Correlation with larval body size of mRNA levels of growth hormone, growth hormone receptor I and insulin-like growth factor I in larval torafugu Takifugu rubripes

The full-length of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) complementary (c)DNAs encoded by igf-I and igf-II from torafugu pufferfish Takifugu rubripes were cloned in the present study. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two genes showed c. 80% identity each with those of Igf-I and Igf-II from other teleosts, respectively. Two growth hormone (GH) receptors, ghr1 and ghr2, were also cloned in silico using the T. rubripes Fugu genome database. The transcripts of T. rubripes igf-I were detected in slow muscle, heart, skin, gill, liver and intestine but not in fast muscle, spleen and testis of adult fish, whereas those of igf-II were found in all tissues examined. Subsequently, the accumulated messenger (m)RNA levels of igf-I and igf-II were investigated in an F(2) population derived from a male of an apparent fast-growing T. rubripes strain and a wild female T. rubripes together with those of other growth-related genes encoding Gh, Ghr1 and Ghr2, and with those of prolactin (Prl) and leptin (Lep) previously reported. The accumulated mRNA levels of igf-I, gh and ghr1 were significantly correlated to growth rate at larval stages in the population, but not for those of igf-II, prl, ghr2 and lep. Although it is unclear whether or not this phenotype is directly related to the heredity of the fast-growing strain, the findings suggest that the expression of igf-I, gh and ghr1 is involved in the regulation of growth rate at larval stages in T. rubripes.

High Dk piggyback contact lens system for contact lens-intolerant keratoconus patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to examine the clinical success of high Dk (oxygen permeability) piggyback contact lens (PBCL) systems for the correction of contact lens intolerant keratoconus patients.

METHODS

Sixteen patients (29 eyes) who were not able to wear gas-permeable rigid lenses were included in this study. Hyper Dk silicone hydrogel (oxygen transmissibility or Dk/t = 150 units) and fluorosilicone methacrylate copolymer (Dk/t = 100 units) lenses were chosen as the PBCL systems. The clinical examinations included visual acuity and corneal observation by biomicroscopy, keratometer reading, and fluorescein staining before and after fitting the PBCL system.

RESULTS

INDICATIONS FOR USING PBCL SYSTEM WERE: lens stabilization and comfort, improving comfort, and adding protection to the cone. Visual acuities increased significantly in all of the patients compared with spectacles (P = 0). Improvement in visual acuity compared with rigid lenses alone was recorded in 89.7% of eyes and no alteration of the visual acuity was observed in 10.3% of the eyes. Wearing time of PBCL systems for most of the patients was limited time (mean 6 months, range 3-12 months); thereafter they tolerated rigid lenses alone except for 2 patients.

CONCLUSION

The PBCL system is a safe and effective method to provide centering and corneal protection against mechanical trauma by the rigid lenses for keratoconus patients and may increase contact lens tolerance.

Success rates in the correction of astigmatism with toric and spherical soft contact lens fittings

Objectives:

To evaluate success rates in the correction of astigmatism with toric and spherical soft contact lens fitting.

Methods:

30 patients with soft toric lenses having more than 1.25 D of corneal astigmatism (25 eyes; Group A) or having 0.75–1.25 D of corneal astigmatism (22 eyes; Group B) and 30 patients with soft spheric lenses having 0.75–1.25 D of corneal astigmatism (28 eyes; Group C) or less than 0.75 D of corneal astigmatism (23 eyes; Group D) were included in the study. Corrected and uncorrected monocular visual acuity measurement with logMAR, biomicroscopic properties, autorefractometry and corneal topography were performed for all patients immediately before and at least 20 minutes after the application of contact lenses. Success of contact lens fitting was evaluated by three parameters: astigmatic neutralization, visual success, and retinal deviation.

Results:

After soft toric lens application, spheric dioptres, cylindric and keratometric astigmatism, and retinal deviation decreased significantly in Groups A and B (P < 0.05). In Group C, spheric dioptres and retinal deviation decreased (P < 0.05), while cylindric and keratometric astigmatism did not change significantly (P > 0.05). In Group D, spheric dioptres, retinal deviation, and cylindric astigmatism decreased (P < 0.05). Keratometric astigmatism did not change significantly (P > 0.05) and astigmatic neutralization even increased.

Conclusions:

Visual acuity and residual spherical equivalent refraction remained between tolerable limits with the use of toric and spheric contact lenses. Spherical lenses failed to mask corneal toricity during topography, while toric lenses caused central neutralization and decrease in corneal cylinder in low and moderate astigmatic eyes.

