The Abuse Potential of α-Piperidinopropiophenone (PIPP) and α-Piperidinopentiothiophenone (PIVT), Two New Synthetic Cathinones with Piperidine Ring Substituent

A diversity of synthetic cathinones has flooded the recreational drug marketplace worldwide. This variety is often a response to legal control actions for one specific compound (e.g. methcathinone) which has resulted in the emergence of closely related replacement. Based on recent trends, the nitrogen atom is one of the sites in the cathinone molecule being explored by designer type modifications. In this study, we designed and synthesized two new synthetic cathinones, (1) α-piperidinopropiophenone (PIPP) and (2) α-piperidinopentiothiophenone (PIVT), which have piperidine ring substituent on their nitrogen atom. Thereafter, we evaluated whether these two compounds have an abuse potential through the conditioned place preference (CPP) in mice and self-administration (SA) in rats. We also investigated whether the substances can induce locomotor sensitization in mice following 7 days daily injection and challenge. qRT-PCR analyses were conducted to determine their effects on dopamine-related genes in the striatum. PIPP (10 and 30 mg/kg) induced CPP in mice, but not PIVT. However, both synthetic cathinones were not self-administered by the rats and did not induce locomotor sensitization in mice. qRT-PCR analyses showed that PIPP, but not PIVT, reduced dopamine transporter gene expression in the striatum. These data indicate that PIPP, but not PIVT, has rewarding effects, which may be attributed to its ability to affect dopamine transporter gene expression. Altogether, this study suggests that PIPP may have abuse potential. Careful monitoring of this type of cathinone and related drugs are advocated.

Differentiation between Benign and Malignant Solid Thyroid Nodules Using an US Classification System

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a new ultrasound (US) classification system for differentiating between benign and malignant solid thyroid nodules. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, we enrolled 191 consecutive patients who received real-time US and subsequent US diagnoses for solid thyroid nodules, and underwent US-guided fine-needle aspiration. Each thyroid nodule was prospectively classified into 1 of 5 diagnostic categories by real-time US: "malignant," "suspicious for malignancy," "borderline," "probably benign," and "benign". We evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of thyroid US and the cut-off US criteria by comparing the US diagnoses of thyroid nodules with cytopathologic results. RESULTS: Of the 191 solid nodules, 103 were subjected to thyroid surgery. US categories for these 191 nodules were malignant (n = 52), suspicious for malignancy (n = 16), borderline (n = 23), probably benign (n = 18), and benign (n = 82). A receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that the US diagnosis for solid thyroid nodules using the 5-category US classification system was very good. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of US diagnosis were 86%, 95%, 91%, 92%, and 92%, respectively, when benign, probably benign, and borderline categories were collectively classified as benign (negative). CONCLUSION: The diagnostic accuracy of thyroid US for solid thyroid nodules is high when the above-mentioned US classification system is applied.

Clinical Value of GRACE Score in the Prediction of Mortality in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome / 대한구급학회지

BACKGROUND: This study was aimed to evaluate the validity of the Global Registry of Acute Coronary Event (GRACE) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). METHODS: One thousand thirty hundred seventy eight patients (63.6+/-12.0 years, 921 male), who were admitted at coronary care unit (CCU) of Chonnam National University Hospital between January 2004 and December 2005, were analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups: the survived group (n=1,298, 871 male, 63.1+/-9.7 years) and the moribund group (n=80, 50 male, 67.4+/-8.5 years). Clinical characteristics, risk factors for atherosclerosis, echocardiographic findings, GRACE score and NT-proBNP were compared between groups. RESULTS: The overall mortality was 5.8 %, 80 out of 1,378 patients. Mortality was higher in patients with Killip IV (46.7%, 50 out of 107 patients) than Killip II or III and elderly patients more than 80 years (42.7%, 38 out of 89 patients). High Killip class and old age were associated with high mortality (p<0.0001 respectively). Total score of GRACE was elevated in the moribund group (142+/-40.3 vs. 240+/-40.0) and high GRACE score was significant predictor of mortality (p<0.0001, r=0.827). Predictive factors for mortality by multiple logistic regression analysis were GRACE score (OR 1.15, 1.11~1.20 95%CI, p<0.0001) and old age (OR 0.88, 1.14~1.33 95%CI, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: GRACE score is useful predictor for the mortality of ACS at CCU.

