A candidate reference method for uric acid in serum. II. Interlaboratory testing.

We describe the interlaboratory testing of a candidate Reference Method (Part I) for uric acid in serum. The method is based on the ultrasound spectrophotometric quantitation of uric acid before and after incubation with uricase. A comprehensive investigation involving 12 laboratories was organized to document the transferability, intra- and interlaboratory precision, and general reliability of the candidate Reference Method.

Assessment of cardiac risk 10 days after uncomplicated myocardial infarction.

A total of 188 patients with uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction (long-term Norris prognostic index 3.2) were rapidly mobilised, underwent a symptom-limited exercise test around the day of discharge from hospital (day 10), and returned to work at a median of six weeks after the acute event. The incidence of cardiac death six months, one year, and three years after infarction was 2.

Current status of laryngectomee rehabilitation: II. Causes of failure.

The study records of 47 laryngectomees were analyzed to determine the factors related to acquisition of failure to acquire esophageal speech and to successful or unsuccessful rehabilitation. The successful speakers wee able to phonate longer preoperatively, had less postoperative radiotherapy and dysphagia, took more speech instruction, and were more vigorous and tender-minded. Factors that correlated with successful rehabilitation were less postoperative radiotherapy, more vigor, greater imaginativeness, independence, and self-assuredness, and absence of denial.

Current status of laryngectomee rehabilitation: I. Results of therapy.

Of 103 people with the clinical diagnosis of laryngeal cancer studied by the authors, 53 eventually were treated by total laryngectomy and, in some cases, radical neck dissection (43), preoperative radiation therapy (15), postoperative radiation therapy (29), and post-operative chemotherapy (7). All were entered into a comprehensive rehabilitation program. Six months following completion of their cancer therapy 47 were re-evaluated.

Prolongation of anti-inflammatory effect of prednisolone acetate. Influence of formulation in high-viscosity gel.

Prednisolone acetate was formulated in a high-viscosity carboxypolymethylene gel at concentrations of 0.125% and 1.0%.

Route of antibiotic administration in bacterial keratitis.

The in vivo antibacterial effectiveness in the rabbit cornea of several antibiotics delivered by topical application, by periocular injection, and by intravenous (IV) inoculation was determined against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Topical instillation of antibiotic was highly effective in eliminating these organisms from the cornea. In contrast, despite a considerable increase in the quantity of antibiotic administered, we could demonstrate no statistically significant reduction in the number of viable staphylococcal or Pseudomonas organisms in the cornea when the antibiotic was given by periocular or by IV injection.

Prevention of autoimmunization to spermatozoa by passive antibody.

The objective of this investigation was to determine if sperm antibody formation after vasectomy in guinea pigs can be inhibited by passive administration of antiserum to spermatozoa. Sperm antibody was obtained by bleeding vasectomized guinea pigs which had sperm-agglutinating antibody titers of 1 : 16 or higher. Gamma globulin was obtained by ammonium sulfate precipitation.

The creatine kinase curve area and peak creatine kinase after acute myocardial infarction: usefulness and limitations.

We determined creatine kinase (CK) curve areas in 112 patients with acute myocardial infarction. Two-hour sampling was performed for the first 24 hours or until peak CK was reached, and a gamma density function was used to calculate curve areas from all available samples. Attempts to predict CK curve area by means of the portion of the curve prior to peak CK proved to be inaccurate; not until values 2 hours or more beyond peak CK were utilized did predicted and actual CK areas agree well.

Platelet adsorption-source of error in reference controls.

Preparation of platelet reference controls requires that the platelet membranes be strengthened by chemical cross-linking, usually with glutaraldehyde. The reaction produces a platelet which is strongly absorbed to plastic and glass surfaces. Tests of commercially available reference controls indicate adsorption to the counting containers.

Effects of morphine on left ventricular dimensions and function in patients with previous myocardial infarction.

To assess the effects of morphine sulfate on left ventricular function and dimensions we administered 15 mg of this agent to 11 stable patients with previous transmural myocardial infarction. All studies were carried out in the supine position. Before morphine administration an echocardiogram was obtained, and this procedure was repeated at 15, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min after morphine.

Incubation of 3,4-benzo(s)pyrene with serum fractions: effect on tumor production.

The effect on tumor formation in Swiss mice of incubation of 3,4-Benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]either with saline or saline containing serum, gamma-globulin or albumin (form mouse or rabbit) was investigated. A high incidence of sarcomas (80--100%) was obtained in Swiss mice by B(A)P incubated in vitro with rabbit serum, rabbit gamma-globulin, mouse serum, mouse gamma-globulin, and saline. A lower incidence (60--65%) was obtained with B(a)P incubated with mouse serum, mouse albumin, and rabbit albumin.

Polyadenylate-polyuridylate enhancement of 7,12-dimethylbenz-anthracene skin carcinogenesis.

Double-stranded polynucleotide polyadenylate-polyuridylate (Poly AU) enhanced skin tumor formation in Swiss mice by 75% when injected prior to a single application of 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA). When given after the carcinogen application Poly AU did not significantly enhance tumor formation.

Metabolic control in diabetic patients. Effect of insulin-secretory reserve (measured by plasma C-peptide levels) and circulating insulin antibodies.

We measured circulating hemoglobin A1 (HbA1) and fasting plasma C-peptide concentrations in 100 diabetic patients. Pancreatic insulin reserve showed a negative correlation with HbA1 concentrations in nonobese, insulin-treated patients but not in obese patients, whether they were treated with insulin, oral agent, or diet alone. Patients with fasting C-peptide concentrations above 0.

Benzo[alpha]pyrene antibody inhibition of benzo[alpha]pyrene-induced mutageneis.

An antibody to benzo[alpha]pyrene (BP) was prepared. The isolated antibody showed a specificity for BP and a low reactivity with another carcinogenic hydrocarbon, 7,12-dimethylbenz[alpha]anthracene (DMBA). The BP-antibody inhibited the in vitro cytotoxic and mutagenic activity of BP in both a rat embryo fibroblast- and a rat lung cell-mediated mutagenesis system.