Rapid determination of gold in whole blood of arthritis patients using flameless atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

An assay for gold in whole blood of arthritis patients was developed using the graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometer. This method involves no pretreatment of the whole blood except for simple dilution, thereby eliminating some variables and saving laboratory time and expense.

GLC analysis of lidocaine in blood using an alkaline flame-ionization detector.

A method was developed for the quantitative GLC determination of lidocaine and its major metabolite monoethylglycinexylidide. By using the specificity of the alkaline flame-ionization detector, this simple analytical procedure is extremely sensitive, rapid, and easily performed.

The establishment of sheep flocks of predictable susceptibility to expirimental scrapie.

A selection experiment, based on a foundation stock of over 700 Herdwick sheep and aimed at producing divergent populations of predictable high susceptibility or resistance to experimental scrapie was begun at this Institute in 1961. Twelve years later, flocks of presumed 100 per cent susceptibility to the Cheviot-dervied scrapie agent SSBP-1 used throughout the experiment, and also manifesting a high incidence of the disease when challenged with other scrapie strains, are used in the Compton scrapie research programme. The highly resistant flocks appear to have a small residual incidence of scrapie cases, often with very long incubation periods. The type of scrapie caused by the SSBP-1 agent is largely under the genetic control of a single pair of autosomal alleles, the dominant allele conferring susceptibility.

The priority for equine research.

An attempt is made to review the validity of the claim that more equine research is required with the conclusion that the problems in the equine field that would respond to research must be listed and each assigned a degree of priority according to suggested criteria. Future action will then depend upon identifying or stimulating scientific initiative and seeking the required financial support noting that self help from the equine industry has not been adequately utilised.

A history of the ARC's support of veterinary research.

The Agricultural Research Council on its creation in 1931 inherited, as it were, a substantial research service in the form of established institutes, many of long standing. The earliest identified research priorities were all related to animal disease at a time when the then four veterinary schools were ill-housed with minimal staff and with little or no research capability. The ARC's rôle was then essentially advisory. Although it established its first institute in 1937 against considerable opposition, it did not become financially independent, in England and Wales at least, until 1956. In the meantime, a reluctance on the part of certain universities to take advantage of opportunities to expand agricultural research activities did much to steer the Council's policy towards investing in its own institutes rather than by attempting to support research on any considerable scale in university departments. As a result of this policy, the universities in general and the veterinary schools in particular have fared much less well in comparison with the scientific disciplines supported by the other Research Councils. On the other hand, many aspects of agricultural research, which at one time were restricted to the universities and colleges, have progressed most notably in the institutes directly financed or grant-aided by the ARC. This applies especially to plant breeding and to animal health.

Making the best of corporate integrity agreements.

Corporate integrity agreements (CIAs) imposed by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of HHS have increased dramatically in the past five years. Healthcare organizations that enter into a CIA face burdensome monitoring and reporting requirements. However, it may be possible to lessen these burdens by negotiating modifications to the CIA's requirements. Organizations that have compliance programs in place can negotiate with the OIG to integrate elements of their existing compliance programs into the CIA. The organization also should attempt to negotiate limiting the scope of the monitoring to include only the area that was originally investigated. In addition, it may be valuable to negotiate insertion of a clause in the CIA allowing the organization to request renegotiation of the terms and duration of certain elements of the agreement after the first year, if conditions are met. An organized CIA negotiation process may be valuable in obtaining a reduced scope of the procedures required by the CIA and preparing the organization to meet its obligations.

Effect of an antacid on gastrointestinal absorption of theophylline.

The effect of a magnesium-aluminum hydroxide antacid (Maalox) on the oral absorption of aminophylline tablets was studied. Twelve healthy adults were administered 200 mg of aminophylline alone or with 30 ml of antacid in a complete crossover study. Blood samples were drawn at 0.33, 0.67, 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 24 hours following theophylline (as aminophylline) administration. Theophylline plasma levels were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. The plasma theophylline concentrations of the group receiving theophylline only were significantly greater than those of the group receiving theophylline plus antacid at the 0.67- and 1-hour sample times only (p less than 0.05). The extent of theophylline absorption and the eliminated rate constant were not significantly affected by the antacid. Antacid significantly decreased theophylline's absorption rate constant (p less than 0.05), indicating a slower absorption of theophylline with antacid. Concurrent administration of the antacid Maalox should not significantly change theophylline's clinical effect.