Modulation of ryanodine-induced contractures in human skeletal muscle pretreated with dantrolene

Dantrolene seems to be the causal therapy in malignant hyperthermia (MH) crisis but the complex mechanisms of MH and dantrolene therapy are still not fully understood. The influence of dantrolene on ryanodine-induced contractures has been reported in animal studies only. In the present study 20 patients from] 7 families were tested for MH using the protocol of the European Malignant Hyperthermia Group. In addition ryanodine-induced contractures were evaluated following bolus application of 10.0 μmol · 1^-1 ryanodine. After pretreatment with 1 μimol · 1^-1 dantrolene ryanodine-provoked contractures developed significantly later in MHS (15.8±1.8 min) and MHN (46.0±4.2 min) muscle specimens than after ryanodine alone (MHS 4.8±0.7 min), (MHN 13.7±0.9 min). They were no longer observed in either group after pretreatment with 5 μimol · 1^-1 dantrolene. We conclude that dantrolene is able to attenuate ryanodine-induced contractures dose-dependendy, and therefore it is speculated that dantrolene could specifically act at the ryanodine receptor binding site.     

Angiodysplasia as the cause of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in a young adult

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to clarify the importance of bleeding vascular ectasia of the colon as the etiology of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in patients 40 years of age or younger. METHODS: An otherwise healthy 21-year-old male was admitted to a tertiary medical center with massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Technetium-labeled red blood cell scan, selective visceral angiography, and colonoscopy identified the source of bleeding as vascular abnormality of the descending colon. Segmental colonic resection was performed. RESULTS: Histologic review of the specimen demonstrated a vascular ectasia. The patient recovered uneventfully and has had no further stigmata of hemorrhage. A review of the literature was undertaken to make clear the significance of vascular ectasia as the source for massive colonic hemorrhage in the young adult. CONCLUSION: This is the first report that documents histologically a vascular ectasia as the source of massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in an otherwise healthy patient less than 40 years of age. Vascular ectasia is an uncommon cause of lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage in the young adult.The Chief, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Navy Department, Washington, DC, Clinical Investigation Program sponsored this report #84-16-1968-532, as required by HSETCINST 6000.41A. The views expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Navy, Department of Defense, or the United States Government.     

The Presence of Insulin-degrading Enzyme in Human Ileal and Colonic Mucosal Cells

The aim of this research is to characterize the presence of insulin-degrading enzyme in human colon and ileal mucosal cells. Biochemical studies, including the activity-pH profiles, the effects of enzyme inhibitors, immunoprecipitation and western blots, were conducted. The majority of insulin-degrading activity in colon mucosal cells was localized in the cytosol. In both colon and ileum, cytosolic insulin-degrading activities had a pH optimum at pH 7.5, and were extensively inhibited by each of N-ethylmaleimide, p-chloromercuribenzoate, and 1,10-phenanthroline, but were very weakly affected by each of leupeptin, chymostatin, diisopropyl phosphofluoridate and soybean trypsin inhibitor. In the colon and ileum, more than 93% and 96%, respectively, of cytosolic insulin-degrading activities were removed by the mouse monoclonal antibody to human RBC insulin-degrading enzyme, as compared with less than 20% by the normal mouse IgG for both tissues. Further, a western blot analysis revealed that a cytosolic protein of 110 kD, in both human colon and ileum, reacted with the monoclonal antibody to insulin-degrading enzyme. It is concluded that insulin-degrading enzyme is present in the cytosol of human colon and ileal mucosal cells.     

Bicycle helmet use by adults: the impact of companionship.

Most of the nearly 1,000 fatal bicycle-related injuries annually could be prevented if riders used safety helmets. Helmet use by adult bicyclists has received relatively little attention because educational campaigns to promote helmet use generally focus on children. Helmet use by adult and child bicyclists at 120 suburban and rural sites in three Maryland counties was observed on two Saturdays in 1990-91 during an evaluation of the impact of a mandatory helmet law. Concordance or discordance of helmet use within various groups of bicyclists--adults only, adults with children, and children only--was recorded. Helmet use among 2,068 adult bicyclists was 49 percent, 51 percent, and 74 percent in the three counties. In two counties combined, 52 percent (365 of 706) of solo adult bicyclists wore helmets compared with only 5 percent (5 of 94) of solo child bicyclists (P < .001). Helmet use or nonuse was concordant among 87 percent of 277 adult-adult pairs, 94 percent of 50 child-child pairs, and 91 percent of 32 adult-child pairs of bicyclists observed. Concordance rates of helmet use or nonuse were similarly high among pairs of adult bicyclists of the same or mixed sexes. These data are consistent with the concept that both adults and children tend to adopt the helmet-wearing behaviors of their companions. Public health efforts focused on adults should encourage helmet use by adult bicyclists both to prevent head injuries and to provide a role model for children.     

