Measurement of serum isopropanol and the acetone metabolite by proton nuclear magnetic resonance: application to pharmacokinetic evaluation in a simulated overdose model

The regional distribution of [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate in mouse brain was very similar to that of [3H]WIN 35,428 ((-)-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-fluorophenyl)tropane), and the two radioligands were displaced from striatum similarly after administration of the potent cocaine analog RTI-55 ((-)-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3 beta-(4-iodophenyl)tropane). However, while striatal [3H]WIN 35,428 increased between 5 and 30 min, striatal [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate halved. Thus [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate binds similarly to but more reversibly than [3H]WIN 35,428. The methyl ester of L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine; 200 mg/kg) plus benserazide plus clorgyline, which markedly elevates rat striatal extracellular dopamine (Wachtel and Abercrombie, 1994, J. Neurochem. 63, 108), decreased the mouse striatum-to-cerebellum ratio for [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate at 30 min by 13% (P < 0.05). In positron emission tomographic (PET) baboon studies [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate binding was insensitive to drugs expected to lower endogenous dopamine. These experiments suggest that normal synaptic dopamine does not compete for binding with [11C]d-threo-methylphenidate, and will not affect PET measures of dopamine transporter availability.     

Maximal isometric force and muscle cross-sectional area of the forearm in fencers

The maximal isometric force (MIF) of a muscle is directly related to its cross-sectional area (CSA). Strength training produces an increase in muscular force while muscular hypertrophy becomes appreciable at a later time; in asymmetric sports, training causes significant increases in force and muscular mass of the dominant limb of the athlete. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in muscular force and trophism between the dominant and non-dominant forearms in fencers and in controls. The data of 17 male distance runners (age 21.4 +/- 2.4 years, body mass 74.0 +/- 5.0 kg, height 180 +/- 6 cm) were compared with those of 58 male fencers (age 23.0 +/- 6.7 years, body mass 71.9 +/- 9.3 kg, height 178 +/- 7 cm) drawn from the ranking lists of the National Fencing Committee. They trained for a mean of 11.4 +/- 6.0 (range 2-36) years, commencing at 10.7 +/- 4.5 years of age. Cross-sectional area (muscle plus bone) was estimated in the dominant and non-dominant forearm using a simplified anthropometric method. Maximal isometric force was determined using a mechanical handgrip dynamometer. The differences in CSA and isometric force between the two limbs and between fencers and controls were tested using paired and unpaired Student's t-tests, respectively. Significant differences in CSA and maximal force were observed between the dominant and non-dominant forearm in fencers (both P < 0.001) and in controls (P < 0.005 and P < 0.001, respectively). The fencers showed a greater CSA (P < 0.001) and force (P < 0.001) in the dominant forearm compared with the control group. Furthermore, the differences between the dominant and non-dominant limb of the fencers were significantly greater than the differences between the dominant and non-dominant limb of the controls (P < 0.001 for CSA and P < 0.05 for force). No significant differences in stress ratio (force/CSA) were obtained in either group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Macromolecular permeability across the blood-nerve and blood-brain barriers

The permeability of insulin (Ins), nerve growth factor (NGF), albumin (Alb), transferrin (Trf), and IgG across the blood-nerve barrier (BNB) and blood-brain barrier (BBB) in normal adult rats was quantified by measuring the (permeability coefficient x surface area) product (PS) with the i.v. bolus-injection technique in the cannulated brachial vein and artery using radioiodinated proteins. The PS values of the BNB for IgG and Alb were low: 0.079 +/- 0.029 x 10(-6) and 0.101 +/- 0.088 x 10(-6) ml.g-1.s-1, (mean +/- SD, respectively). The PS values for NGF and Trf were 16.1-fold and 25.5-fold higher than for Alb. The PS for Ins across the BNB was 33.190 +/- 2.053 x 10(-6) ml.g-1.s-1--a remarkable 329-fold increase compared with Alb. The PS values of the BBB for IgG and Alb in different brain regions were all low, from 0.028 +/- 0.017 to 0.151 +/- 0.035 x 10(-6) ml.g-1.s-1 (mean +/- SD). NGF and Trf had comparable PS values from 13- to 32-fold higher than for Alb, except for the brain stem, where the PS for Trf was 66-fold higher than for Alb. The mean PS for Ins across the BBB ranged from 15.78 +/- 5.45 x 10(-6) ml.g-1.s-1 for the cortex to 22.62 +/- 7.50 x 10(-6) ml.g-1.s-1 for the brain stem--again a remarkable 105- to 390-fold increase relative to Alb. Because reliable PS measurements were obtained for all proteins tested, the BBB and BNB cannot be considered impermeable to proteins--a concept that has plagued brain- and nerve-barrier research. The low PS values for IgG and Alb indicate low rates of transfer; however, Alb, in particular, is the major protein of endoneurial and ventricular fluid, which suggests that these PS values may be significant. Ins had the highest PS values, which likely reflect the mechanism of transport across the barriers--that is, receptor-mediated transport. Because NGF and Trf had PS values 13- to 66-fold higher than for Alb, whether this reflects receptor-mediated uptake, adsorptive-mediated transcytosis, or some other mechanism is unclear. That the PS values for NGF and Trf differ from Alb and IgG clearly suggests, however, a different uptake mechanism. Finally, the remarkably high PS values for Ins across the BBB and BNB identify this protein and its putative receptor on capillary endothelial cells as a potential target for drug delivery into the central and peripheral nervous systems.     

