No major effect of orciprenaline and propranolol upon ACTH-induced cortisol secretion.

Preclinical research suggests adrenal beta-adrenergic receptors to be involved in the regulation of steroid synthesis. In a group of healthy male volunteers, we compared ACTH-induced cortisol and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) secretion after pre-treatment with orciprenaline, propranolol or placebo. Neither baseline nor ACTH-induced steroid secretion differed between these conditions. Our data do not support the hypothesis that the adrenal beta-receptor plays a major role in steroid secretion in humans.     

Effects of visual field stabilization on the behavior of automobile drivers: visuo-vestibular model trials

Postural changes of body equilibrium on a moving force plate were examined for sinusoidal movements, saccades and frequency whilst different stimuli were applied under various visual conditions. If a dynamic stimulus was used, the stabilization of vision shows a distinct visual-vestibular conflict which provokes postural disequilibrium. This is the cause of motion sickness during car driving. This disequilibrium is also the cause of the motor insecurity experienced during walking and reading at the same time.     

Differential Stripping: Determination of the Amount of Topically Applied Substances Penetrated into the Hair Follicles

The determination of penetration pathways of topically applied substances into the skin is the subject of several investigations. Recently, follicular penetration has become a major focus of interest. To date, a direct, non-invasive quantification of the amount of topically applied substance penetrated into the follicles had not been possible. The development of such a method was the aim of this study. Therefore, the advantages of both stripping techniques, tape stripping and cyanoacrylate skin surface biopsy, were combined and evaluated. Tape stripping was used to remove the part of the stratum corneum that contained the topically applied dye. Subsequently, the follicular contents were ripped off by cyanoacrylate skin surface biopsy. The combined method termed "differential stripping" was evaluated in vitro and in vivo , and the amount of topically applied fluorescent dye penetrated into the hair follicles was quantified after different penetration times. After 30 min, 5% of the recovered concentration of sodium fluorescein was found in the follicular infundibula, where it was still detectable after 48 h. Altogether, the results of this investigation revealed that differential stripping is a new method that can be used to study the penetration of topically applied substances into the follicular infundibula non-invasively and selectively.     

荨麻疹性皮炎的定义：皮肤过敏反应模式的一种亚型

背景:荨麻疹性皮炎可能是代表一种反应模式的亚型的有用术语,病理学家通常将该反应模式命名为皮肤过敏反应。“荨麻疹性皮炎”这一术语不常用,需要定义以明确其临床相关性。目的:定义荨麻疹性皮炎并与其他荨麻疹性反应模式相鉴别,回顾皮肤科医师对荨麻疹性皮炎的临床诊断与组织     

Acute cerebral infarction: pathophysiology and modern treatment concepts

Summary This review focuses on the pathophysiological changes in acute cerebral ischemia, with special emphasis on disturbances of the cerebral blood flow (CBF) and the associated penumbra concept. Alternatively, the model of peri-infarct depolarization is demonstrated. Metabolic and molecular changes caused by cerebral ischemia and reperfusion are discussed, namely energy failure, release of glutamate with an excitatoric burst, calcium influx in neurons, generation of free radicals, activation of different proteases, disturbances of protein synthesis, induction of gene expression and apoptosis, loss of membrane integrity, edema formation and microvascular disturbances. In summary, the pathophysiological changes after focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion are most adequately described by a network of interacting different mechanisms of tissue alterations. The simple concept of a cascade of ischemic effects which would be easy to block seems to be less applicable. A time window of approximately 6 h for the acute stroke therapy is postulated on the base of the above mentioned pathophysiological changes. The recently introduced treatment regimen with optimized basic treatment, recanalization using thrombolysis and neuroprotection by different agents is presented. Different modes of a possible intervention are discussed. Modern concepts of stroke therapy including stroke-unit care and thrombolysis with add-on neuroprotection seem to have potential for improving the outcome of acute stroke patients.      

Health status,work limitations,and return-to-work trajectories in injured workers with musculoskeletal disorders

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to describe the health status and work limitations in injured workers with musculoskeletal disorders at 1 month post-injury, stratified by return-to-work status, and to document their return-to-work trajectories 6 months post-injury. METHODS: A sample of 632 workers with a back or upper extremity musculoskeletal disorder, who filed a Workplace Safety and Insurance Board lost-time claim injury, participated in this prospective study. Participants were assessed at baseline (1 month post-injury) and at 6 months follow-up. RESULTS: One month post-injury, poor physical health, high levels of depressive symptoms and high work limitations are prevalent in workers, including in those with a sustained first return to work. Workers with a sustained first return to work report a better health status and fewer work limitations than those who experienced a recurrence of work absence or who never returned to work. Six months post-injury, the rate of recurrence of work absence in the trajectories of injured workers who have made at least one return to work attempt is high (38%), including the rate for workers with an initial sustained first return to work (27%). CONCLUSIONS: There are return-to-work status specific health outcomes in injured workers. A sustained first return to work is not equivalent to a complete recovery from musculoskeletal disorders.     

Clinical impact of CCM mutation detection in familial cavernous angioma

Introduction and background A 3-year-old Bosnian girl with a large symptomatic brainstem and multiple supratentorial cavernous angiomas, who underwent neurosurgical treatment, is presented. As multiple cavernomas are more common in familial cases, genetic analyses and neuroradiological imaging were performed in the patient and her parents to see whether there was any evidence for inheritance. This information is important for genetic counseling and provision of medical care for at-risk relatives. Currently, no recommendation is available on how to manage these cases.Results Genetic analyses demonstrated a novel CCM1 frameshift mutation (c.1683_1684insA; p.V562SfsX6) in the child and the asymptomatic 27-year-old mother. Sensitive gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging of the mother revealed multiple supratentorial lesions, whereas analogous imaging of the father showed no pathological findings.Conclusion This case exemplifies that seemingly sporadic cases with multiple lesions might well be hereditary and that presymptomatic genetic testing of family members may identify relatives for whom clinical and neuroradiological monitoring is indicated.     

Long-term benefit to pallidal deep brain stimulation in a case of dystonia secondary to pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder with onset in childhood and rapid progression. There is no causative and insufficient symptomatic drug therapy. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal pallidum (GPi) has been reported to improve motor function. Most case reports, however, are limited to short observational periods. The impact of DBS on the progression and life expectancy in PKAN is unknown. We present a 5-year outcome and video documentation of bilateral GPi-DBS of an adolescent patient suffering from genetically defined PKAN.     

Analgesic actions of dynorphin A(1–13) antiserum in the rat brain stem

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of dynorphin A(1–13) antiserum when microinjected into an active hyperalgesic region within the rat brain stem. When administered within the dorsal posterior mesencephalic tegmentum (DPMT) of intact conscious rats, dynorphin A(1–13) antiserum produced rapid onset and persistent prolongation of a low intensity thermally evoked tail avoidance response (LITETAR). These analgesic actions of the dynorphin A(1–13) antiserum appeared to be dose dependent. These studies support previous hypotheses about the existence of tonically active brain stem opioid hyperalgesic processes. Further, the results provide indirect evidence for a potential role of brain stem dynorphin(s) in facilitating pain.