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Methylmethanesulfonate-induced DNA damage and its repair in cultured human fibroblasts: normal rates of induction and removal of alkali-labile sites in xeroderma pigmentosum (group A) cells.

Using conventional alkaline sucrose sedimentation analysis, we have compared the initial yield and subsequent enzymatic repair of DNA damage induced in cultured human [normal (GM38 and GM43) and xeroderma pigmentosum (XP12BE)] fibroblasts by the monofunctional alkylating agent methylmethanesulfonate (MMS). Exposure of both cell types to MMS (0-20 mM) resulted in a linear dose-response relationship for the formation of DNA alkali-labile sites (i.e. structurally altered sites that appeared as single-strand interruptions at alkaline pH). The majority (approximately 90%) of the sites detected in the normal cells immediately after chemical treatment (less than or equal to 8 mM) disappeared rapidly, with a half-life of less than or equal to 3 h; the remainder, however, persisted in genomic DNA for at least 72 h. Approximately 40% of the alkali-labile sites induced by 5 mM MMS could be stabilized by methoxyamine, a chemical which is known to react with apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) sites in DNA so as to prevent alkali-catalyzed beta-elimination; thus this fraction of the alkali-labile sites, which is estimated to constitute approximately 4% of the total genomic injury inflicted by the chemical, may be ascribable to AP sites. XP12BE cells responded normally to MMS exposure as judged by: (i) the rate of initial induction of alkali-labile sites, including those (AP sites) subject to methoxyamine stabilization; (ii) the incidence of alkali-labile sites in cellular DNA at various times (0-72 h) after administration of the alkylating agent; and (iii) the capacity to execute the long-patch mode of excision repair as measured by accumulation of 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine-induced strand breaks during post-treatment cell incubation. In addition, we have found that a significant portion of the genetic material in human fibroblasts undergoes degradation upon sustaining MMS damage, as indicated by the appearance of small DNA fragments (sedimenting near the top of alkaline sucrose gradients) in chemically treated cultures incubated for 24 h. Interestingly, the extent of this type of DNA injury proved to be markedly greater in XP12BE than in GM38 cells, and in exponentially growing than in G2-arrested normal cultures.

Alkylating Agents↗

Dietary acid and alkali loading do not alter taurine uptake by renal proximal tubule brush border membrane vesicles in kittens.

Kittens adapted to a purified control diet containing 43.5% soy protein plus 0.15% taurine were randomly divided into three groups: control, acid-loaded or alkali-loaded. For dietary acid or alkali loadings, 2% NH4Cl or 0.87% NaHCO3 plus 0.87% KHCO3 were added to the control diet. Acid-loaded, control and alkali-loaded kittens had venous blood pH of 7.33 +/- 0.01, 7.37 +/- 0.02 and 7.39 +/- 0.02, and urine pH of 5.5 +/- 0.1, 7.2 +/- 0.1 and 8.1 +/- 0.1, respectively. After 6 wk of the dietary treatment, the plasma taurine concentrations of acid-loaded, control and alkali-loaded kittens were 74 +/- 4, 77 +/- 7 and 87 +/- 8 mumol/L (P greater than 0.05) respectively. Compared with the control group, dietary acid or alkali loading did not significantly change the taurine uptake by brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) when BBMV were at the same in vitro pH (7.35). However, when the pH of the medium was changed to 8.0 for the alkali-loaded group or to 5.5 for the acid-loaded group, the initial taurine uptake was significantly elevated (55%) or decreased (31%) (P less than 0.05), respectively, compared with the values for the control group at pH 7.35. When BBMV prepared from the same group were tested at different pH levels (8.0 vs. 7.35 vs. 5.5), the initial uptake significantly increased (30%) at pH 8.0 and decreased (37%) at pH 5.5 compared with that observed at pH 7.35 (P less than 0.05), regardless of the acidity of the diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Ammonium Chloride↗

Effects of polymorphonuclear neutrophils on protein synthesis by alkali-injured rabbit corneas. A preliminary study.

