Patient variables supporting chronic illness. A scale for measuring attitudes toward respiratory illness and hospitalization

Liver biopsies and serum samples were collected after intravenous application of 2 g cephradin (n = 13) or 2 g cephacetril (n = 11) during surgery. There was no difference in the serum levels of cephradin and cephacetril. 30 min. after i.v. application of cephradin the liver tissue concentration was 72.62 mcg/g. 30 min. after i.v. cephacetril the liver tissue concentration was 5.83 mcg/g. The quotient of liver tissue concentration to serum concentration for cephradin was between 0.36 and 0.83, and for cephacetril between 0.02 and 0.16. The excretion of cephradin and cephacetril in human bile was studied by collecting bile samples from the common bile duct via T-tube drainage (n = 17). Cholecystomized patients were given 2 g of antibiotics intravenously. Serum levels of cephradin were 263 mcg/ml 5 min after application, and 22 mcg/ml after 240 min. Serum levels of cephradin were 263 mcg/ml 5 min after application, and 22 mcg/ml after 240 min. Serum levels of cephacetril were 193 mcg/ml 5 min after application, and 27 mcg/ml after 240 min. The highest levels of cephradin in the bile were found 75 min after injection at a concentration of 86.4 mcg/ml; the highest level for cephacetril was 21.8 mcg/ml at 15 min. In patients with hyperbilirubinaemia cephradin reached a mean maximum concentration of 29.6 mcg/ml in bile samples, in comparison to 117.4 mcg/ml in normal patients, while no difference was seen with cephacetril. After intravenous administration of 2 g cephradin biliary concentration are achieved which may be sufficiently high to be effective not only against the very sensitive gram-positive organisms, but also against most strains of E. coli, Klebsiella and indol-negative Proteus. Cephradin is effective in the treatment of cholangitis and intrahepatic abscesses, as was observed in 18 patients. A free bile-flow is essential.     

Express diagnosis of eye adenovirus infection by fluorescent antibody method

The human selenium status in 10 locations of Irkutsk region (n = 216) is estimated using serum and hair selenium as biological markers. Extremely low serum selenium was typical for the inhabitants of Angara area (63-84 mcg/l). Hair selenium varied from 504 mcg/kg to 718 mcg/kg, the lowest values being found in Shelehov and Angarsk, the highest--in Karam and Mama. Low selenium concentrations were found also in the main food products: cereals--49-89 mcg/kg, meat--234-489 mcg/kg of dry weight, bread--106-180 mcg/kg of dry weight.     

Amoxycillin levels in human serum, bile, gallbladder, lung, and liver tissue

Amoxycillin levels were measured in the serum, bile, lung, gallbladder, and liver tissue in 19 cases of lung and 22 cases of cholecyst operations following intramuscular administration of 1 g amoxycillin. After 60-160 min, 4.4-5.6 mcg/g intact lung tissue and 1.5-3.9 mcg/g tumorous lung tissue concentrations were found, representing 41-48% and 15-32%, respectively, of the corresponding serum levels. Between 70 and 160 min when the ducts cysticus was open, the cystic bile contained 5.2-8.8 mcg/ml, the bile taken from the biliary ducts showed 10.9-13.2 mcg/ml, whereas the wall of the gallbladder and the liver tissue displayed 4.4-5.1 and 1.7-2.8 mcg/g amoxycillin levels. These levels represented 50-92, 118-136, 50-52 and 17-28% of the actual serum levels. As in the serum levels, the bile and tissue levels were about twice as high as those following ampicillin administration. The amoxycillin levels measured in the serum, bile, and other tissue tissues in most cases exceeded the minimal inhibitory concentrations for most of the bacteria usually considered. Therefore, amoxycillin can be applied successfully to treat respiratory and biliary infections.     

