(CH3) 4NHgBrI2—A new polar organic-inorganic double halide

(CH₃)₄NHgBrI₂ exhibits at room temperature a polar columnar structure based on edge-sharing anion tetrahedra with a double anion occupancy. Its orthorhombic space group is Pb2_lm. An unusual multiple phase transition sequence revealed by differential scanning calorimetry, dilatometry and permittivity vs. temperature measurements leads to a non-polar high temperature phase with a trigonal mercury coordination and the monoclinic space group P2_l/n.     

Urolithiasis. A study of its frequency

Considering the general impression of an increased number of patients with acute renal colic, the frequencies of roentgenologically verified ureteral and kidney calculi in a Swedish urban district have been studied for the periods 1953-55 and 1968-70. In a material of 986 outpatients (793 men and 193 women) we have proved an increase in incidence for upper urinary tract calculi in men from 2.2 to 3.3 0/00 (p less than 0.001) and in women from 0.5 to 0.8 0/00 (0.01 less than p less than 0.05). For the material as a whole, we have found a 50% increase (from 1.3 to 2.0 0/00; p less than 0.001) of acute urolithiasis between the periods studied. Some implications of the results in connection with primary hyperparathyroidism are discussed.     

Heterotopic pharyngeal hypophyseal adenoma

Juvenile fibroma, carcinoma and sarcoma are the most frequent tumors of the nasopharynx. Ontogenetic tumors that originate from the base of the skull are found very rarely. The case reported deals with a heterotopic pharyngeal pituitary adenoma, that started growing from the epipharynx.     

Glucose and tolbutamide induce apoptosis in pancreatic beta-cells. A process dependent on intracellular Ca2+ concentration

High concentrations of glucose are considered to be toxic for the pancreatic beta-cell. However, the mechanisms underlying beta-cell dysfunction and resulting cell death are not fully characterized. In the present study we have demonstrated that incubation of pancreatic islets and beta-cells from ob/ob mice and Wistar rats with glucose induced a process of apoptotic beta-cell death, as shown by DNA laddering, TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling (TUNEL) technique, and by using DNA-staining dye HOECHST 33342. The obtained results show that the percentage of apoptotic cells was dependent on glucose concentration, being minimal at 11 mM glucose. At a concentration of 100 microM, aurintricarboxylic acid, an inhibitor of endonuclease activity, almost completely inhibited apoptosis triggered by 17 mM glucose. We have also shown that long term incubation with 100 microM sulfonylurea, tolbutamide, triggered apoptosis in pancreatic beta-cells. The process of beta-cell death induced by high glucose concentration and tolbutamide were Ca2+-dependent, because introduction to the culture medium of 50 microM D-600 or 200 microM diazoxide, which blocked glucose- and tolbutamide-induced [Ca2+]i increase, inhibited apoptosis. Thus, this study shows for the first time that high glucose concentrations and tolbutamide induce apoptosis in pancreatic beta-cells, and that this process is Ca2+-dependent.     

188Re- and 99mTc-MAG3 as prosthetic groups for labeling amines and peptides: approaches with pre- and postconjugate labeling

Either radiolabeled Tc-99m- or Re-188-labeled MAG3-4-nitrophenylester or unlabeled Bz-MAG3-4-nitrophenylester was reacted with amines and peptides to follow a pre- or a postconjugate radiolabeling route, respectively. The model compounds were N'-t-butyloxycarbonyl-1,6-diaminohexane (DH-Boc) and a Lys-protected derivative of the somatostatin analog RC-160 (cyclic D-Phe-Cys-Tyr-D-Trp-Lys-Val-Cys-Trp-NH2). In the case of labeling DH-Boc, both the preconjugate labeling and the postconjugate labeling were found by using analytical HPLC to provide identical radiolabeled compounds regardless whether Re-188 or Tc-99m was used. The results are supported by infrared and mass-spectral data obtained from compounds synthesized using stable rhenium. The 188Re- or 99mTc-MAG3-RC-160 somatostatin analog were synthesized following the preconjugate labeling route and subsequent removal of the protecting group. Biodistributions of 188Re-and 99mTc-MAG3-RC-160 were evaluated in normal and tumor-bearing mice, and were similar to those of radioiodinated 131-RC-160. All radiolabeled analogs of RC-160 were rapidly cleared from the blood and were excreted through the hepatobiliary system with very little normal organ uptake. The tumor uptake (PC-3, human prostate adenocarcinoma) of systemically administered Re-188-MAG3-RC160 was very low, and it reached only 0.28% injected dose/g (%IDg) at 24 h postinjection, similar to what was obtained with I-131-RC-160. Intratumor injections resulted in significant tumor retentions (9.3% ID/g at 24 h).     

Surgical treatment by vitrectomy and autologous serum of 36 idiopathic macular holes

The release of motilin from an isolated preparation of pig duodenum has been studied. There different types of stimuli were applied: electrical nerve stimulation, intraarterially administered peptides, and instillation of test solutions into the lumen of the duodenum. Furthermore extracts of 20 different regions of the pig digestive system have been analyzed for motilin content. Analysis of the extracts only detected significant presence of motilin in the pig duodenum and jejunum (79 +/- 15 and 60 +/- 19 pmol/g). The stimulation experiments showed: (1) a significant noncholinergic depression of motilin release during electrical stimulation of the vagus nerve (nadir at 74 +/- 5% of baseline level; (2) a significant elevation of motilin release in response to intraarterially administered vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) (peak at 330 +/- 35% of baseline level), and (3) a significantly elevated motilin release in response to instillation of autologuous bile (peak at 170 +/- 16% of baseline level) and hydrochloric acid (peak at 196 +/- 42% of baseline level) into the duodenal lumen. In conclusion, luminal acidification and bile are important factors in stimulation of motilin release, whereas the vagally stimulated VIP release was insufficient to overcome the general inhibitory effect of vagus stimulation.     

Old world and new world wine concepts of terroir and wine: perspectives of three renowned non-French wine makers

The concept of ‘terroir’ has roots steeped in French history of wine and evocative stories of the land. Today terroir is important as a quality marker in brand management for upmarket wines. French wines have benefited from their historical connotation with terroir but other wine growing countries have also adopted the term to mean characteristics in wine attributable to place of origin. However there is no universally accepted definition of terroir except to say it refers to a particular place. This paper addresses this ambiguity by seeking the practice-based views of three experienced non-French winemakers. This reveals a social dimension to terroir that in various degrees supports and extends both the technical/scientific progress and brand value for premium wines in both Old and New World regions. This article contributes to the growing body of research that seeks to understand the practicality of terroir as a marketing and brand value indicator.     

Steady state groundwater seepage in sloping unconfined aquifers

This paper reviews analytical solutions for steady state seepage of groundwater in an ideal sloping unconfined aquifer, recharged by an effective infiltration, when the unsaturated seepage is neglected. Available solutions are examined and compared. Their robustness is assessed with a finite element code, which solves the complete equations for saturated and unsaturated flow, thus making none of the simplifying assumptions of the theoretical solutions. An example is provided for a sloping aquifer on the north shore of the Saint-Lawrence River.