Formulation and in Vitro-in Vivo Evaluation of Sustained-Release Lithium Carbonate Tablets

The release of lithium carbonate incorporated into polymethylmethacrylate, poly vinyl chloride, hy-drogenated vegetable oil, and carbomer matrix tablets was studied in vitro. The formulation containing 10% carbomer showed a sustained-release profile comparable to that of a standard, commercially available, sustained-release preparation containing 400 mg lithium carbonate embedded in a composite material. In vivo the newly formulated and standard sustained-release lithium carbonate tablets were compared to an oral solution and conventional lithium carbonate tablets in 12 healthy subjects. These crossover studies showed that the sustained-release tablets produced a flatter serum concentration curve than the oral solution and conventional tablet, without loss of total bioavailability.     

Hypothalamic hamartoma with bilateral anophthalmia

Introduction Hypothalamic hamartomas are congenital malformations. Clinically, they can be asymptomatic, but they cause seizures, mental retardation and precocious puberty in many cases. Case report A 20-day-old boy with hypothalamic hamartoma and bilateral anophthalmia was presented. Except those, no other congenital anomaly was detected. Conclusion This is a rare case of hypothalamic hamartoma with bilateral anophthalmia. The mutations at SOX2 has an important role in the developing brain and eyes.     

Pattern electroretinography and visual evoked potentials in optic nerve diseases.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate transient pattern electroretinography (PERG) and pattern visual evoked potential (VEP) for the diagnosis, differential diagnosis and follow-up of optic nerve diseases. METHODS: Twenty-nine consecutive patients (14 female, 15 male) with the diagnosis of ischaemic optic neuropathy (n=14) and optic neuritis (n=15) were included in this study. Mean age of the patients with ischaemic optic neuropathy was 63.3+/-3.3 (60-78) years and the mean age of the patients with optic neuritis was 28.3+/-8.4 (19-43) years. In each patient ophthalmological examination and systemic evaluation were done and VEP and PERG were recorded. As a control group, VEP recordings of 35 healthy subjects were included. RESULTS: In the ischaemic optic neuropathy group (group 1), mean VEP amplitude (+/-SD) (1.96+/-0.95 microV) was found to be decreased significantly in the affected eyes in comparison to the control group and the unaffected eyes. The delay in latency (116.3+/-20.14 msec in the affected eyes compared with 101.31+/-6.19 msec in unaffected eyes) was statistically significant when compared with the healthy subjects. In the optic neuritis group (group 2), VEP amplitude was decreased (4.13+/-4.04 microV vs 6.97+/-3.35 microV and 6.97+/-4.43 microV) and latency was increased (122.59+/-20.09 msec vs 101.31+/-6.19 msec and 108.76+/-13.57 msec) in affected eyes significantly in comparison to the unaffected eyes and control group, respectively. Even though there were no significant differences for P50 latency and N95/P50 ratios between affected and unaffected eyes in both groups, N95 amplitude decreased significantly in the affected eyes of the ischaemic optic neuropathy patients and N95 latency was found to be decreased in optic neuritis patients. There was no correlation between VEP and PERG findings in both groups. CONCLUSION: VEP amplitude decreased significantly in ischaemic optic neuropathies while latency delay was more significant in patients with optic neuritis. PERG findings showed decreased N95 amplitude in ischemic optic neuropathy without associated latency changes.     

Bacterial endocarditis of systemic atrioventricular valve (tricuspid valve) in corrected transposition and its surgical treatment.

We describe a case of congenitally corrected transposition of great arteries (CCTGA). Tricuspid valve replacement was performed due to valve dysfunction following bacterial endocarditis. After two weeks' antibiotic therapy haemodynamic stabilisation was obtained and the patient was operated in the third week. On cardiopulmonary bypass with 28 degrees C degree systemic hypothermia, the left atrium was approached transeptally. At exploration, the systemic atrioventricular valve was tricuspid valve and pulmonary atrioventricular valve was in shape of a mitral valve. The posterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve was ruptured and vegetations above it were observed. The valve was excised and a 29 mm St-Jude mechanical heart valve prosthesis implanted using a teflon reinforced separated suture technique. After operation the patient recovered rapidly and following six weeks' antibiotic therapy, the patient was discharged.     

