Pyrexia of unknown origin: changing spectrum of diseases in two consecutive series.

Comparison was made of the aetiology and methods of diagnosis in two series of patients meeting the classic criteria of pyrexia of unknown origin during 1968-1981 and during 1982-1989 seen in the Department of Internal Medicine at La Paz University Hospital, Madrid, Spain. There was a statistically significant decrease in the percentage of infections and an increase in neoplasms and connective tissue disorders in the second series. The percentage of patients diagnosed by laparatomy was similar in both series but the diagnosis yield at laparotomy was greater in the second period. Pyrexia of unknown origin continues to be a condition which can defy clinical expertise in in spite of advances in diagnostic techniques.     

Larsen's syndrome: anaesthetic implications. Six case reports

Six cases were examined to review the important anaesthetic implications of Larsen's syndrome. Potential problems arising in these patients are highlighted and emphasis placed on cervical spine and airway/respiratory management.     

Affinity changes in muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in the rat brain following acute immobilization stress: an autoradiographic study.

The modifications in rat brain muscarinic acetylcholine receptors induced by acute immobilization stress lasting 10 min or 2 h were analyzed by quantitative in vitro autoradiography. [3H]N-Methylscopolamine ([3H]NMS) was used as a ligand. Immobilization stress for 10 min did not produce any significant change in the properties of [3H]NMS binding sites throughout the brain. In contrast, 2 h immobilization caused a significant increase in receptor affinity (Kd) without modification in the maximal number of receptors (Bmax) in several brain areas such as the caudate-putamen, cortical layers and CA1 field of the hippocampus, among others. These results, found even in animals killed immediately after the end of the immobilization sessions, suggest that immobilization stress induces supersensitivity of muscarinic receptors in certain cholinergic pathways in rat brain.     

Supravalvular aortic stenosis and coronary aneurysm]

A 32-year old woman, with endocarditis caused by Streptococcus mitis, and systolic murmur is presented. The Doppler examination was found a systolic gradient of 150 mmHg. Aortography showed a multiple membranous supravalvular aortic stenosis, with aneurysmal dilatation of the left main coronary artery and circumflex artery, associated with bicuspid aortic valve and mild aortic insufficiency. The patient died suddenly by cardiac arrest in stand by to cardiac surgery. Anatomic comprobation was not possible. The coronary artery anomalies associated with the supravalvular aortic stenosis syndrome are reviewed.     

Contralateral approach to bilateral and ophthalmic aneurysms

In a previous survey, we found a high incidence of fatal rupture of an unclipped aneurysm in patients with multiple aneurysms. To deal with this problem, we introduced a more vigorous technique that accesses aneurysms previously considered unapproachable during one operating session. Attempts were made to clip middle cerebral and ophthalmic aneurysms contralateral to the operative exposure. We have successfully clipped contralateral aneurysms of the posterior communicating artery when bilateral aneurysms were present. We have also used this contralateral approach successfully with single ophthalmic and proximal carotid aneurysms that pointed medially. We review the cases of 39 patients with 43 intracranial aneurysms operated from the contralateral side and present the surgical technique in relation to the angiographic findings.     

Main alkaloids from the Brazilian dendrobatidae frog Epipedobates flavopictus: pumiliotoxin 251D, histrionicotoxin and decahydroquinolines.

Epipedobates flavopictus, Dendrobatidae, is a small aposematic frog found in Brazilian Cerrado bioma. In the present work, we isolated and characterized chemically the most abundant alkaloids present in the cutaneous extract of E. flavopictus. The specimens were collected in Pirenópolis (Goiás, Brazil), their skins were removed and extracted with methanol, and submitted to purification by HPLC and identification by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Pumiliotoxin 251D, histrionicotoxin 285Da and two decahydroquinolines, 219A and 243A, were identified. The pumiliotoxin 251D was tested on isolated frog sciatic nerve and on isolated guinea pig ileum muscle. The pumiliotoxin 251D slightly reduced the action potentials amplitude of frog sciatic nerve. The crude skin extract of E. flavopictus and the pumiliotoxin 251D produced rhythmic contractions and increased the muscular tension on isolated guinea pig ileum.     

