In vivo occupancy of the striatal dopamine uptake complex by various inhibitors does not predict their effects on locomotion

We have recently found that allogenic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can be used to treat lupus nephritis in NZB x NZW F1 (B/W F1) and BXSB mice. To elucidate why and how glomerular damage is repaired, serial renal biopsies were carried out using B/W F1 mice before, and after BMT. Donor-derived B cells and macrophages with normal functions developed two weeks after BMT, whereas donor-derived functional T cells were generated after seven weeks of BMT. Visceral epithelial cells as well as macrophages in the glomeruli were activated (probably by T cell-derived lymphokines) at this time; they showed marked phagocytic activity, resulting in clearance of immune complexes (ICs) and repair of damaged basement membranes. These results suggest that normal T cell functions, which have the capacity to activate macrophages and epithelial cells, are essential in repairing IC-mediated glomerular damage.     

Glucagon-like peptide I enhances the insulinotropic effect of glibenclamide in NIDDM patients and in the perfused rat pancreas

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the acute effects of glibenclamide and glucagon-like peptide I (GLP-I) and their combination in perfused isolated rat pancreas and in patients with secondary failure to sulfonylureas. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Rat islets were perfused with 10 nmol/l GLP-I in combination with 2 mumol/l glibenclamide. In human experiments, GLP-I (0.75 pmol. kg-1.min-1) was given as a continuous infusion during 240 min, while glibenclamide (3.5 mg) was administered orally. Eight patients participated in the study (age 57.6 +/- 2.7 years, BMI 28.7 +/- 1.5 kg/m2, mean +/- SE). In all subjects, blood glucose was first normalized by insulin infusion administered by an artificial pancreas (Biostator). RESULTS: GLP-I increased the insulinotropic effect of glibenclamide fourfold in the perfused rat pancreas. In human experiments, treatment with GLP-I alone and in combination with glibenclamide significantly decreased basal glucose levels (5.1 +/- 0.4 and 4.5 +/- 0.1 vs. 6.0 +/- 0.3 mmol/l, P < 0.01), while with only glibenclamide, glucose concentrations remained unchanged. GLP-I markedly decreased total integrated glucose response to the meal (353 +/- 60 vs. 724 +/- 91 mmol.l-1. min-1, area under the curve [AUC] [-30-180 min], P < 0.02), whereas glibenclamide had no effect (598 +/- 101 mmol.l-1. min-1, AUC [-30-180 min], NS). The combined treatment further enhanced the glucose lowering effect of GLP-I (138 +/- 24 mmol. l-1.min, AUC [-30-180 min], P < 0.001). GLP-I, glibenclamide, and combined treat-stimulated meal-induced insulin release as reflected by insulinogenic indexes (control 1.44 +/- 0.4; GLP-I 6.3 +/- 1.6, P < 0.01; glibenclamide 6.8 +/- 2.1, P < 0.01; combination 20.7 +/- 5.0, P < 0.001). GLP-I inhibited basal but not postprandial glucagon responses. Using paracetamol as a marker for gastric emptying rate of the test meal, treatment with GLP-I decreased gastric emptying at 180 min by approximately 50% compared with the control subjects (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In acute experiments on overweight patients with NIDDM, GLP-I exerted a marked antidiabetogenic action on the basal and postprandial state. The peptide stimulated insulin, suppressed basal glucagon release, and prolonged gastric emptying. The glucose-lowering effect of GLP-I was further enhanced by glibenclamide. This action may be at least partially accounted for by a synergistic effect of these two compounds on insulin release. Glibenclamide per se enhanced postprandial but not basal insulin release and exerted a less pronounced antidiabetogenic effect compared with GLP-I.     

Is there a myofascial, temporomandibular disorder personality?

It is widely accepted that abnormal personality factors play an important role in the etiology and maintenance of myofascial-type temporomandibular disorder, or M/TMD. However, the foundation on which this belief rests is based largely on clinical lore, rather than on any evidence. The continued belief in the stress theory has important implications. Clinicians continue to be trained in unproven but traditionally sanctioned treatments. Such approaches not only may lead to problems of patient care, they may forge an unstable foundation for future research. Two theories are examined in this article: the psychosomatic and psychophysiological models. The findings show that both theories lack evidence, and further research is warranted because definitive studies are unavailable. The data from this study do not support the contention that M/TMD cases are characterized by a specific premorbid personality.     

