to reveal the drug resistance of M. tuberculosis strains within 12 h after sample isolation.     

KUD773, a phenylthiazole derivative,displays anticancer activity in human hormone-refractory prostate cancers through inhibition of tubulin polymerization and anti-Aurora A activity

Background

Hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC), which is resistant to hormone therapy, is a major obstacle in clinical treatment. An approach to inhibit HRPC growth and ultimately to kill cancers is highly demanded.

Results

KUD773 induced the anti-proliferative effect and subsequent apoptosis in PC-3 and DU-145 (two HRPC cell lines); whereas, it showed less active in normal prostate cells. Further examination showed that KUD773 inhibited tubulin polymerization and induced an increase of mitotic phosphoproteins and polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) phosphorylation, indicating a mitotic arrest of the cell cycle through an anti-tubulin action. The kinase assay demonstrated that KUD773 inhibited Aurora A activity. KUD773 induced an increase of Cdk1 phosphorylation at Thr¹⁶¹ (a stimulatory phosphorylation site) and a decrease of phosphorylation at Tyr¹⁵ (an inhibitory phosphorylation site), suggesting the activation of Cdk1. The data were substantiated by an up-regulation of cyclin B1 (a Cdk1 partner). Furthermore, KUD773 induced the phosphorylation and subsequent down-regulation of Bcl-2 and activation of caspase cascades.

Conclusions

The data suggest that KUD773 induces apoptotic signaling in a sequential manner. It inhibits tubulin polymerization associated with an anti-Aurora A activity, leading to Cdk1 activation and mitotic arrest of the cell cycle that in turn induces Bcl-2 degradation and a subsequent caspase activation in HRPCs.     

铅锌镉联合染毒及营养干预对大鼠血液系统的影响研究

目的:了解铅锌镉联合染毒对大鼠血液系统的影响及营养干预对其损伤的修复作用。方法:选择SPF级初断乳Wistar大鼠72只,随机分为对照组、染毒组和干预组,分别采用生理盐水、铅锌镉联合染毒液及染毒后以营养干预液灌胃28天和56天之后,检测其血液系统中五元素和血细胞的指标。结果:染毒组较对照组大鼠血铜、血锌含量高,血钙含量低于对照组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);染毒组血铜含量高于干预组,血钙含量低于干预组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);干预组红细胞(RBC)计数、血红蛋白(Hb)、血细胞比容(HCT)均高于染毒组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);对照组白细胞(WBC)计数高于染毒组、干预组,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:铅镉对大鼠血铜、血钙、血锌水平有影响;综合营养干预对重金属元素造成的血液系统损伤有明显的拮抗作用,对血液系统有一定的保护及修复作用。     

Clinical and genealogical characteristics in families with Nijmegen breakage syndrome

Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by microcephaly, immunodeficiency and high predisposition for malignancies, particularly B-lymphoma. Clinical and genealogical analysis has been conducted in 7 families with NBS. Eight children with NBS (5 boys and 3 girls) were observed at the age from 7 months to 11 years. All the children were homozygous carriers for mutation 657del5. Oncohematological complications developed in 5 cases (4 cases of lymphoma and one case of lymphohystiocytosis) at the age of 6-12 years. NBS in probands is often accompanied with birth defects, especially with kidney pathologies. Considerable reproductive losts in the families with NBS were noted mainly among males who died at the age less than one year (4-6 events in the families). The cases of digestive system cancers (stomach, rectum, duodenum) were revieled in the family-trees. Consanguineous couple was observed in 1 case (marriage between third cousins) and 2 children had developed NBS in this family. Genealogical analysis seems to be very informative to predict somatic and reproductive disturbances in NBS families.