Prevention of acquired defects in platelet function during blood processing.

Two kinds of platelet concentrates were prepared in this study: one as pelleted platelets from platelet-rich plasma (PCs), and the other as a platelet suspension from the buffy coat fraction (nonpelleted PCs). The characteristics of both platelet concentrates were studied. White cell contamination in the nonpelleted PCs was below the threshold of detection by a microcell counter (less than 300 cells/microliter of concentrate); in the pelleted PCs, it was 3 +/- 1 x 10(7) cells per concentrate.

Increases in hepatic fructose-2,6-bisphosphate level and fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase activity in rats with ventromedial lesions of the hypothalamus.

To investigate altered fructose-2,6-bisphosphate (fructose-2,6-P2) metabolism, we measured fructose-2,6-P2 levels and fructose-6-phosphate,2-kinase (fructose-6-P,2-kinase) activities in various tissues, including liver, kidney, heart, and skeletal muscle, of ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)-lesioned rats during feeding and starvation. The plasma insulin level was 6 times or more higher in these rats than in the controls. The fructose-2,6-P2 level in liver was much greater in VMH-lesioned rats than in the controls: 15.

Effects of insulin on vasoconstrictive responses to norepinephrine and angiotensin II in rabbit femoral artery and vein.

To determine whether insulin has a vasodilator action on the artery and vein, the effects of insulin at varying concentrations (120 microU/ml, 1.2 mU/ml, 12 mU/ml, and 120 mU/ml) on vasoconstriction by norepinephrine (NE) and angiotensin II (ANG II) were studied in the isolated rabbit femoral artery and vein. Helical strips were suspended in an organ bath filled with modified Krebs solution (pH 7.

Exaggerated insulin secretory response in patients with insulinomas to midaglizole, a drug with alpha 2-adrenergic blocking activity.

Midaglizole is a new alpha 2-adrenergic blocking agent which increases insulin release from normal pancreatic islets. We studied its effect in four patients with insulinomas. In three patients oral administration of 150 mg of midaglizole caused a large increase in serum insulin and a corresponding decrease in plasma glucose.

Inosine and adenosine formation in ischemic and non-ischemic contracting muscles of rats: difference between fast and slow muscles.

Inosine and adenosine formation was evaluated in different types of rat skeletal muscle during ischemic and non-ischemic contraction. Extensor digitorum longus (EDL, fast) and soleus (slow) muscles were stimulated electrically via the sciatic nerve (5 Hz, 10 min). Under non-ischemic condition, the concentrations of IMP, inosine, adenosine, and hypoxanthine increased in EDL muscles but not in soleus muscles during stimulation.

Preparation of white-cell-poor blood components using a quadruple bag system.

A method for the preparation of white-cell-poor red cells from 400 ml of blood collected in a quadruple bag with one 80-ml and two 300-ml satellite bags is described. In this procedure, a platelet concentrate was prepared from the buffy coat fraction obtained by the first centrifugation of whole blood. After centrifugation of whole blood for 5 minutes at 3500 X g, the plasma was transferred into the 300-ml bag until the interface of red cells and plasma reached a level 32 mm from the top of the bag; then approximately 70 g of plasma and buffy coat were collected into the 80-ml bag.

Erythrocyte glycolysis and its marked alterations by muscular exercise in type VII glycogenosis.

Levels of erythrocyte glycolytic intermediates after the phosphofructokinase (PFK) step, including 2,3-bisphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), were decreased at rest in patients from separate families with type VII glycogenosis. The concentration of 2,3-DPG was about half of the normal control value during a period of unrestricted daily activity but was further decreased to one third of normal after a one-day bed rest. Mild ergometric exercise rapidly increased the levels of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate, dihydroxyacetone phosphate plus glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate, and 2,3-DPG in patients' circulating erythrocytes but did not in those of normal subjects.

Transcatheter arterial chemo-embolization for humoral hypercalcemia of hepatocellular carcinoma.

A 50-year-old male with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) had a hypercalcemic crisis with a serum calcium concentration of 7.8 mEq/zeta, without any evidence for bone metastases or parathyroid lesions. The hypercalcemia was thought to be due to increased renal reabsorption of calcium and increased bone resorption, which was probably caused by humoral factors derived from the HCC, some being parathyroid hormone-like factors.

Myogenic hyperuricemia. A common pathophysiologic feature of glycogenosis types III, V, and VII.

To identify the mechanism of hyperuricemia in glycogen storage diseases (glycogenoses) that affect muscle, we studied the effects of exercise and prolonged rest on purine metabolism in two patients with glycogenosis type III (debrancher deficiency), one patient with type V (muscle phosphorylase deficiency), and one patient with type VII (muscle phosphofructokinase deficiency). All had hyperuricemia except for one patient with glycogenosis type III. Plasma concentrations of ammonia, inosine, and hypoxanthine increased markedly in all the patients after mild leg exercise on a bicycle ergometer.

Effects of insulin on pressor responsiveness and baroreflex function in diabetes mellitus.

The effects of insulin on pressor responsiveness to alpha agonist (phenylephrine) and angiotensin II, and baroreflex function were studied in fifteen diabetic patients without autonomic neuropathy. The dose of phenylephrine required to increase systolic pressure by 25 mmHg (PD25) was significantly increased from 38 +/- 7 to 62 +/- 9 micrograms (p less than 0.05) after IV injection of 4 U of Actrapid monocomponent insulin.

Antimalarial agents. 1. alpha-Santonin-derived cyclic peroxide as potential antimalarial agent.

An alpha-santonin-derived cyclic peroxide (7) related to qinghaosu (1) has been synthesized and tested for antimalarial activity in vitro against the chloroquine-resistant (Smith) isolates of Plasmodium falciparum as well as in vivo against Plasmodium berghei in mice and was found to be devoid of activity.

Antitumor agents 68: effects of a series of helenalin derivatives on P-388 lymphocytic leukemia nucleic acid and protein synthesis.

A series of analogues related to helenalin demonstrated moderate capability for inhibiting the growth of murine P-388 lymphocytic leukemia cells in vivo and in vitro. The growth inhibition correlated with suppression of both DNA and protein synthesis in P-388 cells. The inhibition of protein synthesis occurred at a relatively low concentration and appeared to occur at the level of initiation.

Antitumor agents. 44. Bis(helenalinyl) esters and related derivatives as novel potent antileukemic agents.

Bis(helenalinyl), bis(plenolinyl), bis(2,3-dihydrohelenalinyl), and bis(2,3,11,13-tetrahydrohelenalinyl) esters have been synthesized in an effort to elucidate the role of the two enone alkylating centers, beta-unsubstituted cyclopentenone and alpha-methylene gamma-lactone, as well as the significance of the diester linkage with respect to the enhanced in vivo P-388 lymphocytic leukemia antileukemic activity of bis(helenalinyl) malonate (2) against P-388 lymphocytic leukemia in the mouse. The bisesters (2-5; 7, 8; 10, 11) are, in general, more potent and less toxic than their corresponding parent alcohols (1, 6; 9; 14). The beta-unsubstituted cyclopentenone ring and the alpha-methylene gamma-lactone moiety in the bisesters play important roles for the enhancement of the P-388 antileukemic activity.