Access to treatment with controlled medicines rationale and recommendations for neutral, precise, and respectful language.

The European Pain Federation EFIC, the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care, International Doctors for Healthier Drug Policies, the Swiss Romandy College for Addiction Medicine, the Swiss Society of Addiction Medicine, and the World Federation for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence called on medical journals to ensure that authors always use terminology that is neutral, precise, and respectful in relation to the use of psychoactive substances. It has been shown that language can propagate stigma, and that stigma can prevent people from seeking help and influence the effectiveness of social and public-health policies. The focus of using appropriate terminology should extend to all patients who need controlled medicines, avoiding negative wording. A narrow focus on a few terms and medical communication only should be avoided. The appropriateness of terms is not absolute and indeed varies between cultures and regions and over time. For this reason, it is important that communities establish their own consensus of what is 'neutral', 'precise', and 'respectful'. We identified twenty-three problematic terms (most of them we suggest avoiding) and their possible alternatives. The use of appropriate language improves scientific quality of articles and increases chances that patients will receive the best treatment and that government policies on psychoactive substance policies will be rational.

Translating research evidence into clinical practice within a single breast imaging unit - A personal reflection.

Health care organisations are required to deliver high quality evidence based and cost effective clinical care. Generating research evidence, appraising new published evidence and integrating it into clinical practice is time-consuming but an essential component in the continuous improvement of care delivery. This article is a personal reflection on the impact of research in clinical practice in a busy, single breast imaging unit from a number of different perspectives. It also highlights a number of benefits that are to be realised both from a service delivery perspective and across the whole staff team from engagement in such activity, which is an integral aspect of our work.

The effect of depression on return to drinking: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: The effect of depression on return to drinking among individuals with alcohol dependence is controversial. From February 1, 1993, to April 15, 1996, we consecutively recruited 40 women and 61 men hospitalized for alcohol dependence and followed them up monthly for 1 year to assess the effect of depression on drinking outcomes. METHODS: We conducted structured interviews during hospitalization and monthly following discharge for 1 year to determine whether depression at treatment entry affected the likelihood of return to drinking and whether this effect differed between sexes. Using survival analysis, we examined the effect of depressive symptoms and a diagnosis of current major depression at treatment entry on times to first drink and relapse during follow-up. RESULTS: A diagnosis of current major depression at the time of hospitalization was associated with shorter times to first drink (hazard ratio, 2.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-3.21; P=.003) and relapse (hazard ratio, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.32-3.39; P=.002). There was no significant difference between women and men in this effect. Depressive symptoms as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory did not predict time to first drink or relapse in women or men. CONCLUSIONS: A diagnosis of current major depression at entry into inpatient treatment for alcohol dependence predicted shorter times to first drink and relapse in women and men. Our results differ from earlier reports that men and women differ in the effect of depression on return to drinking.

Endothelial cell vehicles for delivery of cytotoxic genes as a gene therapy approach for carcinoma of the ovary.

Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated for utility as a vector to achieve a bystander effect and killing of ovarian carcinoma cell lines. After demonstrating that HUVECs could be transduced with the reporter gene LacZ encoded by an adenoviral vector, appropriate cell killing of the AdCMVHSV-TK-transduced HUVECs was exhibited after treatment with 20 microM ganciclovir. Mixing experiments were then performed to determine whether the transduced HUVECs would demonstrate a bystander effect with the ovarian cancer cell lines. When 50% AdCMVHSV-TK-transduced HUVECs were mixed with untransduced ovarian cancer cells, > 70% of all cells were killed. Finally, s.c. and i.p. injections of herpes simplex-thymidine kinase-expressing HUVECs and SKOV3ip1 tumor cells were performed to evaluate the effects of HUVECs in in vivo models. These studies showed a decrease in tumor growth s.c. as well as a statistically significant survival prolongation (P < 0.05) in the i.p. model. These findings suggest that endothelial cells may be used as a vehicle for the delivery of cytotoxicity (bystander effect) in molecular chemotherapy.

