Recent research reported evidence that contradicts cumulative prospect theory and the priority heuristic. The same body of research also violates two editing principles of original prospect theory: cancellation (the principle that people delete any attribute that is the same in both alternatives before deciding between them) and combination (the principle that people combine branches leading to the same consequence by adding their probabilities). This study was designed to replicate previous results and to test whether the violations of cumulative prospect theory might be eliminated or reduced by using formats for presentation of risky gambles in which cancellation and combination could be facilitated visually. Contrary to the idea that decision behavior contradicting cumulative prospect theory and the priority heuristic would be altered by use of these formats, however, data with two new graphical formats as well as fresh replication data continued to show the patterns of evidence that violate cumulative prospect theory, the priority heuristic, and the editing principles of combination and cancellation. Systematic violations of restricted branch independence also contradicted predictions of “stripped” prospect theory (subjectively weighted additive utility without the editing rules).

Drug combinations have been evaluated for Chagas disease in an attempt to improve efficacy and safety. In this line, the objective of this work is to assess the effects of treatment with nitro drugs combinations using benznidazole (BZ) or nifurtimox (NFX) plus the sulfone metabolite of fexinidazole (fex-SFN) in vitro and in vivo on Trypanosoma cruzi infection. The in vitro interaction of fex-SFN and BZ or NFX against infected H9c2 cells by the Y strain was classified as an additive (0.5⩾ΣFIC<4), suggesting the possibility of a dose reduction in the in vivo T. cruzi infection. Next, the effect of combining suboptimal doses was assessed in an acute model of murine T. cruzi infection. Drug combinations led to a faster suppression of parasitemia than monotherapies. Also, the associations led to higher cure levels than those in the reference treatment BZ 100 mg day−1 (57.1%) (i.e. 83.3% with BZ/fex-SFN and 75% with NFX/fex-SFN). Importantly, toxic effects resulting from the associations were not observed, according to weight gain and hepatic enzyme levels in the serum of experimental animals. Taken together, this study is a starting point to explore the potential effects of nitro drugs combinations in preclinical models of kinetoplastid-related infections.

Greenhouse studies were conducted to determine the response of six corn hybrids and two soybean varieties to acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor herbicides applied with terbufos and/or piperonyl butoxide (PBO), a mixed function oxidase (MFO) inhibitor. Field experiments also were conducted to determine the response of six corn hybrids to the combination treatments, terbufos plus ALS inhibitor herbicides and/or PBO and/or antidote. PBO at 0.33 kg/ha tank-mixed with nicosulfuron and primisulfuron injured the Northrup King 9283 corn hybrid. Great Lakes 584 corn was less sensitive than Northrup King 9283 to these combination treatments. Pioneer 3377 IR corn hybrid was resistant to the combination of nicosulfuron or primisulfuron plus PBO at 2 kg/ha and also to the combination treatments of imazethapyr herbicide plus PBO even though terbufos was previously applied. ICI 8532 IT, ICI 8532, and Pioneer 3377 hybrids were injured by the combination of nicosulfuron or primisulfuron and/or terbufos and/or PBO at 2 kg/ha. ICI 8532 IT corn hybrid was not injured by the combination treatment of imazethapyr or thifensulfuron and terbufos. In the field studies, Pioneer 3377 IR and Ciba 4393 RSC hybrids were resistant to sulfonylurea and imidazolinone herbicides even when applied with PBO regardless of the presence of terbufos. All treatments of chlorimuron plus terbufos caused considerable injury to ICI 8532 IT, ICI 8532, Pioneer 3377, and Ciba 4393, but not Pioneer 3377 IR and Ciba 4393 RSC. The combination of thifensulfuron with PBO injured Elgin ‘87 soybean, but the W20 soybean was tolerant to this combination treatment. Combination of imazethapyr with PBO did not affect the growth of Elgin ‘87 soybean.

The use of complex psychopharmacological regimens is increasingly advocated in more difficult to treat depressive illness. The combination of venlafaxine with mirtazapine – ‘California rocket fuel’ is one such example involving an SNRI combined with a NaSSA. We describe two cases that highlight the potential usefulness of duloxetine used in combination with mirtazapine that also emphasise the danger of drug-induced hypomanic switching. This combination may have a specific role for carefully selected patients but caution is needed given the potential to induce profound alterations in mental state.

In this study the anti-leishmanial activity and anti-microtubule effects of paclitaxel, trifluralin and a combination of paclitaxel and trifluralin have been tested in a wild type and sodium arsenite-resistant strain of Leishmania donovani. Both paclitaxel and trifluralin have been shown to be effective in limiting parasite growth. Specific alterations in morphology, tubulin polymerization dynamics, post-translational modifications and cellular distribution of the tubulins have been confirmed to be a part of the intracellular anti-microtubule-events that occur in arsenite-resistant L. donovani in response to these agents, ultimately leading to death of the parasite. DNA analyses of the drug-treated wild type and arsenite-resistant strains revealed an apoptosis-like death in response to paclitaxel and the combination but not to trifluralin. Data provide valuable information for further development of chemotherapeutic strategies based on anti-microtubule agents against drug resistant Leishmania parasites.

Dexamethasone decreases chemotherapy-induced emesis when added to an antiemetic regimen. This study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of granisetron/dexamethasone combination for preventing postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). In a prospective, randomized, double-blind manner, 120 patients (83 females), aged 25–65 years, were assigned to receive granisetron 40 μg kg−1 alone or granisetron 40 μg kg−1 plus dexamethasone 8 mg (n=60 of each) intravenously immediately before the induction of anaesthesia. A standardized general anaesthetic procedure and postoperative analgesia were used. A complete response, defined as no PONV and no need for another rescue antiemetic, during 0–3 h after anaesthesia was 83% with granisetron and 98% with granisetron plus dexamethasone, respectively (P=0.008); the corresponding incidence during 3–24 h after anaesthesia was 83% and 98% (P=0.008). No clinically important adverse events were observed in any of the group. In conclusion, prophylactic therapy with granisetron/dexamethasone combination is more effective than granisetron alone for the prevention of PONV after LC.

This study was undertaken to compare the efficacy and safety of granisetron, a 5-hydroxytryptamine type 3 receptor antagonist, and dexamethasone and each drug alone for the prevention of post-operative vomiting by children, with no history of motion sickness and/or previous post-operative vomiting, undergoing general inhalational anaesthesia for surgery (inguinal hernia and phimosis). In a randomized, double-blind manner, 150 children, ASA physical status I, aged 4–10 years, were assigned to receive granisetron 40 mg kg−1, dexamethasone 150 mg kg−1, or granisetron 40 mg kg−1 plus dexamethasone 150 mg kg−1 intravenously immediately after inhalation induction of anaesthesia (n=50 of each). A complete response, defined as no emesis and no need for another rescue anti-emetic during the first 24 h after anaesthesia, was 86% with granisetron, 68% with dexamethasone and 98% with granisetron plus dexamethasone, respectively (P< 0.05; overall Fisher's exact probability test). No clinically serious adverse events were observed in any of the groups. In conclusion, prophylactic therapy with combined granisetron and dexamethasone was more effective than was each anti-emetic alone for the prevention of vomiting after paediatric surgery.