The direct effects of streptozotocin and alloxan on contractile function in rat heart.

Streptozotocin (STZ) and alloxan (ALX) are widely used to induce diabetes mellitus in experimental animals. The direct effects of STZ and ALX on the amplitude and time course of ventricular myocyte shortening and on cardiac action potentials were investigated. STZ and ALX (10(-5)M) were dissolved in normal Tyrode (NT), maintained at pH 7.4 and 37 degrees C and stored for either 15 or 60-120min. Both compounds reduced the amplitude of myocyte shortening. Compared to NT the amplitude of shortening was 34.7+/-5.0% and 35.2+/-6.8% with STZ and 41.0+/-5.5% and 37.3+/-5.7% with ALX stored for 15 and 60-120min, respectively. During a 10min NT washout STZ myocytes recovered to 56.2+/-8.3% and 60.5+/-8.2% and ALX myocytes recovered to 88.9+/-10.0% and 83.7+/-9.9% after storage of compounds for 15 and 60-120min, respectively. Perfusion of the whole heart with ALX induced bradycardia but had no effects on the duration of action potential repolarization at 50% and 70% from peak action potential. The negative inotropic effects of STZ and ALX were not altered by storage. The results suggest that some of the effects on heart reported in STZ- and ALX-induced diabetes may be partly attributed to direct action of these compounds.

Sialylation and fucosylation of cancer-associated prostate specific antigen.

PURPOSE: To examine sialylation and fucosylation of prostate cancer-associated prostate-specific antigen (PCa PSA) from localized prostate cancer and from metastatic prostate cancer, as relevant indicators of tumour stage-dependent microheterogeneity of its oligosaccharide chain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sera and urine were collected from a group of consenting patients and used as source of the examined PSA. Lectin-affinity chromatography was performed on the columns with immobilized sialic acid-specific lectins Sambucus nigra agglutinin (SNA) and Maackia amurensis lectin (MAA), and fucose-specific lectins Aleuria aurantia agglutinin (AAA) and Ulex europaeus agglutinin (UEA). PSA elution from the corresponding columns was monitored by measuring immunoreactivity to free (f) PSA form. RESULTS: The results of lectin affinity chromatographies of PCa PSA indicated distinct and high microheterogeneity of its oligosaccharide chain in respect to the presence of glycoforms differing in the position and the type of linkage of sialic acid or fucose, as well as alterations related to the examined PSA source (localized or metastatic prostate cancer). CONCLUSION: The observed decrease in SNA reactivity to metastatic PCa PSA in comparison with PCa PSA from localized prostate cancer may be of interest in the monitoring of response to therapy and scoring of its metastatic potential.

Trace metal profiles in hair samples from children in urban and rural regions of the United Arab Emirates.

Pollution has increased with industrialization and humans are subjected to exposure to heavy metals from different environmental sources. In oil-producing countries heavy metals are considered a major threat to the population. Metals such as lead, aluminum, manganese, nickel and cadmium may impact various organs of the body, and controlling their toxicity is crucial for individuals at risk. Previous studies utilized blood levels for monitoring metal toxicity. The current study was designed to investigate exposure to lead, aluminum, manganese, nickel and cadmium using scalp hair. Hair samples were randomly collected from 42 children (aged 6-18 y) representing rural and urban areas of the United Arab Emirates. The rural regions were defined as at least 50 km away from factories or traffic sites. Immediately after cutting, hairs were stored in plastic bags and attached to a questionnaire with the relevant background information. Samples were dried, weighed and sealed with polyethylene envelopes. Following extraction procedures with nitric acid, ICP-MS was utilized for metals determination. The analytical instrument showed a high degree of sensitivity and revealed significant differences between levels of some metals in hairs from rural and urban areas. Children from rural areas had mean hair lead levels (microg/g) of 0.79 + 0.10 whereas children from urban area had higher hair lead levels (3.47 + 0.47). Measuring metals concentration in scalp hair could be a useful method for studying exposure and assessing environmental pollution. Although the technique has the potential of being an effective tool for evaluating extent of pollution and identifying potentially toxic elements, it cannot yet replace the standard procedures of measuring air, water and soil metal content.

Effects of atropine, trimedoxime and methylprednisolone on the development of organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy in the hen.

