RGD-based strategies for selective delivery of therapeutics and imaging agents to the tumour vasculature

During the past decade, RGD-peptides have become a popular tool for the targeting of drugs and imaging agents to alphavbeta3-integrin expressing tumour vasculature. RGD-peptides have been introduced by recombinant means into therapeutic proteins and viruses. Chemical means have been applied to couple RGD-peptides and RGD-mimetics to liposomes, polymers, peptides, small molecule drugs and radiotracers. Some of these products show impressive results in preclinical animal models and a RGD targeted radiotracer has already successfully been tested in humans for the visualization of alphavbeta3-integrin, which demonstrates the feasibility of this approach. This review will summarize the structural requirements for RGD-peptides and RGD-mimetics as ligands for alphavbeta3. We will show how they have been introduced in the various types of constructs by chemical and recombinant techniques. The importance of multivalent RGD-constructs for high affinity binding and internalization will be highlighted. Furthermore the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of RGD-targeted therapeutics and diagnostics reported in recent years will be reviewed.     

Characterization of an immunologic polymorphism (D79H) in the heavy chain of factor V.

BACKGROUND: During the study of a family with hereditary factor (F)V deficiency (FV Amersfoort, 1102 A > T in exon 7) we identified an individual with 5% FV heavy chain antigen (FV(HC)) and 50% FV light chain antigen (FV(LC)). Further testing revealed that apart from the FV Amersfoort allele a second variant FV allele was segregating in this family, which encodes for a FV molecule with a reduced affinity for mAb V-23 used in the FV heavy chain ELISA (ELISA(HC)). OBJECTIVE: Identification and characterization of the molecular basis responsible for the reduced affinity of the variant FV for mAb V-23. METHODS: Family members of the proband were screened for mutations in the exons coding for the heavy chain of FV, after which the recombinant variant FV could be generated and characterized. Next, the cases and controls of the Leiden Thrombophilia Study (LETS) were genotyped for carriership of the variant FV. RESULTS: In the variant FV allele a polymorphism in exon 3 (409G > C) was identified, which predicts the replacement of aspartic acid 79 by histidin (D79H). Introduction of this mutation in recombinant FV confirmed that it reduces the affinity for binding to mAb V-23. The substitution has no effect on FV(a) stability and Xa-cofactor activity. In Caucasians the frequency of the FV-79H allele is approximately 5%. Analysis of the LETS revealed that the FV-79H allele is not associated with FV levels (FV(LC)), activated protein C sensitivity (using an activated partial thromboplastin time-based test) or risk of venous thrombosis (OR 1.07, CI 95: 0.7-1.7). CONCLUSION: The D79H substitution in FV should be considered as a neutral polymorphism. The monoclonal antibody V-23, which has a strongly reduced affinity for FV-79H, is not suitable for application in diagnostic tests.     

Insulin resistance Type A and short 5th metacarpals.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Insulin resistance is associated with a number genetic syndromes and a variety of defects of insulin action. METHODS: We describe three members of an extended family spanning two generations with insulin resistance Type A and short 5th metacarpals. The proband had secondary amenorrhoea, male pattern hair distribution, acne, hirsutism, deep voice, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaries, diabetes, features of acromegaly, raised creatine kinase and triglyceride levels and short 5th metacarpals. Her growth hormone, adrenal steroid and testosterone levels were normal. The proband's daughter had severe acne, hirsutism, acanthosis nigricans, polycystic ovaries, raised triglyceride, glucose and testosterone level short metacarpals and normal insulin receptor gene. The proband's son had a muscular build, raised creatine kinase, hypertriglyceridaemia and short 5th metacarpals. His fasting insulin levels were normal but pro-insulin was raised. RESULT/CONCLUSION: There are many familial and genetic syndromes associated with insulin resistance. This family was diagnosed as having insulin resistance Type A. This family does not conform entirely to any of the previously described syndromes and a number of family members have the phenotype of short 5th metacarpals, which appears to be associated with the features of insulin resistance Type A.     

