The biodegradation of the surfactant undecyl sulphate

1. The metabolism of the odd-numbered carbon chain surfactant, potassium undecyl [35S]sulphate in the rat was investigated. 2. The major route for elimination of radioactivity was the urine, regardless of the route of administration. 3. The surfactant was extensively degraded in vivo to yield propionic acid 3-[35S]sulphate, the major radioactive component in urine. A second urinary metabolite was identified tentatively as pentanoic acid 5-[35S]sulphate. 4. Whole-body autoradiography revealed the liver as the major site of metabolism. 5. The nature of the metabolic products of undecyl sulphate suggest that it is bio-degraded by initial omega-oxidation followed by beta-oxidation.     

True hermaphroditism with XX/XY sex chromosome mosaicism: report of a case

A case of true hermaphroditism with 46, XX/46, XY karyotype is reported. The propositus, reared as a male, showed ambiguous external genitalia with perineoscrotal hypospadias, and internal genitalia represented by bilateral ovotestes, normal uterus and tubes. Periodic menstrual bleedings appeared at puberty. The endocrinologic data demonstrated the secretory activity of both the ovarian and the testicular tissue. The analysis of red cell, lymphocyte and serum markers, done on the propositus and on his parents, failed to show any evidence of double fertilization. On this basis, the origin of the XX/XY condition (mosaicism versus chimerism) and its developmental consequences are discussed.     

Conditions affecting primary cell cultures of functional adult rat hepatocytes. 1. The effect of insulin

The conditions for obtaining representative, primary adult rat hepatocyte cultures were explored. The methods applied included enzymatic liver perfusion which was nondestructive to hepatocytes, the prevention of aggregation of dissociated cells and the selective attachment of viable cells. These procedures yielded a recovery of 50% of the liver cells which gave rise to cultures representing 14% of the total liver cells. The cultures were composed of homogeneous epithelial-like cells cytologically similar to hepatocytes and possessed a number of liver-specific enzymes. There was virtually no cell division initially and most cells died between 24 and 48 hr. Insulin enhanced the attachment of the liver cells, altered their morphology, but did not prolong cell survival.     

Inference of Zn in Enormity of the Public Health

Zinc （Zn） deficiencies are currently thought to cause chronic metabolic derangement leading to or exacerbating immune deficiencY, gastrointestinal problems, endocrine disorders, neurologic dysfunction, cancer, accelerated aging, degenerative disease, and more. Zn deficiency caused by malnutrition and foods with low bioavailability, aging, certain diseases, or deregulated homeostasis is a far more common risk to human health than intoxication. Higher dose of Zn should be limited to short-term use because of an increased risk of gastrointestinal adverse effects, copper deficiency, anemia, and genitourinary complications. This review has detonated the literature on the spectrum of health effects of Zn status, ranging from symptoms of Zn deficiency to excess exposure.     

Necotizing gingivostomatitis: NUG to noma

Necrotizing gingivostomatitis (NG) is an increasingly rare but potentially serious infection that can present as a spectrum of clinical disease ranging from necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis to noma. The diagnostic triad for NG is pain, interdental ulceration, and gingival bleeding, but many cases also display fetid breath and pseudomembrane formation. Etiology is believed to be an opportunistic bacterial infection occurring in individuals debilitated by malnutrition, human immunodeficiency virus infection, or other systemic factors, including inadequate sleep, unusual stress, recent illness, alcohol use, and smoking. Treatment for NG includes bacterial control by strict oral hygiene, antiseptic rinses, antibiotic use in selected cases, and correction of predisposing factors. In compliant patients, gingivectomy or gingival grafting may be indicated after initial healing to resolve any residual defects.     

Bilateral superior ophthalmic vein enlargement associated with diffuse cerebral swelling. Report of 11 cases

Bilateral superior ophthalmic vein (SOV) enlargement has rarely been shown to occur in patients with septic and aseptic cavernous sinus thrombosis, Graves' disease due to obstruction of the SOV by enlarged extraocular muscles, or carotid-cavernous fistulas caused by retrograde flow. The authors describe 11 patients with bilateral SOV enlargement associated with cerebral swelling as detected by computerized tomography scanning. The bilaterally enlarged SOVs returned to a normal size following resolution of cerebral swelling and elevated intracranial pressure. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of bilateral SOV enlargement associated with diffuse cerebral swelling that subsequently resolved after treatment of the cerebral edema. The authors believe that the bilateral SOV enlargement was caused by mechanical cavernous sinus venous stagnation due to cerebral swelling, a syndrome that occurs more commonly than currently appreciated.     

Discrepancies between diagnosed asthma, asthma-like symptoms and a test for abnormal lung function

For the diagnosis of asthma, it is neither clear to which degree various tests and symptoms identify the same subjects nor how these characteristics are best combined. We assessed the interrelationship between physician-diagnosed asthma, asthma-like symptoms and abnormal airway function in a population based sample of 495 12-15 year old schoolchildren. Participants filled in a questionnaire and underwent baseline spirometry (FEV1%), provocation with treadmill exercise (EXE) and with inhaled methacholine (PD15), and monitoring of peak expiratory flow (PEF) twice daily for two weeks. Most symptomatic subjects with any test positive were identified by PD15 alone (75%) or in combination with PEF monitoring (89%). Although interest agreement was weak (kappa < 0.40 for all pairs), significant associations were found between PD15 and EXE, between PEF and EXE and between FEV1% and PD15. However, PEF variability and methacholine responsiveness seem to identify different varieties of airway pathophysiology, and the combined use of the two tests may be helpful as an epidemiological screening tool for asthma.