Pharmacology

Engineering love

by Brian Earp

Savulescu, J. and Sandberg, A. (2012). Love machine: Engineering lifelong romance. New Scientist, 2864, 28-29.

Essay partially adapted from Earp, B. D., Sandberg, A., and Savulescu, J. (2012). Natural selection, childrearing, and the ethics of marriage (and divorce): Building a case for the neuroenhancement of human relationships. Philosophy & Technology, forthcoming [see "profile" box in article].

Available at the New Scientist website: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21428646.200-love-machine-engineering-lifelong-romance.html

New Scientist BIG IDEA section, May 2012.

With break-up and divorce a major part of modern life, it looks... more New Scientist BIG IDEA section, May 2012.

With break-up and divorce a major part of modern life, it looks like we may be outliving our inborn capacity to love. But there could be a way to outwit evolution and make love last.

Also available at New Scientist: http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg21428646.200-love-machine-engineering-lifelong-romance.html.

Qualitative Estimation of the Presence of Bioactive Compound in Centella Asiatica: An Important Medicinal Plant

by Dharmendra Singh

Qualitative phytochemical analysis of this plant confirms the presence of various phytochemicals like alkaloids,... more Qualitative phytochemical analysis of this plant confirms the presence of various phytochemicals like alkaloids, flavonoids, tannins, terpenoids, saponin, steroids, and proteins, reducing sugars, carbohydrates and cardiac glycosides in its methanolic extracts. This paper deals with the significance of these phytochemicals with respect to the role of these plants in traditional medicinal system. This preliminary study draws attention to the need for further studies of the active principles identified in the reported species for the treatment of many diseases in order to understand their mode of action in controlling diseases.

Cytotoxicity of fevicordin-A from Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl on P 388, HeLa, CasKi, TE-2, TE-8 and Prepuce’s Fibroblast cells

by Jutti Levita

Industry influenced evidence production in collaborative research communities: A network analysis

by Adam Dunn

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology

Objective
To measure the relative influence that industry authors have on collaborative research communities and... more Objective
To measure the relative influence that industry authors have on collaborative research communities and evidence production.

Study Design and Setting
Using 22 commonly prescribed drugs, 6,711 randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and 28,104 authors, 22 collaboration networks were constructed and analyzed. The directly industry-affiliated (DIA) authors were identified in the networks according to their published affiliations. Measures of influence (network centrality) and impact (citations) were determined for every author. Network-level measures of community structure and collaborative preference were used to further characterize the groups.

Results
Six percent (1,741 of 28,104) of authors listed a direct affiliation with the manufacturer of a drug evaluated in the RCT. These authors received significantly more citations (P < 0.05 in 19 networks) and were significantly more central in the networks (P < 0.05 in 20 networks). The networks show that DIA authors tend to have greater reach in the networks and collaborate more often with non-DIA authors despite a preference toward their own group. Potential confounders include publication bias, trial sizes, and conclusions.

Conclusions
Industry-based authors are more central in their networks and are deeply embedded within highly connected drug research communities. As a consequence, they have the potential to influence information flow in the production of evidence.

Treatment of Early Onset Schizophrenia: Recent Trends, Challenges and Future Considerations

by Nora S Vyas

Nora S. Vyas, Nitin Gogtay (2012)

Frontiers Psychiatry, Vol 3 (Article 29), 1-5
doi:10.3389/fpsyt2012.00029

Early onset schizophrenia (onset before adulthood) is a rare, severe and chronic form of schizophrenia. The clinical... more Early onset schizophrenia (onset before adulthood) is a rare, severe and chronic form of schizophrenia. The clinical presentation of schizophrenia at this unusually early age of onset has been associated with premorbid developmental abnormalities, poor response to neuroleptic treatment, greater admission rates, and poor prognosis. This is a brief, condensed review of current treatment strategies for the early onset population highlighting the need for novel treatment strategies for these generally treatment refractory cses. Based on the current literature, second generation antipsychotics remain the mainstay of treatment, although current medications provide suboptimal response at best. Based on the adult literature, combining antipsychotic treatment with psychotherapeutic intervention may be a more comprehensive treatment strategy. Indeed, early detection, identification of relevant biomarkers, coupled with advancing knowledge of the neurochemical and neuroanatomic pathways may help design informed and novel treatment strategies.

