Perfluorooctane Sulfonate in Oysters, Crassostrea virginica, from the Gulf of Mexico and the Chesapeake Bay, USA

Concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a metabolite of several sulfonated perfluoroorganic compounds, were measured in oysters collected from 77 locations in the Gulf of Mexico and Chesapeake Bay of the United States. PFOS was detected in oysters collected from 51 of the 77 locations at concentrations ranging from < 42 to 1,225 ng/g on a dry weight basis. This study provides baseline data for future monitoring programs to examine long-term trends in concentrations of PFOS. Received: 4 June 2001/Accepted: 21 September 2001     

Successful allogeneic stem cell transplant after invasive pulmonary zygomycosis

We report the successful outcome of allogeneic stem cell transplant (SCT) in a patient with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) and pulmonary zygomycosis diagnosed prior to transplant. The lesion was surgically excised and SCT proceeded with antifungal therapy, granulocyte transfusions and G-CSF support during the period of neutropenia.     

EPI vaccination in Nepal

A number of surveys, small or large, have been undertaken by various agencies for coverage evaluation of immunization programs. The most commonly used design is the WHO-30 cluster sampling method. Other new methods are the Institute for Refresh Medical Statistics (IRMS) New Delhi method and the lot quality assurance sampling method. This paper describes the National Immunization Day (NID) method to evaluate the immunization coverage of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) vaccines in the Sunsari district of Nepal. A total number of 3,332 respondents (69.4% females and 30.6% males) were interviewed regarding the immunization status of their children during NID. The children with complete immunization (BCG, measles and three doses of DPT and OPV) were 65.7%. The individual coverage by EPI vaccines (except OPV III and measles) was more than 80%. The result shows that there is positive relationship between immunization coverage and educational level of the respondents.     

Effects of halothane on sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channels in porcine airway smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND: Volatile anesthetics relax airway smooth muscle (ASM) by altering intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). The authors hypothesized that relaxation is produced by decreasing sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content via increased Ca2+ "leak" through both inositol trisphosphate (IP3) and ryanodine receptor channels. METHODS: Enzymatically dissociated porcine ASM cells were exposed to acetylcholine in the presence or absence of 2 minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) halothane, and IP3 levels were measured using radioimmunoreceptor assay. Other cells were loaded with the Ca2+ indicator fluo-3 and imaged using real-time confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Halothane increased IP3 concentrations in the presence and absence of acetylcholine. Inhibition of phospholipase C blunted the IP3 response to halothane. Exposure to 2 MAC halothane induced a transient [Ca2+]i response, suggesting depletion of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+. Exposure to 20 microM Xestospongin D, a cell-permeant IP3 receptor antagonist, resulted in a 45+/-13% decrease in the [Ca2+]i response to halothane compared with halothane exposure alone. In permeabilized cells, Xestospongin D or 0.5 mg/ml heparin decreased the [Ca2+]i response to halothane by 65+/-13% and 68+/-22%, respectively, compared with halothane alone. In both intact and permeabilized cells, 20 microM ryanodine blunted the [Ca2+]i response to halothane by 32+/-13% and 39+/-21%, respectively, compared with halothane alone. Simultaneous exposure to Xestospongin D and ryanodine completely inhibited the [Ca2+]i response to halothane. CONCLUSIONS: The authors conclude that halothane reduces sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ content in ASM cells via increased Ca2+ leak through both IP3 receptor and ryanodine receptor channels. Effects on IP3 receptor channels are both direct and indirect via elevation of IP3 levels.     

Successful treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in a child with cystic fibrosis

A 3 1/2 year old girl with cystic fibrosis who underwent successful treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia remains in complete remission 36 months after diagnosis. We also report high clearance rates of three antineoplastic agents in this patient. Drug doses were adjusted to achieve optimal systemic exposure. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Meige's syndrome: clinical, pharmacological and radiological observations

The clinical pharmacological, and neuroradiological observations in six patients with spontaneous blepharospasm-oromandibular dystonia (Meige's) syndrome are recorded. This group consisted of five males and one female, mean age at onset being 50.3 years. The duration of symptoms ranged from three months to 12 years, three patients having had symptoms for over four years. The dyskinesia was arrhythmic and asymmetrical in the orbicularis oculi and masseter muscles electrophysiologically. Pharmacological studies evinced no consistent response to parenteral physostigmine, no response to oral levodopa and no significant improvement in the dyskinesia following oral haloperidol. Lumbar air encephalogram was done in five patients, and showed frontal cortical atrophy without ventricular dilation in three. It is concluded that Meige's syndrome is a distinct nosological entity, and that physostigmine test is unlikely to be helpful in the differential diagnosis from neuroleptic-induced tardive dyskinesia. Neurotransmitter imbalance in the basal ganglia in this disorder remains to be established, and at present there is no satisfactory drug treatment for this progressively disabling movement disorder.