Adult Fanconi syndrome with proximal muscle weakness and hypophosphatemic osteomalacia: report of a case

A 42-year-old female presented with progressive proximal muscle weakness, generalized hyperreflexia, marked bone pain, severe lumbago and knee arthralgia. Electromyographic study showed short-duration (5-10 msec), variable amplitude (200-2500 microV) polyphasic potentials. A muscle biopsy specimen revealed non-specific type II fiber atrophy. After a comprehensive laboratory work-up, adult Fanconi syndrome was diagnosed. The patient's symptoms, including bone pain and proximal muscle weakness, were relieved after a six-week supplement of tricalcium phosphate, vitamin D3 and sodium bicarbonate. The hyperreflexia also became less brisk.     

A high molecular weight protein from Staphylococcus intermedius cross-reacts with Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin antibodies

Enterotoxin production by Staphylococcus species other than Staphylococcus aureus has been reported. Staphylococcus strains (104 in toto) representing twelve species and subspecies were examined for enterotoxins using a commercial staphylococcal enterotoxin ELISA immunoassay (TECRA, International Bioproducts). Staphylococcus intermedius (24 strains) and S. aureus (7 strains) were positive with this test. Western blots of S. aureus exoproteins demonstrated proteins of approximately 30 kD, consistent with known staphylococcal enterotoxins. The major antigen in all S. intermedius strains, a 75 kD protein, was not analogous to previously described staphylococcal enterotoxins. This protein was unique to S. intermedius. Gel filtration data indicate that the protein is a subunit of a larger protein in vivo. The 75 kD protein cross-reacts with several enterotoxin antibodies. It is unclear whether the protein is a toxin, but its homology with S. aureus enterotoxins may indicate a shared toxic region, or this protein may create false positive results in screening for enterotoxin.     

Bcl-2 and thermotolerance cooperate in cell survival

Apoptosis is a normal physiological process of cell death that can also be experimentally induced by a variety of cytotoxic stimuli. The protein product of the oncogene bcl-2 is an effective inhibitor of apoptosis in mammalian cells, including that caused by exposure to heat. Transient heat resistance can be induced by prior exposure of cells to mild heat treatment. This thermotolerant state is believed to be mediated by an increase in the steady-state concentration of one or several heat shock proteins. Using both morphological and long-term end points, i.e., the appearance of apoptotic cells as assessed by nuclear morphology and clonogenic cell survival, we show that bcl-2 expression confers on thermotolerant cells an even greater resistance to heat-induced cell death. bcl-2 expression does not alter either the steady-state or heat-induced expression of heat shock proteins in cells, nor is bcl-2 itself a stress-inducible protein. The results suggest bcl-2 and the thermotolerant state act via independent mechanisms to inhibit apoptosis and provide evidence that two separate pathways can collaborate to promote cell survival.     

High-pressure liquid chromatographic determination of thiothixene in pharmaceutical formulations

A method was developed for the quantitative determination of thiothixene in pharmaceutical formulations by high-pressure liquid chromatography after dissolution of the sample in methanol.     

Diet, overfeeding, and moderate dietary restriction in control Sprague-Dawley rats: II. Effects on age-related proliferative and degenerative lesions

