Glutathione modifies the toxicity of triethyltin and trimethyltin in C6 glioma cells

It has been demonstrated that exposure to mercury or cadmium compounds causes alterations in the glutathione system in a model glial cell line, C6. Here we report that two organic tin compounds, triethyltin (TET) and trimethyltin (TMT), are also toxic to these cells with EC₅₀ values for cell death of c. 0.02 μM and 0.8 μM respectively. Exposure for 24 h to either of these compounds at sub-toxic concentrations caused increases in the amount of reduced glutathione (GSH) per cell. Increases in glutathione-S-transferase enzyme activity were also demonstrated after TET or TMT exposure. This suggests that glutathione increases occur in glial cells after toxic insults below that required to cause cell death, possibly acting as a protective mechanism. To test whether GSH plays a role in organotin-induced cell death we manipulated GSH in the culture media or via intracellular GSH and looked at the effects on sensitivity to TET or TMT toxicity. Adding GSH to the culture media did not protect the cells. Depletion of intracellular GSH with buthionine-[S,R] sulphoximine did not alter cytotoxicity of TET or TMT. However, pre-treatment with (−)-2-oxo-4-thiazolidine carboxylic acid (OTC), which increases intracellular GSH levels, protected the cells against both compounds. The EC₅₀ for TMT was increased from 0.77 to 1.8 μM, a 2.3-fold shift, whereas the EC₅₀ for TET was increased >20-fold, from 0.022 to 0.47 μM. One interpretation of these results is that GSH protects cells against the toxicity of organic tin compounds without reacting directly with them to any significant extent. Under conditions where GSH is depleted, additional protective mechanisms may be active. Received: 26 May 1997 / Accepted: 21 October 1997     

五种中药灭阴道毛滴虫体外试验初步研究

本文对５种中药进行了杀灭阴道毛滴虫体外实验的初步研究。结果表明：白头翁、黄柏和青蒿灭虫效果最好，蛇床子和苦参亦有一定的作用。为进一步开发中药防治阴道毛滴虫提供了研究基础资料。     

Surgery for pre-macular fibrosis

We review 12 consecutive cases of pre-macular fibrosis (PMF) treated by vitreous surgical techniques. The causes of PMF included retinal detachment surgery in four patients, idiopathic in three patients, laser treatment in three patients, pars planitis in one patient and diabetic retinopathy in one patient. The membrane was successfully removed in all the patients. One patient developed a retinal detachment that was repaired successfully. All patients had improved visual acuity (VA) of two Snellen lines or more and six patients achieved VA of 6/12 or better. Patients with PMF following retinal detachment had poorer final VA.     

Empyema necessitatis in an infant: a rare surgical disease

Empyema necessitatis is a rare complication of empyema and is more commonly reported in adults. It is characterized by purulence in the pleural space extending into the overlying soft tissues. We report a rare case in an otherwise healthy 3-month-old girl who presented with right chest wall swelling and was subsequently found to have methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus empyema necessitatis requiring thoracotomy with decortication.     

Obstructive jaundice secondary to benign hepatic cyst

A case of hepatic cyst causing obstructive jaundice is presented. Following percutaneous aspiration of the cyst, the jaundice was relieved. Modern interventional radiologic techniques can provide prompt diagnosis and treatment, thus avoiding major surgery and prolonged hospitalization.