Helium droplet infrared spectroscopy of the butyl radicals.

Butyl radicals (n-, s-, i-, and tert-butyl) are formed from the pyrolysis of stable precursors (1-pentyl nitrite, 2-methyl-1-butyl nitrite, isopentyl nitrite, and azo-tert-butane, respectively). The radicals are doped into a beam of liquid helium droplets and probed with infrared action spectroscopy from 2700 to 3125 cm, allowing for a low temperature measurement of the CH stretching region. The presence of anharmonic resonance polyads in the 2800-3000 cm region complicates its interpretation.

Preservation of cardiomyocytes from the adult heart.

Cardiomyocytes represent one of the most useful models to conduct cardiac research. A single adult heart yields millions of cardiomyocytes, but these cells do not survive for long after isolation. We aimed to determine whether inhibition of myosin II ATPase that is essential for muscle contraction may preserve fully differentiated adult cardiomyocytes.

Validation of an in vitro contractility assay using canine ventricular myocytes.

Measurement of cardiac contractility is a logical part of pre-clinical safety assessment in a drug discovery project, particularly if a risk has been identified or is suspected based on the primary- or non-target pharmacology. However, there are limited validated assays available that can be used to screen several compounds in order to identify and eliminate inotropic liability from a chemical series. We have therefore sought to develop an in vitro model with sufficient throughput for this purpose.

Increased von Willebrand factor antigen and high molecular weight multimers in sickle cell disease associated with nocturnal hypoxemia.

We evaluated vWF profiles in children and adolescents with SCD and sleep hypoxemia. Mean vWF:Ag levels were significantly elevated in the SCD-hypoxemia group when compared with SCD-normoxia and control groups (p=0.007); and correlated inversely with pulse oximetry (r=-0.

Bloodstream infections in pediatric oncology outpatients: a new healthcare systems challenge.

Objective: To investigate a perceived increase in central venous catheter (CVC)-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) among pediatric hematology-oncology outpatients.

Design: A case-control study.

Setting: A pediatric hematology-oncology outpatient clinic at Fresno Children's Hospital.

The appearance, distribution, and longevity of receptor-[125I]T3 complexes within the nuclei of isolated rat hepatocytes.

The nuclei of isolated rat hepatocytes were separable into three receptor compartments based upon their differential salt extractabilities: nucleoplasmic receptors (NP) extractable with 0.15 M KCl, high-salt extractable receptors (HSE) extractable with 0.4 M KCl, and salt-resistant receptors (SR) extractable with 0.

Decreased glucose transporter 1 gene expression and glucose uptake in fetal brain exposed to ethanol.

Using pregnant rats fed equicaloric liquid diets (AF, and libitum-fed controls; PF, pair-fed controls; EF, ethanol-fed), we have previously shown that maternal alcoholism produces a specific and significant decrease of glucose in the fetal brain, which is accompanied by growth retardation. To further define the mechanisms of ethanol-induced perturbations in fetal fuel supply, we have examined (i) the uptake of 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) by dissociated brain cells from fetal rats that were exposed to ethanol in utero and (ii) the steady-state levels of the glucose transporter-1 (GT-1) mRNA. A 9% decrease in brain weight (P less than 0.

The hepatocellular thyroid status of uremic rats estimated from the abundances of thyroid hormone-dependent nucleoplasmic proteins.

Although the serum thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) concentrations of uremic rats are commensurate with moderate hypothyroidism, their thyroid status at the tissue level remains controversial. To help establish the hepatocellular thyroid status of uremic rats, a novel tissue marker (nuclear protein abundances) was evaluated in uremic rats (U), hypothyroid rats (H), and hypothyroid uremic rats (HU). Uremia was established by five-sixths nephrectomy.

Tissue-specific differences in the compartmentalization of rat nuclear triiodothyronine receptors.

In addition to the recognized rat liver nuclear T3 receptor extractable with hypertonic salt, recent studies have described nucleoplasmic receptors extractable with isotonic KCl and salt-resistant receptors localized to the nuclear matrix. A method was developed for the determination of intra-nuclear receptor distribution in small samples of nuclei dispersed within glass wool matrices. After in vitro labelling with 6 nmol/l [125I]T3, dispersed nuclei were sequentially extracted with 0.

Maternal alcohol ingestion inhibits fetal glucose uptake and growth.

