Short‐term effects of coenzyme Q10 in progressive supranuclear palsy: A randomized,placebo‐controlled trial

Mitochondrial complex I appears to be dysfunctional in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Coenzyme Q₁₀ (CoQ₁₀) is a physiological cofactor of complex I. Therefore, we evaluated the short‐term effects of CoQ₁₀ in PSP. We performed a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled, phase II trial, including 21 clinically probable PSP patients (stage ≤ III) to receive a liquid nanodispersion of CoQ₁₀ (5 mg/kg/day) or matching placebo. Over a 6‐week period, we determined the change in CoQ₁₀ serum concentration, cerebral energy metabolites (by ³¹P‐ and ¹H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy), motor and neuropsychological dysfunction (PSP rating scale, UPDRS III, Hoehn and Yahr stage, Frontal Assessment Battery, Mini Mental Status Examination, Montgomery Åsberg Depression Scale). CoQ₁₀ was safe and well tolerated. In patients receiving CoQ₁₀ compared to placebo, the concentration of low‐energy phosphates (adenosine‐diphosphate, unphosphorylated creatine) decreased. Consequently, the ratio of high‐energy phosphates to low‐energy phosphates (adenosine‐triphosphate to adenosine‐diphosphate, phospho‐creatine to unphosphorylated creatine) increased. These changes were significant in the occipital lobe and showed a consistent trend in the basal ganglia. Clinically, the PSP rating scale and the Frontal Assessment Battery improved slightly, but significantly, upon CoQ₁₀ treatment compared to placebo. Since CoQ₁₀ appears to improve cerebral energy metabolism in PSP, long‐term treatment might have a disease‐modifying, neuroprotective effect. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society     

Strand breaks in plasmid DNA, natural and brominated, by low-energy X-rays.

Single- and double-strand breaks were measured in Col E1 plasmid DNA, natural and partially brominated, irradiated with monoenergetic X-rays (from a synchrotron radiation source) on both sides of the K-absorption edge for Br. The fraction of the undamaged supercoiled form decreased exponentially with the photon dose; its yield in the brominated DNA did not exhibit any energy-dependence. This result is consistent with the calculated relative contributions of photoelectric interactions with individual component atoms which show that an electron flux originating in light atoms outweighs that from bromine. However, X-rays of energy above the Br K-edge appear slightly more efficient in producing double-strand breaks. This result, as well as those reported in the literature on the Auger enhancement of different biological endpoints in cells containing brominated DNA, seem to suggest that the positive charge and submolecular effects associated with the photo-absorption in bromine play some role in damaging processes, besides the initial distribution of deposited electron energy.     

Histologic evidence of distal coronary thromboembolism. A complication of acute proximal coronary artery thrombolysis therapy

Distal migration of occluding coronary thrombus during thrombolysis therapy for acute myocardial infarction rarely has been observed angiographically. Necropsy documentation of the final location of embolic fragments in this circumstance has not been reported previously. This report documents multiple occluded intramyocardial vessels with thrombus observed to have showered distally during thrombolysis therapy. Depending on size and number, fragments of dislodging proximal coronary embolus may produce additional myocardial necrosis.     

Characteristics of 2000 patients who visited a halitosis clinic

Aims: The aim of this paper was to analyse the aetiology and characteristics of 2000 patients who visited a multidisciplinary bad breath clinic in Leuven, Belgium and to correlate organoleptic ratings with portable device measurements.
Materials and Methods: The characteristics and aetiology of breath malodour of two thousand consecutive patients who visited a halitosis consultation were explored by means of a standard questionnaire and a clinical examination, including organoleptic scores provided by a trained and calibrated judge, and a portable bad breath detector (Halimeter^®).
Results: Most patients came without referral and had complaints for several years (mean: 7 years, SD: 8 years). For 76% of the patients, an oral cause was found [tongue coating (43%), gingivitis/periodontitis (11%) or a combination of the two (18%)]. Pseudo-halitosis/halitophobia was diagnosed in 16% of the cases; and ear, nose and throat/extra-oral causes were found in 4% of the patients. Most patients had an organoleptic score <3 and a Halimeter^® value <240 p.p.b.
Conclusions: Even though it was observed that halitosis has a predominantly oral origin, a multidisciplinary approach remains necessary to identify ear, nose and throat or extra-oral pathologies and/or pseudo-halitosis/halitophobia.     

用气相色谱研究抗氧化剂对膜脂肪酸的保护作用

本文应用气相色谱技术直接测定三种生物膜(人红细胞膜,人血小板膜和鼠肝线粒体膜)多不饱和脂肪酸的含量变化,检测脂质过氧化程度。实验证实几种多羟酚类化合物(儿茶精,阿魏酸钠和没食子酸及其衍生物)不同程度地抑制(OH)诱导的脂质过氧化反应,并呈量效和构效关系。这类抗氧化剂对保护生物膜的结构与功能是有益的。     

Postprandial delay of drug absorption in a gitoformate model

Oral absorption of gitoformate (Dynocard), a non-renal-dependent cardiac glycoside, was investigated in 8 healthy subjects aged 23-45 years. Plasma concentration-time profiles were obtained once following a 12-h period of fasting, then after intake of a standard high protein meal. The half-life of absorption t1/2a, Cmax and tmax, half-life of elimination t1/2z, and area under the curve (AUC) were compared to evaluate the influence on the bioavailability of gitoformate. t1/2a in the fasting condition (0.36 +/- 0.43 h) is increased when gitoformate is applied after a high protein meal 1.12 +/- 1.12 h). Correspondingly, fasting maximum concentrations are already achieved after 1.4 +/- 1.2 h, but only after 4.8 +/- 1.8 h following the intake of a standard meal. Comparison of AUC (0-168 h) showed that the bioavailability was reduced by 25% after meals.