Examination of microvascular structures of midcortical region in sheep kidneys: a three dimensional approach

Polyester-crystic cast was observed to reach the peritubular capillary plexus following injection in sheep kidneys. Microvascular structures in this region are also reported in this study. Glomeruli were found to vary in size and shape. Diameters of afferent arterioles were larger than those of efferent arterioles. The glomerulus is supplied by more than one afferent arteriole, and in some regions, the blood in afferent arterioles joins collateral circulation via the intercapillary plexus. Morphological properties at the end of the peritubular capillary plexus were found to be remarkably significant.     

Spectroelectrochemical studies of tetrasulfonated metallophthalocyanines adsorbed on the basal plane of graphite in the presence of cysteine

Cobalt and iron tetrasulfonated phthalocyanines (M-TSPc) have been studied by electroreflectance spectroscopy in the adsorbed state on the basal plane of HOPG in a borate buffer (pH 9). Since both complexes exhibit electrocatalytic activity for the electro-oxidation of cysteine, we looked at the changes of the visible spectra of the adsorbed complexes upon adding millimolar amounts of cysteine to the electrolyte. Under zero-current conditions (open circuit) the addition of cysteine causes large changes in the reflectance spectra of both Co-TSPc and Fe-TSPc. In the case of Co-TSPc the spectra resemble that of Co(I)TSPc whereas for Fe-TSPc bands at 424 and 626 nm are observed. The open circuit potential shifts to values close to the standard potential of the M(II)/M(I) couple. We attribute these changes, particularly in the case of Fe-TSPc, to the formation of a radical adduct between the adsorbed phthalocyanine and the cysteine molecule, with partial electron-transfer from the cysteine to the metal center. Evidences for these adducts is not found when polarizing the electrode, which shows that they behave as very unstable intermediates in the catalytic process.     

Variegate (mixed) porphyria in a Nigerian girl.

A fatal case of variegate (mixed) porphyria in an 11-year-old Nigerian girl is reported. She presented with severe abdominal pain, vomiting, constipation, quadriplegia and cutaneous bullous dermatosis. Remission was temporarily achieved with chlorpromazine, high carbohydrate diet and physiotherapy. She finally died of respiratory paralysis 17 months after diagnosis.     

Effects of the long acting beta agonist formoterol on asthma control in asthmatic patients using inhaled corticosteroids. The Netherlands and Canadian Formoterol Study Investigators

BACKGROUND: The long acting beta 2 agonist formoterol has proved to be an effective bronchodilator with a prolonged action of 12-14 hours. However, the precise role of formoterol in the maintenance treatment of asthma is still under debate. A study was performed to investigate the efficacy and safety of treatment with formoterol for six months in subjects with asthma. METHODS: In a multicentre double blind, placebo controlled, parallel group study 239 subjects with mild to moderate asthma were randomly assigned to treatment with either inhaled formoterol 24 micrograms twice daily (n = 125) or placebo (n = 114) during eight months. The study consisted of a four week run in period, a 24 week treatment period, and a four week washout period. All subjects were using regular inhaled corticosteroids (100-3200 micrograms daily) but were still needing at least five inhalations of short acting beta 2 agonist per week for symptom relief. The study was performed in 10 outpatient clinics in Canada, and five outpatient clinics and one coordinating centre for 44 Dutch general practitioners in The Netherlands. Twice daily self-reported peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurements, symptom scores, and rescue beta 2 agonist use during the last 28 treatment days compared with baseline values were used as main outcome measures. Spirometric values were measured at entry, at the start of treatment, after four, 12 and 24 weeks of treatment, and after four weeks washout. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty five subjects received formoterol 24 micrograms twice daily via Turbohaler and 114 received placebo. Baseline FEV1 was 67.1% predicted and mean bronchodilator reversibility was 26%. The mean total asthma symptom score was 3.6 (maximum possible 21). A significant decrease in symptoms in favour of formoterol (difference from placebo -0.64, 95% CI -0.04 to -1.23, p = 0.04) was observed. Compared with placebo, morning PEF increased (difference from placebo 28 l/min, 95% CI 18.3 to 37.7, p = 0.0001) and the use of short acting beta 1 agonists decreased (daytime difference from placebo -1.1 inhalation, 95% CI -1.4 to -0.7, p = 0.0001) in the formoterol group. PEF returned to baseline following discontinuation of formoterol, as did asthma symptom scores. Thirty three patients treated with formoterol and 32 treated with placebo required treatment with prednisolone during the study (58 and 55 courses, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Adding formoterol 24 micrograms twice daily by Turbohaler to inhaled corticosteroids was effective in improving symptom scores and morning PEF, and decreasing the use of rescue beta 2 agonists. There was no apparent loss of asthma control during 24 weeks of treatment with formoterol.