Assessing craving for alcohol

Craving for alcohol is common among alcohol-dependent people. Accordingly, measures to assess craving can play important roles in alcohol research as well as in alcoholism treatment. When developing or employing craving-assessment instruments, researchers and clinicians must consider numerous factors, such as the specific characteristics of craving to be evaluated, the instrument's psychometric properties, and the timeframe over which craving is assessed. The measures most commonly used for assessing craving in clinical settings are single-item questionnaires, although several multi-item questionnaires also have been developed. Behavioral measures (e.g., amount of alcohol consumption or performance on cognitive tests) and psychophysiological measures (e.g., changes in salivation, respiration, or heart rate) are being used primarily in research settings. The assessment of craving can have numerous clinical benefits, such as helping the clinician to evaluate the severity of a patient's alcohol dependence, to select appropriate treatment approaches, and to monitor changes throughout a patient's treatment. The role of craving assessment in predicting treatment outcome, however, remains controversial.

Binding of heme-hemopexin complexes by soluble HxuA protein allows utilization of this complexed heme by Haemophilus influenzae

Utilization of heme-hemopexin as a source of heme by Haemophilus influenzae type b is dependent on expression by this bacterium of the 100-kDa HxuA protein, which is both present on the bacterial cell surface and released into the culture supernatant (L. D. Cope, R. Yogev, U. Muller-Eberhard, and E. J. Hansen, J. Bacteriol. 177:2644-2653, 1995). Radioimmunoprecipitation analysis showed that the soluble HxuA protein present in H. influenzae type b culture supernatant bound heme-hemopexin complexes in solution. An isogenic H. influenzae type b hxuA mutant was unable to utilize soluble heme-hemopexin complexes for growth in vitro unless soluble HxuA protein was provided exogenously. Soluble HxuA protein secreted by a nontypeable H. influenzae strain also allowed growth of this H. influenzae type b hxuA mutant. These results indicated that the heme present in heme-hemopexin complexes is rendered accessible to H. influenzae when these complexes are bound by the soluble HxuA protein.

Osteopontin expression, tubulointerstitial disease, and essential hypertension

A role has recently been proposed for the tubulointerstitium in the pathogenesis of salt-dependent essential hypertension. In this study, biopsies from patients with essential hypertension with either minimal ("benign") or severe ("decompensated") tubulointertitial injury were analyzed for the expression of osteopontin, a protein known to modulate tubulointerstitial damage and nitric oxide production. In biopsies from patients with decompensated arteriolosclerosis, osteopontin mRNA and protein were increased in tubules in association with expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin by interstitial fibroblasts and increased type IV collagen deposition. The relevance of these findings to the pathogenesis of essential hypertension is discussed.

Comparison of social abilities of children with fetal alcohol syndrome to those of children with similar IQ scores and normal controls

Children diagnosed with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) were assessed with items from the social skills domain of the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) via interviews with their caregivers. Their scores were compared with scores from children in two control groups. The control groups included children matched for IQ to the FAS group (specifically on verbal IQ, henceforth, the VIQ group) and children with IQ scores in the average to above-average range (normal control group). Forty-five children (age range, 5 years 7 months to 12 years 11 months) were assessed (n/group = 15). All groups differed with regard to social ability, as measured by the VABS (NC > VIQ > FAS), even when the effects of socioeconomic status were held constant. The three subdomains of the VABS social scale (interpersonal relationship skills, use of play and leisure time, and coping skills) were assessed, and results showed that the children with FAS were most impaired on the subdomain that assessed interpersonal relationship skills. An additional measure was constructed by obtaining an age-equivalent score for the VABS social scale and calculating a difference score by subtracting the child's chronological age from his/her age-equivalent score. There was a significant correlation between chronological age and difference scores for children in the FAS group but not for children in the two control groups. Specifically, in older children with FAS, there was an increased discrepancy between their ages and their age-equivalent scores, a discrepancy that was not present in children in the control groups. These results suggest that social deficits in children with FAS are beyond what can be explained by low IQ scores and indicate that there may be arrested, and not simply delayed, development of social abilities in children with FAS.

