Inhibition of cigarette smoke-related lipophilic DNA adducts in rat tissues by dietary oltipraz

The present study investigated the effects of dietary oltipraz on cigarette smoke-related lipophilic DNA adduct formation. Female Sprague- Dawley rats were exposed daily to sidestream cigarette smoke in a whole- body exposure chamber 6 h/day for 4 consecutive weeks. One group of rats was maintained on control diet while another group received the same diet supplemented with either a low (167 p.p.m.) or high (500 p.p.m.) dose of oltipraz, starting 1 week prior to initiation of smoke exposure until the end of the experiment. Analysis of lipophilic DNA adducts by the nuclease P1-mediated 32P-post-labeling showed up to five smoke-related adducts. Adduct no. 5 predominated in both the lung and the heart while adduct nos 3 and 2 predominated in the trachea and bladder, respectively. Quantitative analysis revealed that the total adduct level was the highest in lungs (270+/-68 adducts/10(10) nucleotides), followed by trachea (196+/-48 adducts/10(10) nucleotides), heart (141+/-22 adducts/10(10) nucleotides) and bladder (85+/-16 adducts/10(10) nucleotides). High dose oltipraz treatment reduced the adduct levels in lungs and bladder by >60%, while the reduction in lungs in the low-dose group was approximately 35%. In trachea, the effect of low and high dietary oltipraz on smoke DNA adduction was equivocal, while smoke-related DNA adducts in the heart were minimally inhibited by high-dose oltipraz. In a repeat experiment that employed a 3-fold lower dose of cigarette smoke, oltipraz (500 p.p.m.) was found to inhibit the formation of DNA adducts in rat lungs and trachea by 80 and 65%, respectively. These data clearly demonstrate a high efficacy of oltipraz in inhibiting the formation of cigarette smoke-induced DNA adducts in the target tissues.      

Effects of dietary fat and a vegetable-fruit mixture on the development of intestinal neoplasia in the ApcMin mouse

The variation in colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence worldwide strongly suggests a role for dietary influences. Based on epidemiological data, protective effects of vegetables and fruit intake on CRC are widely claimed, while other data indicate a possible increased CRC risk from (higher) dietary fat intake. Therefore, we have investigated single and interactive effects of dietary fat and a vegetable-fruit mixture (VFM) in the ApcMin mouse, a mouse model for multiple intestinal neoplasia. In this study, four different diets (A-D) were compared, which were either low in fat (20% energy diets A/B) or high in fat (40% energy diets C/D). In addition, 19.5% (wt/wt) of the carbohydrates in diets B and D were replaced by a freeze-dried VFM. The diets were balanced so that they only differed among each other in fat/carbohydrate content and the presence of specific plant-constituents. Because the initiation of intestinal tumors in ApcMin mice occurs relatively early in life, exposure to the diets was started in utero. Without the addition of VFM, mice maintained at a high-fat diet did not develop significantly higher numbers of small or large intestinal adenomas than mice maintained at a low-fat diet. VFM added to a low-fat diet significantly lowered multiplicity of small intestinal polyps (from 16.2 to 10.2/mouse, 15 animals/group), but not of colon tumors in male ApcMin mice only. Strikingly, addition of VFM to female mice maintained on a low-fat diet and to both sexes maintained on a high-fat diet significantly enhanced intestinal polyp multiplicity (from 16.5 to 26.7 polyps/mouse). In conclusion, our results indicate that neither a lower fat intake nor consumption of VFM included in a high-fat diet decreases the development of polyps in mice genetically predisposed to intestinal tumor development.      

The RETAIN project: dicom teleradiology over an ATM-based network

The RETAIN project (Radiological Examinations Transfer on an ATM Integrated Network) has aimed at testing videoconferencing and DICOM image transfers to get advice about difficult radiological cases over an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)-based network, which affords a more comfortable interface than narrow-band networks and allows exchange of complete image series using the DICOM format of studies. For this purpose, an experimental ATM network was applied between six university hospitals in four different countries. An assessment of the functionalities of the system was performed by means of log-file analysis, video recording of the sessions and forms filled out by the participants at the end of each session. Questionnaires were answered by the users at the end of the project to bring out perspectives of utilisation and added value. We discussed 43 cases during 20 sessions. For technical or organisational problems, only 20 of the 36 planned sessions took place. The throughput over ATM (10.5 Mbit/s, 20 times faster than six ISDN B-channels) was adequate. Despite the experimental configuration of the network, the system was considered as satisfactory by all the physicians. In 72 % of the sessions, the expected result (answer to the question) was gained. By common consent, videoconferencing was unanimously regarded as a prominent tool in improving the interaction quality. Asynchronous transfer mode is an efficient method for fast transferring of radiologic examinations in DICOM format and for discussing them through high-quality videoconferencing. Received: 26 October 1998; Revised: 25 February 1999; Accepted: 2 April 1999     

Assessment of fetal behavior and general movements by four-dimensional sonography

The aim of this paper was to review the clinical applications of four-dimensional ultrasonography in the assessment of fetal behavior. With the use of a computerized database, articles on three-dimensional ultrasonography were reviewed. Several applications of dynamic three-dimensional ultrasonography have been reported, including imaging of fetal movements, facial expression and fetal hand movements. The importance of the assessment of fetal behavior by four-dimensional sonography is stressed. Four-dimensional sonography seems to be a useful imaging tool for clinical problem solving in perinatology, especially in observing the development of the central nervous system in utero.     

Sulcal identification and neuronavigation in supratentorial cavernoma surgery

We present the use of cortical sulci, segmented from magnetic resonance imaging, in image guided neurosurgery. Sulcal information was transferred to a surgical microscope with enhanced reality features. This assistance was used for the resection of supratentorial cavernomas (7 patients). Sulci were semi-automatically segmented from 3D MRI data sets. Sulci close to the cavernoma were selected and transferred to the neuronavigation system which allows the superimposition of graphics into the right ocular of the microscope. Selected sulci were displayed on the workstation and superimposed into the ocular of the microscope. Cortical sulci proved to be useful for the recognition of the anatomical environment. The superimposed sulci helped to optimize location and size of the skin incision as well as to guide the access to the cavernoma by using the course of a sulcus as indirect trajectory.     

Rapid diagnosis of glucocorticoid suppressible hyperaldosteronism in infants and adolescents

Glucocorticoid suppressible hyperaldosteronism (GSH) is an uncommon form of dominantly inherited hypertension. Presentation with hypertension and complications such as stroke in early life are well recognised. The use of a simple genetic test carried out on blood or placenta facilitates the detection of infants and children with GSH before the development of hypertension, allowing prompt treatment of hypertension if it occurs, and an opportunity to study the effects of growth and environmental influences on the progression of the condition.