A potent converting enzyme inhibitor CGS 13928C. Drug profile in normal volunteers

The converting enzyme inhibitor CGS 13928C was evaluated in 15 healthy male volunteers. First the efficacy of a single oral dose of 0.5, 1, 2 or 5 mg in antagonizing the pressor response to exogenous angiotensin I was tested with continuous monitoring of the blood pressure and heart rate by an intraarterial catheter. CGS 13928C 1, 2 and 5 mg consistently reduced the response to angiotensin within 2 to 3 h and for a period exceeding the 4 h of monitoring. The 2 mg dose was hardly more effective than 1 mg and 5 mg did not further enhance the blockade. Subsequently, plasma renin and converting enzyme activity, angiotensin I, angiotensin II and aldosterone were measured serially before and up to 72 h following oral administration of either 1 mg (n = 7) or 2 mg (n = 8) CGS 13928C. As expected, plasma renin activity and angiotensin I rose, while plasma converting enzyme activity, angiotensin II and aldosterone fell following both doses of the drug. No side-effects occurred. In normal volunteers CGS 13928C is an effective and extremely potent, orally active converting enzyme inhibitor.

Prosthetic auricular reconstruction

Large lesions may necessitate resection of critical amounts of auricle, such that surgical reconstructive efforts may prove to be futile. We favor the prosthetic rehabilitation of patients requiring near total auriculectomy. Fifteen patients seen for the treatment of auricular lesions from 1976 to the present were reviewed. Near total auriculectomy with postoperative prosthetic management provided satisfactory functional and aesthetic results. This presentation will highlight the significant technical features of the surgical ablation and subsequent prosthetic management of patients with tumors of the auricle, such that postoperative rehabilitation will be facilitated.

Kinetic characteristics of bicarbonate-chloride exchange across the neonatal human red cell membrane

The kinetics of HCO-3/Cl- exchange across red cell membrane of newborn infants was studied using a stopped-flow rapid reaction apparatus with a glass pH electrode attached. The measured apparent permeability P is (1.35 +/- 0.08 (S.E.)). 10(-4) cm/s (n = 30) for newborns, compared with (3.1 +/- 0.4) . 10(-4) cm/s (n = 15) for adults. These correspond to half-times of 0.2 s for newborns and 0.1 s for adults indicating that neonatal red cells exchange Cl- for HCO-3 only half as fast as do adult cells. The temperature dependence of the exchange rate was studied from 2 to 42 degrees C. From the Arrhenius plot the activation energy of the exchange process in neonatal red cells changes from 22.9 kcal/mol (low temperature) to 4.8 kcal/mol (physiological temperature) at a transition temperature of 17 degrees C. These values are lower than the corresponding values for adult red cells, 34.7 and 10.2 kcal/mol. HCO-3/Cl- exchanges in both adult and neonatal red cells are inhibited by phlorizin. Inhibition constants Ki are 0.8 mM and 2.5 mM for adults and newborns, respectively. The differences in the value of the HCO-3/Cl- exchange rate constant and the activation energy of the exchange process between neonatal and adult red cells indicate that there is a modification of HCO-3/Cl- transport system in the neonatal red cell membranes.

Current status of radionuclide scrotal imaging

Scrotal imaging with technetium-99m sodium pertechnetate consists of a radionuclide angiogram and static scrotal scans. Utilization of this study in patients presenting with an acute scrotum can dramatically reduce the number of surgical explorations for acute epididymitis. It can also aid in other aspects of differential diagnosis in patients presenting with either an acutely enlarged and/or painful scrotum or a scrotal mass. Ambiguities in previous descriptions of perfusion through the spermatic and extraspermatic cord vessels are described and distinguished from scrotal perfusion. The clinical and scintigraphic spectrum of testicular torsion, including spontaneous detorsion, early acute testicular torsion, midphase testicular torsion, and late phase or "missed testicular torsion," is discussed and illustrated. The variety of patterns seen in acute epididymitis, including lateral and medial epididymal location, and focal epididymitis are described, as is the appearance of hydrocele as both a primary and secondary entity. The relationship of scrotal imaging to the overall clinical presentation and evaluation of these patients is emphasized in testicular torsion, torsion of the testicular appendages, epididymitis, abscess, trauma, tumor, spermatocele, and varicocele. The techniques, clinical utility, and relationship to radionuclide imaging of Doppler ultrasound and gray scale ultrasound scanning are reviewed. Doppler ultrasound results in many false negative studies in testicular torsion. Gray scale ultrasound is useful in clarifying the nature of scrotal masses.

