Treatment of idiopathic spasmodic torticollis with botulinum-A toxin: a pilot study of 19 patients

Nineteen patients with spasmodic torticollis, unresponsive to standard therapy, were administered local injections of botulinum-A toxin into the affected muscles. During an average follow-up period of 11.5 months, a more than 25% improvement was noted in 14 of 19 patients. All those with purely focal dystonia and 9 of 10 patients with a disease history of less than three years benefited from treatment. Side effects were insignificant and transient. Botulinum toxin is a very effective and safe method of treatment for spasmodic torticollis.     

Lateral diffusion of specific antibodies bound to lipid monolayers on alkylated substrates.

We have measured the lateral mobility of fluoresceinated monoclonal IgG antibodies bound specifically to a spin label lipid hapten in phospholipid monolayers supported on alkylated silicon oxide surfaces. Dimyristoyl phosphatidylcholine and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine monolayers containing 5 mol% of the lipid hapten were transferred by conventional Langmuir-Blodgett techniques onto substrates alkylated with hydrocarbon chains containing 10, 16, and 18 carbon atoms. We show that the diffusion of the bound antibodies depends on their lateral density, the composition of the lipid monolayer, and the nature of lipid coupling to hydrocarbon chains on the alkylated substrate. Antibody diffusion coefficients at low antibody densities are within a factor of 2 of those displayed by the lipid hapten in the absence of the bound antibody. High antibody densities result in reduced antibody mobility, but the lateral diffusion of unbound lipids is unaffected.     

Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in malaysia producing IMP-7 beta-lactamase

We have isolated and identified a carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain from Malaysia that produces an IMP-7 metallo-beta-lactamase. This isolate showed high-level resistance to meropenem and imipenem, the MICs of which were 256 and 128 micro g/ml, respectively. Isoelectric focusing analyses revealed pI values of >9.0, 8.2, and 7.8, which indicated the possible presence of IMP and OXA. DNA sequencing confirmed the identity of the IMP-7 determinant.     

Biochemical studies on the cardioprotective effect of glutamine on tissue antioxidant defense system in isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction in rats

Oxidative stress is one of the mechanisms with a central role involved in the pathogenesis of myocardial infarction. The protective effect of glutamine on myocardial antioxidant defense system was investigated during isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction, an animal model of myocardial infarction of human beings. Levels of diagnostic marker enzymes in plasma, reduced glutathione (GSH) and lipid peroxides and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase in heart tissue were determined. Injection of isoprenaline caused significant increases in the levels of diagnostic marker enzymes in plasma and lipid peroxidation in heart tissue. A parallel decline in the levels of ATP (Adenosine triphosphate) and GSH and the activities of glutathione-dependent antioxidant enzymes and antiperoxidative enzymes in heart tissue was also observed. Prior oral administration of glutamine significantly prevented isoprenaline-induced adverse effects and maintained myocardial antioxidant status at near normal status. The cardioprotective effect of glutamine is probably related to a strengthening of the myocardial membrane by its membrane stabilizing action, or to a counteraction of free radicals by its antioxidant property, or to its ability to maintain near to normal status the activities of free radical scavenging enzymes and the level of GSH, which protect myocardial membrane against oxidative damage by decreasing lipid peroxidation.