Gaba-benzodiazepine receptor complex in brain oxidative metabolism regulation.

This study investigated the impact of modulating the gamma-aminobutyric acid(A) (GABA)(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complex activity on the rat frontal cortex slices oxygen consumption (QO(2)), polarographically determined using the biological oxygen monitor. Throughout the study, diazepam, flumazenil and picrotoxin were administered i.p. 30 min before sacrificing animals and obtaining slice preparations, while GABA was added directly into the medium in the reaction chamber. GABA decreased QO(2) in concentrations of 5 x 10(-4), 10(-2) and 5 x 10(-2)mol l(-1), while 10(-5) and 10(-6)mol l(-1) GABA had no effect, as well as diazepam, flumazenil and picrotoxin. All diazepam doses (1, 2.5 and 5 mg kg(-1)) increased action of 5 x 10(-4)mol l(-1) GABA, whereas 2.5 mg kg(-1) dose amplified the effect of 10(-6)mol l(-1) GABA. Flumazenil and picrotoxin (5 mg kg(-1) both) blocked diazepam's effects. Flumazenil augmented 10(-6)mol l(-1) GABA effects, while picrotoxin and flumazenil abolished the effects of 5 x 10(-4)mol l(-1) GABA. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the influence of modulation of GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor function on cerebral metabolism of oxygen in in vitro settings. The results are in accordance with those obtained in numerous in vivo studies, pointing to the moderate level of influence of GABA(A)-benzodiazepine receptor complex on QO(2) regulation.     

Anatomische Bemerkungen über den Iliotibialtrakt

Zusammenfassung Im Vorstehenden wurde ein Überblick über die Erkenntnisse hinsichtlich der Anatomie und Kinesiologie des Iliotibialtraktes und des M. tensor fasciae latae mit eigenen Erfahrungen aus dem Operationsgebiet erbracht.Mit 10 Textabbildungen     

Minimal cardiac transit times —A sensitive parameter reflecting changes in cardiac volume-to-flow ratios

European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging - Minimal cardiac transit times (MTTs) are differences between times of appearance of the indicator at consecutive segments of the...     

Wedged hepatic venography for targeting the portal vein during TIPS: comparison of carbon dioxide and iodinated contrast agents

Purpose: Carbon dioxide (CO2) can traverse the hepatic sinusoids better than iodinated contrast medium and has been used by many interventionalists for wedged hepatic venography during transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) procedures. Our study was designed to compare the extent of the portal vein opacification using either CO2 or iodinated contrast medium. Methods: Wedged hepatic venography for portal vein opacification during TIPS was performed using hand injection through a 6.5 Fr diagnostic catheter. Portograms of 36 patients performed with 10 ml of iodinated contrast medium were retrospectively compared with portograms of 45 patients performed with 30-40 ml of CO2. Opacification of the right portal vein branch including the portal vein bifurcation was defined as a successful study. Results: Using CO2 the right portal vein branch and the portal vein bifurcation were opacified in 87% of patients (39 of 45); only a part of the right portal vein branch was opacified in 6% of patients and no opacification of any portal vein branch was seen in 7% of patients. Using iodinated contrast medium, there was opacification of the portal vein bifurcation in 25% of patients (9 of 36), of a part of the portal vein branch in 36% and no opacification of any branch in 39%. There was one case of hepatic laceration from CO2 wedged venography which was treated with microcoil embolization. Conclusions: Using CO2 as a contrast medium, opacification of the portal vein bifurcation by wedged hepatic venography was seen in 87% of patients, in comparison with only 25% when iodinated contrast medium was used (p < 0.001). CO2 is superior to iodinated contrast medium for wedged hepatic venography during TIPS.     

