Protection against allergen-induced asthma by salmeterol

The effects of the long-acting beta 2-agonist salmeterol on early and late phase airways events provoked by inhaled allergen were assessed in a group of atopic asthmatic patients. In a placebo-controlled study, salmeterol 50 micrograms inhaled before allergen challenge ablated both the early and late phase of allergen-induced bronchoconstriction over a 34 h time period. Salmeterol also completely inhibited the allergen-induced rise in non-specific bronchial responsiveness over the same time period. These effects were shown to be unrelated to prolonged bronchodilatation or functional antagonism. These data suggest novel actions for topically active long-acting beta 2-agonists in asthma that extend beyond their protective action on airways smooth muscle.

The use of CT for selectron patients

Radiation-induced bladder and rectal complications are recognized complications of intracavitary therapy. In clinical studies the correlation between dose calculated and complications seen are inconsistent. The inconsistency is also present when utilizing the reference points recommended by the ICRU. We attempted to illustrate this inconsistency when looking at the bladder or rectum in intracavitary treatments. If reference points are inconsistent with maximum doses (which directly affect morbidity), their application is dubious.

The social competence of children born prematurely: effects of medical complications and parent behaviors

36-month-old, full-term children (n = 21) and low-birthweight (LBW) children of high (n = 25) and low (n = 23) medical risk status were observed in interactions with mothers in teaching and social context. Child compliance, self-directed behaviors, and problem behaviors were evaluated as well as associations among aspects of children's social competence, mothers' behaviors, and context factors. Degree of medical risk was associated with impairments in children's self-directed behavior and quality of response to maternal directives. Mothers of LBW children showed a smaller proportion of behaviors that provided choices compared to mothers of full-term children. Medical complications, children's cognitive status, and mothers' interactive behaviors were significantly associated with LBW children's social competence. Results of regression analyses suggested that mothers and LBW children influence each others' behavior in ways similar to mothers and full-term children in both teaching and social contexts.

A center-based program for exercise change among black-American families

A center-based program was designed and implemented to promote aerobic physical activity among healthy Black-American families with children in the fifth through seventh grades. Ninety-four Black-American families were actively recruited and randomly assigned to an experimental or control group. Families in the experimental group were encouraged to participate in a program with the following features: one education and two fitness sessions per week for 14 weeks; educational sessions that included individual counseling, small group education, aerobic activity, and snack components; located in a convenient building cherished by the community; aerobic activity sessions in a fitness center outfitted and staffed according to modern characteristics; a variety of incentives including free transportation and babysitting and reminders to promote attendance. Percent participation was low, with about 20% participating in the desired fitness center sessions by the end of the program. As a result of low participation, no differences were detected between experimental and control groups on indicators of cardiovascular fitness. In postprogram interviews, conflicts with work and school events were the most commonly reported reasons for nonattendance. We concluded that because of difficulties in attendance, center-based programs appear to have limited value as the sole modality for intervention in public health programs for promoting physical activity among healthy, low income Black-American families with young children. More comprehensive community-based programs are likely to be needed.

A new radioimmunoassay for human alpha atrial natriuretic peptide and its physiological validation

A new sensitive, specific radioimmunoassay for human alpha atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) and a novel extraction method for hANP have been developed. Antiserum to hANP (Keq = 1.923 x 10(11) l/mol) showed no cross-reactivity with related analogues. Displacement of 50% bound 125I-hANP occurred at 4.7 +/- 0.1 fmol/tube (n = 15). The limit of detection of plasma hANP after extraction of 2 ml plasma with Florisil was 1.2 pmol hANP/litre plasma. The recovery of synthetic hANP from plasma over the range 6.5-162.5 pmol/l was 71.2 +/- 1.9%. Inter- and intra-assay coefficients of variation were 13.1% and 10.1% respectively. Extracted plasma was stored at -80 degrees C without loss in immunoreactivity. The radioimmunoassay was physiologically validated in man by measuring plasma hANP following central volume expansion - (a) plasma hANP rose from 2.5 +/- 0.5 to 4.1 +/- 0.6 pmol/l in 9 normal volunteers after postural change from seated to lying (b) infusion of normal saline (2 litre/2 hour) increased hANP from 1.6 to 4.3 pmol/l (n = 2). Infusion of hANP (2 pmol/kg/min) increased plasma hANP to 19.9 +/- 3.4 pmol/l (n = 6).

