Use of hepatocytes from Hoplias malabaricus to characterize the toxicity of a complex mixture of lipophilic halogenated compounds.

Organisms are continuously exposed to a plethora of anthropogenic toxicants daily released to the environment. In the present study, the effects of a mixture of halogenated organic compounds (HOCs) extracted from hepatic lipids were evaluated on the primary hepatocyte culture from fish Hoplias malabaricus. Cells were isolated through non-enzymatic perfusion protocol and cultured during 3 days to allow attachment. Two concentrations of the mixture of HOCs (10 ng ml(-1) [Mix10] and 50 ng ml(-1) [Mix50]) were tested in cells for 2 days by medium replacement. The control groups, with and without solvent (DMSO) were run in the same conditions. Both tested concentrations of HOCs increased the catalase and GST activities, but only the Mix50 increase the DNA damage and decreased the GSH concentration and cell viability. Lipid peroxidation increased in the Mix10 group, but it seems to be more a consequence of DMSO presence than the HOCs themselves. The DMSO at 0.1% increased the lipid peroxidation, GSH concentration, apoptosis and DNA damage. The present data suggest that DMSO interferes with the hepatocytes of H. malabaricus in culture and that the mixture of HOCs tested alters the redox state of the hepatocytes.     

Cellular transport of lutein is greater from uncooked rather than cooked spinach irrespective of whether it is fresh,frozen, or canned

Lutein, a carotenoid found in significant levels in spinach, has attracted a great deal of attention owing to its reported function as a shield against the photooxidative effects of blue light. Therefore, the rationale of this study was to examine the effects of various processing and cooking methods on lutein bioavailability from spinach (Spinacia oleracea) using an in vitro digestion procedure coupled with the use of a human intestinal Caco-2 cell model. Fresh, frozen, and canned spinach were analyzed uncooked and after boiling or microwave cooking. Lutein content from the uncooked and cooked digested food (digestate) and appropriate micelles was determined. Micellarized lutein from the spinach samples was adjusted to 0.1 μmol/L and added to Caco-2 cells. Cellular uptake and secretion (cellular transport) of lutein were determined. Our results showed that digestate obtained from uncooked canned spinach had greater lutein content (P < .05) than uncooked fresh or frozen spinach. Microwave cooking, but not boiling, significantly lowered the lutein content of canned spinach digestate and micelles compared with their uncooked counterparts. Interestingly, there were no differences in the micellarization of lutein between the cooking and processing methods. Cellular transport of lutein was greater from uncooked spinach micelles compared with boiled or microwave-cooked spinach. To conclude, although the lutein content of digesta and micelles may have been modified, its micellarization was not significantly affected by any of the cooking or processing methods tested. In general, cellular transport of lutein was greatest in uncooked spinach irrespective of whether the spinach was fresh, frozen, or canned.     

A case of multiple cerebral abscesses due to infection with Cladophialophora bantiana

Cladophialophora bantiana is a highly neurotropic fungus which has been reported to cause a variety of infections in the immunocompromised and transplant populations. We describe a case of multiple cerebral abscesses caused by this dematiaceous fungus in a patient with probable Duncan's syndrome. The patient also had extensive extra-cerebral disease, which is unusual for infection with this organism. We discuss previously described cases of infection with Cladophialophora bantiana, and review the current and evolving treatment options.     

Effects of out-of-school care on sex initiation among young adolescents in low-income central city neighborhoods

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between patterns of out-of-school care over time and the initiation of sex among young adolescents living in low-income urban families. DESIGN: A prospective cohort study (using a 16-month follow-up) examining the predictive value of changes in out-of-school-care arrangements on early sex initiation. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: By using a multistage stratified area probability sampling strategy, we selected 494 subjects aged 11 to 13 years living in low-income central city neighborhoods who did not report having had sexual intercourse by time 1. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Adolescent report of having had sexual intercourse by time 2. RESULTS: Bivariate results suggested that being at home with an adult during out-of-school hours was related to less sex initiation than self-care, care at another person's home, and attendance at an organized/supervised activity. Adjusting for demographic attributes, parental monitoring, parental curfews, and family routines, remaining in out-of-home care or self-care was associated with a 2.5 times (95% confidence interval, 1.3-5.1 times) increase in the likelihood of initiating sexual intercourse when compared with being at home with an adult at both assessment times. CONCLUSION: Policies and programs that enable young adolescents to spend their out-of-school hours at home with an adult may help reduce the risk of early sex initiation among youth in low-income urban areas.     