Invasion of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) into injured cornea is one of the early events in corneal wound-healing. In the present studies, we examine the mutual effects on protein synthesis by PMN and injured and normal corneas when they are cocultured. PMN were labeled with [35S]methionine in the presence or absence of normal or alkali-injured rabbit corneas for 1-5 h. The acid-insoluble 35S-labeled proteins in medium, cells, and tissues were measured. Our data indicate that alkali-injured rabbit corneas induce higher rates of incorporation of [35S]methionine and secretion of 35S-labeled newly synthesized proteins by PMN. The newly synthesized 35S-labeled proteins were then analyzed by two-dimensional PAGE. The results indicate that alkali-injured and normal rabbit corneas enhance the synthesis and secretion of a 18-kD protein by PMN. In contrast, alkali injury greatly reduced the secretion of a group of proteins having molecular weights of approximately 30 kD by rabbit corneas. The alkali-injured corneas synthesize a new 200-kD protein (AC-200) in tissues and increase the secretion of a 120-kD protein (AC-120) into the culture medium. Furthermore, PMN slightly inhibits the incorporation of [35S]methionine and alter the synthesis of several 35S-labeled proteins by normal and injured corneas. For example, incubation with PMN abolishes the synthesis of the AC-200 protein, but enhances the secretion of the AC-120 protein by the alkali-injured corneas. However, the function and nature of these proteins remain largely unknown. Further studies are needed to elucidate the biological roles of these polypeptides during corneal wound healing.

Animals↗

The pst operon of Bacillus subtilis is specifically induced by alkali stress.

To cope with a sudden increase in the external pH value to 8.9, Bacillus subtilis cells induce about 80 genes which can be divided into two classes. Most of these genes are members of the sigma(W) regulon, while some are under the control of so-far-unknown transcriptional regulators. The genes of the pst operon belong to the second class. Here, we attempted to answer the questions of why and how the genes of this operon are induced. Using transcriptional fusions to two of the five genes of this operon, we confirmed their induction after alkali stress. Furthermore, a Northern blot experiment revealed that the complete operon was alkali inducible, that the transcriptional start site used was identical to that used after phosphate starvation, and that induction was prevented in a phoR background. Most interestingly, increasing the phosphate concentration within the medium prevented alkali induction of the pst operon, and phoA, another member of the PhoRP regulon, did not respond to alkali stress. In the end, we showed that alkali treatment completely prevented phosphate uptake. These results are discussed to explain alkali induction of the pst operon.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Effects of potassium alkali and calcium supplementation on bone turnover in postmenopausal women.

Potassium citrate may improve calcium balance by conferring an alkali load. Calcium supplementation slows postmenopausal bone loss by inhibiting PTH secretion. This study explores whether combined treatment with potassium citrate and calcium citrate is more effective than either agent alone in inhibiting bone loss. In a crossover study involving 18 postmenopausal women, the following treatments were compared: potassium citrate (4.3 g or 40 mmol/d), calcium citrate (800 mg or 20 mmol/d), combined treatment, and placebo. During the last 2 d of each 2-wk phase, serum and 24-h urine were collected for assessment of calcium metabolism, alkali load, and bone turnover markers. Compared with placebo, potassium citrate provided an alkali load and significantly decreased urinary calcium without changing serum PTH (sPTH) or bone turnover markers. Calcium citrate significantly increased absorbed calcium, marginally decreased sPTH, and significantly reduced bone resorption markers. Combined treatment retained key features of potassium citrate and calcium citrate. However, more alkali was delivered than with potassium citrate alone, and absorbed calcium did not differ from calcium citrate alone. Compared with placebo, combined treatment increased urinary calcium, marginally reduced sPTH, provided a clear alkali load, and reduced the bone resorption markers serum type I collagen C-telopeptide and urinary N-telopeptide by 20.4% (P < 0.0001) and 18.2% (P = 0.005), respectively. A significant trend was noted for the decrease in bone resorption markers as treatment changed from placebo to potassium citrate to calcium citrate to combined treatment. In postmenopausal women, combined treatment with potassium citrate and calcium citrate inhibits bone resorption by providing an alkali load and increasing absorbed calcium.

