Residues of ¹⁴C-ethion along the extraction and refining process of maize oil, and the bioavailability of bound residues in the cake for experimental animals

Maize seeds obtained from ¹⁴C-ethion treated plants contained about 0.01 % of the originally applied radioactivity 1 month following the last pesticide application. Hexane and methanol extracts of the seeds accounted for 35 % and 22.5 % of the radioactive residues, respectively, with 40 % remaining in the seed cake. Commercial processing procedures resulted in a gradual decrease in the total amount of ¹⁴C-residues in oils with aged residues. The refined oil contained ¹⁴C-residues that amounted to about 30 % of the amount that was originally present. The major residues in processed oil are ethion monooxon, O,O-diethyl phosphorothioate and O,O-diethyl S-hydroxymethyl phosphorodithioate, in addition to one unknown compound. After feeding rats with the cake containing ethion bound residues, a substantial amount (71 %) of ¹⁴C-residues was eliminated in the urine, while about 12 % was excreted in the feces. About 5 % of the radioactive residues were distributed among various organs. The bound residue was quite readily bioavailable to the rats.

Transplantation of mononuclear cells from human umbilical cord blood promotes functional recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury in Wistar rats

Cell transplantation is a promising experimental treatment for spinal cord injury. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of mononuclear cells from human umbilical cord blood in promoting functional recovery when transplanted after a contusion spinal cord injury. Female Wistar rats (12 weeks old) were submitted to spinal injury with a MASCIS impactor and divided into 4 groups: control, surgical control, spinal cord injury, and one cell-treated lesion group. Mononuclear cells from umbilical cord blood of human male neonates were transplanted in two experiments: a) 1 h after surgery, into the injury site at a concentration of 5 x 10⁶ cells diluted in 10 µL 0.9% NaCl (N = 8-10 per group); b) into the cisterna magna, 9 days after lesion at a concentration of 5 x 10⁶ cells diluted in 150 µL 0.9% NaCl (N = 12-14 per group). The transplanted animals were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin-A (10 mg/kg per day). The BBB scale was used to evaluate motor behavior and the injury site was analyzed with immunofluorescent markers to label human transplanted cells, oligodendrocytes, neurons, and astrocytes. Spinal cord injury rats had 25% loss of cord tissue and cell treatment did not affect lesion extension. Transplanted cells survived in the injured area for 6 weeks after the procedure and both transplanted groups showed better motor recovery than the untreated ones (P < 0.05). The transplantation of mononuclear cells from human umbilical cord blood promoted functional recovery with no evidence of cell differentiation.

Canned cod liver as a source of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, with a reference to contamination

Lipid composition (HPLC), fatty acid composition (GC/MS), lipid oxidation (peroxide value, anisidine value), UV-VIS and fluorescence spectra (Ex 365 nm), and susceptibility of lipids to oxidation (photooxidation test) as well as heavy metal, PCB, and DDT contents were determined in canned, raw, and thermally treated cod liver (separately in the released oil and in the solids). Canned products of three manufacturers were examined. Mean contents of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) in the oil and solids were 31.91 +/- 1.83 and 16.59 +/- 7.48 g/100 g, respectively, the respective contents of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) being 17.88 +/- 1.69 and 8.79 +/- 3.67 g/100 g. Lipid resistance to oxidation was found to decrease after thermal treatment of livers. However, the lipid oxidation level in canned liver stored for 3-8 months was not high and averaged, for the entire can content, 0.47 +/- 0.4 Meq O, the oil being more susceptible to oxidation that the solids. It is concluded that canned cod liver is a very good source of n-3 PUFA, particularly with respect to DHA. Heavy metal, DDT, and PCB contamination and the presence of lipid oxidation products in the canned products tested remain at a level producing no perceivable health hazard and could in no way interfere with consumption of recommended amounts of n-3 PUFAs.

[Effect of dihydrotestosterone treatment on exercise induced ischemia in men with stable ischemic heart disease]

Many studies report the negative correlation between the endogenous testosterone (T) level and majority of risk factors for arteriosclerosis, as well as the presence and the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in men. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) as a non-aromatizable androgen produces more favourable changes in the hormone profile than T. A constant level of androgens, independent on liver function, may be achieved by their transdermal administration. The aim of our study was to determine in a double-blind placebo study whether a 12-week treatment with transdermal DHT can decrease exercise-induced ischaemia in males with CAD. All patients underwent symptom-limited treadmill stress testing at the beginning of the study and after DHT treatment. The selected preliminary results are presented in this paper. Until now the study group has comprised ten men with stable CAD and decreased morning total T concentration. No side effects of treatment were noted during the study. Chronic DHT administration increased significantly: total exercise time, time to the onset of angina and time to 1 mm ST depression. Our results are consistent with the previous publications investigating T effects. The changes of heart rate and systolic blood pressure indicate rather direct coronary-relaxing effect of DHT than peripheral one.