A37 REACTIVITY OF PLATELET AUTOANTIBODIES WITH PAPAIN TREATED PLATELETS AND COMPARISON WITH GLYCOPROTEIN SPECIFICITY.

A1 INFLUENCE OF POSTURE ON REACTIONS IN NEW BLOOD DONORS. A2 A CONFIDENTIAL UNIT EXCLUSION SYSTEM IDENTIFIES DONORS WITH A POTENTIAL FOR HIV INFECTION. A3 A STABLE BLOOD SUPPLY FOR THE FUTURE: THE RECRUITMENT OF 16 TO 18 YEAR OLD DONORS TODAY AND THEI CONTRIBUTION AS COMMITTED REGULAR DONORS OF TOMORROW. A4 APPROACH TO A SUPPLY CRISIS OF HYPERIMMUNE RHESUS PLASMA FOR THE PRODUCTION OF RhD IMMUNOGLOBULIN A5 THE INFLUENCE OF AGE, SEX AND ABO BLOOD GROUP ON THE INCIDENCE OF CMV ANTIBODIES IN SYDNEY BLOOD DONORS. A6 THE INCIDENCE OF CATEGORY VI AMONGST WEAK Rh(D) POSITIVE SYDNEY BLOOD DONORS. A7 A MODIFIED METHOD FOR DETECTING HIGH TITRE ANTI-A AND ANTI-B IN GROUP O DONORS A8 IMPROVING THE CLINICAL SPECIFICITY OF ALANINE AMINO TRANSFERASE (ALT) TEST RESULTS WITHIN THE NORMAL BLOOD DONOR POPULATION OF QUEENSLAND. A9 EXTRACTION OF HCV RNA USING A GUANIDINE ISOTHIOCYNATE METHOD. A10 HEPATITIS C VIRUS (HCV) ANTIBODY DETECTION IN TASMANIAN BLOOD DONORS. A11 EFFECTIVE INTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL FOR ENZYME IMMUNOASSAYS A12 DETECTION OF ANTIBODY TO NON-PATHOGENIC RETROVIRUSES (SPUMAVIRUSES) IN HUMAN SERUM A13 DETECTION OF ANTIBODY TO NON-PATHOGENIC RETROVIRUSES (SPUMAVIRUSES) IN HUMAN SERUM A14 A NOVEL BLOOD BAG SYSTEM WITH POTENTIAL, FOR THE ASIA-PACIFIC MARKET. A15 DESIGN OF CONTAINERS SUITABLE FOR THE TRANSPORT OF RED CELL, PLATELET AND FROZEN PLASMA PRODUCTS. A16 EVALUATION OF INDICATOR LABELS FOR QUALITY ASSURANCE OF IRRADIATION PROCEDURE OF BLOOD PRODUCTS. A17 MOLECULAR TYPING FOR UNUSUAL ABO TYPES. A18 AN EXAMPLE OF THE RARE ABO SUBGROUP, A19 RFLP ANALYSIS OF A RH NULL BLOOD DONOR. A20 A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN LEWIS ERYTHROCYTE PHENOTYPES AND COLORECTAL CANCER. A21 PATERNITY TESTING USING SINGLE LOCUS DNA PROBES: OBSERVATIONS ON THE REFERENCE DATA BASE SIZE A22 USE OF FAMILY AND POPULATION STUDIES TO DETERMINE THE SPECIFICITY AND INHERITANCE OF NEUTROPHIL ANTIGENS DEFINED BY PLANT LECTINS. A23 SAMPLING PLANS: IS THERE RELEVANCE FOR BLOOD COMPONENT QC? A24 QUALITY MANAGEMENT: HOW DO WE DO IT IN A STATE THE SIZE OF QUEENSLAND? A26 THE ENERGY METABOLISM OF CIRCULATING CELLS. A27 ACETATE UTILISATION RATES AND THE EFFECT OF GLUCOSE-FREE PLASMA IN PLATELET CONCENTRATE STORED IN A MIMIMAL MEDIUM (MPM). A28 IMPROVED LEVELS OF 2,3 DJPHOSPHOGLYCERATE IN RED CELL SUSPENSIONS PREPARED FROM BLOOD COLLECTED INTO DEXTROSE-FREE ANTICOAGULANT. A29 EVALUATION OF RED CELL FREEZING METHODS AS A PRELUDE TO ADOPTING -80° C FREEZING IN HIGH GLYCEROL IN ROUTINE PRACTICE. A30 CLUMPING IN PLATELET CONCENTRATES - AN UNSOLVED PROBLEM. A31 AUTOLOGOUS BLOOD: SAFE FOR OTHERS OR NOT? A32 ESTABLISHMENT OF AN AUSTRALIAN HAEMOPHILIA TREATMENT CENTRE DATA BANK. A33 EXPERIENCE IN THE USE OF ROBOTICS AND MICROPLATE TECHNOLOGY TO SEMI-AUTOMATE A ROUTINE HOSPITAL BLOOD BANK. A34 AN ANTI-IgAl/IgA2 ELISA ASSAY FOR THE INVESTIGATION OF HYPESENSITIVITY TRANSFUSION REACTIONS. A35 THE INFLUENCE OF IgG AGGREGATES AND FRESH NORMAL SERUM ON THE MONOCYTE MONOLAYER ASSAY A36 DETECTION OF Rh(D) POSITIVE FETAL CELLS IN PREGNANT Rh(D)-NEGATIVE WOMEN BY FLOW CYTOMETRY. A38 HAEMOSTAT-IX: A HIGH PURITY FACTOR CONCENTRATE FOR THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH HAEMOPHILIA