Notes on coccidian phylogeny, based on the apicoplast small subunit ribosomal DNA

We performed a phylogenetic analysis, based on the partial small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rRNA) sequences from 13 apicoplasts (including new sequences of Sarcocystis muris and Hyaloklossia lieberkuehni) and 16 other plastids, with cyanobacteria as an outgroup. The apicoplast sequences formed a highly supported monophyletic clade with two distinct clades, representing coccidia and haemosporidia, with coccidia divided into Eimeriidae and Sarcocystidae subclades. We confirmed the phylogenetic position of H. lieberkuehni within the Sarcocistidae, as a sister to the Toxoplasma/Neospora group. The coccidian plastid sequences appear to evolve slowly, while their homologues from haemosporidians are more rapidly evolving. We suggest that the higher evolutionary rate is reflected by the increase in the AT content and the possible reduction of the outer apicoplast membrane in some haemosporidians. Since the apicoplast SSU rRNA gene sequences, when compared with their nuclear homologues, offer a higher number of informative positions, they can be used for phylogenetic inference within the Apicomplexa.     

Fixed combination of cinnarizine and dimenhydrinate versus betahistine dimesylate in the treatment of Ménière's disease: a randomized, double-blind, parallel group clinical study

In a randomized, double-blind clinical study, we evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of the fixed combination of cinnarizine, 20 mg, and dimenhydrinate, 40 mg (Arlevert [ARL]) in comparison to betahistine dimesylate (12 mg) in 82 patients suffering from Ménière's disease for at least 3 months and showing the characteristic triad of symptoms (paroxysmal vertigo attacks, cochlear hearing loss, and tinnitus). The treatment (one tablet three times daily) extended to 12 weeks, with control visits at 1, 3, 6, and 12 weeks after drug intake. The study demonstrated for both the fixed-combination ARL and for betahistine a highly efficient reduction of vertigo symptoms in the course of the 12 weeks of treatment; however, no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups could be established. Similar results were found for tinnitus (approximately 60% reduction) and for the associated vegetative symptoms (almost complete disappearance). Vestibulospinal reactions, recorded by means of craniocorpography, also improved distinctly, with a statistically significant superiority of ARL versus betahistine (p < .042) for the parameter of lateral sway (Unterberger's test). The caloric tests (electronystagmography) showed only minor changes for both treatment groups in the course of the study. A statistically significant improvement of hearing function of the affected ear (p = .042) was found for the combination preparation after 12 weeks of treatment. The tolerability was judged by the vast majority of patients (97.5%) in both groups to be very good. Only one patient (betahistine group) reported a nonserious adverse event, and two betahistine patients did not complete the study. In conclusion, the combination preparation proved to be a highly efficient and safe treatment option for Ménière's disease and may be used both in the management of acute episodes and in long-term treatment. Efficacy and safety were found to be similar to the widely used standard therapy with betahistine.     

Ergot alkaloids produced by submerged cultures of Claviceps zizaniae

Two ergopeptine alkaloids, alpha-ergocryptine (1) and its C(8) epimer alpha-ergocryptinine, have been isolated from the mycelium and fermentation broth of submerged cultures of Claviceps zizaniae CCM 8240. The structure of 1 was determined by HPLC/positive ion APCI MS and NMR analysis. Alkaloid concentrations of 10 microg/mL in 14-day-old fermentation broth and 1 mg/g of dry mycelium mass were found. These results are of considerable biotechnological interest since these were the only detectable alkaloids produced. Toxicity of naturally occurring sclerotia of C. zizaniae cannot be excluded.     

'Pseudospongioplasty' in the repair of a urethral diverticulum

OBJECTIVES: To describe a technique for repairing urethral diverticula which includes neourethral reconstruction and increasing the mechanical support of the neourethra. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between February 1995 and May 2000, 267 patients with proximal hypospadias underwent a one-stage penile skin longitudinal flap urethroplasty. The overall postoperative complication rate was 20%; a diverticulum formed in 24 patients (9%) and in all it was repaired. Diverticulectomy was carried out by de-epithelialization of excess diverticular skin, so that two subcutaneous vascularized tissue wings could be created. After re-establishing distal urethral patency and neourethral closure, the de-epithelialized diverticular wings were folded and overlapped to form a mechanical support for the neourethral ventral wall; this procedure was termed 'pseudospongioplasty'. RESULTS: There were no recurrences of diverticulum or any fistula formation. The only complication was urethral stenosis in two cases, which was successfully resolved by internal urethrotomy. CONCLUSION: Re-establishing patency and providing mechanical support are essential when repairing a urethral diverticulum. Our technique with pseudospongiosal tissue reconstruction during the repair represents a good alternative or addition to other techniques.