Lack of systematically found insulin autoantibodies in spontaneously diabetic BB rats

Insulin autoantibodies (IAAs) occur in newly diagnosed human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients, but their presence in BB rats is controversial, possibly due to assay differences or variability in the animals studied. To resolve this controversy, IAAs were measured in well-characterized inbred BB rats both in radioligand assays with 125I-labeled rat insulin I or II, respectively, and in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with rat insulin as antigen. In prospective studies, a total of 57 serums from 16 diabetes-prone (DP) BB rats were obtained during an interval ranging from 15 wk to the last week before onset and at onset of diabetes. At comparable ages, 21 serums were obtained from 8 DP BB rats not developing diabetes, and 70 matched serums were obtained from 19 diabetes-resistant (DR) BB rats. Levels of antibody binding increased slightly with increasing age in DP and matched DR rats. Two rats were positive at onset of IDDM in all assays but not in earlier samples. Otherwise, only few isolated serums from both types of rats regardless of diabetes had increased binding in one of the assays. In a cross-sectional study, the insulin-binding levels in 150-day-old DP rats (n = 20) that had not yet developed diabetes did not correlate with insulitis present in 3 of 20 rats and did not differ from 150-day-old DR BB rats (n = 20).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Attentional limits on the perception and memory of visual information

Attentional limits on perception and memory were measured by the decline in performance with increasing numbers of objects in a display. Multiple objects were presented to Ss who discriminated visual attributes. In a representative condition, 4 lines were briefly presented followed by a single line in 1 of the same locations. Ss were required to judge if the single line in the 2nd display was longer or shorter than the line in the corresponding location of the 1st display. The length difference threshold was calculated as a function of the number of objects. The difference thresholds doubled when the number of objects was increased from 1 to 4. This effect was generalized in several ways, and nonattentional explanations were ruled out. Further analyses showed that the attentional processes must share information from at least 4 objects and can be described by a simple model.

CT demonstration of intrapulmonary right brachiocephalic vein associated with an azygos lobe

We describe a rare anomaly demonstrated by CT in which the right brachiocephalic vein follows an extramediastinal course in the anterior portion of the azygos fissure.

Pinhole emission computed tomography: method and experimental evaluation

A method for pinhole emission computed tomography (ECT) using the image-processing capabilities of a gamma camera system is described and evaluated. The tomographic imaging capability of the method was assessed by studies of phantoms and its practical use by the distribution of inhaled 99Tc(m)-labelled aerosol particles in rabbits. The phantom studies demonstrate the tomographic properties in central and non-central planes. A reconstructed resolution of 4.4 mm (FWHM) and an overall homogeneity of +/-10% was obtained for a radius of rotation of the pinhole of about 8 cm. Pinhole ECT showed the distribution of inhales particles to be considerably different in two rabbits, subjected to different modes of mechanical ventilation. In planar images, on the other hand, it was difficult to appreciate the difference.

Acute pancreatitis: value of CT as a predictor of outcome

A prospective study was performed on the relationship of CT findings to the clinical course of 148 patients with acute pancreatitis. The type of pancreatic inflammation seen on CT was classified into six categories based on an overall assessment of size, contour and density of the gland, and peripancreatic abnormalities. The majority (94%) of patients in whom CT showed mild pancreatic changes (grades A, B and C) had two or less positive clinical indicaters of severe pancreatitis (Ranson's signs). In contrast, 92% of patients in whom CT showed more severe changes of pancreatitis (grades D, E or F) had three or more positive signs. The nine patients who died with pancreatitis-related complications were in grades D, E or F. We wish to draw attention to a CT appearance which we have called 'fat islets' (low density intrapancreatic or peripancreatic areas, the contents of which approach fat in attenuation values); there was a strong correlation between this appearance and subsequent infection.