B. A39 GRAVITY FILTRATION OF PLASMA FROM DONOR BLOOD UTILISING A HOLLOW FIBRE FILTER MEMBRANE DEVICE A40 The Therapeutic Device Problem Reporting Scheme, and the Victorian Red Cross Blood Bank A43 HIGH FREQUENCY ANTIBODIES AND THE ADVANTAGES OF MANUAL POLYBRENE. A44 FACTS AND FANTASY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PLATELET ADDITIVE SOLUTIONS. A45 LACK OF EFFECT OF STORAGE CONTAINER ON STORAGE OF PLATELETS PREPARED FROM DEXTROSE-FREE BLOOD, A46 PLATELETS PREPARED FROM DEXTROSE-FREE BLOOD MAY BE STORED WITHOUT AGITATION. A47 QUALITY OF BED CELL CONCENTRATE IN HOSPITALS COMPARED TO THE BLOOD BANK A48FLOW CYTOMETRIC CHARACTERISATION OF LEUCOCYTE - DEPLETED RED CELL CONCEHTRATES. A49 PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERISATION OF HUMAN MONOCLONAL ANTI-D ANTIBODIES. A50 CD55 AND CD59 SUSCEPTIBILITY TO PROTEASE TREATMENT AND THE RESULTANT EFFECT ON COMPLEMENT LYSIS OF RBCs. A51 DIRECT COMPARISON BETWEEN PLATELET STORAGE CONTAINERS - IMPROVEMENT IN STORAGE CHARACTERISTICS OF TUTA PLATELET BAGS OVER THE PAST FOUR YEARS. A52 IMPROVED SOLID-PHASE MIXED PASSIVE HAENAGGLUTININ ASSAY (MPHA) WITH FROZEN PANEL PLATELETS FOR THE DETECTION OF HUMAN PLATELET ANTIBODIES. A53 DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLVENT DETERGENT TREATED THROMBIN CONCENTRATE AS A COMPONENT OF A FIBRIN GLUE KIT. A54 Autologous blood transfusion: a promotional programme A55 AVAILABILITY OF BLOOD PRODUCTS FOR ACUTELY BLEEDING PATIENTS. A56 REMINISCENCES OF 50 YEARS A. A TRANSFUSION ST. A57 A NATIONAL SYSTEM FOR REPORTING TRANSFUSION REACTIONS TO FRACTIONATED BLOOD PRODUCTS. A58 EFFECT OF FLUORESCENT LIGHTING ON THE VISUAL APPEARANCE OF PLATELET CONCENTRATES A59 USING A MICROWAVE OVEN TO THAW FRESH FROZEN PLASMA. A60 COAGULATION CAPACITY OF POOLED PLATELET PLASMA. A61 A COMPARISON OF IMMUNOHAEMATOLOGY SURVEY PERFORMANCE BETWEEN NEK ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA A62 COMPATIBILITY TESTING: ARE ENZYME TESTS REQUIRED? A63 AN EVALUATION OF THE DIAMED MEROTYPING SYSTEM FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DIRKT ANTIGLOBUDIN TEST. A64 ASSESSMENT OF PERFORMANCE IN BLOOD GROUP ANTIBODY DETECTION. A65 CHARACTERISATION OF MABS TO THROMBIN-HIRUDIN COMPLEXES WITH IMMUNOASSAY POTENTIAL. A66 MONITORING ANTT-HPA-la (P1^A1) PLATELET ANTIBODY LEVELS DURING PREGNANCY USING THE MAIPA TEST. A67 COMPARISON OF PIFT AND MAIPA TEST“ IN THE DETECTION OF ANTI-HPA-la (PI^A1) PLATELET ANTIBODIES. A68 USE OF PLATELET-CROSSMATCHING IN SUPPORT OF A CASE OF MYELODYSPLASIA WTTH A PLATELET SPECIFIC AND B LYMPHOCYTE ANTIBODY A69 The Pattern of Leucocyte Antibody formation in Transfused Patients. A70 DETECTION OF HPA-Ia ANTIBODY IN BREAST MILK A71 ANALYSIS OF PRENATAL SCREENING. A72 DETECTION OF MINOR POPULATIONS OF ERYTHROCYTES A73 MODIFICATIONS TO THE MCNOCYTE-MEDIATED ADCC ASSAY. A74 AN AUTO ANTI-JMH; GAMMA-CLONE POLYSPECIFIC AHG AS A USEFUL TOOL. A75 CLINICALLY SIGNIFICANT ANTI-A1 DERIVED FROM B LYMPHOCYTES FOLLOWING SINGLE LUNG TRANSPLANTATION. A76 CONFIRMATION THAT ANTI-ELO CAUSES HAEMOLYTIC DISEASE OFTHE NEWBORN. A77 ANTI-Do^a STIMULATED BY PREGNANCY. A78 DONOR IgM ANTI-A ASSOCIATED WITH HAEMOLYTIC TRANSFUSION REACTION A79 COLLECTION OF GRANULOCYTES AND PLATELETS USING FENWALL CS 3000 AND HAEMONETICS 30 CELL SEPARATORS - A COMPARISON. A80 APPARENT LYMPHOPENIA IN PLASMAPHERESIS DONORS     