Accelerated apoptosis characterizes cyclosporine-associated interstitial fibrosis

Recently we developed a model of cyclosporine nephropathy in rats characterized by tubulointerstitial (TI) injury, macrophage infiltration, and progressive interstitial fibrosis [1, 2]. To determine if the TI injury accompanying cyclosporine A (CsA) nephropathy was associated with accelerated apoptosis and ischemia, we treated rats for five weeks with CsA with or without losartan (to block angiotensin II type 1 receptor), or hydralazine/furosemide (H/F) (protocol #1). In protocol #2, rats received CsA with or without L-NAME (to block nitric oxide) or L-arginine (to provide a precursor to nitric oxide formation). Cyclosporine A treated rats had increased apoptosis of tubular and interstitial cells documented by PAS, propidium iodide staining, TUNEL assay, and electron microscopy compared to vehicle treated controls. Macrophages containing apoptotic cells could be confirmed by TUNEL/ED-1 doublestaining and colocalized in areas of TI injury. Animals treated with CsA + losartan had a statistically significant decrease in apoptosis (TUNEL + cells/mm2) when compared to CsA treated animals (6.0 vs. 19.9, P < or = 0.0001). The decrease in apoptosis in the CsA + H/F group was not statistically significant. Animals treated with CsA + L-NAME had a statistically significant increase in apoptosis compared to the CsA treated animals (12.3 vs. 6.4, P = 0.001). L-arginine administration with CsA resulted in a decrease in tubulointerstitial apoptosis versus CsA treated animals, however, this did not reach statistical significance. The addition of L-arginine did result in a significant reduction in interstitial fibrosis (P < 0.0001). Regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between apoptosis and interstitial fibrosis in both protocols. (CsA vs. CsA + losartan r = 0.63, P < 0.0001; CsA vs. CsA + L-NAME r = 0.83, P < 0.0001). We conclude that CsA nephropathy is associated with a marked increase in apoptosis of tubular and interstitial cells. Cyclosporine A induced apoptosis is partially mediated by angiotensin II and nitric oxide inhibition, suggesting a role for renal ischemia in this process, and CsA induced apoptosis correlates with interstitial fibrosis.

Mapping of a protective epitope of the CopB outer membrane protein of Moraxella catarrhalis

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) (MAb 10F3) directed against the CopB outer membrane protein of Moraxella catarrhalis previously was found to enhance pulmonary clearance of M. catarrhalis in an animal model (M. Helminen, I. Maciver, J. L. Latimer, L. D. Cope, G. H. McCracken, Jr., and E. J. Hansen, Infect. Immun. 61:2003-2010, 1993). In the present study, this same MAb was shown to exert complement-dependent bactericidal activity against this pathogen in vitro. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the copB gene from two MAb 10F3-reactive and two MAb 10F3-unreactive strains of M. catarrhalis revealed that the deduced amino acid sequences of these four CopB proteins were at least 90% identical. Comparison of the amino acid sequences of these proteins allowed localization of possible MAb 10F3 binding sites to five relatively small regions of the CopB protein from M. catarrhalis O35E. When five synthetic peptides representing these regions were tested for their ability to bind MAb 10F3 in a direct enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay system, an oligopeptide containing 26 amino acids was shown to bind this MAb. The actual binding region for MAb 10F3 was localized further through the use of overlapping decapeptides that spanned this 26-mer. A fusion protein containing the same 26-mer readily bound MAb 10F3 and was used to immunize mice. The resultant antiserum contained antibodies that reacted with the CopB protein of the homologous M. catarrhalis strain in Western blot analysis and bound to the surface of both homologous and heterologous strains of M. catarrhalis.

