Efeito de reguladores de crescimento sobre os teores de ácido ascórbico e carboidratos solúveis de morango (Fragaria hybridus)

Foram feitas aplicações dos seguintes reguladores de crescimento em morango (Fragarm hybridus): SADH a 5000 ppm, CCC a 2000 ppm, ATA a 10 ppm (3 aplicações), ácido giberélico a 10 ppm (3 aplicações) e 550 ppm. Análises de peso seco, ácido ascórbico e carboidratos solúveis dos frutos foram efetuadas a fim de se estudar o efeito desses reguladores de crescimento. Não foram detectadas diferenças significativas entre os diversas tratamentos e o controle. O peso seco variou de 7,62 a 9,53%. O conteúdo de ácido ascórbico variou de 35,88 a 71,81 mg/100 g de peso fresco. Os teores médios de carboidratos solúveis, expresso em g/100 g peso fresco, foram: totais (5,58), sacarose (1,01), glucose (1,63) e frutose (1,54).

Nutrição mineral de hortaliças: XXXVIII. deficiências de macronutrientes em alface (Juactuoa sativa L.), cv. Brasil e Clause's Aurélia

Com os objetivos de: a) obter o quadro síntomatológico das deficiências de macronutrientes; b) relacionar o quadro sintomatológico a composição química das plantas, foi conduzido um ensaio em casa de vegetação, cultivando o cv. Brasil 48 e Clause's Aurélia em solução nutritiva, tendo como substrato silica finamente moida. Os tratamentos foram: completo, omissão de nitrogênio, omissão de fósforo, omissão de potássio, omissão de cálcio, omissão de magnésio e omissão de enxofre. Os autores observaram e identificaram as deficiências de nutrientes que se traduziram por sintomas típicos e facilmente identificáveis, com exceção do enxofre. As concentrações de macronutrientes nas folhas para plantas sem sintomas e com sintomas para o cultivar Brasil 48 foram: N% 3,37 a 1,86; P% 0,44 a 0,16; K% 5,54 a 1,32; Ca% 0,97 a 0,20; Mg% 0,35 a 0,05. As concentrações de S% foram iguais a 0,16. Para o cv. Clause's Aurélia, as concentrações nas folhas correspondentes a plantas sem e com deficiências foram: N% 3,02 a 2,68; P% 0,71 a 0,19; K% 7,7 a 1,54; Ca% 1 ,47 a 0,31; Mg% 0,43 a 0,10 e S% 0,25 a 0,24.

Nutrição mineral do gergelim (Sesamum indicum L): II - Concentração e acúmulo de micronutrientes em condições de campo

Tendo-se como objetivo conhecer o comportamento nutricional da cultura de Gergelim (Sesamum indicum L.), instalou-se um ensaio no campo experimental do Departamento de Agricultura e Horticultura, da Escola Superior de Agricultura "Luiz de Queiroz" da Universidade de São Paulo, visando determinar as concentrações e acúmulo de micronutrientes pelo cultivar Venezuela em diferentes estádios de desenvolvimento, e avaliar a exportação pela colheita. O experimento foi conduzido no decorrer do ano agrícola 1981/1982, num solo Terra Roxa Estruturada, Série Luiz de Queiroz. O delineamento estatístico foi inteiramente casualizado, com um cultivar, oito épocas de amostragem e quatro repetições. As primeiras amostras foram coletadas 28 dias após a emergência das plantulas (desbaste) e as demais em intervalos regulares de 12 dias, de tal maneira que sempre houvessem outras quatro competitivas na fileira. No material coletado (folha, caule e fruto), determinou-se os teores e acúmulo de micronutrientes, com exceção do molibdênio e cloro. Concluiu-se que: - a concentração dos micronutrientes foi sempre maior nas folhas do que nos caules; - a acumulação dos micronutrientes foi sempre maior nas folhas do que nos caules, com exceção do zinco; - a concentração dos micronutrientes nos órgãos amostrados, ocorreu na seguinte ordem: Folha: Fe(772,46ppm) > Mn(311,83ppm) > Zn(117,20ppm) > B(95,33ppm) > Cu(22,99 ppm). Caule: Fe(528,08ppm) > Mn(148,41ppm) > B (72,28ppm) > Zn(65,09ppm) > Cu(15,89 ppm). Fruto: Fe(282,24ppm) > B(4104ppm) > Mn (30,87ppm) > Zn(22,04ppm) > Cu(l6,33 ppm). - A acumulação total dos micronutrientes pela planta inteira foi crescente com a idade até os 112 dias, com exceção do B nas folhas e B e Fe nos caules; - a acumulação pela planta (mg/planta) foi em ordem decrescente: Fe(13M2) > Mn(21,64) > Zn(10,54) > B(8,01) > Cu(3,81); - a exportação através da colheita (mg/planta) foi em ordem decrescente: Fe(67J7) > B(3,92) > Mn(3,75) > Zn (2,67) > Cu(1,54).

