Mercury and Selenium Concentrations in Livers and Eggs of Common Loons (Gavia immer) from Minnesota

Mercury and selenium act as mutual antagonists in mature birds, but their toxicity is additive or synergistic in avian embryos and immature birds. Twenty eggs and livers from 18 mature and 9 immature common loon carcasses found in Minnesota were collected. Livers and eggs were analyzed for mercury and selenium by atomic emission and atomic absorption spectroscopy. Liver mercury concentrations were significantly higher in mature loons compared to those of immature loons and eggs. Liver selenium concentrations were significantly higher in mature loons than those of immature loons, and selenium concentrations in immature loon livers were significantly higher than levels in eggs. There was a significant positive correlation between mercury and selenium in loon livers. There was a negative correlation between mercury and selenium in eggs. Received: 2 February 2001/Accepted: 28 May 2001     

Conchotome and needle percutaneous biopsy of skeletal muscle.

Percutaneous muscle biopsy is an important and acceptable technique in the study of conditions involving human skeletal muscle. A review of 436 conchotome and needle muscle biopsies obtained over 18 months in this centre is presented.     

Obtention of a photo-induced adduct between a vitamin and an essential aminoacid. Binding of riboflavin to tryptophan

Studies in animals have suggested that the products of the irradiation of tryptophan in the presence of riboflavin may play a role in the development of hepatic dysfunction during parenteral nutrition. In this paper we describe the formation of an adduct between tryptophan and riboflavin obtained as a consequence of an anaerobic irradiation of these compounds. Through the use of molecular sieves and of an ion-exchange resin it was possible to separate the photo-adduct from the dimer riboflavin and other reaction products. The various fractions were characterized on the basis of their absorption and emission spectra. Also used were measures of anisotropy of fluorescence emission in order to characterize the derived adduct.     

Requirement for sulfur-containing amino acids in infancy

A series of studies designed to define the requirement of normal infants for sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine, cystine) was conducted with formulas providing 3.0, 2.8, 2.6, 2.2 or 1.8 g of isolated soy protein per 100 kcal. The formulas were fed with or without a methionine supplement. Adequacy of the diet was determined by measurement of growth, serum chemical indices and nitrogen balance. Nitrogen balance demonstrated a beneficial effect of methionine supplementation only at the lowest protein concentration (1.8 g/100 kcal). However, measurement of weight gain and/or serum concentrations of urea nitrogen and albumin clearly showed a beneficial effect of methionine supplementation at protein concentrations of 2.2 and 2.6 g/100 kcal. Intakes of sulfur-containing amino acids of 435 and 495 mumol/100 kcal therefore appear inadequate. At higher intakes of protein (2.8 and 3.0 g/100 kcal) there was no beneficial effect of methionine supplementation. Possible exceptions were male infants provided with 3.0 g protein per 100 kcal, in whom weight gain between 8 and 56 d of age was significantly (P less than 0.05) greater with than without a methionine supplement. Based on intakes of sulfur-containing amino acids from the formula providing 2.8 g of isolated soy protein per 100 kcal without methionine supplementation, we conclude that for male infants older than 56 d the requirement for sulfur-containing amino acids is no more than 588 mumol/100 kcal when intake of methionine is 264 mumol/100 kcal. However, it seems possible that such intake fails to meet the requirement in male infants less than 56 d of age. For female infants, regardless of age, 533 mumol/100 of sulfur-containing amino acids per 100 kcal meet the requirement when intake of methionine is 239 mumol/100 kcal.     

Venous valves in subclavian and internal jugular veins. Frequency, position, and structure in 100 autopsy cases

Valves in the subclavian and internal jugular veins were studied in 100 autopsy cases (52 men and 48 women; range, 18 to 91 years old; mean, 67 years). In 87 cases, valves were present in all 4 veins, and in 13 cases, valves anatomically were absent from 16 veins, 9 of which were the left internal jugular vein. The average distance from the valve to the junction with the innominate vein was 1.7 cm for the subclavian vein and 0.3 cm for the internal jugular vein. Cuspid height averaged 0.9 cm. Valves were bicuspid in 347 (90%) and unicuspid in 39 (10%); unicuspid valves were more common in the internal jugular vein than in the subclavian vein. Catheter-induced trauma was observed in 4 cases and implied in 4 more. These findings may have important implications concerning the failure, in some cases, of closed-chest cardiac resuscitation to maintain forward blood flow at adequate pressure.