Problems in selection of topical anti-inflammatory corticosteroids

Desonide, a non-fluorinated topical corticosteroid (16-alpha-hydroxyprednisolone acetonide), is compared with its fluorinated analogue, triamcinolone acetonide, as to vasoconstriction ability and epidermal penetration rate. Clinical effectiveness of desonide is further assessed by means of a double-blind paired comparison with an accepted potent fluorinated steroid, betamethasone 17-valerate. It is demonstrated that fluorination of the steroid molecule is not necessary to achieve potent topical anti-inflammatory effect. Vasoconstriction and epidermal penetration are not enhanced by fluorination in the drugs studied.     

The determination of isoniazid and its metabolites acetylisoniazid, monoacetylhydrazine, diacetylhydrazine, isonicotinic acid and isonicotinylglycine in serum and urine

1. A solvent system was devised for the extraction of isoniazid and its metabolites acetylisoniazid, monoacetylhydrazine, diacetylhydrazine, isonicotinic acid and isonicotinylglycine from serum and urine. 2. Specific chemical and fluorimetric methods were developed for the determination of the extracted isoniazid and acetylisoniazid, and chemical methods for the determination of monoacetylhydrazine, diacetylhydrazine, isonicotinic acid and isonicotinylglycine. 3. When applied to serum, these methods were capable of measuring concentrations of down to about 0.005mug of isoniazid/ml, 0.05mug of acetylisoniazid/ml, 0.2mug of monoacetylhydrazine/ml, 0.2mug of diacetylhydrazine/ml, 0.02mug of isonicotinic acid/ml and 0.1mug of isonicotinylglycine/ml. 4. In urine, these methods were capable of measuring concentrations of down to about 0.05mug of isoniazid/ml, 0.2mug of acetylisoniazid/ml, 1mug of diacetylhydrazine/ml, 0.1mug of isonicotinic acid/ml and 0.2mug of isonicotinylglycine/ml. 5. The stability of these compounds was studied in serum and urine and a method devised to decrease their decomposition in serum.     

Altered accumulation of alpha-amino isobutyric acid by myopathic hamster heart

Transport of α-Amino isobutyric acid by normal and myopathic hamster heart is a saturable process which is independent of the Na⁺ gradient and of metabolic energy. The Km for the myopathic carrier is about three times as large as that of normal heart. This finding supports a relationship between genetic myopathy and alteration of cellular membranes.     

Medical and Health Care in State Residential Institutions for Children and Youths: A Report of Survey Findings in Five Hospitals

A survey of five Northern California state residential institutions showed considerable variation in the type and amount of medical services provided for children and youths. There was no standard policy for relationships with regional centers, use of community hospitals, vision and hearing assessments, speech and rehabilitation therapy, or genetic and maternal health services. Some hospitals had no staff members certified to carry out cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Not all staff physicians and other health professionals working in state hospitals had specific training in the areas of genetics, seizure control and physical rehabilitation medicine. While all five state hospitals are involved in training personnel, there is a need to develop a statewide plan for the better sharing of knowledge and expertise of the state hospital personnel in the training of pediatricians and others.     

Fine needle aspiration of pulmonary lesions via fiberoptic bronchoscopy

Mediastinal and hilar masses not associated with an endoscopically visible lesion and processes involving only the bronchial submucosa are often difficult to diagnose despite the ability to obtain cytologic and histologic samples via the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope; necrotic endobronchial lesions are often suspected to be tumorous but may not be biopsied for fear of creating further and uncontrollable bleeding. Diagnostic material from such lesions can be obtained by aspiration with a thin needle localized via the bronchoscope at the site of the lesion and then inserted through the bronchial wall into the mediastinum, hilum or bronchial submucosal area. Not only can the question of neoplasia be answered by this technique, but staging in an inexpensive and non-morbid way can be accomplished. Indications for transbronchial fine needle aspiration, the excellence of cytologic samples thus obtained and the problems encountered using existing disposable equipment are discussed. Four cases are reported briefly as examples of the use of the technique.     

The nature of the substance in acidic streptococcal extracts reacting with fibrinogen

Acid extracts from streptococci were shown to react with fibrinogen and synovial fluid. The reactive material was a teichoic acid and not M-protein as previously suggested and is of high molecular weight and akin to polyglycerophosphate.