Sex-related differences in cadmium-induced alteration of drug action in the rat

A case of multiple adenocarcinoma arising from the kidney, bladder, and prostate is presented with a relevant discussion of the possible factors of pathogenesis. A staged approach of radical extirpative surgery is suggested.     

Ultrastructural site variations in mouse epidermal organization

Mouse dorsal, ear, tail and foot epidermis are compared according to their tissue architecture and cell kinetics. Cell proliferation is expected in terms of the daily volume of keratin replaced. The stratum corneum may be organized into vertical columns of squames, which may have minimal overlap as in dorsum and ear, or maximal overlap as in tail. Individual areas are adapted to their function both in squame fine structure and rate of cell replacement. The surface keratin loss/replacement rate is at its highest in foot and tail, and lowest in ear and dorsum. Observations on hairless mouse dorsum are also included.     

Influence of the storage orientation on the aerodynamic particle size of a suspension metered dose inhaler containing propellant HFA-227

Presented in this work are the results of a study designed to investigate the impact of the storage position on the particle size distribution (PSD) of a steroid suspension metered dose inhaler (MDI) containing propellant HFA-227. It was hypothesized that the orientation of MDI samples upon storage could influence the PSD of the emitted dose, since it determines the amount of contact the liquid formulation has with the valve and therefore the quantity of nonvolatile leachable materials from the valve components that may enter the product and potentially impact the aerosol spray dynamics. Samples stored in the valve down orientation (i.e., complete contact of the liquid formulation with the valve) showed a higher level of leachables compared to those samples stored valve up (i.e., minimal contact of the formulation with the valve). The valve down samples were found to produce larger particles in the emitted aerosol spray using both cascade impaction, the preferred method of regulatory submission, as well as laser diffraction. It was postulated that the larger particle size of the inverted samples was attributed to its higher levels of leachables. Based on our findings, it is recommended that in order to set appropriate controls on the product PSD, the storage orientation of the product will need to be considered.     

Restoration of squamous mucosa after ablation of Barrett's esophageal epithelium

BACKGROUND: Antireflux therapy has generally failed to induce regression of Barrett's epithelium. It was hypothesized that squamous epithelium could be restored if the columnar tissue was ablated while gastric acid secretion was suppressed. METHODS: Ten white men with Barrett's esophagus received 40 mg of omeprazole daily. Thereafter, every 2-5 weeks they underwent videotaped endoscopies to argon laser photoablate columnar tissue, obtain biopsy specimens, and assess results. Squamous re-epithelialization was assessed by correlation of videotapes and directed biopsies. RESULTS: Patients had one to eight areas ablated, totaling 0.5-12.0 cm2. Videotape assessments were corroborated by biopsy in all but one instance. Thirty-eight of 40 treatment locations partially or completely re-epithelialized with squamous tissue. Squamous regrowth appeared to occur by spread from contiguous squamous borders and de novo from glandular tissue. Regrowth was influenced by the extent of squamous borders and completeness of ablations. Nonablated glandular tissue persisted beneath squamous epithelium. CONCLUSIONS: Ablation of Barrett's epithelium and suppression of acid secretion facilitated squamous re-epithelialization. A progenitor cell within the metaplastic tissue has the potential to differentiate normally.