Expression of dentin sialoprotein (DSP) and other molecular determinants by a new cell line from dental papillae, MDPC-23

The purpose of this study was to characterize the molecular expression of a spontaneously immortalized and cloned cell line (MDPC-23) derived from 18-19 day CD-I fetal mouse molar dental papillae to determine if these cells were odontoblast-like. Western blots showed that a protein band, at approximately 105 kDa, reacting positively with anti-DSP antibodies and co-migrating with mouse DSP, was present in lysates of cells from passages 7, 37 and 77, in serum-free conditioned medium from passage 37 cells, and in mouse dentin extract. A minor band at 55 kDa was also apparent in cell lysates. Using a cDNA probe for a 486bp mouse DSP coding sequence, DSP or DSP-PP mRNA expression was detected by Northern analysis as well as Southern analysis after RT-PCR in all three passages. It was also shown that in these cells 1,25 (OH)2 vitamin D3 upregulated both osteopontin and osteocalcin mRNA, and dexamethasone downregulated alkaline phosphatase and alpha2(I) collagen mRNA. Thus, MDPC-23 cells express proteins which are common to mineralizing tissue. The expression of DSP and DSP-PP strongly suggests that this cell line is from the odontoblast lineage.     

Hematopoiesis in dogs irradiated with protons in lethal doses with screening of the bone marrow]

The paper presents the results of a 6-year investigation of hemopoiesis of dogs which were exposed to double irradiations (with a 1.5-month interval) with protons at a dose of 350 rad when different parts of the body (head, chest, abdomen, pelvis) were shielded. Throughout the entire period the dogs showed moderate leucopenia and by the end of the investigation insignificant anemia. The dogs irradiated with shielded abdomen displayed disturbances in bone marrow hemopoiesis, whereas other dogs exhibited relative, although transient, normalization. All the dogs showed a significant decrease of erythropoiesis and a relative stability of leucopoiesis as well as a significant elevation of the number of reticulocytes, monocytes and plasmocytes 5.5 year after irradiation.     

A prospective randomised study of local versus general anaesthesia for cataract surgery

A new thermodynamic model for calculating the dissociation constants of complexes formed between the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is reported. The free energies of binding of PCBs to AhR are controlled by their lipophilicities, electron affinities, and entropies. The corresponding physicochemical properties of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans also control their interactions with AhR. We present evidence supporting the hypothesis that the majority of PCBs are likely to interact with AhR in their nonplanar conformations. In addition, we demonstrate that the affinities of PCBs for AhR relative to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin correlate with corresponding toxic equivalency factors in animals. The reported methodology is likely to be applicable to other polyhalogenated and mixed polyhalogenated bi- and terphenyls and related xenobiotics; thus, it could minimize the number of in vivo studies in laboratory animals and facilitate the identification of potentially hazardous aromatic xenobiotics.     

Heparin improves oxygenation and minimizes barotrauma after severe smoke inhalation in an ovine model

Inhalation injury is one of the main causes of mortality in burn victims. The tracheobronchial epithelium sloughs and combines with a protein rich exudate to form casts of the airways that can lead to obstruction. We studied the effects of a continuous infusion of heparin on the acute pulmonary injury that occurs after smoke inhalation injury in sheep. Twelve ewes with vascular catheters received a standardized smoke inhalation injury and mechanical ventilation according to protocol for 72 hours. The heparin group (n = 6) received a 400 unit per kilogram bolus of heparin followed by a continuous infusion to maintain the activated clotting time between 250 to 300 seconds. The control group (n = 6) received a saline solution vehicle. Hemodynamics, blood gases and plasma samples for conjugated dienes were taken every six hours. At necropsy, pulmonary tissue was collected for histologic findings, polymorphonuclear neutrophil leukosequestration, wet-to-dry weight ratios and conjugated dienes. PaO2 to FIO2 ratios were improved in the heparin group compared with the control group at 12 to 72 hours after injury, and peak airway pressures were higher in the control group compared with the heparin group. Positive end expiratory pressure requirements were higher in the control group compared with the heparin group. There were significantly fewer airway tracheobronchial casts as determined by our tracheobronchial casts scoring system (2.4 +/- 0.4 versus 0.67 +/- 0.21) and confirmed by histologic examination. Pulmonary blood-free wet-to-dry weight ratios were higher in the control group compared with the heparin group (6.4 +/- 0.5 versus 5.2 +/- 0.1; p < 0.05). There were no differences in pulmonary tissue or plasma conjugated dienes; likewise, pulmonary leukosequestration was unaffected by heparin. Heparin decreases tracheobronchial cast formation, improves oxygenation, minimizes barotrauma and reduces pulmonary edema in an ovine model of severe smoke inhalation injury. Heparin does not reduce oxygen free radical activity after smoke inhalation injury.     