From cadavers to implants: silicon tissue assays of medical devices

A plethora of data has been used to condemn and defend the role of silicone and its association with "adjuvant disease." In the ongoing attempt to enhance our knowledge, we have chosen to identify tissue silicon levels in patients with saline implants or tissue expanders. We have compared these levels with tissue samples from a variety of patients with and without medicinal silicone devices from both the northeast and southwest United States over a 4-year period. All specimens were harvested by a "no touch" technique, non-formalin fixed, frozen, and shipped to an independent toxicology laboratory for analysis. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy was used to obtain the tissue silicon measurements. Silicon tissue values in cadaveric tissue (n = 20 cadavers; n = 120 specimens) averaged 2.2 mcg/gm of tissue with undetectable silicon levels in over 50 percent of the specimens (range 0 to 45 mcg/gm; median = 0). Silicon levels surrounding port-a-catheter devices (n = 15 patients; n = 15 specimens) averaged 8.04 mcg/gm of tissue (range 0 to 41 mcg/gm; median = 0). Tissue levels in the capsules surrounding saline (n = 10 patients; n = 22 specimens) and silicone implants (n = 31 patients; n = 58 specimens) averaged 292 mcg/gm (range 0 to 1380 mcg/gm; median = 110) and 1439 mcg/gm (range 0 to 9800 mcg/gm, median = 490), respectively. Tissue levels, however, from distant sites (n = 22 specimens) in these same patients were equivalent to the cadaveric nonaugmented values (average = 3.2 mcg/gm; range 0 to 5.8 mcg/gm; median = 2.7). The results imply that there is a continuum of exposure to silicone medical devices based on the mechanical properties of silicone. The data seem to suggest that there may be a progression of measurable tissue silicon levels based on the amount of environmental or device-related silicone exposure a person has over his or her lifetime. It is our hope that these levels will serve as a baseline for our continuing knowledge of implantable medical devices.     

Organochlorine compounds in blubber, liver and brain in neonatal grey seal pups

The present study focuses on the distribution and accumulation of persistent organochlorine compounds in different tissues and organs of grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) pups. Thus, levels of drins (aldrin, dieldrin, endrin), chlordanes (heptachlor, heptachlorepoxide, oxychlordane, transnonachlor), DDTs (p,p'-DDE, o,p'-DDD, p,p'-DDD, o,p'-DDT, p,p'-DDT) and 22 PCB congeners were determined in samples of brain, fat, and liver of 0-10 days old grey seal pups from the species' main breeding site in Norway. Whereas 10 different compounds were detected in the blubber, 8 compounds were detected in the liver. The concentrations of the two major classes of OCs (PCBs and DDTs) in liver were both about 75% of that in blubber. In cerebral tissue, only two PCB congeners were detected, and sigma PCB was only about 1% of that measured in the blubber. The distribution pattern of PCB-congeners in liver and brain differed significantly from that in blood and blubber tissue, indicating that the physico-chemical properties of the individual congeners and the lipid composition of the tissue are decisive for the tissue-specific pattern of congener distribution. A significant increase of the sigma DDT/sigma PCB-ratio as a function of blubber thickness indicates that DDT compounds are more readily accumulated in older pups.     

Pharmacokinetics of VP16-213 in Lewis lung carcinoma bearing mice

The pharmacokinetics of VP16 have been investigated in Lewis lung bearing mice after i.v. doses of 13 and 40 mg/kg. At both doses the plasma elimination of half-life was around 30 min. The lowest VP16-213 levels were in brain and primary tumor. Drug concentrations were much higher in metastases than in primary tumor. The highest concentrations were in small intestine, liver and kidney. Drug levels in the liver were disproportionally higher after 40 mg/kg, and AUC value being approximately 12 times greater than after 13 mg/kg. Urinary excretion of VP16-213 as unchanged drug accounted for 20-30% of the administrated dose in the 60 h after treatment. The concentration cytotoxicity curve was very steep and apparently similar for cells derived from primary tumor or metastases grown in vitro.     

