Factors associated with sun protection compliance: results from a nationwide cross-sectional evaluation of 2215 patients from a dermatological consultation.

BACKGROUND: Campaigns designed to promote sun protection often fail to induce long-term changes in behaviour. There is limited information on patients with low compliance to sun protection recommendations from dermatologists. OBJECTIVES: To characterize dermatology patients at higher risk of low compliance to sun protection measures, and to investigate the relationship between sun protection behaviour, knowledge about accurate sun protection recommendations, ultraviolet (UV)-associated risks and level of UV exposure. METHODS: An anonymous self-administered multiple-choice questionnaire was distributed by dermatologists to patients receiving a sunscreen prescription. Four domains were explored: sun protection behaviour, sun protection knowledge, level of UV exposure and knowledge about UV-associated risks. We modelled sun protection behaviour and determined factors associated with low compliance to sun protection measures. RESULTS: In total 2215 questionnaires were analysed. Patients stratified by risk who better complied with sun protection measures had a better knowledge of UV-associated risks (mean score 14·45 ± 3·20 vs. 12·75 ± 3·29 and 11·20 ± 3·80, P < 0·0001) and sun protection measures (mean score 12·08 ± 2·79 vs. 10·68 ± 3·11 and 9·00 ± 3·63, P < 0·0001). Patients who better complied with sun protection measures also reported higher levels of sun exposure (mean score 4·24 ± 2·26 vs. 4·02 ± 2·05 and 3·34 ± 2·14, P < 0·0001). Factors associated with low adherence to sun protection behaviour were age below 20 or over 64 years, male sex, lower knowledge about accurate sun protection recommendations and UV-associated risks, and low UV exposure. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows the complex relationship between UV exposure, knowledge about UV-associated risks, and knowledge about sun protection recommendations and behaviour. Future skin cancer prevention programmes should focus on specific populations with low sun protection behaviour and high UV exposure.

Sub-100 fs charge transfer in a novel donor-acceptor-donor triad organized in a smectic film.

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy is performed on a novel donor-acceptor-donor triad made of two identical bisthiophene derivatives as electron donors and a central perylenediimide moiety as electron acceptor. The triad is extended at both ends by covalently bound siloxane chains that confer self-organisation into thin smectic films at ambient temperature. When diluted in chloroform, selective excitation of the donor moiety leads to resonance energy transfer within 130 fs to the acceptor moiety, followed by the formation of a charge transfer (CT) state in ~3 ps. The CT state recombines entirely on a 55 ps time scale. In the liquid crystal films, excitonic intermolecular coupling leads to significant changes in the dynamics. Most remarkably, ultrafast intra- and intermolecular CT state formation occurs in about 60 fs, i.e. on a time scale comparable to electronic coherence times. While the intra-molecular CT states recombine on the same time scale as in solution or even faster, inter-molecular CT states live for about 1 ns. Last, triplet states of the perylenediimide moiety dominate the differential absorption after ~1 ns. We anticipate that the fast recombination of intra-molecular CT states and the triplet state formation may severely limit the photo-current in these materials.

Avène Thermal Spring Water: an active component with specific properties.

Avène Thermal Spring Water (TSW) is a natural active component characterized by a low mineral content. In vitro experiments have demonstrated the effect of Avène TSW on membrane fluidity, its antiradical and anti-inflammatory properties, its effects on many mediators involved in the immune response and its stimulating effect on keratinocyte differentiation. The clinical efficacy of the water was demonstrated at the hydrotherapy centre in chronic and disabling diseases such as atopic dermatitis but also in various settings in medical and post dermatology procedure such as photodynamic therapy or photothermolysis. All these data support the fact that the Avène TSW is an active component.

Interest of the association retinaldehyde/glycolic acid in adult acne.

