Influence of limonene and laurocapram on percutaneous absorption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The promoting effect of cyclic monoterpenes, 1% limonene (CAS 5989-27-5) and 1% cineole (CAS 470-82-6), on percutaneous absorption of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs was investigated in the rats. Compared with 1% laurocapram, drug absorption from the gel ointments was significantly more enhanced by addition of 1% limonene, while without any enhancer only ibuprofen penetrated across the skin in the limited amount. When using formulation with propylene glycol or 50% propylene glycolethanol solution, instead of carboxyvinyl polymer gel, percutaneous absorption significantly decreased and neither limonene nor cineole or laurocapram were capale to promote percutaneous absorption of flufenamic acid to sufficient serum level. Cineole and limonene were also evaluated in permeation experiments in vitro. Enhancement ability of limonene in the gel oinment was approximately 5 times higher comparing with enhancement ratio of cineole, while in 100% propylene glycol enhancement ability of both cyclic monoterpenes was equal. Good correlation was observed between in vivo and in vitro experiments. Evaluation of solubility proved that in the gel ointment simulated as water-ethanol solution were relatively best condition for percutaneous absorption of flufenamic acid when comparing with propylene glycol or 50% propylene glycol-ethanol solution.     

Detection of Epstein Barr virus in an hepatic leiomyomatous neoplasm in an adult human immunodeficiency virus 1-infected patient

We report the first case of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related primary hepatic leiomyoma in an adult patient. The diagnosis was made at autopsy and confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Epstein Barr virus (EBV) was identified in tumour cells by in situ hybridization. Review of the literature revealed 13 cases of visceral myogenic tumours occuring in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome children, and only 2 cases in adults. One was a spinal epidural leiomyoma, the other multiple smooth muscle tumours of the colon and adrenal gland. This is the first report of EBV in smooth muscle neoplastic cells in an HIV-infected adult patient.     

Alcohol-related mortality, drinking behavior, and business cycles

This paper explores the connection between alcohol-related mortality, drinking behavior, and macroeconomic conditions in Finland using both aggregate and microlevel data from recent decades. The aggregate data reveal that an improvement in economic conditions produces a decrease in alcohol-related mortality. Microlevel data show that alcohol consumption increases during economic expansion while the probability of being a drinker remains unchanged. This demonstrates that alcohol-related mortality and self-reported alcohol consumption may be delinked in the short-run business cycle context. One explanation for this paradox is that most harmful forms of drinking are not captured in survey-based data used to study the effect of macroeconomic conditions on alcohol consumption. Our evidence does not overwhelmingly support the conclusions reported for the United States that temporary economic downturns are good for health.     

Necrotizing pneumonia and arthritis due to Staphylococcus aureus producing Panton and Valentine leukocidin in a 10-year-old boy]

Staphylococcal necrotizing pneumonia producing the Panton Valentine leukotoxin (PVL) has been described for many years. The french reference center for staphylococcal toxaemia defined it with precision in 1999. A 10-year-old child, died in 36 hours from respiratory distress and shock. Staphylococcal pneumonia was suspected then confirmed: S. Aureus producing PVL was isolated in lung, blood and articulations.     

Comparison of three dosage regimens of ciprofloxacin in urinary tract infections

Fifty-four patients with complicated UTI were administered ciprofloxacin in doses of 500 mg (30 subjects) and 250 mg (24 subjects) at 12-hour intervals. While a positive effect was noted in 96–100% upon termination of therapy, the effect was still present 3 weeks later in 90% of the high-dose, but only in 71% of the low-dose group. In 23 patients with uncomplicated UTI, a positive effect of the three-day therapy with 100 mg of ciprofloxacin at 12-hour intervals was observed in 91% of subjects. Intolerance to the agent was found in one case only. Development of resistance to ciprofloxacin was not observed.     

A randomized controlled trial of electromagnetic therapy in the primary care management of venous leg ulceration

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to establish the potential efficacy, tolerabilityand side-effect profile of electromagnetic therapy as an adjunctto conventional dressings in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. METHOD: A prospective, randomized, double blind controlled clinicaltrial was carried out in a dedicated leg ulcer clinic basedin one urban general practice. Nineteen patients with leg ulcersof confirmed venous aetiology were assessed. The main outcomemeasures were rate and scale of venous leg ulcer healing, changesin patient-reported pain levels, quality of life, degree ofmobility, side effect profile and acceptability to patientsand staff. RESULTS: Sixty-eight per cent of patients attending this dedicated clinicachieved improvements in the size of their ulcer (4, 21%, healedfully) and in reduced pain levels (P < 0.05) during the trial,despite the chronicity of ulcer histories. Patients treatedwith electromagnetic therapy at 800 Hz were found at day 50to have significantly greater healing (P < 0.05) and paincontrol (P < 0.05) than placebo therapy or treatment with600 Hz. All patients reported improved mobility at the end ofthe study. The electromagnetic therapy was well tolerated bypatients, with no differences between groups in reporting adverseevents, and proved acceptable to staff. CONCLUSION: Despite the small numbers in this pilot study, electromagnetictherapy provided significant gains in the healing of venousleg ulcers and reduction in pain. Keywords. Electromagnetic therapy, RCT, leg ulcers, primary care.