A locus for inherited focal segmental glomerulosclerosis maps to chromosome 19q13.

We performed a genome-wide linkage analysis search for a genetic locus responsible for kidney dysfunction in a large family. This inherited condition, characterized by proteinuria, progressive renal insufficiency, and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, follows autosomal dominant inheritance. We show with a high degree of certainty (maximum 2-point lod score 12.

Indomethacin and staurosporine reverse alpha 2 inhibition of water transport in rat IMCD.

These studies were conducted to determine if the prostaglandin-synthesis inhibitor indomethacin or the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor staurosporine affect the inhibition of osmotic water permeability (Pf) by the alpha-2 (alpha 2) agonist dexmedetomidine in the rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD). Terminal IMCDs from Wistar rats were perfused and Pf was increased with either 220 pM arginine vasopressin (AVP) or 0.1 mM 8-chlorophenylthio cyclic adenosine monophosphate (8CPTcAMP).

Dexmedetomidine inhibits osmotic water permeability in the rat cortical collecting duct.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the selective alpha-2 agonist dexmedetomidine inhibits basic transport properties in the rat cortical collecting duct (CCD). Sprague-Dawley rat CCDs were isolated and perfused to allow measurement of osmotic water permeability (Pf), transepithelial voltage (Vt) and resistance (Rt). Arginine vasopressin (AVP) increases Pf, hyperpolarizes Vt and decreases Rt in the CCD via stimulation of adenylyl cyclase.

Analysis of antibody-antigen interactions using size-exclusion high-performance (pressure) liquid chromatography.

The development of methods to measure avidity of anti-sera reacting to antigen in solution using size-exclusion high-performance (pressure) liquid chromatography (SE-HPLC) was initiated using a model system composed of human serum albumin (HSA) and mouse anti-HSA IgG (mIgG). Mixtures containing varying concentrations of mIgG and HSA (mIgG, 0-2.4 microM, and HSA, 3.

'Bridge' between knowledge and practice in diagnosing depression.

Depression is one of the most common disorders in primary care patients. Yet, physicians fail to recognize it in most patients. One of the likely reasons for this problem may be that medical students and physicians have difficulty recalling pertinent psychiatric didactic information in a clinically usable form.

Alpha 2-adrenergic-mediated inhibition of water and urea permeability in the rat IMCD.

These studies were conducted to determine whether the alpha 2-agonists epinephrine and dexmedetomidine inhibit osmotic water permeability (Pf) and urea permeability (Pu) in the rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD). Wistar rat IMCD segments were perfused via standard methods, and Pf and Pu were determined in separate studies. The control period was followed by adding 220 pM arginine vasopressin (AVP) or 10(-4) M dibutyryladenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) to the bath.

Biochemical characterization of lipopolysaccharides extracted from a hydrophobic strain of Pasteurella multocida.

Lipopolysaccharides were extracted from freeze-dried cells of Pasteurella multocida strain P-1581 (serotype 8) by the phenol-chloroform-petroleum ether method and biochemically analysed using standard procedures. The primary neutral sugars were glucose, galactose and heptose. No deoxy sugars were detected.

Computed tomography detection of a cerebral calcific embolus following coronary catheterization.

A 77-year-old man underwent coronary artery angiography quite well. However, several attempts were required to pass the pigtail catheter across a calcified stenotic aortic valve. On return to the floor, motor aphasia and right hemiparesis developed and improved steadily within a few days.

How compliant is compliant? Evaluating adherence with breast self-exam positions.

The present study examined compliance with the three recommended breast self-examination (BSE) positions over a 6-month follow-up period. An ongoing behavioral measure that provided information about the type of exam performed during each BSE occasion was employed. Results indicated that adherence to all three position types was obtained in only 40% of the exams.

Analgesic potency of mu and kappa opioids after systemic administration in amphibians.

The relative analgesic potency of 11 opioid agents was assessed by using the acetic acid test in amphibians. Systemic administration of the mu agonists, fentanyl, levorphanol, methadone, morphine, meperidine and codeine; the partial mu agonist, buprenorphine; and the kappa agonists nalorphine, bremazocine, U50488 and CI-977 was made by s.c.

Heart rate reactivity to laboratory tasks and in two daily life settings.

This study investigated relationships between laboratory task-related heart rate reactivity and heart rate responses in two daily life settings. The main purpose of the study was to demonstrate that the expression of heart rate reactivity during daily life depends on the nature of the daily life situation, or on subjective or behavioral responses in the daily life situation. Twenty-six healthy, male medical students completed one laboratory session consisting of pretask rest, reaction time, video game, and mental arithmetic conditions, and 2 day-long field study periods, during which subjects either worked as student physicians in a medical clinic or attended classroom lectures.

In vivo effects of disulfiram and cyanamide on canine liver aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzymes as detected by high-performance (pressure) liquid chromatography.

Methods for analysis of aldehyde dehydrogenase isoenzymes using high-performance (pressure) liquid chromatography (HPLC) were used to determine in vivo effects of disulfiram and cyanamide on canine liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isoenzymes. Liver ALDH isoenzymes from control and disulfiram- or cyanamide-treated dogs were separated by ion-exchange HPLC, and enzyme activity was detected using a postcolumn reactor. Two major peaks of ALDH activity (peaks I and II) were detected.

The elderly driver: deciding when to stop.

This study examines the decision of people (N = 56) living in retirement communities to quit driving, and the role of their physician and family in making this decision. Most of the elderly stopped driving when a threshold was reached after an accumulation of compensatory behaviors. Few stopped because of their doctor's advice, although all felt a physician was in the best position to evaluate driving, and family involvement received limited support.