Immunizing against depression and anxiety after spinal cord injury

We attempted to isolate lipolytic substances from the stem and rhizome of Sinomenium actum Rehder et Wilson by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). S-I and S-II were isolated from the fractions showing lipolytic activity. S-I and S-II were identified as caffeine and 1,7-dimethylxanthine, respectively, by direct comparison with authentic samples. Caffeine (S-I) dose-dependently stimulated lipolytic activity in isolated fat cells of rats, at concentrations of 500 to 1000 microM. 1,7-Dimethylxanthine (S-II) also stimulated lipolytic activity at concentrations of 500 to 1000 microM. Furthermore, we found that caffeine and 1,7-dimethylxanthine enhanced catecholamine-induced lipolysis at lower concentrations of 0.1 to 1 microM.     

Ethnopsychology: a corrector project

We report the case of a 12-year-old boy suffering from severe low-titer cold-hemagglutinin disease with excruciating colicky abdominal pain, jaundice, and acute hemolytic anemia requiring transfusion. Cold hemagglutinins of the IgM type and a positive direct antiglobulin test, predominantly against C3d, were found. Steroid pulse therapy with 20 mg/kg body wt. methylprednisolone for 3 consecutive days was given. Abdominal pain disappeared within 12 h of the first steroid infusion and hemolysis was halted. We conclude that a therapeutic trial with steroid pulse therapy in severe low-titer cold-hemagglutinin disease is warranted.