EFFECTS OF 5HT2 RECEPTOR ANTAGONISTS ON RESPONSES TO POTASSIUM DEPOLARIZATION IN RAT ISOLATED AORTA

1. In order to determine whether 5HT₂ receptor antagonists can modify Ca²⁺ uptake via voltage-operated Ca²⁺ channel (VOC) in arterial smooth muscle, a comparative study of the effects of selected Ca²⁺ uptake blockers and 5HT₂ receptor antagonists on K⁺-induced contractions of rat aortic strip was undertaken. 2. The antagonist drugs studied included the Ca²⁺ uptake blockers verapamil, nifedipine, felodipine, diltiazem and cin-narizine, the 5HT₂ receptor antagonists cyproheptadine, ritanserin, mianserin, and ketanserin and the α₁-adrenoceptor antagonist prazosin. 3. With the notable exception of prazosin, each of these compounds diminished K⁺-induced aortic responses. 4. The following order of potencies (mean IC₅₀ values in mol/L) was established: felodipine (7.0 × 10^-11) >nifedipine (4.8 × 10^-9) >verapamil (5.5 × 10^-8) >cyproheptadine (6.2 × 10^-8) > diltiazem (4.1 × 10^-7) >cinnarizine (1.3 × 10^-6) >ritanserin (1.8 × 10^-6) >ketanserin (9.0 × 10^-6) > mianserin (2.0 × 10^-5). 5. The results suggest that antagonists of 5HT₂ receptors can modulate Ca²⁺ uptake via VOC in rat aorta.     

Epidemiology of exposure to blood borne pathogens on a surgical service

BACKGROUND: The goal of this study was to analyze the type and mechanism of blood exposure injuries on the surgical service in order to develop appropriate preventative strategies. METHODS: A retrospective review of all exposure injuries affecting members of the operative care line at a single teaching institution between December 2002 and December 2005 was performed. RESULTS: Of 98 exposure injuries on the surgical service, only 17 (17%) were inflicted by hollow-bore needles. Seventy-four (76%) of these reported injuries occurred in the operating room (OR) and 24 (24%) occurred in other clinical areas. Sharps injuries accounted for 69 (93%) of OR injuries and were inflicted by suture needles (n = 37, 50%), hollow-bore needles (n = 7, 9%), and sharp instruments (n = 25, 34%). Mucocutaneous contamination accounted for 5 (7%) of the OR exposures. Professionals most frequently injured were residents (n = 43, 44%), followed by nurses (n = 28, 29%), students (n = 17, 17%) and other healthcare workers (n = 10, 10%). CONCLUSIONS: Blood exposure prevention strategies should be directed at safety within the surgical field and focused beyond hollow-bore needle stick injuries to include education, mentoring, and competency training.     

Case of XY-type gonadal dysgenesis with the development of bilateral gonadoblastomas

We report a case of bilateral gonadoblastoma caused by xy-type true gonadal dysgenesis. Specific patterns in diagnostics and therapy are discussed. Due to rare entity interdisciplinary cooperation in management is emphasized.