Application of tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of long-chain carboxylic acids

The application of MS-MS for the analysis of long-chain carboxylic acids and their esters has proved enormously successful but expensive. It is discussed mainly on basis of results obtained with different instruments with lesser attention to principles of the method, which have been adequately reviewed elsewhere. The use of electrospray ionization (ESI) has greatly increased the sensitivity of the method and has permitted assay of total lipid extracts. The combination of HPLC with electrospray and single quadrupole mass spectrometry, LC-ESI-CID-MS, rivals the triple quadrupole MS-MS application in many instances at considerably lower cost. However, LC-ESI-MS-MS remains the most desirable system at the present time for lipid ester analyses.     

Metal complexing properties of water-soluble poly(N-maleyl glycine) studied by the liquid-phase polymer-based retention (LPR) technique

Summary The separation of various metal ions by the water-soluble N-maleyl glycine polymer in conjunction with membrane filtration was investigated. The method is based on the retention of inorganic ions by this polymer in a membrane filtration cell and subsequent separation of low-molecular-weight species from the polymer complex formed. It is shown that poly(N-maleyl glycine) can bind several metal ions in aqueous solution at pH 3. At higher pH, the water-soluble polymer can be applied to the separation and preconcentration of many metal ions. In addition, the maximum capacity values of the homopolymer for copper(II) were investigated and compared in the presence of various metal ions at different pHs.     

Cisapride reduces neonatal postoperative ileus: randomised placebo controlled trial

AIM: To assess the efficacy of cisapride in reducing ileus persisting to the tenth postoperative day after neonatal abdominal surgery. METHODS: A prospective, randomised, double blind trial comparing rectal cisapride (1.4-2.3 mg/kg/day) with placebo over seven days was undertaken in 33 neonates. RESULTS: Seven of 12 (58%) patients receiving placebo and eight of 11 (73%) receiving cisapride achieved a first sustained feed during treatment. Of those receiving cisapride, the first sustained feed occurred at 2.3 days (SEM 0.6) compared with 4.7 days (SEM 0.8) with placebo. By the seventh day the mean daily net enteral balance was 69 (SEM 18) ml/kg in the cisapride subgroup and 17 (SEM 8) ml/kg for those receiving placebo. Stool was passed on 6.3 (SEM 0.4) treatment days in the cisapride subgroup compared with 4.1 (SEM 1.0) treatment days in the placebo subgroup. CONCLUSION: Cisapride is effective in neonates with a prolonged ileus after abdominal surgery.     

Renopancreatic transplant. Urologic complications

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective study of urological complications in our series of reno-pancreatic transplants. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between February 1983 and May 1994 our group has conducted 93 RPT, 80 of which, mean age 36 +/- 6 years (24-54 years), are studied in this paper: 57 male and 23 female with an average time in dialysis of 20 +/- 15 months (0-84 months) and diabetes evolution of 21 +/- 5 years (11-37 years). RESULTS: Actuarial annual survival of patient, renal graft and pancreatic graft has been 85%, 79% and 74% respectively. Haematuria: 25% incidence, with graft pancreatitis etiology in 16 cases, rejection in 8 and urinary fistula in 6. Urinary infection: 85% incidence, symptomatic in 23 patients (29%) and asymptomatic in the remaining cases. Dysuria, urethritis and urethral stenosis: 14 patients, all male, most with both conditions associated. Reconversion of pancreatic exocrine secretion by intestinal route was performed in 7 patients. Urinary fistula: secondary to surgery in 9 cases and rejection in 4. Etiology of one case remained unknown. In 4 cases it was resolved with conservative treatment, and with surgical correction in 8. One patient required pancreatic transplantectomy and one patient died of AMI. CONCLUSIONS: Urological complication in RPT account for a significant morbidity, urinary fistula being the one with greater repercussion on the patient and pancreatic graft survival.