BACKGROUND: Topical retinoids have been successfully used in the treatment of acne vulgaris but may induce irritation when used twice daily. The association of retinaldehyde (RAL) with glycolic acid (GA) have complementary activities, which could be of interest for adult women with acne because of a better tolerance/efficacy ratio. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance and the efficiency of RAL (0.1%)/GA (6%) in adult women with acne when used alone or in combination with their usual acne products except retinoids. METHODS: Three hundred ninety-seven women with acne (aged between 30 and 40 years old) were included in this open multicentric study. They had to apply cream containing RAL/GA for 90 days without stopping their previous acne treatment (except topical retinoids). The tolerance was the main criteria and the second one is the efficacy, which was assessed by counting inflammatory and retentional lesions after 30 and 90 days of treatment. RESULTS: Used alone or in association with other anti-acne treatments, RAL/GA was considered to be highly tolerated. A significant decrease in both inflammatory and retentional lesions between day 0 and day 90 indicates that RAL/GA can be used as monotherapy for mild acne or could potentate the efficiency of other anti-acne products used at the same time by patients suffering from moderate acne. Complaints about side-effects were rare. The subjective evaluation of the preparation's efficacy by investigators and patients was strongly favourable. CONCLUSION: These data show that a combination of RAL 0.1% and GA 6% may be used in association with other topical anti-acne treatments with an excellent tolerance.

Developmental and physiological responses of Brachypodium distachyon to fluctuating nitrogen availability.

The Nitrogen Use Efficiency (NUE) of grain cereals depends on nitrate (NO3-) uptake from the soil, translocation to the aerial parts, nitrogen (N) assimilation and remobilization to the grains. Brachypodium distachyon has been proposed as a model species to identify the molecular players and mechanisms that affects these processes, for the improvement of temperate C3 cereals. We report on the developmental, physiological and grain-characteristic responses of the Bd21-3 accession of Brachypodium to variations in NO3- availability. As previously described in wheat and barley, we show that vegetative growth, shoot/root ratio, tiller formation, spike development, tissue NO3- and N contents, grain number per plant, grain yield and grain N content are sensitive to pre- and/or post-anthesis NO3- supply. We subsequently described constitutive and NO3--inducible components of both High and Low Affinity Transport Systems (HATS and LATS) for root NO3- uptake, and BdNRT2/3 candidate genes potentially involved in the HATS. Taken together, our data validate Brachypodium Bd21-3 as a model to decipher cereal N nutrition. Apparent specificities such as high grain N content, strong post-anthesis NO3- uptake and efficient constitutive HATS, further identify Brachypodium as a direct source of knowledge for crop improvement.

[Medical corrective make-up in post- chemotherapy]. / Maquillage correcteur médical en post chimiothérapie.

INTRODUCTION: Medical corrective make up can be applied to hide the adverse effects of cancer treatments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance and the satisfaction of patients needing medical make up to hide the cutaneous side effects induced by chimiotherapy and to improve self-esteem. METHODS: 90 cancer patients were included in this multicentric study. They were being treated by chimiotherapy and had eyebrow alopecia, complexion changes, irregular lip contour or lip dryness. They were made up by socio-esthecians. Photos were taken before and after applications of make up. The patients had to fill in a self-questionnaire at home. The duration of the study varied from 1 to 4 weeks. RESULTS: Included patients were 52 years old. Tolerance was considered to be satisfactory or very satisfactory by 95,4% and 98,9% of the patients for eyebrow pencil corrector and the dual lip and contour corrector, respectively. Questions on quality of live and self-esteem revealed that the medical corrective make up improved the quality of life in general for 81,2% of the patients. This product range enhanced the self-esteem of 76,8% of the patients. Cosmetic agreement was highly satisfactory. CONCLUSION: In this study in which patients were suffering from cancer and treated by chimiotherapy, we showed that medical corrective make up can improve the quality of life with a very good tolerance.

[Tolerance of the association sucralfate / Cu-Zn salts in radiation dermatitis]. / Tolérance de l'association de sucralfate / sels de Cu-Zn dans les radiodermites.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of topical application of the combination sucralfate / copper zinc salts in radiation dermatitis in women suffering from breast cancer and treated by radiotherapy. 47 patients (average age : 57,5 years) that have to be treated by radiation therapy on non lesional areas, were included into this open multicentric study. They had to apply Cicalfate cream twice a day, from the fi rst radiation therapy session and during 10 weeks. Patients were treated by photon- or electrontherapy (72 % et 28 %, respectively; cumulated total dose : 58,6Gy). Tolerance was considered to be excellent. The radiation dermatitis (score NCIC > or = 2) was noted at the 3rd week of radiotherapy only in 5 % of the subjects and in 53 % of the subjects, the last week of treatment. Pruritus was significantly increased at D21. Pain and discomfort were increased at D28, but remained low intensity. The soothing effect of the combination of sucralfate/ copper zinc salts were considered satisfying or very satisfying by investigators and patients during the study, varying from 94 to 100 % of satisfaction. The impact of radiation therapy on the patients'quality of life, assessed by DLQI, evaluated at the end of the study was not statistically different from the score calculated at D7 (DLQI=0,8 et D7 versus DLQI=1 at D70). Thus, topical application of the combination sucralfate / copper zinc salts can be used in the indication radiation dermatitis.

