Evidence from rat hepatocytes of an unrecognized pathway of 5-fluorouracil metabolism with the formation of a glucuronide derivative.

Isolated rat hepatocytes in suspension were exposed to [3H]-5-fluorouracil for intervals over 2 h, following which the cells were removed from the media and sonicated, and the cytoplasm was sampled. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to separate 5-fluorouracil (FUra) from its known anabolites and catabolites, with subsequent quantitation of these metabolites by measurement of radioactivity. As the extracellular concentration of FUra was increased above 30 microM, the intracellular levels of FUra increased, with detection of a new peak of radioactivity distinct from any of the known anabolites or catabolites.

Modulation of 5-fluorouracil catabolism in isolated rat hepatocytes with enhancement of 5-fluorouracil glucuronide formation.

The catabolism of 5-fluorouracil (FUra), which accounts for 90% of the elimination of this antimetabolite in vivo, has recently been characterized in freshly isolated rat hepatocytes in suspension using a highly specific high-performance liquid chromatographic methodology. The present study evaluates the effect of thymine and uracil, which are thought to be catabolized by the same enzymes as FUra, on the metabolism and transmembrane distribution of FUra in isolated rat hepatocytes. Following simulataneous exposure of cells for 5 min to 30 microM [6-3H]FUra and increasing concentrations of either thymine or uracil, dihydrofluorouracil (FUH2) levels decreased in a concentration-dependent manner, and the concentration determined for 50% inhibition of FUra catabolism was 8.

Environmental factors associated with continuers and terminators in adult out-patient psychotherapy.

Two separate studies examined five areas in the patient's environment (e.g. life adjustment, external support, alternative counsel, intercurrent stress events, and other factors such as transport availability, and difficulty obtaining time off work) which may influence continuation or premature termination from psychotherapy.

Disease expression in +-/+- ----mdg/mdg mouse chimeras: evidence for an extramuscular component in the pathogenesis of both dysgenic abnormal diaphragm innervation and skeletal muscle 16 S acetylcholinesterase deficiency.

Homozygous mdg/mdg mice die at birth and express a syndrome of abnormalities, the most striking of which is a gross failure of skeletal muscle development. Recently, additional abnormalities in the development of nerve-muscle relationships have been recognized; in particular, on muscle fibers within the diaphragm, motor end plates are inappropriately dispersed and, in all muscles, there is a paucity of the 16 S form of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). These abnormalities could result entirely as secondary consequences of the primary muscle defect or from expression of the mdg defect in additional cell types, e.

Elastofibroma arising in the foot.

Elastofibroma is a nonneoplastic proliferation of collagen and abnormal elastic fibers, with a marked predilection for the subscapular area. We have described an elastofibroma occurring in a previously unreported location, the plantar surface of the foot. Trauma has been implicated in the pathogenesis of these lesions, regardless of site, and our patient's history of intensive dance and aerobic exercise further supports this relationship.

Computed tomographic findings in metastatic dural carcinomatosis.

A case is presented of metastatic dural carcinomatosis associated with a thickened subdural membrane similar to those found in association with posttraumatic chronic subdural hematomas. In this case burr-hole drainage was attempted as a result of findings on computed tomography scanning that suggested a right frontal chronic subdural hematoma. However, no chronic subdural hematoma or effusion was found.

Ultrasound effects on electroneuromyographic measures in sensory fibers of the median nerve.

The purpose of this study was to clarify the available literature and study the influence of ultrasound on the conduction velocity and amplitude of evoked sensory potentials in the median nerve. Thirteen subjects were assigned to either Experimental or Control Groups for ultrasound or placebo treatments. We compared sensory-nerve conduction velocity in the median nerve after 10 minutes of ultrasound treatment at three intensity levels (0.

Relation between finger reaction time and voice reaction time in stuttering and nonstuttering children and adults.

Nine stutterers and nine nonstutterers at each of three age levels (5 years, 9 years, and 18 years and above) responded to the onset of 21 1-kHz tones by depressing the index finger of their preferred hand on a response key. Finger reaction times (FRTs) were measured to the nearest millisecond and compared to the voice reaction times (VRTs) obtained from the same subjects. Increased speed and stability of the finger reaction times were observed as an inverse function of age for both groups.

A statistical comparison of the emotional status of hospitalized versus nonhospitalized subjects: a pilot study.

It has been suggested that the health care system might be best assessed by the patient's own attitudes concerning the quality of service rendered (Wood, 1974). The purpose of this study is to analyze the psychosocial quality of the health service/hospital system in the greater Iowa City, Iowa area, and the relative emotional stability of hospitalized patients in several local hospitals. Specifically, a survey of 20 questions has been developed to assess (1) patient's attitudes and psychosocial outlook, (2) patient's self-perception.

Secondary therapist variables operating in short-term insight-oriented, and behaviour therapy.

Three therapists from a short-term insight orientation and three practicing behaviour therapy each provided treatment to five clients over a three-month course of therapy. Measurement of therapists' attitudes was taken at the beginning of treatment, at the mid-point, and at the conclusion of therapy, and tapped the therapist's attitude towards the suitability of the treatment administered, the patient's attitude toward the therapist (as perceived by the therapist), the type of patient and problem presented, and attraction to and liking for the patient. Pre-post-outcome measurement was also undertaken on a range of selected criteria.

A simplified method for quality control of deglycerolized erythrocytes.

Quality control to detect inadequately deglycerolized red blood cells can be easily and inexpensively accomplished by suspending the deglycerolized cells in either recipient serum or normal saline in the same way in which the routine crossmatch is performed. In vitro hemolysis is readily and consistently apparent when the residual glycerol exceeds either 2.4% (in saline) or 2.

The characteristics of physical exercise programs in rehabilitation: a means of analysis.

The relatively few number of articles available concerning the utility of physical exercise or physical sports activities within rehabilitation, according to a recent literature search, may reflect a general scarcity of such articles and/or programs. According to the 115 references located however, exercise appears potentially useful as a rehabilitation tool, in spite of various programmatic and methodological complications. It is apparent that all forms of exercise training are not suitable for all rehabilitation clients.

Ethnicity as a variable in responses to California Psychological Inventory items.

The responses of Black and White subjects to the California Psychological Inventory items were compared. On the average, 34% in each of the 18 scales showed significant differences. Approximately two-thirds of the significant items for the males were also significant for the females.