In this study we have examined the effects of atropine, trimedoxime (TMB-4) and methylprednisolone (MP) on the development of organophosphate-induced delayed polyneuropathy (OPIDP) in the hen. The birds were treated with standard neuropathic dose of diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) (1.1 mg/kg, sc), which produced OPIDP that could be graded as 5 on the 8-point scale, and the development of OPIDP was observed for the next 22 days. The results obtained have shown that atropine (20 mg/kg, ip), TMB-4 (15 mg/kg, im) and MP (2 or 10 mg/kg, ip) either alone or in different combinations are able to improve the condition of the birds. The most potent effect was obtained with atropine, TMB-4 (given 20 min before DFP) and MP (2 mg/kg, sc, given 20 min before and at 48 hour intrevals after poisoning) since the signs of OPIDP could hardly be seen (grade 1 at the 8-point scale). When TMB-4 and MP were given 15 or 40 min after DFP the protective/therapeutic effects of these drugs appeared to be diminished since walking disorders were more serious and graded as 2 or 4, respectively. The possible mechanisms of the action of the drugs in respect to OPIDP are discussed. In conclusion, the results of this study have shown that it is possible to prevent the development of DFP-induced OPIDP in the hen by treatment with atropine, trimedoxime and methylprednisolone when they were given before or soon after DFP.

Selenium and malondialdehyde content and glutathione peroxidase activity in maternal and umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid.

Placenta tissue may be a major source of lipid peroxidation products in pregnancy. It was proven that placental peroxidation activity increases with gestation. Selenium (Se), as an essential constituent of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), takes part in the reduction of hydrogen peroxides and lipid peroxides. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a major breakdown product split off from lipid peroxides. In this study, Se and MDA content and GSH-Px activity were measured in blood and plasma taken from 20 apparently healthy nonpregnant women between 19 and 38 yr of age and from 115 unselected pregnant women between 17 and 45 yr of age (35 in the first trimester, 22 in the second trimester, 38 in the third trimester, and 20 within 2 d of delivery). Samples of umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid were taken from women in the second and third trimesters and at delivery. The Se content was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), plasma MDA concentration by thiobarbituric acid reaction, and Se-dependent GSH-Px spectrometrically. Blood and plasma Se contents of nonpregnant women were below those considered adequate, indicating low selenium intake. In comparison to nonpregnant women, pregnant women had significantly decreased whole-blood and plasma Se levels in the second and third trimesters and at delivery. The significant drop of whole-blood SeGSH-Px activity was observed in the first trimester of pregnancy and its lower activity was maintained until delivery. A significant drop in plasma SeGSH-Px activity occurred in the second trimester and attained the minimal level at delivery. The Se level and SeGSH-Px activity in maternal and umbilical cord blood were at similar levels. Amniotic-fluid SeGSH-Px activity was nondetectable or exceptionally low and its Se content remained unchanged during pregnancy. Plasma levels of MDA were significantly decreased in the second and third trimesters and at delivery. The fetal blood plasma at birth had a lower MDA level compared to the levels of MDA of their mothers at delivery. A low, but significant inverse correlation existed between blood SeGSH-Px activity and plasma MDA content and between plasma Se and plasma MDA contents during pregnancy. A significant decrease of Se and SeGSH-Px activities (antioxidant enzyme) in both blood and plasma suggests a possible drop in total antioxidant status during pregnancy. Elevated MDA plasma levels might be the result of increased lipid peroxidation in placental tissue during pregnancy. Index Entries: Selenium; glutathione peroxidase; malondialdehyde; pregnancy; umbilical cord blood; amniotic fluid.

The strength of percutaneous methods of repair of the Achilles tendon: a biomechanical study.

PURPOSE: A study on 36 cadaveric Achilles tendons was undertaken to compare different Achilles tendon repairs. METHODS: The strength of the repair and the gapping resistance were tested under different standardized experimental conditions. Each matched pair of cadaveric Achilles tendons was randomly repaired in the original Ma-Griffith configuration and in the new modified configuration and loaded to failure. Using a special equipment, the force displacement curve was measured. RESULTS: Under different experimental conditions, the new modified technique presented in the paper provided significantly greater tensile strength and gapping resistance than the original Ma-Griffith repair configuration. CONCLUSION: The results of this study may be clinically relevant in terms of choice of the percutaneous method used for the repair of the ruptured Achilles tendon.

Selenium in soil, grass, and human serum in the Zlatibor mountain area (Serbia): geomedical aspects.

