Recurrence after successful treatment among patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis.

A retrospective review was conducted of patients with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) to elucidate the rate of recurrence after successful treatment. Of 123 MDR-TB patients, 90 were declared as 'cured' or 'treatment completed' after individualised treatment; four (4.4%) experienced recurrence. All patients with recur- rent MDR-TB were documented as 'treatment completed' after treatment. Recurrence of MDR-TB is possible after successful treatment, particularly among those documented as 'treatment completed'.

The hydrodynamic filter separator for removal of urban storm runoff.

The majority of storm runoff pollution is trapped in particles smaller than 100 microm in diameter. Solid particles smaller than 100 microm in diameter are not easily separated by conventional types of hydrodynamic separator, and remain in suspension in overflow. To overcome this problem, a HDFS (hydrodynamic filter separator) has been developed for treatment of the microparticles in urban storm runoff. We conducted a laboratory scale study on treatable potential of microparticles using HDFS that combined HDS with perlite filter. To determine the efficiency for various operation conditions, a series of experiments was performed with different solids concentrations and surface loading rate. The operation ranges of surface loading rates were 100 to 2,800 m3/m2/day, and influent solids concentrations were varied from 800 to 1,900 mg/L. Also, the particle size distribution was monitored to investigate the effects of surface loading rates on the particle size. Results indicated that the HDFS-inside type showed greater efficiency at solids separation than the other type.

Antibacterial and antifungal activity of pinosylvin, a constituent of pine.

The antibacterial and antifungal activities of pinosylvin (3,5-dihydroxy-trans-stilbene), a constituent of pine, were studied and compared with those of resveratrol (3,5,4'-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene). Pinosylvin exhibited more potent growth inhibitory activity against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Factors affecting insertion time and patient discomfort during colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND: Successful colonoscopy depends on insertion of the instrument to the cecum, precise observation, and minimal patient discomfort during the procedure. The aim of this prospective study was to determine whether certain variables are associated with insertion time and patient discomfort during colonoscopy. METHODS: Nine hundred nine consecutive colonoscopic examinations performed by a single endoscopist in patients without obstructive disease of the colorectum were analyzed. Four liters of Colonlyte (Taejun, Seoul, Korea) were used for bowel cleansing, and meperidine (25 mg) was administered intramuscularly 10 minutes before the procedure. The degree of patient discomfort was assessed using a 5-level Likert scale. RESULTS: Among 909 study patients, colonoscopy was completed to the cecum in 876 patients (96.4%). The adjusted completion rate was 98% and mean insertion time for complete colonoscopy was 6.9+/-4.2 minutes. Colonoscopy caused less patient discomfort than barium enema or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that inadequate bowel cleansing, advanced age, and constipation as an indication are independent factors associated with prolonged insertion time (>10 minutes). Female gender was the only independent factor associated with significant discomfort (> or = level 4) during colonoscopy. CONCLUSIONS: Among the factors affecting insertion time and patient discomfort during colonoscopy, unsatisfactory bowel preparation was the only correctable factor.

Renal potassium wasting and hypocalciuria ameliorated with magnesium repletion in Gitelman's syndrome.

A woman aged 45 years was presented with hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis and hypomagnesemia associated with renal potassium and magnesium wasting. Her 24-hour urinary calcium excretion was strikingly low despite normocalcemia and normal creatinine clearance, which is one of characteristic findings of Gitelman's syndrome (GS). She was evaluated for the responses following Mg supplementation for 10 days, which showed marked increments in serum potassium and magnesium as well as improvements of the degree of renal potassium wasting and hypocalciuria. This amelioration of abnormal biochemical pictures in this patient after Mg supplementation proposes that the hypokalemia with renal potassium wasting and hypocalciuria may be caused by abnormal Mg metabolism.

Conversion of Elymoclavine to Paspalic Acid by a Particulate Fraction from an Ergotamine-Producing Strain of Claviceps sp.

The particulate fraction from the ergotamine-producing strain CLAVICEPS sp. PCCE1 catalyzed the conversion of [ (14)C]elymoclavine to paspalic acid. NADPH was required. Maximum conversion was 95%. Carbon monoxide (CO:0 (2), 4:1) and SK&F 525A (1.0 mM), cytochrome P-450 inhibitors, inhibited the conversion 94% and 50%, respectively. Minor amounts of paspalic acid (0.1 mg/1) were present in cultures. The particulate fraction from CLAVICEPS sp. SD 58, which accumulates elymoclavine in cultures, lacked activity for the conversion of elymoclavine to paspalic acid.