Studies on breath methane: the effect of ethnic origins and lactulose.

The prevalence of methane production in an adult population of 256 subjects was 41%, but it was significantly higher in females (49%), than males (33%). When the population was subdivided into ethnic groups. Caucasians (48%) and Black (45%) had significantly more methane producers than Orientals (24%) and Indians (32%).

Intravenous diazepam and oral ethanol interaction.

The mechanism of the interaction between ethanol and diazepam is not known. Six healthy male subjects (aged 21 to 32 yr) were randomly assigned in a balanced crossover study to each of two treatments, 28 days apart: (1) diazepam 10 mg intravenously over 20 min, preceded by 60 min with ethanol 0.7 gm/kg (diluted to 20% v/v) orally over 15 min and followed for 8 hr by ethanol 0.

Thyrotropin-releasing hormone: differential antidepressant and endocrinological effects.

In a double-blind study, three depressed subjects received thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) on three successive days, and one subject similarly received placebo; all subjects were then given ECT. Two of the patients given TRH responded to ECT. One patient's reaction is of special significance because of her response to ECT, diminished thyroid-stimulating hormone response to TRH, increased growth hormone and prolactin response to stress, and antidepressant effect of TRH.