A codeine radioimmunoassay exhibiting insignificant cross-reactivity with morphine

Viability of canine heart valve leaflet fibroblasts was assessed after varying periods of sterilization and storage in antibiotic-nutrient solution. Tissue culture and assessment of protein and collagen synthesis showed that tissue obtained under optimal conditions rarely retains viability beyond 3 weeks in antibiotic-nutrient solution and is severely impaired after 2 weeks. This casts serious doubts on viability in current clinical homograft valve practice.     

Lower Critical Solution Temperatures,Part II Polymethylene in binary n-alkane solvents

The lower critical solution temperatures (LCST) were measured visually for linear polymethylene in twelve different binary solvents composed of various n-alkane pairs ranging from n-hexane to n-hexatriacontane (C₃₆). A reasonable correlation is found between the experimental LCST's of these pseud o-ternary systems and the gas-liquid critical temperatures of the binary solvents. Full thermodynamic data are available for only one of these systems, polymethylene/ n-hexane/n-octane and it is found that one version of the Flory theory predicts the experimental LCST's for this mixture with acceptable accuracy. No adjustable parameters are required.     

Isolation, cloning, and characterisation of a trp homologue from squid (Loligo forbesi) photoreceptor membranes

The invertebrate phototransduction system is a valuable model of the ubiquitous inositol lipid signalling system. Taking advantage of the ability to obtain relatively large amounts of retinal material from the cephalopod eye, partial protein sequence data were obtained for a 92-kDa component isolated from a detergent-insensitive cytoskeletal fraction of a squid retinal microvillar membrane preparation. Degenerate oligonucleotides, designed on the basis of these sequence data, were used to isolate a full-length cDNA, encoding the 92-kDa component, using both cDNA library screening and 5'-rapid amplification of cDNA ends (5'-RACE) techniques. Comparison of the amino acid sequence encoded by this cDNA with entries in the OWL composite protein sequence database reveals greatest sequence similarity with the products of the Drosophila trp and trpl genes. Greatest variation from the Drosophila Trp protein is seen in the carboxyl-terminal region, which is considerably truncated in the squid protein and which accounts for most of the substantial difference in molecular weight seen between these proteins. This variation may be significant as the carboxyl-terminal domain has been shown to be in the regulation of several ligand-gated channels. The carboxyl-terminal domain has been expressed and shown to interact with calmodulin in a calcium-dependent fashion, thereby supporting this hypothesis. The likely occurrence of other homologues in a variety of systems suggests that this is a novel and important family of regulated ion channels involved in calcium signalling.     

Fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray is safe and effective for children with seasonal allergic rhinitis

INTRODUCTION: Fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray, a new topical corticosteroid preparation, is effective when given as 200 micrograms once daily in patients (> 12 years of age) with seasonal allergic rhinitis. STUDY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of fluticasone proprionate aqueous nasal spray in children aged 4 to 11 years with seasonal allergic rhinitis. STUDY DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group. PATIENTS: Two hundred fifty children aged 4 to 11 years with moderate-to-severe nasal symptoms, a positive skin test reaction to a late-summer or autumn allergen, a history of seasonal allergic rhinitis, and documentation of an unsatisfactory response to conventional treatment. INTERVENTIONS: Children were randomly assigned to receive fluticasone propionate, either 100 micrograms or 200 micrograms, or placebo, given by intranasal spray once daily in the morning for 14 days. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Severity of nasal symptoms (obstruction, rhinorrhea, itching, and sneezing) was recorded on visual analog scales by investigators at weekly visits and by patients (or adult guardian) daily in the evening. According to investigator and patient ratings, both fluticasone propionate 100 micrograms/d and 200 micrograms/d lowered total nasal symptom scores when compared with placebo. Both dosages of fluticasone propionate were more effective than placebo on the basis of investigator-rated overall clinical evaluation of efficacy at the end of treatment, with significant improvement (as opposed to moderate or mild improvement, no change or worsening) noted in 21% to 29% of the active-treatment groups vs 9% in the placebo group. There were no significant differences between the two fluticasone propionate dosages in any efficacy measurement. Morning plasma cortisol concentrations and frequency of drug-related adverse events were similar in the fluticasone propionate and placebo groups. CONCLUSION: In children as young as 4 years, 100 micrograms of fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray given once daily is as effective as 200 micrograms given once daily, the usual adult dose for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Both fluticasone propionate dosages were well tolerated and neither dosage appears to interfere with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in children.     