Detection of sugar adulterants in apple juice using fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection sampling have been used to detect adulteration of single strength apple juice samples. The sample set comprised 224 authentic apple juices and 480 adulterated samples. Adulterants used included partially inverted cane syrup (PICS), beet sucrose (BS), high fructose corn syrup (HFCS), and a synthetic solution of fructose, glucose, and sucrose (FGS). Adulteration was carried out on individual apple juice samples at levels of 10, 20, 30, and 40% w/w. Spectral data were compressed by principal component analysis and analyzed using k-nearest neighbors and partial least squares regression techniques. Prediction results for the best classification models achieved an overall (authentic plus adulterated) correct classification rate of 96.5, 93.9, 92.2, and 82.4% for PICS, BS, HFCS, and FGS adulterants, respectively. This method shows promise as a rapid screening technique for the detection of a broad range of potential adulterants in apple juice.

Characterization of CART neurons in the rat and human hypothalamus.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) is a recently described neuropeptide widely expressed in the rat brain. CART mRNA and peptides are found in hypothalamic sites such as the paraventricular nucleus (PVH), the supraoptic nucleus (SON), the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (DMH), the arcuate nucleus (Arc), the periventricular nucleus (Pe), and the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMV). Intracerebroventricular administration of recombinant CART peptide decreases food intake and CART mRNA levels in the Arc are regulated by leptin. Leptin administration induces Fos expression in hypothalamic CART neurons in the PVH, the DMH, the Arc, and the PMV. In the current study, we used double label in situ hybridization histochemistry to investigate the potential direct action of leptin on hypothalamic CART neurons and to define the chemical identity of the hypothalamic CART neurons in the rat brain. We found that CART neurons in the Arc, DMH, and PMV express long form leptin-receptor mRNA, and the suppressor of cytokine signaling-3 (SOCS-3) mRNA after an acute dose of intravenous leptin. We also found that CART neurons in the parvicellular PVH, in the DMH and in the posterior Pe coexpress thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) mRNA. CART neurons in the magnocellular PVH and in the SON coexpress dynorphin (DYN), and CART cell bodies in the LHA and in the posterior Pe coexpress melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-67) mRNA. In the Arc, a few CART neurons coexpress neurotensin (NT) mRNA. In addition, we examined the distribution of CART immunoreactivity in the human hypothalamus. We found CART cell bodies in the PVH, in the SON, in the LHA, in the Arc (infundibular nucleus) and in the DMH. We also observed CART fibers throughout the hypothalamus, in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, and in the amygdala. Our results indicate that leptin directly acts on CART neurons in distinct nuclei of the rat hypothalamus. Furthermore, hypothalamic CART neurons coexpress neuropeptides involved in energy homeostasis, including MCH, TRH, DYN, and NT. The distribution of CART cell bodies and fibers in the human hypothalamus indicates that CART may also play a role in the regulation of energy homeostasis in humans.

Relationship of EP(1-4) prostaglandin receptors with rat hypothalamic cell groups involved in lipopolysaccharide fever responses.

The action of prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)) in the preoptic area is thought to play an important role in producing fever. Pharmacologic evidence suggests that, among the four subtypes of E-series prostaglandin (EP) receptors, i.e., EP(1), EP(2), EP(3), and EP(4), the EP(1) receptor mediates fever responses. In contrast, evidence from mice with EP receptor gene deletions indicates that the EP(3) receptor is required for the initial (<1 hour) fever after intravenous (i.v.) lipopolysaccharide (LPS). To investigate which subtypes of EP receptors mediate systemic infection-induced fever, we assessed the coexpression of Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-IR) and EP(1-4) receptor mRNA in nuclei in the rat hypothalamus that have been shown to be involved in fever responses. Two hours after the administration of i.v. LPS (5 microg/kg), Fos-IR was observed in the ventromedial preoptic nucleus, the median preoptic nucleus, and the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. In these nuclei, EP(4) receptor mRNA was strongly expressed and the Fos-IR intensely colocalized with EP(4) receptor mRNA. Strong EP(3) receptor mRNA expression was only seen within the median preoptic nucleus but Fos-IR showed little coexpression with EP(3) receptor mRNA. EP(2) receptor mRNA was not seen in the PGE(2) sensitive parts of the preoptic area. Although approximately half of the Fos-immunoreactive neurons also expressed EP(1) receptor mRNA, EP(1) mRNA expression was weak and its distribution was so diffuse in the preoptic area that it did not represent a specific relationship. In the paraventricular nucleus, EP(4) mRNA was found in most Fos-immunoreactive neurons and levels of EP(4) receptor expression increased after i.v. LPS. Our findings indicate that neurons expressing EP(4) receptor are activated during LPS-induced fever and suggest the involvement of EP(4) receptors in the production of fever.

