Transcranial Sonography and I-FP-CIT Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography in Movement Disorders

Diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) can be difficult in the early stages of the disease. The aim of the study described here was to assess the correlation between transcranial sonography (TCS) and ¹²³I-FP-CIT ([¹²³I]ioflupane, N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-[¹²³I]iodophenyl)nortropane) SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) findings and the diagnosis of PD. A total of 49 patients were enrolled in the study: 29 patients with PD, 7 patients with other parkinsonian syndromes, 11 patients with essential tremor and 2 with psychogenic movement disorder. Substantia nigra echogenicity was measured using TCS. SPECT was performed using DaTSCAN ([¹²³I]ioflupane). TCS and SPECT findings were correlated in 84% of patients, with κ = 0.62 (95% confidence interval: 0.38–0.86). TCS-measured substantia nigra echogenicity and SPECT-measured striatal binding ratio were negatively correlated (r = –0.326, p = 0.003). TCS/SPECT sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for the diagnosis of PD were 89.7%/96.6%, 60.0%/70.0%, 76.5%/82.4% and 80.0%/93.3%, respectively. Both positive TCS and SPECT findings correlated significantly with the diagnosis of PD (κ = 0.52, 95% confidence interval: 0.27–0.76, and κ = 0.69, 95% confidence interval: 0.49–0.90, respectively).     

Expression of mitochondrial uncoupling protein 3 and adenine nucleotide translocase 1 genes in developing rat heart: putative involvement in control of mitochondrial membrane potential

Postnatal maturation of the heart depends on the switch from glycolytic to oxidative metabolism and it is associated with decreasing tolerance to oxygen deprivation. Therefore, changes in composition and function of cardiac mitochondria during postnatal development require detailed characterization. Left-ventricular myocardium of prenatal, and 1-, 2-, 5-, 10-, 20-, 28-, 50-, 60-, and 90-d-old male Wistar rats was studied. The expression of uncoupling proteins (UCPs), adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) genes was characterized by northern blotting (UCP2), real-time quantitative RT-PCR (UCP2, UCP3, ANT1, ANT2, and PPARalpha), and by immunoblotting (UCP3). In isolated mitochondria, cytochromes a + a(3) were quantified by a spectrophotometry, and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was measured using Rhodamine 123 (by spectrofluorimetry and flow cytometry). The specific content of cytochromes in mitochondria increased two-fold between birth and day 30, similarly, as the expression of ANT1 and PPARalpha genes. Postnatal activation in the expression of UCP2, UCP3, ANT1 and PPARalpha genes resulted in the expression maxima between days 20 and 30. The content/expression declined following day 20 (UCP2, UCP3, and PPARalpha) or 30 (cytochromes and ANT1), while expression of ANT2 declined continuously during the first month of life. In 1-d-old animals a single population of mitochondria with a relatively high MMP was observed; with increasing age, a second population of mitochondria with a significantly lower MMP appeared. The results support the view that mitochondrial energy conversion in heart changes during ontogeny and suggest the involvement of UCP3 and/or ANT1 in the control mechanism.     

Multiple streptococcal brain abscesses successfully treated by craniotomy and needle aspiration

The successful surgical treatment of multiple brain abscesses by means of needle aspiration is reported. There is a need for aggressive surgical and antibiotic treatment, using local anesthesia and needle aspiration, when fully developed abscesses are present. The computerized tomographic scan and related surgical techniques allow for a precise localization of an abscess and its evacuation even if it is located in so-called vital areas of the brain.     

A comment on the estimation of random branching from viscosity measurements

The hydrodynamic behaviour of polydisperse branched copolymers of methyl methacrylate with a small amount of ethylene dimethacrylate was investigated in several solvents possessing different “solvent power”. It was found that with increasing degree of branching the viscometric expansion coeficient α of these copolymers decreases compared with the expansion of the linear analogs α (before the gel point α/α ≈ 0,5). This phenomenon is demonstrated to be useful in the application of viscometry as a method of estimation or determination of branching.     

