(D)-penicillamine increases hepatic oxalate production resulting in hyperoxaluria

PURPOSE: To determine whether (D)-penicillamine is effective in reducing hepatic oxalate production and urinary oxalate excretion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: (D)-Penicillamine was administered orally to rats to determine its effect on urinary oxalate excretion and used in isolated rat hepatocytes to investigate the effect of (D)-penicillamine on oxalate production from glycolate. Studies involving hepatic aminotransferases and hepatocytes isolated from (D)-penicillamine treated rats were used to clarify the discrepancy between the in vitro and in vivo results. RESULTS: In hepatocytes (D)-penicillamine lead to a significant reduction in oxalate production from glycolate. In vivo however. (D)-penicillamine led to a significant increase in urinary oxalate excretion and a decrease in plasma aminotransferase activity. Hepatic aminotransferases are involved in diverting oxalate precursors from oxalate production. In vitro, (D)-penicillamine was shown to inhibit hepatic aminotransferases. Hepatocytes isolated from (D)-penicillamine-treated rats produced significantly more oxalate than controls. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that (D)-penicillamine increases hepatic oxalate production and urinary oxalate excretion. (D)-penicillamine therefore has no therapeutic potential for reducing endogenous oxalate production and urinary oxalate excretion. Moreover, in conditions such as Wilson's Disease which is often associated with hypercalcuria, its use may be contraindicated.     

Improved osseointeraction of calcium phosphate-coated external fixation pins. Studies in calves

The analysis of health state of drivers sent for an extra health examination for the estimation of driving capability for the driving of motor vehicle in alcoholic state was presented. The study included 380 drivers who were found driving drunk by traffic police (studied group) and 180 drivers of control group sent for an extra health examination for some other reason. The disorders in psychomotor sphere were noticed in the drivers of studied group and it was determined that they had caused significantly larger number of traffic accidents in last five-year period compared to the drivers of control group. The alcohol consumption in driving population represents significant medical, social, economic and traffic problem. The control of driver's alcoholism, the sending of alcoholic drivers to an extra health examination for the repeated estimation of driving capability and including in therapeutic and health-educational program can present significant measure of the primary prevention of road traffic traumatism which is on the constant increase.     

Large scale identification of genes involved in cell surface biosynthesis and architecture in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The sequenced yeast genome offers a unique resource for the analysis of eukaryotic cell function and enables genome-wide screens for genes involved in cellular processes. We have identified genes involved in cell surface assembly by screening transposon-mutagenized cells for altered sensitivity to calcofluor white, followed by supplementary screens to further characterize mutant phenotypes. The mutated genes were directly retrieved from genomic DNA and then matched uniquely to a gene in the yeast genome database. Eighty-two genes with apparent perturbation of the cell surface were identified, with mutations in 65 of them displaying at least one further cell surface phenotype in addition to their modified sensitivity to calcofluor. Fifty of these genes were previously known, 17 encoded proteins whose function could be anticipated through sequence homology or previously recognized phenotypes and 15 genes had no previously known phenotype.     

Stress, social support, and substantiated maltreatment in the second and third years of life

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this research was to determine whether risk factors for a maltreatment report in the first year of life, especially the interaction of life event stress and social support, persist into the second and third years of life. METHOD: Predominantly low income mothers who had been interviewed shortly after the birth of infants in a longitudinal cohort were re-interviewed around the infants' first birthdays, and reports to North Carolina's Central Registry of Child Abuse and Neglect were tracked for substantiated maltreatment reports. RESULTS: Variables significantly associated with a substantiated maltreatment report in the second or third year of life (p < .01) were first year maltreatment reports and participation in Medicaid. Three interactions between a stressful life event indicator variable and a social support indicator variable were significant predictors of substantiated second or third year reports (p < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Even in the presence of significant risk factors from the first year of life, life event stress can increase the risk of a substantiated maltreatment report in the second or third years of life, but social support may moderate the effect of life events.