Terahertz imaging can be a powerful tool in conservation science for cultural heritages. In this study, a new terahertz imaging system was applied to the Takamatsuzuka mural painting of a blue ...dragon, and the condition of the plaster layer was diagnosed. As a result, the locations where the plaster layer appears solid on the surface but in actuality may have peeled off the underlying tuff stone were revealed and viewed as two-dimensional images.
We reported the emergence of a distinct myelitis in patients with atopic diathesis (atopic myelitis AM) by a nationwide survey throughout Japan. Similar cases have recently been reported in ...Caucasians. Pathologic studies of biopsied spinal cord specimens revealed chronic active inflammation with eosinophilic infiltration.
To clarify the cytokine/chemokine alterations in CSF from patients with AM in comparison to other causes of myelitis.
We measured 27 cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors simultaneously in CSF from 22 patients with AM, 20 with opticospinal multiple sclerosis (OSMS), 11 with HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM), 9 with Sjögren syndrome-related myelitis (SM), and 20 with other noninflammatory neurologic diseases (OND), using a fluorescent bead-based immunoassay.
In patients with AM, CCL11 and interleukin (IL)-9 were significantly increased as compared with patients with OND and other myelitis while in patients with OSMS interferon-gamma and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor levels were significantly higher than in patients with OND and other causes of myelitis. Significant increase of IL-17 in comparison to patients with OND was found only in patients with OSMS, irrespective of presence or absence of anti-aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibody. In patients with HAM, CXCL10 and CCL5 were higher than in patients with OND and other myelitis. In patients with SM, CCL3 and CCL4 were higher than in patients with OND. In patients with AM, CCL11, IL-9, and IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) showed positive correlations with the final Kurtzke Expanded Disability Status Scale scores while IL-1ra and IL-12(p70) had positive correlations with disease duration.
Intrathecal upregulation of CCL11 and Th2 cytokines is characteristic of atopic myelitis, which is distinct from interleukin-17/interferon-gamma-related autoimmune condition of opticospinal multiple sclerosis.
Objective
Fexofenadine is a substrate of P‐glycoprotein and organic anion transporting polypeptides. The aim of this study was to compare the inhibitory effects of different transporting inhibitors ...on fexofenadine pharmacokinetics.
Methods
Twelve male volunteers took a single oral 120‐mg dose of fexofenadine. Thereafter three 6‐day courses of either 240 mg verapamil, an inhibitor of P‐glycoprotein, 800 mg cimetidine, an inhibitor of organic cation transporters, or 2000 mg probenecid, an inhibitor of organic anion transporting polypeptides, were administered on a daily basis in a randomized fashion with the same dose of fexofenadine on day 6. Plasma and urine concentrations of fexofenadine were monitored up to 48 hours after dosing.
Results
Verapamil treatment significantly increased the peak plasma concentration by 2.9‐fold (95% confidence interval CI, 2.4‐ to 4.0‐fold) and the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve from time 0 to infinity AUC(0‐∞) of fexofenadine by 2.5‐fold (95% CI, 2.0‐ to 3.3‐fold). No changes in any plasma pharmacokinetic parameters of fexofenadine were found during cimetidine treatment. AUC(0‐∞) was slightly but significantly increased during probenecid treatment by 1.5‐fold (95% CI, 1.1‐ to 2.4‐fold). Renal clearance of fexofenadine was significantly decreased during cimetidine treatment to 61% (95% CI, 50%‐98%) and during probenecid treatment to 27% (95% CI, 20%‐58%) but not during verapamil treatment.
Conclusion
This study suggests that verapamil increases fexofenadine exposure probably because of an increase in bioavailability through P‐glycoprotein inhibition and that probenecid slightly increases the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve of fexofenadine as a result of a pronounced reduction in renal clearance. However, it may be difficult to explain these interactions by simple inhibitory mechanisms on target transporters.
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, 17–23; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.08.026
A novel hybrid biomaterial for tissue engineeringhas been developed by forming collagen microsponges in the pores of poly(alpha ester) sponge. Poly(alpha ester) sponge provides the skeleton with a ...high degree of mechanical strength, while the collagen provides cell compatibility. The Figure shows mouse fibroblast cells and bovine articular chondrocytes adhered to a PLGA–collagen hybrid sponge.
We report a rare case of proximal tibiofibular instability treated using TightRope. An 18-year-old male, soccer player, hit his right knee on the ground with the knee in a flexed position during a ...game. He was diagnosed with a partial PCL injury by his previous doctor and received a conservative treatment. However, he suffered from right knee pain for 3 months after the injury. The Sijbradij test and proximal tibiofibular joint stress Xrays showed a right-side instability, and we diagnosed the patient with proximal tibiofibular joint instability. We performed proximal tibiofibular joint reconstruction using TightRope. The patient could run 2 months postoperatively and returned to the game 6 months postoperatively. Proximal tibiofibular joint instability is rare, and diagnostic criteria and treatment have not been established. Previous reports have suggested that it is associated with radiating pain of the common peroneal nerve and general joint laxity. Joint fixation using metal screws is associated with the risk of screw breakage owing to weight bearing, which necessitates peroneal osteotomy and metal removal. Proximal tibiofibular reconstruction using TightRope is a minimally invasive and effective technique that enables micro-motion, and is similar to physiologic ligament reconstruction. TightRope doesnʼt require peroneal osteotomy or metal removal.
Objective
A recent in vitro study has shown that risperidone is a substrate of P‐glycoprotein. The aim of this study was to confirm the effects of verapamil, a P‐glycoprotein inhibitor, on the ...pharmacokinetics of risperidone.
Methods
Two 6‐day courses of either 240 mg verapamil daily, an inhibitor of P‐glycoprotein, or placebo were administered in a randomized crossover fashion with at least a 4‐week washout period. Twelve male volunteers took a single oral 1‐mg dose of risperidone on day 6 of both courses. Plasma concentrations of risperidone, 9‐hydroxyrisperidone, and prolactin were monitored up to 24 hours after dosing.
Results
Compared with placebo, verapamil treatment significantly increased the peak plasma concentration of risperidone by 1.8‐fold and the area under the plasma concentration–time curve (AUC) from 0 to 24 hours of risperidone by 2.0‐fold but did not alter the elimination half‐life. The AUC from 0 to 24 hours of 9‐hydroxyrisperidone, but not other pharmacokinetic parameters, was significantly increased during verapamil treatment. However, the AUC from 0 to 4 hours and the AUC from 0 to 8 hours of prolactin concentrations were not increased by verapamil treatment despite the pharmacokinetic alterations.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that the bioavailability of risperidone was increased by verapamil, suggesting in vivo involvement of P‐glycoprotein in the pharmacokinetics of risperidone.
Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 78, 43–51; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2005.03.009
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