Norephedrine (phenylpropanolamine) stimulates oxygen consumption and lactate production in the perfused rat hindlimb

d,l-Norephedrine (phenylpropanolamine) which is both a demethylated analogue and a metabolite of d,l-ephedrine, is a reputed anorectic agent. In the present study the proposed most active isomer of this mixture, l-norephedrine has been assessed as a peripherally acting thermogenic agent in the isolated perfused rat hindlimb. l-Norephedrine produced a dose-dependent increase in oxygen uptake and perfusion pressure and increased lactate production. Whereas propranolol potentiated the increase in oxygen uptake and perfusion pressure produced by l-norephedrine, prazosin significantly and nitroprusside totally inhibited both of these changes. Nitroprusside also completely inhibited the increase in lactate production. We conclude that norephedrine has a hitherto unrecognized peripheral thermogenic activity in the perfused rat hindlimb resulting from its interaction with alpha 1 adrenergic receptors that control vasoconstriction in this tissue.     

Successful pregnancies following remission in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia--case report.

We report two successful pregnancies in a 17-year-old Arab girl who had received modern combination chemotherapy and central nervous system minimal disease therapy for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the age of 9.5 years.     

Localization of Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) in the Hypothalamus-Pituitary System in Rats: Light and Electron Microscopic Immunocytochemical Studies

The localization of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the hypothalamus-pituitary system in rats was examined in light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry using a specific antiserum to synthetic PACAP 1–38 (R0831). In light microscopic study, intensely PACAP-immunostained perikarya were observed in the supraoptic and paraventricular magnocellular nucleus in the hypothalamus. In the median eminence, many immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the internal layer, but a few immunoreactive terminals were noticed in the external layer. In the pituitary gland, numerous immunoreactive nerve fibers were observed in the posterior lobe. In the intermediate lobe, moderately immunostained cells were observed, but in the anterior lobe no immunostained cells were noticed. In electron microscopic study, PACAP-immunoreactivity was examined by avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. In the perikarya of the supraoptic and paraventricular magnocellular nucleus, DAB-reaction products were distributed diffusely in the cytoplasmic matrix, frequently attaching to the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. In the nerve terminals of the posterior lobe, reaction products were observed among the secretory granules, but sometimes upon them. In the cells of the intermediate lobe, reaction products were also distributed in the cytoplasmic matrix.     

Clinical evaluation of technetium-99m infecton for the localisation of bacterial infection

The aim of the study was to distinguish infection from inflammation in patients with suspected infection using technetium-99m Infecton. Ninety-nine patients (102 studies) referred for infection evaluation underwent imaging with 400 MBq^99mTc-Infecton at 1 and 4 h. Most patients had appropriate microbiological tests and about half (56) had radiolabelled white cell scans as well. No adverse effects were noted in any patient. The clinical efficacy of^99mTc-Infecton depended in part on whether imaging was undertaken during intibiotic therapy for infection or not. In consultation with the microbiologist, 5–14 days of appropriate and successful antibiotic therapy was considered adequate to classify some results as true-negatives. The figures for sensitivity and specificity of^99mTc-Infecton for active or unsuccessfully treated infection were 83% and 91% respectively. It is concluded that^99mTc-Infecton imaging contributed to the differential diagnosis of inflammation. It is being used as the first imaging modality when bacterial infection is suspected.     

永瓣藤化学成分的研究

永瓣藤化学成分的研究陈玲，谢平，戚薇，曾菊珍（药学系中药化学教研室）关键词永瓣藤，化学成分，三萜，蒜盘子甾酮永瓣藤（ＭｏｎｉｍｏｐｅｔａｌｎｍＣｈｉｎｅｎｓｅＲｅ－ｈｄ）系卫矛科永瓣藤属植物［１］，为我国特有的珍稀二类保护植物［２］，分布于江西东北部...     

Detection of circulating antigen by McAb-AST for evaluating the efficacy of anti-Leishmania chemotherapy.

We have adapted the simple and sensitive McAb-antigen spot test (AST) for evaluating the efficacy of anti-Leishmania chemotherapy. Serum samples from 37 kala-azar patients were tested by McAb-AST, and all showed definite positive reactions before treatment. After a course of antimony treatment, 20 turned negative, coupled with the disappearance of clinical symptoms; another 12 cases responded with weak positivity accompanied by an improvement of clinical manifestations; and the remaining 5 antimony-resistant patients showed strong positive reactions, with their conditions gradually worsening. Furthermore, all 6 cases in which the diagnosis was missed by the bone marrow smear method turned McAb-AST negative after chemotherapy. These results suggest that McAb-AST can be used to evaluate the efficacy of chemotherapy as well as to avoid missed diagnosis by the bone marrow smear method.     

Mitogenic, chemotactic, and synthetic responses of rat periodontal ligament fibroblastic cells to polypeptide growth factors in vitro.

The mitogenic, chemotactic, and synthetic responses of rat periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblastic cells to epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta), recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor (rhPDGF)-AB, rhPDGF-BB, natural (n) PDGF-AB, and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) were examined in vitro using PDL cells obtained from the coagulum of healing tooth sockets. PDGFs and IGF-I have potent and comparable mitogenic effects on PDL fibroblastic cells. The maximum mitogenic effect of PDGFs was observed at the concentration of 10 ng/ml, whereas that of IGF-I was seen at concentrations higher than 100 ng/ml. In contrast, EGF induced moderate, and TGF-beta inhibitory mitogenic responses. The combination of rhPDGF-AB with either EGF or TGF-beta demonstrated comparable mitogenic potency, equivalent to the level of PDGF alone regardless of the mitogenic effect of other growth factors. The combination of rhPDGF-AB and IGF-I, however, showed a synergistic effect revealing the highest mitogenic effect among all individual growth factors as well as any combinations of the growth factors tested. Similarly, PDL fibroblastic cells demonstrated strong chemotactic responses to both IGF-I and PDGFs. The maximum effect was observed by IGF-I at concentrations higher than 10 ng/ml, followed by rhPDGF-BB at 0.1 ng/ml, rhPDGF-AB and nPDGF at concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1 ng/ml. TGF-beta revealed no, and EGF slightly increased, chemotactic effects. IGF-I slightly enhanced the synthesis of total protein, whereas other factors had no significant effect. However, both rhPDGF-AB and TGF-beta stimulated collagen synthesis. On the other hand, IGF-I showed no effect on collagen synthesis, while EGF suppressed collagen synthesis. These findings suggest that rhPDGF-BB and IGF-I stimulate proliferation and chemotaxis of PDL fibroblastic cells. In addition, the combination of these growth factors further increases the mitogenic effect. rhPDGF-AB also stimulates collagen synthesis by PDL fibroblastic cells. Thus, rhPDGF-BB and IGF-I may have important roles in promotion of PDL healing, and consequently, may be useful for clinical application in periodontal regenerative procedures.     

The pharmacokinetics of lignocaine in humans during a computer-controlled infusion.

Several types of chronic pain syndromes are effectively treated with sodium channel blockers such as lignocaine. Further investigation of this therapeutic modality would be facilitated by refinement of the parameters describing lignocaine distribution and elimination. This would allow precise lignocaine infusion by a computer-controlled infusion to attain and maintain stable target lignocaine concentrations. Arterial blood samples were obtained at frequent intervals during a computer-controlled infusion of lignocaine in 12 adult human volunteers. Plasma lignocaine concentrations of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 microg/ml were targeted for 15 min at each concentration. A three-compartment mammillary pharmacokinetic model best described the resulting concentration vs time profile. A population pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using three different techniques; the two-stage, pooled and mixed effects modelling. There was marked overshoot of the plasma concentration above the target prior to refinement of the pharmacokinetic parameters. The best parameters of a three-compartment mammillary model fit to the measured concentration using the pooled data approach were: V(1) = 7.44, V(2) =11.5 and V(3) = 97.71; Cl(1) = 0.585, Cl(2) = 2.23 and Cl(3) =1.64 l/min. Similarly calculated parameters using NONMEM were V(1) = 6.99, V(2) =12.2 and V(3) =1341; Cl(1) = 0.703, Cl(2) =1.24 and Cl(3) =1.49 l/min. The addition of age as a covariate of the pharmacokinetic parameters improved the model in both cases. Height, lean body mass and body surface area as covariates of the pharmacokinetic parameters did not improve the predicted value of the model. Prospective testing of the pharmacokinetic parameters will be required to define whether they function well. The refinement of pharmacokinetic parameters for the computer-controlled intravenous infusion of lignocaine will facilitate further research in pain therapy. Published lignocaine pharmacokinetic values have a relatively large central volume of distribution, and hence, when implemented as a computer-controlled infusion, result in dramatic overshoot shortly after targeting a higher plasma concentration. In light of the long-lasting pain relief provided by sodium channel blockade in neuropathic pain states, overshoot of plasma concentrations must be avoided if the concentration vs effect relationship is to be defined.     

Risk factors of acute pancreatitis]

A total of 689 operative cases of acute necrotic pancreatitis (ANP) were collected from 42 hospitals all over the country by the ANP Cooperative Study Group in the years of 1987 to 1989. General data, laboratory findings, pathology of the pancreas and the type of surgical treatment were analysed according to the outcome of the patient. The results showed that 37% of the cases were related to cholelithiasis, the highest incidence was in age above 60, and female patients were predominant and with higher mortality. Laboratory findings at admission, WBC greater than 20,000/mm3, Hb greater than 15 g%, blood sugar greater than 200 mg%, serum bilirubin greater than 5 mg%, BUN greater than 20 mg%, and serum calcium less than 7 mg% were related to the markedly elevated mortality rate. Operative findings noted in patients with bloody or cloudy peritoneal fluid, necrotic changes up to 75% of the pancreas, more than 2 areas of extrapancreatic involvements and resection of a large portion of the pancreas was found to be necessary were all related to a higher mortality. And emergency operations performed within 24 hours after the onset of the disease was also related with a highest mortality rate.     

The Canadian Psychiatric Association practice profile survey: I. Methods and general sample characteristics.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the rationale, methodology, and general sample characteristics of the Canadian Psychiatric Association (CPA) practice profile survey, a national survey of psychiatrists and psychiatric practice. METHOD: Mail-in interviews were sent to all Canadian psychiatrists listed in their provincial registers and to all active CPA members (total = 3628). Respondents provided general information about their professional activities for one 24-hour day and detailed information for 1 randomly selected hour. Patient information--including sociodemographics, diagnostic profiles, functioning levels, risk of harm to self or others, and disposition--was elicited for 1 patient seen during the random hour as well as for the most seriously ill patient receiving clinical services that day. RESULTS: There was a 45.5% response rate. Questionnaires completed by nonpsychiatrists or with a large percentage of missing or incorrect data were eliminated (107 surveys), resulting in a final sample size of 1570. CPA members and those from Western Canada responded at a higher rate to the survey. The results suggest some cause for concern about future manpower shortages. Most psychiatrists practise eclectically, seeing patients across the life-span, and working in both community and institutional settings. The old and the young appear to be underserviced, compared with adults. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents an important step forward in evaluating the profile and activities of the profession.