Evaluation of autonomic nervous system functions in post-stroke patients

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to investigate whether there is a sympathetic and parasympathetic system dysfunction in hemiplegic or hemiparetic patients after a cerebrovascular accident.

DESIGN

Sympathetic skin response and R-R interval variation were evaluated in a total of 65 subjects: 37 hemiparetic or hemiplegic patients due to a cerebrovascular accident, seven acute (<30 days) and 30 chronic, with a mean age of 59.16 yr (32-76 yr), and 28 healthy subjects with a mean age of 57.07 yr (45-75 yr). Disease duration was 6.89 mo (1-32 mo) in the patient group. Bilateral sympathetic skin responses were recorded with stimulation of median nerves in both affected and unaffected sides. R-R interval variation was evaluated at rest (R%) and during deep breathing (DB%) at six times per minute.

RESULTS

Although there was no significant difference between sympathetic skin response latencies of the patient and the control groups, the amplitude values of sympathetic skin response in patients were significantly lower than those in controls (P < 0.05). Both R% and DB% in patients significantly increased as compared with controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our results suggest that both sympathetic and parasympathetic functions in post-stroke survivors were partially inhibited, and this finding may be useful in the prediction of possible complications during rehabilitation.

Motor, sensory and functional recovery in patients with spinal cord lesions

The aim of this study is to evaluate the sensory, motor and functional improvement in patients with a Spinal Cord Lesion (SCL) by recording at admission, discharge and at 12 months after discharge. Fifty-five patients (29 with paraplegia and 26 with tetraplegia) admitted to our departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation between December 1992-1995. Three patients were excluded as they did not give their consent. Each patient was evaluated at admission, before discharge and at 12 months after discharge. Motor status was evaluated by the motor score (MS), sensory status by the light touch score (LTS), and functional status by the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score. Each patient was asked to complete a patient questionnaire which was developed according to the standards of the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) scale. Twelve patients (10 with paraplegia and two with tetraplegia) were evaluated at 12 months after discharge. Paired samples t-test was used for statistical analysis. The mean age of the patients group was 36.42 +/- 17.70 years, the mean duration of inpatient rehabilitation was 93.87 +/- 44.95 days. The SCL was due to trauma in 45 patients, 86.50% of the cases and was complete in nine patients (17.30%) and incomplete in 19 (36.53%) with paraplegia. Six tetraplegic patients (11.53%) had complete and 18 had (34.61%) incomplete lesions. The evaluation of MS, LTS and FIM scores at admission and discharge showed significant improvement in the MS and LTS in all of the patients with incomplete lesions (P < 0.001). FIM scores showed significant improvement only in those with complete or incomplete paraplegia (P < 0.05). At 12 months follow-up there was no significant change in the MS and the LTS whereas a significant change was noted in the FIM scores (P < 0.05) in 10 paraplegic patients. In summary, the results of this study indicate that rehabilitation was effective in our SCL series although the significant gain may also be attributed to the fact that 71.1% of the study group had incomplete neurological lesions.

Naturally occurring 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. VI. Structures of ardisiaquinones D, E, and F from Ardisia sieboldii

New 1,4-benzoquinone derivatives, ardisiaquinones D(2), E(4), and F(5) along with the known ardisiaquinones A(1) and B(3) have been isolated from the leaves of Ardisia sieboldii (Myrsinaceae) and shown to be 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors. Their structures have been elucidated by spectroscopic analysis and chemical degradation. The degree of inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase activity by the ardisiaquinones and some derivatives of ardisiaquinone A is reported.

Total synthesis of ardisiaquinone A, a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, isolated from Ardisia sieboldii, and degree of 5-lipoxygenase inhibitory activity of its derivatives

Ardisiaquinone A (1), isolated as a potent 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor from the woods of Ardisia sieboldii, has been synthesized efficiently via a cross-coupling reaction between the yne 5 and the iodide 6 derived from the common intermediate 4. Inhibitory activity for 1 and its derivatives is also reported.

Studies on antibacterial agents. III. Synthesis and antibacterial activities of substituted 1,4-dihydro-8-methyl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids

A series of substituted 4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acids having a methyl group at the 8-position was prepared and tested for their antibacterial activity. 7-(trans-3-Amino-4-methyl-1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-cyclopropyl-1,4-dihydro-6- fluoro-8-methyl-4-oxoquinoline-3-carboxylic acid (21) exhibited highly potent antibacterial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa.