Anaprox in dysmenorrhea: reduction of pain and intrauterine pressure

In a double-blind parallel trial, 24 dysmenorrheic women received a single dose of Anaprox (1,100 mg) or placebo. Over the next 2 hours, pain intensity was scored and intrauterine pressure was measured using an immobilized microballoon. At the end of 2 hours, all 11 patients given Anaprox (but only three of the 13 given placebo) experienced complete pain relief (p = 0.0004). The resting intrauterine pressure (IUP) decreased from a mean of 51.4 to 26.8 mm Hg in the Anaprox-treated group, while in the placebo group the mean resting IUP values remained essentially unchanged ( drop from 55.4 to 51.9 mm Hg was observed). This difference between the two treatment groups was statistically significant in favor of Anaprox (p = 0.03). Several patients from each group were given 0.2 mg of ergonovine by intramuscular injection following the 2 hour trial. In both groups, the resting IUP increased within 30 minutes; the corresponding increase in pain intensity was more pronounced, however, in the placebo group. These results support the premise that a decrease in resting IUP is directly linked to the pain-relieving effects of Anaprox.

Purification and partial characterization of an antibiotic produced by Myxococcus coralloides

A strain of Myxococcus coralloides producing an antibiotic capable of inhibiting growth of Gram-positive bacteria was isolated. Antibiotic production occurred during vegetative growth but not during myxospore formation. The antibiotic was extracted from the growth medium with chloroform and purified by adsorption on silicic acid and by preparative silica gel thin-layer chromatography. The purified antibiotic showed a resistance to heat, acid, alkali and proteolytic enzymes. Chromatographic and electrophoretic behavior as well as infrared, ultraviolet and mass spectra are presented.

[Articular and muscular manifestations of bacterial endocarditis. 11 cases (author's transl)]

We report 11 cases of bacterial endocarditis with muscular and articular manifestations seen over the past ten years. There was arthralgia in 7 cases, vertebral pain in 7 cases and myalgia in 3 cases. Arthritis consisted of a monoarthritis of the ankle in 2 cases and oligoarthritis in 2 cases. There were also 2 cases of lumbar spondylodiscitis and 1 of finger clubbing in the series. The underlying heart disease was a valvular lesion of the left side of the heart in 10 cases out of 11 and the organism isolated by blood culture was a streptococcus in 9 cases and a staphylococcus in 11. We emphasis the need for early diagnosis and appropriate antibiotic therapy, in the absence of which the course may be fatal in the short term, as it was the case in one of our own patients.

Effects of cloprednol and other corticosteroids on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function

The effects of cloprednol and other corticosteroids on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) function were studied in healthy subjects after administration of a single oral dose of corticosteroid at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m., and after daily 6 a.m. administration of corticosteroids at various doses for seven days. The degree of HPA suppression was assessed by metyrapone tests (METP), insulin hypoglycaemia tests (IHT) and 6 a.m. fasting plasma cortisol concentrations. Regardless of the corticosteroid tested, 6 p.m. dosing was at least four-fold more suppressive of METP response than 6 a.m. administration. At therapeutically equivalent doses, single doses of triamcinolone and dexamethasone were more suppressive of HPA-axis function than cloprednol, hydrocortisone or prednisolone, After 6 a.m. administration for seven days, 12-5 mg of cloprednol did not impair the cortisol response to IHT or interfere with the METP response. The clinically equivalent dose of prednisolone (25 mg) resulted in slightly greater HPA-axis suppression. All doses of dexamethasone (0-5, 3-75 and 6-0 mg) and of betamethasome (2-0, 4-0 and 6-5 mg) were more suppressive of HPA-axis function than either cloprednol or prednisolone. These results suggest that at equipotent anti-inflammatory doses, cloprednol is slightly less suppressive of HPA-axis function than prednisolone, and both cloprednol and prednisolone are much less suppressive than dexamethasone or betamethasone.

Metabolic effects of cloprednol-a new systemic corticosteroid

The short-term metabolic effects of cloprednol, a new short-acting synthetic corticosteroid, were evaluated in four normal subjects. Cloprednol, 12.5 mg/day, in one subject had no appreciable effect on urinary excretion of sodium, potassium, nitrogen, or calcium. Cloprednol, 20 mg/day, in three subjects had no significant effect on mean daily urinary sodium and potassium excretion, although mild, transient sodium retention and kaliuresis were observed. One subject had increased nitrogen excretion and all three had a small increase in calcium excretion. Prednisolone, 40 mg/day, a dose with antiinflammatory potency equivalent to 20 mg/day cloprednol, given subsequently to two subjects under identical conditions resulted in sodium and potassium excretion results similar to those of cloprednol, 20 mg/day, but produced a much greater increase in nitrogen and calcium excretion. These results suggest that, like prednisolone, cloprednol lacks the sodium-retaining properties of hydrocortisone and raise the possibility that cloprednol has less of a deleterious effect on nitrogen and calcium excretion than prednisolone.

Intrathoracic ectopic kidney: report of a case

A case of intrathoracic ectopic kidney is reported and the literature is reviewed. Intrathoracic ectopic kidney is a rare developmental anomaly. The surgeon should be fully aware of this anomaly in order to make a correct diagnosis before an ill-advised thoracotomy is performed.

Miniature Subcutaneous Frequency-Modulated Transmitter for Brain Potentials

A device for broadcasting electrical signals from the brain of an animal is described. It is small enough to be implanted under the animal's skin. That signals are broadcast without distortion is shown by the comparison of a broadcast recording of an electrocorticogram of a cat with a simultaneous recording made directly with wire leads.