Chemical characterization of leptin-activated neurons in the rat brain.

Leptin has profound effects on food intake, body weight, and neuroendocrine status. The lack of leptin results in hormonal and metabolic alterations and a dramatic increase in body weight. Leptin acts in the brain, especially in the hypothalamus; however, the central nervous system sites that respond to leptin have not been examined comprehensively. In this study, we explored systematically the distribution of leptin-activated neurons throughout the rat brain. Furthermore, we investigated the chemical identity of subsets of these leptin-activated cells. Fos-like immunoreactivity (Fos-IR) was investigated in the rat brain after two different doses of leptin (1.0 mg/kg and 5.0 mg/kg) at 2 hours and 6 hours after injections. The induction of Fos-IR was observed in hypothalamic nuclei, including the paraventricular nucleus (PVH), the retrochiasmatic area (RCA), the ventromedial nucleus (VMH), the dorsomedial nucleus (DMH), the arcuate nucleus (Arc), and the ventral premammillary nucleus (PMV). In addition, leptin-induced Fos-IR was found in several nuclei of the brainstem, including the superior lateral and external lateral subdivisions of the parabrachial nucleus (slPB and elPB, respectively), the supragenual nucleus, and the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS). By using double-labeling immunohistochemistry or immunohistochemistry coupled with in situ hybridization, leptin-activated neurons were found that contained cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript mRNA in several hypothalamic nuclei, including the RCA, Arc, DMH, and PMV. In the Arc and DMH, leptin-induced Fos-IR was observed in neurons that expressed neurotensin mRNA. Dynorphin neurons in the VMH and in the Arc also expressed Fos-IR. In the brainstem, we found that cholecystokinin neurons in the slPB and glucagon-like peptide-1 neurons in the NTS were activated by leptin. We also investigated the coexpression of Fos-IR and the long form of the leptin receptor (OBRb) mRNA. We found double-labeled neurons surrounding the median eminence and in the RCA, Arc, VMH, DMH, and PMV. However, in brainstem sites, very little OBRb mRNA was found; thus, there were very few double-labeled cells. These results suggest that leptin stimulates brain pathways containing neuropeptides that are involved in the regulation of energy balance, autonomic homeostasis, and neuroendocrine status.

The effect of vitamin C supplements on body weight, serum proteins, and general health of an elderly population.

A double-blind placebo trial of vitamin C has been undertaken in 94 elderly "long-term" inpatients known to have initially low levels of plasma and leukocyte vitamin C (mean values 0.17 mg/100 ml plasma; 10.1 microgram/10(8) leukocytes). At the end of 2 months treatment, plasma and leukocyte vitamin C had increased considerably in those receiving C supplements, and in this group there were slight but significant increases in the mean values for body weight (0.41 kg), plasma albumin (0.46 g/l), and prealbumin (25.4 mg/l) compared with those receiving placebo therapy where there were decreases of 0.60 kg, 0.53 g/l, and 7.0 mg/l, respectively. There was also some clinical improvement as indicated by reductions in purpura and petechial hemorrhages in those receiving vitamin C, but no changes in mood or mobility were observed.

Randomized phase III study of chemoradiation with or without amifostine for patients with favorable performance status inoperable stage II-III non-small cell lung cancer: preliminary results.