Tubulointerstitial disease in aging: evidence for underlying peritubular capillary damage, a potential role for renal ischemia

Aging is associated with a progressive decline in renal function and the development of glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Although many studies have addressed the cellular mechanisms of age-related glomerulosclerosis, less is known about the tubulointerstitial fibrosis. In this study, aging (24 mo) rats develop tubulointerstitial fibrosis characterized by tubular injury and focal tubular cell proliferation, myofibroblast activation, macrophage infiltration with increased immunostaining for the adhesive proteins osteopontin and intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and collagen IV deposition. Aging rats demonstrated immunostaining for endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOSIII) in renal tubular epithelial cells and infiltrating mononuclear cells in areas of tubulointerstitial injury, with a relative loss of staining of the peritubular capillaries compared with young rats. The aging rats also displayed focal loss of peritubular capillaries (as noted by focally decreased RECA-1 and OX-2 staining) in areas of tubulointerstitial injury. The areas of fibrosis and hypocellularity were associated with increased apoptosis of tubular and interstitial cells compared with young (3 mo) rats (25.4 +/- 5.3 versus 3.5 +/- 2.5 TUNEL-positive cells/0.25 mm2 in old versus young rats, P = 0.0001). It is concluded that tubulointerstitial fibrosis in aging is an active process associated with interstitial inflammation and fibroblast activation. The progressive loss of cells in areas of fibrosis may be due to accelerated apoptosis. Furthermore, the tubulointerstitial injury may be the consequence of ischemia secondary to peritubular capillary injury and altered eNOS expression.

A protective epitope of Moraxella catarrhalis is encoded by two different genes

The high-molecular-weight UspA protein of Moraxella catarrhalis has been described as being both present on the surface of all M. catarrhalis disease isolates examined to date and a target for a monoclonal antibody (MAb 17C7) which enhanced pulmonary clearance of this organism in a mouse model system (M. E. Helminen et al., J. Infect. Dis. 170:867-872, 1994). A recombinant bacteriophage that formed plaques which bound MAb 17C7 was shown to contain a M. catarrhalis gene, designated uspA1, that encoded a protein with a calculated molecular weight of 88,271. Characterization of an isogenic uspA1 mutant revealed that elimination of expression of UspA1 did not eliminate the reactivity of M. catarrhalis with MAb 17C7. In addition, N-terminal amino acid analysis of internal peptides derived from native UspA protein and Southern blot analysis of M. catarrhalis chromosomal DNA suggested the existence of a second UspA-like protein. A combination of epitope mapping and ligation-based PCR methods identified a second M. catarrhalis gene, designated uspA2, which also encoded the MAb 17C7-reactive epitope. The UspA2 protein had a calculated molecular weight of 62,483. Both the isogenic uspA1 mutant and an isogenic uspA2 mutant possessed the ability to express a very-high-molecular-weight antigen that bound MAb 17C7. Southern blot analysis indicated that disease isolates of M. catarrhalis likely possess both uspA1 and uspA2 genes. Both UspA1 and UspA2 most closely resembled adhesins produced by other bacterial pathogens.

Cyclin kinase inhibitors are increased during experimental membranous nephropathy: potential role in limiting glomerular epithelial cell proliferation in vivo

The inadequate proliferative response of the visceral glomerular epithelial cell (GEC) following injury in vivo may contribute to the development of progressive glomerulosclerosis in many forms of glomerular disease. Cell proliferation is ultimately controlled by cell-cycle regulatory proteins, including cyclins that bind to cyclin dependent kinases (CDK), and the active complex formed is necessary for progression through the cell-cycle. By inhibiting cyclin-CDK complexes, cyclin kinase inhibitors arrest the cell-cycle and prevent proliferation. To determine the mechanisms that may be responsible for the lack of GEC proliferation in vivo, we examined GEC expression of specific cell-cycle proteins in normal rats and in the passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) model of membranous nephropathy, where the GEC are the target of complement-mediated injury. Following antibody deposition and complement activation there was a marked up-regulation in the cyclin kinase inhibitors p21 and p27 in rats with PHN. By associating with cyclin A-CDK2 complexes, p21 and p27 limited the kinase activity of CDK2. Giving bFGF to rats with PHN was associated with an increase in GEC mitosis and ploidy and a decrease in expression of p21, but not CDK2 or p27. Furthermore, apoptosis was not present in PHN, but was increased in rats given bFGF. In conclusion, this study shows that the low proliferative capacity of the GEC in vivo in response to immune injury may be due to an increase in the expression of specific cyclin kinase inhibitors. The increase in mitosis in PHN rats given bFGF may be due to a decrease in p21. Thus, changes in cell cycle regulatory proteins may regulate the response of GEC to injury and underlie the development of progressive glomerulosclerosis in diseases of the GEC.

