Hair Shaft Abnormalities as a Dermoscopic Feature of Mycosis Fungoides: Pilot Results.

Introduction: Diagnosis of persistent erythematous, scaly patches, or plaques can be complex since psoriasis (Ps), eczematous dermatitis (ED), and mycosis fungoides (MF) can be considered. Dermoscopy, which is a noninvasive diagnostic tool, is commonly used to examine blood vessels, scales, and background color; however, research on hair shaft evaluation in inflammatory dermatoses remains scarce. The aim of the study was dermoscopic evaluation of hair shafts in skin lesions localized on the non-scalp skin areas in patients diagnosed with MF, Ps, and ED.

Cutaneous T-cell lymphoma in erythrodermic cases may be suspected on the basis of scalp examination with dermoscopy.

Erythrodermic variants of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTLC) are one of the case of erythroderma. The aim of the study was to assess the value of scalp dermoscopy in differentiation between erythrodermic CTCL, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis. A total of 76 patients were included into the study (16 patients with erythrodermic CTCL, 20 patients with psoriatic erythroderma, 20 with erythrodermic atopic dermatitis, and 20 healthy volunteers).

miR-132 Regulates Dendritic Spine Structure by Direct Targeting of Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 mRNA.

Mir-132 is a neuronal activity-regulated microRNA that controls the morphology of dendritic spines and neuronal transmission. Similar activities have recently been attributed to matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an extrasynaptic protease. In the present study, we provide evidence that miR-132 directly regulates MMP-9 mRNA in neurons to modulate synaptic plasticity.

Concomitant administration of simvastatin with ivabradine in contrast to metoprolol intensifies slowing of heart rate in normo- and hypercholesterolemic rats.

Introduction: β-Blockers play a significant role in therapeutic heart rate (HR) management and angina control. In patients who are unable to tolerate β-blockers ivabradine could be particularly useful. The aim of the study was to establish whether concomitant administration of simvastatin with ivabradine or metoprolol had any effect on rat HR and blood pressure (BP).

Effects of 4-week administration of simvastatin in different doses on heart rate and blood pressure after metoprolol injection in normocholesterolaemic and normotensive rats.

Introduction: Statins and β1-adrenergic antagonists are well established in cardiovascular events therapy and prevention. The previous study showed that statins might impact on β-adrenergic signalling and blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of 4-week administration of simvastatin given at different doses on the heart rate and blood pressure after injection of metoprolol in rats.

The influence of high-dose simvastatin and diltiazem on myocardium in rabbits: a haemodynamic study.

Introduction: Simvastatin and diltiazem are often prescribed together for the treatment of hypercholesterolaemia in patients with hypertension and/or angina pectoris. However, diltiazem, a CYP3A inhibitor, is a well-recognized risk factor of skeletal muscle myopathy. It is not known whether such interaction also affects myocardial efficiency causing haemodynamic changes.

Stability studies of expired tablets of metoprolol tartrate and propranolol hydrochloride. Part 2. Dissolution study.

The objective of the current study was to determine tablet content and perform dissolution test of expired tablets and tablets which expiry date has not exceeded. The analyzed tablets contained metoprolol tartrate (50 mg) and propranolol hydrochloride (10 mg), respectively. Content determination was performed using spectrophotometric method with UV detection; the percent of dissolved substance from tablets during dissolution test was performed using spectrophotometric method, as well.

Stability studies of expired tablets of metoprolol tartrate and propranolol hydrochloride. Part 1. Content determination.

In recent years the growing interest in drug stability problem has been observed. The stability of pharmaceutical products seems to play an important role from the economical point of view. However, there are not many studies that reported about the stability of drugs past their expiration dates.

Dose-dependent influence of two-week administration of simvastatin and metoprolol injection on the blood pressure in normocholesterolemic rats.

Unlabelled: Beta-blockers are widely used in clinical practice. It is connected with their multiple cardiac effects: slowing heart rate, decrease of myocardial contractility and lowering of systemic blood pressure. Early use of beta-blocker in acute myocardial infarction reduces the risks of reinfarction and ventricular fibrillation.

Interaction between different doses of simvastatin after two-week administration and metoprolol injection on the heart rate in normocholesterolemic rats.

Unlabelled: Heart rate slowing is the beneficial effect after beta-blocker administration in cardiac heart failure and ischemic heart disease. However, bradycardia and another cardiac disturbances after beta-blockers therapy are the most dangerous side effects. Many patients with cardiovascular diseases receiving beta-blockers are recommended to statin therapy, as well.

Statins: a new insight into their mechanisms of action and consequent pleiotropic effects.

In the recent years, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A(HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors have emerged as the most important class of lipid-lowering agents. Through inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase, they restrict the rate-limiting step of cholesterol synthesis resulting in up-regulation of low density lipoproteins (LDL) receptors on the cell membrane and reduction of atherogenic LDL consequences. The wide spectrum of non-lipid-mediated pleiotropic effects of statins includes: improvement of endothelial dysfunction, increased nitric oxide bioavailability, antioxidant effects, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, stabilization of atherosclerotic plaques and inhibition of cardiac hypertrophy.

The influence of simvastatin at high dose and diltiazem on myocardium in rabbits, the biochemical study.

3-Hydroxy-3-methyl-glytaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors ("statins") have been proved to be extremely useful in the management of hypercholesterolemia, as well as in prevention of primary and secondary coronary heart disease. However, they may produce rare but severe muscle-related symptoms such as myopathy and rhabdomyolysis. Recent findings in vitro have shown that statins can reduce cardiomyocyte viability.

Influence of simvastatin at high dose and nifedipine on hemodynamic parameters in rabbits.

Recent findings in vitro have shown that statins could reduce cardiomyocyte viability. The correlation between statin cardiotoxicity, assessed in vitro, and cardiac efficiency, investigated in vivo has not been estimated so far. The aim of the present experiment was to establish the impact of high-dose simvastatin on the hemodynamic parameters, especially on myocardium efficiency, after continuous infusion of dopamine.

Drug-induced myopathies. An overview of the possible mechanisms.

Myopathy is usually a non-fatal muscle disease involving skeletal muscle weakness, tenderness and pain with the possibility of the plasma creatinine kinase elevation. There are many different types of myopathies, some of which are genetic, inflammatory, or related to endocrine dysfunction. Also, numerous drugs have been reported to possess myotoxic effect.