Renal transport of urate during diuretic-induced hypouricemia

The effect of two weeks administration of a uricosuric diuretic (SKF-62698) on renal urate handling has been examined in 11 normal men. Plasma urate concentrations had declined by more than 60 per cent after two weeks. Urate excretion per unit of glomerular filtration rate and urate clearance (Curate) per unit of glomerular filtration rate were increased after the administration of SKF-62698. The importance of intact tubular secretion of urate in producing these changes was assessed by administering pyrazinamide, an agent that curtails urate secretion, to each participant. The decrements in urate excretion and clearance produced by pyrazinamide both increased significantly, whereas the residual urate excretion rates and clearances not suppressible by pyrazinamide were only minimally altered by SKF-62698 treatment. These results suggest that the excretion of secreted urate was enhanced by prolonged administration of SKF-62698, probably secondary to the inhibition of postsecretory urate reabsorption. In addition, because the nonsuppressible urate excretion did not decline despite a 63 per cent reduction in the plasma urate, it is likely that the reabsorption of filtered urate also was impaired by SKF-62698.     

Emulgin as an Inhibitor of Corrosion and Hydrogenation of Carbon Steel in Weakly Acidic H2S-Containing Solutions

The protection effect of emulgin (a technological mixture of some primary and secondary aliphatic amines) in concentrations of 0.078 to 0.625 mmol/l from acid, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide corrosion and hydrogenation of carbon steel St3 was studied. In a 0.005–0.05 M solution of HCl saturated with hydrogen sulfide, the protective value was 97%, no local damage being observed. At higher concentrations of HCl and H₂S, the anodic reaction is inhibited more effectively. The simultaneous presence of H₂S and CO₂ produces virtually the same (or only slightly reduced) effect. Under optimum conditions, steel hydrogenation is suppressed almost completely, especially at high concentrations of HCl and H₂S and at elevated temperatures.     

Time stress among Norwegian physicians

In this paper perceived stress at work is examined in a nationwide representative sample of Norwegian physicians. Four questions were asked about how often the doctors experienced their working conditions as hectic and bothersome, that the work load was unacceptable, that the large number of duties prevented them form working effectively and that they had difficulty in working reasonably undisturbed. 28% of the respondents stated that their work load was often or fairly often unacceptable, while 43% often or fairly often found it difficult to carry out various tasks without being disturbed. While 19% of the physicians perceived their working situation as often hectic and bothersome, the corresponding figure among other academics was 5%. When the four questions were combined to form a measure of stress, about one fifth of the doctors proved to be highly stressed. In a multiple linear regression analysis (N = 2,304) the physician's perceived autonomy was the strongest predictor of stress, i.e. doctors who feel they can substantially influence the planning and organization of their work achieve the lowest scores for stress. Heads of hospital departments are more stressed than physicians who work outside hospital. Stress also increases with increasing frequency of overtime and with increasing amounts of voluntary overtime.     

The significance of colour velocity and spectral Doppler ultrasound in the differentiation of liver tumours

BACKGROUND: The distinction between malignant mesothelioma (MM) and adenocarcinoma (ACA) in cytologic specimens frequently is difficult, often requiring immunocytochemistry to support the diagnosis. Recent reports have proposed the utilization of antibodies to mesothelial cell clone HBME-1 and thrombomodulin (TM), because they are immunoreactive in MM and less commonly reactive in ACA. Immunoreactivity for the monoclonal antibody CA 19-9 has been observed in many ACAs and reportedly is absent in MM. METHODS: In this study, immunostaining was performed on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded cell blocks from effusions or fine-needle aspirations using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase method. Thirty-eight MMs and 49 ACAs were tested using antibodies to CA 19-9, HBME-1, and TM. RESULTS: Anti-CA 19-9 stained only 1 of the 37 cases of MM tested (3%), but stained 24 of the 49 cases of ACA (49%). Anti-HBME-1 stained 34 of 38 cases of MM (89%), and 28 of 43 cases of ACA tested (65%). Anti-TM stained 24 of 36 cases of MM (67%), and 21 of 40 cases of ACA tested (53%). CONCLUSIONS: CA 19-9 has utility as part of an immunocytochemical panel for distinguishing ACA from MM, because a positive staining reaction would make the diagnosis of MM unlikely. Although HBME-1 and TM can identify MM positively, each frequently is detected in ACA, thus limiting the utility of these antibodies in cytologic specimens.     

Distribution of T-bands and telomeric (TTAGGG)n nucleotide repeats on chromosomes of Bos taurus

Distribution of T-bands on mitotic chromosomes of Bos taurus was studied. Association of T-bands with telomeres and enrichment of T-bands with genes, with a known localization is described. After THA-banding on the chromosomes of cattle, telomeric and pericentromeric regions of all autosomes showed bright fluorescence. The exception was for chromosome 7, which did not have telomeric T-bands. Interstitial T-bands were detected only on chromosomes 7, 16, and Y (7q13, 7q15, 7q22, 7q24, 16q21, and Yp12). A total proportion of centromeric, telomeric, and interstitial T-bands was 11.19, 9.97, and 2.02% of the length of the haploid chromosome set, respectively. By means of fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH), the presence of the telomeric repeat (TTAGGG)n was shown not only in telomeric regions of all autosome, but also in all pericentromeric regions. The obtained data are indicative of the specificity of T-banding on the chromosomes of Bos taurus.