Análise comparativa da estrutura populacional do ermitão endêmico do Atlântico Ocidental Loxopagurus loxochelis (Decapoda, Anomura) em duas regiões do estado de São Paulo, Brasil

A estrutura populacional do ermitão Loxopagurus loxochelis (Moreira, 1901) foi analisada por meio da distribuição de freqüência dos animais em classes de tamanho e da razão sexual. Espécimes foram coletados mensalmente no período de um ano (julho de 2002 a junho de 2003), em sete transectos (5 aos 35 m de profundidade), usando barco equipado com duas redes do tipo double-rig, nas enseadas de Caraguatatuba e de Ubatuba (Estado de São Paulo, Brasil). Em Caraguatatuba foram coletados 366 animais, sendo 222 machos (60,65%), 114 fêmeas não-ovígeras (31,15%) e 30 fêmeas ovígeras (8,20%) e, em Ubatuba, 126 ermitões, dos quais 81 machos (64,28%), 38 fêmeas não-ovígeras (30,16%) e sete fêmeas ovígeras (5,56%). Em Caraguatatuba, a alta incidência de fêmeas ovígeras ocorreu durante o inverno (julho de 2002), enquanto em Ubatuba, o número foi incipiente. O comprimento do escudo cefalotorácico variou de 2,0 a 7,9mm (5,29 ± 0,96mm) em Caraguatatuba, e em Ubatuba, de 2,7 a 7,5 mm (5,32 ± 0,95mm). A média de tamanho dos machos foi significativamente maior do que das fêmeas em ambas as áreas. A razão sexual total foi favorável aos machos (1,54:1 em Caraguatatuba e 1,9:1 em Ubatuba). Houve maior freqüência de machos nas últimas classes de tamanho, acompanhando os padrões observados em decápodes e evidenciando a existência de dimorfismo sexual em L. loxochelis. A distribuição de freqüência total foi unimodal para ambos os sexos, nas duas áreas. A presença de um número maior de machos em relação a fêmeas pode ser indício de que existam diferentes taxas de crescimento e de mortalidade entre os sexos, além de distribuição espacial diferencial entre estes. Apesar das diferentes características geomorfológicas entre as regiões de Caraguatatuba e Ubatuba, foi observada uma dinâmica de desenvolvimento similar para ambas as populações.

Contribution to the study of immune hemolysis by toad complement

EA (sheep erythrocytes carrying rabbit antibody) are lysed by toad complement under optimal conditions which include a low concentration of cells (1.54 x 10*8/ml), a low temperature of incubation (30°C) and the same amounts of Ca++ and Mg++ as required for the titration of guinea-pig complement. Kinetic studies of the role of cations mentioned above in immune lysis by toad C have disclosed a fundamental difference as compared to guinea-pig C. In a limited complement system, the lysis by amphibian C is completely blocked by EDTA, even when the chelating agent is added as late as 15 minutes after zero-time. Inhibition by EGTA is only partial and the findings suggest that Mg++ is required not only at the beginning, but also at late stages of the lytic process. It has been speculated that the activation of amphibian complement proceeds mainly by the alternative pathway.