Soft tissue esthetics in implant dentistry

Dental implants have been considered to be a successful treatment modality. Recently, achieving a good osseointegration is not the ultimate goal for the restorative dentist. Successful implant treatment demands the best gingival esthetic success along with stability and function of the implant. This study was performed to obtain answers to some controversial points pertaining to esthetics and function of implants in maxilla. Immediate flapless implantation into the extraction sockets in maxillary anterior zone is an emerging treatment option in dentistry--the esthetic success of which was in debate for long. The proposed study compared the esthetic success of immediate flapless implants (ILA), to immediate implants with the need for flap (ILB) and, delayed implants (DSL) in single tooth restorations, in the anterior region of the maxilla. The other aim of the study was to find out if any relation exists between the interproximal crestal bone height and papilla height. Analysis was done irrespective of treatment procedure in the same study group using periodontal sounding and radiographs to find out the relation. From the study involving 106 participants, including 21 ILA, 22 ILB and 63 DSL cases, we received highest papillary index score of 2.6 average from group ILA, followed by ILB and DSL, after 3 months of prosthetic loading. From the periodontal sounding and radiographic study it was evident that, when the distance between the base of the contact point of crowns and height of interproximal bone was less than 5, the papilla was present 100% of the time, but when the distance increased to 6 and more than 7 mm, the papilla was present only 46.5 and 24 percentage of the time respectively.     

Reradiosynoviorthesis of the knee

The aim of this study was to compare the treatment results between radiosynoviorthesis and reradiosynoviorthesis of knees. Before the radiosynoviorthesis, an ultrasonography, X-ray, and three-phase bone scintigraphy were done. The treatment effect can be expected if a synovitis is proved by these examinations. To knees, 200 MBq of the yttrium citrate was injected for the first radiosynoviorthesis or for reradiosynoviorthesis. After an application, it is possible to do the scintigraphic examination, when information about a tracer distribution in joints is obtained. The treatment effect was evaluated by the clinical examination, the ultrasonography, and the three-phase bone scintigraphy with some lapse of time. If the effect of the radiosynoviorthesis was not satisfying, it could be repeated no sooner than 6 months later. Among our patients we had a high percentage of the repeated radiosynoviorthesis. The authors applicated the yttrium citrate to 1243 knees. A rate between single radiosynoviorthesis and reradiosynoviorthesis was 11:8. Repeated radiosynoviorthesis were as effective as the initial ones, and their repeated use does not decrease the expected therapeutic effect.     

Bupivacaine hydrochloride complexation with some alpha- and beta-cyclodextrins studied by potentiometry with membrane electrodes

Membrane electrodes selective to bupivacaine cations were developed and those with PVC-dibutylphthalate membrane containing sparingly soluble bupivacaine phosphotungstate appeared to be the most suitable. Inclusion complexation of bupivacaine cations with cyclodextrins was studied by potentiometric measurements of the free bupivacaine cation concentration in aqueous solutions of bupivacaine hydrochloride with cyclodextrin using the prepared electrodes. Native alpha-cyclodextrin (alpha-CD) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD), as well as their random-substituted derivatives hydroxypropyl-alpha-cyclodextrin (HP-alpha-CD), hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HP-beta-CD) and methyl-beta-cyclodextrin (M-beta-CD), were chosen for the study. The measured potentiometric data processed both by a linear and nonlinear regression corroborated the formation of weak 1:1 bupivacaine cation-cyclodextrin complexes and the corresponding complexation constants K(11) approximately 50-155 M(-1) were evaluated by the non-linear least-squares method. The mutual order of K(11) values, especially alpha-CD > beta-CD, suggested that the bupivacaine butyl group was mainly responsible for the inclusion complexation; the highest K(11) was exhibited by M-beta-CD followed by alpha-CD. The observed complexation may substantially modify properties of bupivacaine hydrochloride dosage forms with sufficient concentration of cyclodextrin but bupivacaine cations are readily released from the weak cyclodextrin complexes by dilution.     

Combined approach to demonstrate acetylcholinesterase activity changes in the rat brain following tabun intoxication and its treatment

Reactivation effects of K203 and currently available oximes (obidoxime, HI-6) in combination with atropine on acetylcholinesterase activities in the brain parts of rats poisoned with tabun were studied. The activity was determined by quantitative histochemical and biochemical methods correlating between them very well. The tabun-induced changes in acetylcholinsterase activity as well as in reactivation potency of reactivators used were different in various parts of the brain. Pontomedullar area seems to be important for observed changes following tabun intoxication and its treatment. From the oximes studied, the reactivation effect of K203 was comparable with obidoxime; HI-6 was ineffective. Combination of bio- and histochemical methods allow fine differentiation among the action of different oximes following tabun poisoning.     

