Melatonin treatment for rhythm disorder

Abstract We tried melatonin treatment in two patients with non-24 h sleep-wake syndrome, who did not respond to treatments by vitamin B₁₂, bright light therapy, or hypnotics. In one patient, melatonin 5–10 mg improved difficulty in falling asleep and in waking, although it failed to improve the sleep-wake rhythm. In another patient, melatonin 3 mg successfully changed the sleep-wake rhythm from free-running pattern to delayed sleep phase pattern. However, melatonin re-administration after a 4-month drug-free interval failed to improve his free-running sleep-wake rhythm. These results suggest that melatonin acted as a sleep inducer in one patient and as a phase setter in the other, although the effect on the latter patient was transient.     

Development of an animal model for neuroleptic malignant syndrome: heat-exposed rabbits with haloperidol and atropine administration exhibit increased muscle activity, hyperthermia, and high serum creatine phosphokinase level

The neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a life-threatening complication of neuroleptic treatment. To elucidate the pathogenesis of NMS, an animal model has been developed. Experimental rabbits treated with haloperidol (1 mg/kg) by intramuscular injection, were studied for the diagnostic symptoms of increased muscle rigidity, elevated body temperature, and high serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) level. Administration of haloperidol (1 mg/kg) and atropine (0.4 mg/kg), and exposure to high ambient temperature (35°C) induced a significant increase in electromyographic activity with muscle rigidity similar to that observed in patients with NMS. Such rabbits also showed elevated body temperature and serum CPK value. In addition to the similarity of the signs and symptoms, all parameters measured (muscle rigidity, body temperature, and serum CPK level) were normalized by dantrolene treatment. The effectiveness of dantrolene in the experimental animal partially confirms the validity of this animal model for NMS. This experimental animal model for NMS may be useful to elucidate the pathogenesis of NMS.     

Mirizzi综合征的影像学诊断

目的:探讨Mirizzi综合征的发病机理、临床表现、影像学诊断及术前诊断的重要价值.方法:查阅了大量的相关资料文献,进行对比、分析、总结归纳.结果:Mirizzi综合征是胆道系统感染的一种特殊类型,临床少见,极易造成漏诊和误诊,在术中造成不必要的胆道损伤和胆总管探查,影像学检查在诊断此综合征方面有较多的独特优势.结论:Mirizzi综合征术前可以通过影像学检查尤其是超声检查明确诊断.     

Sideropenic Dysphagia综合征膜性蹼26例分析

目的 :研究SideropenicDysphagla (S -D)综合征膜性蹼产生的机制。方法 :回顾分析S -D综合征2 6例的临床资料。结果 :影像学检查显示膜性蹼在颈段食道前壁呈 2mm深的模样陷凹。血液学检查为缺铁性低血红蛋白性贫血改变。结论 :缺铁性贫血是S -D综合征的原因 ,铁剂治疗有效     

肠易激综合征Manning诊断标准的评价

目的 评价Manning标准诊断肠易激综合征(IBS)的真实性。方法 采用自行设计的调查表对499例对象进行调查。结果 1．随着Manning标准中结合指标数的增多，IBS组与非溃疡性消化不良及溃疡性结肠炎组鉴别的灵敏度及其95％CI明显下降，特异度及其95％CI明显上升，同时阳性预测值、阳性似然比及阴性似然比也明显上升。2．符合Manning标准中二项以上结合指标，IBS组就具有较好与健康对照组鉴别的灵敏度及其95％CI、特异度及其95％CI。结论 Manning标准中需要3项以上结合指标可较好地使IBS与非溃疡性消化不良或溃疡性结肠炎鉴别；2项以上结合指标可较好地使IBS与健康人鉴别。     

Cutaneous manifestations in the cardiofaciocutaneous syndrome, a variant of the classical Noonan syndrome. Report of a case and review of the literature

We report one patient with cardiofaciocutaneous (CFC) syndrome. He presented with clinical findings characteristic of this condition such as: cutaneous abnormalities, including ichthyosis, widespread keratosis pilaris, a peculiar craniofacial appearance with sparse, curly hair and low-set posteriorly rotated ears; congenital heart defects; and mild mental and motor retardation. We submit a comprehensive review of previously published articles regarding the dermatological findings in CFC syndrome (recently shown to be a variant of Noonan syndrome) emphasizing diagnostic criteria and its differentiation from the Costello syndrome.     

Acute pustulosis of the legs in diverticulitis with sigmoid stenosis: an overlap between bowel-associated dermatosis–arthritis syndrome and pustular pyoderma gangrenosum

BACKGROUND: Bowel-associated dermatosis-arthritis syndrome denotes the occurrence of diarrhoea with arthritis and skin lesions related to bowel disease with or without bowel bypass. In this condition, the histological finding of cutaneous aseptic neutrophilic cell infiltrate is non-specific and common to a wide spectrum of neutrophilic dermatoses, including pyoderma gangrenosum. OBSERVATION: We describe a 78-year-old woman with fever, abdominal discomfort and arthralgias, who developed grouped pustular lesions on her shins with histologically spongiform pustule formation. Aetiological assessment disclosed diverticular disease with sigmoid stenosis. CONCLUSION: Although clinical and histological features in our case fit the diagnosis of bowel-associated dermatosis-arthritis syndrome, they may also correspond to a pustular variant of pyoderma gangrenosum. Our observation raises the question of the nosological classification of bowel-associated dermatosis-arthritis syndrome within the spectrum of neutrophilic diseases.     

Myasthenia-like syndrome induced by cardiovascular agents. Report of a case

The case of a myasthenia-like syndrome induced by cardiovascular drugs is reported. The clinical and electrophysiological features of the case are discussed.

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Sommario Viene descritto il caso di una sindrome miastenica indotta da farmaci efficaci sul sistema cardiovascolare. Vengono analizzate e discusse le principali caratteristiche cliniche ed elettrofisiologiche del caso.

     

Complete response, as determined by prostate-specific antigen level, to chlormadinone acetate withdrawal persisting longer than 2 years in patients with advanced prostate cancer: Two case reports

Antiandrogen withdrawal syndrome (AWS) is a well-established phenomenon in prostate cancer. However, responses to AWS are usually of limited duration, and a complete response (CR) is extremely rare. We present two patients who exhibited a chemical CR for more than 2 years after the discontinuation of steroidal antiandrogen chlormadinone acetate use. Whether patients who respond to antiandrogen withdrawal include a group of patients with a better prognosis remains uncertain. However, considering that the usual survival period of patients with hormone-resistant prostate cancer is approximately 12 months, both of the patients reported here, who are present in excellent physical condition, exhibiting an improved quality of life, and attending their hospital as outpatients, obviously acquired a prolonged survival because of AWS.     

A novel mutation in the last exon of ATRX in a patient with α-thalassemia myelodysplastic syndrome

Abstract:  We describe a patient with acquired alpha-thalassemia myelodysplastic syndrome (ATMDS). A previously healthy 66-year-old man presented with hemoglobin of 9.3 g/dL, mean corpuscular volume 59 fL, and a bone marrow aspirate with increased erythroid precursors and hypolobulated megakaryocytes. Hemoglobin H inclusions were seen in most red cells after 1% brilliant cresyl blue supravital stain of the peripheral blood. At the molecular level, we identified of a novel mutation in the most 3' exon of the ATRX gene ( C GA→ T GA substitution in codon 2407) resulting in a premature termination codon (p.R2407X). This case provides further evidence for a link between ATRX mutations and ATMDS, and suggests a possible role for the conserved Q-box element in ATRX function.