Diagnosis of fatty liver in dairy cows

From 27 dairy cows with a mean milk yield of 6900 kg FCM (4% milk fat) per 305 day lactation period liver bioptates 2 weeks post partum (p.p.), milk samples 2, 4 weeks p.p., blood samples 0 (partus), 2, 4 week p.p., measurement of backfat thickness 2 weeks prior to calving, 0, 6, 17 weeks p.p. were taken and body weight and milk yield were determined. Fertility results and disorders appearance were recorded too. Total lipid and triglyceride content were analysed in liver tissue. Acetone concentration was determined in milk and 15 clinical-chemical parameters were elucidated in blood samples. Liver fat concentration shows a great variability from 3.9% to 24%. There is no strong reference value for the distinction between physiological and pathological liver fat concentration. Assessment as to whether increased liver fat levels in dairy cow are indicative of liver damage due to a pathological process should include detection of liver cell damage on the basis of plasma enzymes with closest possible specificity of liver. Glutamate-dehydrogenase (GLDH) is recommended. Liver fat content clearly could be defined exclusively from investigation of liver tissue rather than from analysis of blood or milk parameters. Measurement of backfat thickness provided useful information on the post partum lipolysis rate with a good correlation to liver fat (r to -0.72).     

Mixed-effects modeling of the pharmacodynamic response to the calcimimetic agent R-568

Age-dependent changes related to liver injury and regeneration were studied in rats aged 2, 12, and 30 months in a time period of 96 hr following a sublethal dose of thioacetamide (6.6 mmoles/kg body wt). Serum aspartate aminotransferase activity increased earlier in young rats, but the severity of injury was higher in those aged 12 months when compared to young and to old. Microsomal hepatocyte FAD monooxygenase activity was induced earlier in 2-month-old rats following intoxication and the increase was significantly lower both in the youngest and in the oldest groups when compared to adults. As a parameter of hepatocellular postnecrotic regeneration, DNA synthesis (2C --> 4C) was evaluated. The population of hepatocytes in S phase peaked more sharply and earlier in young rat hepatocytes, and was 8 to 12 times higher than the initial in hepatocytes from 2- and 12-month-old rats, while the rise was only 3 times in the oldest group. At 96 hr of intoxication the restoration towards normal in all these parameters was complete in young, incomplete in adult, and slightly detected in the oldest. Serum proliferative activity, assayed on mouse NIH 3T3 fibroblast cultures, increased preceding the necrosis and this increase was higher in 2- and 12-month-old (171% and 224%, respectively), while in the oldest the increase was only 110%. This mitogenic activity decreased in all groups during necrosis, showing a second peak, nondetectable in rats aged 30 months, parallel to regeneration. Serum TNFalpha level was absent in untreated animals and increased markedly following intoxication, the highest values being recorded at 72 hr of intoxication in serum from rats aged 12 months (347 +/- 30 pg/ml) and the lowest at 30 months (4.1 +/- 0.3 pg/ml). The serum ability to induce nitric oxide synthase activity on peritoneal macrophages ex vivo showed significant time- and age-dependent changes in nitric oxide release: a decrease throughout necrosis and an increase during regeneration. We conclude that the main age-related changes in the sequenced process of liver injury and regeneration are the delayed response in the development of cell killing and regeneration and the decreased regenerative ability, which significantly delays the restoration of liver function.     

Porcine somatotropin (pST) increases IGF-I mRNA abundance in liver and subcutaneous adipose tissue but not in skeletal muscle of growing pigs

