Growth hormone treatment in pediatric burns: a safe therapeutic approach

In the recovery period after strenuous exercise, there is increased O2 uptake, termed the excess postexercise O2 consumption (EPOC). One of the mechanisms suggested to explain EPOC is activation of the triglyceride/fatty acid (TG/FA) cycle by catecholamines. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of selective beta1- and nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blockade on EPOC and the TG/FA cycle. Seven healthy young men each participated in three control and three exercise experiments in a randomized and balanced sequence. In the exercise experiments, subjects exercised for 90 minutes at 58% +/- 2% (mean +/- SD) of maximal O2 uptake on a cycle ergometer, followed by a 4.5-hour bedrest. The control experiments followed the same protocol, but without exercise. In one control and one exercise experiment, the selective beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist atenolol (0.062 mg.kg(-1) body weight) was administered intravenously immediately after the exercise (EXAT) and at the corresponding time in the rest-control experiment (REAT). In a second set of control and exercise experiments, the nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist propranolol (0.15 mg.kg(-1) body weight) was administered (REPRO and EXPRO). In a third set of rest and exercise experiments, an injection of saline was given instead of beta-antagonist (RE and EX). TG/FA cycling was calculated by combining results obtained with a two-stage glycerol infusion and indirect calorimetry. O2 uptake was significantly increased above control levels throughout the recovery period after exercise with the nonselective beta-adrenoceptor antagonist, beta1-adrenoceptor antagonist, and saline. However, there was no difference between the time course or magnitude of EPOC in the three situations. After 4.5 hours of bedrest, the mean increase in O2 uptake was 8% to 9% in all three conditions. TG/FA cycling was increased after exercise, but no effects of beta-antagonists were observed. We conclude that EPOC and the rate of TG/FA cycling are not attenuated by selective beta1- or nonselective beta-adrenoceptor blockade after an acute prolonged exercise protocol.     

Comparison of wound culture and bronchial lavage in the severely burned child: implications for antimicrobial therapy

BACKGROUND: The relationship of the burn wound flora to microbial pathogens in the tracheobronchial tree has important implications for antimicrobial therapy in the severely burned patient. Management of septic complications is bolstered by surveillance quantitative wound cultures (QWC) and bronchial lavage fluid (BLF) cultures. OBJECTIVES: To compare the organisms present in BLF with those found in QWC and to determine if QWC can predict BLF results. DESIGN: Results of BLF cultures from all patients who underwent bronchial lavage from January 1, 1996, to December 31, 1996, at our institution were compared with QWC data from the same date. Criteria for a positive match included an identical antibiotic susceptibility pattern and biotype. Match rates were calculated qualitatively and quantitatively. RESULTS: In 30 (48%) of the 62 BLF cultures, there was a match between the organism identified in the BLF and the QWC. When strict quantitative criteria were applied, the match rate was only 9 (14%) of 62. Burn size and inhalation injury had no significant effect on match rate. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas the microbial pathogens were similar in the QWC and BLF, linear regression showed no value of QWC in predicting BLF culture results. The difference between qualitative and quantitative match rates suggests cross-colonization between the burn wound and tracheobronchial tree, but little to no cross-infection. The QWC and BLF cultures must be performed independently in determining antimicrobial specificity in the burned patient.     

Range of validity of alpha and beta for a generalized diversity index H (alpha, beta) due to Good

1. Many human fetuses have to adapt to a limited supply of nutrients. In doing so they permanently change their structure and metabolism. 2. These 'programmed' changes may be the origins of a number of diseases in later life, including coronary heart disease and the related disorders stroke, diabetes and hypertension. 3. This review examines the evidence linking these diseases to fetal undernutrition and provides an overview of previous studies in this area.     

Assessment of regional left ventricular long-axis motion with MR velocity mapping in healthy subjects

We present a case of trichothiodystrophy associated with a hypereosinophilic syndrome. This case had been followed for 30 years. Trichothiodystrophy was characterized by lamellar ichthyosis, hair and nail dystrophies, kyphoscoliosis, congenital luxation of the hip. The hypereosinophilic syndrome was characterized by an itching urticaria-like eruption. Although the patient's general condition had remaining stable for 30 years, during the last year it worsened and the patient suddenly died. The authors discuss about the significance of this association.     

Comparison of prefrontal architecture and connections

The advent of new technology has led to a proliferation of studies examining the functional roles of discrete prefrontal cortical areas. This has created a need for more precise information regarding the morphological characteristics of this region. Existing architectonic maps of human and monkey brains are not compatible with regard to areal delineations and topography, creating significant difficulty in interpreting comparative data. Therefore, we have re-examined the comparative morphological organization of the prefrontal cortex in humans and rhesus monkeys. Our analysis indicates that the architectonic areas in both species correspond in terms of morphological features as well as topographical locations. We have developed a common organizational schema for these areas, thereby allowing for a resolution of previous discrepancies. Moreover, in monkeys a connectional analysis has revealed that each of the newly designated areas is characterized by a unique pattern of cortical relationships. The present organizational schema provides a framework for interrelating findings such as those obtained from human brain imaging studies with those from behavioural investigations of non-human primates.     

The metabolism of neutral lipids in the spur dogfish,Squalus acanthias

Cell free studies have shown that liver and intestine are the major sites of synthesis of triacyl glycerols inSqualus acanthias. The liver and to a lesser extent the intestine and stomach are major sites of wax ester synthesis. Muscle does not synthesize either triacyl glycerols or wax esters significantly. In vivo studies have shown that intravenously injected (³H) fatty alcohol is massively oxidized to (³H) fatty acid, the bulk of which appears in muscle. Liver appears to export both free fatty acids and triacyl glycerols to serum and thence to muscle. Free fatty acids, triacyl glycerols, wax esters and cholesteryl esters are all turned over within 48 hr inSqualus serum. The turnover of triacyl glycerols greatly exceeds the turnover of alkyl diacyl glycerols.