Comparison of blood glucose and insulin responses in non-insulin dependent diabetic patients. Studies with spaghetti and potato taken alone and as part of a mixed meal

Recently, we demonstrated that spaghetti caused significantly lower glycaemic response than rice and potato in insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) subjects and that this difference was also present when spaghetti and potato were taken as part of a mixed meal. We have now compared the blood glucose and insulin responses to 50 g of carbohydrate in the form of white bread, potato and white spaghetti in 6 non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients. The blood glucose response after white spaghetti observed over a 3-h period was only 60 +/- 10 per cent (P less than 0.02) of that seen in response to potato (395 +/- 116 mmol/l x 180 min vs 641 +/- 108 mmol/l x 180 min) and 47 +/- 9 per cent (P less than 0.01) of that seen in response to white bread (395 +/- 116 mmol/l x 180 min vs 805 +/- 93 mmol/l x 180 min). Insulin responses showed an identical pattern reflecting the glycaemic responses. To see if the difference in the glucose responses in NIDDM patients is preserved if these carbohydrate-rich foods are taken as part of a mixed meal we looked at the blood glucose and insulin responses to 50 g of carbohydrate in the form of potato and white spaghetti when ingested together with bolognese sauce (167 g) in 7 NIDDM patients.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Antiseptic Compounds Still Active Against Bacterial Strains Isolated from Surgical Wound Infections Despite Increasing Antibiotic Resistance

The in vitro activities of povidone iodine, potassium peroxymonosulfate, and dimethyldidecylammonium chloride were investigated against 379 nosocomial isolates of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa responsible for surgical wound infections in patients operated on between July 1995 and June 2001. Overall, the isolates were inhibited by the antiseptics at concentrations below those used routinely. In spite of increasing resistance to the various antibiotics used to treat surgical wound infections, no significant variation in the susceptibility to antiseptics was demonstrated during this 6-year study. Electronic Publication     

Pseudomonas aeruginosa elastase stimulates ERK signaling pathway and enhances IL- 8 production by alveolar epithelial cells in culture

OBJECTIVE AND DESIGN: Bacterial products as well as the host airway inflammatory responses contribute to the pathogenesis of Pseudomonas infections. We sought to determine if Pseudomonas elastase (PE) induces mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase activity in association with interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by alveolar epithelial cells. METHODS: We utilized Western blot analysis to detect phosphorylation of signaling intermediates and ELISA was used to measure IL-8 production. RESULTS: We found that PE induces phosphorylation of the extracellular signal-regulated (ERK1/2) proteins of the MAPK pathway in A549 epithelial cells. Similar results were obtained using primary cultures of rabbit alveolar type II epithelial cells. PE also enhanced IL-8 production, which was abolished in the presence of the ERK activation inhibitor U0126. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that PE activates the ERK1/2 arm of the MAPK pathway and that activation of this pathway results in enhanced IL-8 production. The results demonstrate that PE may augment pulmonary inflammation via cellular signaling that regulates expression of IL-8.     

A simplified method of counting microorganisms in studying human autoflora

Formulae for the calculation of the count of microorganisms isolated from natural bacterial biocenoses of a child's body have been derived. The authors suggest a variant of simplified drip method for the computation of microorganism colonies in solid media. The described method helps cut down the nutrient media consumption at least 3-fold and is time-saving.     

Antibacterial activities of the leaf extracts of Eugenia uniflora Linn. (Synonym Stenocalyx michelli Linn.) Myrtaceae

The aqueous, organic, and volatile oil extracts of leaves of Eugenia uniflora Linn. Family Myrtaceae were investigated for antibacterial properties using agar dilution techniques. The aqueous extract was the most active against the organisms compared to the organic and volatile oil extracts. The extracts were found to inhibit Gram positive Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and Gram negative Escherichia coli and Shigella dysentcriae. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniac, and Salmonella typhi were not inhibited.     

Techniques of ankle arthroscopy

Although arthroscopic instrumentation varies widely, the technique for use is quite similar. Surgeon preferences vary but most arthroscopists agree that it is technique that makes the procedure. Discussed in this presentation is the author's method for preparing the patient for arthroscopic surgery, as well as techniques for using the arthroscope, hand instruments, and power instrumentation.     

Modelling the interaction of small organic molecules with biomacromolecules. III. Interaction of benzoates with anti-p-(p'-azophenylazo)benzoate antibody

A novel approach for modelling the biological activity of organic molecules, which requires simultaneous consideration of the influence of all factors (topological, steric, hydrophobic, and electronic) that determine the bioactivity, is used to study the interaction of a series of benzoates with anti-p-(p'-azophenylazo)benzoate antibody. The results obtained suggest that this biological interaction proceeds by a two-step stereospecific mechanism. The first step requires a geometrical correspondence between the benzoates and the cavity in the biomacromolecule, which enables the pharmacophore to come into close contact with the receptor. The second step is the orbitally controlled electronic interaction between the active parts of the benzoates and the antibody. The electronic interaction results from pi-charge transfer from the pharmacophore to the biomacromolecule and from the formation of pi-complexes. A proposed mathematical model for this biological interaction exhibits some statistical advantages over existing models.