Chronic Treatment with a Clinically Relevant Dose of Methylphenidate Increases Glutamate Levels in Cerebrospinal Fluid and Impairs Glutamatergic Homeostasis in Prefrontal Cortex of Juvenile Rats.

The understanding of the consequences of chronic treatment with methylphenidate is very important since this psychostimulant is extensively prescribed to preschool age children, and little is known about the mechanisms underlying the persistent changes in behavior and neuronal function related with the use of methylphenidate. In this study, we initially investigate the effect of early chronic treatment with methylphenidate on amino acids profile in cerebrospinal fluid and prefrontal cortex of juvenile rats, as well as on glutamatergic homeostasis, Na(+),K(+)-ATPase function, and balance redox in prefrontal cortex of rats. Wistar rats at early age received intraperitoneal injections of methylphenidate (2.0 mg/kg) or an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline solution (controls), once a day, from the 15th to the 45th day of age. Twenty-four hours after the last injection, the animals were decapitated and the cerebrospinal fluid and prefrontal cortex were obtained. Results showed that methylphenidate altered amino acid profile in cerebrospinal fluid, increasing the levels of glutamate. Glutamate uptake was decreased by methylphenidate administration, but GLAST and GLT-1 were not altered by this treatment. In addition, the astrocyte marker GFAP was not altered by MPH. The activity and immunocontent of catalytic subunits (α1, α2, and α3) of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase were decreased in prefrontal cortex of rats subjected to methylphenidate treatment, as well as changes in α1 and α2 gene expression of catalytic α subunits of Na(+),K(+)-ATPase were also observed. CAT activity was increased and SOD/CAT ratio and sulfhydryl content were decreased in rat prefrontal cortex. Taken together, our results suggest that chronic treatment with methylphenidate at early age induces excitotoxicity, at least in part, due to inhibition of glutamate uptake probably caused by disturbances in the Na(+),K(+)-ATPase function and/or in protein damage observed in the prefrontal cortex.

Overexpression of nitrate reductase in tobacco delays drought-induced decreases in nitrate reductase activity and mRNA

Transformed (cauliflower mosaic virus 35S promoter [35S]) tobacco (Nicotiana plumbaginifolia L.) plants constitutively expressing nitrate reductase (NR) and untransformed controls were subjected to drought for 5 d. Drought-induced changes in biomass accumulation and photosynthesis were comparable in both lines of plants. After 4 d of water deprivation, a large increase in the ratio of shoot dry weight to fresh weight was observed, together with a decrease in the rate of photosynthetic CO2 assimilation. Foliar sucrose increased in both lines during water stress, but hexoses increased only in leaves from untransformed controls. Foliar NO3- decreased rapidly in both lines and was halved within 2 d of the onset of water deprivation. Total foliar amino acids decreased in leaves of both lines following water deprivation. After 4 d of water deprivation no NR activity could be detected in leaves of untransformed plants, whereas about 50% of the original activity remained in the leaves of the 35S-NR transformants. NR mRNA was much more stable than NR activity. NR mRNA abundance increased in the leaves of the 35S-NR plants and remained constant in controls for the first 3 d of drought. On the 4th d, however, NR mRNA suddenly decreased in both lines. Rehydration at d 3 caused rapid recovery (within 24 h) of 35S-NR transcripts, but no recovery was observed in the controls. The phosphorylation state of the protein was unchanged by long-term drought. There was a strong correlation between maximal extractable NR activity and ambient photosynthesis in both lines. We conclude that drought first causes increased NR protein turnover and then accelerates NR mRNA turnover. Constitutive NR expression temporarily delayed drought-induced losses in NR activity. 35S-NR expression may therefore allow more rapid recovery of N assimilation following short-term water deficit.

Toxicity and cell proliferation in the liver, kidneys and nasal passages of female F-344 rats, induced by chloroform administered by gavage.