BWR small break LOCA counterpart tests at ROSA-III and FIST test facilities

The Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute performed a 2.8% recirculation pump suction line break BWR LOCA test at the ROSA-III test facility. The test was a counterpart test to the 2.8% break test performed at the FIST test facility by the General Electric Company. The objective of the test was to develop a common understanding and interpretation of the controlling phenomena for a small break LOCA of a BWR. Similar phenomena were observed in the two tests in a similar time sequence and with magnitudes. These two test results and a 2.8% break reference BWR LOCA were analyzed using the THYDE-B1 computer code. It was confirmed from the analysis that the THYDE-B1 code has enough capability to analyze a BWR small break LOCA. The applicability of the tests performed at the two facilities to a BWR was also confirmed through the analyses.     

Placement of vents to reduce shaft flux in two pole inductionmotors with a comment on heating effects

The authors consider the problem of magnetic flux variation in the rotors of vent-cooled, two-pole induction machines. The solution to this problem is important not only to reduce stray losses in such machines but also to identify the location of hot spots to estimate their effects on the design. A second objective behind the research was to reduce the magnitudes and, as a result, the variations in shaft magnetic fluxes. Reducing shaft fluxes will result in reduced shaft failures due to fatigue that is exacerbated by repeated heating and cooling. A procedure is suggested for examining the effects of the placement of the vent holes on flux variations, especially in the shaft. Once the effects of flux variations are known, the heating effect can be deduced     

Inhibition of luteinizing hormone secretion and expression of c-fos and corticotrophin-releasing factor genes in the paraventricular nucleus during insulin-induced hypoglycaemia in sheep

Insulin can act within the brain to stimulate ovine luteinizing hormone (LH) secretion, but insulin-induced hypoglycaemia inhibits LH via unknown brain sites, possibly involving corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF). Castrate male sheep, with (E+) or without (E-) subcutaneous oestradiol implants, were blood sampled every 12 min for 8 h. Insulin (0.25 or 0.5 IU/kg) was injected at 4 h via the carotid artery or jugular vein. All treatments reduced LH output with no differences between dose rate nor route of administration, but sensitivity was greater in E+ than E-sheep. There was no evidence for an effect of insulin on LH 0-1 h postinjection; however, 1-3 h after insulin, when hypoglycaemia was established, LH pulses were inhibited in both E+ and E- sheep (P<0.001). Additional intravenous (i.v.) glucose injections given 1 h (20 mmol) and 2 h (10 mmol) after insulin (0.5 IU/kg) were each followed by an LH pulse within 30 min (75% response in both E+ and E-sheep). In a separate experiment, sheep were killed 2 h after i.v. insulin (0.5 IU/kg) or saline. In-situ hybridization revealed c-fos mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), but not in any other hypothalamic nuclei nor in the hindbrain; and this was linked with increased CRF gene expression in the PVN. Similar c-fos and CRF gene expression was seen in insulin-treated sheep given additional i.v. glucose (20 and 10 mmol, respectively, 40 and 20 min ante mortem), but not in saline-treated controls. Therefore, insulin-induced hypoglycaemia inhibited LH secretion, with oestradiol potentiating the effect, and was associated with gonadal steroid-independent c-fos gene expression and increased CRF gene expression in the PVN. The ovine PVN may be involved in mediating insulin-induced hypoglycaemic inhibition of LH by a mechanism which might involve CRF.