Retinal 5-methoxytryptamine and 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid in the rat and quail: diurnal rhythms and interspecies differences.

Endogenous 5-methoxytryptamine (5MT) and its biosynthetic oxidation product, 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid (5MIAA), were successfully identified and measured in the retina of the rat and quail by gas chromatography/electron-capture negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (GC/EC-NICI-MS). In the rat retina, diurnal rhythms of 5MT and 5MIAA, with high levels at mid-light and opposite to that of melatonin, were observed. In the quail, high levels of retinal 5MT and 5MIAA were found at mid-dark, and in phase to that of melatonin.

Identification and diurnal studies of pineal and serum 5-methoxytryptamine in the rat and quail.

Picomole to femtomole per gland/ml levels of 5-methoxytryptamine (5MT) in the pineal gland and serum of the rat and quail were determined, in the absence of a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, by using the ultra-sensitive technique of capillary column gas chromatography/electron-capture negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. Diurnal rhythms of pineal 5MT with high levels at mid-light and low levels at mid-dark were found in both species, while serum 5MT levels showed less or no diurnal variations. The definitive presence of 5MT in the pineal gland and blood circulation provides further evidence that it is potentially a neurohormone.

Reduction of Aqueous Na(2)WO(4) by NaBH(4) at Ambient Temperatures To Obtain Lower Valent Tungsten Oxides.

A systematic investigation of the reduction of aqueous Na(2)WO(4) with aqueous NaBH(4) at ambient temperatures reveals the formation of several lower valent tungsten oxides such as the tetragonal (x < 0.38) and cubic (x > 0.43) tungsten bronzes Na(x)()WO(3) and the binary oxides WO(2) and W(24)O(68).

Clinical pathway for pediatric parenteral nutrition.

The nutrition support team at Lucile Salter Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford developed a clinical pathway for infants and children receiving parenteral nutrition (PN). Use of clinical pathways for health care delivery is one way in which clinicians and institutions are responding to pressure from managed care organizations to reduce costs and maintain or improve quality. This pathway was developed to standardize the process for ordering, implementing, and monitoring PN.

Rectovaginal fistulas. Therapeutic options.

The management of RVF depends on size, location, and cause; anal sphincter function and overall health status of the patient; and the skill and judgment of the surgeon. Careful preoperative assessment of the fistula, surrounding tissues, and anal sphincter and exclusion of associated disease are essential. With thorough evaluation, thoughtful consideration of treatment options, and meticulous operative technique, patients can be assured of an optimal outcome.

Evaluation of fluorinated indole derivatives for electron-capture negative ionization mass spectrometry: application to the measurement of endogenous 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid in rat.

A series of N-trifluoroacetyl/pentafluoropropionyl-O-trifluoroethyl/ pentafluoropropyl/heptafluorobutyl ester derivatives of 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid (5MIAA) were synthesized. Under electron-capture negative ionization conditions, the N-trifluoroacetyl derivatives were found to yield relatively abundant, analyte-specific M-. molecular ions and [M-HF]-.

Analysis of 5-methoxytryptamine at the femtomole level in the rat and quail brain by gas chromatography-electron-capture negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry.

A sensitive method for the measurement of endogenous 5-methoxytryptamine in brain tissue has been developed using capillary column gas chromatography-electron-capture negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry. 5-Methoxytryptamine was first converted to N-[2H3]acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine by reaction with hexa-deuterated acetic anhydride, followed by reaction with pentafluoropropionic anhydride to yield the highly electron-capturing 3,3'-spirocyclic pentafluoro-propionyl indolenine derivative. Quantitative analysis was carried out by selected-ion monitoring of the [M-HF].

Synthesis of Lower Valent Molybdenum Oxides by an Ambient Temperature Reduction of Aqueous K(2)MoO(4) by KBH(4).

Reduction of aqueous K(2)MoO(4) with aqueous KBH(4) at ambient temperatures has been investigated systematically to obtain lower valent molybdenum oxides. Several lower valent oxides such as MoO(2), Mo(4)O(11), K(0.26)MoO(3) (red bronze), K(0.

Purification and immunochemistry of a soluble matrix protein of the chicken eggshell (ovocleidin 17).

The protein components of biomineralized structures (matrix proteins) are believed to modulate crystal nucleation and growth, and thereby influence the shape and strength of the final structure. The chicken eggshell contains a complex array of distinct matrix proteins. The most abundant of these was purified to homogeneity by a combination of anionic exchange and hydroxyapatite chromatographies.

Mass spectrometric identification and quantification of endogenous 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid in quail tissues.

The endogenous levels of 5-methoxyindole-3-acetic acid (5-MIAA) in quail pineal gland, retina and serum were determined by capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion monitoring using a deuterated internal standard and the N-pentafluoropropionyl-O-pentafluorobenzyl ester derivative. Diurnal rhythms of pineal and serum 5-MIAA with high levels at mid-light and low levels at mid-dark suggest a pineal origin of 5-MIAA in the blood. In contrast, retina displayed an opposite diurnal rhythm of 5-MIAA with high levels at night, suggesting that the biosyntheses of 5-MIAA in the quail pineal gland and retina were different.

Selective sedation for colonoscopy.

A study of selective sedation for colonoscopy was conducted in two parts. All procedures were performed by one experienced colonoscopist. In the first phase, 41 patients received intravenous sedation before colonoscopy and were then prospectively randomized to either a "not-reversed" group, which did not receive flumazenil before withdrawal of the colonoscope, or to a "reversed" group, which received flumazenil before colonoscope withdrawal.

