Smoking and lung function.

In a cross-sectional survey of 3 separate communities, we studied the white residents 7 year of age and older in order to determine the relation between cigarette smoking and lung function. We identified 2,817 nonsmokers, 664 ex-smokers, and 1,209 smokers who were further classified as light smokers (1 to 20 cigarettes per day) and heavy smokers (greater than 20 cigarettes per day). Residual lung function (observed-predicted) was examined in these groups for forced expiratory volume in one second (rFEV1) and for maximal expiratory flow rates at 50% and 25% of the vital capacity (rVmax50% and rVmax 25%).

On maximum likelihood solutions for exponential survival models.

"Stochastic survival models which adjust for covariate information have been developed by Beck (1979). These models can include one or two living states and several competing death states. The transitions between stages are assumed irreversible and the transition intensity functions are assumed to be independent of time but dependent upon the covariates.

Rat plasma lipoprotein inhibitors of lymphocyte proliferation: specific membrane receptor for very low density lipoproteins.

We have compared the inhibitory effects of plasma lipoproteins on DNA synthesis by phytohemagglutinin-stimulated rat lymphocytes. The order of suppressor potency was: very low density lipoproteins (VLDL) greater than low density lipoproteins much greater than high density lipoproteins. We have further demonstrated the presence of specific receptor sites for VLDL on rat spleen lymphocytes.

Expression of mu and gamma immunoglobulin heavy chains in different cells of a cloned mouse lymphoid line.

A cloned cell line derived from mouse bone marrow and transformed by Abelson virus is shown to synthesize two different heavy chains, mu and gamma 2B, in vitro. This characteristic is stable because it persists upon subcloning. Although most of the immunoglobulin-synthesizing cells produce either mu or gamma 2B heavy chains, a few cells contain both heavy chains, suggesting immunoglobulin class switching.

[Characterization of tyrosine aminotransferase by an immunoadsorption technic. Application to the measurement of the specific messenger RNA].

A specific antiserum was used in an enzyme-linked immunoadsorbent assay (ELISA) for tyrosine amino-transferase TAT. Protein A bound on Sepharose was allowed to react with antiserum preincubated with the enzyme. Inhibition curves in the presence of protein A were parallel to those obtained in the absence of protein A.

[Use of the tyrosine aminotransferase induction system for the demonstration of the signal effect of glucocorticoid hormones].

The induction of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) in the HTC hepatoma cell line is observed after a single administration of an active steroid. A few minutes of contact between the cells and dexamethasone or corticosterone is sufficient to induce TAT synthesis to its maximal level. When radiolabeled hormones are used, no radioactivity is found in the cell one hour after removal of the hormone from the culture medium, whereas TAT activity remains optimal.

Clinicopathologic relationships, survival, and therapy in 59 patients with observations on occupation as a new prognostic factor.

Clinicopathologic relationships, survival and therapy were reviewed in 59 patients with mycosis fungoides (MF). An analysis of patient survival disclosed that stage of disease was a significant prognostic variable only if both cutaneous and visceral manifestations were considered in the staging design. The classical three-stage format, based solely on findings of eczema (I), plaques (II), or skin tumors (III), was not a significant factor in predicting survival.

Age-related changes of liver tyrosine aminotransferase in senescent rats.

Tyrosine aminotransferase was induced in adult and senescent rat liver and its properties studied. We show the appearance of a 'cross-reacting material' for induced tyrosine aminotransferase of old rats compared to basal enzyme; this cross-reacting material can be provoked in adult rats after injection of cycloheximide, and suppressed in adult and old rats after injection of a serine protease inhibitor (tosylphenylalanine chloromethylketone). Other properties of induced tyrosine aminotransferase (thermostability, Km for tyrosine, isoelectrofocusing) are identical except for the proportion of the three forms and their sensitivity to trypsin in the absence of pyridoxal phosphate, which is increased in senescent animals.

Identification of the major metabolite of prostacyclin and 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha in man.

Human volunteers were infused with 3H- and 2H-labeled prostacyclin or 3H-labeled 6-ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha and, in separate experiments, with the unlabeled prostanoids. The urine was purified by different chromatographic steps and finally separated into several fractions by high-performance liquid chromatography. The major fractions contained 20.

What's next?

Although maximum exposure limits are not listed for radiologic examinations, a study conducted by the United States Government has determined the average values for ten selected radiologic examinations. This study entitled Nationwide Evaluation of X-ray Trends (NEXT) can be used as a guide to determine if your x-ray department meets these criteria. Recommendations are made for the reduction of patient exposure in the event that the Entrance Skin Exposure Guides (ESEG) are exceeded.

Monitoring of oxygen delivery systems in clinical practice.

The measurement of hypopharyngeal FIO2, is a simple and rapid method for evaluating oxygen delivery systems in clinical practice. Hypopharyngeal FIO2 measurements were compared to other established methods of inspired gas measurement, namely, tracheal gas sampling and exhaled gas analysis. Hypopharyngeal sampling and exhaled gas analysis.

Antihypertensive activity of 16, 16-dimethyl-oxa-alkyl-prostaglandins of the PGA2, PGE2 and trans-delta 2-11-deoxy-PGE1 series: structure-activity relationships.

Utilizing Corey's synthesis, a variety of prostaglandins (PGs) with a modified omega-side chain were prepared. The 16, 16-dimethyl-oxa-alkyl analogues of PGA2 had potent antihypertensive activity. HR 466 (16, 16-dimethyl-18-oxa-PGA2), the best compound out of this series was active for 5-6 hours after oral administration of 0, 1 mg/kg to conscious renal hypertensive dogs.

Combined action of citrinin and ochratoxin A on hepatoma tissue culture cells.

Citrinin (CTN) and ochratoxin A (OT-A) may occur simultaneously in mould-contaminated commodities. Both are cytotoxic to hepatoma tissue culture (HTC) cells. The effect of both mycotoxins, eiter alone or in association on cellular protein, RNA and DNA synthesis was tested.

Action on ricin and its polypeptide chains on cultured hepatoma cells.

The effect of ricin, the glycoproteic toxin from castor beans, as well as of its two polypeptide chains A and B, was studied on hepatoma tissue cell suspension cultures (HCT). The isolated A and B chains have no action. Ricin at a 0.

[Quantitative cytobacteriological study of sputum in chronic bronchitics (author's transl)].

A quantitative cytobacteriological study of sputum was carried out in 259 chronic bronchitics. In non-purulent sputum (leukocyte count lower than 2,000/mm3), flora identified was salivary in 73% of the cases. In purulent sputum (leukocyte count higher than 5 000/mm3), the most frequently identified predominant bacterial species were Haemophilus influenzae (20%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (10.

Metabolism of prostacyclin and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha in man.

The major metabolites of prostacyclin and 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha in man were investigated. Healthy male volunteers were infused with the labeled and unlabeled prostanoids. The urine was chromatographed on different systems including high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Controlled clinical trial of a new dosage form of metaproterenol.

In a double-blind, crossover study of single doses an inhalant solution of metaproterenol was compared with an 0.5% solution of isoproterenol and placebo in nine patients with bronchial asthma and 13 patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The solutions were administered by IPPB in 15-minute treatment sessions.