Developmental Toxicity of Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (diEGME)

Developmental Toxicity of Diethylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether(diEGME). HARDIN, B. D., GOAD, P. T., AND BURG, J. R. (1986).Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 6, 430–439. Diethylene glycol monomethylether (diEGME) was one of 15 glycols tested in CD-1 mice usinga short-term in vivo reproductive toxicity assay (Chernoff/Kavlocktest). Because results were strongly suggestive of potentialreproductive toxicity, a teratology study was conducted in Sprague-Dawleyrats. Time-mated females were orally dosed on Days 7–16of gestation with diEGME in distilled water. Doses of 0, 1000,1495, 2235, 3345, and 5175 mg/kg/day were used in a preliminarydose-finding study. At 5175 mg/kg/day, two of nine rats died,five of five litters were totally resorbed, and maternal extragestational body weight gain was reduced. At 3345 mg/kg/day,six of nine litters were resorbed but there were no deaths andextra gestational body weight gain was not affected. Visceraland skeletal examinations revealed a dose-related increase inmalformations, primarily of the ribs and cardiovascular system.Subsequently, pregnant rats were similarly dosed with 0, 720,or 2165 mg/kg/day. Neither dose was maternally toxic, but fetalbody weights and the number of live implantations were significantlyreduced at 2165 mg/kg/day. Rib malformations were seen in 9.1%(control), 42.9% (720 mg/kg/day, p < 0.05), and 80.0% (2165mg/kg/day, p < 0.001) of litters. Cardiovascular malformationsoccurred in 0.0, 4.8, and 7 1.4% (p < 0.001) of liners. Diethyleneglycol monomethyl ether thus was teratogenic in rats at alldoses tested, producing a dose-dependent series of malformationssimilar to those produced by other members of the glycol etherfamily.     

ACUTE CALCIFICATION IN TENNIS AND GOLFER'S ELBOW

Four cases are reported, three of tennis elbow and one of golfer'selbow, which were characterized by the dramatic onset and severityof the pain and in which there was radiological evidence ofcalcium deposition within the soft tissues in the vicinity ofthe tendon origins.     

Cutaneous β-glucuronidase: cleavage of mycophenolic acid by preparations of mouse skin

A modified radiographic technique was used to assess dermal atrophy induced by topical steriods. The method proved reliable, and significant atrophy occurred with fluocinolone acetonide, clobetasone butyrate, hydrocortisone 17-butyrate and flurandrenolone, but not with hydrocortisone.     

Presence of Gc (Vitamin D-Binding Protein) and Interactions With Actin in Human Placental Tissue

ABSTRACT: The distribution of Gc protein and actin and their interactions were studied in normal full-term human placentae. Both Gc and actin were detected by physicochemical analysis of isolated trophoblast membranes. Immunofluorescence of native placental sections showed fluorescence for both proteins on smooth muscle cells lining the fetal stem vessels, intervillous fibrin, villous fibrinoid, trophoblast membrane, and cytoplasm of villous stromal cells. Binding of Gc was demonstrated by prior incubation of sections with purified Gc which led to a striking increase in intensity of Gc fluorescence, but actin fluorescence was unaffected by this procedure and by preincubation with actin. Endogenous Gc and actin could also be removed by washing of tissue sections with chaotrope—3 M KCl or 3 M NH₄SCN, denaturant-6 M urea, or glycine-HCl pH 3.8, as judged by fluorescence and SDS-PAGE of the wash supernatant. Phenotypic analysis of Gc eluted from trophoblast membranes and of corresponding matched maternal and fetal cord sera by isoelectric focusing indicated that trophoblast Gc was of predominantly maternal origin. Although the roles of Gc and actin in the placenta are unknown, these results indicate that Gc may be another maternal protein for which specific binding sites are expressed on the membrane of placental trophoblast.     

Type 1 Diabetes in the Young: Organization of Two National Centers in Israel and Slovenia

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects mainly young people. In the last 50 years, a steady increase of the T1D incidence in the young is reported worldwide, with an average 4 % increase annually. In addition, the mean age at the diagnosis is decreasing. Studies show that good metabolic control is important not only for delaying the chronic complications of diabetes but also for improving the quality of life of patients and their families. Continuous education, together with modern technology, is crucial in achieving these goals. Longitudinal data on glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), along with the data on severe hypoglycemia and severe diabetic ketoacidosis, can describe the quality of care in a defined population. Two national reference diabetes centres taking care of children, adolescents and young adults with diabetes in Israel and Slovenia are described.     

Retrograde (Ventriculoatrial) Conduction in Congenital Complete Heart Block

Retrograde ventriculoatrial (VA) conduction is documented at the time of dual chamber pacemaker implantation in a 36-year-old patient with congenital complete atrioventricular (AV) block. Programmed ventricular stimulation with stimuli of increasing prematurity demonstrated a lack of decremental conduction via a unidirectional retrograde pathway. Because retrograde VA conduction has been associated with pacemaker mediated endless loop tachycardia, the status of retrograde conduction should be assessed in all patients undergoing dual chamber pacemaker implantation, including those with congenital complete AV block who have previously been considered to have no conductive tissue between atria and ventricles.