Influence of chronic administration of nicotine on the turnover and metabolism of noradrenaline in the rat brain

Chronic administration of nicotine (0.5 mg/kg, subcutaneously, 3 to 5 times a day for 6 weeks) accelerated the rate of disappearance of intraventricularly administered ³H-noradrenaline from rat brain. This was associated with normal levels of ³H-normetanephrine suggesting an increase in intraneuronal deamination.The rate constant of amine decline (k) in animals chronically treated with nicotine was significantly greater than that of controls, while the steady state level of brain noradrenaline was about equal in both groups of rats. Amphetamine, reserpine, acetylcholine, histamine, pheniprazine, pargyline, and nicotine affected the catecholamine levels in the rat brain treated with nicotine to the same degree as they did in the controls. It is concluded that chronic administration of nicotine may increase noradrenaline turnover in the brain and possibly increase the deamination of this amine.     

Effectiveness of generic fixed-dose combinations of highly active antiretroviral therapy for treatment of HIV infection in India

OBJECTIVE: To assess clinical and immunologic effectiveness and acute toxicity to nevirapine (NVP)-based fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) in antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected patients in India. DESIGN: Observational study of patients initiated on NVP-based combination therapy delivered as FDCs. METHODS: Antiretroviral-naive HIV-1-infected patients initiated on FDCs (zidovudine/lamivudine [3TC]/NVP or stavudine/3TC/NVP) were assessed clinically and with CD4 counts periodically. Adverse events to NVP were assessed clinically and by laboratory markers. Frequency and risk factors for development of adverse events and clinical outcomes were determined. RESULTS: Of the 1291 patients started on therapy, 1253 completed a minimum of 3 months of follow-up. Rash and hepatitis were documented in 6.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 5.5-8.3) and 3.2% (95% CI: 2.3-4.8) of patients initiating therapy, respectively. There was significant improvement in CD4 counts over 2 years. Fourty-eight patients died, and 186 clinical events were documented in these patients. Tuberculosis was the most common cause of morbidity and mortality. Self-reported adherence was high. CONCLUSION: Fixed-dose formulations of NVP-based combination therapy are safe and produced durable clinical and immunologic benefit.     

Hemophagocytic, non-secretory multiple myeloma

A 70-year-old woman presented with pancytopenia associated with plasma cell infiltration of her bone marrow. The plasma cells were often multinucleated and demonstrated phagocytosis of erythroid and granulocytic cells. Atypical immunophenotypic features included the expression of CD117 and CD13 and the lack of expression of CD56. Although kappa chains were demonstrable in the cytoplasm, no paraprotein was found in the serum or urine. Osteolytic lesions were absent. The pancytopenia of this unusual patient with non-secretory, hemophagocytic myeloma has improved on dexamethasone monotherapy, although her hemophagocytosis persists.     

药用矿物蒙脱石的X-射线定向衍射分析

目的：揭示蒙脱石层状晶体结构及层间吸附和膨胀性能,为其作为药物和药剂辅料提供科学依据。方法：将样品提纯,获得粒径小于1μm的胶体,制成取向样品,进行X－射线定向衍射分析。结果：得到了有关蒙脱石层间域在不同条件下的变化规律。结论：蒙脱石的层间吸附是可能的,而且定向衍射方法可以定量测定其层间距离。     

Exudative retinal detachment in relapsing polychondritis : case report and literature review

OBJECTIVE: To report the atypical ocular symptoms (arterialized conjunctival vessels, exudative retinal detachment) that can be the presenting manifestations of relapsing polychondritis. DESIGN: Observational case report and literature review. METHODS: A complete ocular and systemic evaluation was performed on a patient with relapsing polychondritis and exudative retinal detachment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Retinal, choroidal, and scleral findings. RESULTS: A 73-year-old man with relapsing polychondritis presented with a unilateral large bullous exudative retinal detachment and marked choroidal and scleral thickening bilaterally. CONCLUSIONS: Ophthalmologists should consider relapsing polychondritis in the differential diagnosis of exudative retinal detachment. A combination of echographic and laboratory findings can assist in the accurate diagnosis of this rare condition.     

石油沥青对职业人群健康影响的调查

目的调查长期接触石油沥青对职业人群健康的影响，为制订职业卫生标准提供职业流行病学调查资料。方法对防水材料生产企业和石油沥青暴露人群进行作业场所劳动卫生学和职业流行病学调查。结果对石油沥青暴露组394人，对照组237人调查结果表明，暴露组失眠、胸闷、鼻干等症状出现率高于对照组，其他检查显示，暴露组肺纹理增强、支气管炎出现率虽高于对照组，但无统计学意义。结论作业场所石油沥青烟浓度为0．69—10．46mg／m^3的情况下，石油沥青对职业人群健康没有产生明显的损害作用，也没有发现特异性损害。