Intra-arterial bolus of 125I labeled meglumine diatrizoate. Early extravascular distribution

A mixture of 125I labeled meglumine diatrizoate and 131I labeled human serum albumin was injected into the lower abdominal aorta of 30 anesthetized, laparotomized male rats. Measurements of the activities in cardiac blood and in different tissues of the hindlimbs and tests were perfomed at six time intervals ranging from 5 seconds to 2 minutes after injection, the determine early uptake and distribution volumes of diatrizoate. Concentrations and distribution volumes were initially much greater than values obtained after intravenous injection, but these differences had considerably decreased or disappeared by 2 minutes.     

Messenger RNA for renal phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP). Its translation in a heterologous cell-free system and its regulation by glucocorticoids and by changes in acid-base balance

A translational assay was used to measure the level of mRNA coding for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (GTP) (EC 4.1.1.32) in the rat kidney in various conditions in which the enzyme is induced. RNA extracted from whole kidneys was chromatographed on oligo(dT)-cellulose to select poly(A)-containing RNA. This crude mRNA preparation was able to stimulate amino acid incorporation into protein in a cell-free system containing an extract of wheat germ. Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase could be detected among the polypeptides synthesized and quantitated by immunoprecipitation with a monospecific antibody followed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amount of enzyme synthesized was proportional to the quantity of RNA added. The level of mRNA coding for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase is increased 3-fold 6 h after triamcinolone injection. Translatable enzyme mRNA also increases 3-fold within 6 h of the onset of metabolic acidosis caused by an ammonium chloride load. In both cases, the increase in functional mRNA is commensurate with the stimulation of enzyme synthesis measured in vivo. Glucocorticoid administration and acidosis cause additive increases in the level of translatable phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase mRNA. The inductive effect of acidosis is preserved in the absence of the adrenals, hypophysis, thyroid, and parathyroids.     

Listening to caregiving sons: misunderstood realities

In-depth interviews with 30 sons actively involved in caring for a parent with dementia expand the understanding of sons' caregiving experiences. The within-group analysis revealed common themes that emerged from the narratives--duty, acceptance, taking charge, common emotions, and work flexibility--as well as common issues--loss, sibling relationships, role reversal, coping strategies, and positive outcomes. The interviews also generated a typology of son caregivers that included such types as the dutiful son, the son who goes the extra mile, the strategic planner, and the son who shares the care.     

Hematocrit values in weight-selected and relaxed lines of White Rock chickens

Hematocrits (PCV) were measured at 29 and 106 d of age (PCV1 and PCV2, respectively) in male and female White Plymouth Rocks. Four lines were used, two of which had undergone 40 generations of divergent selection for 8-wk BW (HWS, LWS), and two respective sublines (HWR, LWR), in which selection had been relaxed for five generations. At both ages, males and females did not differ for PCV in lines HWR, LWR, and LWS. For line HWS there was an age by sex interaction that resulted from an age effect for males but not for females, and from a sex effect at each age. At both ages, PCV was higher for the HW than the LW lines. Initially, there was no difference between the selected and their respective relaxed lines, but by 106 d, HWR chickens had a higher PCV than HWS chickens. In lines HWR and LWR, PCV increased with age. There was a negative correlation in HWS males for PCV1 with 28 and 56 d BW. The HWR males also had a negative correlation for PCV1 with BW at 28 d, but not between PCV2 and BW. The correlation for PCV1 with PCV2 was high and positive for HWR males and females.     

The DNA extruded by rat spleen cells in culture

1. Part of the DNA extruded by cultured rat spleen cells occurs in the form of a low density lipid complex. 2. The present work indicates that this complex is also associated with protein but not with RNA and its elementary properties have been studied. 3. For example, it is destroyed by freezing and thawing or by deoxycholate treatment and small quantities of copper salts added to the medium may either inhibit or stimulate its release depending on the conditions.     

Unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation for chronic myelogenous leukemia: a decision analysis

BACKGROUND: Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) is an indolent but ultimately fatal disease. Because the natural history of CML varies and quality of life with CML may be excellent until shortly before death, deciding whether and when to pursue unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation is often difficult. OBJECTIVE: To compare early transplantation, delayed transplantation, and no transplantation for patients with chronic-phase CML on the basis of discounted, quality-adjusted life expectancy. DESIGN: A markov model comparing different strategies was constructed. This model considers patient age, quality of life, risk aversion, and the competing risks for CML progression and transplant toxicity. SETTING: Therapeutic decision at the time of diagnosis of CML. PATIENTS: The base case is a 35-year-old patient with intermediate-prognosis CML. Younger and older patients with better and worse prognoses are also evaluated. INTERVENTION: Early transplantation, delayed transplantation, and no transplantation. MEASUREMENTS: Quality-adjusted, discounted life expectancy. RESULTS: For patients with newly diagnosed CML, transplantation within the first year provides the greatest quality-adjusted expected survival, although this benefit decreases with increasing patient age. For a 35-year-old patient with intermediate-prognosis CML, transplantation within the first year results in 53 more discounted, quality-adjusted years of life expectancy than does no transplantation. This finding is robust even with varying baseline assumptions. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the use of early unrelated donor bone marrow transplantation for most patients with CML.