Detection of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in oral fluid, blood and urine following oral consumption of low-content THC hemp oil.

Hemp-derivative (Cannabis sativa L.) food products containing trace levels of Δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are proposed for consumption in Australia and New Zealand; however, it is unclear whether use of these products will negatively affect existing drug screening protocols. This double-blind, within-subjects, cross-over trial assessed 35 adults (17 male; 18 female), aged 22-52 years [Mean=30.

Antioxidant vitamins prevent oxidative and carbonyl stress in an animal model of obstructive sleep apnea.

Purpose: The aim of our study was to analyze the effects of an antioxidant treatment on markers of oxidative and carbonyl stress in a rat model of obstructive sleep apnea.

Methods: Wistar rats were randomized into six groups-according to gender and intervention-sham, intermittent hypoxia, and intermittent hypoxia with treatment by vitamins C and E. Rats underwent tracheostomy.

Drug release from hydroethanolic gels. Effect of drug's lipophilicity (logP), polymer-drug interactions and solvent lipophilicity.

We demonstrate drug release properties from hydroethanolic formulations as a function of the drug's lipophilicity (logP), solvent lipophilicity and drug-polymer interactions, for the first time. A hydrophilic polymer, hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), provides the non-Fickian slower release of the lipophilic drug, lidocaine (logP=2.6) and the burst (Fickian) release of hydrophilic drug, lidocaine hydrochloride (logP View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The rheological properties of pharmaceutical foam: implications for use.

We have evaluated various aerosol foam types having different compositions and related physico-chemical properties. The foams assessed were hydroethanolic, emulsion, and aqueous based. Composition, appearance, loss on drying, and rheological properties were analysed to characterise the macrostructure of the different aerosol foams.

Decrease in measles virus-specific CD4 T cell memory in vaccinated subjects.

Since the licensure and generalization of an effective measles virus (MV) vaccine 41 years ago, antibody levels have been used as correlates of immunity. The long-lived MV-specific antibody response has been studied intensely, but the dynamics of MV-specific T cell immunity over time have not been well characterized. We thus characterized the profiles of MV vaccine-induced antigen-specific T cells over time since vaccination.

Simultaneous determination of tretinoin and clindamycin phosphate and their degradation products in topical formulations by reverse phase HPLC.

A new HPLC method based on reverse phase separation and photodiode-array detection has been developed for the simultaneous determination of tretinoin and clindamycin phosphate, and their degradation products in topical formulations. The method has been shown to be stability indicating, accurate, and precise for two different formulation vehicles. Separation was achieved on a reverse phase C18 column (Lichrospher, RP18, 5 microm, 25 cm x 4.

Behavioral weight control for overweight adolescents initiated in primary care.

Objective: This study evaluates the post-treatment and short-term follow-up efficacy of, as well as participant satisfaction for, a 4-month behavioral weight control program for overweight adolescents initiated in a primary care setting and extended through telephone and mail contact.

Research Methods And Procedures: 44 overweight adolescents were randomly assigned to either a multiple component behavioral weight control intervention (Healthy Habits [HH]; n = 23) or a single session of physician weight counseling (typical care [TC]; n = 21). Weight, height, dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and problematic weight-related and eating behaviors and beliefs were assessed before treatment, after the 4-month treatment, and at 3-month follow-up.

Gambling among adolescents.

Gambling onset during adolescence has been the subject of recent articles in the lay press. This study reports on the incidence of gambling in adolescents. There were 97 males (48.

A case of profound iron deficiency anemia owing to corrosive esophagitis in a 20-year-old developmentally delayed male.

The level of severe compensated iron deficiency anemia incompatible with life is not defined in the pediatric or adolescent literature. A hemoglobin of 1.5 gm/dl in an older adolescent with few physical symptoms is distinctly unusual.

Carnitine in adolescents.

Carnitine, abundant in muscle and other tissues, is normally synthesized from lysine. Its major metabolic role is transport of long-chain fatty acids into muscle where beta oxidation takes place. Normative data are available for carnitine levels, but few studies define carnitine of specific age groups.

