The effect of immune serum and complement on the in vitro phagocytosis of Babesia rodhaini

The effect of immune serum and complement on the in vitro phagocytosis of Babesia rodhaini was investigated. Infected erythrocytes and parasites released from erythrocytes by lysis were phagocytosed by mouse peritoneal macrophages in vitro when the infected erythrocytes or parasites were exposed to hyperimmune B. rodhaini serum. Complement, in the presence of immune serum, did not reproducibly enhance phagocytosis of infected erythrocytes or parasites alone. When adjusted for its effect on normal erythrocytes and normal serum, complement generally inhibited rather than enhanced phagocytosis. When coupled with other published data, our data suggest that the activation of the immune system in vivo against this species of Babesia involves a series of mechanisms of which phagocytosis is but one.     

Per Capita Alcohol Sales, Heavy Drinker Prevalence and Alcohol Problems in Iowa for 1958-1985

A series of drinking practices surveys spanning an extended period of uninterrupted alcohol sales growth in Iowa revealed that while per capita alcohol sales were doubling, and the prevalence of drinkers increased 27%, heavy drinker prevalence failed to increase, and a majority of seven survey indicators of problem drinking trended up. The findings have implications for the integrity of the distribution of consumption prevention model.     

Development of hydrogen excretion between feeds in breast and artificially fed full-term normal neonates

Abstract The breath hydrogen test for carbohydrate malabsorption has been proved to be sensitive, specific and non-invasive. This study was performed to determine its applicability in the newborn period. Postprandial hydrogen excretion in the first 5 days of life was measured in 105 full-term normal newborns, who were either artificially or breast fed. Samples of expired air were collected via a nasopharyngeal catheter at 30 min intervals between feeds. Some babies showed no hydrogen production after 5 days, while others produced high (200 parts/10⁶) levels. The incidence of hydrogen production increased postnatally—more than 80% of babies produced hydrogen by 5 days of age. None of the babies was unwell or developed frequent or loose stools suggestive of clinical carbohydrate malabsorption. It is therefore postulated that these high hydrogen levels reflect biochemical evidence of clinically insignificant carbohydrate malabsorption in this age group. This study shows clearly that an interfeed interval of 4 h in these babies is insufficient to cause breath hydrogen levels to fall in a predictable way. The ethical and practical difficulties in fasting these infants for longer periods suggest that conventional carbohydrate challenges with breath hydrogen estimations will be difficult in the neonate.     

8-Epi PGF2α: specific analysis of an isoeicosanoid as an index of oxidant stress in vivo

1 Excessive free radical generation is thought to contribute to tissue injury in a broad spectrum of diseases. A particular constraint in addressing this hypothesis has been the inability to assess free radical generation in vivo and the lack of information on drugs or vitamins which act as effective antioxidants in vivo .
2 Traditional approaches have relied upon measures of substrate oxidizability or spin trapping of free radical adducts ex vivo . It is unknown how these measurements might relate, in a quantitative fashion, to the generation of reactive oxygen species in vivo . Isoeicosanoids are free radical catalyzed products of arachidonic acid. One of these compounds, 8-epi prostaglandin F_2α (8-epi PGF_2α) exhibits biological activity and may function as an autacoid. Specific analysis of this 8-epi PGF_2α isomer indicates that it is elevated in certain syndromes thought to be associated with oxidant stress. These include vascular reperfusion, paracetamol poisoning and liver cirrhosis. Apparently healthy individuals who smoke cigarettes or consume alcohol exhibit dose dependent increments in excretion of 8-epi PGF_2α. Excretion is depressed by antioxidant vitamins, although not by the nonspecific cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitor, aspirin, even though 8-epi PGF_2α may be formed by either COX-1 or COX-2.
3 Specific analysis of this and other isoeicosanoids may afford an opportunity to evaluate the effects of antioxidant interventions in human diseases characterized by excessive lipid peroxidation in vivo .     

Teratogenesis of Calcium Valproate in Rats

Teratogenesis of Calcium Valproate in Rats. Ong, Lina L., Schardein,James L., Petrere, Judith A., Sakowski, Raymond, Jordan, Hollis,Humphrey, Ronald R., Fitzgerald James E., and de la Iglesia,Felix A. (1983). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 3:121-126. Studies wereconducted to determine the teratogenic potential of the calciumsalt of valproic acid in rats when given orally at doses of600, 150, and 50 mg/kg on days 6–15 of gestation. Thesodium salt of valproic acid was used as a reference agent ata dose level of 600 mg/kg. The administration of 600 mg/kg/dayof either calcium or sodium valproate resulted in transient,severe sedation in the dams. Four dams receiving 600 mg/kg ofeither salt died during the experiment, with deaths occurringbetween day 7 and 11 of gestation. Food consumption and bodyweight gain were significantly reduced during the dosing periodwith both salts at dose levels of 600 mg/kg. Embryotoxicityat the high doses(600 mg/kg) with either salt was manifestedby increases in fetal resorption, reduced body weights, andsignificantly increased Incidence of supernumerary ribs andbifid vertebral centra among the surviving fetuses. A teratogeniceffect was evident at 600 mg/kg with either salt of valproicacid. Seven of 16 fetuses from dams given the calcium salt wereabnormal. Findings included one with omphalocele and six otherswith skeletal malformations. Eleven of 24 fetuses from damsgiven the sodium salt were abnormal: three littermates had bilateralectrodactyly of the rear feet and malformed vertebral centraand eight others had skeletal malformations. No teratogeniceffect was evident among the fetuses from dams given 150 mg/kgcalcium salt. Embryotoxicity was demonstrated by a significantincrease in the incidence of supernumerary ribs. No adverseeffect was observed among the fetuses from dams given 50 mg/kgof the calcium salt.     

INTRAVENOUS REGIONAL ANAESTHESIA IN CHILDREN

Fifty children, aged 3–12 yr, received intravenous regionalanaesthesia for the treatment of either simple forearm fracturesor elbow injuries. The technique obviated delays in treatmentand allowed the child to be discharged from hospital immediatelyafter treatment. There were no complications resulting fromanaesthesia, but there was one anaesthetic failure.