Serum cortisol (hydrocortisone) values in normal dogs as determined by radioimmunoassay

A radioimmunoassay method was utilized to determine serum cortisol (hydrocortisone) concentrations in normal dogs. The mean value was 2.32 mug/dl (minimum, 0.94; maximum, 3.70; with a coefficient of variation of 29.7%). Samples had been collected in the morning of the diurnal cycle. The cortisol antibody used was highly specific for cortisol and showed little cross reaction with other common physiologic corticosteroids, when they were assayed, using the radioimmunoassay procedure described.     

Computer-assisted optimization of cobalt-base alloy compositions

Cobalt-base hard metals are known for their wear and corrosion resistance and also for their ability to retain hardness at elevated temperatures.

Considering the matrix of these alloys it can be predicted that (a) the performance against corrosive media will improve when the Cr content is increased, (b) a higher W content will be advantageous because of its solid solution strengthening effect, and (c) care has to be taken in the course of liquid phase sintering to avoid unwished-for carbides and/or intermetallic phases, because these would be detrimental with respect to mechanical properties of the alloys.

To locate ranges for optimal matrix and carbide compositions thermodynamic calculations with were carried out on the basis of recently published data which were improved by a new optimization routine.

A series of phase diagrams was calculated and the optimal compositions of alloys were derived. Furthermore, calculated transition temperatures and phase compositions of some selected alloys compare reasonably with published experimental results.     

Antibiotic concentrations in ascitic fluid of patients with ascites and bacterial peritonitis

Thirty-six paired specimens of serum and ascitic fluid from 21 patients with peritonitis and ascites, most with sponetaneous bacterial peritonitis and alcoholic cirrhosis, were assayed for antibiotic content. Antibiotics assayed and number of determinations were gentamicin, 14; tobramycin, 7; ampicillin, 5; clindamycin, 3; penicillin G, 2; cephalothin, 2; chloramphenico, 2; and cefazolin, 1. In 31 pared specimens the ascitic fluid antibiotic concentration was about one half or more of the simultaneous serum level and in 17 assays exceeded 90% of the serum level. All antibiotics studied penetrated ascitic fluid equally well. Clinical response to antibiotic therapy was good in 12 of 16 patients with culture-proven bacterial peritonitis. Antibiotic levels in ascitic fluid exceeded the minimal inhibitory concentration of the infecting organisms in all but one patient who responded. Direct intraperitoneal instillation of antibiotics does not appear to be necessary routinely; however, there may be an initial lag of several hours before antibiotic concentrations is ascites achieve therapeutic levels.