A prospective randomized study of glutamine-enriched parenteral compared with enteral feeding in postoperative patients.

Plasma amino acids were measured in 17 postoperative subjects randomly assigned to receive for > or = 5 d tube feeding or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) that had identical energy, nitrogen, and glutamine contents. Subjects required gastric or pancreatic surgery for malignancy and were well-matched for age and body mass index. Tube feeding or TPN began on postoperative day 1 and advanced in daily 25% increments to meet goals of 105 kJ .

A general method for DNA polymorphism identification in genetic assessment and molecular diagnosis.

A general methodology for the analysis of human diseases at the nucleic acid level has been described. This method consists of a semiautomated, nontoxic analytic procedure, staining DNA bands with silver nitrate instead of ethidium bromide after DNA amplification by PCR. This technique provides a sensitive assay with enhanced accuracy and offers the possibility of carrying out the molecular analysis of several polymorphisms in a single day simplifying molecular genetics with diagnostic purposes.

Behavioral changes associated with different apolipoprotein E genotypes in dementia.

Behavioral dysfunction is a problem in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD), and is apparent in up to 67% of individuals. Such changes are a primary cause of individual institutionalization and often lead to their functional disability. As AD progresses, the worsening of behavioral dysfunction becomes increasingly evident and is linked with decreased patient survival.

Specific cardiolipin binding interferes with labeling of sulfhydryl residues in the adenosine diphosphate/adenosine triphosphate carrier protein from beef heart mitochondria.

The interaction of cardiolipin with the isolated ADP/ATP carrier protein from beef heart mitochondria has been studied by means of the unmasking of a single cysteinyl residue, Cys56, which accompanies the conformational transition of the protein [Leblanc, P., & Clauser, H, (1972) FEBS Lett. 23, 107-113].

APOE-related frequency of cognitive and noncognitive symptoms in dementia.

Although memory disorders and the aphaso-apraxo-agnosic syndrome are the most relevant clinical symptoms in dementia, behavioral changes, mood-related disturbances and sleep disorders are the major cause of institutionalization and caregiver concern. In the present study we have investigated the frequency and progression of cognitive and noncognitive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD) as well as the APOE-related frequency of clinical symptoms in dementia. Memory decline (100%), aphasia (94%), apraxia (99%), agnosia (94%) and motor dysfunction (90%) appeared in practically all cases with mild (GDS-3), moderate (GDS 3-4) and severe (GDS 6-7) dementia.

The role of circulating food antigen-specific lymphocytes in food allergic children with atopic dermatitis.

In this study we evaluated antigen-specific in vitro responses of peripheral blood lymphocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-depleted food allergens in children who reacted to food challenge (cow's milk or hen's egg) with a deterioration of their atopic dermatitis (AD). Some of the children showed immediate symptoms (urticaria, bronchial asthma or gastrointestinal symptoms) as well. The proliferation of casein-stimulated lymphocytes from children reacting to cow's milk (age 0.

Studies on pyrazinoylguanidine. 4. Upregulation of phosphodiesterase activity in rat adipose tissue and downregulation of gluconeogenesis and adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate concentrations in perfused rat liver.

In isolated rat adipocytes stimulated with theophylline (1 mmol/l), pyrazinoylguanidine (PZG) downregulated both lipolysis and cyclic AMP concentrations, raising the possibility that PZG stimulates adipose insulin-sensitive phosphodiesterase. To investigate this directly, we measured PZG's effects on phosphodiesterase activity in rat adipocytes. PZG (10 mumol/l) as well as insulin (0.

Studies on pyrazinoylguanidine. 3. Downregulation of lipolysis in isolated adipocytes.

The effects of pyrazinoylguanidine (PZG) on lipolysis and intracellular cyclic AMP concentrations were investigated in isolated rat adipocytes. PZG reduced basal cyclic AMP concentrations and blocked in a concentration-dependent manner forskolin (1 mumol/l) and isoproterenol (1 mumol/l) stimulatory effects on intracellular cyclic AMP production and lipolysis. PZG's effects on hormone-sensitive lipase were investigated in the presence and absence of glucagon (1 mumol/l) or isoproterenol (1 mumol/l).

Purification and characterization of human cleavage factor Im involved in the 3' end processing of messenger RNA precursors.

Six different protein factors are required for the specific cleavage and polyadenylation of pre-mRNA in mammals. Whereas four of them have been purified and most of their components cloned, cleavage factor Im (CF Im) and cleavage factor IIm (CF IIm) remained poorly characterized. We report here the separation of CF Im from CF 11m and the purification of CF Im to near homogeneity.

Studies on pyrazinoylguanidine. 2. Comparative drug and dose effects on glucose and lipid metabolism in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

In streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats, pyrazinoylguanidine (PZG) markedly reduced elevated fasting concentrations of plasma glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol. In contrast, these parameters were unaffected by a sulfonylurea, glyburide, or by a biguanide, metformin. PZG's glucose- and lipid-lowering effects were dose-dependent.

Studies on pyrazinoylguanidine. 1. Characterization of metabolic effects in diabetic rats.

Pyrazinoylguanidine (PZG) is a new antihyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic drug. The current study reports on the development of an animal model in which the favorable metabolic effects of PZG, previously described in diabetic patients, could be reproduced and investigated. Adult male as well as female Sprague-Dawley rats received a single intraperitoneal dose (50 mg/kg) of streptozotocin (STZ).

Stages of the bilayer-micelle transition in the system phosphatidylcholine-C12E8 as studied by deuterium- and phosphorous-NMR, light scattering, and calorimetry.

