Transferrin and mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase in young adult alcoholics.

Two recently proposed biochemical markers of alcoholism, namely, quantitation of plasma transferrin variant (Tf5.7) and the ratio of plasma mitochondrial aspartate aminotransferase (m-AspAT) to total AspAT (t-AspAT), were tested for their ability to detect young adult alcoholics. Another commonly used biochemical test, namely, activity of plasma gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) was included as a comparison.

Lysobactin, a novel antibacterial agent produced by Lysobacter sp. II. Biological properties.

Lysobactin, an antibiotic isolated from a strain of Lysobacter, is 2 to 4-fold more active than vancomycin against aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria. Included in the spectrum of lysobactin are Staphylococci, Streptococci, corynebacteria, clostridia and various other Gram-positive anaerobic bacteria. The activity of lysobactin against aerobic and anaerobic Gram-negative bacteria is poor.

Differential inhibition of hepatic ferrochelatase by regioisomers of N-butyl-, N-pentyl-, N-hexyl-, and N-isobutylprotoporphyrin IX.

A series of analogues of 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (DDC), viz. 4-butyl DDC, 4-pentyl DDC, and 4-hexyl DDC was administered to phenobarbital-pretreated rats. The N-alkylprotoporphyrins (N-alkylPP) isolated from the rat livers were separated into regioisomers by means of high performance liquid chromatography; the NB or NA (NB/A) regioisomers constituted 19-26% of the total regioisomers.

Identification of alcoholism in young adults by blood chemistries.

A stepwise linear discriminant analysis was conducted between young adult alcoholics in an alcoholism treatment center and non-alcoholic college students. Analysis of 31 commonly ordered clinical laboratory tests yielded three significant variables (urea nitrogen, potassium and MCV) which correctly classify 89% of alcoholics and 92% of non-alcoholics.

In vivo evaluation of tigemonam, a novel oral monobactam.

Tigemonam, a new monobactam with excellent activity against gram-negative bacteria, was evaluated for in vivo efficacy and absorption after oral administration to laboratory animals. Tigemonam is absorbed when administered orally to mice and dogs. In a variety of gram-negative systemic infections in mice, orally administered tigemonam was efficacious in all infections studied.

Zoonoses acquired from pet primates.

Laws regulating the importation of primates have drastically reduced the number of primates seen as pets and, thus, the hazard both to the potential owner and veterinarian. Active disease and latent carrier states in primates potentially have severe consequences for the contact person. This potential for human transmission makes it imperative that medical and veterinary professionals collaborate to educate the public on the danger of the primate as a pet.

Alcoholism diagnoses for convicted drinking drivers referred for alcoholism evaluation.

The types and extent of alcohol-related problems were determined for a sample of 461 convicted drinking drivers who were referred to an alcoholism treatment facility for evaluation and possible treatment. Using responses to questionnaire and structured interview questions on alcohol-related problems, DSM III diagnoses are constructed; approximately three-quarters of the sample are diagnosed with sufficient severity for a DSM III diagnosis of abuse or dependence. Self-reported consumption levels and drinking/driving incidents increase as the level of the alcohol problem increases; persons in the Alcohol Abuse category are heavier consumers and drive more frequently after drinking than are persons who are not diagnosed by the DSM III as having an alcohol problem.

Comparison of the effects of 3-ethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4-dimethylpyridine and 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine on ferrochelatase activity and heme biosynthesis in chick embryo liver cells in culture.

3-Ethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4-dimethylpyridine (EDP) was shown to lack the ferrochelatase-lowering activity of 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydro-2,4,6-trimethylpyridine (DDC) in chick embryo liver cells in culture. This was attributed to the inability of EDP to cause destruction of the heme moiety of cytochrome P-450 with concomitant formation of N-methylprotoporphyrin IX. EDP was less potent as a porphyrinogenic agent than DDC and caused the accumulation of uroporphyrin, heptacarboxylic porphyrin, and coproporphyrin in contrast with DDC which caused primarily protoporphyrin to accumulate.