Glue-sniffing neuropathies.

The commonly used term for solvent abuse, glue sniffing, generally encompasses a variety of substances, including spray paint, thinners, nail varnish remover, gasoline, marking pens, and lighter fluids. Inhaled vapours eventually reach the lipids in the nervous system, where they can be stored for long periods. In three cases of glue-sniffing-related neurotoxicity, the peripheral nervous system was affected in two cases and predominantly the central nervous system in the third.

Complications of immobilization and bed rest. Part 2: Other complications.

Prolonged immobilization affects almost every organ system. Respiratory complications include decreased ventilation, atelectasis, and pneumonia. Decreased basal metabolic rate, increased diuresis, natriuresis, and nitrogen and calcium depletion affect metabolism.

Complications of immobilization and bed rest. Part 1: Musculoskeletal and cardiovascular complications.

Prolonged bed rest and immobilization inevitably lead to complications. Such complications are much easier to prevent than to treat. Musculoskeletal complications include loss of muscle strength and endurance, contractures and soft tissue changes, disuse osteoporosis, and degenerative joint disease.

Gain of function mutations in p53.

We report that the expression of murine or human mutant p53 proteins in cells with no endogenous p53 proteins confers new or additional phenotypes upon these cells. Mutant p53 proteins expressed in cell lines lacking p53 resulted in either enhanced tumorigenic potential in nude mice ((10)3 cells) or enhanced plating efficiency in agar cell culture (human SAOS-2 cells). Also, mutant human p53 alleles, unlike the wild-type p53 protein, could also enhance the expression of a test gene regulated by the multi-drug resistance enhancer-promoter element.

[Articular disk dislocation in the human TMJ].

A three-dimensional model of articular disk dislocations has been developed. Histological examination of 35 temporomandibular joints in near sagittal section reveals sometimes extreme anterior displacement in about 50% and slight posterior displacement of the disk in 6% of the specimens. In the frontal plane medial dislocation prevails in more than 70% of the 32 specimens evaluated, whereas there is only one lateral dislocation.