[Hypothalamic intravascular B-cell lymphoma in an immunocompetent patient]. / Linfoma B intravascular hipotalamico en una paciente inmunocompetente.

TITLE: Linfoma B intravascular hipotalamico en una paciente inmunocompetente.

Multiple Endocrine Disrupting Effects in Rats Perinatally Exposed to Butylparaben.

Parabens comprise a group of preservatives commonly added to cosmetics, lotions, and other consumer products. Butylparaben has estrogenic and antiandrogenic properties and is known to reduce sperm counts in rats following perinatal exposure. Whether butylparaben exposure can affect other endocrine sensitive endpoints, however, remains largely unknown. In this study, time-mated Wistar rats (n = 18) were orally exposed to 0, 10, 100, or 500 mg/kg bw/d of butylparaben from gestation day 7 to pup day 22. Several endocrine-sensitive endpoints were adversely affected. In the 2 highest dose groups, the anogenital distance of newborn male and female offspring was significantly reduced, and in prepubertal females, ovary weights were reduced and mammary gland outgrowth was increased. In male offspring, sperm count was significantly reduced at all doses from 10 mg/kg bw/d. Testicular CYP19a1 (aromatase) expression was reduced in prepubertal, but not adult animals exposed to butylparaben. In adult testes, Nr5a1 expression was reduced at all doses, indicating persistent disruption of steroidogenesis. Prostate histology was altered at prepuberty and adult prostate weights were reduced in the high dose group. Thus, butylparaben exerted endocrine disrupting effects on both male and female offspring. The observed adverse developmental effect on sperm count at the lowest dose is highly relevant to risk assessment, as this is the lowest observed adverse effect level in a study on perinatal exposure to butylparaben.

Regulation of the galanin system in the brainstem and hypothalamus by electroconvulsive stimulation in mice.

Induction of seizures by electroconvulsive stimulation (ECS) is amongst the most efficacious treatments for major depression. However, the working mechanism by which ECS exerts its antidepressant effects remains elusive. The galanin system is regulated by ECS in seizure-prone brain regions and has been shown to modulate depression-like behaviour. To further explore its potential role in the antidepressant effects of ECS the galanin system was investigated by in situ hybridisation and [(125)I]-galanin receptor binding during repeated ECS in the locus coeruleus, dorsal raphe and discrete nuclei of the hypothalamus. Adult mice were treated with ECS once daily for 14 consecutive days, a paradigm previously shown to exert antidepressant-like effects. Significant increases in galanin transcription were found in the locus coeruleus and dorsomedial nuclei of the hypothalamus. In addition, GalR2 mRNA levels in the ventro- and dorsomedial nuclei of the hypothalamus were upregulated whereas no GalR1 mRNA upregulation was observed. [(125)I]-galanin receptor binding was downregulated in the ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus and dorsal raphe. These data show that the galanin system is regulated by repeated ECS in brain regions involved in monoaminergic neurotransmission and stress modulation thus indicating a possible role of the galanin system in the therapeutic effects of ECS.

Combined exposure to endocrine disrupting pesticides impairs parturition, causes pup mortality and affects sexual differentiation in rats.

Risk assessment is currently based on the no observed adverse effect levels (NOAELs) for single compounds. Humans are exposed to a mixture of chemicals and recent studies in our laboratory have shown that combined exposure to endocrine disrupters can cause adverse effects on male sexual development, even though the doses of the single compounds are below their individual NOAELs for anti-androgenic effects. Consequently, we have initiated a large project where the purpose is to study mixture effects of endocrine disrupting pesticides at low doses. In the initial range-finding mixture studies, rats were gavaged during gestation and lactation with five doses of a mixture of the fungicides procymidone, mancozeb, epoxyconazole, tebuconazole and prochloraz. The mixture ratio was chosen according to the doses of each individual pesticide that produced no observable effects on pregnancy length and pup survival in our laboratory and the dose levels used ranged from 25 to 100% of this mixture. All dose levels caused increased gestation length and dose levels above 25% caused impaired parturition leading to markedly decreased number of live born offspring and high pup perinatal mortality. The sexual differentiation of the pups was affected at 25% and higher as anogenital distance was affected in both male and female offspring at birth and the male offspring exhibited malformations of the genital tubercle, increased nipple retention, and decreased prostate and epididymis weights at pup day 13. The results show that doses of endocrine disrupting pesticides, which appear to induce no effects on gestation length, parturition and pup mortality when judged on their own, induced marked adverse effects on these endpoints in concert with other pesticides. In addition, the sexual differentiation of the offspring was affected. This as well as the predictability of the combination effects based on dose-additivity modelling will be studied further in a large dose-response study.

