Diagnosis of Carnitine Deficiency in Extremely Preterm Neonates Related to Parenteral Nutrition: Two Step Newborn Screening Approach.

Currently, there is no evidence in the literature to support the routine supplementation of all parenterally fed premature infants with l-carnitine. In our study, we found that about 8.56% of extremely preterm neonates are diagnosed with carnitine deficiency secondary to malnutrition, either due to reduced stores at birth or related to total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Our two step approach of performing newborn screening (NBS) again at 32 weeks gestational age (GA) equivalent helps to diagnose 81.4% more preterm babies with carnitine deficiency-who would otherwise be missed-and supplement them with l-carnitine for optimal growth. We performed a retrospective cohort study to diagnose carnitine deficiency related to malnutrition in two groups: those presenting at birth and those presenting later in life. We found that there was a statistically significant difference in the median GA and birth weight (BW) between the two groups, but there was no difference in the free carnitine levels.

Measurement of 3,4-MDMA and related amines in diagnostic and forensic laboratories.

The phenylalkylamine derivatives, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy, XTC, Adam), 3,4-methylenedioxyethamphetamine (MDEA, MDE, Eve), and 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), are psychostimulants with hallucinogenic properties. MDA is also a metabolite of both MDMA and MDEA. These drugs are ring-substituted amphetamine derivatives that produce hallucinogenic, entactogenic ('love drug'), and stimulating effects. MDMA was initially developed as an appetite suppressant, however, its use as a therapeutic drug has been very limited. Because of its effects as a hallucinogenic psychostimulant with relatively low toxicity, it has emerged over the last two decades as a common recreational psychostimulant or 'club drug' at 'raves'. MDMA, MDEA, and MDA are often referred to as 'rave' or 'designer' drugs. They are produced in clandestine laboratories and have an increasing presence on the illicit drug market worldwide. Significant adverse health effects have been reported that include: serotonin neurotoxicity, severe psychiatric disorders, renal failure, malignant hyperthermia, hepatitis, rhabdomyolysis, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. A number of fatal outcomes associated with severe MDMA intoxication have been reported.

Complete vascular healing and sustained suppression of neointimal thickening after local delivery of advanced c-myc antisense at six months follow-up in a rabbit balloon injury model.

BACKGROUND: Neointimal hyperplasia following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is one of the major components of the process of restenosis. We evaluated the long-term impact of local delivery of c-myc neutrally charged antisense oligonucleotides (Resten-NG) upon neointimal formation following PTCA in a rabbit model. METHODS: PTCA was performed in the iliac arteries of 10 New Zealand white rabbits at 8 atm for 30 s, three times. An infusion of 500 micro g Resten-NG (n=6) or saline (n=4) was delivered to the site at 2 atm via the outer balloon pores of the transport catheter over 2 min. The diet was supplemented with 0.25% cholesterol for 10 days before and 6 months following PTCA. RESULTS: After 6 months, animals were sacrificed and vessels were fixed in formalin, processed and stained with hematoxylin, eosin, and movat. Histological analysis revealed complete vascular healing in both groups of animals. Planimetry showed that intimal areas were 1.71+/-0.25 and 0.65+/-0.36 mm2 in the control and antisense delivery groups, respectively (P<.05). CONCLUSION: We conclude that local delivery of Resten-NG significantly inhibited neointimal thickening following PTCA in a rabbit for up to 6 months.