Carbon-monoxide poisoning in young drug addicts due to indoor use of a gasoline-powered generator.

We report six fatal cases of unintentional carbon-monoxide poisoning which occurred in a house occupied by young people. The source of carbon monoxide was a gasoline-powered generator. For all victims, an external body examination was carried out and blood and urine samples collected.

Influence of endothelial cells on structure, biochemistry and functionality of epidermis reconstructed on synthetic porous membrane.

The model of keratinocytes cultured on a synthetic porous membrane at the air-liquid interface leads to the formation of a pluristratified and cornified epidermis with histological and biochemical characteristics near those observed in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated the effect of proliferative endothelial cells on epidermalization. Keratinocytes were grown in three culture conditions: in defined medium (DM; control), in medium previously conditioned by proliferative endothelial cells (CM) and in medium with proliferative endothelial cells (pEC).

Comparison of six different methods to assess UVA cytotoxicity on reconstructed epidermis. Relevance of a fluorimetric assay (the calcein-AM) to evaluate the photoprotective effects of alpha-tocopherol.

A three-dimensional culture of human keratinocytes exposed at the air-liquid interface has been developed and used in conjunction with fluorimetric, colorimetric and radioligand incorporation assays to assess the in vitro toxicity of UVA. The aims of the study were: (1) to compare the relevance of the neutral red uptake (NR), MTT metabolism, (35)S-methionine incorporation, IL1-alpha release and calcein-AM esterification assays for the evaluation of UVA injury; (2) to test the preventive protective effect of an emulsion containing 3% of tocopherol applied on the reconstructed epidermis, in comparison with an application of tocopherol 3% diluted in culture medium either on the apical compartment or in the underneath compartment of the skin culture insert. Viability measurement methods are based on different endpoints.

Protective effect of curcuminoids on epidermal skin cells under free oxygen radical stress.

Curcuminoids from Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) protected normal human keratinocytes from hypoxanthine/ xanthine oxidase injury. Since curcuminoids synergistically inhibited nitroblue tetrazolium reduction, a decrease in superoxide radical formation leading to lower levels of cytotoxic hydrogen peroxide was proposed as an explanation for this protective effect.