Comparing impact and cost-effectiveness of primary prevention strategies for lipid-lowering.

BACKGROUND: Lipid-lowering therapy is costly but effective at reducing coronary heart disease (CHD) risk. OBJECTIVE: To assess the cost-effectiveness and public health impact of Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines and compare with a range of risk- and age-based alternative strategies. DESIGN: The CHD Policy Model, a Markov-type cost-effectiveness model. DATA SOURCES: National surveys (1999 to 2004), vital statistics (2000), the Framingham Heart Study (1948 to 2000), other published data, and a direct survey of statin costs (2008). TARGET POPULATION: U.S. population age 35 to 85 years. Time Horizon: 2010 to 2040. PERSPECTIVE: Health care system. INTERVENTION: Lowering of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins). OUTCOME MEASURE: Incremental cost-effectiveness. RESULTS OF BASE-CASE ANALYSIS: Full adherence to ATP III primary prevention guidelines would require starting (9.7 million) or intensifying (1.4 million) statin therapy for 11.1 million adults and would prevent 20,000 myocardial infarctions and 10,000 CHD deaths per year at an annual net cost of $3.6 billion ($42,000/QALY) if low-intensity statins cost $2.11 per pill. The ATP III guidelines would be preferred over alternative strategies if society is willing to pay $50,000/QALY and statins cost $1.54 to $2.21 per pill. At higher statin costs, ATP III is not cost-effective; at lower costs, more liberal statin-prescribing strategies would be preferred; and at costs less than $0.10 per pill, treating all persons with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels greater than 3.4 mmol/L (>130 mg/dL) would yield net cost savings. RESULTS OF SENSITIVITY ANALYSIS: Results are sensitive to the assumptions that LDL cholesterol becomes less important as a risk factor with increasing age and that little disutility results from taking a pill every day. LIMITATION: Randomized trial evidence for statin effectiveness is not available for all subgroups. CONCLUSION: The ATP III guidelines are relatively cost-effective and would have a large public health impact if implemented fully in the United States. Alternate strategies may be preferred, however, depending on the cost of statins and how much society is willing to pay for better health outcomes. FUNDING: Flight Attendants' Medical Research Institute and the Swanson Family Fund. The Framingham Heart Study and Framingham Offspring Study are conducted and supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

Results of computer assisted navigation in Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA): comparison with the conventional method

The aim of this retrospective study was to compare the clinical and radiographic results after TKA (PFC, DePuy), performed either by computer assisted navigation (CAS, Brainlab, Johnson&Johnson) or by conventional means. Material and methods: Between May and December 2006 we reviewed 36 conventional TKA performed between 2002 and 2003 (group A) and 37 navigated TKA performed between 2005 and 2006 (group B) by the same experienced surgeon. The mean age in group A was 74 years (range 62-90) and 73 (range 58-85) in group B with a similar age distribution. The preoperative mechanical axes in group A ranged from -13° varus to +13° valgus (mean absolute deviation 6.83°, SD 3.86), in group B from -13° to +16° (mean absolute deviation 5.35, SD 4.29). Patients with a previous tibial osteotomy or revision arthroplasty were excluded from the study. Examination was done by an experienced orthopedic resident independent of the surgeon. All patients had pre- and postoperative long standing radiographs. The IKSS and the WOMAC were utilized to determine the clinical outcome. Patient's degree of satisfaction was assessed on a visual analogous scale (VAS). Results: 32 of the 37 navigated TKAs (86,5%) showed a postoperative mechanical axis within the limits of 3 degrees of valgus or varus deviation compared to only 24 (66%) of the 36 standard TKAs. This difference was significant (p = 0.045). The mean absolute deviation from neutral axis was 3.00° (range -5° to +9°, SD: 1.75) in group A in comparison to 1.54° (range -5° to +4°, SD: 1.41) in group B with a highly significant difference (p = 0.000). Furthermore, both groups showed a significant postoperative improvement of their mean IKSS-values (group A: 89 preoperative to 169 postoperative, group B 88 to 176) without a significant difference between the two groups. Neither the WOMAC nor the patient's degree of satisfaction - as assessed by VAS - showed significant differences. Operation time was significantly higher in group B (mean 119.9 min.) than in group A (mean 99.6 min., p <0.000). Conclusion: Our study showed consistent significant improvement of postoperative frontal alignment in TKA by computer assisted navigation (CAS) compared to standard methods, even in the hands of a surgeon well experienced in standard TKA implantation. However, the follow-up time of this study was not long enough to judge differences in clinical outcome. Thus, the relevance of computer navigation for clinical outcome and survival of TKA remains to be proved in long term studies to justify the longer operation time. References 1 Stulberg SD. Clin Orth Rel Res. 2003;(416):177-84. 2 Chauhan SK. JBJS Br. 2004;86(3):372-7. 3 Bäthis H, et al. Orthopäde. 2006;35(10):1056-65.