Effect of Fentanyl, Esmolol, and Lidocaine on Arterial Blood Pressure and Heart Rate in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure Undergoing an Arteriovenous Fistula / 대한마취과학회지

BACKGROUND: The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of fentanyl, esmolol, and lidocaine on arterial blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) following endotracheal intubation (ETI) and during an operation in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF) undergoing an arteriovenous fistula (AVF). METHODS: Sixty CRF patients who underwent creation of an AVF were analyzed for this study. Before ETI, the patients were randomly placed in a control group (CONT, n = 15), fentanyl group (FENT, 2micro gram/kg, n = 15), esmolol group (ESM, 1 mg/kg, n = 15), or lidocaine group (LID, 1 mg/kg, n = 15) and then each drug was administered before ETI. HR and BP were measured before intubation (baseline), after intubation, immediately after surgical incision (A-Inc), 15 min (A-Inc15) and 30 min (A-Inc30) after surgical incision. Mean arterial pressure was controlled between 20% of the pre-intubation value with the control of inspired fraction of isoflurane, and with ephedrine or clonidine. RESULTS: The HR was not different among groups. The elevation of BP following ETI in FENT was less than in CONT. BP was lower in FENT at A-Inc, A-Inc15, and A-Inc30 than in CONT, ESM, or LID. The administered dose of clonidine was not different among groups, but that of ephedrine was larger in FENT than in CONT. CONCLUSIONS: In CRF patients undergoing an AVF, esmolol 1 mg/kg and lidocaine 1 mg/kg could not prevent the elevation of BP and HR following ETI. The elevation BP after ETI was blunted by fentanyl 2micro gram/kg, but it decreased BP during the operation and increased the requirement of ephedrine. It is concluded that further studies must be made about the adminstration of a shorter acting opioid and of a larger dose of esmolol and lidocaine for preventing elevation of BR and HR in CRF patients undergoing an AVF.

Chromoblastomycosis Treated with Occlusive Dressing of Amphotericin B Cream / 대한의진균학회지

We report a case of chromoblastomycosis in a 65 year-old woman. She had a 3x4 cm sized, annular, erythematous, plaque with crusts and ulcers on the right lower arm. The lesion had grown slowly for 2 years. In fungal and histopathologic examinations, several muriform cells were found in dermis as well as in scales and crusts on the lesional skin surface. Isolated fungus was identified as Fonsecaea pedrosoi. We treated the patient occlusive dressing of amphotericin B (3%) ointment for 8 weeks and achieved a good response without any evidence of recurrence. We propose that the occlusive dressing therapy of amphotericin B cream is a good modality among the various treatments of small localized chromoblastomycosis.

Relapse in Two Couples Among Longterm Smear Negative Leprosy Patients / 나학회지

All registered inactive leprosy patients were treated with multidrug regimen since 1985. We experienced two couples of relapsed leprosy patients among them. Three were relapsed as multibacillary type and one paucibacillary type. They were given the regimen regularly but taken irregularly. The spouse cases were relapsed 6months and 4years after index cases relapsed. Three patients were elevated PGL1 ELISA titer after relapse

Three Cases of Kerion Celsi Caused by Trichophyton tonsurans / 대한의진균학회지

We report three cases of kerion celsi caused by Trichophyton tonsurans in 16-year-old students of one high school wrestling team. The first case presented a 10x5cm and several 3~4cm sized, markedly inflammatory, boggy lesions on the scalp for 5 months. Other cases showed several 2~4cm sized, erythematous, follicular pustules and nodules with partial alopecia on the scalp for 2 months. Histopathology and results of mycologic study were consistent with kerion celsi due to Trichophyton tonsurans. All lesions were successfully treated with griseofulvin 500mg daily for 7~15weeks and short term therapy of low dose of prednisolone and cephadroxil.

