CNS changes in three cases of neuro-Behçet's disease were observed by computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). The present study illustrates the reversibility of lesions in the brain stem with MR, while CT failed to show any abnormal findings in the region of the disease. We conclude that MR is a quite useful method to detect lesions in the brain stem and to evaluate the effects of treatment in neuro-Behçet's disease. SPECT is also an important method for the evaluation of dementia recognized in neuro-Behçet's disease.

Behcet Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

CT, MR, and SPECT findings in a general paresis.

CNS changes in a case with general paresis were investigated by X-ray computed tomography (CT), Magnetic resonance (MR), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). CT and MR showed a mild degree of diffuse cortical atrophy and the dilatation of lateral ventricles with no signs of ischemic lesions or inflammations. On the other hand, SPECT using 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP demonstrated marked reduction of the cerebral blood flow especially in the bilateral frontal and temporal cortices. Moreover, the reduction of the blood flow was significantly improved after the antisyphilitic therapy, correlated with the improvement of the mental disorders. These observations suggested that the SPECT is a useful method to evaluate the brain dysfunctions, and to assess the effect of antisyphilitic therapy in the patients with general paresis.

Amphetamines↗

PubMedDate not supplied

MKC-242, a novel 5-HT1A receptor agonist, facilitates cortical acetylcholine release by a mechanism different from that of 8-OH-DPAT in awake rats.

We have previously reported that 5-¿3-[((2S)-1,4-benzodioxan-2-ylmethyl)amino]propoxy¿-1,3-be nzodioxole (MKC-242), a potent and selective serotonin (5-HT)1A receptor agonist, exerts anxiolytic- and antidepressant-like effects in animal models and that the antidepressant-like effect may be mediated by postsynaptic 5-HT1A receptors. The present study, using a microdialysis technique, was undertaken to characterize in vivo the effect of MKC-242 on cholinergic neurons. Subcutaneous injection of MKC-242 (0.5-1.0 mg/kg), like the typical 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin (8-OH-DPAT), increased extracellular acetylcholine (ACh) levels in the rat cerebral cortex. The increase in ACh release by MKC-242 was also observed in the hippocampus. The effect of MKC-242 on cortical ACh release was attenuated by pretreatment with the 5-HT1A receptor antagonists (10 mg/kg, s.c.) propranolol and N-tert-butyl-3-(4-(2-methoxyphenyl)piperazin-1-yl)-2-phenylpropana mide. The increase in cortical ACh release by MKC-242 was blocked by lesion of serotonergic neurons with 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine, whereas that by 8-OH-DPAT was not. Lesion of noradrenergic neurons with N-(2-chloroethyl)-N-ethyl-2-bromobenzylamine did not affect the MKC-242-induced increase in ACh release. These results suggest that systemic injection of MKC-242 facilitates in vivo ACh release via an activation of somadendritic 5-HT1A autoreceptors, and that MKC-242 and 8-OH-DPAT affect cholinergic neurons in the rat cerebral cortex via different mechanisms.

5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Musical hallucinations in schizophrenia.

There have been many reports of musical hallucinations in deafness, organic brain disease and epilepsy, but few reports of their occurrence in schizophrenia. Musical hallucinations tend to be regarded as specific manifestations of deafness and organic brain disease rather than of schizophrenia. However, since schizophrenic musical hallucinations are less distressing to schizophrenic patients than verbal hallucinations and psychiatrists have little interest in them, they may be missed. We treated schizophrenic patients who experienced musical hallucinations and traced the symptomatic changes. They exhibited semeiological changes similar to the changes in verbal hallucinations. Musical hallucinations are clearly a symptom of schizophrenia. By reporting these cases, we encourage concern about this symptom, which may be missed when psychiatrists interview patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

The role of endogenous gastrin in the development of enterochromaffin-like cell carcinoid tumors in Mastomys natalensis: a study with the specific gastrin receptor antagonist AG-041R.

We examined the effects of a newly synthesized gastrin receptor antagonist, AG-041R, on the growth of enterochromaffin-like (ECL) carcinoid tumors in Mastomys natalensis both in vitro and in vivo. AG-041R was as potent as the well known gastrin antagonist L365,260 in inhibiting not only the gastrin-induced release of histamine from but also histidine decarboxylase (HDC) gene expression in the ECL carcinoid tumor cells. AG-041R also inhibited gastrin-induced DNA synthesis and c-fos gene expression in the tumor cells. Furthermore, AG-041R significantly inhibited the growth of the transplanted Mastomys ECL carcinoid tumors in vivo. From these data, it is concluded that endogenous gastrin is involved in the growth of ECL carcinoid tumors in Mastomys natalensis. Moreover, AG-041R is shown to have a potential as an anti-neoplastic agent for ECL carcinoid tumor of the stomach.

2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Adjuvant treatment in colorectal cancer. Experience from a referral center in eastern peninsular Malaysia.

BACKGROUND: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in the West, but in Asia the incidence is low. However in Malaysia, colorectal cancer is increasing with a reported figure of 15% of all cancer cases. Adjuvant chemo and radiotherapy are now more frequently used in such patients. The present retrospective analysis was performed to document the effect of such therapy among patients with colorectal cancer in Malaysia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study on the use of adjuvant treatment in colorectal cancers. Patients with histopathological evidence of risk factors were subjected to adjuvant radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. Cancers confined to rectum and rectosigmoid were subjected to pelvic radiotherapy to a tumor dose of 45 Gy in 20 fractions over 4-week period. 5-flurouracil based chemotherapy was predominantly offered for colonic cancers. RESULTS: One hundred thirty patients with colorectal cancers received adjuvant treatment with a median age of 58 years (range 22-76 years). The male to female ratio was 1.4:1. There were 76% Malays, 19% Chinese, 2% Indians and 3% Siamese subjects in this study. Modified Dukes' stage B2 (28%) and C (38%) constituted the majority, which were distributed in rectum (40%), rectosigmoid (19%), and in the remaining colon (41%). Thirty-one patients received 5-fluorouracil with folinic acid based regime and 35 patients received 5-fluorouracil with levamisole based regimen. Locoregional radiotherapy was offered to 56 (43%) patients. Following treatment, the 2-year actuarial survival was 28% and 54% in colon and rectum cancer respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that colorectal cancer is not infrequent among Malays in this region and rectal cancers had better survival than the colonic cancers.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Alpha-adrenoceptor antagonistic effects and antihypertensive activity of SGB-1534 in conscious normotensive and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive dogs: comparison with prazosin.

In conscious normotensive and deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertensive dogs, alpha-adrenoceptor antagonistic and antihypertensive actions of SGB-1534, given orally, were compared with those of prazosin. SGB-1534 and prazosin did not markedly influence systemic blood pressure (SBP) and heart rate (HR) in normotensive dogs. These alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonists inhibited SBP and HR increases induced by i.v. adrenaline in a dose-dependent manner. In DOCA-salt hypertensive dogs, persistent hypotension, accompanied by a reflex tachycardia, occurred after oral administration of SGB-1534 and prazosin. The hypotensive activity of SGB-1534 was much more potent in magnitude and duration than that of prazosin. In isolated canine mesenteric and femoral arteries, SGB-1534, compared to prazosin, elicited a more potent inhibition on the contractile response to a relatively selective alpha 1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine. It appears that the antihypertensive activity of SGB-1534, like prazosin, is nearly in parallel with its alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonistic effect.

Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists↗