Facilitation of opiate-and enkephalin-induced motor activity in the mouse by phenytoin sodium and carbamazepine

In the first experiment, adult male Swiss-Webster mice were systemically injected with a standard dose of morphine. Compared to the influence of vehicle, the motor activity of morphine-injected mice was increased. Neither phenytoin sodium nor carbamazepine alone facilitated motor activity, but pretreatment with both drugs further facilitated the increased motor activity produced by morphine. In a second experiment, mice were injected centrally with a long-acting analog of leu-enkephalin. It also increased motor activity in comparison with vehicle. Again, both phenytoin sodium and carbamazepine further facilitated this response. Both experiments suggest a facilitatory interaction between some aspects of these anticonvulsants and opiate-induced motor activity.     

西南獐牙菜化学成分的研究

从西南獐牙菜的全植物中分离出五个化合物,其中四个分别被鉴定为β-谷甾醇(Ⅶ),齐墩果酸(Ⅵ),1,3,7,8-四羟基咄酮(Ⅴ)和山楂酸(Ⅱ)。另一化合物系新的三萜酸糖酯甙,命名为獐牙菜皂甙(swericinctoside,Ⅰ),其结构为2α,3β-二羟基齐墩果-12-烯-28-羧酸-28-O-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-(1-6)-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖基-(1-2)-β-D-葡萄吡喃糖甙。     

Hypothyroidism induced by anti-epileptic therapy

Two patients on long-term anti-epileptic treatment, one with both phenytoin and carbamazepine, the other with carbamazepine, developed clinical hypothyroidism. Laboratory assays verified the diagnosis. Both patients became euthyroid and the thyroid hormone assays were normal after withdrawal of the drugs.     

A skeletal traction stirrup with self-aligning low friction joints to reduce pin loosening

Skeletal traction may be complicated by loosening of the pin transfixing the bone, especially if the bone is osteoporotic. A loose pin predisposes to infection of the pin track.A skeletal traction stirrup with self-aligning low friction joints has been developed to reduce the incidence of pin loosening.     

The quantitative evaluation of the use of oral proteolytic enzymes in the treatment of sprained ankles

A double-blind trial was carried out on 50 patients with soft-tissue ankle injuries. The treated group was given proteolytic enzymes (Chymoral) by mouth while the untreated group was given enteric-coated lactose tablets. Both groups received identical supportive therapy for their injuries. No statistically significant difference in swelling, bruising and function between the 2 groups in the measurements of volume and allied parameters was found. No side effects were noted. The results suggest that the use of Chymoral in this type of injury is not indicated.     

Physiological and histochemical changes of the extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles after lateral cordotomy in the albino rat

The physiological and histochemical effects of unilateral and bilateral cordotomy on the extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles were studied in the albino rat. After unilateral cordotomy, the ipsilateral extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscles became slower and relatively faster, respectively, compared to the contralateral and normal muscles. No gross histological abnormalities were found, but changes in fiber diameter and typology were statistically significant in both muscle types compared to their contralateral muscles, and were in substantial agreement with the changes observed on the contractile force and kinetics of the isometric twitch. Bilateral cordotomy in adult animals, like unilateral cordotomy in immature animals, affected only the soleus muscle fiber types. The results have implications for the role of the upper motoneuron physiological and histochemical trophic influences in controlling slow and fast motor units.     

Baseline exploratory activity predicts anxiolytic responsiveness to diazepam in five mouse strains

CRAWLEY, J. N. AND L. G. DAVIS. Baseline exploratory activity predicts anxiolytic responsiveness to diazepam in fivemouse strains. BRAIN RES. BULL. 8(6) 609–612, 1982—Inbred mouse strains showing variability in spontaneous exploratory behaviors displayed differential responsiveness to diazepam in an anxiety-related exploration model. C57B1/6J, BALB/cJ, Swiss Webster/NIH, Swiss Webster/Harlan Sprague-Dawley, and CF-1 mice demonstrated a significant correlation between baseline exploratory activity and maximal percentage increase in exploratory behavior induced by diazepam. No correlation was seen between those behavioral responses and the characteristics of brain benzodiazepine binding sites in the different strains. Anti-anxiety responsiveness appears to be a function of some genetically-determined substrate for spontaneous exploratory behaviors which may have multiple neurochemical substrates.     

Influence of disulfiram on the serum concentration of carbamazepine in patients with epilepsy

Treatment of alcoholics with phenytoin and disulfiram (DI) simultaneously is complicated and inexpedient because of the marked drug interaction. The aim of this study was to investigate whether an interaction exists between DI and carbamazepine (CBZ). The serum levels of CBZ and the metabolite CBZ-10, 11-epoxide were measured by high-pressure liquid chromatography in seven out-patients with epilepsy, on monotherapy with CBZ, before and during two weeks administration of DI. Five patients completed the investigation. None were alcoholics. The changes in the serum levels were insignificant, i.e. without clinical importance. Moreover, uncontrolled clinical experience has not indicated any interaction between DI and CBZ. Thus the influence of DI on the metabolism of CBZ is probably negligible. CBZ is suggested, therefore, when anticonvulsive therapy is needed by alcoholics in treatment with DI.     

Injury and pregnancy

This subject receives very little attention in textbooks and most of the articles in journals report small numbers of injuries of one kind or another. One general review suggests that between 5 and 10 per cent of pregnant women suffer injury, usually with no risk to the pregnancy: for example, the incidence of abortion ascribed to accidental injury is less than 1 in 10,000. Personal and reported experience can be summarized as follows. The baby may be injured during pregnancy or during birth, or may be harmed by the effects or complications of injury to the mother, e.g. Gram-negative septicaemia or hypoxic states. Injuries inflicted on the baby during pregnancy are most often fractures, which affect the skull almost as often as any other bone, and frequently accompany fractures of the mother's pelvis. Gunshot and other penetrating injuries of the child are rare and are not always fatal. Fractures of the maternal pelvis are the most frequent of the major injuries and are serious to viscera and other parts of the body. In some patients deformation of the pelvis can be corrected or prevented by operation, but it is usually best accepted. Rigid internal fixation of fractures of the lower limbs sustained in the later months of pregnancy can make labour much easier for the patient and her attendants. If the effect of injury on pregnancy is usually obvious, the effect of pregnancy on recovery from injury is usually not.