Indoor environmental quality in six commercial office buildings in the midwest United States

The aims of this study were to characterize physical, mechanical, and environmental factors influencing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in commercial office buildings; document occupant perceptions and psychosocial attributes; and evaluate relationships among these parameters. Six large office buildings in metropolitan areas were selected in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska. Comprehensive sampling was conducted over one week in each building, during all four seasons. This paper presents the study methods and selected results from the first round of sampling (November 1996 to April 1997). Air flow and recirculation rates were quite variable, with the proportion of outdoor air provided to occupants ranging from 10 to 79 CFM/person. Carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and temperature were within ranges anticipated for nonproblem buildings. Relative humidity was low, ranging from 11.7 to 24.0 percent. Indoor geometric mean concentrations of total volatile organic compounds (TVOCs) ranged from 73 to 235 microg/m3. The most prevalent compounds included xylene, toluene, 2-propanol, limonene, and heptane. Geometric mean formaldehyde concentrations ranged from 1.7 to 13.3 microg/m3, and mean acetaldehyde levels ranged from <3.0 to 7.5 microg/m3. Airborne concentrations of culturable bacteria and fungi were low, with no samples exceeding 150 CFU/m3. Total (direct count) bioaerosols were more variable, ranging from 5010 to 10,700 organisms/m3. Geometric mean endotoxin concentrations ranged from 0.5 to 3.0 EU/m3. Respirable particulates (PM10) were low (14 to 36 microg/m3). Noise levels ranged from 48 to 56 dBA, with mean light values ranging from 200 to 420 lux. Environmental parameters were significantly correlated with each other. The prevalence of upper respiratory symptoms (dry eyes, runny nose), central nervous system symptoms (headache, irritability), and musculoskeletal symptoms (pain/stiffness in shoulders/neck) were elevated compared to other studies using similar questionnaires. Importantly, psychosocial factors were significantly related to increased symptoms in females, while environmental factors were more closely correlated with symptoms in males. Endotoxin concentrations were associated with symptoms in both males and females. These data will help to identify and quantify the relative role of factors that contribute to sick building syndrome. The data collected in this study may also be used to evaluate the effectiveness of current building operation practices, and can be used to prioritize allocations of resources for reduction of risk associated with IEQ complaints.

N-Phthaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid affects biochemical circadian rhythms in Wistar rats

N-Phthaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid (P-GABA) was administered to Wistar rats and 24 hr rhythms of glucose, cholesterol, total protein and lactic acid levels in blood were studied under semi-natural light dark conditions. P-GABA administration caused desynchronisation of the rhythms; while glucose and lactic acid rhythms were advanced, cholesterol and total protein rhythms were delayed. Since GABA is being involved in conveying dark information to the clock, exogenous administration of P-GABA may reduce the photic information received by the clock. The results could be explained by slightly less than 1 hr daily delays (or) advances respectively which would bring the peak times to the points 21 days after the start of administration.

Effect of chronic ethanol ingestion on biochemical circadian rhythms in Wistar rats

Chronic ingestion of ethanol for 60 days was known to alter the characteristics of biochemical circadian rhythms in Wistar rats. Peak times of glucose, potassium and lactic acid rhythms were delayed by 18 h, 3 h, and 3 h respectively, whereas peak times of cholesterol and malondialdehyde rhythms were advanced by 3 h and 9 h respectively during ethanol treatment. Significant changes in range (p < 0.001 expect in calcium) and 24 h mean (p < 0.001) of all the biochemical circadian rhythms studied were observed during ethanol treatment. The alterations in the characteristics of these biochemical circadian rhythms could be principally due to the alterations on the hepatic cellular architecture; other plausible underlying reasons are also discussed.

Temporal oscillations of serum electrolytes in N-phthaloyl GABA-treated rats

N-Phthaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid (P-GABA) has been known to cross the blood-brain barrier and ultimately to increase brain GABA level. In the present study, P-GABA was administered to Wistar rats for 21 days and circadian rhythms of sodium, potassium, and calcium levels in serum were studied under seminatural light-dark conditions. P-GABA administration caused desynchronization of the rhythms and advanced the peak times of serum electrolytes. Exogenously administered P-GABA could alter the photic information received by the clock. The results could be explained by slightly less or more than 1-h daily delays, which would bring the peak times to the points 21 days after the start of administration. The changes in amount of electrolytes after P-GABA administration are discussed.

Temporal oscillations of phosphatases in N-phthaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid treated rats

N-pathaloyl gamma-aminobutyric acid (P-GABA) was administered to Wistar and 24 hr rhythms of acid and alkaline phosphatases were studied under light-dark conditions. P-GABA administration advanced the peak times of phosphatases. Since GABA is being involved in conveying dark information to the clock, exogenous administration of P-GABA might reduce the photic information received by the clock. The results could be explained by slight daily advances which would bring the peak times to the points 21 days after the start of administration.

Lithium modulates biochemical circadian rhythms in Wistar rats

We studied the effects of chronic lithium treatment on circadian rhythms of glucose, cholesterol, calcium, potassium, malondialdehyde (MDA), and lactic acid in Wistar rats. Lithium altered the peak time, range, and 24h mean of these biochemical rhythms. Peak times of the circadian rhythms of glucose, calcium, and potassium were delayed by 3h, 6h, and 6h, respectively, whereas circadian rhythms of MDA and lactic acid were advanced by 9h and 3h, respectively, in lithium-treated rats. Delays observed in our experiments would support the hypothesis that lithium's therapeutic effect is to delay overtly fast circadian rhythms. Advances of peak times owing to lithium treatment are discussed.

