The use of rat brain slices as an in vitro model for mechanistic evaluation of neurotoxicity-studies with acrylamide

Biochemical mechanisms underlying acrylamide induced neurotoxicity were examined using an in vitro model consisting of sagittal slices of rat brain. Incubation of brain slices under oxygen in artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing acrylamide produced a dose and time dependent inhibition of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Lysosomal enzymes, acid phosphatase, N-acetyl glucosaminidase and beta-glucuronidase decreased in a similar manner, while no changes were observed in the activity of Na+K+ATPase, cytochrome c oxidase and lactate dehydrogenase. Incubation of slices with two structurally related compounds, acetamide (a non-neurotoxic amide) and methylene bis-acrylamide (a weak neurotoxin), indicated that acrylamide selectively inhibited GAPDH, enolase and N-acetyl glucosaminidase at low concentration; similar doses of acetamide and methylene bis-acrylamide did not have the same effect on brain slices. Incubation with acrylamide depleted glutathione levels in slices, and the addition of glutathione to the incubation medium prevented acrylamide induced inhibition of GAPDH and lysosomal enzymes. Time dependent inhibition of lysosomal enzymes was also observed in vivo, in the brain and sciatic nerve of rats following a single dose of acrylamide. These results demonstrate that both in vitro and in vivo, lysosomal enzymes are also inhibited following acrylamide exposure. The rat brain slice model exhibits both selectivity and sensitivity towards neurotoxicants and hence, may prove to be an useful in vitro model for the mechanistic evaluation of neurotoxicity.     

Crown augmentation using modified bilayered restoration for anchorage: A case report

An ankylosed tooth can be suitable for obtaining orthodontic anchorage. However, if such a tooth lacks adequate clinical crown height, the anchorage will not be effective. In those situations surgical luxation or restorative crown augmentation is suggested. This case report is about the restorative treatment of an ankylosed, infraoccluded tooth to enhance the anchorage for forced orthodontic eruption of impacted maxillary canines. A crown augmentation in the form of a modified bilayered (sandwich) restoration using GIC, Composite resin and Silver amalgam on left maxillary first molar (26) was successful in sustaining the anchorage for forced eruption and alignment of impacted canines.     

Acute coronary syndromes

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below. Key points Coronary artery disease accounts for >30% ofdeaths in Western society. The diagnosis of myocardial infarctionshould be qualified by size, causation and time from occurrence. Mortalityis reduced by immediate or ‘primary’ percutaneouscoronary intervention or thrombolysis within the first 24 hof onset of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction. Strategiesto reduce platelet activation (glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptorantagonists, or clopidogrel) are now recommended in the treatmentof high-risk non-ST-segment myocardial infarction/unstable angina. Elevatedserum troponins may be the result of non-ischaemic myocardialdamage, especially in critical illness.