The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of exogenous porcine somatotropin (pST) on IGF-I gene expression in liver, skeletal muscle (longissimus dorsi), and s.c. adipose tissue of growing pigs. Twenty prepubertal gilts (approximately 60 kg BW) were allotted to four treatment groups (n = 5) and treated with either 0, 35, 70, or 140 micrograms/kg BW of recombinantly derived pST by daily i.m. injection for 7 d. Serum concentrations of IGF-I were determined by RIA and IGF-I mRNA levels were determined by direct counting of individual samples on slot blots. Administration of pST increased IGF-I concentration in serum. This was accompanied by significant increases (P < .05) in IGF-I mRNA abundance in liver and s.c. adipose tissue; the effects were maximal at the lowest dose of pST. Insulin-like growth factor I mRNA levels were increased 2.5- and 4.5-fold, respectively. Levels of IGF-I mRNA were very low in longissimus muscle and were unaffected by administration of pST. When expressed as picograms of mRNA/10 micrograms of total RNA, IGF-I mRNA levels were highest in s.c. adipose tissue. Levels of IGF-I mRNA were 1.9-fold higher in s.c. adipose tissue than in liver of control animals, and pST administration increased this difference to 3.2-fold. Our results suggest that 1) the effects of pST administered by daily i.m. injection on IGF-I gene expression in pigs are tissue-specific and 2) the stimulatory effects of pST administered in this manner on muscle growth in pigs are not associated with increased expression of the IGF-I gene in skeletal muscle.     

Renal sinus lipomatosis and body composition in hypertensive, obese rabbits

OBJECTIVE: To test whether renal lipomatosis, an accretion of fat in the renal sinus associated with chronic renal infections, abscesses and calculi, can also be caused by rapid weight gain. DESIGN: New Zealand white rabbits were fed either standard rabbit chow (n = 24) or chow fortified with 10% corn oil plus 5% lard (n = 25) for 8-12 weeks. MEASUREMENTS: The rabbits and constituent tissues were weighed initially, after drying and after organic extractions. Renal tissue cholesterol and triglycerides were measured chemically. RESULTS: Rabbits made obese by increased fat intake were 1.8 kg heavier than controls (5.5 +/- 0.3 kg vs 3.7 +/- 0.2; n = 24,25), had 1.54 kg more body fat (1.90 +/- 0.25 vs 0.36 +/- 0.11 kg/rabbit; n = 10,9), and had a mean arterial blood pressure that was 9.2 mm Hg greater than controls (95.1 +/- 8.5 vs 85.9 +/- 5.6 mm Hg; n = 23,24). Individual organs grew in mass (lung, 15%; gastrocnemius, 17%; liver, 27%; kidney, 30%) and their parenchyma gained extractable lipids (lung, 5.5 mg/g tissue; gastrocnemius, 9.6 mg/g tissue; liver, 17.9 mg/g tissue). Total renal triglycerides were increased 2.1 fold, from 103 +/- 36 to 219 +/- 59 mg/kidney (n = 8,8), compared to the 5.3 fold increase in whole body fat. Renal cholesterol was increased 1.7 fold, from 7.5 +/- 1.1 to 12.7 +/- 2.9 mg/kidney, (n = 8,8). Within experimental error, the sum of the total renal triglycerides plus the total renal cholesterol equaled the net fat extracted from the renal sinus alone: 95 +/- 29 mg/kidney in lean rabbits and 253 +/- 71 mg/kidney in obese (n = 17,17). CONCLUSION: Obesity alone can cause renal lipomatosis. This increased volume of anatomically localized fat may be sufficient to externally compress renal veins and lymphatics, thus altering renal hemodynamic behavior.     

