Comparative effects of acute ethanol dosage on liver and muscle protein metabolism

Experiments were performed to address some outstanding issues and investigate possible mechanisms relating to the acute comparative effects of ethanol on liver and skeletal muscle protein metabolism. Ethanol (EtOH)-treated rats were injected (i.p.) with a bolus of EtOH (75 mmol/kg body weight) and sacrificed at 20 min, 1-, 2.5-, 6-, and 24-hr time points. Control rats were injected with saline (Con-Sal; 0.15 mmol/L NaCl). All 24-hr ethanol-treated animals were compared with saline-injected rats subjected to controlled feeding (i.e. pair-fed controls for 24 hr EtOH). At 24 hr, there was no measurable alcohol in the plasma, whereas high levels were seen from 20 min to 6 hr (up to 448 mg/dL). Plasma levels of albumin were reduced at initial time points, and activities of aspartate aminotransferase increased, but there was no histological evidence of overt tissue damage either in muscle or liver. Hepatic protein and RNA contents and indices of tissue (C_s and k_s) and whole-body (V_s) protein synthesis were significantly increased in ethanol-dosed rats relative to saline-injected pair-fed controls at 24 hr. In the liver, four of the seven cytoplasmic proteases investigated (alanyl-, arginyl-, and pyroglutamyl-aminopeptidases and proline-endopeptidase) showed significant increases in activity at 24 hr relative to pair-fed controls; four of the six lysosomal proteases showed significant decreases in activity (dipeptidyl-aminopeptidase II and cathepsins B, L, and H). In skeletal muscle, k_s fell progressively between 1 and 24 hr (−25 to −69%; P < 0.001), but no significant changes in skeletal muscle protease activities were seen at 24 hr. At 24 hr after ethanol dosage in vivo, there were no significant increases in protein carbonyl content in liver or skeletal muscle compared to pair-fed controls (muscle levels actually decreased slightly). However, using either rat or human tissue, both liver and muscle carbonyl increased in vitro in response to superoxide and hydroxyl radicals: muscle was more susceptible to carbonyl formation than liver and both tissues were more sensitive to hydroxyl compared to superoxide radicals. These results show divergent effects of acute ethanol treatment on liver and skeletal muscle protein metabolism, which may not be linked to in vivo free radical-mediated protein damage (as indicated by carbonyl formation), at least in the short term.     

Radiotherapeutic alternatives to standard management of adenocarcinoma of the endometrium

Primary radiotherapy as an alternative management for adenocarcinoma of the endometrium was chosen for 117 patients treated at the University of Michigan Medical Center and University of Virginia Medical Center. Cases were selected for radiation because of contraindications to surgery (52.2%) or by protocol for disease outside the endometrium (47.8%). An overall 5-year actuarial survival rate of 49.6% was attained for all stages, with 55% 5-year survival for disease limited to the uterus or cervix. Stage and grade were the most significant risk factors. The addition of external-beam irradiation did not improve local failure rates or survival. Heyman's uterine packing technique was slightly more successful than uterine "line sources" in controlling local disease (P = 0.08). Treatment-related mortality (0.8%) and morbidity (6.8%) were minimal. Surgery, whenever possible, remains the "best standard therapy" but the radiotherapeutic alternative is of significant benefit for those deemed nonsurgical candidates.     

Recurrent abdominal pain: a psychogenic disorder?

A controlled study of 30 children with recurrent abdominal pain and 30 pain free children failed to show any statistically significant differences between the groups on a variety of psychological variables thought to be associated with psychogenicity. A psychogenic basis has often been assumed as the cause in diagnosis of recurrent abdominal pain when clinical examination and laboratory tests show no organic or medical reason. We emphasise that establishing a psychogenic cause is only indicated where there is positive evidence for psychological factors such as family or school stress, extreme personality characteristics, or modelling of family pain behaviour.     

Repair of vaginal prolapse after hysterectomy

Forty-one women with primary or recurrent prolapse of the vagina following either vaginal or abdominal hysterectomy were treated with a vaginal operation. The retroperitoneal approach of utilization of the perirectal fascia to support the vault of the vagina is described and illustrated. This technique may also be used in selected patients to prevent this complication after vaginal hysterectomy and repair.     

