Effects of methylphenidate on the hyperemotional behavior in olfactory bulbectomized mice by using the hole-board test

The most consistent behavioral changes caused by olfactory bulbectomy are hyperemotional responses such as hyperactivity in a novel environment. However, the changes in the emotional behavior of mice after undergoing olfactory bulbectomy have not yet been described in detail. The effects of methylphenidate on the hyperemotional behavior of olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mice were examined by using the hole-board test. Mice (4-week-old) were subjected to olfactory bulbectomy, and the behavioral test was performed 2 weeks after surgery. OBX mice showed a significant increase in the number of head-dips as compared to the sham-operated mice. This increase was significantly decreased after treatment with methylphenidate (10 microg/kg, s.c.). The norepinephrine (NE) turnover ratio in the frontal cortex in OBX mice was significantly less than that in the sham-operated mice. However, the decreased NE ratio in OBX mice normalized after treatment with methylphenidate. Our results suggest that the increased head-dipping behavior in OBX mice might reflect an impulsive-like behavior. In addition, we proposed that the improvement in the noradrenergic abnormalities in the frontal cortex due to methylphenidate treatment may play a key role in the improvement of impulsive-like behaviors observed in OBX mice.     

Influence of delayed tumor clearance on reliability of complete response rate in chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer

OBJECTIVE: The relationship was studied between the timing of assessment of complete response and ultimate cure rate in the chemoradiotherapy of advanced head and neck cancer. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted regarding tumor responses at 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after concomitant chemoradiotherapy using cisplatin and 5-FU for 70 patients with stage III/IV squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and supraglottic larynx. Predictive values of tumor responses at these three time points for survival and tumor control at 2 years were tested using the chi-square test. RESULTS: Twelve (17%) patients achieved complete response (CR) at 4 weeks. Because of late regression or early recurrence, the CR rate changed to 18/70 (26%) and 24/70 (34%) at 3 and 6 months, respectively. CR or not at 6 months was significantly correlated with all survival endpoints (P < 0.001), but not those at 4 weeks and 3 months (P > 0.100). Kaplan-Meier estimate of overall survival at 5 years was 63% (95% CI 43-84%) for 24 CR patients at 6 months. CONCLUSION: CR rate at 6 months was a better surrogate endpoint than that at 4 weeks or 3 months in this series of patients.     

A phase II study of weekly paclitaxel for advanced or recurrent breast cancer

The present study investigated the efficacy and safety of weekly administration of paclitaxel (PTX) for 37 patients with advanced or recurrent breast cancer. PTX was administered at a dose of 60 mg/m(2), 6 times every 8 weeks. The mean number of treatment cycles was 2.1, and the mean number of administrations was 12.7. Response rate was 35.1%. Two patients achieved CR, 11 PR, 13 NC (3 patients of long NC), 9 PD, and 2 NE. The clinical benefit rate (CR+PR+NC) was 70.3%. Median survival time was 733 days, and median time to treatment failure was 151 days. Grade 3 or more leucopenia and neutropenia occurred in 3 of patients (8.1%), and no patients showed hypersensitivity reaction after administration of PTX. Weekly PTX (60 mg/m(2)) is one of the treatment options in advanced or recurrent breast cancer from the standpoint of palliation.     

De Quervain’s disease: efficacy of intra-sheath triamcinolone injection

The methods and clinical outcomes of intra-sheath triamcinolone injection in the treatment of de Quervain’s disease are described. We used 38 hands of 36 patients. A mixture of 1 ml of triamcinolone and 1 ml of 1% lidocaine hydrochloride was injected, with an interval of 2 weeks. The fluid was injected into one point above the induration for the first 18 hands and into two points over the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendon in the induration for hands 19–38. The efficacy rate was 89%, with the treatment results of the two-point injection better than those of the one-point injection. Recurrence was observed in ten hands, and complications in 13 hands; however, over 90% of patients were satisfied with the injection. The accurate injection of triamcinolone into the sheath of both the extensor pollicis brevis and abductor pollicis longus tendon was considered very effective for de Quervain’s disease.