Bone Resorption↗

Inhibitory effect of a complementary peptide on ulceration in the alkali-injured rabbit cornea.

PURPOSE: Two tripeptide chemoattractants, acetyl-proline-glycine-proline (Ac-PGP) and methyl-proline-glycine-proline (Me-PGP), are the primary triggers for early neutrophil invasion into the alkali-injured cornea. In the present study the effectiveness of a complementary peptide designed to inhibit the PGP chemoattractants (arginine-threonine-arginine [RTR] tetrameric peptide) and an apo A-1 mimicking peptide (5F) was investigated in the alkali-injured rabbit eye. METHODS: (L)-RTR tetramer, (D)-RTR tetramer, and 5F were tested in vitro for their effects on neutrophil polarization. Synthetic 5F was also tested in vitro for its effect on the neutrophil respiratory burst. In the alkali-injured rabbit eye model, the right corneas of 48 rabbits were exposed to 1 N NaOH for 35 seconds. Sixteen animals were randomly assigned to each of three groups: phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control; 800 microM RTR (dextrorotatory) tetramer in PBS alternating each hour with 1.5 mM RTR (levorotatory) tetramer in PBS; and 12 microM 5F in PBS. One topical drop of each substance was administered hourly (14 times per day) for 33 days. The experiment was continued until day 42 with no additional drops administered. RESULTS: (L)-RTR tetramer and (D)-RTR tetramer inhibited neutrophil polarization activated by the PGP chemoattractants in vitro. Synthetic 5F did not inhibit neutrophil polarization in the presence of Ac-PGP or the respiratory burst of neutrophils in the presence of a metabolic stimulant derived from alkali-degraded corneas. During the entire animal experiment, statistically fewer ulcers occurred in the RTR tetramer group than in the PBS control group (43.8% vs. 87.5%, P = 0.0046). The frequency of ulceration in the 5F group (68.8%) was not significantly different from the PBS control group. CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in the frequency of corneal ulceration by the RTR tetramer possibly resulted from its complementary binding to Ac-PGP and Me-PGP in the cornea shortly after alkali injury, leading to a reduction in the early and late infiltration of neutrophils. RTR tetramer appears to hold enough promise to warrant additional study as a therapeutic drug for the alkali-injured eye.

Animals↗

[Variety of differential display on gene and corresponding gene's clone following corneal alkali burns in rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the condition of differential gene caused after corneal alkali burns in rats and clarify the molecular biological foundation of corneal denatured protein. METHODS: The animals were sacrificed on the 3rd day and the 2nd week after alkali burns. Total RNA was isolated from the excised corneas and then reverse-transcribed into cDNA. The differential gene was detected by mRNA differential display reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (DDRT-PCR) with two kinds of anchoring primer and 12 kinds of random primers after corneal alkali burns in the rats. The differential gene fragments were cloned, and their homogeneity was compared with each other in the Gene Bank. RESULTS: Compared with the normal cornea, the cornea of alkali burns on the 2nd week produced one differential gene fragment of 630 bp in the same reaction condition, and this differential gene was homologous to the rattus norvegicus mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunits I, II, III gene. CONCLUSIONS: It is found that there is differential gene in the cornea of alkali burns on the 2nd week in rats, and this differential gene is homologous to the rattus norvegicus mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunits I, II, III gene. It can be concluded that the occurrence of this differential gene is possible to be related with the action of the superoxide free radicals caused by alkali burns.

Animals↗

Subunit interactions of skeletal muscle myosin and myosin subfragment 1. Evidence for heavy chain-alkali light chain association-dissociation equilibrium.

