Synthesis and characterization of conducting copolymers from aniline and o‐anisidine in HCl solutions

Conducting poly(aniline‐co‐o‐anisidine) (PAS) films with different ratios of aniline units in the polymer chain were prepared by oxidative polymerization of different molar ratios of aniline and o‐anisidine in 1 M HCl using cyclic voltammetry. Due to the much higher reactivity of o‐anisidine, the structure and properties of PASs were found to be dominated by the o‐anisidine units. The polymerization of poly‐o‐anisidine and PASs followed zero‐order kinetics with respect to formation of the polymer (film thickness) and the autocatalytic polymerization of aniline was completely inhibited. In contrast to polyaniline, a decrease in the polymerization temperature was found to increase the amount of copolymer formed and its redox charge. The presence of aniline units in PASs led to a pronounced increase in the molecular weight and conductivity, and a decrease in the solubility in organic solvents. Repetitive charging/discharging cycles showed that PASs resist degradation more than polyaniline. Copyright © 2003 Society of Chemical Industry     

High brachial artery bifurcation: a report of 2 cases

High division of the brachial artery was observed in two cadavers, during routine dissection of upper extremities. In the first case, the brachial artery of the right upper extremity was divided into its two terminal branches immediately after passing between the lateral and medial roots of the median nerve and just below the origin of the profunda brachii artery. The lateral branch was the radial artery, located in the space normally occupied by the brachial artery and the medial one was the ulnar artery. In the second case, the brachial artery was divided into its two terminal branches just below the origin of the profunda brachii artery. Accurate knowledge of the relationships and course of these major arterial conduits and particularly of their variational patterns, is of considerable practical importance in the conduct of reperative surgery in the arm, forearm and hand.     

Long-term effect of lisinopril and atenolol on kidney function in hypertensive NIDDM subjects with diabetic nephropathy

The aim of our study was to evaluate whether inhibition of ACE (lisinopril 10-20 mg/day) can reduce the rate of decline in kidney function more than reducing blood pressure with conventional antihypertensive treatment (atenolol 50-100 mg/day), usually in combination with a diuretic. We performed a prospective, randomized, parallel study for 42 months, double blind for the first 12 months and single blind thereafter. Forty-three (21 lisinopril and 22 atenolol) hypertensive NIDDM patients with diabetic nephropathy were enrolled. Data from 36 patients (17 lisinopril and 19 atenolol, 60 +/- 7 years of age, 27 men) who completed at least 12 months of the study period are presented. At baseline, the two groups were comparable: glomerular filtration rate (51Cr-EDTA plasma clearance) was 75 +/- 6 and 74 +/- 8 ml x min(-1) x 1.73 m(-2), mean 24-h ambulatory blood pressure (A&D TM2420) was 110 +/- 3 and 114 +/- 2 mmHg, and 24-h urinary albumin excretion rate was 961 (range 331-5,727) and 1,578 (476-5,806) mg/24 h in the lisinopril and atenolol groups, respectively. The mean follow-up time was similar, 37 and 35 months in the lisinopril and atenolol groups, respectively. Mean ambulatory blood pressure was equally reduced in the two groups, 12 +/- 2 and 10 +/- 2 mmHg in the lisinopril and atenolol groups, respectively. Glomerular filtration rate declined in a biphasic manner with a faster initial (0 to 6 months) change of 1.25 +/- 0.49 and 0.81 +/- 0.29 ml x min(-1) x month(-1) followed by a slower sustained decline (6 to 42 months) of 0.59 +/- 0.10 and 0.54 +/- 0.13 ml x min(-1) x month(-1) in the lisinopril and atenolol groups, respectively. No significant differences were observed in either initial or sustained decline in glomerular filtration rate between the two groups. Urinary albumin excretion was reduced (% reduction of baseline) more in the lisinopril than in the atenolol group, at 55 (95% CI 29-72) and 15% (-13 to 34), respectively (P = 0.01). In conclusion, the relentless decline in kidney function characteristically found in hypertensive NIDDM patients with diabetic nephropathy can be reduced equally effectively by two antihypertensive treatments, the beta-blocker atenolol and the ACE inhibitor lisinopril.     

Inhibition of Listeria monocytogenes on cold-smoked salmon by nisin and carbon dioxide atmosphere

The heat-stable enterotoxin of Escherichia coli binds to an intestinal receptor, guanylyl cyclase-C, and produces cGMP to induce diarrhea. Guanylin is an endogenous ligand of this receptor. In the present in vivo study, the intestinal water and ion secretion induced by mucosal application of 2 nmol/ml guanylin or 5 or 10 units/ml heat-stable enterotoxin into closed loops was compared in the rat. The characteristics of secretion induced by cAMP following intravenous perfusion of 1.2 nmol/100 g per h vasoactive intestinal peptide were compared to those induced by cGMP. Unidirectional Na+ and Cl- fluxes were estimated by addition of 22Na into the loop and i.v. injection of 36Cl. Guanylin induced less water and ion secretion than that produced by heat-stable enterotoxin in the colon, confirming the results of in vitro studies, and also in duodenum and ileum. The cAMP- or cGMP-mediated response had a similar pattern, i.e., an inhibition of Na+ absorption and an increase in anion secretion.     

Competency or incompetency--the dilemma

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Simplifying data collection and analysis should promote utilization management in review of examinations of the small bowel in the general practice. METHODS: A case control format with the generation of an odds ratio to answer sets of binary questions derived from annual examination data is shown. The positive examination results applied were compared with the literature as a cross-checking mechanism. The examination identified as most likely to be positive was recommended prospectively in a protocol for the following year. Two of 5 years are illustrated to emphasize the development of the methodology. RESULTS: Application of this model in testing its validity, since 1990 at Madigan Army Medical Center, allows for the generation of a new protocol each year to prospectively improve clinical definition. CONCLUSIONS: A 5-year analysis of small bowel examination protocols, subdivisions, and odds ratios, will be forthcoming. The 2 years illustrated show how strongly our practice was influenced in using enteroclysis or in using the small bowel follow through as the examination of choice in the various clinical categories of small bowel disease: (1) practice was influenced by protocol and (2) outcome was steered toward positive examinations.     

Pharmacokinetics of hyperimmune anti-human immunodeficiency virus immunoglobulin in persons with AIDS

Hyperimmune anti-human immunodeficiency virus immunoglobulin (HIVIG) is an intravenous immunoglobulin prepared from HIV-infected asymptomatic donors with a CD4 cell count greater than 400 cells/microl and a high titer of antibody to HIV-1 p24 protein. Twelve persons with AIDS received four doses of HMG (two at 50 mg/kg of body weight and then two at 200 mg/kg) every 28 days. Pharmacokinetics were evaluated by measurement of anti-p24 antibody. HIVIG was well tolerated, and all participants completed the study. Three subjects who were not receiving Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) prophylaxis developed PCP. The mean value for HIVIG clearance was 3.02 ml/kg/day at 50 mg/kg and 3.65 ml/kg/day at 200 mg/kg (P = 0.027); the mean trough antibody titers (reciprocal units) were 1,442 and 4,428, respectively. This study indicates that high titers of anti-p24 antibody can be maintained with a monthly administration schedule of HIVIG and that short-term safety is acceptable. Comparisons to evaluate the therapeutic potential of HIVIG are justified.     

Intrauterine transfusions influence fetal leukocyte counts and subsets

Histamine is an important mediator in allergic reactions, gastric acid secretions, and neurotransmission in the central nervous system. Basophils and mast cells are the main sources of histamine, which is formed from L-histidine by histidine decarboxylase (HDC). However, the regulatory mechanism of HDC in these cells remains unclear. We examined the regulation of HDC activity and gene expression using a unique human mast cell line, HMC-1, after stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) or ionomycin. HDC activity was increased from 52.1+/-0.4 (mean+/-standard deviation) to 154+/-6.9, or 105.6+/-6.2 pmol/min/mg protein (n = 3), 4 hours after stimulation with PMA (10 ng/mL) or ionomycin (10[-6] M). Although actinomycin D had no effect on this increase, cycloheximide completely inhibited the increase caused by these stimuli. The population of HMC-1 cells containing HDC protein was increased after stimulation with either PMA or ionomycin as evaluated by immunocytochemical analysis with anti-HDC antibody as a marker. HMC-1 constitutively expressed HDC mRNA, and its level was not increased with these stimuli. These results suggest that the increase of HDC activity in HMC-1 induced by PMA or ionomycin is regulated at the translational level.     

Experimental studies of mechanically-induced articular cartilage defects following implantation of allogeneic embryonal chondrocytes in a collagen-fibrin gel in chickens

Full thickness defects (diameter 1,7 mm; depth 2,5 mm) were created mechanically in articular cartilage and subchondral bone of the condyles of tibiotarsal joints of 9-month old chickens. This full-thickness defects were repaired with cultured allogenic embryonic chick epiphyseal chondrocytes from the tibiae and femura of 10-days-old chicken embryos. The cells were embedded in a collagen-fibrinogen-matrix. Controls were similarly operated, but received either no treatment or implants the delivery substance only. Healing of the defects was observed macroscopically, histologically, histochemically and histomorphometrically after 3, 12 and 24 weeks. This graft was successfully transplanted in mechanically induced defects in 80%. The resulting hyaline cartilage was structurally reorganized according to the host pattern and under the influence of environmental conditions. The articular zone preserved it's cartilaginous phenotype, whereas the subchondral regions were transformed into bone. 12 weeks after the operation the defects in the experimental group were completely filled. In all instances in this group, there was an initial extreme increase of mitotic rate and cell number. After 24 weeks normal and subnormal values were founded. The defects in the control groups healed with fibrocartilage. Our results showed, that only the defects in the experimental group were completely filled with reparative hyaline cartilage tissue. In the present study the mixture of cultured allogenic embryonic chondrocytes and a collagen-fibrinogen-matrix was used successfully as a transplant for repairing defects in articular cartilage of chickens. Thus allogenic transplantation of cultured embryonal chondrocytes appears to be one of the most promising methods for the restoration of articular cartilage.