Cholinergic balance in dementia with Lewy bodies: reversible worsening of Parkinsonism at rivastigmine dosage modulation

We describe a patient with probable dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) whose Parkinsonism worsened after administration of rivastigmine within the therapeutic dose range. Some extrapyramidal signs (EPS) then reversed to pre-treatment level after rivastigmine dose reduction. We draw attention to the need of EPS monitoring during titration of cholinesterase inhibitors in patients with DLB. This is the first report to our knowledge of iatrogenic worsening of Parkinsonism which was successfully managed by dose reduction.

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Sommario Si descrive il caso di un paziente affetto da Demenza a corpi di Lewy (Dementia with Lewy Bodies, DLB) probabile, in cui si è assistito ad un peggioramento del parkinsonismo dopo somministrazione di rivastigmina a dosi terapeutiche. Alcuni segni extrapiramidali sono regrediti al livello pre-trattamento con una riduzione posologica di rivastigmina. Si sottolinea la necessità di un monitoraggio dei segni extrapiramidali durante la titolazione della terapia con inibitori dell’acetilcolinesterasi cerebrale in pazienti con DLB. Questo è il primo caso descritto, a nostra conoscenza, di un peggioramento iatrogeno di parkinsonismo efficacemente gestito con una riduzione posologica della terapia con rivastigmina.

     

Clinical study of Tuina on tension-type headache with syndrome differentiation

本研究采用六点行为评分法和Stead的诊断表计分法.对治疗组和对照组150例患者进行客观、科学的疗效评定.提示"通脉调气"腹部推拿法在治疗紧张性头痛的疗效上远远高于常规推拿法.同时认为消除由"头痛-肌收缩一头痛"程序而引起过度防御反应是疗效显著提高的理论基础.     

Sinoatrial Node Electrogram Studies in Patients with Sick Sinus Syndrome

Sinoatrial node electrogram (SNE) was recorded successfully in recent years, using transvenous electrode catheter. Via SNE and intratrialelectrogram (IEG), one could measure sinoatrial conduction time(SACT) directly, observe sinoatrial node (SN) potential changes in cadiac cycles, diagnose some sinus arrhythmias which couldn't be confirmed by surface ECG. All these could offer accurate evidence for differential diagnosis of sick sinus syndrome (SSS). The authors recommend a modified method for the location of the electrode catheter, by which one can increase success rate of obtaining stable SNE. Using this method, the authors recorded SNE in 10 cases with SSS successfully.     

肝癌化疗栓塞术后综合征临床分析

本文分析报告192例各型肝癌化疗栓塞术后综合征发生情况:总发生率为89.1%,转氨酶升高发生率为77.2%,肝区疼痛64.1%,发热54.2%,恶心呕吐35.4%,腹胀38.0%,腹水形成19.8%,黄疸18. 8%,呃逆5.7%.结合我们的研究和经验讨论了肝癌化疗栓塞的病理生理改变,化疗栓塞术后综合征发生机理及临床对症处理方法.     

An evaluation of Tourette Syndrome and medication use in Canada

Self-report data were gathered from a national sample of over 200 Canadian Tourette Syndrome (TS) patients. Information regarding symptom severity both on and off medication was gathered along with an analysis of different medications in use, and patient ratings of effectiveness of those medications. Patients also rated their own mental health. Results indicated that approximately 60% of TS patients take some form of medication for relief from their symptoms. Of these, over 80% reported that symptoms are less severe when medicated. The most commonly prescribed medications in order of popularity are haloperidol, pimozide, clonidine and benztropine mesylate (Cogentin). Patient ratings of effectiveness of these medications places haloperidol first, pimozide second and clonidine third although all were found to be "somewhat" to "very" effective. Of those TS patients on medications, 50% rated their own mental health as good to excellent and 50% rated it as fair to poor.     

Intestinal microvillous atrophy in a patient with Down syndrome and aganglionic megacolon

Intestinal microvillous disorders are an uncommon cause of severe diarrhea, with very poor prognosis. The authors report the case of a female infant with Down syndrome, aganglionic megacolon, severe diarrhea, and jejunal biopsy with ultrastructural changes consistent with microvillous atrophy. The patient condition improved after a colostomy performed in the setting of the treatment of Hirschprung disease.     