Effect of dietary contents of cholecalciferol, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol and 24,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on blood concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol, 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol, total calcium and eggshell quality.

1. Withdrawal of cholecalciferol (D3) supplement from a layers diet drastically reduced blood 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3), 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) and egg specific gravity (SG) within two weeks, followed by a decrease in blood total calcium (Ca). 2.

Soluble protein constituents of the domestic fowl's eggshell.

1. The protein components of the domestic fowl's eggshell are believed to influence appreciably the mechanical properties of the shell and/or its biomineralisation. The purpose of this study was to compare the protein species composing the eggshell matrix in different parts of the shell structure, by SDS-PAGE and chromatography, utilising eggshell cleaned by different methodologies.

The effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 added to a layer diet containing adequate amounts of vitamin D3 on the performance of layers.

The effect of adding 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (calcitriol) to a well-balanced, commercial layer diet containing 1,900 IU vitamin D3/kg on eggshell quality and laying performance of 56-wk-old White Leghorn hens was investigated. After 8 wk of treatment, calcitriol at 1.5 micrograms/kg diet had no discernible effect on egg weight, egg deformation, percentage shell, shell thickness, feed consumption, and egg production.

Optimal dietary level of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol for eggshell quality in laying hens.

The optimal dietary level of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [1,25-(OH)2D3] for eggshell quality was established. White Leghorn hens, 59 wk of age, were fed one of eight diets that contained the same basal ingredients, including 3.1% calcium, but different levels (microgram/kg) or forms of calciferol supplements: no calciferol supplement of any form (56 hens); 27.

Effects of vitamin D3 metabolites on physiological traits of White Leghorn hens.

This study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding vitamin D3(D3) metabolites on BW of hen, weight of uterus, plasma Ca, jejunal and uterine adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), and carbonic anhydrase. At 416 days of age each of 7 groups of laying hens was fed the basal ration supplemented with one of 7 concentrations (micrograms per kg) of D3 or its metabolites as treatments: 0 micrograms of D3; 27.5 micrograms of D3; 3, 5, or 7 micrograms of 1,25(OH)2D3; 5 micrograms of 24,25(OH)2D3; and 5 micrograms of 24,25(OH)2D3 plus 5 micrograms of 1,25(OH)2D3.

Effect of 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol on egg shell quality and egg production.

1. The effect of replacing dietary cholecalciferol (D3) by 1 alpha,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25-(OH)2D3) on egg shell quality and egg production was tested on 32-week-old White Leghorn laying hens over 9 weeks. 2.

Fluctuation of blood melatonin concentrations with age: result of changes in pineal melatonin secretion, body growth, and aging.

Melatonin in the systemic circulation of rats fluctuates with age, and the causes for such changes were investigated. Male rats (aged 7 days, 16 days, 18 days, 20 days, 30 days, 48 days, 60 days, and greater than 17 months) were adapted under a lighting regime of 12L:12D for at least 7 days. Pineals and blood samples from the trunk or confluens sinuum were collected in the dark period.

Lack of late toxicity in patients treated with cisplatin-containing combination chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer.

To date, the prevalence and nature of the late toxicity of cisplatin-based combination chemotherapy for advanced testicular cancer has been poorly documented. Thirty men with a median age of 35 years (range, 23 to 63), who had undergone such treatment were assessed with detailed investigation to determine the type and frequency of chronic toxicity. The median follow-up from the time of commencement of chemotherapy was 75 months (range, 48 to 126).

Mass spectrometric identification and quantification of 5-methoxytryptophol in quail retina.

The occurrence of 5-methoxytryptophol (5-MTL) in the quail retina was investigated by capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry/selected ion monitoring using a deuterated internal standard. Based on ion intensity ratios in the mass spectra of pentafluoropropionyl and heptafluorobutyryl derivatives of 5-MTL and deuterated 5-MTL, 5-MTL was unequivocally identified in the quail retina. Similar to the circadian rhythm of retinal melatonin, retinal 5-MTL also exhibited a diurnal variation with high levels at mid-dark.

Inherited changes in concentrations of retinal and serum melatonin in the chicken.

Concentrations of melatonin in the retina, serum, and pineal gland were studied in genetically blind chicks carrying an autosomal recessive mutation, rc, characterized by the degeneration of photoreceptors in the retina after hatching. Blind homozygous (rc/rc) and sighted heterozygous (Rc+/rc) chicks were housed under 12:12 light:dark cycles. They were decapitated at 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks of age at midlight and middark.

Vitamin D deficiency in the chick embryo: effects on prehatching motility and on the growth and differentiation of bones, muscles, and parathyroid glands.

Vitamin D-deficient chicken embryos were obtained by feeding laying hens diets in which 3-7 micrograms calcitriol replaced the vitamin D3 supplement. A large proportion of the D-deficient embryos failed to complete the prehatching positional changes required to start pulmonary respiration. For this reason most of them became cyanotic and had subcutaneous edema and hemorrhages in the head and neck and died without hatching.

Flow cytometric quantification of rat spermatogenic cells after hypophysectomy and gonadotropin treatment.

DNA flow cytometry was evaluated as a tool to analyze stage-specific changes that occur in absolute cell numbers in the testes. Hypophysectomy was selected as a model system for perturbing testicular cell types, since the cytological sequelae of this treatment post-hypophysectomy in the rat are well documented in the literature. Rat spermatogenic cells in stages II-V, VII, and IX-XIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle (as defined by Leblond and Clermont, 1952) were quantified in numbers per standard length of seminiferous tubule by DNA flow cytometry after hypophysectomy and subsequent gonadotropin treatment.