Oligoclonal bands in unconcentrated CSF

Agarose gel electrophoresis (AGE) and agarose isoelectric focusing (AIEF) were performed on unconcentrated CSF from patients with multiple sclerosis and other neurological disorders. Electrophoretic profiles were examined after staining with silver. Oligoclonal distribution of immunoglobulins were observed in over 90% of patients with clinically definite multiple sclerosis and over half of all patients with possible or probable multiple sclerosis. Up to 20 samples could be simultaneously examined and required the use of only 2–20 μL of unconcentrated CSF containing 10–100 ng of total IgG. The entire procedure from sample application to completion of staining required less than 3 h. The techniques offered exquisite resolution of abnormal immunoglobulin bands and permitted distinction of normal from abnormal CSF readily.     

Beverage-induced enhanced bioavailability of carbamazepine and its consequent effect on antiepileptic activity and toxicity

The present study was undertaken to investigate the food–drug interaction of carbamazepine (CBZ). Common fruit juices [grapefruit juice (GFJ), lime juice (LJ)], known to inhibit the enzyme cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), and some widely consumed beverages [milk (M), black tea (BT)] were involved in this study in the presence of CBZ, as might happen during clinical therapy. The effects of the beverages on the pharmacokinetics and drug-induced toxicity of CBZ was observed after concomitant administration for a period of 28 days. Accordingly, the influence of altered bioavailability of CBZ on its antiepileptic activity was investigated. A significant shift in the C_max as well as T_max of CBZ was observed in the presence of LJ and GFJ. This increase in bioavailability significantly enhanced hepatotoxicity and delayed the onset of tremor and piloerection against pentylene tetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure in experimental animals. However, increased toxicity of CBZ was found to be absent with BT. Thus, from our observation, LJ or GFJ in the presence of CBZ significantly increased the bioavailability of CBZ, which might lead to increased toxicity and antiepileptic activity of the drug.     

Descending cervical mediastinitis: the multidisciplinary surgical approach

European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Descending cervical mediastinitis (DCM) is defined as spread of oropharyngeal or odontogenic infection into the mediastinum. It occurs uncommonly and...     

Liposome clearance in mice: the effect of a separate and combined presence of surface charge and polymer coating

The purpose of our work was to compare the biodistribution of liposomes with different surface properties. Phosphatidylcholine (PC)/cholesterol (Chol) liposomes were prepared containing 6% mol of a charged lipid (stearylamine, SA; phosphatidic acid, PA; or phosphatidyl serine, PS) and/or polyethylene glycol (PEG)-PE of different MW (750 and 5000). ζ-Potentials and liposome clearance in mice were investigated. In vitro, the attachment of PEG in a similar fashion neutralizes the effect of any charged component. In vivo, the chemical nature of a charged lipid becomes important. Both short PEG750 and longer PEG5000 inhibit the clearance of positively charged SA-liposomes, while only longer PEG5000 inhibits the clearance of negatively charged PA-liposomes and none of the PEGs inhibit the clearance of negatively charged PS-liposomes. The opsonins with different molecular size may be involved in the clearance of liposomes containing different charged lipids.