A prospective randomized study was conducted to determine whether amifostine (Ethyol) reduces the rate of severe esophagitis and hematologic and pulmonary toxicity associated with chemoradiation or improves control of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Sixty patients with inoperable stage II or III NSCLC were treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Both groups received thoracic radiation therapy (TRT) with 1.2 Gy/fraction, 2 fraction per day, 5 days per week for a total dose 69.6 Gy. All patients received oral etoposide (VP-16), 50 mg Bid, 30 minutes before TRT beginning day 1 for 10 days, repeated on day 29, and cisplatin 50 mg/m(2) intravenously on days 1, 8, 29, and 36. Patients in the study group received amifostine, 500 mg intravenously, twice weekly before chemoradiation (arm 1); patients in the control group received chemoradiation without amifostine (arm 2). Patient and tumor characteristics were distributed equally in both groups. Of the 60 patients enrolled, 53 were evaluable (27 in arm 1, 26 in arm 2) with a median follow-up of 6 months. Median survival times were 26 months for arm 1 and 15 months for arm 2, not statistically significantly different. Morphine intake to reduce severe esophagitis was significantly lower in arm 1 (2 of 27, 7.4%) than arm 2 (8 of 26, 31%; P =.03). Acute pneumonitis was significantly lower in arm 1 (1 of 27, 3.7%) than in arm 2 (6 of 26, 23%; P =.037). Hypotension (20 mm Hg decrease from baseline blood pressure) was significantly more frequent in arm 1 (19 of 27, 70%) than arm 2 (1 of 26, 3.8%; P =.0001). Only 1 patient discontinued treatment because of hypotension. These preliminary results showed that amifostine significantly reduced acute severe esophagitis and pneumonitis. Further observation is required to assess long-term efficacy.

Use of protein A to remove immunoglobulins from serum in hybridoma culture media.

The levels of protein A-reactive immunoglobulin (PA-Ig) in foetal bovine serum were measured in commercial batches. For tissue culture media incorporating 10% foetal bovine serum, the levels of bovine PA-Ig were of a similar order to those of mouse monoclonal antibodies produced by hybridomas grown in such media. The equilibrium constants were calculated for the binding to protein A-Sepharose of a number of mouse monoclonal antibodies, and of PA-Ig in foetal bovine serum and normal mouse serum. The average affinity of the mouse PA-Ig was 10 times higher than that of the bovine PA-Ig, suggesting that the two could be separated by affinity chromatography on protein A-Sepharose. The mouse monoclonal antibodies, however, displayed a range of affinity 1.5-100 times that of the bovine PA-Ig, indicating that such separation could not be generally applied. The optimal technique involved removing PA-Ig from bovine serum before its inclusion in the culture medium and then purifying the monoclonal antibody on a second protein A-Sepharose column.

High-dose-rate endobronchial brachytherapy effectively palliates symptoms due to airway tumors: the 10-year M. D. Anderson cancer center experience.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the toxicity and efficacy of Iridium-192 high-dose-rate (HDR) endobronchial brachytherapy (EBBT) for the palliation of symptoms caused by relapsed or persistent endobronchial tumors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We reviewed the treatment outcomes between 1988 and 1997 in 175 lung cancer patients who underwent HDR EBBT for recurrent or metastatic tumors at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. One hundred sixty of these patients had previously received thoracic external-beam irradiation. This updated report includes 74 patients from a previous series. Most patients received 3,000-cGy EBBT delivered at a distance of 6 mm and divided into 2 fractions over 2 weeks. Subjective response was assessed by questionnaire at follow-up. Objective response was assessed by physical examination, bronchoscopy, and chest radiograph. RESULTS: The median actuarial survival for the entire group was 6 months from the time of the first EBBT treatment session. Of the 115 patients (66%) who showed symptomatic improvement, 32% were much improved and 34% were slightly improved. Patients showing improvement survived for significantly longer than those who showed no change or worsening symptoms (7 vs. 4 months, p = 0.0032). Repeat bronchoscopy demonstrated a 78% overall objective response rate that correlated significantly with subjective response and symptom relief. Complications occurred in 19 patients (11% crude rate) with an actuarial complication rate of 13% at 1 year from the time of the first EBBT treatment session. The actuarial hazard for fatal hemoptysis due to EBBT was 5%. CONCLUSION: HDR EBBT effectively palliates most patients' symptoms caused by endobronchial lesions. This relief correlates significantly with an overall survival benefit. Treatment complications appear to be few, even for patients who have received prior external-beam irradiation.

Adjuvant and salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.