A Clinical Study of Ectopic Pregnancy / 대한산부인과학회잡지

The term'ectopic pregnancy'refers to a gestation in which the fertilized ovum impl-ants on any tissue other than the mucous membrane lining the uterine cavity. The number of patients per year with an ectopic pregnancy is increasing. So we revi- ewed clinical characteristics of 503 cases of ectopic pregnancies, who were admitted and treated at the department of obstetrics and gynecology of Yeungnam University from July, 1991 to December, 1995. The results were as follows; 1. The incidence of ectopic pregnancy was 1 in 30 deliveries. 2. The most common age group was 26~30 years of age(34.5%). 3. According to obstetrical history, nullipara was 35.7% and the cases who experienced artificial abortion was 50.9%. 4. In past history, 50.9% of total cases has artificial abortion and 10.1% experienced previous ectopic pregnancy, tubal sterilization was 8.0%. 5. For chief complaints, lower abdominal pain was observed in 359 patient(71.0%), am- enorrhea in 238 patients(47.3%), and vaginal spotting in 209 patients(42.1%). 6. In oder of incidence, the site of ectopic pregnancy was fallopian tube(91.5%), cervix (1.4%) and ovary(0.8%). In tubal pregnancy, the most frequent implantation site was am- pullar portion in 373 cases(74.2%) and ruptured tubal pregnancies were 306 cases(60.8%). 7. The interval between last menstrual period(LMP) and onset of symptoms was gene- rally 6~8 weeks(36.3%). 8. 65.4% of total cases were treated by salpingectomy, 14.1% by pelviscopic operati- on, and 5.8% by salpingo-oophorectomy.

Distribution of Yeasts in the House Dust / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Various kinds of pathogenic and non-pathogenic fungi have been isolated from the house dust, the closest environment of human beings. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose is to investigate the distribution of yeasts in house dust. METHODS: House dust was sampled from 22 families in Taegu and 56 in a rural town in Kyungpook province for 2 months from May to June, 1992. It was cultivated for years on the media containing cycloheximide (500mg/L) RESULTS: Among 78 families, 56 (71.8%) showed positive culture for yeasts in house dut;1 species in 24 (30.8%), 2 species in 19 (24.3%), 3 species in 12 (15.4%) and 4 species in 1(1.3%). Rhodotorula(Rh). Ruora was the most frequently isolated one from 36(46.2%) out of 78 families, followed by Tricosporn(T.) cutaneum 25(32.1%). Candida (C.) albicans 16 (20.5%), Pityrosporum pachydermatis 4 (5.1%) and Torulopsis candida, Cryptococcus laurentii, C. rugosa and C. guillermondii 1 (1.3%), each. CONCLUSION: Rh. rubra, T. cutaneum and C. albicans were the most important yeast species in the houst dust of both rural and raban areas.

A Case of Pili Torti of the Post-Pubertal Type

No abstract available.

A case of Addison's disease / 대한피부과학회지

Addisons disease is the defieient production of glucocorticoid or mireralocorticoid or both, due to the destruction of the adrenal cor tex. We report a case of Addiaons disesse in a 26-year-old male who complained only of skin and oral mucosal hyperpigmentations without other constitutional symptorns, Physical examinations showed scanty pubic and axillary hsirs. On adrenocorticoid funtion study, the ACTH stimulstion test failed to rise the bassl plasme cortisol level and basal ACTH level was marked elevated st PM 6:00. Routine laboratory and other endocrinologic evaluations exhibited within normal limits. Radiologic findings showed negative on both cheet X-ray and abdominal MRI films. Gradisl disapperance of skin snd mucosal hyperpigmentation were noted following administration of phosiologic dose of corticosteriods. Almost normal appearance was obtaineg after 26 months treatment.

Spontaneonsly healed congenital candidiasis limited to the nail plates / 대한피부과학회지

We report a case of congenital candidiasis confined to the rail plates in a 57-day-old girl whose infected nails exhibited the rough, yellow-white, thickened, opaque distal ends and pink-colored, normal healthy plates at their proximal bases. Numerous pseudohyphae and spores were demonstrated by KOH microscopic examination. Candida albicans was identified by culture on Sabourauds glucose agar and API 20C Aux system. Histopathologic findings of nail crippings also showed mutiple hyphae beneath the hyperkeratot,ic nail plate on PAS stain. Shedding of the infected distal portion of the ungual plates ws caused by growing out of the healthy nails, resulting in spontaneous healing of the disease rithin 2 months.

A case of perforating folliculitis / 대한피부과학회지

No abstract available.