Fluorimetric assay of rufloxacin in serum and in pharmaceutical formulations

A simple and rapid fluorimetric method for the determination of 9-fluoro-10-[N-(4′-methyl)piperazinyl]-7-oxo-2,3-dihydro-7H-pyrido[1,2,3-d,e][1–4]benzothyazin-6-carboxylic acid hydrochloride (MF 934), in serum and in pharmaceutical formulations, has been developed based on its strong fluorescence, in 0.1 N H₂SO₄, at 526 nm (excitation wavelength at 340 nm). The procedure which involves the direct dilution of the sample requires only a few minutes and the sample volume is only 20–100 μl of serum, depending on the drug concentration. Tedious sample preparation procedures such as extraction, deproteinization, or centrifugation are not necessary. The minimum concentration that can be detected is 0.3 ng ml⁻¹, the standard curve in 0.1 N H₂SO₄ was found to be linear from 0.005 to 1.5 μg ml⁻¹ and from 0.01 to 0.07 g in plasma after dilution with 0.1 N H₂SO₄.     

Plastic surgery for the management of palmoplantar keratodermia (Palmoplantoneoplasty)

Keratodermia is an incurable genetic and regional disease located in the palmar and plantar regions. The author reports his experience with five cases of palmoplantar keratodermia that were treated by grafting onto the soles and the palms skin taken from the calves and the thighs.     

Mass spectrometric identification of urinary and plasma metabolites of 2-(6'-carboxyhexyl)-3-n-hexylcyclohexylamine, a new antiaggregating agent.

The compound IBI-P-05006, 2-(6'-carboxyhexyl)-3-n-hexylcyclohexylamine, is an antiaggregating agent under development. IBI-P-05006 is an in vitro inhibitor of platelet aggregation. The biotransformation of this compound has been studied in the dog and rat. We present here a study on the metabolites of IBI-P-05006 found in dog and rat urine, and in dog plasma. Analyses were done by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In dog urine 15 metabolites were identified. Some of them were also found in dog plasma and in rat urine. The unmetabolized drug was found only in plasma. 10 different hydroxylated metabolites were characterized. The hydroxyl groups were introduced in the hexyl chain in positions omega-4, omega-3, omega-2, omega-1 and omega.     

Velamentous cord insertion into the lower third of the uterus is associated with intrapartum fetal heart rate abnormalities.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of sonographic identification of the site of umbilical cord insertion (CI) at 18-20 weeks of gestation, to compare the sensitivities for detection of a velamentous cord insertion (VCI) secondary to a CI into the anterior, posterior or fundal wall, and to compare the intrapartum complications secondary to VCI into the upper, middle or lower third of the uterus. METHODS: As part of the routine ultrasound scan at 18-20 weeks' gestation we evaluated abnormal CI (VCI and marginal CI) and the location of the CI in the uterus in 3446 pregnancies. In cases of abnormal CI, the location of the CI was further classified as being in the upper, middle or lower third of the uterus. After delivery, the placenta and the umbilical cord were examined and intrapartum complications were compared with the location of the CI. RESULTS: The values for antenatal detection of VCI were: sensitivity, 25 of 40 (62.5%); positive predictive value, 25 of 25 (100%); and negative predictive value, 3406 of 3421 (99.6%). The sensitivity for cases in which the CI was located on the anterior wall was 12 of 13 (92.3%); when it was located on the posterior wall, the sensitivity was 11 of 22 (50.0%); and when it was fundal the sensitivity was 2 of 5 (40.0%). Variable decelerations were frequently observed with a VCI. In lower VCI cases, non-reassuring fetal heart rate patterns and emergency Cesarean sections occurred with a higher frequency than in cases with upper or middle VCI (P < 0.01). After delivery, the length of the aberrant vessels in cases of VCI by pathologic examination was 3.9 +/- 3.3 cm in the upper third, 4.7 +/- 4.6 cm in the middle third, and 10.6 +/- 6.8 cm in the lower third; thus, the aberrant vessel length was significantly greater when the CI was in the lower third of the uterus (P = 0.024). CONCLUSION: We have demonstrated that VCI with a lower CI site and with longer aberrant vessels is associated with various intrapartum complications. This finding has the potential for improving perinatal outcome.     

Solitary bronchioloalveolar carcinoma: CT criteria

The computed tomographic (CT) scans of 30 patients with solitary bronchioloalveolar carcinoma were reviewed. Common features at CT included the peripheral or subpleural location of a pulmonary mass (25 cases), pseudocavitation (18 cases), heterogeneous attenuation (17 cases), irregular margins forming a star pattern (22 cases), and pleural tags (21 cases). Using these CT criteria, four independent observers attempted to identify cases of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma from a larger sample of lung cancers and benign lesions by categorizing a series of test cases into four probability categories. Although the bronchioloalveolar carcinomas were correctly ranked in the two highest probability categories 75% of the time (in 45 of 60 cases), there was considerable overlap with other lung lesions, particularly with adenocarcinoma and large cell undifferentiated carcinoma. However, even though the typical features of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma are not invariable or highly specific, they are characteristic enough to suggest the diagnosis.