Inhibition of acute lung anaphylaxis by aerosolized azelastine in guinea pigs sensitized by three different procedures

The influence of aerosolized azelastine on acute lung anaphylaxis in actively sensitized guinea pigs (experimental asthma model) was studied. Azelastine administered as an aerosol produced significant inhibition of acute lung anaphylactic responses, ie, the reduction in dynamic lung compliance and an increase in pulmonary airway resistance. These data showed that regardless of the method of sensitization and time of administration (immediately or 15 minutes before antigen challenge), aerosolized azelastine affords significant protection against acute lung anaphylaxis. The inhibition of acute lung anaphylaxis by aerosolized azelastine in the guinea pig asthma model may be due to (1) inhibition of the synthesis/release of chemical mediators, eg, histamine and leukotrienes, etc and/or (2) antagonism of the pharmacologic mediators at the receptor site in respiratory smooth muscles.     

Influence of hepatitis G virus infection on liver disease

The influence of hepatitis G virus (HGV) infection on disease activity in hepatitis C related and unrelated liver disease was investigated in 254 individuals using an EIA polymerase chain reaction assay for HGV. One hundred patients had chronic hepatitis C, 26 primary biliary cirrhosis, and 30 alcoholic liver cirrhosis. In addition, 51 hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive and 47 anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive blood donors were screened. Hepatitis G virus was detected in 18% of patients with chronic hepatitis C, 13% of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, 11 % of patients with primary biliary cirrhosis, 10% of anti-HCV-positive blood donors, and 2% of HBsAg-positive blood donors. Virus load and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels did not differ significantly in patients with HCV alone versus patients coinfected with HCV and HGV. However, mild liver fibrosis correlated with HGV coinfection. Hepatitis G virus did not influence ALT levels or liver damage in liver disease unrelated to viral infection.     

Laparoscopic liver resection using radio frequency ablation in a porcine model

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility, efficacy, and safety of laparoscopic left lateral lobe resection, using radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with internally cooled tip electrodes, in a porcine model. Methods: Eight domestic pigs underwent left lateral hepatic lobectomy. RFA was the sole hemostatic method applied throughout the entire operation. After 0, 7, 30, or 120 days the animals were killed in order to study the macroscopic and microscopic findings on the liver edge. Results: An average of 90 min was enough for the entire operation. No signs of blood loss or infection were observed up to 4 months postoperatively. There was no mortality either during or after surgery. The pathology of the liver revealed the three zone lesions. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that laparoscopic left lateral lobectomy using RFA is technically feasible hi the porcine model and is proved to be highly effective and safe hemostatic method     

Fulminant sepsis after invasive prenatal diagnosis

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is extremely rare after invasive prenatal diagnosis. CASE: A patient, who had undergone amniocentesis at 15 weeks, cordocentesis at 20 weeks, and repeat cordocentesis 24 hours before presentation, was admitted at 21 weeks gestation with vaginal bleeding, rupture of membranes, and intrauterine demise. Although clinical and laboratory findings were unremarkable at presentation, she rapidly developed septic syndrome with disseminated intravascular coagulation and eventually multiple organ failure. The fetus was disintegrated and the uterus had to be removed. She was discharged from the intensive care unit after 34 days. Cultures of the uterine content grew Clostridium perfringens. Review of the literature revealed 10 more cases of sepsis after transabdominal prenatal diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Sepsis after prenatal diagnosis can be devastating, unless promptly diagnosed and treated.     

Intestinal ischemia as the first manifestation of vasculitis

OBJECTIVE: To summarize current knowledge regarding the diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal vasculitis. METHODS: Three cases of gastrointestinal vasculitis with acute abdominal ischemia as their first manifestation are presented. Underlying diseases were microscopic polyangiitis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). Relevant English-language articles collected from the PubMed database were reviewed. RESULTS: Among the angiitides, PAN, SLE, and Henoch-Sch?nlein are those most commonly accompanied by gastrointestinal complications. Intestinal vasculitis usually occurs when there is evidence of generalized disease activity. Abdominal computerized tomography is a valuable tool for diagnosing intestinal ischemia and suspected vasculitis. CONCLUSIONS: In young patients presenting with intestinal ischemia, it is essential to assess the possibility of an underlying systemic disease. With prompt initiation of immunosuppressive treatment, surgery may be avoided. Prognosis is improved when there is minimal delay in surgical intervention.     

Deaths from neoplasms and detection of radionuclides in excised human lungs in the Eordea Basin, Greece

Lignite contains various trace-metal natural radioactive contaminants. In the Eordea Basin, the most important lignite field in Greece, the authors conducted a proportional mortality ratio (PMR) study that compared the mortality rates of individuals who lived in the basin vs. a control group who resided in the city of Kilkis, over a 30-yr period. The following information was used in the study: (a) municipal registrations of deaths from neoplasms during the period from 1971 to 2000, and (b) detection of radioactive substances in samples obtained from excised lungs of individuals living in Eordea Basin who suffered from neoplasm. The corresponding registrations of deaths from neoplasm of the inhabitants of Kilkis, a city located outside the Eordea Basin, formed the control group. A diachronic increase of the PMR was detected as a result of neoplasms and, particularly, as a result of lung cancer in Eordea Basin. However, the above ratio did not exceed the corresponding PMR recorded in Kilkis. In 20 lung samples obtained from patients who had lived in Eordea Basin, and in 19 lung samples from patients in Kilkis, the activity of the radionuclides of uranium and thorium radioactive decay series, potassium-40, and cesium-137 was not higher than expected. No statistically significant difference was found between the inhabitants of the 2 regions, thus it was concluded that the increase in respiratory-system neoplasms was likely associated with the high prevalence of smoking among the regions' inhabitants. In future studies, a longer observation period and examination of more cases will be necessary to further investigate a possible association between radionuclides and lung neoplasms in the Eordea Basin.     

Comparative gastric ulcerogenic effects of meseclazone, 5-chlorosalicylic acid and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs following acute and repeated oral administration to rats

Rats injected with α-methylglutamate (MGA) excreted less ammonium, and renal slices from these rats produced less ammonia. When renal slices from normal rats were incubated in MGA, ammoniagenesis from glutamine decreased slightly; but glutamate accumulation increased markedly. In contrast, dl-methionine dl-sulfoximine (MS), a relatively specific inhibitor of glutamine synthesis and transferase, enhanced both glutamate accumulation and ammoniagenesis by slices from control rat kidneys. While it is generally accepted that MGA inhibits glutamine synthetase and transferase activity, the results with MGA do not mimic those found with MS. Additionally, MGA decreased ammoniagenesis and increased glutamate accumulation in slices already incubating in MS and in slices from acidotic rats. These are circumstances where slices should have minimal synthetase and transferase activity. It is concluded that MGA decreases renal ammoniagenesis through other pathways, perhaps via inhibition of the glutaminase and the glutamate dehydrogenase routes.     

The pharmacology of 1841 CERM, a new analgesic.

A new non-narcotic analgesic, 2(3-trifluormethyl)-phenyl-tetrahydro-1,4-oxazine (1841 CERM) was compared with morphine, codeine and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in various pharmacological tests for analgesic activity. Studies for possible tolerance and physical dependence liability were also carried out. In these tests, 1841 CERM was a more powerful analgesic than morphine, and particularly codeine when given orally. It did not lead to tolerance or physical dependence.