Therapeutic efficacy of miconazole on deep-seated fungal infections in the respiratory tract system

We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of miconazole (MCZ, Florid-F inj.), a new antifungal agent for parenteral use, in deep-seated fungal infections of respiratory tract system. A daily dose of 400-1,800 mg of MCZ was given intravenously for 12-38 days (mean: 23.4 days) to 7 patients: 2 patients with pulmonary aspergillosis, 1 patient with bronchial aspergillosis, 1 patient with pulmonary candidiasis and 3 patients with candidemia. One additional patient with pulmonary aspergillosis received three instillations of 20 mg of MCZ into the thoracic cavity. The clinical effects were excellent in 1, good in 4 and poor in 3 patients. The efficacy rate was 100% in 5 cases with respiratory fungal infections but 3 cases with candidemia did not respond well to the treatment. Four strains each of Aspergillus sp. and Candida sp. were identified as causative organisms. Seven of the 8 strains were eradicated by administration of MCZ. Side effects observed were irritation and heat in a leg in 1 patient, hyperlipoidemia in 2 patients and eosinophilia in 1 patient. The adverse reactions disappeared after the completion of the therapy. From the above results, we conclude that MCZ is one of the most useful antifungal agents for parenteral use as a first choice on deep-seated fungal infections in the respiratory tract.     

Laser-induced fluorescence studies of the biodistribution of carotenoporphyrins in mice.

The biodistribution of two recently developed tumour markers, trimethylated (CP(Me)3) and trimethoxylated (CP(OMe)3) carotenoporphyrin, was investigated by means of laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) after i.v. injection into 38 tumour-bearing (MS-2 fibrosarcoma) female Balb/c mice. At 3, 24, 48 or 96 h after administration, the carotenoporphyrin fluorescence was measured in tumoral and peritumoral tissue, as well as in the abdominal, thoracic and cranial cavities. The fluorescence was induced by a nitrogen laser-pumped dye laser, emitting light at 425 nm, and analysed by a polychromator equipped with an image-intensified CCD camera. The fluorescence was evaluated at 490, 655 and 720 nm: the second and third wavelengths represent the carotenoporphyrin (CP)-related peaks, whereas the first one is close to the peak of the tissue autofluorescence. The tumour and the liver were the two tissue types showing the strongest carotenoporphyrin-related fluorescence, whereas the cerebral cortex and muscle consistently exhibited weak substance-related fluorescence. In most tissue types, the fluorescence intensities decreased over time. A few exceptions were observed, notably the liver, in which the intensity remained remarkably constant over the time period investigated.     

A review of data on the health sector of the United States January 2002.

This report presents data on the state of U.S. health care at the end of 2001. It provides information on access to health care, inequalities in incomes and medical care, the increasing costs of health care and health insurance, and the role of corporate money in the provision of health care and the development, marketing, and patenting of pharmaceuticals. The author also looks at the state of health maintenance organizations, the results of some recent surveys on physicians' and public opinion on managed care, and news about the nursing professions. Also provided is an update on Congressional activity on health care legislation, the role of health care industry money in politics, and some developments in health care systems elsewhere in the world.     

A 62 kDa protein is photoaffinity labelled by [3H]felodipine in vascular smooth muscle, but not in cardiac and skeletal muscle

Irradiation of a cytosolic fraction from vascular smooth muscle in the presence of [3H]felodipine resulted in the labelling of a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 62 kDa. The labelling was seen on UV-irradiation at 360 nm, but not at 254, 278 or at wavelengths above 410 nm. The photolabelling was enhanced in the absence of oxygen. In cytosolic fractions prepared from porcine liver, cardiac and skeletal muscle no photoaffinity labelling of proteins between 90 and 45 kDa could be demonstrated. The results suggest that felodipine is a photoaffinity ligand and that felodipine binds to a soluble protein present in vascular smooth muscle but not in the other tissues tested.     