Taux sanguins et sériques d'ions métalliques chez les patients porteurs de PHTs à col modulaire - une étude de cohorte prospective comparative

Les évidences s'accumulent concernant des problèmes de corrosion touchant les prothèses à col modulaires. Plusieurs études récentes révèlent des taux d'ions métalliques élevés. Le but de cette étude était de comparer les taux d'ions métalliques (Co, Cr, Mo, Ti), dans le sérum, chez des porteurs de prothèses à col modulaire, à tige monobloc, ainsi que sans implant. Méthodes Nous avons recruté 60 patients, dont 50 porteurs d'une PTH, unilatérale, sans aucun autre implant, non-cimentée, avec tête en céramique, à minimum 1 année postopératoire. Quarante avaient une tige SPS (Symbios) (Ti6Al4 V) modulaire (col en CoCr) et 10 une SPS monobloc (non-modulaire). Les cupules étaient toutes en alliage de Ti (Ti6Al4 V) avec insert céramique ou PE. Nous avons constitué un groupe témoin sans aucun implant. Dans le groupe o modulaires O, le col a été choisi en préopératoire sur la base d'une planification 3D et assemblé à sec avant implantation. Nous avons prélevé un échantillon sérique, un autre sanguin, qui ont été analysés par spectrométrie de masse, permettant une détermination atomique quantitative. Le résultat clinique a été estimé à l'aide du o Oxford Hip Score O. Résultats Nous avons trouvé un Co sérique moyen à 1,54 Ig L dans le groupe O modulaires O et à 0,32 Ig L dans le groupe o monobloc O avec un p < 0,001. Pour le Cr, on a 1,12 Ig L (modulaires) vs 0,60 Ig L (monoblocs) avec un p < 0,001, pour le Ti 31 Ig L (modulaires) vs 22 Ig L (monoblocs) avec p < 0,001 et pour le Mo, 0,96 Ig L (modulaires) vs 0,74 (monoblocs) avec p = 0,254. Deux patients avaient des valeurs de Co supérieures à 7 Ig L et 11 étaient au-dessus de 1 Ig L, valeur considérée comme limite. Les valeurs dans le sang complet étaient similaires. Nous n'avons pas trouvé de différence significative selon les types de col modulaires (longs vs courts et rétro vs normaux). Curieusement, le taux de Cr était significativement plus élevé chez les patients sans aucun implant que chez les porteurs de SPS monobloc, par contre les différences n'étaient pas significatives pour les autres éléments. Conclusion Les taux sériques et sanguins de ions Co, Cr et Ti étaient significativement plus élevés dans le groupe des patients avec col modulaire, avec 2 valeurs 40 extrêmement hautes et plus de la moitié (11 40) anormalement hautes. Bien que ces valeurs soient inférieures à celles d'autres études, nous avons arrêter d'utiliser de tiges à cols modulaires, et avons initié un suivi annuel des patients porteurs, similaire à celui instauré pour les grosses têtes métal-métal.

Which subgroup of patients with rheumatoid arthritis benefits from switching to rituximab versus alternative anti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF) agents after previous failure of an anti-TNF agent?

