Uncertainty in Fitted Estimates of Apparent in Vivo Metabolic Constants for Chloroform

It has become common practice to rely on fitted estimates ofapparent in vivo metabolic constants (e.g., V_max and K_M) inparameterization of PBPK models. Yet, quantitative estimatesof precision in these fitted parameters are not routinely reported.Such information is needed to assess the reliability of modelpredictions. The purpose of this study was to assess the precisionin estimates of V_max and K_M for chloroform, accounting for boththe statistical uncertainties in parameter estimates from individualdata sets and any additional uncertainty due to differencesin the parameter estimates derived from various experiments.Joint confidence regions for V_max and K_M from each experiment,generated using maximum likelihood techniques, were used toevaluate these questions. Three previously published data setswere considered. Estimates of V_max and K_M obtained from thesedata sets differed more than could be explained as a consequenceof a limited number of observations, measurement error, or stochasticerror. Issues associated with the use of maximum likelihoodtechniques to estimate joint confidence regions, the estimationof metabolic constants from individual experiments within agas uptake study versus the full data set, the degree of overlapin the joint confidence regions for metabolic constants obtainedfrom separate data sets, and the implications for risk assessmentare discussed.     

The Presence of Insulin-degrading Enzyme in Human Ileal and Colonic Mucosal Cells

The aim of this research is to characterize the presence of insulin-degrading enzyme in human colon and ileal mucosal cells. Biochemical studies, including the activity-pH profiles, the effects of enzyme inhibitors, immunoprecipitation and western blots, were conducted. The majority of insulin-degrading activity in colon mucosal cells was localized in the cytosol. In both colon and ileum, cytosolic insulin-degrading activities had a pH optimum at pH 7.5, and were extensively inhibited by each of N-ethylmaleimide, p-chloromercuribenzoate, and 1,10-phenanthroline, but were very weakly affected by each of leupeptin, chymostatin, diisopropyl phosphofluoridate and soybean trypsin inhibitor. In the colon and ileum, more than 93% and 96%, respectively, of cytosolic insulin-degrading activities were removed by the mouse monoclonal antibody to human RBC insulin-degrading enzyme, as compared with less than 20% by the normal mouse IgG for both tissues. Further, a western blot analysis revealed that a cytosolic protein of 110 kD, in both human colon and ileum, reacted with the monoclonal antibody to insulin-degrading enzyme. It is concluded that insulin-degrading enzyme is present in the cytosol of human colon and ileal mucosal cells.     

Age-related Changes in Bovine α-crystallin and High-molecular-weight Protein

The high-molecular-weight (HMW) protein from the lens is composed mostly of α-crystallin in a highly aggregated state. Bovine HMW protein was carefully separated from α-crystallin by size-exclusion chromatography. α-Crystallin has chaperone-like ability whereby it stabilizes other proteins under conditions of stress (e.g. heat). Comparison of bovine HMW protein and α-crystallin shows that the HMW protein has a markedly reduced chaperone ability compared to α-crystallin. However, in contrast to the results of other workers, we observe no alteration with age in the ability of α-crystallin to act as a chaperone. Using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, changes in the phosphorylation of the α-crystallin subunits with age have been quantified. Phosphorylation of α-crystallin occurs early in life but does not alter in proportion after about three years of age. In addition, phosphorylation of the A subunit of α-crystallin has little effect on its chaperone ability. As is found in the artificially prepared HMW complex of α- and γ-crystallin, NMR spectroscopy shows that in the naturally occurring HMW protein, the short C-terminal extension of the α_Bsubunit has lost its flexibility whereas the α_Asubunit extension is still flexible. Post-translational modifications therefore seem to have little effect on the chaperone action of α-crystallin, but alterations in the quaternary structure of α-crystallin via incorporation into the HMW aggregate, lead to major changes in the chaperone ability of the protein. The results are consistent with the notion that one of the contributing factors to cataract formation in the lens is the depletion of α-crystallin with age as it is converted into the HMW protein.     

Online Medical Database Searching

A wide range of databases and databanks are presently availableto medical researchers. This paper outlines the scope of thedatabases available through a commercial host system and describesthe procedures required for their access and use. A discussionof some of the limitations and likely future developments ispresented in the context of our experience of their use. Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Dr N. Wood, Department of Epidemiology and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, Canynge Hall, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2PR, UK     

Collagenous colitis: Clinical and histological spectrum in ten patients

Collagenous colitis is characterized by the presence of a thick subepithelial collagen band in the colonic mucosa. The condition was diagnosed on rectal biopsy in 10 patients (one male, nine females) who presented with watery diarrhoea. Although rectal mucosal erythema was present in three and ulceration in two, the mucosa was of normal endoscopic appearance in five of the patients. There was marked variability in the thickness of the submucosal collagen band, both between and within individuals. Empirical drug therapy included sulphasalazine, glucocorticoids and antidiarrhoeals. All patients reported symptomatic improvement.     

