Homeopathy for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a pilot randomized-controlled trial.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to carry out a preliminary trial evaluating the effectiveness of homeopathy in the treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Design: This work was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Settings/location: This study was conducted in a private homeopathic clinic in the Seattle metropolitan area.

Unusual cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis with fronto-temporal dementia phenotype.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is an autosomal recessive lipid storage disease caused by a deficiency of the mitochondrial enzyme 27-sterol hydroxylase (CYP27). We report a 53-year-old man, with an unusual phenotype of CTX. He had xanthomas since adolescence.

Efficiency of adeno-associated virus type-2 vectors in non-human primate Schwann cells.

Adult macaque Schwann cells were infected using adeno-associated virus type-2-derived vectors expressing the green fluorescent protein reporter gene under the control of the cytomegalovirus, the hybrid cytomegalovirus-betaactin, the myelin basic protein or the tetracycline-inducible promoters. On the basis of green fluorescent protein expression, gene transfer efficiency was compared in resting and dividing conditions following or not following hydroxyurea or etoposide treatment. Hydroxyurea allowed promoter-dependent expression of green fluorescent protein in infected Schwann cells.

Grafts of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin 3-transduced primate Schwann cells lead to functional recovery of the demyelinated mouse spinal cord.

Experimental studies provided overwhelming proof that transplants of myelin-forming cells achieve efficient remyelination in the CNS. Among cellular candidates, Schwann cells can be used for autologous transplantation to ensure robust remyelination of lesions and to deliver therapeutic factors in the CNS. In the present study, macaque Schwann cells expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) were infected with human immunodeficiency virus-derived vectors overexpressing brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) or Neurotrophin 3 (NT-3), two neurotrophins that also modulate glial cell biology.

A hybrid, broad-spectrum inhibitor of Colorado potato beetle aspartate and cysteine digestive proteinases.

Protein engineering approaches are currently being devised to improve the inhibitory properties of plant proteinase inhibitors against digestive proteinases of herbivorous insects. Here we engineered a potent hybrid inhibitor of aspartate and cysteine digestive proteinases found in the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say. Three cathepsin D inhibitors (CDIs) from stressed potato and tomato were first compared in their potency to inhibit digestive cathepsin D-like activity of the insect.

Functional effects of KCNJ11 mutations causing neonatal diabetes: enhanced activation by MgATP.

Recent studies have shown that heterozygous mutations in KCNJ11, which encodes Kir6.2, the pore-forming subunit of the ATP-sensitive potassium (K(ATP)) channel, cause permanent neonatal diabetes either alone (R201C, R201H) or in association with developmental delay, muscle weakness and epilepsy (V59G,V59M). Functional analysis in the absence of Mg2+, to isolate the inhibitory effects of ATP on Kir6.

Nutritional value of meat: the influence of nutrition and physical activity on vitamin B12 concentrations in ruminant tissues.

An important nutritional characteristic of ruminant meat is its high content in vitamin B12. The variability of these contents is not known. Three studies were been set up in order to test the influence of the animal species (2 studies on Charolais steers slaughtered at 30-32 months of age, n = 24 and n = 30 and a third one on lambs slaughtered at 4.

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) as treatment for depression: a systematic review.

Purpose: To assess the evidence evaluating S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) supplementation as treatment for depression.

Methods: Searches of Medline, Psychinfo, AMED, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were conducted from database inception through September 2001. Randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, intervention studies, case-control studies, reviews, and case reports examining the evidence behind S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) supplementation in depression among humans were selected.

Some aspects of the pyridoxine (vitamin B6) requirement in weanling piglets.

Four trials were carried out to determine the optimal level of dietary pyridoxine (vitamin B6) and its interaction with riboflavin (vitamin B2) in early-weaned piglets. In Trial 1, twelve piglets were tube-fed graded supplements of B6, 0, 10, 50 or 100 mg/kg. The level of 50 mg/kg maximized B6 in red blood cells (P<0.

The role for vitamin B-6 as treatment for depression: a systematic review.

Background: Major depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, and among the 10 most frequent indications for using alternative medicine therapies, especially dietary supplements.