BACKGROUND: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to TNF antagonists (aTNFs) may switch to an alternative aTNF or start treatment from a different class of drugs, such as rituximab (RTX). It remains unclear in which clinical settings these therapeutic strategies offer most benefit. OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effectiveness of RTX versus alternative aTNFs on RA disease activity in different subgroups of patients. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of patients with RA who discontinued at least one aTNF and subsequently received either RTX or an alternative aTNF, nested within the Swiss RA registry (SCQM-RA) was carried out. The primary outcome, longitudinal improvement in 28-joint count Disease Activity Score (DAS28), was analysed using multivariate regression models for longitudinal data and adjusted for potential confounders. RESULTS: Of the 318 patients with RA included; 155 received RTX and 163 received an alternative aTNF. The relative benefit of RTX varied with the type of prior aTNF failure: when the motive for switching was ineffectiveness to previous aTNFs, the longitudinal improvement in DAS28 was significantly better with RTX than with an alternative aTNF (p = 0.03; at 6 months, -1.34 (95% CI -1.54 to -1.15) vs -0.93 (95% CI -1.28 to -0.59), respectively). When the motive for switching was other causes, the longitudinal improvement in DAS28 was similar for RTX and alternative aTNFs (p = 0.40). These results were not significantly modified by the number of previous aTNF failures, the type of aTNF switches, or the presence of co-treatment with a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug. CONCLUSION: This observational study suggests that in patients with RA who have stopped a previous aTNF treatment because of ineffectiveness changing to RTX is more effective than switching to an alternative aTNF.

Predictors of early hospital readmission after acute pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for early mortality after pulmonary embolism (PE) are widely known. However, it is uncertain which factors are associated with early readmission after PE. We sought to identify predictors of readmission after an admission for PE. METHODS: We studied 14 426 patient discharges with a primary diagnosis of PE from 186 acute care hospitals in Pennsylvania from January 1, 2000, to November 30, 2002. The outcome was readmission within 30 days of presentation for PE. We used a discrete proportional odds model to study the association between time to readmission and patient factors (age, sex, race, insurance, discharge status, and severity of illness), thrombolysis, and hospital characteristics (region, teaching status, and number of beds). RESULTS: Overall, 2064 patient discharges (14.3%) resulted in a readmission within 30 days of presentation for PE. The most common reasons for readmission were venous thromboembolism (21.9%), cancer (10.8%), pneumonia (5.2%), and bleeding (5.0%). In multivariable analysis, African American race (odds ratio [OR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.38), Medicaid insurance (OR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.31-1.81), discharge home with supplemental care (OR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.27-1.54), leaving the hospital against medical advice (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.80-4.48), and severity of illness were independently associated with readmission; readmission also varied by hospital region. CONCLUSIONS: Early readmission after PE is common. African American race, Medicaid insurance, severity of illness, discharge status, and hospital region are significantly associated with readmission. The high readmission rates for venous thromboembolism and bleeding suggest that readmission may be linked to suboptimal quality of care in the management of PE.

Clinical presentation, etiology, and outcome of infective endocarditis in the 21st century: the International Collaboration on Endocarditis-Prospective Cohort Study.

We sought to provide a contemporary picture of the presentation, etiology, and outcome of infective endocarditis (IE) in a large patient cohort from multiple locations worldwide. Prospective cohort study of 2781 adults with definite IE who were admitted to 58 hospitals in 25 countries from June 1, 2000, through September 1, 2005. The median age of the cohort was 57.9 (interquartile range, 43.2-71.8) years, and 72.1% had native valve IE. Most patients (77.0%) presented early in the disease (<30 days) with few of the classic clinical hallmarks of IE. Recent health care exposure was found in one-quarter of patients. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen (31.2%). The mitral (41.1%) and aortic (37.6%) valves were infected most commonly. The following complications were common: stroke (16.9%), embolization other than stroke (22.6%), heart failure (32.3%), and intracardiac abscess (14.4%). Surgical therapy was common (48.2%), and in-hospital mortality remained high (17.7%). Prosthetic valve involvement (odds ratio, 1.47; 95% confidence interval, 1.13-1.90), increasing age (1.30; 1.17-1.46 per 10-year interval), pulmonary edema (1.79; 1.39-2.30), S aureus infection (1.54; 1.14-2.08), coagulase-negative staphylococcal infection (1.50; 1.07-2.10), mitral valve vegetation (1.34; 1.06-1.68), and paravalvular complications (2.25; 1.64-3.09) were associated with an increased risk of in-hospital death, whereas viridans streptococcal infection (0.52; 0.33-0.81) and surgery (0.61; 0.44-0.83) were associated with a decreased risk. In the early 21st century, IE is more often an acute disease, characterized by a high rate of S aureus infection. Mortality remains relatively high.

