Effect of hepatic cirrhosis on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in rats

The experimental hepatic cirrhosis was induced either by bile duct ligation (BDL) or by pretreatment with dimethylnitrosamine (DMNA). The pharmacokinetics of theophylline were studied after a single intravenous or a single oral administration. Using the ultrafiltration method, protein-drug binding experiments were also carried out. The bilirubin level was several-fold increased by BDL, but not by DMNA treatment. The albumin content was decreased in both cirrhotic groups. The total clearance (Clt, ml/kg/hr) of theophylline in both hepatic cirrhosis groups significantly decreased and the terminal half-life (t_1/2) in the cirrhotic rats was increased about two-fold after intravenous and oral administration. The volume of distribution at steady state (Vdss, ml/kg) was increased slightly in the cirrhotic groups. Protein binding in BDL (8.67±4.85%) decreased about four-folds, but in DMNA (73.00±9.85%) similar result, was observed as compared with the control. Increased free fraction of theophylline did not increase the volume of distribution in BDL. Therefore decreased total body clearance of theophylline was mainly due to decreased intrinsic clearance of theophylline in the liver. The absolute bioavailability of theophylline in these experiments was between 63.8 and 72.8%(66.1% in BDL, 63.8% in Sham operated and Control, 72.8% in DMNA). These results suggest that in the experimental hepatic cirrhosis model, administration route does not affect the disposition of theophylline.     

Recent trends of age-specific pneumoconiosis mortality rates in the United States, 1985-1996: coal workers' pneumoconiosis, asbestosis, and silicosis

The authors examined the temporal trends of age-specific pneumoconiosis mortality from coal worker's pneumoconiosis (CWP), asbestosis, and silicosis in the United States in 1985-1996. Mortality data were derived from the National Center for Health Statistics multiple causes of death files for the period. Age-specific mortality rates were computed for three age groups (15-44, 45-64, and > or = 65 years) among decedents with mention of CWP, asbestosis, or silicosis. Linear regression analysis was performed to examine the annual changes in age-specific mortality rates, by age group, with each specific condition. The CWP mortality rates declined significantly (p = 0.0001) in the groups 45 years old and older, but not in the age group 15-44. Asbestosis mortality rates declined significantly (p = 0.005) for the age group 45-64, while increasing (p = 0.0001) for those aged 65 years and older. However, in the younger age group 15-44, the rates showed no significant trend. Silicosis mortality rates declined significantly (p = 0.0001) for all groups. The continued occurrence of deaths from CWP, asbestosis, and silicosis among young adults may be the result of high levels of exposure to occupational risks. These results suggest that pneumoconiosis surveillance may help to evaluate the temporal pneumoconiosis mortality patterns in the United States.     

The “Scandinavian Star” ferry disaster 1990 -a challenge to forensic odontology

Summary With 158 victims, the fire on board the Scandinavian Star was one of the world's worst ferry disasters. A team of identification experts, including dentists, were employed to secure evidence for identification and to remove the victims from the ferry. Four parallel teams, each with 2 dentists, examined and autopsied the victims at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Oslo. Using the INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification forms and aided by computers, all victims were identified within 17 days. Dental identity could be established in 107 cases (68%).     

Biological evaluation of Korean medicinal plants(III)

The extracts of sixty Korean plants were evaluated for their biological activities such as antitumor activities against Sarcoma 180, Leukemia SN-36 and Ehrlich ascites carcinoma, antimicrobial activities and behavioral observation in mice. The results are tabulated.     

Liquid ammonia injury

The toxic effects of a gas depend on the time of exposure, concentration and its chemical nature. Pressurized liquids and gases exert an additional cold thermal injury and this may complicate the clinical picture. A patient who had an accidental exposure to liquid ammonia over a prolonged period, manifesting in cutaneous, respiratory and ocular damage in addition to a severe cold thermal injury (frostbite) with a fatal outcome is presented. The patient had flaccid quadriparesis and episodes of bradycardia, which has not been reported previously. These manifestations raise the possibility of the systemic toxicity in patients with prolonged exposure to ammonia.     

Fibrosarcoma in Children: A Rare Tumour with Long-Term Survival even with Advanced Disease A Report of 3 Cases

Fibrosarcoma is a rare tumour in children. The potential of malignancy has been questioned. We present three cases of fibrosarcoma in children. The follow-up periods range from 10 to 37 years. The first patient had pulmonary metastases at the time of diagnosis in 1958. The primary tumour in fossa ischio-rectalis was resected in 1960. Lung metastases were resected in 1960 and 1989. Radiotherapy was given in 1992. He is still alive with metastases 37 years after the first manifestation of disease. The second patient had a primary tumour and several local recurrences in the mandible. He is alive without evidence of disease 4 years after resection of pulmonary metastases and 21 years after resection of the primary tumour. The third patient has no signs of recurrence or metastasic spread 10 years after a wide excision of subcutanous tumours of the left upper arm. The cases demonstrate a special tumour-entity of low-grade malignancy, which show a good prognosis and a wide spectrum of biological behaviour.     

Sex differences in response to red and blue light in human primary visual cortex: a bold fMRI study

Studies using a variety of investigative methods, including functional brain imaging and electroencephalography (EEG), have suggested that changes in central nervous system (CNS) dopamine function result in altered visual system processing. The discovery of abnormal retinal blue cone, but not red cone, electroretinogram in association with cocaine withdrawal and Parkinson's disease suggests that visual system response to blue light might be a marker for CNS dopamine tone. As there are numerous sex-related differences in central nervous system dopamine function, we predicted that blue and red light stimulation would produce sex-specific patterns of response in primary visual cortex when studied using the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technique. We analyzed the BOLD response to red and blue light in male and female human volunteers (N=20). Red and blue light responses in primary visual cortex (V1) to stepped intensities of red and blue light were compared by sex for threshold to detectable BOLD signal increase and for stimulus intensity vs. BOLD signal response. Near threshold, males and females showed similar BOLD signal change to red light, but males showed a threefold greater increase (0.52%) to blue light stimulation when compared to females (0.14%). Log-linear regression modeling revealed that the slope coefficients for the red light stimulus intensity vs. signal change curve were not significantly different for males and females (z=0.995, P=0.320), whereas the slope coefficients for the blue light stimulus intensity vs. signal change curve were significantly larger in males (z=2.251, P=0.024). These findings support a sex and color-dependent differential pattern of primary visual cortical response to photic stimulation and suggest a method for assessing the influence of specific dopamine agonist/antagonist medications on visual function.     

纳洛酮治疗原发性脑干损伤

目的 :观察纳洛酮治疗原发性脑干损伤的疗效。方法 :83例原发性脑干损伤病人分为纳洛酮组 38例 ,在常规治疗基础上加用纳洛酮 0 .3mg·kg- 1加入氯化钠注射液 5 0 0mL中静脉滴注 ,qd× 3d ,3d后减为 4 .8mg·d- 1,qd× 7d ,10d为一个疗程 ;常规治疗组 4 5例 ,单用常规治疗。按格拉斯哥昏迷评分标准观察病人症状。结果 :常规治疗组和纳洛酮组的昏迷时间分别为 (30±s 4 )d和 (2 0±4 )d ,死亡分别为 16例和 6例 ,恢复良好分别为 12例和 2 3例 ,中残分别为 7例和 6例 ,重残分别为 10例和 3例、植物生存各 1例 ;2组昏迷时间及疗效比较 ,P <0 .0 1。结论 :纳洛酮在原发性脑干损伤的治疗中能降低死亡率 ,缩短昏迷时间 ,减少残存率。