A column study of the biological mobilization and speciation of cadmium in soil

An acid sandy loam soil was used in a column study to determine the effect of microorganisms on Cd mobilization in soil and its speciation in column leachates. Non-sterile and sterile (gamma-irradiated) soil columns were initially treated with 90 mg of Cd (NO₃)₂, and approximately 20 mg of added Cd was retained in the soil. Soil columns were subsequently eluted with a sterile nutrient medium for a period of up to 38 days. Non-sterile and sterile soil columns leached with sterile deionized water served as unsupplemented controls. During a leaching period of 38 days, about 36% of the sorbed Cd in soil was mobilized in the presence of microorganisms and nutrients, while less than 16% of the Cd was released from the sterile and unsupplemented soil controls. To characterize the chemical form of the microbially mobilized Cd, the leachates were analyzed by gel filtration chromatography. In this study, 86% to 93% of the mobilized Cd was associated with the low molecular weight inorganic and organic fraction, while the remainder was eluted in the high molecular weight range. The low molecular weight Cd fractions were further examined by solid phase extraction (C₁₈ Sep-Pak), and cation-exchange chromatography. From the various analyses, it was concluded that a significant amount of Cd existed as a hydrophilic organic complex, and the remainder as cationic Cd. Soil microorganisms were mostly responsible for the transformation of Cd in soil and its subsequent mobilization.     

BUILDING COMMUNITY: Developing Skills for Interprofessional Health Professions Education and Relationship-Centered Care

In 1995, the National League for Nursing commissioned a Panel on Interdisciplinary/Transdisciplinary Education. The focus of the Panel's work was to examine educational issues that transcend the health professions and to make recommendations for future implementation of an interdisciplinary approach to addressing them. This article is being simultaneously published by several professional journals. The goal is to seek as much feedback as possible.     

Genotype at a major locus with large effects on apolipoprotein B levels predicts familial combined hyperlipidemia

A sample enriched for familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) was examined for evidence of an association between genotype at an apolipoprotein B (apoB) elevating locus defined by complex segregation analysis and FCHL. Complex segregation analysis detected a locus with a large effect on plasma apoB levels and was used to compute the most probable genotype of family members. None of the 35 normolipidemic adults carried a copy of the allele associated with elevated apoB levels, yet 58% of the 109 adults with FCHL carried 1 (29%) or 2 (28%) copies. Two of 28 (7%) normal children had 1 copy of this allele and none had 2 copies, while 88 of 182 (48%) children with FCHL had 1 (26%) or 2 (22%) copies. Further, 4l of 48 (85%) individuals classified as having hyperapobetalipoproteinemia did not carry a copy of this “elevated apoB” allele. Therefore, the presence of the allele associated with elevation of apoB level is highly predictive of FCHL and this association cannot be explained solely by the presence of elevated apoB levels in FCHL, suggesting that the locus controlling apoB levels may play an etiologic role in FCHL. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

The Effect of High-Dose Ascorbate Supplementation on Plasma Lipoprotein(a) Levels in Patients With Premature Coronary Heart Disease

Study Objective . To determine the efficacy of high-dose ascorbate supplementation in lowering lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels in patients with premature coronary heart disease (CHD). Design . Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Setting . Outpatient clinic. Patients . Forty-four patients with documented premature CHD. defined as confirmed myocardial infarction and/or angiographically determined stenosis of 50% or greater in at least one major coronary artery before age 60 years. Interventions . Patients were block randomized on the basis of age, gender, and screening Lp(a) concentrations to receive ascorbate 4.5 g/day or placebo for 12 weeks. Measurements and Main Results . High-dose ascorbate was well tolerated and produced a marked elevation in mean plasma ascorbate levels (+1.2 mg/dl; p<0.001). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed no significant effect of supplementation on postintervention Lp(a) levels (p=0.39) in a model that included treatment group assignment, and baseline Lp(a) levels. Conclusions . Our findings do not support a clinically important lowering effect of high-dose ascorbate on plasma Lp(a) in patients with premature CHD.     

Weight gain in first-episode psychosis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the extent of weight gain in the first year of treatment in an early psychosis program. METHOD: Subjects were 114 individuals who had experienced a first episode of psychosis and had completed 1 year in a comprehensive first-episode program. Weight and body mass index were calculated on entry to the program and at 6 and 12 months. Most of the subjects were all being prescribed second-generation antipsychotics. RESULTS: Significant increases in mean weight were observed in these young individuals over the course of the first year of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: If we are to work toward optimum treatment for first-episode subjects then potential weight gain needs to be addressed at the beginning of treatment and monitored during treatment.     

Behavioral models in mice. implication of the alpha noradrenergic system

1. The mechanism of action of drugs might change according to the test used. Several noradrenergic drugs were tested in order to understand their implication in the mobility tests.

2. It was found that clonidine, an Alpha 2 agonist, acted differently according to the tast used. It provoked sedation in spontaneous activity test, and anti-immobility effects in the other tests.

3. Tall suspension test is able to show the double acting of clonidine.

4. Idazoxan might act either as an alpha 2 antagonist or as partial alpha 2 agonist. TST shown the unexpected partial alpha agonist effect of the molecule.

5. Forced swimming test is more specific for predicting antidepressant activity than tail suspension test which is close to a spontaneous activity model.     

Risk of Clostridium difficile-associated disease among patients receiving proton-pump inhibitors in a Quebec medical intensive care unit.

Our study was conducted to determine whether use of gastric acid-suppressive agents increased the risk of Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD) in a medical intensive care unit of one of the first hospitals to be threatened by the current CDAD epidemic in Quebec, Canada. Our findings suggest that efforts to determine risk factors for CDAD should focus on other areas, such as older age and antibiotic use.     

Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized, Parallel-Group, Dose-Ranging Study of Botulinum Toxin Type A in Men with Glabellar Rhytids

BACKGROUND: The effective dose for treating glabellar lines with botulinum toxin type A in men has not been studied adequately. OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety, efficacy, and duration of response of four doses of botulinum toxin type A on glabellar rhytids in men. METHODS: Eighty men were randomized to receive a total dose of either 20, 40, 60, or 80 U of botulinum toxin type A (BOTOX, BOTOX Cosmetic, or Vistabel, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) in the glabellar area. Glabellar lines were assessed at rest and maximum frown by a trained observer at baseline, 2 and 4 weeks, and monthly thereafter. Patients provided self-evaluations at the same visits. Adverse events were monitored throughout. RESULTS: The 40, 60, and 80 U doses of botulinum toxin type A were consistently more effective in reducing glabellar lines than the 20 U dose (duration, peak response rate, improvement from baseline). There was a dose-dependent increase in both the response rate at maximum frown and the duration of effect assessed by the trained observer. In addition, the participants reported a dose-dependent reduction in the ability to frown, improvement in their global assessment, and increased feelings of attractiveness, self-confidence, and satisfaction. The incidence of adverse events was not increased with higher doses. CONCLUSION: Male participants with glabellar rhytids benefit from starting doses of at least 40 U of botulinum toxin type A.