Cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and p53 expression in nickel(II) acetate- treated Chinese hamster ovary cells

Nickel(II) compounds are known human and animal carcinogens. In this study, the effects of nickel(II) acetate on cell cycle, apoptosis and p53 expression were investigated in order to unveil the elements of early cellular responses to the metal. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells were grown for 72 h in Ham's F-12 medium containing 0, 40, 80, 160, 240, 320, 480 or 640 microM nickel(II) acetate. DNA fragmentation, representative of apoptosis, was examined by agarose gel electrophoresis. The distribution of cells among various phases of cell cycle was determined by DNA flow cytometry. Expression of p53 protein was measured by the Western blotting technique. DNA fragmentation was detectable in cells treated with > or = 160 microM nickel(II) and its intensity increased with increasing nickel(II) concentration. The proportion of cells at S phase declined in a nickel(II) concentration- dependent manner. The decline was accompanied by an increase of cell proportion in G2/M phase and the increase became statistically significant in cells exposed to at least 480 microM nickel(II). Expression of p53 protein was not different from that in the control among samples treated with < or = 480 microM nickel(II). However, an extra fraction that migrated close to the p53 protein fraction was detected in cells treated with 640 microM nickel(II). Our findings suggest that nickel(II) modulates cellular response through effectors involved in both G2/M arrest and apoptosis regulatory pathways. The proportion of cells arrested at G2/M phase or undergoing apoptosis depends directly on nickel(II) concentration. High concentration of nickel(II) appears to up-regulate protein(s) other than the common form of p53 protein.      

N-(4-乙氧羰基-4-取代丁酰基)-N-取代甘氨酸的合成

本文报道9个估计具有血管紧张素转化酶抑制活性的N-(4-乙氧羰基-4-取代丁酰基)-N-取代甘氨酸及其相应叔丁酯的合成和鉴定。药理初试结果,化合物Ⅶ₇和Ⅶ₉显示明显降压活性。     

AUDIT OF PATIENT ACCEPTANCE OF NASAL SURGERY AS A DAY CASE PROCEDURE

SUMMARY A greater emphasis on day case surgery within the health service is seen as a method of improving efficiency and reducing expenditure. We interviewed 90 consecutive patients undergoing nasal surgery who had been preoperatively assessed as being fit for day case surgery. They were randomised into three groups regarding the duration of postoperative nasal packing. All patients stayed overnight following surgery and were interviewed prior to discharge. Some 52% of the overall sample would be happy to have nasal surgery performed as a day case. If the nasal pack was removed after two hours, this figure rose to 67%. This difference in patient acceptance did not attain statistical significance overall, but there was a significant difference in those undergoing submucosal resection. There was no difference in the age, sex distribution or type of surgery performed between each group. The audit commission quotes patient satisfaction with day case surgery at 80%. Nasal surgery was not examined in their report, but was included as one of a set of procedures suitable for consideration. Although day case nasal surgery may be safe, further research regarding patient acceptance is required.     

The athlete’s heart: Is this an entity in paediatrics?

A case report of a boy who demonstrates features of an athlete's heart, associated with dilatation of the coronary artery, is presented. The importance of distinguishing this benign condition from pathologic causes such as cardiomyopathy, and risk of sudden death in these athletes is discussed.     

Morphological features of focal choroidal excavation and its association with macular pathology in Asian Indian eyes

Purpose:To study the characteristics of focal choroidal excavation (FCE) in Indian eyes based on spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings and their association with macular pathologies.Methods:Retrospective study of 26 patients diagnosed with FCE. All patients‘ clinical and imaging data were reviewed.Results:There were eight females and 18 males aged between 24 and 85 years. FCE was noted in 31 eyes of 26 patients – unilateral in 21 and bilateral in 5. The conforming type was noted in 13 and nonconforming in 19 eyes. The location was extrafoveal in 16 and subfoveal in 15 eyes. The morphology was bowl-shaped in 24, cone-shaped in six eyes, and mixed type in one eye. Associated pathologies were central serous chorioretinopathy in nine eyes, choroidal neovascular membrane in seven eyes, Stargardt‘s disease in three eyes, Best disease in four eyes, other retinal dystrophies in two eyes, polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, each in one eye. The mean FCE width was 1667.2 ± 817.7 μ, mean depth was 95.7 ± 46.4 μ, and the mean choroidal thickness under the FCE was 234.8 ± 85.9 μ. No abnormal choroidal tissue was found under any FCE.Conclusion:FCE is a relatively common entity and frequently associated with macular pathologies. The presence of an FCE did not alter the course or management of these conditions.