Modification of the free alkali light chains of myosin by iodoacetylation results in a much lower extent of exchange into myosin subfragment 1 by the thermal hybridization procedure (Burke, M., and Sivaramakrishnan, M. (1981) Biochemistry 20, 5908-5913). As reported by others (Wagner, P. D., and Stone, D. B. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 258, 8876-8882), free alkali light chains modified by iodoacetate at their single sulfhydryl residue exhibit minimal exchange into intact myosin. However, when unmodified alkali light chain is used to probe for exchange, close to the theoretical limit of exchange is observed for subfragment 1, and significant levels of exchange are found for myosin. It appears that modification of the free alkali light chain alters the structure of the protein, and this causes either a marked reduction in its affinity for the heavy chain or in its ability to enter the light chain binding site. This conclusion is supported by tryptic digestions done on the unmodified and modified free light chains where it is found that the latter is degraded at a much faster rate, indicating a more open structure for the modified protein. The observation that alkali light chain exchanges into myosin when unmodified alkali light chains are used indicates that the presence of the associated 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid) light chains does not preclude the reversible dissociation of this subunit from myosin under ionic and temperature conditions approaching the physiological state.

Animals↗

Milk-alkali syndrome induced by 1,25(OH)2D in a patient with hypoparathyroidism.

Milk-alkali syndrome was first described 70 years ago in the context of the treatment of peptic ulcer disease with large amounts of calcium and alkali. Although with current ulcer therapy (H-2 blockers, omeprazole, and sucralfate), the frequency of milk-alkali syndrome has decreased significantly, the classic triad of hypercalcemia, alkalosis, and renal impairment remains the hallmark of the syndrome. Milk-alkali syndrome can present serious and occasionally life-threatening illness unless diagnosed and treated appropriately. This article presents a patient with hypoparathyroidism who was treated with calcium carbonate and calcitriol resulting in two admissions to the hospital for milk-alkali syndrome. The patient was successfully treated with intravenous pamidronate on his first admission and with hydrocortisone on the second. This illustrates intravenous pamidronate as a valuable therapeutic tool when milk-alkali syndrome presents as hypercalcemic emergency.

Aged↗

Functional study of the AfRAP2 gene in Amorpha fruticosa L. tolerance to saline-alkali and drought stress.

BACKGROUND: Amorpha fruticosa L. is a leguminous shrub with high tolerance to drought, poor soil, and saline-alkali stress conditions. As a member of the family of transcription factors in higher plants, the ethylene response factor AP2/ERF plays a crucial role in both plant adaptation to abiotic stress and in growth and development. In this study, based on genes identified from the transcriptomic sequencing of Amorpha fruticosa L. under drought stress, the upregulated gene AfRAP2 was isolated from its seedlings, with the aim of elucidating its stress-response function using molecular biological techniques. RESULTS: In this study, the AfRAP2 gene was cloned from the leaves of Amorpha fruticosa L. using RT-PCR. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that AfRAP2 contains an AP2 domain and belongs to the DREB subfamily of the AP2/ERF transcription factor family, showing close phylogenetic relationships with LaEREBP from Lathyrus albus. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) results indicate that AfRAP2 is expressed in various tissues of Amorpha fruticosa L., with the highest expression in leaves and the lowest in stems, furthermore, its expression is significantly upregulated in roots and leaves upon induction by NaHCO3 and PEG6000. Subcellular localization experiments confirmed that the AfRAP2 protein is localized to the nucleus, and GUS histochemical staining assay revealed that its promoter drives GUS expression in anthers. Resistance analysis of overexpressing yeast strains showed that yeast transformed with the AfRAP2 gene exhibited significantly better growth under sorbitol, mannitol, and NaHCO3 stress conditions compared to the control, indicating that this gene enhances yeast tolerance to drought and saline-alkali stress. We screened transgenic tobacco and Populus davidiana &#xd7; P. alba var. Pyramidalis. The results showed that under natural drought and saline-alkali stress treatments, the transgenic lines exhibited significantly improved growth and higher activities of the physiological indicators of catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) compared with wild-type plants, indicating that the overexpression of the AfRAP2 gene plays a key role in the response to saline-alkali stress and drought stress. CONCLUSION: In summary, AfRAP2 contains an AP2 domain and belongs to the DREB subfamily of transcription factors, under abiotic stress induced by NaHCO&#x2083; and mannitol, it can induce the expression of the AfRAP2 gene in tobacco and Populus davidiana&#xd7;P. alba var. pyramidalis. AfRAP2 plays a vital role in the plant response to saline-alkali stress and drought stress and is a promising candidate gene for stress-tolerant breeding.

