Direct measurement of blood flow in the human bladder

PURPOSE

We evaluated blood flow in the human bladder.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 8 surgical cases a laser Doppler flow probe was placed in the bladder dome and anterior wall. In 10 endoscopic cases the flow probe was placed in the bladder trigone and lateral wall.

RESULTS

Bladder filling resulted in reduced mean blood flow in the dome and anterior wall. After prostatectomy blood flow decreased in the dome but not the anterior wall. During endoscopy bladder filling resulted in diminished blood flow.

CONCLUSIONS

Laser Doppler flowmetry can measure blood flow changes in the human bladder.

Evolution of a legacy system to a Web patient record server: leveraging investment while opening the system

A layered system is under development to enhance our legacy system as a backend in a WEB-enabled system. Each layer of the system has defined functionality, leverages the investment in the layer below, and follows the strategy of reducing support requirements for workstations. The mainframe system provides administrative integration of sub-systems, security, and the central data repository for most information. The second layer is a graphical user interface (GUI) to the system for Windows platforms. Support needs are limited by relying chiefly on X-terminals and application servers. The "Intranet" layer is a WEB Server building upon the second layer gateways to provide platform-independent access to selected information and images. The fourth layer, under evaluation, will extend access to the central data repository for Internet users of web browsers that support private-key/public-key encryption.

Excision of oxidative cytosine modifications from gamma-irradiated DNA by Escherichia coli endonuclease III and human whole-cell extracts

The possible release from gamma-irradiated DNA of eight oxidatively modified cytosine bases by Escherichia coli endonuclease III was examined by trimethylsilylation and gas chromatography/electron impact/mass spectrometry. The results indicated that endonuclease III induced the release of 5-hydroxyhydantoin (1), 5-hydroxyuracil (2), cis-uracil 5,6-glycol (3), 5-hydroxycytosine (4), trans-uracil 5,6-glycol (5), and trans-1-carbamoyl-2-oxo-4,5-dihydroxyimidazolidine (8). The release of these products increased with the initial amount of damage in DNA, i.e., the dose of gamma-radiation (0-100 Gy), giving 4.6 +/- 1.0 fmol of 1, 5.8 +/- 0.3 fmol of 2, 4.9 +/- 0.5 fmol of 3, 11.2 +/- 1.2 fmol of 4, 10.7 +/- 2.1 fmol of 5, and 1.5 +/- 0.5 fmol of 8, per microgram DNA per 10 Gy. In addition, we estimated that the relative rates of excision were 5 approximately equal to 3 > (1.2-fold) 1 > (1.5-fold) 4 > (3.3-fold) 2 on the basis of their initial yields in DNA and initial rates of release as a function of incubation time. The excision of 5-hydroxyuracil (2) and 5-hydroxycytosine (4) lesions was studied in greater detail by enzymatic digestion and HPLC coupled to electrochemical (EC) detection which determines the amounts of these products in DNA. The results showed that the excision of 4 was more efficient than that of 2 (2.7-fold) with greater than 50% of the lesions remaining in DNA after treatment. Finally, we examined the excision of products 2 and 4 from irradiated DNA (50 Gy) by whole human cell extracts. The release of product 2 into the hydrosylate was 5.2 +/- 1.4 fmol per microgram of DNA as measured by fluorobenzylation coupled to gas chromatography/electron capture negative-ion chemical ionization/mass spectrometry. In identical samples, the amount of product 2 was reduced by 45.0 +/- 2.6% (225 from 500 fmol per microgram of DNA) and that of product 4 by 7.0 +/- 3.1% (42 from 600 fmol per microgram of DNA) as measured by HPLC/EC analysis.

Methylene blue-mediated photooxidation of 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine

One well known product of the methylene blue-mediated photosensitization of 2'-deoxyguanosine (dG) in oxygen saturated aqueous solution is 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG). We observed that the rate of 8-oxodG photodecomposition by methylene blue-mediated photosensitization is approx. 3-times faster than for dG. The primary products of the methylene blue-mediated photosensitization of 8-oxodG are 2-amino-5-((2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)amino)-4H-imidazol-4-o ne (dIz), 2,2-diamino-4-((2-deoxy-beta-D-erythro-pentofuranosyl)amino)-5(2H)-oxazo lone (dZ), the 4R* and 4S* diastereoisomers of 4,8-dihydro-4-hydroxy-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (dO), and an as yet unidentified product with a molecular weight of 287 (dX). Except for the latter product, these compounds have all been identified following the methylene blue-mediated photooxidation of dG. Methylene blue-mediated photooxidation of 8-oxodG in D2O instead of H2O leads to a 4-fold increase in the rate of 8-oxodG photodecomposition while the addition of sodium azide retards the reaction, observations which imply that the reaction occurs via a type II (singlet oxygen mediated) mechanism. Like 8-oxodG, dIz and dZ are sensitive to hot piperidine and likely contribute to strand breaks observed in double stranded DNA exposed to methylene blue plus light followed by hot piperidine. Because 8-oxodG generates predominately G-->T transversions, the photooxidation of 8-oxodG to dIz, dO, and dX may explain the predominance of G-->C transversions in single-stranded M13mp2 bacteriophage DNA exposed to methylene blue plus light and then transfected into SOS-induced Escherichia coli.

Management of gunshot injuries to the penis and anterior urethra

OBJECTIVE

To verify the appropriate methods of diagnosis and treatment of gunshot injuries to the penis and anterior urethra.

DESIGN

Retrospective study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Fourteen patients presented over 5 years with gunshot wounds to the male genitalia with injuries involving the penis and or the anterior urethra. All patients underwent a full physical examination and retrograde urethrogram to fully stage suspected injuries.

RESULTS

Of the nine patients sustaining penile wounds, four were superficial, requiring only debridement, and five involved the corpus cavernosum, necessitating formal repair. Physical findings of an expanding hematoma, a palpable corporeal defect, and excessive bleeding via the wounds were indicative of cavernosal injury and warranted a penile exploration. All patients were potent in follow-up, although two patients with extensive injuries did complain of curvatures. Retrograde urethrograms noted anterior urethral injuries in eight patients, three of whom also had sustained cavernosal injuries. Five were repaired primarily, and three were treated by urinary diversion via a suprapubic tube. Three patients developed urethral strictures: one in the primary repair group and two in the diversion group.

CONCLUSIONS

The preferred method of handling low-velocity gunshot wounds to the penis and anterior urethral includes debridement of superficial wounds, repair of cavernosal defects, and primary repair of urethral injuries wherein tissue loss is not extensive to result in high-potency rates and lower rates of urethral stricture disease.

Cost-effective health information systems: user-driven internal development at the University of Iowa

GOALS

The Information Network For Online Retrieval & Medical Management (INFORMM), health information system (HIS) for the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC), was analyzed with regard to development of a Computer-Based Patient Record (CBPR) in a cost-effective manner. The analysis: i) profiles INFORMM system functionality; ii) displays INFORMM use and satisfaction among physicians, nurses, and other hospital employees; iii) characterizes dynamics affecting INFORMM growth; and iv) evaluates the cost of a system of internal-development of software.

DATA SOURCES

INFORMM utilization for 1989, 1994, and 1995; service requests from users for the years 1985, 1990, and 1994; 1994 MECON-PEERx data; gap analysis user survey conducted by an independent consulting firm.

MAIN RESULTS

1) Physician use has been dominated by a single function: retrieval of laboratory results. 2) Nurse use of the system was more diverse. A recent surge of nurse and physician use resulted from the introduction of online documentation of nursing care. 3) Overall use has been predominantly by non-clinician users, no one function dominating their pattern of use. 4) User service requests were predominantly from the non-clinician group of users. Requests from non-physician groups have been coordinated by a limited number of representatives of those groups, unlike requests from physicians. 5) The UIHC HIS ranked high in user satisfaction. 6) The overall cost of the UIHC HIS system is relatively low as a percentage of the gross operating budget or as a ratio to the volume of patient activities in this medical center.

CONCLUSIONS

Internal development of INFORMM has been a cost-effective solution to the information demands of nursing staff and other users. INFORMM system composition reflects the quantity and organization of user requests. Satisfying the needs of physicians requires a change in the manner in which physician needs are assessed.

DNA strand scission and base release photosensitized by metallo-phthalocyanines

Photoirradiation of aqueous solutions of DNA in the presence of Al- or Zn-tetrasulphonated phthalocyanines (AIPcS4 and ZnPcS4) causes formation of strand breaks and liberation of nucleobases. The effect of added D2O, which enhances singlet oxygen (1O2) lifetime, radical scavengers including alcohols and the spin-trap DMPO, as well as superoxide dismutase, indicates that both singlet oxygen (1O2) and free radicals contribute to the production of strand breaks. However, in the case of base release, only free radicals, such as the hydroxyl radical (.OH), appear to be involved in the degradation process. Detection of the characteristic free-radical oxidation products of deoxyribose provides evidence that .OH are involved in the photosensitized DNA damage. EPR and spin trapping data suggest that superoxide (O2.-) is the most likely precursor of .OH and a Fenton-type mechanism is proposed for their formation.

Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma can mimic renal adenocarcinoma with inferior vena caval involvement

Genitourinary involvement in both Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas is common and can be confused with other benign and malignant urologic conditions. While lymphoma commonly produces vascular and ureteral encasement, intraluminal vascular involvement is rare. Indeed, there are no previous reports of renal lymphoma with tumor thrombus extending into both the renal vein and inferior vena cava. We describe the first reported case of lymphoma mimicking a Stage IIIA renal adenocarcinoma with tumor thrombus in the renal vein and the inferior vena cava. Renal lymphoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis even when tumor thrombus is present in the renal vein or vena cava.

The oxidation of blood plasma and low density lipoprotein components by chemically generated singlet oxygen

Human blood plasma and freshly isolated LDL were exposed to singlet oxygen (1O2) by thermal decomposition of synthetic endoperoxides. Exposure of blood plasma to 20 mM water-soluble 1O2 generator resulted in the depletion of ascorbate (100%), urate (75%), ubiquinol-10 (65%), protein thiols (50%), and bilirubin (25%), whereas under these conditions the levels of alpha-tocopherol, beta-carotene, and lycopene remained unchanged. The following rates of depletion were obtained by kinetic analysis (moles depleted per 100 mol of 1O2 consumed): protein thiols (5), urate (5), ascorbate (4), bilirubin (1), and ubiquinol-10 (0.008). In contrast, the rates of depletion using the lipid-soluble 1O2 generator were faster for bilirubin (13-fold), protein thiols (9-fold), ubiquinol-10 (8-fold), and ascorbate (5-fold), and slower for urate (2-fold). The formation of lipid hydroperoxides, including mostly cholesteryl linoleate hydroperoxide, was observed in 1O2-treated plasma (0.007-0.009 mol/100 mol 1O2) and LDL solutions (0.086 mol/100 mol 1O2). Based on competition kinetics, we estimate that 98% of 1O2 generated in the aqueous phase of plasma is quenched by components in this phase, mostly by plasma protein (63%; 6% by protein thiols), urate (9%; 5% by chemical quenching), and bilirubin (5%; 1% by chemical quenching). Ascorbate and ubiquinol-10 do not contribute to 1O2 quenching in plasma, and their oxidation is probably mediated secondary species. The remaining 1O2 generated in plasma (2%) diffuses into lipoprotein leading to the formation of lipid hydroperoxides with an efficiency of about 100-fold greater than that compared to aqueous generated 1O2. The principal 1O2 quenchers in LDL include apoB (42%), lycopene and beta-carotene (40%), and alpha-tocopherol (17%). The importance of carotenoids in the quenching of 1O2 in lipoprotein suggest that the beneficial effects of these compounds in health may in part be due to the elimination of this species in biology and medicine.

Portable ultrasonography in critical care

A 2-year retrospective analysis of portable ultrasound examinations in the intensive care unit was conducted to evaluate the indications and efficacy of portable sonography. A total of 86 examinations were performed on 79 patients. Of these, 22 per cent of the examinations supported the suspected diagnosis and contributed to treatment. Seventy per cent of the examinations excluded the suspected diagnosis. There was a 9 per cent incidence that yielded unsuspected information that contributed to treatment. Only 8 per cent of the examinations were misleading or proven false. The authors found that with an overall sensitivity of 79 per cent and specificity of 97 per cent, portable ultrasonography is a valuable, relatively inexpensive test in the critical care setting.

