Determination of sulfur dioxide in wines and beverages by flow injection analysis with reductive amperometric detection and electrolytic cleanup.

A new flow injection method is described for the determination of sulfur dioxide in red and white wines and other beverages. A dual-electrode electrochemical detector eliminates interferences by reduction at an upstream coulometric electrode before reductive detection of sulfur dioxide at the amperometric electrode. The data for free and total sulfur dioxide in wines and other beverages agree well with those obtained by the standard aspiration-oxidation method.

Use of base deficit to compare resuscitation with lactated Ringer's solution, Haemaccel, whole blood, and diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin following hemorrhage in rats.

Base deficit (BD) has been shown to be a sensitive measure of the degree and duration of inadequate perfusion. We developed a rat model of hemorrhagic shock based on achieving a fixed BD of 13 +/- 1 mmol/L before resuscitation. Using this model, we compared the efficacy of resuscitation with lactated Ringer's solution (LR), Haemaccel (a colloid), and whole blood with that of diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb, Baxter Healthcare Corp.

A role for endothelin and nitric oxide in the pressor response to diaspirin cross-linked hemoglobin.

Diaspirin-cross-linked hemoglobin (DCLHb; Baxter Healthcare Corp) has potential for clinical use as a hemoglobin-based oxygen-carrying solution. We have previously shown that DCLHb administration is associated with a self-limiting increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP). Based on in vitro studies with other hemoglobin solutions, this vasopressor effect is thought to be mediated at least in part by the release or inhibition (or both) of endothelium-derived vasoactive substances.

Palliation of biliary obstruction in patients with advanced breast cancer using endoscopic stents.

Endoscopic insertion of a biliary endoprosthesis was successful in eight patients with extrahepatic biliary obstruction caused by breast cancer metastases. The serum bilirubin level was significantly reduced in seven patients and in four this was accompanied by marked symptomatic improvement. Endoprostheses required replacement after a median of 8 (range 3-127) weeks.

Relationships amongst some bacterial and yeast lactate and mandelate dehydrogenases.

Five yeast strains were isolated by enrichment culture on the basis of their ability to grow on mandelate and two of these strains were identified as Rhodotorula glutinis. In addition, a range of yeasts from culture collections was screened for growth on mandelate. The results suggest that mandelate utilization is a widespread but not universal characteristic within the genus Rhodotorula.

Argyll and Clyde general practitioners' attitudes to standard setting in hypertension.

A questionnaire was sent to a one in five sample (68 GPs) of General Practitioners (GPs) in Argyll and Clyde Health Board to determine attitudes to standard setting in hypertension and the response rate was 80.7% (55 GPs). Thirty-six GPs (65.

Endoscopic management of bile duct stones at Auckland Hospital in 1988 and 1989.

Objects: to define the role of endoscopic management of bile duct calculi in a tertiary referral institution.

Methods: an unselected series of 466 patients presenting for ERCP over a two year period were reviewed and 103 patients with bile duct calculi identified. The results of endoscopic management of these patients is reviewed.

Duodenal ulcer relapse after eradication of Helicobacter pylori.

Thirty-six patients with healed duodenal ulcers, 27 infected with Helicobacter pylori and nine uninfected, were followed for up to 12 months to determine the rate of ulcer relapse. Eight patients withdrew over the follow up period. At one year, 15 of 20 (75%) infected patients and one of eight (13%) uninfected patients had relapsed, p less than 0.

Use of an alternative guidewire system in endoscopic placement of biliary endoprosthesis.

A new guidewire with increased flexibility, torque control and a new smooth outer coating has been designed for use in interventional vascular radiology. The successful use of an adaptation of it in endoscopic management of malignant biliary strictures is reported.

Sorbitol transport by Streptococcus sanguis 160.

Sorbitol metabolism was examined with a sorbitol-fermenting strain (160) of Streptococcus sanguis isolated from the dental plaque of a subject using sorbitol-containing chewing-gum for 4 years. S. sanguis 160 was grown in continuous culture (pH, 7.

Sorbitol inhibition of glucose metabolism by Streptococcus sanguis 160.

Clinical studies in Sweden have shown that the proportion of sorbitol-utilizing strains of Streptococcus sanguis increases in dental plaque from individuals using sorbitol-containing products for prolonged periods. We have undertaken to study the metabolism of glucose and sorbitol by S. sanguis 160, isolated from a subject consuming sorbitol-containing chewing-gum 4 times a day for 4 years.

The stability of outer-membrane protein and antigen profiles of a strain of Bacteroides intermedius grown in continuous culture at different pH and growth rates.

The stability of the outer-membrane proteins and antigens of a strain of Bacteroides intermedius (VPI 8944 group genotype II) grown in continuous culture at varying pH and growth rates (D = 0.025-0.2 h-1, pH 6.

Intestinal pseudoobstruction secondary to amyloidosis responsive to cisapride.

A case of chronic intestinal pseudoobstruction secondary to systemic amyloidosis in a patient with multiple myeloma is described. Gastrointestinal symptoms and indices of nutrition improved markedly after commencing treatment with cisapride, which may have been responsible for relatively prolonged survival compared with similar reported cases.

Adaptation by Streptococcus mutans to acid tolerance.

Our previous continuous culture studies with strains of Streptococcus mutans have indicated that the organism has the capacity of adapt to growth in acidic environments. This study was undertaken to examine this question in more detail. S.

Effect of growth rate and pH on intracellular levels and activities of the components of the phosphoenolpyruvate: sugar phosphotransferase system in Streptococcus mutans Ingbritt.

The growth of Streptococcus mutants Ingbritt in continuous culture at low pH or high growth rates repressed the biosynthesis of the components of the phosphoenolpyruvate:sugar phosphotransferase system (PTS). The cellular concentrations of the soluble components HPr, enzyme I (EI), and EIII for mannose (IIIman) and EII activity for glucose, mannose, 2-deoxyglucose (2DG), and fructose were determined in membrane preparations from cells grown at pHs from 8.0 to 5.

A survey of general practitioners' attitudes to benzodiazepine overprescribing.

This survey of doctors' attitudes took place against the background of professional concern over litigation in the field of benzodiazepine prescribing and the prospect of imposed audit of General Practitioner's (GP's) work. One hundred and thirty-three GPs in the Argyll and Clyde Health Board Area responded to a postal questionnaire (44% response rate) asking about their opinions on the reasons for benzodiazepine over-prescribing. Further statements suggested possible interventions to reduce this acknowledged problem.