In order to evaluate clinical efficacy of D-penicillamine (DP) a double-blind study was conducted by the Metalcaptase Research Group consisting of forty-one rheumatological centers in Japan. A total of 179 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) was divided into two groups; one treated with 5 mg (control group) and the other with 100 mg (drug group) of DP in capsule form. The trial lasted 24 weeks. Global judgment by physicians revealed that improvement was found in 27% in the controls and 65% in the drug group. Adverse reactions occurred in 34% of the controls and 49% of the drug group. Skin rashes, taste disturbances, gastrointestinal upset and proteinuria were frequent in the drug group, but severe or fatal reactions could not be seen in this trial.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Application of highly polymorphic DNA markers to the identification of HeLa cell sublines.

Polymorphic DNA markers were used to identify eight sublines derived from HeLa. Using five highly polymorphic minisatellite DNA probes, these cell lines were distinguished and classified into six groups by Southern blot analysis. Polymorphic DNA markers, therefore, can provide a useful tool for monitoring genetic changes of a cell line during culture and for distinguishing sublines derived from the same origin.

Blotting, Southern↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma extending across the midline: MR features.

A rare adult case of retroperitoneal ganglioneuroma in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) clearly demonstrated unusual extension of the tumor across the midline is reported. Dynamic MR imaging was very useful to distinguish benign ganglioneuroma from other retroperitoneal tumors, especially neuroblastoma and pheochromocytoma.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Diffuse arteriovenous malformation involving jejunum and total colon with mesenteric varices. Case report.

Diffuse intestinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) is very rare. We describe a case of diffuse AVM involving the jejunum and the total colon in an adult. In addition, mesenteric varices without portal hypertension is demonstrated on angiography of the superior mesenteric artery. The high flow through the AVMs may be a major component in the etiology of the mesenteric varices in our case.

Aged↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Spread of injectate during C6 stellate ganglion block and fascial arrangement in the prevertebral region: an experimental study using donated cadavers.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The precise fascial space through which the injectate spreads during stellate ganglion block (SGB) remains unclear. Recent studies using magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography have suggested that the injectate is deposited around and/or within the longus colli muscle during SGB. However, a fascial space, close to the longus colli, is the most likely route of spread. We identified the prevertebral interlaminal space (PVILS), situated between the anterior and posterior laminae of the prevertebral layer of the fascia, as an important route for the spread of the injectate and as a potential pathway to the ganglion. The danger of downward spread of deep infections through this space has previously been recognized. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using the 6th cervical vertebra paratracheal approach technique, we performed experimental SGB with 10 mL latex on donated cadavers. Spreading of latex into the PVILS was observed in 45 of 52 (86.5%) cadavers that had been fixed with formaldehyde after death, and 5 of 8 (62.5%) fresh cadavers. In these experiments, the latex usually reached the ganglion via the PVILS (39 of 45 and 5 of 5, respectively). Moreover, after direct injection into the PVILS, latex reached the ganglion in 13 of a further 19 (68.4%) postmortem-fixed donated cadavers. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the PVILS plays a critical role in the spread of injectate as well as being a potential pathway to the stellate ganglion during SGB.

Autonomic Nerve Block↗