儿童呼吸道苛养菌分离培养及药敏分析

目的：分析儿童呼吸道苛养菌的感染率及常用抗生素的耐药状况。方法：采用儿童呼吸道2050份咽拭子及痰标本进行苛养菌分离培养与鉴定，并对其中617株苛养菌做了药敏试验，结果：显示275株肺炎链球菌，耐药率较高的有红霉素81.1%，苯唑西林76.9%，复方磺胺甲恶唑76.9%，四环素65.4%；104株流感嗜血杆菌、184株副流感嗜血杆菌、54株卡他莫拉菌对氨苄西林耐药率分别为17.6%,28.9%,64.9%，对亚胺培南/西司他丁耐药率分别为16.4%，16.5%，0，同时复方磺胺甲恶唑的耐药率也分别高达56.7%，56.7%，64.9%。结论：提示苛养菌在儿童呼吸道感染中占有重要的地位，及时掌握这类细菌的耐药动态，对合理使用抗生素，延缓耐药株的产生有极其重要的临床意义。     

高果糖诱导IR大鼠模型血清脂质代谢的改变及意义

目的: 评估高果糖膳食对机体胰岛素敏感性及血清脂质代谢的影响及意义.方法:以高果糖膳食(果糖占总热量34.5%)诱导并经钳夹技术证实建立胰岛素抵抗(IR)大鼠模型,生化比色法测定血清游离脂肪酸(FFA),生化酶法测定血清甘油三酯(TG)及总胆固醇(TC).结果:高果糖膳食喂养4周后,实验组大鼠葡萄糖输注率由(11.5±0.6)mg/kg·min-1下降至(6.6±0.4)mg/kg·min-1(P<0.01);血清FFA由(0.45±0.09)mmol/L增至(0.78±0.19)mmol/L(P<0.01);TG由(0.54±0.10)mmol/L增至(0.96±0.22)mmol/L(P<0.01);TC由(1.96±0.32)mmol/L增至(2.42±0.21)mmol/L(P<0.01).结论:高果糖膳食可导致机体严重IR,是建立IR大鼠模型的有效手段;该模型同时伴有血清脂代谢各相关指标的明显异常,血脂的变化既是IR的结果,也是IR向纵深发展的原因和必要条件.     

全雄激素阻断治疗晚期前列腺癌

为了评价全雄激素阻断治疗晚期前列腺癌的疗效，采用双侧睾丸切除、Ｆｌｕｔａｍｉｄｅ和Ｆｉｎａｓｔｅｒｉｄ联合治疗Ｄ２期前列腺癌病人５例。随访１５～２０个月，结果ＰＳＡ均正常，前列腺体积缩小６１．２％～６９．３％，有显著性差异（Ｐ＜０．０１），骨转移灶缩小、部分消失，积水肾脏完全恢复正常，所有病人治疗后全部有效。表明全雄激素阻断对晚期前列腺癌有良好的治疗效果。提出在三个层次上阻断雄激素治疗晚期前列腺癌的策略。     

Increasing prevalence of penicillinase‐producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae and the emergence of high‐level, plasmid‐mediated tetracycline resistance among gonococcal isolates in The Gambia