Das Frankfurter Konzept einer Männergesundheitsberatung

The discussion on the difference between the sexes received significant impulses from the formation of feminist theory. Masculinity was interpreted in a rather morally negative manner. Masculinity continuously endeavors to achieve reproduction and self-confirmation. Competitive pursuit of hegemony is the preeminent pattern by which masculine identity is formed. Male socialization leads to externalization, which impedes the development of communicative skills. Males tend to lead a high-risk life-style, which instrumentalizes their body. Symptoms are less often interpreted as warning signals, reflected in a significantly reduced life expectancy in comparison to females. In view of the specific male socialization, the Frankfurt concept of "men's health counseling" attempts to create a professional atmosphere in which men seeking advice are offered the opportunity to consult a specialist on all topics of men's health anonymously and, for the moment, free of charge.     

Gorham disease of the orbit

PURPOSE: To report a case of Gorham disease, also known as vanishing bone disease, of the orbit. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 43-year-old Caucasian woman developed a depression in her left temple, pulsation in her left upper eyelid and temple, and bulging of the left upper eyelid and headache. Computerized tomography revealed a lytic lesion in the roof of the left orbit. RESULTS: Intraoperative examination of the lesion revealed a bony defect in the left orbital roof. Surgical intervention resulted in improvement of her symptoms, and pathology failed to reveal evidence of malignancy or other benign neoplastic process. CONCLUSION: Gorham disease should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lytic bony lesions of the orbit.     

The role of different phospholipids on tear break-up time using a model eye

PURPOSE: The effect of different phospholipids in stabilising the tear film was investigated to determine if particular polar head groups gave greater stability than others. METHODS: Purified phosphatidylcholine (PC), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylserine (PS) and cardiolipin (CL) were used. These were applied to a model eye loaded with an artificial tear fluid and the tear break-up time (TBUT) was measured. Three variants of the artificial tear fluid were utilised: buffered saline alone; one with proteins and mucins; and one containing proteins, mucins and lipids. RESULTS: TBUT was improved by the presence of phospholipids. In particular, the best performance was with PI applied to artificial tear fluid containing proteins mucins and lipids. Use of buffered saline as the artificial tear fluid gave very short break-up times. CONCLUSION: Increase in tear film stability by phospholipids is probably not due to the charge carried by the polar head group, but more likely due to the charge distribution, and the presence of hydroxyl groups in the head group also tends to increase stability, possibly through specific interactions with proteins and mucins in the subphase.     

Increased anxiety-related behavior in mice deficient for metabotropic glutamate 8 (mGlu8) receptor

Pre-synaptic metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors modulate neuronal excitability by controlling glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release. The mGlu8 receptor is predominantly found in pre-synaptic terminals and its expression is highly restricted. To study the role of this receptor, mGlu8 receptor-deficient mice were generated. Here we report that na?ve mGlu8 receptor-deficient mice showed increased anxiety-related behavior in the elevated plus maze in low illumination conditions (red light). Open arm avoidance and risk assessment behavior were both significantly increased in mutant mice. Increased stressfulness of the testing conditions abolished this behavioral difference. Fluorescent light or prior restraint stress decreased the open arm activity of wild-type mice, while the open arm activity of mutant mice was essentially unaffected, leading to similar values in both strains. The total number of arm entries or closed arm entries was not significantly different between strains, indicating that the lack of mGlu8 receptor does not affect locomotor activity. No gross behavioral changes, or changes in the function of the autonomic nervous system or somatomotor systems were observed in mutant mice. Moreover, no significant differences in seizure susceptibility were detected between strains. Our results suggest that mGlu8 receptor may play a role in responses to novel stressful environment.     

Determination of thiopurine S-methyltransferase phenotype using thin-layer chromatography and quantitative scanning

OBJECTIVE: To develop a non-high-performance liquid chromatography method for the determination of thiopurine- S-methyltransferase (TPMT) phenotype using thin-layer chromatography and quantitative scanning. METHODS: TPMT reaction was performed using a radiochemical assay. The reaction product [(14)C]-6-methylmercaptopurine was separated using thin-layer chromatography and quantified by means of radioactive scanning. Day-to-day variance was determined to validate results. RESULTS: Determination of TPMT phenotype using thin-layer chromatography and quantitative scanning is reliable (day-to-day variance 8.5+/-1.7%, mean+/-SEM). Mean TPMT activity in 314 randomly selected patient samples was 11.8+/-3.3 units/ml red blood cells (mean+/-SD, range 3.5-25 units/ml). CONCLUSION: We developed a new assay variant for the determination of TPMT phenotype that is easy to perform, reliable and reduces production of radioactive waste. This may lead to more frequent pretreatment determination of TPMT phenotype and increase drug safety and efficacy by individualising thiopurine doses.