Potential transmission of the cytogenetic effects of cisplatin in the male germline cells of Swiss mice

Cisplatin (CP) (in Oncoplatin), a widely used drug in cancer chemotherapy, and cyclophosphamide (CY) (in Endoxan), another anticancer drug, were investigated as the test chemical and positive control, respectively, for their cytogenetic effects on spermatogonia of mice at 24 hours post-treatment after a single exposure. The different doses of the chemicals tested were CP 2, 3, 5 mg/kg and CY 40 mg/kg b.w. of mice. Each of the doses of CP induced a significant number of chromosomal aberrations, mostly chromatid breaks and fragments. The potential transmission of such cytogenetic effects of the chemicals from spermatogonia to spermatocytes was assessed at week 4 post-treatment from the primary spermatocytes, which showed a significant number of aberrant spermatocytes with atypical bivalents viz. spermatocytes with autosomal and/or XY univalents, tetravalents and with extra elements. The probable causes of the formation of univalents and tetravalents are discussed. The transmission of the cytogenetic effects of the chemicals from spermatogonia up to sperm was assessed at week 8 post-treatment from the morphology of sperm collected from vas. Quantitatively the transmission of such effects was found decreased substantially by the time the exposed spermatogonia became sperm. Still there was the occurrence of a few abnormal sperm at week 8 post-treatment. The probable causes of the quantitative decrease in the transmission of the effects from spermtogonia to sperm are discussed.     

An unusual orbito-cranial foreign body.

The rarity of orbito-cranial gun shot injury in both war and civilian practice has been reported. In a large series of 351 missile head injuries in the Vietnam war, orbital penetration was noted in 0.6% cases only. Review of literature shows that orbital injury was ipsilateral to the cerebral injury in most reported cases. We have previously reported a rare case of left parieto-occipital lobe injury due to gun shot wound of the contralateral (right) orbit. The case reported here sustained a bullet injury to the left frontal bone but the missile was located below the contralateral (right) optic canal. The rarity of the case prompted this report.     

Correlates of nonadherence to hypertension treatment in an inner-city minority population.

OBJECTIVE. Adherence to treatment is a key factor in achieving blood pressure control among hypertensives. We examined correlates of nonadherence to hypertension treatment in an inner-city minority population. METHODS. Subjects (n = 202) were interviewed as part of a case-control study of severe, uncontrolled hypertension conducted in two New York City hospitals in 1989-91. All subjects were African American or Hispanic. Self-reported nonadherence to drug treatment for hypertension was measured using a five-item scale, and the sample was dichotomized as more (n = 87) or less (n = 115) adherent. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to adjust for demographic and other covariates. RESULTS. Nonadherence was associated with having blood pressure checked in an emergency room (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 7.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.75, 35.77; P < .01), lack of a primary care physician (adjusted OR = 2.9; 95% CI = 1.37, 6.02; P < .01), current smoking (adjusted OR = 2.4; 95% CI = 1.10, 5.22; P = .03), and younger age (adjusted OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.00, 1.06; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS. Changing the locus of care for hypertension from emergency rooms to primary care physicians may improve adherence to hypertension treatment in minority populations.     

Fluorosis

Fluorosis is a disease caused by an excess of fluoride in the water; it is endemic in many parts of India. In these regions most people who have this disease do not seek medical help until the symptoms are extreme. Unfortunately, most believe that this is a fate they are born with, and do not go for immediate help. It has been estimated that 25–30 million people are at risk of developing fluorosis, and half a million are suffering from it [1]. Fluoridation of the water was introduced in developed countries to prevent dental decay; this has reduced the incidence of dental caries [2, 4]. However, endemic fluorosis has also been known to occur in western countries.