Risk factors for head and neck cancer in young adults : a pooled analysis in the INHANCE consortium

BACKGROUND: Increasing incidence of head and neck cancer (HNC) in young adults has been reported. We aimed to compare the role of major risk factors and family history of cancer in HNC in young adults and older patients. METHODS: We pooled data from 25 case-control studies and conducted separate analyses for adults ≤45 years old ('young adults', 2010 cases and 4042 controls) and >45 years old ('older adults', 17 700 cases and 22 704 controls). Using logistic regression with studies treated as random effects, we estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: The young group of cases had a higher proportion of oral tongue cancer (16.0% in women; 11.0% in men) and unspecified oral cavity / oropharynx cancer (16.2%; 11.1%) and a lower proportion of larynx cancer (12.1%; 16.6%) than older adult cases. The proportions of never smokers or never drinkers among female cases were higher than among male cases in both age groups. Positive associations with HNC and duration or pack-years of smoking and drinking were similar across age groups. However, the attributable fractions (AFs) for smoking and drinking were lower in young when compared with older adults (AFs for smoking in young women, older women, young men and older men, respectively, = 19.9% (95% CI = 9.8%, 27.9%), 48.9% (46.6%, 50.8%), 46.2% (38.5%, 52.5%), 64.3% (62.2%, 66.4%); AFs for drinking = 5.3% (-11.2%, 18.0%), 20.0% (14.5%, 25.0%), 21.5% (5.0%, 34.9%) and 50.4% (46.1%, 54.3%). A family history of early-onset cancer was associated with HNC risk in the young [OR = 2.27 (95% CI = 1.26, 4.10)], but not in the older adults [OR = 1.10 (0.91, 1.31)]. The attributable fraction for family history of early-onset cancer was 23.2% (8.60% to 31.4%) in young compared with 2.20% (-2.41%, 5.80%) in older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in HNC aetiology according to age group may exist. The lower AF of cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking in young adults may be due to the reduced length of exposure due to the lower age. Other characteristics, such as those that are inherited, may play a more important role in HNC in young adults compared with older adults.

Suicidal expression among school-attending adolescents in a middle-income sub-Saharan country.

We investigated correlates for suicidal expression among adolescents in the Seychelles. Data on 1,432 students (52% females) were derived from the Global School-based Health Survey. Participants were divided into three groups: those with no suicidal behavior (N = 1,199); those with suicide ideation/SI (N = 89); and those reporting SI with a plan to carry out a suicide attempt/SISP (N = 139), each within a 12-month recall period. Using multinomial logistic regression, we examined the strength of associations with social, behavioral and economic indicators while adjusting for covariates. Sixteen percent of school-attending adolescents reported a suicidal expression (10% with a plan/6.2% without). Those reporting SI were younger (relative risk ratio RRR = 0.81; CI = 0.68-0.96), indicated signs of depression (RRR = 1.69; CI = 1.05-2.72) and loneliness (RRR=3.36; CI =1.93-5.84). Tobacco use (RRR = 2.34; CI = 1.32-4.12) and not having close friends (RRR = 3.32; CI = 1.54-7.15) were significantly associated with SI. Those with SISP were more likely to be female (RRR = 0.47; 0.30-0.74), anxious (RRR = 3.04; CI = 1.89-4.88) and lonely (RRR = 1.74; CI = 1.07-2.84). Having no close friends (RRR = 2.98; 1.56-5.69) and using tobacco (RRR = 2.41; 1.48-3.91) were also strongly associated. Having parents who were understanding was protective (RRR = 0.50; CI = 0.31-0.82). Our results suggest that school health promotion programs may benefit from targeting multiple factors associated with suicidal expression. More research, particularly multilevel designs are needed to identify peer and family influences which may modify associations with suicidality.

