Clinical Outcome in Human T-Lymphotropic Virus Type 2 Carriers Following Organ Transplantation

Background: Frequent and rapid development of myelopathy has been reported in individuals with human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection following solid organ transplantation. There is no information regarding HTLV-2, a closely related virus that often infects injection drug users. Methods: This study includes a retrospective analysis of all consecutive organ transplants performed during the last 2 decades at a large reference transplantation unit in Spain. All participants were tested for anti-HTLV antibodies. Results: A total of 2019 individuals were tested for HTLV during the study period, including 663 potential donors and 1356 recipient candidates. Twelve (0.59%) were reactive on initial HTLV serologic screening, but only 6 (all recipients) were confirmed as positive, all for HTLV-2. Two recipients underwent liver transplantation and have remained asymptomatic despite being on tacrolimus for 4 and 8 years, respectively. Likewise, the remaining 4 HTLV-2 carriers have not developed clinical complications potentially associated with HTLV-2. Conclusions: Unlike HTLV-1 infection, HTLV-2 infection in the transplantation setting does not seem to be associated with rapid development of neurologic complications, Given the cross-seroreactivity between HTLV-1 and HTLV-2, discriminatory rapid tests are urgently needed and would reduce unnecessary organ discharge

Decrease of the adhesion force with vapor pressure

Trabajo presentado a NanoSpain 2010 celebrado en Málaga del 23-26 Marzo, 2010. -- Incluye comunicación oral y póster.Experimental evidence of a monotonous decrease of the capillary forces between hydrophilic surfaces with increasing relative humidity from 0 to 100% is presented. In concordance with the results of a theoretical simulation, we identified the objects’ shape as the origin of different adhesion force vs. RH behaviours when treating with nanoscale objects. If the water neck is formed between a flat surface and a nanometric object presenting a truncated cone shape the adhesion force decreases with increasing vapour pressure. The variety of meniscus force behaviours found for different shapes emphasizes the importance of geometry in capillary phenomena at the nanometric scale.Peer reviewe

Pharmacokinetics of doxycycline in sheep after intravenous and oral administration

P. 389-395The pharmacokinetics of doxycycline were investigated in sheep after oral (PO) and intravenous (IV) administration. The IV data were best described using a 2- (n = 5) or 3- (n = 6) compartmental open model. Mean pharmacokinetic parameters obtained using a 2-compartmental model included a volume of distribution at steady-state (Vss) of 1.759 ± 0.3149 L/kg, a total clearance (Cl) of 3.045 ± 0.5264 mL/ kg/min and an elimination half-life (t1/2b) of 7.027 ± 1.128 h. Comparative values obtained from the 3-compartmental mean values were: Vss of 1.801 ± 0.3429 L/kg, a Cl of 2.634 ± 0.6376 mL/kg/min and a t1/2b of 12.11 ± 2.060 h. Mean residence time (MRT0_1) was 11.18 ± 3.152 h. After PO administration, the data were best described by a 2-compartment open model. The pharmacokinetic parameter mean values were: maximum plasma concentration (Cmax), 2.130 ± 0.950 lg/mL; time to reach Cmax (tmax), 3.595 ± 3.348 h, and absorption half-life (t1=2k01 ), 36.28 ± 14.57 h. Non-compartmental parameter values were: Cmax, 2.182 ± 0.9117 lg/mL; tmax, 3.432 ± 3.307 h; F, 35.77 ± 10.20%, and mean absorption time (MAT0–∞), 25.55 ± 15.27 h. These results suggest that PO administration of doxycycline could be useful as an antimicrobial drug in sheep.S

ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) como medio para mejorar la eficacia de los servicios de TI. Un caso de estudio.

El presente trabajo presenta el caso de una gerencia de sistemas de Información de una organización que decidió utilizar a ITIL (Information Technology Index Library) como medio para mejorar la eficacia de los servicios de TI. El caso de estudio incluye tres fases: el diagnóstico del departamento, el diseño y documentación de los procesos de ITIL, incluyendo la metodología de trabajo, y la implantación de estos. Se presentan resultados preliminares derivados de la medición de los procesos.ITESO, A.C

The pharmacokinetics and metabolism of ivermectin in domestic animal species

P. 25-37The pharmacokinetic properties of drugs are closely related to their pharmacological efficacy. The kinetics of ivermectin are characterised, in general terms, by a slow absorption process, a broad distribution in the organism, low metabolism, and slow excretion. The kinetics vary according to the route of administration, formulation, animal species, body condition, age, and physiological status, all of which contribute to differences in drug efficacy. Characterisation of ivermectin kinetics can be used to predict and optimise the value of the parasiticide effects and to design programmes for parasite control. This article reviews the pharmacokinetics of ivermectin in several domestic animal species.S