Postoperative nasogastric decompression: a prospective randomized trial

To determine which type of patient should receive routine postoperative nasogastric decompression (NGD), we observed 76 patients who were randomized into two groups: those who received routine NGD (n = 39) and those who received selective NGD (n = 37). Eighteen patients in the selective NGD group never required intubation, while 19 did require intubation within a mean of 3 days after surgery. In both groups, tubes remained in place for a mean of 4.7 days. The routine NGD group had a 2.5% incidence of emesis, while the selective NGD group had a 51% incidence of emesis. The return of bowel function, return to a regular diet, and postoperative length of hospital stay were similar in both groups. The patients in the selective NGD group who did not require intubation had a shorter postoperative stay. Fifty-eight percent of patients in the selective NGD group who required intubation had had major vascular or retroperitoneal dissections. These data support selective use of NGD in general surgical patients and routine use of NGD for patients having major retroperitoneal or vascular procedures.

Expression of the CopB outer membrane protein by Moraxella catarrhalis is regulated by iron and affects iron acquisition from transferrin and lactoferrin

The amino acid sequence of the cell-surface-exposed, 81-kDa CopB outer membrane protein of Moraxella catarrhalis was found to be similar to those of TonB-dependent outer membrane proteins of other gram-negative bacteria. Expression of CopB was affected by the availability of iron in the growth medium, and the extent of overexpression of CopB in response to iron limitation varied widely among the M. catarrhalis strains tested. Wild-type M. catarrhalis strains were found to be able to utilize ferric citrate, transferrin, lactoferrin, and heme as sources of iron for growth in vitro. However, an isogenic copB mutant was severely impaired in its ability to utilize transferrin and lactoferrin as sole sources of iron for growth, whereas this same mutant grew similarly to the wild-type parent strain when supplied with ferric citrate as the iron source. The copB mutant was not significantly different from its wild-type parent strain in its ability to bind transferrin and lactoferrin. In addition, the wild-type parent strain and the copB mutant exhibited equivalent rates of uptake of 55Fe from ferric citrate. However, the copB mutant was markedly less able than the wild-type strain to take up 55Fe from transferrin and lactoferrin. These results indicate that lack of expression of the CopB protein exerts a direct or indirect effect on the ability of M. catarrhalis to utilize iron bound to certain carrier proteins.

A hemoglobin-binding outer membrane protein is involved in virulence expression by Haemophilus ducreyi in an animal model

Haemophilus ducreyi exhibits a requirement for exogenously supplied heme for aerobic growth in vitro. Nine of ten wild-type isolates of H. ducreyi were shown to contain a readily detectable hemoglobin-binding activity. Spontaneous hemoglobin-binding-negative mutants of two of these wild-type isolates lost the ability to express an outer membrane protein with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 100 kDa. Similarly, the single wild-type isolate that lacked the ability to bind hemoglobin also appeared to lack expression of this same 100-kDa protein. A monoclonal antibody (5A9) to this 100-kDa protein was used to identify a recombinant clone which possessed an H. ducreyi chromosomal fragment containing the gene encoding the 100-kDa protein; this protein was designated hemoglobin utilization protein A (HupA). Nucleotide sequence analysis of the hupA gene revealed that the predicted protein, with a calculated molecular mass of 108 kDa, was similar to TonB-dependent outer membrane proteins of other bacteria. Increasing the concentration of heme in the growth medium resulted in decreased expression of the HupA protein. Mutant analysis was used to prove that the HupA protein was essential for the utilization by H. ducreyi of both hemoglobin and hemoglobin-haptoglobin as sources of heme in vitro. In addition, it was found that an isogenic hupA mutant was less virulent than the wild-type parent strain in the temperature-dependent rabbit model for dermal lesion production by H. ducreyi.

Hypnotherapy as a treatment for atopic dermatitis in adults and children

Eighteen adults with extensive atopic dermatitis, resistant to conventional treatment, were treated by hypnotherapy, with statistically significant benefit (P < 0.01) measured both subjectively and objectively, which was maintained at up to 2 years where results were available. Twenty children with severe, resistant atopic dermatitis were treated by hypnosis. All but one showed immediate improvement, which was maintained at the following two clinic appointments. In 12 children, replies to a questionnaire at up to 18 months after treatment, showed that 10 had maintained improvement in itching and scratching, nine in sleep disturbance, and seven maintained improvement in itching and scratching, nine in sleep disturbance, and seven maintained improvement in mood.

Delayed pathology of the appendiceal stump: a case report of stump appendicitis and review

A case of right lower quadrant pain in a 53-year-old postmenopausal female who underwent appendectomy 21 years previously is presented. Recurrent appendicitis with rupture was noted in the appendiceal stump on exploratory celiotomy after diagnosis by computed tomography scan. Although rare, pathology of the appendiceal stump, whether inverted or not, is a real entity that can be encountered on laparotomy. Malignancy and hemorrhage can also occur in the appendiceal remnant, but the large number of disorders that can cause acute right lower quadrant abdominal pain makes appendiceal stump pathology extremely difficult to detect preoperatively. Because of the extensive differential diagnosis, timely operative intervention for clinical peritonitis in this region should not be delayed.

The 100 kDa haem:haemopexin-binding protein of Haemophilus influenzae: structure and localization

All Haemophilus influenzae strains have an absolute requirement for exogenously supplied haem for aerobic growth. A majority of strains of H. influenzae type b (Hib) produce a 100 kDa protein which binds haem: haemopexin complexes. This 100 kDa haem:haemopexin binding protein, designated HxuA, was originally detected on the Hib cell surface. Monoclonal antibody (mAb)-based analyses revealed that the HxuA protein was also present in soluble form in Hib culture supernatants. This soluble HxuA protein exhibited haem:haemopexin-binding activity in a direct binding assay. Nucleotide sequence analysis of the hxuA gene from Hib strain DL42, together with N-terminal amino acid analysis of HxuA protein purified from Hib culture supernatant, revealed that this protein was synthesized as a 101 kDa precursor with a leader peptide that was removed to yield a 99 kDa protein. Southern blot analysis of chromosomal DNA from four Hib and four non-typeable H. influenzae (NTHI) strains detected the presence of a single band in each strain that hybridized a Hib hxuA gene probe. Subsequent analysis of these NTHI strains showed that all four strains released into culture supernatant a haem:haemopexin-binding protein that migrated in SDS-PAGE at a rate similar or identical to that of the Hib HxuA protein. A Hib hxuA mutant was used to screen an NTHI genomic DNA library and an NTHI gene was cloned that complemented the mutation in this Hib strain. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this NTHI gene revealed that it encoded a protein with 87% identity to the Hib HxuA protein.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Squamous cell carcinoma complicating lichen planus: a clinico-pathological study of three cases

Squamous cell carcinoma complicating lichen planus is described in 3 patients. In 2, the cancers developed on the lower leg in chronic and hypertrophic lichen planus. In the other case, the cancer complicated lichen planus of the lip mucosa in a smoker. In the two cutaneous cases, the tumour and the adjacent skin showed features of lichen planus, including hypergranulosis, cytoid bodies and a lichenoid infiltrate. The association, though rare with cutaneous lichen planus when it tends to affect chronic hypertrophic lesions on the lower legs, is now well recognized with oral lichen planus. Patients with oral involvement warrant long-term follow-up, especially if they have other risk factors such as smoking or excessive ultraviolet exposure. Chronicity of lichen planus at other skin sites may also be a risk factor.

