Studies on the mechanism of the toxic action of sodium nitrite on intestinal absorption in rats

The biochemical parameters Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase, alkaline phosphatase, oxygen consumption, and lactic acid level were evaluated in the small intestine mucosa of male Wistar rats duringin situ perfusion of the rat with sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite was poorly absorbed (10% of the administered dose), but it inhibited the activity of Na⁺/ K⁺-ATPase and alkaline phosphatase. It had no effect on the lactic acid level, pointing to normal oxygen in the intestine, evidently reducing the utilization of oxygen by this tissue. Using metabolism inhibitors added to the perfusion fluid in the concentrations: ouabaine 0.1 mM, NaN₃ (sodium azide) 1 mM, L-phenylalanine 50 mM and during functional ischaemia of the intestine produced by occlusion of the superior mesenteric artery for the time of the perfusion, it was possible to find the site of action and the direction of the toxic influence of sodium nitrite.     

Social networks of residents in supportive housing

One goal of supportive housing is to enlarge and improve the functioning of the social support networks of residents. The networks of a convenience sample of 42 residents were assessed using scales developed by Barrera. The size of the networks (11.5) was no larger than that reported for similar clients living in other types of community settings but the composition differed. Staff and co-residents appear to partially replace rather than add to family and friends. This is of concern because friends are uniquely important determinants of satisfaction. An association between perceived need for support and network size was also found. These findings suggest some positive influences but also raise questions about unintended negative consequences of living in artificially constructed social environments.When this project was undertaken, Dr. Goering, Janet Durbin, Bill Lancee and Taras Babiak were all members of the Social and Community Psychiatry Section, Clarke Institute. Robert Foster was Executive Director of Regeneration House, Inc., where Susan Boyles is Assistant Executive Director.     

The soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor I is an early predictor of local infective complications after colorectal surgery

The clinical implications of increased cytokine levels after major surgery remain unclear. In this study, systemic concentration of a spectrum of cytokines, including interleukins IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-1ra, and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-I (sTNF-RI) was examined in patients with and without postoperative septic complications following colorectal surgery. Although there were no significant changes in IL-1, TNF-, and IL-8 serum levels during the observation period, there was a significant rise in IL-6, IL-1ra, and sTNF-RI concentrations in the entire group of patients between postoperative day 1 and 14. There were no differences between the group without and with local complications when IL-6, IL-1ra, and IL-10 were examined. The serum levels of sTNF-RI, IL-1ra, and IL-6 were found to be sensitive indicators of the pro- and anti-inflammatory response to the surgical trauma, but only sTNF-RI turned out to be a sensitive early marker of local septic postoperative complications in patients with colorectal carcinoma.     

The –553 T/A polymorphism in the promoter region of the FGF2 gene is associated with increased breast cancer risk in Polish women

Introduction

Fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) is an important signalling molecule contributing to angiogenesis, tumour growth and progression and its expression is implicated in breast cancer (BC) development. We investigated whether –553 T/A FGF2 gene polymorphism is associated with the risk and progression of BC in Polish women.

Material and methods

The –553 T/A polymorphism was genotyped in 230 breast cancer patients and 245 control subjects, using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach. Moreover, FastQuant human angiogenesis array was used to measure FGF2 levels in tumour (n = 127) and serum (n = 76) samples.

Results

The T/A genotypes (OR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.20–3.74) (p = 0.08) and the combined heterozygotes T/A and homozygote A/A (OR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.24–3.83) (p = 0.006) had an increased risk of BC. The median FGF2 levels in the tumours of A allele carriers were significantly increased compared to T/T patients, whereas in serum FGF2 levels were hardly altered among different genotype carriers. Significantly higher frequency of A allele was found in patients with lymph node metastases (OR = 2.53; 95% CI: 1.23–5.17) (p = 0.009) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive tumour (OR = 3.22, 95% CI: 1.49–6.99) (p = 0.002). Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the A allele predicted worse disease-free survival (DFS) in BC patients.

Conclusions

Our study shows for the first time that the –553 T/A FGF2 gene polymorphism may be associated with a risk of BC developing and progression in Polish women and may have prognostic value for the assessment of BC high-risk groups.     

Asymptomatic myxoma of the tricuspid valve septal leaflet

We presented a case of asymptomatic myxoma of the tricuspid valve septal leaflet. The tumour was diagnosed accidentally during rutine transthoracic echocardiography and confirmed by transesophageal echocardiography. It was resected and the septal leaflet repaired during surgery.