Ileoanal pouch function and release of peptide YY

PURPOSE: This study evaluates peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY), intestinal transit, fecal retention time, and anal sphincter manometry in colectomized patients with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. METHODS: Plasma and pouch PYY, mouth-to-pouch transit time, fecal retention time, and anal canal pressures were studied in 27 patients with ileoanal pouches a mean of 50 (range, 3-84) months after loop ileostomy closure. RESULTS: Basal and peak postprandial plasma PYY were significantly reduced in patients with pouches compared with controls (P < 0.0001). Pouch PYY was decreased compared with control ileal PYY (P = 0.0003). No significant correlation was noted between intestinal transit and total integrated PYY response in patients with pouches (r=0.36; P=0.06). Fecal retention time was related to postprandial total integrated response of plasma PYY (r=0.43; P=0.02), mouth-to-pouch transit (r=0.87; P < 0.0001), and resting (r=0.44; P=0.02) and squeeze (r=0.62; P=0.0006) anal sphincter pressures. CONCLUSIONS: Colectomized ileoanal patients with pouches showed decreased plasma and pouch PYY compared with controls. Intestinal transit was not significantly related to PYY release. However, prolonged pouch fecal retention was associated with greater PYY release, mouth-to-pouch transit, and anal sphincter pressures.     

The metabolic cost of backpack and shoulder load carriage.

Eleven healthy male volunteer soldiers (mean [SD] age 24.0 [2.8] years, stature 174.1 [5.2] cm, body weight 73.2 [10.8] kg, body fat 14.2 [5.0]% and maximal oxygen uptake 4.1 [0.4] 1 min-1) walked at 4.8 km h-1 on a motor driven treadmill for 5 min at each of three gradients (0, 2.5 and 5%) whilst carrying a two-part 26 kg load either on each shoulder or strapped to a backpack frame. The load was made up of two cylinders, one weighing 18.4 kg and the other weighing 7.6 kg. For all treadmill gradients the mean (SD) backpacking heart rates and oxygen uptakes (0% gradient, 122 [10] beats min-1, 1.51 [0.11] 1 min-1; 2.5% gradient, 135 [10] beats min-1, 1.81 [0.13] 1 min-1; 5% gradient, 155 [7] beats min-1, 2.21 [0.11] 1 min-1) were significantly (p less than 0.001) lower than for shoulder load carriage (0% gradient, 130 [9] beats min-1, 1.70 [0.12] 1 min-1, 2.5% gradient, 147 [8] beats min-1; 2.01 [0.10] 1 min-1; 5% gradient 164 [9] beats min-1, 2.39 [0.11] 1 min-1). The relative oxygen cost of backpacking was 4.3-4.7% VO2 max lower than for shoulder load carriage. It is concluded that the metabolic cost of backpacking an asymmetric two part 26 kg load was significantly less than for shoulder load carriage when walking at 4.8 km h-1 on a treadmill over gradients of 0-5%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Antimicrobial abietane diterpenoids from Plectranthus elegans

Two novel abietane diterpenoids have been isolated from the aerial material of Plectranthus elegans and identified as 11-hydroxy-12-oxo-7,9(11),13-abietatriene and 7 alpha,11-dihydroxy-12-methoxy-8,11,13-abietatriene. Their structures were determined through rigorous use of spectroscopic methods. Both inhibited spore germination of the fungus Cladosporium cucumerinum, in direct bioautography, at a dose of 1 microgram. The new diterpenes also inhibited the growth of Gram-positive bacteria, in the concentration range 10-40 micrograms ml-1 in broth dilution assay. No effect was observed against Gram-negative bacteria. The ecological implications of these findings are discussed.     

The PCR typing of MHC-DRB genes in the sheep using primers for an intronic microsatellite: application to nematode parasite resistance

OBJECTIVE: To determine if DNA quantification on fine needle aspiration (FNA) has a predictive value in cancer of the prostate. STUDY DESIGN: Fifty-four patients with cancer of the prostate during the years 1979-1989 were selected; all were diagnosed by FNA. The smears were studied using image cytometry. RESULTS: With the type of histogram and value of entropy, two large groups with high and low degrees of malignancy were obtained. Survival was utilized as a variable of interest. Kaplan-Meier survival curves for both groups were formulated, and the results were supported with statistical data. CONCLUSION: The survival differences between both groups were statistically significant (P < .001), thus demonstrating the predictive value of DNA quantification.     

Effect of bedrest on circadian rhythms of plasma renin, aldosterone, and cortisol

Previous studies of normal men after 5 d of bedrest showed that circulatory instability on head-up tilt or standing is preceded by increased plasma renin activity (PRA) at bedrest. In the present study, the circadian rhythms of PRA, aldosterone, and cortisol have been observed in five normal men on a constant diet. In ambulatory controls, PRA and aldosterone increased normally after standing. On the third morning of bedrest, PRA was higher than before, and at noon, PRA was higher than in standing controls. The nocturnal peaks of PRA resulting from episodic renin secretion during sleep were higher after bedrest. Plasma aldosterone was also increased by bedrest. The findings are compatible with the theory that intermittent beta-adrenergic nerve activity during sleep is increased after bedrest, but other factors, such as loss of body sodium and a lower plasma volume, may also be involved.     

How food and fluid affect drug absorption: results of initial studies

The rate and extent of absorption of many drugs may be influenced by the presence of food in the gastrointestinal tract and by the volume of fluid ingested with the dose. In most cases, food appears to inhibit or delay drug absorption. Relatively large fluid volume, on the other hand, appears to enhance absorption.