Use of electroporation to construct isogenic mutants of Haemophilus ducreyi

Little is known about the genetics of Haemophilus ducreyi, the etiologic agent of chancroid. To develop a method for constructing isogenic mutants of this organism that could be utilized in pathogenesis-related studies, electroporation techniques were evaluated as a means of introducing DNA into this organism. Electroporation of the plasmid shuttle vector pLS88 into H. ducreyi yielded approximately 10(6) antibiotic-resistant transformants per microgram of plasmid DNA. Studies of the feasibility of moving mutated genes into H. ducreyi were initiated by using NotI linker insertion and mini-Tn10kan mutagenesis techniques to introduce insertion mutations into cloned H. ducreyi genes encoding cell envelope antigens. In the former case, a gene encoding chloramphenicol acetyltransferase was then inserted into the NotI linker site created in the cloned H. ducreyi gene. The recombinant Escherichia coli strains containing these mutated plasmids no longer expressed the homologous H. ducreyi cell envelope antigens, as evidenced by their lack of reactivity with monoclonal antibody probes for these H. ducreyi proteins. Subsequent electroporation of both circular and linearized forms of plasmids carrying these mutated H. ducreyi genes into the homologous wild-type strain of H. ducreyi yielded antibiotic-resistant transformants which also lacked reactivity with the cell envelope antigen-specific monoclonal antibodies. Southern blot analysis confirmed that homologous recombination had occurred in these monoclonal antibody-unreactive transformants, resulting in the replacement of the wild-type allele with the mutated allele. Allelic exchange was most efficient when linear DNA molecules were used for electroporation. These results indicate that electroporation methods can be utilized to construct isogenic mutants of H. ducreyi.

Polyunsaturated fatty acid incorporation into plasmalogens in plasma membrane of glioma cells is preceded temporally by acylation in microsomes

Plasmalogens (1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine) are major phospholipids in many tissues and cells, particularly of neural origin. Using cultured C6 glioma cells and subcellular fractions isolated on Percoll gradients we investigated selectivity for esterification of several polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in the sn-2 position of plasmalogens compared to [1-14C]hexadecanol, representative of de novo synthesis of the ether-linked sn-1 position. In whole cells at a final concentration of 105 microM PUFA, 2-4 nmol plasmalogen/mg protein was labeled in 4 h and 10-14 nmol in 24 h, representing 8-15% and 35-50%, respectively, of initial plasmalogen mass. Incorporation of label from hexadecanol was lower than PUFA incorporation (20:5(n-3) greater than 20:4(n-6) greater than 18:3(n-3) much greater than 18:2(n-6)) suggesting deacylation-reacylation at the sn-2 position. Plasmalogens accounted for 50% of total cell ethanolamine phospholipids and 75% in plasma membrane. Using a novel, improved method for extraction of subcellular fractions containing Percoll, plasma membrane also was enriched in plasmalogen relative to microsomes (107.4 +/- 5.2 vs. 40.0 +/- 2.9 nmol/mg protein). Selectivity for esterification at the sn-2 position of plasmalogens with respect to chain length and unsaturation of the fatty acyl chain was similar in both subcellular fractions and reflected that of whole cells. Labeling of plasma membrane with PUFA and fatty alcohol lagged behind that of microsomes. Chase experiments in cells prelabeled with [1-14C]18:3(n-3) for 2 h showed no significant reduction of label in plasmalogen of any subcellular fraction although accumulation of label in the microsomal fraction was slowed initially. Reduction of plasmalogen label (40-50%) did occur in microsomes and plasma membrane when cells prelabeled for 24 h were switched to chase medium with or without chase fatty acid. Our data suggest that esterification of PUFA to plasmalogen may occur at the endoplasmic reticulum with subsequent translocation to plasma membrane resulting in accumulation of relatively stable pools of plasmalogen that are not readily accessible for deacylation-reacylation exchange with newly appearing PUFA. Alternatively, deacylation-reacylation may occur in a more stable phospholipid pool within the plasma membrane but would involve a slower process than at the endoplasmic reticulum.

