Results of physical therapy for idiopathic clubfoot: a long-term follow-up study

Physical therapy without anesthesia or plaster casts was used to treat 338 cases of clubfoot (CF). Our technique is based on progressive sequential manipulations at birth. We first reduce the varus and later the equinus component of the CF. The gentle stretches used in this technique are complemented by active physiotherapy stimulating the muscles, and then a simple splint is suited to the foot to fix its degree of realignment. When used alone, this technique achieves 77% good and fair results. In resistant cases, complementary surgery was used. We obtained 96% good and fair results.     

Some central effects of brofaromine given repeatedly are phase-dependent

Effects of the MAO-A-inhibitor brofaromine (BRO), 10 mg/kg po after repeated (twice daily for 14 days) administration on the spontaneous behavior (exploratory and basal locomotor activities) and the exploratory activity modified by methoxamine, clonidine and d-amphetamine in male Wistar rats were studied in both light and dark phases of a diurnal cycle (L: 0700-1900 h). After single administration BRO in the light phase had no effects. In the dark phase BRO decreased the exploration (62% of control, p less than 0.01), increased the clonidine-evoked hypoactivity and amphetamine-evoked hyperactivity. The L-D differences occurred also after repeated administration. BRO in the light phase did not influence the exploration, decreased basal locomotor activity, did not change methoxamine and clonidine action and potentiated the action of amphetamine. In the dark phase, however, it did not influence the exploration and basal locomotor activity, intensified the methoxamine effect, and did not change the clonidine and amphetamine actions. The results demonstrate that the effects of BRO on behavior in rats: 1) differ from the effects caused by other antidepressants which are not MAO inhibitors; 2) are phase-dependent after both single and repeated administration.     

Reversal of diabetes in BB rats by transplantation of encapsulated pancreatic islets

Prolonged survival of pancreatic islet allografts implanted in diabetic BB rats was achieved by encapsulation of individual islets in a protective biocompatible alginate-polylysine-alginate membrane without immunosuppression. Intraperitoneal transplantation of the encapsulated islets reversed the diabetic state of the recipients within 3 days and maintained normoglycemia for 190 days. Normal body weight and urine volume were maintained during this period, and no cataracts were detected in the transplant recipients. In contrast, control rats receiving transplants of unencapsulated islets experienced normoglycemia for less than 2 wk. These results demonstrated that microencapsulation can protect allografted islets from both graft rejection and autoimmune destruction without immunosuppression in an animal model that mimics human insulin-dependent diabetes.     

Disposition of [3H]flobufen and its active metabolite in rats

The present authors investigated the excretion, distribution and pharmacokinetics of the novel potential antirheumatic agent flobufen and its active metabolite after p.o. and i.v. doses of 2, 10 and 50 mg/kg administered to rats. The drug is resorbed well from the digestive tract and mostly it is metabolized to the principal metabolite M, which is only slowly excreted from the organism mainly by renal clearance. Within the whole dose range the kinetics of the drug is linear. Binding of flobufen and M to proteins is high (95-99%). The highest concentrations of radioactive metabolites (mostly M) were found in the plasma, liver, lungs, kidneys, connective tissue and inflammatory foci. The penetration of metabolites through the placenta and excretion in human milk are relatively important.     

Bilateral dacryops

The clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic findings of a case of bilateral dacryops is reported in a 49-year-old man. The patient presented with cystic masses located in superior lateral orbits and underwent bilateral excisions of these without any postoperative complications.     

Modulation of mild bleeding disorder during remissions and exacerbations of Graves' disease

A patient with Graves' disease had a symptomatic thrombocytopathy during periods of remission. When euthyroid, she noticed bruising, petechiae, and epistaxis. Hemostatic abnormalities included prolongation of the bleeding time by aspirin, reduced platelet retention (a second-phase defect), and abnormal thrombin-induced aggregation and serotonin release. When hyperthyroid, bleeding symptoms resolved, and platelet function returned to normal. These observations suggest that mild bleeding disorders may be influenced either directly or indirectly by thyroid hormone levels.