The smallest known eukaryotic genomes encode a protein gene: towards an understanding of nucleomorph functions

Cryptomonads are unicellular algae with plastids surrounded by four membranes. Between the two pairs of membranes lies a periplastidal compartment that harbours a DNA-containing organelle, termed the nucleomorph. The nucleomorph is the vestigial nucleus of a phototrophic, eukaryotic endosymbiont. Subcloning of parts of one nucleomorph chromosome revealed a gene coding for an Hsp70 protein. We demonstrate the expression of this nucleomorph protein-coding gene and present a model for protein transport from the host to the endosymbiont compartment.     

The efficiency of preoperative evaluation: a comparison of computerized and paper recording systems

OBJECTIVE: We designed and implemented a preoperative evaluation record system with seven networked computers for use by physicians and other medical staff. This study compared the efficiency of the new computerized system with that of the paper system. METHODS: We reviewed data from preoperative evaluations completed from November 1990 through December 1992. Data were analyzed automatically (Borland C program) for two intervals: (1) the waiting period, defined as the time the patient entered the waiting room until he or she entered the examination room; and (2) the examination period, defined as the time the patient entered the examination room until an evaluation form was printed. Data were obtained for 2,511 evaluations on paper and 8,342 by computer. RESULTS: The average waiting period with the paper system was 56.1 +/- 44.8 min; the average waiting period with the computerized system was 59.1 +/- 47.0 min. The average examination period was nearly identical for both systems: 27.5 +/- 23.6 min for the paper system; 28.5 +/- 22.7 min for the computerized system. CONCLUSION: The computerized system required no more examination time than the manual system. In addition, we speculate that time is saved at other points of patient care by the legible, instantly retrievable preoperative evaluations that the computerized system produces.     

Oral corn pollen hypersensitivity in Arizona Native Americans: some sociologic aspects of allergy practice

Thirty-three Navajo patients were seen in a private allergy consultation practice in Flagstaff, Arizona between 1978 and 1990. Sufficient skin test and historical data were available from nine atopic patients to evaluate hypersensitivity reactions to oral corn pollen used in the Navajo ceremonials. Six of the nine patients had positive skin test reactions to corn pollen and four of these six reported symptoms from oral corn pollen. The symptoms included various combinations of oral and ear itching, sneezing, cough, and wheezing. One corn pollen skin test-negative patient reported slight throat itching from the pollen. In no case did the patient or referring primary care physician associate the symptoms with ceremonial oral corn pollen use. This is the first report of hypersensitivity reactions to the ceremonial use of oral corn pollen in native Americans.     

Experimental study of the reaction pp-->pp pi 0 in the energy range 600-900 MeV

To compare regional thallium-201 SPECT redistribution patterns with rubidium-82 PET, we studied 81 patients with both imaging modalities. Sixty patients had significant coronary artery disease. All patients underwent PET imaging after dipyridamole infusion, while SPECT imaging was performed after exercise stress (38 patients) and dipyridamole (43 patients). Sixty-eight percent of patients with prior infarct had fixed defects on SPECT, compared to 39% with PET. Sixty-one percent of patients with prior infarct had PET perfusion defects which exhibited 'reflow' or normal rubidium-82 tracer uptake (p < 0.05 vs. SPECT). Similar results were seen in patients without prior infarct (26% fixed defects on SPECT vs. 12% for PET, p < 0.05). Regional analysis showed that 57% of fixed SPECT defects corresponded to PET defects with reflow or normal rubidium-82 uptake, while 78% of 'fixed' PET defects corresponded to fixed SPECT defects. PET reflow and normal rubidium-82 uptake in sites of fixed thallium-201 SPECT perfusion defects suggest that imaging modalities employing separate tracer injections at rest and after stress, such as rubidium-82 PET, may be more specific in the assessment of myocardial viability, especially in patients with prior myocardial infarction.     

Microalbuminuria in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Implications for renal survival

Microvascular and macrovascular disease cause considerable mortality and morbidity both among patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and those with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Furthermore, non-insulin-dependent and insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus overlap in their pathogenesis as well as short- and long-term complications. In the diabetic patient, genetic susceptibility as well as other factors, ie, microalbuminuria, hypertension, high protein intake, blood glucose control, etc, ultimately culminate in a diffuse disease process, eg, diabetic vascular and/or renal disease. Early predictors of susceptibility for development of renal disease in diabetic subjects would help focus our treatment strategies. The role of microalbuminuria as a prognostic marker for the major complications of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus has been previously reviewed. We reviewed the role of microalbuminuria as prognostic marker for progression of diabetic renal disease in subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We examined treatment strategies to lower microalbuminuria and its associated impact on disease progression.     

Standards of weight and height for Ayrshire, brown Swiss, and milking shorthorn heifers

To develop a modern appraisal of growth for Ayrshire, Brown Swiss, and Milking Shorthorn dairy heifers, data on heart girth and height at withers were collected from 1279 Ayrshire heifers (33 herds), 1819 Brown Swiss heifers (46 herds), and 565 Milking Shorthorn heifers (20 herds), ages 1 to 25 mo, in herds located throughout the US. Means and standard deviations were determined for height and heart girth for each month of age. Third-order regressions on age were fitted to the means to describe height and heart girth. Estimated mean height and heart girth at 6, 12, 18, and 24 mo, in centimeters, were for Ayrshire 98.7 and 118.4, 114.4 and 145.9, 122.8 and 163.2, and 127.6 and 176.4; for Brown Swiss 102.6 and 122.3, 199.4 and 151.3, 128.7 and 168.8, and 134.0 and 182.0; and for milking Shorthorn 98.0 and 119.4, 113.6 and 148.6, 122.6 and 166.6, and 127.7 and 179.9, respectively. These data can be useful to evaluate the heifer rearing program with respect to the growth rates of heifers on an individual farm.