Feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), formerly called feline T-lymphotropic lentivirus, causes an immune deficiency in cats that is very similar to the acquired immune deficiency syndrome in humans (N. C. Pedersen, E. M. Ho, M. L. Brown, and J. K. Yamamoto, Science 235:790-793, 1987). We have examined the reverse transcriptase of this virus to determine whether it is similar enough to the reverse transcriptase of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) to enable its use as a model for chemotherapy for acquired immune deficiency syndrome. The FIV reverse transcriptase is similar to that of HIV-1 in sensitivity to the noncompetitive inhibitor phosphonoformate (Ki, 0.3 microM) and relative insensitivity to phosphonoacetate. This enzyme was also sensitive to two competitive inhibitors, the 5'-triphosphates of 2', 3'-dideoxythymidine (Ki, 3.4 nM) and 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT; Ki, 6.2 nM). The ratios of Ki/Km for these two competitive inhibitors are similar to the ratios calculated from previously reported data for the HIV-1 enzyme assayed under identical conditions. In contrast, the FIV enzyme is different from the reverse transcriptase of avian myeloblastosis virus in sensitivity to those inhibitors. The replication of FIV in Crandell feline kidney cells was inhibited by AZT; virus production was inhibited more than 95% by 1.0 microM AZT.

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Aspirin and other NSAIDs reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer in the general population. Limited clinical studies in patients with FAP using nonaspirin NSAIDs have shown a reduction in polyp burden. A current clinical trial using celecoxib has also shown a reduction in polyp burden in patients with FAP. The long-term clinical impact of using a selective COX-2 inhibitor is not known, since celecoxib has not been studied beyond six months in patients with FAP. By reducing the polyp burden in FAP patients, celecoxib may be useful as adjunctive chemotherapy, in addition to routine endoscopic surveillance and surgery.

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Summary Background: The adoption of ‘evidence‐based healthcare’ requires that practitioners can identify and interpret findings from rigorous research with a view to introducing them into clinical practice. This, in turn, necessitates the prior acquisition of skills in information retrieval and critical appraisal. Aim: To examine how the systematic retrieval and subsequent appraisal of research might usefully inform clinical practice. Method: A community dietitian investigated the effect of vitamin C on the healing of pressure sores using skills acquired from a course on systematic reviews and critical appraisal. Results: A systematic search across a range of databases identified two randomized controlled trials which were critically appraised and a critical commentary produced. Conclusion: There is insubstantial evidence to support use of a daily vitamin C supplement for healing pressure sores. Over 20 years’ treatment of pressure sores has been found to be based on a single flawed study.