Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease--muscle biopsy findings in relation to neurophysiology

Nine patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease with reduced motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV), i.e. type 1 (CMT1), demyelinating form, and nine patients with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease with normal or near-normal MNCV, i.e. type 2 (CMT2), axonal form, were subjected to percutaneous muscle biopsy from the anterior tibial muscle in order to characterize histopathological abnormalities and evaluate differences between the two groups. Data from the biopsies were compared with those from 18 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Muscle biopsies from the CMT1 patients exhibited angular atrophic fibres that were scattered or in small groups, findings commonly described as neuropathic. Muscle biopsies from the CMT2 patients exhibited atrophic fibres that were rounded or elongated in groups and hypertrophic fibres with central nuclei and fibre splitting. There were also increased amounts of connective tissue, 'whorled fibres', degeneration and signs of regeneration, findings commonly regarded as myopathic. In conclusion, muscle biopsies from patients with CMT1 and CMT2 showed markedly different histopathological abnormalities. Possible underlying mechanisms are discussed.     

Investigating carbon/TiB2 materials for aluminum reduction cathodes

The wettable cathode is one of the most promising medium-term modifications to the Hall-Héroult process. For implementing this concept, cathode materials of anthracite or semigraphitized carbon matrices with TiB₂ (up to 50 wt. %) have been made and evaluated in the laboratory. In this article, the sodium penetration, abrasion resistance, electrical resistivity, and crushing strength are discussed in relation to the cathode performance in aluminum electrolysis.     

Kinetics of phenytoin in pregnant and non-pregnant rats

This report concerns the use of transaxillary thoracotomy for a variety of pulmonary, pleural, and mediastinal conditions in 50 patients. Primary and metastatic carcinomas, pneumothoraces, and benign lesions such as bronchogenic cysts and neurogenic tumors can be identified, evaluated, and treated with confidence. Reduced postoperative pain and morbidity, rapid return of arm and shoulder movements, reduced hospital stay, and excellent cosmetic result are among the advantages of this approach when compared with the usual posterolateral thoracotomy.     

Effect of plant cultivation methods on content of major and trace elements in foodstuffs and retention in rats

BACKGROUND: Many consumers perceive organic foods as more nutritious than conventional foods. However, the existing evidence is insufficient to support or refute this belief. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of three different model cultivation systems on selected major and trace element contents of dried foodstuffs (carrots, kale, peas, potatoes and apples) grown in two consecutive years, as well as mineral retention determined in 36 rats (second generation in a multi‐generation study) fed diets based on these foodstuffs from one year. RESULTS: Overall, there was no evident trend towards differences in element content of foodstuffs or diets due to the use of different cultivation systems, and differences between harvest years exceeded those seen between cultivation methods. Also, no significant differences in the retention of elements in rats fed diets derived from different cultivation systems were seen, since higher intake resulted in correspondingly higher excretion. CONCLUSION: This study does not support the belief that organically grown foodstuffs generally contain more major and trace elements than conventionally grown foodstuffs, nor does there appear to be an effect on the bioavailability of major and trace minerals in rats. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry