The crucial role of Campylobacter jejuni genes in anti-ganglioside antibody induction in Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Molecular mimicry of Campylobacter jejuni lipo-oligosaccharides (LOS) with gangliosides in nervous tissue is considered to induce cross-reactive antibodies that lead to Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), an acute polyneuropathy. To determine whether specific bacterial genes are crucial for the biosynthesis of ganglioside-like structures and the induction of anti-ganglioside antibodies, we characterized the C. jejuni LOS biosynthesis gene locus in GBS-associated and control strains.

Absolute bioavailability of fluoride from disodium monofluorophosphate and enteric-coated sodium fluoride tablets.

Objectives: The absolute bioavailability and other pharmacokinetic parameters of two fluoride formulations were investigated in 13 healthy volunteers, aged 61-70 years.

Methods: The following formulations were administered, under fasting conditions, in a single-dose three-way cross-over design: tablets of 76 mg disodium monofluoro phosphate (MFP, equivalent to 10.0 mg F- ion), enteric-coated (e.

Hemodialysis as a potential method for the decontamination of persons exposed to radiocesium.

Radiocesium may be deposited in the environment as a result of accidents in nuclear installations, for example, as in Chernobyl. Significant internal contamination with radiocesium poses a serious risk to human health, and, therefore, expedient removal is essential to reduce the radiation body burden. In vitro hemodialysis was tested as a potential method to remove radiocesium from a pasteurized plasma solution of bovine or human blood.

The influence of extracorporeal clearance techniques on elimination of radiocesium after internal contamination.

Radiocesium, an isotope released after nuclear accidents such as Chernobyl, causes damage to the health of humans after internal contamination. As a result of an internal deposit of radiocesium these persons are continuously irradiated and noxious effects may occur. Removal of this internal radiation source will reduce immediate (short-term) and future damage (long-term).

Withdrawal or withholding of treatment at the end of life. Results of a nationwide study.

Background: Decisions to withhold or withdraw treatment (nontreatment decisions) become increasingly important because they have to be made more frequently and more explicitly. This nationwide study provides information on the occurrence and background of these nontreatment decisions.

Methods: Three studies were undertaken: interviews with 405 physicians, 5197 answered questionnaires concerning deceased persons, and information about 2257 deaths collected by a prospective study.

In vitro binding of radiocesium to Prussian Blue coated strips and Prussian Blue containing hemoperfusion columns as a potential tool for the treatment of persons internally contaminated with radiocesium.

Cellulose or nylon strips coated with three different Prussian Blue salts were prepared with cellulose nitrate as binding material. These strips were evaluated for their usefulness for the development of an extracorporal clearance device for radiocesium, a radionuclide often released after accidents in nuclear installations (for example in Chernobyl). Extracorporeal clearance can be used to enhance the elimination of radiocesium from internally contaminated persons.

Nationwide study of decisions concerning the end of life in general practice in The Netherlands.

Objective: To gain insight into decisions made in general practice about the end of life.

Design: Study I: interviews with 405 physicians. Study II: analysis of death certificates with data obtained on 5197 cases in which decisions about the end of life may have been made.

Effect of glucose 5% solution and bupivacaine hydrochloride on absorption of sufentanil citrate in a portable pump reservoir during storage and simulated infusion by an epidural catheter.

The stability of sufentanil (5 micrograms/ml as citrate) in admixtures with glucose 5% or bupivacaine hydrochloride (2 mg/ml) in 100 ml polyvinyl chloride portable pump reservoirs was investigated during simulated infusion by an epidural catheter at 32 degrees C for 48 h and during storage at 4 degrees C and 32 degrees C for 30 days. During both experiments a small decrease (< 5%) in concentration of sufentanil and bupivacaine was observed. No loss of sufentanil or bupivacaine could be detected (in both experiments) in the portable pump reservoirs when stored at 4 degrees C for 30 days.

Effect of pH on absorption of sufentanil citrate in a portable pump reservoir during storage and administration under simulated epidural conditions.

Sufentanil (5 micrograms/ml as citrate) was investigated for its stability when diluted with sodium chloride 0.9%, in 100 ml polyvinyl chloride portable pump reservoirs during administration under simulated epidural conditions at 32 degrees C for 48 h. Sufentanil was absorbed into the polyvinyl chloride, resulting in a reduction of 10.

Frequency of enterovirulent Escherichia coli in diarrhoeal disease in The Netherlands.

To assess the role of enterovirulent Escherichia coli in The Netherlands, faecal samples of 279 patients (108 children, 171 adults) with diarrhoea and 100 healthy controls were investigated in a prospective study. Enterovirulent Escherichia coli were identified by hybridization with five different non-radioactively labelled DNA probes specific for enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), verocytotoxin producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). The rate of isolation of EPEC was 6.

Detection of enterovirulent Escherichia coli associated with diarrhoea in Seville, southern Spain, with non-radioactive DNA probes.

To assess the role of diarrhoeagenic Escherichia coli in Southern Spain, faecal samples from 135 patients with diarrhoea and 40 healthy subjects from Seville, Andalusia, were investigated. In this prospective study, enterovirulent E. coli were identified by hybridisation with five non-radioactive DNA probes specific for enterotoxigenic E.

In vitro cyanide release of four prussian blue salts used for the treatment of cesium contaminated persons.

Prussian blue salts are used in clinical practice as an antidote for the treatment of humans contaminated with radioactive cesium. A decomposition product of these Prussian blue salts may be the highly toxic cyanide. A method to simulate gastrointestinal cyanide-release was applied to four different Prussian blue salts: K3Fe[Fe(CN)6], Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3, NH4Fe[Fe(CN)6] (pur.

[Detection of diarrhea-causing Escherichia coli using DNA-probes].

To assess the role of enterovirulent Escherichia coli at home and abroad, faeces samples of patients with diarrhoea and of healthy controls in Tunisia, Seville (southern Spain) and the Netherlands were investigated. Enterovirulent E. coli were identified by hybridization with five different non-radioactively labelled DNA probes specific for enterotoxigenic E.

Steady-state pharmacokinetics and sputum penetration of lomefloxacin in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and acute respiratory tract infections.

Oral doses of 400 mg of lomefloxacin were administered once daily prior to breakfast to 10 middle-aged to elderly hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease during treatment for bronchopulmonary infections. Serial plasma and sputum samples and fractional urine samples were obtained over a steady-state dosing interval. Lomefloxacin concentrations were determined in duplicate by a validated agar well diffusion microbiological assay.

Stability of sufentanil citrate in a portable pump reservoir, a glass container and a polyethylene container.

The stability of sufentanil citrate (100 ml, 5 micrograms/ml) in an admixture with sodium chloride 0.9% injection was investigated when filled in a portable pump reservoir with PVC wall, a glass container and a polyethylene container, at 32 degrees C, 4 degrees C and -20 degrees C for up to 21 days. No change in colour was visually observed in any of the samples during the 21-day storage period.

Stability of morphine hydrochloride in a portable pump reservoir.

The stability of morphine hydrochloride in an admixture with sodium chloride 0.9% injection in a portable pump reservoir was investigated. Duplicate samples containing morphine hydrochloride 0.

In vitro binding characteristics for cesium of two qualities of prussian blue, activated charcoal and Resonium-A.

The in vitro binding characteristics of radioactive 137Cs to two forms of Prussian blue [colloidally (soluble) K3Fe[Fe(CN)6] and insoluble Fe4[Fe(CN)6]3] and to activated charcoal and sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Resonium-A) were investigated by constructing Langmuir isotherms at pH = 1.0, 6.5 and 7.

Compatibility of bupivacaine and iohexol in two mixtures for paediatric regional anaesthesia.

The compatibility of bupivacaine (0.25% and 0.125% wt/vol) with iohexol 300 mg I/ml was investigated.

A pharmacological model of cerebral ischemia. The effects of indomethacin on cerebral blood flow velocity, quantitative EEG and cognitive functions.

Indomethacin decreases cerebral blood flow. Such an effect in humans might offer the possibility to establish a human model of cerebral ischemia. In the present study the effects of a single oral dose of 100 mg indomethacin were studied in male subjects with quantitative electroencephalography, cerebral blood flow velocity and the memory comparison task as parameters.

Mechanical properties of mammalian single smooth muscle cells. III. Passive properties of pig detrusor and human a terme uterus cells.

Cells isolated from pig urinary bladders and pregnant full term human uteruses were attached longitudinally between a microforce transducer and a length displacement apparatus. Cells were stretched by applying a series of ramp-like length changes of 0.2 s duration and 10.

Mechanical properties of mammalian single smooth muscle cells. II. Evaluation of a modified technique for attachment of cells to the measurement apparatus.

A method is described for attaching isolated single smooth muscle cells to an apparatus designed for measuring the longitudinal forces developed passively and actively by the cell upon straining, electrical or pharmacological stimulation. Primary attachment of the cell is based on its natural negative surface charge in combination with a positive surface charge on the micro-tools used for attaching. Definite attachment is obtained by a knotting technique.

Mechanical properties of mammalian single smooth muscle cells. I. A low cost large range microforce transducer.

A transducer has been developed for measuring the minute forces generated during isometric contractions (1.0-10.0 microN) of single smooth muscle cells from the pig urinary bladder and the human uterus.

Urinary fluoride excretion in responders and nonresponders after fluoride therapy in osteoporosis.

The aim of the study was to investigate the usefulness of urinary fluoride excretion in evaluating fluoride therapy. In a prospective study, 35 patients with osteoporosis were treated for about 44 months with a mean dosage of 31.4 mg fluoride ion per day.

Pharmacokinetics of a single dose of ofloxacin in healthy elderly subjects using noncompartmental and compartmental models.

The pharmacokinetics of ofloxacin following a single 200 mg oral dose were studied in twelve healthy elderly volunteers. Relevant pharmacokinetic parameters were analysed by both noncompartmental and compartmental models. In compartmental analysis, the data on plasma concentrations was best described by an open two-compartment model.