Production of nitrite by primary rat astrocytes in response to pneumococci

Recent studies using a rat model of pneumococcal meningitis have shown that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors greatly attenuated microvascular changes and brain edema formation. The site of NO production during bacterial meningitis is unknown. In this study we tested whether primary astrocyte cultures from neonatal rat cortex can be induced to release NO upon stimulation with pneumococci. NO production was assessed by measuring nitrite in the cell culture supernatant using the Griess reaction. Stimulation with heat-killed unencapsulated pneumococci (HKP) increased nitrite concentrations in astrocyte culture supernatants in a dose-dependent fashion. Administration of AT-nitro-L-arginine (L-NA), aminoguanidine, L-canavanine, cycloheximide, and dexamethasone prevented the increase in nitrite concentrations. Addition of L-arginine, but not of o-arginine, partially reversed the inhibitory effect of L-NA. Administration of SOD increased nitrite accumulation. Moreover, at 72 h after stimulation with heat-killed pneumococci (10⁷ cfu/ml) astrocytes showed an inducible NOS-like immunoreactivity. Accumulation of nitrite was also observed when rat cerebellar neurons and microglia were stimulated with HKP, whereas there was only a slight increase of nitrite in media of rat C6 glioma cells, but no increase of nitrite when the human glioblastoma cell line LN-229 was stimulated with HKP. There was a stronger increase in nitrite levels when astrocytes from Lewis rats were used compared to that from Wistar rats. In conclusion, our study indicates that astrocytes, neurons and microglia are inducible for NO production upon stimulation with pneumococci.     

Intracranial actinomycosis in juvenile patients Case report and review of the literature

A case of actinomycotic brain infection in a juvenile patient is described. Cases of actinomycosis affecting the head and neck are rare, particularly in juvenile patients. In this case complete resolution of the infection was achieved by means of surgical treatment and prolonged antibiotic therapy. The authors emphasize the importance of a combined approach for treatment of this unusual brain infection and stress the difficulties involved in the diagnosis of this pathology. Received: 3 November 1997     

The influence of the spring activator on the mobility of the lower jaw in traumatically injured patients

For functional rehabilitation and improvement of mandibular mobility, 14 patients with dislocated collum or collum fracture dislocations were treated with a spring activator after surgical-conservative treatment. With an interincisal distance of<12 mm, therapy was started with a loop spring. The average age of the patients was 26.6 years. Eight patients showed additional traumatic injuries, 2 patients were seriously polytraumatically injured. The clinical investigations referring to the maximum mouth opening and maximal interincisal distance resulted in a good to very good functional rehabilitation in all cases. The average maximal interincisal distance of 31.7 mm at the beginning of the spring activator therapy could be increased to 47.3 mm. The largest increase of the maximal interincisal distance was observed after 4 weeks of therapy. The type of reaction, however, differed interindividually. Three patients showed a spontaneous improvement of the interincisal distance within the first 2 to 3 weeks of removal of intermaxillary fixation, whereas 7 patients whowed no improvement or only slightly improved values until insertion of the spring activator. An enlargement of the interincisal distance could be achieved in almost every patient within a relatively short period of time despite a drastically reduced mouth opening. Consequently, because of its mode of action in the form of a neuromuscular influence, the spring activator is especially suitable for the functional rehabilitation of patients with fractures of the condylar process.     

Bioplastique as a Complement in Conventional Plastic Surgery

This research presents reports of cases where a biocompatible and alloplastic biomaterial—Bioplastique—was used, associated with conventional plastic surgery or as a complement to it, with the aim of achieving a better final aesthetic result. Four cases are presented where Bioplastique was used in association with rhytidoplasty, rhinoplasty, and other surgical techniques. This material has shown itself to be appropriate to complement surgery; achieving a final result which would not be possible without any resort to a complement or any other hard procedure by the surgeon and is not more traumatic for the patient.     

Self-expanding mesh stent for endoscopic palliation of rectal obstructing tumors: a preliminary report

Summary The endoscopic insertion of self-expanding mesh stents in four patients affected by obstructing rectal malignant tumors is reported. The preliminary experience shows that, in the short term, normal defecation was achieved, with no complications. Longer follow-up is necessary to evaluate the duration and the quality of the palliative effect.     

