Search

Background Hypohidrosis is defined as diminished sweating in response to an appropriate thermal or sympathetic stimulus. When encountered in a clinical setting, it necessitates an accurate documentation of its pattern and extent to prognosticate the risk of associated heat-related illnesses. This can be achieved by thermoregulatory sweat testing which includes a starch-iodine sweat test that can be administered via various methods. Objective To describe and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a novel method of using an atomizer spray gun in administering the starch-iodine test. Methods We describe the administration of the starch-iodine test via an atomizer spray gun (Series 700 Lab Model; Mitsuba Systems, Mumbai, India). The method was utilized for the evaluation of 30 individuals who presented with symptoms of hypohidrosis. Results Application of iodinated starch powder prepared in-house with the atomizer spray gun achieved a lightweight and homogeneous coat on our patients' skin which allowed for clear visualization of the sweating pattern in areas of anhidrosis. The sharp demarcation of the pathological regions enabled the precise calculation of the affected body surface area of impaired sweating. Unlike the starch-iodine tests using the Minor and Wada methods, neither staining of the skin nor irritation was detected in this method. Conclusion We report a novel method of using an atomizer spray gun to perform the starch-iodine test in a rapid, reproducible, effective, and safe manner suitable for use in the clinical evaluation of hypohidrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) is a transmembrane glycoprotein which mediates the proton-coupled transport of a variety of divalent metal ions. Two isoforms, which differ by the presence (DMT1-IRE) or absence (DMT1-nonIRE) of an iron-responsive element (IRE) in their 3' untranslated region, are implicated in apical iron transport and endosomal iron transport respectively. Although the expression pattern of DMT1 isoforms is tissue specific in adult, data regarding its expression in embryonic tissues are lacking., Methods: Semiquantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry were used to study the mRNA and protein expression of both DMT1 isoforms in embryonic tissues between 8 and 14 weeks gestational age., Results: DMT1-IRE and DMT1-nonIRE expressions were ubiquitous in embryonic tissues examined. In the lung, statistically significant correlations were found between the levels of DMT1 isoform expression and gestational age. In the placenta, DMT1-IRE was the predominantly expressed isoform. Both isoform proteins were localized in embryonic epithelial cellular membrane., Conclusion: Both DMT1 isoforms are ubiquitously expressed in embryonic tissues in the first trimester. Predominant DMT1-IRE isoform expression in placenta suggests an iron-regulatory mechanism reminiscent of that in the adult duodenum. Epithelial distributions of both DMT1 isoforms are associated with the absorptive or excretory functions of the expressed tissues.

Introduction: This study aims to determine the epidemiology of viral warts in children seen at a tertiary referral centre and the treatments used., Materials and Methods: This is a retrospective study of viral warts in children aged 12 years and below seen at the National Skin Centre in the year 2000., Results: There were 302 cases of viral warts, 187 (61.9%) in boys and 115 (38.1%) in girls. The greatest number was seen at age 12 and none were noted in those below 1 year of age. The racial breakdown was as follows: 69.9% Chinese, 13.9% Malays, 11.3% Indians and 4.9% of other ethnic groups. Treatment with liquid nitrogen was used most commonly in 267 (88.4%) cases, with a clearance rate of 48.3%. Electrocautery was used in 11 cases with complete clearance in 8 cases., Conclusion: Viral warts are common in children, but uncommon in infants. There is no difference in distribution of warts among the races in Singapore. Liquid nitrogen and electrocautery are effective treatments of viral warts in children.

In the present study, we compared the pharmacological properties of structurally similar benzylisoquinoline compounds, papaverine, higenamine, and GS 389, using isolated rat aorta and atrial preparations. The three benzylisoquinoline compounds, concentration dependently, relaxed phenylephrine (3 microM) induced contraction of rat aortic rings, with the rank order of potency being higenamine > papaverine > GS 389. They also relaxed high K+ (60 mM) induced contraction, with the rank order of potency being papaverine > GS 389 >> higenamine. The relaxation was not modified by the presence of endothelium. To assess whether these compounds directly interfere with Ca2+ influx, the effects of these compounds on Ca(2+)-induced contraction in Ca(2+)-free media were examined. Among the three compounds, papaverine most strongly inhibited Ca(2+)-induced contraction of both K+ stimulated and phenylephrine-stimulated aorta. Higenamine was least potent in inhibition of Ca(2+)-induced contraction in high K+ depolarized aorta. In atrial tissues, lower concentrations of papaverine increased spontaneous beats and isometric tension, whereas above 30 microM its action was reversed. GS 389 decreased heart rate without affecting the contractility. On the other hand, higenamine concentration dependently increased both heart rate and isometric tension, as well as cyclic AMP levels in atrial tissues as a result of beta-receptor activation. Cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP dependent phosphodiesterases from rat atrial and ventricular tissue homogenates were inhibited by papaverine and GS 389, but not by higenamine. These results suggest that calcium antagonistic action of these compounds is at least in part responsible for vasodilation action, but not for cardiac action.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