The hNT human neuronal cell line survives and migrates into rat retina

Pigs were fed a commercial conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) mixture, prepared by alkali isomerization of sunflower oil, at 2% of the basal diet, from 61.5 to 106 kg live weight, and were compared to pigs fed the same basal diet with 2% added sunflower oil. The total lipids from liver, heart, inner back fat, and omental fat of pigs fed the CLA diet were analyzed for the incorporation of CLA isomers into all the tissue lipid classes. A total of 10 lipid classes were isolated by three-directional thin-layer chromatography and analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) on long capillary columns and by silver-ion high-performance liquid chromatography (Ag+-HPLC); cholesterol was determined spectrophotometrically. Only trace amounts (<0.1%; by GC) of the 9,11-18:2 cis/trans and trans,trans isomers were observed in pigs fed the control diet. Ten and twelve CLA isomers in the diet and in pig tissue lipids were separated by GC and Ag+- HPLC, respectively. The relative concentration of all the CLA isomers in the different lipid classes ranged from 1 to 6% of the total fatty acids. The four major cis/trans isomers (18.9% 11 cis,13 trans-18:2; 26.3% 10 trans,12 cis-18:2; 20.4% 9 cis,11 trans-18:2; and 16.1% 8 trans, 10 cis-18:2) constituted 82% of the total CLA isomers in the dietary CLA mixture, and smaller amounts of the corresponding cis,cis (7.4%) and trans,trans (10.1%) isomers were present. The distribution of CLA isomers in inner back fat and in omental fat of the pigs was similar to that found in the diet. The liver triacylglycerols (TAG), free fatty acids (FFA), and cholesteryl esters showed a similar pattern to that found in the diet. The major liver phospholipids showed a marked increase of 9 cis,11 trans-18:2, ranging from 36 to 54%, compared to that present in the diet. However, liver diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG) showed a high incorporation of the 11 cis,13 trans-18:2 isomer (43%). All heart lipid classes, except TAG, showed a high content of 11 cis,13 trans-18:2, which was in marked contrast to results in the liver. The relative proportion of 11 cis,13 trans-18:2 ranged from 30% in the FFA to 77% in DPG. The second major isomer in all heart lipids was 9 cis,11 trans-18:2. In both liver and heart lipids the relative proportions of both 10 trans,12 cis-18:2 and 8 trans, 10 cis-18:2 were significantly lower compared to that found in the diet. The FFA in liver and heart showed the highest content of trans,trans isomers (31 to 36%) among all the lipid classes. The preferential accumulation of the 11 cis,13 trans-18:2 into cardiac lipids, and in particular the major phospholipid in the inner mitochondrial membrane, DPG, in both heart and liver, appears unique and may be of concern. The levels of 11 cis,13 trans-18:2 naturally found in foods have not been established.     

Torsional injury resulting in disc degeneration: I. An in vivo rabbit model

OBJECTIVE: To substantiate in a premenopausal population of women, the link between visceral adipose tissue and circulating plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels. DESIGN: Study of correlations between anthropometric parameters and PAI-1 and evaluation of the changes induced by weight loss. SUBJECTS: Forty-two healthy pre-menopausal women (aged 18-51 y, with a wide range of body mass index (BMI, 21-48.8 kg/m2). Thirteen women were evaluated after weight loss (6.6+/-3.3 kg). MEASUREMENTS: BMI, waist and hip circumferences. Total, subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue areas at the L3-L4 level by computed tomography. Insulin, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, PAI-1 activity, PAI-1 antigen and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) antigen. RESULTS: PAI-1 activity, PAI antigen and tPA antigen were positively correlated with visceral adipose tissue, but not with subcutaneous adipose tissue. This correlation was independent of insulin or triglyceride levels. The amount of visceral adipose tissue explained 28% of the PAI-1 activity variance. Weight loss confirmed this link, PAI-1 diminution being correlated only with visceral adipose tissue loss and not with total fat, insulin or triglyceride decrease. CONCLUSION: This study suggests, like in vitro studies, that visceral fat may be an important contributor to the circulating PAI-1.     

Methionine metabolism. 2. Biochemical and histological studies in rats]

