Toxicity of sodium pentafluorostannite. A new anticariogenic agent. III. 30-Day toxicity study in rats.

For 30 days, groups of 12–19 Wistar rats (divided according to sex) were dosed daily by gavage with distilled water or with 20, 100, or 175 mg/kg sodium pentafluorostannite. On Days 14 and 29, blood was collected from five rats in each group to determine hemoglobin concentration and packed cell volume. On Days 15 and 30, rats were sacrificed, blood collected, and serum urea nitrogen (BUN), direct and total bilirubin, SGOT activity, inorganic phosphorus, calcium and glucose concentrations were determined. A necropsy was performed on each rat, its organs weighed, and sections prepared for microscopic examination. After 15 and 30 days, growth was depressed in a dose-related manner. Serum glucose concentration was also lowered. Microscopic findings in organs were generally unremarkable except for degenerative changes of the proximal tubular epithelium of the kidneys in 15–20% of the animals in the 175-mg/kg groups. Animals that died spontaneously displayed signs suggestive of cardiac failure, including congestion of the liver, spleen, lungs and/or kidneys. In addition, most had moderate to severe renal tubular necrosis.     

Juxtaglomerular cells in renal angiomyolipoma. Ultrastructural observation

We have studied a case of renal angiomyolipoma by electron microscopy and found juxtaglomerular cells with typical rhomboid and spherical granules, in addition to smooth muscle cells, fat cells, and abnormal blood vessels. To our knowledge, this is the first ultrastructural demonstration of juxtaglomerular cells in renal angiomyolipoma.     

Iopamidol and meglumine diatrizoate: comparison of effects on patient discomfort during aortofemoral arteriography

Iopamidol was compared with Renografin-60 (meglumine diatrizoate, Squibb) in a controlled, randomized double-blind study of 40 patients undergoing peripheral arteriography for arteriosclerotic occlusive disease to determine which agent caused less discomfort. Each patient was evaluated for objective signs of discomfort and subjective feelings of pain and heat. Monitoring was achieved by multiple physical examinations, chemical tests, electrocardiograms, and intra-arterial pressure recordings. It is concluded that iopamidol is safe and causes significantly less patient discomfort than Renografin-60.     

Effect of Prostaglandins on Immune Complex Interaction With Glomerular Cells in Vitro

Previous studies demonstrated that prostaglandins of the E₁ (PGE₁) series reduced immune complex (IC) accumulation and inflammation in murine glomeruli in IC glomerulonephritis (GN). This study examines the effect of PGE₁ on IC interaction with cultured rabbit glomerular cells and heparan sulfate synthesis by the cells. IC were formed with antigen chemically modified to produce a cationic (CAT) charge or left unmodified (UM). CAT IC binding to cells was greater than UM IC in the absence of PGE₁. CAT IC binding to cells was increased by PGE₁ while UM IC interaction was not affected. Prolonged exposure of cells to PGE₁ enhanced CAT IC binding. Heparan sulfate synthesis by the cells was not affected by the concentrations of PGE₁ employed. The findings suggest the benefit provided by PGE₁ in murine IC GN may not be due to a direct effect on glomerular cells which reduces glomerular IC accumulation.     

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma of the clitoris: a case report with immunohistochemical and ultrastructural findings.

A 30-year-old woman was referred for evaluation of a small nodule of the clitoris. This was subsequently diagnosed as epithelioid hemangioendothelioma. This rare vascular tumor of intermediate malignancy has not been previously described in the vulva. The patient underwent a modified radical vulvectomy and bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection, and subsequently received photon therapy. She is alive with no evidence of disease 27 months after diagnosis.     

Immunosuppression in renal transplantation: Long-term clinical trial of a double versus triple therapy regimen

Summary: Sixty-nine renal allograft recipients were randomized to two immunosuppressive regimens: 35 patients received cyclosporine A and prednisolone (PC) while 34 patients received low dose cyclosporine A, prednisolone and short term azathioprine (PCA). the data of 66 patients (34 in PC and 32 in PCA groups) were analysed. the median follow-up periods were 62 months for the PC group and 60 months for the PCA group. There was no difference in graft survival between the two groups but five patients died in the PC group compared to none in the PCA group (graft survival: 88 vs 90% at 1 year and 82 vs 82% at 5 years, P = not significant at any time point; patient survival: 90 vs 100% at 1 year and 88 vs 100% at 5 years, P = 0.05 at 5 years). There was a trend for patients in the PCA group to develop earlier and more frequent rejections (not significant; P = 0.106 and P = 0.062, respectively). There were also more episodes of acute cyclosporine A nephrotoxicity and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in the PC group. the mean serum creatinine at 5 years was significantly higher in the PCA group when compared to the PC group (179.8 ± 76.5 μmol/L vs 154.7 ± 41.0 μmol/L; P =0.05). We found that both therapeutic regimens were effective in preventing renal allograft rejections. However, double therapy was associated with higher patient mortality secondary to infection. Patients on triple therapy, on the other hand, were more prone to develop rejections in the early post-transplant period and were associated with less favourable renal function in the long run.     

Frostbite: experimental assessment of tissue damage using Tc-99m pyrophosphate. Work in progress

We designed an experimental model using a new method of freezing to study the pathogenesis and treatment of frostbite. Frostbite was simulated in a manner that closely resembles that which occurs in a natural environment. We used a radionuclide imaging technique to monitor the evolution and extent of tissue damage relative to temperature, rate of freezing, and controlled rewarming. Characteristic sequential changes were demonstrated on sequential nuclear scans. Nonperfusion, followed by perfusion, and finally again by nonperfusion occurred in all areas in which necrosis developed. The reappearance of nonperfusion corresponded to vascular injury and thrombosis evidenced at pathologic examination. We determined that lack of tissue perfusion corresponded to tissue injury. We believe that our experimental model provides an effective means of evaluating potential therapeutic regimens.