Enhancement of susceptibility to ouabain in ischemic rat heart]

During 10 mins of reperfusion after 25 mins global ischemia, subtoxic doses of ouabain (50, 100 microM) were used and followed by 20 mins reperfusion with standard buffer. At these doses ouabain had no harmful effects with 29% and 45% increase in developed pressure in aerobic hearts. Intracellular Na+ (Nai), 45Ca2+ uptake and recovery of ventricular function were measured. Nai increased from 15 to 64 mumol/g dw with no increase in 45Ca2+ uptake during ischemia. Upon reperfusion with standard buffer, additional gain in Nai at 2 mins (73 mumol/g dw) was followed by a rapid decline (at 10 mins: 48 mumol/g dw). 45Ca2+ uptake increased from 0.8 to 7.5 mumol/g dw after 30 mins reperfusion with decreased recovery of function (45%) and increased LVEDP (29 mmHg). Reperfusion with ouabain accelerated initial rise in Nai (2 mins: 79 and 83 mumol/g dw) and decline of Nai was retarded (10 mins: 65 and 83 mumol/g dw). Consequently, 45Ca2+ uptake and depression of function were augmented (Ca: 10.0, 11.5 mumol/g dw; function: 27%, 18%; LVEDP: 47, 48 mmHg) even when hearts were switched back to standard buffer. Combination of high K+ (20mM) reversed the effect of ouabain. The results suggested increased susceptibility to ouabain was caused by inhibited outward Na+ transport resulting in enhanced Ca2+ influx through Na+/Ca2+ exchange.     

Combined oral lysine acetylsalicylate and metoclopramide in the acute treatment of migraine: a multicentre double-blind placebo-controlled study

This multicentre, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of combined oral lysine acetylsalicylate and metoclopramide (LAS-MCP) in the acute treatment of migraine attacks. A total of 266 patients, 18–65 years old, with two to six attacks of migraine with or without aura (IHS criteria) per month were included. The patients had to treat two migraine attacks with LAS-MCP (1620 mg lysine acetylsalicylate-the equivalent of 900 mg aspirin- combined with 10 mg metoclopramide) or placebo. The main outcome measure was headache relief (reduction in headache severity from grade 3 or 2-severe or moderate-to grade 1 or 0-mild or none) 2 h after treatment. LAS-MCP was superior to placebo for headache relief (56% vs 28%) and for the following secondary outcome measures: complete headache relief (18% vs 7%; p < 0.001), nausea (28% vs 44%; p < 0.001), vomiting (3% vs 11%; p = 0.001), use of rescue medication (47% vs 68%; p < 0.001), global efficacy judged as good or excellent (32% vs 14%; p < 0.001). The tolerability was considered as good in 94% of treated attacks in both groups. Combined oral lysine acetylsalicylate and metoclopramide is an effective and well-tolerated acute treatment of migraine attacks.     

Comparative study of the influence of Thy1 deficiency and dietary iron deficiency on dopaminergic profiles in the mouse striatum

Thy-1, a glycosyl-phosphatidylinositol (GPI)-linked integral membrane protein, may play a role in stabilizing synapses. Thy1 was identified in a gene expression analysis as iron responsive, and subsequent cell culture and animal models of iron deficiency expanded this finding to the protein. The importance of Thy1 in influencing neurotransmitter feedback mechanisms led to this study to determine the relative effects of Thy1 deficiency and dietary iron deficiency on the dopaminergic system in the mouse striatum. The model for this analysis was the Thy1 null mutant mouse in the presence or absence of dietary iron deficiency. The results revealed significant differences in dopaminergic profiles associated with Thy1 and iron deficiency and also a sex effect. For example, both iron deficiency and the absence of Thy1 are associated with increased dopamine in both sexes, but the dopamine transporter is increased in these experimental groups only in female mice. In male mice, the increase in dopamine transporter is found only in the Thy1 null mutants. Increases in vesicular monoamine transporter and phosphorylated tyrosine hydroxlyase are found only in iron-deficient mice. In contrast decreased release of dopamine from synaptosomes is found only in the Thy1 null mutant animals. In general, these results indicate that a loss of Thy1 can influence the dopaminergic profile in the striatum. Furthermore, the results reveal consistent differences in the dopaminergic profile in Thy1 knockout mice compared with iron-deficient mice, indicating that the effects of iron deficiency are not due only to a change in Thy1 expression.     

The east–west advancement flap (horizontal advancement flap) to repair a defect on the nose ala

Background The repair of an alar nasal defect is a frequent challenge for dermatologic surgeons for reasons of the high rate of non‐melanoma cancers in the area. Objective Our aim was to describe the use of an east–west cheek‐based flap (horizontal advancement flap) to repair a surgical defect on the nose ala. Methods Benefits and limits of this surgical procedure are evaluated. Result The resulting S‐shaped scar was well‐camouflaged among the natural skin lines (melolabial fold and melonasal junction). No architectural distortion of the nose resulted from the procedure. Conclusion In selected patients with small‐to‐medium‐size defects of the nasal ala, the horizontal advancement flap is a simple, reliable and aesthetic reconstruction option.     

A Broad-Spectrum Microbicide with Virucidal Activity against Sexually Transmitted Viruses

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), an alkyl sulfate surfactant derived from an organic alcohol, possesses surfactant properties but also denatures and unfolds both monomeric and subunit proteins. In preliminary experiments, we demonstrated that SDS is a potent inactivator of herpes simplex virus type 2 and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 at concentrations comparable to those used for the surfactant nonoxynol-9. We hypothesized that SDS might be capable of denaturing the capsid proteins of nonenveloped viruses. In this report, we demonstrate inactivation of rabbit, bovine, and human papillomaviruses after brief treatment with dilute solutions of SDS. Effective concentrations were nontoxic to rabbit skin and to split-thickness grafts of human foreskin epithelium. This is the first report of a microbicidal surfactant that will inactivate papillomaviruses. We propose that SDS is now a candidate microbicide for formulation and testing with humans.