Plant Proteins↗

Bioactive titanium: effect of sodium removal on the bone-bonding ability of bioactive titanium prepared by alkali and heat treatment.

As reported previously, bioactive titanium is prepared by simple alkali and heat treatment, and can bond to living bone directly. The purpose of this study was to accelerate the bioactivity of bioactive titanium in vivo. In in vitro study, sodium removal by hot water immersion enhanced the apatite-forming ability of bioactive titanium in simulated body fluid dramatically. The specific anatase structure of titania gel was effective for apatite formation in vitro. In the current study, we investigated the in vivo effect of sodium removal on the bone-bonding strength of bioactive titanium. Sodium-free bioactive titanium plates were prepared by immersion in an aqueous solution of 5 M NaOH at 60 degrees C for 24 h, followed by immersion in distilled water at 40 degrees C for 48 h before heating them at 600 degrees C for 1 h. Three kinds of titanium plates were inserted into rabbit tibiae, including untreated cp-Ti, conventional alkali- and heat-treated Ti, and sodium-free alkali- and heat-treated Ti. In vivo bioactive performance was examined mechanically and histologically after 4, 8, 16, and 24 weeks. Sodium removal enhanced the bone-bonding strength of bioactive titanium at 4 and 8 weeks postoperatively; however, its bone-bonding strength was inferior to that of conventional alkali- and heat-treated titanium at 16 and 24 weeks. Histological examinations after the detaching test revealed breakage of the treated layer in the sodium-free alkali- and heat-treated titanium group. In conclusion, sodium removal accelerated the in vivo bioactivity of bioactive titanium and achieved faster bone-bonding because of its anatase surface structure, but the loss of the surface's graded structure due to the complete removal of sodium decreased the adhesive strength of the treated layer to the titanium substrate. Further investigations are required to determine the optimum conditions for preparation of bioactive titanium.

Alkalies↗

Dissociation of alkaliated alanine in the gas phase: the role of the metal cation.

The dissociation of prototypical metal-cationized amino acid complexes, namely, alkaliated alanine ([Ala+M]+, M+ = Li+, Na+, K+), was studied by energy-resolved tandem mass spectrometry with an ion-trap mass analyzer and by density functional theory. Dissociation leads to formation of fragment ions arising from the loss of small neutrals, such as H2O, CO, NH3, (CO+NH3), and the formation of Na+/K+. The order of appearance threshold voltages for different dissociation pathways determined experimentally is consistent with the order of critical energies (energy barriers) obtained theoretically, and this provides the necessary confidence in both experimental and theoretical results. Although not explicitly involved in the reaction, the alkali metal cation plays novel and important roles in the dissociation of alkaliated alanine. The metal cation not only catalyzes the dissociation (via the formation of loosely bound ion-molecule complexes and by stabilizing the more polar intermediates and transition structures), but also affects the dissociation mechanisms, as the cation can alter the shape of the potential energy surfaces. This compression/expansion of the potential energy surface as a function of the alkali metal cation is discussed in detail, and how this affects the competitive loss of H2O versus CO/(CO+NH3) from [Ala+M]+ is illustrated. The present study provides new insights into the origin of the competition between various dissociation channels of alkaliated amino acid complexes.

Alanine↗

Analysis of alkali-soluble glucan produced by Saccharomyces cerevisiae wild-type and mutants.

The alkali-soluble glucan of the yeast cell wall contains beta-(1,3)- and (1,6)-D-linkages and systemically enhances the immune system. To isolate Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutants producing glucan with a high degree of beta-(1,6)-D-glycosidic bonds, a wild-type strain was mutagenized with ultraviolet light. The mutants were then selected by treatment with 1.0 mg laminarinase, endo-beta-(1,3)-D-glucanase/ml. The alkali-soluble glucan was extracted by modified alkalysis followed by the Cetavlon method and concanavalin-A chromatography. The prepared alkali-soluble glucans from the wild-type and the mutants were compared with respect to yield and polymer structure using gas chromatography, 13C-NMR spectrometry, high performance liquid, and multi-angle laser light scattering and refractive index detectors. The results indicated that the S. cerevisiae mutants had ten-fold more alkali-soluble glucan than the wild-type. Structural analysis revealed that the alkali-soluble glucan from the mutants also had a higher degree of beta-(1,6)-D-linkage than that from the wild-type.