Bacterial overgrowth during treatment with omeprazole compared with cimetidine: a prospective randomised double blind study.

BACKGROUND: Gastric and duodenal bacterial overgrowth frequently occurs in conditions where diminished acid secretion is present. Omeprazole inhibits acid secretion more effectively than cimetidine and might therefore more frequently cause bacterial overgrowth. AIM: This controlled prospective study compared the incidence of gastric and duodenal bacterial overgrowth in patients treated with omeprazole or cimetidine. METHODS: 47 outpatients with peptic disease were randomly assigned to a four week treatment regimen with omeprazole 20 mg or cimetidine 800 mg daily. Gastric and duodenal juice were obtained during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and plated for anaerobic and aerobic organisms. RESULTS: Bacterial overgrowth (> or = 10(5) cfu/ml) was present in 53% of the patients receiving omeprazole and in 17% receiving cimetidine (p < 0.05). The mean (SEM) number of gastric and duodenal bacterial counts was 6.0 (0.2) and 5.0 (0.2) respectively in the omeprazole group and 4.0 (0.2) and 4.0 (0.1) in the cimetidine group (p < 0.001 and < 0.01; respectively). Faecal type bacteria were found in 30% of the patients with bacterial overgrowth. Basal gastric pH was higher in patients treated with omeprazole compared with cimetidine (4.2 (0.5) versus 2.0 (0.2); p < 0.001) and in patients with bacterial overgrowth compared with those without bacterial overgrowth (5.1 (0.6) versus 2.0 (0.1); p < 0.0001). The nitrate, nitrite, and nitrosamine values in gastric juice did not increase after treatment with either cimetidine or omeprazole. Serum concentrations of vitamin B12, beta carotene, and albumin were similar before and after treatment with both drugs. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that the incidence of gastric and duodenal bacterial overgrowth is considerably higher in patients treated with omeprazole compared with cimetidine. This can be explained by more pronounced inhibition of gastric acid secretion. No patient developed signs of malabsorption or an increase of N-nitroso compounds. The clinical significance of these findings needs to be assessed in studies with long-term treatment with omeprazole, in particular in patients belonging to high risk groups such as HIV infected and intensive care units patients.

Update of the BIPM comparison BIPM.RI(II)-K1.Cs-134 of activity measurements of the radionuclide 134Cs to include the 2008 results of the BEV (Austria), the 2009 result of the IRA (Switzerland) and the 2010 results of the NMISA (South Africa)

Purine nucleotide pyrophosphotransferase was purified to apparent homogeneity from a culture filtrate of Streptomyces morookaensis. It is a monomeric protein with a molecular weight of 24 000-25 000, and its isoelectric point is 6.9. The enzyme synthesizes purine nucleoside 5'-phosphate (mono, di, or tri) 3'-diphosphates such as pppApp, ppApp, pApp, pppGpp, ppGpp and pppIpp by transferring a pyrophosphoryl group from the 5'-position of ATP, dATP and ppApp to the 3'-position of purine nucleotides. The purified enzyme catalysed the formation of 435 mumol of pppApp and 620 mumol of pppGpp from ATP and GTP per min mg protein under the standard conditions. The enzyme requires absolutely a divalent cation for activity, and optimum pH for the enzyme activity lay above 10 for Mg2+, for Co2+ and Zn2+ from 9 to 9.5, and for Fe2+ from 7.5 to 8. The following Michaelis constants were determined: AMP, 2.78 mM; ADP, 3.23 mM; GMP, 0.89 mM; GDP, 0.46 mM and GTP, 1.54 mM, in the case of ATP donor. The enzyme is inhibited by guanine, guanosine, dGDP, dGTP, N-bromosuccinimide, iodacetate, sodium borate and mercuric acetate.