Enalapril (10 mg/day) in systemic sclerosis. One year, double blind, randomised study (ESS-1): ECG exercise testing--three months follow-up

The ESS-1 study was designed to evaluate the long-term effects of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) enalapril (10 mg per day) on cardiopulmonary system of patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc). Exercise testing is used not only for estimation of coronary reserve but also physical capacity--the major determinant of quality of life. In each patient included to the ESS-1 study we performed ECG exercise test on treadmill (5 times at intervals of 3 months). The first follow-up was completed by 41 patients (23 patients in enalapril group and 18 in placebo group). The exercise duration in the placebo group was 683 +/- 295 sec and in enalapril group 768 +/- 173 sec. After 3 months of study there were no significant differences in both groups (758 +/- 271 sec and 720 +/- 191 sec respectively). The analysis of ST segment deviation did not provide any significant changes after 3 months of treatment. We conclude that 3 months enalapril treatment did not improve exercise tolerance in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Enalapril (10 mg/day) in systemic sclerosis. One year, double blind, randomised study (ESS-1): echocardiographic substudy--three months follow-up

The ESS-1 study was designed to evaluate the long-term effects of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) enalapril (10 mg per day) on the cardio-pulmonary system in patients with scleroderma (SSc). We estimated changes in heart diameters, systolic and diastolic left ventricle function and mean values of pulmonary artery pressure after 3 months treatment. The study group comprise 41 patients with SSc. 18 patients received placebo and 23 ones were given enalapril. After 3 months of treatment we did not observe statistically significant differences in heart diameters and left ventricle systolic function parameters between treated group and placebo. Enalapril therapy did not affect left ventricle diastolic function, nevertheless differences in MVA were almost of statistical significance. Echocardiographic signs of pulmonary hypertension were found in 4 patients.

[Mechanical infertility in the female population of the Kielce province. II. Types of infertility]

The paper describes results of kymographic, hysterosalpingographic and laparoscopic examination used in female sterility diagnostics. In the group of 70 investigated women obstructions were localised in oviducts, most often (in 65.7%) it was the abdominal ostia atresia. Primary sterility was four time frequently present.

[Mechanical infertility in the female population of the Kielce province. III. Evaluation of sexual steroid levels during the menstrual cycle]

The results of the sexual steroids RIA examinations during the menstrual cycle at women with mechanical sterility in confrontation with the group of fertile women were shown. Mean concentrations of progesterone and estradiol in serum were statistically significant in sterile women. In the group of women with mechanical sterility there was no estrogen peak and levels of estradiol in ovulation period were significantly lower in confrontation with the control group.

[Mechanical infertility in the female population of the Kielce province. IV. Evaluation of hypophyseal gonadotropin levels during the [Mechanical infertility in the female population of the Kielce province. IV. Evaluation of hypophyseal gonadotropin levels during the menstrual cycle]

The paper describes results of the RIA of the hypophyseal gonadotropins estimated in the menstrual cycle in the group of women with mechanical sterility in confrontation with the group of fertile women. Significantly higher mean concentration of FSH in follicular and luteal phase and higher concentration of LH after ovulation in the group of sterile women were found. There was no LH peak and mean concentration in 14th day of menstrual cycle was significantly lower in the group of women with mechanical sterility. Mean PRL concentration was higher but within the bounds of standard in sterile women.

[Vulvovaginitis in girls. III. Clinical manifestations and efficiency of therapy]

The paper describes a frequency of clinical manifestations of vulvovaginitis at the group of 277 girls. Duration of therapy and frequency of reinfections were analysed. It was proved, that reinfections occurred four time frequently in mixed infections (caused jointly by specific and non-specific factor) and three time frequently in cases caused by many different species of bacteria. Reinfections were found at 25% of the girls, nine time frequently at only local treated cases. Mixed character of infection and variety of cultured bacteria significantly prolonged the duration of therapy.

[Perinatal hysterectomy]

Cases of hysterectomy in women in labour in the years 1977-1986 were analysed retrospectively. In the total number of 16390 labours in 23 cases hysterectomy was done in the period around the labour, that is 0. 14%, which was done by caesarean section in 13 cases (0.95%). Multiparae accounted for 73.9% of cases. In 21.7% of cases labour occurred before the 36th week of pregnancy. In 70% of cases injury to the uterus was noted in women giving birth by natural ways and natural forces after earlier operations leaving scars or with endometriosis. In women after caesarean section in 70% of cases the cause of hysterectomy was infection and septic shock, and in 15.4% uterine atonia was present. Complications were related most frequently to the urinary system--ureteral and vesicovaginal fistulae (36.4%) and coverings--wound infection (45.5%). The mean time of stay of the patients in hospital was 22 days. There were no deaths.