Alkalies↗

Circular dichroism tests on the effect of alkali on conformation of lectins.

The structural properties of eight lectins (agglutinins) were studied by the circular dichroism (CD) probe. The lectin from Maclura pomifera (osage orange seed) exhibited in the far-ultraviolet spectral zone a positive CD band centered at 201 nm, whereas the other lectins had positive bands at 195--198 nm. Structural transitions were effected by alkali, pH 9.6--11.9. Native M. pomifera lectin had a positive CD band also at 236 nm which shifted to the red and enhanced by alkali. Significant individual differences in resistance to the denaturing effect of alkali were observed even between the lectins the CD spectra of which were similar in neutral solutions. The CD spectrum of the lectin from Wistaria floribunda was similar to the CD spectrum of the Dolichos biflorus lectin, but the former was much less sensitive to alkali than the latter. The CD spectra of the native lectins from soybean (Glycine max) and the erythroagglutinin from kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) also were similar, yet the former was denatured at pH 10.6--11.6, whereas the CD of the latter was affected very little. The tertiary structures of the lectins from D. biflorus, the Sophora japonica and the fucose binding lectin from Tetragonolobus purpureas were more sensitive to alkali than those of the other lectins. While the CD bands at 270--300 nm, related to the tyrosine and tryptophan chromophores are generally diminished on denaturation, in the D. biflorus and S. japonica lectins these bands were enhanced at pH 9.6--10.6. In more strongly alkaline solutions, a new CD band developed at 248--252 nm. The main polypeptide chain was more or less completely disorganized at the very high pH values.

Alkalies↗

Influence of opiates on alkali secretion by amphibian gastric and duodenal mucosa in vitro.

Experiments were performed to study the effects of opiates on gastric and duodenal alkali secretion in amphibian mucosa in vitro. Alkali secretion by fundic mucosa of Rana temporaria, or antral mucosa of Rana catesbeiana, was unaffected by morphine, methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin, two enkephalin analogues, or the opiate antagonist naloxone. Acid secretion by fundic mucosa in vitro was not influenced by 10(-5) and 10(-4) M morphine, or by 10(-7) to 10(-5) M naloxone. However, duodenal alkali secretion in Rana catesbeiana was stimulated by opiates while the electrical potential difference was unaffected. Morphine stimulated secretion, maximally at 10(-5) M, by 33% over basal values, 30 min after exposure to the drug, whereas the maximal response to methionine-enkephalin occurred at 10(-6) M and was obvious within the first 15 min after administration. The effects of these opiates were prevented by pretreatment with naloxone or with the more specific opiate receptor antagonist ICI 154129. The response to morphine was inhibited when bicarbonate in the nutrient-side solution was replaced by the impermeant anion HEPES or by removal of chloride from the bathing media. Furosemide (10(-3) M) also inhibited the response of duodenal mucosa to morphine. The nerve-blocker tetrodotoxin (10(-7) M) prevented the morphine-induced response. These data suggest that opiates can stimulate duodenal alkali secretion, probably by activating an electrically neutral Cl-/HCO3- exchange. It seems likely that the effect of opiates is mediated by a neurologic intermediary, and the results suggest the possibility that duodenal alkali secretion may be under some neurologic control.

Alkalies↗

Titanium metals form direct bonding to bone after alkali and heat treatments.

In this article we evaluated the bone-bonding strengths of titanium and titanium alloy implants with and without alkali and heat treatments using the conventional canine femur push-out model. Four kinds of smooth cylindrical implants, made of pure titanium or three titanium alloys, were prepared with and without alkali and heat treatments. The implants were inserted hemitranscortically into canine femora. The bone-bonding shear strengths of the implants were measured using push-out test. At 4 weeks all types of the alkali- and heat-treated implants showed significantly higher bonding strength (2.4-4.5 MPa) than their untreated counterparts (0.3-0.6 MPa). At 12 weeks the bonding strengths of the treated implants showed no further increase, while those of the untreated implants had increased to 0.6-1.2MPa. Histologically, alkali- and heat-treated implants showed direct bonding to bony tissue without intervening fibrous tissue. On the other hand, untreated implants usually had intervening fibrous tissue at the interface between bone and the implant. The early and strong bonding to bone of alkali- and heat-treated titanium and its alloys without intervening fibrous tissue may be useful in establishing cementless stable fixation of orthopedic implants.

