One-Year Follow-up of Duodenal Ulcers after 1-Wk Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori

Objective : to study the ulcer recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcers at 1 yr after eradication of the bacteria by triple therapy. Method : Patients with H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcers were randomized to receive either triple therapy for 1 wk plus omeprazole for 4 wk (THple+OMP) (n = 78), or omeprazole alone (OMP) for 4 wk (N = 77). Patients were followed up every 3 months for symptom enquiry. At 1 yr, all asymptomatic patients were invited to attend for gastroscopy. Results : At 8 wk, 16 patients in the OMP group and four in the Triple+OMP group had an ulcer. During the 1-yr period, 12 patients in the OMP group and no patient in the Triple+OMP group developed symptomatic ulcers. At follow-up endoscopy at 1 yr, another 10 ulcers were detected in the OMP group and two in the Triple+OMP group. Fifteen patients in the OMP group and 13 in the Triple+OMP group were lost to follow-up. In total, ulcers were de-tected in 39 of 61 (64%) assessahle patients in the OMP group, and in six of 65 (97o) assessahle patients in the Triple+OMP group after I yr (χ² test: p < 0.001). Of the patients whose H, pytori were successfully eradicated hy Triple+OMP at 8 wk, 90% remained H. pylori negative at 1 yr. Conclusion : Triple therapy for 1 wk eradicates H, pylori infection and significantly reduces duodenal ulcer relapses.     

Atomic-level understanding of interface interactions in a halloysite nanotubes–PLA nanocomposite

To understand the nature of the bonding mechanism between poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and halloysite nanotubes (HNT), a first-principles DFT study was performed on the adsorption behavior of the PLA monomer, lactic acid (LA), on the outer, inner, and edge surfaces of the HNT. The role of LA functional groups, and its orientation behavior in the formation of bonds with HNT are systematically studied. Analysis of the adsorption energy, total and partial electron density of states (DOS), electric charge transfer between LA atoms and HNT mineral surfaces shows that van der Waals attraction governs their interaction. The calculations of the most stable adsorption configurations of LA show that the predominant number of hydrogen bonds is determined by the activity of the carboxyl functional group of LA on the hydroxylated surfaces of HNT. The important role of the –OH surface groups in the mechanism of lactic acid binding has been established; their absence on the external siloxane surface significantly reduces the LA affinity for HNT. The binding energy of lactic acid on the hydroxylated internal and edge surfaces of the HNT is much higher (by about 275%) than on the external siloxane surface. Mulliken population analysis showed that the formation of a hydrogen bond with the LA atomic groups leads to a more significant redistribution of charge on the inner and edge surfaces of the HNT in comparison with its outer surface. Van der Waals attraction between the LA and HNTs, as well as hydrogen bonds, is responsible for the formation of the bonding mechanism in halloysite nanotubes-PLA nanocomposite. Our results are in accord with available literature.

The mechanism of bond formation between PLA and outer, inner and edge surfaces of HNT was established.     

Efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine

The efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study carried out on 33 patients, 20 of whom suffered from classic and 13 from common migraine. Four patients dropped out, but not as a result of the side effects of the drug. The duration of drug treatment was 8 weeks. The dosage used was 30 mg four times daily. Nimodipine proved to be better than placebo, the number of migraine attacks and severity of headache showing a significant reduction. The drug was well tolerated and no marked side effects were noted. The results suggest that nimodipine is a useful new prophylactic drug for migraine, but further studies are needed before its final value can be evaluated.     

Dural fistulas involving the cavernous sinus: results of treatment in 30 patients

Thirty symptomatic indirect carotid cavernous fistulas were treated between 1978 and 1986 with a variety of treatment modalities. Combined carotid artery and jugular vein compression resulted in a complete cure in seven of 23 patients (30%) and improvement in one additional patient. There were no complications from this treatment, which is performed by the patient on an outpatient basis. Patients in whom carotid jugular compression therapy failed or who demonstrated cortical venous drainage or visual decline were treated with intravascular embolization. Embolization resulted in complete cure in 17 of 22 (77%) and improvement in four of 22 (18%). One patient required surgical excision of the involved dura after embolization to achieve complete cure. There was one permanent complication (stroke), which resulted in mild weakness caused by clot formation on a catheter.