Intravenous salbutamol in the treatment of status asthmaticus in children.

The management of status asthmaticus using a continuous iv infusion of salbutamol was studied in 14 children with a total of 16 episodes of respiratory failure, unresponsive to conventional bronchodilator therapy. The mean PaCO2 at the start of the infusion was 60 +/- 6 torr. A loading dose of 1 microgram/kg X min body weight was given over 10 min, followed by an infusion of 0.

Calcium entry blocker activity of cyproheptadine in isolated cardiovascular preparations.

Cyproheptadine was compared with nifedipine, verapamil and diltiazem for calcium entry blocker activity in isolated cardiovascular preparations. Using rat aortic strips, all compounds (10(-7) M) inhibited both the contraction caused by the readdition of calcium (1.0 mM) into regular buffer or buffer containing potassium (130 mM) or norepinephrine (10(-5) M) and the potassium-stimulated uptake of 45Ca.

Neutrophil circulation and release from bone marrow during hypothermia.

The effect of hypothermia on neutrophil circulation and release from bone marrow has been studied. Pigs were anesthetized and maintained at 37 degrees C or surface cooled to 29 degrees C over 60 min. As the core temperature was reduced to 29 degrees C, the number of circulating neutrophils (X 10(9) per liter) fell from 6.

Evaluation of pulmonary function in muscular dystrophy patients requiring spinal surgery.

Scoliosis associated with muscular dystrophy frequently necessitates surgical stabilization of the spine. The timing of surgery usually is based on the degree of spinal angulation. Pulmonary function, which deteriorates with age in children with muscular dystrophy, should also be an important consideration in this timing.

Effect of N-[(S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-L-Ala-L-Pro and its ethyl ester (MK-421) on angiotensin converting enzyme in vitro and angiotensin I pressor responses in vivo.

The parent diacid (N-[(S)-1-carboxy-3-phenylpropyl]-L-Ala-L-Pro of MK-421 inhibited hog plasma angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) by 50% (I50) at a concentration of 1.2 nM and was 17 times more potent than captopril. In vitro the I50 for MK-421, an ethyl ester, was 1200 nM because de-esterification did not occur.

Hemodynamic effects of dobutamine after cardiopulmonary bypass in children.

The synthetic inotropic agent, dobutamine, has reportedly increased cardiac output in adults after cardiopulmonary bypass with minimal side effects. Its use in children, after surgical correction of congenital heart disease, was tested by infusing the drug at 1, 4, 7, and 10 micrograms/kg x min in 11 children. While significant increases in cardiac index above control (23, 23, and 16% at 4, 7, and 10 micrograms/kg x min, respectively) were observed, this was achieved at the expense of significant increases in heart rate (15, 24, and 10%).

Inability of indomethacin to modify hydrochlorothiazide diuresis and natriuresis by the chimpanzee kidney.

A drug interaction study in the chimpanzee by using indomethacin and hydrochlorothiazide has shown conclusively that the diuretic and saluretic properties of hydrochlorothiazide were not compromised by indomethacin. This was true whether hydrochlorothiazide or indomethacin was administered first. The renal clearance of hydrochlorothiazide was not influenced by indomethacin nor was the renal clearance of indomethacin significantly altered by hydrochlorothiazide.

Ventilation by high-frequency oscillation.

The effect of applying a high-frequency small-volume sinusoidal oscillation at the airway was investigated in anesthetized apneic beagle dogs (mean wt 11 kg, mean VDphys 6.6 +/- 0.6 ml/kg).

Diuretic and uricosuric activity of 6,7-dichloro-2,3-dihydro-5-(2-thienylcarbonyl)benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid and stereoisomers in chimpanzee, dog and rat.

The racemate and the d-isomer of 6,7-dichloro-2,3-dihydro-5-(2-thienylcarbonyl)benzofuran-2-carboxylic acid exhibited diuretic activity in the chimpanzee, dog and rat. In the chimpanzee, the diuresis and natriuresis presumably resulted from a site of action in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop. The l-isomer was uricosuric but devoid of any diuretic action in the chimpanzee and similarly was not diuretic in the dog and rat.

Renal excretion of a slauretic-uricosuric agent (MK-196) and interaction with a urate-retaining drug, pyrazinoate, in the chimpanzee.

The excretory pattern for MK-196 is ocmpatible with that of other weak organic acids such as salicylate and probenecid. Tubular secretion of MK-196 is strongly inhibitied by probenecid and high loads of p-aminohippurate. Urinary excretion of MK-196 is increased 10-fold when the urine is alkaline.

Saluretic and uricosuric effects of (6, 7-dichloro-2-methyl=1-oxo-2-phenyl-5-indanyloxy) acetic acid (MK-196) in the chimpanzee.

The saluretic and uricosuric responses elicited by a novel agent, MK-196, have been studied in a great ape, the chimpanzee. This agent is orally active at very low doses and has a prolonged duration of action. Probenecid does not appear to influence the saluretic and uricosuric properties of MK-196.