A clinical evaluation of the Accutracker--a lightweight ambulatory blood pressure monitor

An evaluation of the 'Accutracker', a new lightweight ambulatory blood pressure monitor, has been carried out in 14 subjects. Using a cross-over study design, BP readings obtained by the monitor were compared with BP measurements carried out in the opposite arm by a random zero sphygmomanometer. Both the systolic and diastolic blood pressures obtained by the 'Accutracker' were lower than the corresponding mercury sphygmomanometer readings (mean bias -5.6 and -7.0 mmHg respectively). The reproducibility of the monitor readings was significantly and substantially poorer than those obtained with the sphygmomanometer even when machine-flagged suspect values were excluded from the analysis. The results suggest that the data obtained from this device should be interpreted with caution.     

Comparison of haemoperfusion and haemodialysis in the therapy of barbiturate intoxication in dogs

Dogs were given large doses of barbiturates. The effect of either haemoperfusion or haemodialysis was assessed and compared to treatment with supportive measures alone. Haemodialysis removed significant amounts of phenobarbitone, amylobarbitone and pentobarbitone, but haemoperfusion proved to be quantitatively superior both for these drugs and also for quinalbarbitone. This was also reflected by the clinical status of all three groups. Little or no disturbances in blood chemistry were observed, although platelet and leucocyte counts were diminished during haemoperfusion.     

Enhanced detection of anti-tissue antibody by anti-immunoglobulin bound glucose oxidase

An immunohistochemical procedure, using glucose oxidase (GO) linked to anti-immunoglobulin serum, has been adapted to detect anti-tissue antibody to smooth muscle, parietal cells, and mitochondria. With this procedure antibody to smooth muscle was detected in a high percentage of normal sera. Anti-tissue antibodies were frequently detected in sera of patients clinically suspected of having an autoimmune disease when an immunofluorescence (IF) test to detect the antibodies was negative. The glucose oxidase immunohistochemical procedure to detect anti-tissue antibodies is feasible and highly sensitive, and produces permanent results. The clinical usefulness of this procedure will have to be carefully evaluated. The detection of anti-tissue antibody in normal sera may indicate that such antibody is normally present in low concentration and that it may possibly have physiologic functions.     

The effect of 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol on the placental transfer of calcium and phosphate in sheep

The calcium and phosphorus concentrations in foetal tissue or the placental transfer of 45Ca and 32P, or both, were studied in fifty-five control or 1 alpha-hydroxycholecalciferol (1 alpha-(OH)D3)-treated (0.1 micrograms/kg body-weight per d for 12 d) ewes between 77 and 140 d of gestation. Treatment resulted in a significant increase in the concentration of Ca and P in foetal tissues at all stages of gestation except at 140 d when, it is suggested, foetal mineralization may approach a maximum value. This increase in Ca and P concentration in foetal tissues was associated with an increased placental transfer of Ca, though at 111 and 120 d gestation this increase was not significant. P transfer, which was only measured at 140 d gestation, was also significantly higher in treated animals. The concentrations of Ca and P in both maternal and foetal plasma were increased significantly by the 1 alpha-(OH)D3 treatment. Whereas the concentration of Ca in the plasma of foetuses was always greater than in their dams, the concentration of plasma P in treated animals, unlike controls, was lower in foetuses than dams. This suggests that the increased placental transfer of P, unlike that of Ca, may be a passive rather than an active process.     

A specific gas-chromatographic method for the measurement of "steady-state" plasma levels of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in patients

A specific and sensitive gas-chromatographic method for the separate measurement of amitriptyline and nortriptyline in human plasma has been developed. The lower limit of detection is 20 ng/ml for each drug and “steady-state” plasma levels of both amitriptyline and nortriptyline in patients receiving maintenance doses of either drug have been determined. In individual patients these levels ranged from less than 20 to as high as 303 ng/ml for amitriptyline and from less than 20 to 246 ng/ml for nortriptyline. Within individual patients, plasma levels of amitriptyline were generally higher than those of nortriptyline and a direct relationship between the levels of the parent drug and its demethylated metabolite has been revealed.