Quantitative SPECT by attenuation correction of the projection set using transmission data: evaluation of a method

A method for measuring attenuation coefficients in single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) is described and evaluated, together with a method for attenuation correction using these measured attenuation coefficients. Build-up, caused by scattered photons, is corrected for by a simple substitution in the algorithms. Transmission studies are performed with a 99mTc- or 57Co flood source, and emission phantom studies with 99mTc line sources. The method is evaluated with variable but well-defined phantoms. The result is accurate attenuation coefficients for different densities, dimensions and geometries, and an accuracy of corrected emission activities of better than +/- 10% in most cases. The present limitations of the method for attenuation correction are discussed.

Attentional limits on the perception and memory of visual information

Attentional limits on perception and memory were measured by the decline in performance with increasing numbers of objects in a display. Multiple objects were presented to Ss who discriminated visual attributes. In a representative condition, 4 lines were briefly presented followed by a single line in 1 of the same locations. Ss were required to judge if the single line in the 2nd display was longer or shorter than the line in the corresponding location of the 1st display. The length difference threshold was calculated as a function of the number of objects. The difference thresholds doubled when the number of objects was increased from 1 to 4. This effect was generalized in several ways, and nonattentional explanations were ruled out. Further analyses showed that the attentional processes must share information from at least 4 objects and can be described by a simple model.

Computed tomographic findings in bowel ischemia

Computed tomography (CT) has been used in the evaluation of 11 patients with ischemic bowel lesions before confirmation of the disease with surgery or autopsy. The CT abnormalities were thickened bowel wall (10 patients) with post-contrast enhancement (9 patients), dilated fluid-filled bowel (9 patients), intramural low attenuation zones (5 patients), intramural gas (8 patients), and focal or diffuse free intraperitoneal fluid (5 patients). The diagnosis of bowel ischemia should be considered when performing CT in patients with abdominal pain of unknown etiology.

Investigations in children who were in utero at onset of insulin-dependent diabetes in their mothers

55 children who were in utero when type 1 diabetes developed in their mothers were studied at a mean (SEM) age of 10.4 (0.6) years: only 1 was diabetic. Biochemical and immunological indices, measured in 35 children, showed no evidence of beta cell dysfunction. Thus, the fetal beta cells seem to be unaffected by the mechanisms that cause diabetes in their mothers.

HLA DQ beta 3.2 identifies subtypes of DR4+ haplotypes permissive for IDDM

The HLA class II-related susceptibility to type I insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is examined in 94 multiplex families sorted by the presence or absence of a DR4+ haplotype in at least one diabetic family member. The families with DR4+ haplotypes are then sorted by the presence or absence of a DR4-linked DQ beta 3.2 allele. Further analysis assumes each multiplex family to represent a single diabetic genetic event and identifies the HLA class II haplotype(s) present in all affected members. The DQ beta 3.2 allele is present in over 95% of the multiplex families where DR4+ haplotypes segregate with IDDM, implying a major permissive role in determining susceptibility to IDDM.

HLA class II typing using oligonucleotide probes

A DQ beta locus-specific oligonucleotide probe is used to identify DQ beta alleles present in six insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) multiplex families. Results of genotyping using this technique agree with those from cDNA probes and are often clearer. Allele-specific oligonucleotide probes for the DR beta locus are used to identify subtypes (Dw4 and Dw14) of the DR4 specificity in five IDDM multiplex families. This distinction cannot be made with available cDNA probes.

Adult inpatient alcoholics: physical exercise as a treatment intervention

This study examined the usefulness of physical exercise as a treatment intervention to decrease depression and anxiety in adult inpatient alcoholics while increasing aerobic capacity and self-concept. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Tennessee Self-Concept Scale, the Self-Rating Depression Scale and the Astrand-Rhyming bicycle-ergometer were administered to a treatment and a control group on admission to and again at discharge from a 28-day inpatient treatment program. Control group data were gathered prior to initiating the exercise program. The exercise program consisted of walking or jogging 3 days a week and was designed to meet the American College of Sports Medicine's minimum requirements for a graded exercise program. Results indicated that there were significant differences on posttest scores between the control and exercise groups on state anxiety, trait anxiety and depression, but not on self-concept or aerobic capacity. The usefulness of physical exercise as a treatment intervention as well as the implication for research are discussed.