Alkalies↗

Management of alkali burns : an 11-year retrospective review.

OBJECTIVE: To review the spectrum of patients with alkali burns admitted over an 11-year period and to assess the clinical outcomes after the introduction of a standard alkali burn treatment protocol. DESIGN: Retrospective nonrandomized comparative study. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A total of 121 patient records with alkali burns (n = 177 eyes) admitted to a tertiary hospital between 1987 and 1998 were reviewed. Eyes treated with a standard alkali burn treatment protocol, which included intensive topical steroids, ascorbate, citrate, and antibiotics, were compared with eyes treated by conservative management with antibiotics, and a short course of steroids. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to corneal reepithelialization, final best-corrected visual acuity, and time to visual recovery, length of hospital stay, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The standard protocol tended to delay corneal reepithelialization by one day (P: = not significant) in eyes with grade 1 burns (n = 76) and by 2 days (P: = 0.04) in grade 2 burns (n = 52), with no difference in final visual outcome. There were 37 eyes with grade 3 burns. Those treated with the standard protocol showed a trend toward more rapid corneal reepithelialization. Twenty-seven of 29 (93%) eyes with grade 3 injuries achieved a final best-corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better compared with 3 of 6 (50%) eyes not treated according to the standard protocol (P: = 0.02). Eyes with grade 4 burns (n = 12), whether treated with the standard protocol or not, required 10 to 12 weeks for corneal reepithelialization. There was no statistically significant difference in final visual acuity. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our findings, a number of recommendations can be made for the management of alkali injuries. Patients with a grade 1 or 2 injury do not require routine admission and do not benefit from the use of intensive treatment with ascorbate and citrate. A trend toward more rapid healing and a better final visual outcome were apparent in grade 3 burns, but our standard protocol made no difference in grade 4 burns.

Administration, Topical↗

Therapeutic effects of water and milk for acute alkali injury of the esophagus.

STUDY BACKGROUND: Alkali ingestions cause progressive and devastating injury to the esophagus by liquefaction necrosis. However, the therapeutic efficacy of water or milk dilution for alkali-induced esophageal injury has not been determined. This study used our previously reported model of alkali-induced esophageal injury to evaluate the effectiveness of water and milk dilution. HYPOTHESIS: Early dilution with water or milk is efficacious in decreasing esophageal damage from alkali exposure. METHODS: The esopgagi of 75 Sprague-Dawley rats were harvested, and each end was cannulated with a 20-gauge catheter. Specimens were maintained in an oxygenated saline solution (at 37 degrees C) during a 60-minute experimental period and then fixed immediately in 10% Formalin solution for histologic examination. Esophagi from six experimental groups (total of 60) were perfused with 50% NaOH solution at time 0. Water or milk dilution was performed immediately at 0 minutes, 5 minutes after injury, and 30 minutes after injury. Blinded pathologic examination was performed using a score of 0 (no injury), 1 (minimal), 2 (moderate), or 3 (severe) for the following six histologic categories: epithelial viability, cornified epithelial cell differentiation, granular cell differentiation, epithelial cell nuclei, muscle cells, and muscle cell nuclei. RESULTS: Positive and negative controls showed expected outcomes. Significant progressions of injury over time were seen for every histologic category for both water and milk dilution. The injury scores for the milk-treated group at 0 minutes were less than or equal to the injury score for the water-treated group for all categories. However, these differences were significant only for the cornified epithelial cells. CONCLUSION: Early dilution therapy with water or milk reduces acute alkali injury of the esophagus and supports use of these forms of emergency treatment.

Acute Disease↗