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Résumé L’injection de triamcinolone dans la maladie de de Quervain a déjà été décrite. 38 mains sur 36 patients ont été traitées par un mélange d’1 ml de triamcinolone et 1 ml d’1% de lidocaine hydrochlorique injectées à l’intervalle de deux semaines. Le liquide a été injecté au dessus de l’induration : à deux niveaux différents en dessous pour les 18 premières mains et en deux points différents au dessus du court extenseur et de l’abducteur du pouce pour les 20 suivants. Le taux de succès a été de 89 avec deux points d’injection, taux supérieur à un point, une récidive a été observée dans 10 mains et des complications dans 13 mains. Cependant, plus de 90% des patients sont satisfaits de cette injection. En conclusion : l’injection triamcinolone dans la gaine de l’extenseur du pouce et de l’abducteur peuvent être considérés comme efficaces dans la maladie de de Quervain.

     

Distinct role of adiposity and insulin resistance in glucose intolerance: studies in ventromedial hypothalamic-lesioned obese rats

It remains unclear whether adiposity plays an important role in glucose intolerance independently of insulin resistance. We investigated whether adiposity and insulin resistance had distinct roles in glucose intolerance in rats. We examined glucose tolerance and insulin resistance using ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH)-lesioned rats in the dynamic and the static phases of obesity (2 and 14 weeks after lesioning, respectively). Rats were fed either normal chow or a fructose-enriched diet (60% of total calories). The intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed by bolus injection of glucose solution (1 g/kg) and blood sampling after 0, 5 10, 30, and 60 minutes. Insulin resistance was evaluated from the steady-state plasma glucose (SSPG) value during continuous infusion of glucose, insulin, and somatostatin. SSPG was not increased in VMH-lesioned rats in the dynamic phase of obesity, but increased markedly in the static phase. The area under the glucose curve (glucose AUC) during IVGTT was increased in VMH-lesioned rats in the static phase, but not in the dynamic phase, when compared with their sham-operated counterparts. A fructose-enriched diet for 2 or 14 weeks increased SSPG values to a similar extent in both sham-operated and VMH-lesioned rats without inducing excess adiposity, but glucose intolerance was only developed in the obese rats. The plasma leptin level, an excellent indicator of adiposity, was significantly related to the glucose AUC independently of the insulin level. Insulin resistance or increased adiposity alone is not sufficient to impair glucose tolerance, but increased adiposity plays an important role in the development of glucose intolerance in an insulin-resistant state.     

Hyperuricemia and Acute Renal Failure in Renal Transplant Recipients Treated With High-Dose Mizoribine

Background

Hyperuricemia is a common adverse event frequently found in renal transplant recipients with mizoribine (MZ). Hyperuricemia itself will be a cause of renal dysfunction, and renal dysfunction also will be a cause of hyperuricemia simultaneously. This study investigates frequency of hyperuricemia and renal failure in renal transplant recipients treated with high-dose MZ.

Risk factors for low back pain among taxi drivers in Japan]

We conducted a questionnaire study on low back pain (LBP) and working conditions among male taxi drivers employed in the company in Fukuoka city in order to investigate the occurrence of LBP and occupational factors related to LBP among taxi drivers. The study was undertaken through two questionnaires, the first conducted in 1999 (n = 280, first cross-sectional study), the second conducted in 2001 (n = 284, second cross-sectional study). The questionnaire results were used to conduct two analyses: 1) the one-year prevalence of LBP and the relationship between LBP and occupational factors in the second cross-sectional study, and 2) the incidence of LBP and the relationship between LBP and occupational factors from the first to the second cross-sectional study in the longitudinal study. The incidence cases were defined as subjects who met the following conditions: those who had never experienced LBP at the time of the first study but had experienced LBP during the previous year at the time of the 2nd study. The one-year prevalence (45.8%) of LBP among taxi drivers was comparable to rates reported for other occupational drivers in which LBP occurs frequently. This result indicates that LBP is an important health problem for taxi drivers, and an urgent occupational safety and health management issue. The two-year incidence of LBP among the taxi drivers was estimated at 25.9%. LBP was significantly related with the suitability of the driver's seat pan, total mileage on the taxi (total mileage), the level of uncomfortable vibrations on the road, job stress and time employed as a taxi driver. Importantly, the prevalence of LBP increased with increasing total mileage, a finding which had not previously been reported. The findings of this study also suggest that ergonomic problems with the driver's seat pan, whole-body vibration (WBV) and job stress may contribute to LBP among taxi drivers. Further study is needed to confirm how total mileage contributes to LBP. Furthermore, WBV during normal use of taxies should be measured in order to evaluate the association between WBV and LBP.