Determination of immunoglobulin G in bovine colostrum and milk powders, and in dietary supplements of bovine origin by protein G affinity liquid chromatography: collaborative study.

An AOAC collaborative study was conducted to evaluate an affinity LC procedure for measuring immunoglobulin G (IgG) in selected dairy powders. The powders were extracted with 0.15 M sodium chloride solution and the pH was adjusted to 4.6 to precipitate caseins, which would otherwise lead to an overestimation of IgG. The analyte was then bound to a commercially available Protein G affinity cartridge and selectively eluted with a glycine buffer at pH 2.5. Detection was at 280 nm and quantification was made against a calibration curve prepared from bovine serum IgG. The samples analyzed included the likely matrixes for which this assay will find commercial use, namely, high- and low-protein-content colostrum powders, tablets containing colostrum powder, and some IgG-containing dairy powders; milk protein isolate, whey protein concentrate, and skim milk powder. Eleven laboratories provided data for the study and assayed blind duplicates of six materials. The repeatability RSD values ranged from 2.1 to 4.2% and the reproducibility RSD values ranged from 6.4 to 18.5%. The Protein G method with casein removal has adequate reproducibility for measuring IgG in colostrum-derived powders that are traded on the basis of IgG content as a colostral marker.

Exposure and sensitization to environmental allergen of predominantly Hispanic children with asthma in San Diego's inner city.

BACKGROUND: Environmental living conditions co-sorting with economic status may influence the disease morbidity rate of childhood asthma in ethnic minority urban poor populations. OBJECTIVES: This study was carried out to assess exposure and sensitization to environmental allergens in southeast San Diego children with current asthma-related symptoms and to determine the utility of environmental control measures. METHODS: Children, 9 to 12 years old, with current asthma-related symptoms were identified and enrolled at four school sites. Skin prick testing with aeroallergens was performed, and allergen in collected dust (from mattresses, pillows, and bedroom carpets) was quantified by enzyme immunoassay. Environmental control instruction and products were provided. RESULTS: Of 41 subjects who underwent skin testing, 51.2% were reactive to environmental allergens (39% to mite, 22% to cockroach, and 9.8% to cat). Mean allergen levels for sensitized subjects were: Der p 1 (11 subjects), 18,722 ng/gm dust; Der f 1 (8 subjects), 5345 ng/gm dust; Fel d 1 (3 subjects), 214 ng/gm dust; Bla 1 (8 subjects), 7.15 U/gm dust; and Bla 2 (8 subjects) 7.13 U/gm dust. Environmental allergen exposure levels were not significantly different between sensitized and nonsensitized subjects. Environmental control measures for mite exposure were completed in six homes of sensitized subjects. One month after treatment, allergen levels fell 91.2% for Der p 1, 98.9% for Der f 1, and 88.2% for Fel d 1. One year after treatment, mite and cat allergen levels remained low. Environmental control had no consistent impact on cockroach allergen levels. CONCLUSION: Environmental allergen sensitization and exposure may be cofactors contributing to increased disease severity in urban poor populations.

Management of gastrocolic fistula.

The authors present 13 patients with gastrocolic, gastrojejunocolic, or duodenocolic fistula, the majority of which were complications of peptic ulcer disease or its treatment. In contrast to previous reports, these patients were not severely anemic, dehydrated, or malnourished at time of presentation. Pain, fecal emesis, and diarrhea were the most common presenting symptoms. Half of the patients waited more than two weeks before seeking treatment. Barium enema and upper gastrointestinal series were equally useful in making the diagnosis in this study. When the patient was adequately prepared, one-stage operations could be performed safely in most situations. Operation may not be necessary or advisable in patients with metastatic malignant disease with minimal symptoms relating to fistulization.