The Zlatibor district in Serbia has lower mortality rates of malignant and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) compared with other regions in Serbia. To better understand the influence of the geochemical environment, we collected and analyzed soil from various bedrocks and the grass growing on them. We also analyzed spring and stream waters, including large water supply accumulations, for major chemical elements and examined the serum of healthy adults in the large area of Zlatibor for selenium (Se) and magnesium (Mg). Our studies included villages, small towns, and the town of Uzice. Our results showed a variable Se content in the soil over different bedrocks. In general, soil in this area has a higher Se content than in other regions of Serbia. The Se content of the grass is influenced by bedrock and soil mineralogy, but mostly by soil pH and the date of collection. For example, in late summer, grass contains twice as much Se than in spring. Mg2+HCO3(-)-type waters occur in the ultramafic massif of Zlatibor in a concentration of 44 to 68 mgMg/L. The serum Se values were higher in the Zlatibor area than in other regions of Serbia (62.6 +/- 14.9 microgSe/L; n = 158). The serum Mg content (22.7 +/- 2.2 mg/L; n = 158) was in the uppermost part of the reference range. Taking into account their biological role, the Se and Mg levels in the human population in the Zlatibor area could influence the lower mortality rates of cancer and CVD in this region compared with other regions in Serbia.

Modification of the rate of aging of diisopropylfluorophosphate-inhibited neuropathy target esterase of hen brain.

This study was aimed to investigate the possibility of modifying the rate of aging of diisopropylfluorophosphate-inhibited neuropathy target esterase (NTE) of hen brain. This reaction on NTE occurs with a half-time of 7.4 min. Atropine was effective in decreasing the rate of aging on DFP-inhibited NTE and this effect was time- and concentration-dependent. Atropine was also a weak but progressive inhibitor of NTE activity (I50 = 80 mM) and this reaction appears to be reversible at lower atropine concentrations. Among compounds containing oxime functional groups only OPAB, having longer methylene chain and being more lipophylic than other oximes usually used in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivation studies, was effective in decreasing the rate of aging on DFP-inhibited NTE. However, when atropine and oximes were used together we have obtained a potentiating and/or synergistic effect which was most significant with combination of atropine and TMB-4 giving up to a 15-fold decrease in the rate of aging reaction. The efficacy of this particular combination was concentration-dependent. We have also discussed similarities and differences in aging reaction occurring on NTE and AChE.

Patella fractures associated with injuries of the knee ligament.

Concurrent fractures of the patella and knee ligament ruptures are rare. From September 1985 to November 1989, 112 fractures of the patella were treated operatively at the Department of Traumatology at Celje General Hospital. In six patients (5%), associated badly injured ligaments of the knee joint were noted. During the operation, osteosynthesis of the patella was performed after the injured ligaments had been reconstructed. It is essential to examine the knee ligaments under general anesthesia before performing osteosynthesis of the patella. We have found no reports on this uncommon injury in the literature.

Interaction of organophosphorus compounds with carboxylesterases in the rat.

Carboxylesterases (CarbE) are involved in detoxication of organophosphorus compounds (OPC) through two mechanisms: hydrolysis of ester bonds in OPC which contain them and binding of OPC at the active site of CarbE which reduces the amount of OPC available for acetylcholinesterase inhibition. This study of the interaction of rat plasma and liver CarbE with dichlorvos, soman and sarin in vitro and in vivo was undertaken in order to contribute to better understanding of the role of CarbE in detoxication of OPC. The results obtained have shown that inhibitory potency (I50) of dichlorvos, sarin and soman towards rat liver CarbE was 0.2 microM, 0.5 microM and 4.5 microM, respectively, for 20-min incubation at 25 degrees C. Second-order rate constants (k(a)) for liver CarbE inhibition were 2.3 x 10(5) M-1 min-1, 6.9 x 10(4) M-1 min-1 and 1.1 x 10(4) M-1 min-1 for dichlorvos, sarin and soman, respectively. The corresponding values for plasma CarbE could not be calculated because of dominant spontaneous reactivation of inhibited CarbE. CarbE inhibited with these OPC in vitro spontaneously reactivate with half-times of 18, 143 and 497 min for sarin, dichlorvos and soman in plasma and 111, 163 and 297 min for sarin, soman and dichlorvos in liver, respectively. These results were also confirmed in experiments in vivo in which rats were subcutaneously treated with 0.5 LD50 of these agents. The half-times of spontaneous reactivation of rat plasma CarbE in vivo were 1.2, 2.0 and 2.7 h for dichlorvos, sarin and soman, respectively. These findings have changed current understanding of the mechanism of interaction of CarbE with OPC and involvement of the enzymes in detoxication of OPC, suggesting an active and important role of the enzymes in metabolic conversions of OPC to their less toxic metabolites.