A decomposition approach to suboptimal control of discrete-time systems

A suboptimal controller for a class of discrete-time systems is presented. The controller is derived by first solving ‘off-line’ a simplified optimal control problem obtained by neglecting part of the system state and by considering a larger time step, then by solving ‘on-line’ at each time step an optimization problem based on the results of the previously solved ‘off-line’ problem. A simple numerical example is presented to illustrate the control scheme.     

Analysis of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene in familial and sporadic myoclonus-dystonia: evidence for genetic heterogeneity.

The epsilon-sarcoglycan gene (SGCE) on human chromosome 7q21 has been reported to be a major locus for inherited myoclonus-dystonia. Linkage to the SGCE locus has been detected in the majority of families tested, and mutations in the coding region have been found recently in families with autosomal dominant myoclonus-dystonia. To evaluate the relevance of SGCE in myoclonus-dystonia, we sequenced the entire coding region of the epsilon-sarcoglycan gene in 16 patients with either sporadic or familial myoclonus-dystonia. No mutations were found. This study suggests that epsilon-sarcoglycan does not play an important role in sporadic myoclonus-dystonia and supports genetic heterogeneity in familial cases.     

Immunoglobulin Gene Rearrangement in Plasma Cell Dyscrasias: Detection of Small Clonal Cell Populations in Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow

The bone marrow (BM) and peripheral blood (PB) samples of 71 patients with plasma cell dyscrasias were analysed by the Southern blot technique for the presence of clonal immunoglobulin (Ig) gene rearrangements. 53% of BM samples examined were archival material such as air dried BM slides or frozen trephine biopsies. The results were related to bone marrow plasmacytosis as determined by cytology and flow cytometry, and other clinical parameters. Clonal Ig gene rearrangements were found in BM samples of 45 (83%) of 54 MM patients and in 3 of 6 patients with monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS). Clonal cell populations in the PB were detected in 11 (30%) of 37 examined MM patients, but in none of the patients with MGUS or solitary plasmacytoma of bone. PB involvement was associated with progressive disease. Circulating monoclonal cells were significantly associated with higher M-protein levels (p 0.05). Thus, circulating clonal precursor cells are encountered more frequently in active MM.     

Comparison of the efficacy and safety of ciclesonide 160 μg once daily vs. budesonide 400 μg once daily in children with asthma

Ciclesonide is an onsite-activated inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) for the treatment of asthma. This study compared the efficacy, safety and effect on quality of life (QOL) of ciclesonide 160 microg (ex-actuator; nominal dose 200 microg) vs. budesonide 400 microg (nominal dose) in children with asthma. Six hundred and twenty-one children (aged 6-11 yr) with asthma were randomized to receive ciclesonide 160 microg (ex-actuator) once daily (via hydrofluoroalkane metered-dose inhaler and AeroChamber Plus spacer) or budesonide 400 microg once daily (via Turbohaler) both given in the evening for 12 wk. The primary efficacy end-point was change in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1). Additional measurements included change in daily peak expiratory flow (PEF), change in asthma symptom score sum, change in use of rescue medication, paediatric and caregiver asthma QOL questionnaire [PAQLQ(S) and PACQLQ, respectively] scores, change in body height assessed by stadiometry, change in 24-h urinary cortisol adjusted for creatinine and adverse events. Both ciclesonide and budesonide increased FEV1, morning PEF and PAQLQ(S) and PACQLQ scores, and improved asthma symptom score sums and the need for rescue medication after 12 wk vs. baseline. The non-inferiority of ciclesonide vs. budesonide was demonstrated for the change in FEV1 (95% confidence interval: -75, 10 ml, p = 0.0009, one-sided non-inferiority, per-protocol). In addition, ciclesonide and budesonide showed similar efficacy in improving asthma symptoms, morning PEF, use of rescue medication and QOL. Ciclesonide was superior to budesonide with regard to increases in body height (p = 0.003, two-sided). The effect on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis was significantly different in favor of ciclesonide treatment (p < 0.001, one-sided). Both ciclesonide and budesonide were well tolerated. Ciclesonide 160 microg once daily and budesonide 400 microg once daily were effective in children with asthma. In addition, in children treated with ciclesonide there was significantly less reduction in body height and suppression of 24-h urinary cortisol excretion compared with children treated with budesonide after 12 wk.