Male rats weighing 100 g were used in a 19-day trial. The rats received diets containing varying proportions of methionine. Their absolute liver weight was lower, due to the high methionine levels, than that of the animals fed optimum rations, whereas the relative liver weight was found to be lower only in the pair-fed group. No essential differences were observed between the levels of dry matter, protein, and fat. Glycogen levels were found to be lowered only in cases when high methionine doses were administered. Pathologically low levels of glycogen were found in animals of the pair-fed group. High methionine consumption reduced the percentages of 12 glucogenetic amino acids in the liver. This, in turn, suggests an increased rate of glucose formation from amino acids, a process which was not observed in animals of the pair-fed group. High methionine doses produced a condition of hyperglycaemia, while in the pair-fed group hypoglycaemia was observed. The highest rate of secretion of thyroid hormones was found in animals receiving the optimum ration; a lower rate of secretion was observed in the animals consuming less or more methionine. In animals receiving high methionine levels the rate of hormone secretion decreased in a stepwise manner with increasing methionine supplementation. Only the highest methionine doses (5,3%) were found to have a negative effect on the maximum rate of iodine incorporation into the thyroid gland. These findings were also substantiated by histological investigations because a true pathological picture was only found in histological sections of thyroid tissue from animals fed the highest methionine doses (5,3%) The thyroid tissue of these animals consisted predominantly of small glandular alveoli whose colloid was slightly coloured. The epithelial cells of these alveoli were degenerated; some cases of liver cell disintegration and, more rarely, cellular necrosis were noted.     

Serum leptin levels in women with anorexia nervosa

Leptin is a protein encoded by the ob gene that is expressed in adipocytes and regulates eating behavior via central neuroendocrine mechanisms. Serum leptin levels have been shown to correlate with weight and percent body fat in normal and obese individuals; however, it is not known whether the regulation of leptin is normal below a critical threshold of body fat in chronic undernutrition. We investigated serum leptin levels in 22 women, aged 23 +/- 4 yr, with anorexia nervosa. Duration of disease, weight, BMI, percent body fat, and serum leptin levels were determined for each patient. Nutritional status was assessed further by caloric intake and measurement of insulin and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) levels. Twenty-three healthy women, aged 23 +/- 4 yr, taking no medications, with normal menstrual function and body mass index (BMI) between 20-26 kg/m2 (mean, 23.7 +/- 1.7 kg/m2), served as a control population for comparison of leptin levels. Subjects with anorexia nervosa were low weight (BMI, 16.3 +/- 1.6 kg/m2; normal, 20-26 kg/m2) and exhibited a striking reduction in percent body fat (7 +/- 2%; normal, 20-30%). The mean serum leptin level was significantly decreased in subjects with anorexia nervosa compared with that in age- and sex-matched controls of normal body weight (5.6 +/- 3.7 vs. 19.1 +/- 8.1 ng/mL; P < 0.0001). Serum leptin levels were correlated highly with weight, as expressed either BMI (r = 0.66; P = 0.002) or percent ideal body weight (r = 0.68; P = 0.0005), body fat (r = 0.70; P = 0.0003), and IGF-I (r = 0.64; P = 0.001), but not with caloric intake or serum levels of estradiol or insulin in subjects with anorexia nervosa. The correlation between leptin and body fat was linear, with progressively lower, but detectable, leptin levels measured even in patients with less than 5% body fat, but was not significant when the effects of weight were taken into account. In contrast, the correlation between leptin and IGF-I remained significant when the effects of weight, body fat, and caloric intake were taken into account. In normal controls, leptin correlated with BMI (r = 0.55; P = 0.007) and IGF-I (r = 0.44; P < 0.05), but not with fat mass. These data demonstrate that serum leptin levels are reduced in association with low weight and percent body fat in subjects with anorexia nervosa compared to normal controls. Leptin levels correlate highly with weight, percent body fat, and IGF-I in subjects with anorexia nervosa, suggesting that the physiological regulation of leptin is maintained in relation to nutritional status even at an extreme of low weight and body fat.     

