Intrathecal injection of a specific enzyme in rats as a model for chemically induced spinal cord injury

A spinal cord injury model is described using chymopapain as a neurotoxic agent in rats. The trauma was evaluated by neurophysiological and morphological methods. Electrically evoked compound action potentials were used to quantify the neurophysiological effects caused by the injection of chymopapain into the lumbar dural theca in rats. A branch of the sciatic nerve was stimulated with voltage impulses of constant amplitude (40 V) and duration (0.1 ms) at the right external malleolus. The responses were recorded at the dorsal root entry zone L1. We used different doses of the enzyme (1000 i.u./ml; 2500 i.u./ml; 5000 i.u./ml). A total amount of 0.1 ml was injected into the rats' lumbar spinal canal intrathecally (n = 18). The control rate (n = 8) were subjected to exactly the same stimulus and recording procedures but the test solution was a corresponding volume of isotonic saline. Two hours after injection the animals were examined clinically and then sacrificed for histology. The prolongation of the latency of the electrically evoked potentials caused by the enzyme was very clear at the doses of 2500 i.u. and 5000 i.u. being about 10-15% relative to the mean latency before administration of the drug. The histological evaluation showed hemorrhage, vascular damage and indirect signs of myelin edema of the lumbar nerve tissue. Our study indicates that chymopapain injections into the lumbar spinal canal can be used as a reproducible model for spinal cord injury research.     

Evaluation of four elastomeric interocclusal recording materials

Background: The fabrication of dental prosthesis requires the transfer of interocclusal records from patient's mouth to semiadjustable articulators using different kinds of recording media. Any inaccuracy in these interocclusal records leads to occlusal errors in the final prosthesis. This study was conducted to evaluate the dimensional changes occurring in the interocclusal recording material over a given period of time and the material's resistance to compression during the cast mounting on the articulator.     

Clinical applications of mifepristone.

Mifepristone is a progesterone antagonist that has been studied for a number of clinical applications. It is a well-known abortifacient that is effective for both first- and second-trimester medical abortion when used with a prostaglandin analog. It is also an effective cervical priming agent that can be used to soften the cervix before surgical evacuation. Its clinical efficacy as an emergency contraception has been proven. Other applications including treatment for fibroids, endometriosis and various cancers have been explored. However, its association with abortion limits the applications of mifepristone in many of these areas.     

Effect of meal on the physiological and physicochemical actions of potassium citrate

The effect of meals on the physiological and physicochemical actions of potassium citrate was examined in 8 patients with nephrolithiasis maintained on a constant metabolic dietary regimen. Potassium citrate (20 mEq. 3 times per day), whether given with food or on an empty stomach, significantly increased urinary pH, citrate and potassium, and decreased urinary calcium and ammonium. Moreover, potassium citrate decreased urinary saturation of calcium oxalate and uric acid, although it slightly increased that of brushite. However, there was no significant difference in these measures when the drug was given with meals from the time when it was given on an empty stomach. Thus, the effect of potassium citrate on urinary risk factors is unaffected by food.