Morphological findings during retinal development and maturation in hereditary rod-cone degeneration in Abyssinian cats

The sequence of structural changes involved in postnatal photoreceptor differentiation, maturation and early degeneration was studied in young Abyssinian cats and kittens with hereditary rod-cone degeneration and compared to maturation in normal controls. In affected cats the earliest change seen was disorientation of outer segment discs in the majority of the rods, while other rods appeared to develop and mature normally. Such disorientation of discs (at oblique angles or parallel to the longitudinal axis of the outer segment, or whorls of discs) is considered as 'immaturity', since controls also showed a substantial number of disoriented rod outer segment discs at this young age. At postnatal day 35 the difference between affected animals and controls was marked with a high frequency of immature appearing rod outer segment discs in affected animals, while all rod outer segment discs were adult-like and arranged in an orderly manner in controls. Cones seemed unaffected at this age. More severe changes in affected rod outer segments in the form of disintegration of discs (vacuolization and clumping of disc material, or formation of debris), which we consider to represent degeneration, were first observed at the time when retinal maturation normally occurs in the cat, i.e. 150 days postnatally. Subsequently a drop-out of rods was seen, primarily of rods with disoriented and disintegrated outer segment discs, followed by a slow, progressive degeneration of rods that had developed and matured normally. Cones appeared normal during the time of retinal development and maturation and it was not until the age of 2-3 years (Narfstr?m and Nilsson, 1986, Incest. Ophthalmol, Vis. Sci. 27, 1569-76) that degenerative changes were seen also in cones.     

A schema-focused approach to group psychotherapy for outpatients with borderline personality disorder: A randomized controlled trial

This study tests the effectiveness of adding an eight-month, thirty-session schema-focused therapy (SFT) group to treatment-as-usual (TAU) individual psychotherapy for borderline personality disorder (BPD). Patients (N = 32) were randomly assigned to SFT-TAU and TAU alone. Dropout was 0% SFT, 25% TAU. Significant reductions in BPD symptoms and global severity of psychiatric symptoms, and improved global functioning with large treatment effect sizes were found in the SFT-TAU group. At the end of treatment, 94% of SFT-TAU compared to 16% of TAU no longer met BPD diagnosis criteria (p < .001). This study supports group SFT as an effective treatment for BPD that leads to recovery and improved overall functioning.     

Vergiftungen durch Trinitrotoluol und durch Tetranitromethylanilin

Ohne Zusammenfassung     

Role of iron in the proliferation of the established human tumor cell lines U-937 and K-562: effects of suramin and a lipophilic iron chelator (PIH)

Suramin was used to analyze the growth-effects of blockade of iron uptake on two established human cell lines, U-937 (monocytoid) and K-562 (erythroleukemic). Suramin suppressed cell surface transferrin (Tf) binding and uptake of iron via inhibition of receptor-mediated endocytosis (RME). As a result, both lines accumulated in the S-phase. DNA synthesis and cell division were inhibited in the suramin-treated U-937, but not in K-562. Iron, supplied by a route alternative to Tf-to suramin-suppressed U-937 cells, reinitiated DNA synthesis and cell division, although at a lower level than in control cells. Multiple effects on iron-dependent enzymes and an inhibition of binding of undefined growth factors necessary for the transition through the cell cycle are suggested to be mechanisms by which suramin affects the U-937 cells. The results imply that clinically observed side effects of suramin may be caused by interference with cellular iron metabolism.     

Advancement Flaps: A Basic Theme with Many Variations

Background. The advancement flap involves the linear advancement of tissue in one direction. Despite its straightforwardness and simple concept, it can be used to close a variety of defects, ranging from small defects on the scalp or extremities to large, complicated defects involving cosmetic units on the face.
Objectives. To provide a basic and useful review for the indications, advantages, disadvantages, and techniques for the use of advancement flaps in the reconstruction of defects in dermatologic surgery.
Materials and Methods. We performed a literature search for articles discussing advancement flaps and compiled a brief review of our findings.
Results. The movement of the advancement flap must be balanced by the blood supply of the flap. The excision of Burow's triangles along various aspects of the advancement flap can increase movement and improve cosmesis of the flap. The types of advancement flaps discussed include the single advancement flap, double advancement flap, A-T flap (O-T flap), Burow's triangle flap (Burow's wedge flap), crescenteric advancement flap, island pedicle flap (V-Y flap), helical rim advancement flap, and facelift flap.
Conclusion. Advancement flaps are versatile and useful basic flaps for repairing defects.