Sharp curvature of frontal lobe white matter pathways in children with autism spectrum disorders: tract-based morphometry analysis

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Because we had previously observed geometric changes of frontal lobe association pathways in children with ASD, in the present study we analyzed the curvature of these white matter pathways by using an objective TBM analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Diffusion tensor imaging was performed in 32 children with ASD and 14 children with typical development. Curvature, FA, AD, and RD of bilateral AF, UF, and gCC were investigated by using the TBM group analysis assessed by P(FDR) for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

Significantly higher curvatures were found in children with ASD, especially at the parietotemporal junction for AF (left, P(FDR) < .001; right, P(FDR) < .01), at the frontotemporal junction for UF (left, P(FDR) < .005; right, P(FDR) < .03), and at the midline of the gCC (P(FDR) < .0001). RD was significantly higher in children with ASD at the same bending regions of AF (left, P(FDR) < .03, right, P(FDR) < .02), UF (left, P(FDR) < .04), and gCC (P(FDR) < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

Higher curvature and curvature-dependent RD changes in children with ASD may be the result of higher attenuation of thinner axons in these frontal lobe tracts.

Using a custom mega prosthesis to treat hydatidosis of bone: a report of 3 cases

Three cases of hydatidosis of bone with pathological fracture were treated by wide resection, custom mega prosthesis replacement, and chemotherapy. Two patients were females and one was male, with a mean age of 47 years (range, 38-55 years). Two of them had a pathological fracture of the proximal femur, and one had a pathological fracture of the distal femur. All patients were treated postoperatively with albendazole 400 mg, twice daily, for 12 weeks. During the mean follow-up period of 4.5 years, no recurrence of Echinococcal infection was noticed. The use of the custom mega prosthesis technique has not been reported elsewhere, and hydatid disease of the bone can now be considered an extended indication for custom mega prosthesis in addition to its application in surgery for tumours and massive trauma.

A rapid and sensitive extractive spectrophotometric determination of palladium(II) in synthetic mixtures and hydrogenation catalysts using pyridoxal-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone

A rapid and sensitive extractive spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of palladium(II) in synthetic mixtures and hydrogenation catalysts using pyridoxal-4-phenyl-3-thiosemicarbazone (PPT) as an analytical reagent. The reagent forms a red-color complex with the metal at pH 3.0, which is extracted into benzene. The absorbance is measured at 460 nm. The method adheres to Beer's law up to a concentration range of 0.4-6.4 microg cm(-3). The molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity are 2.20 x 10(4) dm3 mol(-1) cm(-1) and 4.85 x 10(-3) microg cm(-2), respectively. The correlation coefficient of the Pd(II)-PPT complex is 0.99, which indicates an excellent linearity between two variables. The detection limit of this method is 0.05 microg cm(-3). The instability constant of the Pd(II)-PPT complex calculated from Edmond and Birnbaum's method is 2.90 x 10(-5) and that of Asmus' method is 2.80 x 10(-5) at room temperature. The concurrent repetition of the method is checked and the relative standard deviation (RSD) (n = 5) was derived as 1.84 percent. The present method was applied to the determination of palladium(II) in synthetic mixtures and hydrogenation catalysts. The results were compared by employing an atomic-absorption spectrometer.

Bioavailability of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide in a triple drug formulation: comparison of plasma and urine kinetics

SETTING

The present study assesses bioavailability indices for rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide when administered to healthy volunteers separately or in a fixed triple-drug formulation, Rifater 125 SCT.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the pharmacokinetics of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide based on their blood concentrations up to 12 hours with the proportions of the doses of the drugs and their metabolites excreted in urine up to 12 hours, and to assess the bioavailability indices for the free and fixed triple drug formulations.

DESIGN

An open cross-over study was conducted in 18 healthy volunteers with normal hepatic and renal functions to whom the drug combinations were administered in free and fixed dose formulations a week apart, to the same subject.

RESULTS

Concentrations of the three drugs/metabolites were assessed in blood and urine. The results indicated the absence of negative pharmacokinetic interactions between the drugs when administered in both the free and the new fixed triple drug formulation.

CONCLUSION

Human bioavailability studies provide direct straightforward information, particularly when studying compounds such as rifampicin and other major anti-tuberculosis drugs. The results of the present study indicate that the pharmacokinetic properties of rifampicin, isoniazid and pyrazinamide as assessed after individual and combined administration do not change when combined in a single pharmaceutical preparation. The bioavailability indices calculated based on plasma concentrations and urinary levels for all three drugs compared well.

Wegener's granulomatosis with complete heart block

We describe a patient with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) who developed complete heart block. Prompt treatment with steroids and cyclophosphamide led to regression of the complete heart block. The patient was left with a persistent first degree atrio-ventricular block, however. Early treatment may obviate the need for permanent pacing in such cases.

Letters

THE IMPORTANCE OF NUTRITION COMPARATIVE STUDIES USING THE PEGASUS AIRWAVE SYSTEM COMPRESSION BANDAGING CORRECTIONS.

Acute renal failure in severe exertional rhabdomyolysis

During the last 6 years, 7 healthy individuals who were reasonably well acclimatised to physical exertion came under observation with acute renal failure due to exercise induced myoglobinuria. Their mean age was 20 years, and renal failure resulted after cross country run of 10-15 km in 6 cases and long route march of 90 km in 3 days in one case. There was no evidence of effects of heat, dehydration or hypotension. Apart from myoglobinuria and significant urinary sediments, serum aldolase (mean 69.0 SL u/ml) and serum creatinine phosphokinase (mean 120.0 Sigma u/ml) were also elevated. Maximum blood urea and creatinine were 224 mg/dl and 13.9 mg/dl respectively. Hypocalcaemia was noticed in 3 cases, hyperkalaemia in 4 cases and hyperuricaemia in one case during the oliguric phase. One case had features of non-oliguric acute renal failure. All cases recovered though 4 cases required dialysis support. Kidney biopsy in 3 cases showed recovering acute tubular necrosis with eosinophilic material in tubules. Lactate studies in the convalescent period revealed normal response and repeat physical exertion of same severity after 6 months did not reproduce the syndrome. It is concluded that exertional rhabdomyolysis unassociated with heat stress is a rare entity, and with prompt diagnosis and energic management results are rewarding.