We investigated the single- and multiple dose pharmacokinetics of a new controlled-release formulation (Orfil retard enteric coated tablet) of valproic acid in comparison with those of the plain tablet as a reference. Twelve healthy volunteers were given each formulation of 300 mg in the single-dose study. In the steady-state multiple-dose study, twelve epileptic patients received 1200 mg/day of the reference drug (300 mg 9 AM, 300 mg 3 PM, 600 mg 9 PM) and the test formulation (600 mg 9 AM, 600 mg 9 PM) with at least one week interval in cross-over manner. The AUC values of the test controlled release formulation were 91.7% (95% confidence interval: 78.4-100.4%) of the reference drug in the single-dose study and 98.2% (95% confidence interval: 86.2%-109.9%) in the steady-state study. The AUC's of the two formulations were not significantly different by ANOVA test. The Cmax and Tmax values of the test formulation were significantly different from the values of the reference in single-(Tmax: 158.4%, Cmax: 52.5% of the reference) and multiple-dose study (Tmax: 153.5% of the reference). The MRT values of the test formulation were also significantly greater (129.4% of the reference) in the single-dose study. Regarding the controlled-release characteristics of the test formulation, fluctuation index and percentage fluctuation of the twice a day dosage regimen of the test formulation were comparable with those of the thrice a day dosage regimen of the conventional tablet. Area deviation was even smaller in the test regimen of the controlled release formulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Photorelaxation elicited by ultraviolet light (366 nm) was investigated on isolated rat thoracic aorta and trachealis. Rat tracheal smooth muscle but not aorta did not show UV-induced photorelaxation. Both streptozotocin, NO-carrying molecule and N omega-nitro-L-arginine, NO2-carrying molecule significantly enhanced photorelaxation, concentration-dependently, in rat trachealis and aorta. Methylene blue (10 microM) inhibited the potentiation action of streptozotocin and N omega-nitro-L-arginine in both tissues. Superoxide dismutase (300 U/ml) enhanced streptozotocin- and N omega-nitro-L-arginine-potentiated photorelaxation in rat trachealis, while pyrogallol (0.1 mM), a potent O2- generating agent, inhibited streptozotocin-potentiated photorelaxation in trachealis. Streptozotocin was much more effective than N omega-nitro-L-Arginine in potentiating of photorelaxation elicited by UV light in both tissues. From these findings, we conclude that streptozotocin and N omega-nitro-L-arginine produce EDRF like labile substance(s) by UV irradiation.

The role of the endothelium was evaluated in the relaxation of rat and guinea pig aortic rings induced by ascorbic acid. Ascorbic acid relaxed rat and guinea pig aortic rings that were previously contracted with submaximal dose of phenylephrine (PE), in a concentration dependent manner. Removal of the endothelium significantly reduced the sensitivity but not the magnitude of the response to ascorbic acid. Methylene blue, but not propranolol, blocked the endothelial augmentation of vascular relaxation to ascorbic acid. Vessels precontracted with potassium chloride (high K+) were also relaxed by ascorbic acid. Methylene blue also inhibited the response to ascorbic acid in the intact vessels precontracted with high K+. A23187 and acetylcholine, but not ADP, variably caused endothelium dependent component relaxation in guinea pigs, whereas all of these three probes constantly caused it. In Ca(2+)-free medium, Ca(2+)-induced contraction of high K(+)-depolarized rat aorta was inhibited by the presence of ascorbate, which was more pronounced in endothelium intact rings than in endothelium denuded ones. PE-induced contraction in the presence of different concentrations of ascorbate reduced both the sensitivity and the maximal contractile force in rat aorta. Ascorbic acid (0.125-32 mM) did not change the pH in the medium. From these findings, it is speculated that 1) receptor- and potential-operated Ca2+ channels may be modulated by ascorbate, 2) endothelium has a significant role in promoting relaxation induced by ascorbic acid.