Diazepam modulates the period of locomotor rhythm in mice (Mus booduga) and attenuates light-induced phase advances

Experiments were carried out on the continuous action of diazepam (benzodiazepine) offered through drinking water in 2% ethanol on psi and tau of the activity rhythms under LD (12:12) and DD conditions. Under entraining conditions diazepam failed to evoke striking changes in psi. On the other hand, under free-running conditions period-lengthening and period-shortening effects were observed. Further experiments conducted on the continuous effect of diazepam on light pulse evoked phase shifts revealed that phase advances were attenuated significantly in diazepam-treated animals at CT 20 and 24. These results were discussed with regard to the action of diazepam on the light sensitivity of the circadian pacemaker.

Physico-chemical profile of ammi majus

whole part and mother tincture of Ammi majus were chemically analyzed for setting the standards in Homoeopathic system of medicine. Extractive value, Ash value, TLC UV study and the absorbance spectra in the range of 200-500 nm can be taken as parameters to fix standards.

Utilization of peptide carrier system to improve intestinal absorption: targeting prolidase as a prodrug-converting enzyme

The feasibility of targeting prolidase as a peptide prodrug-converting enzyme has been examined. The enzymatic hydrolysis by prolidase of substrates for the peptide transporter L-alpha-methyldopa-pro and several dipeptide analogues without an N-terminal alpha-amino group (phenylpropionylproline, phenylacetylproline, N-benzoylproline, and N-acetylproline) was investigated. The Michaelis-Menten parameters Km and Vmax for L-alpha-methyldopa-pro are 0.09 +/- 0.02 mM and 3.98 +/- 0.25 mumol/min/mg protein, respectively. However, no hydrolysis of the dipeptide analogues without an N-terminal alpha-amino group is observed, suggesting that an N-terminal alpha-amino group is required for prolidase activity. These results demonstrate that prolidase may serve as a prodrug-converting enzyme for the dipeptide-type prodrugs, utilizing the peptide carrier for transport of prodrugs into the mucosal cells and prolidase, a cytosolic enzyme, to release the drug. However, a free alpha-amino group appears to be necessary for prolidase hydrolysis.

Structural requirements for the intestinal mucosal-cell peptide transporter: the need for N-terminal alpha-amino group

The requirement for a free alpha-amino group for the intestinal peptide carrier-mediated transport was investigated. A series of dipeptide analogues without the N-terminal alpha-amino group [including phenylpropionylproline, phenylacetylproline, N-benzoylproline, phenylacetyl-alpha-methyldopa, and hippuric acid (N-benzoylglycine)] were studied in the perfused rat intestinal segment. The absorption of phenylpropionylproline, phenylacetyl-alpha-methyldopa, and N-benzoylproline was concentration dependent. The transport parameters (mean +/- SD) of phenylpropionylproline and N-benzoylproline were as follows: Jmax*, 0.037 (+/- 0.019) mM; Km, 0.045 (+/- 0.027) mM; Pc*, 0.830 (+/- 0.130); and Pm*, 0.673 +/- 0.049; and Jmax*, 1.34 (+/- 0.24) mM; Km, 1.31 (+/- 0.30) mM; Pc*, 1.02 (+/- 0.11); and Pm*, 0; respectively. The intestinal permeabilities of phenylpropionylproline, phenylacetylproline, N-benzoylproline, and hippuric acid (N-benzoylglycine) were significantly reduced by dipeptides and cephradine. These results strongly suggest that these dipeptide analogues, without an alpha-amino group, are transported by the peptide carrier and provide more direct evidence that a free alpha-amino group is not absolutely essential for the mucosal-cell peptide carrier-mediated transport.

Use of the peptide carrier system to improve the intestinal absorption of L-alpha-methyldopa: carrier kinetics, intestinal permeabilities, and in vitro hydrolysis of dipeptidyl derivatives of L-alpha-methyldopa

Intestinal permeabilities of five dipeptidyl derivatives of L-alpha-methyldopa (I) were studied by an in situ intestinal perfusion method. The dipeptides displayed a significant increase in their permeabilities compared to L-alpha-methyldopa. The increases ranged from 4 to 20 times. These results suggest that the peptide transport system is less structurally specific than the amino acid transport systems and can be used as an absorption pathway for peptide analogues. The kinetic advantage demonstrated by the dipeptide, L-alpha-methyldopa-L-phenylalanine, over the amino acid analogue, L-alpha-methyldopa, suggests that the peptide carrier would be a possible route for improving the intestinal absorption of pharmacologically active amino acid analogues. Furthermore, the preliminary results of in vitro hydrolysis studies of selected dipeptidyl derivatives indicate that the peptide carrier system could be used as a base for a prodrug strategy.

Fatal hemoptysis in acute bacterial endocarditis

Massive hemoptysis is a rare complication of bacterial endocarditis. When seen, it is most often due to septic pulmonary emboli with infarction or rupture of a mycotic aneurysm of the pulmonary artery; these conditions are usually associated with endocarditis of the tricuspid valve. We report a case of fatal hemorrhage into the lung from a mycotic aneurysm of the subclavian artery, which eroded into the left upper lobe; this condition arose as a sequela of staphylococcal endocarditis involving the mitral valve.