Effects of feeding 2(3)-tert-butyl 4-hydroxyanisole (BHA) and 3, 5-di-tert-butyl 4-hydroxytoluene (BHT) on the rates of mixed function oxidation and conjugation enzyme reactions have been determined using isolated hepatic microsomal fractions and isolated perfused livers of mice. The treatments with either of the antioxidants have increased the rates of O-demethylation for p-nitroanisole and of O-deethylation for 7-ethoxycoumarin up to 2-fold, both in microsomes and in perfused liver. Analysis of the perfusate showed that the increased amounts of p-nitrophenol and 7-hydroxycoumarin produced by the elevated mixed-function oxidase activities were reflected by the increase in the amounts of glucuronide conjugates and not in the increase for the amounts of the sulfate ester conjugates. Comparison of results also indicated that in the perfused liver, the maximal rate of metabolite conjugation is limited by the maximal rates of the initial mixed function oxidase activities.
Alkylation ; Animal ; Anisoles/metabolism ; Anisoles/pharmacology* ; Butylated Hydroxyanisole/administration & dosage ; Butylated Hydroxyanisole/pharmacology* ; Butylated Hydroxytoluene/administration & dosage ; Butylated Hydroxytoluene/analogs & derivatives* ; Butylated Hydroxytoluene/pharmacology ; Comparative Study ; Coumarins/metabolism ; Female ; Glucuronosyltransferase/metabolism ; Liver/metabolism* ; Mice ; Microsomes, Liver/enzymology ; Microsomes, Liver/metabolism* ; Mixed Function Oxygenases/metabolism ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Perfusion ; Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

Primary malignant lymphoma of the central nervous system which is characterized by high radiosensitiveness is rarely reported in the literature. We have experienced a case of recurred cerebellar lymphoma whose criginal site was septal area. Though septal tumor disappeared completely after radiation, a large cerebellar tumor was found 2 years thereafter. After decompressive suboccipital craniectomy and partial tumor removal the patient's general condition improved so secondary radiation and chemotherapy were started. In the course of port-op therapy, the patient abruptly deteriorated and succumbed.
Central Nervous System ; Cerebellar Neoplasms ; Cerebellum* ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Lymphoma* ; Septum of Brain

PURPOSE: To study the effect of a long-term, oral, fixed dose with a combination of alendronate and calcitriol on the cancellous bone microarchitecture in an ovariectomized rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty eight female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 equal groups: a non-medication group (OVX), and a medication group (ALD). The ALD group was treated with an oral daily fixed dose with a combination of alendronate and calcitriol for six months, starting from 4 weeks after ovariectomy, while the OVX group was given only a placebo. After six months, all animals were sacrificed, and an in vitro micro-CT analysis of the the distal femur was performed. The bone volume fraction (BV/TV), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), trabecular separation (Tb.Sp), trabecular number (Tb.N), structure model index (SMI), connectivity density (Conn.D), and bone mineral density (BMD) were assessed. RESULTS: The ALD group had significantly higher BV/TV, Tb N, BMD and Conn.D and it also had significantly lower Tb Sp and SMI than the OVX group. CONCLUSION: A long term, daily, oral fixed dose with a combination of alendronate and calcitriol could significantly reduce the osteoporotic changes in this ovariectomized rat model.
Alendronate ; Animals ; Bone Density ; Calcitriol ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Ovariectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Central core disease is a rare autosomal dominantly inherited non-progressive congenital myopathy, which is pathologically characterized by the formation of a "core". We report a 28-year-old female with non-progressive muscle weakness, who had a hypotonic posture at birth. The developmental milestones were delayed with her first walking at 18 months of age. She could not run or walk a long distance and weight-bearing tasks were almost impossible. None of her family members showed motor symptoms. An investigation of the electromyography and nerve conduction velocity showed non-specific results. A gastrocnemius muscle biopsy revealed central cores in approximately 70% of myofibers with a type 1 myofiber predominance and deranged sarcolemmal structures. To the best of our knowledge, this is the fifth report of central core disease in the Korean literature.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Muscle Weakness ; Muscle, Skeletal ; Muscular Diseases ; Myopathy, Central Core* ; Neural Conduction ; Parturition ; Posture ; Walking ; Weight-Bearing

Two patients of shunt infection caused by Candida albicans are presented. They were low birth weight premature babies with prolonged antibiotic therapy for the neonatal pneumonia. They were diagnosed as posthemorrhagic and congenital hydrocephalus and underwent ventriculoperitoneal shunt(VPS). Postoperatively fever and setting sun eyes developed and anterior fontanel became tense and bulging within two months after VPS. One patient was documented as C. albicans shunt infection by facteriological study and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and the other patient by bacteriological study only. The authors controlled the C. albicans shunt infection by removal of shunt device and intravenous Amphotericin B. In C. albicans shunt infection, it is important to remove the infected shunt device immediately after the diagnosis and bacteriological study is diagnostic, but SEM plays a role in the demonstration of the fungal elements in the shunt device.
Amphotericin B ; Candida albicans* ; Candida* ; Cranial Fontanelles ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Pneumonia ; Solar System ; Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulation

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA quantitation and detection assay is necessary when monitoring the disease progression or therapeutic effect of viral hepatitis. The TaqMan PCR system (TPS) that was recently developed for HBV DNA quantitation was known for not only capable and exact quantitation but also capable sensitive detection. Therefore, we evaluated the clinical utility of the TPS by comparing it with hybrid capture system (HCS) and nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). METHODS: The dilution test was performed to evaluate reproducibility and the dynamic range of TPS and HCS. Further, the sensitivity of the diluted sera were also compared with TPS, HCS, and nested PCR. The sera of HBsAg positive patients (n=119) were tested to compare the sensitivity of the three methods and the quantity of HBV DNA by TPS and HCS. RESULTS: The TPS showed lower coefficients of variations (TPS, 6.5- 60.4%; HCS, 11.9-61.4%) and a wider dynamic range than HCS in the dilution test. The sensitivity was high in order of nested PCR, TPS and HCS (cover 10(6), 5 X 10(5), and 10(2) of diluted concentration) in the dilution test. But the sensitivity was high in order of TPS, nested PCR, and HCS (89, 68%, and 56%) in the 119 sera of HBsAg positive patients. The TPS and HCS revealed a significant correlation (R=0.90, P<0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The TPS and nested PCR showed higher sensitivity than HCS, and TPS showed better sensitivity than nested PCR in clinical specimens. Also, the TPS showed more quantitation potential than HCS. Thus, it appears useful in accurately defining the viral replication state and antiviral therapeutic effects among persons with HBV infection.
Disease Progression ; DNA ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Hepatitis B virus* ; Hepatitis B* ; Hepatitis* ; Humans ; Polymerase Chain Reaction*

BACKGROUNDDuloxetine is approved for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) in the United States and elsewhere. This study aimed to assess the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of duloxetine in Chinese patients with GAD.

METHODSThis 9-site study consisted of double-blind treatment for 15 weeks either with duloxetine 60 - 120 mg or with placebo. Patients with at least moderately severe GAD and a Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS) global functioning impairment total score ≥ 12 were included in this study. Patients who were randomly assigned to duloxetine received 60 mg for 7 weeks; at that point, for nonresponders the dose was increased to 120 mg for the remaining 8 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was mean change from baseline to endpoint on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale score (HADS-A). Secondary efficacy measures included the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), the SDS, and pain measures. Safety and tolerability were assessed.

RESULTSBaseline characteristics did not differ significantly between treatment groups. Mean age of the subjects (n = 210) was 37.6 years, 50.5% were female, and 74.3% completed the 15 weeks treatment. Patients treated with duloxetine had significantly greater improvement compared to placebo on the HADS-A (mean change -6.6 vs. -4.9, respectively, P = 0.022). Improvement in anxiety was greater with duloxetine treatment at 7 weeks and continued through 15 weeks for both the HADS-A and the HAMA total score (0.01 ≤ P < 0.05). Compared with placebo, duloxetine was also associated with greater improvement on most secondary measures, but not on the SDS global functioning score. Nausea, dizziness, and somnolence occurred significantly more frequently as treatment-emergent adverse events with duloxetine treatment compared with placebo treatment.

CONCLUSIONSDuloxetine 60 - 120 mg once daily is effective and well-tolerated for the treatment of patients with GAD in China.

Adult ; Antidepressive Agents ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Anxiety Disorders ; drug therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Duloxetine Hydrochloride ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thiophenes ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome

Purpose: To provide a new insight on a novel safe cardiac radioablation using deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) to reduce gastrointestinal dose. Materials and Methods: For treating incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT) originated from left ventricle inferior scar abutting the stomach, a target delineation and treatment planning for cardiac radioablation was performed. With four different computed tomography (CT) scan protocols—DIBH, full expiration breath-hold, four-dimensional (4D) CT without and with abdominal compression, the distances between the target and the stomach were compared. Results: Among the protocols, the CT scan with DIBH showed largest distance between the target and the stomach and selected for the treatment planning. The prescribed dose was 25 Gy in a single fraction, and satisfactory dosimetric parameters were achieved with the DIBH. The patient was successfully treated with the DIBH, and experienced no acute toxicity. Conclusion To gain the best benefit from cardiac radioablation, understanding the possible toxicity in the adjacent organs is crucial. By moving the heart with thoraco-diaphragmatic movement by DIBH, the target could be physically separated from the stomach.

Purpose: To provide a new insight on a novel safe cardiac radioablation using deep inspiration breath-hold (DIBH) to reduce gastrointestinal dose. Materials and Methods: For treating incessant ventricular tachycardia (VT) originated from left ventricle inferior scar abutting the stomach, a target delineation and treatment planning for cardiac radioablation was performed. With four different computed tomography (CT) scan protocols—DIBH, full expiration breath-hold, four-dimensional (4D) CT without and with abdominal compression, the distances between the target and the stomach were compared. Results: Among the protocols, the CT scan with DIBH showed largest distance between the target and the stomach and selected for the treatment planning. The prescribed dose was 25 Gy in a single fraction, and satisfactory dosimetric parameters were achieved with the DIBH. The patient was successfully treated with the DIBH, and experienced no acute toxicity. Conclusion To gain the best benefit from cardiac radioablation, understanding the possible toxicity in the adjacent organs is crucial. By moving the heart with thoraco-diaphragmatic movement by DIBH, the target could be physically separated from the stomach.

Numerical and structural chromosomal abnormalities are common in hematological malignancies. Near-triploidy (58-80 chromosomes) is a numerical abnormality observed in 3% of adult cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Near-triploidy is rare in myeloid lineage hematologic malignancies and compared to near-triploidy in lymphoid malignancies, near-triploidy in myeloid malignancies is associated with poor outcomes. Few studies on near-triploidy in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) have been reported, and the clinicopathologic significance of this condition is still unclear. Here, we report a novel case of MDS with near-triploidy and multiple structural chromosomal abnormalities: del(5q) combined with del(1p) and del(13q). These abnormalities were detected by cytogenetic analysis with array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH). Our results suggest that array CGH can be a useful tool for detecting chromosomal abnormalities in patients with MDS.
Aged ; Bone Marrow Cells/pathology ; *Chromosome Deletion ; Comparative Genomic Hybridization ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/*genetics ; Triploidy