Local anaesthetics have been used clinically for well over a century, but the molecular mechanisms by which they alter speci®c functions of the peripheral nerve system remained unclear for a long time. Investigations during the last few decades presented evidence implicating the sodium (Na) channel protein as a target for speci®c, clinically important, local anaesthetic effects on mammalian neu...

an alternative in vitro approach to drug screening has been the use of human cell cultures for antiviral agents and microbial cell cultures for the assessment of the carcinogenic potential of selected compounds. a number of protozoan species have been also used as drug screens for anti-protozoal agents. the ciliated protozoan tetrahymena pyriformis species has been widely utilised as a drug scr...

BACKGROUND Contact allergy to local anaesthetics is relatively common. Patch testing with benzocaine in the European baseline series is recommended for diagnosis, even though a caine mix has been previously suggested to be superior. OBJECTIVES To assess the frequency and patterns of contact allergy to local anaesthetics by using a caine mix (benzocaine, tetracaine, and cinchocaine) in the bas...