Dose-response relationships were determined for the induction of cytolethality and regenerative cell proliferation in the established target organs (liver, kidneys, and nasal passages) of female F-344 rats given chloroform daily by gavage. Rats were administered chloroform dissolved in corn oil at doses of 0, 34, 100, 200 or 400 mg/kg/day for 4 consecutive days or for 5 days/wk for 3 wk. Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was administered through an implanted osmotic pump 3.5 days prior to autopsy to label cells in S-phase. Cells in S-phase were visualized immunohistochemically in tissue sections and the labelling index (LI) calculated as the percentage of cells in S-phase. Mild degenerative centrilobular changes and dose-dependent increases in the hepatocyte LI were observed after administration of 100 mg or more chloroform/kg/day. Rats given 200 or 400 mg/kg/day for 4 days or 3 wk had degeneration and necrosis of the proximal tubules of the renal cortex. Regenerating epithelium lining proximal tubules was seen histologically and as an increase in LI. Dose-dependent increases in LI were observed in the kidneys at doses of 100 mg or more chloroform/kg/day at both 4 days and 3 wk. Two distinct treatment-induced responses were observed in specific regions of the olfactory mucosa lining the ethmoid region of the nose. A peripheral lesion was seen at all doses used and included new bone formation, periosteal hypercellularity and increased cell replication. A central lesion was seen at doses of 100 mg or more chloroform/kg/day and was characterized by degeneration of the olfactory epithelium and superficial Bowman's glands. These observations define the dose-response relationships for the liver, kidneys and nasal passages as target organs for chloroform administered by gavage in the female F-344 rat.

Impairment of the organization of locomotor and exploratory behaviors in bile duct-ligated rats.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) arises from acute or chronic liver diseases and leads to several problems, including motor impairment. Animal models of chronic liver disease have extensively investigated the mechanisms of this disease. Impairment of locomotor activity has been described in different rat models. However, these studies are controversial and the majority has primarily analyzed activity parameters. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate locomotor and exploratory behavior in bile duct-ligated (BDL) rats to explore the spatial and temporal structure of behavior. Adult female Wistar rats underwent common bile duct ligation (BDL rats) or the manipulation of common bile duct without ligation (control rats). Six weeks after surgery, control and BDL rats underwent open-field, plus-maze and foot-fault behavioral tasks. The BDL rats developed chronic liver failure and exhibited a decrease in total distance traveled, increased total immobility time, smaller number of rearings, longer periods in the home base area and decreased percentage of time in the center zone of the arena, when compared to the control rats. Moreover, the performance of the BDL rats was not different from the control rats for the elevated plus-maze and foot-fault tasks. Therefore, the BDL rats demonstrated disturbed spontaneous locomotor and exploratory activities as a consequence of altered spatio-temporal organization of behavior.

Síndrome de quemarse por el trabajo en profesionales de enfermería, Bogotá, Colombia / Burnout syndrome among nursing professionals, Bogotá, Colombia / A síndrome de esgotamento profissional em enfermeiros, Bogotá, Colômbia

Objetivo: describir el Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo (SQT) en profesionales de enfermería de los servicios de Urgencias y de la Unidad de Cuidado Intensivo de tres hospitales de Bogotá 2011-2013. Métodos: estudio de tipo descriptivo transversal, en el que se aplicó el "Cuestionario de Evaluación del Síndrome de Quemarse por el Trabajo" (CESQT), instrumento validado y que se adquirió para este estudio. Se preservaron los aspectos éticos. Los datos se procesaron en programa estadístico SPSS; asimismo, se emplearon procedimientos estadísticos para el análisis de los mismos. Resultados: participaron en el estudio 114 enfermeros. El 4,1% de los profesionales de enfermería de Urgencias, presenta SQT, aunque los profesionales de UCI tienen riesgo de desarrollar el síndrome. El SQT (p=0,009) y las subescalas de desgaste psíquico (p=0,034) e indolencia (p=0,004) difieren significativamente según el servicio en donde laboran estos profesionales. Conclusiones: los profesionales de Urgencias presentan SQT. Se debe profundizar en las consecuencias negativas que este síndrome genera en las instituciones, en los profesionales, en los pacientes, sus familias y en la sociedad en general. De ahí la importancia de generar intervenciones y asegurar ambientes laborales saludables que fortalezcan el cuidado de pacientes y la salud de estos profesionales.

