Drug information by public health and regulatory institutions: Results of an 8-country survey in Europe.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the framework of drug information produced by public health and regulatory institutions in Europe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We carried out a short survey asking editors of ISDB bulletins of the European region to indicate the main sources of drug information provided by public health and regulatory authorities in their countries, the specific kind of information produced and their opinions about strengths and weaknesses of such information. The availability of evaluations about the added therapeutic value of drugs and of tools facilitating the implementation of such information were particularly addressed and checked on the websites of those institutions. RESULTS: Answers pertaining to eight countries were available. Regulatory information and safety alerts are generally available, but just UK and Germany stand out by showing quite an advanced framework of evidence-based, comparative drug information for health professionals, decision-makers and for the general public. National plans to implement evidence-based drug information seem lacking. CONCLUSION: More efforts are warranted to develop sharp formats to make evidence-based drug information easier to access, understand and put in context, showing the place in therapy of medicines and their added therapeutic value. Harmonization of different sources, also at European level, would be important to favor their access and limit dispersion. Appropriate tools and specific plans are then necessary to favor implementation of information materials.

Biodegradation of 2,4-dinitrotoluene by different plant species.

Over the past century, rapid growth of population, mining and industrialization significantly contributed to extensive soil, air and water contamination. The 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT), used mostly as explosive, belongs to the hazardous xenobiotics. Soils and waters contaminated with 2,4-DNT may be cleaned by phytoremediation using suitable plant species. The ability of crop plants (hemp, flax, sunflower and mustard) to germinate and grow on soils contaminated with 2,4-DNT was compared. Stimulation of their growth was found at 0.252 mg/g 2,4-DNT. The lethal concentration for the growth for these species was around 1 mg/g. In hydropony, the above mentioned species were able to survive 200 mg/l 2,4-DNT, the concentration close to maximal solubility of 2,4-DNT in water. Metabolism of 2,4-DNT was tested using suspension culture of soapwort and reed. The degradation products 2-aminonitrotoluene and 4-aminonitrotoluene were found both in the medium and in the acetone extract of plant cells. The test showed that the toxicity of these metabolites was higher than the toxicity of the parent compound, but 2,4-diaminotoluene, the product of next reduction step, was less toxic in the concentration range tested (0-200 mg/l).

Wnt-Fzd signaling sensitizes peripheral sensory neurons via distinct noncanonical pathways.

Wnt signaling represents a highly versatile signaling system, which plays diverse and critical roles in various aspects of neural development. Sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia require Wnt signaling for initial cell-fate determination as well as patterning and synapse formation. Here we report that Wnt signaling pathways persist in adult sensory neurons and play a functional role in their sensitization in a pathophysiological context. We observed that Wnt3a recruits the Wnt-calcium signaling pathway and the Wnt planar cell polarity pathway in peripheral nerves to alter pain sensitivity in a modality-specific manner and we elucidated underlying mechanisms. In contrast, biochemical, pharmacological, and genetic studies revealed lack of functional relevance for the classical canonical ß-catenin pathway in peripheral sensory neurons in acute modulation of nociception. Finally, this study provides proof-of-concept for a translational potential for Wnt3a-Frizzled3 signaling in alleviating disease-related pain hypersensitivity in cancer-associated pain in vivo.

[Healed war injuries of the cranium in the osteologic collection from the Broumov Ossuary (13th-18th century)]. / Zhojená válecná poranení krania v osteologickém souboru z broumovské kostnice (13.-18. století).

Traumatic bone lesions form an important part of the study of human paleopathology. Injuries of the skull are frequent in the history of the human race. 647 adult dry skulls of both sexes from the "Broumov Ossuary" (13th-18th century) were examined for the incidence of cranium injuries. In this paper, an extensive collection (n=122) of healed dry skull injuries is presented. In the neuro- and splanchnocranium of skulls (n=78), linear and depressed fractures, slash and stab wounds have been seen but no gunshot wound. In part of the skulls (n=29), multiple injuries have been observed. Many detected traumatic lesions seem to have been caused by traditional weapons of the last centuries: war swords, axes, or pole-arms with metal spikes. All the skull injuries show clear signs of well-healing with bone remodelling that indicates the survival of victims for a long period after the cranial trauma.

[Tooth abrasion in the historic populations of Broumov]. / Proces abraze zubu u historických populací Broumova.

Aging is accompanied by a natural decrease of the hard dental tissues. Occlusal and incisal tooth abrasion occurs during the normal mastication. In the study, the collection of 717 adult and child skulls without mandibles, and 518 isolated adult and child mandibles from the "Broumov Ossuary" (13th-18th century)--the Czech Republic was examined for the study of tooth abrasion. In the skulls and mandibles of the adult individuals high prevalence of both tooth abrasion and its high degree was ascertained. The established pattern of dental abrasion suggests an abrasive composition of diet at the historical Broumov populations and concurrently indicates that tooth age-abrasion can be used for the age-at-death determination solely in the context with the given particular historic epoch.

Alternative method of rapid drying vascular specimens for scanning electron microscopy.

PURPOSE: To report the use of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) as an alternative to critical point drying for preparing stented canine peripheral vessels for scanning electron microscopy (SEM). TECHNIQUE: Vascular specimens were fixed in 4% formaldehyde overnight, dehydrated in a graded ethanol series, followed by immersion in 100% hexamethyldisilazane. After air drying, the specimens were mounted on stainless steel stubs, coated with gold, and examined in the SEM. The electron micrographs were of high quality, showing the layers of the vascular wall and the incorporated stent covered by a neointimal layer. The micrographs were comparable to corresponding histological sections, but detailed endothelial patterns were more visible. CONCLUSIONS: HMDS treatment and subsequent air drying provides good quality scanning electron micrographs that reveal both endothelial patterns and the layered architecture of stented vessels. The disadvantage of HMDS drying may be a shrinkage and distortion similar to other drying agents. Ease of handling, low cost, and a high rate of success are advantages that favor HMDS desiccation over other drying methods.

[Paleopathologic findings of premature coronal suture closure]. / Paleopatologické nálezy predcasné obliterace vencitého svu.

The work describes paleopathologic finding of brachycephaly deformation in 4 adult skulls, caused by premature coronal suture closure. Skulls come from the 35 pieces collection of craniostenoses, found in osteologic collection of 745 skulls from Broumov Ossuary. They were examined by cranioscopy, craniometry, x-ray and CT methods. Presence of brachycephaly in Broumov collection of skulls ant their percentage in the collection of craniosynostoses is discussed in the context with recent clinical data.

[Findings of the syphilis lesions in the skulls from the "Broumov Ossuary"]. / Nálezy syfilis na lebkách z "Broumovské kostnice".

Syphilis is a treponematosis clinically characterized by a primary lesion, a secondary rash affecting the skin and the mucous membranes and late lesions affecting cardiovascular and central nervous systems, viscera and bones. Off all the skeletal lesions, the most characteristic are those of the skull, most commonly affecting frontal and parietal bones and nasal and palatal region. The collection of 647 adult skulls of both sexes and 98 child and adolescent skulls from the "Broumov Ossuary" (13th - 18th century) was examined for the presence of the bone syphilis lesions. Seven cases of the gummatous lesions were observed among adult skulls. In the child skulls, three suspect findings of the congenital syphilis were diagnosed.