The distribution of maternally-derived glucose was determined in selected tissues of fetuses from ethanol-fed (EF) rats and from pair-fed (PF) and ad lib-fed (AF) controls. Maternal ethanol ingestion resulted in reduced fetal brain and liver weights and lower liver and lung glycogen levels compared to those of the PF or AF control groups. In addition, experimental fetuses exhibited reduced uptake of maternally-derived [3H] 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) by placenta and fetal brain.

Effects of maternal ethanol ingestion on the uptake of alpha-aminoisobutyric acid by fetal rat liver, lung and brain.

Maternal ethanol ingestion reduced the uptake of [14C]-alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) by placenta and fetal liver, lung and brain when compared with pair-fed or ad libitum-fed controls. The ratios between fetal tissue and plasma radioactivities indicated reduced AIB transport into the tissues of the ethanol-fed fetuses. Organ weights correlated with the fetal:maternal plasma 14C ratio, an indicator of the rate of placental AIB transfer, and with the tissue AIB uptake.

Effects of ethanol on fetal fuels and brain growth in rats.

The mechanism of fetal brain growth retardation caused by maternal alcoholism is unclear. In this study we examined fuel concentrations in brain and blood samples and their relationship to brain growth in term fetuses of rats fed ethanol during pregnancy. The offspring of ethanol-fed (EF) rats showed a significant decrease in body and brain weights compared with those of pair-fed (PF) control rats and control rats given free access to food (ad libitum fed) (AF).

Low affinity antibody to rubella antigen in patients after rubella infection in utero.

As a measure of the affinity of antirubella antibody, the resistance of the antibody to elution was used by increasing concentration of ammonium thiocyanate. The term affinity index has been used to define the molarity of thiocyanate which leads to a reduction of 50% of the initial density. The serum from a group of patients with intrauterine rubella was compared with the serum from a group of deaf children, some of whom could have rubella, and a group of controls with antibody following natural infection.

Growth patterns of the offspring of alcohol-fed rats.

The role of altered glucose metabolism in the growth retardation associated with the Fetal Alcohol Syndrome has been difficult to assess because previously used experimental procedures have frequently substituted ethanol for dietary carbohydrate. Consequently, there is a severe reduction of the carbohydrate content of the diet. This study examined brain and liver development at 7, 15, 21, and 42 days of age in the male offspring of ethanol-fed rats which received a liquid diet in which carbohydrate and protein content were equal to that of the control diet.

Ethanol influence on calcium uptake and insulin release by rat islets.

Effect of acute ethanol treatment on simultaneous 45Ca++ uptake and insulin response to glucose was measured in isolated rat pancreatic islets. Ethanol, given ip 1 gm/Kg 1 h prior to sacrifice of the animal, decreased significantly 45Ca++ uptake and insulin response to 8.3 and 16.

Ethanol-induced intrauterine growth retardation: correlation with placental glucose transfer.

Placental transfer of glucose and alanine analogs was studied at term in ethanol-fed and control rats. Ethanol was provided as 30% of the caloric intake throughout gestation. Control groups received isocaloric liquid diet without ethanol by pair-feeding (PF) or ad libitum (AF).

Antibody avidity determination by ELISA using thiocyanate elution.

Antibody avidity of human anti-rubella antibodies has been determined using the chaotropic thiocyanate ion in ELISA assays. Independence of antibody level and affinity was shown and the pattern of post-vaccination antibody affinity established. A variation of the standard ELISA assay was developed where replicate wells containing antibody bound to antigens were exposed to increasing concentrations of the chaotropic thiocyanate ion.

Ethanol influence on insulin secretion from isolated rat islets.

This study was done to delineate the role of alpha- and beta-adrenergic receptors and cyclic AMP in the mechanism of ethanol effects on insulin release from isolated islets. Rats were given an alpha-adrenergic blocker, phentolamine, or a beta-adrenergic blocker, propranolol. In addition, ethanol 1 g/kg was given intragastrically 1 h prior to sacrifice.

Fetal alcohol syndrome: glucose and liver metabolism in term rat fetus and neonate.

Unlabelled: The combined effects of chronic ethanol ingestion and fasting (24-hr fast, except water, prior to delivery) were examined in term pregnant rats and their offspring. Rats fed liquid diet containing 5% (w/v) ethanol (EF) consumed fewer calories than those fed control diet and exhibited reduced weight gain relative to either ad libitum-fed (AF) or pair-fed (PF) controls. While the number of live fetuses at term was unaffected, fetal body and liver weights were reduced in EF litters.