Use of a screening RAST in a large neuro-otologic practice

Evidence in the literature emphasizes the role of the immune system in disorders of the inner ear and eustachian tube. We initially investigated the presence of inhalant allergy in selected patients seen for otologic problems by means of a screening radioallergosorbent test (RAST), using either a microscreen or a limited antigen panel. This study analyzed the results of tests performed over a 2-year period on 186 patients seen by one of us (WLM) for treatment of vertigo (66%), tinnitus (63%), hearing loss (49%), aural fullness (48%), Meniere’s quadrad (27%), balance disturbance other than true vertigo (21%), and eustachian tube dysfunction (4%). We found an incidence of immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity of nearly 40% in a patient population selected solely for neuro-otologic symptoms and not for sinonasal symptoms. This figure is more than double that quoted for the general population. We also found a surprisingly high incidence of mold antigen atopy in this selected population. Allergy can contribute to a number of otologic symptoms, including eustachian tube dysfunction, vertigo, tinnitus, hearing loss, aural fullness, and nonspecific balance disturbance. Allergy also has been emphasized as an etiologic factor in a portion of patients diagnosed with Meniere’s syndrome. A screening RAST, combined with clinical evaluation, appears to be an excellent tool for evaluating these patients for inhalant allergy as part of a comprehensive workup. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1997;117:653-9.)     

Effects of oral zinc supplementation on serum leptin levels in Ache males of eastern Paraguay

Significant population variation has been demonstrated in serum leptin levels, independent of adiposity. Included within these populations, Ache males have significantly lower leptin levels compared to American subjects with comparable adiposity. The underlying causes of these differences are not understood but zinc has been shown to be an important regulator of leptin in humans and rodents. Zinc deficiency is associated with somatic wasting and significant declines in circulating leptin levels. Zinc deficiency is common in underdeveloped regions and may therefore contribute to low leptin levels among Ache men. To ascertain the potential role of zinc on Ache male leptin profiles, zinc supplementation was conducted to observe leptin responsiveness. Ache males were given daily oral zinc supplementation (50mg zinc gluconate) (n = 8) or placebo (n = 6) for 10 days. Serum leptin levels were measured on the first and last days of the treatment/placebo period. Despite supplementation exceeding triple the USDA recommended daily requirements, serum leptin levels did not change in the zinc‐supplemented group (P = 0.61) and were not significantly different from males receiving placebo (P = 0.72). It is concluded that zinc is not likely to be a contributing factor in male Ache leptin profiles and that other sources of variation such as chronic energetic stresses affecting leptin production and perhaps receptor number or sensitivity should be considered. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:681–687, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Offspring of parents with drinking problems: drinking and drug-taking as young adults

One hundred and seventy 16 to 35 year-old offspring of parents with drinking problems and 80 comparison young adults were recruited from a variety of clinical and community sources. Each was interviewed at length using a semi-structured interview and 86% were re-interviewed one year later. No between-group differences were found in current quantity of alcohol consumption nor in percentages who had ever used or were currently using illicit or prescribed drugs. However, larger numbers of offspring had commenced alcohol use in their early teens and had used other drugs in their later teens, and more offspring than comparisons were currently using alcohol in a risky way, more were using illicit drugs more than occasionally, and more were heavy smokers. These differences were not great, and gender and source of recruitment (clinical versus community) were equally important predictor variables. Analyses conducted within the offspring group offered no support for hypotheses linking adulthood risk with years of exposure, severity of childhood effects and experiences, maternal as opposed to paternal problems, or problems in the same sex parent. However, some support was found for the importance of having had two parents with drinking problems and having had a drinking parent who often drank at home.     

1,2,3-Trichloropropane: A Multisite Carcinogen in Rats and Mice

1,2,3-Trichloropropane was evaluated in 2-year toxicology andcarcinogenesis studies by the National Toxicology Program. Theselection of this chemical for study was based on the potentialfor human exposure, its positive in vitro genotoxicity, andthe carcinogenicity of structurally related chemicals. Duringthe 2-year study 1,2,3-trichloropropane was administered incorn oil by gavage 5 days per week; groups of 60 F344/N ratsreceived 0, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg, while groups of 60 B6C3F1 micereceived 0, 6, 20, or 60 mg/kg. Because of reduced survivalassociated with the development of chemical-related neoplasms,rats that received 30 mg/kg were terminated at 65 weeks (females)or 76 weeks (males). Similarly, mice that received 60 mg/kgwere terminated at 73 weeks (females) or 79 weeks (males), whilegroups of mice that received 20 mg/kg were terminated at 88weeks. 1,2,3-Trichloropropane induced benign and/or malignantneoplasms at multiple sites in both rats and mice; this includedincreased incidences of benign and malignant neoplasms of thesquamous epithelium of the oral mucosa and forestomach of maleand female rats, benign neoplasms of the kidney and pancreasand benign or malignant neoplasms of the preputial gland inmale rats, malignant neoplasms of the mammary gland, and benignor malignant neoplasms of the clitoral gland in female rats.In mice, 1,2,3-trichloropropane induced a low incidence of malignantneoplasms of the oral mucosa in females, high incidences ofbenign and malignant neoplasms of the forestomach in males andfemales, benign neoplasms of the liver and harderian gland ofmales and females, and uterine neoplasms in females.     