The perturbation of phospholipid bilayer membranes by a nonionic detergent, octaethyleneglycol mono-n-dodecylether (C12E8), was investigated by 2H- and 31P-NMR, static and dynamic light scattering, and differential scanning calorimetry. Preequilibrated mixtures of the saturated phospholipids 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DPPC), 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DMPC), and 1,2-dilauroyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphorylcholine (DLPC) with the detergent were studied over a broad temperature range including the temperature of the main thermotropic phase transition of the pure phospholipids. Above this temperature, at a phospholipid/detergent molar ratio 2:1, the membranes were oriented in the magnetic field.

The role of eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein in monitoring oral challenge tests in children with food-sensitive atopic dermatitis.

To investigate the role of peripheral blood eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein as parameters in monitoring oral food challenges, we monitored 25 infants and children with atopic dermatitis for up to 48 hours after 47 placebo-controlled oral food challenges with cow's milk, hen's egg, cow's milk and hen's egg, or placebo for up to 48 hours. Six healthy young nonatopic adult volunteers served as control subjects. Compared with baseline values, peripheral blood eosinophils decreased significantly immediately after clinical reaction in positive challenges (p < 0.

Pyrazinoylguanidine downregulates the glucose fatty-acid cycle in hypertensive, hyperinsulinemic diabetic patients.

Eight hypertensive patients with noninsulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) were administered the experimental drug pyrazinoylguanidine (PZG) either alone or in combination with calcium-channel or beta-blockers. This treatment appeared to "downregulate" the glucose fatty acid cycle and reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressures and mean body weight. Patients served as their own controls in this dose-escalation study, which included placebo treatment (baseline) 3 weeks, 300 mg PZG for 3 weeks and 600 mg for 3 weeks.

Serum tryptase and urinary 1-methylhistamine as parameters for monitoring oral food challenges in children.

To study the usefulness of urinary 1-methylhistamine and serum tryptase concentration as monitoring parameters in clinical settings, we investigated 32 children with atopic dermatitis and suspected food allergy during oral food challenges with eggs and cow's milk. Urinary 1-methylhistamine (MH) excretion increased significantly within 1 h after positive oral food challenges (p < 0.006), but showed considerable variation in negative challenges.

The human U1A snRNP protein regulates polyadenylation via a direct interaction with poly(A) polymerase.

The human U1 snRNP-specific U1A protein autoregulates its production by binding its own pre-mRNA and inhibiting polyadenylation. The mechanism of this regulation has been elucidated by in vitro studies. U1A protein is shown not to prevent either binding of cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor (CPSF) to its recognition sequence (AUUAAA) or to prevent cleavage of U1A pre-mRNA.

The reconstituted ADP/ATP carrier activity has an absolute requirement for cardiolipin as shown in cysteine mutants.

Although the site-directed C73S mutation in the ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) AAC2 gene from Saccharomyces cerevisiae produced a glycerol-positive strain, indicating that the mutant AAC is active, on isolation and reconstitution in egg yolk phosphatidylcholine, the C73S AAC had no transport activity, whereas the wild-type AAC was fully active. Only on addition of cardiolipin was an exchange activity with the C73S AAC obtained. The AACs isolated from the other cysteine mutants did not (C244S) or only marginally (C271S) require cardiolipin for transport on reconstitution.

Physical Chemistry of the H2SO4/HNO3/H2O System: Implications for Polar Stratospheric Clouds.

Polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) play a key role in stratospheric ozone depletion. Surface-catalyzed reactions on PSC particles generate chlorine compounds that photolyze readily to yield chlorine radicals, which in turn destroy ozone very efficiently. The most prevalent PSCs form at temperatures several degrees above the ice frost point and are believed to consist of HNO(3) hydrates; however, their formation mechanism is unclear.

Effects of pyrazinoylguanidine on the glucose-fatty acid cycle in normal subjects and patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

Pyrazinoylguanidine (PZG) reduced the hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and hyperlipidemia of patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) as well as of normal subjects receiving hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ). Mechanisms are proposed by which PZG downregulated the elevated glucose-fatty acid cycle toward a more normal level in NIDDM patients and in non-diabetic subjects maintained on HCTZ. Despite maintenance of these NIDDM patients on their current antihypertensive medication, PZG reduced further their systolic and diastolic pressures.

Contrasting effects of pyrazinoylguanidine and hydrochlorothiazide in patients with renal insufficiency.

A single blind crossover study with washout phases showed that pyrazinoylguanidine (PZG) reduced elevated serum concentrations of urea, triglycerides, and cholesterol in patients with renal insufficiency. Pyrazinoylguanidine was saluretic, without affecting serum potassium or glucose concentrations. The onset of PZG's antihypertensive effect occurred within 4 hours.

[Immunologic studies of barbiturates--the effect of structural characteristics on cross-reactivity].

Immunologic assay methods are widely used in chemico-toxicological analysis. Often test kits that are created for the detection of entire drug groups, e.g.

Monitoring of inflammation during challenge tests in children.

From our data we conclude, that the determinations of ECP and EPX do not add any useful information as monitoring parameters for bronchial allergen challenge tests. In contrast, eosinophils and eosinophil cationic protein may deserve further study as potentially useful monitoring parameters for oral food challenges in patients with food related atopic eczema.

Pyrazinoylguanidine: antihypertensive, hypocholesterolemic, and renin effects.

In a single-blind, placebo-controlled study of 12 subjects diagnosed as having mild to moderate hypertension and hypercholesterolemia, pyrazinoylguanidine (PZG) in a dose of 600 mg twice daily for 4 weeks reduced systolic blood pressure and heart rate. Pyrazinoylguanidine also reduced diastolic pressures, but to a lesser extent. Pyrazinoylguanidine reduced total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL).