Local ice application in therapy of kinetic limb ataxia. Clinical assessment of positive treatment effects in patients with multiple sclerosis

Upper limb ataxia is one of the most disabling symptoms of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). There are some clinically tested therapeutic strategies, especially with regard to cerebellar tremor. But most of the methods used for treatment of limb ataxia in physiotherapy and occupational therapy are not systematically evaluated, e.g. the effect of local ice applications, as reported by MS patients and therapists, respectively. We investigated 21 MS patients before and in several steps 1 up to 45 min after cooling the most affected forearm. We used a series of 6 tests, including parts of neurological status and activities of daily living as well. At each step skin temperature and nerve conduction velocity were recorded. All tests were documented by video for later offline analysis. Standardized evaluation was done by the investigators and separately by an independent second team, both of them using numeric scales for quality of performance. After local cooling all patients showed a positive effect, especially a reduction of intentional tremor. In most cases this effect lasted 45 min, in some patients even longer. We presume that a decrease in the proprioceptive afferent inflow-induced by cooling-may be the probable cause of this reduction of cerebellar tremor. Patients can use ice applications as a method of treating themselves when a short-time reduction of intention tremor is required, e.g. for typing, signing or self-catheterization.     

Mucoviscidosis with respiratory symptomatology in the neonatal period]

A case of cystic fibrosis presented in the neonatal period with respiratory symptomatology associated with early pancreatic insufficiency is reported. The CFTR gene molecular analysis was found to be a compound heterozygotes for delta F508 and G542X. The rarity of this mode of presentation and the inclusion of this entity in the differential diagnosis for neonatal respiratory distress syndrome is emphasised. The pathogenesis and some therapeutic aspects carried out in our patient, which might have improved the life expectancy of patients with this disease, are discussed.     

The wick catheter technique for measurement of intramuscular pressure. A new research and clinical tool

The wick catheter technique was developed in 1968 for measurement of subcutaneous pressure and has been modified for easy intramuscular insertion and continuous recording of interstitial fluid pressure in animals and humans. Studies in dogs of the anterolateral compartment of the leg in simulation of the compartment syndrome showed the technique to be accurate and reproducible. The wick catheter technique is capable of important clinical applications in the diagnosis and treatment of acute and chronic compartment syndromes.     

High voltage electrophoresis of amino acids in urine containing ampicillin

Analysis of amino acids is complicated by treatment with ampicillin. High voltage electrophoresis, which is convenient for the qualitative assessment of metabolic diseases, yields smears of ampicillin that mask the bands of citrulline, homocitrulline, phenylalanine, cystine, and homocystine. The addition of penicillinase prior to high voltage electrophoresis eliminates ampicillin and other penicillins and reveals these key amino acids.     

Knowledge about asthma among Danish primary school teachers. Results of a questionnaire study

An anonymous questionnaire inquiry performed among 324 school teachers in the Randers area with the purpose of elucidating teachers' knowledge about asthma is presented. To a series of statements about asthma, the teachers should answer yes, no or don't know. A limited knowledge about asthma in children was found. The knowledge about medicamental treatment was particularly limited. Only 57 per cent knew that wheezing after physical exertion is a strong indicator of asthma. Only five per cent had received proper instruction. This latter group had a significantly better knowledge of medical treatment (p < 0.0001-0.05). It is recommended that instruction in children's diseases, especially asthma should be reintroduced in teachers' training colleges.     

Effects of total coumarins, essential oil and water extracts of Cnidium monnieri on plasma prostaglandin and cyclic nucleotide in the rats of kidney-yang insufficiency

Effects of total coumarins, essential oil and water extracts of Cnidium monnieri on plasma prostaglandin (PGE2 and PGF2 alpha) and cyclic nucleotide levels in rats of Kidney-Yang insufficiency were studied. 55 rats were divided randomly into 5 groups, Group I was administered orally with saline (normal group), group II was injected with intraperitonally hydrocortison acetate to induce Kidney-Yang insufficiency (control group), group III, group IV and group V (experimental groups) were injected with hydrocortison acetate, the same as group II, and administered orally with the total coumarins, essential oil and water extracts of Fructus Cnidii respectively. The levels of plasma PGE2, PG2 alpha and plasma cAMP, cGMP were measured. In group II, in comparing with those of group I, the levels of plasma PGE2, and PGF2 alpha decreased significantly (P < 0.01), and the value of cAMP/cGMP also lowered obviously (P < 0.01) due to the significant reduction of cAMP and insignificant change of cGMP. In group III and group V, the above-mentioned indices changed significantly (P < 0.01 or 0.05) compared with those of group II, and after treatment it normalized basically in comparing with those of group I. In group IV, those indices didn't change regularly and apparently as group III and group V did, compared with group II, and could not normalize satisfactorily. It is suggested that the coumarins in the fruit of Cnidium monnieri are probably the effective ingredients to invigorate Kidney and strengthen Yang, while the efficacy of essential oil remained unconfirmed.     

Confirmation of clinical diagnosis in requests for prenatal prediction of SMA type I

Fourteen cases of alveolar echinococcosis were examined by computed tomographic (CT) scanning of the liver, including 3 cases before treatment and 11 cases 2.0-7.5 years after long-term continuous albendazole therapy. In 7 cases the hepatic lesions were almost completely calcified and cured, while in 3 cases incomplete calcification of the peripheral margin of the hepatic lesions was observed. CT scanning of the one uncured case and the 3 cases before treatment showed active lesions with heterogeneous hypodense areas in the liver without calcification on the peripheral margin. Long-term continuous albendazole therapy can result in parasitological cure with death of the parasite.     

In situ bypass and diabetes

From 1986 through to 1990 a total of 483 in situ bypass procedures were performed in 444 patients. Preoperative risk-factors were equally distributed among diabetic (DM) and non-diabetic (NDM) patients, except for smoking habits (DM:48%, NDM:64%, p = 0.002) and cardiac disease (DM:45%, NDM:29%, p = 0.005). Critical limb-ischaemia was more often present in diabetic than non-diabetic patients (DM:57%, NDM:36%, p = 0.0002). Diabetic patients had a significantly lower distal anastomosis than non-diabetic patients (p = 0.00001). There were no differences among diabetic and non-diabetic patients regarding three years primary and secondary patency (58% and 64% respectively), and regarding major amputations. However, the rate of minor amputations was higher in insulin-dependent compared with non-insulin-dependent diabetics, who in turn had a higher rate than non-diabetics (p < 0.00001). A markedly decreased survival rate was found in diabetics (p < 0.00005). We found the in situ bypass technique very useful in the treatment of critical ischaemia of the lower limb in diabetic patients. The overall results in diabetic patients, whether insulin-dependent or not, were equal to those in non-diabetic patients.