Comparison of frequency of coronary spasm in Korean patients with versus without myocardial bridging

The longstanding compression-relaxation effects of myocardial bridging may produce endothelial dysfunction by direct stress on the endothelium. We tested the hypothesis that myocardial bridging induces endothelial dysfunction and subsequently increases the risk of coronary spasm and investigated the symptomatic response to medication in patients with documented myocardial bridging and coronary spasm. In 81 patients with myocardial bridging (44 men; mean age 57.2 years) and 195 control patients without bridging and atherosclerotic lesions confirmed by angiography (97 men; mean age 58.4 years), spasm provocation testing was done by incremental acetylcholine infusion into the left coronary artery. Spasm was documented in 62 of 81 patients with bridging and in 31 of 195 controls (p <0.001). A focal spasm was limited to the bridging segments compared with controls (p <0.001). In conclusion, the results of this study showed that myocardial bridging increased the risk of coronary spasm by endothelial dysfunction in the bridging segment.     

Irofulven as first line therapy in recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer: a phase II multicenter study by the Cancer Therapeutics Research Group (CTRG)

Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tolerability and efficacy of irofulven, a DNA interacting acylfulvene analog, as first line therapy for patients with recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer. Patients and methods Twenty-three patients with recurrent or metastatic gastric cancer received irofulven at a dose of 0.45 mg/kg administered intravenously over 30-min infusion (up to a maximum of 50 mg), on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks. Results The median number of cycles delivered per patient was 2 (range 1–6). Two patients (9%) had ≥ 1-week delay in administration of subsequent cycle of chemotherapy. For the day 8 chemotherapy, dose reductions were required in seven patients (30%); dose omitting occurred in five patients (22%). Grade 3/4 anemia and neutropenia occurred in 22 and 17% of patients, respectively. There was no grade 4 thrombocytopenia and no neutropenic fever was observed. Of the 20 evaluable patients, there were no responses observed, 3 patients had stable disease after 2 cycles of treatment which was not confirmed by a further assessment. Median overall survival was 6.05 months (95% CI 4.55–9.39). Conclusions Irofulven was tolerated at the dose of 0.45 mg/kg on days 1 and 8, every 3 weeks but showed no evidence of antitumor activity in patients with advanced gastric cancer.     

A bioactive polyacetylene compound isolated from Centella asiatica

A polyacetylene compound was isolated from the aerial parts of Centella asiatica. The chemical structure of this new compound was identified as methyl 5-[(E)-9-hydroxy-1-(1-hydroxyhexyl)-2-methoxyundeca-3,10-diene-5,7-diynyloxy]pentanoate (cadiyenol). This compound induces apoptosis (63%) independent of cell cycle regimen in mouse lymphoma cells (P388D1) at 28 microM (IC (50) = 24 +/- 2 microM) in 24 hours. The compound also reduces nitric oxide production by 70 +/- 2% in lipopolysacharride-activated mouse macrophages at 24 microM with no measurable cytotoxicity.     

Correlation of portal venous velocity and portal venous flow with short-term graft regeneration in recipients of living donor liver transplants

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the correlation of postoperative portal venous velocity (PVV) and portal venous flow (PVF) with the degree of short-term graft regeneration in recipients of living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between August 2005 and April 2006, we performed 44 adult-to-adult LDLTs with right-lobe grafts, of whom 31 recipients were included in this study. Doppler ultrasonography was used to measure PVV (cm/s) and PVF (mL/min) on postoperative days (POD) 1, 3, and 5 or 6. Portal venous velocity index (PVI) was defined as the ratio of PVV to graft weight (GW), and portal flow volume index (PFI) as the ratio of PVF to GW. Graft regeneration rate (GRR), defined as the ratio of the volume of regenerated graft to GW, was estimated by dividing computed tomography volumetry at POD 7 by GW measured after retrieval of the graft. We analyzed the relationship between GRR and PVV, PVF, PVI, and PFI. RESULTS: GW ranged between 528 g and 1040 g (mean = 735 g) and GRR ranged between 118% and 278% (mean = 172%). Although neither PVV nor PVF correlated with GRR, PVI and PFI at POD 1 (P = .009) and PFI at POD 5 or 6 (P = .012) significantly correlated with GRR at POD 7. CONCLUSION: PVI and PFI at POD 1 are useful indicators to predict short-term graft regeneration in recipients of LDLT.     

胫股关节吻合性对人工膝关节聚乙烯磨损的影响

人工关节置换术是矫正关节畸形、解除关节疼痛、重建关节功能的主要手段。多年来 ,人工全髋、全膝皆以聚乙烯为关节形成表面 ,随着人工关节置换的广泛开展 ,聚乙烯磨损问题越来越引起人们的关注。聚乙烯磨损及其产生的碎屑和磨损颗粒所引发的生物学反应及导致的骨吸收、骨溶解 ,是造成假体松动、人工关节翻修的主要原因[1,2 ] 。与人工髋关节的球洞几何形态相比 ,人工膝关节的几何形态要不吻合的多 ,胫骨假体表面常承受较大的接触应力 ,较易产生磨损[2 ,3 ] ,理论上关节形成表面越吻合 ,聚乙烯磨损越少 ,不同的胫股关节吻合性 ,对假体磨损产…     

Imaging Findings of Intrahepatic Bile Duct Adenoma (Peribiliary Gland Hamartoma): a Case Report and Literature Review

Intrahepatic bile duct adenoma is a rare benign epithelial hepatic tumor derived from bile duct cells. We report the imaging findings of a patient with bile duct adenoma, which appeared as a small heterogeneously enhancing mass with focal small cystic change on CT and MRI. Follow-up images at seven months showed a slight increase in tumor size, which could be partly explained by intratumoral hemorrhage on pathologic examination. Although rare, bile duct adenoma should be considered as a differential diagnosis of a small hypervascular tumor located in the periphery of liver. Focal cystic change and intratumoral hemorrhage may occur.     

Pseudomembranous colitis caused by topical clindamycin phosphate

Pseudomembranous colitis was observed on two occasions in the same patient and was associated with the topical administration of clindamycin phosphate. Assay for Clostridium difficile toxin was positive, and the patient was ultimately cured by oral vancomycin hydrochloride and the withdrawal of clindamycin therapy.     

Pharmacokinetic comparison of two valproic acid formulations--a plain and a controlled release enteric-coated tablets.

We investigated the single- and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of a new controlled-release formulation (Orfil retard enteric coated tablet) of valproic acid in comparison with those of the plain tablet as a reference. Twelve healthy volunteers were given each formulation of 300 mg in the single-dose study. In the steady-state multiple-dose study, twelve epileptic patients received 1200 mg/day of the reference drug (300 mg 9 AM, 300 mg 3 PM, 600 mg 9 PM) and the test formulation (600 mg 9 AM, 600 mg 9 PM) with at least one week interval in cross-over manner. The AUC values of the test controlled release formulation were 91.7% (95% confidence interval: 78.4-100.4%) of the reference drug in the single-dose study and 98.2% (95% confidence interval: 86.2%-109.9%) in the steady-state study. The AUC''s of the two formulations were not significantly different by ANOVA test. The Cmax and Tmax values of the test formulation were significantly different from the values of the reference in single-(Tmax: 158.4%, Cmax: 52.5% of the reference) and multiple-dose study (Tmax: 153.5% of the reference). The MRT values of the test formulation were also significantly greater (129.4% of the reference) in the single-dose study. Regarding the controlled-release characteristics of the test formulation, fluctuation index and percentage fluctuation of the twice a day dosage regimen of the test formulation were comparable with those of the thrice a day dosage regimen of the conventional tablet. Area deviation was even smaller in the test regimen of the controlled release formulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)