Reproductive success of female rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) in response to graded dietary ascorbyl monophosphate levels

Ascorbic acid is an essential nutrient in rainbow trout diets and has been shown to play an important role in fish reproduction. Recommended dietary levels are based on immature fish, and the specific requirements for brood stock are unknown. To establish the optimum dietary level for mature rainbow trout, six graded levels of ascorbyl-2-monophosphate were fed to groups of female fish over a period of 10 mo until spawning. Increasing dietary levels of ascorbyl monophosphate resulted in significantly increased ascorbic acid concentrations in liver, kidney, ovaries, and ovulated eggs. Liver and egg concentrations were saturable at 109.3 and 266.6 micrograms ascorbic acid/g tissue, respectively. Tissue saturation levels of 83.7% and 91.2%, respectively, were reached at the highest dietary level (870 mg ascorbyl monophosphate/kg diet) tested. Both fecundity and embryo survival increased significantly with dietary ascorbyl monophosphate levels. The results indicated that the present National Research Council recommended dietary level of 50 mg ascorbic acid/kg diet for rainbow trout is inadequate for brood stock fish. An amount 8 times higher is necessary to optimize tissue ascorbic acid levels and achieve maximum reproductive success.     

Chlorinated hydrocarbon contaminants in polar bears from eastern Russia, North America, Greenland, and Svalbard: biomonitoring of Arctic pollution

Adipose tissue samples from polar bears (Ursus maritimus) were obtained by necropsy or biopsy between the spring of 1989 to the spring of 1993 from Wrangel Island in Russia, most of the range of the bear in North America, eastern Greenland, and Svalbard. Samples were divided into 16 regions corresponding as much as possible to known stocks or management zones. Concentrations of dieldrin (DIEL), 4,4'-DDE (DDE), sum of 16 polychlorinated biphenyl congeners (sigma PCB), and sum of 11 chlordane-related compounds and metabolites (sigma CHL) were determined. In order to minimize the effect of age, only data for adults (320 bears age 5 years and older) was used to compare concentrations among regions. Concentrations of sigma PCB were 46% higher in adult males than females, and there was no significant trend with age. Concentrations of sigma CHL were 30% lower in adult males than females. Concentrations of sigma PCB, sigma CHL, and DDE in individual adult female bears were standardized to adult males using factors derived from the least-square means of each sex category, and geometric means of the standardized concentrations on a lipid weight basis were compared among regions. Median geometric mean standardized concentrations (lipid weight basis) and ranges among regions were as follows: sigma PCB, 5,942 (2,763-24,316) micrograms/kg; sigma CHL, 1,952 (727-4,632) micrograms/kg; DDE, 219 (52-560) micrograms/kg; DIEL, 157 (31-335) micrograms/kg. Geometric mean sigma PCB concentrations in bears from Svalbard, East Greenland, and the Arctic Ocean near Prince Patrick Island in Canada were similar (20,256-24,316 micrograms/kg) and significantly higher than most other areas. Atmospheric, oceanic, and ice transport, as well as ecological factors may contribute to these high concentrations of sigma PCB. sigma CHL was more uniformly distributed among regions than the other CHCs. Highest sigma CHL concentrations were found in southeastern Hudson Bay, which also had the highest DDE and DIEL concentrations. In general, concentrations of sigma CHL, DDE, and DIEL were higher in eastern than western regions, suggesting an influence of North American sources. Average sigma PCB concentrations in bears from the Canadian Arctic were similar to those in 1982-84, while average sigma CHL and DDE concentrations were 35-44% lower and DIEL was 90% lower. However, the significance of these temporal trends during the 1980s is not conclusive because of the problems of comparability of data.     

HIV type 1 V3 sequences and the development of dementia during AIDS

OBJECTIVE: To study percentile distance growth pattern of Body Mass Index (BMI) of Punjabi male and female infants. DESIGN: Longitudinal. SETTING: Growth Clinic. SUBJECTS: 154 Punjabi infants (Male 86; Female 68), aged birth-12 months. FOLLOW-UP: Nude body weight and crownheel length of all babies at birth and whereafter, were measured at monthly age intervals with time tolerance to +/-3 days by the same investigator upto 12 months of life. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) values for BMI measured 12.2 +/- 1.40 kg/m2 and 16.5 +/- 1.40 kg/m2 at birth and 12 months, respectively in male infants. The corresponding figures for female infants were 12.5 +/- 1.60 kg/ m2 and 16.5 +/- 1.50 kg/m2. A rapid increase in BMI values amongst infants of both sexes between birth to about six months followed by flattening of curves upto 12 months of age indicates an age dependent nature of BMI during first half of infancy in comparison to latter half during which these demonstrated stable trend. These findings are in contrast to those of the western infants who showed a regular increase in BMI throughout the first year of life. Sex differences were not significant at majority of the age levels. CONCLUSIONS: Percentile grids presented for BMI represent a normal, healthy and well-nourished infant population which can be used to assess the adiposity status of infants of the two sexes during the first year of life.     

