Interaction of a polymeric biguanide biocide with phospholipid membranes.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and fluorescence polarization methods have been used to study the interactions between phospholipid membranes and a polymeric biocide, poly(hexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride) (PHMB). It was found that PHMB had very little effect on neutral lipids such as phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), whereas it greatly reduced the phase transition temperature of phosphatidylglycerol (PG), an acidic lipid found in bacteria. Although the corresponding monomeric biocide had a similar effect on the PG bilayer, the behaviour towards mixed lipid bilayers of PC and PG has been shown to be completely different for the polymeric and monomeric biocides: viz.

Seasonal variation of multiple sclerosis exacerbations in Arizona.

We studied 178 MS patients and 82 controls for 5 years. A monthly pattern in in the frequency of exacerbations in Arizona differed from the patterns seen in other regions of the world. Exacerbations were most common in warmer months.

Trauma as an etiologic and aggravating factor in multiple sclerosis.

We carried out a retrospective and prospective epidemiologic study designed to detect an association between trauma and multiple sclerosis in 130 patients and 82 age- and sex-matched controls. Electrical injury was followed by an increased frequency of exacerbation, which did not achieve statistical significance. There was no statistically significant association between other types of trauma and onset or deterioration of the disease.

Anamnestic studies in multiple sclerosis: a relationship between familial multiple sclerosis and neoplasia.

A survey of family histories of malignant neoplasia in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients indicates that a positive history of cancer in near relatives is present in 44 percent of patients and 46 percent of controls. However, those MS patients having such a positive history were much more likely than others to also have a family history of MS. Contrariwise, MS patients with a positive family history of MS had a significantly higher rate of cancer in first degree relatives (71 percent) than others.

Swine influenza vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Swine influenza vaccination was tolerated well by 61 multiple sclerosis patients. A new neurologic symptom developed in one patient, one noticed the recurrence of previous symptoms, and two patients experienced systemic signs of toxicity.

Anesthesia in multiple sclerosis.

The effect of general anesthesia on 42 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients who underwent 88 episodes of general anesthesia was analyzed. One patient experienced a relapse after a procedure under general anesthesia, which is compatible with the natural history of the disease. A literature review revealed little information on this subject or on the use of particular anesthetic agents in MS.

Influenza vaccination in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Vaccination was well tolerated by 93 patients with multiple sclerosis who received a total of 209 doses of influenza vaccine. In one patient, evidence of a new lesion developed after vaccination; the relapse rate was less than would be expected in the natural course of the illness. Toxic and allergic reactions appeared with 7% and 0.

Reversal of dementia in normotensive hydrocephalus after removal of a cauda equina tumor. Case report.

An elderly man presented with signs of normotensive hydrocephalus. Elevated protein content in the spinal fluid led to the diagnosis of an "asymptomatic" cauda equine neurilemoma and its removal. Within 6 weeks the patient's mental status had dramatically improved.

Abnormal lumbar isotope cisternography in an unusual case of spontaneous hypoliquorrheic headache.

The unusual case of spontaneous hypoliquorrheic headache reported here was clinically identical to that originally described by Schaltenbrand. This is the first case to be studied by radioisotope cisternography, which showed that the cerebrospinal fluid flow was essentially normal. However, the radioactivity counts percent decreased rapidly, with simultaneous appearance of high isotope concentration in the urinary bladder.