Essential fatty acids and serine as plasmalogen precursors in relation to competing metabolic pathways

Interest in altered ether-lipid metabolism, associated with peroxisomal disorders including adrenoleukodystrophy and Zellweger's syndrome, has highlighted present limitations in our understanding of the biosynthesis and turnover of plasmalogens. These 1-alkenyl ethanolamine phosphoglycerides are major phospholipids in brain, vascular tissue, neutrophils, and most tumors, and they constitute 15-20% of total phospholipids in cultured glioma cell. In glioma, turnover of polyunsaturated acyl chains in the sn-2 position of plasmalogens was examined in relation to selectivity for the (n - 3) and (n - 6) families. Remodeling of acyl chains was more dependent on chain length than on selectivity between families, consistent with plasmalogens enriched in polyunsaturated, but not specifically (n - 3), fatty acids. Extracellular serine was a precursor of serine and ethanolamine phosphoglycerides and was associated with plasmalogens due to decarboxylation and headgroup exchange. Incorporation of extracellular serine ceased within 8 h, even though more than 50% of the label remain in the medium. Analyses of medium and cellular water-soluble components indicated rapid conversion of serine to glycine and other metabolites not used in phospholipid biosynthesis. Thus, nutrient molecules as precursors of plasmalogens are involved in complex competitive interactions. As functions of plasmalogens are clarified, regulation of plasmalogen turnover becomes an increasingly important issue and elucidation of these processes is essential.

Plasma levels of 8-methoxypsoralen following oral or bath-water treatment

The plasma levels of 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) were determined in 18 patients on PUVA treatment for their psoriasis and in two control volunteers. Seven of the patients were on oral therapy and 13 having bath treatment. The plasma levels of 8-MOP were determined up to 6 h after treatment and varied between less than 10 ng/ml and 360 ng/ml for the orally treated group, and in the bath-treatment group were all less than 10 ng/ml.

Interaction of sodium and volume in fluid resuscitation after hemorrhage

Some measures of the efficacy of fluid resuscitation after hemorrhage are blood volume restitution (BVR) and attenuation of the neuroendocrine response. We compared the effectiveness of resuscitation with 0.9% NaCl and 3.0% NaCl in chronically prepared awake dogs after 30% hemorrhage. Each dog was bled on four occasions and resuscitated by four protocols: 1) full resuscitation (infusion to return and maintain mean arterial pressure (MAP) at control +/- 10 mm Hg) with 3.0% NaCl (HS); 2) full resuscitation with 0.9% NaCl (NS); 3) under-resuscitation with a volume of 0.9% NaCl equal to the subject's previous 3.0% NaCl requirement (SV); and 4) no fluid therapy (NR). Approximately three times more volume was needed to restore MAP with NS vs. HS, and thus the amount of Na administered was not different in these groups. Net volume balance was positive in the NS and SV groups but negative in the HS group due to marked saline diuresis. Net Na balance was positive in all three fluid-treated groups, but significantly higher in the HS group (p less than 0.01). MAP remained below baseline in the SV and NR groups (p less than 0.05). BVR exceeded 100% in NS and HS early in resuscitation, but BVR was not sustained in the HS group. Total plasma protein increased in all three fluid treated groups. Responses of all hormones were completely attenuated in the NS group. ACTH, cortisol, and AVP responses were promptly attenuated in the HS group, but remained greater than control. In the SV group, all hormone levels except renin returned to control values, but more slowly than the other groups. ACTH and cortisol correlated best with BVR; AVP, PRA, and aldosterone correlated with MAP restoration. In summary, resuscitation with either HS or NS can achieve similar MAP restoration. Hypertonic saline produces a more rapid increase in BVR and MAP, but the BVR improvement is transient. Resuscitation with HS incurs an intracellular water debt which is aggravated by a saline diuresis. Hormonal attenuation is linked either to BVR (ACTH, cortisol) or to MAP restoration (renin, AVP). Thus the optimal resuscitation regimen may consist of initial infusion of hypertonic saline followed by sufficient hypotonic solution to restore interstitial fluid volume and normal cellular hydration.