Male pseudohermaphroditism resulting from 17 alpha-monooxygenase (P-450C17) deficiency in two unrelated Guamanians.

Objective: To report the cases of and to describe two unrelated Guamanian patients with an unusual form of congenital adrenal hyperplasia resulting from 17 alpha-monooxygenase deficiency (P-450C17).

Design: Patient series.

Setting: Referral center.

Circulating phospholipase A2 activity associated with sepsis and septic shock is indistinguishable from that associated with rheumatoid arthritis.

Elevation of circulating phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activity is associated with sepsis and septic shock. Elevated levels of PLA2 activity also are seen in association with chronic inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. The relationship between these phospholipases is unclear.

Chronic fibrosing pancreatitis in a 12-year-old female.

Recurrent abdominal pain in an adolescent population is a frequent complaint. However, diseases of the pancreas, and especially chronic pancreatitis, in this age group are extremely uncommon. One type of pancreatitis, fibrosing pancreatitis, has been reported in only 14 previous pediatric patients, five of whom were over 12 years of age.

Ovine lactoferrin: isolation from colostrum and characterization.

Highly purified lactoferrin was isolated from ovine colostrum by sequential purification on CM-Sephadex C-50 and Blue-Sepharose, with overall yield of 55%. The ovine lactoferrin was characterized by SDS-PAGE, its amino acid composition and N-terminal sequence to residue 30. Homology with bovine and human lactoferrins was greater than 80 and 50% respectively.

A strategy for obtaining active mammalian enzyme from a fusion protein expressed in bacteria using phospholipase A2 as a model.

An active preparation of human phospholipase A2 (PLA2) was made after expression as an insoluble fusion protein in Escherichia coli. The new key elements required for PLA2 isolation were the maintenance of the fusion protein in solution after the initial solubilization and the use of a tryptophan cleavage procedure for regeneration of native PLA2 from the fusion protein. The fusion protein was composed of a beta-galactosidase leader peptide incorporating six consecutive threonine residues to aid in insoluble inclusion body formation, followed by a tryptophan adjacent to the N-terminus of PLA2.

Functional and biochemical properties of ovine neutrophils.

Ovine neutrophils were isolated and characterised by their morphology, biochemical and functional responses. Two major granule types were observed, peroxidase positive and peroxidase negative, which were identified as the ovine equivalent of the human azurophil and specific granules respectively. A third type of granule identified, which was present at low frequency and was peroxidase negative, was possibly the ovine equivalent of the bovine large granule.

Deficiency of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I.

Defective activity of carnitine palmitoyltransferase I was demonstrated in fibroblasts derived from a patient with hypoketotic hypoglycemia. The level of activity observed was approximately 10% of the control mean. Oxidation of palmitate by intact fibroblasts was reduced to 5% of control values.

Attitudes of adolescents and parents of adolescents concerning condom advertisements on television.

The major television networks have considered airing condom advertisements. A Louis-Harris poll entitled "Attitudes About Television, Sex and Contraceptive Advertising" conducted in early 1987 concluded that at least 60% of adult Americans were in favor of such advertisements. To better understand the attitudes of adolescents and parents of adolescents in a private practice setting toward contraceptive advertisement on television, the present study was performed.

C-reactive protein decreases protein phosphorylation in stimulated human neutrophils.

Treatment of human neutrophils with C-reactive protein (CRP) causes a concentration-dependent in the extent of activation of superoxide production and of granule secretion, induced by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or N-formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine (fMLF). The same treatment also causes a significant reduction in the degree of PMA- and fMLF-stimulated phosphorylation of several cell proteins. These include the proteins of 43-47 kDa, whose extent of phosphorylation correlates with the activation of superoxide production and of secretion.

Use of chaperones during pelvic examinations of female adolescents. Results of a survey.

The male membership of the Society for Adolescent Medicine was surveyed regarding the use of a chaperone during pelvic examination of female adolescents. Five hundred seven questionnaires were mailed, and 292 physicians (58%) responded. One hundred eight (37%) reported performing pelvic examinations without a chaperone present.