Assessment of the cytotoxicity of aluminium oxide nanoparticles on selected mammalian cells.

The rapid development of nanotechnology raises both enthusiasm and anxiety among researchers, which is related to the safety use of the manufactured materials. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of aluminium oxide nanoparticles on the viability of selected mammalian cells in vitro. The aluminium oxide nanoparticles were characterised using SEM and BET analyses. Based on Zeta (ζ) potential measurements and particle size distribution, the tested suspensions of aluminium oxide nanoparticles in water and nutrient solutions with or without FBS were classified as unstable. Cell viability, the degree of apoptosis induction and nanoparticles internalization into the cells were assessed after 24 h of cell exposure to Al2O3 nanoparticles. Our results confirm the ability of aluminium oxide nanoparticles to penetrate through the membranes of L929 and BJ cells. Despite this, there was no significant increase in apoptosis or decrease in cell viability observed, suggesting that aluminium oxide nanoparticles in the tested range of concentrations has no cytotoxic effects on the selected mammalian cells.

HPLC method for the determination of oxytocin in pharmaceutical dosage form and comparison with biological method.

Conditions have been established for the determination of oxytocin by the HPLC method; the method has been validated. The results of HPLC determinations are compared with those obtained by the biological method.

Determination of protamine sulphate in drug formulations using high performance liquid chromatography.

Protamine sulphate, which has the property of neutralising heparin, is determined in pharmaceutical formulations using spectrophotometric (BP 1995) or biochemical methods (USP XXIII 1995). Accuracy of these methods is not very high. We applied the HPLC technique for the assay of protamine sulphate in a gel formulation. The assay was carried out on a diol-type column with a mobile phase containing 8% acetonitrile in 0.15% trifluoroacetic acid at pH 2.5. The flow rate was 1.0 ml min(-1). The results obtained show that HPLC can be used for the determination of protamine sulphate in pharmaceutical preparations. The method is rapid and more accurate than those described until now.

[Syphilitic hepatitis]. / Kilowe zapalenie watroby.

A case of hepatic lues is described manifesting itself with yellow discoloration of the sclerae and raised aminotransferase level. The patient was referred to hospital with the diagnosis of virus hepatitis. Rash was observed on the trunk. Differential diagnostic procedures and good result of specific treatment established the diagnosis of luetic background of liver disease.

Serial CEA assays and liver scintigraphy for the detection of hepatic metastases from colorectal carcinoma.

Of 340 patients with histologically proven colorectal carcinoma, hepatic metastases were diagnosed in 90 (26 per cent), in 50 at the time of initial surgery (synchronously) and in 40 during the post-operative follow-up (metachronously). At the time of initial surgery, plasma carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels were markedly elevated in patients with synchronous metastases and normal or only moderately elevated in those with metachronous metastases. During follow-up, CEA levels in the entire group of patients with metastases remained normal in 8 per cent and rose in the remainder: very quickly in 85 per cent and slowly in 15 per cent. Hepatic metastases were diagnosed by strict scintigraphic criteria in 70 per cent of patients and were suggested by liberal criteria in the remainder. During follow-up, hepatic metastases progressed in the scintigraphic image from those defined by liberal to those diagnosed by strict criteria. In two-thirds of the patients, liver scintigraphy proved to be superior to the CEA test in diagnosing hepatic metastases by strict criteria; in the majority of the remainder of patients, the CEA test, particularly in cases with a pattern of fast increase of CEA in plasma, suggested metastases before a definite diagnosis could be made by liver scintigraphy. In only 3 per cent of the patients neither liver scintigraphy nor the CEA test were indicative of metastases. Thus, the two diagnostic modalities, when combined, could attain a sensitivity of 97 per cent, when patients with persistently rising CEA levels and concomitant liver lesions defined by the liberal criteria were grouped with those for whom scintigraphy was unequivocal.

Effect of hydrocortisone on ACTH, growth hormone, insulin and glucose in the blood of bilaterally adrenalectomized patients.

This study is aimed at elucidating the mechanism of paradoxical rise in plasma ACTH levels in response to glucocorticoids, observed by several authors in bilaterally adrenalectomized patients with Cushing's disease. Six control subjects and fourteen patients bilaterally adrenalectomized for Cushing's disease were given a dose of 200 mg hydrocortisone sodium succinate by 3-5 mm i.v. injection. Plasma ACTH (in 6 patients), serum cortisol, growth hormone (GH) and insulin and blood glucose levels were estimated at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. The administration of hydrocortisone significantly suppressed plasma ACTH levels only at 60 min. In one case a slight rise in ACTH level during the test was observed. A significant fall in blood glucose levels was found only in the adrenalectomized patients. No significant changes in serum insulin and GH levels were noted. The possible mechanisms are discussed, especially the potential role of transient glucose deficiency in the pathophysiology of plasma ACTH increase in response to hydrocortisone in the bilaterally adrenalectomized patients.

Two pregnancies in a woman with Cushing's syndrome treated with cyproheptadine. Case report.

A young woman with Cushing's syndrome who had had amenorrhoea for six years was treated with cyproheptadine and became pregnant five months later. Treatment with cyproheptadine was continued till six weeks after delivery by which time all the features of Cushing's syndrome had disappeared. The baby developed normally but died of gastroenteritis when four months old. Two years later the patient became pregnant again without further treatment. Pregnancy and labour were uncomplicated and mother and son did well. A full remission of Cushing's syndrome was confirmed two months after delivery.