Two complementary methods of assessing periodontal bone level in rats

Abstract— Several methods have been applied to measure periodontal disease in rats. The purpose of the present study was to test the reproducibility of a morphometric and a radiographic method and to describe the correlation between the two methods. Periodontal bone loss on 25 denfleshed rat heads was assessed under microscope by measuring the distances from the cementoenamel junction to the alveolar bone crest at 36 buccal sites in each animal. On magnified radiographs from 25 rat mandibles periodontal bone support was expressed by the ratio apex-deepest bony defect: apex-cusp tip distally on first molars. All measurements were performed blind and in duplicate on two separate occasions. The bilateral 95% confidence limits for the error of method of measurement were estimated from the t -distribution. In a second experiment 50 rat heads were assessed by both methods, and the correlation between the recordings was estimated by the Spearman rank correlation analysis. Compared to the considerable total variation in the material, the variations due to error of methods of measurement were small, i.e. the reproducibility of both methods was satisfactory. A significant correlation was found between the methods. Since the morphometric method mainly measures horizontal bone loss, whereas the radiographic method detects intrabony interproximal defects, it is concluded that future studies would benefit from applying both methods to assess alveolar bone loss in rats.     

Synthesis,radiolabeling and biological activity of peptide oostatic hormone and its analogues

A series of Pro peptides containing the sequence of the oostatic hormone 3d and its shorter analogues 3a-3c differing in a number of the C-terminal Pro residues was prepared for a study of its effect on oogenesis in Sarcophaga bullata Parker (Diptera). Peptides 3a-3d were synthesized in solution by the fragment condensation of Boc-Tyr-Asp(OtBu)-Pro-Ala-Pro-OH (2f) with Pro oligopeptides H-(Pro)_2-5-OtBu. The ammo-terminal protected pentapeptide acid 2f was prepared by a stepwise procedure from TFA-H-Ala-Pro-OMe using Boc-Pro-OH, Z-Asp(OtBu)-OSu and Boc-Tyr-OSu. The H(Z)-(Pro)2-5-OtBu oligopeptides 1a-1h were synthesized from Z-Pro-OH and H-Pro-OtBu by a combination of stepwise procedure and fragment condensation. The ₁₂₅I-labeled molecules of the octapeptide 3b and decapeptide 3d were used for radiotracer distribution studies. Evidence of content of the labeled peptide material in various parts of the insect body (ovaries, head, intestine) is presented. The time distribution of the labeled material in the insect organs was correlated with results of histological analysis of ovaries treated by nonlabeled peptides. The peptides assayed affected processes of egg development in 20–60% of ovarioles. The decapeptide 3d caused changes consisting in some resorbed egg chambers and normal appearance of vitellogenic eggs, whereas the octapeptide 3b caused abnormal yolk deposition and formation of big eggs with irregular yolk granules, proliferation of follicular epithelium in some egg chambers and about the same amount of resorbed egg chambers as decapeptide. These structural differences are complementary to the different values of organ radioactivities. © Munkagaard 1997.     

Determinants of Nonthoracotomy Biphasic Defihrillation

The clinical variables affecting DFT for ICD systems are not completely determined, especially with regard to biphasic shocking devices. To distinguish which factors correlate with DFT, we examined data from patients who were enrolled in the Ventak P2/Endotak protocol. A total of 284 patients were enrolled in the study. Two patients had a DFT > 25 J and did not receive the device; 154 did not undergo stepdown to failure DFT testing. The remaining 128 patients had formal DFT testing and were suitable for analysis. Variables available for analysis included age, body surface area (BSA), LVEF, gender, lead configuration, primary arrhythmia, primary cardiac disease, and use of cardioactive medication. Data were evaluated using regression analysis, fitting DFT (range, 1–25 J, mean 11 ± 5 J) as a function of each variable. As a univariate predictor, BSA was found to be significant in predicting DFT, but accounted for only 9% of the total variation on the DFT (P < 0.01, r = 0.3). This study suggests that DFT using a biphasic shocking waveform is modestly influenced by the BSA of the patient. Other specific factors, including LVEF, do not predict DFT.