Endogenous oxidative damage of deoxycytidine in DNA

Three major oxidation products of 2'-deoxycytidine (dC)--5-hydroxy-2'-deoxycytidine (oh5dC), 5-hydroxy-2'-deoxyuridine (oh5dU), and 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-2'-deoxyuridine (dUg)--were analyzed from enzymatically hydrolyzed DNA with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrochemical detection. oh5dC and oh5dU can be detected with high sensitivity (50 fmol) and selectivity (0-0.2 V) from hydrolyzed DNA. dUg is not electrochemically active but can be measured by dehydrating it into oh5dU. The quantities of oh5dC, dUg, and oh5dU in untreated commercial-grade calf thymus DNA are 10, 10, and 0.75 fmol/micrograms of DNA, respectively. These levels increased substantially when calf thymus DNA was exposed to ionizing radiation, H2O2 alone, H2O2 and combinations of Fe3+ or Cu2+ and ascorbate, near-UV light (365 nm), near-UV light in the presence of menadione, and OsO4, indicating that oh5dC, oh5dU, and dUg are major oxidative DNA damage products. The steady-state levels of these products were determined from freshly extracted rat tissues and ranged from less than 0.5 fmol/micrograms of DNA for oh5dU to about 10 fmol/micrograms of DNA for oh5dC and dUg in liver and kidney and 22 fmol/micrograms of DNA for oh5dC in brain. The levels of oxo8dG were also determined and in general were somewhat lower than the levels of oh5dC. These findings reinforce the link between DNA damage induced by oxidative metabolism and spontaneous mutagenesis leading to cancer and aging.

Sinus lift grafts and endosseous implants. Treatment of the atrophic posterior maxilla

Patients from multicenters were treated with sinus lift graft operations and placement of implants. Surgical procedures healed uneventfully with minimum pain, swelling, or morbidity. Grafts healed with few complications or failures. Implants placed into the grafts support prosthetic reconstruction and are predictable over time. The question of what graft material to use is discussed. Grafts of non-resorbable HA (Interpore 200), bovine cortical HA (Bio-Oss), resorbable HA (OsteoGen), and freeze-dried demineralized bone powder and granules are presented. Results of biopsy, histometry, backscattered electron microscopy, cell labeling, and special stain suggest consistent bone growth into a variety of graft materials. In the authors' opinion investigation must continue to 1. Determine the healing time for different graft materials. At present, anecdotal evidence suggests that sinus grafts of autogenous bone heal for 4 to 6 months; freeze-dried demineralized bone heals for 12 to 16 months; and alloplastic materials with freeze-dried demineralized bone heal for 9 to 11 months. 2. Evaluate histologic evidence of bone growth into different bone replacement graft materials. 3. Evaluate the long-term follow-up and success of implants placed within sinus grafts. 4. Determine the remodeling potential of different hard tissue graft materials under implant functional loads.

A new osteoconductive resorbable hydroxylapatite graft material that restores bony defects with viable bone

The reconstruction and repair of a large mandibular bony defect following an extraction was accomplished using resorbable hydroxylapatite OsteoGen (HA RESORB). The complete repair of the defect and alveolar architecture with dense regenerated bone was achieved prior to the surgical insertion of an endosseous titanium implant. The implant was used for additional support for a long span fixed prosthesis. Histological studies of harvested bone core specimens of the resorbable hydroxylapatite grafts at four months and 14 months are compared and discussed in this report.

Quinone sensitized electron transfer photooxidation of nucleic acids: chemistry of thymine and thymidine radical cations in aqueous solution

The 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone (MQ) sensitized photooxidation of nucleic acid derivatives has been studied by laser flash photolysis and steady state methods. Thymine and thymidine, as well as other DNA model compounds, quench triplet MQ by electron transfer to give MQ radical anions and pyrimidine or purine radical cations. Although the pyrimidine radical cations cannot be directly observed by flash photolysis, the addition of N,N,N',N'-tetramethyl-1,4-phenylenediamine (TMPD) results in the formation of the TMPD radical cation via scavenging of the pyrimidine radical cation. The photooxidation products for thymine and thymidine are shown to result from subsequent chemical reactions of the radical cations in oxygenated aqueous solution. The quantum yield for substrate loss at limiting substrate concentrations is 0.38 for thymine and 0.66 for thymidine. The chemistry of the radical cations involves hydration by water leading to C(6)-OH adduct radicals of the pyrimidine and deprotonation from the N(1) position in thymine and the C(5) methyl group for thymidine. Superoxide ions produced via quenching of the quinone radical anion with oxygen appear to be involved in the formation of thymine and thymidine hydroperoxides and in the reaction with N(1)-thyminyl radicals to regenerate thymine. The effects of pH were examined in the range pH 5-8 in both the presence and absence of superoxide dismutase. Initial C(6)-OH thymine adducts are suggested to dehydrate to give N(1)-thyminyl radicals.

