Monitoring serum digoxin concentrations during digoxin immune Fab therapy.

Measurement of serum digoxin concentrations (SDCs) is used routinely in the diagnosis of digoxin toxicity. Following administration of the antidote, digoxin immune antigen binding fragments (Fab), SDC monitoring is hampered by assay-related problems because of the presence of Fab in the serum. Recent evidence has suggested several available methods to monitor free SDC during Fab therapy.

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Cerebrospinal fluid findings in patients before and during long-term oral zidovudine therapy.

Fifty-two patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome were enrolled in this study to evaluate the relationship between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) zidovudine concentrations and neurologic and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) culture findings. Paired HIV-CSF culture and neurologic measurements were available in 30 and 45 patients, respectively. Twenty-nine patients were assessable for zidovudine CSF concentrations.

The role of calcium channel blockers in the treatment of essential hypertension.

Calcium channel blockers, originally developed for the treatment of angina and supraventricular arrhythmias, have been shown to lower elevated blood pressure effectively in hypertensive patients. Verapamil, nifedipine, and diltiazem represent prototype compounds for unique chemical classes with differing pharmacologic properties. These drugs lower elevated blood pressure with efficacy comparable with other commonly used antihypertensives.

Recovery of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from semen: minimal impact of stage of infection and current antiviral chemotherapy.

Because exposure to semen is important for the sexual transmission of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV), the relationship of stage of infection and antiviral chemotherapy to isolation of HIV from semen was investigated. Whereas HIV was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of all seropositive persons tested, it was isolated from semen in only 11 (32%) of 34 men, including 3 of 6 who were studied sequentially over time. HIV was isolated from 6 (32%) of 19 semen specimens from 14 asymptomatic persons (Centers for Disease Control [CDC] class II or III) and from 10 (28%) of 36 semen specimens from 20 symptomatic patients (CDC class IV).

Antibiotics for common infections in the elderly.

A decline in host defense mechanisms and concurrent diseases combine to make the elderly patient particularly susceptible to common infections. The bacterial cause and antimicrobial sensitivity patterns may also be different in the elderly. The appropriate selection and dosing of antibiotics for elderly patients with such common infections as pneumonia, bronchitis, urinary tract infections, and skin and soft-tissue infections will optimize the patient's response while minimizing adverse consequences.

Genetic and molecular analysis of a long-lived strain of Podospora anserina.

A genetic and molecular analysis of a long-lived strain of Podospora anserina, Mn19, was undertaken to detect mutations in genes responsible for senescence. In crosses between Mn19 and wild type about 15% of the progeny were long-lived, regardless of the female parent. Molecular analysis of the long-lived progeny showed that none of the strains inherited a mtDNA rearrangement characteristic of the Mn19 parent.

A mitochondrial DNA rearrangement and three new mitochondrial plasmids from long-lived strains of Podospora anserina.

The excision-junction sites of a mtDNA rearrangement of a long-lived strain of Podospora anserina, Mn19, were cloned and sequenced. Analysis of sequence and hybridization data lead to the conclusion that the Mn19 mtDNA consists of two nonoverlapping circular molecules. Three plasmids, LMt-2, LMt-3, and LMt-4, cloned from long-lived progeny of crosses between the Mn19 strain and wild type were cloned and sequenced.

Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics in primary care: an elective for fourth-year medical students.

A 1-month elective course in clinical pharmacology in primary care has been developed and is offered six times a year for fourth-year medical students. The major course objective is to teach the student to apply the principles of rational therapeutics in the routine practice of primary care. The faculty includes clinical pharmacists and primary care physicians from the Department of Family Medicine.

The complete DNA sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Podospora anserina.

The complete 94,192 bp sequence of the mitochondrial genome from race s of Podospora anserina is presented (1 kb = 10(3) base pairs). Three regions unique to race A are also presented bringing the size of this genome to 100,314 bp. Race s contains 31 group I introns (33 in race A) and 2 group II introns (3 in race A).

Effect of digoxin Fab antibodies on five digoxin immunoassays.

Following digoxin Fab antibody (FAB) administration in digitalis-toxic patients, total serum digoxin concentrations (SDCS) become elevated, but do not correlate with pharmacologic activity. In an attempt to accurately measure free (pharmacologically active) SDC in the presence of FAB, we assessed the utility of five digoxin immunoassays: fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), ultrafiltration with FPIA (ULTRA-FPIA), enzyme multiplied immunoassay (EMIT), radioimmunoassay (RIA), and American Dade's STRATUS (STRATUS). To normal human serum samples containing 2 and 4 ng/ml of digoxin, FAB was added in escalating quantities of 0-1.

DNA sequence analysis of the mitochondrial ND4L-ND5 gene complex from Podospora anserina. Duplication of the ND4L gene within its intron.

A 15 kb region of the 100 kb mitochondrial genome of Podospora anserina has been mapped and sequenced (1 kb = 10(3) base-pairs). The genes for ND4L and ND5 are identified as contiguous genes with overlapping termination and initiation codons. In race A (101 kb) the gene for ND4L (4.

