Behavior patterns of cold-resistant golden spiny mouse Acomys russatus.

Nesting behavior and food storage were studied in a cold-resistant (CR) population of the golden spiny mouse, Acomys russatus, in Southern Sinai at an altitude of 1600 m. CR-mice, in contrast to cold-sensitive (CS) ones, built nests in which they stored food. Such mice were found to be winter-solitary. These results show that food supply is an essential parameter for the survival of CR-mice during winter. Therefore, it is suggested that food supply rather than energy conservation was the main driving force in the selection of a solitary behavior pattern of CR-mice.     

Pharmacokinetic analysis of two new sustained-release products of diltiazem designed for twice-and once-daily treatment

The pharmacokinetics of two new sustained-release (SR) products of diltiazem, Dilapress 120 mg tablets and Dilapress 240 mg tablets, was analysed and characterized in three different studies, in comparison to the following diltiazem SR formulations: Cardizem Retard, Cardizem SR, and Cardizem CD. Dilapress 120, designated for twice-daily dosing, was found to be bioequivalent to Cardizem SR and to Cardizem Retard with mean (±SD) relative bioavailability values of 99 ± 27% and 113 ± 38%, respectively. Dilapress 240, designed for once-a-day treatment, was found to have a slower absorption rate than Cardizem SR and its extent of absorption was 56 ± 19% relative to that of Cardizem SR. However, the bioavailability of Dilapress 240 relative to that of Cardizem CD was 118±46%, indicating that the bioavailability of Cardizem CD relative to that of Cardizem SR was only 54±29%. Diltiazem is partially available due to a saturable liver first-pass effect. A high dose of Cardizem SR may partially escape this first-pass effect and, thus, achieve a higher extent of absorption than a slower SR product. Consequently, SR products of diltiazem designed for once-daily treatment may not reach the saturation stage in the liver first-pass effect process that diltiazem is susceptible to. Consequently, a twice-daily SR product of diltiazem cannot serve as a reference for extent of absorption assessments of a once-daily SR product.     

Prevalence of retinitis pigmentosa and allied disorders in Denmark. I Main results.

In a nation-wide study we utilized all available sources to characterize the prevalence rates of retinitis pigmentosa. 1301 persons, 715 males and 586 females, were identified, with a diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa or some other tapetoretinal dystrophy, and living in Denmark per January 1, 1988. The corresponding completeness corrected prevalence rate of retinitis pigmentosa was 1:3026. All cases were classified as 'certain', 'probable', or 'possible'. The age specific prevalence rates increased until 40-50 years, reaching a level of 35-40 male cases per 100,000 and 25-30 female cases per 100,000. Age specific prevalence rates were standardized to the WHO World Standard Population and compared to rates reported from Britain and The United States. World standardized prevalence rate for males was 25.29 per 100,000 and for females 19.31 per 100,000. The preponderance of males was highly statistically significant, (P less than 0.01).     

Cigarette smoking: A review of possible associations with benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer

There are conflicting data on the effect of cigarette smoking on serum levels of the various sex hormones. Some studies suggest that cigarette smoke produces an antiestrogenic effect. Smoking may also affect the metabolism of other sex steroids such as testosterone and adrenal hormones, and thereby influence the incidence of benign and malignant growth of the prostate. Epidemiologic studies analyzing a possible association between cigarette smoking and prostate cancer are not conclusive, although some show a positive relationship. The etiology of BPH is undoubtedly multifactorial. Estrogens as well as androgens may be involved in the pathogenesis of BPH. There are several studies that indicate that cigarette smokers have a lower likelihood of requiring surgery for BPH. Growth of the prostate may not correlate with serum levels of androgens and estrogens. The local hormonal milieu of the target cells in the prostate are probably more critical than the more easily measured serum levels. This review examines the literature dealing with cigarette smoking and both BPH and prostate cancer. If there is an effect, then elucidation of the mechanism by which smoking affects the growth of the prostate may improve our understanding of BPH and prostate cancer, and may suggest preventive strategies for high risk groups. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Epididymo-orchitis: a retrospective study of 121 patients

One hundred twenty-one patients with acute epididymitis or epididymo-orchitis were evaluated retrospectively according to their clinical symptoms, duration of symptoms, physical examination, and laboratory studies. The patients younger than 30 years of age usually showed less severity of symptoms than the patients older than 50 years of age. The latter often demonstrated evidence of outflow obstruction. Eighty-two percent of patients with demonstrated urographic abnormalities had lower tract abnormalities, mainly secondary to outflow obstruction. All of these patients were older than 50 years of age. An intravenous pyelogram is indicated only in patients over 50 years of age and in young adults with positive bacteriologic urine culture.     

Cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy. Frequent off-therapy deterioration, demyelinating syndromes, and muscle cramps

Forty-five patients with cisplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (PN) were evaluated retrospectively after treatment with cumulative doses of cisplatin ranging from 201 to 1952 mg/m2. The patients were followed for up to 23 months (median, 4.5 months), and 32 of them were evaluated more than once. Severity of symptoms was related to higher cumulative doses of cisplatin but with marked individual variability. Off-therapy deterioration of the PN continued in 14 patients (31%) for 2.5 to 5.5 months after withdrawal of cisplatin, and only four patients showed some improvement during the follow-up period. Symptomatic deterioration often was heralded by new onset of muscle cramps (with normal Ca2+/Mg2+ levels) and/or by manifestations of probable spinal dorsal column and/or nerve root demyelinating syndromes presenting as either Lhermitte's sign and/or as an electric-shock sensation along the upper extremities when outstretched in 90 degrees shoulder abduction. Cramps and demyelinating syndromes were each noted in 31% of the patients. Muscle cramps tended to resolve several months after withdrawal of therapy, and demyelinating syndromes were always transient (1.5 to 6.0 months) and did not progress despite ongoing therapy in five patients. Our study indicates that, after withdrawal of therapy, patients with cisplatin-induced PN may continue to deteriorate for several months. Manifestations of muscle cramps and demyelinating syndromes signify a worsening course of the PN but should not automatically indicate interruption of therapy.     

Colchicine prolongs patency of myringotomy in an animal model

Objective

Chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) is a frequently observed condition in childhood. The most common and effective surgical therapy for COME is myringotomy with insertion of a ventilation tube (VT). Our aims were to investigate the combined effect of myringotomy and the topical application of Colchicine solution to the external ear canal for the prolongation of patency in the treatment of patients with COME and to evaluate the ototoxicity of Colchicine applied directly to the middle ear.

Methods

A prospective study on 47 ears in 26 fat sand rats was fashioned. In the first phase, solutions of different concentrations of Colchicine were applied to the middle ear cavity in order to determine the drug's ototoxicity, assessing inner ear function with ABR. In the second phase myringotomy was performed and a non ototoxic concentration of Colchicine applied to 12 external ear canals, while saline was applied to nine.

Results

In the first phase, Colchicine concentration of 0.1% and higher applied to the middle ear cavity caused an ABR threshold elevation. In the second phase, the mean closure time after 0.01% Colchicine application was prolonged to >2.14 weeks (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Colchicine has a proven potential for prolongation of myringotomy patency when applied as a solution to the external ear as a 0.01% solution. Further investigations are required to validate these results in humans and to study the potential effect of repetitive Colchicine application on the duration of myringotomy patency for the treatment of COME.     

The Catz-Itzkovich SCIM: a revised version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure

Purpose : To examine the suitability of the revised Spinal Cord Independence Measure, the Catz-Itzkovich SCIM, for evaluation of patients with spinal cord lesions, as compared to the original SCIM and to the Functional Independence Measure (FIM). Method : The revised SCIM was applied by paired independent teams of occupational therapists, physiotherapists and nurses and the FIM by a single nurse. The examiners assigned scores to the functional capabilities of 28 patients with spinal cord lesions. The scores by the revised SCIM were analysed for reproducibility as between the two teams of examiners (interrater reliability) and for their correlation with the FIM scores. Results : The frequency of identical scoring by two independent examiners (total agreement) was 80% or higher for 13/18 individual functions listed in the revised SCIM. In the self-care category it was 80-99%, as compared to 75-87% before revision. In neither bowel management nor bed mobility was there an increase over the original SCIM in the frequency of identical scores, despite rephrasing and restructuring of the scoring criteria. A high correlation was noted between the paired scores for all functions listed as well as for those comprising each of the four functional categories ( r = 0.90-0.96, p < 0.001). The total revised-SCIM scores were significantly correlated with those derived by the FIM ( r = 0.835, p < 0.001). Conclusions : The findings indicate that the newly revised SCIM (Catz-Itzkovich) is a valid and highly reproducible measure of daily function in patients with spinal cord lesions, and is superior to the original SCIM. We recommend that it supersede the original SCIM.