This study compared the effects of ad libitum (AL) overfeeding and moderate dietary restriction (DR) of 2 different diets on Sprague-Dawley (SD) rat survival and spontaneous, age-related proliferative and degenerative lesions. SD rats were fed Purina Rodent Chow 5002 or a modified Rodent Chow 5002-9 containing lower protein, fat, metabolizable energy, and increased fiber by AL or by DR at 65% of the AL amount by measurement or time (6.5 hr). At 106 wk, rats fed the 5002-9 diet AL did not have significantly improved survival over rats fed the 5002 diet AL. The 5002 diet fed DR by time (6.5 hr) improved survival for males but not females. Only DR by measurement of both diets resulted in lower mortality for both sexes. By 106 wk rats fed either diet by AL had the same brain weights as DR fed rats, but AL fed rats had greater body weight, body fat content, and increased heart, lung, kidney, liver, adrenal, thyroid, and pituitary weights that correlated with an increased incidence and severity of degenerative and/or proliferative lesions in these organs. Moderate DR delayed the progression of chronic nephropathy by delaying the early development of glomerular hypertrophy that initiates the development of glomerular sclerosis and nephron loss in AL overfed rats. Moderate DR lowered the incidence, severity, and progression of cardiomyopathy and other degenerative, age-related lesions and appeared to delay the development of reproductive senescence in SD females. The conclusion from this study is that moderate DR delayed onset and progression of degenerative lesions, and death due to cardiovascular or renal disease, and thus potentially improves the bioassay to detect compound-specific chronic toxicity.     

A bimetal anode with tungsten or rhodium? Comparative studies on image quality and dosage requirement in mammography

PURPOSE: The impact of different anode materials (tungsten and rhodium) on spatial resolution, image contrast and radiation exposure was studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two mammographic systems providing bimetal x-ray tubes (Mo/W and Mo/Rh) were compared by imaging a breast radiography phantom with additional acrylic plates from 3 to 8 cm thickness. Spatial resolution was evaluated using a line bar pattern. Image contrast was assessed by measuring the ratio of optical densities in a acrylic step-wedge. The entrance dose was measured with a low energy ionisation chamber. RESULTS: The spatial resolution was about 13 lp/mm regardless of the beam quality. The image contrast depended substantially on the thickness. A similar image contrast was found with Mo/Mo, Mo/Rh and Rh/Rh for simulated breast thicknesses of 4 to 6 cm and with Rh/Rh and W/Rh for 7 cm. In comparison to Mo/Mo the dose reduction was significant for Mo/Rh (35%), Rh/Rh (50%) and W/Rh (60%). CONCLUSIONS: Bimetal x-ray tubes provide optimal conditions for screen film mammography of both normal and dense breasts, allowing good contrast and dose reduction by using the adequate anode/filter-combination.     

Correlation of tear clearance rate and fluorophotometric assessment of tear turnover

BACKGROUND: The study sought to determine dynamic changes and theoretical bases of a clinical diagnostic test, the tear clearance rate. METHODS: Thirty four healthy subjects ranging in age from 22 to 84 years underwent examination of tear clearance rate, the Schirmer test with anaesthesia, as well as fluorophotometric measurement of tear turnover, tear volume, and tear flow. By applying 0.5% fluorescein into the conjunctival sac and subsequently measuring colour fades on a Schirmer strip, the tear clearance rate for assessing tear drainage was divided into nine grades. The results of the tear clearance rate were compared with those of the basal tear turnover and tear flow obtained from fluorophotometry. RESULTS: Significant relations were found between the tear clearance rate and the basal tear turnover or tear flow (r = 0.91 and 0.79, respectively, p = 0.0001). Considering the grades of progression from low to high, each grade of tear clearance rate showed a 12.5% increase in basal tear turnover (3.59%/min) and tear flow (0.38 microliter/min). There was no significant correlation between age and the basal tear turnover, tear volume, tear flow, or the tear clearance rate. CONCLUSION: The tear clearance rate is proposed as a simple and useful way to estimate basal tear turnover and tear flow, and measure tear drainage indirectly.     

Distribution of drugs following controlled delivery to the brain interstitium

Intracranial controlled release polymers have been used for drug delivery to the brain, bypassing the blood brain barrier (BBB). By understanding the rates and patterns of transport in the local tissues, it is possible to design delivery systems that provide the optimal spatial and temporal pattern of chemotherapy within the intracranial space. This paper reviews the kinetics of drug release from polymeric controlled release implants, and describes the fate of drug molecules following release into the brain interstitium. Potential improvements in drug delivery based on the understanding of the mechanisms of drug release, transport and elimination are discussed.