Modification of a Nutritional Questionnaire for Older Adults and the ability of its knowledge and attitude evaluations to predict dietary adequacy

This paper outlines the modification of the Nutritional Questionnaire for Older Adults (NQOA) to determine the extent to which knowledge and attitude can predict dietary adequacy. Aged adults (65 years or older) who participate in the Title III-C congregate meal program at a small community Senior Center in Alabama (n = 22) served as subjects for this study. Knowledge and attitude were shown to be weak predictors of dietary adequacy with regard to specific components, but were found to significantly predict adequate nutritional intake as measured by both RDA and by food group standards.

Incorporation of polyunsaturated fatty acids into plasmalogens, compared to other phospholipids of cultured glioma cells, is more dependent on chain length than on selectivity between (n - 3) and (n - 6) families

In several tissues and cells, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are esterified to plasmalogens (1-O-alk-1'-enyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3 phosphoethanolamine). Some studies have implicated selectivity for (n - 3) fatty acids, particularly of 20- and 22-carbons, over the (n - 6) family of fatty acids. We have investigated selectivity for esterification of both families of PUFA to plasmalogens in cultured C6 glioma cells. By 24 h, approx. 40% of cell-associated label from [1-14C]18:3(n - 3) was incorporated into plasmalogens and that label consisted almost exclusively of desaturation and chain elongation products [80% 20:5(n - 3) and 15% 22:5(n - 3)]. Relative incorporation of label from PUFA into plasmalogens was 20:5(n - 3) greater than 20:4(n - 6) greater than 18:3(n - 3) much greater than 18:2(n - 6); incorporation of unaltered 18-carbon chains was highly restricted. Cells incubated with [1-14C]18:3(n - 3) and 20-150 microM competing unlabeled fatty acids showed 20:5(n - 3) greater than 20:4(n - 6) greater than or equal to 22:4(n - 6) greater than 18:3(n - 3) as inhibitors of plasmalogen labeling. Chase experiments in cells prelabeled with [1-14C]18:3(n - 3) for 2 h showed limited reduction of label in plasmalogen. Reduction of plasmalogen label did occur when (n - 3) or (n - 6) fatty acids were added to cells prelabeled for 48 h, accounting for losses of 20-35% compared to controls. Accordingly, little selectivity occurs in esterification of plasmalogens from mixtures of (n - 3) and (n - 6) fatty acyl chains. Subsequent remodeling of (n - 3) acyl chains occurs, but is more dependent on acyl chain length than on selectivity between (n - 3) and (n - 6) families. Our data are consistent with a stable plasmalogen pool enriched in PUFA, but not specifically with (n - 3) fatty acids.

Quantitative evaluation of AFO use with myelomeningocele children

Although the sample size is small, results are very positive for the use of AFO's with the myelomeningocele child. The increase in pertinent gait parameters in conjunction with a decrease in excess hip, knee, and ankle flexion demonstrate the benefits gained in using AFO's to assist the myelomeningocele child in ambulation. Further, the decrease in excess muscle activation time and co-contraction facilitate a decrease in energy expenditure, thus allowing for more ambulation the limited results from this study provide a basis from which further research may be gleaned. The use of quantitative measures in evaluating the benefits of AFO's provides objective data from which future design and application recommendations may be made.