The Perceived Influence of Clinical Pharmacy Services on Physician Prescribing Behavior: A Matched-Pair Comparison of Pharmacists and Physicians

In contrast with cross-sectional designs used in previous studies, this exploratory study compared survey data from 127 matched pairs of clinical pharmacists and physicians working together. Physicians' perceptions of the importance of clinical pharmacy activities for patient care and the competence of pharmacists performing the activities were examined for their influence on prescribing behavior in an institutional setting. Data from a national survey showed that physicians rated pharmacists higher regarding recommendations based on drug use evaluations (p = 0.004) and competency to provide all clinical pharmacy services. Scores for pharmacokinetics ratings were similar between pharmacists and physicians (p = 0.168). Pharmacists rated the importance of recommendations based on cost-effectiveness higher than physicians (p = 0.012). Overall, physicians' perceptions of activity importance for patient care and pharmacist competency appear to dictate pharmacists' influence on physician prescribing behavior (R = 0.723).     

Age-related Changes in Bovine α-crystallin and High-molecular-weight Protein

The high-molecular-weight (HMW) protein from the lens is composed mostly of α-crystallin in a highly aggregated state. Bovine HMW protein was carefully separated from α-crystallin by size-exclusion chromatography. α-Crystallin has chaperone-like ability whereby it stabilizes other proteins under conditions of stress (e.g. heat). Comparison of bovine HMW protein and α-crystallin shows that the HMW protein has a markedly reduced chaperone ability compared to α-crystallin. However, in contrast to the results of other workers, we observe no alteration with age in the ability of α-crystallin to act as a chaperone. Using electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry, changes in the phosphorylation of the α-crystallin subunits with age have been quantified. Phosphorylation of α-crystallin occurs early in life but does not alter in proportion after about three years of age. In addition, phosphorylation of the A subunit of α-crystallin has little effect on its chaperone ability. As is found in the artificially prepared HMW complex of α- and γ-crystallin, NMR spectroscopy shows that in the naturally occurring HMW protein, the short C-terminal extension of the α_Bsubunit has lost its flexibility whereas the α_Asubunit extension is still flexible. Post-translational modifications therefore seem to have little effect on the chaperone action of α-crystallin, but alterations in the quaternary structure of α-crystallin via incorporation into the HMW aggregate, lead to major changes in the chaperone ability of the protein. The results are consistent with the notion that one of the contributing factors to cataract formation in the lens is the depletion of α-crystallin with age as it is converted into the HMW protein.