Biotransformation of colchicinoids into their corresponding 3-O-glucosyl derivatives by selected strains of Bacillus megaterium.

Natural colchicinoids and their semisynthetic derivatives are important active ingredients for pharmaceutical applications. Thiocolchicoside (3-demethoxy-3-glucosyloxythiocolchicine) is used in several countries as standard therapy for the treatment of diseases of the muscle-skeletal system, due to its potent antiinflammatory and myorelaxant properties. Manufacturing of thiocolchicoside requires a key step, the regioselective demethylation and glucosylation of chemically derivative thiocolchicine.

Reducing effect of a Phaseolus vulgaris dry extract on food intake, body weight, and glycemia in rats.

Extracts of kidney beans ( Phaseolus vulgaris ) are known to reduce food intake and glycemia in rodents and humans. This study evaluated the effect of a novel extract of P. vulgaris on food (regular food pellets, starch-enriched diet, and chocolate-flavored beverage) intake, body weight, and glycemia in rats.

[Neonatal buprenorphine withdrawal syndrome, what is the right therapy?].

Buprenorphine is a new substance now widely used in detoxification of heroin addicts. In this report we describe the case of a newborn baby who suffered from a neonatal withdrawal syndrome characterized by a severe and prolonged course. This syndrome was followed by marked symptoms of impaired neurological development and by epilepsy.

[Comparison of radiology and 24-hour esophageal pH-monitoring in the diagnosis of gastro-esophageal reflux in various pediatric age groups].

We retrospectively examined the 24 hour oesophageal pH study and the upper gastrointestinal (UGI) series of 67 children aged 5 weeks to 15 years. Thirty-seven were suffering from gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER) and 27 from other diseases. Nineteen of them were younger than 6 months, 22 older than 18 months and the remaining 26 ranged from 6 to 18 month old.

[Gastroesophageal reflux and infantile cerebral palsy: our experience and review of the literature].

22 infant and children, all tetraplegic from cerebral palsy were admitted to our hospital for suspected gastroesophageal reflux. This working diagnosis was confirmed in 17 of them (77%) by an upper GI series and/or 24 hour oesophageal pH monitoring. All 17 were treated with medical therapy.