Altered fractional tetrahydroaldosterone excretion during pharmacological blockade and activation of the renin-aldosterone system

Tetrahydroaldosterone (THA) is the principal metabolite and generally a good index of aldosterone secretion. This study undertakes the evaluation of the aldosterone secretion rate (ASR) and excretion of THA during pharmacological blockade and activation of the renin-aldosterone system. THA was measured by a simplified RIA and compared to ASR over a period of 28 days in 18 normotensive volunteers receiving either 1) a diuretic [hydrochlorthiazide (HCTZ), 50 mg/day], 2) an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (MK-421, 10 mg/day), or 3) combined therapy [HCTZ (50 md/day) plus MK-421 (10 mg/day)] in a metabolic unit on a controlled diet. Results of this study at 28 days indicate that 1) HCTZ, while producing secondary hyperaldosteronism, lowered the fractional THA excretion (defined as THA/ASR) (from 0.51 to 0.33; P less than 0.05); 2) MK-421 produced hypoaldosteronism and a slight increase in the THA/ASR (from 0.43 to 0.53; 0.05 less than P less than 0.01); 3) combined HCTZ and MK-421 resulted in a normalization of both aldosterone secretion and THA/ASR (from 0.51 to 0.50). In conclusion, HCTZ decreases the THA/ASR whereas MK-421 tends to increase it. Combined administration of HCTZ and MK-421 restores the THS/ASR to normal. Therefore, the determination of THA excretion can be an inaccurate index of aldosterone secretion when measured during either pharmacological blockade or activation of the renin-aldosterone system.

The effect of growth media upon the ultrastructure of Blastomyces dermatitidis

The ultrastructure of yeast, intermediate transitional forms, and mycelia of Blastomyces dermatitidis cultured in brain heart infusion (BHI) was compared with that of like forms grown in leucine-glucose (LG) medium. Blastomyces dermatitidis yeasts were also grown in yeast extract - peptone (YP) medium and in glucose - yeast extract - peptone (GYP) medium, and their ultrastructures were compared with BHI-grown yeasts. Yeast, intermediate, and mycelial cells cultured in LG had more granular cytoplasm and better defined membranes than analogous BHI-grown cells. Yeasts grown in LG contained more glycogen and fewer lipid bodies and had no visible intracytoplasmic membrane systems. Some yeasts from LG cultures had bizarre shapes and structure. Intermediate and mycelial forms from LG cultures contained more glycogen and lipid bodies than analogous cells from BHI. Yeasts grown in YP had a more highly defined internal structure than BHI-grown yeasts. Some cells were doubly budded. and some were elongated. Similar elongated yeasts were found growing in GYP. Yeasts grown in GYP lacked a well-defined internal structure and had less glycogen than BHI-grown yeasts. They had no visible lipid bodies, but large vacuoles were present. Intrayeast hyphae were observed only in BHI-grown intermediate cells.

Inborn error in the terminal step of aldosterone biosynthesis. Corticosterone methyl oxidase tpe II deficiency in a North American pedigree

Profound salt wasting developed in a male infant who had marked reductions in serum and urinary aldosterone concentrations despite striking hyperreninemia. Coincident elevations in plasma and urinary levels of specific 18-hydroxysteroids localized the defect to corticosterone methyl oxidase Type II, the adrenal enzyme responsible for the final step of aldosterone synthesis. Salt replacement but not hydrocortisone ameliorated the clinical and metabolic abnormalities. Evaluation of 33 other family members disclosed the biochemical disorder in six other subjects who were affected in an autosomal-recessive pattern with variably severe clinical manifestations and abnormal ratios of 18-hydroxycorticosterone (or its metabolites) to aldosterone. This inborn error in aldosterone biosynthesis must be distinguished from other heritable, salt-losing defects in adrenal steroidogenesis.

Strategic planning has market orientation

A key element in the strategic planning process is active involvement of the hospital's key personnel so that each has a commitment to the ultimate plan.

Steroidogenic responses to varying parenteral routes of administered (alpha 1-18) ACTH

In healthy human subjects, the steroidogenic responses to a single injection of alpha 1-18 ACTH by the subcutaneous, intramuscular, and intravenous (IV) routes were assessed by measurement of plasma cortisol levels, 17-hydroxycorticosteroid excretion, and cortisol secretion rates. Results showed that regardless of the parenteral route used, alpha 1-18 ACTH at doses of 1.0 and 0.5 mg was an effective adrenocorticotropic agent; however, with the IV route, the effect was considerably prolonged. The patterns of disappearance within the plasma of alpha 1-18 ACTH and alpha 1-24 ACTH were compared following a single IV injection of these compounds labeled with 125I. ALPHa 1-18 acth produced only a slight initial rise and a slower decline in plasma radioactivity compared to alpha 1-24 ACTH, suggesting slower degradation of alpha 1-18 ACTH. Administered as a single IV injection, alpha 1-18 ACTH has a prolonged effect on steroidogenesis and has potential for being a useful diagnostic and therapeutic ACTH preparation.

Aqueous and oil-adjuvant influenza vaccines and isoimmunization to group A substance

Influenza vaccines used in trials appeared to stimulate a small increase of saline-reactive anti-A1antibodies in group O volunteers. There was no evidence that haemolysins were elicited by adjuvant vaccine. It is unlikely that influenza vaccines would cause ABO haemolytic disease in infants.

Mentation during sleep: REM and NREM recall reports

In the present study, the investigators alternated as experimental Ss, and dreaming was defined in terms which more closely approximate the general usage of the word. Rapid eye movement (REM) period awakenings produced a high percentage (81) of dream recall, whereas dream reports were infrequent (7%) following non-REM (NREM) period awakenings. Most of the NREM dream reports were obtained from Stage 2 and 3 awakenings in the last half of the night, in contrast to awakenings during the first half of the night when Stages 3 and 4 predominate. The study suggests that the motivation of S, definition of a dream, and time of night are factors strongly influencing the degree of NREM recall. The few NREM dream reports elicited were less elaborate and extensive than the usual REM dream recall.

The oral yeast-lactobacillus relationship IV. pH and phosphate concentration as contributing factors

SYNOPSIS IN INTERLINGUA

LE RELATION INTER SACCHAROMYCETES E LACTOBACILLOS ORAL. IV. LE NIVELLO DE PH E LE CONCENTRATION DE PHOSPHATO COMO FACTORES CONTRIBUTORI.—Bacterios productori de acido lactic cresce plus rapidemente e produce plus acido in le presentia de saccharomycetes oral que in le absentia de illos. Le stimulation del crescentia de Lactobacillus casei per Candida albicans se monstrava relationate con le concentration de phosphato. Le crescentia de L. casei in un medio non conditionate per le presentia de C. albicans non esseva influentiate per le concentrationes de phosphato testate. Le stimulation del crescentia de L. casei in medios conditionate per le presentia de C. albicans esseva identic a differente nivellos de pH. Un influentia significative del saccharomycetes es que illos rende le lactobacillos capace a initiar lor crescentia e de facto a crescer con un rapiditate relative a elevate nivellos de pH.