Long-term phorbol ester treatment dissociates phospholipase D activation from phosphoinositide hydrolysis and prostacyclin synthesis in endothelial cells stimulated with bradykinin

Bovine pulmonary artery endothelial cells (BPAEC) were prelabeled with [3H]choline or [3H]myristic acid to selectively label endogenous phosphatidylcholine. BPAEC were stimulated with ATP and bradykinin (BK), and phospholipase D (PLD) activation was detected as a 4-fold increase in [3H]choline in cells prelabeled with [3H]choline or as a 2- to 3-fold increase in [3H]phosphatidylethanol in cells prelabeled with [3H]myristic acid and stimulated in the presence of ethanol. Pretreatment of BPAEC with 0.1 microM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) for 22 hr completely inhibited agonist-induced PLD activation, whereas prostacyclin synthesis and [3H]phosphoinositide ([3H]PIns) hydrolysis were enhanced in pretreated cells. Long-term PMA treatment thus dissociates agonist-induced PLD activation from [3H]PIns hydrolysis, and agonist-induced prostacyclin synthesis is not dependent upon PLD activation.

Aortic graft-enteric fistula and paraprosthetic-enteric fistula: a review

AGEF/PPEFs are infrequent, life-threatening complications of aortic reconstructive surgery. Early diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion. Whenever a patient with an aortic prosthesis develops gastrointestinal bleeding or manifestations of sepsis, the presence of a fistulous complex should be assumed until proven otherwise. In the vast majority of cases, adequate surgical management requires graft excision with extraanatomic bypass. Widespread retroperitoneal infection precludes any attempt at local revascularization.

Specific deprotonation reactions of the pyrimidine radical cation resulting from the menadione mediated photosensitization of 2'-deoxycytidine

Menadione(2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) was shown to sensitize 2'-deoxycytidine to near ultraviolet light according to two main mechanisms. Reaction of a water molecule with the initially photo-induced pyrimidine radical cation and subsequent addition of molecular oxygen leads to the preponderant formation of the four cis and trans diastereoisomers of 5,6-dihydroxy-5,6-dihydro-2'-deoxyuridine. Pyrimidine ring opening and rearrangement products are also generated through the intermediate 6-hydroxy-5,6-dihydro-2'-deoxyurid-5-yl radical. The competitive deprotonation reaction of the radical cation is likely to involve two sites. Loss of an amino group proton is the likely initial event to explain the formation of 2'-deoxyuridine which is resistant to further photooxidation. The second deprotonation reaction involves the osidic carbon C(1'). The resulting radical will further react with oxygen leading to the release of free cytosine with concomitant formation of 2-deoxy-D-ribono-1,4-lactone. This reaction which is not prevented by hydroxyl radical scavengers constitutes to our knowledge the first example of a pyrimidine radical which is able to initiate selective intramolecular reaction at position 1 within the sugar moiety.

Sensitized photo-oxidation of thymidine by 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone. Characterization of the stable photoproducts

The near ultraviolet photolysis of an aerated aqueous solution of thymidine containing 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone gives rise to two main classes of photoproducts as a result of the initial formation of a pyrimidine radical cation. These photo-oxidation products have been separated by high performance liquid chromatography and further characterized by various spectroscopic techniques including fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry and high field 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. This photoreaction constitutes an excellent model to study the chemical properties of the thymidine radical cation which is expected to be one of the primary consequences of the direct effects of ionizing radiation.

Photosensitized reactions of nucleic acids

The main effects of near-ultraviolet and visible light on cellular DNA are reviewed with emphasis on base lesions, oligonucleotide single-strand breaks and DNA-protein cross-links. Model system photosensitization reactions of DNA are also discussed. This includes photodynamic effects, menadione-mediated photooxidation, photoionization of antibiotics, the photochemistry of 5-halogenopyrimidines and urocanic acid.

Development of a multifunctional drug file for hospital pharmacy computer applications

The development of a multifunctional master drug file (MDF) which satisfies initial pharmacy data base requirements and has the capability to support increasingly sophisticated computer applications is described. The computerized purchasing, inventory, drug use review and formulary systems in a 1,100-bed teaching hospital were evaluated to determine which existing data fields should be included in the MDF, Functional requirements for the MDF and 27 data fields, each with its own particular specifications for programming, were identified. A method of data input was designed to create and maintain the file using keypunched Hollerith cards. Data input forms were designed to serve as coding documents for drug file data. Verification of all data in the file can be performed by running a program which lists the contents of each drug recorded. Based on 1975 salary rates, the total cost of the MDF development was $4,010; total time required was 640 hours. Approximately one hour per week is needed to keep the file contents up to date. File design specifications and contents are discussed, with special emphasis on the functional aspects of the MDF. The MDF successfully fulfilled the initaial pharmacy computer system requirements and has the potential to accommodate increasingly sophisticated applications.