Antibodies to squalene in recipients of anthrax vaccine

We previously reported that antibodies to squalene, an experimental vaccine adjuvant, are present in persons with symptoms consistent with Gulf War Syndrome (GWS) (P. B. Asa et al., Exp. Mol. Pathol 68, 196-197, 2000). The United States Department of Defense initiated the Anthrax Vaccine Immunization Program (AVIP) in 1997 to immunize 2.4 million military personnel. Because adverse reactions in vaccinated personnel were similar to symptoms of GWS, we tested AVIP participants for anti-squalene antibodies (ASA). In a pilot study, 6 of 6 vaccine recipients with GWS-like symptoms were positive for ASA. In a larger blinded study, only 32% (8/25) of AVIP personnel compared to 15.7% (3/19) of controls were positive (P > 0.05). Further analysis revealed that ASA were associated with specific lots of vaccine. The incidence of ASA in personnel in the blinded study receiving these lots was 47% (8/17) compared to an incidence of 0% (0/8; P < 0.025) of the AVIP participants receiving other lots of vaccine. Analysis of additional personnel revealed that in all but one case (19/20; 95%), ASA were restricted to personnel immunized with lots of vaccine known to contain squalene. Except for one symptomatic individual, positive clinical findings in 17 ASA-negative personnel were restricted to 4 individuals receiving vaccine from lots containing squalene. ASA were not present prior to vaccination in preimmunization sera available from 4 AVIP personnel. Three of these individuals became ASA positive after vaccination. These results suggest that the production of ASA in GWS patients is linked to the presence of squalene in certain lots of anthrax vaccine.     

A Novel Mutation in the GATA1 Gene Associated with Acute Megakaryoblastic Leukemia in a Korean Down Syndrome Patient

Although acquired mutations in the GATA1 gene have been reported for Down syndrome-related acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (DS-AMKL) in Caucasians, this is the first report of a Korean Down syndrome patient with AMKL carrying a novel mutation of the GATA1 gene. A 3-yr-old Korean girl with Down syndrome was admitted to our hospital complaining of pallor and fever. The findings of a peripheral blood smear and bone marrow study were compatible with the presence of AMKL. A chromosome study showed 48,XX,-7,+21c,+21,+r[3]/47,XX,+21c[17]. Following GATA1 gene mutation analysis, a novel mutation, c.145dupG (p.Ala49GlyfsX18), was identified in the N-terminal activation domain of the GATA1 gene. This mutation caused a premature termination at codon 67 and expression of an abnormal GATA-1 protein with a defective N-terminal activation domain, and the absence of full-length GATA-1 protein. This case demonstrates that a leukemogenic mechanism for DS-AMKL is contributed by a unique collaboration between overexpressed genes from trisomy 21 and an acquired GATA1 mutation previously seen in Caucasians and now in a Korean patient.     

肾阳虚证患者红细胞LPO、SOD和ATP酶活性的变化

目的 :探讨肾阳虚证患者红细胞LPO、SOD和ATP酶活性的特点及其意义。方法 :观察 19例肾阳虚证患者和 2 1例正常人红细胞LPO、SOD和红细胞膜Na+ K+ ATP酶、Mg2 + ATP酶、Ca2 + ATP酶、Ca2 + Mg2 + ATP酶活性的变化。结果 :与对照组比较 ,肾阳虚证患者红细胞LPO含量升高 (P <0 .0 1) ,红细胞SOD活性降低 (P <0 .0 1) ;红细胞膜Na+ K+ ATP酶活性显著升高 (P <0 .0 1) ,而Mg2 + ATP酶活性变化无显著性差异 ,Ca2 + ATP酶活性升高 (P <0 .0 1) ,Ca2 + Mg2 + ATP酶活性也显著升高 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :肾阳虚证患者红细胞内脂质过氧化反应增强 ,而抗氧化能力降低 ,红细胞膜Na+ K+ ATP酶、Ca2 + ATP酶和Ca2 + Mg2 + ATP酶活性升高 ;本研究为理解肾阳虚证的病理生理基础提供了初步实验依据     

慢性胃炎脾气虚证与脾胃湿热证的差异表达基因比较

目的：比较慢性胃炎脾气虚证与脾胃湿热证患者差异表达基因。方法:分别提取慢性胃炎脾气虚和脾胃湿热患者胃黏膜组织RNA各4例，逆转录荧光探针标记后杂交制作BiostarH-140 s基因芯片。采用荧光值ratio、生物信息学、t检验等方法分析结果，实时荧光定量PCR检测部分相关基因。结果:获得差异表达基因245条，主要为营养物质消化吸收运输、物质能量合成代谢、细胞周期增殖分化、免疫反应等相关基因；有显著意义的差异表达基因77条；实时定量PCR检测10条基因，6条与芯片结果一致。结论:慢性胃炎脾气虚和脾胃湿热2个证型基因表达存在明显差异，提示中医的临床辨证分型与基因差异表达有一定关系。