Sodium channels and receptors to serotonin and kainate were 'transplanted' from human brain into frog oocytes, by isolating messenger RNA from a fetal brain, and injecting it into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The mRNA was translated by the oocyte and induced the appearance of functional receptors and channels in its membrane. This approach renders drug- and voltage-operated channels of the human brain more amenable to detailed study.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

A limited survey of retail apple and grape juices for the mycotoxin patulin.

A retail survey (38 samples) of apple, grape and other juice-based products for the mycotoxin patulin has been carried out using HPLC analysis. Positive results were confirmed by GC-MS of the TMS derivative using chemical ionization selected ion monitoring. No grape juice or mixed juice product contained detectable patulin (limit 5 micrograms/l), nor did the majority (58%) of the apple juices. Low levels of patulin (in the range 5-10 micrograms/l) were present in six apple juices and the remaining four positive samples contained 16, 18, 30 and 56 micrograms/l.

Beverages↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Migration from plasticized films into foods. 1. Migration of di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate from PVC films during home-use and microwave cooking.

Migration of di-(2-ethylhexyl)adipate (DEHA) into a diverse range of foods arising from the domestic use of plasticized PVC films has been determined using a stable isotope dilution GC/MS procedure. Aspects of home use reported in this study include the wrapping and covering of foods such as cheese, cooked meats, sandwiches, cakes, fresh fruit and vegetables; the use of films during food preparation such as marinading; covering during microwave reheating of previously prepared foods, and covering during microwave cooking. Contact between film and foods was for differing temperatures and times, representative of the range of conditions likely to be experienced in practice in the home. Migration increased with both the length of contact time and temperature of exposure, with the highest levels observed where there was a direct contact between the film and food, and where the latter had a high fat content on the contact surface. Highest levels of migration were observed for cheese, cooked meats, cakes and for microwave-cooked foods, whilst lower levels were observed for wrapping of unfilled sandwiches, fruit and vegetables (except avocado), and for food preparation including microwave reheating where there was covering of the food in a container but little or no direct contact.

Adipates↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Hyperdynamic resuscitation improves survival in patients with life-threatening burns.

Our clinical experience has led to the conclusion, shared by others, that standard vital signs produce inadequate data for the resuscitation of severe burns. We reviewed three groups of burn patients including an index group (N = 53) whose resuscitation was guided by means of a pulmonary artery catheter, a control group (N = 33) collected from the burn registry for the period just before the index group, and a current group (N = 30) resuscitated with hyperdynamic end points defined empirically from surviving patients as guidelines. The mortality rate and organ failures decreased over time; the mortality rate of the control group was 48%, the index group 32%, and the protocol group 10% (p = 0.003). We concluded that hyperdynamic resuscitation does improve survival and reduces the incidence of organ failure.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Expression of c-erbA in human hepatocellular carcinomas.

The expression of the oncogene c-erbA was studied in six hepatocellular carcinoma specimens and normal hepatic tissue. Total RNA isolated from these samples was analysed by Northern as well as slot blot hybridisation to a radioactive c-erbA probe. When compared to normal tissue, expression in the tumour and tissue adjacent to tumour was markedly elevated. These results suggest that overexpression of c-erbA is related to hepatocarcinogenesis. Southern blot analysis of DNA from the tumours gave no evidence of c-erbA rearrangements.

Blotting, Northern↗