Exposure to Landfill Leachates Affects the Embryonic Development of Zebrafish,Danio rerio: A Case Study in Yucatan,Mexico

Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology - We report the chemical characterisation and toxic effects of municipal solid waste landfill leachates on the embryonic development of Danio...     

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty-Gastric Bypass with and without the Interposition of Jejunum: Preliminary Report

Background: The complications of the gastric pouch in gastric bypass surgery are well known. Since the first report of this surgery 30 years ago, new technical aspects that make it safer and more effective have been implemented. Methods: As a modification of gastric bypass, the authors have performed 305 vertical banded gastroplasty-gastric bypass procedures. Two groups of patients underwent the procedure: Group I (n = 206) without a limb of jejunum interposed between the gastric pouch and the excluded stomach, and Group II (n = 99) with a limb of jejunum interposed between the pouch and the stomach. The results regarding excess weight loss and complications of the gastric pouch during the first year after surgery were compared. Results: Age, sex, initial weight, body mass index, and percentage of ideal weight were similar in both groups. Excess weight loss was also similar. The complications in Group I were 1 leak, 3 left subphrenic abscesses, 2 erosive gastritis with bleeding, 1 stenosis of the gastrojejunostomy, 1 perforated ulcer, and 4 marginal ulcers with bleeding. Two patients in Group II developed bleeding from the staple-line. Conclusions: These preliminary data suggest that complications of the gastric pouch can be reduced by interposing a limb of jejunum between the pouch and the excluded stomach. This is an early experience; long-term results are pending.     

Vision readiness in the United States Air Force revisited

A study was conducted to determine the prevalence of substandard visual acuity in a sample of the diverse communities of the United States Air Force. In addition, mobility readiness (visual), ocular disease, time since last visual examination, and adherence to ocular requirements per AFR 160-43 were assessed. Comprehensive eye examinations were performed in the Optometry Clinic on 207 randomly chosen members scheduled by Squadron Schedulers using random computer lists of personnel generated by Military Personnel Flight. Of the 207 individuals, 112 (54%) had not had a professional eye examination in the last 2 years, 51 (24%) were not mobility ready, 6 (3%) had inadequate visual acuity per AFR 160-43, and 4 (1.9%) had ocular disease. The study reinforces the concept that comprehensive, periodic ocular examinations should be performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist on all active duty members to ensure that they see properly to perform assigned duties, that members on mobility have required optical materials to be deployment ready, and that members who develop ocular disease are identified in a timely manner.     

Naphthaquinones of Diospyros batocana

Root bark of West African tree DIOSPYROS BATOCANA H IERN, Ebenaceae, was examined. On the basis of chromatographic and spectral analysis it was shown to contain the naphtaquinones 7-methyljuglone, 2-methylnaphthazarin, biramentaceone, rotundiquinone, mamegakinone, diospyrin, diosquinone, isodiospyrin and batocanone. This last compound proved to be the (-)-enantiomer of isodiospyrin-2', 3'-epoxide. The probable existence of beta-dihydrodiospyrin, of a batocanone isomer and of an isodiospyrin diepoxide in this material is mentioned. The partial synthesis of two isomeric isodiospyrin di-epoxides is described.     

Propranolol and atenolol inhibit norepinephrine spillover rate into plasma in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats

Summary Radiotracer techniques capable of measuring norepinephrine clearance and spillover rate into plasma were used to test the hypothesis that the antihypertensive effects of propranolol and atenolol in conscious spontaneously hypertensive rats are associated with an inhibition of norepinephrine release from postganglionic sympathetic neurons. The 10%–15% fall in mean arterial pressure produced over 4 h by propranolol (1, 3.3 and 10 mg/kg, s. c.) and atenolol (1, 3.3 and 10 mg/kg, s. c.) was not dose-related, and only the largest dose of propranolol caused a significant bradycardia. Each dose of atenolol significantly lowered heart rate. The decrease in blood pressure caused by propranolol and atenolol was not related to the decrease in heart rate. Both propranolol and atenolol inhibited norepinephrine clearance by 12% to 16%. The 1 mg/kg doses of propranolol and atenolol significantly suppressed norepinephrine spillover rate by 21 % and 32%, respectively, at 4 h postinjection. As the dose of propranolol was increased, the inhibition of norepinephrine spillover was reversed as plasma epinephrine concentration rose by 125%. The suppression of norepinephrine spillover rate caused by atenolol was more persistent but did diminish after the 10 mg/kg dose, when plasma epinephrine concentration was elevated by 55%. Both drugs suppressed plasma renin concentration, but the inhibition of norepinephrine spillover rate by propranolol and atenolol was not related to the fall in plasma renin concentration. By comparison, treatment with the adrenergic neuron blocking agent bretylium (5, 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, s. c.) elicited a dose-related vasodepression with no change in heart rate or plasma renin concentration. The 10 mg/kg dose of bretylium inhibited norepinephrine spillover rate by 40%, but increasing the dose did not produce a further suppression of norepinephrine spillover rate. Bretylium caused a dose-related elevation of plasma epinephrine concentration (354% increase at 40 mg/kg). In a separate study, propranolol (10 mg/kg) and bretylium (40 mg/kg) significantly increased epinephrine spillover rate by 85% and 118%, respectively. Based on these data, we conclude that the -adrenoceptor antagonists lower blood pressure by inhibiting norepinephrine release from postganglionic sympathetic neurons. Send offprint requests to T. K. Keeton at the above address     

Clinical characteristics of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in children

From January 1988 to September 1989, seven patients (4 girls and 3 boys, aged 3–12 years) with haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) were hospitalised at the University Children's Hospital in Belgrade. In four patients the disease appeared as a family outbreak, the others were sporadic cases. In six patients the clinical presentation was suggestive of HFRS, as they had fever with headache, myalgia, sore throat and gastrointestinal illness followed by renal abnormalities. However, severe haemorrhagic syndrome with petechia, haematoma, haematemesis and melaena was present in one patient only. Renal disease presented as nephritic syndrome and/or acute renal failure. Five patients recovered after 2–3 weeks without sequellae, one patient had decreased renal function 17 months after the start of the disease and the remaining patient died. In six patients the diagnosis of HFRS was confirmed serologically by a significant rise in antibody titres against hantaviruses, while in the patient with the fatal and fulminant course of the disease, the diagnosis was established on the basis of epidemiological and autopsy findings. We suggest that children living in endemic areas who develop an ill-defined, febrile and gastrointestinal disease with renal dysfunction should be evaluated for HFRS.