壳聚糖作为中枢神经系统支架材料的可行性研究

目的探索壳聚糖作为中枢神经系统组织工程支架材料的可行性。方法选择孕14～16dWistar大鼠剖宫取胎鼠脑进行分离、培养,经巢蛋白、胶原纤维酸性蛋白、特异性烯醇化酶和半乳糖脑苷酯免疫细胞化学染色鉴定获得神经干细胞,种植于壳聚糖膜和明胶膜表面培养,然后行巢蛋白免疫细胞化学染色,观察神经干细胞在壳聚糖膜和明胶膜表面的贴附、生长和分化状态,以及壳聚糖、明胶的降解速度。结果从胎鼠大脑分离获得的神经干细胞,巢蛋白染色呈阳性反应,可分化形成神经元和胶质细胞,分化细胞分别呈胶原纤维酸性蛋白、特异性烯醇化酶和半乳糖脑苷酯染色阳性反应。神经干细胞接种后12h即贴附于壳聚糖膜表面,24h壳聚糖膜和明胶膜均贴附牢固;48h明胶膜表面神经球周围首先出现带突起的分化细胞,壳聚糖膜迟至生长第3天才出现。神经干细胞接种生长后第3天,壳聚糖膜部分降解,明胶膜完全降解;第4天膜表面长满分化细胞;第5、6天壳聚糖膜大部分降解,分化细胞部分死亡。结论壳聚糖与神经干细胞生物相容,具有促细胞贴附和分化作用,由于机械性能差,不宜作为中枢神经组织工程的结构性生物支架材料,但可以单独或者联合促贴附物明胶作为促神经干细胞贴附和分化的支架表面修饰剂。     

颅咽管瘤切除术后水钠代谢紊乱机制研究

目的探讨颅咽管瘤术后水钠代谢紊乱的原因和最佳处理方式。方法对102例经胼胝体切开穹窿间入路切除巨大颅咽管瘤的病人，记录术后尿量、血电解质、抗利尿激素（ADH）、醛固酮（ALD）、皮质醇水平，比较术后激素水平变化与水、钠代谢紊乱的关系。结果本组均出现水、钠代谢紊乱，术后2周完全恢复52例，4周基本恢复33例，6周恢复12例，需长时间人工调整电解质水平5例。术后ADH、ALD和皮质醇的不足是导致术后水钠代谢紊乱的主要原因。结论颅咽管瘤切除术后水、钠代谢紊乱与手术损伤下丘脑有关，紊乱类型与ADH、ALD和醛固酮的缺乏情况有关；及时给予相应激素及对症治疗，可获满意疗效。     

Rizatriptan in the treatment of migraine

Migraine is a common, disabling disorder associated with considerable personal and societal burden. Current guidelines recommend triptans for the acute treatment of migraine unlikely to respond to less effective therapies. Rizatriptan is a second-generation triptan available in tablet or orally disintegrating tablet (wafer) formulations that offers several advantages over other members of its class. Rizatriptan is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and achieves maximum plasma concentrations more quickly than other triptans, providing rapid pain relief. Clinical trials have shown that rizatriptan is at least as effective or superior to other oral migraine-specific agents in the acute treatment of migraine, and has more consistent long-term efficacy across multiple migraine attacks. Rizatriptan has a favorable tolerability profile, and patients have reported greater satisfaction and a preference for rizatriptan over other migraine-specific agents. Improvements in quality of life reported with rizatriptan are consistent with its favorable efficacy and tolerability profiles. Notably, multi-attribute decision models that combine clinical data with patient- and physician-reported treatment preferences have identified rizatriptan as one of three triptans closest to a hypothetical “ideal”. The efficacy and tolerability of rizatriptan for the acute treatment of migraine have thus been well established.