A Dose-Response Analysis of Methoxychlor-Induced Alterations of Reproductive Development and Function in the Rat

A Dose-Response Analysis of Methoxychlor-Induced Alterationsof Reproductive Development and Function in the Rat. GRAY, L.E., JR., OSTBY, J., FERRELL, J., REHNBERG, G., LINDER, R., COOPER,R., GOLDMAN, J., SLOTT, V., AND LASKEY, J. (1989). Fundam. Appl.Toxicol12, 92–108. In the present study rats were dosed fromweaning, through puberty and gestation, to Day 15 of lactationwith methoxychlor at 25, 50, 100, or 200 mg/kg/day. Morphologicallandmarks of puberty were measured, including the ages at vaginalopening, first estrus, and first estrous cycle in females andat preputial separation in males. In the female, estrous cyclicity,fertility, litter size, number of implantation sites, organweights, and ovarian and uterine histology were also measured.The viability of the offspring (F1) and their fertility wereevaluated using a continuous breeding protocol. Males were necropsiedafter breeding, the reproductive organs were weighed, and thecauda epididymal sperm counts were determined. One testis wasused for histopathology, while the other was used to quantifyinterstitial fluid (IF) content, IF testosterone concentration,and testicular sperm production. Testosterone and an drogen-bindingprotein were measured in the caput epididymis, and sperm motilityand morphology were evaluated from a caudal sample. The serumand pituitary were saved for hormonal determinations. Methoxychloraccelerated the age at vaginal opening and first estrus, andthe vaginal smears were cornified. Growth was retarded at 100and 200 mg/kg/day and fertility was reduced when the femaleswere bred with untreated or similarly treated males. In thehighest- dose group, the mated females went from constant estrusinto pseudopregnancy following mating, but they had no implants.In males, methoxychlor treatment markedly reduced growth, seminalvesicle weight, cauda epididymal weight, caudal sperm content,and pituitary weight. Puberty was delayed in the two highest-dosagegroups. Testicular sperm measures were much less affected thancaudal measures. Testis weight and histology were slightly affected,and testicular sperm production, sperm morphology, and motilitywere unaffected. Endocrine function of the testes and pituitarywas altered by methoxychlor administration. Leydig cell testosteroneproduction, in response to human chorionic gonadotropin challenge,was reduced and pituitary levels of prolactin, thyroid-stimulatinghormone (TSH), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) were altered.In contrast, serum levels of prolactin, FSH, and luteinizinghormone were unaffected. Serum TSH was reduced by 50% of controlat 100 and 200 mg/kg/day, while pituitary levels were increased.Gonadotropin-releasing hormone concentration in the mediobasalhypothalamus was also elevated. In spite of the many reproductivealterations, the fertility of treated males was not reducedwhen they were mated with untreated females. Growth and viabilityof the offspring (F1) from the 50 mg/kg/day treatment groupwere normal, but in the females, vaginal opening was accelerated,estrous cyclicity was abnormal in the rats during middle age,and fecundity was reduced.     

GOING TO MEET DEATH

Up until recently, most people died quickly and too soon. Now, with many illnesses curable or held at bay, many die very slowly and too late—sometimes many years too late. It's time to rethink dying.     

Predictive capacity of the AUDIT questionnaire for alcohol-related harm

The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) is a 10-item questionnaire designed to screen for hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption. We examined its ability to predict alcohol-related illness and social problems, hospital admission and mortality over a 2–3-year period. At initial interview, 330 ambulatory care patients were assessed using a detailed interview including the AUDIT questions and laboratory tests. After 2–3 years, 250 (76%) subjects were reassessed and their experience of alcohol-related harm determined. Of those who scored eight or more on A UDIT at initial interview, 61 % experienced alcohol-related social problems compared with 10% of those with lower scores (p < 0.0001); they also had a significantly greater experience of alcohol-related medical disorders and hospitalization. A UDIT score was a better predictor of social problems and of hypertension than laboratory markers. Its ability to predict other alcohol-related illnesses was similar to the laboratory tests. However, gamma glutamyltransferase was the only significant predictor of mortality. We conclude that A UDIT should prove a valuable tool in screening for hazardous and harmful alcohol consumption so that intervention can be provided to those at particular risk of adverse consequences.