Subcutaneous suturing of the ruptured Achilles tendon under local anaesthesia.

Debate concerning the appropriate treatment of ruptures of the Achilles tendon still continues. Conservative treatment can be associated with a high incidence of re-rupture and with relative weakness and lengthening of the triceps surae but with low costs. Surgical treatment contributes to a much lower incidence of re-rupture but can be associated with significant complications as well as with time loss and high costs of hospitalization. Subcutaneous reconstruction combines the advantages of surgical and non-surgical management. Operating with local anaesthesia reduces hospitalization time and operative costs; there are also almost no contraindications for the operation. The functional results in 36 patients operated on in this way are encouraging.

[The (18)(q 22----qter) deletion in patients with complete clinical features of the De Grouchy syndrome]. / Delecija--(18) (q 22----qter) u pacijenta sa kompletnom klinickom slikom sindroma De Grouchy.

A case of a 4-year old boy with de Grouchy syndrome was reported. The patient showed generalised muscular hypotonia, marked mental retardation (RQ = 30), developmental milestones retarded, craniofacial dysmorphic features, congenital heart disease, abnormalities of the external genitalia and skeletal deformities. The karyotype analysis revealed a partial deletion of the distal bands of chromosome 18:48 48 xy del (18) (q 22----qter). Qualitative and quantitative characteristics analysis of digital and palmar dermatoglyphics supported the diagnosis.

Contemporary possibilities of medicamentous prevention of cataract.

The study is based upon the fact that aging processes inevitably affect all parts of the human body. These processes are often followed by pathological changes, whose basic cause may be some of the genetic factors or insufficient and inadequate nutrition, but they may also be intensified by the influence of adverse effects in the work place or ecologic factors. It is often impossible to completely avoid the impact of all these processes upon the human body, but the application of certain preventive measures and medicamentous therapy may diminish or slow them down. The results of the application of various medicaments with the purpose of slowing down the manifestation or progress of cataract have shown that such measures of the medicamentous prevention of cataract certainly have medical justification. It has also been found that the medicaments applied slowed down the development and progress of lens opacities and the occurrence of cataract to a higher or lesser degree, depending on the kind of preparation and its efficacy.

Accuracy of routine flow-cytometric bitmap selection for three leukocyte populations.

A double-blind study was performed with peripheral blood of 41 human subjects to check the accuracy of determination of lymphocyte, monocyte, and granulocyte windows with which every flow cytometric analysis of leukocyte markers starts. White blood cell suspensions were prepared according to the whole blood method and analyzed on an EPICS-C flow cytometer using the two-parameter 90 degrees light scatter vs. forward angle light scatter (granularity vs. cell size) data distribution. Windows (bitmaps) for lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes were drawn and numbers of cells determined in each. The proportions of lymphocytes, monocytes, and granulocytes were calculated in relation to total cell number, counted and in relation to the sum of cells in three bitmaps, and then compared with proportions determined by microscopic whole blood cell (WBC) differential and a WBC differential determined in an automated hematology analyzer. Average proportions of lymphocytes obtained by the flow cytometer were significantly lower than those obtained by either microscopic or automated differential, suggesting that some of the relevant cells were not included in the bitmaps. Granulocyte proportion related to total cell number was lower and that related to bitmap cell number higher than that obtained by microscopic and automatic differentials, suggesting that nongranulocytic cells were included in the granulocyte bitmaps. Proportions of lymphocytes and granulocytes obtained by the flow cytometer correlated well with those obtained by both microscopic and automatic differential. In contrast, the proportions of monocytes showed a poor correlation, which is probably due to their low number and delicate position in the distribution, and which makes them difficult to delineate.

Tandem duplication of chromosome 14 (q24 leads to q32) in male newborn with congenital malformations.

A tandem duplication of 14q24 leads to q32, estimated by G- and R-banding, was found in a male newborn with growth retardation and congenital malformations. His clinical picture is compared with that of three patients from the literature with partial trisomy for a similar segment of 14q due to a parental reciprocal translocation or a de novo translocation.

Infrequent structural chromosome aberrations in women with primary amenorrhea.

Since the problem of primary amenorrhoea (PA) is very real the authors reviewed a series of 58 women from their own laboratory, citing all known causes of PA and emphasizing that the most interesting cases are those with normal karyotype. Reinvestigation of patients with normal karyotype using the banding methods (G and R) revealed new types of structural aberrations of X chromosome. The importance of structural disturbances and rearrangements of particular segments of X chromosome in the etiology of PA has been discussed.