The expression of beta-1,3 galactosyltransferase and beta-1,4 galactosyltransferase enzymatic activities in the mammary gland of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) during early lactation.

The regulation of beta-1,3 galactosyltransferase (3betaGalT) and beta-1,4 galactosyltransferase enzymatic (4betaGalT) activities in the mammary gland of the tammar wallaby (Macropus eugenii) have been characterised. These two beta-galactosyltransferases are active at different times during the lactation cycle and play a central role in regulating the carbohydrate composition in tammar milk, which changes progressively throughout lactation to assist the physiological development of the altrical young. The 4betaGalT activity was present at parturition and increased 3-fold by day 10 of lactation (d10L), whereas 3betaGalT activity was barely detectable at day d5L and then increased 6-fold by d10L. This increase in activity of both enzymes was sucking dependent. While 3betaGalT activity was not observed in the mammary gland prior to d7L, this activity was found in mammary explants from late pregnant tammar cultured with insulin, hydrocortisone and prolactin (IFP) and was further stimulated by the addition of tri-iodothyronine (T) and 17beta-oestradiol (E). The activity of 4betaGalT in these explants was stimulated maximally with IFP. These data suggest the temporal activity of both 3betaGalT and 4betaGalT is most likely regulated by both endocrine stimuli and factors intrinsic to the mammary gland.

Gullible fools or desperate pragmatists? A profile of people who use rejected alternative health care providers.

Much research on alternative medicine seeks to discover why people use practices which orthodox medicine rejects as ineffective: rejected alternative medicine. However, to obtain a sample large enough for statistical analysis, many studies include as alternative health care, practices such as chiropractic or acupuncture which most doctors accept as effective for limited purposes: accepted alternative medicine. The 1994-95 National Population Health Survey shows Canadians who consult rejected alternative health care providers compared with those who consult accepted health care providers have similar incomes, more education, slightly fewer chronic diseases and slightly more good health habits. For both groups, alternative health care supplements orthodox health care rather than being an alternative to it. Two major differences emerge: women outnumber men more than two to one as opposed to being only a slight majority, and usage peaks in Quebec, not Western Canada.

Audit of cancer pain management in a cancer centre.

Despite the availability of effective methods of controlling pain, many patients continue to receive inadequate pain relief. An audit was carried out on a single day to identify the prevalence, severity and management of cancer pain in adults in the two teaching hospitals in the Nottingham Cancer Centre. Of 186 patients with cancer, 52 had experienced pain as a result of their cancer during their admission. Of these 52 patients, 47 were assessed. More than half had unrelieved pain that was 'severe' at it s worst and interfered greatly with activities. Compared with patients whose pain had been relieved, patients with uncontrolled pain were likely to have spent less time in hospital, to have not had a formal assessment or reassessment of their pain and not to have a pain-care plan in the nursing notes or to have been seen by the hospital specialist palliative care team. We use our results to highlight areas of good practice, to identify where improvements could be made, and to inform the development of local standards and future audits.

SM-20 is a novel growth factor-responsive gene regulated during skeletal muscle development and differentiation.

SM-20 is a novel, evolutionarily conserved "early response" gene originally cloned from a rat aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) cDNA library. SM-20 encodes a cytoplasmic protein, which is induced by platelet-derived growth factor and angiotensin II in cultured SMC and is upregulated in intimal SMC of atherosclerotic plaques and injured arteries. We have now examined SM-20 expression during differentiation of cultured skeletal myoblasts and during skeletal myogenesis in vivo. Low levels of SM-20 mRNA and protein were expressed in proliferating mouse C2C12 myoblasts. Differentiation by serum withdrawal was associated with a marked induction of SM-20 mRNA and the expression of high levels of SM-20 antigen in myotubes. The induction was partially inhibited by blocking differentiation with bFGF or TGFbeta. Similar results were obtained with the nonfusing mouse C25 myoblast line, suggesting that SM-20 upregulation is a consequence of biochemical differentiation and is fusion independent. During mouse embryogenesis, SM-20 was first observed at 8.5E in the dermomyotomal cells of the rostral somites. SM-20 expression progressed in a rostral to caudal pattern, with highest levels seen in the muscle primordia and mature muscles. SM-20 thus represents a novel intracellular protein that is regulated during skeletal muscle differentiation and development.

Skin carcinogenicity of condensed asphalt roofing fumes and their fractions following dermal application to mice.

Condensed roofing asphalt fumes, generated at 316 degrees C, were collected by cold trap condensation and fractionated by preparative high performance liquid chromatography. Chemical classes in each of the fractions (A-E) were identified by gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. The fractions, various combinations of fractions, the raw and heated asphalt, the neat asphalt fume and the reconstituted asphalt were tested for carcinogenicity, and three fractions were tested for cocarcinogenicity and tumor promotion with benzo[a]pyrene (BaP). The skin application carcinogenesis bioassay was conducted by twice weekly application of test materials in 0.05 ml of acetone/cyclohexane (1:1) for 104 weeks to 40 groups of male C3H/HeJ mice (30/group). Fractions were applied at a mass in proportion to their amount in the neat asphalt fumes. In addition, the neat asphalt fume was tested on Sencar mice to determine if this strain was more susceptible to the carcinogenic effects of the fumes. Condensed neat asphalt fumes produced similar and statistically significant increased tumor yields of papillomas and carcinomas in both strains as compared to respective vehicle controls. Recombination of all fractions resulted in a tumor response similar to neat asphalt fumes. Among individual fractions, C was most potent, followed by B. The other single fractions were without significant tumorigenic activity. Combinations containing fractions B and C were most active among the mixtures that were assayed and no evidence of enhancement of tumorigenesis in the mixtures was found. No significant cocarcinogenic or tumor promoting activity was observed with fractions A, D, or E and BaP. Raw unheated asphalt produced a few tumors in C3H mice, but no tumors were seen when raw asphalt heated to 316 degrees C, with the fumes permitted to escape, was applied.

Three cases of smooth muscle tumours of the small intestine.

Three cases of rare primary smooth muscle tumours of the small intestine, two benign and one malignant, are presented. The two benign lesions produced melaena for thirty years and twelve years respectively while remaining undetected by repeated investigation; the third case presented more acutely with obstruction. All three tumours were excised curatively.