Inhibitor of peritoneal mononuclear phagocyte colony forming cells

We investigated an inhibitory factor present in mouse L-cell conditioned medium. This soluble factor, colony inhibitory factor (CIF), selectively inhibits the clonal growth of mouse peritoneal exudate (PE) macrophages in vitro. CIF appears to be a non-dialyzable macromolecule which was eluted by Sephadex G200 gel filtration at post-albumin fractions. It can be fractionated by ammonium sulfate precipitation within the range of 60%--70% saturated solution at room temperature. CIF is moderately heat labile and is destroyed by incubation at high pH. CIF is more effective on PE cells from C57 mice than on those from C3H or DBA mice. It also inhibits the clonal growth of committed stem cells for both granulocytes and macrophages present in bone marrow but to a much lesser degree. CIF is not interferon since no antiviral activity is demonstrable in the CIF preparation.

Neuromuscular block by antibiotics: polymyxin B

Characteristics of neuromuscular block produced by polymyxin B (PXB) were examined in 12 anesthetized cats, using sciatic nervetibialis anticus muscle preparations. The ED50 was 6.7 (+/- 1.4, SD) PXB base/kg body weight. The ED95 was 10.8 (+/- 2.4) mg/kg. Spontaneous recovery from 25 percent of control to 75 percent of control required 72 (+/- 16) minutes. During a 50 percent block, train-of-four twitches elicited at 2 Hz faded with a train-of-four ratio of 0.42 (+/- 0.13), but the tetanus did not fade. Edrophonium Cl, neostigmine methylsulfate, and pyridostigmine Br at sub-clinical dosages weakly antagonized the block but enhanced the block at anti-curare dosages. All 3 cholinesterase inhibitors were short acting, lasting 10 to 15 minutes, and noncumulative on repeated injection. The potency ratio was approximately 20:10:1 in the order of edrophonium, neostigmine, and pyridostigmine on a weight-for-weight basis. Calcium partially antagonized the block. The authors conclude that neuromuscular blocks produced by various antibiotics differ from each other and from that produced by other groups of neuromuscular blocking agents, including curare.

Characteristics of nondepolarizing neuromuscular block: (I) post-junctional block by alpha-bungarotoxin

The characteristics of neuromuscular block produced by alpha-bungarotoxin, a post-junctionally active polypeptide toxin purified from snake venoms, have been studied in vivo in 12 anaesthetized cats, using the sciatic nerve-tibialis anterior muscle preparation. The onset of the neuromuscular block was slow and without fasciculation. The block was persitently progressive. The time course of the block depended on the dosage. In general, 0.1 mg/kg of alpha-BuTX appeared to approximate the threshold dosage while 0.2 mg/kg completely eliminated the twitch response in 2-5 hours. No recovery was observed in 8-30 hours. Larger doses accelerated the progression of the block. During the block, tetanic contractions and train-of-four twitches did not fade. The post-tetanic twitches were markedly facilitated. The block was antagonized by edrophonium, neostigmine, pyridostigmine, and succinylcholine, but the antagonism was less effective and shorter-lasting than that observed on curare-block, and the block always resumed the projected progression. Attempts were made to explain the observed difference between alpha-BuTX- and dTc-induced neuromuscular blocks by the practically permanent nature of block and the purely post-junctional site of action of alpha-BuTX. It was concluded that a pure post-junctional block is not characterized by fade, which rather might be a pre-junctional effect of some nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents like d-tubocurarine.