PURPOSE: The optimal role of radiotherapy (RT) to the prostate bed after radical prostatectomy (RP) is the subject of much debate. In this study, the results of adjuvant RT (ART) and salvage RT (SRT) were compared. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 146 lymph node-negative patients were treated postoperatively after RP with RT to the prostate bed between 1987 and 1998. Of these, 75 patients had an undetectable prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level and were treated with ART for adverse pathologic features only to a median dose of 60 Gy (range 51-70). A positive margin was identified in 96%, and two of the three with negative margins had seminal vesicle involvement (SVI). SRT was administered for either a persistently detectable PSA level after RP (n = 27) or for a delayed rise in PSA (n = 44) to a median dose of 70 Gy (range 60-78). Adjuvant androgen ablation was given to 37 patients; 2 who had received ART and 35 had who received SRT. The median duration of androgen ablation was 24 months. The primary end point was freedom from biochemical failure (bNED), which was considered to be an undetectable PSA level. The median follow-up was 53 months for all patients: 68 months for the ART patients and 35 months for the SRT patients. RESULTS: For the ART group, 8 patients subsequently developed a rising PSA level. The 5-year bNED rate was 88%. SVI was the strongest predictor of outcome, with a 5-year bNED rate of 94% for those without SVI and 65% for those with SVI (p = 0.0002). SVI was the only significant factor in Cox proportional hazards regression analysis in the ART cohort. For the SRT group, 20 patients developed a rising PSA level after RT. The 5-year bNED rate was 66% for all SRT patients, and 43% and 78% in those with a persistently detectable PSA and those with a delayed rise in PSA, respectively. In the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis, this subdivision of SRT was statistically significant. Moreover, when the Cox model included all patients and variables, the timing of RT (ART vs. SRT) was an independent correlate of bNED, as was androgen ablation. CONCLUSION: For RP patients with high-risk pathologic features, the timing of postoperative RT and the PSA status after RP were strong determinants of outcome. Because of the potential confounding factors, direct comparisons of ART and SRT are problematic; however, ART is extremely effective and offers the surest approach for maintaining biochemical control.

Respiratory-driven lung tumor motion is independent of tumor size, tumor location, and pulmonary function.

PURPOSE: To determine whether superior-inferior lung tumor motion is predictable by tumor size or location, or pulmonary function test results. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Superior-inferior tumor motion was measured on orthogonal radiographs taken during simulation of 22 patients with inoperable lung cancer diagnosed by orthogonal radiographs. RESULTS: The tumor size averaged 5.5 +/- 3.1 cm (range 1.5-12 cm). Seven of 11 central tumors demonstrated some motion compared with 5 of 11 peripheral tumors. Four of 5 upper lobe tumors moved compared with 8 of 17 tumors that were either middle or lower lobe lesions. The mean fourth rib motion was 7.3 +/- 3.2 mm (range 2-15). The mean FeV(1) was 1.8 +/- 1.2 (range 0.55-5.33. The mean diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide was 14.0 +/- 6.5 (range 7.8-21.9). The mean total lung capacity was 6.5 +/- 1.2 (range 3.3-8.4). None of these parameters correlated with tumor motion. Although lateral tumor motion could not be consistently determined, 1 tumor moved 10 mm anterior-posteriorly. CONCLUSIONS: Lung tumors often move significantly during respiration. Tumor motion is not predictable by tumor size or location, or pulmonary function test results. Therefore, tumor motion must be measured in all patients. Measurement in three dimensions will likely be necessary to maximize the irradiated lung volumes or choose beam arrangements parallel to the major axis of motion.

Quantitative radionuclide imaging for early determination of fate of mandibular bone grafts.

Clinical assessment of bone-graft healing in the maxillofacial region is generally limited to clinical evaluation, radiographs, and biopsy. A noninvasive quantitative radionuclide method has been developed in an animal model, and it seems to allow earlier prediction of graft failure or success than conventional methods. Using a localization technique to identify preselected regions of interest reproducibly in the graft and adjacent host bone, an activity ration was developed between the graft region and a contralateral control. Two mandibular grafting systems were evaluated with this technique. When the activity ratio for the graft region over the period of study approached, or was greater than, the activity ratio for the host bone, the graft subsequently proved successful by clinical observation and gross dissection. When the activity ratio for the host bone remained greater than that of the graft, healing did not occur and the grafts were unsuccessful. This method allowed prediction of graft fate by 6 wk after grafting, and preceded radiographic confirmation of repair or failure by 2-3 wk.

Differential effect of aging on cholesterol modulation of carbachol-stimulated low-K(m) GTPase in striatal synaptosomes.