Objective: to describe the burnout syndrome among nurses at the emergency services and intensive care units of three hospitals in Bogotá 2011-2013. Methods: a descriptive, cross sectional study using the "Assessment Questionnaire for the Syndrome of Burning Oneself Out At Work" (CESQT), which has been validated and was acquired for this study. Ethical aspects were preserved, and data were processed in the SPSS statistics software. Similarly, statistical procedures were used for the data analysis. Results: one hundred and fourteen nurses participated in the study, and 4.1% of the nurses in the emergency services had SBW. Similarly, the professionals from the ICU are at risk of developing the syndrome. The SBW (p=0.009) and the psychological exhaustion (p=0.034) and indolence (p=0.004) subscales differ significantly depending on the service for which these professionals work. Conclusions: emergency professionals have "Syndrome of burning oneself out at work" (SBW). The understanding of the negative consequences that this syndrome generates in different contexts such as institutions, professionals, patients, families and society in general should be deepened. Thus, it is important to create interventions and ensure healthy work environments which strengthen patient care as well as the health of these professionals.

Objetivo: Descrever a Síndrome de Esgotamento Profissional em profissionais da enfermagem dos serviços de Urgências da Unidade de Terapia Intensiva de três hospitais de Bogotá entre 2011 e 2013. Metodologia: É um estudo descritivo transversal, para o qual se utilizou o "Questionário de Avaliação da Síndrome de Esgotamento Profissional": um instrumento validado, especialmente adquirido para esta pesquisa. Preservaramse aspectos éticos. Os dados foram processados no programa estatístico de nome SPSS. Também se utilizaram procedimentos estatísticos para analisar esses dados. Resultados : Neste estudo participaram 114 enfermeiros. 4,1% dos enfermeiros profissionais de Urgência tem Síndrome de Esgotamento Profissional, embora os profissionais da UTI têm risco de sofrer a síndrome. A Síndrome de Esgotamento Profissional (p = 0,009) e as subescalas de Esgotamento Psíquico (p = 0,034), e a Indolência (p = 0,004) diferem significativamente dependendo do serviço onde trabalhem os profissionais. Conclusão: Os profissionais de Urgências sofrem da Síndrome de Esgotamento Profissional. É necessário pesquisar mais sobre as consequências negativas que esta síndrome gera nas instituições, nos profissionais, nos pacientes, nas suas famílias e na sociedade completa. Por isso é tão importante gerar intervenções e garantir ambientes de trabalho saudáveis, para fortalecer o atendimento dos pacientes e a saúde dos trabalhadores.

Beneficial effects of spraying low mineral content thermal spring water after fractional photothermolysis in patients with dermal melasma.

INTRODUCTION: Melasma is a common dermatological skin disease that can now be treated by fractional photothermolysis (fractional resurfacing). Past studies have shown that thermal spring water (TSW) spray can reduce local inflammatory symptoms after dermatological surgery, laser surgery or chemical peelings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of spraying TSW post-fractional resurfacing treatment in patients with dermal melasma. METHODS: Twenty patients with bilateral dermal melasma were included in this split-face comparative study. Patients were treated by fractional resurfacing laser and then TSW was sprayed generously unilaterally. For the next 48 h, patients were instructed to spray thermal water at least six times a day on one side. Patient's self-assessment conducted 10 min and 2 days after TSW spraying (stinging, pain, skin dryness, swelling, and redness) and investigator's 48-h post-treatment evaluation (purpura, skin dryness, erythema, swelling, scars, hyper- or hypopigmentation) were recorded for the treated and control sides using visual analogue scales. RESULTS: Pain, dryness, and redness were significantly lower 10 min after spraying on the TSW-treated side in comparison with the untreated side, as assessed by the patients (P < 0.05). Two days after fractional resurfacing, dryness and redness were still improved on the TSW-treated side. The investigator's evaluation revealed that erythema, the only perceivable sign following irradiation, was significantly reduced by TSW spraying (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: This split-face comparative study conducted in patients with dermal melasma showed that spraying TSW after fractional laser resurfacing significantly reduced short-term adverse effects associated with the procedure.

ECCA grading scale: an original validated acne scar grading scale for clinical practice in dermatology.