The Pharmacokinetics and interactions of ivermectin in humans—A mini-review

P. 42-46Ivermectin is an antiparasitic drug with a broad spectrum of activity, high efficacy as well as a wide margin of safety. Since 1987, this compound has a widespread use in veterinary medicine and it use has been extended in humans. Here we present a brief review of the information availabile regarding the pharmacokinetics and interactions of ivermectin in humans. Awareness of these characteristics could improve the clinical efficacy of Ivermectin. All Authors declare that they do not have any Conflict of interest and that the work is original. All Authors agree that the contents of the manuscript are confidential and will not be copyrighted, submitted, or published elsewhere (including the Internet), in any language, while acceptance by the Journal is under consideration.S

The hydrosoluble fiber Plantago ovata husk improves levodopa (with carbidopa) bioavailability after repeated administration

P. 15-20The influence of treatment duration (7 or 14 days) with Plantago ovata husk/levodopa/carbidopa in the bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of levodopa were evaluated in rabbits. Fiber was administered at two different doses, 100 and 400 mg/kg, and the dosage of levodopa/carbidopa was 20:5 mg/kg. These doses were administered once a day. When 100 mg/kg of fiber was administered, the mean AUC value obtained for levodopa increased 20.2% from day 1 to day 7, and 27.2% from day 1 to day 14; Cmax was 8.6% higher on day 7 and 11.7% higher on day 14. When administering 400 mg/kg of fiber, the increase in AUC values was 17.6% on day 7 and 24.9% on day 14, and that of Cmax 11.1% on day 7 and 11.3% on day 14. The concentration determined immediately before drug administration (Cmin) increased progressively with the duration of treatment, and the highest increase (53.2%) was observed on day 14 with 100 mg/kg of fiber. There was also a delay in levodopa elimination (higher MRT and lower Cl) in a fiber-dose dependent manner. In summary, we found that there was an improvement in the extent of levodopa absorbed with higher final concentrations and that levodopa elimination was slower with the administration of P. ovata husk.S

Effect of glucomannan and the dosage form on ethinylestradiol oral absorption in rabbits

P. 423-427To the beneficial properties of dietary fiber in human health, several disadvantages can be added as the possible modification of the bioavailability of other drugs when administered by the oral route. In this study, the influence of glucomannan in the oral bioavailability of ethinyl estradiol (EE), when administered to female rabbits in two different dosage forms (enteric capsules and dispersed in water), was established. To carry out the study, three groups of six animals each were used. All animals received 1 mg kg 1 oral EE, and rabbits in groups 2 and 3 received 1.5 g glucomannan dispersed in water or in enteric capsules, respectively, immediately before EE. When comparing the results obtained after the administration of EE/glucomannan dispersed in water with those obtained after the administration of this estrogen without fiber, we can see that Cmax is 1.4 times lower, AUC 1.9 times lower and that tmax is identical (10 min). However, after the administration of fiber in enteric capsules, AUC and Cmax are higher (4.1 and 7.8 times, respectively) than when the estrogen was administered alone, and also, there is a delay in tmax (20 min). After the administration of glucomannan in the enteric capsule, the fiber forms, as in the stomach, a highly viscous solution in the gut that would limit EE access to the mucosal surface delaying its absorption. However, this effect could be compensated by a reduction of EE metabolism in the intestinal wall, leading to a higher absorption of the estrogen.S

Effects of Plantago ovata Husk on Levodopa (with Carbidopa) Bioavailability in Rabbits with Autonomic Gastrointestinal Disorders

P. 1434-1442Gastrointestinal dysfunction is common in Parkinson’s disease. Fiber therapy could be used to reduce the symptoms of gastrointestinal motility disorders. In a previous study, we showed that slowed gastrointestinal motility modified levodopa pharmacokinetics: area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) decreased and the elimination was delayed. In this study, we evaluated whether or not the hydrosoluble fiber Plantago ovata husk is useful in improving levodopa pharmacokinetics in rabbits with autonomic gastrointestinal disorders induced by the administration of the anticholinergic biperiden. Levodopa carbidopa (20:5 mg/kg), biperiden (100 g/ kg), and P. ovata husk (at two different doses: 100 and 400 mg/kg) were administered orally to rabbits for two periods of time (7 or 14 days). In all groups of animals, the AUC values were approximately 50% higher on the final day of treatment than on day 1. Cmax was also higher, with the greater increase at the 400 mg/kg dose of fiber, which resulted in a boost of approximately 35%. On day 1 of treatment and with both doses of fiber, AUC values were very similar to those obtained in previous work in rabbits with normal gastrointestinal motility, but the Cmax was lower. However, after 7 or 14 days, the AUC values were higher, but Cmax remained lower. The greatest differences were observed in plasma concentration before drug administration (Cmin), for which the highest increase was obtained with the dose of 400 mg/kg fiber on day 14 of treatment (349.8%). P. ovata husk could be beneficial in patients with Parkinson’s disease because it regulates stool transit in the intestine and because it improves levodopa pharmacokinetics when gastrointestinal peristalsis is slowed. These changes could lead to a possible delay in the onset of dyskinesias and to changes in prognosis.S