Kinetic fluorometric determination of aluminum in serum

We describe a simple fluorometric method for determining aluminum in serum samples by monitoring the rate of reaction of 2-hydroxy-1-naphthaldehyde-p-methoxybenzoylhydrazone with aluminum ions. The emission of the resulting fluorescent metal-chelate formed is measured at 475 nm. Aluminum was measured in the supernate of serum after proteins were removed by precipitation with concentrated nitric acid, and calculations were based on the technique of standard additions. Within-run precision (CV) was 7.8% and 4.8% at mean aluminum concentrations of 7.7 and 60.7 micrograms/L, respectively (n = 10); between-run precision (CV) was 8.9% and 5.7% at mean aluminum concentrations of 23.3 and 46.8 micrograms/L, respectively (n = 10). The standard curve for the method is linear over the range of 0-250 micrograms of aluminum per liter. Samples from 49 patients were analyzed for aluminum by the proposed method (y) and by electrothermal atomic absorption spectroscopy (x). Linear regression analysis of the results yielded the equation y = 0.98x + 2.3 (r = 0.989, Syx = 6.7). The proposed method is comparable in sensitivity to the well-accepted atomic absorption spectrometric method but is simpler and less expensive.     

Computed tomography findings in gastrointestinal involvement by opportunistic organisms in acquired immune deficiency syndrome

The computed tomography findings in two cases of gastrointestinal superinfection by opportunistic organisms in acquired immune deficiency syndrome are presented. Findings included thickening of the mucosal folds and the bowel wall in the small intestine and colon associated with cytomegalovirus and cryptosporidiosis. These cases indicate that it is important to look carefully at the gastrointestinal tract when performing computed tomography in this group of patients. Unsuspected bowel pathology may be demonstrated, or disease may be confirmed in clinically suspected cases.     

Assessment of value of glycosylated albumin and protein in detection of gestational diabetes

There is a recognized need for the early detection of gestational diabetes, and a single blood test, if reliable, would be advantageous. Because serum albumin and total protein are glycosylated and have short life spans, we investigated the usefulness of glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein in the detection of gestational diabetes. We studied five groups, each with 20 subjects: nonpregnant and pregnant controls, nonpregnant and pregnant insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients, and gestational diabetic patients. All patients with no history of diabetes had an oral glucose tolerance test to define their carbohydrate status. Our results showed that percent glycosylated albumin and percent glycosylated protein were significantly elevated in both groups of IDDM patients compared with the other groups. However, gestational diabetic patients had glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein values similar to those of both control groups. Both glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein correlated well with HbA1c determinations. Thus, glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein may be a good index of glycemic control, but they are of little value in the diagnosis of gestational diabetes because of a lack of sensitivity: 8 and 3% for glycosylated albumin and glycosylated protein, respectively.     

The effectiveness of intrauterine transfusions

The results of treatment with intrauterine transfusion are presented. The analysis comprised 48 successful transfusions into 29 foetuses. The reference group consisted of 11 transfusions which proved nonfeasible or ineffective and 54 untreated cases. Following blood treatment, the newborn mortality rate dropped more than threefold. Long-term follow-up of 21 children generally showed their good physical and mental development. We also present 4 cases of supsequent pregnancies after intrauterine blood treatment in a preceding pregnancy, showing that it is possible to save the next baby of the same mother.     

Isolation of Stomatococcus mucilaginosus from drug user with endocarditis.

Stomatococcus mucilaginosus was isolated from the blood of a patient with endocarditis and a past history of drug abuse and aortic valve replacement. At autopsy, Gram stain of the aortic valve revealed gram-positive cocci. Our isolate was atypical for S. mucilaginosus in that colonies were nonmucoid and nonadherent to agar surfaces. Cellular capsules were demonstrated by light and electron microscopy. Phenotypic characteristics identified by conventional methods as well as profile numbers obtained by using two commercial identification systems for staphylococci, the API Staph-Ident and the dms Staph Trac, are presented. Practical tests that differentiate S. mucilaginosus from the genera Micrococcus and Staphylococcus include growth on nutrient agar containing salt and lysostaphin susceptibility. Additional tests that helped differentiate our isolate from group D streptococci included hydrolysis of L-pyrrolidonyl-beta-naphthylamide and streptococcal serogrouping.     

Effects of chemicals on delayed matching behavior in pigeons I: acute effects of drugs

Pigeons were trained to peck a red or green center key 15 times to turn it off. After a delay, two side keys, one red and one green were illuminated. Pecks on the side key whose color matched the color that the center key had been produced food. Pecks on the other side key produced a timeout. The effects of various drugs were studied as the delay between extinguishing of the center key light and illumination of side keys was varied from 1 to 8 sec. Pentobarbital and phencyclidine consistently decreased matching, but morphine, d-amphetamine and delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol had little effect on matching even at doses that increased latency to respond and decreased the rate of responding. Pentobarbital frequently decreased matching at doses below those that increased response latency and decreased response rate, but phencyclidine decreased matching only at doses that increased latencies and decreased rates. The effects of pentobarbital on matching did not depend on the delay duration.