Effects of areca nut, inflorescence piper betle extracts and arecoline on cytotoxicity, total and unscheduled DNA synthesis in cultured gingival keratinocytes

Betel quid (BQ) chewing has a strong correlation with oral leukoplakia, submucous fibrosis and oral cancer. For elucidation of its pathogenesis, we investigated the effects of areca nut (AN) and inflorescence piper betle (IPB) extracts and arecoline on the growth, total DNA synthesis (TDS) and unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) of cultured human gingival keratinocytes (GK). Arecoline and AN extract suppressed the growth of GK over 5 days of incubation in a dose-dependent fashion. At concentrations of 100, 200 and 400 microg/ml, AN extract suppressed the growth of GK by 31%, 46% and 90%, respectively. The IPB extracts exerted less inhibitory effect on the growth of GK. IPB extract (200-400 microg/ml) decreased cell numbers by 20-40% over 5 days of incubation. Moreover, at a concentration of 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mM, arecoline suppressed cell growth by 44%, 77% and 96%, respectively. However, only AN extract induced TDS and UDS in cultured GK within 6 h of exposure. Induction of UDS by AN extract was concomitant with the presence of apparent intracellular vacuolization. Arecoline was also toxic to GK, but did not induce intracellular vacuolization. At a concentration range of 200-1600 microg/ml, AN extract induced TDS by 2.1- to 6.5-fold. Furthermore, at a concentration of 400-1600 microg/ml, AN extract elevated the UDS by 2.4- to 5.5-fold more than that of untreated control. On the contrary, IPB extract (200-1600 microg/ml) and arecoline (0.2-1.6 mM) inhibited the TDS and UDS of GK to a different extent. Simultaneous exposure of confluent GK to AN extract, IPB extract and arecoline for 1 to 5 days led to different degrees of cytotoxicity that was dose- and time-dependent. These results indicate that AN, IPB and arecoline take part in the pathogenesis of BQ chewing-related oral mucosal lesions, possibly through both genotoxic and non-genotoxic mechanisms.     

Comparison of two barium suspensions for dedicated small-bowel series

OBJECTIVE: The in vivo radiographic features of two commercially available formulations of barium used as contrast media in dedicated small-bowel series were compared. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Fifty-six consecutive outpatients referred for a dedicated small-bowel series were randomly administered either E-Z-Paque or Entrobar. Representative survey radiographs from each examination were randomized and reviewed by six gastrointestinal radiologists from three institutions. Each observer assigned a numeric score (1 = poor, 2 = fair, 3 = good, and 4 = excellent) that rated the quality of the radiograph with respect to these characteristics: definition of fold pattern, translucency, distention, and integrity of the barium column. Statistical analysis was performed for each characteristic using Wilcoxon's two-sample rank sum test. RESULTS: All six observers found a statistically significant difference between the two barium formulations for mean scores for definition of fold pattern and translucency. Mean scores for fold pattern were 3.3, 3.0, 3.2, 3.6, 3.3, and 3.4 for Entrobar and 2.1, 2.3, 2.4, 3.2, 2.6, and 2.7 for E-Z-Paque. Mean scores for translucency were 2.5, 2.7, 2.8, 3.1, 2.7, and 3.3 for Entrobar and 1.6, 1.7, 2.1, 2.3, 1.9, and 2.7 for E-Z-Paque. No statistically significant difference was found for mean score for distention or integrity of the barium column. CONCLUSION: On radiographs, Entrobar was found to have superior characteristics for visualization of fold pattern and translucency but offered no advantages for distention or integrity of the barium column. Improved translucency and definition of fold pattern may translate into improved sensitivity and confidence in diagnosing small-bowel abnormality.     

Mycobacterium avium complex activates nuclear factor kappaB via induction of inflammatory cytokines

BACKGROUND: Ultrasonography of the knee is a non-invasive, readily available and low-cost tool for demonstrating peri-articular tissues. OBJECTIVE: To correlate clinical features with US findings in the detection, quantification and follow-up of inflammatory signs of the knee in children with pauci-articular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: US of both knees was performed in 49 patients on the same day as the clinical examination. All joints were classified into two groups by clinical criteria: group A (active disease) or group B (quiescent disease). Thirteen patients underwent one or more follow-up examinations. US was performed with a small-parts, 7.5-MHz, electronic linear probe by using a technique previously reported. Quantitative assessment of any effusion and synovial thickening was evaluated at the level of the suprapatellar bursa. Wilcoxon and Spearman tests were employed to compare US findings between the two groups and to correlate clinical and US findings within each group, respectively. RESULTS: US demonstrated significant increase of effusion and synovial thickening in group A joints. US enabled visualisation of clinically undetected popliteal cysts in three patients. Correlation between clinical and US findings was significant in group A and positive, though not significant, in group B. CONCLUSIONS: US seems to be a sensitive and reliable method for the assessment and monitoring of knee joint involvement in pauci-articular JRA.     

Pathophysiological response of the blood coagulation system in acute glomerulonephritis

1. The effects of clonidine on blood pressure, cerebral norepinephrine content and vascular structures of the kidneys were investigated in 21 SHR. Although the body weight was not affected by long term clonidine treatment up to 36 weeks, the syatolic blood pressure was significantly reduced. The reduction of the blood pressure was already obvious after 1 week administration of clonidine but the effect was more prominent after long term treatment of 30 weeks or longer. 2. The cerebral norepinephrine content was significantly lower in SHR, regardless of with or without clonidine treatment, than in the control Wistar rats. Although the cerebral norepinephrine content was slightly increased following clonidine treatment SHR, the increase was not statistically significant. 3. Angiographic study of the kidneys revealed a poor opacification of the blood vessels and glomeruli in SHR compared with the control Wistar rats. There was no difference in the sizes of the arcuate and interlobular arteries in SHR and the control Wistar rats, although the medial muscular hypertrophy of the arteries was slightly more prominent in the SHR histologically. The more prominent in the SHR histologically. The angiographic and histologic findings of the renal arteries were not altered following long term clonidine treatment. A possibility was considered that the renal arterioles are mainly functionally affected in SHR.     

Veterinary surgeons and the medicines (Labelling) Amendment Regulations 1977

Further changes to the medicine labelling regulations have important implications for practising veterinary surgeons. They amend the regulations made recently by specifying warning labels and other special labelling requirements for certain types of veterinary medical products.     

Evidence for lower susceptibility to multiple sclerosis in Japanese-Americans

A search for cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) was carried out among the 120,066 Japanese-American residents and the 3,060,366 Caucasian residents native to state of residence in King and Pierce Counties, Washington, and Los Angeles County, California. Although 48 cases would have been expected among Japanese-Americans in both areas (on the basis of the prevalence among Caucasians in these two areas), only eight cases were found who were residents on prevalence day -- all were American-born residents of Los Angeles County. The age-, sex-adjusted prevalence of MS among Japanese-Americans in both areas was 5.9 per 100,000. The lower prevalence of multiple sclerosis among Japanese-Americans than among Caucasians has been interpreted as evidence of a lower susceptibility to factors causing multiple sclerosis.