Adiponectin levels and atherosclerotic risk factors in pediatric chronic peritoneal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND: Atherosclerotic vascular diseases are the major cause of mortality in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) treated with chronic peritoneal dialysis (CPD), even in children. Adiponectin (ADPN) is a recently discovered adipocyte-derived plasma protein having anti-atherogenic properties. ADPN levels are elevated in ESRD but it has been reported that ESRD patients with low plasma ADPN levels have a high risk of cardiovascular death. OBJECTIVE: To clarify the atherosclerotic risk and especially the significance of ADPN levels in pediatric patients on CPD. DESIGN: Cross-sectional studyin the pediatric peritoneal dialysis unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: 18 children, aged 12.6 +/- 5.6 years, being treated with CPD and 20 healthy age- and sex-matched control subjects were enrolled in this study. METHODS: Serum ADPN levels and other risk factors, including blood pressure, blood glucose, serum lipid/lipoprotein fractions, apolipoprotein B, C-reactive protein (CRP), lipoprotein(a), and homocysteine levels, were studied in CPD patients and compared to the controls. RESULTS: Serum ADPN levels were three times higher in the CPD group compared to the control subjects, as was previously reported. Apolipoprotein B and CRP levels were also high in the CPD group. No significant difference was found in other atherosclerotic parameters, including lipoprotein(a) and homocysteine levels. Interestingly, we found a negative correlation between log ADPN and creatinine levels among the CPD patients (r = -0.54, p < 0.05). There was no correlation between log ADPN and duration of CPD. Creatinine and low-density lipoprotein levels could account for 54% of the total variation in ADPN levels. CONCLUSION: Among pediatric CPD patients, serum levels of the anti-atherogenic protein, ADPN, were inversely associated with creatinine. ADPN level might be a novel marker to predict prognosis in pediatric CPD patients.     

Effects of topical application of methotrexate on nasal mucosa in rats: a preclinical assessment study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to investigate dose-dependent effect of the topical application of methotrexate (MTX) in rats on the normal nasal mucosa, liver tissue, liver enzymes, and hemoglobin levels. STUDY DESIGN: Preclinical animal study. SETTING: Twenty male adult wistar albino rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=5). A single puff of MTX (2.5 microg) was applied to both nasal cavities 2 times a day. The animals were given MTX 1 day a week in group 1, 3 days a week in group 2, and 5 days a week in group 3. Control group animals were given 1 puff of physiologic saline to both nasal cavities 5 days a week and 2 times a day. After 28 days, liver biopsies, blood samples, and 5 nasal mucosal biopsies were taken. Histological examination was made with respect to certain parameters semiquantitatively (grade 0-3). The aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels and hemoglobin counts were studied from blood samples. RESULTS: There are no statistically significant differences with respect to histopathological parameters between the control group and the groups 1-3 (P>0.05). Histopathological examination of liver tissue did not reveal any evident difference between the control and study groups. Mean AST and ALT as liver function tests and hemoglobin counts were within normal limits. Topical application of MTX at these doses has no toxic effect on the nasal mucosa, the liver tissue, AST and ALT levels, and hemoglobin level. CONCLUSIONS: These results have been encouraging to investigate use of the topical application of MTX in nasal manifestation of autoimmune disease or addition of the topical application of MTX to the steroid treatment in cases with massive nasal polyposis resistant to steroids and prone to recurrence.     

Adjunctive low-dose doxycycline therapy effect on clinical parameters and gingival crevicular fluid tissue plasminogen activator levels in chronic periodontitis

Objective and design: The present study examined effectiveness of low-dose doxycycline (LDD) in combination with nonsurgical therapy on gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) levels and clinical parameters in chronic periodontitis (CP) a over 12-month period. Methods: GCF samples were collected, probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), gingival index (GI) and plaque index were recorded at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. CP patients (n = 65) were randomized to LDD or placebo groups. LDD group received LDD (20 mg) b.i.d for 3-months plus and root planing (SRP), while placebo group was given placebo capsules b.i.d for 3-months plus SRP. GCF t-PA levels were determined by ELISA. Friedman, Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Significant improvement was observed in all clinical parameters in both groups over 12-month period (p < 0.01). LDD group had lower PD, CAL and GI scores than placebo group at 6, 9 and 12-months (p < 0.05). GCF t-PA levels reduced in both groups over 12-month period (p < 0.01). LDD group had lower GCF t-PA levels than placebo group at 6 and 9-months (p < 0.05). Conclusions: These results provide additional information about usefulness of LDD therapy as an adjunct to nonsurgical therapy in long-term management of periodontitis. Received 8 May 2006; returned for revision 13 June 2006; accepted by J. Di Battista 12 July 2006