Usefulness of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, anti-proteinase 3 and anti-myeloperoxidase in management of small vessel vasculitis

BACKGROUND: Analysis of usefulness of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (AN-CA) as a marker of clinical activity in small vessel vasculitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 33 patients, 10 patients with Wegener's granulomatosis (WG) and 23 with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis type III (RPGN III). The clinic and serologic follow-up was accomplished every 3 months during an average of 19 (SD, 24) months (range 3-52 months. The serologic follow-up included the determination of ANCA by indirect immunofluorescence (IFI) and ELISA, as well as the serum level of C reactive protein (RCP). RESULTS: At the time of diagnosis all patients were ANCA positive by IFI and ELISA. The seroconversion of ANCA from positive to negative was produced in 30/33 patients (90%). Twenty-six out of these 30 patients (87%) achieved the seroconversion within the first 6 months. During the follow-up 4 patients had a major relapse, all with positive ANCA. In 2 patients, one of each group, seroconversion from negative to positive was not associated with clinical relapse of vasculitis. CONCLUSION: ANCA should be used in conjunction with other indices of disease activity in patients with small vessel vasculitis.     

Beneficial Effects of Metformin on the Central Nervous System,with a Focus on Epilepsy and Lafora Disease

Metformin is a drug in the family of biguanide compounds that is widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Interestingly, the therapeutic potential of metformin expands its prescribed use as an anti-diabetic drug. In this sense, it has been described that metformin administration has beneficial effects on different neurological conditions. In this work, we review the beneficial effects of this drug as a neuroprotective agent in different neurological diseases, with a special focus on epileptic disorders and Lafora disease, a particular type of progressive myoclonus epilepsy. In addition, we review the different proposed mechanisms of action of metformin to understand its function at the neurological level.     

In vitro desaturation of 1-14C linoleic acid in Novikoff hepatoma

The lipid fatty acid pattern of normal liver, host liver, and Novikoff hepatoma was determined by gas liquid chromatography, and Δ6-desaturase activity for linoleic acid was measured in the microsomal fractions. The results showed that, in Novikoff hepatoma, there is a correlation between the low content of arachidonic acid and the low activity of Δ6-desaturase, a key enzyme in the biosynthetic pathway of this acid.     

The use of blast furnace slag and derived materials in the vitrification of electric arc furnace dust

The electric arc furnace (EAF) dust was added to blast furnace granulated slag or a gel produced by dissolving slag in HNO₃/EtOH followed by alkaline hydrolysis and gelification, and then it was vitrified. The proportion of EAF dust used was between 5 and 30 wt pct. The physicochemical properties of the glasses produced were studied by the X-ray powder diffraction technique, differential thermal analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal properties (dilatometric softening point, glass transition temperature, and thermal expansion coefficient) were determined. Finally, analyses were performed on leachability and ecotoxicity. The results suggest that the use of either slag or slag-derived gel produces a borosilicate glass with thermal properties similar to those of conventional soda-lime-silicate glass.     

Pneumocephalus after shunting for hydrocephalus

A case of tension pneumocephalus that occurred after ventriculoperitoneal shunting is presented. We have reviewed 12 cases of pneumocephalus in association with ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. This phenomenon occurs when air is forced through the shunt or enters through the cranial base because of: iatrogenic postsurgical connection, congenital fistula, trauma, or thinning of the cranial base. Ways of preventing and treating this problem are outlined.     

Bimanual mirror letter writing: a post-traumatic case

Mirror writing is inverse writing that can only be read with the help of a mirror. It is generally associated with dominant hemisphere lesions and affects only one hand. We describe the case of a patient who, after cranial injury, developed bimanual mirror writing for letters but no other focal neurological symptom. The only abnormal complementary finding was a zone of left parieto-occipital hypoperfusion visibly by SPECT. No signs of psychological disorder were present to which the dysgraphia could be attributed. Symptoms disappeared after three months. We conclude that isolated bimanual mirror letter writing may be an expression of reversible parieto-occipital dysfunction of the dominant hemisphere.     

Value of ultrasonography as the initial diagnostic method in acute sigmoid diverticulitis

PURPOSE: We wished to assess whether urodynamic changes accompanying normal pregnancy altered the pattern of ureteral jets, complicating detection of pathologic obstruction. METHODS: Ureteral jets were observed with color Doppler sonography for 5 minutes in 26 women in the second or third trimester of pregnancy and in 6 non-pregnant controls (3 men and 3 women). RESULTS: A mean of 5.5 jets/minute were detected in the pregnant subjects, and the mean difference in frequency of jets between the right and left sides was 42%. Corresponding results for controls were 7.6 jets/minute and 11%, respectively. The 2 groups were significantly different with respect to jet symmetry (p < 0.02). Unilateral absence of jets was noted in 4 pregnant women but in no controls. CONCLUSIONS: Because of variation in ureteral jet bilaterality and symmetry during the later stages of pregnancy, caution is recommended in the use of the technique to diagnose obstructive urolithiasis in this population.     

Intranasal necrotic lesion in a neutropenic patient

A case report of a mandibular central incisor with two root canals and two separate apical foramina is presented. The tooth showed inadequate endodontic treatment and a periapical radiolucent lesion. The lesion healed following endodontic retreatment and proper obturation of both root canals.