Multiple cerebral aneurysms as delayed complication of left cardiac myxoma: a case report and review.

Left cardiac myxoma and also consecutive embolization into the brain is well documented, whereas the association of myxomas with multiple fusiform cerebral aneurysms is rare. We analyze 33 previously reported patients and present a case of a 43-year-old woman with multiple cerebral infarctions 2 years after resection of a recurrent myxoma in the left atrium. Cerebral angiography displayed multiple fusiform aneurysms of several cerebral arteries, including a giant aneurysm of the basilar artery.

Determination of cathinone, cathine and norephedrine in hair of Yemenite khat chewers.

A sensitive and reproducible method for the quantitative determination of cathinone (CTN), norpseudoephedrine (NPE, cathine) and norephedrine (NE) from hair was developed. The compounds were extracted for 4 hours with phosphate buffer pH 2.0, followed by a standard solid phase extraction procedure on a mixed phase column, derivatization with heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA) and GC-MS separation and quantification using D(3)-ephedrine (D(3)-E) and alpha-aminoacetophenone (AAP) as the internal standards.

Calcineurin A and calbindin immunoreactivity in the spinal cord of G93A superoxide dismutase transgenic mice.

A qualitative immunohistochemical study was performed on calcineurin A- and calbindin-positive neurons in the spinal cord of transgenic mice, an animal model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, carrying the G93A mutation of the Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase gene. The results show that calcineurin A-immunoreactive motoneurons are affected by the neurodegenerative process; in contrast, calbindin-positive cells are selectively spared. The findings suggest that calcineurin plays a role as an accessory factor responsible for selective vulnerability in the neurodegenerative process of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Clinicopathological study of atypical motor neuron disease with vertical gaze palsy and ballism.

The case of a 38-year-old patient with rapidly progressing motor neuron disease, complicated by major dysfunction of the extrapyramidal system and of vertical gaze is described. Neuropathological examination revealed a degenerative process that severely affected the lower motor neurons, as well as the neurons of the pars compacta of the substantia nigra, the nucleus of Darkschewitsch, the nucleus interstitialis of Cajal, the colliculi superiores, and the pallidum. The long tracts were unaffected at all levels of the brain stem and spinal cord.

The O-demethylation of the antidementia drug galanthamine is catalysed by cytochrome P450 2D6.

Galanthamine proved effective in symptomatic treatment of senile dementia of Alzheimer's type. The aim of this study was to elucidate the metabolism of galanthamine. Two novel metabolites of galanthamine have been isolated from the urine of eight young men after single doses of 10-15 mg.

[Molecular biology findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

At presently, the etiology and pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are unknown. In recent years, the genetic background of hereditary motor neuron diseases has been partly defined. In particular, these advances represent an opportunity to improve our understanding of the pathogenesis of the familial and sporadic forms of ALS and thus provide a basis for rational therapeutic approaches.

Skin involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Background: Patients with sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) show disorganised collagen and elastin of the dermis. We looked for inflammatory alterations to cutaneous blood vessels.

Patients And Findings: Seven patients with sporadic ALS were investigated; five were confined to bed, but none had bedsores.

Cu,Zn SOD in German families with ALS.

We studied the gene for Cu,Zn SOD in 15 German patients with familial ALS and did not find any mutation. Activity of the enzyme and its expression at the protein level was also normal in each patient and in 18 patients suffering from the sporadic form of ALS.

Pharmacokinetics of galanthamine in humans and corresponding cholinesterase inhibition.

Measurements were done to determine the plasma concentrations of galanthamine and two of its metabolites, as well as the corresponding inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity in erythrocytes after applying 5 and 10 mg galanthamine hydrobromide as a constant-rate intravenous infusion for 30 minutes and single oral doses of 10 mg in eight healthy male volunteers. The data obtained revealed first-order pharmacokinetics, complete oral bioavailability, and a mean terminal half-life of 5.68 hours (95% confidence interval, 5.

[Relaxation times and proton density of the healthy kidney and its lesions and graphic view of T2 decay].

Kidney diseases, healthy kidney tissue and adjacent organs like liver, musculature and fatty tissue were evaluated in respect to their T1-, T2-relaxation times and proton density values. In addition the results of an evaluation of T2-short, T2-long, Rho-short, Rho-long, which were calculated from the T2-relaxation times, are reported. The T2-times are very sensitive in demonstrating differences between the tissues, as significantly different values for healthy kidney tissue and hypernephromas could be found.

The relationship between lactate and ventilatory thresholds: coincidental or cause and effect?

To determine if blood lactate (LA) is the stimulus responsible for 'breakaway' ventilation (VE), the lactate (LT) and ventilation (VT) thresholds were monitored during one-legged cycling exercise. Ten healthy volunteer male subjects (Mean 2-legged VO2max = 4.27 l X min-1) performed prior exercise (PE) to reduce muscle glycogen stores by cycling at 75-85% of maximal heart rate (HR max) for 60-75 min, followed by a 30 h low carbohydrate diet.