Glucose metabolism in normal human thyroid tissue in vitro

Abstract. Glucose and energy metabolism have been studied in human thyroid tissue in vitro. The pattern of metabolism was found to be similar to the pattern previously described in dog thyroid tissue: very active glycolysis but poorly active pentose phosphate pathway and predominance of mitochondrial versus glycolytic ATP supply. TSH (at low concentrations t 0.1 mU/ml) decreased the oxidation of glucose carbon 1 but enhanced it at high concentrations. Dibutyryl cyclic 3′,5′-AMP mimicked the effect of low TSH concentrations. At all concentrations TSH enhanced iodide binding to proteins. TSH also enhanced glucose uptake and lactate formation. The action of various transmitters (carbamyl-choline, epinephrine, prostaglandin E₁, serotonin and histamine) on glucose oxidation and iodide binding to proteins was studied. The action of these transmitters demonstrated wide species variation.     

Comparative Ototoxic Effects of RU 25434, Amikacin and Neomycin in Guinea-pigs

Abstract The ototoxic effects of RU 25434, a new semi-synthetic aminoglycoside antibiotic, were compared to those of amikacin and neomycin. Experiments were performed in adult and new-born guinea-pigs, ototoxicity being assessed by Preyer's reflex response and the measurement of the cochlear microphonic potentials at the end of treatment. The well known ototoxicity of neomycin was observed and RU 25434 appeared to be relatively less toxic than amikacin. The use of new-born guinea-pigs seems to be particularly suitable for this type of study because of their apparent sensitivity to ototoxicity.     

Short-and long-term prognosis,functional outcome following ICU for elderly

Among 1532 ICU patients we analysed 295 elderly patients (19%) aged more than 70-years-old. We determined prospectively the immediate and subsequent one-year outcome with a study of the predictive value of their ICU admission parameters. Then we followed the ICU survivors over the year after discharge (1, 6, 12 months) by quality of life questionnaires. ICU mortality was 26.7%; SAPS was the only predictor of short term mortality. On ICU discharge, 216 elderly were followed at 1, 6, 12 months; the one-year cumulative mortality was 49% from ICU discharge, majority of deaths occuring over the first month. Age, previous health status and SAPS had a predictor value of one-year mortality for ICU survivors. 103 patients were alive at one year: 88% returned to home, 72% had a relatively good functional status allowing an independent life, and 82% had the same or improved functional status.     

Influence of Bile Acids upon Biliary Cholesterol and Phospholipid Secretion in the Dog

The relationship between taurocholate or taurochenodeoxycholate secretion and cholesterol and phospholipid secretion in bile was studied in anaesthetized dogs infused with graded doses of these bile acids. Cholesterol output was linearly related to bile acid output during both taurocholate and taurochenodeoxycholate infusions. On the average 1.45 nmol and 4.70 nmol of cholesterol were secreted per umol of taurocholate or taurochenodeoxycholate respectively (P < 0.001). A linear relationship was also observed between phospholipid secretion rate and taurocholate or taurochenodeoxycholate secretion rates. However, the amounts of phospholipid secreted per ymol of taurocholate or taurochenodeoxycholate (respectively 0.10 and 0.15 μmol) were not significantly different. Thus, bile was less saturated with cholesterol during taurocholate infusions than during taurochenodeoxycholate infusions. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that micelle formation by bile acids is a major determinant of cholesterol and phospholipid secretion in the dog.     

Effect of sufentanil on bispectral index in the elderly

We examined the impact of adding sufentanil during anaesthesia induction with propofol on bispectral index values in elderly patients (≥ 65 years). Patients were randomly assigned to receive a target‐controlled sufentanil infusion (effect‐site concentration of 0.3 ng.ml^?1) or matching placebo, followed by a target‐controlled propofol induction (initial effect‐site concentration of 0.5 μg.ml^?1; step‐wise increase of 0.5 μg.ml^?1) until loss of consciousness defined as an Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation score < 2. Seventy‐one patients (sufentanil 35, placebo 36) completed the study. Mean (SD) age was 72.3 (5.8) years; 41% were women. At loss of consciousness, mean (SD) bispectral index value was 75.0 (8.6) with sufentanil and 70.0 (8.0) with placebo; mean difference ?5.0 (95% confidence interval ?8.9 to ?1.1), p = 0.013. Post‐hoc analyses suggest that the difference was significant in men only (mean difference ?7.3 (?11.8 to ?2.6), p = 0.003). Sufentanil co‐induction with propofol results in higher bispectral index values at loss of consciousness in elderly patients.     

Influence of energy-coupling inhibitors on the respiration of tightly-coupled human skeletal muscle mitochondria

Abstract A standardized preparation method for the study by polarographic technique of human skeletal muscle mitochondria is described. The mitochondria thus obtained are tightly coupled, exhibiting high respiratory control ratios with classical responses to energy-coupling inhibitors; they are also able to accumulate calcium, this uptake being blocked by inhibition of the phosphate carrier system. Arsenate uncoupling and integrity of the electron transport chain are demonstrated polarographically. The properties of human skeletal muscle mitochondria are generally similar to those of rat-skeletal muscle and-liver mitochondria; differences are discussed.     

Receptor-mediated immunoglobulin G transport across mucosal barriers in adult life: functional expression of FcRn in the mammalian lung

Mucosal secretions of the human gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genital tracts contain the immunoglobulins (Ig)G and secretory IgA (sIgA) that function together in host defense. Exactly how IgG crosses epithelial barriers to function in mucosal immunity remains unknown. Here, we test the idea that the MHC class I-related Fc-receptor, FcRn, transports IgG across the mucosal surface of the human and mouse lung from lumen to serosa. We find that bronchial epithelial cells of the human, nonhuman primate, and mouse, express FcRn in adult-life, and demonstrate FcRn-dependent absorption of a bioactive Fc-fusion protein across the respiratory epithelium of the mouse in vivo. Thus, IgG, like dimeric IgA, can cross epithelial barriers by receptor-mediated transcytosis in adult animals. These data show that mucosal surfaces that express FcRn reabsorb IgG and explain a mechanism by which IgG may act in immune surveillance to retrieve lumenal antigens for processing in the lamina propria or systemically.