Signalling in cell growth and death: adequate nutrition alone may not be sufficient for ciliates. A minireview

The initial inoculum level of Tetrahymena in a chemically defined medium determines whether the cells are capable of exponential growth. Below 750 cells ml-1, the cells fail to go into exponential growth and will die within about 20 hours. By adding certain growth stimulants, death can be postponed and the cells begin to grow after a delay which depends on the intensity of the signal. The implication is that autocrine growth factor expression might be required for cells to grow, and that these stimulants either assist its production or lower the cell threshold to its action. The findings in Tetrahymena are reviewed, and the advantages of having a cell system in which all the components of the medium can be carefully controlled is recognised.     

Preliminary investigation of the efficacy of sublingual verapamil in the management of acute atrial fibrillation and flutter

The antiarrhythmic properties of sublingual verapamil were investigated in seven patients with acute fast atrial flutter (n = 2) or fibrillation (n = 5). A rapid and significant (P < 0.05) reduction in the ventricular rate was achieved in all seven patients. The ventricular rate at peak plasma verapamil concentration (+/- s.d.) was significantly slower than on admission (101.6 +/- 11.3 and 159 +/- 5.3 beats min-1 respectively, P < 0.01). The ventricular rate remained controlled for over 4 h. Sublingual verapamil was rapidly absorbed with the maximum peak plasma concentration (153.3 +/- 15.5 ng ml-1) being achieved after 1.21 +/- 0.18 h. Side-effects of sublingual verapamil were limited to one report of a bitter taste. The sublingual administration of verapamil may provide an alternative method for the control of acute fast atrial fibrillation and flutter in selected patients.     

Ovariectomy-induced bone loss and the hematopoietic system

To investigate the relationship of the hematopoietic system to the loss of bone due to ovarian hormone deficiency, we examined the effects of ovariectomy and estrogen administration on the thymus, spleen and the bone marrow, and on the proliferation of marrow progenitors of osteoclasts. We also assessed the effects of daily administration of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) on bone loss due to ovarian hormone deficiency. Ovariectomy resulted in decreased cancellous bone volume, increased trabecular osteoblast and osteoclast numbers, and increased serum alkaline phosphatase levels that were prevented by 17 beta-estradiol treatment. Thymus weight, spleen weight, thymus and spleen lymphocytes, and bone marrow monocytes and lymphocytes also increased significantly following ovariectomy, and the increases were suppressed by 17 beta-estradiol. Ovariectomy, in addition, caused a 4-fold increase in the number of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells formed in cultures of marrow cells and the increase was partially inhibited by 17 beta-estradiol. IL-1ra administration did not prevent the bone loss due to ovariectomy. Our findings indicate that ovariectomy-induced bone loss in the rat is accompanied by marked changes in the hematopoietic system, and that these changes are modulated by estrogen administration. In spite of the negative finding with IL-1ra, the nature of the involvement of the hematopoietic system in the pathogenesis of bone loss due to ovarian hormone deficiency merits continued exploration.