Distributed processing techniques: interface design for interactive information sharing

The Information Systems Division of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics has successfully designed and implemented a set of generalized interface data-handling routines that control message traffic between a satellite minicomputer in a clinical laboratory and a large main-frame computer. A special queue status inquiry transaction has also been developed that displays the current message-processing backlog and other system performance information. The design and operation of these programs are discussed in detail, with special emphasis on the message-queuing and verification techniques required in a distributed processing environment.

Distributed laboratory computing. Integration of a laboratory computer into a hospital information system

The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, a large teaching hospital and tertiary care referral center, has implemented a vendor-supplied laboratory computer package operating on a dedicated minicomputer. A high-speed communications link allows the laboratory computer to share patient administrative, census, and test result data with the central hospital information system on an interactive basis. Operational characteristics of the system are discussed, and special attention is given to the critical problems and advantages of interfacing two computers.

Folic acid compounds in romaine lettuce

The composition of folate coenzymes in romaine lettuce was studied. Lettuce extract was purified on QAE-Sephadex A-25 and folate compounds were separated into a monoglutamate fraction and a polyglutamate fraction by chromatography on Sephadex G-15. Both the mono- and poly-glutamate fractions were resolved on DEAE-cellulose. Positive identification of DEAE peaks was made by further cochromatography with high specific activity radioactive marker folate compounds and with differential microbiological assay. The distribution of folate compounds in lettuce is as follows: 32% 5-CH3-H4PteGlu; 1% 5-CHO-H4PteGlu; 3% 5-CHO-H4PteGlu4; 9% 5-CH3-H4PteGlu4; 13% 5-CHO-H4PteGlu5; and 31% 5-CH3-H4PteGlu5.

Comparative flatulence activity of beans and bean fractions for man and the rat

To evaluate H2 production in the rat after ingestion of legume products as a predictive bioassay of their flatulence activity for man, responses of man and the rat to (1) a bland formula diet, (2) cooked California Small White bean (CSW) solids, (3) 70% ethanol extract of (2), (4) oligosaccharide fraction of (3), (5) non-protein nitrogen fraction of (3), and (6) combination of (4) and (5) were compared. Six human subjects were fed an 800 kcal breakfast of (1) or containing the amount of a test item equivalent to 100 g CSW. Each subject received all items once plus a single replicate of three items at the rate of one per week in random order. Total flatus volume, H2, CO2, and CH4 volumes and breath H2 concentration were measured for the interval 2.5 to 8.5 hours after breakfast. Young rats in metabolic chambers received known amounts of items 2 to 6 mixed with a bland basal diet. H2 trapped in the chambers was measured after 20 hours. Correlation of rat H2 and to human breath H2 measurements and flatus gas volumes were significant and positive except for negative correlation with flatus methane volume. Measurement of hydrogen production in the rat has potential for a predictive bioassay for flatulence in man.

High-pressure liquid chromatography of steroidal alkaloids

High-pressure liquid chromatography was used to separate the following steroidal alkaloids: tomatidine, solanidine, solasodine, rubijervine, veratramine and jervine. The method was used to prepare crystalline solanidine from a crude mixture of aglycones obtained from Solanum chacoense, and to separate radioactive solanidine from extracts of potato plants fed with [4-C]cholesterol.

Hydrogen production in the rat following ingestion of raffinose, stachyose and oligosaccharide-free bean residue

Raffinose and stachyose were compared to cooked California Small White beans (CSW) containing 4% alpha-oligosaccharides (stachyose and raffinose) and to oligosaccharide-free CSW solids (residue from hexane and 70% ethanol extraction of CSW) as sources of hydrogen when ingested by rats maintained in life support systems. If the oligosaccharide content were the only hydrogen source in CSW, it would have had to be 25 times as potent as CSW, but raffinose was only five times and stachyose seven times as potent as CSW. Oligosaccharide-free residue was 0.4 to 0.5 as active as CSW. Hydrogen producing potencies of stachyose and raffinose were enhanced by feeding in combinations with residue. The increases in hydrogen production from the combinations were more than additive. Thus, CSW contains at least one 70% alcohol-insoluble substance which, in addition to the oligosaccharides, is essential to bring about quantitatively the physiological response to whole beans observed in rats.