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An interlaboratory study was carried out to determine the feasibility and reliability of a method using the hamster cheek pouch as a model for assessing the potential irritative properties of substances intended to be applied to the lips or other mucous membranes. The test substances were applied once daily to both pouches for 14 consecutive days. Local and general tolerances were appraised throughout the study. At the end of the study, histologic examination of the pouches and the main organs was performed. Results of the feasibility study, conducted on various types of commercial products, indicated that this model is suitable for preparations of various consistence and composition. Results of the reliability study, carried out on gel-type preparations containing various concentrations of a known irritant, sodium lauryl sulfate, indicated that the method elicits a dose-dependent reaction for this compound. This hamster cheek pouch method was reproducible for the various parameters under consideration: local tolerance, general tolerance, histologic examination. For all products, results were in good agreement among the various laboratories participating in the study. The French regulatory authorities of the Fraud Repression Department have accepted it as an official method for the evaluation of the potential irritative properties of cosmetics and hygiene products intended to be applied to the lips or other mucous membranes.

Thirteen sickle cell trait carriers (SCTC) were found among 129 Ivory Coast champions or record holders in races for the period from 1956 to 1989 (10.1%). These 13 SCTC won 33 titles and national records (7.0%): 32 (12.5%) in races of 400 m or less and only one (0.004%) in races of 800 m or more, and the highest-performing SCTC won 8 titles and national records. A comparison with non-SCTC Ivory Coast champions shows that SCTC won significantly fewer titles than non-SCTC in long-distance races and that they won fewer titles during their careers.

A relapse of bronchial obstruction during women's menstrual cycle in often observed. Incubating blood and rising rates of estrogens produce an increase of histamine-release induced by allergens. As estrogens alter the membranous potentialities of cells, they may increase their sensibility and produce a degranulation.

Six subjects suffering from chronic airflow obstruction and respiratory failure were treated with oral almitrine bismesylate (3 mg/kg/day). Studies were made before and after 2 and 4 months treatment on: total ventilation, arterial blood gases, pulmonary artery pressure by a micro-catheter and cardiac out-put by rebreathing CO2. The results were compared with those of a placebo group of 3 subjects. While in the almitrine group a significant improvement in blood gases was observed, no change was seen in the two populations in either the haemodynamic or ventilatory variables. The medium term haemodynamic stability observed is contrasting with single dose effects of almitrine. This discrepancy could be due, at least in part, to a balance between the possible vasoconstrictor effect of almitrine bismesylate and vasodilator consequences of blood gases improvement.

In 14 patients anaesthetized before undergoing an orthopedic surgical intervention, the variations induced by anaesthesia in the 17 hydroxycorticosterone rate, catecholamine, somatotropic hormone (STH), insulin, glycemia, free fatty acids and thyrotropin (TSH), all these variations were studied before the surgery. The patients were divided into 2 groups of 7, the first one being anaesthestized by chlorprothixene dextromoramide Neurolept-Analgesia and the second one by Alfadione Fentanyl venous anaesthesia.

Almitrine bismesylate, a chemoreceptor agonist, improves blood gases in chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD). Some authors have observed an increase in pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) after single doses of almitrine bismesylate (A). This led to the present one year double blind placebo (P) controlled study to assess haemodynamic effects of long-term oral treatment in COLD (1.5 mg/kg/day for one year), together with clinical benefit and blood gas improvement. Twenty moderately severe patients entered the study, fifteen of whom completed it (eight in group (A), seven in group (P]. Blood gas values, minute ventilation (VE), mean pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) and cardiac output (Qc) were periodically measured. Ppa and Qc remained unchanged in both groups throughout the study. We observed relevant clinical improvement without side effects and no significant increase in VE in group (A). Arterial oxygen tension (PaO2) showed a 1.2 kPa (9 mmHg) mean increase in group (A) and remained unchanged in group (P). These data and those from the literature seem to indicate that almitrine induces a vascular effect, especially after a single dose. However, as long as PaO2 improves simultaneously no long-term haemodynamic consequence is apparent. The discrepancy between immediate and long-term vascular effects of almitrine might be explained by the improvement in gas exchange which could reduce and/or counter-balance the vasoactive response. In conclusion, after one year of therapy almitrine bismesylate results in considerable clinical and blood gas improvements without significant haemodynamic change.

Water soluble pig insulin (4 x 10(-8) to 4 x 10(-7) g/ml) produced a marked and long-lasting increase in the contractile force of the rabbit auricle in vitro. Once the maximum effect for a given insulin concentration had been reached, addition of more insulin did not produce any further increase in inotropic effect. Insulin was without effect in reserpinized animals. Inhibition of cardiac beta-receptors by propranolol suppressed the positive inotropic effect of insulin. These findings support the hypothesis that insulin releases catecholamines from the myocardium.