Daphnelantoxin B

B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and Ventricular Dysfunction in the Prediction of Cardiovascular Events and Death in Hypertension.[Pubmed:29036547]

Am J Hypertens. 2018 Jan 12;31(2):228-234.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence and morbidity of hypertension continues to grow globally and improved methods of stratifying risk and identifying organ damage earlier are required. Methods such as echocardiography and population-based risk scores are suggested by guidelines as approaches to aid in risk stratification. However, biomarkers such as natriuretic peptides may help provide such an approach. METHODS: We analyzed data from the screening to prevent heart failure cohort including participants with hypertension with and without a history of a cardiovascular (CV) event at baseline. We investigated the ability of ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography at baseline and of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in predicting future major adverse CV events (MACE) and death. We also investigated the use of Systematic COronary Risk Evaluation (SCORE) to predict these events in the uncomplicated cohort. RESULTS: In total, 572 patients (427 with uncomplicated hypertension) were included. Thirty-three patients had MACE or died during follow up. In a univariate analysis, BNP was predictive of MACE and death in all groups. Ventricular dysfunction was not predictive of MACE and death in any group. Both BNP and SCORE had predictive value in this category. However, the magnitude and strength of the continuous association between BNP and events is higher and BNP adds significantly to the predictive value of SCORE as determined by likelihood ratios. The net reclassification improvement for BNP compared to stage B heart failure was 0.20. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that in patients with hypertension, BNP is superior to ventricular dysfunction on echocardiography in the prediction of risk of MACE and death in a community-based cohort of patients with complicated and uncomplicated hypertension.

Human recombinant Fab fragment from combinatorial libraries of a B-cell lymphoma patient recognizes core protein of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4.[Pubmed:29036679]

J Biochem. 2018 Jan 1;163(1):61-68.

CD antigens are well known as therapeutic targets of B-cell lymphoma. To isolate therapeutic antibodies that recognize novel targets other than CD antigens, we constructed a phage display combinatorial antibody Fab library from bone marrow lymphocytes of B-cell lymphoma patient. To eliminate antibodies reactive with known B-cell lymphoma antigen, non-hematopoietic and patient's sera reactive HeLaS3 cells was selected as a target of whole cell panning. Five rounds of panning against live HeLaS3 cells retrieved single Fab clone, termed AHSA (Antibody to HeLa Surface Antigen). Using phage display random peptide library, LSYLEP was identified as an epitope sequence of AHSA. LC-MS/MS analysis of AHSA-precipitated HeLaS3 cell lysates detected several fragments corresponding to the sequence of chondroitin sulphate proteoglycan 4 (CSPG4) core protein. Since LSYLEP sequence was at the position of 313-318 of CSPG4, we considered that CSPG4 was AHSA-associated antigen. Double staining of CSPG4-postive MDA-MB-435S cells with AHSA and anti-CSPG4 rabbit antibody showed identical staining position, and reduced AHSA reactivity was observed in CSPG4-siRNA treated MDA-MB-435S cells. In conclusion, we retrieved a human Fab from antibody library of B-cell lymphoma patient, and identified CSPG4 as a recognizing antigen. AHSA may have potential benefits for development of CSPG4-targeting theranostics for B-cell lymphoma.

Apremilast and Narrowband Ultraviolet-B Combination Therapy for Treating Moderate-to-Severe Plaque Psoriasis.[Pubmed:29036248]

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017 Oct 1;16(10):957-962.

BACKGROUND: Combining narrowband UVB (NB-UVB) phototherapy with biologics has been shown to enhance the therapeutic response of plaque psoriasis patients. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of apremilast combined with NB-UVB in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. METHODS: This was a 12-week, open-label study of 29 patients diagnosed with moderate to severe psoriasis. Patients received apremilast 30 mg twice daily, and increasing doses of NB-UVB (310-312 nm) 3 times per week for 12 weeks. RESULTS: Twenty-two of 29 patients (76%) completed the 12-week apremilast and NB-UVB combination therapy; 73% (16 of 22 completers) achieved a PASI 75 response at week 12. Mean scores for PASI, VAS pain, VAS itch, DLQI, and PGA improved by 77%, 77%, 69%, 70%, and 67%, respectively, at week 12. The most commonly reported adverse events (AEs) were mild and moderate first-degree burns related to NB-UVB (n=11 [38%] patients). A second-degree NB-UVB burn was reported (likely due to an underlying photosensitivity) and was considered a serious AE. CONCLUSION: The combination of apremilast with NB-UVB was effective for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, without any unexpected safety signals. Apremilast combined with NB-UVB provided a high treatment response in patients with moderate to severe plaque psoriasis, and may be an option for patients to enhance a patient's initial therapeutic response.

J Drugs Dermatol. 2017;16(10):957-962.

Magnetic iron oxide/phenylsulfonic acid: A novel, efficient and recoverable nanocatalyst for green synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans under ultrasonic conditions.[Pubmed:29035802]

J Colloid Interface Sci. 2018 Feb 1;511:392-401.

A novel magnetic iron oxide supported phenylsulfonic acid (Fe3O4@Ph-SO3H) with core-shell structure is prepared, characterized and applied as efficient nanocatalyst for green synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans. The Fe3O4@Ph-SO3H was prepared via modification of magnetic iron oxide cores with 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene (BTEB) followed by sulfonation of aromatic rings. The Fe3O4@Ph-SO3H was characterized using FTIR, TGA, PXRD, SEM, TEM, VSM and EDX techniques. This was effectively applied for synthesis of tetrahydrobenzo[b]pyrans in water as green solvent at room temperature under ultrasonic conditions. The products were obtained in high to excellent yields at short times. The recoverability, reusability and durability of this nanocatalyst were studied under applied reaction conditions.

Perinatal Risk Factors for Neonatal Early-onset Group B Streptococcal Sepsis after Initiation of Risk-based Maternal Intrapartum Antibiotic Prophylaxis-A Case Control Study.[Pubmed:29036682]

J Trop Pediatr. 2018 Aug 1;64(4):312-316.

Objectives: To identify the perinatal risk factors for early-onset Group B Streptococcus (EOGBS) sepsis in neonates after inception of a risk-based maternal intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis strategy in 2004. Design: Case control study. Methods: All newborn with early onset GBS sepsis (born between 2004 and 2013) were deemed to be "cases" and controls were selected in a 1:4 ratio. Results: More than three per vaginal (PV) examinations [odds ratio (OR) 8.57, 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.10-23.6] was a significant risk factors. Peripartum fever (OR 3.54, 95% CI 1.3-9.67), urinary tract infection (OR 2.88, 95% CI 1.08-7.63), meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) (OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.18-5.37) and caesarean section (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16-3.43) were also found to be associated with EOGBS sepsis. Conclusion: Multiple vaginal examinations are the strongest risk factors for peripartum Group B Streptococcal (GBS) sepsis. The association of MSAF and caesarean section indicates that foetal distress is an early symptom of perinatal GBS infection.