The antioxidant activity of saliva has been investigated in 28 apparently healthy individuals and seven dental patients with periodontal disease. The results show that the major aqueous antioxidant component of whole saliva is uric acid, with lesser contributions from ascorbic acid and albumin. All are present at lower concentrations than those found in the plasma water. The total antioxidant activity (TAA) of saliva correlates (r2 = 0.972) with the concentration of uric acid, which contributes more than 70% of the TAA. Stimulation of salivary flow is associated with increased production of antioxidants. The antioxidant potential of saliva does not appear to be compromised in patients with periodontal disease but this may relate to the antioxidant flow from the gingival crevicular fluid.

A 50-year-old woman presented to our local breast service for investigation of unilateral breast tenderness. The patient had a strong family history of breast cancer, but no other significant risk factors. Examination was normal.Mammography showed a mass at the tender area resembling "a cyst or fibroadenoma" (Fig. 1). An identical lesion had been seen on a screening mammogram 2 years earlier, but no biopsy was performed. Core biopsy showed a low-grade invasive breast carcinoma, with features typical of secretory breast carcinoma. She had a wide local excision and axillary dissection.Histopathology showed a firm, gray nodule, 10 mm in diameter (Fig. 2). Microscopy showed nests of cells with well-formed tubules, with some cells containing lightly eosinophilic secretions, intermediate grade nuclear atypia, and a low mitotic count. Adjacent ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) measured 30 mm across. No lymphovascular or perineural invasion was seen, and margins were clear. None of 18 lymph nodes showed metastatic deposits. Estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and c-erb B-2 staining were all negative.Our multidisciplinary breast meeting supported postoperative breast radiotherapy, in line with treatment recommendations for breast-conserving treatment. There was no indication for chemotherapy. Radiotherapy was complicated by some skin reaction, but she is otherwise well with no evidence of recurrence 5 months postoperatively.

The hormonal stimulus to rat fetal and neonatal somatic and skeletal growth has been investigated by a study of ciruclating somatomedin (SM), growth hormone (GH) and insulin levels in rats from 21 days in utero to 40 days of post natal life. Somatomedin activity could not be detected in the serum of fetal rats in which circulating GH and insulin levels were high. In early post natal life GH and insulin levels remained high but gradually declined reaching normal adult levels at 19 days and 40 days respectively. Somatomedin activity was measurable only at low levels until 11 days after birth and thereafter remained steady throughout the time period studied. These studies suggest that somatomedin alone is not responsible for the rapid growth of the rat in early neonatal life and it is suggested that insulin may also be active as a growth factor in this period.

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