The acute effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on rates of protein synthesis in type I and type II fibre-rich skeletal muscles of the rat.

Young rats were injected with either ethanol (75 mmol/kg), acetaldehyde (2.8 mmol/kg) or isovolumetric amounts of NaCl (0.15 mol/l, i.e. controls) with or without inhibitors of alcohol dehydrogenase (4-methylpyrazole) or aldehyde dehydrogenase (cyanamide). After 2.5 hr, fractional rates of protein synthesis (i.e. ks) in the soleus (Type I fibre-rich) and plantaris (Type II fibre-rich) muscles were measured. Ethanol alone reduced ks in both soleus and plantaris muscles, by approx. 25%. Pretreatment of ethanol-dosed rats with 4-methylpyrazole raised plasma ethanol levels and reduced ks in the soleus and plantaris by approx. 35%. Pretreatment of ethanol-dosed rats with cyanamide also increased plasma ethanol and further potentiated the effects of ethanol by reducing ks in the soleus and plantaris by approx. 65%. Acetaldehyde alone reduced ks by approx. 15%, and this effect was not significantly altered by 4-methylpyrazole pretreatment. In some instances, the plantaris was slightly more sensitive to ethanol and acetaldehyde than the soleus. Similar conclusions were derived when data were expressed relative to either RNA or DNA. The data thus suggest that the ethanol-induced inhibition of skeletal muscle protein synthesis may possibly be independently mediated by both ethanol and acetaldehyde.     

Foreign-body osteitis of the metacarpal bone.

Foreign-body granulomas in the hand can appear secondary to an unrecognized foreign material. In a six-year-old boy, an extensive sterile osteitis of the second metacarpal bone appeared adjacent to a wood splinter.     

Characterization of P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance proteins in rat kidney and intestinal cell lines.

The activity of P-glycoprotein (Pgp/MDR1/ABCB1) and multidrug resistance proteins (MRP/ABCC) influence the pharmacokinetics and bioavailability of many drugs. Few suitable cell lines for the study of drug transport exist. Additional non-human cell lines may help clarify species differences and contribute to the current knowledge of drug transport. The aim of the present study was to characterize three rat epithelial cell lines for transporter expression and activity. Transporter expression was assessed in intestinal IEC-6 and renal GERP and NRK-52E cells using RT-PCR and Western blot analysis. Pgp and Mrp transport activity were analyzed by measuring calcein accumulation and glutathione-S-bimane efflux, respectively. The three cell lines showed Pgp expression and Pgp-dependent transport, both decreasing with culture time after reaching confluency. Besides Pgp, cells expressed Mrp1, Mrp3, Mrp4, and Mrp5, while Mrp2 and Mrp6 were absent. In addition, they showed temperature- and Mrp-dependent efflux of glutathione-S-bimane. Exposure to a panel of different inhibitors showed that this efflux was probably mediated by Mrp4. In conclusion, the three rat epithelial cell lines investigated showed Pgp and Mrp expression and transport. Mrp dependent transport was most likely mediated by Mrp4. In future, these cell lines may be used as in vitro models to study drug transport.     

Magnet extraction of frontal sinus foreign body

We report a metallic foreign body that entered through the anterior table of the frontal sinus, and rolled down to lodge in the nasofrontal duct. An electromagnet was used to remove the foreign body through a trephination.     

An investigation of child restraint/seatbelt usage in motor vehicles by Maori in Northland New Zealand

OBJECTIVE: To investigate child restraint/seatbelt use by the indigenous (Maori) population in Northland New Zealand. METHOD: Observational surveys were conducted at the two main car parks (McDonald's and the largest supermarket) to determine the number of passengers restrained, the type of restraints, and correct use. Observations were restricted to those who were obviously Maori, based upon the local knowledge of the observer. In addition, face to face questionnaires were administered to Maori whanau/caregivers involved in the care of two or more children for more than three days a week. RESULTS: A total of 788 participants were observed. Babies were those most likely to have all occupants restrained correctly (97%), followed by toddlers (66%), adults (56%), and school age children (48%); 138 interviews were conducted. Females (86%) were significantly more likely to ensure that all passengers were restrained on short journeys compared to males (67%; p<0.05). Respondents under 45 (80%) were significantly less likely to restrain child passengers compared to people aged 45 or older (91%; p<0.05). DISCUSSION: This study highlights the problem that larger families in this study had in providing correct child restraints for all their children.     

Neopterin determination in the screening for spongiosa donors

HIV-1 and HIV-2 antibodies, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, leucocytes and additionally serum neopterin levels were measured in 100 potential spongiosa donors. HIV antibodies were negative in all patients, whereas in 24% neopterin levels were elevated (greater than 10 nmol/l). Enhanced neopterin production is related to activity in cell-mediated immune response. In further investigations of these patients we found in 29% infections, 38% tumor diseases and 13% autoimmune diseases, all being exclusion criteria for spongiosa transplantation. In 3 patients increased neopterin values were the only pathological screening parameters. The measurement of serum neopterin levels showed to be a helpful parameter for the selection of spongiosa donors.