Evidence for An Enantioselective Pumiliotoxin 7-Hydroxylase In Dendrobatid Poison Frogs of the Genus Dendrobates

by Valerie Clark

Discovery of a Novel Activator of KCNQ1-KCNE1 K+ Channel Complexes

by Karen Mruk

Co-authored with WR Kobertz

KCNQ1 voltage-gated K(+) channels (Kv7.1) associate with the family of five KCNE peptides to form complexes with... more KCNQ1 voltage-gated K(+) channels (Kv7.1) associate with the family of five KCNE peptides to form complexes with diverse gating properties and pharmacological sensitivities. The varied gating properties of the different KCNQ1-KCNE complexes enables the same K(+) channel to function in both excitable and non excitable tissues. Small molecule activators would be valuable tools for dissecting the gating mechanisms of KCNQ1-KCNE complexes; however, there are very few known activators of KCNQ1 channels and most are ineffective on the physiologically relevant KCNQ1-KCNE complexes. Here we show that a simple boronic acid, phenylboronic acid (PBA), activates KCNQ1/KCNE1 complexes co-expressed in Xenopus oocytes at millimolar concentrations. PBA shifts the voltage sensitivity of KCNQ1 channel complexes to favor the open state at negative potentials. Analysis of different-sized charge carriers revealed that PBA also targets the permeation pathway of KCNQ1 channels. Activation by the boronic acid moiety has some specificity for the Kv7 family members (KCNQ1, KCNQ2/3, and KCNQ4) since PBA does not activate Shaker or hERG channels. Furthermore, the commercial availability of numerous PBA derivatives provides a large class of compounds to investigate the gating mechanisms of KCNQ1-KCNE complexes.

Lamoure J. How Do You Treat Internet Addiction. Cdn J of CME 2012; 24(3): 14

by Dr. Joel Lamoure

Lamoure J. How Do You Treat Internet Addiction. Cdn J of CME 2012; 24(3): 14

There are not many formats or forums at this point that address Internet addiction, and there is even some debate over... more There are not many formats or forums at this point that address Internet addiction, and there is even some debate over whether internet addiction is a true addiction. In my clinical experience and given definitions of addiction, "I would place internet as
being a very highly addictive medium."........

...... It provides a strong “hook” to those who are looking for a form of escapism. That being said, it is legal, cost effective, accessible, and provides instant gratification. It can, however, have a deleterious impact on the patient’s quality and quantity of life, with psychosocial retardation, financial challenges, and relationship challenges.

Much like patients with food or shopping addictions, there is the challenge that it cannot be easily extricated from daily life, especially in western and first/second world countries. Standard strategies that include removal of the offending agent will not work with internet addictions as there is exposure in insidious ways.......

From "Lamoure J. How Do You Treat Internet Addiction. Cdn J of CME 2012; 24(3): 14" (In press)

Dr. Joel W. Lamoure RPh., DD., FASCP
http://www.joelwlamoure.com/id6.html

Dimebon for Alzheimer's disease (protocol)

by Sarah Chau

Current and Emerging Drug Treatment Options for Alzheimers Disease: A Systematic Review

by Sarah Chau

Evaluation of analgesic and antidiarrhoeal properties of the ethanolic extract of Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham (Capparidaceae) leaves

by Apurba Sarker Apu

Farjana Khatuna, Md. Amran Howlader, Apurba Sarker Apu, Sitesh C Bachar, Nazmul Qais

The leaves of medicinal plant Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham (Capparidaceae) was extracted in ethanol to evaluate the... more The leaves of medicinal plant Crataeva nurvala Buch. Ham (Capparidaceae) was extracted in ethanol to evaluate the peripherally acting analgesic potential using acetic acid induced writhing and antidiarrhoeal activity using intestinal motility test both in mice.The crude extract showed significant (P<0.01) analgesic activity at oral doses of 200 and 400mg/kg body weight with an inhibition of writhing 68.4% and 76.3% compared to 67% for the positive control. In the motility test, the crude extract at same oral doses showed 31.16% and 35.31% inhibition of intestinal propulsion of charcoal marker where as positive control group exhibited 36.25% inhibition of propulsion of charcoal through the intestine.

Antidiarrheal, Analgesic and Cytotoxic activities of crude extract of Oroxylum indicum ( L.) stem bark

by Apurba Sarker Apu

Antimicrobial Activity and Brine Shrimp Lethality Bioassay of the Leaves Extract of Dillenia indica Linn.

by Apurba Sarker Apu

Lamoure J., Stovel J. Varenicline and Suicidal Ideations. How Common is It?. Cdn J of CME 2012; 24(2): 14

by Dr. Joel Lamoure

Lamoure J., Stovel J. Varenicline and Suicidal Ideations. How Common is It?. Cdn J of CME 2012; 24(2): 14
Dr Joel Lamoure

In Canada, varenicline is currently indicated for smoking cessation in conjunction with counselling.1 There have been... more In Canada, varenicline is currently indicated for smoking cessation in conjunction with counselling.1 There have been numerous reports of increased suicidal ideation in patients taking varenicline, and in patients that are quitting smok- ing. This has resulted in the Health Canada Advisory warning health- care providers about the increased risk of serious neuropsychiatric adverse events in those patients taking varenicline. Specifically, depressed mood, agitation, hostili- ty, changes in behaviour, suicidal ideation and suicide, as well as worsening of pre-existing psychi- atric illness have been observed.2 This scenario is very reminiscent for me of the mid 1980’s when fluoxe- tine was first launched in the USA.