The effect of dihydroergotamine on plasma free fatty acid concentrations in hypophysectomized dogs following a single injection of growth hormone

Summary Administration of the adrenergic blocking agent dihydroergotamine (DHE) modified the response to a single intravenous injection of bovine GH, in that the initial reduction in the concentration of plasma FFA was abolished in normal and hypophysectomized dogs, and replaced by an abrupt and steep rise especially in hypophysectomized animals. The latter was prevented by treating animals with puromycin. Although the mechanism by which DHE augments the lipolytic effect of GH is not clear, the results show for the first timein vivo that GH-induced lipolysis is a function of protein synthesis and is not the consequence of a direct effect of the hormone on cyclic AMP.

---

Zusammenfassung Die Verabreichung des adrenergischen Hemmers des Dihydroergotamins (DHE) ändert die Ansprechbarkeit auf eine nur einmal zu verabreichende intravenöse Injektion von Rinder-GH, da die anfängliche Senkung des Blutplasmaspiegels von FFA beim normalen und hypophysektomisierten Hund durch eine plötzliche und rasche Steigerung — vor allem bei den hypophysektomisierten Tieren — ersetzt wird. Letzterer Effekt wird beim Tier durch Puromycin-Verabfolgung gehemmt. Obwohl der Mechanismus, durch den DHE den lipolytischen Effekt erhöht, weiterer Erklärung bedarf, zeigen die Ergebnisse zum erstenmalin vivo, daß die von GH bewirkte Lipolyse von der Protein-Synthese abhängig und nicht als direkter Effekt des Hormons auf das zyklische AMP zu betrachten ist.

---

Resumen La suministración del bloqueante adrenérgico, la dihidroergotamina (DHE), modifica la respuesta a una inyección intravenosa única de GH bovino, por el hecho de que la reducción inicial de concentración plasmática de los FFA está anulada en el perro normal y hipofisectomizado, y substituída por un aumento repentino y rápido sobre todo en los animales hipofisectomizados. Este último es inhibido por el tratamiento del animal con puromicina. No obstante que el mecanismo mediante el cual la DHE aumenta el efecto lipolitico no sea muy claro, los resultados desmuestran por primera vezin vivo que la lipolisis provocada por el GH está en relación con la síntesis protéica, y no es la consecuencia de un efecto directo de la hormona sobre el AMP cíclico.

---

Resume L'administration d'une substance adrenergique-bloquante, la deidroergotamine (DHE), modifie la réponse à une injection intraveineuse unique de GH bovine, parce que la réduction initiale de la concentration plasmatique des FFA est abolie dans le chien normal et hypophysectomisé et substituée par une augmentation subitanée et rapide surtout dans les animaux hypophysectomisés. Cette augmentation est inhibée par l'administration de puromicine. Bien que le mécanisme par lequel la DHE augmente l'effet lipolytique ne soit pas clair, les résultats demontrent pour la première foisin vivo que la lipolyse par GH est en function de la synthèse protéique et n'est pas la conséquence d'un effet direct de l'hormone sur l'AMP cyclique.

---

Riassunto La somministrazione del bloccante adrenergico, la diidroergotamina (DHE), modifica la risposta ad un'iniezione endovenosa singola di GH bovino, nel fatto che la riduzione iniziale di concentrazione plasmatica dei FFA è abolita nel cane normale ed ipofisectomizzato e sostituita da un aumento improvviso e rapido specialmente negli animali ipofisectomizzati. Quest'ultimo viene inibito dal trattamento dell'animale con puromicina. Benchè il meccanismo mediante il quale la DHE aumenta l'effetto lipolitico non sia chiaro, i risultati dimostrano per la prima voltain vivo che la lipolisi indotta dal GH è in funzione della sintesi proteica e non è la conseguenza di un effetto diretto dell'ormone sull'AMP ciclico.

     

Interaction of amine oxides and quaternary ammonium salts with membrane and membrane-associated processes in E. coli cells: mode of action

The antimicrobials (1-methyldodecyl)dimethylamine oxide and (1-methyldodecyl)trimethylammonium bromide affect the cytoplasmic membrane of E. coli. The interaction results in release of intracellular material (K+, 260nm-absorbing material), an effect on dehydrogenase enzyme activity and inhibition of respiration. The final effect of both substances is the same; they differ only in their dynamics. The effect of the membrane was correlated with parameters characterizing these surfactants i.e. critical micelle concentration (c.m.c.) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) over the concentration range of 10(-4) to 10(-1) mmol/dm3 of active substance. The three stage mode of action model can be summarized as follows: 1-polar (coulombic) interactions, 2-polar and hydrophobic interactions, 3-hydrophobic interactions (extraction and solubilization). The polar and hydrophobic interactions (1st and 2nd stage) are discussed also in relation to model membranes.