Colchicine-sensitive structures and lymphocyte activation

The possible modulatory role of microtubules or closely related colchicine-sensitive structures in the response of human lymphocytes to mitogenic lectins was investigated. Colchicine (0.1 to 10 muM) AND VINBLASTINE (0.1 TO 10 MUM) inhibited early [14C]-aminoisobutyric acid and late [3H]-thymidine uptake in phytohemagglutinin-and concanavalin A-stimulated human lymphocytes but failed to alter 45Ca uptake. Lumicolchicine, an inactive congener of colchicine, was ineffective in all three systems. Both microtubular agents accentuated and prolonged the early cyclic AMP response to lectin. Little or no alteration in cyclic AMP levels was seen with colchicine or vinblastine alone or in combination with PGE (10MUM) or epinephrine (1muM) suggesting that the effect on cyclic AMP metabolism is largely selective for lectin stimulation. Neither microtunular agent altered 125I-concanacalin A binding. Since the inhibition of DNA synthesis was throughout the culture period and early aminoisobutyric acid uptake is affected, it appears that these agents are acting on an early event, or events, in the activation sequence. Although the mechanism of the inhibition is not known, the effect of colchicine and vinblastine in prolonging the cyclic AMP response to lectin may be involved. Alternatively, alterations in microtubules assembly may exert effects on membrane architecture interfering with propagation of the stimulus from the membrane to the cell interior.     

Treatment of psychological disorders among urban children.

Reports on the prevalence of, treatment for, and factors associated with treatment for serious psychological impairment in urban children aged 6-18. 2 Manhattan samples were studied, the 1st a random cross-section of 1,034 families and the 2nd of 1,000 families receiving welfare (Aid to Dependent Children). A significantly greater number of welfare children were seriously impaired, but the referral rate and long-term treatment rate of children in the 2 samples were similar. Less than 50% of the seriously impaired children were referred, and only 1 in 5 received treatment of 6 mo or longer. Referral rates increased dramatically as mother's education increased, whether she did or did not receive welfare. Families who referred their children were colder, less punitive, and of higher social status. Implications of the findings and possible solutions of the imbalance between treatment and need are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The stochastic control of the F-8C aircraft using a multiple model adaptive control (MMAC) method--Part I: Equilibrium flight

The purpose of this paper is to summarize some results obtained for the adaptive control of the F-8C aircraft using the so-called MMAC method. The discussion includes the selection of the performance criteria for both the lateral and the longitudinal dynamics, the design of the Kalman filters for different flight conditions, the "identification" aspects of the design using hypothesis testing ideas, and the performance of the closed-loop adaptive system.     

High Pressure Liquid Chromatographic Assay for Haloperidol

A high pressure liquid chromatographic assay for haloperidol in aqueous solutions is presented. This assay permits the separation and quantitation of drug concentrations below 100 ng/ml.     

Influence of puberty on endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in young patients with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of puberty on endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in children and young people with type 1 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: There were 51 young patients with type 1 diabetes, including 12 prepubertal children, 16 adolescents, and 23 young adults who had no clinical diabetic angiopathy, studied; none had microalbuminuria. The three groups were matched for glycemic control, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures and cholesterol levels were not significantly different between the groups. Endothelium-dependent vasodilatation was assessed by laser Doppler flowmetry after iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh) to the skin of the dorsum of the right foot. Soluble E-selectin, intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), plasma thiol (PSH), red cell glutathione (GSH), and red cell superoxide dismutase (SOD) were measured in blood samples obtained in the early morning. RESULTS: Skin vascular responses to ACh were significantly reduced in the young adult group compared with the prepubertal group (P < 0.05, analysis of variance). The levels of soluble ICAM-1 and E-selectin were significantly higher in the adolescent group compared with the young adult group: 338 (267-415) and 89 (64-106) ng/ml (median [interquartile range]), respectively, versus 255 (222-284) and 58 (54-71) ng/ml (P < 0.01 and P < 0.005, Mann-Whitney U test). SOD levels were significantly higher in the prepubertal group at 250 (238-282) micro/ml, when compared with the adolescent, 217 (171-249) micro/ml (P < 0.04), and young adult, 217 (157-244) micro/ml (P < 0.02), groups. GSH tended to be lower in the adolescent group, 1,192 (1,047-1,367) micromol/l, when compared with the young adults, 1,286 (1,145-1,525) pmol/l, and levels of vWF tended to be higher in the adolescent group, but these failed to reach statistical significance (both P = 0.09). PSH was not different between the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that puberty modulates endothelial function and antioxidant mechanisms in childhood diabetes, which may have implications for therapy and intervention.