Determination of Genistein in the Fermented By-product of Soybean Curd, an Indonesian Food, and Its in vivo Assay on Carrageenan-Induced Mice

by Jutti Levita

Errors in Alkaloids of Nelumbo and Nymphaea species

by David L. Spess

I currently have a paper that will be published soon on the psychoactive compounds found in both Nelumbo and Nymphaea... more I currently have a paper that will be published soon on the psychoactive compounds found in both Nelumbo and Nymphaea species. This paper is a long survey article that will set the record straight as to what compounds are found in each genus, and where they are found. First of all Nelumbo species have NO relationship to Nymphaea species. In fact, Nelumbo species are related to Papaver species. This is why Nelumbo is put in a separate family from Nymphaea species based mainly on its genetic and metabolic pathways. The biochemical pathways in the two species are completely different and yield different compounds. Nelumbo species produces alkaloids in the Benzylisoquinoline, Bisbenzylisoquinoline and Aporphine groups. Nymphaea species produces alkaloids in the furano-quinolizidine and quinolizidine alkaloid groups. Nymphaea species DO NOT have the metabolic pathways to produce the alkaloid nuciferine, Nelumbo species can produce this alkaloid. I continually see on internet websites that state nuciferine is found in Nymphaea species which is completely wrong as I have stated above. Nuciferine is a isoquinoline type alkaloid found in Nelumbo species. Read my survey article when published to find out the full details. This survey will give in detail the structure of each compound found, each compounds activity, and in what part of the plant each one is found. This is a separate paper from the one that concentrates on the medicinal aspects of these plants which I have mentioned below

Rationale of Combining More than One Antipsychotic in a LTC/Nursing Home Patient at Same Time

by Dr. Joel Lamoure

Lamoure J.  Rationale of Combining More than One Antipsychotic in a LTC/Nursing Home Patient at Same Time .... more Lamoure J.  Rationale of Combining More than One Antipsychotic in a LTC/Nursing Home Patient at Same Time . Canadian Healthcare Network ATE Panel. October, 2011. http://www.canadianhealthcarenetwork.ca/pharmacists/discussions/the-experts/mental-health

Psychiatry's age of enlightenment: optogenetics and the discovery of novel targets for the treatment of psychiatric disorders

by Michelle Sidor

Michelle M. Sidor

J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2012 Jan;37(1):4-6

Vermicidal activity of Millettia pachycarpa on the nematode, Heterakis gallinarum

by Kholhring Lalchhandama

International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 2011

The stem and root barks, leaves and seeds of Millettia pachycarpa Benth. are used for various medicinal purposes in... more The stem and root barks, leaves and seeds of Millettia pachycarpa Benth. are used for various medicinal purposes in Chinese and Mizo traditional practices. The plant extract reportedly showed potent vermicidal activity on cestodes. The ethanol extract of the root bark was tested against the poultry nematode, Heterakis gallinarum Schrank. In vitro treatment at 37±1°C revealed that a serial dose of the plant extract caused dose-dependent vermicidal effect on the worm (significant efficacy at P<0.05), except at the lowest dose (i.e. 5 mg/mL). A broad-spectrum drug albendazole also exhibited similar effect but with higher potency at all doses applied. The nematode treated with 80 mg/mL of the plant extract caused apparent destruction on the morphological structure, mostly of severe distortion in the cuticular organization throughout the body topography. Collapse of the lips and contraction of the body proper with prominent folding of the cuticle at the cephalic region were clearly discernible. At the posterior end were also extensive disintegration of the cuticle along with shrivelled cloacal mount and caudal papillae.

Interpenetrating polymeric network hydrogel for stomach-specific drug delivery of clarithromycin: Preparation and evaluation

by Ram C Dhakar

Dhakar Ramchand1, Gupta Anish Kumar, Siddiqui Abdul Wadood, Maurya Sheo Datta1,

The aim of this study was to develop a controlled release system targeting antibiotic delivery to the stomach. Themore The aim of this study was to develop a controlled release system targeting antibiotic delivery to the stomach. The
hydrogels were synthesized by using chitosan, poly (acrylic acid) and poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) polymers crosslinked
with glutaraldehyde and N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide. Interpenetrating polymeric network (IPN) hydrogels were prepared
by varying the concentration of crosslinking agent (glutaraldehyde). The amount of chitosan, poly (acrylic acid), poly
(vinyl pyrrolidone) and N,N’-methylenebisacrylamide were kept constant in all formulations. The effect of glutaraldehyde
concentration on the swelling and release characteristics were evaluated. Modalities used to assess the most optimal hydrogel
formulation included high liquid chromatography, FTIR analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, swelling studies, in vitro
drug release study, mucoadhesive study and scanning electron microscopy. The result showed that IPN hydrogels were
greater in swelling, more mucoadhesive and released more drug at lower pH values. Thus, it is believed that the antibiotic
concentration in the stomach might be sustained through this formulation.