INTRODUCTION: The ECCA grading scale (échelle d'évaluation clinique des cicatrices d'acné) is a tool designed to help dermatologists to assess the severity of acne scars and to standardize the discussions about the treatments of scars. METHODS: We developed an acne scar clinical grading scale called ECCA, which consists of 6 items designed to assess easily and quickly the severity of acne scars by a global score. The interobserver reliability of the ECCA grading was statistically validated. RESULTS: The statistical analysis showed the interinvestigator reliability of the ECCA grading scale among 7 dermatologists who used it on the same group of 10 acne patients. CONCLUSION: ECCA is a new tool which will now be available for dermatologists to use in their everyday practice and for clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of treatments on acne scars.

Antibodies to carbonic anhydrase and IgG4 levels in idiopathic chronic pancreatitis: relevance for diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.

BACKGROUND: Increased serum antibodies against carbonic anhydrase II (CA-II Ab) or IgG4 levels have been reported in cases of autoimmune chronic pancreatitis (ACP). AIM: To assess the relevance of serum CA-II Ab and IgG4 levels for the diagnosis of ACP in idiopathic CP (ICP) versus alcoholic CP and Sjogren's syndrome (SS). SUBJECTS: This was a multicentre study involving 227 subjects divided into four groups: ICP (n = 54), normal controls (n = 54, paired by age and sex with ICP patients), alcoholic CP (n = 86), and SS (n = 33). METHODS: CA-II Ab was measured by ELISA and confirmed by western blotting. A score of easy clinical use with major clinical, morphological, and biochemical parameters for the diagnosis of ACP was applied. RESULTS: The percentage of patients with increased serum CA-II Ab was higher in the ICP group (28%) than in controls (1.9%) and in patients with alcoholic CP (10.5%), but lower than in patients with SS (64%). The proportion with elevated IgG4 levels was higher in the ICP group (15%) compared with controls (1.9%) and SS (0%) but not significantly different from alcoholic CP (8%). Most ICP patients (7/8) with high IgG4 levels exhibited increased CA-II Ab and a compatible ACP score. A definitive diagnosis of ACP by histological analysis was associated with other autoimmune disorders, an increase in both serum IgG4 and CA-II Ab levels, and IgG4 positive plasma cells. CONCLUSIONS: The increase in serum IgG4 levels was strongly associated with elevated CA-II Ab levels, manifestations compatible with ACP, and lymphoplasmacytic infiltration when surgical specimens were available.

The toxicity of 1-week exposures to inhaled chloroform in female B6C3F1 mice and male F-344 rats.

Detailed quantitative descriptions of the toxicity of inhaled chloroform are lacking, despite the fact that the majority of environmental exposures occur by this route. We investigated the ability of chloroform vapors to produce toxicity and regenerative cell proliferation in the livers and kidneys, the principal target organs for carcinogenicity of female B6C3F1 mice and male F-344 rats, respectively. Nasal passages were also examined for toxic responses. Rodents were exposed to chloroform vapors at concentrations of 0, 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, or 300 ppm for 6 hr/day for 7 consecutive days and necropsied on Day 8. Animals were administered bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) via implanted osmotic pump for the previous 3.5 days before necropsy. Cell proliferation was quantitated as the percentage of cells in S-phase (labeling index; LI) measured by immunohistochemical detection of BrdU-labeled nuclei. Mice exposed to 100 or 300 ppm exhibited centrilobular hepatocyte necrosis and severe vacuolar degeneration of midzonal and periportal hepatocytes, while exposure to 10 or 30 ppm resulted in mild to moderate vacuolar changes in centrilobular hepatocytes. Slight, dose-related increases in the hepatocyte LI were observed for exposure concentrations of 10 and 30 ppm, while the LI was increased more than 30-fold in the 100 and 300 ppm groups. The kidneys of mice were affected only at the 300 ppm exposure, with approximately half of the proximal tubules lined by regenerating epithelium and an increased LI of tubule cells of 8-fold over control. In rats, mild centrilobular vacuolation was observed only in the livers of rats exposed to 300 ppm. The hepatocyte LI in rats were increased only at 100 and 300 ppm, 3- and 7-fold over control, respectively. In the kidneys of the male rats exposed to 300 ppm, about 25 to 50% of the proximal tubules were lined by regenerating epithelium. The LI for tubule cells in the cortex was increased at 30 ppm and above. In the nasal passages of rats, chloroform concentrations of 10 ppm and above induced histopathological changes that exhibited clear concentration-related severity. These lesions consisted of respiratory epithelial goblet cell hyperplasia and degeneration of Bowman's glands in olfactory mucosa with an associated osseous hyperplasia of the endo- and ectoturbinates in the periphery of the ethmoid region. These nasal lesions were not observed in mice. Knowledge of the dose-dependent responses in rats and mice will be valuable in assessing the potential risks to humans posed by inhaled chloroform and in setting exposure concentrations for longer-term studies.