Reinterventions for complication and defect of coloesophagoplasty

AIM OF THE STUDY: To report a series of 17 patients operated for a complication oesophagocoloplasty, with evaluation of therapeutic modalities, and both early and distant results. MATERIALS AND METHOD: From 1985 to 2003, 17 patients with a mean age of 50 years (range: 23-76) were reoperated after coloplasty pediculated on left superior colic vessels. Initial diseases were caustic ingestion (N=7), cancer (N=6), oesophageal perforation (N=2), gastric lymphoma (N=1) and oesotracheal fistula (N=1). Coloplasty has been performed as a first-intent procedure in 13 cases and as a second-intent procedure after failure of a previous operation in 4 cases. Nine patients were initially operated in another center and were subsequently referred in our unit. Complications needing reoperation were graft necrosis in 8 cases (47%) and stricture in 9 cases (53%). All patients with necrosis were reoperated within the 10 first postoperative days. RESULTS: Necroses were treated by complete (N=5) or partial (N=3) resection of the coloplasty. Strictures were treated by resection-reanastomosis (N=3), right ileocoloplasty (N=2), colic stricturoplasty (N=2), a free antebrachial flap (N=1) and a tubulized latissimus dorsi myocutaneous pedicled flap (N=1). The 30-day mortality rate was 12% (N=2) and the overall morbidity rate was 66%. All deaths occurred after reoperation for necrosis. Eleven patients (65%) kept or recovered digestive continuity (including the 9 with stenosis) and 8 (73%) eat normally. Four patients with transplant necrosis died before reestablishment. Four patients operated for necrosis died before restoration of digestive continuity and 2 patients are still awaiting restoration. CONCLUSION: Use of colon as an oesophageal substitute is risky. Reoperations for stenosis allows satisfactory oral feeding, while reoperation for necrosis is associated with both high early mortality and a low rate of restoration or digestive continuity. This later requires a range of complex surgical procedures.     

A novel Sushi domain-containing protein of Plasmodium falciparum

Using bioinformatics analyses of the completed malaria genome sequence, we have identified a novel protein with a potential role in erythrocyte invasion. The protein (PFD0295c, ) has a predicted signal sequence and transmembrane domain and a sequence near the C-terminus of the protein shows significant similarity with Sushi domains. These domains, which exist in a wide variety of complement and adhesion proteins, have previously been shown to be involved in protein-protein and protein-ligand interactions. Orthologous genes have also been identified in the genomes of several other Plasmodium species, suggesting a conserved function for this protein in Plasmodium. Our results show that this protein is located in apical organelles and we have therefore designated the protein apical Sushi protein (ASP). We show that the expression of ASP is tightly regulated in the intraerythrocytic stages of the parasite and that it undergoes post-translational proteolytic processing. Based on our observations of timing of expression, location and proteolytic processing, we propose a role for ASP in erythrocyte invasion.     

Jaundice in the adult patient

Jaundice in an adult patient can be caused by a wide variety of benign or life-threatening disorders. Organizing the differential diagnosis by prehepatic, intrahepatic, and posthepatic causes may help make the work-up more manageable. Prehepatic causes of jaundice include hemolysis and hematoma resorption, which lead to elevated levels of unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin. Intrahepatic disorders can lead to unconjugated or conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The conjugated (direct) bilirubin level is often elevated by alcohol, infectious hepatitis, drug reactions, and autoimmune disorders. Posthepatic disorders also can cause conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Gallstone formation is the most common and benign posthepatic process that causes jaundice; however, the differential diagnosis also includes serious conditions such as biliary tract infection, pancreatitis, and malignancies. The laboratory work-up should begin with a urine test for bilirubin, which indicates that conjugated hyperbilirubinemia is present. If the complete blood count and initial tests for liver function and infectious hepatitis are unrevealing, the work-up typically proceeds to abdominal imaging by ultrasonography or computed tomographic scanning. In a few instances, more invasive procedures such as cholangiography or liver biopsy may be needed to arrive at a diagnosis.