Mitochondrial DNA sequence analysis of the cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene from Podospora anserina. A group IA intron with a putative alternative splice site.

A 5 kb region of the 95 kb mitochondrial genome of Podospora anserina race s has been mapped and sequenced (1 kb = 10(3) base-pairs). This DNA region is continuous with the sequence for the ND4L and ND5 gene complex in the accompanying paper. We show that this sequence contains the gene for cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII).

Pharmacokinetics of oral zidovudine (azidothymidine) in patients with AIDS when administered with and without a high-fat meal.

Zidovudine is the only drug currently approved for the treatment of HIV infection. The present recommended doses found to be efficacious in patients with AIDS (200 mg every 4 h) achieve serum zidovudine concentrations greater than 0.267 micrograms/ml (1 mumol/l).

Characterization of dexamethasone binding in normal and uremic human serum.

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent and linearity of dexamethasone binding over a wide concentration range in normal and uremic serum. Tritiated dexamethasone was added to both untreated and charcoal-treated pooled normal serum and to pooled uremic serum to produce concentrations similar to those attained therapeutically (10-1000 ng/mL). Protein binding was determined by equilibrium dialysis at 37 degrees C.

Effects of pentoxifylline and metabolite on red blood cell deformability as measured by ektacytometry.

The present investigation sought to evaluate the effects of pentoxifylline and its major hydroxyhexyl metabolite on red blood cell (RBC) deformability using the technique of ektacytometry. Red blood cells were harvested from normal volunteers (normal RBCs) and patients with sickle cell disease (abnormal RBCs) and incubated with varying concentrations of pentoxifylline and its major metabolite for varying time periods. The deformability of both treated and untreated RBCs from both patient groups was assessed by ektacytometric analysis.

Nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Paramecium.

The nucleotide sequence for 40,469 bp of the linear Paramecium aurelia mitochondrial (mt) genome is presented with the locations of the known genes, presumed ORFs, and their transcripts. Many of the genes commonly encoded in mt DNA of other organisms have been identified in the Paramecium mt genome but several unusual genes have been found. Ribosomal protein genes rps14, rps12, and rpl2 are clustered in a region that also contains two other genes usually found in chloroplasts, but rpl14 is over 16 kbp away.

Analysis of NADH dehydrogenase proteins, ATPase subunit 9, cytochrome b, and ribosomal protein L14 encoded in the mitochondrial DNA of Paramecium.

The mitochondrial (mt) encoded ndh1, ndh3, ndh4, ndh5, rpl14, cyt b and atp9 gene products were identified by sequence comparisons with known proteins. Amino acid sequence comparisons between predicted Paramecium mt gene products and proteins in current databases were quantitated approximately by the means of similarity scores for pairs of aligned sequences. The comparisons show that the Paramecium gene products are very divergent from all others with the exception of those from a closely related ciliate, Tetrahymena.

ACE inhibitors. A safe option for hypertension and congestive heart failure.

The Joint National Committee on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure has recently recommended angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, beta blockers, and diuretics as potential first-step agents for the pharmacologic treatment of hypertension. ACE inhibitors should be considered an important option in most patients because of their safety profile, absence of adverse metabolic effects, and positive cardiac and renal effects. If the response to an ACE inhibitor is inadequate, a diuretic or another agent can be added, and this combination should be effective and well tolerated in 85% to 90% of patients.

Influence of pentoxifylline on steady-state theophylline serum concentrations from sustained-release formulations.

This clinical study assessed the influence of pentoxifylline and its metabolites on steady-state serum theophylline concentrations. Nine healthy volunteers took sustained-release formulations of pentoxifylline, theophylline, and a combination of both agents each for 7 days at standard therapeutic doses in a randomized order. Serum theophylline concentrations were analyzed using fluorescence-polarization immunoassay (TDx) technique.

DNA sequence analysis of the apocytochrome b gene of Podospora anserina: a new family of intronic open reading frame.

The 5,969 bp (base pair) DNA sequence of the apocytochrome b mitochondrial (mt) gene of race A Podospora anserina was located in a 8.5 Kbp region. This gene contained a 2,499 bp subgroup IB and a 1,306 bp subgroup ID intron as well as a 990 bp subgroup IB intron which is present in race A but not race s.

DNA sequence analysis of the 24.5 kilobase pair cytochrome oxidase subunit I mitochondrial gene from Podospora anserina: a gene with sixteen introns.

The DNA sequence of a 26.7 Kilobase pair (10(3) base pairs = 1 Kb) region of the mitochondrial genomes of races s and A from Podospora anserina was determined. Within this region, the 24.

Delayed administration of tissue plasminogen activator reduces intra-abdominal abscess formation.

Previous studies demonstrated that intraperitoneal fibrinolysis using tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) prevented intraabdominal abscess formation in a rat fibrin clot infection model when administered simultaneously with the infecting inoculum. To more closely mimic the clinical setting, the efficacy of delayed administration of t-PA on intra-abdominal abscess formation was examined. A delay of 2, 6, and 18 hours had no effect on the rate of abscess formation but did reduce abscess size, indicating partial fibrinolysis.