Neuromuscular block by neomycin in the cat

The neuromuscular block produced by neomycin is unique. Despite nearly complete blockade of the twitch the tetanus is not blocked and does not fade. The pathognomonic post-tetanic exhaustion has not been reported previously. Anticholinesterases and calcium antagonize the block, but the antagonism may not be complete. Germine antagonizes the block in the cat, but its clinical value has not been tested. These characteristics of neuromuscular block by neomycin strongly suggest respiratory support and sedation to decrease the respiratory drive, rather than attempts at antagonism, as the rational management of patients suffering from toxic paralysis due to neomycin.

Spontaneous recovery of the thumb twitch from neuromuscular block by suxamethonium in anaesthetized man

The neuromuscular blocking effect of repeated bolus administration of suxamethonium 1 mg/kg was observed in 10 healthy surgical patients under enflurane-nitrous oxide-oxygen anaesthesia. Tachyphylaxis and slow recovery of the thumb twitch occurred in close dose-relationships with transition of Phase I block to Phase II, using train-of-four fade as an indicator of the transition. Failure of the thumb twitch to recover to 75% of control, and subsequent step-wise depression from additional doses of suxamethonium had a sudden onset shortly after establishment of marked train-of-four fade.

De Novo Biosynthesis of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Polymerase during Wheat Embryo Germination

An 8-fold enhancement in the activity of a DNA-dependent DNA polymerase was found in extracts from germinating wheat (Triticum vulgare var. Florence) embryos, as compared to the activity found in extracts from ungerminated embryos. The enhancement of this activity during the first hours of germination is concomitant to the increase of a Dnase activity. The two activities could be separated and the increased level of the DNA polymerase upon germination was observed in an enzymatic fraction which contains very low DNase activity. Addition of the protein synthesis inhibitor, blasticidin S, to germinating wheat embryos, reduced the increase in DNA polymerase. Incorporation of radioactive amino acids into a phosphocellulose preparation, which contains the DNA polymerase starts during the first 6 hours of germination. The amount of radioactivity incorporated is doubled in the next 6 hours, and the incorporation is continued between 12 and 18 hours of germination.

Offset prism for optical waveguide coupling

High refractive index prisms have been used to couple optical beams into the thin film waveguides. To scan through various propagating modes normally requires rotating and repositioning of the prism-waveguide assembly. We have found that the required adjustment of the prism-position can be eliminated during the scanning of the various modes if the prism is properly offset with respect to the rotational axis. An analysis and a computer program are given for the calculation of this prism offset position on the basis of minimum deviation within the specified limits of the prism rotational angle.

Subnanosecond Laser Recording on MnBi Thin Films

Thermomagnetic writing and erasure of binary information in MnBi thin films using 250-psec pulses are described. The ability to write with such short pulses could greatly improve data rates in optical memories. Repeated cycling of a single spot gave inconclusive results concerning possible retardation or inhibition of phase change in MnBi for very short heating pulses.

Magnetic materials for optical recording

Optical digital data storage using magnetic materials offers the combined advantages of magnetic recording and beam addressable technique. Recent progress in this technology is reviewed.

Deoxyribonucleic Acid polymerase from wheat embryos

A soluble DNA-dependent DNA polymerase was extracted from wheat embryos. In vitro, the incorporation of radioactive thymidine triphosphate into acid-insoluble material is dependent upon the presence of the enzyme, all four deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates, Mg(2+), and a DNA template. Incorporation occurs on native, alkali-denatured, and strictly double-stranded DNA. The in vitro synthesized product is a polydeoxynucleotide with a chain length shorter than the template; it has the same buoyant density as wheat embryo DNA when this DNA is used as template; and it forms a double-stranded complex with the DNA template. These data suggest that the in vitro DNA synthesis catalyzed by proteins extracted from wheat embryos occurs in a semiconservative way.

The antibody response to sporozoites of simian and human malaria parasites: its stage and species specificity and strain cross-reactivity

Attempts to vaccinate against malaria are currently being pursued in both simian hosts and human volunteers, using X-irradiated sporozoites as antigen. The present experiments provide information on the developmental stage during which simian malaria sporozoites acquire certain antigen(s) and become infective, and on the antigenic similarities between sporozoites of different strains and species of simian and human malaria parasites. Such knowledge should prove of value in the choice of sporozoite preparations for future attempts at vaccination.