Elimination of PCB congeners via milk in rabbits administered Fenclor 64.

A single dose of 100 mg per kg body weight of a commercial mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), Fenclor 64 was given intraperitoneally to pregnant rabbits. The distribution in dams and foetuses and excretion in milk was investigated for six of the congeners by quantifying them in fat from maternal adipose tissue, from whole foetuses and newborn bodies and from newborn gastric contents. The cytochrome-P-450 induction after Fenclor 64 in foetuses and suckling off-spring was followed by measuring the following hepatic mixed function oxidase (MFO) activities: p-nitroanisole-demethylase, ethoxyresorufin-deethylase, ethoxycoumarin-deethylase and NADPH cytochrome-C reductase. At the 28th day of pregnancy PCB fat concentrations in foetuses were similar to those in mothers (126.4 +/- 7.1 and 152.6 +/- 28.1 micrograms/g of fat, respectively). By the 5th day of life fat concentrations in the youngs were double those of foetuses (216.81 +/- 8.12 micrograms/g) and remained high until weaning (142.2 +/- 15.5 micrograms/g at the 20th day). PCB concentrations in mothers' fat decreased during lactation (104.1 micrograms/g at the 20th day) but at the end of the experiment they were still high (95.5 micrograms/g). The cytochrome-P-450 concentration and MFO activities in young rabbits' livers from treated dams were significantly higher than controls from the 5th (P less than 0.01) to the 10th (P less than 0.01) day of life, with the exception of NADPH-cyt-C-reductase (P less than 0.05).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Iliac artery-ureteral fistula developing after dilatation and stent placement

A fistula formed between the common iliac artery and the ureter following balloon dilatation of the distal ureter and stent placement in the presence of an ileal conduit. Possible causes are discussed.     

Elimination of PCB Congeners via Milk in Rabbits Administered Fenclor 64

Abstract: A single dose of 100 mg per kg body weight of a commercial mixture of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), Fenclor 64 was given intraperitoneally to pregnant rabbits. The distribution in dams and foetuses and excretion in milk was investigated for six of the congeners by quantifying them in fat from maternal adipose tissue, from whole foetuses and newborn bodies and from newborn gastric contents. The cytochrome-P-450 induction after Fenclor 64 in foetuses and suckling off-spring was followed by measuring the following hepatic mixed function oxidase (MFO) activities: p-nitroanisole-demethylase, ethoxyresorufin-deethylase, ethoxycoumarin-deethylase and NADPH cytochrome-C reductase. At the 28th day of pregnancy PCB fat concentrations in foetuses were similar to those in mothers (126.4 ± 7.1 and 152.6 ± 28.1 μg/g of fat, respectively). By the 5th day of life fat concentrations in the youngs were double those of foetuses (216.81 ± 8.12 μg/g) and remained high until weaning (142.2 ± 15.5 μg/g at the 20th day). PCB concentrations in mothers'fat decreased during lactation (104.1 μg/g at the 20th day) but at the end of the experiment they were still high (95.5 μg/g). The cytochrome-P-450 concentration and MFO activities in young rabbits'livers from treated dams were significantly higher than controls from the 5th (P<0.01) to the 10th (P<0.01) day of life, with the exception of NADPH-cyt-C-reductase (P<0.05). By the 20th day the differences between control and treated animals were smaller but significant (P<0.05), except for ethoxycoumarin deethylase; by the 40th day all the MFOs and the cytochrome-P-450 concentration reached the values of control animals.     

Comparative Analysis of Laser Assisted Endoscopie and Conventional Endoscopie Dacryocystorhinostomy

Background

Dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) is the standard surgical treatment for epiphora caused by obstructions distal to the common canaliculus. Endoscopic DCR (EDCR) and laser assisted DCR (LAEDCR) are becoming increasingly popular alternatives.

Method

69 cases of EDCR were compared with 18 cases of LAEDCR. The success rates were noted at 01 week, 01, 03 and 06 months. The operating time required, incidence of adjuvant procedures, complications and post operative morbidity were recorded.

Results

At the end of 06 months, 100% and 95% success was achieved with LAEDCR and EDCR respectively. Operating time, complication rates and the incidence of adjuvant procedures required were lesser in the LAEDCR group.

Conclusion

In our study both the procedures have comparable success rates, though LAEDCR has an edge over EDCR in terms of decreased duration of surgery, decreased post operative morbidity and lesser complications.Key Words: Epiphora, endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, laser assisted endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy     

Arterio-venous gradient of endothelial progenitor cells across renal artery stenosis

A role for circulating progenitor cells have been recently demonstrated in many pathological conditions. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) localize at sites of ischemia and stimulate neovasculogenesis. This small study was carried out to assess whether selective blood sampling during renal angiography could demonstrate an arterio-venous gradient of EPCs in 5 patients with renal artery stenosis. Surprisingly, we found that EPCs were more abundant in venous than in arterial blood, suggesting that the kidney subjected to chronic ischemia may become a source rather than a target of EPCs.