Rapid and improved recovery rate of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube combined with solid L?wenstein Jensen medium

Toxic doses of paracetamol (acetaminophen) destroy the cellular defense system in hepatic tissue. The degree of the destruction can be assessed be measuring the metabolism of sulfhydryl compounds, oxygen radicals and the release of certain enzymes. Administration of 2-methyl-thiazolidine-2,4-dicarboxylic acid (CP; 1.2 mmol/kg) to mice 12 h prior to a toxic dose of paracetamol (600 mg/kg) suppressed the increase of aminotransferase activities in blood serum and the levels of reactive oxygen species in liver tissue. A protective effect of CP was also observed with respect to depletion of non-protein sulfhydryl compounds, cysteine and glycogen. The findings demonstrate that the cysteine prodrug CP is effective in preventing liver damage of a hepatotoxic dose of paracetamol in vivo. A further advantage of the new compound is the long duration of the effect of more than 12 h.     

Chondrodysplasia punctata--rhizomelic form. Pathologic and radiologic studies of three infants

Intraperitoneal injection of two doses of vinblastine (10 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) induced a prominent formation of autophagic vacuoles in mouse liver parenchymal cells in 4 h. Clearly recognizable organelles were seen inside these vacuoles. The amount of autophagy was dependent on doses in that autophagosomes almost disappeared within 12 h with the low dose, whereas with the high dose the -ells were filled with residual bodies. Defecation of lysosomal material was ovserved into the sinusoidal lumen 12 h after injection with high dose. The total activities of lysosomal enzymes acid phosphatase, beta-galactosidase, and beta-acetylglucosaminidase did not change in the liver after vinblastine administration. The soluble activities of beta-galactosidase and beta-glucosaminidase were elevated with the high dose 12 h after injection, indicating labilization of the lysosomal membranes. Simultaneously the activities of the three lysosomal enzymes were elevated in the serum. The injurious effect of VBL appeared in light-and electron microscopic levels indicating diffuse necrosis of the liver lobules with the high gose within 12 h, fat accumulation in the cells, accumulation of secretory vesicles containing very low density lipoprotein particles, partial dilatation, vesiculation of endoplasmic reticulum and dilatation of Golgi cisternae. The serum GOT and CPK levels were also elevated     

SCH 43478 and analogs: in vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of novel agents for herpesvirus type 2

Previous surveys have suggested that preschool children in the North and Northeast of Thailand are at risk of inadequate vitamin A nutriture. Therefore, vitamin A status was assessed in 996 children aged 2-6 years in the North and Northeast Thailand during the dry (Feb.-April) and rainy (Sept.-Nov.) seasons. Approximately 1 per cent of samples during both periods exhibited serum retinol concentrations below 10 mcg/dl with means (+/-SD) concentration of 29 +/- 9.8 mcg/dl in the dry season and 37 +/- 15.4 mcg/dl in the rainy season. About one fifth of the studied children showed abnormal CIC and depleted liver stores (RDR > 20%). High risk areas were ranked and corresponded well by these 2 indicators. Therefore, it is concluded that the magnitude of the problem estimated by RDR and CIC are a more precise measurement of marginal vitamin A status than serum vitamin A level alone and about one-fifth of preschool children in the North and Northeast regions of Thailand experience subclinical vitamin A deficiency.