Previous research has suggested that age-related decline in physiological functions may be the result of substantial alterations in membrane molecular structure. The purpose of the present experiments was to elucidate the role of cholesterol domains in the age-related decline in receptor-G-protein interactions in striatal synaptosomes. We observed a significant age-related deficit in muscarinic cholinergic stimulated Low-Km GTPase activity and its age-related susceptibility to cholesterol treatment in range of 10(-10)-10(-5) M. Treatment of synaptosomes from old rats with cholesterol in range of 10(-8)-10(-6) M restored the Low-Km GTPase activity up to the level seen in young animals and reached a maximum at 10(-7) M. In synaptosomes from young rats, however, cholesterol treatment did not have any effect on striatal Low-Km GTPase activity. We observed significant alterations in the membrane lipid composition of striatal synaptosomes as a function of age. Our results suggested a significant interaction of age and cholesterol treatment on physical properties of striatal synaptosomes. Thus, the present results of experiments in vitro support our previous results of experiments in vivo and suggested an interaction of cholesterol domains with muscarinic-cholinergic receptor G-protein alpha subunit coupling/uncoupling through regulation of physical properties of striatal synaptosomes.

Serum testosterone is not a correlate of prostate cancer lymph node involvement, but does predict biochemical failure for lymph node positive disease.

Previously we found that serum testosterone (serum-T) correlated with the development of distant metastasis in patients with clinically localized prostate cancer treated with radiotherapy. In this report, the relationship of serum-T to lymph node positivity and to patient outcome for patients with regional lymph node involvement treated with androgen ablation alone was investigated. Serum-T was available in 514 of 854 men with clinically localized prostate cancer who underwent pelvic lymphadenectomy at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1984 and 1993. Pretreatment prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP) and prostate specific antigen (PSA) were assayed in 98% and 95% of patients, respectively. Androgen ablation was achieved via orchiectomy or a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone agonist. Median follow-up was 66 months for the node positive subgroup (n = 92). Serum-T did not correlate with palpable stage, Gleason score, pretreatment PSA, or lymph node involvement. Age ⩽ 60 years and pretreatment PAP > 0.8 mU/ml correlated significantly with higher serum-T. In lymph node positive patients treated with androgen ablation, higher serum-T levels corresponded to both pretreatment PSA > 10 ng/ml and PAP > 0.8 mU/ml. Serum-T predicted for biochemical failure, but not metastatic relapse or overall survival. Actuarial 5-year biochemical failure rate was 73% for serum T > 500 ng/dl and 57% for serum-T ≤ 500 (p = 0.009). Multivariate analysis showed serum-T to be an independent correlate of rising PSA, both as a continuous (p = 0.001) or categorical (p = 0.037) variable. Serum-T did not significantly correlate with lymph node positivity, and therefore is not a marker for regional disease spread. However, serum-T was significantly associated with biochemical failure in node-positive patients treated with androgen ablation alone.

Sequential quantitative radionuclide evaluation of mandibular bone graft repair.

We have developed a noninvasive method to derive quantitative radionuclide data from images of grafted beagle dog mandibles. This method includes an accurate means for localizing the graft in sequential radionuclide images. The resultant data permit quantitative confirmation of the progress of osseous repair in the grafted bones. With this method, it is possible to compare bone repair activity between experimental subjects and also between selected zones within individual bones and thus objectively define the pattern of repair that occurred in various anatomic regions of the grafted mandible.

Development of electrophoretic conditions for the characterization of protein glycoforms by capillary electrophoresis-electrospray mass spectrometry.

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method using acidic buffers and capillaries coated with Polybrene, a cationic polymer has been developed for the separation of glycoproteins and glycopeptides. Electrophoretic conditions have been optimized to provide resolution of individual glycoforms observed for different glycoprotein preparations. These conditions were found to be entirely compatible with the operation of electrospray mass spectrometry (ESMS), which facilitated the assignments of possible carbohydrate compositions of glycopeptides arising from digests of glycoproteins. By using operating conditions enhanced the formation of oxonium fragment ions prior to mass spectral analysis, selective identification of glycopeptides was achieved for complex samples such as those from proteolytic digests or chemical cleavages. Examples of applications are presented for ribonuclease B, ovalbumin, horseradish peroxidase, and a lectin from Erithrina corallodendron using both CE-ESMS and CE with ultraviolet detection (CE-UV).