Objective: To assess the evidence evaluating vitamin B-6 supplementation as treatment for depression.

Methods: Medline, Psychinfo, AMED, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched from database inception through September 2001.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of basal cell carcinomas.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. One of the main problems with BCC is the risk of local recurrence of the tumor after treatment. This is mainly due to its irregular outgrowths, which cannot be detected clinically.

Kir6.2 mutations causing neonatal diabetes provide new insights into Kir6.2-SUR1 interactions.

ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels, comprised of pore-forming Kir6.2 and regulatory SUR1 subunits, play a critical role in regulating insulin secretion. Binding of ATP to Kir6.

Sialyl Lewis(x) analogs based on a quinic acid scaffold as the fucose mimic.

(-)-Quinic acid was used as a starting material for the preparation of sialyl Lewis(x) mimetics in order to target E-selectin. Spatial orientation of the hydroxyl groups of quinic acid could mimic the l-fucose ones. Introduction of a side chain ending with a carboxylic acid was effected to replace the sialic acid interaction at the carbohydrate recognition domain.

Fate of supplementary B-vitamins in the gastrointestinal tract of dairy cows.

Four lactating Holstein cows equipped with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in 2 studies to evaluate the disappearance of supplementary B-vitamins before and from the small intestine. The cows were fed a total mixed ration with chromic oxide in 12 daily meals. Each study consisted of a control (no vitamin supplementation) and a treatment period (with vitamin supplementation).

[Medical treatment of an important trachea injury after tracheal intubation].

Tracheal injuries are rare but life threatening complications of anaesthesia. Two therapeutic strategies are presently proposed: a non-surgical strategy for small injuries and a surgical strategy for larger ones. This case report presented the non-surgical therapeutic strategy of a large tracheal injury.

About hemispheric differences in the processing of temporal intervals.

The purpose of the present study was to identify differences between cerebral hemispheres for processing temporal intervals ranging from .9 to 1.4 s.

A gating mutation at the internal mouth of the Kir6.2 pore is associated with DEND syndrome.

Inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir) channels control cell membrane K+ fluxes and electrical signalling in diverse cell types. Heterozygous mutations in the human Kir6.2 gene (KCNJ11), the pore-forming subunit of the ATP-sensitive (K(ATP)) channel, cause permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus.

Digital skin necrosis in congenital afibrinogenaemia associated with hepatitis C virus infection, mixed cryoglobulinaemia and anticardiolipin antibodies.

Congenital afibrinogenaemia is a rare genetic disorder transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait and characterized by the complete absence of fibrinogen in the plasma. We report a 41-year-old woman who suffered from congenital afibrinogenaemia and hepatitis C viral infection and presented with ischaemic necrosis and livedo of the toes. Laboratory investigations showed the presence of mixed cryoglobulinaemia and anticardiolipin antibodies.

[Obstetrical anaesthesia and porphyrias].

Acute hepatic porphyrias are genetic diseases, characterized by acute neurological symptoms, sometimes fatal, triggered by different factors, in particular by many anaesthetic drugs, and also by pregnancy. We report here the experience of three porphyric patients'deliveries, allowing us to consider a proposition of management in this context. After discussion between anaesthesiologist, obstetrician and porphyria specialist, two types of management of such patients can be foresee.

Effect of oral glucosamine on cartilage degradation in a rabbit model of osteoarthritis.

Objective: To determine whether oral glucosamine alleviates cartilage degradation in an animal model of osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: The effect of 8 weeks of daily oral glucosamine hydrochloride on degeneration of articular cartilage was evaluated in rabbits in which anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) was performed to induce OA. Animals were treated with glucosamine (n = 16) or a placebo (n = 16) and necropsied at 11 weeks.

[Trisomy 20 mosaicism revealed by pigmentary mosaicism of the Ito-type].

Introduction: Ito hypomelanosis-type pigmentary mosaicism is characterized by congenital pigmentation disorders along Blaschko's lines. We report a case of Ito-type pigmentary mosaicism associated with a congenital growth hormone deficiency having revealed trisomy 20 mosaicism.

Observation: A 4 year-old boy presented with congenital pigmentation disorders.