Short term cyclosporin A treatment of Beh?et's disease.

Eleven separate three-month courses of cyclosporin A, an oral solution 10 mg/kg/day, were administered to eight patients with Behçet''s disease with sight-threatening posterior uveitis. It was found to be effective in arresting the inflammatory activity in the eye as well as the mucocutaneous lesions of Behçet''s disease. Improvement in visual acuity was observed within one week of starting therapy. Severe exacerbations in the ocular and mucocutaneous lesions occurred on withdrawal of the drug. At this dosage side effects included hirsutism in all women, and a slight rise of serum bilirubins in two patients and of blood urea in one patient. The latter two conditions responded rapidly to dose adjustment.     

Cross-correlation analysis of septohippocampal neurons during theta-rhythm

The activity from 55 septohippocampal neuron pairs was examined in rats anesthetized with urethane. In addition to the statistical characterization of the firing patterns of the recorded units, the functional interactions between pairs of neurons and between neurons and hippocampal theta (theta) waves were investigated with cross-correlation techniques. Pairs were classified according to the rhythmic or non-rhythmic discharge pattern of their neurons. (a) theta-Pairs were those in which both the medial septal (MS) and hippocampal (HPC) units were rhythmic (type 1 units). (b) Pairs with a rhythmic and a theta-related non-rhythmic unit (type 2 unit) were called mixed pairs. (c) Pairs composed of type 2 units were called type 2 pairs. theta-Pairs showed periodic cross-correlations and frequently fired with a phase difference which could change in different pairs. Mixed pairs also showed periodic cross-correlations although one of the units was non-rhythmic. Type 2 pairs showed non-periodic positive cross-correlations. Our data provide new information regarding the temporal relationship between MS and HPC rhythmic activities supporting the role of the MS in providing the afferent timing for the generation of theta-rhythm in the HPC.     

The efficacy of propafenone in preventing recurrent auricular fibrillation and flutter]

In order to investigate the efficacy of propafenone in the prevention of paroxysmal flutter or fibrillation, we treated 21 patients without left ventricular disfunction. Age was 60 +/- 14 (mean +/- sd) years, left atrial diameter by echocardiography 37 +/- 7 mm, cardiothoracic index 0.48 +/- 0.05 (0.41-0.57) and P wave duration 100 +/- 17 ms. The frequency of recurrences before treatment was: daily in five (23%), weekly or more in eight (38%), monthly-weekly in seven (33%) and quarterly-monthly in one (5%). Propafenone (671 +/- 187 mg/24 h) was given after recurrences were demonstrated under treatment with 1-3 antiarrhythmic drugs per patient. During 8.9 +/- 3.5 months of follow-up (range 6-19) 5 patients (23%) were completely free of recurrences; in seven (33%) the incidence decreased by greater than 50% with a marked decrease in duration. Side effects appeared in 12 cases (57%), leading to its discontinuation in four (19%). Arrhythmogenic effects were observed in 2 cases (9%). Propafenone is effective in greater than 50% of patients with paroxysmal atrial flutter or fibrillation, resistant to other antiarrhythmic agents. The incidence of side effects is high, but they are usually not severe and reversible.     

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease: Medical or surgical treatment? Report of an interactive workshop

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is the most common disease of the upper gastrointestinal tract. With the introduction of proton pump inhibitors medical treatment of GERD has been significantly improved. However, the development of laparoscopic antireflux surgery resulted in an increasing interest of surgeons in this disease. An interactive meeting was organized in order to develop an agreement between gastoenterologists and surgeons regarding therapeutic decisions and this is the main topic of this paper.     

Diagnosis and management of lymphoceles after renal transplantation

Eighteen lymphoceles developed after 199 renal transplantations, 11 being asymptomatic. Ultrasound was the most sensitive method of detection. Seven lymphoceles were symptomatic, pelvic mass and decreased renal function being the most frequent signs. Five lymphoceles were successfully treated by instillation of iodate povidone into the lymphatic cavity; there were no complications or recurrences. This is a simple, safe and inexpensive method for the treatment of lymphoceles after renal transplantation.