Nasal diagrams: a tool for recording the distribution of nasal lesions in rats and mice.

Knowledge of patterns of lesion distribution can provide insight into the relative roles played by regional tissue dose and local tissue susceptibility in toxic responses to xenobiotics in the nose and assist assessment of potential human risk. A consistent approach is needed for recording lesion distribution patterns in the complex nasal airways of rats and mice. The present work provides a series of diagrams of the nasal passages of the Fischer-344 rat and B6C3F1 mouse, designed for mapping nasal lesions. The diagrams present each of the major cross-sectional airway profiles, provide adequate space for nasal mucosal lesion recording, and are suitable for duplication in a commercial photocopier. Sagittal diagrams are also provided to permit transfer of lesion location data observed in transverse sections onto the long axis of the nose. The distribution of lesions induced by a selected range of xenobiotics is presented. Approaches to application of the diagrams and interpretation of results obtained are discussed in relation to factors responsible for lesion distribution in the nose and their relevance to interspecies extrapolation. A modified approach to anatomical classification of the ethmoturbinates of the rodent is also presented.

Nasal toxicity of chloroform in male F-344 rats and female B6C3F1 mice following a 1-week inhalation exposure.

Chloroform is an important environmental water and air pollutant. Inhalation exposure of female B6C3F1 mice and F-344 rats for 6 hr/day for 7 consecutive days to 0, 1, 3, 10, 30, 100, or 300 ppm of chloroform resulted in concentration-dependent lesions in the nasal passages. Chloroform-induced changes included increased epithelial mucosubstances in the respiratory epithelium of the nasopharyngeal meatus, primarily in the rats. A complex set of responses was seen in specific regions of the ethmoid turbinates, predominantly in the rats. These lesions in the ethmoid region, which involved all of the endo- and ectoturbinates, were most severe peripherally and generally spared the tissue adjacent to the medial airways. These changes were characterized by atrophy of Bowman's glands, increased numbers of vimentin-positive cells in the periosteum, new bone formation, and increased numbers of periosteal cells in S phase as determined by bromodeoxyuridine incorporation. Additional changes were site-specific loss of mucosubstances and loss of immunocytochemical staining of acini and ducts of Bowman's glands for P450-2E1 and pancytokeratin, and loss of P450-2E1 immunostaining of the olfactory epithelium. The only change noted in the mice was increased cell proliferation without the osseous hyperplasia. The no-observed-effect level for these responses ranged from 3 to 100 ppm, with histological changes and induced cell proliferation being the most sensitive parameters. It is proposed that the osseous changes induced by chloroform exposure may be secondary to primary degeneration of adjacent Bowman's glands. The relevance of these changes to human health risks include potential damage to the sense of smell, but such effects would not be expected at the low levels of chloroform commonly encountered in the environment.

Short-term nitrogen-induced modulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase in tobacco and maize leaves.

Untransformed maize and tobacco plants and tobacco plants constitutively expressing nitrate reductase were grown with sufficient NO(3)- to support maximal growth. Four days prior to treatment the tobacco plants were deprived of nitrogen. Excised maize leaves and tobacco leaf discs were fed with either 40 mM KNO(3) or 40 mM KCl (control) in the light. Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (Case) activity was measured at 0.3 mM and 3 mM PEP. The light- induced increase in PEPCase V(max) was greater in maize than tobacco. Furthermore light decreased malate sensitivity in maize (which was N-replete) but not in N-deficient tobacco. NO(3)- treatment increased PEPCase V:(max) values in both species and decreased the sensitivity to inhibition by malate, but effects of NO(3)- were much more pronounced in tobacco than maize. PEPCase kinase activity was, however, greater in maize leaves NO(3)- than in the Cl(-)-treated controls, suggesting that it is responsive to leaf nitrogen supply. A correlation between foliar glutamine content and PEPCase activity was observed. It is concluded that PEPCase is sensitive to N metabolites which favour increased flow through the anapleurotic pathway in both C(3) and C(4) plants.