Summary One hundred and three strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated from a periurban STD clinic in The Gambia were studied for antimicrobial susceptibility, plasmid profile, and serogroup using standard procedures. Seventy-nine (77%) were penicillinase producers (PPNG) and fully resistant to penicillin (MIC ≥8 mg/l). One isolate showed chromosomally induced resistance to penicillin (MIC 2 mg/l). None of the isolates was sensitive to tetracycline; 16 (16%) showed intermediate resistance (MICs 1–8 mg/l) and 87 (84%) showed high-level plasmid-mediated resistance (TRNG) (MICs >10 mg/l). This is the first report of TRNG in The Gambia. Only 6 (6%) strains were fully sensitive to trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole (MIC <8 mg/l); 78 (76%) showed intermediate level resistance (MICs 8–16 mg/l) and 19 (18%) were fully resistant (MIC >32 mg/l). Indications of an increase in MIC to ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone were found in 6 (6%) and 1 (1%) strains, respectively, although all remained fully sensitive (MICs 0.004–0.03 mg/1 and 0.001–0.015 mg/l). All PPNG and TRNG strains carried the 3.2 MDa and 25.2 MDa plasmids, respectively. All isolates carried the 2.6 MDa cryptic plasmid and 9 (3 PPNG and 6 non-PPNG) carried the 24.5 MDa conjugative plasmid. Forty-four (43%) strains were typed group W1, 58 (56%) W11/111 and 1 had cross-reacting antigens. Because PPNG are frequently encountered and high-level TRNG is now prevalent, the newer cephalosporins and quinolones must now be considered as first-line drugs for the treatment of gonorrhoea in The Gambia.     

Changes in bladder function following a surgical alteration in outflow resistance

The changes in bladder function occurring after a surgical alteration in bladder outflow resistance were studied in 20 males undergoing transurethral prostatectomy (TURP) and in 20 females undergoing an endoscopic bladder neck suspension (EBNS). Serial cystometrograms (CMG) were performed before operation, and on alternate days after spontaneous micturition was re-established, for 5 days in the males and for 21 days in the females. CMGs were repeated at 3 months and 1 year after operation. After TURP voiding pressures (P_det) fell rapidly from a mean of 118 cm H₂O before operation to 57 cm H₂O at 5 days, with an increase in flow rate during this time from 10.5 ml/s to 24 ml/s. Detrusor instability that had been present in 14 patients resolved within 2 days in 12. There was no further significant urodynamic change over the 1-year study period. After EBNS, there was an early rise in voiding pressure (P_det rose from 26 cm H₂O before operation to 42 cm H₂O at 3 days). This continued to increase up to 21 days particularly in those patients with initial large residuals. Three patients developed detrusor instability. Flow rates were greatly reduced at first (27 ml/s before operation and 13 ml/s at 3 days), and gradually increased in line with voiding pressures, yet were still diminished 1 year after operation. The urodynamic changes following a reduction in bladder outflow resistance by TURP are immediate and sustained and unlikely to be the result of structural changes within the bladder wall. EBNS produces an increase in outflow resistance and it can be several weeks before balanced voiding is achieved, with significantly increased detrusor pressures needed to achieve complete bladder emptying at a reduced flow rate.     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: investigation of a hospital outbreak using a case-control study

A retrospective case-control study of 50 MRSA-positive patients was carried out during an outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at an acute general hospital in London. Controls were randomly selected from MRSA-negative patients admitted during the outbreak period. Risk factors investigated included length of admission prior to screening, number of ward changes, main diagnosis, extent of staff contact, pressure sores, surgical and other invasive procedures and antibiotic treatment. Outcome variables examined were rates of infection (versus colonization) with MRSA and mortality. Patients with MRSA were in hospital longer before microbiological specimens were taken and moved wards more often than controls. In a logistic regression analysis, length of stay in hospital, pressure sores, physiotherapy and surgical procedures were associated with a significantly increased risk of acquiring MRSA. Odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) for having acquired MRSA were: 8·3 (1·02−71·43) if a patient had pressure sores; 3·7 (1·10−12·5) if they received physiotherapy; and 3·2 (1·82−10·0) if they underwent surgical procedures. The rate of clinical infection amongst patients with this strain of MRSA was 26% and included life-threatening infections such as septicaemia, underlining the potential virulence of MRSA. Surgery and physiotherapy may have been markers of debility. Physiotherapy was probably a marker of increased rates of contact with all hospital staff, and high standards of hand hygiene should be promoted amongst all staff as the most important factor in controlling an outbreak of MRSA. Good bed management is essential for hospital infection control.