One-Year Follow-up of Duodenal Ulcers after 1-Wk Triple Therapy for Helicobacter pylori

Objective : to study the ulcer recurrence rate of Helicobacter pylori-positive duodenal ulcers at 1 yr after eradication of the bacteria by triple therapy. Method : Patients with H. pylori-positive duodenal ulcers were randomized to receive either triple therapy for 1 wk plus omeprazole for 4 wk (THple+OMP) (n = 78), or omeprazole alone (OMP) for 4 wk (N = 77). Patients were followed up every 3 months for symptom enquiry. At 1 yr, all asymptomatic patients were invited to attend for gastroscopy. Results : At 8 wk, 16 patients in the OMP group and four in the Triple+OMP group had an ulcer. During the 1-yr period, 12 patients in the OMP group and no patient in the Triple+OMP group developed symptomatic ulcers. At follow-up endoscopy at 1 yr, another 10 ulcers were detected in the OMP group and two in the Triple+OMP group. Fifteen patients in the OMP group and 13 in the Triple+OMP group were lost to follow-up. In total, ulcers were de-tected in 39 of 61 (64%) assessahle patients in the OMP group, and in six of 65 (97o) assessahle patients in the Triple+OMP group after I yr (χ² test: p < 0.001). Of the patients whose H, pytori were successfully eradicated hy Triple+OMP at 8 wk, 90% remained H. pylori negative at 1 yr. Conclusion : Triple therapy for 1 wk eradicates H, pylori infection and significantly reduces duodenal ulcer relapses.     

Efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine

The efficacy of nimodipine in the prophylaxis of migraine was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study carried out on 33 patients, 20 of whom suffered from classic and 13 from common migraine. Four patients dropped out, but not as a result of the side effects of the drug. The duration of drug treatment was 8 weeks. The dosage used was 30 mg four times daily. Nimodipine proved to be better than placebo, the number of migraine attacks and severity of headache showing a significant reduction. The drug was well tolerated and no marked side effects were noted. The results suggest that nimodipine is a useful new prophylactic drug for migraine, but further studies are needed before its final value can be evaluated.     

Complex molecular architecture of beet yellows virus particles

Closteroviruses possess exceptionally long filamentous virus particles that mediate protection and active transport of the genomic RNA within infected plants. These virions are composed of a long “body” and short “tail” whose principal components are the major and minor capsid proteins, respectively. Here we use biochemical, genetic, and ultrastructural analyses to dissect the molecular composition and architecture of particles of beet yellows virus, a closterovirus. We demonstrate that the virion tails encapsidate the 5′-terminal, ≈650-nt-long, part of the viral RNA. In addition to the minor capsid protein, the viral Hsp70-homolog, 64-kDa protein, and 20-kDa protein are also incorporated into the virion tail. Atomic force microscopy of virions revealed that the tail possesses a striking, segmented morphology with the tip segment probably being built of 20-kDa protein. The unexpectedly complex structure of closterovirus virions has important mechanistic and functional implications that may also apply to other virus families.     

Dural fistulas involving the cavernous sinus: results of treatment in 30 patients

Thirty symptomatic indirect carotid cavernous fistulas were treated between 1978 and 1986 with a variety of treatment modalities. Combined carotid artery and jugular vein compression resulted in a complete cure in seven of 23 patients (30%) and improvement in one additional patient. There were no complications from this treatment, which is performed by the patient on an outpatient basis. Patients in whom carotid jugular compression therapy failed or who demonstrated cortical venous drainage or visual decline were treated with intravascular embolization. Embolization resulted in complete cure in 17 of 22 (77%) and improvement in four of 22 (18%). One patient required surgical excision of the involved dura after embolization to achieve complete cure. There was one permanent complication (stroke), which resulted in mild weakness caused by clot formation on a catheter.