In the EGF 5′-UTR 61G polymorphism, the heterozygote GA was the most common genotype in the glioma patients. In the NAT2 polymorphism at nucleotide position 857G/A, the G allele and the GG genotype were the most prevalent forms in both the glioma and normal samples. We did not find any homozygous AA genotypes in the glioma patients. Based on this preliminary evidence, the EGF 5′-UTR at position 61 and the NAT2 SNP at position 857 polymorphisms are associated with increased risk for glioma.”
“Study Design. A retrospective review of coronal MEK162 spine balance after tethered cord release for children with tight filum terminale.
Objective. To understand the effects of
untethering on coronal spine balance for these patients.
Summary of Background Data. In patients with tight filum terminale, the spinal cord is tethered by a thickened filum with a low conus medullaris but without other forms of spinal dysraphism. There have not been studies examining the effects of spinal cord untethering on coronal spinal alignment LDN-193189 manufacturer in children with tight filum terminale.
Methods. Forty-five consecutive pediatric patients with tight filum
terminale who had undergone untethering were evaluated. Their presenting signs and symptoms, pre- and postsurgery imagings, and clinical courses were reviewed for scoliosis progression.
Results. Twenty-six girls and 19 boys underwent tethered cord release at a mean age of 4.5 selleck inhibitor years. The prevalence of coronal spinal malalignment, manifesting as scoliosis, before the untethering procedure was 31% (14 of 45). During the follow-up period, nine patients had coronal spinal alignment that worsened >10 degrees (five patients eventually underwent surgical fusion), two patients had spinal alignment that improved, and five patients’ curves stabilized after untethering surgery. Therefore, at the end of the follow-up period, 9 of 45 patients (20%) had worsened
coronal spinal alignment. In the multivariate analysis, patients who presented with a Cobb angle greater than 35 were most likely to progress (P = 0.002, odds ratio = 21). There was no operative morbidity or mortality associated with scoliosis surgery.
Conclusion. A significant number of children with tight filum terminale were found to present with scoliosis. In patients with less severe curves, tethered cord release may halt scoliosis progression.”
“Kava is a herbal anxiolytic drug. The present study investigates the response of central cholinergic neurotransmission to kava treatment by measuring acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in cortex, hippocampus and striatum of adult male rats. The present study demonstrates also the effect of chronic use of kava on some liver and kidney function parameters in the sera of rats. Kava administration (75 mg/kg) induced an increase in AChE activity in the striatum after 1 week.